As evening approached, Chen Shu and the others had already returned to Huaxia Academy in the capital.
In the first beast-taming building, room 703, the group arrived at their exclusive classroom. Several urea bags filled with medicinal herbs and fierce beast materials were already arranged around the room.
All five were smiling, beginning to estimate the spoils from their recent operation.
As night fell, "Together with the mission reward we accepted, it's about eighty million!"
The five of them let out a long sigh, their expressions brimming with excitement. In less than a month, they had earned eighty million in resources.
"Actually, Black Iron grade medicinal herbs are in short supply, so their value would be a bit higher," Fang Si said. "I'll list them on the beast-taming network later. Do any of you need any resources?"
"Trading Black Iron grade medicinal herbs for Huaxia currency is the least cost-effective; bartering is the best option. Especially for high-level beast tamers, Huaxia currency is just a number to them, offering no improvement. Only beast-taming resources can do that."
"I don't need anything. Just convert it to Huaxia currency."
"Me neither."
Lu Zhining spoke up, "Sister Fang Si, I want to exchange for materials from a Cracking Earth Demonic Wolf Lord."
"Alright!" Fang Si nodded and looked at Chen Shu, asking, "Chen Pi, what about you?"
"I want potions, any Black Iron grade potions." Both of his contracted spirits had not yet consumed the full dosage of Black Iron grade potions, which was the fastest way to increase their strength.
Lu Zhining reminded him, "Junior Chen Shu, you can use your academy credits to exchange for potions in the future. Credits can be exchanged for various resources; there's no need to use them for potions."
Chen Shu shook his head. "Huaxia Academy's credits are extremely precious and shouldn't be used lightly."
"Let's leave it at that," Fang Si agreed with Chen Shu's decision. "Exchanging Black Iron grade medicinal herbs for potions of the same grade will allow for quick sales. After all, alchemists will take action, profiting from the price difference."
"Now let's talk about this stone." The gazes of the five were fixed on the cyan stone, which was the true treasure from the Black Tree King.
Fang Si stated, "Based on my examination, a Black Iron grade true treasure is worth about 100 million, while a Silver grade one's value directly multiplies ten times!"
"Ten billion?!" Upon hearing this, Chen Shu and the others' breathing involuntarily quickened. "But this true treasure hasn't fully matured, its value is only about half of the original."
Fang Si looked back and forth at the cyan stone in her hand. "True treasures also have a long growth period, requiring them to constantly absorb the aura of King-level fierce beasts. Only after completing its transformation will it be swallowed by a King-level fierce beast. The White Lion's true treasure was already close to maturity, which is why Chen Shu didn't hesitate to let Erha devour it. The effect wouldn't be much different. But this current cyan stone is far from it; its efficacy might only be half of the original."
"Does anyone want it?" Fang Si asked. "If not, we'll sell it directly."
Everyone shook their heads, choosing not to keep it for themselves. A Silver grade true treasure was too precious for them, and moreover, this was a wood-attribute true treasure, which wouldn't be of much use to them. Erha could use it, but a Black Iron grade contracted spirit consuming a Silver grade true treasure was too extravagant. To maximize its effect, it would be best for a Silver grade spirit to consume it.
"In that case, let's divide it at 500 million Huaxia coins." After some discussion, the five finally decided that Chen Shu would take half, and the remaining amount would be divided equally among the other four. Chen Shu's disguise potions and berserk potions had undoubtedly played a major role in obtaining the true treasure. When it came to the distribution of profits, there were no conflicts among the five.
Fang Si announced, "It might take some time to process everything. Everyone is free to do as they please."
Chen Shu left the classroom 701 and walked along a tree-lined path in Huaxia Academy.
"Junior Chen Shu." Just then, a soft voice called out. It was Qiao Yue and the other two!
Chen Shu turned back and asked, "Sisters, what's up?" He seemed to recall something and added, "Don't worry, I'll mail the pajamas to you soon."
"Uh, it's not that..." Qiao Yue shook her head and said, "We wanted to ask about your potions..." She then added, fearing Chen Shu might misunderstand, "If it's inconvenient to tell, then forget it." They were simply curious, after all, Chen Shu's potions were too heaven-defying.
"I won the beast-taming competition, and the governor of Nancang Province gave them to me." Chen Shu spoke nonsense with a straight face. He couldn't reveal the truth and simply let a King-level beast tamer take the blame. Besides, no one dared to question the governor.
Qiao Yue and the other two suddenly understood and nodded, "So that's how it is. Don't worry, junior, we won't tell anyone!" The three of them smiled and turned to leave.
Perhaps due to the great trust in Fang Si, Chen Shu felt a sense of trust towards Qiao Yue and the others as well.
"Having over two hundred million Huaxia coins just like that, it's truly vexing..." Chen Shu shook his head, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "Money, truly the source of suffering!"
Passersby who witnessed this cast glances of astonishment. "Are you even speaking human words?"
The next day, Chen Shu arrived at the shops of Tianhua Group.
"Mr. Chen, the ingredients you requested have arrived. Would you like us to help you transport them?"
"Yes." Chen Shu nodded. He had bought a month's worth of ingredients, and he certainly couldn't carry them all. "Please send them to the Kyoto Culinary School." Chen Shu didn't have a fixed residence in Kyoto, so he had to temporarily store the ingredients in Zhang Dali's private kitchen.
The service staff smiled and said, "It's a total of 1.12 million."
Chen Shu nodded, inwardly surprised at the high cost. However, to display his wealthy demeanor, he remained outwardly composed. After all, the recipes were created by a King-level culinary master, and the ingredients were sourced from all over the country, incurring significant transportation and storage costs. Chen Shu sighed. "For a month, my two contracted spirits eat over a million, living better than I do! It's truly a case of humans being inferior to dogs!"
"Oh, right. Please prepare the raw materials for a basic flame potion for me! Do you have them in stock?"
"Of course!" the service staff replied with a smile. As a nationwide group, they practically always had materials for basic potions in stock.
"Okay, that's good. Send them to the Culinary School as well." Chen Shu left the Tianhua shop. His proficiency in flame potions had already reached Grandmaster level, so he naturally wanted to try out the new effects.
An hour later, Chen Shu arrived at the entrance of the Culinary University. Just as he was about to enter, the old man at the gate suddenly called out, reminding him, "Young man, remember not to cause trouble!"
Chen Shu nodded, not expecting the old man to recognize him. "Don't worry, Grandpa, I won't act personally!" He smiled, silently adding, "Whoever provokes me, I'll throw a nuclear bomb at them!"
He strode into the Culinary University and proceeded to Zhang Dali's private kitchen.
"Chen Shu, you're alive?" Zhang Dali looked Chen Shu up and down with an expression of extreme disappointment.
"What's with that expression?" Chen Shu's mouth twitched. "I'm back, and you seem very disappointed?"
Zhang Dali replied, "I've learned a new cuisine recently. I can personally prepare a feast for you then!"
"???"