Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 7 Strategy in Progress

Observing the fretful looks on the Wang sisters' faces, Zhao Sheng wore a faint smile and spoke, "I shall take charge of the perfume's formulation, while the two of you handle the distribution. We will divide the profits equally between our two parties."

"That is impossible!" Wang Yu Yan blurted out immediately.

Remaining composed, Zhao Sheng replied, "Nothing is impossible. I suspect you would prefer your family to remain ignorant of this perfume business as well."

By this point, he held the reins of the situation firmly in his hands.

The Wang sisters were simply too green; Zhao Sheng had seen through their intentions with ease.

"How were you able to guess that?"

Wang Yu Yan’s expression shifted violently upon hearing Zhao Sheng lay bare their hidden motives.

Zhao Sheng decided it was best not to push her further, fearing a potential backlash if he provoked her too much.

He clarified, "If the Wang Family were aware of this venture, I doubt it would be the two of you standing before me today..."

It was then that the Wang sisters realized they had indeed left such a glaring vulnerability exposed.

Regaining her self-possession, Wang Yu Yan said with a serious tone, "A fifty-fifty split is far too much. Let it be twenty-eighty; I take eighty percent and you take twenty!"

Zhao Sheng shook his head in refusal. "No, an equal split is my final offer. After all, I am the one providing the raw materials, the labor, and the secret formula. Furthermore, the process of perfume-making is intricate and difficult to carry out."

"Yet without us, this perfume would never reach the hands of fellow cultivators. Tell me, Mr. Zhao, do you even possess a sales channel?"

Following Wang Yu Yan’s counter-argument, Wang Yuqi suddenly cut in, "Should my grandfather discover this, you won't just lose out on Spirit Stones—you might find it difficult to keep your very life."

"Oh, you make a fair point. Very well, I shall concede a little; let us split it forty-sixty."

"That still won't do..."

An hour later, following a spirited yet cordial discussion, both sides finally settled on a thirty-seventy split. Furthermore, Zhao Sheng made a generous gesture by allowing the Wang sisters to "purchase on credit."

With the negotiations concluded successfully, Zhao Sheng found himself naturally closer to the sisters. Achieving this rapport had been his primary objective for the day.

Even though his original plan had shifted midway, the outcome was better than expected. Now that they were bound by business, their bond would inevitably strengthen, and his goals would fall into place.

Once they had settled on the monthly production targets for the perfume, Zhao Sheng cast a glance toward the area outside the pavilion and inquired abruptly, "Are the attendants you brought with you trustworthy?"

Startled by the sudden question, Wang Yu Yan nodded with certainty. "Wang Si was raised by my father since he was a boy. He would never dream of betraying us!"

"Is your honorable father currently at home?" Zhao Sheng probed further.

Though she lacked worldly experience, Wang Yu Yan was sharp enough to catch the hidden meaning in Zhao Sheng’s query. She quickly answered, "He has departed on business and won't return for at least half a year."

Hmm.

Zhao Sheng gave a nod, temporarily suppressing his urge to eliminate Wang Si.

Meanwhile, standing outside the pavilion, Wang Si secretly let out a breath of relief.

Just a moment ago, a sharp and oppressive Sword Intent had suddenly surged from Mr. Zhao, locking onto him with lethal intent.

In that brief span, his entire body ached under the pressure of that Sword Intent; he felt the terrifying illusion that he was facing a high-ranking expert from the Innate Sword Sect.

"What a frightening youth!" Wang Si thought, filled with lingering dread. "Could this man have already stepped into the Innate realm?"

Wang Si could never have guessed that while Zhao Sheng possessed a potent Innate Sword Intent, he had not yet refined Innate True Qi.

By draining his entire reservoir of True Qi, Zhao Sheng could only execute a single strike comparable to the full power of the Innate Sword Sect.

This technique was Zhao Sheng’s ultimate hidden card, capable of slaying any martial artist who had not yet reached the Innate stage.

Following that day, the trio’s partnership was officially forged.

Zhao Sheng dispatched a message via carrier pigeon to his kin, offering a brief summary of the situation.

Shortly after, a hidden workshop within the Zhao Family’s Castle was placed under strict lockdown. A group of loyal family retainers was moved inside to commence the mass production of the perfume.

Simultaneously, Zhao Sheng insisted on traveling with the sisters, claiming that their lack of experience might lead to slips that would expose their operation.

Thus, the three of them adopted various disguises and began frequenting the diverse cultivation markets across the Liang Kingdom, selecting specific storefronts to sell their perfume in large quantities.

They encountered several hazards during this journey, but Zhao Sheng’s seasoned expertise allowed them to navigate every danger safely.

The reason Zhao Sheng avoided retail sales was his awareness that perfume-making was not overly complex; it couldn't remain a secret from determined observers forever. Consequently, his strategy was to maximize profits before the formula was inevitably reverse-engineered.

The Wang sisters were far too optimistic, believing they could maintain this business at a slow and steady pace indefinitely.

The appeal of the perfume was undeniable, making their sales efforts highly successful, and the venture was soon running like clockwork.

Time slipped away, and four months vanished in the blink of an eye.

In this duration, the group amassed a fortune that far surpassed even their loftiest predictions.

Nevertheless, Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi appeared perpetually dejected, wearing somber expressions throughout the day.

This was because that man’s prediction had once again proven true. A certain cultivator had already managed to crack the perfume's recipe.

In truth,

When compared to the complexities of alchemy, the art of perfume-making was remarkably straightforward.

Zhao Sheng, however, was unconcerned with such fleeting profits.

It had taken him a mere two days to fully understand the temperaments of the two sisters.

The elder sister was logical and sharp, yet possessed a greedy streak for wealth. The younger sister was rash and easily confused, driven by vanity and a love for gourmet food and fine silks.

Four months of constant proximity had allowed his relationship with the Wang sisters to progress significantly. Wang Yuqi had fallen completely for him, her heart entirely ensnared by her feelings.

This rapid success was not just the result of Zhao Sheng’s careful maneuvering, but also his mastery of two romantic secrets.

The first was "Occupying her leisure time," and the second followed the proverb: "If she is innocent of the world, show her its grandeur; if she is weary of the world, take her on a carousel."

A charismatic, handsome, and brilliantly intelligent young man, spending his days courting you with humility while providing endless delicacies and beautiful attire—

How many women could possibly withstand such a pursuit?

Wang Yuqi certainly couldn't. Her sister, Wang Yu Yan, seemed more perceptive, yet even her eyes often shone with an unusual light when she looked at Zhao Sheng.

...

"Eight hundred and three, eight hundred and four, eight hundred and..."

Inside a simple but roomy chamber, Wang Yu Yan was diligently counting, totaling the Spirit Stones they had gathered during their travels.

A small mountain of Spirit Stones sat piled upon the table before her.

Nearby, Wang Yuqi—dressed in a pink, tasseled long gown—suddenly let out an impatient huff. "Sister Yu Yan, stop counting them. There are exactly eight hundred and fifty-four Spirit Stones; you've already tallied them dozens of times. Isn't that enough?"

"Eight hundred and nine, eight hundred and ten..."

Ignoring her sister’s outburst, Wang Yu Yan continued her count with calm focus.

Growing more annoyed, Wang Yuqi raised her voice, "Brother Zhi Qin already said that two hundred and forty Spirit Stones would suffice for him; he doesn't want any more than that."