「Early the next morning.」

Zhou Hansong led the fifteen selected Martial Artists to the Sect Hall.

All fifteen members had already signed the Oath Contract, so no further individual procedures were necessary. Three of them were from the Earth Branch Lineage, and the remaining twelve had been selected from the existing group of Martial Artists.

The selection method was quite simple: combat spars to pick out the winners or those who were evenly matched.

These Martial Artists frequently engaged in actual combat, so they had a fair amount of practical experience. They were not your typical Martial Artists who were all show and no substance.

Although their Martial Arts weren’t yet proficient, they could still put up a fight against Martial Artists of the same grade.

Even a fifteen-year-old Martial Artist!

Inside the Sect Hall, Cheng Zongyang was also present. This time, he would be the one to lead them out.

The goal was for them to begin handling some affairs in Tiantuan Village and Jade Peak County.

Zhou Hansong handed their files and roster to Cheng Zongyang.

Cheng Zongyang took the roster and walked to the front.

The ages of these individuals ranged from their teens to their twenties. Without any pep talks or empty promises, he got straight to the point:

"The Cheng Family has focused on training you to become Eighth Grade Martial Artists, and we’ve already told you the purpose. Now, it’s time to put you to use.

You must remember what I’m about to say. Etch it into your minds and do not forget.

First, the Commerce Hall has been established, and today is the day it officially begins operations. You will be placed under its management.

In the future, all commercial matters you are responsible for, including financial transactions and the movement of goods, will be registered and processed through the Commerce Hall.

Second, you must abide by the terms of the Immortal Ancestor’s Oath..."

Cheng Zongyang explained several important matters.

Things like their origins and identities. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Although they had all signed the contract, everything still needed to be kept confidential. He was worried they might not take the agreement seriously and reveal core secrets to outsiders, which would trigger its fatal penalty and get them killed.

’We’re in dire need of manpower right now. I can’t afford to waste any of them.’

’Although I’ve placed some Low Tier Soul Crystal Stones in the prison, the Chaotic Burial Mound, and on Soul-Soothing Slope, I never intended to use the corpses of my own villagers.’

Once he had explained everything, Cheng Zongyang announced:

"You have the day off to rest. Tomorrow morning, you’ll descend the mountain with me. Dismissed!"

"Yes, sir!"

The fifteen Martial Artists, standing at attention, shouted in unison.

This was the result of their training: turning commoners into soldiers, and soldiers into Martial Artists.

’This generation hasn’t been indoctrinated by the Cheng Family Village’s education, so they don’t feel any particular way about it. But with the second and third generations, the effects will become prominent.’

After they were dismissed, Cheng Zongyang headed to the Medicine Hall.

His uncle had tested the Red Blood Pill yesterday after receiving it, and now Cheng Zongyang was here to check on the results.

Knowing his nephew’s purpose, Cheng Guangshan said:

"Yesterday, I ran experiments on ordinary people, Martial Artists, and livestock—cattle, sheep, and pigs. The effects are indeed as you described, but with some slight differences."

Cheng Zongyang remained silent, listening intently.

Cheng Guangshan handed a small booklet of his records to Cheng Zongyang and said,

"The effects aren’t exactly instantaneous, but different reactions generally appear within one hour. It’s all recorded here."

"I found two ordinary people for the test. After taking the pill, their qi and blood surged, and their strength increased dramatically, as if they’d taken a Great Replenishing Pill. They had to vent the excess energy through high-intensity training.

At the same time, while ’that’ aspect was enhanced, there was no accompanying lust or desire.

My current hypothesis is that it’s a powerful supplement for qi and blood. For ordinary people, it would be best to take it in a diluted form; otherwise, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits and it could be harmful to the body.

However, for ordinary people who cultivate or for those on the verge of reaching Entry Grade, it’s an excellent supplementary medicine. It could even be used as a breakthrough elixir."

"I tested it on three Martial Artists, all from the Lower Three Grades. They also experienced a supplement to their qi and blood, though the effect wasn’t as intense as in ordinary people. However, after two hours of training, we found they didn’t need to eat to replenish their energy.

In fact, I just checked on them, and they were only now eating their first meal. My speculation is that for Martial Artists, it supplements qi and blood and restores stamina. The effect lasts for about three hours. As for its effect on those in the Middle Third Grades... you’d have to try it yourself to find out."

Cheng Zongyang was left speechless. "We’ll see," he said.

Cheng Guangshan didn’t seem to mind and continued,

"As for the livestock, I ran some experiments and discovered a peculiar effect, similar to an aphrodisiac. About fifteen minutes after ingestion, they began to react. They only stopped after mating with six or seven other animals.

There were also some physical changes. Their appetites increased dramatically, and when I checked this morning, they had gained three to four pounds in weight."

Having said his piece, Cheng Guangshan gazed with burning intensity at the few remaining Red Blood Pills in his hand and declared,

"You could say this Red Blood Pill is an all-purpose elixir. If we could mass-produce it, it could be used by ordinary people, Martial Artists, and livestock alike. The effects on ordinary people and livestock are especially remarkable."

However, Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "We can’t mass-produce it anytime soon."

As he spoke, Cheng Zongyang took a small bamboo tube from his pocket, one he had gotten from Zhang Jinquan in the Wilderness World last night. It was only about half the size of his palm.

"For the Red Blood Pill, besides the Red Blood Mushroom I gave you before, there is an even more important primary ingredient: the Red Jade Ganoderma."

He handed the small bamboo tube to Cheng Guangshan.

Cheng Guangshan carefully opened it to look inside. The tube contained a piece the size of a pinky fingernail, soaking in a foul-smelling, bloody liquid.

"This is a rare Red Jade Ganoderma..."

After explaining the item’s function, Cheng Zongyang continued,

"If we want to mass-produce the Red Blood Pill, the Red Blood Mushrooms are easy enough to cultivate. But this Red Jade Ganoderma can only be harvested for medicine after it has fully grown. This means the future supply of Red Blood Pills will be limited... unless we reach a point where we have more Red Jade Ganoderma than we know what to do with."