Reincarnation Paradise Park

Chapter 991: Chapter 79: Risks

”Name your price.”

Su Xiao ordered a cup of coffee for Black Merchant 24K, who nodded politely.

”Mister Bai Ye, since we’ve worked together before, I’ll give you a discount. How about 300,000 Paradise coins?”

Undoubtedly, for the audience of this blueprint, 300,000 is an astronomical price, even if this blueprint is of golden quality.

Su Xiao just smiled, staring at Black Merchant 24K without saying a word.

seconds, a minute, five minutes.

Beads of sweat formed on Black Merchant 24K’s forehead, hidden by his hood, while the café’s owner from a distance swallowed and murmured, ”What’s with this tense atmosphere? It’s just a trade deal, does it have to be this terrifying?”

Imagine being stared at by Su Xiao, who is full of bloodlust, with a smile on his face, and Black Merchant 24K panicking.

”Ahem, haggling during negotiations is normal, so...”

Though a bit wary of Su Xiao, Black Merchant 24K is a seasoned merchant. No matter the situation, he must maintain the basic dignity of a merchant, which means not selling at a loss.

”50,000 Paradise coins + two bottles of recovery potion.”

Su Xiao couldn’t use too many Paradise coins, as he still needed to create alchemical creatures, which was a significant expense.

”What quality of recovery potion?”

Black Merchant 24K didn’t immediately refuse, as he was a refined merchant. Before confirming the trading partner’s offer, he wouldn’t turn it down, no matter how outrageous the offer might be.

”Purple quality.”

As Su Xiao spoke, he took out a bottle of No.1 Elixir. This was a specially improved No.1 Elixir, containing a minimal amount of Hashirama Cells, thus posing no risk of woodification, though its recovery is somewhat lower.

The full version of the No.1 Elixir can restore 87% of Life Value, while this version restores 76%. To Su Xiao, this was rather average.

Seeing this elixir, Black Merchant 24K was taken aback. He had seen higher-grade potions but never one with such recovery at a purple quality. He linked this to Su Xiao’s intention to purchase an Alchemist Creature Blueprint.

”It’s quite surprising. Originally, I thought Mister Bai Ye was of the close-combat class. Now it seems that your Intelligence Attribute is astonishingly high.”

The Black Merchant’s words slightly puzzled Su Xiao, though he concealed it and pondered their meaning.

It was evident that the Black Merchant was interested in this modified No.1 Elixir, directly stating that Su Xiao’s Intelligence Attribute was very high. This suggested that Intelligence Attribute could enhance alchemy?

Not quite; if that were the case, he would have noticed long ago. However, there’s another possibility: the Intelligence Attribute could enhance independently developed formulas, notably in pharmacology, as demonstrated by Su Xiao’s self-developed No.1 Elixir.

Long ago, he had wondered why the No.1 Elixir was so powerful; a purple quality potion capable of restoring 87% of Life Value with strong organ healing effects.

Understanding this, Su Xiao realized that the Intelligence Attribute boosts formulas he developed independently, undoubtedly crucial information.

”How about it?”

Su Xiao looked up at Black Merchant 24K.

”Clearly, Mister Bai Ye, you don’t want to spend too many Paradise coins. There must be a need for them soon. How about this: 20 bottles of this potion + 50,000 Paradise coins.”

”1 bottle.”

”...”

Black Merchant 24K fell silent, his face showing some displeasure.

”Mister Bai Ye, isn’t this a bit insincere?”

”No, I’m very sincere.”

Amid the brief exchange, Su Xiao understood why the Black Merchant valued the No.1 Elixir. Despite its large Life Value recovery, it has minor side effects, which drastically lower its price in case of any adverse effects. This is why Su Xiao never sold the No.1 Elixir, as it’s unsellable. Even the slightest status drop during combat is fatal, and the No.1 Elixir was exclusively his; it wasn’t suitable for others.

Black Merchant 24K was interested because he intended to decode the No.1 Elixir formula for improvement. If successful, it would be a windfall.

However, Black Merchant 24K overestimated. The components of No.1 Elixir are so complex that they bewilder most alchemists. Derived from the Special Level Alchemy Secret Medicine, Su Xiao greatly improved it with Hashirama Cells and other materials, making its formulation extremely challenging. Even with the formula, other alchemists might not succeed as it’s Su Xiao’s personal recipe.

”If that’s the case, never mind. There are many other merchant groups in Paradise.”

The implication was clear: the Black Sail Merchant Group wasn’t the only one available since Su Xiao often dealt with them first due to prior collaboration.

Black Merchant 24K showed contemplation. Su Xiao was indeed a longstanding and powerful client, and losing him would be worrisome. The Black Flag Trading Company succeeded because of clients like him, not solely the economic acumen of Chairman Qian Da Pang.

”Deal.”

Black Merchant 24K decided decisively. The Alchemist Creature Blueprint was acquired by their merchant group for 40,000 Paradise coins. Yes, only 40,000. It had such a niche market that a person couldn’t possibly sell or use it, rendering it valueless despite its golden quality. The previous owner priced it initially at 250,000 Paradise coins, then 150,000 after two Derivative Worlds, and finally, 60,000, before reluctantly selling it for 40,000 to the Black Sail Merchant Group.

Su Xiao paid 50,000 Paradise coins + 1 No.1 Elixir to obtain the golden blueprint, which perhaps had been languishing in the Black Sail Merchant Group for a long time.

Having received the blueprint, Su Xiao immediately utilized it.

[You have mastered the Winter Minotaur manufacturing blueprint.]

[Materials required for Winter Minotaur: High-level Pseudo-Living Skeleton (12 pieces), Large Monster Crystal Core (1 piece), High-level Biological Magic Guide Tissue (42 pieces), Biological Metal (27 pieces), Active Hydrogen (50 pieces), Magic Energy Conduction Pattern (18 pieces), Aslan Powder (36 pieces), Soul Fragments (307 pieces), and 3000 Mana Value.]

...

The sheer amount of materials would deter over 80% of creators, with each material carrying a hefty price tag. Su Xiao attempted to substitute with Paradise coins.

[To substitute materials with Paradise coins requires an expenditure of 460,000 Paradise coins and 3 Soul Crystals (Medium).]

This information didn’t surprise Su Xiao, as he had a contingency plan.

”I need to purchase other items as well.”

”You’re always welcome.”

After a simple description by Su Xiao, Black Merchant 24K compiled a list, and an hour later, the transaction concluded.

Upon leaving the café, Su Xiao headed straight to the trading market and meticulously searched among the multitude of stalls, stopping only by midday. Including the purchases from Black Merchant 24K and the trading market, Su Xiao spent a total of 130,000 Paradise coins.

The materials required for the Winter Minotaur were numerous, which, to a degree, was advantageous; the more materials needed, the higher the chance of finding substitutes. Products like Apollo, needing only three materials, were tougher to handle.

After a substantial shopping spree, Su Xiao returned to the Alchemy Lab in his personal room, and soon Bubu Wang returned as well to serve as an assistant.

Su Xiao attempted once more to substitute needed materials with Paradise coins. Having procured many materials, the coin consumption significantly decreased to 100,000 Paradise coins.

Indeed, using Paradise coins as a material substitute was costly. Unless absolutely necessary, Su Xiao preferred not to replace materials with coins.

As Paradise coins rapidly vanished, a multitude of materials formed from Paradise coins appeared in Su Xiao’s hands. The quality of these materials was exceptionally high, as products made in Paradise were bound to be of premium quality.

The Winter Minotaur’s creation had high entry requirements; the mere 3000 Mana Value consumption barred many. Any deficiency in Mana Value could disrupt the process, nullifying all materials.

Su Xiao took a deep breath, took out three Soul Crystals (Medium), and shattered them, obtaining 312 Soul Fragments.

With everything in place, it was time to begin creating the Winter Minotaur. Bubu Wang was excited, as it would control the Winter Minotaur during combat and carry it at other times, boosting its combat strength with a mighty asset.

Su Xiao had only one chance; any failure meant a loss of 230,000 Paradise coins. Perhaps for this reason, very few Contractors ventured into Alchemic Biology Manufacturing, given the enormous potential payoff outweighed by the high risk.