## Chapter 35: A New Trade Route
Deep in the night, the moon shone bright.
In the Meditation Chamber, Su Nan sat cross-legged, staring at the panel in front of him.
**[Su Nan Arnest, Human Male, 17 Years Old]**
**[Spirit 15.23/Constitution 12.83]**
**[Skills]**
* Star Ring Meditation Method Lv4 (12759/20000)
* Potion Making Lv3 (108/6000)
* Creature Modification Lv2 (319/3000)
Nearly five months had passed since he had advanced to become a Second-Rank Wizard Apprentice. He still needed to increase the proficiency of the Star Ring Meditation Method by about one-third before it could level up.
“The speed of constructing the Star Ring is still too slow.”
“I should try using the Lower-Grade Revitalization Potion to synthesize more efficient potions when I return this time.”
Su Nan pondered silently.
With his current constitution and spiritual power, he should be able to take higher-level potions without any problems.
The key issue was still the cost.
As Potion Making had leveled up to level 3, his success rate in making Lower-Grade Revitalization Potions had increased significantly. Consequently, the cost of the potions had also dropped considerably.
Currently, the cost of a Lower-Grade Revitalization Potion was just over eight gold coins.
However, synthesizing a low-grade first-order Revitalization Potion cost around one hundred gold coins.
“To see a significant improvement in my meditation efficiency, I need to use at least a high-grade first-order Revitalization Potion. The cost for that will probably not be less than two hundred gold coins.”
“Two hundred gold coins a month, that means two thousand four hundred gold coins a year. That’s almost the same as Black Stone City’s revenue for half a year.”
“If I were to synthesize a second-order potion, the cost would be at least a thousand gold coins.”
Su Nan frowned.
Black Stone City was currently in a period of rapid development. Whether it was expanding the army or further developing the Blackstone Mine Area, it required a significant amount of money.
Even if Kei didn’t mind, Su Nan couldn’t possibly withdraw too much gold for his own use.
After all, the growth and prosperity of Black Stone City were equally important.
“I still need to find ways to increase our revenue.”
Su Nan looked at the Revitalization Potion in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Perhaps he could try selling zero-level potions.
For example, Brute Strength Potion, Healing Potion, and Swiftness Potion.
During the battle against the Black Scale Lizardmen, the cavalry regiment had taken Brute Strength Potion and Healing Potion. The feedback was quite good after the battle. �
If he sold these potions, many knights would probably be interested.
Of course, the potions sold externally would need to be differentiated from those used by the Black Stone City knights.
For example, he could dilute one potion into three.
This way, he could sell more potions and earn more gold.
The more Su Nan thought about it, the more feasible the idea seemed. He decided to make a batch of potions before leaving and give them to the Fire Fox Trading Company to test the waters.
If the response was good enough, he could expand the scale after returning.
As long as this trade route was established, he wouldn’t have to worry about the cost of materials for synthesizing high-grade Revitalization Potions anymore.
“That’s it!”
Su Nan’s spirit lifted slightly. He got up and walked outside.
The gloomy night shrouded the entire courtyard, seemingly silent.
But only Su Nan could sense that Stealthy Dragon was curled up asleep under the courtyard wall, just over ten meters away.
Over the past period, he had performed blood transfusion surgery on Stealthy Dragon more than ten times, forcibly increasing its Dragon Lizard bloodline by more than ten percentage points.
Now, Stealthy Dragon’s Dragon Lizard bloodline had exceeded 35%, its body had expanded again, and its physical strength had been enhanced to the level of a mid-level Great Knight.
Even against a peak Great Knight, Stealthy Dragon could now put up a fight.
Therefore, Su Nan decided to bring Stealthy Dragon to Stone Bell City this time.
With its chameleon-like camouflage ability and ability to become intangible, he wouldn’t have to worry about being discovered even if he entered the city.
He could also use it as a mount to travel.
It was a win-win situation.
As for the original Blackrock Beast, Su Nan had casually given it to Bread.
“The Rune Gemstones are also ready.”
The fight with the Black Sword Knight had proven the power and practicality of Rune Gemstones.
Even a beginner Great Knight couldn’t withstand the power of a Lightning Rune Gemstone.
So, in recent days, Su Nan had made more than a dozen attack-type Rune Gemstones.
Now, he had over thirty Rune Gemstones on him.
A hidden human cannon.
Besides Stealthy Dragon and Rune Gemstones, he also had the Spell Scroll and Blood Vine Ring as his aces up his sleeve.
In short, as long as he wasn’t facing a Legendary Knight, no matter what enemy he encountered, he would at least have the ability to protect himself and escape.
“You want to sell potions?”
When Su Nan placed the potions he had spent three days making in front of Kei, the latter couldn’t help but be taken aback.
“Yes.”
Su Nan nodded and pointed to the potions, saying, “These are diluted potions. Their effectiveness is about one-third of the original, and each bottle costs about seventy silver coins. We can sell them directly to the Fire Fox Trading Company. We’ll set the price at two gold coins.”
Kei’s eyes lit up immediately.
Although Black Stone City’s revenue was now much higher than before, he still felt that he didn’t have enough money to do everything he wanted.
If they could open up another profitable channel, it would undoubtedly alleviate the current financial strain.
However, Kei quickly hesitated.
“Isn’t the price too high?”
The price for selling to the Fire Fox Trading Company was two gold coins. The Fire Fox Trading Company would definitely sell it for a higher price.
A beginner knight, unless they had a village territory, wouldn’t earn more than ten gold coins a year in income, big or small.
Would they be willing to spend one-fifth or even more of their annual income just to buy a bottle of potion?
“The world is not peaceful these days. There are wars happening everywhere, especially in the荆花公国 (Jinghua Duchy), where the Fire Fox Trading Company is located. There have been frequent wars in recent years. If they can buy a trump card that could save their lives in a critical moment for a few gold coins, many people would be willing to pay for it.”
Su Nan picked up a bottle of potion and shook it slightly.
“To be honest, if we didn’t have any channels in the Jinghua Duchy, we could have done this business ourselves. The profits would have been even more substantial.”
Su Nan’s words moved Kei.
After careful consideration, he realized that many lords in the Jinghua Duchy were desperately trying to expand their military equipment. If a potion that could enhance the strength of knights, even temporarily, appeared at this time, it would surely spark a scramble among them.
If you don’t buy it, what if your enemy buys it?
This was a great opportunity!
“Okay, I’ll contact Mu Zhuo right away.”
Kei was naturally decisive in nature. Once he saw a profit, he didn’t hesitate. He quickly made a decision and immediately sent someone to send a message to the Jinghua Duchy.
After making the arrangements, he turned to Su Nan and asked, “Are you leaving?”
“Yeah.” Su Nan nodded.
“Be careful.” Kei patted Su Nan on the shoulder. “The Starfire Sect tried to assassinate you before, they won’t give up so easily.”
Su Nan smiled and replied, “Don’t worry. I’m going out to find trouble with them this time.”
“You be careful too.”
Kei laughed, “Don’t worry. I’ll just stay in the barracks. If any assassins dare to come, I guarantee they won’t be able to return.”
After exchanging a few words, Su Nan left the barracks.
Just as he left Black Stone City, he suddenly felt a chill on his face.
He looked up. He didn’t know when, but snowflakes had started falling from the sky. They looked like cold raindrops falling on his face.
It was snowing.
Su Nan reached out and caught a snowflake. The icy crystal slowly melted into a drop of water in his palm.
“The first snow of the Frostfall Moon.”
Su Nan smiled slightly. With a thought, energy particles formed a faint halo around his body, isolating him from the snowflakes. Then, he leaped up and landed on Stealthy Dragon’s back.
“Let’s go.”
Stealthy Dragon let out a low growl, revealing its form. It stretched out its limbs and began to gallop across the wilderness.
(End of Chapter)