"Miss Binglan is also participating in the Yunyang Sect's competition?" Li Lin looked at Du Gu Binglan, surprised. He remembered Uncle Jiang mentioning that Tianbao Gate had a powerful backing, making him wonder why Du Gu Binglan would want to join the Yunyang Sect.
"Yes, I also want to experience it. It would be nice to enter the Yunyang Sect together with you. Don't you welcome that?" Du Gu Binglan smiled lightly, her dimples showing as she gazed at Li Lin.
"Miss, Master Li, I'm here," Wu, the manager, entered the small hall at this moment.
"Manager Wu, could you please calculate how much debt I still owe?" Li Lin handed over a hundred top-up pills to Manager Wu and asked.
After taking the pills, Manager Wu said, "After deducting the cost of buying the pill materials, the original price for the Qingyue Sword was 8,600 gold coins. However, Master Li, as a VIP of Tianbao Gate, gets a 20% discount on all purchases, which means you only need to pay 6,880 gold coins. You've brought a total of 166 top-up pills, one Qi-boosting pill, and one Yuan-enhancing pill. After deducting the cost, Tianbao Gate now owes Master Li 300 gold coins."
"So, I'm finally free from debt," Li Lin smiled lightly, feeling relieved. Indeed, as people say, being debt-free is liberating.
"Master Li, here are your 300 gold coins." Manager Wu handed a jade crystal card to Li Lin and then hesitantly asked, "Master Li, may I discuss something with you?"
Li Lin took the jade crystal card and said, "Please, Manager Wu, go ahead."
"About the Yuan-enhancing pills you brought last time, do you still have any? Hearing that Tianbao Gate was selling Yuan-enhancing pills, many families in town have come to place their orders. It's easy to refuse ordinary people, but there are three regular customers I really can't turn down. I only need three Yuan-enhancing pills. The current selling price to them is 450 gold coins per pill, and of course, we would offer you the same price."
Li Lin hesitated for a moment. He had made ten Yuan-enhancing pills, consumed one, and reserved the remaining nine for himself. It seemed difficult to refuse Tianbao Gate's request.
"No problem," Li Lin eventually said, taking out three Yuan-enhancing pills. Tianbao Gate had treated him well, and he didn't feel at a loss, especially since his Yuan-enhancing pills were unexpectedly popular.
"Thank you, Master Li." Manager Wu took the pills and then handed Li Lin 1,350 gold coins, a significant amount.
Li Lin realized the huge profit margin in pill making. The cost of materials for a Yuan-enhancing pill was less than eighty gold coins, but it could sell for 450 gold coins, an astonishing markup.
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"In the future, I should sell pills," Li Lin thought to himself.
"Lin'er, then I'll see you in three days. Take good care of me, okay?" Du Gu Binglan said.
"I believe Miss Binglan's strength is more than enough to enter the Yunyang Sect," Li Lin said with a gentle smile, finding Du Gu Binglan's strength inscrutable but confident she was no weakling and would have no trouble being among the top five.
Leaving Tianbao Gate, Li Lin felt light-hearted, having cleared all his debts. He made his way back to the Li family, staying alert to avoid any ambushes.
"Betting is open! Results will be revealed in three days. Bet big, win big, everyone come and place your bets!"
"Li Lin of the Li family, fifteen to one; Qin Tianhao of the Qin family, fifteen to one; Wang Guang of the Wang family, eight to one. Come and place your bets!"
A shout caught Li Lin's attention. Inside a shop to his right, dozens of people were peering at something. Hearing his own name, Li Lin entered out of curiosity.
"Would you like to place a bet, sir? Feel free to browse. We have detailed information on all the participants from the major families. Bet more, win more," a double-ranked martial disciple greeted Li Lin, noting his neat attire.
Li Lin observed the shop's interior, where the walls were covered with information about the participants. Qin Tianhao from the Qin family: 18 years old, fourth-rank Spirit Warrior, odds of entering the top five: fifteen to one.
Li Lin from the Li family: 16 years old, third-rank Warrior, tri-elemental warrior with wind, fire, and earth elements, odds of entering the top five: fifteen to one.
Yang Miao from the Yang family: 17 years old, third-rank Warrior, dual-elemental warrior with fire and water elements, odds of entering the top five: ten to one.
Li Lin found his own and others' information, marveling at how it was gathered and realizing the fierce competition.
Du Gu Binglan: 18 years old, strength and attributes unknown, odds: ten to one.
Li Lin saw Du Gu Binglan's entry last, noting the lack of detailed information, which meant others couldn't find much about her.
"One to ten," Li Lin smiled slightly. Others might not know Du Gu Binglan, but he did. Betting on her to enter the top five seemed like an easy win.
"I'll bet 1,500 gold coins on Du Gu Binglan entering the top five," Li Lin said at the counter, taking out his jade crystal card.
The surrounding people were surprised by the large bet. High stakes weren't uncommon, but a bet of 1,500 gold coins was significant, placing Li Lin among the high rollers.
"No problem, here's your receipt," a chubby middle-aged man said, issuing a receipt to Li Lin and deducting 1,500 gold coins from his card.
"One to ten means 15,000 gold coins in three days," Li Lin thought, leaving the betting shop without worry. With Tianbao Gate's backing, Du Gu Binglan's participation meant she was confident in her abilities.
Returning to the Li family, Li Lin entered through the front door without incident.
"Welcome back, Young Master Lin," two servants greeted him nervously, recognizing him and trembling slightly.
Li Lin merely hummed, remembering these were the servants who had refused him entry through the front door upon his arrival. Though he didn't bear a grudge against the servants, he couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed.
Li Lin didn't trouble the servants further and returned to his courtyard. His mother had prepared dinner, adding warmth to his return. After dinner and some conversation with his mother, he retired to his room.
Li Xiaobai had repaired the cracked walls efficiently. Li Lin consumed another Yuan-enhancing pill, hoping to break through to the fourth rank of Warrior. Higher strength would increase his chances of entering the top five.