Some of the Hundred-Spirit Grass had been planted in areas with spiritual energy approaching the mid-grade level, shortening their growth cycle to about two months. A month had already passed. Qi Ping had to find a way to completely erase any trace of the grass's origin within the next thirty days to ensure he could sell the honey without worry.
If the major families discovered he could produce high-quality honey at such a low cost, they would undoubtedly covet his business. While Qi Ping could flee the Cloud-Mist Mountain Range even if the three families came after him, he would lose his industry. He preferred to avoid trouble altogether.
Sitting on the mountain, Qi Ping began refining portions of Hundred-Spirit Honey.
'The honey brewed solely from Hundred-Spirit Grass removes the muddled medicinal properties and messy spiritual energy, leaving behind pure spiritual power with a slight nourishing effect. It's quite similar to Spirit-Nurturing Fruit.'
'From the results, this level of refinement is already on par with ordinary first-rank alchemists or pharmacists.'
'In this pure state, the honey from a single stalk should be worth five or six spirit stones on the market.'
Freshly harvested Hundred-Spirit Grass sold for about half a spirit stone per stalk. Qi Ping's Peak 29 could produce nearly two thousand stalks a year. In its raw form, the entire harvest was worth less than a thousand spirit stones. After deducting rent, seeds, labor, and risk, he might only make three hundred stones. It was no wonder no one bothered to farm it seriously.
'But with the Brewer Pot-bellied Bees, the value of those eighteen hundred stalks jumps to between nine thousand and nearly eleven thousand spirit stones!'
'Now that I have both Peak 28 and 29, I estimate Peak 28 can produce over two thousand stalks. Together, I should have four thousand stalks a year.'
'Twelve hundred will be used to feed the colony. That leaves twenty-eight hundred for sale. If I brew them all into honey, the value will be between fourteen thousand and nearly seventeen thousand spirit stones.'
A conservative estimate put it at fifteen thousand spirit stones! Even if he accounted for rent and other costs totaling two thousand stones, he would be left with a net profit of thirteen thousand spirit stones!
'Thirteen thousand spirit stones a year! In just one year!'
'That's over a thousand stones a month!'
'This is more comfortable than robbery!'
Qi Ping was stunned by the math. This truly was more efficient than looting. Looking back at his two previous kills, both had left him on edge. The insect-taming marauder brought the risk of the Evil Devotee Alliance, and the talisman cultivator had the Sky-Fire Pavilion behind him. Compared to that constant anxiety, staying in his own field and earning a thousand stones a month was bliss.
'Long live the Brewer Pot-bellied Bees!'
While the pot-bellied bees seemed a bit dim-witted, their ability to generate wealth was unmatched.
'As expected, low-end products are the best way to utilize the Brewer Pot-bellied Bees!'
An ordinary first-rank alchemist could refine Hundred-Spirit Grass, but none would. The grass grew too fast, making its medicinal properties muddled and difficult to extract. The effort required was immense, and no alchemist would waste their time on such a low-value item when they could be refining pills.
But the bees were different. They couldn't compete with alchemists on high-end products, but they were just as good at low-end operations. Most importantly, the sheer number of bees far exceeded that of alchemists! And Qi Ping didn't have to pay them! Everything was pure profit.
'This is the true swarm expansion dividend!'
'Low-end industries that others look down upon are the easiest way to make a fortune in silence.'
He had to thank Boss Gao; if the man hadn't mentioned the grass, Qi Ping wouldn't have realized it was the perfect fuel for his money-making machine. Furthermore, thirteen thousand stones wasn't the limit—it was just the limit of these two plots. If he could rent more land or even the entire mountain range, the number would be staggering.
However, that would be too flashy. He wanted to make money and live to spend it. Thirteen thousand stones was the perfect range. As long as he could hide the origins of the honey, he wouldn't attract enemies he couldn't handle. He would grow his strength slowly. When he needed more stones later, he could expand.
'Greed is the most fatal flaw. I must stay level-headed.'
'With this, I can adjust my plans. Especially regarding the choice of my third animal companion.'
'That companion will be my greatest aid. I can now afford to look at the very best spirit beasts in Qingshi County.'
Druid levels became harder to gain as he progressed, so every companion slot was precious. He wouldn't settle for anything less than the best. He was already satisfied with his current two: the bees were excellent for both combat and production, and the Crow had the potential to become a super predator.
'I'll have to wait until I successfully develop the recipe that masks the grass before I can be certain about the profits. But it should be close enough; the base material is still the same, so the final effect won't vary too much.'
Full of anticipation for the mountain of spirit stones to come, Qi Ping began his research with gusto.
'First, I'll try some "everything" recipes, mixing all types of nectar. I can even add some common medicinal herbs to blur the medicinal profile without ruining the basic effect.'
'Then, I'll add a portion of Spirit-Nurturing Fruit to the mix to disguise the nourishing effect of the Hundred-Spirit Honey.'
'The Chain-Mechanism Grass is known for its property-scrambling effect; I should try adding that as well.'