However, when Ye Feng saw the people He Shasha found, his expression began to change.
"These are the people you found? They seem..." Ye Feng said, looking at the few disheveled individuals before him.
It wasn't just that there were few of them; the key was that these individuals looked less like alchemists and more like beggars, with beards all over their faces and a generally slovenly demeanor.
But that wasn't all. Seeing Ye Feng look at them, one of them with a small mustache stepped forward and arrogantly declared, "Kid, are you the one who needs us to refine pills?"
"That's right, it's me!" Ye Feng nodded, then glanced at He Shasha, as if asking if she had found the wrong people.
Seeing this, He Shasha's face also turned a bit awkward. She quickly whispered in Ye Feng's ear, "It should be right. You know, alchemists are usually very proud, and since they don't know our strength, their behavior is normal!"
"This, alright!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Feng didn't say much more. After all, alchemists had always held the highest status. It wasn't strange for these people to have a bit of arrogance.
However, to his surprise, seeing him and He Shasha whispering, the man with the mustache spoke again, "Kid, let's be clear first. If you want us to refine pills, you can, but we need to discuss the fees upfront."
"Besides you providing the materials, you need to pay each of us one hundred thousand spirit stones per refinement. Furthermore, we will take half of the pills produced. Is that understood?"
"What? One hundred thousand spirit stones? And you want half the pills?"
As soon as these words were spoken, before Ye Feng could even reply, He Shasha on the side exclaimed in shock, instantly stunned by the price.
After all, a normal, unranked pill would only sell for tens of thousands of spirit stones. Deducting the materials, the profit would be even less.
Yet, this person was asking for a hundred thousand as a service fee, and on top of that, half of the pills. With such terms, let alone making money, it would be difficult to even break even.
However, upon hearing this, the man with the mustache didn't see anything wrong. Instead, he affirmed, "That's right, two hundred thousand plus half the pills. If you agree, we'll refine them immediately!"
The remaining individuals also chimed in, "Yes, don't say we're bullying you. Go ask around, this is the normal price for such services!"
"Exactly, and even if you're willing to pay, not everyone will be willing to take the job. After all, refining pills consumes a lot of mental energy..."
These individuals clearly saw Ye Feng and He Shasha as clueless suckers, directly asking for an exorbitant price.
Seeing this, He Shasha became furious. However, before she could reprimand them, Ye Feng reached out and stopped her, then uttered a sentence that confused her.
"One hundred thousand spirit stones, right? I can agree to that, but you can forget about the pills. That's impossible!" Ye Feng said calmly.
Although one hundred thousand spirit stones was a lot, it was nothing to him now. His only demand was that he would not give them any pills.
After all, these pills were what he planned to use to open up the market. He would never give them to these people, let alone half of them.
Even so, the group was shocked. They clearly knew how outrageous their price was, but they hadn't expected Ye Feng to agree.
Therefore, they quickly reacted and coldly said, "No, kid. Besides the spirit stones, you must also give us a share of the pills. Otherwise, we'll be at a disadvantage!"
"That's right, kid. This is the rule in the alchemy world. Pills refined must be shared with the alchemist. Otherwise, aren't you afraid we won't refine them with care?"
"Exactly, kid. This is the rule. I advise you to think carefully..."
In this regard, the group wasn't entirely lying. There was indeed a rule in the alchemy world that alchemists would generally receive a certain percentage of the pills, which would also increase their motivation during refinement.
However, most alchemists would only ask for twenty to thirty percent at most, while these individuals were asking for half right from the start. This was clearly an attempt to exploit Ye Feng and He Shasha's ignorance.
Upon hearing this, Ye Feng seemed to find some sense in their words. If he didn't give them a certain share of the pills, they might not refine them with as much care.
However, if he agreed to their insatiable greed, it was inevitable that they would push their luck further. After a brief moment of thought, Ye Feng quickly came up with a mutually beneficial solution.
"Your words have reminded me. If I only give spirit stones, you might indeed slack off. How about this? I won't set a fixed price. It will be based on your refining skills."
"For each batch refined, I will give each of you fifty thousand spirit stones. Additionally, for every top-grade pill you refine, I will add another twenty thousand spirit stones. For every middle-grade pill, I will add ten thousand. How about that?"
Ye Feng said slowly, looking at the group. This way, it would solve their motivation issue without giving them any pills, truly a win-win situation.
However, upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances and then asked in unison, "Then, what if the pills refined are of lower grade?"
"Lower grade?" Ye Feng chuckled softly, and the next second, he said without politeness, "If they are lower grade, then of course there will be nothing. Gentlemen, are you perhaps lacking confidence in your skills!"
The faces of the group changed instantly, and they quickly denied, "Who, who lacks confidence? Kid, our alchemy skills are not comparable to ordinary alchemists!"
"Exactly, kid. How dare you question us? Do you know what you're saying?"
Seeing this, Ye Feng smiled with relief and said, "Heh, since you're confident, that's good. Now, gentlemen, you can tell me your choice. Will you stay or leave?"
"This..."
Upon hearing this, the group fell into a difficult dilemma. Although Ye Feng wasn't giving them what they asked for, according to Ye Feng's proposal, if they could refine six top-grade pills, that would be one hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones!
At the very least, even if they couldn't all achieve top-grade quality, as long as they refined middle-grade pills, it would still be one hundred thousand spirit stones, which was much more than what ordinary alchemists would earn.
The most crucial point was that Ye Feng's offer was sustainable. As long as they could keep up, they could refine continuously, and the income over the long term would be substantial.
Therefore, the group immediately fell into a state of indecision.
Seeing this, Ye Feng impatiently said, "Alright, gentlemen. Give me a clear answer, whether you'll refine or not. Don't waste my time. I believe if you don't, there will be plenty of others who will!"
As soon as he said this, the group instantly realized. Yes, with such generous terms, if they didn't agree, many others would.
Although alchemists were rare, they weren't nonexistent. As long as the treatment was good enough, there would be plenty of people willing to accept.
After all, not only would they earn money, but they could also take the opportunity to improve their alchemy skills. Why wouldn't they?
"Hmph, kid, considering how you're begging for our help, we'll agree. But let's be clear first, we can leave at any time, and you won't stop us!" the alchemist with the small mustache snorted.
Hearing this, the other two also nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right, kid. If we don't want to refine anymore, you can't force us!"
"Heh, of course, no problem!" Ye Feng immediately replied.
Force them? Not at all. By then, these people might be begging to refine...