ALL NOVEL
Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Who is the King of Bathing?
Xia Family First-Rate Bathhouse was personally crafted by the Family Head of the Xia family, Xia Jiuquan.
After discovering the bath market, he immediately joined several Elders from the clan to start preparing to make money from this opportunity.
Using the influence of the Xia family, they managed to renovate a bathhouse, Xia Family First-Rate, in the shortest time possible.
Adorned with silk brocade on the outside and furnished with gold and jade on the inside, it could be described as the epitome of luxurious splendor.
Further, it offered a grand opening promotion with half-price discounts today only, charging a mere twenty-five Lower Grade Spirit Stones for each half-hour session, instantly attracting a massive number of cultivators.
The interior of the bathhouse was divided into male and female sections, with a design highly similar to that of Tangneng First-class, but the space was much larger.
The cultivators felt a sense of familiarity, the same old atmosphere, but when they submerged themselves in the pools, their expressions turned to surprise.
They had expected to feel the automatic circulation of Spiritual Energy within their bodies, but that did not occur. Everything was normal; they were just soaking in the water, which was warm and comfortable.
But what use was that?
They hadn't come for a mere bath; a bathhouse sans Spiritual Energy enhancement was soulless!
"Brother, why do I feel that this water is no different from ordinary water? Can you cultivate?"
"No, this water is not the same as Tangneng First-class; it's not helpful for cultivation."
"I also feel nothing. Could we have been scammed? A regular bathhouse charging me twenty-five Spirit Stones?"
"We've definitely been tricked, damn it! The Xia family is utterly deranged. Do they really think that they can charge exorbitant fees just because they decked out the place?"
"No way, I'm not soaking anymore. Return my Spirit Stones to me!"
"Right..."
As the cultivators realized something was amiss with the pools, they immediately became hostile, seeking a refund.
The steward of the Xia family turned anxious when he learned about the situation; they had rushed into opening without understanding the full details—this was problematic.
"Everyone, please wait a moment. Our negligence caused this error. Your bath time will be extended by an additional half-hour, and the formula for Spiritual Energy enhancement will be added right away; your patience is appreciated."
After calming everyone down, the steward hurriedly went to report the issue to Xia Jiuquan.
It was a grave mistake in intelligence; the water from Tangneng First-class could actually enhance cultivation levels. But during their previous inspection, the water seemed indistinguishable from any ordinary water.
"Hurry and summon the Elders, and bring those two disobedient ones over!"
Xia Jiuquan was furious, but now wasn't the time for accountability. Thousands of cultivators were waiting inside the bathhouse; an effective solution had to be found immediately to get through today's predicament.
One minute later.
Several people gathered in the room.
"You two disobedient ones, you didn't investigate properly. The reason Tangneng First-class bathhouse is so popular is that their baths have the effect of aiding cultivation!"
"Everyone hurry and think of a solution. We must stabilize the first wave of customers; losing money is one thing, but losing reputation is far worse."
In a major clan, reputation is everything. If people lose respect for the clan, its authority will inevitably wane.
"How about we add some cultivation materials to the water? It will be costly, but at least it can stabilize the cultivators," suggested one Elder, believing that securing the first wave of customers could keep chances alive.
"Unacceptable. Our bathhouse is too large. If we add materials to all the water, it will be an enormous consumption of resources, and we'll only lose more in the end."
"That method is only a last resort; we want to avoid losing money to get recognition if we can. Let's think of other solutions."
"You two disobedient ones, come up with a solution, now!" Xia Jiuquan shouted, his tiger's eyes wide with anger.
A deadly silence filled the room as Xia Liu and Xia Chuan broke out in a cold sweat, terrified.
They were also confused; they had never heard that Ye Liangchen's bathhouse could aid in cultivation.
"Father, we truly were unaware of this. We did obtain the water from that Ye fellow, but who would have thought it had cultivation effects."
"As far as the child knows, Ye Liangchen does not care about cultivators taking away his water source; perhaps we can draw the water from Tangneng First-class and use it ourselves. Maybe it can temporarily solve the problem of being unable to cultivate."
Xia Chuan said.
"Let the steward handle this matter. Arrange for people to ensure that all the water from Tangneng First-class family is brought here!"
"Understood, I will make sure it is done,"
"The rest of you, come with me immediately to placate our guests, we must keep them stable."
...
Inside Tangneng First-class.
Li Xiaobai was lazily soaking in the bath, chatting away with an old beggar, who was quite extraordinary. He could talk about almost anything and had broad knowledge.
However, whenever Li Xiaobai tried to probe his identity or strength, the old man would brag ostentatiously, almost to the point of exaggeration.
A few people entered through the door, led by an older man with grizzled hair, who had a pleasant appearance and a distinguished demeanor, clearly coming from a well-experienced and prestigious family.
He got straight to the point.
"Boss, can you sell the formula for this pool of water? Name your price in Spirit Stones; money is no object,"
the grizzled-haired elder smiled.
"At Tangneng First-class, we only offer baths, no other trades."
"Besides, who would sell the means to their own fortune?"
Li Xiaobai glanced sideways at the elder and spoke indifferently.
"Then, can we buy this pool of water?" the elder still had a smile on his face.
"To soak here for half an hour is one Medium Grade Spirit Stone, you can't afford it,"
Li Xiaobai pointed to the price list on the wall.
"This... is a bit expensive, isn't it? The Xia Family First-Rate next door charges only twenty-five Lower Grade Spirit Stones,"
the elder was taken aback. In his haste to come in, he hadn't noticed the price list on the wall—half an hour for one Medium Grade Spirit Stone; this place was even more of a ripoff than Xia Family First-Rate!
"Then go to the Xia Family next door, I don't welcome paupers here,"
Li Xiaobai said lazily, leaving the elder speechless.
"How can you speak to Elder Chen like this, do you know who Elder Chen is?"
"Believe it or not, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
The henchmen were unhappy and wanted to teach Li Xiaobai a lesson, as, in their view, there was nothing the Xia Family wanted that they couldn't have. They thought this shop owner should respectfully present the formula with both hands.
"It is indeed a pleasure to have you visit Tangneng First-class, but I really dislike what you've said today,"
"If you're looking for trouble, I don't mind giving you some company to play with,"
Li Xiaobai's expression darkened as he guessed where these people came from.
"Hold your tongues and step aside, don't speak!"
The henchmen wanted to say more, but Elder Chen stopped them.
This shop owner was not like most people; he couldn't be dealt with by normal means.
Resolving Xia Family First-Rate's urgent problem was of utmost importance, not the time to quibble over minor issues.
"Boss Ye, my servants don't know any better, I apologize on their behalf,"
"One hundred Medium Grade Spirit Stones, I'll buy the water in this pool, how about that?"
"Done!"