After much inquiry, they were informed that certain medicinal ingredients, especially fresh ones, could only be purchased at the main branch of the Hundred Herbs Hall pharmacy in Jiangshan City.
So, Ling Tian drove them straight to the city center.
Upon arriving at the main branch of the Hundred Herbs Hall, Ling Tian couldn't help but marvel at the seven-story building situated in the bustling city center. He thought the pharmacy owner was quite a talent, capable of running such a large establishment.
Especially the customers, upon entering the pharmacy, were greeted by over a dozen receptionists who personally attended to them, inquiring about the medicinal ingredients they needed.
These receptionists weren't just doing it for show; they received commissions. If they could use their persuasive skills to convince customers to buy more or more expensive medicine, they could earn a good profit.
However, it was rather awkward when the two of them walked in. None of the receptionists, who appeared very capable and experienced, came to serve them.
This wasn't surprising. Both Ling Tian and Wang Bingxia were only eighteen years old, looking even younger and fresher, dressed in sportswear. They resembled high school students.
People like them were perceived to have little purchasing power. Even if the receptionists tried to persuade them to buy Chinese medicine or health supplements, they likely wouldn't fall for it.
The receptionists were all focused on older customers or those who looked well-dressed and wealthy.
Some receptionists even stood still, still searching for targets, completely ignoring the two of them.
Just then, a young female receptionist noticed them and walked towards them. However, after taking just two steps, she was stopped by an older receptionist.
"Xiao Sun, what are you doing?"
"Sister Zhang, there are two customers over there who haven't been attended to. I'm going to check on them..."
"Why are you wasting your time? They're just high school students. What do they know about Chinese medicine?
Guests like these usually have their families tell them what to buy, and they have a set amount of money. They'll buy what they need and leave.
There's no point in trying to upsell them; they won't spend an extra cent. Don't waste your time on them..."
"Sister Zhang, I appreciate your kindness, but I want to give it a try." The receptionist named Xiao Sun had just graduated from vocational school and had only been working for a few days.
She hadn't achieved much in terms of sales yet, as she couldn't compete with the more aggressive, older receptionists.
"Sigh, you newcomers never learn until you hit a wall. Fine, go ahead," Sister Zhang said mockingly.
Xiao Sun approached Ling Tian and Wang Bingxia and asked with a smile, "Excuse me, sirs, what medicinal ingredients do you need?"
Ling Tian took out a list. It detailed over a hundred medicinal ingredients, their preparation methods, and the required quantities.
Many of them already had checkmarks next to them.
"I need all the medicinal ingredients on this list that do not have checkmarks."
Xiao Sun took the list and her eyes lit up.
"We have most of these medicinal ingredients, but the prices might not be low."
"That's fine, as long as the ingredients are good, money is not an issue!" Wang Bingxia said confidently.
"Then please wait in the VIP lounge while I go and verify these medicinal ingredients for you."
The receptionist Xiao Sun then led the two of them towards the VIP lounge.
The other receptionists were astonished because customers who were eligible to enter the VIP lounge had to spend at least 50,000 yuan!
Envy and jealousy flickered in the eyes of many of them. They had misjudged the situation! Especially Sister Zhang, who wished she could have been in Xiao Sun's place.
There were several VIP lounges, each over 100 square meters, furnished with several sets of sofas and coffee tables.
As the two of them entered, Xiao Sun took the list to verify the items, and a dedicated staff member brought them tea and refreshments.
In their VIP lounge, there were already two other customers: a couple. The man was in his fifties, short and stout, with thinning hair and an oily face.
Beside him was a woman in her twenties, with a charming appearance and dressed like a seductive vixen.
Ling Tian took out another list and began to review it with Wang Bingxia, checking which medicinal ingredients they still needed to obtain.
Just then, a man in his forties, dressed in a suit, entered with a staff member.
The staff member was pushing a cart filled with packaged boxes containing precious Chinese medicinal ingredients.
"Boss Jin, please take a look. These are the medicinal ingredients you requested.
This is a 30-year-old wild ginseng, absolutely genuine...
This Polygonum multiflorum is already 50 years old..."
"Very good, Manager Li. Pack them up for me. I'll pay by card and leave!" This stout man was nicknamed Jin Lao Ba. His ancestors were reportedly imperial chefs, and his family owned over 30 restaurants throughout Jiangzhou, generating over a billion yuan in profit annually.
The attendant took Jin Lao Ba's gold card to process the payment. At that moment, Ling Tian suddenly spoke, reciting a prescription.
"Ginseng 80 grams, Polygonum multiflorum 50 grams, Cistanche deserticola..."
Jin Lao Ba initially paid no attention, but as he listened, his eyes widened.
He abruptly stood up and approached Ling Tian.
"You... how do you know this prescription!"
Jin Lao Ba was astonished. He had indulged excessively in his youth, changing wives numerous times.
Now that he was older, he had a strong desire but was physically unable to satisfy it.
Over the years, he had consumed countless tonics, both Chinese and Western medicine, but the effects had become increasingly poor.
It wasn't until recently that he met Ma Baoshun, a renowned national physician in Jiangshan City. After pleading with him and spending hundreds of thousands of yuan, Dr. Ma prescribed him a formula.
Remarkably, the prescription was effective. After drinking one dose upon returning home, he was able to perform like he used to.
After half a month of consistent use, he felt as if he had returned to his youth.
Since he had finished the previous batch of medicine, he had personally come to the main branch of the Hundred Herbs Hall to purchase more. Ma Baoshun had told him that the more precious the ingredients, the more potent the effects.
The medicine he was purchasing this time was worth over 500,000 yuan.
To his surprise, a young boy who looked like a high school student could recite the prescription he had bought at such a high price!
"I saw this formula in my teacher's ancient medical texts.
Based on the medicinal ingredients you mentioned you were buying and your current physical condition, I deduced that you are likely using this prescription," Ling Tian said confidently.
"Oh, young man, you have sharp eyes and great insight!" Jin Lao Ba said with a smile.
"Sir, there's something I'd like to say, if I may."
"Please do."
"This prescription actually originated from the ancient imperial court and has been passed down for several hundred years."
"Yes, yes, that's what Dr. Ma told me too."
A cold smile appeared on Ling Tian's face: "But Dr. Ma must not have told you that this prescription has led to the demise of several emperors!"