novelapdf Chapter 79: Times Have Changed
Chapter 79: Times Have Changed
Hua Qianyu held her teacup, her fingertips gently stroking the rim, but did not answer immediately.
After a moment of silence in the hall, she raised her eyes and looked at Zhao Qianyuan with a half-smile.
"A 10% profit margin?"
She chuckled softly, set down her teacup, and said in a calm yet meaningful tone:
"Do you know how many outside businesses have tried to get a piece of the pie in Xiazhu County over the years?"
Zhao Qianyuan's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm as he cupped his hands and said:
"As I am aware, Xiazhu County is a prosperous place where various forces gather."
"That is why I dare not be negligent in the slightest. This 10% profit is merely a small gift to you, my esteemed family."
He paused, then said:
"If the Valley Master is willing, I can also sign a contract with your Valley to supply spiritual items, and give priority to supplying elixirs, talismans and other items to Hundred Flowers Valley at a price that is half a percent lower than the market price."
Upon hearing this, Hua Qianyu's eyes flashed with a hint of interest, but she still calmly picked up her teacup and took a small sip.
"Half a percent below market price...that does show some sincerity."
She set down her teacup, her gaze falling on Zhao Qianyuan, and said calmly:
"However, do you know how you plan to explain this to the Jingming Sect?"
Zhao Qianyuan's heart stirred slightly, knowing that Hua Qianyu was testing him, and he immediately smiled and said:
"As a junior, I will treat everyone equally. In the Jingming Sect, we will also offer 10% of the profits and prioritize the supply of spiritual items."
Hua Qianyu nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"In that case, I will give you a chance."
She raised her hand and waved, sending a jade slip flying towards Zhao Qianyuan:
"This is a list of spiritual items needed by my Hundred Flowers Valley. If you can supply them stably each month according to the quantities on the list, I will allow you to open a shop in my Xiazhu County."
Zhao Qianyuan took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and his expression changed slightly.
The list of spiritual items is extensive and numerous, and with his current guild resources, ensuring a stable supply is quite a challenge.
But he quickly regained his composure and bowed, saying:
"I will do my best."
Seeing this, Hua Qianyu's eyes flashed with approval, and she said lightly:
"In that case, I'll await your news. However, let me make this clear beforehand: if you dare to try anything funny..."
Before she finished speaking, a powerful aura of late-stage Foundation Establishment was suddenly released, pressing down on Zhao Qianyuan like a mountain.
Zhao Qianyuan swayed slightly, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, but he gritted his teeth and stood firm, cupping his hands in greeting:
"This junior dares not."
Hua Qianyu withdrew her oppressive aura and waved her hand:
"Go."
Zhao Qianyuan felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He bowed and took his leave, then hurriedly left Baihua Valley with Zhang Zai.
After stepping out of the mountain gate, Zhang Zai finally let out a long sigh of relief and whispered:
"This Valley Master of Flower Valley has such great power."
Zhao Qianyuan wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a wry smile:
"A person who can establish themselves in Xiazhu County for hundreds of years is no ordinary person."
He glanced at the jade slip in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly:
"However, the spiritual items on this list are indeed somewhat troublesome."
Zhang Zai leaned over for a look, and his expression changed slightly:
"So many? Our chamber of commerce's current production capacity can barely meet the demand."
After all, they cannot abandon the Sanlukou Market.
Zhao Qianyuan pondered for a moment and said:
"It's alright, let's go to Jingming Sect first, maybe their requirements will be lower."
The two boarded the spirit ship and flew towards the Jingming Sect.
Jingming Sect is located on Baihua Mountain, the northernmost part of Xiazhu County, a mountain with steep terrain and shrouded in clouds and mist.
The spirit ship soared through the air and arrived at the foot of Baihua Mountain in less than half a day.
The mountain gate of Jingming Sect is more magnificent than that of Baihua Valley. On both sides of the mountain gate stand two stone statues, each three zhang tall, which are majestic and solemn.
As soon as Zhao Qianyuan landed, disciples of the Jingming Sect came forward to greet him, and their attitude was quite polite.
"Is this Fellow Daoist Zhao from the Sanlukou Market? The Sect Master is already waiting in the main hall. Please follow me."
Zhao Qianyuan and Zhang Zai exchanged a glance and followed the disciple up the steps.
The spiritual energy within Jingming Sect is abundant, even surpassing that of Hundred Flowers Valley.
Along the way, spiritual fields, alchemy workshops, and weapon-making workshops were scattered in an orderly manner, with disciples coming and going, creating a prosperous scene.
"The Jingming Sect has an even deeper foundation than the Hundred Flowers Valley," Zhang Zai said in a low voice.
Zhao Qianyuan nodded slightly, secretly making plans in his mind.
Before long, the two arrived at the main hall.
Sitting in the hall was an old Taoist priest with white hair, a thin face, and bright, piercing eyes. He was none other than Zhang Mingxuan, the sect leader of Jingming Sect.
"Junior Zhao Qianyuan pays respects to Senior Mingxuan."
Zhao Qianyuan bowed respectfully.
Zhang Mingxuan raised his hand and said calmly:
"Please sit down."
After the two were seated, Zhang Mingxuan didn't beat around the bush and asked directly:
"I've heard you intend to open a shop in my Xiazhu County and establish trade routes?"
"Exactly."
Zhao Qianyuan nodded and said:
"This junior is willing to donate 10% of the annual profit to your esteemed sect, and at the same time, to supply your sect with elixirs, talismans and other spiritual items at a price half a percent lower than the market price."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingxuan nodded slightly, but did not immediately agree.
He picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and said slowly:
"Did you make the same promise at Hundred Flowers Valley?"
Zhao Qianyuan felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained impassive:
"Senior, you are wise to judge. I have indeed treated everyone equally."
Zhang Mingxuan put down his teacup, a meaningful smile appearing on his lips.
"Treating everyone equally...that's interesting."
He paused, his gaze falling on Zhao Qianyuan, his tone suddenly turning cold:
"Then do you know that my Jingming Sect and Hundred Flowers Valley have always been at odds?"
Zhao Qianyuan's heart skipped a beat, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Although he had done his homework before coming, he did not expect the relationship between the two forces to be so tense.
"Senior, I am merely a businessman and have no intention of getting involved in the feud between your sect and Hundred Flowers Valley."
Zhao Qianyuan said, forcing himself to speak.
Zhang Mingxuan sneered and said in a deep voice:
"You have no intention of getting involved? If you want to establish yourself in my Xiazhu County, you can't stay out of it."
He stood up, hands behind his back, and said calmly:
"Okay, I'll give you two choices."
"First, you will only cooperate with my Jingming Sect. You should no longer concern yourself with Hundred Flowers Valley. I will guarantee your trade routes will be unimpeded, and you will only need to share half of the profits."
"Secondly, if you insist on taking both sides, then show enough sincerity. My Jingming Sect wants 20% of the profits, and the price of the spiritual items will be 10% lower than the market price."
Zhao Qianyuan's expression changed.
Both of these choices are extremely difficult.
Choosing the first option would inevitably offend Hundred Flowers Valley, whose power is not much weaker than that of Jingming Sect.
Choosing the second option, with 20% profit plus a 10% discount, would be almost a complete waste of time.
"senior……"
Zhao Qianyuan wanted to say something more.
Zhang Mingxuan raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone leaving no room for argument:
"No need to rush to answer. Go back and think it over carefully before you come back."
With that, he waved his sleeve, and a gentle yet irresistible force carried Zhao Qianyuan and Zhang Zai out of the main hall.
Outside the mountain gate, Zhao Qianyuan stood with a grim expression, remaining silent for a long time.
Zhang Zai sighed and said:
"This is troublesome."
Zhao Qianyuan gave a wry smile and shook his head:
"Let's go back to the hearse first."
The two boarded the spirit ship, and Zhao Qianyuan sat in the cabin, closing his eyes in deep thought.
Zhang Zai didn't disturb them, but simply stood silently by their side.
After a long while, Zhao Qianyuan opened his eyes, a resolute glint in them.
"Let's go back to the intersection first; this matter needs further consideration."
The spirit ship changed direction and flew towards Guang'an County.
…………
Valley.
The Zhao family.
Li Wu looked at Lu Sui, who was now a father, and couldn't hide the surprise on his face.
It should be understood that the higher a cultivator's cultivation level, the lower the likelihood of them having offspring.
Zhao Nanxu was, after all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet she was pregnant so quickly. This left Li Wu speechless, and he looked at Lu Sui and said:
"Brother Lu, you're really something."
Lu Sui stroked his beard, laughed heartily, and his face was flushed with a healthy glow.
"No, no."
Li Wu immediately became interested and asked:
"I wonder if she's carrying a nephew or a niece?"
For cultivators, they only need to transfer a trace of spiritual energy to investigate to determine whether the person is male or female.
Lu Sui smiled and said calmly:
"One man and one woman."
"Twins?" Li Wuyu asked with a hint of envy.
Lu Sui smiled and waved his hand, picked up his teacup and took a sip, his smugness barely concealed in his eyes.
"Nanxu's pregnancy was indeed somewhat unexpected; she didn't expect to have both a son and a daughter at once."
"Therefore, I thought of bringing all my mortal clansmen here."
Upon hearing this, Li Wu raised an eyebrow, immediately guessing Lu Sui's thoughts, and said:
"Brother Lu, are you planning to establish a family?"
Lu Sui didn't hide anything and nodded, saying:
"I do have that idea, but I won't force it. After all, whether my descendants will have spiritual roots is not something I can control."
Spiritual roots are extremely rare, one in ten thousand. Even the descendants of Foundation Establishment cultivators are not guaranteed to have spiritual roots.
It's just that the probability is much higher.
"I have been wandering around Pukou Market for twenty or thirty years. First, I was a rogue cultivator for ten years, and then I have been a retainer of the Zhao family ever since. During this time, I also served as the alchemy elder of your Qing Shi Sect, Brother Li."
"But something's still missing."
Lu Sui and Li Wutong were the same.
Li Wu spent most of his time cultivating and pursuing the Dao, while Lu Sui's aptitude for cultivation was average, although he had made some achievements in alchemy.
However, he is only at the late stage of Qi Refining so far, and his chances of reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime are very low.
Therefore, Lu Sui's thoughts gradually shifted from pursuing the Dao and immortality to the people around him.
After hearing his words, Li Wu nodded slightly and asked:
"Brother Lu, you have alchemy skills, which are more than enough to support a family of cultivators. However, to establish a clan, you still need a family residence."
Lu Sui nodded and said:
"The Zhao family will allocate a piece of land to me temporarily."
"It's called a rental, but it's really just a formality. The Zhao family's territory has expanded quite a bit, and there are several vacant spiritual lands. I chose one that's near a mountain. The spiritual energy isn't very strong, but it's enough."
Li Wuwei nodded slightly. Lu Sui is now not only the Zhao family's number one alchemist, but also their number one son-in-law.
Its status is self-evident.
Moreover, it is highly likely that they will remain closely associated with the Zhao family in the future.
Therefore, it is reasonable for the Zhao family to give Lu Sui a territory.
"In that case, I must present a congratulatory gift," Li Wu said with a smile.
Lu Sui didn't refuse and laughed heartily:
"Then I'll be waiting."
"Let's not talk about that. Brother Li, you've been in seclusion for so long this time. I'm afraid you're not far from the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, are you?"
Li Wu nodded and said:
"My purpose in emerging from seclusion this time is to seek out spiritual objects of the thunder element."
There are very few lightning-attribute spiritual items in the Qi Gathering Realm; even the Dragon Palace doesn't have many. Plus, Pei Xiyan needs some, so it's even more insufficient.
If Li Wu wanted to reach the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage in a short time, he had no choice but to come here to look for it.
"A spiritual object of the thunder element... it's probably hard to find one in Youyang County." Lu Sui shook his head.
Li Wuwei nodded slightly and said:
"I plan to go up and take a look when the Celestial Parade comes to Youyang County."
Lu Sui picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said:
"Judging by the dates, the Sky Patrol should be coming to our area in about two weeks."
"It is said that the Biyang Sect behind the Sky Tour is the number one immortal sect in Danfeng County. There are six Core Formation cultivators in the sect. It is said that the Supreme Elder is even at the peak of Core Formation and is known as the half-step Nascent Soul."
In recent years, as Lu Sui's alchemy skills have improved and his reputation has grown, many people have come to befriend him, and thus he has learned a lot of information that he did not know before.
"The Azure Sun Sect..."
Li Wuwei nodded slightly, pondering to himself:
"If there's an opportunity in the future, I might visit them."
…………
Zhao Qianyuan returned to Youyang County and paid his respects to Li Wu.
Zhao Qianyuan recounted his trip to Xiazhu County to visit Baihua Valley and Jingming Sect.
Zhao Qianyuan said with a worried look:
"Brother Li, do you have a solution?"
After listening to Zhao Qianyuan's account, Li Wu frowned slightly but did not reply immediately.
After thinking for a long time, he finally spoke:
"It seems that the key issue in this matter is not the distribution of profits, but the grudge between Hundred Flowers Valley and Jingming Sect."
Zhao Qianyuan nodded slightly and sighed:
"That's right, but the feud between the two Foundation Establishment sects is probably not easy to resolve."
Li Wu nodded and then asked:
What exactly caused the feud between Hundred Flowers Valley and Jingming Sect?
Zhao Qianyuan shook his head and said:
"I haven't found out much about that, but I do know that the two families have been fighting each other openly and secretly in Xiazhu County for over a hundred years."
Li Wuwei nodded slightly, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table. After pondering for a long time, he slowly spoke:
"Since it is a century-old feud, it will be difficult to resolve. However, what we seek is merely to open up trade routes, not to settle the old grudges between the two families."
Li Wuduan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said:
"Hundred Flowers Valley and Jingming Sect each occupy a region, but neither can completely overpower the other, which has led to the current situation."
"So, both Hundred Flowers Valley and Jingming Sect want to compete for you, after all, Brother Zhao's merchant guild has considerable influence."
"If we completely side with one of them, the balance will be broken within ten years."
Zhao Qianyuan's eyes lit up:
"Brother Li means..."
"Let's stall for now."
Li Wu put down his teacup and said in a calm tone:
"Didn't Zhang Mingxuan tell you to go back and think it over carefully? Then think it over carefully for a few months."
"During this time, continue your usual dealings with Hundred Flowers Valley and set up the shop's shelves first."
Zhao Qianyuan hesitated:
"But wouldn't this anger Sect Master Jingming?"
"If Zhang Mingxuan were a smart person, he wouldn't do that, after all, Jingming Sect certainly doesn't want you to be completely led to Hundred Flowers Valley."
"But Brother Zhao, you should not get too close to Hundred Flowers Valley. You should always maintain the space to talk with Jingming Sect."
As he spoke, Li Wu smiled and patted Zhao Qianyuan on the shoulder, saying:
"That depends on your abilities."
"Haha, Brother Li, don't worry. Being able to please everyone is a businessman's duty," Zhao Qianyuan laughed.
The two chatted for a while longer before Zhao Qianyuan got up to take his leave and went to prepare for the shop's affairs.
…………
half a month later.
Suddenly, a melodious bell rang out over Youyang County.
When Li Wucong awoke from his cultivation, he looked up and saw the clouds churning on the horizon, and a huge cloud-carved treasure ship breaking through the clouds and slowly sailing towards him.
On the ship, pavilions and towers stood side by side, and figures could be vaguely seen, creating a lively and bustling scene.
Li Wuqing boarded the Cloud and Cloud Treasure Ship with practiced ease.
As he looked around, he suddenly heard a clear voice behind him:
"Senior, is this your first time attending the Celestial Parade?"
Li Wu turned around and saw a smiling girl of about seventeen or eighteen standing behind him. She was wearing a bright green dress, had a beautiful face, and bright, lively eyes.
Li Wu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the female cultivator in the early stage of Qi Refining. She looked somewhat familiar, and he asked in confusion:
"Have we met there before?"
The girl was stunned. Looking at Li Wu's face, which hadn't changed in ten years, she suddenly realized that it matched the face she had seen ten years ago.
"Senior, it's you!"
Li Wu then remembered who the person in front of him was.
It was the female cultivator who had guided me when I first joined the Sky Tour.
"I didn't expect that after so much time, you would still be here."
The girl smiled, a hint of composure in her eyes.
"Thank you for your kind words, senior. I am Liu Ximing. May I ask if I may guide you again?"
Li Wu raised an eyebrow, carefully examined her for a moment, and nodded slightly.
"Lead the way."
After so long, boarding the ship again, there were quite a few changes. The shops were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and there were many cultivators gathered in some places.
The language was enthusiastic and the atmosphere was lively.
Li Wu asked in confusion:
"What are they doing?"
Liu Ximing explained:
"Don't you know, senior? Today happens to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there are many small activities on the ship."
"For example, pitch-pot, solving riddles..."
Liu Ximing added with a smile:
"These are just some fun little trinkets, and the prizes are random. I heard the grand prize is a Foundation Establishment Pill."
Li Wu raised an eyebrow, surprised that today was the Mid-Autumn Festival. No wonder the moon was exceptionally round tonight.
Li Wuyi thought back to the last time he celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival.
I don't know how much time has passed, and I don't remember much about it anymore.
"Would you like to give it a try, senior?"
Seeing that Li Wu seemed somewhat interested, Liu Ximing took the initiative to bring it up.
Li Wuwei nodded slightly and walked over. He saw a cultivator standing outside a line, with a pot placed about ten feet in front of him.
The spout is about the size of a thumb.
Then the stall owner explained the rules:
"Fellow Daoists, you must not use any magic or spiritual senses. In short, you must not use any immortal methods. Put it into the pot and you will receive a gift."
"Each person has five arrows, and can receive up to three gifts."
Li Wu stood outside the crowd, watching the cultivator holding a bamboo arrow, holding his breath and aiming at the mouth of the pot a dozen feet away.
The arrow was released, but it missed by half an inch, grazing the mouth of the pot.
A sigh of regret rippled through the crowd.
Undeterred, the cultivator took another arrow, concentrated, and threw it again. This time, he hit the target; the bamboo arrow landed steadily in the pot with a soft thud.
The stall owner smiled and handed over a bag. The cultivator took it, a look of delight on his face, and continued to throw his third arrow.
Li Wu watched for a while, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.
The game of pitch-pot may seem simple, but it prohibits the use of spiritual power or consciousness. It relies entirely on physical control and visual judgment. If you are used to locking onto a target with your spiritual consciousness, suddenly stripping away this layer of perception is like blindfolding you.
"Would you like to give it a try, senior?"
Liu Ximing asked with a smile from the side.
Li Wuwei nodded slightly and stepped forward.
Upon seeing that he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the stall owner immediately became more respectful and handed over five bamboo arrows with both hands.
Li Wu took the arrow, weighed it in his hand. The bamboo arrow was light and nimble. He stood outside the line, his gaze fixed on the mouth of the pot. He didn't use his spiritual sense, nor did he take it seriously. He just threw it casually, relying entirely on luck.
The first arrow is thrown.
The arrow traced an arc in the air, grazing the edge and missing its target.
Li Wu was not surprised and immediately threw a second arrow, which also missed.
The third arrow missed.
The fourth arrow missed.
The fifth arrow hit its target!
The stall owner smiled, handed over a bag with both hands, and said:
"Senior, you've been hit by an arrow; you're entitled to a gift."
Li Wu accepted the gift, opened it, and found a Qi-Nourishing Pill inside. He nodded slightly.
"One out of five branches is truly excellent!"
However, this Qi-Nourishing Pill is a Qi-refining level pill, which is useless to Li Wu, so he gave it to Liu Ximing.
Liu Ximing happily accepted it, jumped for joy, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting:
"Thank you, senior."
"Consider this pill your guide fee," Li Wuqi said, his mind turning to playfulness.
"Ah..." Liu Ximing pouted.
Li Wu smiled and shook his head, saying:
"Alright, this time I still want a lightning-attribute spiritual item. If you can find a good one for me, I will reward you with something good."