Seeing the bustling scene at Li’s Treasure Tower, the organizations of Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Celestial Secret Tower, Four Seasons Commerce Association, Heaven Returning Tower, along with the Sea Island Clan, couldn’t sit still. They began probing for information, wanting to understand the background and strength of Li’s Treasure Tower.

Li’s Treasure Tower did an excellent job in maintaining confidentiality; nobody could discern the true circumstances behind this store.

However, being able to produce so many high-quality, diverse Spiritual Objects at once is evidently not something a small force could accomplish.

This left the major business organizations and Sea Island Clan feeling puzzled and uneasy. They began worrying that Li’s Treasure Tower might impact their business, possibly even altering the entire commercial landscape of Ten Thousand Stars Island.

The Ten Thousand Stars Island Sea Region is positioned at the core area of the main routes within the Central State and Southern Wilderness of the Great Spirit Realm, with major forces spread across it. No one knows what kind of influence supports the Li Clan behind them, or to what extent such support reaches. All of these factors leave them restless, like sitting on pins and needles.

Several leading shopkeepers of Ten Thousand Stars Island were forced to come together to discuss countermeasures.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat solemn; the power behind Li’s Treasure Tower was too mysterious, too formidable. Without thorough investigation, they dared not act rashly.

"Master Chen, many of the Spirit Pills sold at Li’s Treasure Tower are similar to those sold at your building, correct? If your building isn’t supplying them, would it be possible to pursue this angle?" The local head shopkeeper of Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion—Qian Wenjin—looked at Shopkeeper Chen from Heaven Returning Tower, proposing inquisitively.

Master Chen mulled over this for a moment, then nodded and said, "We can try. Li’s Treasure Tower is booming, and they sold quite a few Spirit Pills this time. If they didn’t have stable channels, they could never have achieved this scale."

"However, don’t get your hopes up too high; most High-tier Spirit Pills sold at Li’s Treasure Tower are fairly common, with widespread Pill Formulas—not only we at Heaven Returning Tower possess them!" Having said this, Master Chen looked around the crowd and added.

"Master Chen, do your best, but ultimately it would depend on the Ten Thousand Stars Sect to investigate the power behind this Spirit Store. Does anyone have connections with Master Wan Ling to commission him for some inquiries?" Shopkeeper Wang Jin of Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion nodded, glancing at others and inquiring.

"Don’t count on Ten Thousand Stars Sect; they wish Li’s business would do better so they can collect more taxes, as the sect prohibits disciples from engaging in our commercial competitions."

"By asking Ten Thousand Stars Sect, we surely won’t get accurate information. It’s better to spend some Spirit Stones to inquire from the Liu Family—they should be well-aware of Li’s Treasure Tower’s rapid establishment, as Shopkeeper Liu from the Liu Family contributed significantly." Shopkeeper Qiu from Spirit Talisman Store interjected gloomily.

The crowd nodded in agreement upon hearing this, as Shopkeeper Qiu’s words were valid. Shopkeeper Liu from the Liu Family indeed played a crucial role in setting up Li’s Treasure Tower. Without his coordination across various affairs, Li’s Treasure Tower could not have opened smoothly in such a short span.

At the same time, the assistance provided by the Liu Family to Li’s Treasure Tower was vast; when Li’s Treasure Tower initially opened, the Liu Family helped with renting the premises and supported it with plenty of Spiritual Objects.

They had painstakingly managed to squeeze out the Liu Family’s store, but now, an even more formidable Spiritual Object Store has risen strongly, no longer selling Spiritual Materials, but various premium Spiritual Objects, directly causing their products to not sell well.

This result feels more agonizing than death.

"Shopkeeper Qiu’s idea isn’t bad; I have some connections with Liu Zhengfeng, so leave this matter to me!" Shopkeeper Tian Yuqing from Four Seasons Commerce Association took the initiative to take on this task.

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Tian," the crowd expressed their gratitude in unison.

"I will propose a partnership intention in the name of Four Seasons Commerce Association to Liu Family and secretly investigate the power behind Li’s Treasure Tower," Tian Yuqing stated solemnly.

The crowd nodded, agreeing with the plan.

...

Thus, Tian Yuqing set out to Liu Family in the name of accomplishing a Spiritual Material supply collaboration with Four Seasons Commerce Association, engaging in in-depth discussions with Clan Leader Liu Zhengfeng.

Liu Family’s Clan Leader—Liu Zhengfeng—valued the visit from Tian Yuqing from Four Seasons Commerce Association immensely, personally receiving him and holding a discussion for over an hour.

However, due to the relationship with Li’s Treasure Tower, Liu Zhengfeng did not immediately respond to Four Seasons Commerce Association—awaiting Tian Yuqing.

After the meeting, Liu Zhengfeng swiftly convened a family meeting, summoning numerous family Elders to discuss the matter.

"Shopkeeper Tian’s proposal can be considered, but we’ve just entered a partnership with Li’s Treasure Tower; if we fail to stably supply Spiritual Materials and disrupt their business, we fear the other party might hold us accountable." Liu Family’s Second Elder Liu Zhengyuan frowned and reminded.

"Indeed, Yalan is still working under them, to violate the Spiritual Material supply agreement, seems unreasonable!" Third Elder Liu Zhengqing agreed.

"This is Four Seasons Commerce Association; forming a long-term collaboration with them represents a historical opportunity for the Liu Family!" Grand Elder Liu Zhengming quickly reminded.

"Exactly! We’ve long desired cooperation with Four Seasons Commerce Association but never had the chance before. If we can secure this cooperation agreement now, the family’s previously suffered losses can be quickly compensated, reviving our prestige partly left behind. Clan Leader, there’s no need to hesitate!" Fourth Elder Liu Zhengfu reiterated, urgently urging.

"Ha! Four Seasons Commerce Association overlooked cooperating with us before, but they’re approaching us at this moment; what do you think their true intentions are?" Liu Zhengqing laughed coldly, questioning the Elders present. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent briefly; as Liu Zhengqing stated, Four Seasons Commerce Association approaching Liu Family now must be targeting Li’s Treasure Tower.

Liu Zhengfeng paused for contemplation, his gaze sweeping across the Elders, finally landing on the silent Seventh Elder Liu Zhengyang, inquiring probing: "Zhengyang, as a family Elder, what is your perspective on this matter?"

Liu Zhengyang remained silent for some time, surveying the crowd, analyzing: "Clan Leader, I believe Four Seasons Commerce Association contacting us is certainly directed at Li’s Treasures, yet what they seek doesn’t significantly conflict with our collaboration with Li’s Treasure Tower. As long as we find ways to supply Spiritual Materials to both clans, even earning fewer Spirit Stones, procuring goods from other clans would still be profitable."

"Regarding the ancillary requirements of the Four Seasons Commerce Association cooperation, aiding them in collecting and monitoring behind-the-scenes forces, this can be easily managed by opening a backdoor for them to investigate independently, not violating our agreement with Li’s cooperation."

"Collaborating with Four Seasons Commerce Association represents an excellent opportunity for Liu Family; missing it will likely result in no similar opportunities again."

"Self-preservation is paramount!"

After hearing Liu Zhengyang’s analysis, the Elders present all showed their approval.

"Clan Leader, Zhengyang is right, I agree with this matter!"

"I agree too!"

All Elders nodded in agreement.

Liu Zhengfeng looked at the crowd, a hint of a satisfied smile on his face.

"Very well! Since everyone agrees to cooperate with Four Seasons Commerce Association, let’s promptly sign a partnership agreement with them. As for other matters, we’ll keep one eye open and one eye shut."

Hearing this, the Elders of Liu Family all gave an ambiguous smile, thoroughly endorsing the Clan Leader’s words.

The Liu Family promptly signed a cooperation agreement with Four Seasons Commerce Association, and during this time, the business at Li’s Treasure Tower continued to thrive, making other businesses envious and jealous.

After receiving confirmation from Liu Family for collaboration, Tian Yuqing from Four Seasons Commerce Association initiated his investigation, repeatedly sending personnel to Li’s Treasure Tower for deliveries under the pretense of negotiating collaboration, secretly probing.

Time ticked by, and in the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed.

Tian Yuqing obtained voluminous information related to Li’s Treasure Tower from various channels. This information included Li’s Treasure Tower’s operational model, sales strategy, store layout, renovation style, staff situation, etc.

However, they failed to uncover any valuable clues. The force behind Li’s Treasure Tower seemingly doesn’t exist, leaving no trace to follow.

The investigation by Four Seasons Commerce Association reached an impasse.