Heavenly Opposers-Chapter 283 - 282-Setting Things Up.

Azrail’s mind buzzed as he processed the situation, already calculating his next steps. There was always more to these negotiations than what appeared on the surface. The elves were unlikely to hand over full trading rights without trying to bargain for something bigger, and All-Seer’s assessment confirmed that. But Azrail wasn’t concerned, nor was he rushing. Every piece of this deal would need to fall into place, just as he had planned.

’They won’t go for the full deal, will they?’ Azrail asked All-Seer through their private link, his voice low and contemplative.

[No, they’ll resist that. But they may offer something significant in return. Perhaps a bigger incentive—one that could work in your favour just as well.]

Azrail inwardly nodded at the reply, understanding the broader picture. The trade of the precious wood wasn’t just controlled by the three elders of the elves’ forest but by a parent-subsidiary of a much larger, more influential company—one tied to a high-ranking faction within the All-Realm. This meant that for the elves, trying to make any large-scale changes to their trading structure without permission from above would be risky and potentially catastrophic. But that also worked to Azrail’s advantage.

The longer they waited to decide, the more the situation deteriorated for them, not him. In fact, he wasn’t solely after the trade rights. There was something else—something much deeper—that he aimed to secure through these talks. Negotiating with them would be like killing two birds with one stone.

As these thoughts solidified in his mind, Azrail stepped into a room that screamed elegance and power. The walls were well decorated, and everything around looked expensive. Floating chandeliers emitted a soft, steady glow. The moment he appeared, a secretary approached him, bowing respectfully. She was well-dressed, her sharp wolf ears twitching ever so slightly, her tail swishing behind her in barely controlled elegance. She was one of the many beast folk Azrail had ’liberated’ from Nayan’s failed experiments.

"Welcome, Merchant Head," she said, her voice crisp and professional.

"Call me Dreadcloaks here for now," Azrail responded, his tone measured.

The woman, Lisbon, nodded, her wolfish features displaying a mixture of loyalty and fierceness. She was a perfect example of how Azrail had started constructing his new empire. Not all of the individuals he rescued from Nayan were suited for combat or espionage, nor did they all come from influential backgrounds where they could be easily reinserted as spies. But they were not useless. Azrail had seen potential in different areas for them. Those who were adept at strategy and management or had sharp minds were absorbed into his fledgling organisation.

He couldn’t run this merchant group alone, that much was clear. The strength of a leader lies in the people they surround themselves with. So, Azrail had taken the brightest and most capable individuals, trained them rigorously—especially those who showed aptitude in business and strategy—and set them into motion.

A lot of the more intense training had been carried out under Adria’s supervision, much to her irritation. She hated working under his command but still fulfilled her duties efficiently. It didn’t take long for him to build a core team capable of handling the day-to-day operations of the merchant group, and now, they were ready to handle this crucial negotiation. Everything was set in motion, with the name "Radiant Redemption" officially registered and the permissions secured through the Merchant Union. Now, the only thing left was to find the perfect location to establish a base of operations in this vast, competitive market.

’The hard part was finding the right place to start,’ Azrail mused as he approached Lisbon.

"How’s everything going?" Azrail asked, his eyes locking onto her as she handed him a detailed report. He took the tablet she offered, scanning through the data.

"Everything is proceeding as expected," Lisbon replied, her voice steady, her wolf ears twitching as she spoke. "We’ve secured the location you wanted in the Seven-Spire District."

’Ah, yes. The Seven-Spire District.’ A prime location within the All-Realm, where only the most established businesses and trade hubs could afford to operate. Securing a spot here had cost him a small fortune, but it was worth it. The district was a hub of inter-dimensional commerce, a vital artery through which the most powerful merchants of the All-Realm moved their goods. Every deal made here carried immense weight, and the prestige of owning property in this area would send a clear signal to both allies and competitors.

"How much did it end up costing?" Azrail asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it.

"Approximately 1.4 billion Credits," Lisbon replied, her tone professional. "That includes the down payment, the establishment fees, and the cost of renovating the interior to match your specifications."

Azrail nodded. It was a steep price, but nothing he couldn’t handle. His recent ventures, combined with his vast knowledge of the future, had made him extremely wealthy. More importantly, the location wasn’t just about prestige. There were strategic advantages to being in the Seven-Spire District. The area was central, easily accessible to all major trade routes between the various realms, and provided unparalleled access to high-ranking clients and their resources. The infrastructure here was state-of-the-art, with powerful enchantments woven into the very fabric of the buildings, ensuring privacy, security, and the swift handling of goods and information.

"What about the nearby competition?" Azrail asked, his mind already spinning with plans.

"The competition is fierce, as expected. The Seven-Spire District houses some of the most influential merchant groups in the entire All-Realm. But none of them know your full hand yet, and they won’t expect you to rise as quickly as you will. We’ve also established several key contacts with the Merchant Union and a few higher-ups in the Cosmic Fighter Association, which will be beneficial in the long run."

Azrail leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. The Cosmic Fighter Association—a key player in the virtual battlegrounds of the cultivation world. With their influence, he could not only move goods and services more freely but also tap into the immense resources that flowed through the association’s hands. Every victory in the virtual battles brought wealth and souls, but having the Association’s support would bring something even more valuable: connections. Power. Influence.

"Good," he murmured. "That’s very good."

Lisbon continued, "The renovations on the main building should be complete within the week. We’ve already installed the necessary security measures, including dimensional wards and surveillance systems that are on par with the best the district has to offer. Your personal office is being designed to accommodate both physical and virtual meetings, with direct links to the Cosmic Fighter Association’s central network."

"Excellent. What about the special request I made? The dimensional cloaking device?"

"We’ve acquired the components, but it’s a custom build. It will take a little longer to assemble. However, once it’s in place, no one—no matter how powerful—will be able to detect or monitor any transactions or communications within the building without your permission."

Azrail’s smile widened. That was crucial. In the world of high-level commerce, information was as valuable—if not more so—than gold. Being able to control who could see and hear what was happening within his walls would give him an edge that few others could match. The ability to operate in complete secrecy was a game-changer.

"And the workforce? How’s their training progressing?"

"Very well. Most of the recruits have already completed their initial training in commerce and trade negotiations. The more specialised units—the ones who will handle the inter-realm transport and smuggling—are still in the process, but they’re coming along quickly. I expect them to be fully operational within the month."

Azrail nodded again, satisfied. Everything was falling into place. His merchant group, Radiant Redemption, was already starting to make waves in the All-Realm. And with the deals he was brokering now, it wouldn’t be long before his influence spread even further. The elves’ forest was just one of many steps on his path.

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But it was an important step. The wood from their forest was unique—imbued with powerful properties that made it highly sought after in both the cultivation world and the All-Realm. Securing exclusive rights to trade it would not only make him a fortune but also open doors to more valuable resources and alliances. It was a move that would position him as a major player in the All-Realm’s complex web of commerce.

"I’ll need to meet with the elders again soon," Azrail said, standing up from his seat. "We’re close to sealing the deal, but I want to make sure they understand exactly what’s at stake."

"Understood," Lisbon replied. "I’ll arrange the meeting."

Azrail walked to the large windows overlooking the bustling streets of the Seven-Spire District. From here, he could see merchants and traders from countless realms going about their business, moving goods that ranged from rare herbs to high-tech devices. It was a vibrant, thriving hub of activity, and soon, Radiant Redemption would be at the centre of it all.

This was just the beginning. And with the elves’ deal, it would mark the first true step in his rise to power in the All-Realm. He wasn’t just building a merchant group—he was building an empire.

"Let’s finalise everything," Azrail muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with determination. "This is only the start."