Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan-Chapter 451 - 457: Cooperation
Southern Domain, headquarters of the Southern Edge Commerce Association, Southern Edge Mount.
"What do you all think about the news from Green Mountain State in the Eastern Domain?" asked the Great Elder, who was sitting at the head of the table.
Since the Southern Edge Commerce Association was a coalition of merchants and not as united as sects or families, there was no nominal leader. Instead, it was governed and decisions about major affairs were made by twelve Nascent Soul Elders.
Beneath the twelve ranked elders were many other elders and executors, followed by the store manager and shopkeepers. Above them, only the Divine Transformation Realm's Supreme Elders existed.
Supreme Elders were not allowed to interfere with the commerce association's operations; they only received tributes, resolved troubles for the association, and also served as a deterrent and a demonstration of the association's strength.
"Several hundred thousand Spirit Stones are not much for the association; agreeing or not is not a big deal. The focus is on the family behind this and that Nascent Soul cultivator who is not even three hundred years old."
The Elder who managed the Eastern Domain's branch of the association spoke slowly, "If I remember correctly, in the news sent back by the store manager from Green Mountain State, it was said that there is a great possibility that Li has become a fourth-tier Alchemy Master."
Why would Li Zhirui give the store manager several bottles of Essence-Enhancing Pills? Wasn't it to show off his high level of alchemy proficiency through this gesture!
Apparently, the effects were rather good.
Are fourth-tier Alchemy Masters precious? Rare? Definitely, yes!
Bear in mind that to become a fourth-tier Alchemy Master, one must have reached the Nascent Soul Realm. But among tens of thousands of Qi Cultivation cultivators, there might not even be one Nascent Soul!
Among the already scarce True Lords with Nascent Souls, those with an exceptional talent for alchemy are even rarer.
Moreover, alchemy is not just about theory; it's not like just any Nascent Soul cultivator can refine fourth-tier Spirit Pills. It also requires strong practical experience and a solid foundation!
Whether it's cultivation or alchemy, both are very time-consuming and energy-draining tasks. There are countless geniuses who aspire to excel in both, but they often either abandon one or waste their years, ending with regrets upon demise.
Even for the vast Southern Edge Commerce Association, the number of fourth-tier Alchemy Masters does not exceed the number of two hands.
Therefore, upon hearing that Li Zhirui might become a fourth-tier Alchemy Master, several elders changed their initial opinions.
However, there were still objections. The reason was simple: if the association's investment failed, it would mean a significant loss of Spirit Stones.
"Elder Liu makes a good point, but..." Elder Ten said with a slight smile, speaking deliberately, "According to the information from Green Mountain State, Li is not only excellent in cultivation aptitude but also incredibly talented in alchemy!"
"Every time he has a breakthrough in a major realm, he only needs a hundred or even just dozens of materials to successfully refine new tier Spirit Pills!"
"Also, his method of pill refinement is the more difficult Water Refinement Method!"
"Hiss—" The elders present couldn't help but draw in a breath of cold air.
Elder Liu, who didn't get along with Elder Ten, flashed a hint of annoyance in his eyes but wisely chose not to say anything further.
He knew that such easily validated information would not be revealed at such an important meeting if it had not been repeatedly confirmed by the other party.
Elder Ten caught Elder Liu's expression and a satisfied smile graced the corner of his mouth, thankful for bringing this matter up for discussion.
Actually, the matter was not so important that it required a meeting; Elder Ten could have decided on his own since he was in charge of the Eastern Domain's commerce association.
His main intention was to trap Elder Liu, to embarrass him a little.
"Now, let's have a show of hands to vote," said the Great Elder, who was the foremost among the twelve elders primarily because he chaired elder council meetings.
In addition, if the first round of voting resulted in a tie, he would make the final decision.
As expected, the elders in favor of secretly collaborating with the Li family made up the overwhelming majority, securing a decisive victory.
That very day, the Store Manager of Green Mountain State received a response from headquarters.
"As expected, the head office has agreed," said the Store Manager after listening to the directive, without a hint of surprise.
Taking advantage of the early hour, the Store Manager, after a slight disguise, went to the Li family's shop in Green Mountain State and delivered a specially crafted Jade Slip. It contained an invitation for Li Zhirui to discuss collaboration matters the following day.
Of course, these specially crafted Jade Slips were encrypted and required a specific spell to be deciphered, ensuring maximum secrecy and preventing any leaks.
By that same evening, Li Zhirui had received the Store Manager's message and discussed with Li Shiqing and Li Dayuan the bottom line that the Li family could offer.
The content was not extensive, with the new requirement being that the Southern Edge Commerce Association shall not sell fourth-grade Spirit Pills in the Eastern Domain because the distinctiveness of the Water Refining Method made it apparent that they were crafted by Li Zhirui.
Furthermore, there was no other Alchemy Master of the Water Method within the nearby states.
"Elder, you've arrived!" greeted the Store Manager with utmost respect upon meeting.
Li Zhirui nodded with a faint smile and asked, "May I know the decision of your commerce association?"
The Store Manager explained, "The head office has agreed to trade secretly with your martial family and other conditions, complying with the rules of the commerce association, and we hope the elder and your family will understand."
"Of course!" Li Zhirui agreed readily with a nod.
Thanks to the foundation laid by previous cooperation, the negotiation proceeded swiftly, and soon, both parties reached a consensus and signed a brand-new contract.
The primary subject of the contract was not Li Zhirui or any other cultivators but the two major powers, the Southern Edge Commerce Association and the Li family.
"Elder, the Spiritual Medicine for your practice supplied by the commerce association has already been stored in the warehouse; I will retrieve them for you now," said the Store Manager, visibly more relaxed after signing the contract.
If Li Zhirui indeed became a fourth-grade Alchemy Master, then the Store Manager might be able to advance even further and take up a position at the headquarters.
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Providing Spiritual Medicine for training was also one of the Li family's requests, and in return, after Li Zhirui crafted the Red Sun Treasure Pills, he would compensate the commerce association with three Precious Pills per set of ingredients.
"Good!" Li Zhirui returned to Wanxian Island with fifty sets of Spiritual Medicine and shared the good news with Li Shiqing.
"Just focus on crafting Spirit Pills for the family; don't worry about anything else!" Li Shiqing instructed.
Li Zhirui did not object nor agree outright, only asking, "Who do you plan to send to negotiate with Xuanfa Pavilion?"
Upon hearing this, Li Shiqing pondered for a moment and replied, "The best candidate is someone from our family who is unaware of the secret deal with the Southern Edge Commerce Association."
Otherwise, there was a real risk of slipping up in front of Xuanfa Pavilion.
"Let Cheng Huo, who just returned a few days ago, make contact with Xuanfa Pavilion. As for the terms, apart from giving up a 10 percent profit, the rest can be the same as with the Southern Edge Commerce Association."
Upon consideration, Li Zhirui nodded in agreement; Li Chenghuo was indeed a very suitable candidate.
