SWDnovel Chapter 57: Exchange
Chapter 57: Exchange
Zhang Zai smiled and took out a wooden box, replying:
"Not bad. This trip sold forty-two spirit stones. After deducting costs, the profit is twenty spirit stones."
Hearing this, He Yu nodded in satisfaction.
One trip can earn about twenty spirit stones, and Zhang Zai can make about five trips a year, which adds up to about one hundred spirit stones.
This is more profitable than the shops in Pukoufang Market.
No wonder, now all the major powers are paying more and more attention to the Sanlukou Market area.
"By the way, Senior Sister, has the Sect Leader emerged from seclusion?" Zhang Zai suddenly asked.
"When I went to the Sanlukou Market this time, the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect came to find me, saying they wanted to see the sect leader."
"The sect leader has not yet emerged from seclusion."
He Yu first shook his head, then asked:
"Do you know why the Beast Taming Sect wants to see its leader?"
Although Zhang Zai would report the situation to He Yu in detail every time he returned, she knew little about the connection between Li Wu and the Beast Taming Sect.
Zhang Zai shook his head and said:
"I don't know the specifics either."
In fact, Zhang Zai was unaware of the deal between Li Wu and the Beast Taming Sect.
"Let's talk about that later. Tell me about the trip first."
"The trip went smoothly."
Zhang Zai took out a thin booklet from his sleeve, which recorded the specific number of spiritual items sold and the time spent on them.
"Because of the Zhao family, the Beast-Repelling Powder has been slightly affected and is selling a bit slower. However, our pills are becoming more and more popular. Every time I bring pills, they are sold out in less than three days."
"However, recently more and more people have been coming to my stall to inquire about prices and items, but they don't buy anything. They just walk around. I feel like I'm being targeted by some forces."
"But because of our relationship with the Beast Taming Sect, these forces dare not make a move easily."
Upon hearing this, He Yu's expression turned slightly serious, and he nodded, saying:
"You must be careful about this. Once you get there, don't wander around carelessly. After you've sold everything, hurry back on your silver-backed ray. With a silver-backed ray, even ordinary cultivators can't catch up."
"I see."
Zhang Zai nodded and then said:
"Also, when I was there, Fellow Daoist Zhao Qianyuan came to see me once."
"What does he want with you?" He Yu asked, puzzled.
He said that over the past few years, everyone has gradually made a name for themselves in Sanlukou Market, so they are preparing to establish a chamber of commerce and fully settle in Sanlukou Market.
"He hopes we can join."
Upon hearing this, He Yu pondered for a moment and guessed Zhao Qianyuan's plan.
If a chamber of commerce can be established in Sanlukou Fangshi, itinerant merchants will have fixed shops, and their annual income may increase.
But there's another problem here: why should the Sanlukou Market allow you to establish a chamber of commerce and provide you with a shop for trading?
After all, they were truly outsiders compared to the strength of Guang'an County.
Who would be willing to let others earn spirit stones on their own territory?
"Did he explain the specific plan?" He Yu asked.
Zhang Zai shook his head and said:
"They didn't say anything, they just informed me in advance. I guess we'll still have to discuss the specifics with the sect leader."
"Then let it go for now. If he keeps asking, just say we'll talk about it after the sect leader comes out of seclusion."
He Yu has used this excuse many times.
For example, after the deaths of Kangxi and Qianlong, both Xiaoximen and Changhemen personally climbed the mountain, hoping to form an alliance with Qingshimen.
But how could He Yu not see what they were planning?
So they all brushed it off with the excuse that "Li Wu is in seclusion and will not discuss the alliance for the time being."
"it is good."
Zhang Zai nodded, and after finishing his conversation, he left with the silver-backed ray.
He also needs to feed the silverback ray.
Although the silver-backed ray is a fine pack animal, it is quite particular about its food, especially liking a type of fish called "pig fish," which can only be bought at the Beast Taming Gate.
The monthly food expenses are about three to five spirit stones.
This shows that the Beast Taming Sect can earn huge profits every year just by selling silver-backed rays.
It can be described as the wealthiest sect in Guang'an County.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to support so many demonic beasts.
"Oh~ Oh~"
The silverbacked ray ate the pig and fish, making cheerful noises.
…………
The back mountain, the cave.
The stone gate slowly opened.
Li Wu walked out of the stone chamber.
Looking at the familiar mountain peaks, I thought to myself:
"We're finally back. Let's go find He Yu and find out what's happened these past few years."
For Li Wu, He Yu was like a head housekeeper.
Every time I come back, the first thing I do is go to her to find out what's going on.
He opened his spiritual sense, and the spiritual sense of the Foundation Establishment realm was enough to cover a radius of a hundred miles, and even several surrounding forces were within the range of Li Wu's spiritual sense.
So he quickly found He Yu.
After leaving Zhang Zai, He Yu went to the alchemy room to find Da Ji.
Then, Li Wuyi moved with a thought, transforming into an arc of lightning, and appeared outside the alchemy room a few breaths later.
…………
The alchemy room was set up with an array.
The formation can gather the spiritual energy on Mount Ling to form spiritual fire, which can be used for alchemy and weapon crafting.
He Yu sought out Da Ji to inform him of the main types of pills to be refined next, and how many of each to refine.
The specific number, of course, depended on the sales performance of the shops in Pukou Market and Zhang Zai's sales performance.
"Great fortune, this is the next batch of pills you need to refine."
Daji took the booklet, glanced at it, and nodded:
"it is good."
Just then, the two heard footsteps outside. They looked up, were startled at first, and then their eyes lit up with obvious joy.
"Sect Leader, you've emerged from seclusion!"
The two exclaimed in surprise.
"Um."
Li Wuwei nodded slightly and asked:
"During my absence, did anything happen within the sect?"
He Yu then recounted in detail the important events of the past few years.
"The Beast Taming Sect wants to see me?"
Li Wu pondered for a moment and asked:
"Do you know why?"
Zhang Zai was unaware of this.
He Yu shook his head and said:
"Moreover, the Beast Taming Sect only sent a message, without going into details."
Li Wu nodded and then asked:
"What was your response to Zhao Qianyuan?"
"I told Zhang Zai to say that we should discuss this again after the sect leader comes out of seclusion."
He Yu paused, then added:
"Sect Leader, this Chamber of Commerce matter isn't as simple as it seems. Although Zhao Qianyuan is from the Zhao family, the Zhao family is just an outsider in the Sanlukou Market. What gives them the right to propose establishing a Chamber of Commerce?"
Li Wuwei nodded slightly:
"I will ask Zhao Qianyuan about this matter myself."
After asking many more questions and giving some instructions, Li Wu turned and left.
Heading towards Guang'an County, Sanlukou Market.
"I'll go to the Beast Taming Sect first," he thought to himself.
"Let's see what they want from me."
…………
Guang'an County.
Beast Taming Sect.
Li Wu paid a visit and soon met Zheng Yecheng, the leader of the Beast Taming Sect.
"Sect Leader Zheng, I heard you were looking for me?"
Li Wu entered the hall, his aura subtly revealed.
Zheng Yecheng, sitting at the head of the table, sensed the surging, violent aura of thunder emanating from Li Wu, and immediately frowned, inwardly alarmed:
"Foundation Establishment Realm! And it's Lei Xiu!"
"The last time we met, he was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining. In just a few short years, he has actually broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm. Could Li Wu have encountered some extraordinary opportunity?"
"In this way, Youyang County has gained another Foundation Establishment warrior, and he is Lei Xiu, who has the strongest killing power."
Zheng Yecheng then recalled what the Wu family, Changxi Gate, and Xiayun Temple had said about their plan to completely drive out the merchants from Youyang County.
"It seems that there are at least eight Foundation Establishment warriors in Youyang County, including one in the late Foundation Establishment stage."
"On our side, although we also have one late-stage Foundation Establishment combatant, we only have five, a difference of three."
Zheng Yecheng's mind raced, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he smiled and rose to greet him.
"Sect Leader Li, it's been a long time! I didn't expect you to have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Congratulations!"
"Sect Leader Zheng, you're too kind."
Li Wu entered the hall, took his seat in the guest's seat, and went straight to the point, asking:
"I wonder what brings Sect Leader Zheng to see me?"
"I have two main matters to discuss with Sect Leader Li."
Zheng Yecheng slowly began to speak:
"Firstly, it's for the gold-devouring worm."
"After I obtained the Gold-Eating Insects, I tried various methods of cultivation, but I was unable to get the two insects to lay eggs. I wonder if Sect Leader Li has any cultivation methods?"
Upon hearing this, Li Wuduan picked up the spirit tea and took a sip. When he sold the Golden Devouring Insect to the Beast Taming Sect, he did not provide them with the method of cultivating it.
After all, the cultivation method is what's truly valuable.
After listening to Zheng Yecheng's words, Li Wuwei nodded slightly and said:
"Of course I have it, but what are you prepared to offer me in exchange, Sect Leader Zheng?"
The method for cultivating a demonic beast is far more valuable than the method for refining elixirs, talismans, or magical artifacts.
They don't price things based on spirit stones; they mostly barter.
However, Li Wu's words put Zheng Yecheng in a difficult position.
Originally, if Li Wushi had only Qi Refining cultivation, Zheng Yecheng could have used his power to intimidate him and exchanged some spirit stones or silver-backed rays for the method of cultivating the Gold-Swallowing Insect.
However, Li Wu is now at the Foundation Establishment stage, and is still a Thunder Cultivator.
Even if Zheng Yecheng and Huo Mang join forces and win, they will be severely injured.
This would actually be counterproductive.
After thinking for a long time, he spoke:
"What does Fellow Daoist Li want?"
"The method of breeding silverback ray".
Of the entire Beast Taming Sect, there were only two things that Li Wu found worthy of his attention.
One is the cultivation method of the Beast Taming Sect, which allows one to cultivate with demonic beasts.
But Li Wuxin knew perfectly well that this was the lifeblood of the Beast Taming Sect, and it was absolutely impossible for them to hand it over.
As for the second one, it is naturally the silverback ray.
These pack animals are really useful; it would be best if we could raise a whole batch ourselves.
"That won't do."
Zheng Yecheng refused without hesitation.
This silver-backed ray is the best-selling demon beast in his Beast Taming Sect. If he were to hand over the breeding method, wouldn't he be cutting off his own source of income?
Li Wu naturally understood Zheng Yecheng's concerns, so he took the initiative to say:
"Sect Leader Zheng, rest assured, I will not sell Silverback Rays in Guang'an County. Besides, I only need the breeding method for Silverback Rays. The pigs and fish needed to feed them will still have to be purchased from the Beast Taming Sect, won't they?"
While Li Wu said this, he had other ideas in mind.
Although he won't sell silverback ray in Guang'an County, that doesn't mean he won't sell them in other counties.
As for the pig and fish, we can find a way to get them later.
The most urgent task is to obtain a method for breeding silverback rays.
After listening to Li Wu's words, Zheng Yecheng pondered for a long time, and finally nodded and said:
"Alright, but Sect Leader Li needs to sign a contract with me."
The ability of the Gold-Eating Insects to find mineral veins is incredibly tempting. The Beast Taming Sect only has two of them, but they have already found two small iron ore veins in the past few years.
It can be mined for ten years, with a total value of five thousand spirit stones.
If the Gold-Eating Insects can be cultivated to a certain scale, the Beast Taming Sect will have a real chance to find all the mineral veins in Guang'an County.
As for why Li Wubu used the Gold-Eating Beetles to find and mine mineral veins himself, there are two main reasons.
First, the territory of Chishan has been divided up, and almost all the forces have completed the exploration of their own territories. Where there are mineral veins has already been found.
Secondly, mining is an extremely long and resource-intensive process.
The Beast Taming Sect mainly relies on demonic beasts to mine mineral veins.
Li Wu nodded in agreement with Zheng Yecheng's request:
"Can."
Zheng Yecheng nodded slightly and then said:
"As for the second matter, it is to give Sect Leader Li a reminder."
Upon hearing this, Li Wu paused, frowning as he said:
"What do you mean?"
Zheng Yecheng said slowly:
"In recent years, the cultivators of Youyang County have been doing business in the Sanlukou Market. At first, it did make the market lively, but as time went on, your presence gradually affected the business of the local forces in Guang'an County."
Upon hearing this, Li Wu raised an eyebrow slightly, his expression unchanged, and simply looked at Zheng Yecheng quietly, waiting for him to continue.
Seeing Li Wu's composure, Zheng Yecheng held him in even higher regard and continued:
"Our Beast Taming Sect mainly deals in the sale and rental of demonic beasts. You naturally cannot compete with us in this business. On the contrary, most of the spiritual items you sell are of good quality and reasonably priced, which is also beneficial to the prosperity of the Sanlukou Market."
"However, you must be careful of the Wu family, Changxi Gate, and Xiayun Temple."
"If you two really have a conflict, I'm afraid my Beast Taming Sect, as a sect in Guang'an County, will also have to face a direct conflict with you."
"Therefore, I hope to use Fellow Daoist Li's words to convey this message to the Foundation Establishment forces in your Youyang County. It would be best if we could sit down and have a proper discussion."
"I see."
After hearing this, Li Wu roughly guessed why Zhao Qianyuan wanted to establish a chamber of commerce.
The aim was to organize and regulate these scattered merchants in Youyang County.
Then, by negotiating with other forces in Guang'an County, they could continue to do business in the Sanlukou Market while avoiding conflict as much as possible.
"Thank you for informing us, Sect Leader Zheng. We will discuss this matter carefully."
After exchanging methods for cultivating the Gold-Eating Insect and the Silver-Backed Ray, Li Wu took his leave.
As Jia Feng left the main hall, he saw Zhao Ju returning on a silver-backed manta ray.
When Zhao Ju saw Li Wu, a smile appeared on his face, and he cupped his hands in greeting:
"Fellow Daoist Li, it's been a long time."
Li Wuwei nodded slightly and said:
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, it's been a long time."
He didn't linger, and his figure quickly disappeared from Zhao Ju's sight.
"This aura... he's reached the Foundation Establishment stage!"
Zhao Ju's expression suddenly changed drastically as she watched Li Wu walk away, her heart filled with disbelief.
"How could this be? He broke through to the Foundation Establishment realm so quickly. He was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining back then."