"First thing we need to do if we want to start a business is to look through all of the laws related to business and the process of registering one. There should be a government office somewhere where we can find what we need, let's go!"
Zhao Fan didn't object, after all, who didn't want to make money? Instead of going to upgrade his gear, he passed the artifact pavilion and headed deeper into the center of the city. Unlike the area he lived in, the streets here were made out of stone and large shops lined the streets. Bright yellow lanterns were strewn across the whole street, emitting a soft yellow light even though it was just the start of the day. A sea of people passed by, ranging from well dressed gentleman to fierce warriors with sheathed weapons. The Golden Leaf city was on the border of the Immortal Flame Empire, many people hunting in the wilderness often stopped by.
Not long passed at all when he found a large sign above a lavish golden building.
"Golden Leaf City Hall"
Zhao Fan walked right in, opening the thick wooden doors. Inside was a huge area with a few clerks sitting inside a closed off area. There were not many other people inside apart from him, so Zhao Fan directly walked up to a window seeing there was no line.
"Hello sir, how may I help you?"
"I would like to register a business," Zhao Fan said under the guidance of Hei Long.
"Okay, fill out all of the questions in this jade slip and pay the required fee" The clerk handed him a slip.
Using the same method as one would to look inside their body, Zhao Fan sent out his soul power into the slip to see the contents. They were very simple questions which asked him to indicate his name, company name, and some general information.
"What should I put down for the company's name?"
"Hmm, just something straightforward like Zhao Long Industrial Corporation"
"Alright that doesn't sound too bad" Zhao Fan put down the name and turned in the slip.
"Thank you, now just pay the ten spirit stone fee for transportation and you are set"
"Transportation?"
"Yes sir, the jade slip has to be personally delivered to headquarters to register the company and manage tax collection"
"Oh that makes sense, here" Zhao Fan counted out ten spirit stones and put them in a small bag before handing it over. The clerk picked up the bag and went in the back. A few moments later, Zhao Fan saw her come back with a different colored jade slip in hand.
"Here hold on to this, it's a copy of the registration form made with a unique method which is forge-proof. This is the proof of ownership of the company, please make sure not to lose it" Zhao Fan carefully took and stored the slip. The clerk wasn't done and took out yet another jade slip.
"Since this is your first time registering a company, you are probably unaware of the regulations regarding taxes. This jade slip contains an overview of everything you need to know." The clerk told him in a monotonous voice.
"Thank you!"
Zhao Fan finally headed out of the city hall in high spirits.
"It seems everything in this world is centered around power" Hei Long sighed
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it, the only way to prove a company's ownership is through the jade slip. If your jade slip gets stolen or you get kidnapped then the company falls apart. The laws regarding stealing or kidnapping are also superficial, considering that if you get kidnapped, who could prove it? In a world with myriads of bizzare methods, where someone can teleport far away with a snap of their fingers, how can someone pin the blame on anyone? The only solution is for the owner of the company to be the strongest one in it, and a company's potential is only as good as the power of it's strongest cultivator. Even in a civilization, the strong still hold the ultimate authority and the weak have to secure as much small profits as they can, or risk their life going hunting to become stronger." Hei Long's emotions fluctuated between extreme anger and acceptance, as if he was just speaking facts.
Hearing this, the smile on Zhao Fan's face froze. After a bit of thinking, his lips curled up in a smile again.
"What? How can you still smile knowing you are just an ant that can be devoured by others any time?"
"Who cares if I'm just an ant now? All these problems you mentioned can easily be solved as long as I can get stronger! After going out hunting once, I could finance my father's retirement for a few years. After I became stronger by risking my life, my teacher personally taught me and even Liu Zhong's family took an interest in me. If I can keep getting stronger, then all problems before me will disappear and I can live carelessly! The difference between the strong and the weak you outlined is not necessarily bad in a world where anyone has the chance to become strong!"
Hei Long was stunned for a long time.
__
The sun hung directly in the center of the sky, illuminating the world below. A group of teenagers all dressed in battle gear stood by a golden gate. One of them was a dark clothed youth with twin swords sheathed on his side. He nervously fidgeted with his hands, clearly waiting for something.
"Zhao Fan!"
The teenager pushed off against the wall and turned towards the nearing figure. The figure wore a dark tunic and two dark red gloves and was obviously Zhao Fan.
"Liu Zhong!"
As he neared, the nearby youths all examined their new group member. Their brows creased as they realized he was only at the third level of qi gathering.
"Liu Zhong, isn't he a bit-" Even though Liu Zhong previously told the group that Zhao Fan wasn't as powerful in order to avoid an awkward situation, they didn't think he would be that weak. Liu Zhong quickly defended him.
"Hey, let's all hunt together first before making any conclusions!"
Zhao Fan revealed an awkward smile and felt grateful for his friend. Not only did he help him join a higher circle, he also put himself in an awkward situation for his sake. After Liu Zhong said that, the group quieted down and began introductions.
"I am Huo Long, I wield a spear as well as the thunder element. I am at the sixth level of qi gathering." A tall and heroic looking youth with short black hair introduced himself. In his hands was a long golden spear which shone slightly.
"My name is Jia Shuren. I use two daggers and the wind element. I am at the fifth level of qi gathering." This time, a sharp looking female cultivator stepped forward.
"I am Zhou Da. I wield a staff and the fire element, I am also at the fifth level of qi gathering." She had long hair reaching to her shoulders and looked and her face looked much younger than anyone else.
"Gong Yu, I use a shield and sword and wield the element of earth, I am at the fourth level of qi gathering." A well built and short young man stepped forward. He had a shield which was half as tall as him and an exquisite blue sword by his side.
"My name is Liu Zhong, I wield two swords and the element of shadow and wind. I am at the fifth level of qi gathering." He was dressed in all black as always and his twin swords were sheathed by his side.
Seeing everyone else already finished introducing themselves, Zhao Fan stepped up.
"My name is Zhao Fan, I fight with my fists and I am at the third level of qi gathering"