Chi Changye's eyes sharpened as he shifted his focus onto Gu Yao. What exactly does Chang Immortal Sect have in mind? Could it be solely for Qingchen Pills? It seems unlikely that they would go to such lengths just for Qingchen Pills. Chi Changye silently became alert in his heart.
The four of them thanked the shopkeeper and inquired about the distribution of power in Fengyan City and any important matters to note. They then took out the gains from their recent refining experiences that they couldn't use themselves and traded them with the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper was quite pleased because all four of them were at the Golden Core stage. They didn't pay attention to things that were too inferior, so what they brought out for trade were all good items. Especially when they presented the corpse of a Yuanying-level demonic beast, it made the shopkeeper even more excited.
At the same time, he was greatly shocked, realizing the formidable strength of these four individuals, particularly the sword cultivator, Chi Changye, who managed to silently kill Di Feng. It couldn't have been an easy feat. However, he was also surprised to learn that they were still at the Golden Core stage and yet were able to kill a Yuanying-level demonic beast. Even though the corpse was covered in injuries, indicating that it had fought for quite some time before being worn down, it also represented a fact - that these four individuals, when working together, could contend against early-stage Yuanying cultivators.
After Gu Yao and his companions left the shop with a large amount of spiritual stones and various spiritual materials, the shopkeeper had to find a way to report this matter back to headquarters.
The four of them left their room at the inn and rented a cave dwelling, a place specifically designed for cultivators to cultivate in seclusion. Most of these dwellings were built on top of spiritual veins, so naturally, the prices were much higher than that of an inn. After fighting in the mountains for such a long time, they needed to settle down and recuperate.
The shopkeeper also kept an eye on their situation and noticed that once they rented the cave dwelling, they immediately went into seclusion. They didn't come out for quite some time. Considering the impending storm outside, the shopkeeper admired the good temperament of these four individuals. They seemed unaffected, as if they weren't the ones prominently featured on the wanted list.
Everyone knew that this was the right course of action. Instead of worrying about the situation outside, it was better to seize the time to improve their strength. However, it was easier said than done. Forcing cultivation while feeling restless and impatient would not yield much benefit.
Baihe City.
Zhang Qianfeng listened calmly as his subordinates reported another incident of a merchant caravan being robbed. Liu Wangyue couldn't help but feel a little agitated. It seemed that Chang Immortal Sect was going all out to suppress Baihe City.
After listening to the report, Zhang Qianfeng waved his hand and said, "You may all leave for now. Suspend the supply from all parties. Everyone should take a good rest for a while. You have all worked hard during this period."
"Subordinates are not tired, Sect Master. We will take our leave now."
Liu Wangyue couldn't figure out what her father was thinking. She pushed her father's arm gently and said, "Father, what are you thinking? You wouldn't really consider doing what some of the subordinates suggested, to reveal Master Yao Dan's whereabouts to Chang Immortal Sect, right?"
While Chang Immortal Sect was secretly trying to suppress Baihe City, they also sent someone to imply a few words. The implication was that as long as Baihe City revealed Gu Yao's whereabouts, Chang Immortal Sect would not hold them accountable for the past.
There were people in Qianfeng Pavilion who were tempted. After all, even with two Yuanying cultivators in the City Lord's Mansion, it would still be difficult to contend against Chang Immortal Sect. If it came to a genuine confrontation, the City Lord's Mansion could be overthrown at any time.
"Child," Zhang Qianfeng finally smiled and ruffled his daughter's hair. "What kind of person do you think your father is? Your father and your mother are unfilial and ungrateful? Don't pay attention to what they say. What your father is thinking is that with multiple leaks in our operations, there is also a lack of unity within our pavilion and the City Lord's Mansion."
Understood," Liu Wangyue nodded. "Father, are you saying someone has betrayed us? That's why so many deliverymen on multiple routes have been robbed? Chang Immortal Sect is acting too tyrannical. Father, how do we get through this difficult situation?"
Just as they were speaking, Qi, the steward, hurriedly walked in, bringing news from Fengyan City. The news was that Gu Yao and his group were currently in Fengyan City.
Zhang Qianfeng couldn't help but smile. "Those four can really run. Capturing them is not something that can be done in a short time. By not showing themselves for such a long time, their strength must have increased."
Zhang Qianfeng is the Lord of Qianfeng Pavilion and the person behind the scenes in the Lord's Mansion, so he analyzed the situation of the four people in detail. It must be said that the four people's strength has increased rapidly. They are the pride of the Tai Luo Men, and their progress may not be surpassed by others.
Zhang Qianfeng believes that besides their own talents, their proficiency in alchemy is also closely related to Gu Yao. Gu Yao's alchemy abilities might still have some hidden aspects. While others rely on luck to produce high-quality pills, the situation may be the opposite for Gu Yao.
If he mostly uses high-quality pills, imagine a cultivator using unlimited high-quality pills for cultivation. How many people can match the speed of their practice? It is unknown whether the Longxian Gate values Gu Yao's alchemy abilities and the probability of producing high-quality pills, or if there are other factors involved, such as something that can enhance the quality of alchemical medicine.
"Qianfeng," Lord Liu walked in from outside with a smile, "I have already contacted the heads of the major business groups. They will come to Baihe City as soon as possible. I believe that your plans will soon be successful."
Zhang Qianfeng stood up and grabbed Lord Liu's hand, smiling tenderly. "Thank you, my lady."
"You're the one who works the hardest. Just when you've consolidated your cultivation, you have to worry about these trivial matters."
"In the past few years, it was my lady who bore the pressure from all sides. Now it's my turn to contribute and let my lady relax."
Seeing the couple talking as if no one else was present, Wang Yue and Manager Qi exchanged glances. However, Manager Qi shook slightly. Shouldn't these words be said privately and not in front of them?
Wang Yue touched the goosebumps on her arm and couldn't help but interrupt. Otherwise, she didn't know when her parents' affectionate conversation would end. "Father, mother, what exactly are you preparing? Why are you inviting the heads of the major business groups?"
Zhang Qianfeng sat down next to Lord Liu, and only then did Lord Liu smile and reply to his daughter, "Our Baihe City is still too weak. It's impossible to confront the Longxian Gate head-on. So your father came up with a solution, which is to unite the major business groups and form a commercial alliance. As long as they join the alliance, they will have access to the prescription for the Qingchen Pill."
Manager Qi thought carefully and then clapped his hands, saying, "Excellent idea, Lord Zhang!"
Wang Yue blinked. "Will the other business groups agree?" Such a big matter, can other business groups be persuaded with just the prescription for the Qingchen Pill?
Zhang Qianfeng smiled and said, "I know what you're thinking, Wang Yue. Of course, things won't be that simple. After the commercial alliance is established, many resources can circulate within the alliance. Most importantly, we can unite and present a united front when dealing with external forces. Compared to the major sects, our businesses are ultimately weaker. When we trade with the major sects, our businesses often suffer losses. Although some businesses may be powerful and can hold their own individually, they still lack the profound heritage of the major sects."
"Within the commercial alliance, there can be exchanges and sharing of resources. Although it may seem like it could sacrifice some profits, in the long run, it might not be impossible to become powerful. We can even concentrate the entire alliance's resources to cultivate disciples who are not inferior to the major sects. In the future, we can be completely free from the control of those major sects.
Businesses have many shortcomings. For example, some businesses have to pay a significant price to invite wandering cultivators as their resident cultivators, including hiring demon cultivators. Businesses do not have the same concerns as sects. Additionally, if a business discovers a certain hidden realm, they often lack the authority to claim it and do not possess enough strength to retain it.
Zhang Qianfeng believes that once he shares his ideas about the commercial alliance with the major business groups, they will not fail to see the benefits and drawbacks. Even if they don't want to form an alliance, they will at least send their representatives to assess the situation.
Wang Yue felt a bit overwhelmed. She already had enough headaches managing the Lord's Mansion and Qianzhi Pavilion's affairs on a daily basis. Now, with the addition of a commercial alliance, it exceeded her capabilities. While she inherited her mother's talent, she couldn't inherit her father's intellect, which was causing her some distress.
Lord Liu didn't possess such a mind either, but she felt there was no need to worry. "Let your father handle these matters, let him worry about it. Right now, focus your energy on enhancing your strength?"
She used to worry about providing her daughter with a stable environment to live and strive in. She and her Dao companion perhaps couldn't accompany their daughter for a long time. But now the situation was different. They, as a couple, still had many years ahead of them. Unless an unfortunate event occurred, they had enough time to wait for Nuoying to grow up. Taking over Qianzhi Pavilion and the Lord's Mansion had become the least important matter.
Zhang Qianzhi's proposed idea of the commercial alliance, along with the detailed description, was indeed inspiring. As a result, even the businesses that initially wanted to remain neutral and wait and see came to Baihe City to participate in the negotiations.
The benefits of establishing the commercial alliance were apparent, but the conflicts and disagreements among the various businesses were significant, making it challenging to achieve harmony. Therefore, the representatives of the businesses stayed in Baihe City for quite some time. With the push from Lord Liu and Zhang Qianzhi, the commercial alliance finally came into existence.
This has a lot to do with Lord Liu and Zhang Qianfeng sacrificing a significant portion of their benefits. Initially, many businesses questioned whether Lord Liu wanted to involve them in a confrontation with the Longxian Gate, sacrificing the interests of other businesses in order to gain greater benefits within the commercial alliance.
Zhang Qianfeng didn't deny that he wanted to gather the strength of all the businesses to contend against the Longxian Gate. This was an undeniable fact. However, who among those present could guarantee that their interests would not conflict with those of the major sects in the future?
Not to mention the future, let's talk about the past. They have suffered many losses in the hands of the major sects. Consolidating all their resources would only bring greater benefits than going it alone.
The couple didn't want to occupy a high position within the commercial alliance. At the Nascent Soul stage, there were some resources that couldn't be obtained through business alone. Moreover, Wang Yue's cultivation resources were already within their means. What they wanted was to utilize the power of the entire commercial alliance to mutually constrain the major sects. Today it was the Longxian Gate, but tomorrow it could be the Tailuo Gate. They couldn't be on constant guard against threats every day. By taking this approach, they could resolve the issue once and for all.