Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 450 - 456: Choice

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With such a significant conflict of interest, how could Xuanfa Pavilion possibly agree to cooperate with Southern Edge Commerce Association?

Unless the Li family can make the cake big enough, big enough to surpass the losses incurred by Xuanfa Pavilion!

But obviously, this is impossible, even if the Li family produced a Nascent Soul True Lord like Li Zhirui, and he is also likely to become a fourth-order Alchemy Master, itʼs still impossible to generate such huge benefits.

And the elders present couldnʼt come up with any good ideas either, the grand hall was deathly silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Li Dayuan sighed helplessly and said, ”Everyone go back and think it over well, and you can also ask other clan members. Maybe they have some good ideas.”

”Yes!” Everyone stood up and took their leave.

And Li Dayuan also stood up and walked towards Li Shiqingʼs cave dwelling where Li Shilian and Li Zhirui were also there, hoping to hear good news after pooling ideas.

Unfortunately, the results did not meet expectations.

”Maybe we can do as we did before, on the surface only do business with Xuanfa Pavilion, while secretly maintaining ties with Southern Edge Commerce Association,” Li Dayuan hesitated for a moment before putting forth a not-so-great idea.

As the clan leader of the family, Li Dayuan of course knew about the private dealings with Southern Edge Commerce Association; after all, many such matters required his intervention to cover them up to prevent discovery by other clan members.

”Thatʼs impossible,” Li Shiqing shook his head and said, ”Xuanfa Pavilion actually knows very well about the previous private dealings with Southern Edge Commerce Association; they just never caught the family in the act.”

”But the most important thing is that back then, the family was merely a Golden Core force. Although the profits were not insignificant, they did not reach a level that would tempt Xuanfa Pavilion, it wasnʼt worth their effort to investigate the matter, so they turned a blind eye.”

”But now, with Nascent Soul True Lord Zhirui presiding over the family, our earnings will far exceed those of the past, and Xuanfa Pavilion will not agree to share such a large profit with their rival, Southern Edge Commerce Association.”

”Unless the family publicly declares the cessation of all interactions with Southern Edge Commerce Association!”

In Li Shiqingʼs view, if they really did that, the friendly relationship that the family and Southern Edge Commerce Association had maintained for so many years would vanish into thin air.

After all, as a top cross-regional commerce association, they value their reputation highly. To sever relations publicly like this, wouldnʼt it be a complete loss of face for them?

Hearing this, Li Zhirui couldnʼt help but laugh and say, ”Uncle, have you forgotten? Southern Edge Commerce Association is a coalition of merchants.”

”To them, what does face count for? I fear itʼs not even as important as a single Spirit Stone.” And once they partner with the Li family, the profit brought to them each year would be no less than several hundred thousand Spirit Stones!

Of course, these several hundred thousand Spirit Stones are nothing when you look at the entirety of Southern Edge Commerce Association, merely a drop in the ocean.

But for the Store Manager of Green Mountain State, it would be quite an achievement.

”Youʼre right! It was I who thought wrong,” Li Shiqing said, stunned for a moment before smiling.

Li Zhirui did not continue this conversation but said, ”I will personally go and speak with the Store Manager from Southern Edge Commerce Association, and once we have confirmation here, I will then go talk to Xuanfa Pavilion about cooperation.”

For him, a Nascent Soul True Lord to personally make a move was giving enough respect to that Store Manager.

”Letʼs do as you say.”

That very day, Li Zhirui left Wanxian Island via the secret undersea passage.

In less than half an hour, he appeared at Southern Edge Commerce Association and met with the Store Manager.

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”I have seen True Lord!” the Store Manager began with joy in his heart when he saw Li Zhirui, thinking that the Li family was ready to establish a partnership with the Southern Edge Commerce Association.

But upon closer consideration, he felt something was amiss!

Because if it were just for that, there would be no need for Li Zhirui, a Nascent Soul True Lord, to personally show up. Sending a Golden Core cultivator, or even a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a message, would have been fine.

So, was Li Zhiruiʼs personal visit meant to reject the Commerce Association and choose the Xuanfa Pavilion, but also worried about offending the Commerce Association, so he sent this Nascent Soul True Lord to show enough apology?

Speaking of which, he and Li Zhirui were old acquaintances. When they first met, Li Zhirui was just a junior who had recently broken through to the Golden Core.

But who could have thought that now he would have to offer a juniorʼs courtesy to the other party?

Seeing the change in expression on the otherʼs face, Li Zhirui guessed what he was thinking, and to prevent him from spiraling into further wild guesses, immediately spoke, ”This time, I come on behalf of the Li family to reach a private cooperation agreement with the Southern Edge Commerce Association.”

”Private?” the Store Manager was startled upon hearing this, but then shook his head and said, ”We donʼt mind that, as long as it brings sufficient profits to the Commerce Association. But the Xuanfa Pavilion definitely wonʼt agree to it.”

”How does the elder plan to resolve this?”

Li Zhirui smiled slightly and said, ”We will publicly sever ties with your Commerce Association. I believe the Xuanfa Pavilion will no longer fuss over this matter then.”

”Elder, this would damage the reputation of the Commerce Association; I cannot agree to it!”

”Donʼt be in a hurry to refuse. Iʼm sure you are aware of the value of a fourth-grade Spirit Pill.” Li Zhirui confidently shook his head.

This value wasnʼt just about the high price but also about the relationships brought about by the sale of Spirit Pills!

One must know, those who need to purchase fourth-grade Spirit Pills are at least Nascent Soul True Lords, and their status and position could bring immense potential benefits to the Southern Edge Commerce Association.

”Moreover, on top of fourth-grade Spiritual Medicine, we are willing to give your Commerce Association a ten percent profit share!”

Li Zhirui smiled confidently, ”May I know if you are now willing to agree?”

The Store Manager was tempted; the conditions offered by the Li family were simply too enticing! All they needed to do was to sacrifice some inconsequential face to make this deal happen!

”This...” the Store Manager paused for a moment and said, ”This is a significant matter; I need to discuss it with the headquarters.”

”Of course!” Li Zhirui said with a smile, then prepared to stand up and leave.

As he was about to exit the room, Li Zhirui suddenly stopped and asked with an enigmatic tone, ”May I know when the next supply fleet of the Commerce Association will arrive?”

”In five months.” The Store Manager didnʼt give it much thought, assuming Li Zhirui was concerned about the lengthy exchange time and couldnʼt wait, thus he explained, ”Elder, rest assured, I have a Magical Treasure that can make direct contact with headquarters. I shall receive a response in a few days.”

”Good! You have my thanks, sir.” Li Zhirui did not explain his true intentions. It was not yet time, and he still needed to prepare some things.

After leaving behind several bottles of quality Essence-Enhancing Pills, he pushed the door open and walked out.

The moment he stepped outside, Li Zhirui changed his appearance and aura completely, looking nothing like his original self, so no one would associate the two identities with one another.

Regarding the offer from Li Zhirui, the Store Manager naturally would not refuse. After scanning with his Divine Sense, he sincerely sighed, ”Worthy of the name ʼgeniusʼ! He truly has the potential to become a fourth-grade Alchemy Master!”