novelraw Chapter 575: Ziyun Immortal City
Chapter 575: Ziyun Immortal City
Upon hearing the words, Shen Xuan remained calm and indifferent.
This made Zhuo Qingning feel a bit ashamed.
In truth, it wasn’t his fault.
This is a Tier Three Ice Spirit Tea.
It can slightly increase spiritual power and has a slight effect of nourishing the spirit and comprehending the Dao.
Such a high-tier special spirit tea.
Even as the president of the United Commerce Association, he doesn’t have the privilege to enjoy it.
Shen Xuan took a sip of the Spirit Tea and started exchanging pleasantries with Zhuo Jingcheng.
Both of them were at the Golden Core stage.
Zhuo Jingcheng was also a rare Golden Core True Master among loose cultivators.
The two talked about their insights into cultivation, each gaining something, finding it quite congenial.
Eventually, it was Zhuo Jingcheng who couldn’t resist revealing his purpose.
"I’ve heard, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, that you have a close friendship with the Purple Yunting Tree Emperor. Starlight Island and Luoxia Island are about to engage in large-scale trade."
"I, as an old man with limited talent but some understanding of commerce, have certain business channels. I would be willing to offer my advice to you, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, to jointly plan this matter."
Zhuo Jingcheng’s eyes were fixed on Shen Xuan, showing a slight expectation.
Even Tier Three Ice Spirit Tea can be traded.
The wilderness is full of heavenly and earthly treasures.
Similar spiritual objects in cultivation are priced very differently between the Demon Race and the Human Race.
As long as Shen Xuan opens up this trade route, endless cultivation resources will roll in.
By following Shen Xuan, purchasing and selling on his behalf, even if only taking a small cut, the United Commerce Association could amass great wealth.
"True Master Zhuo, you are too modest. With your assistance, this matter is promising."
Shen Xuan said with a smile.
He had long planned for this.
The inclusion of the United Commerce Association brings more benefits than downsides.
After all, Starlight Island is short-handed.
Moreover, it lacks a commercial network that covers the entire Song Country.
The Cyan Cloud Sect can only support secretly, not openly.
Externally, it must still be under Shen Xuan’s personal name to engage in large-scale trade with the Demon Emperor of the Wilderness.
Certainly, this trade, from the beginning, needs to achieve a win-win outcome for both parties.
According to Shen Xuan’s plan.
Starlight Island will trade in items scarce and needed by the Demon Race, such as demon beast spirit pills, various retired magical treasures, and Tier Two talismans, for spirit medicine, demon beast materials, and refining materials from the Wilderness.
As for the rare Tier Three heavenly and earthly treasures, they are private trades between True Masters and Demon Kings.
All transactions must be conducted near Luoxia Lake.
With the Purple Essence Divine Wood Emperor overseeing the area, safety is ensured.
It also guarantees fairness in the transactions.
For the initial few trades, Shen Xuan would personally attend.
Afterward, the matters can be handled by True Master Xuan Yuan and Zhuang Xue Qin.
As the top merchant in Song Country, Zhuo Jingcheng’s inclusion could provide many conveniences.
Purchasing demon beast spirit pill ingredients and second-hand magical treasures, selling some spirit medicine and demon beast materials from the Wilderness.
As for refining materials, Shen Xuan plans to build several refining workshops on Starlight Island, processing and refining the raw materials before selling them externally.
The same operation applies to some spirit medicine.
On Starlight Island, open up a wide spirit plant garden, transplant some spirit medicine from the Wilderness.
Demon beast materials to undergo primary processing.
According to Shen Xuan’s plan, Starlight Island will become a base for processing Demon Race spirit objects resource.
This not only addresses the employment and income issues for cultivators on Starlight Island.
But also fosters talents in cultivation fields such as pill array talismans and artifact plants.
The United Commerce Association’s involvement can accelerate Starlight Island’s commercial development.
Shen Xuan has a long lifespan.
As long as he remains safe, cultivating steadily.
With the mysterious jade talisman in hand, cultivation poses no bottleneck.
Golden Core Perfection is an assured matter.
Even the path to Nascent Soul Formation, though distant, is not without opportunity.
"How about this, True Master Zhuo? Let’s each prepare. In a month, we’ll head to the Wilderness together. You can assist in advising on which initial trade goods to finalize."
After pondering for a while, Shen Xuan spoke.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, by joining forces, we will undoubtedly open vast sources of wealth! I will certainly accompany you."
Having achieved his purpose, Zhuo Jingcheng couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
Shen Xuan took out a Jade Scroll.
Inside it were various spirit medicines for refining demon beast spirit pills.
"Please, True Master Zhuo, mobilize all the power of the United Commerce Association to purchase them extensively."
"As long as the price is not too outrageous, buy as much as possible."
Zhuo Jingcheng took the Jade Scroll, glanced at it, and immediately understood Shen Xuan’s intention.
"Consider it done, leave it to me. The association has some stock left; I’ll have it delivered right away."
"That’s good."
Shen Xuan nodded.
"True Master Zhuo, we are both at the Golden Core stage. Let’s not be petty, or else we will be laughed at by others."
Shen Xuan admonished Zhuo Jingcheng.
The implication was that while the United Commerce Association earns profits, they shouldn’t be excessive.
Otherwise, Shen Xuan would terminate their cooperation and part ways with the association.
"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Profound Ice. The United Commerce Association has a reputable name and always adheres to its responsibilities."
"Adhering to responsibilities is indeed good!"
Shen Xuan remarked, "Only by everyone adhering to their responsibilities can we cooperate for mutual benefit and longevity. What do you think, True Master Zhuo?"
"That’s exactly how it should be!"
Zhuo Jingcheng immediately stated.
This long-term large-scale trade is hugely profitable.
Among the three parties involved, the Demon Race and Shen Xuan are indispensable.
The United Commerce Association is the one that could be replaced at any time.
If not for the Cyan Cloud Sect’s inconvenience in showing itself, they wouldn’t have been able to capitalize.
Zhuo Jingcheng understood well, keeping a humble stance.
As long as there was spirit stone profit, face and such were not important at all.
The two continued exchanging pleasantries for a while.
Zhuo Jingcheng, with Zhuo Qingning, took their leave.
...
Several days later.
In the deep of night.
A streak of azure light swiftly flew toward the small island at Luoxia Lake.
The milky-white mystical fog on the island, along with the illusion array restriction, was completely ineffective against this person.
In the middle of the island, the branches and leaves of the ancient spirit tree were lush and verdant, brimming with vitality.
The green light dispersed, revealing the face of a young and handsome cultivator.
It was none other than Shen Xuan.
A month later, he joined True Master Xuan Yuan from the Sect, Zhuo Jincheng from the United Commerce Association, and others at Luoxia Lake to discuss large-scale trade matters between the two races.
That was official business.
Today, he was here for personal ties.
Shen Xuan drew a clear distinction between the two.
Public business should not impede private affairs.
"Mr. Shen, you have arrived."
An elder with the demeanor of an immortal appeared under the ancient Purple Essence Divine Wood.
Shen Xuan bowed respectfully.
"Shen Xuan pays his respects to the Purple Yunting Tree Elder."
"We need not be formal with each other."
The Purple Yunting Tree Elder smiled warmly and spoke in a friendly manner.
"I wouldn’t dare. Courtesy cannot be abandoned. Have you fully recovered, Elder?"
"Almost."
The Purple Yunting Tree Elder waved his hand.
"It’s already a blessing from the Heavenly Dao that I can live well. Cultivation and such cannot be overly concerned with."
Shen Xuan nodded in agreement.
For spirits like the Purple Essence Divine Wood.
As long as there is no descent of celestial tribulation, living for tens of thousands of years is not an issue.
"Here are the repaired lightning rods and spirit energy replenishing array; they might come in handy for you, Elder."
Shen Xuan offered them with both hands.
"Hmm, Mr. Shen is thoughtful indeed."
After demons take shape, they cannot rest easy.
Tier Four demon cultivators may trigger celestial tribulation if karma and slaughter are too heavy, or if there is a bloodline causal connection, or a sudden surge in cultivation.
Every few years, Tier Four demon cultivators must face celestial tribulations.
The divine thunder is the most common form among them.
Heavenly Dao is the evolutionary operating law of the Profound Origin Continent.
Human race cultivators, too, face celestial tribulations after forming a Nascent Soul.
"Elder Purple Yunting Tree, may I respectfully ask if your territory has been divided?"
"It has been divided."
The Purple Yunting Tree Elder casually waved his hand.
A large map of the Wilderness unfurled before Shen Xuan.
The entire Wilderness was divided into eight color-coded sections, representing eight Demon Kings.
A narrow strip near Song Country was transformed into a deep purple.
It was the smallest area among the eight Demon Kings.
"It looks good. The demon kings like the Scarlet Flame Tiger, Howling Moon Fox, Tri-Tailed Tabby Cat, and Frost Wolf, were all allocated under your command?"
"Correct. Also, the Earth Bear and Cloud Leopard demon kings."
Shen Xuan smiled and said, "With six demon kings, Elder, have you thought about how to deploy them?"
The Purple Yunting Tree Elder shook his head slightly.
"I don’t need them to do anything."
He was a tree spirit who only needed to absorb the essence of the sun and moon for cultivation.
"Elder, you are mistaken!"
Shen Xuan earnestly addressed the Purple Yunting Tree Elder, sharing his insights.
"Our human sages say that planning ahead is essential; without foresight, one fails."
"If you need some cultivation spiritual objects in your domain, Elder, would you go and collect and compete for them yourself?"
Spirits of plants had a fatal weakness.
That is, their main body cannot move.
Hence, the activity range of the Purple Yunting Tree Elder was limited to the vicinity of Starlight Island.
If they went too far and their home was raided and the main body uprooted, it would mean certain death.
"Elder should know that anyone breaking through to Tier Four, human or demon, will periodically face heavenly punishment."
"Such as in your case, Emperor’s Liquid and upper-grade wood spirit stones should be prepared as abundantly as possible."
The Purple Yunting Tree Elder was silent for a moment.
After a while, he slowly said, "Mr. Shen, I know you are exceptionally wise."
"Just say what you want to say."
Shen Xuan smiled slightly.
"I have an idea that is like cutting tofu, making both sides smooth, so everyone can win and profit together."
Shen Xuan outlined his proposal.
Near Luoxia Lake, to build a new Immortal City under the name of the Purple Yunting Tree Elder, governed primarily by demon cultivators and supplemented by human cultivators.
The Immortal City’s primary role would be the acquisition of Wilderness cultivation resources and their sale within the borders of Song Country.
At the same time, it would sell various spirit pills, talismans, magical treasures, and inheritances urgently needed by demon cultivators.
The Purple Yunting Tree Elder asked, "To build an Immortal City would require a lot of resources, right?"
"Rest assured, Elder!"
"With residents of the Purple Yunting Immortal City mainly being demon cultivators, there’s no need for Tier Three Spirit Veins or a city-protecting grand array, merely some civil engineering; how many resources could it possibly consume!"
"The Purple Yunting Immortal City will be under the protection of Elder. The trade happening within will require both buyer and seller to pay taxes to you, Elder."
"Taxes?"
Upon hearing this term, the Purple Yunting Tree Elder’s eyes brightened.
"How much can be collected?"
As a plant spirit, indeed, he did not urgently need spirit stones.
But who would disdain having more spirit stones!
"I believe a ten percent tax rate would be suitable, with each party paying five percent of the goods’ value."
"Ten percent?"
The Purple Yunting Tree Elder questioned, "Isn’t it too high? I’ve heard that in the mortal world’s commercial taxes, it’s a rate of thirty for one."
"Ten percent is just right. If it’s heavy, we can adjust it later."
In Shen Xuan’s view, a five percent tax from each side was certainly not heavy.
The price difference for the same cultivation spiritual object between demons and humans was severalfold.
"Collecting taxes is a minor affair. What’s important is the approval mechanism."
"The demon items for trade must go through review by you, Elder, or a designated demon king."
"Similarly, human goods for trade are restricted to those brought on my Starlight Island spaceship."
Seeing the Purple Yunting Tree Elder appearing somewhat puzzled, Shen Xuan realized the explanation was unclear.
"Howling Moon Fox is exceptionally intelligent; why not invite her for consultations on this matter?"
"I assure you, Elder, that after establishing the Purple Yunting Immortal City, the six demon kings will be deeply grateful to you, and the demon race of the Wilderness will all remember your kindness."