novelraw Chapter 208
Chapter 208
As long as the channels of consumption were under control, not only could one earn from the transactions themselves, but the taxes also served as an additional layer of exploitation.
Those who held the position of City Lord, backed by the Blood Reversal Sect, possessed the highest administrative authority in name. The entire city was effectively their private asset.
Wang Yu could understand the logic of distributing spirit stones, allowing them to circulate and multiply before returning to the City Lord’s Mansion. Luo Chen, however, could not comprehend it.
In his eyes, Wang Yu was like a “money-shedding boy,” yet the more he spent, the richer he became. If only Wang Yu had tightened his purse a little, even Luo Chen would have been envious of his savings.
Little did Luo Chen know, Wang Yu had converted most of his wealth into truly valuable spiritual treasures. Over the past few years, he had invested heavily in development, and after five years, his surplus amounted to just over a million spirit stones.
Compared to when he first arrived in Jade Spirit City, that was a considerable increase. He had spent far more on development, proving that the city’s management was indeed effective.
Seeing Wang Yu remain silent for a long time, Luo Chen couldn’t help but raise his cup and say respectfully, “As long as Brother Wang is willing to help me, you will forever have me as a friend in the Blood Reversal Sect.”
After speaking, he drained the cup in one gulp.
“Sigh… Brother Luo, there’s no need for such formality.
“I can teach you a method that yields results quickly, but it may tarnish your reputation. Sanmao City will be infamous for centuries—perhaps even unable to recover for two hundred years. Are you still willing?”Luo Chen hesitated. As a young cultivator, he still valued reputation.
“Will this plan allow me to gather enough resources to reach the peak of Core Formation?”
“Absolutely.”
“In that case, please instruct me, Brother Wang. Whether I succeed or fail has nothing to do with you.”
Wang Yu nodded and told the secret plan through voice transmission.
The plan itself was not complicated.
He proposed raising a powerful band of marauding cultivators—called the “Black Gloves.” They were not to rob enemies or merchant caravans, but to specifically raid the powers within their own territory.
Next, Sanmao City would reduce all taxes to the lowest possible rate. Land, resources, even spiritual veins—all could be sold. Other than the City Lord’s Mansion, everything that could be sold would be sold.
The prices should remain moderate—neither high nor low. Combined with generous welfare policies, this would attract clans and powers from other regions to settle in Sanmao City.
When the city’s natural output was insufficient, this would ensure a continuous inflow of outside capital. By controlling the frequency, these new settlers would gradually be eliminated by the “environment,” ensuring the city profited continuously.
In the short term, this would significantly boost Sanmao City’s revenue.
As for dispelling public suspicion, they could periodically “purge” the marauders, publicly executing a few of them—or even stage fake raids against neighboring powers as a cover.
The smaller details were easy enough for Luo Chen to manage himself. As a native of the Crimson Kite Demonic Domain, he was certainly not lacking in cunning.
In just a few moments, Luo Chen burst into laughter.
“This plan is brilliant, hahaha!”
Wang Yu silently sighed.
He did have his own motives. No matter how well Luo Chen disguised himself, his activities would eventually be exposed. Frequent raids and internal unrest would surely cause panic among lower-tier cultivators.
The Crimson Kite Demonic Domain was never short of those willing to fight and kill, but most were cautious and timid. Even minor signs of chaos would drive them to migrate en masse.
At that time, Jade Spirit City, neighboring Sanmao City and renowned as a comfortable place to live—would naturally become their refuge of choice.
The foundation of a city’s growth lay in its people.
In the cultivation world, that meant cultivators. Sanmao City’s policy could help Wang Yu absorb a large number of high-quality cultivators, raising the city’s tax ceiling.
Its development potential would steadily rise, leaving achievements that would benefit the city for generations.
Luo Chen was impatient. Wang Yu was deliberate. Both would earn their share of spirit stones.
A win–win situation.
As for the matter of reputation, Luo Chen’s understanding differed from Wang Yu’s. He preferred a fierce and ruthless image.
Wang Yu preferred to disguise himself as a harmless lamb, hence his warning about the loss of reputation. Luo Chen, however, wished others to see him through the lens of fear.
In his words, “Those with such fearsome reputations in the Crimson Kite Demonic Domain are the true powerhouses—even the Black Heaven Talisman Lord would admire their cunning.”
That was the essence of the Demonic Path.
Although Wang Yu had lived there for many years and his temperament had changed greatly, he still retained a baseline of moral restraint from his previous life.
That restraint might be fading, but it was still there.
“For now, let us leave it at that, Brother Luo. Should you encounter difficulties in the future, you may send word to me.”
“Of course. The Fragrance Gathering is nearly over. During the upcoming Treasure Exchange, I shall return your favor by introducing you to the crowd.”
“Then… my thanks.”
In the hall, the Fragrance Gathering was nearing its end.
For the third-rank rare incense, each Core Formation cultivator received a small portion, while one stick was lit in the center of the hall for everyone to enjoy.
Most people could only catch a whiff of it, merely savoring the scent.
Having already inhaled plenty of second-rank spirit incense, their senses were saturated. Each cultivation stage deserved its corresponding treatment—this was only natural in the Demonic Path.
No one dared to complain, for doing so would offend the Core Formation cultivators.
“It’s almost time. Brother Luo, please proceed.”
“Very well.”
The Little Talisman Lord, Luo Chen, stepped onto the central platform.
“As per tradition, following the Fragrance Gathering comes the Treasure Exchange session.”
“Fellow cultivators, if you possess any rare spiritual treasures that you cannot use and do not wish to sell for spirit stones, then this is one of the finest platforms in the entire Cloud Ridge Prefecture.”
“This treasure exchange gathering will be initiated by me, Little Talisman Lord Luo Chen.”
Given his identity, status, and cultivation realm, none of the Core Formation cultivators dared to object.
Then—
A drop of crystal-clear water, within which a miniature water dragon coiled and swirled, was taken out by Luo Chen. Upon seeing this item, even Wang Yu widened his eyes in astonishment. This was no ordinary play.
“This is a Core Formation spiritual object, the Flood Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence. It is suitable for all cultivators with water spiritual roots to condense their Golden Core. It can increase the probability of Core Formation by forty percent out of thin air. It is a common-level Core Formation spiritual treasure.”
Before he could even state his exchange request, the entire hall was in uproar.
“A Core Formation spiritual object!”
“Incredible. Who is this person, to bring out such a treasure?”
“The Fragrant Gathering actually has a Core Formation spiritual treasure. I must have it. Name your price.”
Several peak Foundation Establishment cultivators’ eyes flickered with excitement, especially the Dao Companion of Daoist Rainflower, called Feng Huazi. She possessed water, wind, and wood spiritual roots, and together with Rainflower cultivated a dual water-element combination technique.
This Flood Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence was perfectly suited for her.
If she broke through to Core Formation and then cultivated dual cultivation with Rainflower, both of them could rapidly improve their cultivation realms. Feng Huazi looked at her Dao Companion with affection.
“Rainflower.”
“Do not worry. Even if I must exhaust my entire wealth, I will obtain the Flood Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence. Do not forget, in Cloud Mist City, we have our own herb garden. Few cultivators can rival my wealth.”
“I know.”
Feng Huazi’s eyes became moist and gentle, her gaze filled with deep affection.
However, their opponents were not only peak Foundation Establishment cultivators, but also four Core Formation cultivators sitting above them.
Although they had already condensed their cores, such rare treasures were extremely scarce and could not be sought by mere effort. Whether for trade, cultivation, or to nurture disciples, it was valuable currency.
Luo Chen waited for the commotion to subside before speaking again.
“I, Luo, wish to exchange for a third-rank high-grade treasure that can conceal one’s form and spiritual aura, or a secret technique of similar level. The price difference can be made up with artifacts, spirit herbs, or spirit stones.”
He might already possess secret arts of that level, but as they belonged to his sect’s inheritance, they must never be passed on.
Thus, he was requesting an equivalent magic treasure or technique, clearly preparing for his covert strike team. His efficiency and foresight were remarkable.
A Core Formation cultivator from Poison Scorpion City, True Personage He Gu, said, “I have a middle-grade magic treasure, the Rain Curtain Hat, along with a secret technique called Sun-Substitution Method. Under peak Core Formation divine sense, it can conceal one’s aura perfectly. I will also add one hundred thousand spirit stones. What does Daoist Luo think?”
From the Demonic Valley, the Earth Puppet Old Demon sneered and brought out a puppet.
“Daoist friend, why not hear my offer? This puppet of early Core Formation strength was refined from the corpse of a Body-refining cultivator and fused with Hidden Breath Ghost Gold. When not attacking, it has a twenty percent chance of evading detection even from Nascent Soul cultivators.”
“I will add another two hundred thousand spirit stones. What do you think?”
Magic treasures and secret arts require one to personally wield them, but this puppet could directly engage in combat. For Luo Chen, having a puppet of Core Formation strength was indeed a significant enhancement.
True Personage Qingyang and Master Yellow Sand did not make bids. The former had already invested all his wealth in refining his life-bound magic treasure. The latter was a wandering cultivator of earth element techniques, not wealthy, and had no disciples to support. He simply stayed silent.
Wang Yu, however, felt tempted.
Water and ice share the same origin. Strictly speaking, the Flood Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence could also benefit him. With his current foundation, once he reached peak Foundation Establishment, an additional forty percent success rate would be tremendous.
However, as the host of this event, he could not openly compete for it. Besides, it would be wiser to exchange for an upper-grade Core Formation spiritual item under more secure terms.
Meanwhile, Luo Chen was still hesitating.
Then, Daoist Rainflower secretly transmitted a few words to him. Luo Chen’s eyes lit up as he said,
“This item already has a buyer. Follow me to the third floor.”
Rainflower hesitated briefly but gritted his teeth and followed. The crowd immediately understood that the exchange had succeeded and began to chatter.
“Daoist Rainflower? Isn’t he a spiritual plant master? Can he afford a Core Formation spiritual object?”
“Why not? Don’t look down on others so easily.”
Upon seeing this, Feng Huazi quickly left the Heavenly Fragrance Hall to make preparations. Once they obtained the treasure, they would immediately flee from Jade Spirit City.
At the front seats, True Personage He Gu shook his head regretfully, seemingly giving up on further bidding.
The Earth Puppet Old Demon snorted coldly and also rose to leave, his intentions clear.
Wang Yu nodded toward Qingyang and left from behind the screen.
The Fragrant Gathering must ensure the safety of all guests within Jade Spirit City. Once outside the city, however, it would no longer be responsible. Yet, under no circumstances could a violent robbery occur within city limits. Such an event would greatly tarnish the reputation of the Fragrant Gathering.
Even so, if a robbery did occur outside the city, only the most capable among the Foundation Establishment cultivators would dare to return for future gatherings. The cautious and lower-realm cultivators would surely withdraw.
Ironically, such cautious individuals were often the ones who always carried one or two valuable treasures on them.
If one could avoid trouble, it was better not to act.
Unfortunately, in the Crimson Kite Demonic Domain, such incidents were inevitable. Wang Yu merely did not expect one to erupt at the second gathering, and that Luo Chen himself would be the cause.
Could it be that he intended to rob back the Flood Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence?
That was entirely possible.
This was, after all, the true nature of the demonic path. Wang Yu sighed softly. After regrouping with Cultivator Qingyang, he locked his gaze on Feng Huazi.