Chapter 699
Zheng Fa glanced over the prices and found them to be roughly in line with the market rates of the Xuanwei Realm; no one seemed to be at a disadvantage.
However, Li Shangxian felt a bit awkward. He whispered, “For the Dongtian Fa, I can offer you a better price, but for other items…”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “The Xuan Ding Patriarch is quite meticulous. In our sect, spirit stones are counted one by one and cannot be easily moved.”
Upon hearing this, Ming De and the others nodded in agreement, clearly resonating with his sentiment.
This Xuan Ding Patriarch was likely not one to be extravagant. Many items in the product catalog were exclusive magical tools from the Jiu Shan sect, which Ming De had previously enjoyed purchasing.
Moreover, since these items were relatively low-end, it was possible that the disciples of the Xuan Ding Patriarch were unwilling to earn this meager profit.
In other words, this agreement not only posed no harm to the interests of the Xuan Dao sect but could also supplement their demand for magical tools.
It seemed that the Xuan Ding Patriarch had chosen carefully, clearly not intending to give the Jiu Shan sect any unfair advantage.
Zheng Fa pondered for a moment and nodded at Sister Zhang.
Sister Zhang understood his intent and spoke up, “Our Jiu Shan sect has two questions.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Can the product catalog and prices be changed in the future?”
Li Shangxian chuckled, “Of course.”
Unexpectedly, Sister Zhang’s face showed a hint of disappointment as she asked, “Then how many of these items do you need?”
Li Shangxian was taken aback, looking confused as he asked, “What do you mean?”
“How many of these magical tools or spirit talismans do you… need?” Sister Zhang spoke slowly, explaining to him, and then eagerly asked, “Is there a limit?”
(End of this chapter)
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**Chapter 485: Clearing the Hundred Immortals, New Regulations of Xuanwei**
Zheng Fa stood at the mountain peak with Sister Zhang and the others, gazing at the fading glow of Li Shangxian and his companions, feeling a bittersweet farewell.
If it weren’t against ancient customs, he would have waved to express his reluctance.
Once the purple glow disappeared beyond the horizon, Zheng Fa exchanged a glance with Sister Zhang, and they couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
A big deal!
For the Jiu Shan sect, the Xuan Dao was undoubtedly a colossal entity.
In the Eastern Continent, the influence of the Xuan Dao was the most extensive, with territory more than double that of the Hao Ri Mountain, not to mention compared to the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Moreover, in terms of cultivator levels, the Hundred Immortals Alliance currently had only about twenty cultivators above the Yuanying stage, while the Xuan Dao, with its grand enterprise, consumed far fewer resources.
To put it bluntly, whatever the Xuan Dao let slip through their fingers would be more than enough for the Jiu Shan sect to thrive.
Often, people cannot imagine things they have never seen—just like the Xuan Ding Patriarch, who thought himself frugal, had no idea how impoverished the Hundred Immortals Alliance truly was.
Most importantly, he could not foresee the terrifying productivity of the Jiu Shan sect, which would lead to remarkably low costs.
The prices on that product list meant the Jiu Shan sect stood to gain significantly!
“I just estimated that, according to this agreement, our average profit should be around fifty percent,” Sister Zhang couldn’t contain her smile, her tone cheerful. “And that’s not even considering that some of the pills from the Xuan Dao are priced but not available.”
Uncle Pang blinked in surprise, his expression dazed. “So, you’re saying that for every magical tool we produce, we can earn one?”
“At least one.”
Upon hearing this, the mountaintop fell silent, save for a few heavy breaths.
Though cultivators were not merchants, everyone understood the importance of profit.
Profit represented spirit materials, pills, and magical tools.
It represented a stronger Jiu Shan sect and a smoother path to cultivation.
“Isn’t this a windfall?”
Sister Zhang shook her head. “We’ll definitely make a profit in the short term, but over time, the Xuan Dao will likely catch on.”
Uncle Pang looked a bit disappointed, clearly understanding Sister Zhang’s implication.
Spirit talismans were consumables, but magical tools were different; they were relatively durable, and the market could easily become saturated.
“What a pity…”
Zheng Fa spoke up, “Actually, there are ways to resolve this.”
“Hmm?”
Everyone turned to look at him as Zheng Fa continued, “The best way to solve this dilemma is through innovation.”
“Innovation?”
Uncle Pang pondered, and Zheng Fa elaborated, “For example, our generation’s magical flying swords can only enhance your strength by thirty percent, while the next generation could increase it by forty percent…”
“Oh! That’s a good idea!”
This example was easily understood by everyone; they simply had to buy it—if their magical tools fell behind, during a battle, if both sides drew their swords and one was longer and sturdier, wouldn’t they be at a loss?
Zheng Fa wore a peculiar smile. “In fact, we could start with a sword that enhances strength by thirty-five percent instead of one that boosts it by forty percent.”
“…”
Uncle Pang’s expression twisted as he looked at Sister Zhang, his eyes almost accusing—how could you choose such a dirty partner?
Yet he had to admit: abandoning conscience could indeed lead to greater profits.
Sister Zhang shook her head. “That’s difficult; it really tests the creativity of the Tiangong Pavilion.”
“Thus, we can only rely on education. We need more knowledgeable and skilled disciples.”
Everyone nodded; by now, it was clear to all how important education was.
The current industrial strength of the Jiu Shan sect was not solely due to the efforts of Zheng Fa and the higher-ups:
Often, what they solved were merely principles and plans.
Many details, even small innovations, were perfected by the disciples in the Tiangong Pavilion and the academy.
Zheng Fa’s persistence over the years had indeed begun to bear fruit.
“And this is also beneficial for the Dongtian Fa.”
Upon hearing this, Uncle Pang and the others looked surprised.
“The foundation of incense power ultimately lies in people.”
Sister Zhang immediately understood and said, “So, the more people there are in the Jiu Shan Realm, the better?”
“More people, or a higher average cultivation level among them, would work.”
Zheng Fa had only skimmed through the Dongtian Fa they had acquired, and now he explained based on his impression: “Incense power, simply put, is when believers share their consciousness with the deities.”
“There are three influencing factors: loyalty to the faith, the number of believers, and the average amount of consciousness among the believers. The total amount of incense power can be understood as the product of these three factors.”
This explanation was clear and concise, and Uncle Pang and the others nodded in agreement.
“Exchanging for pills from the Xuan Dao to supply our disciples for cultivation, enhancing incense power, and upgrading the Sun and Moon Bell…” Sister Zhang said, “The benefits are indeed immense.”
“Then, wouldn’t it be great to open the Jiu Shan Realm and let people from the Hundred Immortals Alliance come in?”
“That brings us back to loyalty to the faith,” Zheng Fa explained. “Uncle, do you know who is most loyal to me?”
“Who?”
“The common folk of Jiu Shan; in fact, the disciples of the Jiu Shan sect are not that devout.”
“Is that so? These disciples…”
Uncle Pang frowned, his expression tinged with anger.
“No, it’s not that they have ulterior motives, but the disciples educated by our Jiu Shan University may be loyal, but they are not blindly faithful.”
Once he said this, Uncle Pang and the others were taken aback, but upon reflection, it was indeed true.
As a research-oriented university, blind faith among students was not a good thing; it actually indicated the success of Jiu Shan University’s education.
“On the other hand, the common folk of the Jiu Shan Realm have lived too harshly before; my arrival has made a significant change for those mortals.”
What kind of life did the common folk of the Jiu Shan Realm have before, and what kind do they have now?
Zheng Fa’s status in the hearts of the mortals in this realm was beyond question.
“This divine path method has so many flaws.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but shake his head; the fundamental issue with the divine path method was the low quality of its audience.
Incense power is enticing, but desire can be more harmful.
The benefits that incense power brings to divine path cultivators cannot offset the drawbacks brought by desire. Moreover, the divine path must respond to its believers; otherwise, it risks losing their faith…
When the costs outweigh the benefits, it leads to the demise of this method.
“Li Shangxian mentioned that there aren’t many mortals in their Dongtian; they probably chose those disciples who are relatively calm and suitable for cultivation.”
Sister Zhang suddenly said.
Zheng Fa had a similar suspicion in his heart:
Aside from the Tianhe Fa, the Yangshen Fa, and the Fashen Fa, even without relying on the divine path, there are still issues with audience selection.
It now seemed that the Fashen Fa, with its bloodline inheritance, guaranteed loyalty and the quality of future generations, thus far surpassing the original divine path method in audience quality.
As for the Xuan Dao, they seemed to be on a different path, but it was still about choosing disciples with better qualifications and purer intentions.
While they were talking, Zheng Fa opened a void, and the portal to the Jiu Shan Realm opened, bringing them back to Tiangong Island.
He took out the Zao Hua Yu Tie, sent a few messages, and then turned to Uncle Pang and the others.
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