Chapter 714
“Looking at it now, the average manufacturing cost of magical tools will drop to about seventy percent of what it was, and the production speed will be more than double,” Madam Xuanhua continued, noticing that Zheng Fa was listening intently. “If we factor in the costs of research and the machinery, at the current transaction volume, we should be able to recoup our costs in about a year.”
Before Zheng Fa could respond, Uncle Pang let out a soft exclamation, “Eighty-four types?”
Madam Xuanhua smiled and nodded, confirming, “In the three eras that Haori Mountain has existed, their accumulation in crafting magical tools is incredibly profound. Many of the magical tools actually originated from inventions by Haori Mountain.”
“For example, the Xuanwu Shield, the Divine Fire Cloak, the Fallen Bell… If it weren’t for the information from the Stone Man, we wouldn’t have known that these magical tools were all created by disciples of Haori Mountain.”
“In these few eras, they have researched these magical tools thoroughly, and some can even be manufactured directly using machinery.”
Uncle Pang chuckled, “So we should thank Haori Mountain, then?”
He suddenly realized something and turned to Madam Xuanhua, asking, “Are all the magical tools we can manufacture with machinery from Haori Mountain?”
“About seventy percent.”
Uncle Pang twitched his lips and looked at Zheng Fa, muttering, “Well, this is just great. We’re definitely not on good terms with Haori Mountain now.”
This was a valid point; they had learned Haori Mountain’s secret techniques and were producing their magical tools.
It would be strange if Haori Mountain didn’t retaliate.
Sister Zhang coldly remarked, “We were never on good terms to begin with.”
Uncle Pang was taken aback and turned to Zheng Fa, asking, “You did this on purpose?”
Zheng Fa shook his head and smiled, “It’s just a coincidence.”
“Haori Mountain has the best methods for crafting treasures, so of course we should learn from them, especially with Shi Nandang’s help.”
Uncle Pang and Madam Xuanhua exchanged glances, their expressions saying one thing: Do you think Haori Mountain believes it’s just a coincidence?
…
Let’s not even mention whether Haori Mountain believes it; even Taishang Dao doesn’t buy it.
“This Zheng Alliance Leader is truly vengeful, yet utterly astonishing!”
Li Shangxian sat in a Daoist temple.
This temple was perched atop the peak of Wendaofeng in Taishang Dao, standing on a large rock.
The temple was only about ten feet long and wide, with a portrait of the Daoist Master hanging on the wall, and two cushions placed in front of it—nothing else.
Sitting inside, one could gaze out at the sheer cliffs and bottomless abyss.
Opposite Li Shangxian sat a middle-aged Daoist with his eyes closed.
Upon hearing his words, the middle-aged Daoist didn’t even lift his eyelids, seemingly unresponsive.
Li Shangxian, accustomed to the demeanor of this Xuanding Patriarch, continued, “Every item on this list is a specialty of Haori Mountain, yet they’re priced even lower than Haori Mountain!”
Only then did the middle-aged Daoist speak, “Good?”
Li Shangxian knew that this Xuanding Patriarch was peculiar; he wouldn’t spare a single word unnecessarily. If he could explain something in one word, he wouldn’t use two.
“Very good,” Li Shangxian nodded. “I’ve asked the disciples in our sect, and they all say that while the quality of these magical tools from Jiushan Sect can’t be called top-notch, each one is still of high quality. Although we’ve acquired them at market price, similar quality magical tools should actually be twenty percent more expensive in the market.”
The Xuanding Patriarch slightly opened his eyes, pondered for a moment, and said, “Loss?”
“They shouldn’t be losing money,” Li Shangxian replied. “In fact, they’re making more each time. Currently, about sixty percent of the magical tools in our market come from the Baixian Alliance.”
After thinking for a while, the Xuanding Patriarch slowly nodded.
Li Shangxian understood this to mean that business with the Baixian Alliance could continue.
Buying the same magical tools at a lower price… this trade was perfectly aligned with the Xuanding Patriarch’s preferences.
However, he had another matter to discuss:
“Haori Mountain isn’t too pleased about this.”
The Xuanding Patriarch opened his eyes and looked at him.
Li Shangxian took out a communication talisman from his sleeve and shook his head, saying, “That Yun Zhenxian is getting anxious.”
He handed the talisman to the Xuanding Patriarch while explaining, “The magical tools sold by the Baixian Alliance are plentiful and cheap. Some of our people bought their magical tools and sold them at Haori Mountain…”
“At first, because the quality was good, they didn’t notice.”
As he spoke, Li Shangxian couldn’t help but chuckle, “After a few months, they realized their magical tools weren’t selling, but there were plenty of magical tools on the market.”
“They initially thought it was some disciple breaking the rules, but after investigating, they traced it back to us!”
Li Shangxian swore he saw a strange smile flicker in the Xuanding Patriarch’s eyes upon hearing this.
He found it absurd.
Who would have thought that the conflict between the Baixian Alliance and Haori Mountain would hinge on magical tools?
Haori Mountain, with its superior crafting techniques, firmly held its place among the top sects of Xuánwēi.
Even Taishang Dao had to admit that when it came to crafting, they couldn’t compete with Haori Mountain.
On the other hand, Haori Mountain was also heavily reliant on crafting; otherwise, how could mere magical tools attract the attention of a true immortal?
“Zheng Fa… this is digging at the roots of Haori Mountain,” Li Shangxian sighed slightly. “Right now, it’s just magical tools, but if it were treasures or even spirit treasures…”
Those who could cultivate to the Dao Fruit understood the significance of mastering various skills for a sect.
“If this continues, by the time Lu Zhenxian attains the Golden Immortal status, Haori Mountain might very well decline.”
The Xuanding Patriarch shook his head and replied, “Difficult.”
“It is difficult, but Haori Mountain can’t sit still either,” Li Shangxian pointed at the communication talisman and smiled, “You can see they’re a bit anxious.”
To be honest, he racked his brain and never expected Zheng Fa had such a trick up his sleeve!
If a more powerful alchemy sect than Taishang Dao emerged on the market…
Li Shangxian’s heart skipped a beat; he knew how much profit they made relying on their unique alchemy recipes!
The four sects of Xuánwēi were all large and prosperous; losing such a revenue stream would drive Taishang Dao mad.
It was only because Zheng Fa currently wasn’t afraid of Haori Mountain that Yun Zhenxian probably hadn’t lost patience and attacked Jiushan Sect yet.
“Master, how should we respond?” Li Shangxian asked. “They want us to restrain our disciples from selling these magical tools.”
At this point, Li Shangxian couldn’t help but complain, “To be honest, it’s not our people selling to Haori Mountain; it’s mostly them coming to Taishang Dao to buy.”
“And they can’t even tell the real from the fake.”
“Can we be blamed for that?”
The Xuanding Patriarch chuckled, and the communication talisman ignited without fire, turning to ashes that floated into the abyss.
“Exactly! Why bother with them!”
Li Shangxian laughed heartily, bowed to the Xuanding Patriarch, and took his leave.
He flew to Tianchi Peak and took out the Tongjian.
“Li Shangxian?”
Zheng Fa’s face appeared on the light screen, looking surprised, clearly unaware of why Li Shangxian had suddenly sought him out.
“Did you know we’ve earned spirit stones for Haori Mountain?”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, then listened as Li Shangxian explained the situation.
Haori Mountain and the Baixian Alliance were now enemies, and with the destruction of the border spirit veins, there was actually little trade between them.
Zheng Fa had never considered the Haori Mountain market.
Who would have thought there was a re-export trade?
What surprised him even more was that, judging by Yun Zhenxian’s reaction, this matter had caused a significant stir at Haori Mountain.
Hearing that Li Shangxian disregarded Haori Mountain’s demands, Zheng Fa understood that, firstly, these were minor matters. To be honest, the value of magical tools was not high for Li Shangxian and Taishang Dao, so there was really no need to worry.
Secondly… the more the Baixian Alliance pressured Haori Mountain, the more Taishang Dao would welcome it.
Li Shangxian continued, “Rest assured, Haori Mountain wouldn’t dare to touch you. Even the Thunder Sound Temple is sending people to Dongzhou; if they dare to act against you, Taishang Dao will definitely not stand by.”
Zheng Fa frowned, “The Thunder Sound Temple is coming to Dongzhou?”
“Not just the Thunder Sound Temple; the Yaochi True Immortal is also coming, and it’s related to the Tianhe Sect matter.”
Zheng Fa understood; they were preparing to encircle the Jiuyou Demon Ancestor.
Li Shangxian then slapped his forehead as if realizing something, “Oh right, I came to find you for this!”
“Ah?”
“Yaochi Nizhao wants to visit Jiushan Sect and asked me to give you a heads-up.”
This caught Zheng Fa off guard, and he asked, “Nizhao wants to come to Jiushan?”
“Not specifically to visit, but just passing through,” Li Shangxian explained. “She’s the True Immortal presiding over the Yaochi formation and is also heading to the Tianhe Sect.”
“True Immortal…”
Zheng Fa frowned slightly, feeling a bit apprehensive.
“Don’t worry,” Li Shangxian smiled, “It’s not a bad thing.”
“Hmm?”
“Yaochi and the Thunder Sound Temple are sworn enemies. With Lu Zhenxian attaining the Dao, they wouldn’t want to sit idly by.”
Zheng Fa nodded, finding this statement believable.
After all, he had long noticed the close relationship between Yaochi and Taishang Dao; it was just that no True Immortal had ever come to Jiushan.
However, with the Xianjian in hand and his Yang God now fused with the Sun and Moon Bell, his strength was three times greater than before.
In the Jiushan realm, he truly didn’t need to be overly cautious.
Table of Contents
