Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Mysteries Abound, a Storm is Brewing
Several months later.
Donglong Island.
"The Cyan Profound Sect... What is the aning of this?"
Su Ye toyed with the Communication Jade Talisman in his hand, reading its ssage several tis over. A hint of confusion appeared in his eyes.
Months ago, he had entrusted a Luo Family ssenger to travel to the Cyan Profound Sect and request aid.
First, it was to cover the financial gap caused by reduced profits after the White Iron Island Marketplace siphoned away business.
After all, the Donglong Island Marketplace had only been prosperous for two or three years.
The substantial profits it generated needed ti to accumulate and truly beco part of the Luo Family’s foundation.
Furthermore, under Su Ye’s direction, most of the profits had been reinvested into the marketplace’s infrastructure and a shipbuilding project.
Second, it was a way to probe the Cyan Profound Sect’s attitude toward the Qi Family.
If the Cyan Profound Sect’s thoughts aligned with his own...
...then they should have responded quickly and provided the Luo Family with considerable support.
However, the Cyan Profound Sect’s reply had taken months to arrive.
And its contents were baffling.
"The Luo Family has worked hard and contributed greatly, and has done well to guard the sea region. Therefore, we bestow a gift of two thousand Spirit Stones..."
"That’s not bad, but... there’s nothing more?" Su Ye clicked his tongue in surprise.
Su Ye refused to believe that the Cyan Profound Sect was unaware of Qi Chengjian’s shocking display of his Foundation Establishnt Perfection cultivation.
An Overlord Level power with a legacy stretching back nearly a thousand years, which had ruled this sea region for centuries.
If their intelligence network was that terrible, they might as well just give up and die.
And yet...
Knowing full well that the Qi Family was on the rise, why would they adopt such an ambiguous stance toward the Luo Family, a key force that could help contain them?
’First of all, the Cyan Profound Sect is clearly aware of the threat the Qi Family poses. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sent two thousand Spirit Stones!’
This was a gift with no strings attached.
It was far more generous than the interest-free loan Su Ye had anticipated!
But after sending the Spirit Stones, there was nothing? No further instructions?
This approach, with its strong start and weak finish, seed almost schizophrenic, leaving Su Ye utterly bewildered.
This feeling...
’Six months ago, Hongri’s True Disciple and another at the Core Formation realm reportedly fought on Cangyu Peak over a romantic dispute.’
’The battle was brutal, leveling the summit of Cangyu Peak. One was left on the brink of death, and the other was severely injured...’
’The atmosphere within the sect is very tense. The high-level Foundation Establishnt cultivator in charge of our area has been in low spirits, and has berated several stewards without reason on multiple occasions...’
This passage suddenly surfaced in Su Ye’s mind.
It was a ssage sent back by a Luo Family mber in the Cyan Profound Sect via a Communication Jade Talisman.
"Could it be that the Cyan Profound Sect is also in a state of internal turmoil?!" Su Ye guessed boldly.
Otherwise, it was difficult to explain the sect’s schizophrenic attitude!
But... why would the Cyan Profound Sect suddenly fall into internal strife?
Su Ye felt a headache coming on and scratched his head.
’The Luo Family’s status in the Cyan Profound Sect is just too low, after all...’
The most successful Luo Family mber within the Cyan Profound Sect had, to this day, only reached Late-stage Qi Refining.
On a small island or in a Qi Refining family, such a cultivation level could make one an Island Master or a Patriarch.
But in the Cyan Profound Sect, with its many Foundation Establishnt cultivators, half a lifeti of effort only amounted to becoming an outer sect steward!
Even then, the Luo Family had to provide a considerable sum of Spirit Stones from behind the scenes to bribe his way into that steward position...
Their knowledge of the true high-level information and movents within the sect was like trying to see flowers in a fog—obscure and unclear!
’In comparison, the Qi Family’s ancestor... was once a mber of the Cyan Profound Sect!’
’With that connection, the Qi Family’s information channels within the Cyan Profound Sect are obviously much better than the Luo Family’s...’ Su Ye’s gaze darkened.
What’s more...
The Qi Family’s grand elder, Qi Chengjian.
This man had endured decades of secluded cultivation for the sake of his path.
During that ti, he hadn’t taken a single step off Liuli Island, which showed the depths of his forbearance!
With such a calculating mind, could he possibly fail to understand that revealing his Foundation Establishnt Perfection cultivation would likely invite suppression from the Cyan Profound Sect?
And yet he did it anyway, without a care!
’This is definitely not foolishness or arrogance...’
It was highly likely that Qi Chengjian was certain the Cyan Profound Sect was currently mired in internal strife and simply couldn’t spare the effort to deal with him!
"This is trouble..." Su Ye’s brow furrowed.
The Cyan Profound Sect falling into internal turmoil was definitely bad news for the Luo Family!
With Qi Chengjian, a Foundation Establishnt Perfection expert, backing them.
The Qi Family’s White Iron Island Marketplace would have guaranteed security, and with the Qi Family’s greater power, they could offer a wider variety of goods!
Most importantly, White Iron Island was closer to the Dongning Sea Region!
"Even with their previous infamy for slaughtering Loose Cultivators, the mory of the masses is always short."
"Besides, the new White Iron Island Marketplace is said to be offering huge discounts. When the ti cos, the Loose Cultivators will probably put on a collective performance of ’amnesia for fifty spirit stones’..."
Su Ye had zero faith in the integrity of Loose Cultivators.
Loose Cultivators were the type whose loyalty lay with whoever fed them. Expecting them to be steadfast and unyielding was pure fantasy!
"And..." Su Ye’s expression was grim.
Compared to the fictional business wars in novels, with all their clever tactics and cunning sches...
...real-world business wars were far simpler and more brutal!
Su Ye didn’t even have to think hard to co up with one thod the Qi Family could use to guarantee victory over the Donglong Island Marketplace...
"Send troops to attack, raze Donglong Island, and physically eliminate the competition!"
"Afterward, Qi Chengjian can rely on the monopolized marketplace to earn a massive amount of Spirit Stones, purchase Spiritual Objects for Core Formation, and break through to the next realm..."
Su Ye muttered to himself.
"The Cyan Profound Sect is in turmoil, and the Qi Family is coming on strong..."
He slowly walked out of the main house and stood in the courtyard garden, gazing at the sky.
In the distant sky over the sea, thick black clouds, carrying imnse moisture, were rolling toward Donglong Island...
"A storm is brewing..." Su Ye’s eyes were deep with thought.
...
「In the blink of an eye, several more months passed.」
The White Iron Island Marketplace, led by the Qi Family.
Under their discount policies, it was full of vigorous life and flourishing with prosperity!
It was said that the Qi Family had specifically used a large-scale Spirit Gathering Array to raise the Spiritual Energy Concentration of the White Iron Island Marketplace to the level of a Tier-2 Spirit Vein!
Furthermore, they offered generous benefits to Loose Cultivators who ca to the marketplace, charging no accommodation fees for the first half a month!
This was equivalent to letting Loose Cultivators use a Tier-2 Spirit Vein for free as a way to attract people!
"What a move..." Su Ye sighed.
The Qi Family also knew that they had started off on the wrong foot and couldn’t compete with the Donglong Island Marketplace through conventional ans.
Therefore, they’d decided to bite the bullet and spend a fortune, attempting to win back their reputation with cold, hard cash.
And it had to be said—it was very effective!
Faced with tangible, substantial discounts, the Loose Cultivators imdiately put on a performance of collective amnesia.
"The Qi Family slaughtered Loose Cultivators? Did that really happen? As I recall, back in the day, you could hunt demons freely in most sea regions, couldn’t you?"
"To those of you saying the Qi Family drove out Loose Cultivators and silenced them by killing them, can you give a specific sea coordinate? A ti?"
...
"This month’s foot traffic is down by thirty percent. Revenue from both the Talisman Shop and the Elixir and Artifact Pavilion is declining..."
Su Ye’s expression was grim as he looked at the financial report. The impact of the White Iron Island Marketplace was becoming increasingly clear.
Just then, a servant burst through the door in a panic.
"This is bad, Mr. Su! The sky over the shipyard is ablaze! We’re under attack by cultivators!"
"What?!"
Su Ye shot to his feet, his eyes flashing with a ferocious light, like a savage beast about to pounce on its prey!
"The sheer audacity!"
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