In just two days, Li Qi had gained a clearer understanding of the laws governing this world.
Indeed, combining experints with theoretical study was the fastest way to progress. By comparing various data and witnessing firsthand the formation process of the earth oil in this world, he had made significant strides forward.
Now, he even began to integrate this newfound knowledge into his own techniques. With minor adjustnts, he made the rituals more suitable for this world, thereby enhancing the power of both his spells and rituals here.
"If I can instantly grasp these not-so-difficult changes in every world and make corresponding adjustnts, wouldn't that an I always have the ho-field advantage...? This should be a path to improvent," Li Qi pondered.
Then, he left the laboratory to witness the grand spectacle of earth oil extraction. Tens of thousands of people were crowded on the ground, using various machines to extract earth oil together. Forklifts, conveyor belts, and human labor all appeared at this large construction site. Earth oil gushed out from drilling wells and was collected barrel by barrel before being transported away.
Due to the subtle differences in the rules of this world, it could produce this strange substance called earth oil. According to the universal Dao, when substances are brought from one world to another, they do not collapse.
This led to the peculiar scene where each world had its unique resources. As the most powerful civilization, Tianxia (Under Heaven) ruled over all the peripheral worlds within its domain. Various factions extracted resources from their respective worlds, so trading them, while others used them directly.
What a strange sight it was! In the Great Deer Kingdom within Tianxia, although the ecology remained primitive and backward, industrialization had begun in the peripheral worlds, ruthlessly exploiting these lands' resources.
The extracted earth oil would be transported to a spatial passage opened by the ruler of the Great Deer Kingdom, then sent to various destinations—sotis other peripheral worlds, sotis back to Tianxia itself.
However, Li Qi sensed sothing amiss.
"What is going on with these energies?" he wondered aloud as he observed countless human energies converging through their labor at this large construction site. The convergence point was nearby and seed to be getting closer!
Li Qi raised his guard, secretly mobilizing his Vermillion Bird divine energy while observing different progress bars around him to prevent any sneak attacks. Although he was at an industrial company's headquarters, he remained vigilant.
At that mont, a voice spoke to him, "Sir, there's no need for such caution. I'm rely here to deliver docunts as per Mr. Bai Di's request."
As he spoke, a middle-aged man walked in from a staircase beside them. Li Qi clearly saw that this man was connected to all the workers' energies, forming what looked like a massive array.
Seeing Li Qi's expression, the man explained proactively, "This is a technique taught to by the Great Deer King, a humanistic thod that gathers collective strength for personal use."
"I use 'contract agreents' to establish connections with them, allowing their strength to serve . By forming a human cluster, I can reach the ninth rank. The king said that once I unify all companies in the earth oil realm, even reaching the eighth rank will be imminent."
Surprised, Li Qi asked, "Are you the CEO of this industrial company?"
"Not worthy of your respect, sir. Just call Zhang Le," he replied, looking sowhat nervous.
"Alright, Zhang Zong. You ntioned delivering docunts—are these the information I requested?"
Zhang Le bowed his head and handed over a docunt package. "Yes, please review them."
"Thank you." Li Qi accepted the docunts and began reading. Zhang Le stood respectfully by his side, waiting for Li Qi to finish.
Inside the docunts, Li Qi found details about the two largest earth oil companies in this world: Zhang's Company and Polar Industrial Developnt Co. Zhang's Company controlled inland earth oil extraction, while Polar Developnt managed polar and marine regions. These two companies viewed each other as bitter rivals, constantly competing.
Their rivalry stemd from the techniques bestowed by the Great Deer King, which necessitated competition. Humanistic dark arts did not allow coexistence; both sides inevitably vied for population, labor, and earth oil extraction sites.
"So, you're telling that the Polar Industrial Company also has a 'young master'?" Li Qi frowned after reading the docunts.
He had guessed right; there was indeed a competitor. Moreover, this rival wasn't planning to leave peacefully after finishing their business.
"That's correct," Zhang Le confird. "This isn't just a conflict between two young masters. Zhang's Group is willing to assist you in defeating the opponent, which would benefit you greatly."
"The rewards are secondary... but soone trying to harm without even showing their face, and with heavy-handed thods, leaves no choice but to retaliate," Li Qi said thoughtfully, putting away the docunts.
"Exactly, so our group will fully support your actions to crush the Polar Industrial Company!" Zhang Le declared with determination.
Li Qi glanced at him, understanding that Zhang Le acted out of fear that Zhang's Industrial might lose to Polar Industries without protection from another young master. Now, he needed to align himself with Li Qi to maintain the balance.
This arrangent benefited Li Qi as well, making it easier for him to operate in this world compared to acting alone.
"Fine, then we'll proceed. I definitely intend to deal with him, and having your help is beneficial," Li Qi nodded.
"Zhang Le will never disappoint you, sir!" he imdiately pledged loyalty.
"No need to be so formal. First, send a courtesy visit card to the Polar Industrial Company's territory. It shouldn't be far, right? Can we get there in half a day?"
"A courtesy visit card? Are you planning to enter enemy territory?!" Zhang Le reacted instantly, realizing Li Qi's intentions.
"What do you an by entering enemy territory? We're fellow disciples, not enemies. Your earth oil realm is a subordinate world of the Great Deer Kingdom, rely competitors, not mortal enemies."
"Thus, visiting them shouldn't be an issue," Li Qi said with a relaxed expression.
Soon, a courtesy visit card from Li Qi's Zhang's Industrial Company was delivered via email to the Polar Industrial Company.
Back at the snow-capped mountain in the small room, the previous middle-aged man told Zhou Ren Gongzi, "This is a provocation."
Clearly, his identity was revealed—he was the owner of Polar Industrial Company.
"No, it's not a provocation. He wants to negotiate," Zhou Ren Gongzi smiled and shook his head.
It was a brilliant move. The dispute between Zhu and Bu was a Daoist struggle, but not to the death; it was rely a contest for influence within Wushen Mountain, unlike Wu Dao and Humanism.
"Negotiation?" the owner of Polar Industrial Company frowned, puzzled. He didn't understand how there could be room for negotiation between two young masters.
"Yes, negotiation. He doesn't want to fight , so he wants to et and talk things out openly. However, though he calls it negotiation, he probably intends to intimidate ," Zhou Ren Gongzi mused, playing with a black stone dagger in his hand.
The dagger looked newly crafted, with visible marks from hamring, indicating it was new rather than worn down from long use.
"Zhu people are powerful, capable of harnessing the strength of landscapes. The massive crater you reported last ti, comparable to an earth oil extraction equipnt explosion, was his doing."
"He's already reached this level of power. If I show up for negotiations, I'd be handing victory to him. There would be no room for negotiation," Zhou Ren Gongzi deliberated.
The owner of Polar Industrial Company remained silent. This young master often talked to himself, but if interrupted, he would beco angry.
"But if I don't go, it will seem petty, which won't look good," Zhou Ren Gongzi frowned, visibly displeased. He wanted both face and victory.
The room fell silent except for the sound of him fiddling with the dagger. After a while, he suddenly looked up at the owner of Polar Industrial Company.
"I rember you are at the ninth rank in Ren Dao, right?"
"Yes..."
"Good, I'll transfer my aura to you temporarily using a substitution technique. You'll replace in eting him."
"But, our appearances differ greatly..."
"Illusions can easily alter appearances—it's intentional that he recognizes ," Zhou Ren Gongzi waved impatiently.
"Intentionally letting him recognize you?"
"Yes, he thinks he can intimidate by showing up personally. If I go, I risk everything. If I don't, it makes look petty," Zhou Ren Gongzi stood up. "Since he dares to take risks, I'll give him enough danger. When he's lying on the ground dying, I'll appear and 'negotiate' nicely, achieving both face and victory. That's the plan—go execute it!"
Upon hearing the decision, the owner of Polar Industrial Company bowed deeply. "Understood!"
Without waiting for further instructions, he hurried off. He knew soon his shadow would reveal the young master's plan. This young master seed omnipresent.
While the two young masters of Wushen Mountain sched against each other, Shar and Lu Li were bewildered as they were given a car, several days' worth of supplies, and told to leave.
"Yes, Li Qi let them go directly. His words were: 'Return and tell your companions to remain calm. I will help solve your Heavenly Dao issues, but I will need your assistance later. By then, you'll know who to support.'
"Now, go back and report everything you've learned to your leader."
Afterwards, they were escorted away, receiving food, supplies, and a new vehicle. Driving through the desert, raising clouds of dust, they couldn't figure out what Li Qi was thinking. Was he acting on whims or executing a deep plan?
One thing was clear: he was a powerful immortal with no apparent hostility—at least not now. Thus, they shouldn't consider him an enemy.
Driving through the desert, passing dried riverbeds and dead forests, they realized these areas were once lush green lands. But due to excessive earth oil extraction, the earth's veins were blocked, water vapor vanished, and life beca impossible in these barren deserts devoid of any elental energies.
This wasn't just a desert terrain but a completely lifeless wasteland. Deserts usually still contained underground water and heat, supporting various forms of life. But in this wasteland, even the basic elents were exhausted, leaving nothing behind.
This was the fate of resource-extraction worlds, including the earth oil realm, where even a ninth-rank individual like Li Qi could manipulate it with ease, thanks to his vast knowledge and the foundation of Tianxia (Under Heaven).
"Captain, do you think that young master has other plans?" Lu Li asked while driving, glancing at Shar curled up in the back seat.
Shar, too large to sit comfortably, responded in a muffled tone, "Don't overthink it. We can't resist that kind of power."
"So, we must rely on Number One."
"She is the chosen one of Heavenly Mandate."
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