blueteamnovel Chapter 428 - 277: Win-Win Cooperation
Chapter 428 - 277: Win-Win Cooperation
External expansion, besides territorial expansion, also includes economic expansion.
Numerous ancient relics lie hidden within the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, with countless spiritual treasures and myriad materials.
However, due to the presence of the top faction Ten Thousand Poison Sect and Qianji City within the swamp, along with the rampant chaos caused by evil cultivators lacking order, it has always been viewed by the Central State’s nine dynasties as a place of evil cultivators and demon cultivators,
occasionally leading to friction due to the coveting of periodically revealed ancient relics.
The final result has led to increasingly hostile sentiments between the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp and the Central State’s nine dynasties.
The Jiuli Dynasty, due to bordering the swamp, has even engaged in fierce battles, becoming mortal enemies.
As a result, the swamp has almost completely severed trade with the Central State, which is rich in Spirit Stones, leading to a significant shortage in the supply of Middle Grade Spirit Stones,
with a surplus of materials piling up within.
In recent years, after Wanshu Daoist Venerable took over as City Lord of Poison City, he has been deeply committed to enriching the swamp through trade measures.
Evidently, his interactions with the Jin family in Qingzhou have validated his conjecture, with mutual gains from trade in recent years.
The drawback is that the Jin family’s strength is limited, the trade volume too small, and the transactions need to be discreet.
If trade with the entire Jiuli Dynasty were possible, it would undoubtedly be better.
However, the Jiuli Dynasty is not dictated by the Jin family, and the royal family’s attitude remains that of mortal enemies.
Such secretive dealings are ultimately not the proper way.
At this moment, a royal descendant of the Jiuli Dynasty has arrived.
Moreover, he has been appointed to govern Qingzhou, being none other than Prince Qing!
Prince Qing’s attitude might not represent the Jiuli Dynasty as a whole, but it certainly represents Qingzhou.
Thus, the possibility of open and substantial trade is now before us!
"Hahaha, Prince Qing’s thoughts align perfectly with my own." The elegant and amiable face of City Lord Wanshu showed a hint of undisguised joy.
"Naturally, my grandfather has long since expressed City Lord Wanshu’s intentions; otherwise, I would not be risking myself." Li Jizhou’s expression remained composed.
"Good, good. With such sincerity from Prince Qing, I naturally believe it wholeheartedly. What plans does Prince Qing have? What preparations should I make?" Wanshu Daoist Venerable’s gaze was filled with anticipation.
"Naturally, City Lord, please take a look." Li Jizhou nodded slightly, as Hong Luan respectfully handed over a Jade Talisman that Li Jizhou had her imprint the previous day.
After confirming the situation with Jin Zhaoyu’s family, Li Jizhou had already formulated a plan, having Hong Luan prepare a list of the materials most needed by cultivators within the Jiuli Dynasty.
Leading the list were materials used for Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, Talismans, and Arrays at the Foundation Establishment Stage and Core Formation Stage, followed by finished Spiritual Artifacts, Spiritual Treasures, and Spirit Pet Puppets.
All these trade demands were abundant resources within the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp.
What the Jiuli Dynasty could supply to the swamp, topping the list were Spirit Stones above Middle Grade, followed by Pills, Talismans, and finished Arrays needed by cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage.
Li Jizhou proposed an initial trade volume of no less than one million Middle Grade Spirit Stones per year.
However, he deliberately included several seemingly very unequal terms.
"Good! Prince Qing has already pointed out the general direction, which I broadly accept. Some details remain to be discussed, but no matter, I understand Prince Qing’s intentions." Having reviewed Li Jizhou’s plan, Wanshu Daoist Venerable stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, highly satisfied, and did not immediately reject even the unequal terms, instead temporarily appeasing them.
"That sounds excellent. My only concern now is whether City Lord Wanshu can make the final decision?" Li Jizhou probed.
"Rest assured, Prince Qing. My voluntary defense of this city is precisely to find a trade route for the swamp. Within Poison City, I can make the decisions." Wanshu Daoist Venerable was very confident.
"With City Lord’s assurance, I can rest easy. Starting today, I will accelerate the progress of this matter."
"My Poison City will also prepare actively. Should Prince Qing’s planning encounter any obstacles, Poison City will certainly assist."
"Someone, set up a banquet!"
————
In the secret chamber of the Dragon Aspect mansion,
nine clay statues emitted a subtle shadowy glow.
This is the never-before-seen Divine Soul Secret Technique of the Dragon Aspect clan, where a wisp of soul is nourished in a clay sculpture from the day of birth, enabling dual souls; retaining one prevents destruction, and both souls can cultivate simultaneously, doubling the speed of the Divine Soul progress. Of course, it can also serve as vital internal communication, difficult to decipher without a Celestial Venerable personally present.
"The Seventh Prince went to the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp? How dare he? What is he planning? Does he want to die?"
"Hmph, this time Consort Rong won’t need to make a move."
"Didn’t you say the Seventh Prince was unusual? Didn’t you say his previous weakness was likely feigned? Isn’t this just foolish?"
"Not only foolishly plunging into the Jin Zhaoyu affair, now he enters the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp alone. I think we should find a way to let the Crown Prince and the Ninth Prince counterbalance each other, leaving the Seventh Prince abandoned."
...
The discussion among the nine clay statues was exceptionally heated today.
Even the central statue did not rebuke others, an unusual occurrence.
The enmity between the Poisonous Swamp and the Central State’s royal family, especially the Jiuli Dynasty’s royal family, entering the swamp is truly tantamount to courting death.
The crucial point is that the Seventh Prince is only at the Foundation Establishment level, carrying only a Tier Four Early Stage half-demon with him. He might not yet have truly entered the heart of the Ten Thousand Poison Sect but might be devoured alive by evil cultivators along the way.
"Silence!" After a while, the central clay statue finally spoke.
"Firstly, continue sending people to follow up on the Seventh Prince."
"Ancestor, our Nascent Soul and above cannot enter, so we can only send Golden Core Stage spies."
"Golden Core Stage spies entering Poison City will likely struggle to execute any action."
"At least track his destination and whom he meets?"
"Understood!"
"Secondly, prepare to welcome the Crown Prince back."
"Thirdly, suppress the Ninth Prince and Consort Rong."
"Understood!"
-------
In Consort Rong’s palace,
after hearing the report from the Shadow division, a hint of doubt appeared on Consort Rong’s smooth face.
"Old Qi entered the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp?"
"Are we sure this isn’t misdirection?"
"He only brought that half-demon?"
What followed was a prolonged silence.
"Huh~"
"Perhaps we were indeed overthinking before! He still behaves like a youth, conceited after receiving praise from the Saint Emperor for the Liangzhou affair three years ago, revealing his intentions to me foolishly, and now falling into the trap of Qingzhou’s Jin family. Doesn’t he realize this is a plot against him?"
"The most laughable is daring to enter the swamp alone. Does he even need me to act?"
Consort Rong laughed involuntarily, shaking her head, suddenly feeling that her efforts to deal with Li Jizhou these past few years seemed utterly ludicrous.
"The plan remains unchanged; weed not entirely removed brings further trouble. Ensure his death, or don’t return."
------
In a prior life when fleeing to the swamp, I could only survive in Guzhu City, a city controlled by a Nascent Soul True Monarch. I dared not even imagine the Ten Thousand Poison Sect or Qianji City.
Yet now, within the supreme Holy City of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, Poison City’s City Lord treated me with great respect, exchanging cups with numerous words of respect.
"City Lord Wanshu, are you aware of the spirit vein corpse nourishment incident in Eastern Desolation?" After three rounds of drinks, Li Jizhou inquired about matters from a previous life regarding Eastern Desolation, never having found the answer to Shangguan Liuyun’s past events, yet unexpectedly discovering the Blood Fiend’s nurtured golden corpse within the Blood Evil Celestial Venerable’s dharma realm, suddenly pondering many possibilities.
The Corpse Dao, Witchcraft Gu Dao, Yin Soul Dao, etc., are all considered evil paths, many originating from Ten Thousand Poison Swamp. With Wanshu Daoist Venerable’s experience and status, perhaps answers can be found!