Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************
Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 18 (162): [50,000 Jin]
(18th of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
***********************************
"I haven't thought of anything yet," Li Weiyi replied, handing back the talismanic robe Zuoqiu Ting had given him before entering Thirty-Three Li Mountain.
"Keep it yourself. It's inscribed with Defensive Runes left by my clan's Ancestor, capable of blocking a deadly calamity."
Zuoqiu Ting continued, "The things you requested will be delivered tomorrow. What about what I want?"
"Young Master Zuoqiu should understand that Immortal Soil is extremely precious and difficult to obtain. However, I've excavated a considerable amount of Spiritual Soil. I wonder if the Zuoqiu Clan is interested in purchasing it?" Li Weiyi asked.
Zuoqiu Ting's mind raced. He scrutinized Li Weiyi with a sharp gaze.
"Yes, we'll take it. But let me be clear: you were only able to enter Thirty-Three Li Mountain because of the Zuoqiu Clan's talismanic robe. Whether it's Immortal Soil or Spiritual Soil, I can only offer you 30% of the market price."
"Of course, you're free to sell to others. But can they afford to buy in bulk? And you should be careful because they might swallow you whole if they can acquire it on a large scale?"
"Besides keeping your secret, the Zuoqiu Clan can also obtain cultivation resources that others can't. For example, Millennial Essence Herb. Or perhaps some of the Precious Medicines and Herbs on your medicinal materials list."
Li Weiyi had already prepared to make concessions when he decided to lure the Zuoqiu Clan into the open.
Li Weiyi said, "I value sincerity above all else. Once I make a promise, I never go back on my word. Besides, while the Zuoqiu Clan offers to buy back Spiritual Soil at thirty percent of its market price, you also mentioned owing me a favor. A favor from the Ancient Myriad Sects is worth far more than mere silver coins."
"That's good to hear!" Zuoqiu Ting said, "The market price for Spirit Soil is one thousand silver coins per pound. The Zuoqiu Clan can only offer you three hundred silver coins per pound. How much can you provide?"
Li Weiyi feigned a pained, helpless, and conflicted expression, but inwardly he was ecstatic.
At Blood Moon Lake, he had dug up countless tens of thousands of pounds of Spiritual Soil. Who knew its price would be so exorbitant?
But only the Ten Thousand Sects could afford to buy it in bulk to create Spiritual Soil medicinal fields.
No other faction would be willing to spend so much money. They'd likely prefer to make a profit without any investment, resorting to murder and robbery instead.
Besides Zuoqiu Ting, he could also try Cang Li's faction.
"How much would you charge for a Millennial Essence Herbs?" Li Weiyi asked.
Zuoqiu Ting pondered silently, wondering just how much leverage this man truly had.
He replied, "Since we're being courteous, your initiative to fulfill your promise at Thirty-Three Li Mountain demonstrates good faith. For the Millennial Essence Herbs, I'll offer you an 80% discount. If you pay with Spiritual Soil, it will cost you 26,000 jin."
"If you add in the Alchemy Furnace and the vast quantity of Precious Medicine on this Medicinal Materials List, and you can produce 50,000 jin of Spirit Soil, I'll settle the entire deal!"
Zuoqiu Ting didn't believe Li Weiyi could possibly produce that much Spiritual Soil. Even if he had truly robbed all Four Great Sects, he still wouldn't have enough.
After all, he had only spent three days in the mountains. How much could he have possibly dug up in that time?
His true goal was still Immortal Soil.
After all, Spiritual Soil was a byproduct of Immortal Soil.
By gauging the amount of Spiritual Soil, he could infer the quantity of Immortal Soil Li Weiyi possessed.
"Alright, it's settled! We'll meet again tomorrow at the Heavenly Pavilion to exchange goods," Li Weiyi thought, secretly considering whether to buy another Millennial Essence Herbs.
In the end, he held back.
The sum was too large.
It might tempt the Zuoqiu Clan to try a risk-free deal.
Zuoqiu Ting froze, then confirmed again, "You can produce fifty thousand catties of Spiritual Soil?"
"This matter must remain absolutely confidential. I can offer a discount, but secrecy is paramount," Li Weiyi said.
Zuoqiu Ting understood the situation but didn't immediately mention Immortal Soil.
He opened his folding fan, fanning himself lightly, puffed out his chest proudly, and narrowed his eyes slightly: "At the Mirror Moon Pavilion, I saved you. The Zuoqiu Clan no longer owes you a favor!"
Li Weiyi valued the Zuoqiu Clan's favor most.
"Young Master Zuoqiu, aren't you underestimating Li Weiyi's abilities? Do you truly believe I couldn't escape? Besides, I never asked for your help. Favors aren't repaid like that."
Zuoqiu Ting chuckled: "Are you overestimating yourself? It's true, your cultivation and combat prowess surprised me. You've already reached the level where you can contend with an ordinary Fifth-Stage Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator - that's quite impressive! But, not to mention the Mirror Moon Pavilion's master, either of the Left or Right Attendants could have easily detained you."
"Not necessarily," Li Weiyi countered.
Zuoqiu Ting said, "Fine. Based on those three words alone, this Young Master will remember you. I hope you can continue to surprise me next time."
Li Weiyi was fond of Zuoqiu Ting's open and forthright nature, completely devoid of pretense.
He didn't seem like an heir to one of the Ten Thousand Sects, but rather an old friend, radiating charisma.
He asked, "Who are they, really? Why are they hiding their identities so carefully? What's their goal?"
Zuoqiu Ting's expression turned grave: "To be precise, they're not human. While the Zuoqiu Clan and the Du'e (Calamity Crossing) Temple were gathering young Martial-Mystic Cultivators from across the land to celebrate Lantern festival, they slaughtered countless people, skinned them alive, and secretly infiltrated Qiu Prefecture. They certainly didn't come here to join the festivities."
Li Weiyi asked, "Are they planning to disrupt the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival? Are they targeting the young Heavenly Prides of the Lingxiao Realm, or are they specifically targeting the Zuoqiu Clan and the Calamity Crossing Temple?"
Zuoqiu Ting looked at Li Weiyi with newfound respect: "You're quite insightful! It seems you've done your research and aren't just a reckless Martial-Mystic Cultivator."
"Do you think my attempt to seize that black metal box was reckless?" Li Weiyi asked.
Zuoqiu Ting smiled without answering, instead asking, "Who was inside that black metal box?"
Li Weiyi didn't hide the truth, explaining Zhuang Yue's situation to gauge the Zuoqiu Clan's stance on the matter.
So far, there had been no opposition, but the Zuoqiu Clan, which was already building momentum, had an extremely delicate relationship with Lingxiao Palace.
Zuoqiu Ting fell into deep thought. After a long moment, he said, "If Jiang Ning were to die in Qiu Prefecture, it wouldn't be a simple death. It would be a brutal one. The relationship between the Zuoqiu Clan and Lingxiao Palace would instantly become strained to the breaking point. They're trying to use this to lure Lingxiao Palace's Second Palace Master to Qiu Prefecture. Then, the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival would be impossible to hold!"
Li Weiyi said, "The Zuoqiu Clan wanted to build momentum, but before they could even establish it, everything fell apart. Will the Calamity Crossing Temple still favor you? Or might they switch their support to the Dragon Sect, which has been building considerable momentum? The Dragon Sect Inheritor is very close to them, and they're sure to benefit from this situation."
Zuoqiu Ting stared intently at Li Weiyi.
"Resolving this crisis and eliminating those Ember Spirits and the instigators of the unrest is also an opportunity to prove our capabilities. We can use this to show the world that anyone who dares to defy the Zuoqiu Clan will face dire consequences."
Li Weiyi nodded. "Actually, I'm curious why a group of young juniors dares to run rampant in Qiu Prefecture. Aren't they afraid of being dealt with by the older generation of the Zuoqiu Clan? Or is it that, at this stage, it's only soldier against soldier, general against general?"
Zuoqiu Ting replied, "In the conflicts of the world, there are unspoken rules that everyone tacitly agrees to. Lines are drawn, and circles are marked. Those who break the rules, how can they escape retribution?"
"It's like a collision between major powers," Li Weiyi said, "where beings beyond the Immortal Realm can't just slaughter at will. If they act outside the rules, they risk being attacked by everyone."
Li Weiyi understood. It was like on Earth, even in wars between nations, the most terrifying weapons were kept in check.
Before a true war erupted, there were many unspoken rules at play. For instance, everyone wanted a localized proxy war. No one dared to intervene directly unless absolutely necessary, and only if they were certain of victory.
The current clash between the younger generation of Qiu Prefecture was undoubtedly this localized proxy war.
They were probing each other, keeping the conflict under control. But it could easily escalate into a full-scale war at any critical point.
There must be unseen power struggles behind the scenes.
Li Weiyi suddenly thought of something: "You were following me when you discovered the Young Venerable hidden in the Mirror Moon Pavilion. So, in a way, you owe me a favor?"
Zuoqiu Ting remained silent.
Li Weiyi continued, "You've already fought this Young Venerable, haven't you? How strong is it?"
Zuoqiu Ting didn't want to discuss this matter. His gaze drifted toward the entrance of the Cloud Pavilion, where Li Ling was emerging.
He lowered his voice: "Help me contact the Divine Hidden Ones of your Jiu Li Hidden Sect. Also, have Li Ling bring her brother here. I want to fight this group before the end of the year!"
Li Weiyi looked at Li Ling under the lamp and asked, "So, are you going to intervene with Jiang Ning? Your Zuoqiu Clan and the Lingxiao Palace... are..."
Li Weiyi turned to look, but Zuoqiu Ting had vanished without a sound.
"Am I that annoying?"
He sighed and walked toward the Cloud Pavilion gate.
Li Ling asked, "Was that Zuoqiu Ting just now?"
Li Weiyi nodded: "You should know him well, right? I remember in the Immortal Realm Space of Burial Immortal Town, you two were inseparable, always together. Is he really that ugly? With big ears, a flat nose, crooked teeth, and a slanted mouth?"
"Anyway, it's best not to see his true appearance. Otherwise, your impression of him will be completely shattered."
Li Ling asked again, "Are you hiding something from me tonight?"
"Why would I hide anything from you?" Li Weiyi chuckled.
Li Ling pressed, "What about Miss Qin Li?"
"You're getting more and more nosy. If you're really worried, go cultivate in the Blood Mud Space and draw more talismanic runes for protection."
Li Weiyi found Li Ling's gaze fierce, like a mother hen guarding her chicks.
Finally, she seemed normal - no longer wearing that fake, overly theatrical smile she used to.
_______________________
END OF CHAPTER
Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************