"You're saying... those herb shops were arranged by you?" Mandala and Qing Tan were both stunned. Although Xiao Yan hadn't directly confirmed it, they weren't fools. Just from his words, they immediately understood what he was implying. But that was exactly why they were so shocked.
The people from the Ziyin Sect had spent ten times the market price to buy out the medicinal herbs, all in order to cut off Xiao Yan's supply. Yet they would never have imagined that not only was Xiao Yan not worried about herbs, but the ones who sold those herbs to them were Xiao Yan's own forces. In other words, not only had their operation failed, but they had also handed over a huge fortune directly into Xiao Yan's pocket. No wonder he said they'd be angry enough to vomit blood—this kind of maneuver was truly outrageous.
"Still, if we're putting on a show, we might as well go all in." Mandala thought for a moment and then said, "I think we should send people to other regions to make it look like we're desperately trying to buy herbs. That way, they'll think we've really run out and are grasping at straws. If we stay too quiet, they might get suspicious."
"Also, I think we should temporarily reduce the number of pills we're selling," Qing Tan added. "That would reinforce the idea that our stockpile is almost exhausted, and we're forced to cut back."
"Both of you make good points. Let's go with your plan," Xiao Yan nodded lightly. He had actually anticipated this part as well, but he intentionally left the flaw exposed to test whether Mandala and Qing Tan could spot and cover it. As it turned out, they didn't disappoint. With this, he could now comfortably act as the behind-the-scenes strategist.
Soon after, the Endless Fire Domain sent out some people to purchase herbs from surrounding regions. As expected, they were intercepted mid-journey. The Southern Domain Alliance was ecstatic, believing they had successfully cut off Xiao Yan's final route. With that, they thought they could force the Endless Fire Domain into surrender. But before long, they realized something wasn't quite right.
Every day, the Endless Fire Domain's medicinal pills seemed to be sold in reduced quantities—giving the illusion of barely holding on. And yet, the next day, they still managed to release slightly fewer pills again. This cycle repeated for a full month. Day after day, their output didn't stop!
The other forces started to lose their calm. Including the initial period when they were aggressively buying up herbs, their total investment had now been going on for nearly three months. And they weren't just buying at high prices—they were paying ten times the market rate. This level of expenditure had started to severely strain their finances. If they hadn't formed an alliance, some of the smaller factions might already be bankrupt and begging in the streets.
Even with the alliance, this prolonged, high-cost investment made them increasingly uneasy. Major factions like Miting Gate and the Ziyin Sect could still hold on a bit longer, but smaller sects were already facing cash-flow crises. Some couldn't even afford to pay their subordinates' Sovereign Spiritual Liquid stipends for the month.
In the Great Thousand World, these sects had to distribute resources regularly, or else who would fight for them? Ordinary Sovereigns were manageable, but if one had to maintain an Earth Sovereign or a Spiritual Pill Master, the cost was astronomical.
They had joined the alliance initially because the major factions promised they'd get a share of the profits once the Endless Fire Domain was forced to capitulate. That's why they had poured in all their savings. But now, months in, the "commercial war" hadn't ended, and they were the ones tightening their belts.
Under this mounting pressure, the Southern Domain Alliance convened a meeting. Unlike their first gathering—where they had gleefully discussed how to carve up the Endless Fire Domain—this time, everyone's faces were grim. That atmosphere made even the leaders of the major factions feel a bit uneasy.
"What's the current status of the Endless Fire Domain's pill sales?" asked the Miting Gate's Gate Master. He was the initiator of the Southern Domain Alliance and the one who first rallied the other forces to target the Endless Fire Domain. He was also the strongest person present, having reached the peak of High Earth Sovereign.
"The same as before—they're selling as usual, but in smaller quantities," answered the Ziyin Sect Master. His sect was mainly responsible for monitoring the Endless Fire Domain, so he was well-informed.
"Hmph. Looks like they won't be able to hold out much longer. Their inventory should be nearly depleted by now. Everyone just needs to hang in there a bit longer," said the Miting Gate's Gate Master.
"Hmph, you said the same thing a month ago. And what happened?" snapped the leader of a hot-tempered faction, slamming the table. "It's been over a month and they're still selling pills. Meanwhile, we're the ones starving. How do you expect us to hold on?"
"This is indeed strange," said the Qingyuan Palace Master with a furrowed brow. "Logically speaking, their stock should've run dry by now. Even if they had some reserves left, it shouldn't have lasted this long. Could it be that they've sourced herbs from elsewhere?"
"Impossible," the Miting Gate's Gate Master snorted coldly. "We've monopolized all the herb stores in the Southern Domain. We even bought up the auction houses' reserves. Their external procurement teams have been intercepted. Where else could they be getting herbs from?"
"And even if they had other sources, why would their daily pill sales still be declining? If they had more herbs, they'd just increase output," he continued.
Hearing that, many of the minor sect leaders finally exhaled in relief. What they feared most was that the Endless Fire Domain had somehow acquired a secret herb stash. If that were the case, their massive stockpiling would have been for nothing, and they'd suffer catastrophic losses—losses enough to wipe them out completely.
"Exactly. The more critical the moment, the more we must remain patient," the Miting Gate's Gate Master said, continuing to sell them on hope. "Once that brat caves in, we'll use our herb stockpile to pressure him. Then, all of your losses will be repaid tenfold!"
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.