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Time passed silently during the research, and in the blink of an eye, more than two years had gone by. Shrek City was as busy as ever, especially at the top floor of the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce headquarters.
This was an extremely spacious office that was simply furnished yet not monotonous. The air was filled with a faint, calming sandalwood scent, making anyone who entered feel comfortable at the first impression.
"Ms. Ning, this is the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce's utmost sincerity to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School. What do you think?".
A calm voice slowly broke the quiet atmosphere. The woman speaking sat in the main seat. She had long chestnut hair, and delicate half-rimmed glasses rested on her nose. Her eyes behind the lenses were calm and steady.
She wore a well-tailored dark professional suit, which gave her an intellectual and gentle aura, yet her words remained unyielding. Her gaze, which was slightly assertive, was fixed on the elegant and still charming woman sitting opposite her. This guest was the current Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, Ning Fengya.
"President Ju Zi offers such generous compensation that I can find no reason to refuse," Ning Fengya said with a light laugh. Then her tone became slightly more serious as she continued, "I, Ning Fengya, current Sect Master of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, hereby represent my school and agree to this business deal".
Ju Zi's lips curved into a slight smile. "Happy cooperation, School Master Ning".
After saying that, Ju Zi raised her hand and gently waved it over the table in front of her. Immediately, more than a dozen jade boxes appeared on the table out of thin air.
Ning Fengya's gaze instinctively fell upon these jade boxes. At this moment, even though she had long navigated the business world and weathered many storms, her eyes couldn't help but show a slight change in emotion.
"This is..." Ning Fengya asked, even though she already had a good idea. She was trying to confirm her guess through Ju Zi.
"Blue Silver Immortal Herb series, number 06, Blue Silver Qiluo Tulip".
Ju Zi calmly reported the contents of the jade boxes, confirming exactly what Ning Fengya suspected. Ning Fengya paused slightly, her thoughts churning with excitement.
The Qiluo Tulip was the powerful Immortal Herb that, ten thousand years ago, allowed her ancestor Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. It was also the source of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's obsession, something they had sought for ten thousand years without any success.
Although Ju Zi had clearly informed her that this was not the original herb, but a subspecies cultivated through special techniques named Blue Silver Qiluo Tulip, it was still incredible. It supposedly had only one-tenth to one-fifth of the original's effect.
However, it still held the possibility of breaking the shackles of their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Spirit. The obsession passed down through generations might finally be broken by her hands. Ning Fengya had many thoughts in her heart, but she kept her expression calm.
Raising her hand, she collected all the jade boxes and spoke calmly. "If this item truly proves to be effective, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School will not break its promise".
"School Master Ning, you speak too seriously. As long as you keep your word, that will be enough," Ju Zi said with a smile.
Ning Fengya nodded slightly, holding no contempt in her heart for the younger woman. Over the past two years, the development of the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce had been nothing short of a miracle. Since forming a tripartite Alliance with the Body Sect and the Tianhun Empire's imperial family, they had become unstoppable.
This was especially true after the Body Sect's forceful entry into Shrek City. Shrek Academy had turned a blind eye and offered no interference, allowing the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce to rise with incredible momentum.
With the support of the Tianhun imperial family, the Chamber of Commerce used swift and decisive methods to integrate key industries throughout the Empire. Coupled with the Body Sect's iron-fisted approach to clearing out internal corruption, they implemented a series of reforms that greatly enhanced the Tianhun Empire's national strength. After stabilizing its base, the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce began to expand outwards.
Its main businesses, which were spirit tools and pharmaceuticals, quickly formed a monopoly. This was due to their impossibly low prices, durability, and various types of exceptionally effective artificially cultivated Heaven And Earth Treasures. They forced back many commercial giants, including the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, and almost completely took over the industry.
Originally, there were many murmurs of discontent within the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School regarding this new power. Some members already regarded the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce as their number one enemy, but because of the Body Sect, they could only endure.
However, Ning Fengya had not expected that an invitation for cooperation would come so soon. Along with that invitation came information about Immortal Herbs. Regarding such herbs, she naturally couldn't sit still and proactively came to discuss terms.
Yet, as they chatted, they began to discuss a deeper level of cooperation. Truly, circumstances are unpredictable. A premonition arose in her heart that choosing to cooperate deeply with the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce was the right path to take.
Even further, she thought that having her school join the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce might allow them to truly rise to new heights. Of course, such a big decision could not be made by her alone.
It would require taking the Immortal Herb back, verifying its effects, and then discussing it with the various Elders within the School. With the most important matter settled, both women relaxed slightly and began their final casual chat.
Meanwhile, Ning Tian, who had come with her mother to gain experience, sat obediently and listened to their conversation. As the next successor of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, listening and learning were fundamental qualities for her.
As she listened, information about the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce constantly flashed through her mind. The public affairs were all handled by Vice President Ju Zi, who almost completely managed all commercial operations with immense power.
However, besides Ju Zi, the only other publicly known figure was Poison Undying. He was the super strong Titled Douluo from the Body Sect who had repeatedly attacked Shrek's Taotie Douluo, Xuan Zi, in the streets. He was the chief enforcer of the Mingmeng Chamber of Commerce, responsible for internal violations and external threats.
Yet, there was no information at all about the President, leading to much speculation. Ning Tian wondered what kind of person the President could be to develop the Chamber of Commerce to this level in just a few years.
She thought with a mix of curiosity and reverence as the conversation neared its end. Ju Zi stood up with a formal smile on her face and said, "School Master Ning, I'll see you out".
Ning Fengya also smiled in response and told her not to bother since she was so busy. Just as the two were exchanging polite words, ripples appeared in the air in the center of the office. The next moment, a figure quietly emerged with a face covered by a simple pure white mask. Only a pair of black eyes beneath the mask looked over with a hint of surprise.
Suddenly, a dark figure emerged from Ning Fengya's shadow to shield her and Ning Tian. The aura of a Titled Douluo flashed in a defensive posture.
"It seems I've interrupted you," a clear and calm young voice came from beneath the mask.
Ning Fengya paused, wondering about the youth's identity. But beside her, Ju Zi turned to her and said, "School Master Ning, then I won't see you out".
Ning Fengya was speechless. She remembered quite clearly that Ju Zi was just about to personally see her out a moment ago.