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Chapter 718: Chapter 724: Weakening
"It seems that this business venture brings in quite a profit; otherwise, your clan wouldn’t have made a special visit. However, our Profound Ice Sect is capable of producing those low-grade Spiritual Objects ourselves. Why should we cooperate with you?" The Sect Leader’s eyes flashed with a glint of sharpness, but he kept his composure.
"Your Sect must have already known about the situation. Why haven’t you acted on it? The Sect Leader surely understands the reason," the Li family’s external affairs elder said earnestly.
The temperature in Profound Ice State is low throughout the year, which is not suitable for the growth of any Spiritual Objects other than those of the ice attribute. Many Spiritual Objects need to be purchased from outside.
And the low-grade Spiritual Objects offered by the Li family are exactly what the Profound Ice Sect is lacking in raw materials for and cannot produce on their own!
The Sect Leader’s face turned unsightly for a moment before quickly returning to normal. However, deep down, he was considering how to wrest back control of Great Void Province from the Devil Race.
Back when Great Void Province had clear distinctions between the four seasons and was in the hands of the Profound Ice Sect, they never had to worry about the issue of basic Spiritual Objects.
However, this matter was difficult. Without assistance, the Profound Ice Sect would have to pay a tremendous price to possibly succeed!
This time the Li family took the initiative to seek cooperation, giving him a glimmer of opportunity.
"We can offer the Profound Ice Sect a very sincere price. As for the selling price, it’s entirely up to you to decide," the Li family’s external affairs elder suggested with sincerity.
"Agreed, but I have one condition. We can only start cooperating if your clan agrees," the Sect Leader said without pondering for long, nodding in assent to the mutually beneficial cooperation, but setting forth a term, "Within ten years, we plan to send people to reclaim Great Void Province. At that time, we will need the Li family’s help to distract some of the Devil Beasts."
"This..."
Upon hearing this, the external affairs elder’s face showed a trace of difficulty. He had not expected the Profound Ice Sect to propose this condition, and as a clan elder, he naturally knew the family’s stance towards Great Void Province.
Retaining the status quo is more beneficial for the family.
It not only better restrains the Profound Ice Sect but also avoids border contact with them, preventing conflicts.
After all, with the current strength of the Li family, they could only give way to the Profound Ice Sect and could not withstand them.
"I’m not authorized to make decisions regarding this matter and can’t provide a definite answer," he admitted.
"No matter," the Sect Leader waved his hand generously, "Wanxian Island is not far from our Sect. You can go back and consult with your family on their decision, then come back to discuss our cooperation."
"Thank you for your understanding," the Elder replied, grateful for the Sect Leader’s flexibility.
As the external affairs elder left, the Profound Ice Sect’s Sect Leader frowned. He had a hunch that the Li family would not send another representative.
This newly appointed Sect Leader might not realize that, on this issue, the Li family absolutely would not take action.
If he had previously reviewed the records, he would have noticed some clues — the Li family had repeatedly made excuses and declined to assist the Profound Ice Sect.
——
Meanwhile, the external affairs elder returned to Wanxian Island with his clan members and communicated the intentions of the Profound Ice Sect to Li Wenli and others. n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
"They would actually make such a request?"
Li Wenli furrowed his brows, helplessly saying, "Well then, let’s give up on the Profound Ice State market entirely."
"It’s not necessarily that dire,"
The external affairs elder said, smiling, "While I was conversing with the Profound Ice Sect, our merchants were not idle. They took the opportunity to sell some low-grade Spiritual Objects to Loose Cultivators..."
When he revealed that the cooperation had failed, a clan member named Li Xiancai suggested an alternative plan: to simply forego cooperating with the Profound Ice Sect and instead secretly sell the low-grade Spiritual Objects either to individual Loose Cultivators or potential allied forces.
"But if the Profound Ice Sect finds out..." an Elder worriedly said.
The external affairs elder had already thought of a justification on the way back, "So what? This is all business, how does it concern us? It’s the local Cultivators of the Profound Ice Sect who want to make a profit by stealthily traveling to Wanxian Province to purchase these Spiritual Objects."
The others exchanged looks; the rationale was indeed good. Although both parties understood the reality, without evidence, everything remained mere conjecture.
After mulling it over for a while, Li Wenli eventually said, "We can try it, but we must be careful and discreet; we can’t give the Profound Ice Sect any leverage against us."
"We’ll arrange the transactions on overseas islands and change locations periodically."
"We will only deal with Loose Cultivators. There is a high chance that the vassals of the Profound Ice Sect might betray us."
Having made up their minds, they quickly developed a relatively safe plan.
By the time Li Zhirui was informed about the matter, the family had already begun their first secret trade with the Loose Cultivators of Profound Ice State.
He didn’t particularly care about this development and even felt it was better that they didn’t come to report and disturb his quiet cultivation.
In fact, Li Zhirui had been considering how to make his family less reliant on him, as this affected both the efficiency of their affairs and his own cultivation.
Even if he was extremely intelligent, he was still just one person and could overlook certain aspects, leading to mistakes, especially since he had been detached from family management for many years and was no longer as familiar with some affairs.
Thus, Li Zhirui had stayed in his cave dwelling these years, rarely appearing in public, in an attempt to reduce his influence on the family.
Having reached his level of cultivation, power was no longer of any importance.
"Wenli, you are doing very well now, so unless it’s a matter that concerns the family’s legacy and safety, there’s no need to report to me. As long as you all agree there’s no issue, go ahead with confidence and boldness," Li Zhirui said gravely.
Li Wenli was taken aback by these words, never expecting an ordinary report to lead to such a development.
"Elder Ancestor, are you planning to go into seclusion?" he asked, unable to think of any other reason.
"Don’t you think the family is too deeply influenced by me?" Li Zhirui shook his head, indicating he was far from any breakthrough, and continued, "I’m just a mortal; I make mistakes too. I’m not necessarily wiser than you, and I might even impede family affairs."
He hadn’t felt the impact much while often adventuring or in seclusion. But since he had spent recent years at home, Li Darong and Li Wenli, out of respect, would visit him whenever he was free, leading to Li Zhirui’s strong impression.
"The family is now in your hands, so go ahead with confidence!" Li Zhirui said with a smile, "If there are matters you can’t handle, just come to me."
He wouldn’t claim to be the strongest among his peers, but at least within the nearby provinces, he was highly ranked.
And once he achieved Divine Transformation, as long as he didn’t offend the top forces, he was confident he could shoulder the burdens!
"Go on," he said, seeing that Li Wenli was still stunned. Li Zhirui generated a breeze with a wave of his hand, sending him out of the cave dwelling.
