Free Web NovelChapter 332: Chapter 328: The Coming Turmoil, The Pirate King
Every gift comes with a hidden price.
Open the trade barriers and allow the Nanyaoguang Corporation into the Day Flame Sea Region—the most prosperous super-market in the entire Yao Guang South Sea?
How could such a thing come without a price?
HUMMM.
Under Su Ye’s calm gaze, Zhao Quling’s expression stiffened slightly, her palms breaking out in a sweat.
She felt as if she had returned to decades ago, a young student facing a teacher holding a ruler... The feeling made her unconsciously tense up.
"Hiss... Wait!"
Zhao Quling’s pupils contracted, revealing a hint of disbelief.
With her experience, after the initial daze, she naturally understood the reason for this tension. The Divine Sense emanating from the other party was suppressing her!
’What powerful Divine Sense!’
’Judging by this suppressive force, Mr. Su’s Divine Sense has likely surpassed Crystal Perfection... It might even be close to the fourth-order?!’
’This can’t be explained by a soul-related Cultivation Technique alone...’
’A soul-type Innate Dao Body?’
’How could such a being appear in this remote Outer Sea?!’
Zhao Quling was inwardly shocked.
She immediately realized.
The master of the Nanyaoguang Corporation was even stronger than the Commerce Association’s assessment!
’In that case... his suppression of the Spirit Control Sect might not have been the result of an agreement with the Sun-Eating Demon Emperor, as we guessed...’
’But rather... he defeated them with sheer force?!’
Piloting a quasi-fourth-order spiritual warship, he defeated a fourth-order great demon while at the Crystal stage?!
This speculation made Zhao Quling’s heart pound wildly.
If it were true, the Nanyaoguang Corporation would possess two fourth-order combatants!
In that case... the Wanlong Commerce Association’s assessment of the Nanyaoguang Corporation would have to be raised another level!
’Such a regional hegemon... given the Commerce Association’s current situation, we absolutely cannot make an enemy of them for no reason...’
At this thought, Zhao Quling’s attitude became even more respectful. She said softly,
"A price... you overstate things, sir."
"However, while your corporation enters the Day Flame Sea Region, shares the market, and reaps profits, you will indeed need to assume certain obligations."
"For example, upholding the trade barriers, adhering to commercial regulations, and avoiding improper, malicious competition..."
"And..."
Zhao Quling paused, a hint of hesitation in her tone.
What came next was internal intelligence from the Commerce Association.
According to regulations, she was not supposed to disclose it.
But...
’This tyrannical Divine Sense is really just unfair...’
Zhao Quling’s gaze flickered. She looked at Su Ye with a hint of resignation.
She had received professional training in rhetoric and negotiation tactics.
The problem was, Su Ye’s Divine Sense was, at the very least, beyond Crystal Perfection.
Under the lock of his Divine Sense, trying to prevaricate with rhetoric and lies to his face?
Ugh.
Zhao Quling had no confidence she could succeed.
Furthermore, actions like deception and lying could easily provoke ill will and make cooperation more difficult.
After a moment of deliberation, Zhao Quling decided to reveal the truth.
"To be perfectly honest."
"The main reason we are opening the trade barriers is that we hope your corporation, in accordance with the obligations of the agreement, will dispatch an appropriate number of cultivators and spiritual warships to the Day Flame Sea Region!"
"This is to deal with a potential crisis that may occur in the near future."
"Specifically: an invasion by the Candle Python Cave!"
...
In the conversation that followed, Zhao Quling knew it would be difficult to lie.
So she decided to throw caution to the wind, answering every question he had in an attempt to improve his impression of her.
From her account, Su Ye obtained a great deal of intelligence and gained a relatively complete understanding of the current situation facing the Day Flame Sea Region.
Especially about the Wanlong Commerce Association’s presumed enemy, the Candle Python Cave!
This faction was like a group of oceanic nomads. They had no fixed headquarters, but instead roamed as a fleet, plundering merchant ships and spiritual islands to acquire resources.
In other words, pirates!
And this time, it seemed they were planning something big!
Several years ago, a merchant fleet from the Wanlong Commerce Association was attacked by the Candle Python Cave while on its way to trade in the Central Sea Region, suffering losses of several million Spirit Stones!
In the years that followed, similar incidents occurred frequently, drawing the attention of the Wanlong Commerce Association.
Through their analysis, the Wanlong Commerce Association discovered with alarm that several Candle Python Cave fleets had merged into one and seemed to be steadily approaching the Day Flame Sea Region!
"As for the reason behind the Candle Python Cave’s actions... we do not know."
"However, the Central Sea Region has not been peaceful these past few years... Perhaps the Candle Python Cave’s unusual movements are a reaction to something they sensed? Or..."
"I can’t say for sure."
Zhao Quling shook her head.
She had no way of knowing about the turmoil in the Central Sea Region.
However, she was very clear about the Candle Python Cave’s strength.
"The Candle Python Cave widely recruits rogue cultivators, turning no one away. As a result, their faction includes over sixty Crystal-stage cultivators!"
"These demonic Crystal-stage cultivators lack loyalty to the Candle Python Cave, but their numbers and combat strength cannot be underestimated..."
"Secondly, the Candle Python Cave has as many as five Golden Core cultivators. Among them, the leader of the Candle Python Cave, known as the pirate king, Chiyou, is a top-tier Golden Core cultivator who has reached the Perfection Realm!
"This fiend has been infamous for a long time, rampaging across the Central Sea Region for over three hundred years. His methods are cruel, and he has a mountain of bloody deeds to his name!"
"The sects of the Central Sea Region have tried to encircle and destroy him several times, but he has always escaped, even managing to turn the tables and kill his pursuers. He is, without a doubt, a veteran demon and a great pirate of the seas!"
Zhao Quling said solemnly.
"Over sixty Crystal-stage cultivators, five Golden Core cultivators, and one at Golden Core Perfection?"
Su Ye’s gaze flickered, his expression turning grave.
As expected of a demonic faction that could wreak havoc even in the Central Sea Region!
Forget weakened Golden Core sects like Cyan Profound and Spirit Control; even at their peak, they would have no choice but to retreat and defend themselves against the Candle Python Cave, right?
Such strength was simply terrifying!
...
The conversation ended. Su Ye did not give Zhao Quling a direct answer to her request, claiming he needed more time to consider... which was, in fact, a polite refusal.
"I still hope you will consider it further, Fellow Daoist..."
"The Candle Python Cave’s strength is not insurmountable. In our Day Flame Cultivation Realm, we also have great cultivators who have reached the Late-stage Golden Core."
"Furthermore, if a war breaks out, the merits your corporation earns can be converted into contribution points and exchanged for Core Formation Spiritual Objects, Tribulation-Avoiding Treasures, and more..."
Zhao Quling did not give up, continuing to persuade him with gentle words and tempting offers.
The Nanyaoguang Corporation’s two fourth-order combatants were a very significant weight on the scales of victory!
"Mm, I will consider it further."
Su Ye nodded slightly, his tone noncommittal.
With the system panel at his disposal, he had little need for Core Formation Spiritual Objects.
Participating in a war and taking on such high risks for it... It wasn’t necessary.
However, although he refused the request to join the war, the two sides still reached an agreement: consignment of Spiritual Objects!
The Nanyaoguang Corporation would provide specialty Spiritual Objects, and the Wanlong Commerce Association would sell them within the Day Flame Sea Region. The profits would be split between the two parties according to their agreement.
This agreement was expected to bring both parties an annual income in the millions of Spirit Stones.
Zhao Quling was also quite satisfied with this. The agreement was enough for her to secure her position as a director.
At the same time, it also maintained a foundation for cooperation with the Nanyaoguang Corporation.
In the future, it was not impossible that they could take things a step further...
...
Soon, Zhao Quling rose gracefully, bowed, and took her leave.
Su Ye sat alone in the pavilion, raising his cup for a light sip. A contemplative look appeared in his eyes.
’Turmoil in the Central Sea Region...’
’Unusual movements from the Candle Python Cave...’
’I can’t shake the feeling that there’s a strong smell of conspiracy... After all, the Wanlong Commerce Association has backers in the Central Sea Region. Why haven’t they intervened?’
’Are they indifferent, or... are they in the middle of a power struggle?’
’Forget it.’
Su Ye shook his head and exhaled a breath of clear air.
"WHOOSH..."
’The Seven-Colored Profound Flowing Paste is in my hands, and all preparations are complete...’
’Next, I’ll enter seclusion!’
’I’ll do it all in one go—break through to Late-stage Crystal and fourth-order Body Refining!’
No matter the situation, increasing his own strength was never the wrong choice!
Demons and monsters, plots and schemes?
As long as I’m strong enough, I can just crush them all!
