Chapter 417 - 319: Pre-War Agreement
The area outside the Qingyuan Sect’s mountain gate had been much livelier lately than in the past. Loose Cultivator traders coming to purchase Four-winged Cyan Jade Dragonflies, as well as mortal merchant caravans seeking to acquire the sect’s various other products for resale, flocked to the Qingyuan Sect in an endless stream, adding a great deal of bustle to the place.
Four years had now passed, and the Four-winged Cyan Jade Dragonfly had earned widespread praise among the White Mountain Cultivators. This Spirit Insect wasn’t expensive; compared to Spirit Beasts that could easily cost several hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, the Cyan Jade Dragonfly had always sold for only about fifty, making it a great value for the price.
This led some White Mountain Loose Cultivators to become resellers. They would come to the Qingyuan Sect to purchase Cyan Jade Dragonflies, then travel to other lands to sell them, such as the Qi Yun Territory.
Fang Qingyuan had initially thought the Qi Yun Cultivators wouldn’t value the Cyan Jade Dragonfly, as they weren’t fond of combat. However, in addition to being incredibly fast and agile, the dragonfly was also strikingly beautiful, as if carved from the finest white jade. For this reason, it became a favorite among the wealthy Qi Yun Cultivators, who would buy one to keep as a pet. Riding it on a spring outing was considered quite an elegant pastime.
Thus, while the White Mountain Cultivators focused on practicality, the Qi Yun Cultivators cared more about aesthetics. A Cyan Jade Dragonfly that sold for fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones here would start at over one hundred in Qi Yun. If it was a particularly fine specimen with a superior appearance, prices of four or five hundred were not unheard of.
Fang Qingyuan was well aware of these resellers flipping the Cyan Jade Dragonflies, but he deliberately turned a blind eye. This was a crucial time for the dragonflies to expand beyond their small Land Realm. Having Loose Cultivators willing to distribute them to various parts of the Cultivation Realm was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
With the Qingyuan Sect’s current capabilities, its reach extended only to its immediate surroundings and the vicinity of Nine Stars Square; other places were simply too far. Therefore, it was better to leave the task of market expansion to these people.
The Loose Cultivators earned their profit margin, and the Qingyuan Sect built its reputation. Moreover, as the sole producer, the Qingyuan Sect always held the upper hand. If they ever decided they didn’t want to sell, they could simply restrict the supply.
Besides the Cyan Jade Dragonfly, the Qingyuan Sect also sold a few other Spirit Insects on the side. Although they didn’t sell as well, they at least brought some extra income to the sect. Now, after only four years, the sect’s financial situation had greatly improved, and it was on the verge of breaking even.
At that moment, dozens of Qi Refining Loose Cultivators were waiting outside the Qingyuan Sect’s mountain gate. They had gathered in the main hall of a newly built tavern, drinking cheap Spirit Wine and chatting amongst themselves.
The main hall was filled with a clamor of voices. A mortal waiter was rushed off his feet, and the nearby Shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear, mentally calculating how many Spirit Stones he would earn that day.
A moment later, three young Qingyuan Sect disciples entered. The instant they stepped inside, the people in the room swarmed around them, greeting them with a chorus of voices.
"Brother Gu, let’s have a drink together later!"
"Immortal Master Gu, please help me get a few more lots of goods! The people on my end are getting impatient. If I can’t deliver, I’m done for."
Gu Changfeng ignored the fawning Loose Cultivators. He casually walked over to a notice board in the hall, retrieved a list from his storage bag, and posted it.
"Everyone, this is the detailed price list for the sect’s products for next month. If you are interested, please proceed to the Valuation Department to pay with Spirit Stones and purchase the corresponding goods tokens. If you have any questions, please exit, turn left, and ask the Guest Officer on duty."
After saying his piece, Gu Changfeng left with his fellow disciples. The moment he was gone, a huge crowd swarmed the notice board to check the details.
Some rejoiced while others despaired. A pained cry rang out.
"The price of the Star Iron Mantis actually dropped! I just bought thirty lots! I’m going to be ruined!"
"Old Li, who told you to buy so many Star Iron Mantises? I told you your tip was unreliable! You said the Star Iron Spiritual Material they eat was getting more expensive, but didn’t you know the sect has a contract with the mine? No matter how much the price rises on the open market, it doesn’t affect them."
Amid the cries of sorrow, there was also gloating, and a few people even burst into loud laughter. The crowd was a mix of every possible reaction.
"Fellow Daoists! I have twenty pick-up orders for the Native Rhinoceros Beetle. I’m a bit short on cash and can’t wait the two months until delivery. Is anyone interested in taking these off my hands? I’m reluctantly letting them go for Spirit Stones, and I guarantee there’s a profit to be made!"
"Congratulations on making the right bet, Fellow Daoist. Shall we step over here and discuss the details?"
The two of them immediately found a corner and began their negotiations.
Such a strange scene was a rare sight elsewhere, and it attracted the attention of two Cultivators who had just arrived. They called over a waiter and asked him directly:
"Buying and selling freely, prices rising and falling—that’s all normal. But there seems to be more to it here. Do you know what’s going on?"
The waiter was only a mortal and didn’t dare be careless when questioned by a Cultivator. He answered quickly:
"To answer your question, Immortal Masters, these are sales contracts. The sect’s Spirit Beasts are a great value, but the supply is limited. So, they established a rule: pay with Spirit Stones first, take delivery later.
"Somehow, it evolved into this. Many Immortal Masters get a contract, and if the price of the Spirit Insect they bought goes up the next month, they just sell the contract to someone else. They can earn a quick profit in Spirit Stones without ever having to make the delivery trip themselves. That’s how it turned into what you see now."
The waiter was clearly used to explaining this, as he spoke articulately and with a natural air.