C914 A Brilliant Move
The grand trade fair nestled among the peaks of the Terror Claws would span only five days. After this period, both the Otherkin from the extraterrestrial domains and local cultivators were required to depart. During these five days, neither group would be charged a single soulstone. However, at the next fair, a certain number of soulstones would be collected from each participant, the exact amount yet to be determined.
"Inside, there are many extraterrestrial rare treasures at incredibly low prices!"
"Pei Tianji acquired a vine of the Astral Creeper for fifty thousand soulstones! And the Black Thorn wood is an absolute steal!"
"We have just five days. If we miss out, who knows when the next opportunity will come?"
"I can't wait any longer! Even if it means taking a risk, I must go in!"
"..."
People gathered at the outskirts of the mountains, abuzz with conversation and indecision, yet one by one, they made their way into the Terror Claws. As some led the way, others quickly followed suit. Before long, those who had been hesitating at the mountain's edge had all trickled in.
From his vantage point atop Fiendpeak, Yu Yuan listened to their exchanges, his presence concealed by the shadows. He sharply intuited the shifts in their sentiments. It was clear to him what President Lyi's strategy entailed. By orchestrating this magnificent trade fair, President Lyi had given the local cultivators of the Everlands a taste of success, revealing how they could acquire numerous rare treasures for a fraction of their worth.
He illuminated the underlying reasons why the items they had previously seen at the Skyreach Consortium were so costly. President Lyi had sown a seed in their minds...
Once the trade fair concluded, word of the transactions within the Terror Claws would swiftly spread throughout the Everlands, thanks to the attendees from Colddeath, Taintborn, Obsidian Thunder Sect, Artifact Sect, Forgeroses, and various other lesser-known sects.
In due course, the seven lower sects of Euwrea, the Ruby Hand, the Skyblight Cult, and other such powers would all be privy to the details of what transpired at the Terror Claws. The revelation that rare treasures and precious materials from the Star River could be obtained at such low prices was sure to cause an uproar!
Individuals like Pei Tianji and Liang Mo would undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting the next grand opening of the trade fair!
When the time comes, they'll gladly pay the steep price in soulstones.
President Lyi, at the next exchange, you'll be able to reap substantial benefits from them and the Otherkin.
Next time, even more sects and independent cultivators will be clamoring to attend.
President Lyi has effortlessly divided them, transforming their centuries-old ideologies completely.
"What a masterful strategy," Yu Yuan admired with great respect.
He could already envision the next gathering, a daunting spectacle of Otherkin and local cultivators packed like sardines amidst the mountains.
"Tsk tsk."
Zhongli Dapan squinted his eyes, observing the now excited crowd, and remarked, "If I were part of the three upper sects, Devil Palace, or Shadow's Keep, I'd be worried too. To keep the situation from spiraling out of control, I might just make an example of someone, eliminating those who dare to enter the Terror Claws to deter others!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Yuan's face took on a hint of concern.
He realized that the scenes he had witnessed through the Fallen Star Eyes were a direct result of this trade fair.
Due to President Lyi and Boulderdawn's cunning plan, the five supreme powers were forced to resort to violence, compelling Colddeath, Taintborn, and Obsidian Thunder Sect to suffer the consequences.
Only by such means could President Lyi ensure that the next fair wouldn't be overwhelmed by the current frenzy.
At that moment, the mountain peak was nearly deserted.
Shi Yuxuan, Qin Yun, Tong Laoqian, and even the ghosts from the Land of Terror had all made their way to the valley palace, mingling with the Otherkin.
Chen Langzhi, Rong Xun, Xie Bin, and Lee Yu hurriedly sought out magic items that would aid their cultivation.
Zhongli Dapan was one of the few remaining on the peak, standing with a casual demeanor, sharing tales of the outside world in a nonchalant manner.
He explained that the sects, led by the five supreme powers, had always followed the same approach as Beru described, seizing the Otherkin's Domain resources by force.
The human race had a notoriously poor reputation deep within the Star River.
Many Otherkin deeply despised the human cultivators who traveled through the cosmos. Upon encountering them, the Otherkin would often unite in a tacit agreement to ambush and eliminate the human cultivators.
"The strong prey upon the weak; it has always been so."
Zhongli Dapan spoke with an air of indifference, "Before the Human Race reached its zenith, when the Nagas dominated the world, the Otherkin from the depths of the Star River behaved in the same manner. But as we grew stronger, with the rise of Solar Spirit, Unbound, and Primordial Spirit experts, the tables turned."
His demeanor suggested he held little regard for the directives of the five supreme sects or the ideals of President Lyi.
With a whoosh, the portly Zhou You landed with a chuckle and warmly greeted Zhongli Dapan.
They had been cellmates in Sword Prison and knew each other well.
"Mr. Zhou, the Skyreach Consortium has made quite a killing. Might I partake in the profits?" Yu Yuan asked eagerly. "Those magic items you stockpiled in the extraterrestrial realm were cheap at the time of purchase, but now in the Everlands, they're worth a fortune. Mr. Yan mentioned I'm entitled to a share."
Free trade was just one aspect of this magnificent event.
Those who best understood the native cultivators of the Everlands were, of course, cultivators like President Lyi and Zhou You, who hailed from there.
They had been preparing well in advance, and the rare treasures on display across the various regions were not like the Astral Creeper or Black Thorn—items that were inexpensive in the extraterrestrial Star River but highly sought after in the Everlands.
The items showcased within the grand buildings were also extraordinary finds from the extraterrestrial Star River.
In the Everlands, these items were even scarcer and often fetched exorbitant prices.
Moreover, there were many unique items akin to the Phaseblossom, indigenous to the Everlands, available for the Otherkin from extraterrestrial realms to purchase.
The new consortium stood to make a staggering amount of soulstone from this venture.
Yu Yuan couldn't help but feel envious.
"Our earnings are meticulously itemized, and Mr. Yan will have the opportunity to review them afterward," Zhou You said with a slight smile. "Frankly, Mr. Yan represents Boulderdawn, and it's Boulderdawn that takes the lion's share. Our consortium merely profits modestly by their side."
"Little money?" Yu Yuan's smile took on a peculiar twist.
"The Star-Spawned Terrors and the Otherkin you see in the Everlands are here because of the martial assurance provided by the Boulderdawn," Zhou You explained, gesturing towards the foreign guests. "The Colddeath, Taintborn, Artifact Sect, Land of Terror, and those from the Godsblight Marsh are also here because of the Boulderdawn. Consequently, we owe 80% of our total earnings from this trade fair to the Boulderdawn."
"As to how Mr. Yan will distribute your share, that's beyond our purview."
Zhou You unveiled the intricacies of the arrangement.
Zhongli Dapan nodded in agreement, "I must say, the distribution seems quite equitable."
Without the Boulderdawn's support, the nascent Skyreach Consortium, lacking a primordial spirit in the Star River, would find President Lyi's grand ambitions difficult to realize.
Any primordial spirit from one of the three great upper sects, or a Dark Deity from Shadow's Keep, could easily lay waste to this place if they chose to intervene.
The success of this event hinges on the presence of Boulderdawn's titans and the Otherkin chieftains, who together have fostered this grand exchange.
"Who is Yu Yuan?!"
A girl with sparkling eyes and a radiant smile materialized within the teleportation circle, her presence commanding attention.
No sooner had she arrived than she began to call out loudly, "And who goes by the name Chen Langzhi?"
"At last, you've arrived!"
Chen Langzhi's eyes sparkled as he eagerly approached to welcome her with an ingratiating grin.
"Who might she be?" Yu Yuan asked, taken aback.
"Hmm?" Zhongli Dapan narrowed his eyes and let out a sly chuckle, "The saintess of the Dawnbringers is also here to partake in the trade fair. She's quite bold."
"Dawnbringers!"
Yu Yuan's memory was jogged; Chen Liangquan had asked him to keep an eye on the Dawnbringers' envoy before his departure.
At the time, Chen Liangquan appeared somewhat resigned, as though he was aware that the visitor might prove to be a handful.
