Wang Hong had fought twice on the Life and Death Platform recently, acquiring two impressive Spiritual Weapons. During his first battle with Gao Ru, he damaged Gao Ru's two lower-grade Spiritual Weapons.
He still needed to gather some refining tool materials and have a refining tool master work on them to repair these weapons.
Regretting this for a long time, Wang Hong's current concern was providing his subordinates with Spiritual Weapon equipment.
Many things couldn't be bought with just Spirit Stones. In Boundary City, to equip nine people, he had to co-host an auction with Qingxu Tower to gather the necessary materials.
If he were to train his thirty-odd people to the Foundation Building stage and equip them uniformly, he didn't know where he'd find all the required materials.
There was also Liu Changsheng to consider. He had recruited fifteen youths who would also need Spiritual Weapons in the future.
"East Master, the Spirit Grain planted in our spirit fields has been harvested once during your travels. We gathered 3,200 kilograms, used 300 for seeding, leaving 2,900. How should we handle this surplus?"
Xu Lun, responsible for logistics, reported this to Wang Hong, seeing that he had some free time.
"Give 300 kilograms to Skinny Monkey to try brewing some Spirit Wine. Let's see if he can make second-tier Spirit Wine. The rest can be distributed for everyone to eat; this Spirit Grain is quite effective in enhancing cultivation levels."
Each grain of this Spirit Grain contained spiritual energy equivalent to a third of a Condensing Qi Pill and was easier to consume and absorb than pills.
If they could produce second-tier Spirit Wine, they could plant this grain on a large scale every ten years, significantly reducing costs compared to using second-tier spirit fruits.
"Alright, I'll see to it," Xu Lun said, turning to leave. Wang Hong stopped him again.
"Also, send another challenge to the Gao Family. This matter isn't settled yet."
Wang Hong planned to mimic the Gao Family's tactics, sending people to cause trouble at their shop daily if they refused the challenge.
After Xu Lun left, a subordinate reported a visitor at the door.
"East Master, a Foundation Building cultivator named Ye Tao requests an audience."
"Did he mention his purpose?"
Wang Hong was surprised, as he knew few Foundation Building cultivators in Azure Void City, certainly none named Ye.
"He only mentioned urgent business," the subordinate replied.
"Alright, bring him in."
Soon, the subordinate escorted in a late-stage Foundation Building cultivator.
"Junior Brother Wang, I'm Ye Tao from Heavenly Authority Peak. I've long heard of your reputation but never had the chance to meet. I hope you don't mind my visit."
Ye Tao, a Qingxu Sect Disciple, introduced himself upon entering.
Ye Tao was a skilled conversationalist. After some small talk, they got along well.
It turned out Ye Tao was a cultivator from the Ye family in Azure Void City, a disciple of a Golden Core Elder in the Qingxu Sect.
After a while, Ye Tao finally broached the main subject.
"Junior Brother Wang, my visit today is on behalf of someone else." "Oh! May I know the reason that requires Senior Brother Ye to make a personal visit?"
Wang Hong asked with some interest.
It turned out that Ye Tao's family, the Ye family, had a long-standing relationship with the Gao Family. The Gao Family, having suffered a significant loss, wanted to concede defeat but feared that Wang Hong wouldn't agree. Hence, they spent a considerable sum to have Ye Tao mediate.
"To show their sincerity, the Gao Family is willing to give their largest shop to Junior Brother Wang as an apology, hoping to turn hostility into friendship," Ye Tao explained, noting that Wang Hong hadn't immediately refused and was considering the offer.
Wang Hong was familiar with the shops operated by the Gao Family, having planned retaliation against them. The Gao Family's largest shop, located on a bustling street, was much bigger than Zhao's Pill Shop both in geographical location and scale. The Gao Family was indeed making a substantial sacrifice.
Seeing Wang Hong's non-committal response, Ye Tao continued persuasively, "Junior Brother Wang, although there's conflict between you and the Gao Family, it's just over business interests. After the Gao Family injured two of your subordinates, you killed two of their Foundation Building cultivators. The feud has been avenged.
Our Ye family has long been allied with the Gao Family. Hence, I know of a secret fortune of the Gao Family."
Ye Tao paused briefly, sipping his Spirit Tea to pique Wang Hong's interest, before continuing:
"The previous head of the Gao Family owes a life debt to a Golden Core Elder of our Qingxu Sect. That Golden Core cultivator once promised to intervene twice should the Gao Family face a catastrophic disaster."
Hearing this, Wang Hong couldn't help but be moved. While he wasn't afraid of a late-stage Foundation Building supporter, a Golden Core cultivator's support was beyond his current ability to contend with.
After careful consideration, Wang Hong thought it best to end his retaliation against the Gao Family. If pushed too hard, the Gao Family could seek help from the Golden Core cultivator. Wang Hong's current strength wouldn't withstand a single blow from a Golden Core cultivator. Even with Gu Qingyang as his backer, annihilating the Gao Family was impossible.
Moreover, even without the Golden Core cultivator's promise, the Gao Family's wealth could still hire high-tier cultivators in a critical moment.
Eventually, Wang Hong agreed to the mediation and accepted the Gao Family's terms.
A day later, the Gao Family sent over the deed to the shop.
Wang Hong instructed Xu Lun to clean and organize the shop. The shop, facing the street, had five floors and included some auxiliary buildings. One of the halls could accommodate hundreds of people, suitable for small auctions.
Wang Hong decided to keep Zhao's Pill Shop running as usual and open a new Spiritual Herb shop here.
Given the large number of Qi Cultivation practitioners in Azure Void City, the first floor, with its vast space, would sell first-tier Spiritual Herbs and Spirit Pills.
The second floor would sell first-tier Spirit Wines. Spirit Wine, unlike Spirit Herbs and Spirit Pills, didn't have massive consumption but offered higher profits than selling pills.
The third floor would be for selling various second-tier Spiritual Objects. Although Wang Hong's current strength wasn't fully sufficient for mass selling these second-tier items, his recent victory over the Gao Family should deter any troublemakers in the short term.
In time, his subordinates would include dozens of Foundation Building cultivators, making him fearless.
Wang Hong planned to have Xu Lun manage this large shop. Xu Lun had been handling logistics for years, effectively serving as a chief steward and Wang Hong's right-hand man.
Wang Hong felt confident entrusting the management of this large shop to Xu Lun. The shop's Spirit Herbs and Pills would be supplied by the Immortal Way Trading Company, while Spirit Wine would be partially supplied by Skinny Monkey and the rest by the Immortal Realm Commerce Guild.
[Read at /shanefreak, and heartfelt thankyou for your support!]