Negotiation (Part II)

Therefore, for these cultivators stranded in the mortal realm, resources for both cultivation and spell battles were severely lacking.

If the Lingxian Sect could truly provide what they needed...

Then it had to be said that the Lingxian Sect could be considered a massive turning point to improve their cultivation lives.

The reason Li Zhouxuan was already seventy to eighty percent convinced by Qin Jianghe's words, believing they could indeed provide these items and that their quality was guaranteed, was because of the messages their ancestor, Li Zhanying, had sent back several times before.

When Li Zhanying first arrived at Xiushui Village, he witnessed their battle with Wei Hai. Later, he saw their diverse array of spells, the grand mountain-protecting formation, the Path of Heart-Questioning, and other high-level existences that were either completely absent in the mortal realm or only existed in extremely low-grade versions.

The dazzling fireworks filling the sky on New Year's Eve, the irrigation and planting spells secretly cast by Lingxian Sect disciples in the farmlands late at night, and the spiritual food sold at the Lingxian Eatery.

And so on and so forth.

During his stay in Xiushui Village, Li Zhanying deeply realized the fact that the Lingxian Sect was incredibly wealthy.

Naturally, he would not widely broadcast this matter and make enemies for the Lingxian Sect.

Nor did he harbor any extravagant hopes of claiming the Lingxian Sect for himself.

He had seen clearly how Wei Hai had died and his Dao erased.

Even if he told other sects and had them join forces to attack the Lingxian Sect, what benefit would it bring to their Li royal family? On the contrary, it might only fatten those sects, making the royal family appear even weaker by comparison.

Rather than doing that, it was better to simply maintain a stable and good relationship with the Lingxian Sect in complete peace of mind. He did not seek to take advantage of them for free; as long as they could provide the royal family with channels to access more possibilities in cultivation, it would be more than enough.

Moreover, after observing for so long, Li Zhanying could see that the Lingxian Sect was not an arrogant or domineering sect. On the contrary, it was very friendly, very willing to be close to others, and highly trustworthy.

Because of this, Li Zhouxuan, influenced by Li Zhanying, naturally believed seventy to eighty percent of Qin Jianghe's words the moment he heard them.

Prime Minister Meng was somewhat surprised to hear such deep trust for the Lingxian Sect in the Emperor's words. However, he had also caught wind of the Li family ancestor's trip and brief stay in Xiushui Village.

Thinking of this, he seemed to understand.

It appeared that the Lingxian Sect had deeply earned the trust of the royal family.

But since a Nascent Soul ancestor of the royal family had vouched for them, Prime Minister Meng would not doubt it any further.

When it came to interacting with cultivators, the imperial court generally always deferred to the intentions of the Li royal family.

Hearing Li Zhouxuan's inquiry, Liu Yunan, whose sleeve had just been tugged by Qin Jianghe, took over the conversation:

Please rest assured, Your Majesty, our sect's supply channels are absolutely stable.

After all, they made everything themselves. Even if their sect did not have time to make them, they could always import goods from the cultivation world.

Furthermore, this way, they could conduct transactions on both ends when traveling back and forth to the cultivation world, ensuring the travel expenses would not feel like a waste.

He then continued to answer Li Zhouxuan:

We can provide quite a wide variety of supplies. We can draft a manifest another day. Of course, if you and the Three Great Sects need anything not on the manifest, we can also try to procure it. As for the grade, please be assured that it will absolutely make your spirit stones worth the price.

Saying this, Liu Yunan gave them a standard smile.

Then, under the table, he tugged on Qin Jianghe's sleeve, signaling that it was his turn.

Qin Jianghe had no choice but to cough lightly and quickly take over the conversation:

Moreover, if the royal family and the imperial court show enough sincerity, we can let you take full charge of the transactions with the Three Great Sects. Our Lingxian Sect does not need to show its face, and you will not need to tell the Three Great Sects who is providing the goods.

Hearing this, both Li Zhouxuan and Prime Minister Meng were extremely astonished.

After a few breaths of astonishment came wild ecstasy.

Prime Minister Meng's eyes widened as he looked at Qin Jianghe:

Immortal, are your words true?

Li Zhouxuan also stared fixedly at Qin Jianghe, seemingly afraid that if he looked away for even a second, the other party might go back on his word.

Even Liu Yunan seemed not to have expected him to say this, shooting him a somewhat surprised glance.

However, knowing that Qin Jianghe must have thought this through and deemed it beneficial to the sect to say so, he did not speak up, merely waiting silently for what was to come.

If the Lingxian Sect was truly willing to hide behind the scenes and hand over full authority for communicating and negotiating the transactions with the Three Great Sects to the royal family and the imperial court, it would essentially mean they held the supply line for the Three Great Sects. In the future, the royal family and the imperial court's authority and speaking power would be vastly higher than it was today.

Hearing his incredulous question, Qin Jianghe nodded:

Naturally, it is true. However, as I said, this requires the royal family and the imperial court to show sufficient sincerity.

Suppressing the impatience in his heart, Li Zhouxuan looked at him with burning eyes and said:

May I ask what kind of sincerity your noble sect requires from our royal family and the imperial court?

Yet, Qin Jianghe unhurriedly picked up the teacup in front of him, took a light sip, and then gave them a faint smile:

Such a major matter naturally needs to be discussed slowly. We are not in a rush at this moment. The two of us will be staying in the capital for some time anyway. Why don't we first talk about the specific details of this low-price friendship sponsorship for the imperial court and the Three Great Sects?

Hearing this, Li Zhouxuan and Prime Minister Meng finally seemed to realize they had acted a bit too excitedly. The current situation on the field was now completely in the grasp of the young immortal Qin sitting opposite them.

The two men, who normally had more schemes in their hearts than holes in a sieve, could only smile bitterly to themselves.

But it could not be helped. After all, for the royal family and the imperial court, which had always been in a weaker position compared to the Three Great Sects all year round, the temptation of this matter was simply too great.

Moreover, the supply source that both the royal family and the Three Great Sects so desperately desired was in the hands of the Lingxian Sect. Being led by the nose was unavoidable.

Li Zhouxuan collected his thoughts, sorted out his emotions, sat up straight in his chair, and let out a light breath:

The Immortal's words are reasonable. Right now, the crusade against the Huanyou Kingdom is urgent, and we should indeed discuss this matter first.

Prime Minister Meng also quickly put away his emotions and added:

May I ask what supplies your noble sect can provide, as well as the expected prices? We will gather the leaders of the Three Great Sects to come and discuss this tomorrow.

Hearing this, Liu Yunan took out the list he had compiled over the past few days. A eunuch standing nearby respectfully took it and presented it to the Emperor and Prime Minister Meng for their review.

No one was clearer about these items than Liu Yunan, who handled and recorded all the sect's large and small affairs every day.

Even Qin Jianghe could not compare.

Therefore, he had organized all these things over the past few days in the capital.

The next day, the leaders stationed at the capital residences of the Three Great Sects within the imperial city all set off and entered the imperial palace.