Main Business Direction

All of them were essential resources for cultivators, yet the prices were far lower than those offered by the sect caravans from the cultivation world, which only came by once in a long while!

What was more, those caravans from the cultivation world had never offered them a lower price just because they bought in bulk. No matter how much they wanted, the price remained the same: take it or leave it.

For a moment, Venerable Xunfang’s thoughts raced. However, the young cultivator across from him did not give him much time to think. He smiled politely at Venerable Xunfang and the Second Elder beside him.

“You two may take these two lists to the reception room next door, on the right, and discuss them carefully. Once you’ve made your selections, bring the lists back, and you can sign the order forms.”

Hearing this, Venerable Xunfang gathered his thoughts, nodded, and rose. “Very well.”

As the two from the Chixiao Sect stood and left, a disciple of Qingyun Peak immediately called out toward the entrance in a clear voice, “Next!”

The two people waiting behind the Chixiao Sect hurried inside.

“Han Shangyi, Sect Master of the Qinghe Sect, renting one shop, with one list each for incoming and outgoing goods!” Before Han Shangyi had even taken his seat, Elder Lü beside him hurriedly announced their request on behalf of their sect master.

The conversation between Li Zhouxuan and the two people from the Chixiao Sect had not been concealed by any soundproofing technique, so all the high-level cultivators waiting outside had heard every word clearly.

Thus, starting with the Qinghe Sect, the process moved much more quickly.

Before long, all the sects and imperial clans that had come had received their shop vouchers and the lists of goods to be imported and exported through Xiushui City.

They all went to the reception room next door on the right. Some cast soundproofing spells around themselves, while others communicated through divine sense. They then carefully discussed matters with the people who had accompanied them.

Although these cultivators had remained in Xiushui City during the past few days, they had not simply been sitting around doing nothing. Some had sent people back, while others had sent messages, to take stock of their sect or clan’s stores, financial resources, and available manpower for producing various goods.

Therefore, after receiving the lists today, they quickly determined which types of orders they could accept and in what quantities.

However, they remained quite cautious about the purchasing list. They did not place massive orders merely because Xiushui City’s prices were so reasonable.

Even with the example of the Li imperial clan and the three great sects before them, the other sects and imperial clans still had doubts about whether they would truly receive the full payment for their orders as promised.

After all, previously, only the production of the Pu Si Kingdom had been involved. Now so many more forces had been added. Xiushui City might have a good reputation, but what if it could not absorb the quantity of goods they produced in such a short time? What if Xiushui City delayed paying them?

The spirit stones in their sects’ treasuries could not be used lightly.

As a result, fewer people checked items and filled in quantities on the sales list Li Zhouxuan had given them. Even those with considerable resources mostly selected only a few things their sects needed most, and they entered fairly small quantities.

The three great sects and the Li imperial clan were the exceptions.

Apart from retaining some spirit stones for emergencies, they spent heavily on the list. They purchased all kinds of crafting materials and cultivation resources in enormous quantities.

If they had not already spent so much at the auction a few days earlier, they could probably have doubled even their current purchases.

The various spiritual plant seeds that the Qinghe Sect had bought earlier had already been sent back to the sect. Lingxian Sect had even dispatched specialized disciples from its spirit-field group to teach them how to cultivate the plants.

After everyone had finished filling out their lists and returned them to Li Zhouxuan, they went to the shop-leasing office next door to sign their shop rental contracts.

Before signing the contracts, they first had to draw lots.

A long street had its beginning, its end, and everything in between. Since they were opening shops, everyone naturally wanted the storefronts at the more conspicuous ends of the street.

But now they had no choice and could only leave it to luck.

Although there were many rogue cultivators in the mortal world, high-level cultivators were exceedingly rare. Most rogue cultivators had left their sects and returned to live among ordinary mortals after realizing that they had little hope of advancing in cultivation.

The spirit stones they had accumulated in their sects would only dwindle after they left. Every stone spent was one less remaining.

Thus, while the sects and imperial clans had taken shops in Xiushui City’s commercial district partly to earn the few spirit stones held by these rogue cultivators, they were even more focused on the cultivators from the many other sects and imperial clans that had failed to secure a supply channel for Xiushui City’s goods.

That was an enormous market!

Xiushui City’s selling prices were low. Once they accepted orders today, returned home to complete them, and received their first payment next month, they would immediately be able to purchase goods from Xiushui City at wholesale prices and put them up for sale in their own shops.

Furthermore, once they had spirit stones, they could purchase raw materials and produce items in bulk according to their sects’ unique secret recipes—assuming they had any.

However…

“Do you all have any thoughts about what your shops should specialize in?” In the reception room, Venerable Xunfang removed the soundproofing spell surrounding himself and the Second Elder and asked this question.

After signing the shop rental contracts, they had not left the trading affairs center immediately. Instead, they had gathered once more in the reception room to discuss matters. This time, however, they were not communicating exclusively within their own groups; from time to time, they also exchanged a few words with the other sects and imperial clans.

When the renowned Venerable Xunfang of the Chixiao Sect asked this, everyone was momentarily confused.

“What exactly does Chixiao Sect Master mean?” someone asked.

Venerable Xunfang did not beat around the bush. He spoke frankly.

“Since we’re opening shops, we’ll need each one to have its own distinguishing feature—perhaps a signature treasure or some goods sold exclusively by that shop. It wouldn’t do for all of us to open a whole street of general stores, each selling the same things with a little of everything. In the end, we’d only end up slashing our own profits to compete for customers. That would hardly be a healthy way to develop. Wouldn’t you agree?”

After hearing this, everyone mulled it over before nodding in agreement.

Venerable Xunfang glanced toward the entrance of the reception room before continuing.

“Since Xiushui City intends to establish a stable commercial district, I imagine they won’t allow us to engage in vicious price wars with one another. In that case, why don’t we be straightforward from the very beginning and discuss each shop’s main business here? That way, we can coexist harmoniously in the commercial district later.”

“Chixiao Sect Master is absolutely right.”

“That’s exactly how it should be,” everyone said in agreement.

Although the foundations of their various sects differed, most of them had one or two skills in which they could claim some degree of expertise. Dividing up their specialties in this way would not cause any problems.

However, when it came to deciding what each of them should primarily sell, they could not come up with any ideas immediately. They had never considered such matters before. They had only planned to purchase goods from Lingxian Sect, fill their shops, and mark up the prices slightly above their cost.

At that moment, a soft and melodious voice drifted into everyone’s ears.

“Our Luoshen Mountain Sect specializes in crafting talismans, and we also possess several ancestral talismans that may reasonably be called exclusive products. We shall make talismans our main business. If any other fellow sects also intend to specialize in talismans, perhaps we can discuss dividing up the various branches.”