102: Merchant ships arrive

Gao De's strategy of motivating Human Cultivators with precious resources like the foundation establishment pill was like throwing a pebble into a calm Lake, the ripple effect continuing to spread.

The hearts of those on Qianjiao Cliff became visibly more united.

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It was no longer just submission forced by demonic might, but more of an initiative to strive for their own Dao path.

In the Alchemy room where Pill Star Child was located, the furnace fire never went out day or night.

To accumulate enough merit to exchange for the "Jade Condensation Pill" that could help him break through the Foundation Establishment Late Stage Bottleneck, he was almost working himself to the bone. He not only tried his best to improve the success rate of standard Medicinal Pills like the "Beast Blood Pill," but even began to delve into some incomplete Pill Formula left behind by the Green Wave Sect, hoping to make a Breakthrough and achieve a "great merit."

His Alchemy apprentices were also full of energy, hoping that one day they would accumulate enough merit to exchange for a foundation establishment pill.

The spiritual planters in the herb garden were no longer simply completing their daily chores.

They organized themselves spontaneously to exchange planting experiences, carefully attempting grafting and cultivation, hoping to improve the quality or yield of the Spiritual Plant, in order to obtain an "excellent" rating in the quarterly evaluation and exchange for Medicinal Pills like the "Origin Condensation Pill" to assist in Cultivation.

Even the Disciples responsible for mining were pondering how to improve mining methods to increase efficiency without damaging the vein.

The managers of the workshop were racking their brains thinking about how to attract more merchants and increase transaction volume, because according to the regulations set by Turtle Three Thousand, the profits of the workshop were directly linked to their personal merit.

The most direct effect of this top-down enthusiasm was the steady increase in the output of various industries on Qianjiao Cliff, and the accumulation speed of Spirit Stone and supplies was significantly accelerated.

Turtle Three Thousand recorded these changes in detail and reported them to Gao De regularly.

"Master, according to the current progress, by the time the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce flying ship arrives, we should be able to accumulate a considerable amount of Spirit Stone. The warehouse has also sorted out many Magical Artifact and Spiritual Plant materials that are of decent quality but of little use to our Water Mansion, which can be used for trading," Turtle Three Thousand reported.

Gao De was coiled above the spirit cave of the Water Mansion, with thunder light faintly flowing around his body.

He nodded slightly, not surprised by this result. The power of human hearts, when directed correctly, could often erupt with astonishing energy.

"Very good. The implementation of the merit details must be fair, with clear rewards and punishments, and no personal bias allowed. This is the foundation of maintaining human hearts," Gao De emphasized. He knew deeply that establishing a relatively fair order was far more long-lasting and stable than relying solely on military deterrence.

"This subordinate understands and will strictly follow the rules set by Master," Turtle Three Thousand replied solemnly.

However, there were undercurrents beneath the calm.

This day, Shrimp No Shadow came to report, his tone carrying a hint of gravity.

"Master, the eyes and ears we planted in the workshop and surrounding areas have discovered that some unfamiliar faces have recently been inquiring about the truth of our Qianjiao Cliff, especially showing great interest in you, Master... and the specific process of the destruction of the Green Wave Sect. Among them, a few have obscure auras, not like ordinary Loose Cultivator, but rather like those with some background."

Gao De narrowed his jiao pupils: "Have you found the source?"

"The other party is very cautious and difficult to track. All the lists in the vicinity are suspicious, but from the perspective of the sphere of influence, it is very likely... from the Red Glow Sect." Shrimp No Shadow whispered.

The Red Glow Sect was a Golden Core Sect second only to the former Green Wave Sect in the surrounding area.

The destruction of the Green Wave Sect and the power and interest vacuum left behind obviously made this neighbor unable to sit still.

They sent people to investigate, not only out of fear of Gao De, this newly risen Yao King, but probably also out of some temptation and covetousness.

"Continue to monitor and figure out their intentions. Do not disturb the snake for now," Gao De ordered.

He needed time to develop now and did not want to cause extra trouble. As long as the Red Glow Sect did not take the initiative to provoke, he would maintain the status quo.

But at the same time, he also realized that the defensive power of Qianjiao Cliff needed to be further strengthened.

The Demon Soldiers trained by Crab Eighteen were more than enough to deal with ordinary petty thieves, but if they faced an organized Sect force, especially a Sect with a Golden Core Cultivator, they would appear thin.

Gao De summoned Crab Eighteen and Turtle Three Thousand.

"There are enemies moving around outside. Although there is no major problem for now, we must be prepared. Crab Eighteen, intensify the Demon Soldiers training by another three points, focusing on the defensive and counter-attack changes of the 'Mysterious Water Covering Sea Formation'. Turtle Three Thousand, the defensive Formation of Qianjiao Cliff should be strengthened as soon as possible based on the original Green Wave Sect foundation, combined with the experience of the Water Mansion Formation. Priority will be given to the allocation of required resources."

"This subordinate obeys!" The two Yao replied in unison.

Gao De himself focused more on improving his own strength. The potential external pressure made his desire for power more urgent.

At the same time, his comprehension of the "Reversal Scale Dragon Transformation Chapter" deepened by another layer. Although he had not truly practiced the dangerous "Inducing Tribulation Body Tempering" method, the "erupting under pressure" Concept it contained had gradually integrated into his fighting style and the operation of his Demonic Power, adding a touch of sharpness and decisiveness to his Purple Lightning.

Time passed quietly in such orderly accumulation, cautious vigilance, and unremitting Cultivation.

Qianjiao Cliff and the Deep Pool Water Mansion were like a slowly and firmly beating heart, constantly absorbing nutrients from the surroundings and strengthening itself.

Gao De was like a patient hunter, and also like a diligent farmer, guarding the existing foundation while silently accumulating strength, waiting for the opportunities brought by the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce, or... dealing with the storm that might suddenly arrive one day in the future.

A year of time passed in a flash.

The Deep Pool Water Mansion in Dongting Lake and Qianjiao Cliff were accumulating strength in stability.

Thanks to sufficient resources and battle Formation training, core members like Crab Eighteen and Shrimp No Shadow had stabilized at the Second Order Mid-Stage. Several Second Order water tribe Yao generals who came to join out of admiration were added, making the middle-level strength under Gao De much more solid.

In contrast, the changes in Human Cultivators were not very obvious.

A year was indeed short for a Cultivator. The accumulated merit was still a long way from exchanging for resources like the foundation establishment pill that could bring qualitative changes, so no new Foundation Establishment Cultivator appeared.

However, their enthusiasm had been fully mobilized, and the operational efficiency of various industries far exceeded the past, accumulating considerable Spirit Stone and supplies for Gao De.

Gao De's own improvement was the most significant change in this year.

Inside the Dantian, the dragon pearl fossil had been further refined by his flood dragon pearl. The flood dragon pearl had grown from the size of a thumb initially to the size of an egg today, its color becoming deeper, and the circulating Dragon Qi was even more pure and majestic.

Nourished by this, his Purple Lightning Flood Dragon Bloodline concentration steadily increased, approaching the 9% threshold, and it seemed that only a suitable opportunity was missing to break through to the Third Order Mid-Stage. The thunder aura faintly appearing around his body became more condensed, and the might of the Dragon became more profound day by day.

This day, the scheduled itinerary on the Heavenly Secret Realm finally approached.

Gao De handed over the affairs of the Water Mansion and Qianjiao Cliff to be jointly managed by Turtle Three Thousand and Crab Iron Wall, and left behind emergency contact secret codes.

Subsequently, he transformed into a Half-Jiaoren form, restrained most of his Demonic Qi, and only brought the carefully selected Spirit Stone and supplies for trading, including the unused gloomy blue small shield, the black long spear, and some special Spiritual Plant materials from the mines and Water Mansion, and quietly left the Dongting waters, along the Tongtian River, rushing towards the "Sanchuan Workshop" at the intersection of the three countries of Wu, Yue, and Chu.

Sanchuan Workshop, as the name suggests, was located on the plain formed by the confluence of three water systems. Relying on its unique geographical location and the "neutral" status tacitly approved by all parties, it had developed into a prosperous place with a large scale and mixed dragons and snakes.

Buildings stood in great numbers, shops lined up like scales, and Cultivators came and went in an endless stream. The strength of their auras varied, and figures of Human Race, Yao Race, and even other alien races could be seen. The air was filled with the complex auras intertwined with various Spiritual Plant materials, Medicinal Pills, and Talisman, as well as a mood of restlessness and anticipation.

Gao De's arrival did not cause too much of a stir.

The Half-Yao form was not common here, but it was by no means rare.

He found an inn near the center of the workshop with a wide view and stayed there, waiting quietly.

A few days later, a long humming sound came from the sky, like the low breathing of some behemoth.

All Cultivators in the workshop looked up in unison.

I saw the clouds in the distant sky broken, and a giant building ship that was unimaginably huge slowly sailed over!

The hull was forged from unknown spiritual wood and metal, emitting a dim luster. The hull was carved with nine dragon patterns of various shapes, surrounded by auspicious clouds, which was the logo of the Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce.

Runes flowed around the building ship, forming an invisible protective cover, and the Spiritual Pressure emitted made all the Cultivators below feel palpitations. It did not land, but hovered a thousand feet above Sanchuan Workshop, casting a shadow that almost covered half of the workshop, like a floating immortal mountain.

Immediately afterwards, several streams of light shot down from the flying ship and fell into the square in the center of the workshop that had been cleared.

When the light dissipated, dozens of chamber of commerce deacons and guards wearing uniform Dharma robes and with capable auras appeared.

They quickly began to set up temporary venues, building beautiful exhibition stands and separated private rooms, with astonishing efficiency.

At the same time, a magnificent voice came from the flying ship, resounding throughout the entire Sanchuan Workshop: "Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce, patrolling here, staying for three days! The trading venue is open, those interested can enter in order! Specific rules and a list of some auction items have been publicized outside the venue!"

The workshop instantly boiled! Countless Cultivators rushed towards the central square like a tide.

Gao De mixed in the crowd, his eyes calmly sweeping over the floating giant ship, feeling its majestic aura and craftsmanship that far exceeded the mundane, and he couldn't help but sigh at the handwriting of such a large chamber of commerce.

He did not rush to the front, but first came to the publicity area, carefully browsing the huge list transformed by spiritual light.

The list listed hundreds of rare items, from Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasure, Cultivation Technique to Spiritual Plant materials and strange items, many of which were rare boutiques within the three countries.

Gao De's gaze swept quickly, and finally stayed on a line:

"Fourth Order Yao Beast (Baxia Bloodline) remains, one piece of carapace, attached with symbiotic ancient stele fragments. Contains the power of the earth vein and Dragon Clan essence, can be used for Artifact Refining, comprehension, starting price: 300,000 Spirit Stone, or equivalent value."

It was here!

Gao De's eyes narrowed slightly.

This baxia carapace was, as expected before, a good "tonic" for him, which could accelerate the tempering of his Bloodline, but it was not indispensable.

The key was to see if the final transaction price was within his acceptable range.

He silently estimated the value of the Spirit Stone he brought and the treasures prepared for barter, and already had a bottom line in his heart.

If it exceeded this bottom line, he would decisively give up and turn his target to other items on the list that might be beneficial to his own or his power's development.

"Let's go and see what the auction of this Nine Dragons Chamber of Commerce is like." Gao De tidied up his robes and walked towards the auction venue that was temporarily built but already looked magnificent, following the crowd.

He knew that this auction was not only a contest of wealth, but also an excellent opportunity to observe various forces and obtain information.