485: Chapter 485 Down on His Luck

The various forces within the Azure Profound Sect targeting the Liu Clan Merchant Alliance this time were simply looking for an Opportunity to reap more benefits.

For the three major Sects, Liu Xuan's direct cooperation with the Nascent Soul True Lord Sect Master allowed him to bypass the smaller Sects below and unite to boycott other external Sects. Even if he hadn't brought out the thousand star flying sword, they could have still negotiated.

The purpose of bringing out the thousand star flying sword was to make the alliance firmer and quickly stabilize the general direction; at the same time, Liu Xuan couldn't be bothered to waste words negotiating with them.

The thousand star flying sword industry chain of the Liu Family Artifact Refining Workshop was gradually improving and would be the Liu Family's main profit-making business in the future. Releasing a portion of the Flying Swords now to build a reputation would surely allow for higher selling prices later.

“Brother, tell me honestly, what is the highest rank this thousand star flying sword can be synthesized to?”

After the three Nascent Soul True Lords left, Zhou Qingwei pulled Liu Xuan aside and asked with an expectant look on his old face.

The Artifact Refining Workshop's industry chain hadn't even been fully established, and only a few hundred swords had been refined in total.

With Liu Xuan suddenly producing thirty thousand swords, it was hard for Zhou Qingwei not to suspect there was some trickery involved.

Since the thousand star flying sword could aggregate a hundred swords to upgrade to Third-rank Low Grade, why couldn't it aggregate a thousand swords to upgrade to Third-rank Mid-grade? Or even higher?

As a Great Master of Artifact Refining, once Zhou Qingwei became familiar with the refinement of the thousand star flying sword, he could easily sense that its upper limit was definitely not as simple as Third-rank Low Grade.

“Brother Zhou is indeed wise!” Liu Xuan nodded and said, “That's right. The thousand star flying sword only needs a bit of ‘charm’ to break through the limits of Third-rank Low Grade and aggregate into a Third-rank Mid-grade Flying Sword.”

“As long as one can comprehend this bit of ‘charm’ and refine it, they can continue to aggregate upwards, reaching the level of a fourth-rank Low Grade Acquired Spirit Treasure.”

“A fourth-rank Low Grade Acquired Spirit Treasure!”

Zhou Qingwei's eyes glazed over. If what Liu Xuan said was true, it would be a major event enough to cause a sensation in Tiangong Immortal City!

Refining a single fourth-rank Low Grade Acquired Spirit Treasure was no big deal, but using a never-before-seen Artifact Refining technique to pioneer a new path capable of reaching the fourth rank—even the Lord of the Immortal City would likely be interested.

“Don't worry, Senior Brother. Once I've figured it out, I'll definitely teach you. We can earn money together!”

Liu Xuan patted the old man on the shoulder, first painting a big picture for him to encourage him to work hard.

Leaving the Star Palace, Liu Xuan found Shen Yunshu and put her in charge, along with Xiao Ran, Lu Ping, and the other women, of negotiating the specific commodity acquisitions and prices with the three Sects.

He then called over Lüluo and Bai Jie, putting them in charge of investigating the performance of the Merchant Alliance's upper management as well as any acts of favoritism or fraud. Those with good overall performance would be promoted, while those with poor performance would be dismissed.

Although the three Sects were cooperating with the Merchant Alliance, this was only enough to maintain its basic operations.

There were many Nascent Soul Sects within the borders of the Azure Profound Sect, and there were countless competitors within the Beast Taming Sect. Furthermore, the Demon Lord Chixia on the front lines had not been dealt with yet, so the Merchant Alliance's days would still not be easy in the near future.

However, Liu Xuan didn't want to interfere too much for the time being, treating it as losing a bit of money to temper the people under him.

The Merchant Alliance was established to serve the Liu Family, not to support a group of useless people.

Liu Xuan had invested time and money in its development during the early stages to pave the way for his children.

Now that his children had not yet become the pillars of the Family, as long as the overall situation of the Merchant Alliance didn't collapse, a few difficulties were actually a good thing.

Once the situation had stabilized slightly, Liu Xuan had the Family's children go to various Vast Gathering Pavilions for experience as much as possible. Especially those adult offspring with relatively poor talent; they would certainly be managing the Merchant Alliance in the future, so now was a good time to temper them.

Compared to business losses, Liu Xuan cared more about the cultivation of his offspring. He equipped every child sent out with protective treasures and a luxurious guard team, and even asked Lüluo to arrange for specific people to secretly assess their actions. It could be said he was cultivating them regardless of the cost or price.

Being protected too well is not conducive to growth. Once the general arrangements were made, Liu Xuan stopped interfering and returned to his hard-working daily routine!

The front courtyard of the Liu Residence.

Fifth Senior Brother Song Shulian had come again. This time he didn't bring female students, but instead brought several volumes of portrait albums.

Back then, after he introduced Wen Zhihua and Lu Jingshu to Liu Xuan, Liu Xuan reciprocated by putting in many good words for him in front of True Lord Haoran, helping him secure a highly lucrative position that wasn't dangerous.

Consequently, this fellow had successively introduced several more high-quality academy female students of different styles to Liu Xuan.

That is, until Eldest Senior Sister Yun Miao caught him red-handed last time and beat him black and blue on the spot...

“Junior Brother Liu, take your time to appreciate them. These few are all top-grade, all fresh from the academy. If any catch your eye, I'll have them come over tomorrow.”

Song Shulian was already well-acquainted with Liu Xuan. As he spoke, he picked up the wine pot on the table and poured himself a drink, completely lacking his previous restraint.

“Don't worry, Junior Brother. The ones I've picked for you all have excellent talent, excellent character, and are perfectly clean. I guarantee they are all the types you like!”

After multiple interactions, Song Shulian had already learned Liu Xuan's preferences, and his selections were becoming increasingly precise.

“Not bad! Not bad!”

Judging solely from the portraits and records, Liu Xuan was indeed quite satisfied.

But as for whether to actually take them in, he would still have to meet them in person to feel them out and have a good chat.

Just as Liu Xuan was about to nod, An Yunmiao arrived, leading a destitute middle-aged man with a face full of stubble.

Seeing the two of them, Song Shulian was immediately startled and jumped to his feet.

“Greetings, Eldest Senior Sister. Greetings, Fourth Elder!”

He bowed in greeting and then moved aside to stand out of the way.

Yun Miao gave Song Shulian a sideways glare and then walked over to face Liu Xuan. “The Fourth Elder has some urgent business with you, so I brought him straight here. You two talk.”

After saying that, she started to walk out. Halfway there, she suddenly turned back to look at Song Shulian in the corner. “You! Come out with me.”

After the two of them left, Liu Xuan stood up and poured a cup of wine for Fourth Elder Chen Beiming.

“I wonder what business the Fourth Elder has with this Disciple?”

When Liu Xuan last saw Chen Beiming, he was dressed like this, but then he had a carefree and unrestrained image; now, he only looked destitute.

When a Sword Cultivator's natal flying sword is destroyed, it is equivalent to a heavy injury. The natal flying sword is connected to one's Law Power and Divine Soul; if one is damaged, all suffer.

The injury was secondary; a Sword Cultivator's entire comprehension resides within their Flying Sword. Without a natal flying sword, their cultivation will stagnate until they can nurture a new Flying Sword back to its Peak level.

At Chen Beiming's level, how difficult would it be to restore a fourth-rank natal flying sword?

A Sword Cultivator without a natal flying sword possesses less than ten to twenty percent of their Peak strength. They have to heal, find resources to nurture the sword, and if it takes too long, their bright future will be gone.

Especially at a critical time like the Pioneering War, which was supposed to be his Opportunity. If he were delayed by several decades or a century, everything would be missed.

Chen Beiming spread his right hand, and a lustrous white Flying Sword emerged, its sword light flickering.

“Junior Brother Liu, this thousand star flying sword can continue to be fused and upgraded, right?”

His murky eyes became bright as he stared intently at Liu Xuan.

Liu Xuan was in no hurry to deny it. He nodded slightly and said calmly, “It can indeed continue to be upgraded, it's just...”

“Can you afford it, Senior Brother?”