dragon source golden pearl
Seven-tier Spirit Mine
Characteristics: Heaven and Earth Gold, Gold Transform All Things, Gold Qi Transforms into Dragon, Forms its own Gold Domain.
Status: Original Gold Gathered, Full of Spirituality.
The dragon source golden pearl, a seven-tier spirit mine nurtured by a gold-element Dragon-shaped Spiritual Vein, is filled with the power of original gold, forming its own gold-element Law. It is a top-grade Material for refining gold-element Magic Treasure and Dao Artifacts.
Li Mu was overjoyed looking at the attributes of this Spirit Pearl, not expecting such a pleasant surprise. This seven-tier spirit material is a metallic spiritual object, perfect for refining a gold-element Clone in the future, preparing for the Soul Transformation Realm.
Seeing Li Mu’s expression, it seemed he recognized this seven-tier spiritual object, which saved him a lot of trouble.
“How about it? You should recognize this item, right? Is this item enough for me to exchange for that six-tier spirit treasure?” Venerable Lieyan asked Li Mu with a smile.
“Senior, this item is indeed a rare find, its value is still a bit short of 100,000 High-Grade Spirit Stones. However, I will make the decision myself and agree to this transaction,” Li Mu smiled slightly and nodded in agreement.
“Haha! Little friend, you truly are a sensible person!” Venerable Lieyan’s expression tightened as he clearly heard Li Mu’s reply, then he was overjoyed and praised him with a hearty laugh.
Li Mu looked at the Puppet and instructed it to retrieve the six-tier Crimson Sky Flame Blade.
Upon receiving the instruction, the Puppet immediately moved, heading directly to the display cabinet where treasures were stored.
The shelves and secret vaults in the shop were meticulously arranged with formations by Li Mu. Apart from him and Xue’er, and some ‘town-store treasures’, no one else had the authority to retrieve items.
“Senior, please wait a moment. The Crimson Sky Flame Blade will arrive very soon,” Li Mu said with a smile, motioning for Venerable Lieyan to wait patiently.
Venerable Lieyan nodded, looking at Li Mu and probing, “Little friend, may I ask which Li Family opened this Li's Treasure Pavilion? Please enlighten me.”
“Senior, the Li Family of this Pavilion is merely an unknown entity,” Li Mu casually made up an excuse, using a grand facade to brush him off, “Our Family is not prominent. Our ancestor was once an Artifact Refining Great Master skilled in formations. He left behind many valuable items and Artifact Refining methods. Operating this Pavilion also benefits from the combined efforts of other partners; the Li Family is merely put on the front stage!”
After hearing this, Venerable Lieyan nodded knowingly, agreeing with Li Mu’s statement, and secretly mused that the waters of this Li's Treasure Pavilion were indeed quite deep!
The Spiritual Artifacts, Spirit Talismans, Spirit Pills, and Puppets sold by Li's Treasure Pavilion were all exquisite. The formations within the shop were exceptionally intricate and profound, containing powerful and mysterious array forces. Even he dared not rashly breach them. Such a feat, even a large Sect could not achieve comprehensively, certainly not a single Family.
As they spoke, the Puppet walked in, holding a tray with both hands. On the tray lay a six-tier Treasure Artifact, the Crimson Sky Flame Blade, full of spirituality and extraordinary power.
Li Mu smiled, took the tray, and handed it to Venerable Lieyan with both hands.
Venerable Lieyan was overjoyed, eagerly picking up the Crimson Sky Flame Blade. The blade immediately radiated a scorching flame Qi, and a crimson sky fire snake evolved from it, instantly raising the temperature of the entire space.
“Senior!” Li Mu quickly spoke to stop him, activating the Treasure Firm’s Five Elements formation to swiftly engulf all the flame power, preventing damage to the building.
“My apologies, this old man got carried away with joy!” A trace of surprise flashed in Venerable Lieyan’s eyes, and he quickly controlled his strength, apologizing to Li Mu. At the same time, he secretly marveled at how astonishingly powerful the formations within this Li's Treasure Pavilion were, far exceeding his expectations.
A true expert reveals their skill at first move. Just now, Venerable Lieyan used the six-tier Crimson Sky Flame Blade to probe the formations within Li's Treasure Pavilion. However, he never expected the power of the formations in this Treasure Firm to be even more astonishing than he had anticipated.
The formations within this Li's Treasure Pavilion, even without fully activating, easily neutralized the power of the Crimson Sky Flame Blade. If he hadn't controlled his strength in time just now and allowed the formations to continue their display of power, he might have instantly triggered the formations within the Treasure Firm to attack, with unthinkable consequences.
“I see. Senior, if you wish to test the blade, I will have someone prepare a training room!” Li Mu smiled meaningfully, gesturing to Venerable Lieyan.
“No need, no need! I am very satisfied with this blade. Little friend, please keep this Golden Pearl!” Venerable Lieyan waved his hands repeatedly, then remembered something and handed the dragon source golden pearl to Li Mu.
“Many thanks, Senior!” Li Mu smiled as he accepted the Golden Pearl.
With the exchange complete, the transaction officially ended. After a few polite exchanges, Venerable Lieyan departed contentedly.
Li Mu contentedly put away the dragon source golden pearl, waiting to attend to the next wave of customers.
On its opening day, Li's Treasure Pavilion was exceptionally lively and bustling with people. The shop displayed various high-tier Spiritual Artifacts, Spirit Pills, Spirit Talismans, Puppets, and other goods, each of outstanding quality and exquisite craftsmanship. These rare spiritual items attracted the attention of numerous Nascent Soul True Lords and Venerable Deity Transformations, who came to admire and purchase, creating an exceptionally popular scene.
Li's Treasure Pavilion also launched a discount event for high-tier acquisitions of rare spiritual Materials and exchanges for Treasure Artifacts. This initiative attracted a large number of Cultivators, who flocked to participate in the event, making the shop crowded and continuously busy.
In a short time, Li's Treasure Pavilion was overflowing with people, and more and more Nascent Soul Loose Cultivators and Venerable Deity Transformations gathered in the shop. They exchanged insights and traded items, with the number and scale of transactions continuously increasing. The reputation of Li's Treasure Pavilion also spread rapidly in a short period, becoming the most popular spiritual item shop on Wanxing Island.
Seeing the booming business of Li's Treasure Pavilion, all the merchant organizations, such as Wanbao Pavilion, Tianji Building, Four Seasons Trading Company, Return to Heaven Pavilion, and the island families, could no longer sit still. They began to inquire about information everywhere, wanting to understand the background and strength of Li's Treasure Pavilion.
Li's Treasure Pavilion maintained excellent confidentiality, and no one could ascertain the true situation behind the shop.
However, being able to produce so many high-quality and diverse spiritual items at once clearly indicated that it was not a small force.
This made all the major merchant organizations and island families feel very puzzled and uneasy. They began to worry that Li's Treasure Pavilion would impact their businesses and even potentially change the entire commercial landscape of Wanxing Island.
The Wanxing Island sea area is located in the core region of important shipping routes between the Central State and Southern Wasteland spiritual domains, with various major forces distributed throughout. No one knew what kind of power supported the Li Family behind Li's Treasure Pavilion, or to what extent that support would go. All of this made them anxious and on edge.
Several of the leading shopkeepers on Wanxing Island were forced to sit together and discuss countermeasures.
The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat heavy. The power behind Li's Treasure Pavilion was too mysterious and too strong. Before thoroughly investigating, they dared not easily make a move.
“Manager Chen, many of the Spirit Pills sold by Li's Treasure Pavilion are the same as those sold by your Pavilion, aren’t they? If your Pavilion isn’t supplying them, can we investigate from that angle?” Qian Wenjin, the general manager of the Wanbao Pavilion branch here, asked Manager Chen of Return to Heaven Pavilion, proposing.
Manager Chen pondered for a moment, then nodded, “We can try. Li's Treasure Pavilion’s business is booming, and they are selling a lot of Spirit Pills this time. Without a stable channel, they definitely couldn’t achieve this level.”
“However, don’t hold too much hope. The high-tier Spirit Pills sold by Li's Treasure Pavilion are relatively common, and their Pill Formulas are widely circulated. It’s not just our Return to Heaven Pavilion that has them!” Manager Chen finished, then looked around at everyone and added.
“Manager Chen, just do your best. To clarify the strength behind this Spirit shop, we ultimately still need the Wanxing Sect. Does anyone here have a connection with Venerable Wanling? Could we entrust him to inquire on our behalf?” Wang Jin, the Manager of Wanbao Pavilion, nodded, looking at the others and asking.
“Don’t count on the Wanxing Sect. They’d be delighted if Li’s business got even better so they could collect more taxes. The Wanxing Sect has always forbidden its Disciples from participating in our commercial competition.”
“If we ask the Wanxing Sect, we definitely won’t get accurate information. It’s better to spend some Spirit Stones and inquire with the Liu Family. You know, for Li's Treasure Pavilion to open so quickly, Manager Liu of the Liu Family deserves immense credit.” Manager Qiu of the Spirit Talisman Shop interjected with a gloomy expression.
Everyone nodded in agreement. What Manager Qiu said was true. Manager Liu of the Liu Family indeed played a crucial role in the establishment of Li's Treasure Pavilion. Without his coordination of various matters, Li's Treasure Pavilion could not have opened smoothly in such a short time.
At the same time, the Liu Family provided significant assistance to the rise of Li's Treasure Pavilion. When Li's Treasure Pavilion first opened, the Liu Family not only subleased the shop but also provided a considerable amount of spiritual item support.
They had just managed to squeeze out Family shops like the Liu Family’s, and now, an even more terrifying spiritual item shop had risen strongly. It no longer sold spiritual Materials but various exquisite spiritual items, directly rendering their finished products unsellable.
This outcome was more unbearable than killing them.
“Manager Qiu’s idea is good. I have some acquaintance with Liu Zhengfeng, so I’ll take on this task!” Tian Yuqing, the Manager of Four Seasons Trading Company, proactively volunteered for the task.
“Thank you, Manager Tian.” Everyone thanked him in unison.
“At that time, I will propose a cooperation intention to the Liu Family in the name of the Four Seasons Trading Company, and secretly investigate the forces behind Li's Treasure Pavilion,” Tian Yuqing said solemnly.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
...
Thus, Tian Yuqing, under the guise of the Four Seasons Trading Company establishing a spiritual material supply cooperation, personally visited the Liu Family and had an in-depth discussion with Clan Chief Liu Zhengfeng.
Liu Zhengfeng, the Clan Chief of the Liu Family, attached great importance to the visit of Tian Yuqing from the Four Seasons Trading Company. He personally received him and held a discussion for over an hour.
However, due to the connection with Li's Treasure Pavilion, Liu Zhengfeng did not immediately reply to Tian Yuqing of the Four Seasons Trading Company.
After the meeting, Liu Zhengfeng immediately convened a Family meeting, summoning all the Family Elders to discuss the matter.
“Manager Tian’s proposal can be considered, but we have just reached an agreement with Li's Treasure Pavilion. If we cannot stably supply spiritual Materials and it affects their business, we are afraid they will hold us accountable,” Liu Zhengyuan, the Second Elder of the Liu Family, frowned and reminded.
“Indeed, Yalan is still working for them. Violating the spiritual material supply agreement like this would be somewhat indefensible!” Liu Zhengqing, the Third Elder, agreed.
“That is the Four Seasons Trading Company. If we can establish a long-term cooperation with the Four Seasons Trading Company, it will undoubtedly be a historical opportunity for our Liu Family!” Liu Zhengming, the Grand Elder of the Liu Family, quickly spoke up to remind them.
“Exactly! We have always wanted to cooperate with the Four Seasons Trading Company, but we never had the opportunity before. If we can finalize a cooperation agreement this time, the Family’s previous losses can be quickly recovered, and we can regain our former glory. Clan Chief, there’s no need to hesitate on this matter!” Liu Zhengfu, the Fourth Elder, echoed, urging him anxiously.
“Heh! The Four Seasons Trading Company didn’t seek our cooperation before, but they do now. What do you think their true intention is?” Liu Zhengqing sneered, asking the Elders present.
Hearing this, everyone was momentarily speechless. Just as Liu Zhengqing said, the Four Seasons Trading Company seeking cooperation with the Liu Family at this time must be aiming for Li's Treasure Pavilion.
Liu Zhengfeng pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the Elders, finally landing on Liu Zhengyang, the Seventh Elder who had remained silent. He asked probing, “Zhengyang, you are a Family Elder. What is your view on this matter?”
Liu Zhengyang was silent for a moment, then looked around at everyone and analyzed, “Clan Chief, I believe the Four Seasons Trading Company contacted us certainly because of Li's Treasure Pavilion. However, what they seek does not conflict much with our cooperation with Li's Treasure Pavilion. As long as we find a way to supply spiritual Materials to both parties, even if we earn a little less Spirit Stones by sourcing from other families, we will still ultimately profit.”
“As for the additional request from the Four Seasons Trading Company, where they ask us to help collect and look out for the forces behind Li's Treasure Pavilion, this is also easy to handle. We can give them a backdoor and let them investigate themselves. It won't violate our cooperation agreement with Li's Treasure Pavilion.”
“Cooperating with the Four Seasons Trading Company is an excellent opportunity for our Liu Family. If we miss it, it will probably be difficult to have such an opportunity again in the future.”
“Every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy him!”
After listening to Liu Zhengyang’s analysis, the Elders present all showed expressions of agreement.
“Clan Chief, Zhengyang is right. I agree with this!”
“I agree too!”
All the Elders nodded in agreement.
Liu Zhengfeng looked at everyone, a pleased smile appearing on his face.
“Very good! Since everyone agrees to cooperate with the Four Seasons Trading Company, then we will sign the cooperation agreement with them as soon as possible. As for other matters, we will just turn a blind eye.”
Hearing this, the Liu Family Elders all revealed an ambiguous smile, fully agreeing with the Liu Family Clan Chief’s words.
The Liu Family quickly signed a cooperation agreement with the Four Seasons Trading Company, and during this period, Li's Treasure Pavilion’s business continued to boom, making other merchants envious and jealous.
After receiving confirmation of cooperation from the Liu Family, Tian Yuqing of the Four Seasons Trading Company began his investigation. Under the pretext of discussing cooperation, he repeatedly sent people to Li's Treasure Pavilion to deliver goods and secretly investigate.
Time passed bit by bit, and in a blink of an eye, more than half a month went by.
Tian Yuqing obtained a large amount of information related to Li's Treasure Pavilion through various channels. This information included Li's Treasure Pavilion’s operating model, sales strategy, shop layout, decoration style, and staff situation, and so on.
However, they found no valuable clues. The forces behind Li's Treasure Pavilion seemed to not exist, with no traces to follow.
The Four Seasons Trading Company’s investigation had reached a stalemate. (End of Chapter)
