Chapter 435 - 437: The World's Greatest Merchant Guild
When it came to the Heavenly Stone, Nalan Yan'er's eyes were filled with desire.
This time, the span of time was of great importance to Nalan Yan'er.
However, she also knew that there were formidable competitors from all countries, and even though she held the Wenhua Water Seal, she might not necessarily have an advantage when facing experts from the other nine countries, not to mention Feng Bailing was participating too.
Despite her hatred for Bai Ling, Nalan Yan'er admitted that the woman was cunningly unpredictable, and her own Blessing Technique had little effect on her.
Nalan Yan'er was convinced that Feng Bailing had the guidance of a master and was well-prepared; she wanted to refine the Heavenly Stone into a weapon so that she and her son would have a sure victory in the Competition Among Ten Countries.
"You also know that acquiring the Heavenly Stone is not an easy task, especially at this critical juncture."
Hua Wushang spoke in a low voice.
The Heavenly Stone is strictly prohibited for private trade among countries, with only some large chambers of commerce possibly obtaining it through special channels. However, even if one manages to acquire the Heavenly Stone, refining it into a weapon is extremely difficult.
Ultimately, it is because the Heavenly Stone is too hard, to the point that it cannot be melted even in intense fire.
The only methods found by countries thus far to melt the Heavenly Stone involve using Wuji Fire or volcanic magma, which has made the weapons refined from it even more precious.
"Do you not have a method, either?"
Nalan Yan'er knew Hua Wushang had plenty of methods.
"If you really want it, it's not entirely impossible. I've heard someone is planning to purchase the Heavenly Stone."
Hua Wushang pondered briefly.
"Phoenix Chamber of Commerce."
"Are you talking about the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce that bought Chuyue Tower?"
Nalan Yan'er was surprised.
The Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was originally an obscure business, but ever since it arrived in Chu City and acquired Chuyue Tower, its business has been thriving.
Nalan Yan'er had also seen the goods they sold, which were cheap and of inferior quality.
She believed that the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, having acquired the good feng shui of Chuyue Tower, made a fortune.
"This chamber is not simple. Remember Li Mubei? He is actually a major businessman with commercial ties in various countries. He is the future heir of Nanshe and also the owner of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. I heard he's been in contact with the Underworld Market recently because the military factions of various countries have smuggled out some Heavenly Stone due to difficulty in refining it and sold it to the Underworld Market, which helped to refine weapons. If you can build a good relationship with the Underworld Market, you might be able to obtain the Heavenly Stone or even weapons."
"But the Underworld Market is notorious for only dealing with chambers of commerce, this..."
"I have a chamber of commerce under my name. Once the Competition Among Ten Countries begins, geniuses from all countries will participate, and the Underworld Market will surely appear as well. At that time, we can purchase the Heavenly Stone from the Underworld Market."
Hua Wushang comforted Nalan Yan'er.
"How is it going with Dugu Xiaojin?"
Among the many candidates from Great Chu participating in the Competition Among Ten Countries, Hua Wushang wasn't worried about the others; he was concerned only about two people, one was Feng Bailing, and the other was Dugu Xiaojin.
Feng Bailing—he knew her weakness; only Dugu Xiaojin...
"Just a child, we have overestimated him. After falling for our plan, he has been detained in the Imperial Academy. Aside from studying, sleeping, and eating, there's nothing he can do. The Competition Among Ten Countries will start at the end of the month; no matter what, he cannot catch up."
Nalan Yan'er said with a cold laugh.
The sound of carriage wheels gradually approached.
On the official road, several horse carriages carrying supplies hurried along.
A few horses escorted the carriages from front and back.
These few days, it was the peak of the autumn heat.
Dongfang Yong, Feng Luochen, and Hong Xuan were escorting a horse carriage loaded with goods from the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, heading towards the border.
The journey had been smooth sailing, but the two newbie mercenaries had expected to encounter a few scuffles. To their disappointment, even as they neared the border, everything remained uneventful.
Dongfang Yong's expression wasn't great either.
That woman called Feng San talked a great game.
This Phoenix Mercenary Corps was even more amateur than the Golden-furred Rat Mercenary Corps. From what he heard, adding a few new recruits, they barely had seven or eight people. Since its establishment, they hadn't taken on any official missions and this escort mission was their first.
The carriage was loaded with jars and bottles, reportedly containing canned foods, and some condiments called oyster sauce. Additionally, there were fresh fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs – the herbs being the most valuable among them.
Was all this really necessary to be escorted by three mercenaries?
Dongfang Yong had no idea that Dugu Xiaojin was following right behind the convoy.
Having left Chu City, it was the first time for Dugu Xiaojin to be away from home, and he was very curious about the scenery along the way. Nevertheless, he continued to trail the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce's convoy.
After passing a hill, Dugu Xiaojin raised his head and noticed a small "dark cloud" in the distance.
The "dark cloud" was over a hundred bees. Why do these bees look so familiar?
Currently, Dugu Xiaojin was in his White Wolf form.
He couldn't get too close, only maintaining a cautious distance from the bees.
These bees were obviously not ordinary; they were the Parasitic Bees that Feng Bailing had brought back from Ka City.
Among the bug eggs that Feng Bailing brought back from Ka City were the eggs of the White Wax Worm, the Parasitic Bee Queen, and a batch of unhatched Parasitic Bee eggs.
He had given the mature eggs of the Parasitic Bee Queen to Dugu Xiaojin, and the rest of the Parasitic Bee eggs hatched on their own.
Feng Luochen and Dongfang Yong, accompanied by Hong Xuan, were on a mission to escort goods for the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. She was somewhat worried, so she let the group of Parasitic Bees follow them.
Just as well, with the presence of the people from Dongfang's side, they could also protect them.
"What a bunch of junk."
Dongfang Yong didn't realize that two tails were following them. The hot weather made him irritable as he glanced at the horse carriage.
"Brother Yong, these aren't ordinary items; they're products of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. You haven't stayed in Chu City for long, so you probably don't know just how awesome the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is right now. They're the pride of Great Chu. Take these fruits and vegetables, for example; they taste exceptionally good."
Feng Luochen said as he picked up a cucumber, wiped it on his clothes, and tossed it to Dongfang Yong.
Dongfang Yong was skeptical – it's just a cucumber, after all. How great could it be?
Dongfang Yong didn't have a high opinion of Feng Bailing, so naturally, he also wasn't fond of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.
Crunch, Dongfang Yong took a bite.
"How can this cucumber be so crispy and sweet, with no pulp whatsoever, and still so fresh after six or seven days out, just as if it were picked fresh?"
Dongfang Yong thought to himself.
"Isn't it sweet and crispy, completely unlike a cucumber? The other products from the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce are even more impressive. Their aromatherapy candles have a calming effect, and I love to use them."
Hong Xuan spoke highly of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.
"Not to mention their wines and canned goods. In my opinion, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce will surely become the top merchant association in the world."
"What a bold claim! The top merchant association? Kid, you've got short hair, and your views are even shorter. The top merchant association in the world is the Underworld Market. You think you can become top by selling some crappy fruits, vegetables, canned food, and candles? Be careful, or someone from the Underworld Market might hear you and make sure you're permanently silent."
Dongfang Yong clearly disagreed.
As they were speaking, Dongfang Yong's expression suddenly changed.
"Something's up, be careful!"