Chapter 238: A War Without Smoke

Inside the cold and desolate cave dwelling.

Luo Chen held his breath and focused, sitting upright on an ice chair.

There was naturally a reason for him to be this serious.

Because, sitting directly across from him, was a great cultivator at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"I didn't expect that this person would personally come to discuss business with me!"

Luo Chen's heart surged with waves; he felt some worry, but also some anticipation.

For no other reason!

It was because the person sitting opposite him was Tantai Jin!

A true disciple of the Ice Fortress's Foundation Establishment stage, and also the leader of the Tianlan Immortal City law enforcement team.

The powerful cultivation base of the late Foundation Establishment stage spread out without the slightest concealment, giving one a sense of immense oppression.

Suddenly.

The aura was retracted.

That handsome female cultivator with sharp features, looking almost like a man, cast her cold gaze upon Luo Chen.

"This Jade Dew Pill, did you refine it?"

Luo Chen let out a sigh of relief and nodded lightly, "That's right, it was me."

Tantai Jin toyed with the jade bottle in her hand.

"You don't just want to do business with Jade Dew Pills, do you!"

Luo Chen's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged, "What does the fellow Daoist mean by that?"

Tantai Jin looked at him, her expression like solid ice, showing not the slightest change in emotion.

"If you only wanted to sell Jade Dew Pills, even if the market isn't large, the vast Tianlan could still handle it."

"You sought out my Ice Fortress; I assume it's because you just advanced to Foundation Establishment, your pill refining isn't proficient enough yet, so your output is low."

"Instead of exchanging them for spirit stones to break even, it's better to maximize their value."

"Therefore, borrowing the name of my Ice Fortress to act is your primary goal."

"Am I right, Dan Chenzi!"

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't expected the other party to have fathomed his psychology so accurately.

The Daoist name "Dan Chenzi" mentioned at the end clearly showed that she had specifically investigated him.

It seems that in these three months, the other party really had put in some effort!

Since that was the case, he didn't need to hide it anymore.

"As Fellow Daoist Tantai said, I do indeed have this intention."

Tantai Jin did not expect the other party to be so frank after having his intentions exposed.

However.

Since the words were out in the open.

There was no need to beat around the bush.

"Wanting to borrow the name of my Ice Fortress to act is not that easy."

Luo Chen smiled slightly, "I am naturally aware of that. Therefore, I am also very sincere."

"Let's talk about your sincerity!"

"For ten years, Jade Dew Pills will be supplied exclusively to the Ice Fortress, with Fellow Daoist Tantai as the primary recipient."

"After ten years and within a hundred years, Jade Dew Pills might be sold externally, but the Ice Fortress will still have priority for bulk purchase."

"As for the price, I promise, it will never increase; low-grade Jade Dew Pills will only be sold for five hundred spirit stones per bottle!"

Currently, the second-tier pills involving cultivation on the market are priced at five hundred or even six hundred spirit stones.

Moreover, there is clearly a trend of continued increases.

Most importantly, Jade Dew Pills are different from ordinary cultivation pills; for the Ice Fortress female cultivators, who are primarily female and focused on water and ice attributes, the price is even higher than all other second-tier pills.

In this situation, if there is a bulk supply of Jade Dew Pills.

The Ice Fortress is willing to pay a high price to purchase them.

Six hundred?

No!

They could even offer a price of seven hundred or eight hundred!

Now Luo Chen promises five hundred spirit stones per bottle, and it will never increase.

The sincerity is evident!

In particular, he even copied the Taibai Market's special supply of spirit wine to the Yuding Sword Sect, creating a special supply of Jade Dew Pills for the Ice Fortress.

This makes people feel very comfortable.

You must know, in the Yuding Domain, the Ice Fortress is not the only sect dominated by female cultivators.

The Hundred Flower Palace also claims to have three thousand female cultivators!

With this kind of sincerity, I assume the other party will be very satisfied, right?

Unexpectedly.

"Not enough!"

"Hmm?" Luo Chen frowned slightly.

"I don't want ten years." Tantai Jin said indifferently: "A hundred years! Within a hundred years, Jade Dew Pills can only be supplied exclusively to my Ice Fortress. If I discover any leakage..."

"A hundred years it is!"

Before she could finish, Luo Chen agreed directly.

Tantai Jin looked deeply at Luo Chen, then nodded lightly.

"Senior Sister, see the guest out!"

Shi Boying, who had been silent, stood up.

Luo Chen cupped his hands at Tantai Jin and followed the old woman out.

Only after leaving the area of this cave dwelling did that bone-chilling cold gradually dissipate.

"Fellow Daoist Shi, I've really troubled you this time."

As he spoke, Luo Chen handed over a jade bottle.

Shi Boying was stunned and subconsciously took it.

She had the intention to decline, but upon discovering it was Jade Dew Pills, she silently accepted it.

Afterward, a smile tugged at her aged face.

"It's no trouble; it's beneficial to the sect, I'm just doing my duty."

"Take this item."

A snowflake-shaped magic tool fell into Luo Chen's hand.

He couldn't help but examine it closely.

The grade wasn't high, but it contained a unique, extreme cold intent that made one feel like ice upon touching it.

"This is the iconic badge of my Ice Fortress; you can imprint it on the shops under your name to signify your status as an Ice Fortress vassal."

"The future is hard to say, but as long as it is my Ice Fortress's turn to be on duty in Tianlan Immortal City, no one will dare to provoke you."

"Even if it changes to other sects on duty later, I assume they will still give you some face."

It was rare for Shi Boying to speak so much in one breath.

Hearing her say this, the heavy stone in Luo Chen's heart finally fell.

In this way.

The Luotian Society could truly be considered to have taken root in Tianlan Immortal City.

They had their own business.

Their own strength also had two or three Foundation Establishment combatants.

Behind them, they also had a backer.

Missing one, it wouldn't work!

Next, they could start doing business with bold strides, earning spirit stones to cultivate.

Luo Chen expressed his thanks.

Then he discussed with the other party trivial matters such as the annual supply of Jade Dew Pills and when the payment would be delivered.

Thus, this matter could be considered to have come to an end.

"Then I shall take my leave."

"Go slowly, Fellow Daoist, I won't see you out."

"Hmm, farewell!"

Watching Luo Chen's dashing figure as he rode the clouds away, Shi Boying tightened her grip on the jade bottle, feeling a bit uneasy in her heart.

She had lived in the Ice Fortress for a long time.

This time, it was because she was old, and the Ice Fortress was short-handed for the Tianlan City duty, that she came out to handle miscellaneous affairs for the sect.

All along, she had never encountered this kind of... "bribery."

Don't say, this feeling was quite strange.

After carefully putting away the jade bottle, she adjusted her mindset and returned to the cave dwelling.

"Is it settled?"

A cold voice came.

Shi Boying couldn't help but feel a shiver in her heart; she said respectfully: "It is settled. Luo Chen's refining of Jade Dew Pills is indeed not yet proficient. So in the next few years, the pill supply might be unstable, at most no more than five bottles a year."

If an outsider heard this, they would probably laugh their heads off.

Is a transaction of a mere five pills worth both sides being so solemn?

But only the parties involved knew what this meant.

Not proficient, yet can provide five bottles a year.

Then what about after becoming proficient?

Ten bottles, a hundred bottles?

Or even more!

Therefore, Tantai Jin extended the special supply time to a hundred years.

Such a long time was enough for the other party to improve their proficiency, and she could also obtain enough benefits from it.

Shi Boying only realized this just now while outside.

Although she was old, in this aspect, she really didn't think as far ahead as Tantai Jin.

"Five bottles? It's not much different from what I expected."

Tantai Jin glanced at Shi Boying, "Do not report this matter to the sect; the quantity is too small, and instead of gaining merit, it might easily cause trouble."

Shi Boying was surprised.

Immediately, she realized.

The other party wanted to intercept this batch of pills for her own cultivation!

Even if it was a low-grade Jade Dew Pill, for female cultivators, the effect was far superior to the mid-grade Qi Gathering Pills provided by the Medicine King Sect.

With the help of this batch of pills, I fear she would soon be able to advance to the eighth level of Foundation Establishment!

After she agreed to this matter, she curiously asked about another thing.

"Why not recruit this person into our Ice Fortress?"

The Ice Fortress is a large Golden Core sect dominated by female cultivators.

But that doesn't mean there are no male cultivators in the sect.

Some male cultivators suitable for practicing Ice Fortress techniques are also recruited into the sect.

It's just that most of the time, they are sent out after achieving some success in cultivation to specifically handle various industries for the sect.

Moreover, there are also powerful female cultivators in the sect who have formed Daoist partnerships, living in the Ice Fortress for a long time.

Luo Chen can refine Jade Dew Pills, which is a miraculous medicine that can assist Ice Fortress female cultivators.

According to common sense, he should be recruited...

Facing the other party's cold gaze, Shi Boying suddenly realized.

If he were recruited now, wouldn't that be equivalent to sharing Luo Chen, this resource, with others in the sect?

Seeming to perceive her inner doubts.

Tantai Jin said coldly: "Times have changed. In the current situation, our sect will not easily recruit outside rogue cultivators."

"Especially those like Luo Chen, who come from Dahe Market and have an ambiguous relationship with the Yuding Sword Sect."

Shi Boying nodded.

Suddenly, she captured a piece of information in the other party's words.

"Yuding Sword Sect?"

"Could it be that our Ice Fortress has formed an alliance with the Luoyun Sect?"

"Watch your tongue!" Tantai Jin gave a light reprimand, then said indifferently, "Senior Sister, some things are better left understood in the heart; there is no need to proclaim them to the outside world."

Shi Boying took a deep breath and nodded heavily.

Indeed, such things cannot be talked about randomly.

Currently, the situation in the Yuding Domain is that the Luoyun Sect is uniting with Mount Ailao and the Qingdan Valley to oppose the Yuding Sword Sect and the Flame Alliance.

The former has great momentum, the latter has deep foundations.

If the Ice Fortress rashly announces it to the outside world, it will easily bring great trouble.

Everything is better done quietly.

However, thinking that after the Ice Fortress joins, the Luoyun Sect will have the combined strength of three sects, the chances of winning are quite high.

"If the Luoyun Sect succeeds, can our Ice Fortress no longer be confined to that bitter cold place?"

Luo Chen didn't know why the Ice Fortress, which the Sword Sect had fought for, had unknowingly leaned towards the Luoyun Sect.

He only knew that after arriving at Tianlan Immortal City, the anxiety that had shrouded his heart.

Finally dissipated with the Ice Fortress badge in hand.

"Hey!"

"Now I am also a person with a backer."

Luo Chen did not hesitate.

He immediately left the city and headed straight for the Luotian Society.

A meeting was convened upon Luo Chen's arrival.

"Jade Marrow Pills can start being sold on a large scale!"

A simple sentence.

But it stirred everyone's emotions.

Sima Huiniang asked curiously: "President, could it be that you have already resolved the pressure from the higher-ups?"

A snowflake magic tool appeared in the center of the main hall.

Luo Chen injected spiritual power, and the snowflake slowly rotated.

"Ice Fortress!"

"Ice Fortress!"

Exclamations came from the mouths of several cultivators in the hall.

Luo Chen flicked his hand, and the magic tool fell into Sima Huiniang's hand.

"Imprint this badge on the flag of our Luotian Society; from now on, we won't encounter any trouble in business."

Everyone looked at each other.

They didn't expect that Luo Chen would actually solve this biggest difficulty in such a short time.

An Ice Fortress badge!

In this way, doesn't it mean that the Luotian Society has cozied up to the Ice Fortress and become its vassal force?

Perhaps not so formal.

But at least, it can avoid many difficulties from all sides in the Luotian Society's future business.

Sima Huiniang took a deep breath and said heavily: "I will implement it immediately."

It wasn't just her who had to get busy.

The cultivators of the Luotian Society's Battle Hall and Gold Hall also had to start getting busy.

If the busiest ones during pill refining were the Pill Hall and the Medicine Hall.

Then when selling pills, it was time for the Gold Hall and the Battle Hall to exert their strength.

Now, there was only one question left to consider.

"President, what is the price of the Jade Marrow Pills?" Gu Caiyi asked.

Luo Chen did not hesitate, "Mid-grade Jade Marrow Pills will be sold for forty spirit stones per bottle. High-grade Jade Marrow Pills will be priced at eighty-five per bottle."

Hearing this price, Gu Caiyi almost blurted out.

"So low?"

Not just her, the others in the hall were also incredulous.

You must know, usually Jade Marrow Pills are priced at fifty for mid-grade and ninety for high-grade.

Now that the war is continuing, the price of raw materials is rising.

Instead of rising with the tide, they are lowering the price.

This...

Facing the lack of understanding from everyone, Luo Chen said lightly: "We need to use low prices to open up the market and squeeze out the low-grade cultivation pill market other than Qi Nourishing Pills and Yellow Dragon Pills."

"Once we break in and occupy the market share, we can slowly raise the price."

"This is a war; only those who survive can earn spirit stones."

"Do you understand?"

Price war!

This is a very simple business concept.

But for cultivators who prioritize profit, giving up benefits is more uncomfortable than killing them.

Many people, even if they know this principle, are unwilling to lower prices.

Luo Chen is naturally unwilling either.

But he knows that only by occupying enough market share will the benefits be great.

Moreover, at a price of forty and eighty-five, can the Luotian Society really not earn spirit stones?

Not necessarily!

With his pill success rate, in terms of cost control, he is far superior to pill refiners of the same rank.

Therefore, a price war is what he fears the least.

"The Luotian Society needs this war!"

"Only by occupying the low-grade pill market refined by those small families and small forces can we talk about the future."

"This war is by no means inferior to the Battle of Xiaohuan Mountain back then."

"Everyone, cheer up!"

"Win this war, and everyone's future cultivation resources will be secured!"

Each sentence was like magic entering the ears, yet it was so stirring.

Perhaps there was some doubt at first.

But Luo Chen has come all the way, with deep foresight, and every choice has been the most correct one.

Everyone has long trusted him immensely.

After his explanation, everyone felt full of motivation.

"We are not just selling pills, we are fighting a war without smoke."

"Only by winning can we have a future, and have abundant cultivation resources!"

End of chapter