Chapter 2279: Desired Yet Unattainable

"Alright then!"

Gong Lei also thought it could at least be reported; whether they investigate or not is a matter for the dynasty.

However, the merchant guild is a major power in any dynasty.

Their own client information, of course, must be tightly protected and rarely disclosed outward.

Therefore, the Xing Jin Dynasty's inquiries to the merchant guild received no response.

And the Xing Jin Dynasty, not daring to offend the merchant guild, finally had to let the matter drop.

Man Feng was also helpless in this situation.

He could only dispatch additional personnel to monitor Ye Liuyun and his group, while also sending people to watch the merchant guild's movements.

Soon it was time for Ye Liuyun to go and continue the transaction with the merchant guild's Administrator.

Through Tong Xin and Qiong Qi's joint effort, they also forged the first energy‑conversion artifact.

But the artifact forged this time did not meet Ye Liuyun's requirements.

The converted energy could not match the True Essence required by Martial Cultivators exactly, yet its effect was far superior to ordinary energy‑conversion artifacts.

Moreover, the converted energy was ten times larger than that of Ye Liuyun's Universal Cauldron.

It could power ten soldiers simultaneously.

Tong Xin and Qiong Qi continued to summarize their experience and attempt improvements.

Ye Liuyun had his clone don the Invisibility Cloak and go to the merchant guild to complete the subsequent transaction.

Ye Liuyun's group had already noticed that surveillance around them had increased recently, so the clone was exceptionally cautious when venturing out.

Before entering the merchant guild, he first used invisibility to scout around it.

He discovered that more than ten Martial Cultivators were lying in wait outside the merchant guild.

Moreover, those Martial Cultivators were clearly dressed as soldiers, and their movements were rather stiff.

Obviously, these soldiers had little experience in disguise.

The clone glanced at the numbers, paid little mind, and directly used the Thousand Illusion Technique to alter his appearance, swaggering into the merchant guild.

After entering, he found the Administrator and stated his purpose outright.

The Administrator hurriedly escorted him into the VIP lounge and asked, "Are you the younger brother of that young master Liao from last time?"

When Ye Liuyun came last time, he claimed to be a disciple of an Artifact Refining Master named Liao Tianhong.

"No.

I'm just a friend of his.

But I have brought all the resources; the Administrator won't refuse the deal just because I'm a different person, will you?"

The clone retorted.

The Administrator laughed, "Ha ha, actually we have already investigated; the person who came last time wasn't even named Liao Tianhong, the records don't match at all.

Moreover, our Xing Jin Dynasty also approached our merchant guild headquarters for information about you, but we brushed it off."

"Oh, then what's your opinion, Administrator?"

The clone asked.

From his tone, it was clear he was currying favor with Ye Liuyun, indicating he hadn't leaked their information and that business could still proceed.

But he didn't state it outright, evidently still wanting to set some conditions.

"I heard some outsiders have arrived recently…" the Administrator stopped speaking and looked at Ye Liuyun.

"Does your merchant guild not do business with outsiders?"

The clone retorted.

If the Administrator truly refused to trade, he would act directly, using Divine Soul Power to control the Administrator.

"If there's business to be done, we have no reason not to do it!"

The Administrator first made a clear statement to reassure Ye Liuyun.

Then he added, "Our merchant guild's chairman's eldest son has recently come here for an inspection.

If you can make the decision, perhaps we could have more business to discuss!"

"Just what I've been longing for!"

The clone said sincerely.

He had originally planned to do business with a single dynasty's merchant guild first, and now someone was offering it on a silver platter; how could he refuse?

Moreover, he thought there were no airtight walls.

Even if he didn't state it openly, the news would eventually reach the other two dynasties.

He had only sold a few thousand pills and weapons before being discovered.

If he were to cooperate heavily with this merchant guild, how could the other two dynasties not find out?

So he immediately guaranteed, "I can decide on all matters; Administrator, please recommend me!"

"All matters?

Are you sure?"

The Administrator confirmed.

The clone also affirmed, "I could never speak such things casually.

I'm sure!"

"Very well, please wait a moment."

The Administrator didn't delay and immediately went to report.

Soon after, a wall inside the VIP lounge suddenly shifted, revealing another room.

A middle‑aged man sitting inside stood up at the sight of Ye Liuyun.

The Administrator kept standing by his side.

The man politely saluted Ye Liuyun and introduced himself: "I am Chen Xingnan; may I know how you wish to be addressed?"

The avatar directly replied: "Ye Liuyun."

Chen Xingnan was startled, then laughed: "Are you perhaps joking?"

As far as we know, Ye Liuyun's appearance is quite distinctive."

The avatar smiled, withdrew the Thousand Illusion Technique, and revealed its true form.

Chen Xingnan and the Administrator were both shocked into a stunned silence.

"Is this the effect of a treasure, or a technique?"

After regaining his composure, Chen Xingnan immediately asked.

"It's a secret technique!"

Ye Liuyun said simply.

"Young Master Ye, please sit!"

The Administrator beside him promptly invited Ye Liuyun over to sit.

After Ye Liuyun entered, the wall behind him automatically closed.

"The design of this secret room is indeed novel!"

Ye Liuyun said approvingly.

"Just to ensure safety!"

Chen Xingnan also replied courteously.

Next, Chen Xingnan gave a brief introduction of their merchant guild's strength.

According to him, their influence in the Xing Jin Dynasty is considerable.

However, Ye Liuyun did not need to know their strength; as long as he could exchange resources, his goal would be met.

Chen Xingnan then stated his own purpose: to cooperate on pills, weapons, and some timber of all grades.

He even required a substantial amount of pills for cultivating the Soul.

"As far as I know, you seem not to allow cultivation of Divine Soul Power here?"

Ye Liuyun asked in confusion.

"That is merely a method for the dynasty to control Martial Cultivators.

The royal disciples still cultivate when they should, without delay.

Thus there will always be people who obtain such soul‑refining pills through special channels.

We just don't sell them openly."

Chen Xingnan explained.

Ye Liuyun nodded: "I understand, just like Cui Yuan Liquid."

"Speaking of Cui Yuan Liquid, I haven't asked Young Master Ye how it works after use?"

Chen Xingnan also asked Ye Liuyun.

"I haven't used it myself; we let our Alchemist verify its efficacy.

The effect is indeed obvious.

It's just that your supply is too small; we are many, and it's not enough to share!"

Ye Liuyun complained.

"That was because we weren't familiar before; both sides were cautious."

Chen Xingnan explained: "If you need, I can give you a hundred drops!"

"One hundred drops?"

Ye Liuyun was also surprised that Chen Xingnan could produce so many.

Chen Xingnan proudly said: "We have special channels; we can obtain Cui Yuan Liquid not only from our dynasty but also from other dynasties."

Ye Liuyun didn't bother about how he obtained it.

As long as it can be bought, it's more cost‑effective than he figuring it out himself.