Chapter 481 - 480: The Way to Wealth, Domain Lord Cangming

Old Zhaixing suddenly faced a "personal attack," causing his mouth to twitch slightly.

He was pondering.

As an Ascension Officer, his performance was indeed subpar, but was that his fault really?

Ultimately, this was because Blue Star hadn’t had any ascenders for a long time.

Upon hearing Tong Xiaoxiao’s words, Li Jing fell silent for a moment, then broke into a smile and spoke.

"Manager Tong has an astute mind. I have recently ascended to the Immortal Domain, and Chen Tang City is a gateway I just established. Zhaixing and I came to Phoenix Sun County to find a domain lord and apply to become a recognized power by Donghua Immortal Palace."

After speaking, he continued.

"Chen Tang City is freshly established and naturally lacks everything, especially in its need for Immortal Crystals. Given Manager Tong’s generous offer, I can’t decline. However, I will not let Manager Tong be at a disadvantage. Regardless of whether I have goods to sell or need to purchase certain items in the future, I will prioritize Ta Xue Trading Company."

Upon hearing Li Jing’s words, Tong Xiaoxiao broke into a blossoming smile.

Everything had developed as she anticipated.

Also, this Immortal Lord Li was very straightforward, accepting her favor without hesitation.

Moreover, he even promised on the spot.

Considering the current situation, Tong Xiaoxiao didn’t hesitate or beat around the bush, but laughed heartily instead.

"Immortal Lord Li is indeed straightforward. Since you vowed to prioritize Ta Xue, I naturally need to set an example."

As she spoke, she took out an Enclosed Crystal Ring and handed it over.

"In here, are one hundred thousand top-grade Immortal Crystals. Ten thousand are for buying your talismans, Lord Li, and the remaining ninety thousand are pre-allocated for any potential transactions we may have in the future."

Hearing Tong Xiaoxiao say this, Old Zhaixing’s mind was utterly blown.

The world of the wealthy was indeed something this long-time poor man could neither understand nor expect to understand.

However, what Tong Xiaoxiao was proposing now was truly eye-opening.

The initial offer of ten thousand crystals was like handing out free money.

And now it’s multiplied tenfold...

It must be said that Tong Xiaoxiao truly had guts.

One hundred thousand top-grade Immortal Crystals might not be a crippling amount for Ta Xue Trading Company, but it was certainly an astronomical sum.

Because she saw minor prospects for Chen Tang City, she was able to part with it all in a blink.

However, in all fairness.

Given what Zhaixing had seen so far, he believed Tong Xiaoxiao’s "investment" would never result in a loss. The one hundred thousand top-grade Immortal Crystals she forked out right now might recoup their value before long.

The question was...

Would Li Jing accept them?

Old Zhaixing stole a glance at Li Jing, who was slightly frowning, then looked at Tong Xiaoxiao again.

In his sight, the latter was subtly gesturing at him.

Faced with this situation, Old Zhaixing wasn’t sure what to do.

It was clear that Tong Xiaoxiao wanted his support, but could he even say anything right now?

This was a huge affair and it was up to Li Jing to make the decision.

Having an additional ninety thousand top-grade Immortal Crystals or not makes a huge difference.

Without these ninety thousand Immortal Crystals, all Li Jing would have to do, even at the very best, would be to give Ta Xue Trading Company a slight advantage in transactions.

But with these crystals, Chen Tang City would, to a certain extent, be tied to Ta Xue Trading Company.

As Old Zhaixing was at a loss for what to do, Li Jing hesitated for a moment, took the Enclosed Crystal Ring from Tong Xiaoxiao, retrieved ten thousand top-grade Immortal Crystals from it, and handed the ring back to her.

Seeing this, Tong Xiaoxiao stiffened momentarily.

Did she...

Push too hard?

Why did Li Jing return the Immortal Crystals?

She had a cooked duck right at her lips, and Tong Xiaoxiao was unwilling to let it fly away just like that.

Without thinking any further, she sent several signals to Old Zhaixing in succession.

Faced with the current situation, Old Zhaixing kept his calm, pretending not to see anything.

Li Jing had clearly made up his mind. What part could he play in this?

Not to mention that he was an old man, not a beautiful woman who could whisper persuasive words into someone’s ear.

After joining Chen Tang City, his role was just a "gatekeeper."

The future trajectory of Chen Tang City was not something he had a say in. At most, he just followed along with Li Jing.

At this point.

Li Jing spoke.

"I will gladly accept Manager Tong’s generosity. I’m indeed in dire need of Immortal Crystals for turnover, so I will accept these one hundred thousand top-grade Immortal Crystals."

Having said that, he added.

"However, merely holding onto these crystals won’t help me much. I hope Manager Tong can help me exchange these ninety thousand Immortal Crystals for high-quality Artifact Refinement materials. It would be even better if there were matching Refinement Formulas included so that when I forge something, I can predict its outcome."

Hearing this, Tong Xiaoxiao was momentarily stunned, then she felt a surge of elation.

So after all that, she was just overthinking!

The one in front of her was indeed unusual.

She gave an extra ninety thousand Immortal Crystals to help Chen Tang City, which was just established, to have a relatively ample operating fund.

What was that saying again?

Money isn’t everything, but without money, you’ll have nothing.

Without money, you’ll find yourself stuck.

At least for Chen Tang City, with over a hundred people, lots of money would have to be spent during their early days in the Immortal Domain!

The choice Li Jing made now surprised Tong Xiaoxiao, and she was glad that she hadn’t misjudged him.

Li Jing dared to use these ninety thousand Immortal Crystals to exchange for high-quality Artifact Refinement materials; this indicated that he not only had the ability but also had absolute confidence in his own abilities. He believed that he could make a fortune from these crystals!

Tong Xiaoxiao quietly took the Enclosed Crystal Ring from Li Jing and whispered.

"Materials can be easily sorted out, and matching formulas can also be arranged. However, I’m not sure what types of artifacts Immortal Lord Li is particularly good at refining, and what quality can be achieved at the limit?"

"As for the type, I can handle anything."

Li Jing responded.

"However, considering sales issues, it should ideally be a type of artifact that is hot-selling and popularly demanded, especially consumable ones that large gates or cultivators need in bulk. To be honest with Manager Tong, my method of refining differs from most people, it is more suitable for bulk refinement."

After speaking, Li Jing added.

"As for the extreme quality that I might be able to refine, I can’t say for certain. Perhaps if the materials are in place and the luck is favorable, it’s not impossible that I could refine a half-step Taoist Artifact with my abilities."

Half-step Taoist Artifact!?

Refined directly!?

Tong Xiaoxiao takes a deep breath, inadvertently glancing at the old man Zhaixing.

Zhaixing, seeing this, nods silently.

If someone else claimed to have the ability to refine a half-step Taoist Artifact, he definitely would roll his eyes and call them full of bull.

Even if they were a Master Level Artefact Refiner, they wouldn’t dare to guarantee refining a half-step Taoist Artifact.

The higher the targeted quality, the more difficult it is to refine.

This is common knowledge.

Artifact Refinement is also a high-risk gamble in the real sense.

Before the artifact is successfully created, no one can guarantee the final quality of the refined item.

However, when it comes to Li Jing.

Zhaixing chooses to believe him unconditionally.

After all, he had witnessed Li Jing refine artifacts with his own eyes.

Even though Li Jing had previously only created an Immortal Item that did not possess a spirit and could not be consecrated, the refining process was still awe-inspiring.

Not to mention that it was done in the blink of an eye.

The materials Li Jing used at that time were just the high-quality spirit materials that can be found everywhere in the Immortal Realm, and those that nobody would want if they were thrown in the wilderness.

He even refined seven items in one go!

In the entire Immortal Realm, there are probably very few people who have the ability to refine multiple items at the same time while ensuring both the success rate and quality.

With such a miraculous Artifact Refinement Skill, is there anything Li Jing can’t do?

Seeing Zhaixing subtly nod at her, implying that Li Jing indeed had the ability, Tong Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up.

"I understand your requirements, Immortal Lord Li. Our trading company will collect a batch of excellent materials and provide blueprints for disposable items accordingly," she said.

Having said that, she continued.

"Given that Immortal Lord Li has the ability to refine half-step Taoist Artifacts, I would like to propose that we promote you as our specially appointed Artefact Refiner. This way, those in need could seek custom orders. We might then receive a considerable amount of orders for Immortal Items or even half-step Taoist Artifacts, enabling us to earn generous commissions and sell artifact materials."

Before Li Jing could respond, Tong Xiaoxiao added.

"Rest assured, Immortal Lord Li, we won’t disclose any personal information about you when we release the news. We’ll do our best to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble for you."

Hearing this, Li Jing thought for a moment and then nodded.

"You can do that, but custom orders require customers to provide their own materials. At least, five sets of materials should be prepared for each order."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhaixing frowned.

"Master, aren’t five sets a bit too few? After all, Artifact Refinement is a gamble. To ensure a successful refinement that meets the custom requirements, you need at least..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Tong Xiaoxiao also chimed in.

"Five sets are indeed rather few. When ordinary Master Level Artefact Refiners accept custom orders for half-step Taoist Artifacts, they demand at least ten sets of artifact materials and a complete blueprint. The materials required for starting the refinement process are no less than thirty sets, and even this doesn’t guarantee success."

Li Jing paused for a moment upon hearing this.

As a newcomer to the Immortal Realm, he naturally wasn’t familiar with their norms.

In the Mortal World.

When Artefact Refiners accept custom orders, they usually aim for Treasure-level 10 at most. Very few people would directly customize a Spirit Weapon.

Not to mention an Immortal Item.

Throughout the entire Mortal World, even the most daring and skilled individuals wouldn’t dare to try and tame an Immortal Spirit Weapon.

Li Jing was not surprised that people in the Immortal Realm were daring enough to "challenge" a half-step Taoist Artifact.

After all, here in the Immortal Realm.

The Ninth Realm was nothing special, and those from the Tenth Realm were all over the place.

Anyone selected randomly off the street could be from the Eleventh Realm, or even the Twelfth Realm.

What was truly rare was the Thirteenth Realm.

Strictly speaking, once one enters the Ninth Realm, the conditions are met to control a half-step Taoist Artifact.

However, he didn’t expect that the commission for refining a half-step Taoist Artifact could be as high as ten sets of equivalent materials, and the materials required for starting the refinement process needed to be no less than thirty sets. This genuinely surprised Li Jing.

What was even more surprising was that this was almost a consensus in the Immortal Realm.

On top of that, both Tong Xiaoxiao and Zhaixing also made Li Jing aware of a "reality."

Unlike how finished Spirit Weapons and Immortal Items were difficult to sell in the Mortal World, half-step Taoist Artifacts were extremely "hot-selling" in the Immortal Realm.

"It seems I really need to spend some time getting to know the market in the Immortal Realm. Otherwise, once I step out, people might take me for a country bumpkin," Li Jing mused.

After a moment’s reflection, Li Jing said, "If so, the commission should be set at ten sets of equivalent materials. There’s no need for thirty sets of materials for starting, just give me fifteen sets. If I can’t refine a product of the corresponding quality, I’ll refund the full order. But if I succeed, I’ll keep all of the extra materials."

Hearing Li Jing say this, both Tong Xiaoxiao and Zhaixing looked at each other.

Li Jing’s...

Confidence was simply exceptional.

Think about it. Who among the Master Level Artefact Refiners would dare to claim that they would fully refund if they couldn’t successfully refine a half-step Taoist Artifact?

Both of them instinctively wanted to offer some advice.

However, they also couldn’t help but desire to see if Li Jing really exceeded their understanding of the path of Artifact Refinement.

...

A short while later.

Li Jing left the Ta Xue Trading Company in high spirits.

He gained a lot from this visit.

After arriving in the Immortal Realm.

It was not a lack of money he had, but no money at all.

Yet Tong Xiaoxiao had rather directly given him a way to earn his first chunk of gold.

Drawing talismans could bring in a small profit.

But Artifact Refinement would be the real moneymaker.

Li Jing also had absolute confidence in Artifact Refinement.

Even though both the Heaven’s Creation Skill and Zhou Tian Talisman were at max proficiency, they were not the same thing at all.

It must be noted.

Heaven’s Creation Skill is a Limit Breakthrough skill that integrates success rate, yield efficiency, and quality assurance.

As long as the quality of the materials is up to par, Li Jing doesn’t think he would fail to get a finished product after refining it fifteen times.

Previously in the Heavenly Saint Land, he successfully refined the demanding large sniper rifle for Jiang Yini. This has given him rich experience in artifact refinement, and he is confident that he can handle others.

Heading to the streets.

Li Jing paused, turning his head to look at Zhaixing Zi.

"Zhaixing, do you have any extra Enclosed Crystal Rings?"

?

Zhaixing Zi gave him a questioning look, then nodded.

"The Enclosed Crystal Ring is not something rare. Indeed, I have one."

"Give it to me."

Li Jing extended his hand.

Zhaixing Zi, bewildered at why Li Jing would want an extra Enclosed Crystal Ring, handed one over.

Li Jing took the Enclosed Crystal Ring and put it into the Little Universe. He then transferred two thousand Top grade Immortal Crystals from the ring he had been wearing into the ring, which he then handed back.

"There are two thousand Top Grade Immortal Crystals in here, part of which is to repay you, while the rest is a reward for your great help, Zhaixing."

"..."

Zhaixing Zi.

From the beginning, he has never worried that Li Jing would not return his Immortal Crystals.

With his ability to attract wealth, how could he lack his two thousand low-grade Immortal Crystals?

However, this time.

He indeed feels a bit puzzled.

He lent two thousand low-grade Immortal Crystals and got back two thousand high-grade Immortal Crystals.

That’s a ten thousand times increase!

While he was hesitating whether to decline or not, Li Jing had already walked away.

Seeing this, Zhaixing Zi hurriedly followed while keeping the Enclosed Crystal Ring in his hand.

Although their contact was brief, he had generally figured out Li Jing’s personality.

This one.

A typical man of few words, ruthless and straightforward.

He’s not one for beating around the bush or indecision.

Instead of pretending, it would be more practical to accept what Li Jing gave.

Up to now, he is already a part of Chen Tang City.

Taking the Immortal Crystals given by the city lord doesn’t come with any burdens.

...

With money in his pocket, Li Jing and Zhaixing Zi didn’t stay long in Phoenix Sun County of the Cangming Realm, heading directly to the area controlled by the City Lord where the teleportation array was located.

At the insistence of Zhaixing Zi, he paid for the "travel fee".

Stepping into the teleportation array, Li Jing attempted to observe.

But once the guards activated the array, his senses were disrupted, seemingly hampered by an obscure force.

When he came to his senses, he and Zhaixing Zi were already in the teleportation array in Beilang City, Ningluo Realm. The guards were urging them to step out to let others use it.

There was no choice.

Li Jing had to give up.

Obviously.

The one who set up the regional teleportation array didn’t want others to observe or even learn from it, preemptively employing disrupting techniques to prevent it from being unwittingly being learned, altered or potentially destroy the core of the teleportation array.

For this, Li Jing could understand.

About the regional teleportation array, he was just a bit curious.

If they didn’t want him to watch, then he wouldn’t.

After all, even if he were to observe the mysteries of the regional teleportation array, he didn’t think he would learn it then and there.

...

Ningluo Realm, Beilang City.

Like Phoenix Sun County of Cangming Realm, it is one of the bigger cities in the region, but their architectural styles are completely different.

Phoenix Sun County has traditional arch-style architecture, predominantly constructed of wood.

The architectural style of Beilang City is relatively rugged, with buildings made of piled irregular stones.

Take note.

It’s irregular stones, not stone materials.

Additionally, here in Beilang City...

No.

To be accurate.

The people’s customs of the entire Ningluo Realm are quite hardy.

The male cultivators are all muscular men with strong faces. The female cultivators are also tall, most of them have arms that could be described as strong enough to run a train.

In this regard, Li Jing already had some understanding from the Jade Brand that Zhaixing Zi had given him earlier.

Ningluo Domain is one of the more unique among the seventy-two major domains in the Eastern Immortal Domain. Its Ascension Platform is connected to around twenty self-contained small worlds.

Compared to other Ascension Platforms outside of Blue Star Ascension Platform, the Ningluo Realm is connected to fewer small worlds.

The most outrageous Ascension Platform in the Eastern Immortal Domain links to more than a hundred small worlds.

Even the ones with fewer connections have around fifty or sixty.

The Blue Star Ascension Platform is a unique case.

Aside from the fact that it connects to fewer small worlds, what’s most special about Ningluo Domain is that all of its small worlds are primitive worlds, with each culture being more backward and ancient than the last.

As most Ascenders come from these primitive worlds, they are rough and have hot tempers, resulting in a few native cultivators of Immortal Domain living here.

Walking on the street, you can easily tell those Ascenders from Ningluo Realm.

Just look for those who aren’t wearing classical clothes like robes, but instead simplistic animal skins wrapped around their bodies.

You’ve got a point there.

With them around, Ningluo Realm does have a unique charm.

Perhaps due to the auction in Beilang City, a large number of Ascendants from Ningluo Realm have converged in the city, along with a handful of Ascendants or cultivators who have come from other areas, attracted by the reputation of the city.

After a simple stroll around the streets of Beilang City, Li Jing quickly lost interest in the city.

At first, it felt quite refreshing.

But after a while, it seemed to be just ordinary.

The Ascendants in the streets of Ningluo Realm all looked formidable and intimidating, and they did not seem easy to get along with.

Pausing momentarily, Li Jing turned to look at Zhaixing, the old man beside him.

"Zhaixing Daoist, we should go find Domain Lord Cangming now. Do you have any way to contact her?"

"No."

Zhaixing, the old man, shook his head and said.

"Let’s go to the Ningluo Domain Lord’s Mansion first. Cangming Domain Lord is visiting, and she most likely staying there. If we’re lucky, we might run into her. If not, we can ask the guards in the mansion."

"Alright."

Li Jing nodded.

...

This was actually Zhaixing’s first visit to Beilang City.

As a Blue Star Ascendant, he usually operated within the Cangming Realm.

Of course.

The main reason he did not leave the Cangming Realm was that he didn’t have any money.

Traveling long distance, naturally, requires money.

Even crossing regions was a burden to him, so how could he have the interest to wander off?

However, finding the Domain Lord’s Mansion was quite easy.

Normally.

In the Immortal Realm, the largest and most magnificent building in every city would be the City Lord’s Mansion.

But when a Domain Lord’s Mansion exists, this rule does not apply. The Domain Lord’s Mansion would inevitably be larger than the City Lord’s Mansion.

Truly.

This rule is quite convenient.

Taking to the air, the two men quickly determined the location of the Domain Lord’s Mansion, and then flew across the sky to land in front of the mansion gate.

Just like in Cangming Realm.

The Domain Lord’s Mansion had its own guards.

Meeting the guards, old man Zhaixing announced his identity.

"I am Zhaixing, the Ascendant factor officer of the Blue Star Ascension Platform in the Cangming Realm. I am here in Bailang City to find Domain Lord Cangming for important matters. I wonder if she is currently in the Ningluo Domain Lord’s Mansion?"

The identity of an Ascendant factor officer enjoys the same respect everywhere.

Not limited by region.

As such.

On hearing that Old Man Zhaixing was an Ascendant factor officer, the two burly men guarding the front gate of Ningluo Domain Lord’s Mansion quickly turned pale and respectfully saluted him.

Then one of them spoke.

"Domain Lord Cangming is indeed staying at our Ningluo Domain Lord’s Mansion, but she went out on her own earlier. I do not know where she is going. Ascendant factor officer, you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a woman’s voice sounded quietly.

"Old woman? Am I really old?"

Upon hearing the woman’s voice, the guard who was speaking froze in place.

When Li Jing and Old Man Zhaixing heard the voice, they instinctively looked around.

The woman’s voice seemed to come from nowhere.

They could not determine its direction.

The two men could only look around them.

Very soon, they spotted an exceptionally beautiful young girl in the crowd on the street, who seemed to be around sixteen years old. She was wearing a wide robe that hung off one shoulder, revealing a dangerously exposed chest, while carrying a wine gourd in her hand, walking towards them with a slight sway.

As the Domain Lord of his own realm, Old Man Zhaixing obviously recognized her.

This girl had such a unique presence that it wasn’t hard for Li Jing to pinpoint her in the crowd.

Seeing the girl slowly approaching, old man Zhaixing hurriedly saluted.

"Ascendant factor officer Zhaixing Zi, pays his respect to Domain Lord."

Li Jing quickly glanced at the unlucky guard who had caught the attention of the beautiful young girl.

A muscular brute.

From what he could see, the man was at least at the Eleven Realms cultivation level.

Just a moment ago, he was fine, but now he was sweating profusely.

Seeing the formidable guard of Ningluo Realm, who was an Ascendant, being tense to such extent, even without Old Man Zhaixing reminding him, Li Jing could easily deduce that this Cangming Domain Lord is not easy to deal with.

Having judged that in his mind, Li Jing turned around and followed Old Man Zhaixing in saluting from a distance.

"Newly ascended Blue Star ascendant Li Jing, pays his respect to Domain Lord."

While Cangming Domain Lord was approaching, she kept squinting her eyes at the guard who had called her an "old woman," not paying any heed to Old Man Zhaixing’s salute.

However, when she heard Li Jing introduce himself as a newly ascended Blue Star ascendant, she stopped in her tracks and looked at him in surprise.

She couldn’t help but be surprised.

The Blue Star Ascension Platform under her jurisdiction hadn’t seen any activity for a full three thousand years. If it weren’t for the fact that Cangming Realm was already incredibly prosperous, her position as Domain Lord might have fallen to the same situation as Old Man Zhaixing.

Walking quickly over to Li Jing, Cangming Domain Lord stared at him with her bright beautiful eyes for a moment, then unscrewed the wine gourd in her hand and took a few gulps, before speaking up unexpectedly.

"Judging by your bones, you are at least ten thousand years old, are you really new? What is the situation in Blue Star now? Your Tenth Realm cultivation level would be normal if you were a thousand years old, but for someone over ten thousand years old to only have this level of cultivation is somewhat disappointing. Could it be that all Blue Star people have such a slow cultivation progress?"

Faced with Cangming Domain Lord’s rapid-fire questioning, Li Jing was momentarily at a loss for a response.

What really irked him was.

This Cangming Domain Lord in front of him was actually guzzling wine from a jug right there, what more, a good amount of it dripped down and flowed into the open front of her robe.

This image...

It’s hard for anyone to handle!