Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 578: Chapter 303: Founding of the Commerce Association (2)

Cheng Zongyang raised an eyebrow. "Which condition?"

Chen Kaishan quickly responded, "The first one: only those at Innate Great Perfection or the Third Level of Qi Cultivation and above can make a reservation. Isn’t this threshold too high? A condition like that might scare off many potential customers, which would in turn hinder the Cheng Clan Commerce Association’s business development. It takes a Martial Artist an eternity to reach Innate Great Perfection."

Cheng Zongyang was silent for a moment, then said, "If they have the money, they can pay extra with more silver or Spirit Stones, and I can certainly lower the requirement. Besides, this is for their own good. Even someone at Innate Great Perfection has to live cautiously in the Cultivation Immortality Realm. Without sufficient strength, you could leave an Immortal City and die without ever knowing how."

Cheng Zongyang knew full well how cruel the Cultivation Immortality Realm was. Only those with a certain degree of strength had a greater chance of survival on the journey. Of course, he would never reveal his true objective.

’As things develop, more and more people will learn of the Immortal City’s existence. Its growth is predictable. How can I not keep a few more people around to boost the Immortal City’s GDP?’

After hearing this, Chen Kaishan was left speechless. He had to admit that Cheng Zongyang’s concerns were indeed valid.

Cheng Zongyang paid no mind to Chen Kaishan’s expression. His gaze was fixed on the steady stream of people at the Commerce Association’s entrance as he continued, without turning his head:

"The specific conditions don’t matter. If someone can pay tens of millions of taels of silver, or a few hundred Spirit Stones, I’ll send them over immediately. And to put it bluntly, whatever conditions I set, they have no choice but to follow them. All objections and protests are useless. They are perfectly free to leave the Immortal City and go try their luck searching the East Sea."

Cheng Zongyang’s tone was firm, his heart filled with a sense of complete control over the Commerce Association’s business. ’This is the power a monopoly gives you!’

At this, Chen Kaishan dropped the subject. He changed topics, saying, "Mr. Cheng, in a little while, I’ll need to go to the transit station to bring in some supplies. About that fellow, Su Ze—will you see him or not?"

Cheng Zongyang paused, only then remembering the man in question. A hint of interest appeared on his face. "Has he prepared everything?"

Chen Kaishan said, "Normally, Su Ze should have everything prepared by now. I’ll know for sure when I go out this time. If he’s not ready, I won’t mention it. If he is, shall I bring him to see you?"

Cheng Zongyang thought for a moment. "In that case, go ahead with your plan. Arrange a time for me to meet him."

He had inquired about the Su Family with Luo Dingran right from the beginning. After learning some specific intelligence about them, he was even more certain that he had to win this man over.

The Su Family had deep ties with the Royal Family, and Emperor Liang, who stood behind them, would surely be supportive. Therefore, their cooperation was a foregone conclusion.

Chen Kaishan’s heart leaped with joy. He said quickly, "Mr. Cheng, if that’s arranged, how about Noon tomorrow? You and Su Ze could meet in the reception hall of the Da Yi Commerce Association for a proper discussion. We could even have a meal together while we’re at it."

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "Fine. Do as you’ve said."

And so, Chen Kaishan departed to begin arranging the meeting between Su Ze and Cheng Zongyang for the next day.

Cheng Zongyang didn’t pay the matter too much mind. The one from the Su Family was the person in a rush to get to the Cultivation Immortality Realm. ’Su Ze is probably just anxious on his second uncle’s behalf,’ he mused.

Just then, Zhou Zhendong came out of the Commerce Association, hurried across to the Restaurant, and approached Cheng Zongyang.

"Boss, there are too many people here for the aptitude test. I’m afraid the Spirit Testing Paper we prepared won’t be enough."

Cheng Zongyang said in surprise, "I prepared a thousand sheets. That’s not enough?"

Zhou Zhendong said, "After some people found out how to perform the test, they bought ten or twenty sheets at once. They said they were taking them back to test their clan members..."

At that, Cheng Zongyang understood.

’So they’re buying up my stock. I completely forgot about that possibility!’

Cheng Zongyang immediately said, "Go tell Zongwen that each person must be tested on the spot with proof of identity. They’re not allowed to take the paper with them."

"Yes."

Zhou Zhendong immediately acknowledged the order and hurried away.

Cheng Zongyang looked toward the Commerce Association, his expression calm. He wasn’t particularly bothered.

On his last trip back from the Cultivation Immortality Realm, he had purchased five more Spirit Testing Stones and an extra fifty thousand sheets of Spirit Testing Paper. Even with the bulk discount, which brought the price of Spirit Testing Paper down to two Spirit Crystals per sheet, the total still added up to one thousand Spirit Stones.

If he could have put in a purchase request for Spirit Testing Paper at the marketplace cottage, he estimated he could have bought ten thousand sheets for a mere ten Points. After all, it was just made from a special kind of Spirit Tree; the production cost was rock-bottom. He had also tasked Zhao Yonglong with helping him find seeds for this type of Spirit Plant so he could grow them in the Wilderness World in the future.

While he wasn’t worried about selling out of Spirit Paper in a single day, he couldn’t let this situation continue unchecked.

He was well aware that most commoners could hardly afford the ten taels of silver at the moment. The only ones buying were Martial Artists, Martial Artist Families, or ordinary families with a little savings.

But the commoners’ poverty was only temporary. In the future, by taking on the various planting, farming, and gathering missions offered by the Commerce Association, they would be able to accumulate plenty of money.

They continued to chat and observe from the Restaurant. Suddenly, Cheng Zongyang spotted a familiar face toward the back of the crowd.

In the crowd lined up for the Commerce Association, Zhang Beishan, also known as Butcher Zhang, was pulling his eight-year-old son along as he hurried to the back of the line. He kept glancing toward the front, his face a mixture of nervousness and what looked like regret for having dallied with his wife for too long the previous night and oversleeping.

"We’re still too late. This... with so many people, who knows how long we’ll have to wait."

"Dad, are this Spirit Bone Testing and Spirit Root Testing really useful?" Zhang Qijing asked, still sounding doubtful.

For the past two days, his dad had been telling him all about becoming a Martial Artist and a Cultivator. Although his father was incredibly excited, he was truly bewildered by it all and didn’t understand much.