Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 139 Seat Fee

"The Puyin Mountain Guild Hall, as its name suggests, is specifically established for us cultivators who make a living in Puyin Mountain. Its primary function is to regulate the market and ensure fair transactions."

Li Xiangming gently stroked the edge of the table and slowly said, "Currently, the most important functions of the guild are: first, for everyone present to jointly set fair prices for the various monster materials produced in Puyin Mountain; and second, for the Li family to take the lead, with everyone participating in consultations, to establish an open network of channels where everyone can share intelligence and resources to protect the Puyin Mountain market."

Upon hearing this, all the traveling merchants present fell into deep thought.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Jindou spoke first: "The prices in Puyin Mountain are chaotic. The same monster material can be bought for 2 spirit stones today, but will cost 3 spirit stones tomorrow. This is because some traveling merchants have found a way to deliberately raise prices and squeeze out other merchants. I'm sure you've all experienced something like this, right?"

Zhao Jindou's words resonated with everyone present. When you're out in business, who hasn't been ostracized?

Especially Madam Feng, who had suffered a lot of injustices because she was a woman, gritted her teeth and asked, "If we set the prices, wouldn't this kind of thing not happen?"

"That's natural."

Li Xiangming nodded: "Protecting the interests of the ten of us present is also the responsibility of the Puyinshan Guild Hall."

Upon hearing this, everyone began to discuss it animatedly.

"I'm afraid that even if we set a price, it will be difficult to convince the public."

An older traveling merchant expressed his deep concern.

"Does Fellow Daoist Wu not trust everyone's abilities, or does he not trust the influence of our Li family?"

Li Xiangming chuckled softly.

The Puyin Mountain Guild Hall was established with the help of the Li family. As long as the Li family is involved, it is easy to gain the trust of independent cultivators.

Even if some people are dissatisfied and forcibly raise or lower the prices set by the club.

But don't forget, there's also a hunting lodge behind the guild hall.

Currently, there are no powerful merchant groups in the central section of Puyin Mountain; most of the visitors are itinerant merchants who come here because of its reputation.

These itinerant merchants had varying levels of cultivation, with most being at the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

How can one resist the coercion of the animal trapping house?

Upon seeing Li Xiangming's expression of support for the Puyinshan Guild Hall, the eyes of those present flickered.

If they can influence the price of monster materials produced in Puyin Mountain to some extent, then making a profit for themselves would be a piece of cake.
Everyone looked and looked, and they were all tempted.

"What does Manager Li mean by the second point, establishing a distribution network?"

At this moment, a thin young cultivator asked.

Li Xiangming couldn't help but glance at the other person, whose name was Zhang Zhi'ang. He was also the most skilled among the traveling merchants present, with a cultivation level of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

To have such cultivation at this age shows that the person has extraordinary talent. It's a real pity that they don't cultivate properly and instead spend their days traveling around as a merchant.

However, these things were naturally irrelevant to Li Xiangming. He slowly replied, "I know that each of you has your own connections, such as Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Li Xiangming looked at Zhao Jindou: "Fellow Daoist Zhao not only trades in demon beast materials, but is also involved in the pill business. The rest of you also have some side businesses. Why not bring out these channels and cooperate with each other?"

“For example, Fellow Daoist Zhao, his customers urgently needed a batch of pills, but with his own strength, it was difficult to find enough pills in a short time, so he had to give up this business opportunity.”

"But if Fellow Daoist Zhao tells the association about this, and we gather the strength of everyone here, wouldn't it be easy to acquire the pills and seize this opportunity?"

Li Xiangming looked around and said in a deep voice, "Perhaps it's hard for you to accept the idea of ​​leaking business opportunities, but no matter how good the food in the pot is, it's still just in the pot. Only the profits you actually eat are the real profits!"

At this point, Li Xiangming softened his tone: "Of course, some of you may not want to reveal your connections, and that's fine too. But I believe some people are willing to cooperate, and Puyinshan Guild Hall is the best platform for these people to cooperate."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent once again.

What are the requirements for joining the Puyinshan Association?

Madam Feng couldn't help but ask, and upon hearing this, how could everyone not understand?
The Li family intends to form a business alliance within the Puyin Mountain area.

This alliance is beneficial to everyone present. Putting aside everything else, the fact that the Puyin Mountain Guild has the right to set prices for monster materials alone makes it worthwhile for everyone to flock to it.

The most important thing now is how to get involved.

Hearing Madam Feng's question, Li Xiangming smiled and said, "The daily operation of the guild requires funds and manpower. For the time being, the manpower will be provided by our Li family. If you want to join the guild, you only need to pay a certain fee."

"How much will it cost?" Madam Feng pressed.

"Upon joining the guild for the first time, a seat fee of 100 spirit stones is required, in addition to a fixed annual membership fee of 10 spirit stones."

"Five spirit stones?"

Madam Feng cried out in astonishment, and the other traveling merchants fared no better, causing the scene to descend into chaos.

Li Xiangming did not stop them, and only sighed after the noise subsided: "I know you have concerns, but time will tell you that joining the Puyin Mountain Association will be the right choice for you."

"It's not that we don't want to join the association, it's just that the membership fee is too high."

Madam Feng shook her head. She admitted that Li Xiangming's idea was good. The saying goes, "Strike first to gain the upper hand, and you will be at the mercy of others." If everyone were to establish a guild hall in Puyin Mountain first, they would definitely be able to reap huge profits.

But before any of these things even happened, he was asked to take out 100 spirit stones.

It was really hard for her to accept.

Li Xiangming had anticipated this, and said earnestly, "Gentlemen, please forgive my bluntness, but 100 spirit stones is not much. The guild not only guarantees your daily transactions in Puyin Mountain, but also consolidates your position. You must understand the benefits. Do you want to be itinerant merchants for the rest of your lives?"

“That’s right. By joining the guild, we will no longer be fighting alone. If we grow stronger in the future, we might even form a merchant group. But if we don’t join the guild, we will still be running around for petty profits like before. When will we ever get ahead?”

Zhao Jindou chimed in at the opportune moment.

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately realized that Zhao Jindou had been won over by the Li family beforehand, and they couldn't help but feel contempt.

But despite his disdain, Zhao Jindou's words made sense.

The Puyinshan Guild Hall is a cooperative and mutually beneficial organization, and with the protection of the Li family, joining it is entirely beneficial.

Once the association expands its channels, recruiting new members becomes a natural next step.

Given time, it might actually develop into a merchant group.

Conversely, if one refuses to join the guild, one will become its adversary, and forget about joining the merchant group; whether one can even survive in Puyin Mountain is another matter entirely.

Thinking about this, everyone was conflicted.

Seeing this, Zhao Jindou coughed twice and winked at Li Xiangming, hoping that Li Xiangming could appropriately reduce the fees.

100 spirit stones is really too much. Even he finds it difficult, let alone his peers who are not as good as him.
But Li Xiangming ignored Zhao Jindou. The value of the Puyinshan Guild Hall was undeniable, and he couldn't possibly lower the seating fee.

If any businessman can join in and get a share of the profits, what will the Li family eat?
Do you really think the Li family and the animal trapping facility are doing charity?

Seeing that no one spoke, Li Xiangming said calmly, "Please consider this carefully. Even if you don't join the guild, that's fine too. You will still be honored guests of Monkey Valley."

"But there is one thing I must make clear: those who join the association today will be regarded as honorary members and enjoy a series of privileges. Even if they leave the association for any reason, they will be given preferential treatment when they rejoin and will not need to pay any additional seat fees."

"From today onwards, those who join the guild will be ordinary members, and will have to pay an initial seat fee of 200 spirit stones. No matter what reason they leave the guild in the future, they will have to pay a new seat fee when they rejoin."

"Five spirit stones?"

Everyone's expression changed. 100 spirit stones was enough to deal with, 200 spirit stones would be worse than killing them.

At this moment, Zhang Zhi'ang suddenly asked, "Aside from paying the membership fee, are there any other restrictions for people joining the guild later?"

"It requires the approval of more than two-thirds of the members."

Li Xiangming replied.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiang lowered his head and pondered to himself.

With such stringent conditions, if you don't join the Puyinshan Association today, you'll most likely never have this opportunity again.

As the Puyinshan Guild Hall grows larger, it will inevitably attract various business groups.

Where can we still find upstream suppliers?

Without further hesitation, Zhang Zhiang raised his head and said earnestly, "I am now joining the Puyin Mountain Guild Hall."

　I can't finish writing, so there's only one update today, and three updates tomorrow.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)