Family Cultivation: Rise of the Wilderness

Chapter 412 Coercion and Enticement
"who are you?"

The Fairy of Silk Silk turned around and looked Li Xiangming up and down.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?"

Li Xiangming sneered: "Or are you saying that just because you took a short rest at my Spirit Serpent Merchant Guild, you really think you're the master of this place?"

Upon hearing this, a burly man behind Fairy Lingluo flew into a rage: "Insolence! What are you, the Spirit Serpent Merchant Guild? Our Lingluo Merchant Guild's owner has condescended to visit you, which is a great honor for you! How dare you be so ungrateful! See how I teach you a lesson!"

Having said that, the burly man strode forward, his magical power surging, and charged straight at Li Xiangming like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins.

"How dare you?"

A furious shout pierced the air.

Upon hearing the commotion, Zhang Min rushed over, her eyes filled with murderous intent, and slammed her palm down on the burly man.

The two men's magical powers clashed fiercely, unleashing an astonishing aura. The swirling air currents raged everywhere, overturning tables and chairs in the hall, and scattering teapots, porcelain bowls, and fruit for the guests all over the floor.

A moment later, both sides began to run out of magical power.

Zhang Min's breathing was slightly disordered, but the burly man opposite her was deathly pale and looked like he was about to collapse.

Seeing this, a glint flashed in Fairy Lingluo's eyes, and she turned her head slightly.

From the shadows of the hall, a one-eyed old man slowly stepped out and reached out his hand to Zhang Min.

"It seems the Lingluo Merchant Guild doesn't know the rules!"

Li Xiangming stared at the one-eyed old man, his voice filled with indifference.

"rule?"

Fairy Lingluo chuckled lightly: "In the cultivation world, strength is the rule!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the one-eyed old man's aura suddenly erupted, like a towering Five Finger Mountain pressing down on Li Xiangming.

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator!?"

Jiang Liang's expression changed drastically. He wanted to step forward to help, but he was unable to straighten his back due to the powerful flow of magical energy.

Meanwhile, Zhang Min and the strong man on the other side were also in a bad situation and were forced to withdraw from the duel.

The burly man staggered backward, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, looking extremely disheveled.

Only Li Xiangming remained unmoved, his voice calm yet powerful: "Indeed, strength is paramount in the cultivation world, but one must know that there are always those stronger than oneself. If the Lingluo Merchant Guild wants to establish itself in Pushui Market, it should learn the meaning of respect."

The Fairy Lingluo frowned and turned her gaze to the one-eyed old man.

The one-eyed old man was also full of surprise. No matter what, he never expected that the young man in front of him was actually a Foundation Establishment cultivator whose cultivation was no less than his own.

In an instant, the one-eyed old man's competitive spirit was ignited, and his aura intensified, sweeping across the area like a storm, yet without damaging a single brick or tile in the hall.

"Humph!"

Provoked in this way, Li Xiangming finally showed a hint of anger on his face.

He raised his hand and pointed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, as fast as lightning!
The one-eyed old man was terrified. He quickly placed his hands across his chest, condensing his magic power into a solid barrier in an attempt to block the cold light.

However, the cold light penetrated the barrier, emitting wisps of chill.

The one-eyed old man staggered two steps and almost fell.

"Uncle Fan!"

The Fairy of Silk Silk exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.

The one-eyed old man stretched out his hand to stop him, panting as he said, "I'm fine. This magic is strange. I was careless."

The Fairy of Silk then turned to Li Xiangming, her expression shifting between light and dark.

She originally thought that the Serpent Merchant Guild was just an insignificant little merchant guild, and that she could easily take it down as long as she personally took action.

Unexpectedly, in addition to Jiang Liang, the president of the Chamber of Commerce at the ninth level of Qi Refining, there was also a female cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining and a Foundation Establishment cultivator with extraordinary strength.

After weighing her options for a moment, Fairy Lingluo forced a smile and bowed slightly to Li Xiangming: "Young master is right. I was impolite. I apologize to you."

Li Xiangming remained expressionless, spread his hands, and gestured towards the gate: "I will not see you off any further, Fairy."

"you"

A look of embarrassment and annoyance flashed across Fairy Lingluo's face.

From childhood to adulthood, when had she ever been treated so coldly?
Taking a deep breath, she said emphatically, "I came here with sincerity. What's the point of you sticking to such a small merchant guild? Why not join the Lingluo Merchant Guild? I guarantee you'll enjoy wealth and luxury."

"Sincerity? I doubt it!"

Li Xiangming said calmly, "As for wealth and status, what can the Lingluo Merchant Guild offer us?"

"I'm willing to offer three hundred spirit stones!" Fairy Lingluo said solemnly, "Transfer your mortal merchant caravans and your connections in Pudong to me. These shouldn't be of much value to you, right? If this matter is successful, I will give each of you an additional fifty spirit stones!"

"Fifty spirit stones?"

Li Xiangming's lips curled into a sneer: "Rumor has it that the Lingluo Chamber of Commerce is very wealthy, but it seems they are nothing special."

Lingluo Fairy's expression turned even uglier.

The Spirit Serpent Chamber of Commerce was just a small chamber of commerce. The reason she took notice of it was because it had direct access to Pudong, and Pudong was precisely the next strategic direction of the Lingluo Chamber of Commerce.

If she could acquire the Serpent Merchant Guild ahead of time, she could quickly establish herself in Pudong.

Nevertheless, three hundred spirit stones was her bottom line.

Any more wouldn't be worth it.

Who would have thought that the other party wasn't short of money at all?

Seeing that neither coercion nor enticement had any effect, Fairy Lingluo was still unwilling to give up and continued to ask, "May I ask this young master's honorable name?"

"Your Chamber of Commerce should focus its efforts elsewhere," Li Xiangming said, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Upon hearing this, Fairy Lingluo said nothing more and turned away.

The one-eyed old man walked last, leaving Li Xiangming with a warning look.

Watching them leave, Zhang Min's face showed dissatisfaction: "The Lingluo Merchant Guild is too arrogant, daring to be so presumptuous in the market!"

"Since ancient times, money has been associated with power. If the Lingluo Merchant Guild is truly powerful, even the Bailu Sect will take care of it."

Li Xiangming, however, disagreed.

The so-called "prohibition of causing trouble" in the market has always been a way to restrain the lower classes.

Scenes of the powerful and wealthy committing crimes and bullying others are not uncommon.

If this were Pudong, Li Xiangming would also be a member of the powerful and influential. Just based on the moment the one-eyed old man made his move, he wouldn't have let him leave so easily.

"We need to investigate their background."

Jiang Liang slowly exhaled.

He had always regarded the Lingluo Chamber of Commerce as a business rival.

In business, everyone wants to eat up the cake; it's not unusual for big fish to eat small fish.

However, the Lingluo Chamber of Commerce's style of doing things has gone beyond the scope of normal business competition.

If Li Xiangming hadn't happened to be present, the Spirit Serpent Chamber of Commerce would probably have been forced to submit today.

Just then, Yan Shiyuan cautiously stepped forward, cupped his hands, and reported: "My two masters, I have just received some news from outside. It seems that there is quite a connection between the Lingluo Merchant Guild and the Luoyan Merchant Guild."

Luoyan Chamber of Commerce?

Li Xiangming and Jiang Liang exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

The Luoyan Chamber of Commerce is renowned throughout Linan Province, with a presence in Hanjiang, Ling'an, Zhangning, Jingtai, and Shun'an Prefecture.

In Linan Road, there may be cultivators who haven't heard of Hengyue Sect, but they definitely haven't heard of Luoyan Merchant Guild.

With such a powerful backer, it's no wonder that Fairy Lingluo is so arrogant!

But upon further reflection, Li Xiangming felt somewhat relieved.

Perhaps the Lingluo Merchant Guild and the Luoyan Merchant Guild are related, but such a connection must not be deep, otherwise why would they acquire his Lingshe Merchant Guild?
Is there any channel or connection that spirit stones can't achieve?

As long as the Luo Yan Merchant Guild distributes spirit stones, countless cultivators will rush to serve them.

In reality, the Luoyan Chamber of Commerce did not interfere in Pudong at all, and even in Pubei, there was only one organization, Tengjiao Workshop, which it secretly supported.

However, the reputation of the Luo Yan Chamber of Commerce was too great, and Fairy Lingluo also had Foundation Establishment cultivators supporting her.

If these people are deliberately targeting the Spirit Serpent Merchant Guild, they could cause quite a bit of trouble.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Xiangming instructed Jiang Liang, "Go find Hua Lun. Our chamber of commerce has made so much money for him; it's time to put him to use."

While Hua Lun's status may not be considered lofty, he was certainly one of the most important figures in Pu County.

Especially given his status as an inner elder of the Bailu Sect, even the Tengjiao Pavilion had to treat him with utmost respect.

With him as a backer, the Serpent Merchant Guild will encounter far fewer troubles in the future.

"I see."

(End of this chapter)