She Xi Yuâs expression was bitter as he recalled, "When our She Family first arrived in the Southern Border, we attached ourselves to the Wei Family. We had planned to establish ourselves by crafting Silver Armor Talismans, but the Wei Family exploited us terribly. A Silver Armor Talisman that cost one thousand low-grade Spirit Stones to make would only earn us a little over eight hundred Spirit Stones in return. We lost money on every single one we crafted. Later, the Patriarch from two generations ago died from depression, and the art of crafting this Talisman was lost to us."
Hearing She Xi Yu recount the past, Fang Qingyuan was a little surprised. He asked doubtfully, "They didnât even cover your costs? Who would work for the Wei Family under those conditions? Wei Tong couldnât have been that foolish, could he?"
She Xi Yu sighed and said helplessly, "Although our She Family could craft the Silver Armor Talisman, we had no cost advantage compared to the other major powers. Outside the Southern Border, this Talisman sells for only a thousand low-grade Spirit Stones. The Wei Family also had no need for them in war for the past hundred years. They had to sell the Silver Armor Talismans to the outside world, so to avoid a loss, they only gave us a little over eight hundred low-grade Spirit Stones. The rest, they said, was a âchannel management fee.â"
After She Xi Yu finished, Fang Qingyuan understood a bit of the Wei Familyâs reasoning from back then. Although the She Family could make the Silver Armor Talisman, they were just a small workshop. Their costs couldnât compete with White Mountain or Nanchu. The Wei Family couldnât work for free, so their only option was to exploit the She Family.
âBesides, the Wei Family wasnât at war a hundred years ago. They were protected by the three-generation enfeoffment rule, so Wei Tong didnât place much importance on the crafting technique for the Silver Armor Talisman, a crucial weapon of war. Rather than supporting the She Family and constantly spending Spirit Stones, it was better to squeeze them for all they were worth and just keep the basic capability on hand.â
âUnfortunately for Wei Tong, he never imagined that a hundred years later, his Wei Family would end up in such a state.â
A trace of melancholy flashed through Fang Qingyuanâs mind, and then he asked the most critical question: "So, what is the She Familyâs current production cost? And what advantages do you have compared to the crafting standards for the Silver Armor Talisman in the lands of White Mountain and Nanchu?"
Hearing Fang Qingyuanâs question, She Xi Yu became a little evasive. He said in a low voice, "Right now, it costs about twelve hundred low-grade Spirit Stones to make one Silver Armor Talisman. As far as I know, the cost over at White Mountain is anywhere from seven hundred to a thousand. For the Artifact Talisman Alliance, itâs nine hundred, and for Nanchu, itâs eight hundred."
"So youâre saying it costs the She Family four hundred more low-grade Spirit Stones to make a Silver Armor Talisman than the Nanchu Sect? Thatâs far too much."
Seeing Fang Qingyuanâs displeased expression, She Xi Yu quickly explained, "Itâs more expensive in the early stages. But once our She Family disciples become familiar with the Talismanâs crafting process and weâve trained enough people, the cost of the Silver Armor Talisman should come down later."
After hearing She Xi Yuâs explanation, Fang Qingyuanâs expression softened slightly. He asked, "Whatâs the lowest it can go?"
"Around a thousand!"
"Then start preparing. When I return from this trip, weâll begin manufacturing the Silver Armor Talismans."
"Ah? Thank you, Mountain Master! Thank you, Mountain Master!"
After a beaming She Xi Yu turned and sat back down, Fang Qingyuan picked up his wine cup and toyed with it in his hands. âThe final cost She Xi Yu mentioned is still higher than in other regions, but Iâve decided to support the She Family and get this Silver Armor Talisman workshop up and running anyway.â
âAfter all, the Silver Armor Talisman is no ordinary talisman. In a real war, a single one could save several lives. Itâs better to stockpile more of them now, to avoid having to send Beast Taming Sect disciples to their deaths to fill the gaps when we go to war.â
âBesides, although we can currently buy talismans produced in other regions, itâs better to make our own. If the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect gets into a conflict with another sect, they might refuse to sell to us, and then weâd be completely screwed.â
âIn comparison, an extra one or two hundred low-grade Spirit Stones in cost is nothing. I just hope that old fellow She Xi Yu doesnât disappoint me.â
...
The Southern Border Beast Taming Sectâs military formation stopped at Yuanling Mountain for three days before continuing toward the Wilderness Forest. After another five days of travel, Fang Qingyuan finally reached his destination: a hastily constructed gathering place for Cultivators.
As Fang Qingyuan, riding on Yinbaoâs back, led the Beast Taming Array into the settlement, his brow was constantly furrowed.
The ground was covered in filth and stench. Skeletons lay strewn by the roadside. The shacks were a chaotic mess. And then there were the streetwalkers, leaning against door curtains, striking seductive poses at his military formation. All of it displeased Fang Qingyuan.
This settlement was spontaneously established by the numerous Loose Cultivators who came here to strike it rich after the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect conquered the territory.
Years ago, the Southern Border Beast Taming Sectâs Crimson Iron Ore camp was overrun by demon beasts from the forest, and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was even abducted. At that point, Lechuan swallowed his pride and asked Huo Gan to take charge. In one fell swoop, they killed three Golden Core Demon Beasts, drove away the local Nascent Soul Ancient Beast, and seized this eight-hundred-li territory.
However, conquering a territory is easy; governing it is hard. The Southern Border Beast Taming Sect didnât have enough manpower to populate the newly opened Wilderness Forest with the lives of its disciples.
So, they lifted the restrictions on the area, allowing Loose Cultivators eager to get rich to operate here. The plan was to use these Cultivators, year after year, to transform this eight-hundred-li stretch of Barbaric Wilderness into a semi-developed land.
This strategy of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect was completely out in the open. Even if the Loose Cultivators knew the sectâs intentions, they didnât care.
Over the past decade, tens of thousands of Loose Cultivators flooded into this area like a wildfire sweeping across the plains, scorching these eight hundred li of land. The Cultivators who died here became fertilizer, nourishing the earth.
But now, it seemed that fire was threatening to die out. So, Fang Qingyuan had come, intending to add some fuel to it.
Walking into the largest shack in the area, Fang Qingyuan looked at the low-hanging crossbeams and said expressionlessly, "Bring them in."
At Fang Qingyuanâs command, seven or eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators were brought before him. Their expressions all changed the moment they saw him.
Inside the shack, Fang Qingyuan sat high in the main seat, a crimson Spirit Bird perched on his shoulder. By his side, a dozen or so Foundation Establishment Cultivators were arrayed to his left and right. Including the various Spirit Beasts beside these Cultivators, the shack now contained the combined might of twenty to thirty Foundation Establishment Battle Powers.
Ordinarily, a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator could enjoy being treated like a lord in this settlement. But now, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had been brought in had lost all of their arrogance.
The Southern Border Beast Taming Sect only permitted those below the Golden Core Cultivator realm to enter this conquered land. Any Golden Core Cultivator who wished to enter needed the sectâs approval.
This meant the strongest combatant here was only at the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm. However, the one who had been at that level, a Loose Cultivator, had already succumbed to demonic corruption.
"Elder Zhang went crazy! We originally thought he was just a bit domineering and eccentric, but who would have thought that half a month ago, Elder Zhang would suddenly rush out of his cave abode, shouting, âIâve had an epiphany! Iâve had an epiphany!â while going on a killing spree. He was already a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and after going mad, his cultivation level actually rose. The dozen or so of us Foundation Establishment Cultivators were no match for him."
One of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators below cried out his grievances to Fang Qingyuan. After speaking, he tore open his robes, revealing a horrifyingly large wound. "I was a bit too close that day, and he ripped out one of my kidneys. If he hadnât been in such a hurry to gnaw on it, I never would have escaped. Beast Taming Immortal Master, you must avenge me!"
Fang Qingyuan stared at the manâs wound and wondered inwardly, âAre kidneys really that delicious?â
After that man finished his tearful account, the other Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators also shared their experiences. These were all Cultivators who had faced Elder Zhang that day and managed to survive. However, as Fang Qingyuan looked them over, he noticed they were all missing a few parts, more or less.
Cultivators who succumb to demonic corruption enjoy feeding on other Cultivators. This is because a Cultivatorâs physical body is rich in Spiritual Power, making it very nourishing to consume.
âBut even if that Elder Zhang has fallen to demonic corruption, why is he so crazy?â
âHuo Hu has been tainted by Demonic Qi for years, and Iâve never seen him clamoring to eat kidneys.â
Faced with the crowdâs laments and their pleading gazes, hoping he would deliver justice for them, Fang Qingyuan was about to say something encouraging. But the next moment, he suddenly froze. He closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.
Fang Qingyuan couldnât be bothered with the people before him now. Just a moment ago, a series of fluctuations had suddenly emanated from within his Immortal Mansion. The Bee Queen was about to awaken.