Chapter 233: 215: The Heavenly Master Draws a Trench

Translator: 549690339

“Brother Jiao, do you know what exactly is the Wanfa Commerce? Such a grand name – ‘Wanfa’. Does this merchant organization really possess thousands of techniques?” Li Fan immediately asked.

“To speak of Wanfa Commerce, its origin traces back to the period after the Great Massacre ended and before the new order was established.” Jiao Xiuyuan explained to Li Fan.

“This period is commonly referred to as the ‘Wasted Land Era’.”

“Back then, the number of cultivators was at its lowest. Those who survived the tribulation were real lone rangers. They trusted no one other than themselves.”

“Cultivators took refuge and lived in the wilderness, exploring ruins for adventures and seeking opportunities.”

“Given the limited energy of an individual, there would be times when they found more techniques than they could cultivate. They naturally thought of exchanging the techniques for other useful items with other cultivators.”

“However, in that era, trust among cultivators was almost nonexistent. To successfully conduct trades, a trusted middleman that everyone believed in was indispensable.”

“Wanfa Commerce was one such middleman, and it is the only organization that still exists after the establishment of the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals and the Five Elders Organization.”

“In the Wasted Land Era, the number of cultivators was scarce, but there was no shortage of techniques. A cultivator often carried several techniques either robbed or obtained by chance.”

“During that time, Wanfa Commerce had amassed an unimaginable number of techniques. That’s why they are still standing after thousands of years.”

Jiao Xiuyuan slowly unraveled the origin and development of Wanfa Commerce.

Upon hearing this, Li Fan couldn’t help but ask, “Could it be that a mighty cultivator in the Immortal Realm is backing Wanfa Commerce? An ordinary Unity-Path cultivator might not be able to protect so many techniques.”

Jiao Xiuyuan nodded, “This is what most cultivators think. Nowadays, both the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders Organization tacitly accept the existence of Wanfa Commerce. Whoever can make these two behemoths yield a bit is naturally not weak. However, the true identity of such a powerful figure is far beyond our reach.”

Li Fan gave a flattering comment without changing his expression,

“Considering that your Thousand Miles Hall business spans across the

Immortal Cultivation World, you can hardly be considered insignificant.”

Then he asked with some confusion, “According to your statement, the business of Wanfa Commerce has been recognized by the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals. But why haven’t I ever seen them in the capital of the Alliance? Even the Wanhua Commercial Association that involves mortal business, I have only seen their representatives, never their shops.”

“Hehe, both the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders

Organization have their own independent and well-developed trading systems.

So how could they allow Wanfa Commerce to come in and snatch their business? Currently, although Wanfa Commerce has received recognition from both giants, its scale is not as big as before, and it can only survive in the gap.” Jiao Xiuyuan laughed.

“Wanfa Commerce is now only active at the borderlines between the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders Organization. These places are mixed, the control of both sides is relatively weak, and there are a large number of rogue cultivators. It is more reassuring to do business with neutral organizations like Wanfa Commerce.”

“Moreover, both territories of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the

Five Elders Organization have a variety of special products. Although the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders Organization officially trade during non-wartime years, those important strategic materials are generally not on the exchange list.”

“But these materials indeed have a large demand. Therefore, the method of conducting ‘transit’ trade through Wanfa Commerce has been formed.”

“Of course, the price naturally has to be much higher. Sometimes it doubles, which is normal.”

“For example, there is an elixir in the Five Elders Organization called

Enlightenment Pill. It’s rumored to be an obscure sect secret of the ancient

Great Taoist Sect. After taking it, it can enhance the affinity of the Law of Taoist to oneself, thus greatly reducing the difficulty of enlightenment and improving the speed of cultivation.”

Li Fan was stumped, “Isn’t that similar to the Enlightenment effect of the

Tianxuan Mirror?”

“Yes. What’s more marvelous is that the effect of the Enlightenment Pill can be perfectly stacked with Enlightenment. Enlightenment improves one’s comprehension skills, while the Enlightenment Pill decreases the difficulty of enlightenment. The combination of both, internally and externally, makes the cultivation speed incredibly fast.” Jiao Xiuyuan praised.

“The Alliance has been coveting this Enlightenment Pill for a long time. But despite all methods tried, they couldn’t crack it. Hence, each year, they can only import a limited batch through Wanfa Commerce.”

“In the Five Elders Organization, it is said that each Enlightenment Pill only costs fifty Lower Grade Spiritual Stones, which is equivalent to our fifty contribution points. It’s practically a giveaway. However, due to the scarcity, the price skyrocketed ten times in Wanfa Commerce, generally around five hundred contribution points each.”

“Even so, there are countless cultivators willing to buy it. There’s no way, who can resist a good thing!” Jiao Xiuyuan sighed.

Li Fan’s clone pondered for a moment, then asked tentatively, “I’ve heard a

Golden Core Cultivator mention the existence of the Fallen Immortal Realm and Advanced World. Apparently, one can conduct anonymous trades in the Advanced World. Can’t the cultivators of the Alliance of Ten Thousand

Immortals and the Five Elders Organization do this?”

Jiao Xiuyuan looked a bit surprised, “You even know the existence of the

Advanced World?”

After thinking about it, he still explained quietly, “In the past, it was completely feasible.”

“However, later on, such convenient and secretive trading methods bred many speculative and reselling activities, which caused the prices in the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders Organization to spiral out of control. Furthermore, spies took advantage of the situation to steal a large amount of confidential information.”

“After that, two mighty cultivators from both sides took action simultaneously and carved out two ‘Great Gorges’.”

“From then on, the cultivators of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals and the Five Elders Organization could no longer communicate with each other through the Advanced World.”

“Whenever a cultivator from the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals tries to enter the Advanced World located in the territory of the Five Elders

Organization, their consciousness encounters resistance from the two ‘Great

Gorges’. The same applies to the cultivators from the Five Elders Organization.” Li Fan slowly nodded.

“I understand. So, if I want to buy techniques from Wanfa Commerce, I have to make a trip personally?”

“Correct. The nearest stronghold of Wanfa Commerce is in Jiushan Province, near Yongliang State.” Jiao Xiuyuan also advised, “Jiushan Province is not entirely peaceful. If you really want to go, you can arrange to go with other cultivators from the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals.”

“So that you can look after each other on the road.”

“Thank you for the advice, brother. The journey is long and the risk is high. I’ll think it over!” Li Fan responded.

Meanwhile, Li Fan’s main body started looking up information about a trip from Misthaven Ocean to Jiushan Province in the Tianxuan Mirror. As expected, there were many cultivators recruiting teammates..