Chapter 145: Gray Robe Enters the World

Chapter 149: The Grey Robe Enters the World

The next day, Xu Qing went to the location of the token. There, he found a small merchant ship. The goods inside were decent, not particularly valuable, but still had some worth. Most importantly, Xu Qing discovered a pile of medicinal herbs within. According to the careful reply of the disciple managing the area, Xu Qing learned that no one had claimed the ship for two months. So, Xu Qing collected the herbs, called his informant to deal with the merchant ship, and then inquired about the port development.

"Master, I've gathered all the information regarding the port development and was just about to report to you."

"The newly opened port will be divided into domestic and international sections, each with its pros and cons. The domestic section won't generate much profit, but it will be convenient for you to establish connections with the disciples at the foot of the mountain."

"As for the international section, it promises significant profits, but it requires many departments to be established, such as pilotage, dispatch, and logistics. However, once built, even a basic port will generate astonishing revenue from merchant ship traffic and attract businesses, leading to additional income."

The informant spoke softly. She had not dared to slack off on the task Xu Qing had given her. Over the past two months, she had continuously investigated and researched, even spending some spirit coins to purchase a lot of information. So, after Xu Qing asked, she didn't hesitate for long before revealing everything about the new port's development. "However, the project is massive. Even for the simplest port, initial infrastructure alone would require at least three million spirit stones. If all facilities, including shops, are built, the total investment would exceed ten million, with no upper limit depending on demand."

Hearing this, Xu Qing maintained his composure outwardly, but inwardly, he was startled. He had thought he was quite wealthy now, especially since the sea corpse tribe's storage bag contained hundreds of thousands of spirit stones and other valuables. But now, hearing the informant's words, Xu Qing could only remain silent. "However, the ultimate profits are also incredibly high. Our Seven Blood Eyes port has limited capacity. I've observed the ships coming and going recently, and about 30% of the ships arriving at Seven Blood Eyes each day have to wait outside before they can enter."

"Therefore, once our new port is opened, there will be no shortage of merchant ships docking and transiting. Master, after comparing with other ports, I secretly calculated that our actual total investment would be around three million spirit stones. Subsequent construction can be gradually funded by the profits."

"If everything goes smoothly, we can break even in about two years. By the third year, the initial investment will be recouped, and annual profits thereafter should be around three million spirit stones."

"Additionally, I've learned that senior Foundation Establishment cultivators who have developed ports rarely invest entirely by themselves; it's usually a joint effort. So, Master, if someone around you is willing, they could also invest, but it seems only Foundation Establishment cultivators are permitted to do so."

"Furthermore, many of the sect's banks are keen on investing in these ventures, but I heard the sect has many restrictions on this, so not many ports have their shares."

Xu Qing mused. He had originally considered developing the port simply because he didn't want to waste the quota, and he thought that once built, he wouldn't have to do anything, yet it would generate a substantial annual income. That's why he asked his informant to inquire about it. Now, however, after hearing the details, Xu Qing was tempted but found it far too expensive, and it clearly involved many troublesome issues. Furthermore, investing such a large amount of spirit stones would tie him too deeply to the Seven Blood Eyes, which made him hesitant. He suddenly understood why many Foundation Establishment cultivators didn't choose to develop ports: it consumed too much energy, created deeper commitments, and the expenditure was too great. With that amount of spirit stones, Xu Qing felt he could just post tasks and have others hunt sea beasts for him. So, after some thought, Xu Qing decided to give up on the idea.

He dismissed the informant, changed into his grey daoist robe, and prepared to buy and sell materials. Returning this time, he had many things to buy. He needed to stock up on herbs and talismans, and he also planned to look at the magic artifacts sold within the sect. Magic artifacts were expensive, and Xu Qing had been reluctant to buy them before. Now that his pockets were relatively full, he intended to choose one.

At the same time, Xu Qing was also interested in the soul slips that Wu Jianwu of the First Peak had once discarded. He planned to see if any were for sale. Although their efficiency was average, they were very convenient to absorb.

"And the Spirit Breath Lantern," Xu Qing mused as he walked the streets. Dressed in his grey daoist robe and with his cultivation suppressed, he looked quite ordinary. Only occasionally would one or two subtle glances sweep over him from the crowd. Those who glanced at him were also Foundation Establishment cultivators in grey daoist robes. Sensing each other's spiritual aura, their gazes would often meet briefly before moving on, without disturbing one another.

In this manner, Xu Qing arrived at the breakfast stall he frequented daily, sat down, and enjoyed a hearty meal, warmly greeted by the vendor. This time, he ate four eggs. Although he could go days without food, sustaining himself with spiritual power since reaching Foundation Establishment, Xu Qing still preferred to eat as he did before. It gave him a sense of satisfaction.

While eating, he took out his identity token and sent a message to Huang Yan, inquiring about the follow-up to his previous offer to buy the Spirit Breath Lantern. Huang Yan didn't reply immediately. It wasn't until Xu Qing finished eating and was about to leave that he received Huang Yan's message: "Buy it? Xu Qing, you're back! Where are you? I'll come find you."

Seeing Huang Yan's reply, Xu Qing's eyes lit up with anticipation. The thought of receiving 500,000 spirit stones made him very happy. After telling him the location, Xu Qing soon saw Huang Yan rushing over. He seemed even fatter, with several more layers of rolls of flesh squeezed by his clothes than before. Upon seeing Xu Qing, Huang Yan burst into laughter and immediately tossed him a thick bundle of spirit notes. "These are 200 exclusive spirit notes from the Sixth Peak, each with a face value of 1,000 spirit stones."

"Time was too short, so I only managed to get this many spirit stones. How about I make up the rest with a magic artifact?" Huang Yan said, taking out a black inner armor and handing it to Xu Qing.

"A magic artifact?" Xu Qing took the inner armor. As spiritual power flowed into it, he immediately felt countless runes permeating the armor, arranged in a specific pattern, covering its entire surface, inside and out. A rough estimate suggested there were well over a hundred thousand. With just a slight sensation, Xu Qing realized the extraordinary quality of this inner armor.

"This is a Myriad Talisman Armor. I originally intended to give it to my senior sister, but I think she'd prefer the Spirit Breath Lantern. So, let's exchange it for this armor. You could probably sell this for about 300,000 spirit stones."

"Although it's only a low-grade magic artifact, its defense is excellent. If you wear it and encounter a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Profound Radiance state, as long as they haven't ignited their second flame, it can withstand several attacks."

Huang Yan seemed very knowledgeable about Foundation Establishment, apparently having been educated by his senior sister multiple times, and his own cultivation was clearly on the verge of a breakthrough. Xu Qing nodded. After putting away the Myriad Talisman Armor, he took out the Spirit Breath Lantern and handed it to Huang Yan.

"Do you need me to escort you to the Seventh Peak?" Xu Qing asked softly, watching Huang Yan play with the Spirit Breath Lantern.

"No need! Who would dare try to snatch something I'm giving to my senior sister?" Huang Yan patted his belly, happily put away the Spirit Breath Lantern, and was about to take out his jade slip to send a message to his senior sister when he suddenly remembered something. He turned and glanced at Xu Qing.

"Xu Qing, what I told you last time about a potential war has pretty much been confirmed. You can consider whether you want to participate."

After speaking, he waved at Xu Qing and quickly ran towards the Seventh Peak.

Watching Huang Yan's retreating figure, Xu Qing felt a surge of emotion. He realized that Huang Yan was genuinely rich, capable of producing hundreds of thousands of spirit stones and magic artifacts on a whim. However, Xu Qing did not investigate Huang Yan's background; it was a major taboo within the Seven Blood Eyes, and Xu Qing was unwilling to do so.

So, after seeing Huang Yan off, he pondered his earlier words, his eyes narrowing slightly. "War." Xu Qing mused, and at that moment, his last thought of developing the port vanished. He decided to trade his port development rights for a street. Although the profit wouldn't be substantial, it was better than nothing.

With this idea in mind, Xu Qing headed towards the shop selling jade talismans. Most shops selling items used by Foundation Establishment cultivators in the main city were located in Pengming District of the Sixth Peak. There weren't many in the Port District, and because prices were extremely high, such shops had very few customers. Most of them had private cubicles with dedicated disciples to serve customers. So, after arriving in Pengming District, Xu Qing searched around and finally chose a shop called 'Mingqi Pavilion,' entering it.

This shop was one of the largest in Pengming District of the Sixth Peak, boasting five stories, each spanning approximately two hundred zhang. Its interior was luxuriously built, looking extraordinary. Moreover, there were many attendants, both male and female, who seemed to outnumber customers at any given time, and all were handsome and beautiful.

The moment Xu Qing stepped in, he immediately drew the attention of many attendants in the shop. Although he was wearing a grey daoist robe, his appearance was exceptionally striking. In the eyes of many female attendants, Xu Qing's arrival seemed to brighten the entire shop. Furthermore, those who dared to enter their shop were almost never ordinary individuals; they were at least core disciples. Having served many Foundation Establishment cultivators, they knew that most cultivators of that realm preferred to arrive in grey robes.

Many attendants quickly approached to greet him, but one beautiful young woman with twin ponytails got ahead of everyone else, being the first to reach Xu Qing.

"Esteemed Senior Brother, you can call me Xiao Hui. Is there anything I can assist you with? I will do my utmost to serve you," the girl said softly, her pretty face blushing as she looked at Xu Qing's face. "Our Mingqi Pavilion primarily deals in various artifacts. The first floor features talismans, the second floor has jade slips, and from the third floor upwards are magic artifacts. Senior Brother, what would you like to see? I can introduce them to you."

Xu Qing's gaze swept around, noting that he was the only customer on the first floor. He also saw that the walls were covered with various talismans. Although they were sealed, a noticeable fluctuation still emanated from them. In particular, there were dozens of crystal pillars in the main hall, also containing shining talismans. Being stored separately like this suggested their quality was superior.

"I'd like to see magic artifacts," Xu Qing said calmly. He withdrew his gaze and looked at the young woman with twin ponytails, whose face became even redder under his scrutiny. Upon hearing his request, her eyes brightened further.