Chapter 207: The True Nature of Demonic Cultivation

Controlling consumption channels not only generates substantial transaction fees but also imposes a layer of exploitation through taxation.

As city lords, backed by the Blood Spirit Sect, they nominally held supreme jurisdiction, considering the entire city their personal asset.

Wang Yu understood the principle of distributing spirit stones to generate more, which would then flow back into the city lord's coffers. Luo Chen, however, found this strategy difficult to grasp. In Luo Chen's eyes, Wang Yu was like a prodigal son, yet he somehow grew wealthier. Luo Chen even envied the spirit stones Wang Yu had accumulated, imagining how much more he could have if he were more frugal.

Little did Luo Chen know, Wang Yu had converted his wealth into valuable spiritual artifacts. The spirit stones he kept were primarily for development over the past few years, leaving him with a surplus of only a million after five years. This was a substantial increase compared to when he first arrived in Guiling City, and the abundance of spirit stones in Guiling clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of his management.

Seeing Wang Yu's prolonged silence, Luo Chen raised a cup of wine and said, "As long as Junior Brother Wang helps me, you will always have a friend in me within the Blood Spirit Sect." With that, he drained his cup.

"Alas... Senior Brother Luo, there's no need for this." Wang Yu continued, "I can teach you a quick method, but it might ruin your reputation and make Sanmao City notorious, possibly even for two centuries. Are you still willing to proceed?"

Luo Chen hesitated upon hearing this, as young men like him typically valued their reputation highly.

"Can I accumulate enough resources to reach the peak of Core Formation?" Luo Chen asked.

"Absolutely," Wang Yu replied.

"Very well, then please teach me, Junior Brother Wang. Success or failure will be my responsibility, not yours."

Wang Yu nodded and, through a secret voice transmission, explained the "annihilating scheme."

The plan was not complicated. First, establish a powerful bandit group, nicknamed "black gloves," that specializes in plundering forces within their own territory, rather than targeting enemies or merchant caravans.

Second, Sanmao City must lower its taxes to the absolute minimum. Land, resources, and even spirit veins should be sold off. In short, sell everything that can be sold, excluding the City Lord's Manor itself.

Prices should be kept moderate—neither too high nor too low. Implement extensive welfare policies to attract clans and powers from other regions to settle in Sanmao City. When the city's internal output is insufficient, this will provide a continuous influx of external capital. The frequency of these "eliminations by the environment" among newly settled forces can be controlled. This strategy can significantly boost Sanmao City's revenue in the short term.

To dispel public suspicion, they would need to regularly purge bandits, publicly execute a group of them, or raid forces in other areas as a diversionary tactic. Luo Chen could figure out these minor details himself; as a native of Chiyuan, he was certainly not lacking in intelligence.

Moments later, he burst out laughing. "This plan is brilliant, hahaha!"

Wang Yu just watched. He also had ulterior motives. No matter how well Luo Chen disguised his actions, he would eventually be exposed. Frequent attacks could even incite panic among lower-level cultivators. While the Chiyuan Demonic Realm never lacked those willing to fight fiercely, it had even more cautious individuals who could be driven to mass migration by the slightest hint of unrest. Guiling City, being Sanmao City's neighbor and a renowned habitable place, would naturally become the ideal refuge for these people.

The development of a city primarily hinges on its people. In the cultivation world, this translates to prioritizing cultivators. Sanmao City's policies could attract a large number of high-quality residents, increasing his tax revenue ceiling. Its development potential would also steadily increase, bringing lasting benefits.

Luo Chen was in a hurry, while Wang Yu preferred a steady pace, ensuring both would profit from spirit stones. A win-win situation!

As for the reputation issue Wang Yu mentioned, Luo Chen's understanding differed. Luo Chen preferred a ruthless and vicious reputation, unlike Wang Yu. Wang Yu preferred to disguise himself as a docile lamb, which is why he spoke of a bad reputation. Luo Chen, however, preferred to be regarded with fear by all beings. In his view, those with such a reputation in Chiyuan were top-tier powerhouses, and even the Dark Heaven Talisman Monarch would commend his wisdom.

This was the inherent nature of the demonic path. Even though Wang Yu had lived there for many years and his personality had undergone significant changes, he still retained the principles of his past life as his moral baseline. While that baseline was gradually shifting, it still existed.

"For now, that's the plan. Senior Brother Luo, if you encounter any problems in the future, you can send someone to inform me."

"Of course. The Fragrance Gathering is almost finished. When the Treasure Exchange begins, I will reciprocate by opening the session for Junior Brother."

"In that case... thank you."

Meanwhile, in the hall, the Fragrance Gathering was nearing its end. Besides the small portion of third-tier exotic incense distributed to each Core Formation cultivator, a stick of it was lit in the center of the main hall for everyone to experience. Most attendees could only catch a faint scent, just enough to experience the exotic aroma. However, when they inhaled the second-tier spiritual incense, their nostrils were already saturated, having reaped abundant benefits. Such differential treatment based on cultivation realm was entirely normal within the demonic path. No one complained, as voicing dissent would surely offend the Core Formation cultivators.

"It's almost time, Senior Brother Luo, please begin."

"Alright."

The Little Talisman Lord, Luo Chen, stepped onto the central platform. "According to tradition, the Treasure Exchange follows the Fragrance Gathering. For those of you who possess rare spiritual artifacts that you cannot use or do not wish to sell for spirit stones, this is one of the premier platforms in Yunling State. This Treasure Exchange will be opened by me, the Little Talisman Lord Luo Chen."

Given his status, position, and cultivation realm, the Core Formation cultivators naturally had no objections.

Then—

He produced a crystal-clear water droplet with a miniature water dragon coiled within. Wang Yu's eyes widened at the sight. Was he going this big? "This is the Core Formation spiritual artifact, Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence! It is suitable for all cultivators with water spiritual roots when forming their Golden Core, increasing their success rate by forty percent. It is considered a common Core Formation spiritual artifact."

Before he could state his exchange requirements, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.

"A Core Formation spiritual artifact!"

"Unbelievable! Who is this person to produce such a spiritual artifact?"

"The Fragrance Gathering actually features a Core Formation spiritual artifact! I want this item, name your price!"

The eyes of several peak Foundation Establishment cultivators gleamed, particularly those of Fengzi, Daoist Yu's Dao-companion. She possessed water, wind, and wood spiritual roots and cultivated a water-attribute combined attack technique with Yu. This Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence was perfectly suited for her. If she were to break through and then cultivate dual cultivation with Yu, he too would rapidly advance his cultivation realm. Fengzi instinctively looked at her Dao-companion.

"Yu."

"Don't worry!" Daoist Yu assured her. "Even if it means losing everything, I will acquire the Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence. Don't forget we have a medicinal garden in Yunyan City; few cultivators can match my financial resources."

"Yes, I know." Fengzi's eyes immediately became moist, and her gaze was more than merely amorous.

However, their rivals were not merely peak Foundation Establishment cultivators, but also the four Core Formation cultivators seated above them. Even though they had already formed their Golden Cores, such scarce spiritual artifacts were extremely rare. Whether used for exchanging other treasures or for nurturing their descendants, they were always highly valued.

Luo Chen waited for the clamor to die down before speaking. "I, Luo, seek to exchange this for a top-grade third-tier magical artifact that conceals one's physique and aura, or a secret technique of equivalent level. Any price difference can be settled with materials, spiritual herbs, or spirit stones." He might possess secret techniques of that level, but as they were sacred inheritances of his sect, they could never be divulged. Thus, he required corresponding magical artifacts and secret techniques. This was part of his preparations for his "black gloves" team, demonstrating remarkable initiative.

The early-stage Core Formation cultivator from Scorpion City, True Monarch Hegui, said, "I have a mid-grade magical artifact here, the Rain Curtain Hat, along with a 'Sun-Shifting Secret Technique' that can conceal one's presence even from a peak Core Formation cultivator's divine sense. I'll also add one hundred thousand spirit stones. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Luo?"

Old Devil Dikui from Demonic Earth Valley sneered and produced a puppet. "Fellow Daoist, consider my offer. This early-stage Core Formation puppet, crafted from a body cultivator's corpse and infused with 'Hidden Aura Ghost Gold,' has a twenty percent chance of evading even a Nascent Soul cultivator's detection when inactive. I'll add another two hundred thousand spirit stones. What do you say?"

While magical artifacts and secret techniques require a user, this puppet offers direct combat utility with Core Formation battle power, representing a considerable upgrade for Luo Chen. True Monarch Qingyang and Lord Huangsha remained silent. True Monarch Qingyang lacked the financial means, having invested all his wealth into refining his innate magical artifact. Lord Huangsha, a rogue cultivator specializing in earth-attribute techniques, was not wealthy and had no descendants to support, so he chose not to speak.

Wang Yu, however, was tempted. Water and ice are intrinsically linked, so strictly speaking, the Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence could also benefit him. With his current foundation, a forty percent increase in success probability would be more than enough once he reached peak Foundation Establishment. However, as the host, it would be improper for him to openly contend for it. Furthermore, given his resources, it would be safer and more beneficial to acquire a high-grade Core Formation spiritual artifact instead.

In the hall, Luo Chen remained hesitant. Daoist Yu, however, secretly transmitted a few words to him, and Luo Chen's eyes lit up as he spoke. "This item already has a buyer. Please follow me to the third floor." Yu hesitated briefly but then gritted his teeth and followed. The crowd instantly understood that he was the one who had secured the treasure and began to buzz with discussion.

"Daoist Yu? Isn't he a Spirit Planter? Can he afford a Core Formation spiritual artifact?"

"Perhaps he can. Who are you to look down on him?"

Seeing this, Fengzi quickly headed out of the Heavenly Fragrance Palace. She needed to prepare; once the item was in hand, she would immediately leave Guiling City with all her might.

In the front row seats, True Monarch Hegui shook his head regretfully, appearing to have no other plans. Old Ghost Dikui, however, snorted coldly, stood up, and also headed out, his intentions clear.

Wang Yu nodded to Qingyang and then left from behind the screen.

The Fragrance Gathering had to guarantee the safety of its guests within Guiling City. Once outside the city, they were beyond his purview, but no severe robbery incidents could be allowed to occur within Guiling itself. Such incidents would severely damage the reputation of the Fragrance Gathering. Even so, if a robbery were to occur, only the most elite Foundation Establishment cultivators would likely dare to continue participating. It would deter those with slightly lower cultivation or more cautious dispositions. The issue was that these cautious individuals often possessed valuable items for extended periods, which fostered their deeply ingrained prudence. If a conflict could be avoided, it was best to do so.

Unfortunately, in Chiyuan, such incidents were bound to happen sooner or later. Wang Yu just hadn't expected it to erupt during the second gathering, and that Luo Chen was behind it. It was difficult to believe he hadn't done it on purpose. Could it be that he intended to steal the Dragon Soul Heavenly Water Essence back? It was possible.

This was the true essence of the demonic path! Wang Yu sighed with emotion. After reuniting with Hermit Qingyang, he set his sights on Fengzi.