Chapter 682: Three Teachings Joint Venture

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Mu Baiyi paid no mind to Lu Yang's gaze; indeed, he dared not.

Lu Yang’s three questions instantly enlightened him.

“Does Young Cult Master Lu mean that our Nine Nether Cult can partner with the Blazing Sun Cult to open a barbecue restaurant?”

“Not a barbecue restaurant,” Lu Yang corrected, “it’s a solar energy technology development association, with barbecue as one of its industries.” If it remained a mere barbecue restaurant, it wouldn’t qualify for any tax benefits. Only by changing the nature of the establishment could it enjoy preferential tax policies. Lu Yang knew this, having diligently studied laws and policies to avoid the same fate as his master, who ended up in jail. He alone understood the immense effort he had dedicated to this endeavor.

“Yes, yes, exactly, a solar energy technology development association,” Mu Baiyi quickly affirmed, nodding. Young Cult Master Lu truly had a brilliant mind. Wasn’t this precisely the “internal alliance with the Blazing Sun and Ruthless Cults” mentioned in Young Cult Master Lu’s grand scheme for dominance? He likely anticipated this very situation.

What terrifying wisdom!

If he possessed Young Cult Master Lu’s intellect, why would he ever need to impersonate a devotee just to secure a loan? He could have built several Fengdu cities! Forget being a mere cult master; his followers would worship him as an ancestor!

The Great Xia Dynasty had always encouraged invention and innovation. Both the flying vehicle invented by Lu Yang and the illusory bubble created by Tao Yaoye had received preferential tax policies. Furthermore, since spiritual energy was a strategic resource, the Great Xia Dynasty encouraged the use of alternative energy sources. This was precisely why the government introduced the series of tax policies Lu Yang spoke of. In Lu Yang’s opinion, an industrial revolution in the cultivation world didn’t need to follow the step-by-step progression of his previous life—steam power, then electricity. They could skip straight to clean solar energy in a single leap. This idea had occurred to him while reviewing the Blazing Sun Cult’s records. He hadn’t yet devised a way to guide them toward this path, but now the opportunity had presented itself.

“By jointly forming an association to develop new solar energy technologies, the Great Xia Dynasty will provide strong support. With that backing, the barbecue restaurants’ tax burden will be negligible.”

“Moreover, to maintain the true fire during grilling, spiritual energy must be continuously supplied. If the Blazing Sun Cult achieves breakthroughs, they could use solar energy to sustain the true fire. This would not only lead to tax reductions from the imperial court but possibly even subsidies.”

The prospect Lu Yang outlined made Mu Baiyi’s eyes gleam. He realized that aligning with the Heavenly Court Cult was the most pivotal and correct decision of his life.

Seeing Cult Master Chi deep in thought, Lu Yang smiled. “Cult Master Chi, I know exactly what’s on your mind. You’re likely thinking the Blazing Sun Cult could research solar energy independently, without needing to cooperate with the Nine Nether Cult, aren’t you?”

“No, no, absolutely not,” Cult Master Chi quickly denied, though he was indeed thinking just that.

“It’s alright,” Lu Yang said. “People naturally pursue profit; it’s understandable.”

“However, Cult Master Chi, please consider carefully: establishing a solar energy technology development association first requires an untainted identity.”

“Registering such a large association has strict requirements regarding the registration spiritual stones and the identity of the registrant. They must, at a minimum, be at the Integration Stage.”

“If I’m not mistaken, among your cult’s Integration Stage cultivators, only Cult Master Chi himself is not currently wanted, correct?”

“Are you, Cult Master Chi, planning to register this association using your identity as a great inventor, and then leverage your seven incarcerations for tax evasion to ensure the authorities make it a primary target for scrutiny?”

Cold sweat beaded on Cult Master Chi’s forehead. He hadn’t expected the other party to have investigated his identity so thoroughly. In truth, he had always maintained two identities: the true one as Chi Guantian, the inventor of the telescope, and the false one as the Cult Master of the Blazing Sun Cult. He maintained these identities to avoid being recognized by other demonic cults and subsequently reported. He never imagined the other party would see through his elaborate disguise.

Lu Yang himself hadn’t seen through Cult Master Chi’s disguise; it was his Senior Sister who had. After their previous meeting, his Senior Sister had identified Cult Master Chi’s true identity.

“On the other hand, the Nine Nether Cult’s barbecue restaurant owner, Shi Huagu, has received multiple commendations from the imperial court and enjoys its complete trust. If he were to establish the association, it would undoubtedly circumvent many difficulties.”

Meng Jingzhou suddenly slammed the table and roared, “Our cult accounts for sixty percent of the barbecue restaurant’s profits! So, Cult Master Chi, are you saying you don’t want our cult to be involved in this association?”

Although Meng Jingzhou was only at the Nascent Soul Stage, his words sounded to Cult Master Chi like a threat from someone at the Tribulation Transcendence Stage. Only then did Cult Master Chi recall that while the barbecue restaurant was ostensibly the Nine Nether Cult’s property, the Heavenly Court Cult actually held the lion’s share. This wasn’t an association formed by two cults; it was three!

What was he thinking just now? Going solo and obstructing the Heavenly Court Cult’s financial interests? Was he tired of living? This was precisely his chance to cling to the Heavenly Court Cult’s favor!

Cult Master Chi forced a smile. “Young Cult Master Lu, Holy Son Long, you jest. By Venerable Dou, I truly have no intention of pursuing this independently.”

“Is that so? Good then.” Lu Yang smiled, as if his earlier words were merely a joke, and patted Meng Jingzhou’s back. “Calm down, old Long. See? Cult Master Chi doesn’t have such an idea.”

“That’s better,” Meng Jingzhou snorted, disinclined to speak further with them. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou rose, raising their teacups. The two cult masters, seeing this, quickly stood and raised their own. “Then let us toast to the everlasting friendship of our three cults, and to Master.”

“To Venerable Dou.” “To Venerable Dou.” “To Venerable Dou.”

All four drained their cups, fully demonstrating their respect for Venerable Dou. In the spiritual realm, Venerable Dou was very pleased with the four’s deference toward him.

“Do the two of you have anything else?” Lu Yang stretched.

“No, nothing at all. Thank you for your guidance, Young Cult Master Lu.”

“I, Chi, am slow-witted. I humbly request Young Cult Master Lu to guide me further in the future.”

After receiving both benefits and warnings from Lu Yang, the two cult masters genuinely admired Young Cult Master Lu from the bottom of their hearts. He was someone to be befriended, never to be made an enemy.

After bidding farewell, the Young Cult Master and the Holy Son of the Heavenly Court Cult departed with their four Heavenly Kings. The two cult masters, being highly cultivated, possessed superior hearing, surpassing even that of ordinary Integration Stage practitioners. They could faintly discern the conversation between Young Cult Master Lu and Holy Son Long from a considerable distance.

“Why are you telling them all this? Let them sort out their own problems if they have any. If you help them, how can they help us? Are we short on money, or do you think they’ll be useful when we fight the Ancient Four Immortals in the future?”

“At least the Nine Nether Cult and we had a decent relationship previously, and there’s also the sun deity position within the Heavenly Court, so it’s somewhat fated. Seeing how badly they’re struggling, we should help them if we can.”

“It’s as if we’re begging to join this association! Who needs it? It’s only because we want to research solar energy to replace candles, giving us a reason to keep guiding them. Without us, would their Blazing Sun Cult even know what to do next? They don’t appreciate our good intentions!”

“Alright, old Long,” Lu Yang interjected. “Everyone faces their own difficulties. There’s no need for them to know our true considerations.” The rest of the conversation faded into the wind, becoming inaudible.

The two cult masters felt utterly ashamed after overhearing this. If not for the Heavenly Court Cult’s consideration of their past connection, they wouldn’t even have had the opportunity to seek their support.

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