Chapter 939: Free Trade State

Li Fan, who had subtly changed his appearance, sat in a corner, carefully listening to the conversations of the cultivators inside the fortress.

"Have you heard? It seems the Immortal Alliance isn't planning to build a floating city in Jiushan State anymore."

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

"It's all because of the unstable space here. Although the Celestial Venerable's Dharma Idol completely razed Jiushan State, it didn't change the spatial characteristics. Teleportation arrays still can't be used reliably."

Upon hearing this, the cultivators suddenly realized the truth.

"No floating city... Then the Myriad Immortal Alliance can't just abandon such a large territory, can they?"

"It's hard to say. Before, they could rely on Jiushan's strategic terrain and build cities against the mountains. Now it's a flat plain with no natural defenses whatsoever. The most critical point is that teleportation arrays are unusable, so if they're surrounded, they can't get quick reinforcements. Both the cost and effectiveness of defense would be too poor."

"What do you know! The Council of Five Elders was beaten so badly by our Myriad Immortal Alliance that they personally came to seek peace. Do you really think they'd dare to launch an offensive? What danger could there be?"

"This fellow cultivator is truly naive. Haven't you heard that the balance of power is not fixed, nor is heroism determined by a single victory or defeat? Our previous success was merely due to our Myriad Immortal Alliance launching a surprise attack when they were unprepared. In my opinion, if both sides fight again, the outcome is still uncertain!"

"You weren't saying that when our Myriad Immortal Alliance was defeated before."

The cultivators inside the fortress were very keen on discussing the situation in the Xuanhuang Realm. They all held their own opinions, arguing endlessly, with no one willing to concede. It was quite lively.

Li Fan observed his surroundings and noticed that, besides himself, there was another cultivator who merely listened intently and did not participate in the discussion. This person appeared to be in their early thirties, dressed in a black robe with silver-white hair tied back. Listening to the discussion, a hint of disdain flickered in their eyes. Clearly, they didn't quite agree with the views of the cultivators present.

Li Fan smiled faintly, bought a pot of fine spiritual wine, and sat down in front of the other person.

"How should I address you, fellow cultivator?" Li Fan asked with a smile, pouring a cup for the silver-haired cultivator.

"Hm?" The silver-haired cultivator remained highly cautious of Li Fan's unprovoked hospitality. Instead of answering Li Fan's question, they narrowed their eyes and continuously sized up the overly familiar cultivator before them.

"Haha, there's no need to be so suspicious, fellow cultivator. I could tell at a glance that you possess an extraordinary demeanor, unlike ordinary people, and have profound insights. Also, I'm extremely curious about the future situation of Jiushan State, so I dared to ask for your opinion."

The silver-haired cultivator looked at Li Fan's sincere face, hesitated for a while, and then finally lowered their guard. After draining the spiritual wine in one gulp, the silver-haired cultivator sent a private message: "Heh heh, you've certainly asked the right person!"

"My name is Xin Hongzhang. When it comes to being well-informed, no one here can compare to me!"

Hearing this, Li Fan quickly poured Xin Hongzhang another cup. Xin Hongzhang was very pleased with Li Fan's attitude and sent a private message: "Since fate brought us together, I'll reveal a little to you. Just remember not to spread it."

Li Fan nodded repeatedly.

"Actually, those people are right; the Myriad Immortal Alliance indeed isn't planning to build a floating city in Jiushan State. However, this doesn't mean the Alliance is abandoning this place. On the contrary, the Alliance has decided to establish the first-ever Free Trade Zone here."

"Oh? A Free Trade Zone?" Seeing the other person's serious demeanor, Li Fan genuinely grew interested. "What does that mean?"

Xin Hongzhang said proudly, "You know about the Myriad Arts Chamber of Commerce, right? The Myriad Immortal Alliance and the Council of Five Elders have been at odds for years, prohibiting each other's goods from circulating. But the Myriad Arts Chamber of Commerce in Jiushan State was located in a buffer zone between them, beyond the control of either the Myriad Immortal Alliance or the Council of Five Elders. This allowed the Myriad Arts Chamber of Commerce to openly sell all sorts of rare treasures. Even though they hiked up prices, cultivators would still travel thousands of miles to purchase items, an endless stream of them."

"But that's all ancient history now. With the Celestial Venerable's Dharma Idol displaying its power, the entire Jiushan State was leveled. Although the Myriad Arts Chamber of Commerce wasn't completely wiped out, it suffered heavy losses. It'll be difficult for them to return to their former glory..." Xin Hongzhang shook his head.

"However, the head of that Myriad Arts Chamber of Commerce is truly an extraordinary individual. They actually convinced the Myriad Immortal Alliance to lift trade restrictions here in Jiushan State. Cultivators from both the Myriad Immortal Alliance and the Council of Five Elders can come here to freely trade the resources they need, merely by paying a small tax."

"With the Immortal Alliance leading and the experienced Myriad Arts Chamber of Commerce assisting, it's said that an agreement has secretly been reached with the Council of Five Elders to ensure that even if conflict breaks out again in the future, neither side will choose to wage war in Jiushan State..."

"By the way, you understand what confirmed safe, free trade means, don't you?" Xin Hongzhang stared at Li Fan.

Li Fan nodded, his eyes showing excitement.

"You can imagine, Jiushan State, which is currently desolate, will soon become incredibly prosperous. It might even surpass the four major regions in the heartland. If one can seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they will surely be able to defy fate and change their destiny..." Xin Hongzhang also took a deep gulp of spiritual wine, releasing his inner excitement. "If it weren't for this reason, I wouldn't have traveled thousands of miles to this remote borderland."

Li Fan lowered his head and remained silent for a long time, seemingly processing the astonishing news. Then he looked up and said to Xin Hongzhang, full of gratitude, "To share such important insider information with a stranger you've only just met..."

Xin Hongzhang waved his hand. "Haha, if you hadn't come forward to talk and ordered a good pot of wine, I wouldn't have told you about this. Actually, this isn't some top-secret information. The Immortal Alliance's announcement should be coming out soon. We're just getting a slight head start."

"Oh, by the way, if you have a comfortable amount of contribution points, you might want to keep an eye out for qualifications to purchase cave dwellings in Jiushan State recently. I bet that within ten years, the price of cave dwellings here will at least double! Even tripling or quadrupling wouldn't be an issue. If you can buy a few cave dwellings early on and sell them off in the near future..."

Xin Hongzhang secretly sent another private message. "It would be a truly risk-free and hugely profitable business!"

"Fellow cultivator Xin, you truly have incredible foresight!" Li Fan exclaimed, as if awakening from a dream, slapping his own head. "Why didn't I think of that?" He then continued to flatter him profusely.

Having drunk too much spiritual wine, Xin Hongzhang couldn't help but feel a bit lightheaded and flattered by Li Fan's compliments. Suddenly, he noticed Li Fan seemed to be hesitating about something. Finally, as if having made up his mind, Li Fan sent a mysterious private message: "Fellow cultivator Xin has been so generous with me, I can't be stingy either. To be frank, I have a secret technique called 'Divine Embodiment.' If you don't mind, I can teach it to you."

Seeing Li Fan's serious demeanor, Xin Hongzhang merely smiled, unimpressed.