Once again, it was a small market, and Luo Chen arrived at his stall early.
This surprised Old Man Chen.
"Ever since you started making that stuff, haven't you been showing up only once a month?"
"I'm short on spirit stones lately, so I'm here to sell a batch," Luo Chen replied casually, placing two types of pills on the stone slab.
Scanning the surroundings, he looked puzzled.
"Don't tell me you don't know about it?" Old Man Chen asked dramatically.
Luo Chen was baffled. Was he supposed to know? It's not like he had enjoyed gossip.
Being cooped up in the alchemy room every day, most of the news he got about the outside world came from Gu Caiyi and Bai Meiling.
"You mean Poshan Gang and Dajiang Gang? Ugh, how annoying! They just caused a ruckus two months ago, and they're at it again?"
Old Man Chen shook his head. "No, this time is different."
After Old Man Chen's explanation, Luo Chen finally understood the situation. Or rather, anyone interested could easily find out about the current circumstances.
The truce two months ago wasn't a real truce.
It was merely the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion mediating a temporary peace between both Foundation Establishment cultivators, Poshan Gang's Mi Shuhua and Dajiang Gang's Wang Haichao.
After all, if the fight continued, the outer district would be ruined sooner or later. Both the outer and inner districts were rental territories under the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion.
If everyone died, who would they collect rent from?
However, the mountain routes were too lucrative. Neither of the Foundation Establishment cultivators would give up easily.
Yet, they couldn't disrespect the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion, which owned the market and represented the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Thus, they agreed to resolve it through combat.
Both sides would each send nine top experts to duel at the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion's debate platform, with life and death left to fate.
The participants' cultivation realm was limited below Foundation Establishment.
If Dajiang Gang lost, they would relinquish their mountain business, return to focus on managing the Lancang River, and give up a waterway to Poshan Gang.
If Poshan Gang lost, it was even simpler, they would transfer five of their secured trade routes to Dajiang Gang.
The two-month truce was essentially a preparation period for both factions to assemble their top fighters.
No wonder so many unfamiliar cultivators have shown up at the market recently—they're all experts invited by the two factions!
Luo Chen suddenly understood. His hands didn't stop moving as he handed a few jade bottles to a returning customer. After collecting the spirit stones, he noticed Old Man Chen shaking his head.
"These two factions may hold influence here, but in the grand scheme of the Jade Cauldron Domain, they’re nothing," commented Old Man Chen.
Uh… Luo Chen thought.
Old Man Chen continued, "It was the cultivators of the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion who deliberately leaked the news. That’s why so many outsiders have come."
Luo Chen blinked. Why would they do that? Aren’t they worried these outsiders will stir up trouble and become difficult to control?
As if sensing his doubts, Old Man Chen clarified, "The Six Great Sects of the Far East each have their own specialties and business domains."
The Hehuan Sect specialized in affairs between men and women, thriving steadily since ancient times.
The Divine Talisman Pavilion dominated the talisman trade, its mastery of the art unrivaled across the Six Domains.
The Medicine King Sect focused on elixirs and spirit herbs, amassing immense wealth.
The Five Elements Divine Sect thrived in spirit plants and spellcraft.
Tianfan City controlled the enchanted artifact and formation market, with its Treasure Pavilion standing unparalleled in the Six Domains.
But what about the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect?
To less experienced rogue cultivators, did the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect have any noteworthy enterprises?
The answer was simple—no.
The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had always reigned supreme in combat power, with the majority of its disciples being sword cultivators.
Yes, sword cultivators were formidable among their peers, but they didn’t engage in production.
While the Sword Sect possessed decent sword-forging techniques, they paled in comparison to Tianfan City.
Moreover, the weapons that the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect forged were primarily sword orbs, which required dedicated nurturing.
Most cultivators sought versatility in their combat techniques. Who would rely solely on a single sword to traverse the world? In contrast, generic flying sword artifacts were far more practical.
While the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect dabbled in alchemy, talismans, and array formations, they were far less skilled than the other sects.
"So, by your logic, are all the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect cultivators living off the cold northwest wind?" Luo Chen asked in disbelief.
"It is not that bad. After all, this entire domain belongs to them," Old Man Chen said knowledgeably, clearly well-versed in these rumors.
"For example, the Zhongding family and the Debate Platform are both part of their businesses."
Restaurants? Arenas? How much spirit stone profit could those bring in?
Old Man Chen continued, "Our monthly rent and stall fees are also part of their revenue. Another major source of income is that the Jade Cauldron Domain is closest to the Great Million Mountains. Most of the natural treasures produced there are prioritized for purchase by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, which they then sell to other sects in the Six Domains."
Luo Chen grinned and remarked, "But it still sounds a bit shabby!"
He then pointed to the prominent buildings in the city center and asked, "In that case, why doesn't the Sword Sect drive out the other sects and take over their businesses?
"Even if their pills and talismans are subpar, they'd still be better than those made by rogue cultivators or small cultivation families.
"With swords in hand, who would dare not buy from them?"
"They wouldn't dare!" Old Man Chen whispered. "After all, the Jade Cauldron Domain wasn’t conquered solely by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. The other five great sects and numerous smaller sects all played a part."
I see. Luo Chen finally understood.
If the Jade Cauldron Domain were a company, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect would be the majority shareholder and executive director, while the other sects would hold smaller shares.
But profits in this company weren’t evenly distributed—earnings depended on one’s capabilities.
The Sword Sect simply held the home-ground advantage.
It had to be said—Old Man Chen’s explanation helped Luo Chen fully grasp the situation.
The Debate Platform was a key business for the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, and now, with a gang rivalry escalating into a life-and-death battle involving eighteen experts, they were poised to maximize its value.
By spreading the news far and wide, they ensured a fortune in ticket sales alone.
And if they added an auction or other events? Their profits would soar even higher.
Cultivators truly aren't fools! Luo Chen remarked.
What seemed like a turf war between two gangs was, in reality, most profitable for the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, the ever-beneficial mediator.
Moreover, regardless of whether Poshan Gang or Dajiang Gang won, the mountain treasures they fought over would still be sold first to the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion.
If the meat was already in their pot, they might as well let the aroma spread to attract even more prey.
Unfortunately, none of this had anything to do with Luo Chen—a mere fourth-stage Qi-Refining cultivator.
No, he did have some connection. His good brother Wang Yuan was Poshan Gang's top fighter in this battle. Yes, Poshan Gang's top enforcer!
Luo Chen pondered, Should I go support Wang Yuan when the time comes?