The many families were all visibly delighted. They didn't care about the overt and covert struggles between the Li family and the Zhao Clan; all that mattered was that they could benefit from it.
Just as expected, Zhao Qingguang saw the crowd's delight and also smiled, saying,
"My Immortal Zhao Clan is newly arrived, so naturally, we also need the help and support of many friends.
The Zhao clansmen have already begun opening shops throughout the entire Dynasty.
We have our own powerful experts overseeing things, but the strength of one family is naturally not enough to handle such a large supply.
We will still need everyone's support."
"This..."
The cultivators were all astonished. Among the various families and clans present, who didn't have at least a few presentable Pill Masters?
But at most, they only did business within the territory of a single prefecture. Doing business in someone else's territory wasn't that simple. Besides manpower, it also required immense power and influence.
It was heard that the Li family of Azure Cloud was able to open shops all over the Azure Dynasty, but that was only because the family held the position of Prefecture Lord, had people in the imperial court, the Imperial Preceptor had facilitated things for them, and they had many years of experience.
Even so, Hall of Heavenly Principle shops still went bankrupt constantly, and even after several decades, they were still working hard at it.
This was especially true for traveling merchants; they also needed experts to escort the caravans.
Unfortunately, the Li family's business only allowed people from Azure Cloud to participate.
Now that they could conduct trade through the Zhao Clan, it was no different from a great joyous event!
"Hahaha, this is a good thing! My Ding family will join!" Ding Yuanxiao laughed loudly.
That Sun Haotian hesitated for a moment. He saw that Li Chang'an in the distance remained unmoved, and was in fact bowing his head and continuously making some calculating gestures with his hand.
He immediately furrowed his brow and did not answer.
But as Immortal Master Qi Yue subsequently joined, more and more of the aristocratic families from the Duravia Trade Prefecture also joined in.
Zhao Qingguang looked toward Li Chang'an, a smile filling his face as he murmured,
"This is just the beginning. Once the Li family's room for survival is snatched away by my Zhao Clan, bit by bit, I'm not afraid that you won't be driven mad with anger."
In the distance, Li Chang'an and Li Xinghuo exchanged a glance.
They knew instantly that the hope of obtaining the secret art to change the environment from the Zhao Clan was now remote.
Li Chang'an took a deep breath and slowly walked toward Zhao Qingguang.
Seeing Li Chang'an approach, the many experts of the Duravia Trade Prefecture all held their breath, looking as if they were watching a good show.
After such a brazen attempt to snatch the Li family's business, this Li Chang'an must surely be furious beyond compare.
They were afraid he was about to make a big scene, and seeing Zhao Qingguang, who was still all smiles, they feared that this Li Chang'an was still too young and inexperienced.
An elder from the Jiang family had already walked forward, wanting to stop Li Chang'an.
That Zishu Wandong even walked to Li Xinghuo's side and said in a grave voice: "Junior, that old dog of the Zhao Clan is trying to infuriate your Li family. This is the Zhao Clan's territory. Help me persuade Li Chang'an."
Li Xinghuo's brow furrowed tightly. Although he had only met this woman a few scant times after the battle at Prince Qian's Mansion, he still had some impression of this direct disciple of the Perennis Immortal Palace.
If he remembered correctly, her name was Zishu Wukong, what a strange name. However, the young lady's intentions were good, so Li Xinghuo still nodded gratefully.
"Thank you, Senior Wukong. My family's elders will naturally make their own judgment."
"..."
Zishu Wan was stunned for a moment. She glanced to her left, right, and behind her, and after confirming no one else was around, she froze on the spot.
However, contrary to everyone's expectations, Li Chang'an did not show the anger they had imagined.
He simply followed the most basic etiquette, cupped his fists toward Zhao Qingguang, and said:
"Family Head Zhao, thank you for the hospitality. If Your Excellency comes to my Li family, we will certainly return the favor."
His words were neither servile nor overbearing.
After speaking, he turned to leave, letting the Jiang family elder breathe a sigh of relief.
Zhao Qingguang, on the other hand, furrowed his brow.
However, right at this moment, a cultivator from the Ding family came rushing in from outside the banquet hall in a panic and whispered a few words in Ding Yuanxiao's ear.
In just a moment, Ding Yuanxiao's face went pale.
"What did you say? Our clan's spirit herb garden and treasury..."
He was instantly speechless. A family's shameful affair could not be spoken of to outsiders.
But just as his words faded, Zhao Qingguang's expression changed.
In the sky above the Immortal Zhao Clan, message swords and communicating streaks of light from every family and clan pierced through the formation, one after another, and landed in the hands of numerous cultivators.
Without exception, all their faces changed.
"Not good! A thief stole from my family's treasury!"
"My family too! They only stole ten percent of the spirit herbs."
"Same as you."
"Not me."
"Hmm?"
"Please, all Fellow Daoists, help me! An elder from the Ghost Eye Sect once died in my home, and now they have slaughtered their way into my clan!"
In an instant, the entire banquet fell into chaos.
The people from every family and clan of the Duravia Trade Prefecture all thought of one family... the Li family!
Zhao Qingguang's face, in particular, turned ashen.
Without a doubt, this was the Li family applying pressure!
Otherwise, how could all these families be robbed at the exact same time?
Moreover, those who were robbed here, whether it was the Ding family or the other families, had all, without exception, participated in his business venture.
Looking again at the Sun family and the few families who had not participated, they were all spared.
"Li Chang'an!"
In an instant, Zhao Qingguang's Divinity Transformation pressure erupted, causing the cultivators from the surrounding families to scatter and retreat.
The pressure surged toward Li Chang'an and Li Xinghuo!
The Jiang family elder and Zishu Wandong inwardly exclaimed, "Not good!" and instantly stood together with the two from the Li family.
The four of them unleashed their full spiritual power, even their Dharma Bodies appearing before everyone, before they were barely able to withstand Zhao Qingguang's pressure.
"Family Head Zhao, what is the meaning of this?!!"
Li Chang'an's Dharma Body was actually a pair of giant eyes, its gaze so dazzling and bewildering that it made people dare not look directly at it.
Under Zhao Qingguang's pressure, all the anger Li Chang'an possessed from his many years as a person in authority was unleashed.
"What do I mean?" Zhao Qingguang roared furiously.
"My Zhao Clan wants to do business, and you arrange for people to steal from the treasuries of every family and clan! Are you trying to give my Zhao Clan a show of dominance?
Fine! What a fine Li family!"
Li Chang'an narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Surnamed Zhao, my Li family has no need to do such despicable things."
"What proof do you have?!!" Zhao Qingguang was already furious beyond compare.
Li Chang'an scoffed, "Proof? Am I supposed to provide proof every time someone in the world loses something? Besides, your Zhao Clan's business is doomed to fail. Why would I bother with stealing?"
"What do you mean by that?" Seeing Li Chang'an's expression, Zhao Qingguang was already partially convinced, but his heart couldn't stop pounding wildly.
---
Donate on Ko-fi ➡️ [https://ko-fi.com/darktea] ⬅️
Get Early Access to 60 Chapters: Search for "Dark Tea" on Ko-fi (Explore tab) and join my membership to read ahead!