Was Shang Wu Jie not concerned about leaks? Even if recording was prohibited, it was generally assumed that spies from the Wu and Tie clans were present at this meeting.
"You may all relax," he said, waving his hand. "I have already discussed this with the leaders of the Wu and Tie clans. We are in agreement - while the Blood Path must be condemned, failing to understand it would place us at a disadvantage. Even the Tie Clan has cooperated."
He paused before continuing. The Tie Clan joining in meant that no other righteous force on the Southern Border would question them. As for the other regions, they did not have much influence over them at this time. The Heavenly Qi Walls were still intact, after all.
"This Gu House does function as described. Its offensive power approaches that of a rank six Immortal Gu. While other claims remain untested, it is reasonable to assume they are accurate," Shang Wu Jie said.
His gaze swept across the assembly.
"Given its relatively low construction cost, and the fact that - unlike Immortal Gu - it is not unique, it represents considerable value. For merely twenty to twenty-five immortal essence stones, one can obtain such power. Such a thing is a huge development."
This was, if anything, an understatement.
Since Immortal Gu were unique and exceedingly rare, even wealthy immortals typically exchanged them only for other Immortal Gu. One could not buy them no matter how many Immortal Essence stones one had normally. Most Rank 6 immortals did not possess even a single Immortal Gu; only upon reaching rank seven might they acquire one or two, if fortunate. Yet now, there existed a method for nearly any immortal to attain comparable offensive strength at a relatively low cost. While top-tier experts might not be overly concerned, this represented a significant shift in power among lower-ranked immortals.
Fang Yuan, though pleased by how widely and swiftly his scheme had spread, frowned inwardly.
Twenty to twenty-five immortal essence stones?
He had not been closely monitoring market prices in Yellow Treasure Heaven, but such a sharp increase seemed excessive. By his own calculations, construction should have required only five to seven and a half stones. That affordability had been the entire point. Five to seven and a half immortal essence stones was by no means cheap, but it was more than worth it for the value the Blood Chariot provided.
At that price, even the poorest immortals could participate. But at twenty to twenty-five, while it still remained a bargain - it was no longer as accessible to all. Many would need months or years of savings to afford it. Those people would do so even if the price was pushed up even higher. Now, however, it had risen beyond the reach of many low-income immortals, clashing with Fang Yuan's original intention of spreading it as widely as possible.
At the same time, Fang Yuan couldn't help but calculate how much he might have earned had he chosen to cultivate blood path himself. A massive price surge would have benefited him greatly. Still, he could only sigh inwardly. And markets corrected themselves sooner or later.
If anything, the appeal of blood path cultivation had now grown even stronger. That part of his strategy was working.
He might well be accelerating a blood path resurgence long before the arrival of the Great Era when the regional walls would collapse.
Naturally, the Shang clan maintained its righteous stance for now. "The users of blood path are the lowest of the low. Blood cultivators will be hunted down wherever they are found."
Even with the knowledge now public, Shang clan members were expressly forbidden from using it.
Of course, the one who said this had already constructed one himself - and admitted as much. But circumstances could always serve as justification. And who could challenge Shang Wu Jie anyway?
Many Rank 7 Gu Immortals nodded in agreement. They had little need for something like the Blood Chariot. At their level, they already possessed more reliable offensive methods.
Rank six immortals, however, understood the true message.
Use it - but never openly.
The discussion soon died down, shifting toward other matters.
"The price of Ambition Gu has increased," an elder said. "We must revise our purchasing plans. It seems the seller has realized they can charge more and has nearly doubled the price in question."
"Those who wish to acquire additional Ambition Gu will have to use their own resources - not the clan's."
Fang Yuan chuckled inwardly. His Ambition Gu business was thriving and he was always in need of more funds. Maintaining listings in Yellow Treasure Heaven like he was with the Blood Sea Ancestor Junior Inheritance did incur minor costs the longer one kept it up. These could add up over time. He naturally needed to be on the lookout for sources of funds.
The proceedings soon turned mundane again - resource allocations, internal adjustments, and clan missions.
As always, there were more tasks than willing participants.
Missions like guarding resource points were highly sought after. It provided opportunities to skim profits quietly. More dangerous assignments, naturally, were avoided by most
One particular mission finally drew his attention - traveling to the Western Desert to conduct trade with the Tian Clan.
Interest in this mission was low. Crossing regions was troublesome. Rank 7 immortals suffered heavy suppression from regional walls. Rank 8 experts could bypass them via Black or White Heaven, but their movements would be closely monitored and their intrusion into another region could very well be seen as an invasion.
Only Rank 6 immortals were truly suited for such tasks - weak enough to avoid excessive scrutiny yet strong enough to make the journey in relatively reasonable amounts of time.
Even then, the risks remained significant. Other regions were notoriously hostile to outsiders. From Fang Yuan's experience wandering the world, the regions in terms of how friendly they were to foreign Gu Masters could be ranked as the most friendly being the Eastern Sea. Then followed by the Central Continent thanks to the sect system. The Western Desert and the Southern Border were so close they were essentially tied for third place. The Northern Plains were the most xenophobic of all regions.
At that moment, Shang Qing Qing spoke up.
"I have someone to nominate for this mission."
Two other immortals had expressed interest to undertake this mission, but they were lone cultivators at Rank 6 with little reputation to their name much like Fang Yuan. With her backing, Fang Yuan secured the mission for himself.
After the meeting, Fang Yuan and Shang Qing Qing spoke briefly.
"Thank you, Senior Sister," Fang Yuan said.
"It's nothing," she replied. "After that fine tea you served me, how could I refuse your request? Though I am somewhat curious - what exactly are you seeking in the Western Desert?"
Fang Yuan had already prepared an answer.
"There are certain materials beneficial to my aperture - Rank 5 Happiness Nectar Cacti, Winds of Contentment, Sands of Solitude... it may be easier to gather them in person as well as do business there firsthand."
"That makes sense," she said. "Just don't embarrass the Shang clan. Your reputation reflects on me now."
"I would never damage Fairy's reputation," Fang Yuan replied smoothly. Then, as if hesitating, he added, "Do you think… some within the clan intend to construct the Blood Chariot?" He needed to maintain the image of a struggling lone cultivator that Shang Qing Qing attributed to him.
Shang Qing Qing considered how to answer Fang Yuan.
"It's possible. Gu Immortals can hide secrets rather easily and some may be tempted by the darkness," she admitted. "I'm sorry, but I have to go now. The real discussions will happen in the internal meeting."
Fang Yuan had no doubt that even she had to be considering making one. Certain territories under Shang clan control would inevitably begin producing Blood Path resources in secrets. The profits were simply too great to ignore, and everyone would want to have their internal supply if the Blood Chariot turned out to be that useful.
"I understand," he said.
"When will you depart?" she asked.
"Within three days."
"There's no need to rush," she said.
"I prefer not to delay," Fang Yuan replied. His first earthly calamity was soon approaching. Time was not on his side.
After leaving, Fang Yuan was approached by another Gu Immortal.
"Brother," the man said, "I seek Prickly Poison Fruit from the Western Desert. Since you're going, could you help me acquire some?"
"What compensation are you offering?" Fang Yuan asked bluntly.
The man hesitated. "Compensation? We're both outsiders in the Shang clan... shouldn't we should help each other? I cannot offer full payment now but..."
Fang Yuan glanced at him. He did not recognize this person either from his current knowledge or his past life's memories.
Unremarkable.
Unknown.
Worthless.
"Scram!" Fang Yuan said flatly.
The man's expression darkened before leaving. "S-Shameless! Y-You'll regret this the day when you need help and there is no one to lend you a hand! Mark my words! Every dog has its day!"
Fang Yuan didn't even bother responding. If the man truly mattered, Fang Yuan would have remembered his name. But Fang Yuan couldn't, meaning the man was no threat whatsoever.