The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Wang Dazhu thought his maritime trade convoy would be able to get home after just six months, after running along the entire western shore of Violet Isle. They would be bringing the plentiful high-class food ingredients from the north-west part of the island and trading them for the various cultivation resources their hometown lacked. In practice, it was a lot of difficult than that as they had to adapt multiple local markets, helping cities move their wares around. It was through dozens of these minor trade deals that accumulated into the greatest profits.

That was why Wang Dazhu always kept an ear out whenever he went into port. It was also why he ended up detouring into the infamous Demonic Cultivator Territory for the first time in his life.

As a merchant for many decades, he had long heard of the rumours spread by his peers that the place actually wasn't that bad. At least trade was possible with hefty profits on the table. It was just that Wang Dazhu had always been too cowardly to get involved, satisfied with what he had already.

However, the recent news he heard finally changed his stance, and he couldn't say he was wrong, either, now that the rumored city came into view.

"Master Wang, we're about to arrive. This is the last chance for us to turn back. Are you sure you want to head into the city uninvited?" his right-hand man nervously asked. "The rumors about this so-called free trade city may be a trap. Once we dock, we won't be able to escape."

"Yes. We've already come all the way here. I have no intentions of changing my mind at this point."

"Very well."

As his seasoned deckhands prepared to dock, Wang Dazhu stood at the bow, watching the city before him grow larger. The infrastructure there was nothing he had seen before. Instead of fine houses with artisan-crafted tiles covering slanted roofs, the entire city appeared very rectangular for some reason. It was as if the builder hadn't accounted for heavy rain accumulating on the roofs.

Nevertheless, he couldn't exactly call the architectural style barbaric, either. They made plentiful use of stone throughout the city, an expensive material often reserved for wealthy estates. Even the pier was made of the same material, stretching far out into the sea. It was something Wang Dazhu had only seen in the larger port cities.

The pier was bustling with activity, but even so, Wang Dazhu was able to spot a small squad of local officers, each dressed in a strange, tight-fitting uniform, awaiting them. They stood with rigid posture, even more disciplined than most town guards. The moment they docked, these strange guards split up and rushed onto their ships.

"Who is the person responsible for your group?" they all yelled.

Naturally, Wang Dazhu could only be in one place. He raised his hand as he strode over to the people who had boarded his ship.

"It's me. I am in charge of all three ships."

Just as he tucked his other arm into his sleeve, about to retrieve some coins to grease some palms, the officials in question simply nodded and turned around.

"Follow us," they said without sparing another glance.

Unfamiliar with the new port, Wang Dazhu could only comply. He followed the official toward the end of the pier, entering the first building they saw. It was only then that he had a chance to inspect the structure up close. He couldn't help but run a hand against it as they walked through.

"Strange. What type of granite is this? And this—this isn't an open window. It's a see-through material! This feeling—wait, is this glass?"

"Sir?" the official ahead of him turned back to find him hovering over the window. "Please keep up."

"Ahem, apologies."

Rushing to catch up with the official, Wang Dazhu soon found himself led to a large hall filled with dozens of people. The place appeared similar to a money shop, with a dozen counters and a long line of people waiting for their turn. He noticed many merchants with familiar faces in the line.

"Line up here. The person at the counter will be able to guide you through what needs to be done," the official said before briskly walking away.

Stepping into the line, completely bewildered by the situation, the person in front of him suddenly turned to him with wide eyes.

"Mister Wang! It has been quite some time since I last saw you. So you've decided to come to Merchant's End? Can't say I expected that, but it's a pleasant surprise."

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It took a moment for Wang Dazhu to recognize the portly man before him as Hu Dabao, a merchant he had done business with in the past.

"It is good to see a familiar face here, Mister Hu. It's my first time here, and I'm slightly confused. I take it someone as daring as you would know quite a bit about this place?"

"Haha, not at all, not at all," the rotund man laughed, causing his cheeks to jiggle. "It's just that this is my third time here. I am just able to leave after I pay the port fees here. After all, I have so many talismans and pills to bring back, hahaha!"

Hearing this, Wang Dazhu frowned.

"I thought this city was known for its free trade, and that there weren't any fees."

"Yes, that is true. There aren't any of the usual customs tax, or port entry fees. If you want, you could enter and leave without paying any fees at all, as long as you don't take up a spot at the pier for too long. It's just that I found it worthwhile to have my ship nearby during my stay, and I made use of several of their optional services to help transport my wares."

"I see…"

"Don't worry about it, Mister Wang. The clerk will explain everything to you, but I can give you a rundown while we wait."

And so the two conversed. Wang Dazhu was able to learn a lot about the city during this time. The way this place conducted business was unlike any other. Instead of just being a place for merchants to gather and make their own deals, the officials here were much more involved, and not in the way that asked for bribes.

They enforced their standards, forcing every trade to be conducted using their measurement system. Things that often varied, like the purity of metals in coins, were discouraged from use. Instead, they were encouraged to trade in these unreliable coins, so they could receive paper money instead, much like the money houses. Of course, the silver or gold content of the coins determined how much they received.

After learning everything he needed, it was finally Wang Dazhu's turn. Armed with knowledge, his time with the clerk didn't last long. He simply completed the docking procedures and chose to moor his ship at the pier, just like his acquaintance had.

The entire process took over an hour, but it left him satisfied. He had confirmed that this place was truly profitable. All that was left was the usual—finding trading partners. Without numerous fees awaiting him, it would take quite the incompetent merchant to come out with a loss.

***

Since Li Lang returned with the Thousand Change Sea Breath, nine months had passed.

He had managed to convince Sunset Peak to delay his visit for all these months, thanks to the excuse of investigating nearby areas for signs of the Abductress, but that excuse wouldn't last long. Very soon, Star Gem Academy would have to dispatch people to various provinces within the orthodox sect territory to investigate the traces they had found. That was why he had to finally stop his closed-door cultivation.

During these nine months, they had managed to accomplish many things, but it was never enough. There was always more to do.

"How's the mortal city going?" Li Lang asked as he settled himself in the small meeting room in the main building of Starpoint Island.

"The locals have started calling it 'Merchant's End' nowadays," Long Yi said.

"Yes, an-and it's been going smoothly," Wei Ping chimed in. "Our stockpile o-of Mortal-grade pills and talismans finally has a sta-stable market to go, and we've recruited quite a fe-few merchants to our side. All of them ha-have decided to move in with their families, of course."

Hearing of mortal merchants, Li Lang couldn't help but be reminded of his foster father, Zi Zun. The man had been a successful merchant at the peak of the Energy Gathering Realm. While he never managed to take that final step into the next major realm, he had many accomplishments in establishing a trade empire.

"Boss? Ar-are you alright?"

"Hm? Yes. Just thinking about my trip to the opposite end of Violet Isle, that's all."

"Well, you were adequately prepared for it during this time, right?" Long Yi asked. "Like, you weren't spending all your time investigating something strange again, were you? Well, it's fine as long as you don't bother all the students, I guess."

"It was just that one time when Niu Ben started acting up again! I really wanted to see if there was a way to permanently remove the side effects of his demonic cultivation technique," he retorted. "Plus, the students volunteered to help. I didn't bother anyone."

"As if they would refuse their headmaster. Anyway, I just hope you used your time properly instead of focusing on something that is already manageable."

"Cultivation deviation is not manageable yet!"

"It is if they take your drug or whatever every month."

"Let's fo-focus here. We don't have much time."

As the trio caught up with each other, time passed by quickly. Early morning of the next day, Li Lang flew up toward the edge of Starpoint Island and watched the sunrise. He watched the beautiful orange tint slowly change colors.

The aura emanating from him was a stark contrast from nine months ago. It was like the difference between a fawn and a full-fledged adult. He now had the bite to back up his status as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Right as the sun fully rose, a Skyrunner suddenly appeared, as if it had teleported there. It bore the symbol of the Sunset Peak Sect, and a middle-aged man emerged from within.

"Headmaster Li, I presume?"

"That's right."

And thus began his trip to Sunset Peak. What many recognized as the strongest sect in the entirety of Violet Isle.