Chapter 161: What the Lighthouse Commerce Association Does Has Nothing to Do With My Taoshu Commerce Association
Just as Luo Xiaotai and his two companions were observing the figures fleetingly appearing within the mountain forest, their expressions were somewhat uncertain and suspicious.
Suddenly, a peculiar and curious object flew out from the ground in their direction.
It was a flat-shaped "magical artifact," roughly the size of a washbasin, with a palm-sized black solid in the center, four small rapidly rotating devices at the corners, and four slender legs below.
This 'magical artifact' flew swiftly, emitting a continuous buzzing sound—yes, a rather serious kind.
In the Damo Realm, there are quite a number of magical artifacts that can be released to fly for a certain distance, but such artifacts generally signal 'attack,' if not at least a warning.
Therefore, upon seeing this magical artifact flying toward them, Luo Xiaotai and his companions nearly simultaneously took a defensive posture, channeling their energy to the fullest.
The group's only female member promptly took out a small array, which activated a faint protective shield around them.
However, unexpectedly.
This flying magical artifact suddenly stopped mid-air ten li away and began broadcasting a message in standard Damo language:
"Warning, warning! I am the manager of the 'Lighthouse' Commerce Association. Be advised, you have approached our airspace.. cough cough, our combat zone, please identify yourself, or you will be intercepted!"
As this suspended 'magical artifact' broadcasted its message to the three of them.
Below ground.
A green avian beast, twice the size of their Black Feathered Eagle, suddenly rushed out from the mountain forest, cried out, and quickly fled.
This beast was entirely green, with a long and stout beak, its appearance too distinct, thus allowing Luo Xiaotai to instantly recognize its species and realm:
Second-tier beast, Giant Beaked Green Bird!
And judging by the size of this Giant Beaked Green Bird, its realm was likely mid-second-tier or higher!
If such a beast escapes, it would spell disaster for all surrounding cities!
Before Luo Xiaotai and his companions could react, they saw a slender magical staff, trailing a white airwave, soar up from a strange ground vehicle.
This staff then pursued the Giant Beaked Green Bird at nearly double speed, and the two collided heavily...
A mournful cry rang out.
boom!!!
The second-tier Giant Beaked Green Bird exploded into fireworks in mid-air, and a black remnant fell down, creating a deep pit in the ground.
Seeing this, Luo Xiaotai's breath caught slightly.
Moments later.
He seemed to realize something and quickly turned around, addressing the flying magical artifact with respect:
"I am Luo Xiaotai, City Lord of Dingxing City and Patriarch of the Luo Family. These two are inner family patrons, Luo Yurong and Luo Feng."
On the ground.
Watching the high-definition footage of Luo Xiaotai's evident change in attitude, Longxing River and Commissioner Fang Bo exchanged a smile.
In reality.
The appearance of this second-tier Giant Beaked Green Bird was not accidental.
It was captured in advance, considering that Dingxing City's personnel were likely to appear, by bunnies with the plan in mind.
The talisman used to capture it was the Suppression Talisman, which had been introduced when handed over to Yang Bolin's list.
Though this human-bird act was costly, for the bunnies, flexing their muscles was a necessary step.
Only by initially intimidating the opponent could they control the subsequent pace.
Sure enough.
With this launch of the HQ17 missile, Luo Xiaotai and his companions visibly changed their demeanor.
The manifestation of firepower as truth was complete.
Following this, Luo Xiaotai and his companions flew under the guidance of the drone, eventually descending slowly to the ground, where they met Longxing River and the others waiting.
Upon seeing Luo Xiaotai and his companions land.
Longxing River did not approach directly, but addressed a middle-aged man beside him, clearly experienced in external relations:
"Translator Lei, it will be up to you now."
The Lei Translator Longxing River referred to was Lei Yiming, a top translator from the former External Relations Department, and arrived with the team over twenty days ago as one of the civilian members of the Damo Realm.
Like those translators previously introduced by Lin Li, Lei Yiming belonged to Huaxia's most elite group of language prodigies, his linguistic talent on a monstrous level.
If the Damo Realm spiritual root was not limited in type, these translators would likely at least detect a 'speech' spiritual root for you.
In reality, at Lei Yiming's position.
His role is not simply as a translator, but a speaker with some independent expression rights, with psychological resilience and experience surpassing ordinary people.
Therefore, in the plan established by the command.
Lei Yiming will assume Ma Ning's tasks during the Ziqiong Market, temporarily 'acting' as the Commerce Association's chief for Longxing River.
After all, Longxing River could handle warfare, but when it came to foreign languages, he was essentially a blank slate.
Of course.
This time, the bunnies will no longer use the Taoshu Commerce Association identity for external affairs.
As soon as Luo Xiaotai and the others landed.
Lei Yiming took a breath, stepped forward steadily, and made the standard Damo Realm greeting:
"I am Lei Yiming, the third steward of the Lighthouse Commerce Association."
As a dignified cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, Luo Xiaotai could easily discern that Lei Yiming was actually a mere mortal who couldn't even awaken spiritual roots—accurately speaking, apart from the few followers (Lin Ziming, Cao Yi) standing behind Lei Yiming who were in the initial stages of Qi Cultivation, nearly everyone around was just ordinary mortals.
Yet, these mortals had genuinely slain a second-tier magical beast earlier, not to mention that there were mortals cleaning the battlefield not far from where they stood.
The contrast left Luo Xiaotai bewildered, and added to his cautionary demeanor.
Moreover, Lei Yiming's demeanor was unquestionably not that of an ordinary person.
Thus, Luo Xiaotai made a gesture for the first time in his life—giving a respectful bow to a mortal:
"So it is Steward Lei from the Lighthouse Commerce Association, a pleasure, a pleasure."
After the pleasantries were exchanged.
Luo Xiaotai initiated conversation, conveniently asking the question foremost in his mind:
"May I ask Steward Lei, what is the current state of the beast tide here...?"
Lei Yiming shrugged upon hearing this, perfectly embodying the casual attitude of a 'Lighthouse Commerce Association' representative, responding in standard Damo language:
"As you can see, it was completely annihilated by our association."
Luo Xiaotai's heart skipped a beat, and after a long pause, he spoke hesitantly:
"I see, I see, your association indeed has formidable strength, formidable strength..."
Then Lei Yiming waved his hand naturally, as if he were the true Foundation Establishment Cultivator and Luo Xiaotai merely a mortal:
"City Lord Luo, since you're here, why not join me and take a look at the center of the battlefield?"
Lei Yiming's invitation perfectly matched Luo Xiaotai's further intentions, so he quickly nodded:
"Then courtesy compels us to follow your lead."
The group then proceeded along the main direction of attack towards the main peak of Xiaolianzi Mountain.
During the march.
Observing the shattered remains of magical beasts and the pitted, uneven ground around them, along with the lingering smoke.
Luo Xiaotai could easily imagine the scale of the battle that had occurred here.
The more he looked, the more shocked he became, until he couldn't help but ask:
"Steward Lei, may I ask where your commerce association comes from? Perhaps my knowledge is limited, but I have never heard of the name 'Lighthouse' before."
Lei Yiming exchanged a covert glance with Longxing River, then smiled and said:
"City Lord Luo, we come from a city in the west called Juqi... about four thousand miles away from Xiaolianzi Mountain.
Juqi City is quite large, with humans and beasts living together, and the Lighthouse Commerce Association is the largest in the city.
This time we arrived at a nearby transit station on a large flying ship, intending to hunt the beast tide owing dues at Xiaolianzi."
Luo Xiaotai nodded, somewhat understanding.
Although he wasn't quite sure where Juqi City was.
The fact that the Lighthouse Commerce Association came from afar was something he'd almost figured out upon landing—after all, he was both City Lord and Patriarch, with some perspective and judgment.
With the current surge in magical beast material prices, it wasn't an unusual occurrence for merchant teams from other cities to come to Xiaolianzi Mountain to capture beast tides.
As long as the beast tide was exterminated, that was all that mattered.
Then Luo Xiaotai became a bit bolder and continued asking Lei Yiming:
"Steward Lei, may I ask how many cultivators came this time? To eliminate such a beast tide, a small force wouldn't suffice."
"Just the usual, about twenty high-level cultivators at the Core Formation Realm, nothing major, we could easily crush them."
Lei Yiming blatantly exaggerated, considering it was something done by the Lighthouse Commerce Association, what did it have to do with Taoshu Commerce Association of his allies?
Moreover, it's a necessary move to flaunt the cultivators' banner.
Within the Damo Realm, where hot weaponry was unknown, attributing all the credit to mortals was extremely inappropriate.
Then Lei Yiming feigned a slightly cautious demeanor and said:
"But many cultivators are currently resting within the mountain, so I won't lead City Lord Luo to disturb them."
"As it should be, as it should be."
Luo Xiaotai forced a dry laugh, but inwardly he was relieved.
He didn't suspect Lei Yiming of deceiving him in the slightest; it would be strange if such a battle had taken place without high-level cultivators involved.
At most, the reason those Core Formation cultivators remained behind the scenes wasn't rest but minor injuries sustained, and the battle process hadn't been as effortless as Lei Yiming described.
Now that the magical beasts have been thoroughly purged, naturally the finishing tasks were handed over to mortals like Lei Yiming.
This was all understandable.
Just as Luo Xiaotai pondered how to establish relations with the Lighthouse Commerce Association, Lei Yiming suddenly asked:
"City Lord Luo, are you interested in doing some business?"
Luo Xiaotai looked at him, a question mark appearing on his face:
"?"
Lei Yiming pointed towards the center of the battlefield:
"On the battlefield, many magical beast remains are incomplete yet valuable. We are willing to sell these res... ahem, resources to you at a discounted rate; what do you think?"
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