"Fellow Daoist Luo Feng, this is the Artifact Palace of the Luo Tian Society," Sima Huiniang introduced warmly. "There are over a hundred artifact forging apprentices here, and the hall is personally overseen by Palace Leader Duan Feng. His family lineage is extraordinary, tracing all the way back to the Skysail City tradition. At present, they have achieved stable production of mid-grade flying swords, and they even occasionally produce top-grade enchanted artifacts. Now that we have acquired the Divine Craftsman Sect’s flying boat building technique, the prospects are even more promising. As for those ores you mentioned, demand would grow significantly in the future, and pricing, we could always negotiate."
***
"Fellow Daoist Chen, your technique for refining enchanted garments is truly unrivaled in Tianlan Immortal City; everyone knows it. However, the Jade Silkworm and Amber Silkworm threads you need are limited by the production capacity of the major sects. Our Luo Tian Society’s Beast Palace is actually preparing to breed these types of spirit beasts in large numbers. When time comes, the yield will surely be ample enough to supply your sect. You truly won't need to worry about it! Actually, we’ve already leased the spirit land that used to belong to the Geng family. It will be entirely dedicated to breeding various spirit beasts. We might even be able to raise Azure Golden Silkworms. You should definitely consider working with us in the future!"
***
"Indeed, it's true that our Alchemy Palace cannot produce all that many Myriad Wonders pills in one go. If we were to supply our entire output to Peach Mountain, then the variety of pills at Danxia Hall in Tianlan Immortal City would be too limited, and that would be detrimental to business. But to be honest, our president had always admired Senior Xuan Yu, and he is quite eager to collaborate with Peach Mountain. How about this: If you’re willing to provide a portion of the spirit peaches produced at Peach Mountain, I’ll personally guarantee this deal. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Qiao?"
***
"The environment at Changliu Gorge is indeed far too cold and damp. Essence-nourishing pills are absolutely necessary there to warm and nurture the cultivators’ dantians. In light of the celebration of my Foundation Establishment today, I can agree to your request. From now on, one-third of the essence-nourishing pills produced by the Luo Tian Society’s Alchemy Palace will go to the Chang family. But your side must also agree to sell us a portion of the Yin Gorge Spirit Water. As you know, Fellow Daoist Chang, Ink Mulberry cultivation is heavily reliant on that resource."
"At Jade True Temple’s price?" asked Chang Dongliu.
"No, no! That’s far too steep. Our Luo Tian Society will only accept seventy percent of that. Whether we have a deal or not depends on you, Fellow Daoist."
***
One deal after another was successfully made. Through Sima Huiniang’s steady guidance, which was sometimes diplomatic, sometimes firm, and at times sharply assertive, one cooperation agreement after another was finalized.
By the time the moon hung high and the stars glimmered across the quiet peaks, the Foundation Establishment Initiates who had remained at the Luo Tian Society gradually began to take their leave.
After sending off Qiao Xiyue, Sima Huiniang finally allowed herself a breath of relief. Beside her, Min Longyu retracted the formation, visibly pained by the number of mid-grade spirit stones consumed that day. Maintaining the rainbow bridge alone had cost over a hundred mid-grade spirit stones, which amounted to more than ten thousand low-grade spirit stones!
Seeing his distressed expression, Sima Huiniang couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. "Elder Min, don’t be so distressed. What we spent today, we’ll reclaim a hundredfold, maybe even a thousand times over."
Min Longyu gave a wry smile, but his gaze lingered on the now-silent slopes of Danxia Peak. He seemed lost in thought.
"Even though I am living through all of this myself, it still feels like a dream," he murmured. "A century ago, even at the height of the Min family’s glory here at Danxia Peak, we hadn't achieved even a tenth of what we saw today."
Sima Huiniang could not help but sigh as well. "That's why our president is brilliant. Not all the guests today were friends of the Luo Tian Society, but by borrowing strength from every side, he still managed to bring about a harmonious conclusion."
Min Longyu nodded as his heart stirred with emotion. He and Duan Feng had accompanied Sima Huiniang through every negotiation that evening. What should have been long and difficult conversations turned into swift agreements, as if guided by an unseen hand.
Yet both of them understood the truth. This was not the work of the gods, but the fruit of Luo Chen’s meticulous planning, built up day by day until it became a titanic momentum that carried the Luo Tian Society forward. Even if they tried to recreate the same circumstances, it was unlikely things would ever proceed so smoothly again.
They exchanged a glance and parted with a silent understanding.
Sima Huiniang composed herself and summoned an attendant. "Where is the president?"
"Still drinking," the attendant replied.
"With Chu Kui?"
"Yes and Palace Leader Wang joined them for a while. The Beast Palace Leader left earlier in the evening."
Sima Huiniang nodded, then dismissed the attendant and walked toward the Luo Tian Society's Grand Hall.
The nine palaces of the Luo Tian Society belonged each to a separate division. Meanwhile, the Grand Hall and Huixin Hall were private places used exclusively by Luo Chen and Sima Huiniang for official matters.
Upon arriving outside the Grand Hall, Sima Huiniang slowed her steps. She paused outside the hall and called softly, "Caiyi?"
Gu Caiyi turned around, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Director, you’re done?"
Sima Huiniang smiled and nodded. Though she should have been worn out after so many business discussions, she still appeared bright and energetic, as if her whole being overflowed with inexhaustible vigor. It seemed that the old saying that power was the greatest stimulant did not only apply to men.
She extended her spirit consciousness outward, scanning the state of the grand hall.
"They are still drinking?" she murmured.
Looking to Caiyi again, she said gently, "It’s late and cold. You should rest."
Gu Caiyi glanced inside. "But—"
"It’s fine. They’ve probably had enough. If anything comes up, I’ll have someone else handle it."
Waving her sleeve, Sima Huiniang strode directly into the Luo Tian Society’s Grand Hall.
Gu Caiyi stood outside the hall, watching that finely dressed and confident figure stride forward. A sudden sense of urgency welled up in her heart. But while Foundation Establishment Initiates gathered inside, she could only stand guard at the door, whereas Sima Huiniang could move freely within.
Sometimes, relationships alone were not enough to erase every barrier. The gap in cultivation made one hesitate before moving forward.
***
"Huiniang, you’re here! Hurry and bring out your gift!"
Luo Chen’s eyes were hazy. For once, he truly seemed drunk. He had already consumed plenty of spirit wine during the daytime and had not taken the time to refine the alcohol from his system. By evening, Chu Kui, being the scoundrel that he was, had thought that the Luo Tian Society’s spirit wine was too weak and brought out two bottles of Taibai Wine from the Du family.
Mixed with everything they had drunk before, the wine left them all thoroughly intoxicated. Unsurprisingly, only Wang Yuan seemed to be holding himself together better.
When Sima Huiniang entered, Chu Kui let out a booming laugh. "I already said I’d present it once she arrived. You’re the impatient one."
He waved a hand dismissively, then grinned. "Fine then, I’ll let you see if my gift is worthy enough!"
Before he even finished speaking, a white wax pellet about the size of a longan appeared in his palm.
"What is that?" Sima Huiniang asked with curiosity.
She stepped eagerly toward the wine table and knelt beside Luo Chen, her elegant eyes fixed on the pellet. Luo Chen and Wang Yuan also turned to look with interest.
Seeing their interest, Chu Kui chuckled with smug delight. "You don’t recognize it, do you? This is a first-tier exotic insect, the Spirit-Link Gu."[1]
"Gu?" the three of them echoed in surprise.
"That’s right." Chu Kui basked in their reactions, looking more pleased with himself by the moment. "Gu insects are especially popular in the Southern Frontier. I obtained this one years ago, after killing a rogue cultivator and finding it in his storage pouch."
Luo Chen curled his lip. "It’s only a first-tier Gu insect. What possible use could it have for Huiniang?"