sbdcsierra Chapter 467 The Star Pavilion's Frenzied Expansion
Chapter 467 The Star Pavilion's Frenzied Expansion
"A Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman? Those ancient runes that only exist in ancient books, do they really exist?"
"Level 5 runes... There are no more than five rune masters in the entire Tianyuan Continent who can create level 4 runes. How could the Star Pavilion have them?"
"Could it be that a reclusive master of runes has reappeared in the world, using the name of the Star Pavilion to carry out his deeds?"
The hall was filled with a cacophony of voices and discussions.
Ancestor Lingtian raised his hand and gestured, and the hall fell silent once more.
"This matter is suspicious."
If Xingge really has a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator in charge, why is it located in a remote corner of the Northwest Region?
Why only establish a small chamber of commerce instead of directly expanding its influence?
An elder in a green robe with a slender face pondered for a moment before speaking up: "In my opinion, it may not be some reclusive family, but rather more like a cultivator who obtained an ancient inheritance and was fortunate enough to possess the combat power of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and is just using the name of the Star Pavilion to act."
"Elder Aoki is right."
Another elder immediately chimed in, "If there were truly a Nascent Soul level expert in charge, Star Pavilion would have already expanded throughout the entire Western Regions. Why would it be hiding in that barren northwest?"
For a time, a heated debate broke out in the hall.
Some advocated immediately dispatching two Nascent Soul stage masters to annihilate the Star Pavilion with overwhelming force, which would both avenge Xuan Yang and intimidate the world.
Some people are worried about running into a brick wall and suggest investigating the background of Star Pavilion before making any plans.
Some suggested a compromise: conduct a covert investigation, and only take action if it is confirmed that Xingge has no one backing it up.
The debate lasted for three hours, but no agreement was reached.
Finally, Ancestor Lingtian slowly spoke, "Issue the following order: First, the Western Regions branch will send additional personnel to secretly investigate all of Star Pavilion's relationships, the source of its goods, and its true master."
Second, Zhao Wuyai, the president of the Northwest Region branch, neglected his duties, causing the death of the Dharma Protector Ancestor. He was executed immediately, and his soul was imprisoned in the Soul Refining Lamp and burned for a hundred years as a warning to others.
Third, before investigating the details of Mingxing Pavilion, no one may act rashly; violators will be dealt with according to the sect rules.
He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "But if the Chaming Star Pavilion is just bluffing and has no powerful backing, I will make sure that the entire pavilion is wiped out!"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, as this was the safest method.
Wanbaoge is the largest chamber of commerce in the Tianyuan Continent, with a deep foundation. All decisions must be made with prudence in mind, and we must never ruin our millennia-old foundation due to momentary impulses.
The headquarters' orders were relayed back to the Northwest Region as quickly as possible.
Several days later, in the secret room of the Northwest Region Branch.
Zhao Wuyai looked at the black-clad envoy holding the Pavilion Master's token, his face showing no surprise, only a bitter smile: "I knew headquarters wouldn't let me off the hook..."
Before he finished speaking, a beam of black light shot out from the black-clad envoy's fingertips, instantly piercing through Zhao Wuyai's dantian.
Before Zhao Wuyai could even scream, his physical body turned to ashes in an instant. A phantom, transparent soul was forcibly extracted from his body and sealed into an ancient bronze lamp.
Inside the ancient lamp, a ghostly blue flame suddenly rose up, and the soul twisted and struggled in the flame, screaming, but not a single sound could be heard.
The black-clad envoy expressionlessly put away the Soul Refining Lamp, then turned to the kneeling members of the Northwest Region branch and coldly said, "By order of the Pavilion Master, the Northwest Region branch will be temporarily managed by Vice President Jiang Ming. If any mistakes are made in the future, the entire branch will be executed."
"I will obey the Lord's decree!"
The crowd trembled with fear and prostrated themselves on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.
After the black-clad messenger had completely disappeared, Vice President Jiang Ming slowly stood up, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. His back was already soaked with cold sweat.
He looked in the direction of the Star Pavilion, his eyes filled with resentment.
Star Pavilion, it's all because of Star Pavilion!
If it weren't for Xingge, he wouldn't have had to take on this mess and constantly worry about his life!
Just as Wanbaoge was shaken by the fall of Ancestor Xuanyang, Xingge was expanding in the Northwest Region at an astonishing speed.
Two months later, Lie Tian stood on the star-gazing platform at the Star Pavilion headquarters, looking down at the bustling streets below.
On the dark blue-green main building, a huge "star" sign gleamed in the sunlight.
"Master, the information on the four major merchant guilds is all here."
A respectful voice came from behind.
Lie Tian turned around, took the jade slip, and scanned it with his divine sense.
The four major chambers of commerce—Shenbing Pavilion, Qiwuzhai, Linglongfang, and Baicaotang—are all long-established forces that have dominated the Northwest Region for centuries.
Each of them has the support of a sect, and the chamber of commerce has many Nascent Soul cultivators in charge.
In the past, emerging forces like the Star Pavilion would never have dared to challenge them.
but now……
A cold smile curled at the corner of Lie Tian's mouth.
The runes, pills, and magical artifacts left behind by Shen Rugo are all far superior to the existing level in the Northwest Region.
Not to mention the groundbreaking product, the Transmission Talisman. In just two months, Star Pavilion has sold eight thousand pairs of talismans, covering almost the entire Northwest Region.
Wealth accumulates like a snowball.
"Let's start with the Divine Weapon Pavilion," Lie Tian said calmly.
Three days later, at the headquarters of the Divine Weapon Pavilion.
President Jin Buhuan stared at the ledger in his hand with a grim expression. This month's turnover had plummeted by 70%! Almost all of the major clients had switched to Xingge.
"How could the magical artifacts from the Star Pavilion be 30% cheaper than ours, and of higher quality?!"
Jin Buhuan nearly crushed the teacup in his hand.
A manager said tremblingly, "According to my investigation, there are probably high-level weapon refiners behind Star Pavilion. The flying swords they sell are far sharper and tougher than similar products on the market, and they seem to have some kind of special rune added, increasing their power by at least 20%."
"Rune?"
Jin Buhuan's pupils contracted.
He suddenly remembered the communication talismans sold by the Star Pavilion, as well as a large number of level four and level five runes!
Jin Buhuan suddenly had a bad feeling.
That night, three important mines of Shenbingge were attacked simultaneously.
The attackers were not human cultivators, but a group of ferocious demonic beasts, five of which were in the late stage of the Golden Core realm and ten of which were in the middle stage of the Golden Core realm.
These monsters attacked the mine's defensive formations like madmen, tearing apart anyone and destroying anything in their path.
The strangest thing is that they move in and out in a controlled manner, as if someone is directing them from the shadows.
The guards at the mines were no match for them, and within half an hour, all three mines had fallen.
When the news reached him, Jin Buhuan was discussing countermeasures with several elders. Upon hearing that the mine had been destroyed, he coughed up blood and collapsed into his chair.
"It's the Star Pavilion, it must be the Star Pavilion!"
An elder hissed, "But where in our Northwest Region can we find so many Golden Core demon beasts acting at the same time? How can they have so many demon beasts helping them?"
"Even so, how dare they openly attack other chambers of commerce? Aren't they afraid of incurring public wrath?"
Another elder said incredulously.
"Public anger?" Jin Buhuan laughed bitterly. "Star Pavilion is currently at its zenith, with a terrifying existence that can kill Nascent Soul cultivators backing it up. Who would dare to be angry?"
He struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with despair: "Go, prepare generous gifts, I want to go to the Star Pavilion in person to apologize."
However, Lie Tian didn't give him that chance at all.
The next morning, Star Pavilion released news that the three major mines of Divine Weapon Pavilion had suffered heavy losses due to a beast tide and were no longer able to maintain operations.
Based on the principle of sharing weal and woe, Xingge is willing to invest in acquiring all of Shenbingge's assets and take over all of its employees.
The so-called "acquisition" was at an outrageously low price.
Jin Buhuan tried to resist, but that night, a Nascent Soul cultivator silently sneaked into his bedroom and pressed his cold hand against his throat.
"Sign, or die."
The man's eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty red light, making him seem not like a human, but a ferocious beast that devoured people.