Chapter 908, A Lucrative Business

Translator: Jon

Translation Checker: Silavin

 

A combination of a Fire Spirit Stone and an Explosion Glyph was powerful. Even if a Divine Ocean Realm Master could ward it off once, he would be injured when it happened many times. As for Glyphweavers in the Real Lake Realm, an explosion could leave him badly wounded. If it happened many times, he would likely be killed.

 

“So, I’m curious about how you’re able to make so many Explosive Fire Spirit Stones.” Qian Wudang glanced at Lu Ye.

 

“I suppose I have a higher success rate when it comes to building Glyphs.” It wasn’t like Lu Ye could tell him there was no way the Explosion Glyph he built would fail. Even if he said so, Qian Wudang wouldn’t believe him.

 

Just like Pill Cultivators, regardless of how skilful a Glyphweaver was, there was a chance he might fail. It was just that the more skilful he was, the lower the chance of failure.

 

A laugh escaped Qian Wudang. “The success rate of a Divine Ocean Realm Glyphweaver branding an Explosion Glyph on a Fire Spirit Stone is about 80 per cent. How high can your success rate be? Once you fail, there will be dire consequences. I want to know how you’re able to stay safe when the Fire Spiritual Power in the Fire Spirit Stone explodes.”

 

That was the reason he asked Lu Ye to come and see him. If the problem could be solved, the Grand Sky Coalition would have a new way to deal with the enemies. This was strategically important.

 

Lu Ye was in a dilemma. Qian Wudang thought he had a way to prevent getting hurt when the Fire Spirit Stone exploded upon failure, but it wasn’t the case. How was he supposed to explain it?

 

After giving it some thought, Lu Ye could only say, “I have a unique way.”

 

“Aren’t you willing to reveal it?” Qian Wudang looked at him with a faint smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t take it from you for free. If you’re willing to share the method and solve the problem for the Zhou Watch, you’ll get some handsome rewards that aren’t limited to battle points only.”

 

This was giving Lu Ye a headache as he didn’t know how to respond to him. Left with no choice, he could only say, “Sir, it’s not that I want to keep it to myself. It’s just that no one else can use the method, so it’s pointless for me to share it… If you don’t believe me, I’ll ask the Heavens to be the witness. If someone else can use my method, may the Heavens punish me!”

 

After waiting for a bit, Lu Ye continued, “Do you believe me now, Sir?”

 

In Jiu Zhou, a Heavenly Oath could help cultivators solve some conflicts and clear some doubts, for no one could lie when the Heavens were the witness.

 

Qian Wudang didn’t expect Lu Ye to make a Heavenly Oath. It seemed that Lu Ye didn’t lie to him. He was the only one who could use that method, so it would be meaningless for him to share it. If he did, he would only expose his secret.

 

Disappointed, Qian Wudang let out a sigh. “Forget it, then. Run along.”

 

“Yes.” Lu Ye let out a sigh of relief and turned around. Before he stepped out of the door, he suddenly returned.

 

“Anything else?” Qian Wudang glanced at him in puzzlement.

 

Lu Ye said, “Sir, if you want Explosive Fire Spirit Stones, I can make them for you.”

 

An amused Qian Wudang asked, “How many can you make?”

 

Since Lu Ye was only one person, he couldn’t produce many Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. Too small an amount wouldn’t be useful.

 

Instead of answering his question, Lu Ye asked, “Sir, how many Explosive Fire Spirit Stones have to be made per day to meet the demand?”

 

Qian Wudang studied him and realised that Lu Ye was serious about this discussion, so he replied, “Naturally, we’ll need a lot of such lethal weapons. Since you’re only one person, can you make 1,000 Explosive Fire Spirit Stones a day?”

 

Lu Ye thought a lot of Explosive Fire Spirit Stones would be needed, but it turned out that only 1,000 were required. It was easy for him to produce such items. It would probably only take him an hour to make 1,000 Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. He didn’t expect that Qian Wudang only wanted such a small amount.

 

Anyway, Lu Ye knew that he had to be modest. Qian Wudang felt that Lu Ye couldn’t produce 1,000 Explosive Fire Spirit Stones per day because a person’s energy was limited. Moreover, it was risky to produce such items. If Lu Ye said he could make even more than that in a day, Qian Wudang wouldn’t believe him, and his suspicion would be aroused.

 

“I can do that.”

 

Qian Wudang was shocked. “Are you sure?”

 

If Lu Ye could make 1,000 pieces per day, there would be 30,000 a month, which was more than enough for the Ministry of Laws.

 

“Since it’ll affect the Zhou Watch’s future, I’m willing to try my best,” Lu Ye said firmly.

 

“Alright, then.” Qian Wudang nodded in approval. He appeared gratified as though Lu Ye was the hope for Bing Zhou’s future.

 

However, Lu Ye soon revealed his real intention. “Sir, it’ll take me a lot of effort to make the items. Aren’t you supposed to reward me for that?”

 

Qian Wudang was amused by his frankness. “You’ll surely get some benefits.”

 

After giving it some thought, he said, “We’ll provide the materials for making the Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. For every piece you make, you’ll be given one battle point as a reward. What do you say?”

 

Lu Ye instantly turned around, ready to leave.

 

“Two battle points!” Qian Wudang felt helpless while being frustrated at how disrespectful Lu Ye was.

 

Nevertheless, Lu Ye never stopped in his tracks. If he could get two battle points for every Explosive Fire Spirit Stone, he would earn 2,000 battle points for 1,000 pieces a day. The amount was neither large nor small. It wouldn’t take Lu Ye much effort to make the items, and he only needed an hour to complete the task.

 

In that case, he could easily earn 60,000 battle points per month.

 

However, that fell short of Lu Ye’s expectations. Since it was a rare chance, he naturally wanted to get as many benefits as possible. After all, there might not be another chance in the future.

 

Qian Wudang felt helpless. Seeing that Lu Ye was about to leave the hall, he shouted, “Just name your price, then!”

 

Lu Ye turned around and lifted his palm before spreading his fingers, hinting that he wanted five battle points for every piece.

 

“Don’t be too greedy, brat!” Qian Wudang was exasperated. He was the Commander of the Ministry of Laws who was responsible for upholding the rules in the Zhou Watch. He was usually impartial and authoritative, so no one had dared to bargain with him like this before.

 

He glowered at Lu Ye for a moment before speaking in a milder tone. “Brat, you have to understand that you’re also part of the Zhou Watch, and the things you make will increase our overall power. When the Zhou Watch becomes stronger, you’ll be proud as well.”

 

“Sir, I understand that, but if you want me to work hard, you have to give me sufficient benefits.”

 

“Since I’m the Commander of the Ministry of Laws, I have to prioritise the Ministry and the Zhou Watch for every decision I make. I cannot accept the price you’ve come up with.”

 

“Well, since I’m the only one who can make those items, I can command a higher price. Aren’t all successful businesses run like this?”

 

“You little brat!” Qian Wudang said through clenched teeth. “Three battle points for one Spirit Stone, then. You’ll earn 3,000 battle points a day, and it’ll be 90,000 battle points a month!”

 

Lu Ye shook his head. “Sir, not only is it risky to make the items, but it’s also time-consuming. It’ll hold up my cultivation. I’m sacrificing my future for the Zhou Watch, so you can’t make me suffer losses. I need battle points to purchase Golden Amulets to make up for the losses. How am I supposed to do that with only 90,000 battle points to purchase Golden Amulets?”

 

Qian Wudang found him sensible upon hearing that. He sighed and said, “Five battle points, then. It’s the maximum I can offer. Any more than that, the discussion will be over.”

 

“Make a Sacred Pact, then.” Lu Ye directly agreed to it. He had expected to earn five battle points for every Explosive Fire Spirit Stone he made.

 

“Are you so sure you can complete the task?” Qian Wudang looked doubtfully at him. “You have to know that once a Sacred Pact is made, you’ll be punished if you can’t complete the task.”

 

“Well, that’s my problem. You just have to wait for the items to be ready.”

 

“Since you’re so confident, I’ll grant your wish.” Qian Wudang lifted his hand, after which a blank Sacred Pact engulfed in a golden light descended. He soon jotted down all the conditions and let Lu Ye go through them. When both of them confirmed there wasn’t a problem, they left behind their Brands. That way, a Sacred Pact was made.

 

“Sir, there’s one thing I need to make clear,” Lu Ye said.

 

“Since a Sacred Pact has been made, you can’t raise the price anymore.”

 

“Do I look like that kind of person, Sir? I just want to tell you that there’ll be some failed products when making the items.”

 

“I understand, but the failure rate can’t be higher than 30 per cent.”

 

Although Lu Ye was elated deep within, he pretended to be in a difficult position. “I’ll try my best.”

 

This way, he no longer had to worry about getting enough Fire Spirit Stones for the Tree of Glyphs. Since the failure rate couldn’t be higher than 30 per cent, it meant that he could keep 30 per cent of the Fire Spirit Stones.

 

He didn’t intend to deceive Qian Wudang to get the benefits, but if his success rate was 100 per cent, it would be hard for him to explain it. Therefore, 70 per cent would be the best.

 

“When can I start working, Sir?” Lu Ye couldn’t wait to get to work.

 

Much to his surprise, his trip to Grand Sky City this time not only allowed him to have a steady income of battle points but also a way to get some Fire Spirit Stones. There was no doubt it would be a lucrative business.

 

“If you’re ready, you can start working now.”

 

“Please make the arrangement for me, Sir.”

 

“Come with me.” Qian Wudang led Lu Ye out of the hall and engulfed him with his Spiritual Power. Then, they shot into the sky and headed in a particular direction. Soon enough, they landed in a courtyard.

 

“It’s the Ministry of Laws’ property where the injured cultivators will come here to recuperate. You’ll stay here for now. I’ll ask someone to send you the Fire Spirit Stones. The process doesn’t matter as I only want to see the result. Someone will collect the items from you seven days later.”

 

Lu Ye nodded as he was fine with the arrangement.

 

Qian Wudang soon left the place. Since Lu Ye was the only one there, Yi Yi could come out to breathe in some fresh air.

 

It was a small courtyard. Lu Ye built some Wards to protect himself.

 

As soon as he was done with it, he heard someone knocking on the door from the outside. He got to his feet and opened the door. A cultivator he didn’t know passed him a Storage Bag.

 

Lu Ye took it and had a look. When he saw there were 10,000 Fire Spirit Stones, he dipped his head. “There is no problem.”

 

Without a word, the person cupped his fists and turned around to leave.

 

Qian Wudang had asked someone to send him 10,000 Fire Spirit Stones, and the items would be collected seven days later. He had included the failure rate of 30 per cent. As such, Lu Ye could complete the task by giving him 7,000 Explosive Fire Spirit Stones. By then, not only would he get 35,000 battle points, but he could also keep 3,000 Fire Spirit Stones.

 

Then, he entered the room and built an Alarm Ward before getting to work.