Control the channels of consumption, and you don't just earn from transactions—you skim off taxes too.
For City Lords backed by the Blood Reversal Sect, the cities they governed were, in essence, their personal assets. They held supreme authority in name and in practice.
Wang Yu understood the logic of dispersing spirit stones to generate more wealth, which would eventually flow back into the City Lord's treasury. Luo Chen, however, couldn't grasp it.
To him, Wang Yu was like a generous fool—spending freely yet somehow growing richer. If Wang Yu had tightened his purse strings, the wealth he'd accumulated would've made Luo Chen envious.
What he didn't realize was that Wang Yu had already converted most of his wealth into rare and tangible spiritual items. His liquid assets had mostly gone into development. After five years, he had only a million spirit stones in surplus.
Still, compared to when he first arrived in Spiritridge, that was a significant increase. He'd spent far more than that on the city itself—proof that his management strategy worked.
Seeing Wang Yu remain silent, Luo Chen raised his cup and offered a toast.
"As long as Junior Brother Wang is willing to help me, you'll always have a friend in me within the Blood Reversal Sect."
He downed the drink in one gulp.
"Sigh… Brother Luo, no need for such formality.
"I can teach you a method that yields fast results—but it may tarnish your reputation. Three-Mao City might become infamous, and you may not last two hundred years. Are you willing?"
Luo Chen hesitated. As a young cultivator, he still cared about his reputation.
"Will it help me gather enough resources to reach peak Core Formation?"
"Absolutely."
"Then teach me. Success or failure is mine alone."
Wang Yu nodded and transmitted the plan via secret sound.
It wasn't complicated.
He proposed forming a powerful bandit group—code-named "Black Gloves." They wouldn't rob outsiders or merchant caravans. They'd target local factions within Three-Mao City.
Next, Luo Chen would slash taxes to the lowest possible level. Sell land, sell resources—even sell spirit veins. Everything except the City Lord's estate was fair game.
Prices should be moderate—not too high, not too low. Then, flood the city with welfare policies to attract clans and sects from other regions to settle.
Since the city's own output was insufficient, this would bring in a steady stream of external capital. By controlling the pace, Luo Chen could ensure that these newcomers were gradually "eliminated by the environment."
In the short term, Three-Mao's revenue would skyrocket.
To dispel suspicion, he'd need to stage periodic purges of the bandits—public executions, or fake raids on other regions to maintain appearances.
The finer details? Luo Chen could figure those out himself. He was born and raised in Crimson Kite Territory—he wasn't lacking in cunning.
Within moments, he burst into laughter.
"A brilliant plan! Hahaha!"
Wang Yu: "…"
He had his own motives. No matter how well Luo Chen disguised things, the truth would eventually leak. Frequent attacks would stir fear among lower-tier cultivators.
Crimson Kite was full of bold and reckless types—but even more were cautious and risk-averse. A hint of unrest could trigger mass migration.
And Spiritridge, as Three-Mao's neighbor and a famously livable city, would be their first choice.
A city's growth begins with its people.
In the cultivation world, that means cultivators. Three-Mao's policies would help Wang Yu absorb a wave of high-quality population—raising his tax ceiling and long-term potential.
Luo Chen was impatient. Wang Yu was steady. Both would profit.
A win-win.
As for the "bad reputation" Wang Yu warned about—Luo Chen misunderstood. He liked being feared. Unlike Wang Yu, who preferred to appear harmless, Luo Chen wanted to be seen as ruthless.
In his view, those with fearsome reputations were the true elites of Crimson Kite. Even the Black Sky Talisman Lord would praise his cunning.
That's the essence of the demonic path.
Wang Yu had lived in Crimson Kite for years. His personality had changed dramatically. But his past-life values still formed the bedrock of his character.
Though that foundation was slowly eroding—he still had a bottom line.
"For now, that's enough. If Brother Luo runs into trouble, feel free to send word."
"Of course. The Fragrance Gathering is nearly over. When the Treasure Exchange begins, I'll return the favor and open the event."
"Then… thank you."
—
In the hall—
The Fragrance Gathering was winding down. The tier-three incense had been distributed—each Core cultivator received a small piece, and one stick burned at the center for all to enjoy.
Most could only catch a whiff—just enough to savor the scent.
They'd already been saturated by tier-two incense. In the demonic path, it was normal for benefits to match one's cultivation.
No one complained. To do so would offend the Core cultivators.
"Almost time. Brother Luo, if you would."
"Gladly."
Little Talisman Lord Luo Chen stepped onto the central platform.
"As tradition dictates, the Fragrance Gathering is followed by the Treasure Exchange.
"If you possess rare spiritual items that you don't need—and don't wish to sell for spirit stones—this is one of the finest platforms in Yunling Province.
"I, Luo Chen, will open the exchange."
With his status and cultivation, no one objected.
Then—
He produced a crystal-clear droplet, within which a miniature water dragon coiled.
Wang Yu's eyes widened. He's going all out?
"This is a Core Formation treasure—Floodwyrm Heavenly Water Essence. Ideal for water-root cultivators forming their Core. It boosts success rate by 40%. A standard-grade Core treasure."
Before he could name his terms, the hall erupted.
"Core treasure!"
"Incredible! Who is this man, to offer such a thing?"
"A Core treasure at the Fragrance Gathering? I want it—name your price!"
Several peak Foundation cultivators' eyes gleamed—especially Windflower, Rainflower Daoist's companion. She had water, wind, and wood roots. She and Rainflower practiced a water-based dual technique.
This treasure was perfect for her.
If she broke through, their dual cultivation would accelerate Rainflower's progress too. Windflower looked to her partner.
"Rainflower…"
"Don't worry! I'll get it, even if I go bankrupt. Don't forget—we have a herb garden in Yunyan City. Few can match my wealth."
"I know~"
Her eyes shimmered with emotion.
But their competition wasn't just other Foundation cultivators—it included four Core cultivators.
Even those who had already formed their Core coveted such rare items. Whether for trade or to nurture disciples, it was hard currency.
After the commotion, Luo Chen spoke.
"I seek a tier-three high-grade artifact or secret technique that conceals form and aura. Supplementary items—materials, pills, spirit stones—can make up the difference."
He likely had such techniques himself—but as sect inheritance, they couldn't be shared.
He needed equivalents—for his Black Gloves team. He was moving fast.
From Scorpion City, Core cultivator He Valley Master offered:
"I have a mid-grade artifact—Rainveil Hat—plus a secret technique, [Sunshift Method], which hides from peak Core spiritual sense. I'll add 100,000 spirit stones."
"Thoughts, Daoist Luo?"
From Demon Valley, Old Demon Earth Puppet sneered and produced a puppet.
"Consider my offer: a Core-level puppet made from a body-refiner's corpse, infused with [Ghostgold of Concealment]. When inactive, it has a 20% chance of fooling even Nascent Soul cultivators.
"I'll add 200,000 spirit stones. Deal?"
Artifacts and techniques required users. The puppet was plug-and-play—a Core-level combat asset. A tempting offer.
Qingyang and Yellow Sand Elder remained silent. Qingyang had spent his fortune on his life-bound artifact. Yellow Sand was a poor earth cultivator with no heirs to support.
Wang Yu was tempted.
Water and ice were closely related. The Floodwyrm Essence would work for him. With his current foundation, it could boost his breakthrough odds to 40%.
But as host, he couldn't compete. Besides, he preferred to wait for a higher-grade Core treasure—more secure.
Luo Chen hesitated.
Rainflower Daoist whispered a few words. Luo Chen's eyes lit up.
"This item has a buyer. Come with me to the third floor."
Rainflower hesitated—then followed. The crowd understood: the deal was done.
"Rainflower Daoist? Isn't he a plant cultivator? Can he afford a Core treasure?"
"Who knows? Don't underestimate anyone."
Windflower hurried outside. She needed to prepare. Once she had the item, she'd leave Spiritridge immediately.
Front row—
He Valley Master sighed. No further bids.
Old Demon Earth Puppet snorted and left. His intent was clear.
Wang Yu nodded to Qingyang and slipped behind the screen.
The Fragrance Gathering had to guarantee guest safety within Spiritridge. Outside the city, it wasn't his jurisdiction—but no violence could occur inside.
Any incident would damage the gathering's reputation.
Still, if a robbery occurred, only the boldest Foundation cultivators would return. Cautious ones would be scared off.
Wang Yu understood the stakes.
If a robbery occurred within Spiritridge's borders—especially during the Fragrance Gathering—it would be catastrophic. The event's reputation would suffer, and cautious cultivators, often those carrying rare treasures, would avoid future gatherings.
And those were precisely the people he wanted to attract.
Still, this was Crimson Kite Territory. Such incidents were inevitable. Wang Yu had simply hoped they wouldn't happen so soon—certainly not during the second gathering, and certainly not instigated by Luo Chen.
But now, he wasn't so sure.
Was Luo Chen planning to rob the Floodwyrm Heavenly Water Essence back?
It was possible.
This was the demonic path in its purest form.
Wang Yu sighed as he regrouped with Qingyang. Together, they turned their attention to Windflower.
She was the key.
If anything happened to her before she left the city, the consequences would ripple far beyond Spiritridge. Wang Yu had to ensure her safety—at least until she crossed the city's threshold.
After that, she was on her own.
(End of Chapter)