LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 142 Business
Three thousand!?
Yun Lai and Qin Yadong couldn't help but gasp upon hearing Zhao He's words.
Even Alkaid, who was a beat slower in response, was secretly alarmed when he realized what an order of three thousand flying swords meant.
Spirit Artifact Level Flying Swords.
Unless for those ornamental or civilian-use spirit flying swords, the price starts in the triple digits.
Currently, among the high-rank sword cultivators within the Campaign Hall in Nine Heavens Domain, the most widely equipped "Dragon Abyss" flying sword has a sect purchase price of three hundred and sixty spirit stones each.
In other words, even taking "Dragon Abyss" as an example, this would amount to a multi-million-level order.
The profit from purchasing flying swords for the sect usually hovers around 15%.
If this order can be secured, ultimately, Purple Cloud Artifact Refining Court will gain a profit of 150,000 spirit stones.
150,000 spirit stones, which is almost a quarter of the total annual flying sword procurement volume for sword cultivators.
This refers to the entire sect.
Alkaid briefly calculated the increase in "Businessman" experience from the earlier influx of hundreds of spirit stones...
"As long as my labor costs are not too high, elevating Artifact Refining, Demon Hunter, and Businessman from the Ninth Rank to the Master Level would only require one to two thousand spirit stones..."
This number is not high, but it's not low either.
You have to know that although the "average" income of a Great Cultivator has already broken a thousand, in reality, many newly advanced Great Cultivators probably only take in a few hundred spirit stones a year. Subtracting daily cultivation expenses, overhead, and equipment maintenance, they might not save anything at all.
This is especially true for Technique Cultivators and Sword Cultivators.
The assets of many technique and sword cultivators are in deficit.
If this order can truly be secured, even if it's halved, the revenue share that he, as the Chief, can take will be substantial enough to rapidly advance his "Martial Path" and "Divine Path," allowing for a two-level rise.
Seeing the change in Alkaid and Yun Lai's expressions, Zhao He smiled slightly, "Currently, all Artifact Refining Courts confident in the research and development of spirit flying swords have joined forces to form a special task force, striving to create a spirit flying sword within a year that meets the higher-ups' requirements, so as to win the contest against Xuanming Sect in the East Sea Archipelago."
He paused, then continued, "If the plan proves to be feasible, the sect will increase its investment and deploy more high-rank sword cultivators to patrol the Eastern Sea until we substantively regain the Eastern Sea and drive out those foreign enemies occupying the East Sea Archipelago."
"One year..."
Yun Lai and Qin Yadong glanced at each other.
This timeline...
It's too rushed.
"Our Nine Heavens Domain is close to the Eastern Sea, so, if we can solve this problem without troubling the task forces from other sub-sects, it would be for the best. Currently, I've already communicated with Masters Wei Yan and Lu Yuan, and they are also willing to lead their teams to join this task force," said Zhao He.
Zhao He spoke, his expression growing more serious, "This is not just about the order volume for your respective Artifact Refining Courts; it's about the safety of the situation in the Eastern Sea, the stability of the Nine Heavens Domain, as well as the dignity of our whole Nine Cauldrons Sect!"
Upon hearing this, everyone became aware of the importance of this task force mission.
No wonder the Nine Cauldrons Sect was willing to provide such substantial support.
"Nine months ago, did you know about the incident where Great Sun Sword Sect's sword cultivators invaded our Nine Heavens Domain airspace? It's because they've already secured a foothold in the East Sea Archipelago—they can advance or retreat as they please—that they're thinking of continuing their probe. This time, they just invaded our airspace in the Nine Heavens Domain.
Next time, who knows, maybe they will patrol our airspace under the guise of free sword control, and the time after that, maybe sword qi and spells will fall right above major Artifact Refining Courts and Alchemy Institutes in the Nine Heavens Domain," Zhao He said emphatically, waving his hand, "One step back, and we will retreat step by step.
To win the contest over the East Sea Archipelago, we must first defeat Xuanming Sect before we can discuss peace and development with other sects! Only then can we firmly establish ourselves in the East Sea Archipelago, until we completely reclaim it!"
"There's no shirking this responsibility!"
Yun Lai immediately stood up, "I'm willing to join the task force."
Given what Zhao He said, and also because he couldn't ignore the face of the Campaign Hall Master cum Deputy Sect Master of the Nine Heavens sub-sect, Alkaid said as well, "I am willing to contribute what little I can."
"Good!"
Zhao He beamed, "Currently, the task force is in the process of being established. If you have any requirements for manpower or resources, just mention them. Whatever is within our capability, our Nine Heavens sub-sect will try our best to meet your needs."
"With such a short time frame of a year, let's purchase a batch of flying swords from Limitless Star Palace and Immortal Alliance. We will try to replicate their flying swords," Yun Lai suggested.
"Masters Wei Yan and Lu Yuan have the same idea," Zhao He commented, nodding his head as he operated a device on his wrist, projecting a small chart, "They've already listed the high mobility, low energy consumption spirit flying swords from the external sects. When you have time, take a look, and if you're satisfied, we'll place the order here, and you can dismantle and study them as you please."
Alkaid glanced over.
The list included six types of flying swords. Considering the need for disassembly, it isn't possible to buy just one of each sword.
Which means...
This expense will amount to one to two thousand spirit stones?
"What is the research budget?"
Alkaid inquired.
"This matter concerns our Nine Heavens Domain, so it's best if we in the Nine Heavens Domain solve it ourselves. Therefore, the first batch of budget I can give you is three thousand spirit stones. Subsequently, additional funds will be allocated based on the progress of your results..."
Zhao He paused for a moment, "Considering the importance of this type of flying sword, even if the budget reaches ten thousand, thirty thousand, or even fifty thousand, we will invest it. Of course, that's on the condition that your results satisfy us."
"Thirty thousand, fifty thousand..."
Bai Ling, on the side, realized the sub-sect's determination to overcome this challenge from these numbers.
"There's no need to hurry with purchasing those flying swords. Let's wait and see," Alkaid suggested, deep in thought.
Zhao He turned to look at Alkaid.
"These past years, I've been dedicated to creating a brand of flying swords. The specific attributes of this flying sword and the requirements from above seem to be somewhat similar, it's just that the various parameters have yet to match Spirit Artifact Level..." Alkaid explained.
As soon as he said this, a gleam of light flashed in Zhao He's eyes, "Are you serious!?"
Every Master Artifact Refiner aspires to create a top-notch Flying Sword that bears their own name and sells worldwide; therefore, it is not surprising that Alkaid had preemptively worked on a similar Flying Sword design.
After all, in the making of "Immortal Shadow 60," he had proven his strength. While he might still be inferior in the research and development of Spiritual Artifacts, his understanding of Magic Artifacts is such that even a Master Artifact Refiner like Yun Lai would admit defeat.
"Truly."
Alkaid said.
"If you indeed have such a Flying Sword that meets our criteria, it would be equivalent to saving us thousands of Spirit Stones in expenses. I can decide to award these Spirit Stones to you as your personal reward,"
Zhao He said, pausing slightly in his tone, "However, how soon can you complete the specifications? We cannot afford to wait too long."
"Ten days,"
Alkaid said, "I will submit my design in ten days."
"Good!"
Zhao He agreed without hesitation, "Then ten days it is!"
The preparation of the task force also needed some time; ten days was not too long.
Yun Lai, who was by the side, pondered for a moment, then said, "Alkaid, if you truly have such a standard-compliant Flying Sword, don't hesitate to ask for any help you might need."
His son was serving in the Campaign Hall and was also a Ninth Rank Qi Refinement Sword Cultivator.
If Nine Cauldrons Sect and Xuanming Sect were to engage in a confrontation at the High Rank Cultivator Level in the East Sea Archipelago, his son would surely have to go to the frontline. Therefore, he naturally cared a great deal about this Flying Sword.
"As for help..."
Alkaid pondered for a moment, "There actually is something I need to trouble you with."
"Speak,"
Yun Lai said solemnly.
"All the Artifact Refiners who participated in the design of 'Immortal Shadow 60' were entitled to a share of the dividends, but I urgently need Spirit Stones to conduct experiments and maintain my daily cultivation practices. So, could you speak with the Chief to exchange my share of the bonus rewards for a sum of Spirit Stones?"
Alkaid said.
Yun Lai was taken aback upon hearing this, then followed up by saying, "Immortal Shadow 60 is our joint design, and its superior performance is sure to capture a significant market share in the Magic Artifact Flying Sword market. With some luck, it might even become a hot-selling item.
Over the next five to ten years, we could receive orders amounting to thousands, or even tens of thousands each year. Given your contribution, the annual dividends are estimated to be no less than a thousand Spirit Stones..."
"As I said, I urgently need a sufficient amount of Spirit Stones for testing and maintaining my daily cultivation practices,"
Alkaid reiterated.
At the end, he added, "The amount is not small."
"This..."
Yun Lai hesitated for a moment. He intended to offer a loan to Alkaid, but after hearing the additional comment, eventually could not say much more.
"I'll go find the Chief right away."
"Thank you for that,"
Alkaid said.
Seeing this, Zhao He thoughtfully said, "I remember the operational status of Purple Cloud Courtyard is not bad. Does the Chief of Alkaid have plans to take out a loan to expand production scale? The Sub-sect greatly supports the Flying Sword industry related to Sword Cultivators, with very low interest rates."
Alkaid immediately understood Zhao He's meaning.
Without a reason, he could not give him the Spirit Stones; Zhao He intended to provide the Spirit Stones through a low-interest loan to alleviate his urgent needs.
Unfortunately...
Loans did not increase [Businessman] Experience.
He thought this was a bug; which businessman doesn't take out loans for their business?
But he had tried it before, and it simply did not add any.
"If I need it, I will apply to Hall Master Zhao,"
Alkaid said.
"Alright, we've changed our means of communication. Whenever you need something, contact me directly, and I'll help you submit the application immediately,"
Zhao He said.
After some more pleasantries, both parties bid their farewells and departed.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Immortal Shadow Courtyard, upon hearing the request from Yun Lai, looked at him, "The meaning of Chief Alkaid is...?"
"Alkaid is different from us; he's young, energetic, and driven. He won't stay in one place just to receive dividends like we do. It's normal for him to want to take a large sum of Spirit Stones and try to achieve something,"
Yun Lai said.
"Oh? So, you think I should agree?"
"Of course,"
Yun Lai affirmed, then solemnly added, "We should even offer him a good price."
Saying this, he conveyed through a whispered transmission, "The Chief has witnessed Alkaid's Artifact Refining standards himself, and as I know, even though he lacks the Divine Refinement Realm, he can already demonstrate a hint of the Primordial Spirit's miraculous power. I need not elaborate on what that implies."
"Primordial Spirit!"
The Chief of Immortal Shadow revealed a look of astonishment.
A Great Cultivator of the Primordial Spirit Realm!
Currently, Nine Cauldrons Sect is in desperate need of Divine Cultivators. Alkaid, young as he is, has achieved such prowess on the Divine Path...
He has an immeasurable future!
He made his decision there and then, "Then let it be as he wishes! What price do you think we should offer?"
"Given the potential popularity of Immortal Shadow on the market, sustaining itself for five to ten years is not an overstatement. The dividends he could receive are no less than a thousand a year, hence... I think, five thousand Spirit Stones is a reasonable figure,"