Scheming

Upon hearing someone call him "son-in-law, "Li Qi immediately realized something, straightened his appearance, cleared his throat twice, and then said, "Hmm? Is this Geng Sang?"

Geng Sang, whose full name Geng Sangye, is surnamed Geng Sang.

Currently, he is the person who has recently contacted Li Qi at Mount Luofu. He has achieved the Dao Accomplishment Sixth Rank, possesses considerable combat strength, and cultivates the Inner Elixir Method. His cultivation is perfectly integrated and his foundation is solid. Moreover, he is upright, adaptable, and trustworthy, which is why Granny Mei sent him to contact Li Qi.

As for Granny Mei herself, Li Qi has yet to meet this elderly woman.

She's still at Wushen Mountain, so she's not easy to see. Li Qi doesn't have time for the moment either.

However, judging from the other party's actions, Granny Mei... should have no objection to me, after all, she personally extracted the aura and made a move.

Thinking this, Li Qi looked at Geng Sangye: "What's wrong?"

The Daoist priest was dressed in a very classic style, wearing Daoist Robe. He looked to be about thirty years old, with a goatee. He appeared shrewd and capable, slightly taller than Li Qi, and had clear eyes.

Geng Sangye stepped forward and said, "Young Master, this batch of Sacred Flames has arrived, totaling forty million. The increase in production is largely due to the output of the Southern Continent this season. The main reason is that the population of the Sacred Flame Realm has recovered well. During this period, there have been more than sixty million newborns. Their agricultural production capacity cannot keep up, so they chose to hold a large gathering and began to actively produce a large amount of Sacred Flames. Therefore, they want to use these Sacred Flames to exchange for some agricultural technology. True Person Yang Ning has already agreed."

As he spoke, Geng Sangye handed over a Sixth-Rank Grotto-Heaven.

It was the one given by the Trumpet Flower God of the Trumpet Creeper.

Currently, this Sixth-Rank Grotto-Heaven serves as Li Qi's delivery truck, and all material exchanges with the Sacred Flame Realm rely on this thing.

Of course, the part of running away in the middle was handed over to the people from Mount Luofu.

As for Shen Shuibi, she has now returned to Chang'an with Li Qi. The Sacred Flame Realm no longer needs her to keep an eye on things, so the two are currently living an ordinary life in Chang'an.

The affairs of the Sacred Flame Realm have been entirely entrusted to Yang Ning.

Although she had a bad temper, Li Qi had absolute faith in her intelligence and her heart for Mount Luofu, so entrusting her with this task was no problem at all.

"Well, Yang Ning can decide this herself. As for agricultural technology... what will Yang Ning decide to use? Traditional farming methods?" Li Qi asked.

"No, the True Person is prepared to exchange it for the Rain Praying Technique. The Daoist sect also has methods for rainmaking and water control. With this, the Sacred Flame Tribe, a place where local cultivation only focuses on martial arts, should experience a surge in agricultural production," Geng Sangye said.

"Alright, just remind Yang Ning to be careful not to exploit her too much, otherwise it will only weaken the Sacred Flame Realm and ultimately harm her. Only a strong Sacred Flame Realm can produce enough Holy Flame. Once this batch of newborns grows up, it will be easy for a continent to produce hundreds of millions of Holy Flames per quarter. If the Sacred Flame Realm expands outwards, it could produce a billion per quarter." Li Qi instructed.

"The True Person also understands these principles, so there's no need for you to worry, son-in-law. Now that the goods have been delivered, I'll take my leave." Geng Sangye cupped his hands and prepared to leave.

"Geng Sang, take care. By the way, how much have you earned during this period?" Li Qi asked again.

"In terms of profits, it's about three Sixth-Rank World, which is already a lot. After all, it's only been a year or two, and the benefits generated by the Witchcraft Silkworm are quite astonishing. However... the tableware market isn't very large. If this continues, there probably won't be any major breakthroughs." Geng Sang thought for a moment and said this.

"I see, I understand now." Li Qi nodded and watched Geng Sang bow and leave.

Li Qi weighed the cave heavens for a moment, then put the sacred flames into production, and then handed the empty cave heavens over to Geng Sangye.

Everything was so orderly and well-organized.

Come in this direction,

This is life, everything is fine, without so many unexpected changes.

However, the tableware market is already saturated.

The Witchcraft Silkworm, with the power of the Holy Flame and the indoctrination techniques of the Miscellaneous School, successfully expanded its production capacity by more than a thousand times, and can even continue to expand.

The problem is that the fundamental reason why the Witchcraft Silkworm can make these expansions is that 'someone will buy them'.

Today, production capacity has increased a thousandfold, and costs have been reduced, but further expansion is meaningless and will only lead to product accumulation and unsold inventory.

Ultimately, in the tableware market of Chang'an, Li Qi can only rely on Huashen to occupy these few spots in the short term.

However, Li Qi didn't intend to keep making tableware forever. The Witchcraft Silkworm, shouldn't just be used to provide plates and spoons for the Shangyuan. Sooner or later, they would be used for something else.

Li Qi had already made plans in his mind and was just waiting for his studies at the Imperial Academy to come to an end.

He walked quickly away, and after a distance, Li Qi finally returned to his courtyard in Chang'an.

However, unlike in the past—

There were people and lights in the courtyard.

"I'm back," Li Qi said as he opened the door.

"Ah, you're back." Shen Shuibi was in the room. She didn't stand up, but just looked up and smiled.

The two of them were talking about nothing in particular; it was just another ordinary day.

She was still working on the formation; there was no other way, as this was a massive project that could potentially last for hundreds of years, and she couldn't afford to delay it.

Doing one thing continuously for a hundred years sounds simple, but when you actually start, you'll find that it's actually quite difficult.

Li Qi then skillfully rolled up his sleeves, took off his formal long robe, changed into a loose set of indoor loungewear, and sat down. "Things are getting better and better now. In just this short time, if you calculate it, we've already gained enough for three Sixth-Rank World. The efficiency is very fast. However, we've encountered a slight bottleneck." Li Qi said as he sat down next to Shen Shuibi.

"It's already very soon, there's no need to rush. Many low-ranking disciples have already benefited from your kindness, at least... they are free now." Shen Shuibi stopped what she was doing and said this.

This made Li Qi frown. "You paid off part of the debt, and then... you sent them away?"

After Mount Luofu gained income, its choice was to pay off the debts of some of its low-ranking disciples and then send them away.

Does Mount Luofu still think it will be wiped out? It's already leaving behind a legacy.

"It's just insurance; there's nothing special about having a few backup plans," Shen Shuibi said.

"Actually, Granny Mei had this plan before, and wanted to start acquiring some businesses again. However, our status was awkward before, and it was not easy for us to leave the cave, so we didn't take action. Now that we have you, we have a reason not to be questioned." Shen Shuibi moved closer to Li Qi.

Mount Luofu wasn't stupid; they naturally knew what the right thing to do was, but without Li Qi, they really couldn't start this.

Even now, when they do things, they still use the name 'Li Qi,' which is the banner of the Young Master of Wushen Mountain. They are working for a Young Master of Wushen Mountain, and this Young Master of Wushen Mountain is also the son-in-law of Mount Luofu.

In this way, many things on Mount Luofu became 'natural and logical', without any danger of overstepping boundaries.

If he were to do these things independently of Li Qi, it would be illegitimate and difficult to proceed in various ways.

"Indeed, it's always good to be more prepared. I just hope everything goes smoothly. By the way, regarding the recent bottleneck, I feel it came too quickly. If this continues, paying off the debt is simply a pipe dream. So I've come up with a solution," Li Qi said.

"Isn't there a need to rush? The efficiency we're achieving now is already quite high. There's no need to keep pursuing rapid expansion," Shen Shuibi advised. "Slow development and accumulating experience are also good."

"But my idea has virtually no barriers to entry and doesn't require much investment. I feel it's worth a try, what if it works?" Li Qi said to the rabbit.

"No threshold...? I don't think that's possible, but please tell me more details." Shen Shuibi was slightly taken aback after hearing this.

There are no barriers to entry, no investment required, and production capacity can be further expanded.

Is there really such a good thing in the world?

The rabbit wasn't very convinced.

But then Li Qi softly uttered two words: "East Sea".

"The East China Sea? What business opportunities are there?" Rabbit looked puzzled, unable to understand Li Qi's plans.

"The Tang Kingdom is currently at war with the East China Sea. What do you think about us supplying the East China Sea front?" Li Qi said.

"Bidding is very troublesome, and it would be difficult for us to provide enough products in a war of this scale. It's not realistic," Shen Shuibi shook her head, pointing out the impracticality.

Compared to the Law Treasure production line created by the Mohist school in cooperation with the Reason Way, the production efficiency of the Witchcraft Silkworm is simply negligible. That thing is terrifyingly efficient, with Law Treasure being produced in the millions.

Only something like this could arm the Tang Kingdom army. In a war of this intensity, the number of participants is measured in hundreds of millions, and only those at least of the ninth rank who form a large legion are qualified to go to the battlefield. The battlefield is divided into "world groups".

Li Qi had only read about such wars in books; he had never witnessed one in reality.

But you can get the answer just by imagining it.

Countless worlds sounded the clarion call.

The most brilliant strategists in the world, with their unparalleled wisdom and strategic planning, engage in a battle of wits, mobilizing millions of people to work tirelessly.

Organized into world clusters, hundreds and thousands of world clusters in the void were linked together by powerful beings, forming a line that could be measured in light-years.

War raged among the stars, and world after world was annihilated as a result. Even from the farthest reaches of the endless realm, streaks of light could be clearly seen appearing in the darkness beyond the realm.

What appears to be an inconspicuous streak of light is actually the most terrifying battle in the entire outer realm; even ten million suns erupting simultaneously could not match one percent of its radiance.

Li Qi was not qualified to participate in this kind of battlefield; he and his Witchcraft Silkworm were not even qualified to supply goods.

Every minute and every second, billions of Law Treasure shatter within it. Given Li Qi's production capacity, it would be more appropriate for him to remain in Shangyuan selling tableware and lanterns.

Not to mention, he also needs to bid, letting performance, production capacity, and price speak for themselves.

His cost is much higher than that of the Law Treasure assembly line, how can he possibly win the bid?

Therefore, Shen Shuibi did not believe that Li Qi was capable of supplying goods to the front lines.

"No, my wife, you've misunderstood. Who's planning to supply goods to the Tang Kingdom? Wouldn't it be better if we supplied goods to the East Sea?" Li Qi said with a smile.

Shen Shuibi's pupils contracted, and her expression changed drastically.

She understood what Li Qi meant.

Smuggling?!

Has he lost his mind?!

Selling it to the East Sea definitely doesn't mean selling the Witchcraft Silkworm, because Li Qi must also know that the East Sea has no interest in Witchcraft Silkworm, so selling it to the East Sea would be useless.

Ultimately, the inefficient product line of the Witchcraft Silkworm, which can only produce Seventh Rank Magic Treasure, is not suitable for use in such a large-scale war, and neither side would use it.

Therefore, the goods supplied to the East China Sea could not possibly be for the Witchcraft Silkworm.

Li Qi's purpose is then quite obvious.

Using the pretext of supplying goods, they engaged in smuggling!

This is considered risk-free? This is practically courting death! If this matter is exposed, what will become of the Witchcraft Silkworm business in Chang'an? It will probably be shut down on the spot!

"How can this be allowed? If this is confirmed, our business in Chang'an will be wiped out. The Tang Kingdom will never tolerate a two-faced person," Shen Shuibi immediately objected.

"What are you thinking? Do you think I'm that kind of person? Besides, even if it's smuggling, we can't hide it from Chang'an. What I'm thinking is to 'visit' Donghai," Li Qi said.

"Visit the East China Sea?" The rabbit tilted its head, puzzled.

What are you accessing?

What's worth it...?

Etc--

She seemed to understand.

The rabbit wasn't stupid; looking at Li Qi's expression, she seemed to have realized something.

"Eating from both sides...? Wake up, this water is too murky, you'll get into trouble if you just get involved." The rabbit looked even more worried and grabbed Li Qi directly.

Li Qi, on the other hand, nodded.

That's right, that's his plan.

To be a spy, or rather... a double agent.

"It's just to make everyone think that way. I go alone, I don't need to do anything, and people will come to buy the Witchcraft Silkworm. That's what I mean by tacit understanding, no risk, and no investment required," Li Qi said with a smile.

His plan was simple: he would go to the East China Sea and then do nothing.

Naturally, many people will begin to suspect and test the waters.

Whether in Chang'an or the East Sea, people will come to test Li Qi. And testing naturally requires bait. As the saying goes, "throwing a stone to test the way," what Li Qi wants is this 'stone'.

For those qualified to participate in this war, the bait alone was enough to fill Li Qi's belly.

Li Qi doesn't need to do anything; if he does, it's a mistake. He just needs to go on a trip there, and he'll naturally be able to eat this stuff, and no one can criticize him.

What a clever scheme!

However, Shen Shuibi sighed:

"Swindling and cheating is not the right path, and you will definitely pay the price." The rabbit shook its head and said with a serious expression, "It may seem like you don't have to pay anything, but it is actually more dangerous."

"There's no other way. We can't expand our production capacity right now, and we can't get the formation to tear apart the world cluster for the time being. We can't expand our influence outside the domain. We have to do something, otherwise, are we just going to sit and wait for time to pass by?" Li Qi said.

The rabbit was puzzled. "What's wrong with waiting? It's only a hundred years at most, and a hundred years will pass in the blink of an eye. There's no need to risk going to the East China Sea."