White Cloud Manor maintained close ties with both the Qingxu Sect and Sword Heart Studio. It was not that they shared some profound friendship or were die-hard allies, but rather that they had frequent business dealings, enjoyed a pleasant partnership, and had formed a stable alliance of interests.
The Qingxu Sect and Sword Heart Studio were renowned for their pillcraft. The pills they refined had balanced, gentle effects, following a moderate path that covered all bases and boasted extremely broad applicability.
Whether for healing injuries, cultivation, or breaking through realms, the pills of these two factions could meet the needs of most cultivators.
Though their pills were of superior quality, their shops were limited in number and largely concentrated in the major cities of various prefectures and commanderies. Their market reach was limited; they could not cater to disciples traveling abroad, much less make money off the other leeks.
White Cloud Manor was different. Having started out in business, it possessed an enormous commercial network throughout Western Chu, with shops spread across cities great and small. Even beyond Western Chu, it still prospered—its stores could be found in both Northern Qi and Southern Jin.
Even in that hellhole of the Southern Border, Xiang Yuan had seen quite a few White Cloud Manor signboards. They were practically opening shops on Yellow Springs Dao's doorstep.
Of course, White Cloud Manor had its own shortcomings as well. Its competition with Forget Sword Manor was fierce, especially in the low-end pills market. The two sides traded blow for blow, scrambling madly for market share.
In order to crush Forget Sword Manor and secure its position as the leading power in the pills industry, White Cloud Manor had brought in the Qingxu Sect and Sword Heart Studio, integrating the pills of all three parties and