Two Riders, Two Horses

In the eastern part of Heaven Dou City, the headquarters of the Green Wood Merchant Association is located.

"... For the time being, we will proceed according to this plan."

Ling Yi sat behind his desk, put down the project plan in his hand, and instructed the several middle-aged men:

"Remember, expanding and maintaining business channels is the most important thing; don't force the pursuit of maximum profit."

"During my absence, I've been consolidating and managing the various trade activities of the Chamber of Commerce. For the procurement and sale of herbs, we can bring in the Yang Clan of the [Breaking Clan]. The Yang Clan's previous business model was too outdated; let's include them and share our sales channels with them..."

Hearing this, the blond middle-aged man at the head couldn't help but speak up, "President, those sales channels and networks were painstakingly built by you. Are you just going to share them away so easily?"

"Yes, indeed," another middle-aged man with brown hair chimed in at the opportune moment. "President, we understand that you say you don't prioritize profits. After all, our [Green Wood Merchant Association]'s foundation is still shallow. If the profits are too high, it might attract the covetous eyes of some Soul Master families. But if we share our sales channels with the [Breaking Clan], there's no guarantee they won't kick us out later to monopolize the profits..."

"So," Ling Yi said calmly, looking at the two of them, "I just told you to keep the profits of each herb planting base to a minimum and offer high salaries to recruit those herb gatherers into the base."

"With the advantage of high quality and low price, we [Green Wood Merchant Association] control 90%, or even all, of the supply of herbal raw materials on the mainland."

"From now on, I won't concern myself with those high-end, precious medicines, but I hope that we can supply the entire continent with those low-end, basic herbs."

The Green Wood Merchant Association is involved in a wide variety of business operations, covering aspects such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation.

Some of these have substantial profits, while others have only average profits.

For items like herbs and grains, the Green Wood Merchant Association basically takes a people-friendly approach, aiming for high volume and low profit margins to control the market and implant the names "Green Wood Grain Store" and "Green Wood Pharmacy" into the minds of residents in all small towns, counties, and villages across the Douluo Continent.

High-profit businesses naturally exist, whether it's the creation of various luxury items derived from forging and carving, the transformation of the textile industry by integrating tailors and textiles, or the transportation industry developed based on the trade routes established by the Chamber of Commerce, transporting specialties from all over the Douluo Continent to the places where they can best realize their value...

Of course, because the foundation of the Green Wood Merchant Association is too shallow, the most obvious problem is the lack of a strong figure who can hold down a position, so the goals that Ling Yi has planned are still in the development stage.

Therefore, Ling Yi plans to bring in some established Soul Master forces to share the profits, while also naturally leveraging their power and influence.

In Ling Yi's previous life, one cannot become a business tycoon by hoarding everything. Similarly, in the Douluo Continent, without a powerful figure in charge, one cannot develop a force to its true potential.

Business giants don't look at how much money they have, but rather how much money they can mobilize from others.

In the Douluo Continent, the strength of a force is determined by the level of combat power of its high-level leaders.

The overall strength of the Clear Sky Sect is several times weaker than that of the Spirit Hall, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and the two great empires.

The source of the confidence that allows the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall to engage in equal dialogue is Tang Chen, the Level 99 Clear Sky Douluo.

This is the Douluo Continent, where one person can suppress an entire nation!

Five days later, outside the north gate of ' Spirit City '.

Two exceptionally fine, tall horses galloped from afar along the official road. One was jet black, except for its four hooves, which resembled four billowing white clouds; the other was entirely chestnut red, and although it was shorter than the former, its physique was exactly the same—agile and perfect.

From afar, the Soul Master guards standing atop the mottled city wall immediately focused their attention, subtly mobilizing their Soul Power.

Although the Grand Elder Qian Daoliu has retired and the strongest pillar of the Spirit Hall no longer appears, in recent years, under the rule of the new Pope Qian Xunji, the Spirit Hall's power has become even stronger than before.

Therefore, despite their great reputation, these guards, all of whom are at least Grand Soul Master, do not believe that anyone would dare to provoke ' Spirit City,' as that would be tantamount to courting death.

However, despite these thoughts, it is our duty to remain vigilant and no one will let their guard down.

Time flew by, and after a dozen breaths, the two fine horses had arrived at a point more than a hundred meters outside the city gate.

Just as the Soul King Rank commander raised his hand to say something, the knights behind the two steeds pulled on the reins, and instantly, the rapidly galloping figures came to a stop.

This abrupt scene left most of the viewers feeling disheartened.

And so, amidst the strange looks from everyone, Ling Yi and Yang Shelly, each leading Treading Snow and Crimson Cloud, walked towards the city gate. After announcing their identities and purpose, they entered the city without incident.

Walking along the ancient streets of the city, the two people and two horses strolled leisurely, their eyes scanning the sparse pedestrians and the few shops that were still open.

Amidst her excitement and a hint of curiosity, Yang Shelly moved closer to Ling Yi and whispered, "Brother Yi, there are so few people in ' Spirit City '? And so few shops..."

Ling Yi looked around, just like Yang Shelly, with the same expression of surprise on his face, and replied softly, "Perhaps it's because everyone here is Soul Master, and most of the things sold in the shops are related to Soul Master, which is why there are so few of them—"

"After all, even though this is ' Spirit City,' the number of Soul Master isn't as high as that of ordinary people in other cities..."

"Mmm~"

Yang Shelly glanced at her surroundings and then at Ling Yi beside her, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.

It was a rare treat that the figure she disliked was no longer by her side, and she was only with Brother Yi. Regardless of the environment, Yang Shelly didn't really care.

Although I don't know why that brat Ah Yin refused to come to ' Spirit City ' with Brother Yi this time, oh well~

As long as she could enjoy some time alone with Brother Yi, Yang Shelly wouldn't think about anything else. In fact, she even complained that the journey hadn't been long enough!

And so, a man, a woman, and two horses, one black and one red, four beings whose looks were at the very top of their respective races, formed a striking sight on this street that was only a dozen meters wide.

Ling Yi politely inquired of a passerby Soul Master and obtained the location of Yao Qi's residence. The address was given to Ling Yi by Yao Qi before he left Heaven Dou City last year.

Still writing, the next chapter should be before midnight~