"Fellow Daoist Li, you came in person! This is wonderful." Han Kang's face lit up when he saw Li Ling.
Elder Qi, however, gave him a meaningful look and nodded silently.
"How do things stand? Has the Merchant Association's expedition prepared to set out?" Li Ling asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Not yet. We were waiting for you to bring the Teaweed Incense so we could deal with the tai sui spores inside," Han Kang said.
"Speaking of which, your earlier message said you had finished refining it?" Elder Qi asked.
Li Ling said, "Fortunately, I have fulfilled my task. The first batch of Teaweed Incense is complete. I also acquired some semifinished stock on the way here. Given some time, I can finish the second batch as well."
All of it had been ordered by the Merchant Association. Under their cooperation agreement, he received no payment for his labor.
However, Li Ling did not have to supply the materials himself, and he had secured those benefits on Little Olive Island and within the Nine Spirits Sect. All told, this was far more profitable than an ordinary refining commission.
Li Ling took out his finished products, more than a hundred portions individually packed in porcelain bottles, and set them before the two men.
Elder Qi summoned two people through voice transmission and ordered, "Keep twenty bottles here. Distribute the rest according to the instructions issued earlier."
"Yes!" The Merchant Association's stewards immediately went to carry out his orders.
Once that was done, Elder Qi said obliquely, "Our people are ready. Once those ahead have established the situation, we can set out."
By establishing the situation ahead, he meant waiting for results from the stones they had thrown out to test the road.
Over the past few days, their