The nobles looked at one another. Though they were unwilling in every possible way, they had no choice in the face of absolute strength.
Behind Toji's indifferent smile lurked a threat that chilled them to the bone.
They knew full well that if they refused, a fate worse than death awaited them.
In particular, he had committed many bloody acts in the Soul Fighting Arena that remained vividly etched in their minds.
If he used those methods on them, it would be a fate worse than death.
"We... we agree," one noble said in a trembling voice. The others nodded in agreement.
Toji nodded in satisfaction.
"Since everyone agrees, let's talk about our business venture."
"We can keep the gray-market businesses running. They're also very important as initial startup capital."
"And what I want to discuss is the direction we'll be developing from here on: Soul Tools."
Toji finally revealed his objective.
The money everyone present had, pooled together, was worth an estimated hundred million Gold Soul Coins. Once their assets were included, the total was beyond counting.
That was enough money to buy even a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone.
Toji needed enough money every day for three meals that would provide the nutrition he needed for his physical cultivation. He also wanted to build a Soul Tool factory of his own to strengthen his overall combat power.
Although he could seek a partnership with the Illustrious Virtue Hall later on, Toji had no desire to rely on others for everything. That was the most foolish approach.
Just think about the Sun Moon Empire's Illustrious Virtue Hall. Why would they agree to work with him?
A partnership could last for a while, but not a lifetime.
First, he had to lay the groundwork. For now, he could only buy some lower-quality Soul Tools in the Heaven Dou Empire to serve as his weapons.
Once things were up and running, Toji would head to the Sun Moon Empire, search for the Evil Soul Masters who had destroyed the village back then, and look for a way to establish a connection with the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
At the same time, he had to make a major effort to seek out spiritual-type Soul Masters and recruit as many as possible, so they could study Soul Tools and become Soul Engineers.
In the much later stages, Toji wanted to cultivate to the Limit Douluo realm. At his current pace, that would take at least twenty years or so, and having a force of his own was the most crucial thing.
He would keep the Body Sect as a backup plan. Toji knew its members all had reservations about him, and he would not force his way into a circle that did not suit him. Naturally, he would have to find another path.
Even if he became sect master later, Toji would certainly equip every member of the Body Sect with a fully outfitted set of Soul Tools. Only then would they have the means to stand against the Sun Moon Empire.
But he was too weak right now to change the state of an entire nation on his own.
The plan was a good one, but whether he could actually carry it out would depend entirely on his own abilities.
Now, this money was the first pot of capital in Toji's life.
Although he intended to be a lone wolf, he had to prepare an escape route in advance. What was more, the Tang Sect was bound to rise under Huo Yuhao's leadership.
Huo Yuhao was someone God King Tang San had taken a liking to, and the child of destiny of the Douluo Continent. If Toji wanted to cut in ahead of time and recruit this future Soul Tool genius, he would inevitably run the enormous risk of clashing with God King Tang early.
He did not have what it took to stand against God King Tang now. Besides, God King Tang was always smuggling his personal interests into the affairs of the Douluo Continent; getting tangled up in even a little of that karma would be enough to give him a hard time.
Only by finding the critical junctures would he have a chance to sabotage God King Tang's plans.
However, he had come to the Douluo Continent far too early in the timeline. Huo Yuhao probably had not even been born yet.
So he had plenty of time left.
Rather than pin his hopes on Huo Yuhao, he might as well see if he could establish a connection with the Illustrious Virtue Hall.
At least that way, Tang San would not set his sights on him while he was still weak.
At first, he would buy inferior Soul Tools to meet his needs for the time being. In the middle stage, he would cooperate with the Illustrious Virtue Hall to develop. In the later stages, he would have to rely on himself.
And so Toji began discussing his ideas with the nobles, opening up a new avenue in Soul Tools for those who had originally operated in the gray market.
Their eyes lit up.
"The Heaven Dou Empire also attaches great importance to Soul Tools now. We wanted to get into Soul Tools at first too, but we really didn't know how."
"I have to say, your idea really is a good one. We can seek out spiritual-type Soul Masters, hold Soul Tool competitions, and keep running casinos... At the same time, we can recruit promising Soul Engineers along the way, and Soul Tools can develop in a healthy way too."
Toji raised a hand to his forehead, somewhat speechless.
He had copied the whole approach straight from the Sun Moon Empire.
Even so, he could not help marveling that the natives of the Douluo Continent were all lovestruck fools, and their intelligence was a little lower than that of normal people too.
It made even a normal person like him seem somewhat clever.
They did not even know how to get started in Soul Tools when the approach was so simple. He was truly speechless.
It served the Heaven Dou Empire right to be the first nation destroyed by the Sun Moon Empire.
"If you can keep showing us the way and giving us ideas, we'll gladly invest!" some of the nobles said.
They were all businesspeople with a keen nose for making money.
Everyone knew that Soul Tools were bound to be the next big opportunity.
There was no doubt that Soul Masters who did not use Soul Tools to assist themselves would be left behind.
And so, the nobles' attitudes gradually shifted from their initial fear and helplessness to interest and anticipation for Toji's plan.
Soul Tools, as a direction for future development, also showed them new business opportunities and hope.
Although they had once focused solely on gray-market businesses, Toji's proposal had undoubtedly opened a new door for them.
Seeing the change in the nobles' attitudes, Toji breathed a sigh of relief.
Threats and coercion alone could not sustain a partnership for long. Only by showing these people tangible benefits could he truly make them willing to serve him.
Interests and value tied everyone to the same boat.
Just as lewdness was the primary productive force, satisfying people's desires worked on the same principle.
Toji spent the entire afternoon in the room discussing matters with the nobles, and they finally settled on a plan.
He knew only the broad direction and how the future plot would unfold, so he handled the discussion easily.
When it came to the specific details, however, his abilities naturally fell short of those of the nobles and merchants who excelled at making fortunes in the gray market.
No one was omniscient or omnipotent, and Toji was no exception. Doing everything himself would truly work him to death.
"All right, that's enough for today." Toji stood and swept his gaze over everyone. "I hope you'll get moving as soon as you return. In three days, I want to see the initial progress each of you has made."
"As for the split, just as we discussed, you get thirty percent, and we get seventy."
"Keep arguing with me and make me unhappy, and don't blame me for leaving you off this ship bound for a new era."
"Understood, understood."
The nobles did not make much of a fuss. They all realized how big this market was, and thirty percent was enough for everyone to drink their fill of soup...
What they feared more was Toji leaving them out. Then they really would have no money to make.
Everyone rose and took their leave, departing the room with heavy thoughts.
Once they were gone, Toji let out a long breath, sat back down on the sofa, and rubbed his slightly throbbing temples.
"You threatened them with force and pulled them aboard with profit." Liang Wu clicked his tongue. "The key is that they're even willing. Sure enough, profit comes first: a mix of kindness and force, threats and inducements."
Toji glanced at him.
"Aren't you the same?"
"Heh, sir, I really do want to work with you now." Liang Wu gave an embarrassed smile. "I was honestly afraid you'd get angry and kill them all. That wouldn't have been sensible."
"If they all died, it would really cause a stir in this little place. There'd be no one to manage things."
"Isn't it better to keep them alive, make them work like oxen and horses for me, bring me money, and help manage things? Killing a few to make an example for the others is enough."
Toji took a sip of wine, his face calm.
All of a sudden, he found himself somewhat fascinated by the taste of power.
He could do whatever he wanted and fuck whoever he wanted.
After five years as a pawn, he had finally earned a seat at the table and a share of the cake in this little place.
But soon, Toji's eyes gradually cleared.
It was no good being greedy for this little bit of power.
But if he was going to do it, he would do it on the grandest scale.
Once he was strong enough, he could even have the emperor's wife whenever he wanted.
This was the world of the strong. As long as you were strong enough, you could do as you pleased.