Chapter 217: Great Divides

"Fellow Daoist Jiao, I wonder about the background of this Wanfa Chamber of Commerce. 'Wanfa,' such grandiosity! Could it be that this Chamber of Commerce truly possesses over ten thousand techniques?" Li Fan asked immediately. [1]

"When it comes to the origin of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, we have to go back to the period right after the Great Calamity, before a new order was established," Jiao Xiuyuan explained to Li Fan.

"Usually, this period is referred to as the Desolate Age."

"At that time, the number of cultivators had dropped to its lowest point. The survivors of the calamity were true lone wanderers. Isolated and alone, apart from themselves, they wouldn't trust anyone else."

"Cultivators sought refuge in the wilderness, exploring ruins, and searching for opportunities."

"An individual's energy was limited, and sometimes they couldn't practice extra techniques they found. At that point, they naturally thought of using techniques to exchange for other useful items with fellow cultivators."

"But in that era, the trust among cultivators had almost approached zero. To successfully trade, an intermediary that everyone trusted was undoubtedly indispensable."

"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce was one of these former intermediaries. It's also the only organization that could survive even after the establishment of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association. During the Desolate Age, cultivators were scarce, but techniques were abundant. Often, a single cultivator would own several techniques acquired through robbery or fortuitous encounters."

"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, during that time, amassed an unimaginable number of techniques. This is why it could stand tall for thousands of years and still exist today."

Jiao Xiuyuan slowly explained the origin of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce.

Li Fan, upon hearing this, couldn't help but ask, "Does that mean there's a powerful expert at the Longevity Immortal realm or above behind this Wanfa Chamber of Commerce? An ordinary Dao Integration cultivator probably couldn't safeguard so many techniques."

Jiao Xiuyuan nodded, "The majority of cultivators also think the same. Now, both the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association tacitly acknowledge the existence of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce. If it can make these two behemoths make concessions, the cultivator behind it is undoubtedly formidable. However, the true identity of this powerhouse is far beyond the knowledge of small figures like us."

Li Fan casually praised, "Fellow Daoist's Thousand Mile Hall spans the entire cultivation world; you can't be considered a small figure."

He then inquired with some confusion, "According to what fellow Daoist said, the business of this Wanfa Chamber of Commerce has been recognized by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Why have I never seen them on the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance's premises? Even for the Wanhua Chamber of Commerce, which deals with mortal affairs, I've only seen them walking around, never their stores."

"Hehe, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association have their own independent trading systems. They wouldn't allow the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce to enter and compete for business. Although the current Wanfa Chamber of Commerce has gained recognition from these two giants, its scale is not as large as before. It can only survive in the gaps," Jiao Xiuyuan smiled.

"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is now active only in the border areas between the territories of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association. These places are chaotic, with weak control from both sides and a large number of wandering cultivators. In these regions, neutral organizations like the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce are favored."

"Moreover, both the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association have various special products within their respective territories. Although there is official trade between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association in non-conflict years, the important strategic resources are generally not included in the exchange catalog."

"And these resources have significant demand. Therefore, passing them through the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce as an 'intermediary' becomes a solution."

"Of course, the prices are naturally much higher. Sometimes they are several times higher; it's normal."

"For example, on the Five Elders Association's side, there is a kind of elixir called the 'Dao Enlightenment Elixir.' It is said to be a secret inheritance of an ancient sect. After consumption, it can increase the affinity of one's own body to Dao laws, significantly reducing the difficulty of comprehending the Dao and improving the cultivation speed."

Li Fan was stunned, "Isn't that similar to the enlightenment effect of the Tianxuan Mirror?"

"Exactly. What's even more incredible is that the effect of the Dao Enlightenment Elixir can perfectly complement the Tianxuan Mirror's enlightenment. Enlightenment improves one's own comprehension, while the Dao Enlightenment Elixir reduces the difficulty of understanding the Dao. When combined, their synergy makes cultivation astonishingly fast," Jiao Xiuyuan praised with a click of his tongue.

"Within the alliance, many have coveted the Dao Enlightenment Elixir for a long time. However, despite trying various methods, they couldn't crack the formula. So, every year, they can only introduce a limited quantity through the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce."

"The Dao Enlightenment Elixir, on the side of the Five Elders Association, reportedly costs only fifty low-grade spirit stones per pill, which is equivalent to our fifty contribution points. It's practically given away for free. However, at the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, due to the scarcity of supply and high demand, the price skyrockets tenfold, reaching around five hundred contribution points per pill."

"Even so, countless cultivators are willing to buy it. There's no way around it; this stuff is just too effective!" Jiao Xiuyuan sighed.

Li Fan's clone pondered for a moment and tentatively asked, "I've heard from a Golden Core cultivator before about the existence of the Fallen Immortal Realm and pre-expedition realms. It seems that anonymous transactions can take place in a pre-expedition realm. Can't cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association do that?"

Jiao Xiuyuan was somewhat surprised. "You even know about the existence of the pre-expedition realms, fellow Daoist?"

After thinking for a moment, he explained in a hushed tone, "In the past, doing so was not a problem. However, later on, such convenient and secretive trading methods gave rise to a lot of speculation, profiteering, and malicious activities. This caused the prices of goods in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association to spiral out of control. Spies took advantage of the situation, stealing a large amount of classified information through these transactions."

"Subsequently, two powerful figures from both sides simultaneously made a move, creating two 'Great Divides' respectively."

"Since then, cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association can no longer communicate through a pre-expedition realm. If a cultivator from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wants to enter the pre-expedition realm located in the territory of the Five Elders Association, their divine sense will be obstructed by the two 'Great Divides.' The same applies on the other side."

Li Fan nodded slowly.

"I understand. So, if I want to purchase techniques through the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, I'll have to go there in person?"

"Yes. The nearest stronghold of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is located in the Jiushan Province, near Yongliang Province," Jiao Xiuyuan advised, "Jiushan Province is not very peaceful. If fellow Daoist really intends to go, you can coordinate with other Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators and make arrangements together."

"It would be good to have mutual support on the way."

"Thanks for the guidance, fellow Daoist. The journey is long, and the risks are a bit high. I'll think about it some more!" Li Fan responded.

Meanwhile, Li Fan's main body searched for information within the Tianxuan Mirror on the journey from the Cong Yun Sea to the Jiushan Province. As expected, there were many cultivators recruiting teammates for the journey.

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[1] The literal meaning of 'Wanfa' is something like "Ten Thousand Laws" or "Ten Thousand Daos"