During Xue Qinghe's stay at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda these past few days, aside from touring the premises, there wasn't much else to do.
However, he did gain a general understanding of the sect's structure and some of its novel ideas.
For instance, the establishment of an Alchemy Pavilion to refine medicines for low-level soul masters and commoners, serving as a means to recoup funds. The blacksmiths brought back from Gengxin City were preparing to craft weapons and armor to enhance the survivability of support-type soul masters, among other things.
These ventures would likely involve collaboration with the Heaven Dou Empire in the future. Otherwise, given the scale of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, it would be quite difficult to fully market these products alone.
If you're eating meat, you have to leave some soup for others, no?
Even the Spirit Hall, when awakening martial souls for people, wouldn't dare enforce mandatory recruitment into their ranks. Let alone the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—using their grounds to sell goods required payment!
"This could actually be utilized. After all, it's a mutually beneficial arrangement." Xue Qinghe pondered. As long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and the Heaven Dou Empire were deeply intertwined in interests, his own position would remain unshakable.
Even if he were to take action against Xue Beng and Ge Long later, and Emperor Xue Ye were to suspect something, as long as there wasn't definitive proof, it would likely be ignored.
"I'll discuss it further once Ning Fengzhi returns." Xue Qinghe stroked his chin in thought.
The alchemy and weapons industries were massive markets—far too large for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to monopolize entirely.
But even if the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan wanted to replicate their model, it would be extremely difficult.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had the ability to appraise treasures, locate medicinal herbs for alchemists, and identify ores for blacksmiths—all tasks made easier by their direct lineage.
The three fields complemented and reinforced one another. How could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan possibly replicate that?
Not just them—even the Clear Sky Clan, with their hammer-wielding prowess, couldn't emulate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's methods.
Just as Xue Qinghe was lost in thought, Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan approached from a distance.
"Your Highness, my father has returned. Would you like to meet him?"
"Hm? Teacher Ning… has returned?"
"He just arrived at the sect not long ago. My father was quite surprised to hear that Your Highness had come to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!" Ning Rongrong said.
Under Ning Rongrong's guidance, they wound through the sect's main paths and soon arrived at the conference hall.
Ning Fengzhi before them seemed… slightly more robust than before.
"No, it must be my imagination." Xue Qinghe shook his head, dismissing the thought, and stepped forward to greet him. "It's been a while, Teacher! Forgive my abrupt visit."
"Qinghe, your presence brings me nothing but joy. How could it be a disturbance?"
Ning Fengzhi studied Xue Qinghe, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Please, sit. Make yourself at home—there's no need for formality."
His tone suggested that this wasn't a formal occasion, so there was no need for rigid noble etiquette.
"Understood." Xue Qinghe took a seat in a nearby chair, aware that Ning Fengzhi wasn't fond of excessive ceremony.
"Qinghe, Rongrong mentioned your purpose here—you're interested in spirit herbs, correct?"
Ning Fengzhi lifted the teacup from the table, gently sipping from it. Every movement he made exuded an air of refined elegance.
"Yes. My father has always harbored some resentment that the Swan martial soul cannot match the White Tiger of the Star Luo Imperial Family."
The emperor of the Star Luo Empire was a 94th-ranked Title Douluo. But what about the Heaven Dou Empire?
Beyond that, whether in terms of economy or combat strength, Heaven Dou lagged behind Star Luo by a significant margin.
If not for the Spirit Hall's interference, Star Luo would have long since launched a full-scale war against Heaven Dou.
"Qinghe…" Ning Fengzhi sighed. "To be honest, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's efforts in cultivating spirit herbs artificially aren't even enough to meet our own needs."
"Is there truly no other way?" Xue Qinghe frowned.
"It's quite troublesome. There are some alternatives, but…" Ning Fengzhi handed Xue Qinghe a prepared proposal.
"This is…?" Xue Qinghe looked puzzled.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda wishes to collaborate with Your Highness."
Ning Fengzhi addressed him as "Your Highness" rather than by name, indicating this was a formal, official document.
"Selling pills?" Xue Qinghe was slightly taken aback. Though he had anticipated that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's medicines would be sold to the Heaven Dou Empire, he was still surprised. Rumor had it that the Alchemy Pavilion had been established less than a year ago.
Which meant the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had likely been planning this for several years.
As expected of the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—his foresight is truly profound.
"However…" Xue Qinghe's eyes flickered. "Teacher, I don't quite understand. Why bring such a significant matter to me instead of discussing it directly with my father?"
"Because I am your teacher." Ning Fengzhi's tone was calm. "I am concerned with the future—and the future does not belong to the current emperor."
Silence.
Xue Qinghe fell into deep thought.
After a moment, he seemed to reach a decision and spoke solemnly:
"The sale of pills won't be limited to commoners—it will extend to soul masters as well. The Spirit Hall won't stand idly by."
"I believe my disciple can resolve these issues. The Heaven Dou Empire is not the Spirit Hall. Even they wouldn't dare act too recklessly."
"Besides, the Crown Prince's credibility carries far more weight than that of the Spirit Hall's bishop in Heaven Dou City, does it not?" Ning Fengzhi countered.
"If you encounter difficulties, come to me. This old face of mine still holds some sway within the Spirit Hall."
"Even in the worst-case scenario, cooperating with the Spirit Hall isn't out of the question—but the authority to dictate terms must remain in your hands, Qinghe."
"I understand." Xue Qinghe nodded. "I will do my utmost to see this through."
"Teacher, I'd like to return and consider this further before presenting my proposed plan." After a long pause, Xue Qinghe spoke again.
"Go ahead. There's no need to rush. Our alchemy efforts are still in their early stages."
With a final farewell, Xue Qinghe departed.
Watching his retreating figure, Ning Fengzhi let out a quiet sigh.
"What a pity… he is not Xue Qinghe."
"Otherwise, the Heaven Dou Empire might have entered an era of great prosperity."
"Fengzhi, was it wise to disclose the alchemy matters to her? She is, after all—" The Sword Douluo didn't finish, but his concern was evident.
"This was a plan Rongrong and I agreed upon." Ning Fengzhi sighed. "One must not place all their eggs in one basket."
"Since Rongrong says she is someone who values benefits, then binding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's interests with those of the Spirit Hall… may provide our sect with a means of self-preservation."
"We need time. Rongrong needs time. As we are now, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda lacks the qualifications—and the justification—to confront the Spirit Hall head-on."
"By cooperating with Qian Renxue, we may secure some protective measures for the sect."
He turned to the Sword Douluo.
"The only regret is that I've troubled you, Uncle Sword."
"What nonsense!" The Sword Douluo glared at him. "Proceed with confidence, Fengzhi. My grievances with Qian Daoliu are between him and me—they have nothing to do with the Spirit Hall or Qian Renxue."
"Right now, I am an elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"Thank you, Uncle Sword."