“ jiāo dào yǒu ， bù zhī zhè wàn fǎ shāng huì jiū jìng shì shén me lái tou ？ wàn fǎ ， hǎo dà de kǒu qì ！ nán bù chéng ， zhè shāng huì zhēn de yǒu shàng wàn bù gōng fǎ bù chéng ？” lǐ fán dāng jí wèn dào 。
“焦道友，不知这万法商会究竟是什么来头？万法，好大的口气！难不成，这商会真的有上万部功法不成？”李凡当即问道。
"Friend Jiao, I wonder what the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is all about? Wanfa, such a grandiose claim! Could it be that this chamber really has over ten thousand different cultivation techniques?" Li Fan asked immediately.
“ yào shuō qǐ zhè wàn fǎ shāng huì ， zuì zǎo kě yào zhuī sù dào dà sī shā jié shù hòu 、 xīn de zhì xù hái méi yǒu jiàn lì qián de nà duàn shí jiān le 。” jiāo xiū yuǎn wèi lǐ fán jiě shì dào 。
“要说起这万法商会，最早可要追溯到大厮杀结束后、新的秩序还没有建立前的那段时间了。”焦修远为李凡解释道。
"Speaking of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, its origins can be traced back to the period between the Great Battle and before the new order was established," Jiaoxiuyuan explained slowly.
“ tōng cháng bǎ zhè duàn shí qī ， chēng zhī wèi fèi tǔ shí dài 。”
“通常把这段时期，称之为废土时代。”
"This era is commonly referred to as the Wasteland Age."
“ nà shí hòu ， xiū shì de shù liàng jiàng zhì zuì dī diǎn 。 cóng jié nàn zhōng cún huó xià de xiū shì ， dōu shì zhēn zhèng de dú xíng xiá 。 xíng dān yǐng zhī ， chú le zì jǐ zhī wài ， bú huì xiāng xìn rèn hé qí tā rén 。”
“那时候，修士的数量降至最低点。从劫难中存活下的修士，都是真正的独行侠。形单影只，除了自己之外，不会相信任何其他人。”
"At that time, the number of cultivators had dropped to a minimum. Survivors from the calamity were true lone wolves, alone in their pursuits. They trusted no one but themselves."
“ xiū shì men qī xī cáng shēn yú huāng yě ， zài fèi xū zhōng tàn xiǎn yóu lì 、 xún zhǎo jī yuán 。”
“修士们栖息藏身于荒野，在废墟中探险游历、寻找机缘。”
"Cultivators lived and hid in the wilderness, exploring ruins for opportunities."
“ yī rén jīng lì yǒu xiàn ， yǒu shí hòu xún zhǎo dào duō yú de gōng fǎ yě wú fǎ xiū xíng 。 zhè shí hòu ， tā men zì rán huì xiǎng dào yòng gōng fǎ qù hé bié de xiū shì jiāo huàn qí tā yǒu yòng de dōng xī 。”
“一人精力有限，有时候寻找到多余的功法也无法修行。这时候，他们自然会想到用功法去和别的修士交换其他有用的东西。”
"Individuals have limited energy; sometimes they find extra techniques that they can't practice. At such times, naturally, they would think of exchanging these techniques with other cultivators for useful items."
“ dàn shì nà ge nián dài ， xiū shì jiān bǐ cǐ de xìn rèn dù ， yǐ jīng wú xiàn qū jìn yú líng 。 xiǎng yào chéng gōng jìn xíng jiāo yì ， yí gè dà jiā dōu xìn de guò de zhōng jiān shāng ， zì rán shì bì bù kě shǎo de 。”
“但是那个年代，修士间彼此的信任度，已经无限趋近于零。想要成功进行交易，一个大家都信的过的中间商，自然是必不可少的。”
"But during those days, trust between cultivators was virtually nonexistent. To successfully conduct transactions, a trusted intermediary was essential."
“ wàn fǎ shāng huì ， jiù shì zhè xiē céng jīng de zhōng jiān shāng zhī yī 。 yě shì wéi yī néng zài wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì jiàn lì hòu ， yī rán hái néng cún zài de zǔ zhī 。”
“万法商会，就是这些曾经的中间商之一。也是唯一能在万仙盟和五老会建立后，依然还能存在的组织。”
"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is one such former intermediary and the only organization that could still exist after the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association were established."
“ fèi tǔ shí dài ， xiū shì shù liàng xī shǎo 。 ér gōng fǎ zé bù zěn me quē 。 wǎng wǎng yī wèi xiū shì shēn shàng ， dōu néng xié dài shù mén huò shì qiǎng lái 、 huò shì qí yù dé dào de gōng fǎ 。”
“废土时代，修士数量稀少。而功法则不怎么缺。往往一位修士身上，都能携带数门或是抢来、或是奇遇得到的功法。”
"In the Wasteland Age, there weren't many cultivators but plenty of techniques. Often, a single cultivator carried several techniques obtained through either theft or serendipity."
“ wàn fǎ shāng huì jiù shì zài nà ge shí hòu ， dà sì liǎn shōu le nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng shù liàng de gōng fǎ 。 zhè yě shì tā néng yì lì qiān nián bù dào 、 rú jīn yī rán cháng cún de yuán yīn 。”
“万法商会就是在那个时候，大肆敛收了难以想象数量的功法。这也是它能屹立千年不倒、如今依然长存的原因。”
"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce amassed an unimaginable number of techniques during that time. This is why it has stood for a thousand years and still exists today."
jiāo xiū yuǎn jiāng wàn fǎ shāng huì de lái lóng qù mài huǎn huǎn dào lái 。
焦修远将万法商会的来龙去脉缓缓道来。
Jiaoxiuyuan slowly explained the history and origins of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce.
lǐ fán wén yán ， bù jīn wèn dào ：“ nán dào shuō ， zhè wàn fǎ shāng huì de bèi hòu ， shì mǒu wèi cháng shēng jìng de zhì qiáng zhě ？ xún cháng hé dào xiū shì ， kǒng pà shì hù bú zhù rú cǐ duō de gōng fǎ 。”
李凡闻言，不禁问道：“难道说，这万法商会的背后，是某位长生境的至强者？寻常合道修士，恐怕是护不住如此多的功法。”
Li Fan couldn't help but ask, "Does this mean there's some long-lived realm powerhouse behind the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce? Ordinary cultivators at the Dao Formation stage wouldn't be able to protect so many techniques."
jiāo xiū yuǎn diǎn diǎn tóu ：“ jué dà duō shù xiū shì yě dōu shì zhè me xiǎng de 。 rú jīn wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì ， dōu mò xǔ le wàn fǎ shāng huì de cún zài 。 néng ràng zhè liǎng gè páng rán dà wù zuò chū xiē tuì ràng ， tā bèi hòu de xiū shì ， zì rán bù kě néng ruò 。 bù guò zhè děng qiáng zhě de zhēn shí shēn fèn ， què yuǎn bú shì wǒ men zhè xiē xiǎo rén wù néng zhī dào de le 。”
焦修远点点头：“绝大多数修士也都是这么想的。如今万仙盟和五老会，都默许了万法商会的存在。能让这两个庞然大物做出些退让，它背后的修士，自然不可能弱。不过这等强者的真实身份，却远不是我们这些小人物能知道的了。”
Jiaoxiuyuan nodded. "Most cultivators think that way. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association tacitly allow the existence of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce. For such giants to make concessions, it must have a powerful backer. However, the true identity of this powerhouse is far beyond our knowledge."
lǐ fán bù dòng shēng sè de chuī pěng dào ：“ dào yǒu qiān lǐ táng de shēng yì kāi biàn xiū xiān jiè ， zěn me yě suàn bù shàng xiǎo rén wù le 。”
李凡不动声色的吹捧道：“道友千里堂的生意开遍修仙界，怎么也算不上小人物了。”
Li Fan subtly complimented, "Friend Jiao, your business spans the entire cultivation world; you can't be considered a minor figure."
jiē zhe yòu yǒu xiē yí huò de xún wèn ：“ àn zhào dào yǒu de shuō fǎ ， zhè wàn fǎ shāng de shēng yì yǐ jīng bèi wàn xiān méng chéng rèn 。 kě wèi hé wǒ cóng lái méi zài wàn xiān méng zhù dì nèi jiàn guò tā men ？ nǎ pà shè jí fán rén yè wù de wàn huá shāng huì ， wǒ yě zhǐ shì jiàn guò shāng huì xíng zǒu ér yǐ ， què méi jiàn guò tā men de diàn pù 。”
接着又有些疑惑的询问：“按照道友的说法，这万法商的生意已经被万仙盟承认。可为何我从来没在万仙盟驻地内见过它们？哪怕涉及凡人业务的万华商会，我也只是见过商会行走而已，却没见过他们的店铺。”
---
“ hē hē ， wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì dōu zì yǒu yī tào dú lì 、 jiàn quán de jiāo yì tǐ xì ， yòu zěn me huì fàng wàn fǎ shāng huì jìn lái qiǎng shēng yì 。 rú jīn de wàn fǎ shāng huì ， suī shuō dé dào le liǎng jù tóu de chéng rèn ， dàn guī mó què dà bù rú qián le ， zhǐ néng zài jiā fèng zhōng shēng cún ér yǐ 。” jiāo xiū yuǎn xiào le xiào 。
“呵呵，万仙盟和五老会都自有一套独立、健全的交易体系，又怎么会放万法商会进来抢生意。如今的万法商会，虽说得到了两巨头的承认，但规模却大不如前了，只能在夹缝中生存而已。”焦修远笑了笑。
Next, he asked with some confusion, "According to what you said, the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce's business has been recognized by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Why haven't I ever seen them at the alliance's headquarters? Even for the Wan Hua Chamber of Commerce that deals with mundane matters, I've only seen their representatives but never their shops."
“ wàn fǎ shāng huì xiàn zài zhǐ huó yuè zài wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì dì pán de jiāo jiè dì dài 。 zhè xiē dì fāng lóng shé hùn zá ， shuāng fāng de kòng zhì lì dōu bǐ jiào bó ruò ， gèng shì pán jù zhe dà liàng de sàn xiū 。 wàn fǎ shāng huì zhè zhǒng zhōng lì de zǔ zhī zuò shēng yì ， fǎn ér gèng ràng rén fàng xīn 。”
“万法商会现在只活跃在万仙盟和五老会地盘的交界地带。这些地方龙蛇混杂，双方的控制力都比较薄弱，更是盘踞着大量的散修。万法商会这种中立的组织做生意，反而更让人放心。”
"Haha, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association each have their own independent and well-established trading systems. How could they allow the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce to come in and compete for business? Although the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is now recognized by these two giants, its scale has diminished significantly; it can only survive in a narrow space," Jiaoxiuyuan smiled.
“ zài zhě ， wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì gè zì de dì pán shàng ， dōu yǒu zhe yī xiē zhǒng lèi fán duō de tè chǎn 。 ér wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì zhī jiān ， suī shuō zài fēi jiāo zhàn nián fèn ， shì yǒu guān fāng mào yì de 。 dàn nà xiē bǐ jiào zhòng yào de zhàn lüè wù zī ， yì bān dōu bù zài jiāo huàn míng lù nèi 。”
“再者，万仙盟和五老会各自的地盘上，都有着一些种类繁多的特产。而万仙盟和五老会之间，虽说在非交战年份，是有官方贸易的。但那些比较重要的战略物资，一般都不在交换名录内。”
"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce currently operates only at the borders between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association territories. These areas are mixed with all kinds of people, both friendly and hostile, where neither side has strong control. A large number of scattered cultivators also reside here. The neutral nature of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce makes it more trustworthy for business," Jiaoxiuyuan continued.
“ ér zhè xiē wù zī ， yòu què shí yǒu zhe bù xiǎo de xū qiú liàng 。 suǒ yǐ ， tōng guò wàn fǎ shāng huì “ zhōng zhuǎn ” yī fān ， jiù chéng le gè bàn fǎ 。”
“而这些物资，又确实有着不小的需求量。所以，通过万法商会“中转”一番，就成了个办法。”
"Moreover, each territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association has its own unique specialties. While there is official trade between them during non-war years, important strategic resources are generally not included in the exchange list."
“ dāng rán ， jià gé yě jiù zì rán yào gāo le bù shǎo 。 yǒu shí hòu fān gè jǐ bèi ， yě shì zhèng cháng 。”
“当然，价格也就自然要高了不少。有时候翻个几倍，也是正常。”
"These resources have significant demand, so using the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce as a middleman becomes a viable solution," Jiaoxiuyuan explained.
“ bǐ rú ， zài wǔ lǎo huì nà biān ， yǒu zhǒng dān yào ， míng jiào wù dào dān 。 jù shuō nǎi shì shàng gǔ dà dào zōng mì chuán ， tūn fú hòu ， kě yǐ tí gāo dà dào fǎ zé duì zì shēn de qīn hé dù ， cóng ér dà fú dù jiàng dī wù dào nán dù 、 tí gāo xiū liàn sù dù 。”
“比如，在五老会那边，有种丹药，名叫悟道丹。据说乃是上古大道宗秘传，吞服后，可以提高大道法则对自身的亲和度，从而大幅度降低悟道难度、提高修炼速度。”
"Of course, prices naturally increase significantly; sometimes they can be several times higher."
lǐ fán lèng le lèng ：“ nà bù jiù gēn tiān xuán jìng de qǐ líng xiào guǒ chà bu duō ？”
李凡愣了愣：“那不就跟天玄镜的启灵效果差不多？”
"For example, on the Five Elders Association side, there's a type of medicinal pill called Enlightenment Pill. It is said to be an ancient secret passed down by the Great Dao Sect. After consuming it, one can enhance their affinity with the laws of the Great Dao, greatly reducing the difficulty of enlightenment and improving cultivation speed," Jiaoxiuyuan praised.
“ duì 。 gèng jué miào de shì ， wù dào dān de xiào guǒ néng hé qǐ líng wán měi dié jiā 。 qǐ líng shì tí gāo zì shēn wù xìng ， wù dào dān shì jiàng dī wù dào nán dù 。 liǎng xiāng jié hé ， nèi wài xiāng jì ， xiū liàn qǐ lái jiǎn zhí kuài de xià rén 。” jiāo xiū yuǎn zé zé chēng zàn dào 。
“对。更绝妙的是，悟道丹的效果能和启灵完美叠加。启灵是提高自身悟性，悟道丹是降低悟道难度。两相结合，内外相济，修炼起来简直快的吓人。”焦修远啧啧称赞道。
"This Enlightenment Pill has been coveted for a long time within the alliance. Despite various attempts, no one could crack its secrets. Thus, each year, only a limited number can be imported through the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce."
“ zhè wù dào dān méng nèi kě shì yǎn chán xǔ jiǔ le 。 dàn cháng shì le gè zhǒng fāng fǎ ， jiù shì wú fǎ pò jiě 。 yú shì měi nián zhǐ néng tōng guò wàn fǎ shāng huì de lù zi ， yǐn jìn shù liàng yǒu xiàn de yī pī 。”
“这悟道丹盟内可是眼馋许久了。但尝试了各种方法，就是无法破解。于是每年只能通过万法商会的路子，引进数量有限的一批。”
"The price of this Enlightenment Pill is fifty low-grade spirit stones in the Five Elders Association, equivalent to our fifty points of contribution; it's almost like giving it away. In the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, due to high demand and limited supply, prices skyrocket to five hundred points of contribution per pill," Jiaoxiuyuan sighed.
“ zhè wù dào dān ， zài wǔ lǎo huì nà biān ， jù shuō měi lì zhǐ yào wǔ shí méi xià pǐn líng shí ， yě jiù shì zán men zhè wǔ shí diǎn gòng xiàn dù 。 jiǎn zhí jiù xiāng dāng yú bái sòng 。 ér zài wàn fǎ shāng huì nà lǐ ， yóu yú sēng duō zhōu shǎo de yuán gù 。 jià gé bào zhǎng shí bèi ， jī běn dōu zài wǔ bǎi diǎn gòng xiàn dù yī lì 。”
“这悟道丹，在五老会那边，据说每粒只要五十枚下品灵石，也就是咱们这五十点贡献度。简直就相当于白送。而在万法商会那里，由于僧多粥少的缘故。价格暴涨十倍，基本都在五百点贡献度一粒。”
"Even at such a price, there are still countless willing buyers. After all, who wouldn't want something so useful?"
“ jiù suàn zhè yàng ， yuàn yì gòu mǎi de xiū shì ， yě shì shù dōu shù bù guò lái 。 méi bàn fǎ ， shuí jiào zhè dōng xī shí zài shì hǎo yòng ne ！” jiāo xiū yuǎn gǎn tàn dào 。
“就算这样，愿意购买的修士，也是数都数不过来。没办法，谁叫这东西实在是好用呢！”焦修远感叹道。
Li Fan's main self pondered for a moment and asked tentatively, "I heard from a Golden Core cultivator that the Void Realm and Predecessor Realm exist. In the Predecessor Realm, anonymous transactions can be conducted. Can't cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association do this too?"
lǐ fán fēn shēn chén yín le piàn kè ， shì tàn xìng de wèn dào ：“ wǒ zhī qián ， céng tīng yī wèi jīn dān xiū shì ǒu rán jiān tí qǐ guò ， yǔn xiān jìng 、 xiān qiǎn jìng de cún zài 。 zài xiān qiǎn jìng nèi ， sì hū kě yǐ jìn xíng nì míng jiāo yì 。 nán dào wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì zhī jiān de xiū shì ， bù néng zhè yàng zuò ma ？”
李凡分身沉吟了片刻，试探性的问道：“我之前，曾听一位金丹修士偶然间提起过，陨仙境、先遣境的存在。在先遣境内，似乎可以进行匿名交易。难道万仙盟和五老会之间的修士，不能这样做嘛？”
Jiaoxiuyuan was surprised: "Did you know about the existence of the Predecessor Realm?"
jiāo xiū yuǎn yǒu diǎn yì wài ：“ lián xiān qiǎn jìng de cún zài dào yǒu dōu zhī dào ？”
焦修远有点意外：“连先遣境的存在道友都知道？”
---
xiǎng le xiǎng ， tā hái shì xiǎo shēng jiě shì dào ：“ yǐ qián ， zhè me zuò shì méi wèn tí de 。”
想了想，他还是小声解释道：“以前，这么做是没问题的。”
After some thought, he whispered, "It used to be fine."
“ kě shì hòu lái ， rú cǐ biàn jié 、 yǐn mì de jiāo yì shǒu duàn ， zī shēng le dà liàng tóu jī dǎo bǎ 、 dǎo mǎi dǎo mài de è liè xíng wéi ， ràng wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì de wù jià ， yí dù chéng xiàn le shī kòng de zhuàng tài 。 gèng yǒu jiàn dié jiè jī shēng shì ， qiè qǔ chuán sòng le dà liàng jī mì qíng bào 。”
“可是后来，如此便捷、隐秘的交易手段，滋生了大量投机倒把、倒买倒卖的恶劣行为，让万仙盟和五老会的物价，一度呈现了失控的状态。更有间谍借机生事，窃取传送了大量机密情报。”
"However, such convenient and secretive trading methods led to a proliferation of malpractices like speculation and profiteering. This caused the prices in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association to become uncontrollable. Espionage also took advantage of this situation to steal large amounts of confidential information."
“ hòu lái ， shuāng fāng de liǎng wèi dà néng tóng shí chū shǒu ， fēn bié huà chū le liǎng dào 【 wěi dà hóng gōu 】。”
“后来，双方的两位大能同时出手，分别划出了两道【伟大鸿沟】。”
"Afterward, both sides' two great experts simultaneously acted, drawing out the [Great Chasm]s."
“ zì cǐ zhī hòu ， wàn xiān méng hé wǔ lǎo huì de xiū shì ， jiù zài yě bù néng tōng guò xiān qiǎn jìng hù tōng yǒu wú le 。”
“自此之后，万仙盟和五老会的修士，就再也不能通过先遣境互通有无了。”
"Since then, cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association can no longer exchange through the Predecessor Realm."
“ yī dàn wàn xiān méng de xiū shì ， xiǎng yào jìn rù kōng jiān zuò biāo wèi yú wǔ lǎo huì dì yù zhōng de xiān qiǎn jìng shí ， shén shí jiù huì shòu dào liǎng dào 【 wěi dà hóng gōu 】 de zǔ lán 。 tóng lǐ ， wǔ lǎo huì nà biān yě shì rú cǐ 。”
“一但万仙盟的修士，想要进入空间坐标位于五老会地域中的先遣境时，神识就会受到两道【伟大鸿沟】的阻拦。同理，五老会那边也是如此。”
"When a cultivator from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wants to enter the Predecessor Realm located in the territory of the Five Elders Association, their divine sense is blocked by the [Great Chasm]s. The same applies to the Five Elders Association side," Jiaoxiuyan explained.
lǐ fán huǎn huǎn diǎn tóu 。
李凡缓缓点头。
Li Fan nodded slowly.
“ wǒ míng bái le 。 zhè me shuō ， wǒ rú guǒ xiǎng yào tōng guò wàn fǎ shāng huì gòu mǎi gōng fǎ ， zhǐ yǒu qīn zì pǎo yī tàng le ？”
“我明白了。这么说，我如果想要通过万法商会购买功法，只有亲自跑一趟了？”
"I understand. So, if I want to buy cultivation techniques through the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, I must go there in person?"
“ duì 。 wàn fǎ shāng huì zuì jìn de yī chù jù diǎn ， jiù wèi yú jiǔ shān zhōu ， kào jìn yōng liáng zhōu de dì fāng 。” jiāo xiū yuǎn yòu zhǔ fù dào ，“ zhè jiǔ shān zhōu bù suàn tài píng 。 rú guǒ dào yǒu zhēn de yào qù de huà ， kě yǐ hé qí tā wàn xiān méng xiū shì ， xiāng yuē yì qǐ 。”
“对。万法商会最近的一处据点，就位于九山州，靠近雍良州的地方。”焦修远又嘱咐道，“这九山州不算太平。如果道友真的要去的话，可以和其他万仙盟修士，相约一起。”
"Yes. The nearest base of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is located in Jiushan State, near Yongliang State," Jiaoxiuyuan added, "Jiushan State isn't peaceful. If you really decide to go, you can coordinate with other Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators."
“ lù shàng bǐ cǐ yě hǎo yǒu gè zhào yìng 。”
“路上彼此也好有个照应。”
"It will be safer that way."
“ duō xiè dào yǒu zhǐ diǎn 。 cǐ qù lù tú yáo yuǎn ， fēng xiǎn yǒu diǎn gāo 。 wǒ zài kǎo lǜ kǎo lǜ ba ！” lǐ fán huí yìng dào 。
“多谢道友指点。此去路途遥远，风险有点高。我再考虑考虑吧！”李凡回应道。
"Thank you for your guidance. The journey is long and risky; I'll need some time to consider it," Li Fan replied.
zhè biān ， lǐ fán běn zūn zài tiān xuán jìng sōu suǒ qǐ le cóng yún hǎi qián wǎng jiǔ shān zhōu de xìn xī 。
这边，李凡本尊在天玄镜搜索起了丛云海前往九山州的信息。
Meanwhile, the main self of Li Fan searched through the Tianxuan Mirror for information on traveling from Congyunhai to Jiushan State.
guǒ rán yǒu zhe bù shǎo xiū shì zài zhāo mù duì yǒu 。
果然有着不少修士在招募队友。
Sure enough, there were many cultivators recruiting teammates.
"Friend Jiao, I wonder what the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is all about? Wanfa, such a grandiose claim! Could it be that this chamber really has over ten thousand different cultivation techniques?" Li Fan asked immediately.
"Speaking of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, its origins can be traced back to the period between the Great Battle and before the new order was established," Jiaoxiuyuan explained slowly.
"This era is commonly referred to as the Wasteland Age."
"At that time, the number of cultivators had dropped to a minimum. Survivors from the calamity were true lone wolves, alone in their pursuits. They trusted no one but themselves."
"Cultivators lived and hid in the wilderness, exploring ruins for opportunities."
"Individuals have limited energy; sometimes they find extra techniques that they can't practice. At such times, naturally, they would think of exchanging these techniques with other cultivators for useful items."
"But during those days, trust between cultivators was virtually nonexistent. To successfully conduct transactions, a trusted intermediary was essential."
"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is one such former intermediary and the only organization that could still exist after the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and the Five Elders Association were established."
"In the Wasteland Age, there weren't many cultivators but plenty of techniques. Often, a single cultivator carried several techniques obtained through either theft or serendipity."
"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce amassed an unimaginable number of techniques during that time. This is why it has stood for a thousand years and still exists today."
Jiaoxiuyuan slowly explained the history and origins of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce.
Li Fan couldn't help but ask, "Does this mean there's some long-lived realm powerhouse behind the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce? Ordinary cultivators at the Dao Formation stage wouldn't be able to protect so many techniques."
Jiaoxiuyuan nodded. "Most cultivators think that way. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association tacitly allow the existence of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce. For such giants to make concessions, it must have a powerful backer. However, the true identity of this powerhouse is far beyond our knowledge."
Li Fan subtly complimented, "Friend Jiao, your business spans the entire cultivation world; you can't be considered a minor figure."
---
Next, he asked with some confusion, "According to what you said, the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce's business has been recognized by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Why haven't I ever seen them at the alliance's headquarters? Even for the Wan Hua Chamber of Commerce that deals with mundane matters, I've only seen their representatives but never their shops."
"Haha, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association each have their own independent and well-established trading systems. How could they allow the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce to come in and compete for business? Although the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is now recognized by these two giants, its scale has diminished significantly; it can only survive in a narrow space," Jiaoxiuyuan smiled.
"The Wanfa Chamber of Commerce currently operates only at the borders between the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association territories. These areas are mixed with all kinds of people, both friendly and hostile, where neither side has strong control. A large number of scattered cultivators also reside here. The neutral nature of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce makes it more trustworthy for business," Jiaoxiuyuan continued.
"Moreover, each territory of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association has its own unique specialties. While there is official trade between them during non-war years, important strategic resources are generally not included in the exchange list."
"These resources have significant demand, so using the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce as a middleman becomes a viable solution," Jiaoxiuyuan explained.
"Of course, prices naturally increase significantly; sometimes they can be several times higher."
"For example, on the Five Elders Association side, there's a type of medicinal pill called Enlightenment Pill. It is said to be an ancient secret passed down by the Great Dao Sect. After consuming it, one can enhance their affinity with the laws of the Great Dao, greatly reducing the difficulty of enlightenment and improving cultivation speed," Jiaoxiuyuan praised.
"This Enlightenment Pill has been coveted for a long time within the alliance. Despite various attempts, no one could crack its secrets. Thus, each year, only a limited number can be imported through the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce."
"The price of this Enlightenment Pill is fifty low-grade spirit stones in the Five Elders Association, equivalent to our fifty points of contribution; it's almost like giving it away. In the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, due to high demand and limited supply, prices skyrocket to five hundred points of contribution per pill," Jiaoxiuyuan sighed.
"Even at such a price, there are still countless willing buyers. After all, who wouldn't want something so useful?"
Li Fan's main self pondered for a moment and asked tentatively, "I heard from a Golden Core cultivator that the Void Realm and Predecessor Realm exist. In the Predecessor Realm, anonymous transactions can be conducted. Can't cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association do this too?"
Jiaoxiuyuan was surprised: "Did you know about the existence of the Predecessor Realm?"
---
After some thought, he whispered, "It used to be fine."
"However, such convenient and secretive trading methods led to a proliferation of malpractices like speculation and profiteering. This caused the prices in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association to become uncontrollable. Espionage also took advantage of this situation to steal large amounts of confidential information."
"Afterward, both sides' two great experts simultaneously acted, drawing out the [Great Chasm]s."
"Since then, cultivators from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance and Five Elders Association can no longer exchange through the Predecessor Realm."
"When a cultivator from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance wants to enter the Predecessor Realm located in the territory of the Five Elders Association, their divine sense is blocked by the [Great Chasm]s. The same applies to the Five Elders Association side," Jiaoxiuyan explained.
Li Fan nodded slowly.
"I understand. So, if I want to buy cultivation techniques through the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce, I must go there in person?"
"Yes. The nearest base of the Wanfa Chamber of Commerce is located in Jiushan State, near Yongliang State," Jiaoxiuyuan added, "Jiushan State isn't peaceful. If you really decide to go, you can coordinate with other Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance cultivators."
"It will be safer that way."
"Thank you for your guidance. The journey is long and risky; I'll need some time to consider it," Li Fan replied.
Meanwhile, the main self of Li Fan searched through the Tianxuan Mirror for information on traveling from Congyunhai to Jiushan State.
Sure enough, there were many cultivators recruiting teammates.