Chapter 575 - Deadly cultivators & perilous prizes.

Rachel blinked, gazing between the seafoam-hued globe and the positively beaming Xi Xiun in slack-jawed disbelief. “Are you serious?”

His eyes twinkled with warmth and understanding. “Absolutely. So, now you know your path. And when you’re ready, you truly could make no better investment in your future than securing the purchase of Ocean’s Essence.”

Rachel swallowed, then nodded her head. “Thank you. I…” She gave a resolute nod. “My clothing line will be a success. A roaring success. And now I know what my ultimate goal must be.”

She bowed formally and low before their host. “This young student of The Way thanks you, honored merchant prince.”

“But of course, young scion of the Domini clan.”

Eric blinked at this, lips curving in an intrigued grin of his own. “Let’s say my friend did purchase this elixir. I’m given to understand that negative political pressure has made securing proper cultivation facilities and resources quite… challenging for lowlander clans.”

Xiun Xi’s gaze glittered as hard as obsidian. “By ancient imperial decree, local council edicts have absolutely no status or bearing within Jade Emporium retreats.”

Eric’s smile was all teeth. “Fucking awesome. So, if one were to, say, take this elixir… is there a way to secure access to a retreat that would assure tranquility and safety while she made the most of her breakthrough?”

“Of course, honored patron. Though, regrettably, Westwind’s standing does put modest limitations to what we can offer you and your fellow students here in the lowlands, please rest assured that we have the means and resources to assure a flawless and painless breakthroughs to anyone up to the Mid-Energy Storage stage.”

Bunbun hummed. “But not to anyone higher?”

Xiun Xi sighed theatrically. “Regrettably, honored Bunz, Lowland Qi Density is scarce enough that significant resources must be invested in rather extensive and expensive formations to guarantee Qi Densities sufficient both to assure the comfort and safety of our ascended guests, let alone facilitate a smooth breakthrough.”

Bunbun’s eyes widened, suddenly getting it. “Oh! So you have more advanced facilities topside! But lowland Westwind, with its power base made up from the dregs of whatever cultivation clans failed highland games of intrigue and ended up down here… they would need a higher standing to access those facilities. And the super expensive sponsorships that Jade Consortium offers... they’re basically bribes that assure silver spoon treatment, even for the scions of forgotten clans. But the really, really good sponsorships, they also require a higher standing than any lowland clan has at present. Which is just the way the topside boys want things to be!”

Xiun Xi’s smirk said it all, bowing his head, both he and Bunbun ignoring the bitter, angry looks that the near powerless students dared to flare their way for only a heartbeat… before taking consoling sips of what really was, for them, soothing tea.

“Precisely so, honored Bunz.”

Eric cleared his throat. “If this one might inquire… what is Westwind’s standing at present?”

Eric was surprised by the sudden flare of ire that a heretofore dazed and intimidated Professor Klein had displayed. Too cowed, perhaps, to address the humiliation of Eric’s spirit beast calling shots just the way she saw them. But an uppity student? Now this was something he understood.

“We’ve surpassed the hundred million gold mark tier, Mr. Carpenter! After decades of sponsoring truly worthy students and clans, our standing is second to no other lowland association! You would need a billion credits if you wanted any more of a red carpet treatment than you’re already getting. Best you remember that and show some respect!”

Eric dipped his head. “Cool.” He then turned to Xi Xiun. “So. This billion credit tier…”

“Would assure a great many things, Eric Carpenter. It would open a great many doors, and allow you access to everything that highland Energy Storage Cultivators have access to.”

The entire class froze with wonder when Xi Xiun snapped his fingers, and the wall opposite the huge array of tiny jade tiles turned translucent, revealing a myriad selection of cultivation tomes, glowing swords, sets of armor comprised of spirit beast hides and exotic metals... even tinctures glowing with Spiritual Energy far greater than the Ocean’s Essence that might make all the difference for Rachel, among myriad other treasures.

Eric suppressed a smirk, seeing at least a few covetous eyes even from the Energy Storage cultivators browsing other parts of the facility. Obviously, not all Bronze-Equivalent cultivators had access to clans, academies, or personal fortunes anywhere near the amount required to be acknowledged as a major player in the Jade Emporium sphere.

Bunbun whistled. “Some pretty sweet looking tinctures, in there! And are those magical carrots I see, next to those mystic Fire Peaches? Fuck it all, I do believe they are!” Bunbun all but squealed.

Xi Xiun gave an indulgent chuckle. “What a mighty fine eye you have, dear spirit beast. They are indeed, and are renowned for delivering intensely rejuvenating White Qi particularly harmonious with the physical form, and are sure to aid in the advancement of any pure body cultivator or spirit beast… such as yourself.”

Bunbun stiffened at those words, peering down intently at Eric. “Fearless Leader...”

“Of course we will,” Eric said with a warm smile, petting her quivering ears. “That’s not even a question.” He ignored the looks of disbelief half the class was giving him, the other half looking at him like he was completely full of shit.

Eric peered thoughtfully at their host, who was completely ignoring Professor Klein’s obvious discomfort and desire to pursue whatever the normal curriculum was in these circumstances, already understanding who the true star of the show was, this morning.

Eric solemnly handed the man a slip of vellum covered in crimson scribbles. “I… I don’t suppose you have either of these ingredients?”

For long, tense moments, Xi Xiun gazed intently at writing, brows furrowing with genuine regret. “I am truly sorry, honored guest. But such treasures…” He sighed, his gaze radiating heartfelt sincerity. “These treasures, by highland edict, you understand… are limited to those who have achieved Silver Core formation potency.”

Bunbun’s ears wilted. “Oh. Wait! Does that include Underworld Contender power equivalencies?”

What truly surprised Eric was how smoothly Xi smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

“Then that’s actually not a problem!” Intent eyes locked with Eric’s own. “That orb!”

Eric’s lips pressed with displeasure, hating feeling like his hand was being forced… but Bun was right. Of course he would reveal cards he’d rather keep close, for the sake of the woman who had chosen to provide a warm and loving home to three lost orphans, to whom she owed nothing at all.

Having already shown him more warmth and affection that wasn’t a form of manipulation than his mother ever had.

He clenched his suddenly aching fists, his gut tightening with fierce, painful resolve. He would do whatever he could for the woman who had opened her heart to three refugee children, in addition to her own precious child.

He would happily take on the monstrous wujen who had hurt her in the first place, and sure as anything, he would reveal just as many cards as he had to.

Yet before he could make the declaration that would reveal far too much, Xi Xiun spoke on.

“Of course, by longstanding tradition, that also includes all those inducted at the Silver Core level of Jade Consortium membership. But the price…”

“Is absurd,” Klein hissed, glaring Eric’s way. “Now please quit wasting class time with your pointless queries, Eric. Some of us have actual concrete investments to make!”

Eric didn’t even glance Klein’s way.

Neither did a smiling Xi Xiuin.

“And that price would be?”

“Ten Billion Credits.”

Eric nodded. “Fair. I take it that once said funds are deposited into our Jade Consortium account, we are free to spend them on whatever products or services we wish, and our Silver Core standing remains, regardless of how low said balance becomes, as a result of gifts and purchases?”

Xi Xiun’s smile all but lit up the room. “Precisely. Our dear guest understands precisely how these things work.”

“Good.” Eric tilted his head thoughtfully. “Any Ranks above Silver Core?”

Only belatedly did Eric realize the significance of what he had said when not just his class, but half the Energy Storage cultivators had turned to gaze his way with incredulous disbelief.

Even a certain Jade Princess had spun around to glare his way, muttering about worthless uppity trash that should be thrown out immediately.

“Ooh, yeah. Of course they’ll have elevated Perception, even if they’re not System Classers,” Bun noted.

Eric nodded. “Yup. Vital for the Battletime buff, limited as their version probably is.”

“Limited as everyone’s version is, except yours… and mine!” Bunbun said with a smug little twitch of her whiskers.

Xi Xiun, showing true professionalism, didn’t hesitate to answer with every courtesy, as if Eric wasn’t being outrageous and presumptuous. “Gold Ascended Core, of course. Which buys you direct, unfettered access to all Jade Consortium chapters on Titan Prime and the Galactic Imperium you’re from, my dear young Contender, including a System-wide auction house where numerous treasures are bidded upon in real time.”

Bunbun’s ears picked up. “Ooh! Like in the Jitaan market in Amarr Online!”

Eric nodded. “Fucking awesome. Okay. Let’s do this.”

Surprisingly, Xi Xiun actually bowed in apology. “Believe me when I say that nothing would please be more than to welcome you as a full fledged member of our Consortium, honored Contender. But oaths must be kept. And your class has been very patient, waiting on us.”

Eric blinked, only then truly registering the stares. Of both his class, and pretty much everyone else in this massive hall of wealth, opulence, and elite privilage.

“Shit. You’re absolutely right. My apologies, Xi Xiun.”

The man gave a warm chuckle. “Think no more on it, honored guest. The tour should be no more than a quarter hour. You may rest in our private lounge, of course…”

Eric quickly waved his hand. “No need, honored host. I’m happy to join in the tour with my classmates.”

“As if you actually had billions of credits!” Hissed the scowling boy who had been so outraged when Eric accidentally broke the classroom door.

“He’s so arrogant, it makes me sick!” Snapped a pinch-faced girl. “Nearly getting us killed with…” She scratched her head in between gulps of clearly soothing tea. “Wait, what happened before we got here?”

“Who cares! This idiot’s putting on airs, and it’s going to blow up in all our faces,” Chevrain snapped, looking less than pleased with Eric. But to be fair, so did the entire class.

Except for Rachel and a handful of girls who were all staring at him a bit too intently, for some reason.

Eric winked Rachel’s way. “Don’t worry, I got you covered,” he whispered as Xi Xiun expertly drew in both a miffed Professor Klein and the rest of the student body, showing off a number of treasures that were both useful, practical, and affordable for many a struggling lowland clan.

Rachel gave him a look equal parts worried and hopeful. “Are you sure, Eric?”

Eric winked, giving her a gentle squeeze. An extremely gentle squeeze, and still got an ‘oof’.

“You’re a strong boy, aren’t you, Eric?”

Eric winced. “Yeah. I gotta keep that in mind. Pretty much always.”

“Eric, if you could actually do this for me…”

Eric gently put his finger on her lips. She scowled and bit him.

He snorted. “Friends help friends. No strings. Not with me.”

“Bullshit. You get me that Ocean’s Essence, and I’m yours for life.”

Eric felt his cheeks flush. Now half the class was staring at him for entirely different reasons, some even giving him knowing smirks as Xi Xien turned to address the elephant in the room… or the massive wall of tiny pegs that radiated only trace amounts of spiritual energy, yet held the interest of over a dozen of the Energy Storage cultivators present.

“Now, can anyone explain the purposes of the pins you see on the wall before you?” Xi gestured grandly at the massive display of what Eric was increasingly sure was a gigantic abstract topical map… and what were actually tens of thousands of golden pins with tiny little placards somehow fitted on all of them.

Eric’s eyes widened, only now sensing the thick rich currents of Spiritual Energy roaring through the entire map. A deeper, richer current than anything he had seen before.

“It’s actually tapping into Titan Prime itself!”

Hanz, who had inhaled to answer Xi’s question, turned and glared Eric’s way. “Stop interrupting, Eric. The world doesn’t revolved around you!” He then turned back to their indulgently smiling host. “The board depicts ownership of all the rice farmers with production ties to NanDushi. A full quarter’s worth of our continent’s rice supplies comes regularly through NanDushi’s markets before most of its sold to underworld merchants, via contract.”

“You’re forgetting something, Hanz,” Professor Klein snapped.

Rachel smiled. “A full 24% of all grain produced in all the farms is to be sold to our highland betters at rates established during the Reign of Gong, over a thousand years ago. And by ancient law and treaty, prices charged to cultivator and merchant must always be the same.”

Eric and his familiar exchanged a troubled look. “And how does that prevent absolutely massive losses when you factor in imperfect weather, lost crops, and costs of production?” An alarmed Bunbun querried, looking more than a bit troubled. “Sorry, Fearless Leader. Did you already cover that part? I don’t remember everything you covered since getting here. I only recall the most exciting parts!”

Eric nodded. “Yeah, it is kind of weird how that works.”

“Not weird at all,” Xi Xiun hastily assured. “NaDushi’s council has been well aware of this dilemma for centuries, which is why the council itself offers guarantees for absolutely all grain shipments delivered!”

Rachel nodded, gently clasping Eric’s hand. “Klein actually went over this, Eric. No matter what happens, we earn at least a 5% profit on the cost of land, so long as we agree to sell the grain at pre-established rates.”

Chevrain nodded smugly. “And all land purchases sponsored by Jade Consortium are sold in lots of a thousand mon’s worth. And since land sufficient to provide one man with wheat and rice for a year is valued at a thousand, every every pin on the board before us sells for precisely a million in gold bullion or banknotes, for a guaranteed 5% return. Isn’t that right, honorable Xi Xiun?”

Their host, happily to allow the finance majors to show off the tiny bit of competency they had, nodded indulgently. “That is indeed correct, Chevrain Liu. Though it is also true that a fair fraction of NanDushi-affiliated arable land is directly overseen by landed lords who will do their utmost to maximize production over and above Council-guaranteed norms for additional profit… consortium-associated farms tend to favor hands-off management via profit-sharing with overseer and farmers in return for the guaranteed harvest of a thousand mon per plot. And with a council guaranteed return of 50,000 in gold notes per plot of land purchased, our agricultural specialization has allowed many an honored lowland clan to lock in guaranteed return at rates that are both safer and more lucrative than investing in most corporate bonds… so long a one has a million credits to invest.”

Eric felt an odd shiver of exhilaration as he gazed upon what really might be a map of the entire continent...or at least the quarter of the continent that NanDushi was nominally in control of. At least for purposes of trade.

His mind raced with possibilities, once more wondering if there might be ways to bypass certain cultural norms and turn a 5% profit into something absolutely extraordinary.

But considering how much interest he was currently earning on his fortunes, which was zero… save for a long term Imperial donation that he’d be lucky to ever see and he doubted would pay more than 2% from the sparse hints he had been given in any case… the potential he was suddenly seeing before him was extraordinary.

Even if he did everything completely by the book.

First things first, however.

He cleared his throat, making sure his voice sounded perfectly normal. “So, the cost of a plot of land equipped with an already fully functional farm and profit-sharing farmers is a million credits for which the council will assure us a profit of 50,000 per property purchased. Even if there’s a glut, or times are tough and there’s a drought?”

Xi actually chuckled, even as half his class glared at Eric as if he were a fool.

“As if that could ever happen here,” Fitz snorted.

“Please rest assured that there is no need to worry on that account, honored guest. Poor weather and failing crops are banes that New Titan has been free of, since the founding of the first empire.”

Eric blinked at Xi Xiun’s reassurance. “Seriously?”

Rachel punched him in the gut. He made sure to gently give with the blow. “Eric, this is first year history material! And aren’t you taking that very class?”

“Well, yeah. But I’ve been cutting a lot, so… yeah.”

She snorted. “So maybe go to all your classes?” Then her cheeks flushed. “But that’s kind of hard, when I’m dragging you everywhere, right?”

Eric winked. “I don’t mind.”

“I’ll bet you don’t. But this is important, Eric.”

Eric cleared his throat. “So, what we’re saying is that the 5% per 1000 mon’s worth of crops grown per plot is pretty much guaranteed if we buy Jade Consortium sponsored farmland and we can leave the hassle to farmers and overseers who will do their best to grow above quota and that’s their cut, but we’ve locked in ours. Sort of like an agrarian bond, I guess…”

“Correct,” Xi said patiently as Eric’s classmat’s murmured.

“Forgive my confusion, then. Five percent is a nice return on an investment that’s been consistently profitable for a thousand years. But why, um… is it set at a million credits per plot?”

“Because it’s always been that way, you idiot!” An affronted-looking Hanz hissed, glaring at Eric.

Bunbun snorted. “You know my master could obliterate you quicker than the jade beauty over there, right?”

Xi gave Bun a pointed look.

“Behave!” Eric hissed.

“Sorry,” murmured a mollified bun who flowed off Eric’s head and tucked herself inside his shirt.

Eric sighed and petted her super soft comfy ears. “Sorry for all the basic questions, honored Xi Xiun.”

“Not at all, Mr. Carpenter. Please ask away. You never know what question the bold might ask that the shy are also curious about, but lack the presence or… capability to deal with the social fallout of revealing their ignorance.”

Rachel chuckled. “Whereas you’re so wonderfully confident that you don’t care who knows just how clueless you can be.”

“Exactly!” Eric cheekily agreed. “So, by longstanding tradition, all the plots are a million credits… but let’s say that I brought a plot on a whim but needed to sell it in a year or so… what’s to stop me from selling at 1.1 million?”

Eric ignored the look of actual outrage Professor Klein was silently giving him. Yet Xi laughed it off like it was nothing.

“Absolutely nothing, honored guest. But why would any future property seeker wish to purchase your land for 1.1 million credits when they could buy one of nearly two million presently available plots for precisely one million credits?”

Eric froze, blinking at those words. “You have two million plots locked in at just that rate. There’s absolutely no reason for anyone to buy it for anything more… but what’s to stop them from lowering their bid to under a million, to lock in a quick sale with almost 2 million properties they’re competing against, in NanDushi controlled territory?”

“They’re not competing against anything!” Professor Klein snapped.

“Your professor is right,” Xi calmly assured. “They can sell it to us for exactly 950,000 credits that they can cash out immediately.”

Eric blinked at this, his lips curving in an approving grin. “So you’re the ultimate market maker. Getting a 5% cut with each sale you facilitate, while assuring anyone with assets can lock in a stable 5% income stream that’s safe, ties into our status as the breadbasket capital of the galaxy, and there’s almost no limit as to how much property we can buy up, if we have the capital.”

Xi nodded. “Precisely, Eric Silver. And this concludes our introduction. My associates will be happy to answer any further questions and facilitate the sale of any treasures, tomes, or resources that Westwind’s tier allows the purchase of.”

With those words, a quartet of smiling men and women wearing sleek, dark green Jade Consortium uniforms bowed low before the entire class of students and tired-looking professor, offering to facilitate all their purchases.

Xi gave a satisfied nod. “And for those of means who have further business… I would be happy to address such now.”

Bunbun traded a glance with Eric. “Is it that time?”

“Damn right it is.”

Eric flashed his Blue Corp Imperial Account card. “I’d like to open a Jade Consortium account.”

This earned a glare from Klein. “For the last time, Eric Carpenter, we are using Westwind’s account! If you wish to deposit credits from an underworld facility…” the man glared, arms crossed, before finally nodding. “It’s permitted, if it’s from an imperial facility. Though it will result in a ten percent surcharge.”

Eric tuned the man out, revealing the jade green slip that caused Klein and his entire class to shut up, even as Xi Xiun gave an approving clap. “Ah. The Toya Clan Talisman. You have no idea how hungry they are to get that prize back. And I see you’ve already soul-bonded it. Fascinating!”

Eric’s smile was all teeth. He ignored the horrified looks both classmates and the occasional too inquisitive Energy Storage cultivator were now giving him. And Jade Beauty was positively fuming, for some reason.

“I’d like to open a Jade Consortium Account.”

“It’s you!”

Eric calmly turned toward the woman who was now stalking his way.

Xi Xiun cleared his throat. “Lady Suun...”

“That’s the thief who stole our clan’s prize!” Her eyes crackled with furious intensity. “He’s why I’m here! He’s why I’m forced to suffer even being here, in these Qi-starved lowlands!”

Xi Xiun’s demeanor quickly cooled. Eric’s eyes widened as he sensed the roaring font of spiritual pressure abruptly forcing Lady Suun to lurch back, gazing Xi’s way in shocked disbelief, her tone abruptly shifting from imperious to pleading.

“Honored Xiun, this boy is clearly a Contender. He has no right to even be here! I demand that my property be returned and he be exiled at once!”

Xiun sighed, turning to Eric as if forced to follow some archaic procedure while Eric’s class gazed on. “Lady Suun has declared your presence unlawful. As a Silver, she is permitted to make such a declaration. Should you accept, your goods will be confiscated and you will be exiled to Prolus IV.”

Rachel gasped. “Oh no, this isn’t fair!”

Suun curled her lip with fierce contempt. “It is more than fair, lowland bitch! Be grateful that my clan chooses not to exterminate every piece of lowland vermin that dares associate with this… this… underworld thief!”

Xi Xiun peered at Eric with odd intensity. “Dreadlord Silver, how do you plead?”

Eric stiffened at those words.

Bunbun chortled. “Oh, he knows… how juicy!”

Eric glared at Lady Suun. “I plead that bitch can go fuck herself.”

Suun’s jade pallor grew even paler, if such was possible. “You would DARE!”

Bunbun snorted, hopping back to her favorite perch. “I mean, clearly he would.”

Xiun stared pointedly at Eric. “I take that to mean that you dispute her assertion?”

“Damn right.”

Xi Xiun’s lips curved in a hard smile. “Excellent. As neither of you are of mortal rank, political edicts cannot be used to forced your hand, Dreadlord Silver. So, you are free to dispute Suun’s declaration in the crimson sands.”

Suun snarled and spat. “This vile filth dares to think he’s worthy of dueling me? I am a Silver who has found her Dao! He is less than nothing!”

Xi Xiun nodded solemnly, even as the spittle erupted in purple flame and Suun paled, stepping back.

“You are certainly correct about your remarkable ascension, Lady Suun. You have indeed ascended past the realm of Energy Storage cultivation, embracing and claiming the very winter storm that had come so close to ending your life. Now, if you will both proceed with me, we will head to the NanDushi arena where you may both prove the merits of your case in the crucible of battle.”

The man exchanged nods with the three assistants who had been helping Eric’s classmates, before all three bowed in apology and dashed out the door as fast as they could.

“The loser’s identity will be revealed to all, and in the case of Dreadlord Silver, he will be immediately exiled to Protus IV, should he fail to best his challenger. As for you, Lady Suun, should you fail to best your opponent, all your possessions, including your treasured heirloom jian, storage ring, and all the contents within shall be forfeit. Additionally, as per the Council of Gong’s edicts, the torch of vendetta between your sects and clans shall be extinguished in the arena sands, whatever the outcome of your duel.”

Xi Xiun then gave a clap, his deferential demeanor transferring to a showman’s presence.

“Finally, the winner will of get to enjoy a full 20% share of flash ticket sales that Jade Consortium is now issuing to all major citywide corporations, with our venue starting at 6PM this evening. It will be fully holovized, on display to all those with the means to afford holovids, so please do try to look your best, both of you. You two will of course be feted as Jade Consortium guests until the time our show begins, and will serve as the final challengers in what will be a most enjoyable evening for our audiences, I am sure. Do you both agree to these terms?”

Eric positively beamed. “Sounds good to me. I’m all about that 20%. Now can we eat? I’m starving.”

Lady Suun’s eyes flashed. “This worm won’t have to worry about exile, when I disembowel him upon the arena sands! But above all else, he shall be forced to surrender custody of the Jade Talisman heirloom that he dared to steal from my clan!”

“Bullshit!” Eric coughed. “Soonkook and his idiotic friends wagered the jade talisman heirloom while trading pointers with me, so eager for my mithril sword and a rather large beast core that they were exceedingly eager to claim.”

Suun’s eyes widened with sudden, furious vindication. “You know their names. Your crime has been proven!”

Eric quirked an eyebrow. “Seriously? That’s where you’re going with this?”

Her eyes crackled with all the icy fury of a winter storm. Eric winced, hearing Rachel’s sudden whimper.

“Lady Suun.” Xi Xiun’s formerly polished voice slammed down hard as granite. “That will be all.”

She flinched, before glaring Eric’s way. “You will pay for your transgressions with your life, thief!”

Eric sighed and shook his head. “Or, you could examine the beast core that they were so eager to wager their greatest prize on. Or ask yourself, how the fuck a supposed thief they had never seen before, who they stumbled upon strictly by chance, would just happen to know one of their names. But you won’t ask uncomfortable questions, because you don’t want anything to disturb your precious narrative where you and your scuzzy associates are righteous and pure, and anyone that gets the best of you is a criminal that must be killed or exiled.”

Bunbun nodded. “Because no matter how high you ascend as a cultivator… you can’t fix stupid.”

Eric smirked. “Pretty much. Now where are the nomnoms? I swear I'm hungry enough to eat an uppity Jade Beauty!"