Chapter 425: Calculation

Hearing someone call him 'Son-in-Law', Li Qi immediately realized something. He tidied his appearance, cleared his throat with two dry coughs, and then asked, "Hmm? Is that Geng Sang?"

Geng Sang, full name Geng Sang Ye, Geng Sang is his surname.

Currently, he is the person from Mount Luofu who has been in contact with Li Qi most recently. He has reached Dao Cheng sixth-rank, possesses considerable combat power, practices the Inner Alchemy method, and his cultivation is perfectly rounded, with a solid foundation. Furthermore, he is upright and adaptable, making him trustworthy, which is why Granny Mei sent him to liaise with Li Qi.

As for Granny Mei herself, Li Qi has not yet met this elder.

She is still in Shaman God Mountain, not so easy to meet, and Li Qi currently doesn't have the time.

However, from her various actions, Granny Mei… should not have any objections to him, seeing as she personally extracted her Qi and made a move once.

Thinking this, Li Qi looked at Geng Sang Ye: "What's wrong?"

This Daoist's attire was very classic: a Daoist robe. He looked around thirty years old, had a goatee, appeared shrewd and capable, was slightly taller than Li Qi, and had clear eyes.

Geng Sang Ye stepped forward and said, "Son-in-Law, this batch of Sacred Flame has arrived, a total of forty million flowers. The production has increased significantly. This is the yield from the Southern Continent this season. The main reason is that the population of the Holy Flame World has recovered well. Over sixty million newborns have been born recently, and their agricultural capacity can't keep up, so they chose to hold large gatherings and actively produce a large amount of Sacred Flame. They want to exchange these Sacred Flame for some agricultural technology, and Daoist Master Yang Ning has already agreed."

Saying this, Geng Sang Ye handed over a sixth-rank Heaven-Cave.

It was the one given by Lingxiao Flower Goddess.

Currently, this sixth-rank Heaven-Cave serves as Li Qi's 'truck', and all material exchanges with the Holy Flame World rely on it.

Of course, the transportation in between was entrusted to the people of Mount Luofu.

As for Shen Shuibi, she has now returned to Chang'an with Li Qi. The Holy Flame World no longer needs her to oversee it, so the two are currently living a normal life in Chang'an.

The affairs of the Holy Flame World have been fully handed over to Yang Ning.

Although she has a fiery temper, Li Qi absolutely trusts her intelligence and her loyalty to Mount Luofu, so entrusting it to her is no problem at all.

"Hmm, Yang Ning can decide these matters herself. As for agricultural technology… what does Yang Ning plan to use? The methods of the Farmer's School?" Li Qi asked.

"No, the Daoist Master plans to exchange it for the Art of Praying for Rain. The Daoist sect also has methods for praying for rain and controlling water. With this, places like the Holy Flame Clan, where local cultivation is only martial arts, should see a surge in agricultural output," Geng Sang Ye said.

"That's good too. Just tell Yang Ning to be careful not to exploit them too much, otherwise, it will only make the Holy Flame World weaker and weaker, and ultimately, she will be the one to lose. A strong Holy Flame World can produce enough Sacred Flame. Once this batch of newborns grows up, a single continent producing over a hundred million Sacred Flame per quarter will be effortless. If the Holy Flame World expands externally, ten billion per quarter is even possible," Li Qi instructed.

"The Daoist Master is aware of these principles, Young Master, so you don't need to worry. Now that the items have been delivered, I shall take my leave," Geng Sang Ye cupped his hands and prepared to depart.

"Geng Sang, take care. Oh, by the way, what has been the profit during this period?" Li Qi asked again.

"As for profit, it's probably about three sixth-rank worlds. That's already a lot, considering it's only been one or two years. The Shamanic Silkworm Artifact's efficiency is quite astonishing. It's just that… the tableware market isn't very large. If we continue, there probably won't be much of a Breakthrough," Geng Sang thought for a moment and replied.

"I see, then I understand." Li Qi nodded, watching Geng Sang bow and then leave.

Li Qi weighed the Heaven-Cave, then put these Sacred Flame into production, and then simply handed the empty Heaven-Cave back to Geng Sang Ye.

Everything was so orderly.

Following this direction,

This is what life should be like, everything going smoothly, without so many unexpected twists and turns.

It's just that the tableware market is already saturated.

The Shamanic Silkworm Artifact, utilizing the power of Sacred Flame and the thought-infusion technology of the Eclectic School, successfully achieved a production capacity expansion of over a thousand times, and could even expand further.

But the problem is, the fundamental reason the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact can expand is that 'someone will buy'.

Now that production capacity has expanded by over a thousand times and costs have been driven down, further expansion is meaningless; it would only lead to product accumulation and unsold goods.

Ultimately, in Chang'an's tableware market, Li Qi can only rely on the Flower Goddess to occupy this much for a short period.

However, Li Qi also didn't plan to keep making tableware. The Shamanic Silkworm Artifact, this kind of thing, shouldn't just keep providing plates and spoons to Shangyuan; it should do other things sooner or later.

Li Qi already had a plan in mind, just waiting for his studies at the Imperial Academy to conclude.

Hurrying away, after walking for a while, Li Qi finally returned to his courtyard in Chang'an.

However, unlike before—

There were people in the courtyard, and lights.

"I'm back," Li Qi pushed open the door and said.

"Ah, you're back," Shen Shuibi was in the room, not standing up, just looking up and smiling slightly.

The two spoke meaningless words, a most ordinary day.

She was still weaving a Formation in her hands; she couldn't help it, this was a massive project that could potentially last a hundred years, and it couldn't be delayed.

Doing one thing continuously for a hundred years sounds simple, but when you actually start, you'll find that it's actually quite difficult.

Li Qi, on the other hand, skillfully rolled up his sleeves, took off his formal long gown, changed into a loose indoor loungewear, and sat down: "Things are getting better and better now. In such a short time, calculated, we've already gained three sixth-rank worlds. The efficiency is very high, but… we've encountered a slight Bottleneck." Li Qi said as he sat next to Shen Shuibi.

"That's already very fast, there's no need to be so anxious. Many low-rank Disciples have already received your favor; at least… they are free now," Shen Shuibi stopped what she was doing and said.

This made Li Qi frown: "You paid off part of the debt, and then… sent them away?"

Mount Luofu's choice after gaining income was to pay off part of the low-rank Disciples' debt and then send them away?

Does Mount Luofu still believe it will be annihilated? It's already leaving behind a Legacy in advance.

"It's just a precaution. There's nothing special about making a few preparations," Shen Shuibi said.

"Actually, Granny Mei had this intention before as well, wanting to re-establish some industries, but our status was awkward, and it was inconvenient to leave the Heaven-Cave, so we didn't act. Now with you, there's a reason, and we won't be questioned," Shen Shuibi moved closer to Li Qi.

Mount Luofu wasn't foolish; it naturally knew what was right, but without Li Qi, they really couldn't start this.

Even now, when they do things, they still use 'Li Qi's' name. This is the banner of the Young Master of Shaman God Mountain; they are working for a Young Master of Shaman God Mountain, and this Young Master of Shaman God Mountain is also Mount Luofu's Son-in-Law.

In this way, many of Mount Luofu's affairs become 'natural and logical', without the risk of overstepping.

If they were to do these things independently, without Li Qi, their actions would be unjustified, and they would face difficulties everywhere.

"Indeed, it's always good to make more preparations. I just hope everything goes smoothly. By the way, regarding the recent Bottleneck, I feel it came too quickly. If we maintain this pace, paying off the debt is simply nonsense, so I've thought of a solution," Li Qi said.

"Is there a need to be so anxious? This efficiency is already very high. There's no need to constantly pursue rapid expansion," Shen Shuibi advised, "Slowly developing and accumulating a foundation is also good."

"But my idea basically has no threshold and doesn't require any investment. I feel it's worth a try. What if it succeeds?" Li Qi said to the rabbit.

"No threshold…? I don't think such a thing exists, but you should still explain it in detail," Shen Shuibi was slightly surprised after hearing this.

No threshold, no investment required, and still able to expand production capacity.

Is there such a good thing in the world?

The rabbit wasn't very convinced.

Then Li Qi softly uttered two words: "East Sea."

"East Sea? What business opportunities are there?" The rabbit's expression was a bit confused; she hadn't figured out Li Qi's plan.

"Tang Nation is at war with the East Sea. What do you say, how about we supply the East Sea front?" Li Qi said.

"Bidding is very troublesome, and it's also difficult for us to provide enough products in a war of this scale. This is unrealistic," Shen Shuibi shook her head, pointing out the impracticality.

The production efficiency of the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact is simply incomparable to the Spiritual Artifact assembly lines that the Mohist School and Dao of Reason cooperate on. The efficiency of those things is terrifyingly high; Spiritual Artifact are pouring out in quantities of millions.

Only such things can arm Tang Nation's army. In wars of this intensity, the unit of participation is 'billions', and all are at least ninth-rank forming large army groups to qualify for the battlefield. The battlefield divisions are 'world clusters'.

Li Qi had only read about such wars in books; he had never seen them in reality.

But just imagining it could provide the answer.

Countless worlds sounded the horn.

Top strategists, whose wisdom surpassed heaven and earth, played games with each other, mobilizing billions of people.

In units of world clusters, hundreds of world clusters in the Void Realm are linked together by Great Powers, forming battle lines measured in light-years.

War ignited between stars, and world after world was annihilated as a result. Even from extremely far away in Boundless Outer Domain, one could clearly see streaks of light appearing in the darkness of Boundless Outer Domain.

These seemingly inconspicuous streaks of light were actually the most terrifying battles in the entire Void Beyond; ten million suns exploding simultaneously could not achieve one percent of this light.

Li Qi was not qualified to participate in such a battlefield. He and his Shamanic Silkworm Artifact were not even qualified to supply goods.

Every minute and second, billions of Spiritual Artifact would shatter within it. Li Qi's production capacity was more suitable for selling tableware and lanterns in Shangyuan.

Not to mention, he also needed to bid, speaking with performance, production capacity, and price.

His manufacturing cost was much higher than the Spiritual Artifact assembly line. How could he win the bid?

So Shen Shuibi completely doubted Li Qi's ability to supply the front lines.

"Not so, my wife, you've misunderstood. Who said I'm going to supply Tang Nation? Wouldn't it be better if we supplied the East Sea?" Li Qi said with a smile.

Shen Shuibi's pupils contracted, her expression suddenly changing.

She understood Li Qi's meaning.

Smuggling?!

Had he eaten the guts of a bear and a leopard?!

Selling to the East Sea certainly wouldn't be selling Shamanic Silkworm Artifact, because Li Qi surely knew that the East Sea also had an indifferent attitude towards Shamanic Silkworm Artifact; selling it to the East Sea would be useless all the same.

Ultimately, the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact, a production line with low efficiency and a maximum output of only seventh-rank Spiritual Artifact, is not suitable for use in large-scale wars; neither side would use it.

Therefore, supplying the East Sea could certainly not be supplying Shamanic Silkworm Artifact.

Then Li Qi's objective was clear at a glance.

Using the excuse of supplying goods, smuggle!

And this is called no risk? This is simply asking for death. If this matter were exposed, would the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact business in Chang'an still exist? It would probably be immediately banned!

"How can this be? If this matter is confirmed, our business here in Chang'an will likely be directly lost. Tang Nation will absolutely not tolerate two-faced people," Shen Shuibi immediately denied.

"What are you thinking? Do you think I would be that kind of person? Besides, even if it were smuggling, we couldn't possibly hide it from Chang'an. What I'm thinking is to 'visit' the East Sea," Li Qi said.

"Visit the East Sea?" The rabbit tilted her head, falling into confusion.

Visit what?

What's worth…

Wait—

She seemed to understand.

The rabbit wasn't stupid. Looking at Li Qi's expression, she seemed to have thought of something.

"Playing both sides…? Get a grip, the waters are too murky. Randomly getting involved will cause trouble," the rabbit's expression grew more worried, and she directly grabbed Li Qi.

As for Li Qi, he nodded.

That's right, this was his plan.

To be a spy, or rather… a double agent.

"It's just to make everyone think so. I'll go alone, and I don't need to do anything. Someone will come to buy Shamanic Silkworm Artifact. This is what I mean by unspoken understanding, no risk, and no investment needed," Li Qi said with a smile.

His plan was very simple: he would go to the East Sea, and then do nothing.

Naturally, many people would start to suspect and probe.

Whether it's Chang'an or the East Sea, someone will come to probe Li Qi, and probing naturally requires bait. As the saying goes, 'throwing a stone to test the path,' what Li Qi wants is this 'stone.'

For those who are qualified to get involved in this war, just the bait alone would be enough to fill Li Qi's belly.

Li Qi didn't need to do anything; doing anything would be wrong. He just needed to go on a trip, and he would naturally get this, and no one could criticize him.

What a clever scheme.

However, Shen Shuibi sighed:

"Deceiving others is not the right path, and there will definitely be a price to pay." The rabbit shook her head, saying with a serious expression, "It looks like you don't have to pay anything, but it's actually more dangerous."

"There's no other way. Current production capacity can't expand, and we temporarily can't get the Formations to tear apart world clusters, so we can't expand our influence in Boundless Outer Domain. We have to do something, otherwise, are we just going to sit and watch time pass?" Li Qi said.

The rabbit was very confused: "What's wrong with waiting? It's only a hundred years at most. These hundred years will pass in the blink of an eye. There's no need to go to the East Sea and take risks."