Chapter 722 - 363: Reneging

Chapter 722: Chapter 363: Reneging

No wonder Baili Xi had dropped his Commerce Association business to come and chat with Li Yihuo. It turned out he was here on an errand.

Cheng Zongyang didn’t rush to say anything, instead continuing to walk further into the shop.

Li Yihuo, at his side, immediately followed. He inwardly wondered how the Boss would react.

’That batch of materials is very important to the Immortal City. Now the Commerce Association has backed out of the deal. They’ve been coming to talk to me for the past few days, but I couldn’t make a decision. I also couldn’t contact the Boss, so I just kept stalling. Now that the Boss is here, I feel relieved, but also a little more worried.’

Baili Xi, trailing behind them, felt a bit helpless but could only follow them inside.

He watched the backs of the two men ahead of him and sighed inwardly. ’This business is indeed a bit tricky.’

’"Luo Dingran" is relatively easy to talk to, but that doesn’t mean the power behind him is.’

"Boss, this shop is the purchasing firm I established. Its purpose is to acquire all sorts of private assets, personal resources, and the like. We don’t just trade for resources with individuals; we’ve also established partnerships with many Commerce Associations. Steward Baili, in fact, has given me a great deal of support," Li Yihuo said, respectfully explaining the shop’s situation to Cheng Zongyang.

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. He trusted Li Yihuo’s business acumen and didn’t ask any further questions. However, Baili Xi, who was standing to the side, quickly chimed in:

"Of course, of course! We’re all familiar with each other. It’s only natural to help out where I can."

He was all smiles on the outside, but inwardly, he was already scheming how to bring up the topic of the resource transaction.

’Although I’m the manager of the Cyan Dragon Commerce Association’s branch and hold considerable power here, this decision came from headquarters. There’s not much I can do. Besides, I really don’t have much leverage against Cheng Zongyang. The resources he represents are something even headquarters is desperate to get their hands on.’

The materials Cheng Zongyang had requested before his departure hadn’t originally been a problem.

But then, unexpectedly, the Secret Realm in the Ice Realm changed. It became possible to sacrifice resources to obtain desired items. This caused resources throughout the entire Cultivation Immortality Realm to suddenly become extremely scarce.

Goods were still available in the Cultivation Immortality Realm, but they had become very difficult to procure.

What was once a buyer’s market had become a seller’s market due to the change in the Secret Realm. The various Cultivation Immortality Resources planted, raised, refined, and nurtured by Loose Cultivators were either kept for their own exchanges or sold at a higher price.

As a result, material prices were rising daily, leading to a complication in the agreement between the Commerce Association and Cheng Zongyang.

—Tens of millions of pounds of Spirit Rice, 200,000 Ice and Fire Spirits, 100,000 pounds of Tier One Demon Beast flesh and blood, a million pounds of Exotic Beast flesh and blood, various types of Tier One cultivation-promoting elixirs numbering no less than 10,000 pills, Spiritual Items to increase the ambient Spiritual Qi, used Tier One Magical Treasure Spaces, and even more Spirit Stones and Spirit Crystals.

The demand for these materials was immense. But now, not only were the quantities insufficient, but the costs had also risen far too much.

This led some of the higher-ups to conclude that they could no longer supply Cheng Zongyang at the previously agreed-upon price; otherwise, the Commerce Association would suffer a massive loss.

Even if the Commerce Association had existing stock, selling it to Cheng Zongyang at the old price would mean a small profit. However, compared to current market prices, earning so little was tantamount to taking a loss. And it wasn’t a small loss, either.

Furthermore, the Commerce Association’s need for what Cheng Zongyang offered had also seemed to change. This was because, within the Secret Realm, one could also obtain Foundation Establishment Pills, provided they had enough resources.

Seeing that Cheng Zongyang had no intention of speaking, and unsure if he was even aware of the situation, Baili Xi cleared his throat and began to speak cautiously:

"Brother Luo, I won’t beat around the bush. You must be aware that resources in the Cultivation Immortality Realm are scarce right now, and prices for materials are skyrocketing. The deal our Commerce Association made with you is now facing some... difficulties."

Cheng Zongyang frowned slightly at Baili Xi but still said nothing.

Seeing no response from Cheng Zongyang, Baili Xi could only bite the bullet and continue:

"Brother Luo, the Commerce Association is in a difficult position as well. The current cost of materials is simply too high, and the quantity you ordered is immense. If we sell to you at the original price, the Commerce Association will suffer a massive loss. A Foundation Establishment Pill is a wonderful thing, and under normal circumstances, the Association would gladly take a small loss to acquire them."

"But the quantities are just too large now, and the Commerce Association has agreements with other factions who have their own significant demands. Therefore, the higher-ups were wondering... could we perhaps raise the price a little? That way, we can continue to provide you with the materials. It also gives us a justification to show the other factions."

Cheng Zongyang shook his head. "Steward Baili, we already agreed on the price and quantity. How can you change it so casually? I have my own difficulties as well. If the price increases, I won’t be able to answer to the people I represent. I even brought the Foundation Establishment Pills with me this time. If you go back on your word like this, aren’t you worried my backers will spread the news?"

Baili Xi grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Brother Luo, the situation is unique right now. Our Commerce Association is only making this request so that we can continue to work together. How about a fifty percent increase on the original price? That’s still thirty percent below the current market price. As long as you agree, I will do everything in my power to persuade the higher-ups to approve and finalize this deal."

Cheng Zongyang scoffed. "Steward Baili, you expect us to hand over a great deal more in Foundation Establishment Pills based on a single sentence. Don’t you think that’s a bit much?"

Seeing Cheng Zongyang’s resolute attitude, Baili Xi felt a wave of helplessness. He knew this negotiation had failed, but he couldn’t just give up. ’Otherwise, won’t the higher-ups label me as incompetent and incapable?’ He could only continue to press his case: