"Very well, all of you, get back to your duties and don't let it interfere with the shop's business!" The pale-faced, white-bearded cultivator spoke to the several Golden Core cultivators following him with an expressionless face. He walked past Ye Qin, suddenly paused, and felt a vague sense of familiarity with Ye Qin, as if he had seen him not long ago.

However, for a moment, he couldn't recall where. "I am merely a Nascent Soul cultivator; how could I possibly have an impression of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator I've never met!" The pale-faced cultivator shook his head inwardly, intending to ignore it and leave the pavilion.

Suddenly, the pale-faced cultivator froze, something clicking in his mind, and he couldn't help but turn back, "Young friend, wait a moment!" "Senior, you are... I don't think I know you, Senior!" Ye Qin, who had been examining artifacts at the counter, stopped when he heard the call and looked up, surprised that the pale-faced cultivator was addressing him.

"I am Elder Qing of the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance. Although this young friend hasn't met me, I have seen you!

... More than ten days ago, on Desolate Spirit Island, I happened to glimpse you.

I remember you were standing on the Holy Emperor's treasure ship! I wonder, young friend, are you a cultivator from the Holy Emperor Palace?" Elder Qing took a few steps closer, sizing up Ye Qin, growing more certain he remembered correctly, and asked with a hint of pleasant surprise.

The reappearance of the Holy Emperor in the Blood Sea, his decisive defeat of the Ghost Cultivators, and the subsequent division of ancient treasures—this news had already spread throughout the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, causing shock and unease among the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance, while also delighting many unaffiliated cultivator factions. Ever since the battle of Desolate Spirit Island, the high echelons of the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance had paid extremely close attention to the movements of the Holy Emperor Palace.

As a highly ambitious merchant alliance, they could not help but seek ways to foster good relations with such a powerful Immortal Palace force emerging in the Blood Sea, for the sake of potential future cooperation. However, at that time, the island was teeming with Nascent Soul cultivators.

Elder Qing, being merely an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, was too weak to even get close enough to speak to the Holy Emperor, nor did he recognize any other cultivators from the Holy Emperor Palace. Since the Holy Emperor Palace used the treasure ship as a mobile palace and had no fixed immortal palace address, their whereabouts were constantly changing, preventing the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance from establishing any contact.

If he could represent the Alliance, establish rapport with the Holy Emperor Palace, and find an opportunity for cooperation, his standing within the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance would rise significantly. To think he would encounter a cultivator closely connected to the Holy Emperor Palace here in this merchant pavilion.

This caught Elder Qing completely off guard. At this moment, he was willing to humble himself, setting aside his status as a Nascent Soul cultivator to cultivate friendship with a mere Golden Core cultivator from the Holy Emperor Palace.

"Senior is mistaken. I am an Elder of the Violet Sword Palace, not a subordinate of the Holy Emperor Palace.

It was just a long time ago that I had some interaction with the Holy Emperor. I happened to encounter him that day and stayed aboard the treasure ship for a short while." Ye Qin chuckled lightly.

"You are an Elder of the Violet Sword Palace, one of the Northern Islands of the Heavenly Dao Alliance?!" Elder Qing’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. As a well-informed Nascent Soul cultivator from a merchant alliance, he was certainly aware of the fierce competition for the leadership of the Northern Islands within the Heavenly Dao Alliance.

The Violet Sword Palace possessed formidable strength and numerous staunch allies, placing it among the few Immortal Palaces qualified to vie for the Northern Sect Master position. The status of an Elder in the Violet Sword Palace was not far beneath his own.

Moreover, if the Violet Sword Palace were to become the Northern Sect Master of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, the standing of its Elders would soar even higher. Even if Ye Qin had no connection to the Holy Emperor, his identity as a Violet Sword Palace Elder alone demanded focused attention.

One must remember the immense power and resources an Immortal Palace Elder could command. However, Elder Qing dared not take Ye Qin’s word for granted.

Dealing with an Elder of an Immortal Palace required extreme caution; Ye Qin’s unilateral statement was insufficient to convince him. Ye Qin’s youth and relatively low cultivation base of mid-stage Golden Core made the claim highly improbable.

Elder Qing harbored suspicions but remained outwardly composed. He sent a wisp of divine sense into a jade slip he carried, which contained information on important figures from the major Immortal Palaces of the Eastern Sea.

Upon checking, he discovered that the Violet Sword Palace indeed had a Golden Core stage Elder. Given that this young man could appear on the Holy Emperor's treasure ship with only a Golden Core cultivation, his claimed identity was likely true.

Otherwise, the Holy Emperor, who barely paid attention to ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, would hardly permit a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator from another Immortal Palace onto his ship. "So, it is a distinguished guest from the Violet Sword Palace visiting!

No wonder you appeared on the Holy Emperor's treasure ship that day. To achieve this at such a young age, young friend, is truly rare." Elder Qing quickly regained his composure.

With his certainty established, his smile deepened. "May I ask what your esteemed surname is, young friend?" "My surname is Ye.

I came to your esteemed pavilion today hoping to purchase some artifacts and implements." Ye Qin made a slight bow and smiled directly. "You came to purchase artifacts and no one greeted you?!?" Seeing no attendant attending to Ye Qin, Elder Qing’s face clouded with sudden anger as he reprimanded the several Golden Core managers behind him.

Those Golden Core managers, unaware of the situation, immediately turned pale and dared not offer any defense. "The staff here have been remiss in their duties, Elder Ye has been made to look foolish.

Please, follow this old man!" Elder Qing's expression was grim, but he instantly smiled warmly toward Ye Qin. Since Ye Qin intended to purchase artifacts, the Elder abandoned his plans to go out on errands and turned to escort Ye Qin upstairs.

In truth, given Elder Qing's status in the Crimson Blood Merchant Pavilion, he didn't need to curry favor with a Golden Core cultivator. However, Elder Qing was keen to forge a relationship with Ye Qin; whether through the Violet Sword Palace or the Holy Emperor Palace, this was a rare opportunity for connection.

Ye Qin merely shook his head with a faint smile and followed him up to the upper floor. Following Elder Qing downstairs, the few managers of the Crimson Blood Merchant Pavilion exchanged surprised glances but dared not utter a word, hastening to follow behind.

Soon, Ye Qin was led by Elder Qing to a luxurious and exquisite private room on the upper level. Elder Qing and Ye Qin entered the room, taking seats separately.

Several attendants immediately brought spirit tea and then withdrew. The managers stationed themselves by the door.

"Elder Ye has come to our pavilion personally to procure artifacts. I happen to be free; allow me to assist you in examining them." Elder Qing sipped his spirit tea and asked straightforwardly with a smile.

"I wonder if your pavilion possesses the materials and components required to refine these items?" Ye Qin produced a list written with the names of the materials and components and placed it on the table. Elder Qing took the list and swiftly scanned the hundreds of items.

As he finished reading, he drew a sharp breath. Elder Qing gazed deeply at Ye Qin.

"Elder Ye shows great ambition. I see these materials are intended for refining a Minor Divine Ability level warship.

In the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, only Palace Masters and Elders of the major Immortal Palaces, or a few extremely wealthy unaffiliated cultivators, would attempt to craft such an exceedingly expensive warship!" "That is correct. What, can the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance not build one?" Ye Qin frowned slightly.

Elder Qing laughed heartily, "Hahaha, Elder Ye has indeed come to the right place by approaching the Crimson Blood Merchant Pavilion. Although such warships are rare in the Eastern Sea, the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance is one of the foremost large merchant alliances in the Blood Sea; there is nothing we cannot craft.

This list provided by Elder Ye is quite complete regarding materials and components. I will dispatch subordinates to collect them.

However, some of the components require special refinement, which will take time, as we must commission Artifact Refiners for custom work. Without immense wealth, Elder Ye might find it difficult to build this warship!" Saying this, Elder Qing shifted his tone, pondered for a moment, and then spoke to Ye Qin.

"Elder Qing, please calculate how much wealth this endeavor will require?" "Uh, alright, let me calculate... The hull requires Star Black Spirit Wood of tenth rank or higher; thirty-plus roots are needed, priced at 300,000 low-grade spirit stones per root.

The light bombardment cannon, a tenth-rank component, costs seven million low-grade spirit stones per unit, requiring ten units in total... My quoted price is the absolute lowest, considering Elder Ye's status.

Elder Ye, are you truly intent on purchasing all these materials and components?" As he spoke, Elder Qing observed Ye Qin's expression. Ye Qin's expression shifted several times.

Although he knew the warship would be costly, he clearly hadn't anticipated this level of expense. However, as long as the materials and components could be acquired, and a Minor Divine Ability warship could be forged, the expense would be entirely worthwhile.

Furthermore, he wasn't suggesting he needed to buy everything immediately. The spirit stones required for the warship could be raised gradually.

Ye Qin paused, considered the matter, and came to a decision. "In that case, I entrust the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance with the task of procuring all these materials and components for me.

As for the required spirit stones, I will pay the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance in installments." After quoting the price, Elder Qing had expected Ye Qin to retreat in the face of such cost. Who knew that after a brief hesitation, Ye Qin readily agreed.

"Very well. It will take some time for the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance to gather all these materials and components.

Staggered payment is fine." Elder Qing harbored no further suspicion. It was likely Ye Qin was procuring such a warship on behalf of the Violet Sword Palace; it was not unusual.

Securing such a large transaction meant significant benefits for Elder Qing himself, and his smile grew even warmer. "Since Elder Ye is so forthcoming, I am not one to be stingy.

All future transactions between Elder Ye and our Alliance will receive the best possible concessions!" "Then I thank you in advance, Elder Qing!" Ye Qin laughed heartily. After signing the relevant contract with Elder Qing, Ye Qin suddenly recalled that his Great Five Elements Sword Array was complete, and he now required top-tier Ice, Lightning, and Wind materials to forge the Minor Three Wonders Sword Array.

Although he hadn't found the necessary materials during his trip to the Blood Sea, purchasing them directly from the Crimson Blood Merchant Alliance was an alternative. With this thought, Ye Qin put away the contract and asked, "Elder Qing, does your esteemed pavilion happen to stock Ice, Wind, or Lightning materials of tenth rank or higher?" "Cultivators who possess such Nascent Soul-grade raw materials usually guard them fiercely.

When any are put up for sale, they are snapped up quickly, and the prices are steep. If Elder Ye desires top-tier Five Elements raw materials, our pavilion currently has quite a stock.

However, for the top-grade materials required for the Minor Three Wonders, Elder Ye might have to try his luck at our Merchant Pavilion’s trade fair." Elder Qing pondered for a moment before answering. "Trade fair?" Ye Qin asked, quite interested.

"Our Merchant Pavilion’s trade fair lies somewhere between an auction and private transactions between cultivators. We invite guests from various Immortal Palaces and cultivators from the Blood Sea to sell all manner of treasures.

Items can be exchanged, or one can bid to purchase; if the seller is unsatisfied with the final price, they can completely withdraw and reclaim the treasure. Our pavilion collects a small commission for facilitating and maintaining order.

Is Elder Ye interested in attending? Our next trade fair is in one month." Elder Qing explained with a smile.

"Hmm, I will come and take a look then." Ye Qin nodded, confirmed the date of the trade fair, exchanged a few pleasantries with Elder Qing, and then took his leave from the Crimson Blood Merchant Pavilion.