The headquarters of the Mo Dao Merchant Association is an artificial continent, no less grand than the former Qin Yang Merchant Association.
Today, the atmosphere within the Mo Dao Merchant Association headquarters is exceptionally lively. Many of the usually delicate and beautiful maidservants appear even more alluring than usual.
Some servants who might occasionally have been lazy or slack are now putting in their utmost effort.
And just then.
A loud announcement rings out.
"The President of the Tian Dan Merchant Association has arrived."
Countless strong individuals and servants within the Mo Dao Merchant Association turn their gazes towards the void beyond the artificial continent.
In a certain direction of the void.
The previously pitch-black scene in that direction has completely vanished.
A radiant light, appearing from nowhere, illuminates that area.
It is clearly visible that within the illuminated space, a grand procession of ten thousand people is slowly advancing through the void.
Skilled cultivators with formidable strength lead the way, while exceptionally humble servants attend alongside.
And their service is directed towards only one person.
That person is at the center of the entourage of ten thousand.
An elder, dressed in white robes, with a youthful complexion and white hair, is seated on an exquisite throne crafted from some unknown high-grade heavenly treasure.
Even at this moment, several powerful cultivators at the Tribulation Passage stage are carrying the throne for this elder.
And at this very instant.
A movement arises from within the Mo Dao Merchant Association headquarters.
A figure of authority, appearing from nowhere, has already emerged. Mo Qiong's gaze falls indifferently upon the President of the Tian Dan Merchant Association, who is being attended by his large entourage.
Before Mo Qiong can utter a word, the elder with white hair and a youthful complexion strokes his beard and laughs.
"Not bad, Old Mo. You've personally come to greet me this time, which is fitting for my status."
Upon hearing this, Mo Qiong frowns slightly but does not appear angered.
Both are powerful merchant associations involved in the pharmaceutical business. Harmony is unlikely.
In normal times, the two factions engage in constant scheming and sabotage.
It is only because an issue has arisen that harms the interests of both parties that their respective presidents would gather together.
However, Mo Qiong is not polite to the President of the Tian Dan Merchant Association either. He lets out a faint snort.
"Old man, after all these years, you're still so fond of showing off. Stop dawdling and waiting to be carried. Let's not waste time. Besides you, there are many other merchant association presidents who will be coming to discuss important matters."
Upon hearing the "important matters" mentioned by Mo Qiong,
The face of the President of the Tian Dan Merchant Association instantly shifts slightly. It is evident that Mo Qiong's words have had a considerable impact on him.
With a cold snort, he glances at the attendants serving him.
"You all wait out here. I'm going to have a chat with that fellow from the Mo Dao Merchant Association."
With that, the President of the Tian Dan Merchant Association stands up from his throne. His figure flickers, and he vanishes from his original spot.
Such terrifying speed is something that ordinary peak Tribulation Passage cultivators would find difficult to match.
And with the arrival of the President of the Tian Dan Merchant Association, it is as if a chain reaction has been triggered.
From several directions of the Mo Dao Merchant Association headquarters, cultivators with incredibly potent auras begin to arrive.
If there were knowledgeable cultivators present, they would easily recognize them.
These cultivators arriving at the Mo Dao Merchant Association headquarters.
Are also the presidents of powerful merchant associations involved in the pharmaceutical field within the Qing Rao Domain.
Tian Qin Merchant Association...
Yan Zhi Merchant Association...
Until finally.
Including Mo Qiong himself, a total of eight presidents have come to the Mo Dao Merchant Association.
In the reception hall of the Mo Dao Merchant Association headquarters.
Mo Qiong and the visiting presidents from afar have each taken their seats.
Beside them, attractive maidservants attend to them.
Some maidservants gently fan them, some peel fruit, and others hold cups of spiritual tea, brimming with spiritual energy and clearly of the highest quality, waiting quietly.
However, in reality, these seated merchant association presidents pay not the slightest attention to the service of these maidservants.
It is evident that for individuals of their cultivation level, who have experienced far more luxurious enjoyments, such minor service is nothing.
Furthermore, these individuals, who are renowned throughout the Qing Rao Domain as merchant association presidents, would not possibly travel from afar merely for the service of these maidservants.
The gathering of these eight powerful merchant association presidents undoubtedly signifies an extremely important matter to be discussed.
"Everyone is here. Can we begin?"
The President of the Tian Dan Merchant Association, who arrived first, speaks with a hint of impatience.
He had originally thought he was late, and that the other merchant association presidents had already arrived before him.
To his surprise, he was the earliest, and it had caused him to waste a considerable amount of time.
Upon hearing the words of the Tian Dan Merchant Association President, the gazes of the other six presidents, apart from Mo Qiong, shift slightly as they look towards Mo Qiong, the host.
"Mm."
Mo Qiong nods slightly. He then gives a subtle signal to the maidservants attending the merchant association presidents.
Immediately, these maidservants put down their tasks, bow slightly, and hastily withdraw.
The atmosphere quiets down slightly at this moment. Mo Qiong's gaze sweeps calmly over the merchant association presidents seated before him.
"I assume you have all received the news. That merchant association called the Penguin Medicine Pavilion has begun expanding its branches recently."
As these words are spoken, the expressions of everyone present instantly turn grim.
As merchant associations dealing in pharmaceuticals, how could they not be aware of the Penguin Medicine Pavilion?
In fact, from the time Mo Qiong of the Mo Dao Merchant Association learned that the Penguin Medicine Pavilion was selling Jade Dew Concentric Pills with stronger efficacy, other merchant associations had also learned of it around the same time.
However, at that time, the Penguin Medicine Pavilion was only selling the Jade Dew Concentric Pill individually, which did not affect the interests of other merchant associations.
On the contrary, seeing this obscure, suddenly appearing Penguin Medicine Pavilion possessing a Jade Dew Concentric Pill with superior efficacy to that of the Mo Dao Merchant Association, they had initially prepared to watch the show from the sidelines.
After all, as fellow pharmaceutical merchant associations, seeing a competitor suffer losses brought them more joy than making money.
But their joy did not last long.
As one modified pill after another with even greater efficacy was released, these merchant associations could no longer sit still.
There was no other way. Originally, the Penguin Medicine Pavilion only sold pills related to the Mo Dao Merchant Association's Jade Dew Concentric Pill.
But now, among the various modified pills sold by the Penguin Medicine Pavilion, not only were there pills from the Mo Dao Merchant Association, but they also involved some of the high-priced pills sold by their own merchant associations.
It could be said that each of the eight merchant associations present here had at least one, or even two, of their currently sold pills with lower efficacy compared to the pills from the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.
What's more, the Tian Dan Merchant Association was even unluckier, with as many as three types of modified pills having lower efficacy than those introduced by the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.