Li Qi was naturally not idle for no reason when he took over the control of the First Natal Spirit Puppet.
There was no other reason than coincidence.
Just as he was preparing to enter seclusion again.
Some guests had arrived at the Penguin Medicine Pavilion in the Void Black Market, which belonged to his Yin Zong Domain.
These were naturally not ordinary guests.
Controlling the First Natal Spirit Puppet, Li Qi’s gaze turned towards the outside of the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.
Figures with not insignificant cultivation were heading towards him.
Judging solely by the auras emanating from these people.
Their cultivation must have at least reached the Tribulation Transcending stage.
Normally, apart from the First Natal Spirit Puppet, who was stationed here permanently as a Tribulation Transcending stage cultivator, and occasional visitors to the Void Black Market seeking the First Natal Spirit Puppet to refine elixirs.
There were no other Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators present.
And today, these Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators from elsewhere had all come to the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.
It was clear they were not here to find the First Natal Spirit Puppet to order elixirs.
The probability of so many Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators coming to order elixirs together was too slim.
And as Li Qi controlled the First Natal Spirit Puppet in silence.
The figures whose cultivation had reached the Tribulation Transcending stage were already extremely close to the First Natal Spirit Puppet.
Before they arrived, a voice devoid of any hostility had already sounded.
“Fellow Daoist of Penguin Medicine Pavilion, I am Fang Siyuan, an Inspection Elder of the Fine Tools Pavilion. May I request a word?”
“I am Chen Li, an Inspection Elder of the Myriad Treasures Shop. I also request a word with fellow Daoist.”
…
Such voices sounded repeatedly.
The identities of these Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators were now clear; they were indeed the Tribulation Transcending stage powerhouses of considerable standing from the native merchant guilds within the surrounding Void Black Market.
And now, these Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators from the merchant guilds had all come to the Penguin Medicine Pavilion, seemingly to discuss something with the First Natal Spirit Puppet.
Concurrently, many cultivators around the Penguin Medicine Pavilion, and even those currently within the Penguin Medicine Pavilion preparing to purchase elixirs, were stunned. They looked around the Penguin Medicine Pavilion in confusion.
At the same time, they harbored small speculations, as if they had figured something out.
And at this moment.
The First Natal Spirit Puppet, controlled by Li Qi, also reacted.
It was as if he had appeared outside the Penguin Medicine Pavilion at some point.
As far as the eye could see, Inspection Elders and Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators of similar status from various native merchant guilds were already standing quietly outside the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.
Around where they stood, a large vacuum zone had been cleared.
It was evident that none of the cultivators in the Void Black Market dared to approach these Tribulation Transcending stage powerhouses.
Looking at these Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators standing silently, although Li Qi had not conversed with them much.
However, the communication he had just had with the First Natal Spirit Puppet was still fresh in his mind. Now that these native merchant guilds had come looking for him, there was no need to overthink; they were likely here regarding the Qin Yang Merchant Guild.
Li Qi had no intention of treating them coldly.
“Fellow Daoists, please come in.”
Saying so, Li Qi waved his hand slightly, signaling these Tribulation Transcending stage powerhouses from various merchant guilds to enter the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.
Upon hearing Li Qi’s words, these Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators did not hesitate and entered the Penguin Medicine Pavilion one after another.
Li Qi did not linger after bringing these cultivators into the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.
Although the Penguin Medicine Pavilion was relatively simple.
It did possess some private rooms for conversation or for valuable transactions.
Leading these Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators, Li Qi headed directly towards the back of the Penguin Medicine Pavilion.
In the empty private room, there were only two simple chairs.
Normally, this private room was used for valuable transactions; one chair was for the First Natal Spirit Puppet, and the other was for the guest conducting the valuable transaction.
And after Li Qi brought the Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators behind him into the room.
A brief silence ensued.
These Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators following Li Qi first looked at the number of people in their group.
One, two, three, four, five, six…
Including Li Qi, there were a total of seven people.
They then looked at the number of chairs in the room.
One, two…
No more.
And judging by the simplicity of the chairs.
If this were in their merchant guilds, every private room would be luxuriously decorated, and the chairs would be custom-made.
But the chairs in Li Qi’s Penguin Medicine Pavilion's private room.
Let alone the quantity, just looking at the appearance of these chairs…
These Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators who had come all twitched the corners of their mouths.
These were truly unadorned, likely chairs that could be bought in bulk for one or two taels of silver in the mortal world of any minor plane…
Was the Penguin Medicine Pavilion… this poor?
These Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators, each at least an Inspection Elder of their respective shops, fell completely silent.
They stared at each other, unsure who should take the two chairs.
It was only because their objective was unified at the moment, which was to find the steward of the Penguin Medicine Pavilion to discuss how to deal with the Qin Yang Merchant Guild from outside.
If it were any other time, these Tribulation Transcending stage powerhouses from different merchant guilds, who already had various conflicts among themselves, would have no doubt engaged in a struggle for the two chairs, at least to salvage some pride for their respective merchant guilds.
And at this moment.
Li Qi, who had led several Tribulation Transcending stage cultivators into the private room, glanced slightly at the headcount and then at the number of chairs, and only then did he realize.
He casually reached into the spatial ring on the First Natal Spirit Puppet’s hand.
And took out five more chairs, placing them around.
Then, Li Qi, controlling the First Natal Spirit Puppet, slowly spoke.
“Fellow Daoists, please be seated.”
The slightly quiet and strange atmosphere at this moment eased slightly.
Without much delay, Li Qi’s voice sounded again.
“Fellow Daoists, you have come to find me, and it is regarding the matter of the Qin Yang Merchant Guild, is it not?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of these Tribulation Transcending cultivators from various native merchant guilds changed, becoming solemn.
Fang Siyuan, the Tribulation Transcending stage Inspection Elder from the Fine Tools Pavilion, though an ancient Tribulation Transcending monster who had lived for an unknown number of years.
His appearance was that of a refined middle-aged man in white robes.
Fang Siyuan nodded slightly.
“Fellow Daoist speaks the truth, our purpose for coming together this time is precisely this.”
Hearing this, Li Qi was even less surprised. His expression remained unchanged, and his voice sounded again.
“What? Do you intend to join forces with me this time and directly drive out the Qin Yang Merchant Guild by force? That Qin Yang Merchant Guild comes from a prosperous region and is not to be trifled with.”