The next day, the snowfall lessened. The heavy snow covered every corner of the eaves and streets, blanketing Nanli City in a pristine white world.
At the foot of the largest martial arts arena in Nanli City, countless people gathered, awaiting a rare and important competition.
Today was the Merchant Guild competition between the Qi Clan and the Jiang Clan, the two largest merchant guilds in Nanli City!
The victor would gain control of all of Nanli City, while the loser might be forced to withdraw from the Merchant Guild forever!
The crowd below the stage eagerly awaited this historic moment for Nanli City, whispering and exchanging comments amongst themselves.
"Hey, who do you think will win this Merchant Guild competition, the Qi Clan or the Jiang Clan?"
"I think it's highly likely to be the Jiang Clan!"
"Sigh, if the Jiang Clan gains more power, Nanli City will likely become the Jiang Clan's domain!"
"Exactly, the Jiang Clan is already taking advantage of their monopoly on the Body Refining Elixir, jacking up prices to ridiculous levels!"
"They're constantly lowering the prices they offer for the Beast materials we hunt!"
"If the Jiang Clan takes control of the entire Merchant Guild in Nanli City, how will we even survive?"
"We risk our lives every day in the Beast Domain Forest, and we only earn so little!"
"The Qi Clan absolutely cannot fall!"
Most of the people present hoped the Qi Clan would win.
This competition concerned not only the two Merchant Guilds but also the future lives of many cultivators in Nanli City.
The Jiang Clan, backed by their powerful influence in Nanli City, operated with impunity, engaging in the practice of buying materials and medicinal herbs at low prices and reselling them at exorbitant rates. This caused widespread dissatisfaction and hardship for many.
Currently, at least the Qi Clan could stand against them, running a business that offered fair prices and benefited the people.
If the Qi Clan were to fall, life in Nanli City would become very difficult for them in the future!
However, many people were pessimistic about whether the Qi Clan could win today.
"It's going to be tough for the Qi Clan to beat the Jiang Clan!"
"I heard that the powerful backing behind the Jiang Clan has sent a very formidable elder!"
"Rumor has it that he has a Heavenly Human Realm cultivation!"
"Heavenly Human Realm! Heavens! What's the Qi Clan even fighting for then?"
"Even if we sold the entire Qi Clan, we might not be able to hire a strong expert from the Heavenly Human Realm, right?"
"Sigh…"
Amidst the sighs of the crowd, the Qi Clan members were the first to appear in everyone's sight.
Qi Rongchang, the Qi Clan's head, who was nearing his sixtieth year, slowly walked towards the arena, accompanied by Qi Yuan and a group of Qi Clan managers and guards.
The Qi Clan had a history of nearly a hundred years in Nanli City. They were considered an established Merchant Guild in Nanli City, and they had a good reputation for fair trading and reasonable prices.
As soon as the Qi Clan appeared, they received cheers and support from many people present.
"Old Qi, come on!"
"Old Qi, you absolutely cannot lose!"
"I'm putting my faith in the Qi Clan Merchant Guild. Old Master Qi, you have to hold on!"
Facing the encouragement and support from the crowd around him, Qi Rongchang's aged face couldn't help but beam with a smile. He nodded repeatedly to show his appreciation.
With the help of the crowd, he slowly made his way to Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen, who had arrived earlier.
This was the first time Qi Rongchang had seen Ning Yechen and his family of three. His old eyes were filled with amazement and respect.
Ever since Qi Yuan returned to the Qi Clan, he had heard her mention Luo Ruying and Ning Yechen every day.
She never stopped praising them, going on and on.
At first, he didn't pay much attention, until he learned that Luo Ruying had killed dozens of Spirit Martial Realm cultivators with a single sword.
And then, Ning Yechen had healed Qi Yuan's meridians and gifted her the precious Meridian Healing Elixir formula.
Qi Rongchang immediately believed that his Qi Clan had absolutely encountered a benefactor!
He had always wanted to find an opportunity to personally visit and express his gratitude, but after hearing Qi Yuan say that the two of them didn't like being disturbed, he had to give up.
Now that he finally saw them with his own eyes, Qi Rongchang was even more convinced of his guess. He had been in business his whole life and still had a good eye for people.
This woman's appearance was stunning, and her temperament was ethereal and refined. Just by looking at her, one could tell that her background was extraordinary.
Although the man only looked handsome and refined, how could someone who could heal damaged meridians and casually produce such a precious pill recipe be ordinary?
This couple was definitely extraordinary...
"This old man is Qi Rongchang, the head of the Qi Clan. It is my honor to meet you both."
"Thank you both for your help to the Qi Clan."
Qi Rongchang respectfully bowed to Luo Ruying and the others, expressing his gratitude.
"There's no need for thanks, Clan Head Qi. My assistance to the Qi Clan is merely a transaction with Miss Qi."
Luo Ruying, holding Luo Hongye, said this calmly.
"I understand."
"We of the Qi Clan will forever remember this kindness. Regardless of the outcome today, if you two ever need anything in the future, please do not hesitate to seek the Qi Clan's help. We will offer our full support."
Qi Rongchang wasn't foolish. A mansion worth two million taels wasn't enough to make Luo Ruying act for the Qi Clan.
Luo Ruying seemed to be more concerned with the Qi Clan's plight and simply couldn't stand the Jiang Clan, which was why she stepped in to help.
The Qi Clan naturally had to be eternally grateful.
Just as everyone was talking, the Jiang Clan members arrived.
As soon as Jiang Zhen and the others appeared, the people around them couldn't help but actively move aside, staying far away. This was completely the opposite of when the Qi Clan appeared.
Jiang Zhen ignored the surrounding people and strode towards the Qi Clan.
Behind him followed a group of Jiang Clan members and a man with a pale, effeminate face, wearing a white lotus robe.
Even Jiang Li, whose three legs were crippled, had regained consciousness after several days of intensive treatment and was being pushed along in a wheelchair.
As soon as he saw the Qi Clan, Jiang Zhen couldn't help but sneer, coming forward to taunt:
"Old Qi~ You're still alive~"
"I'm so glad to see you in such good health~"
Qi Rongchang could hear the sarcasm in Jiang Zhen's tone. His old eyes narrowed, and he retorted without any courtesy:
"I'm in perfect health!"
"You'll be in your coffin before I kick the bucket."
When the Jiang Clan first came to Nanli City, they were just a small Merchant Guild, nearly bankrupt several times.
It was the Qi Clan who kindly took them in and made them a branch of the Qi Clan.
Later, with the Qi Clan's strong support, they gradually developed and grew stronger.
It was just unexpected that after growing stronger, the Jiang Clan re-established their own Merchant Guild, ignoring their past kindness, and constantly encroaching on the Qi Clan's territory, almost forcing the Qi Clan out of Nanli City!
Seeing the Jiang Clan's people, Qi Rongchang regretted that he shouldn't have taken in the Jiang Clan, a bunch of ingrates!
"Hmph!"
Jiang Zhen was furious, but then he snorted in disdain and continued, "It's been many years. Old Man Qi, your words are still as sharp as ever, just like in the old days."
"Considering our past relationship, I still advise you, Old Man Qi, to give up willingly."
"The Qi Clan is doomed to lose today!"
"If you admit defeat now and hand over the remaining street shop management rights, with the Qi Clan's assets, you can still have a chance to enjoy your old age."
"Why do you have to risk everything for the Qi Clan?"
"Hmph, the Merchant Guild competition hasn't even started yet, how can you know the Qi Clan will lose?"
"Could it be that your Jiang Clan is afraid?"
Qi Rongchang's expression was resolute, and he spoke directly without yielding.
Even if the Qi Clan lost everything, he would not give up!
Seeing the Jiang Clan's arrogance, Qi Yuan, who was next to him, couldn't help but step forward and say:
"If you want to swallow our Qi Clan Merchant Guild, then wait until you win!"
-----------------------
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