Li Banfeng looked back at the phonograph; the phonograph kept silent, because it wasn't familiar with the Outside Provinces either.
Chu Zikai said, "I know you don't want to believe me, but this you can verify yourself. You'll find the answer soon enough.
Dark Energy Users are a technological product of the Outside Provinces. They're trying to copy Puluo State's cultivation rules and build a Dark Power System that belongs to the Outside Provinces.
But the Guidance Agents produced in the Outside Provinces are far inferior to the Peddler's entry-level medicine powder, they're just shoddy imitations at best.
If you want to become a true Cultivator, you can only go to Puluo State to buy Medicinal Powder. Aside from a portion of private stock held by big clans, the Peddler's Medicinal Powder is the only correct way for a Cultivator to get started."
There was a fundamental difference between Dark Energy Users of the Outside Provinces and Cultivators of Puluo State.
Could this be the reason the Dark Star Bureau's combat strength is lacking.
"Where do those Medicinal Powders in the big clans' private stock come from?"
"You really want to know?" Chu Zikai stared hard at Li Banfeng. "Spare my life and I'll tell you the truth. I can tell you a lot of truths you don't know."
Li Banfeng smiled and said, "You think you can toss out some random lie and buy your own life with it? How could anything in this world be that cheap?"
"Forget it if you don't believe me," Chu Zikai went on. "After I became a Sound Cultivator, I spent a period of time in Puluo State and learned a lot of precious knowledge. With Snowflake Beach's help, using my connections in the Outside Provinces, I pulled off quite a few deals."
"What kind of deals?"
"Deals for Ghost Servants, and also for Magical Treasures and weapons. I know how to run the business, and I know whose hands the money should go into. I earned Snowflake Beach a lot of money, and Snowflake Beach provided me with a large amount of Elixirs—Elixirs with almost no side effects."
Li Banfeng asked, "You mean they had no Pill's Poison?"
"To be precise, the Pill's Poison was very small. Do you know where those Elixirs came from?"
Li Banfeng shook his head.
Chu Zikai said, "They came from the Mysterious Red Life Lotus. Snowflake Beach once had the Mysterious Red Life Lotus in its hands and stockpiled a large amount of high-quality Elixirs. Relying on those high-quality Elixirs, I spent ten years building my cultivation level up to Above the Clouds. Now that the Red Lotus is in your hands, you should understand this process even better than I do."
Snowflake Beach once had control of the Red Lotus?
Is that actually true?
He could go ask the Red Lotus to verify it, but the Red Lotus might not be willing to tell the truth either.
According to official records, Chu Zikai was thirty-four this year, and he'd made his name thirteen years ago. If his account was true, that pace of advancement was indeed rather fast—faster than the heads of the major clans in Puluo State.
Chu Zikai sighed and said, "But it was precisely during those years when I was devoting myself to cultivation that Snowflake Beach's financial situation fell into crisis. That should be somewhat related to the Red Lotus's disappearance.
Snowflake Beach changed my life; fighting for Snowflake Beach is a mission I'm duty-bound to carry. I burned through my savings to keep Snowflake Beach running at full force. To further expand our business scope, I got in touch with Miglov and together with him founded the Ferry Gang.
Through him, I could take some of the business overseas. I became a true Boat Master, sending valuable goods to every corner of the world."
Looking at Chu Zikai's expression, Li Banfeng smiled and said, "You're very proud of yourself."
"Doesn't it deserve pride? I maintain long-term contact with more than thirty foreign Dark Power Organizations. You want their intel? Spare my life and I can tell you everything. I can even introduce them to you."
Li Banfeng said, "Since your overseas business is so big, why didn't you sell Shui Yongquan abroad?"
"Foreign Spiritualists generally won't buy Battle Spirits from Puluo State. The communication barrier is just too great. Foreign Dark Power Practitioners put more stock in Magical Treasures and Spiritual Objects.
I'm talking about Magical Treasures and Spiritual Objects, not dark energy carriers. The dark energy carriers from the Outside Provinces can't be mentioned in the same breath as Puluo State's Magical Treasures and Spiritual Objects.
You can't imagine how big the profit margin is. As long as you choose to join forces with me, you'll possess wealth beyond anything you can imagine."
"Beyond anything I can imagine?" Li Banfeng patted Chu Zikai's face. "And how much money do you think that is?"
Chu Zikai knew Li Qi wasn't so easily swayed, but with life and death on the line, he still had to try to persuade Li Qi. "I know your roots in Puluo State are very deep, but your vision is too narrow. You know nothing about what lies beyond Puluo State.
Let me go and I can open the doors of the whole world for you. You'll see the true impact Dark Energy has had on this world. You'll learn where the peak of power really lies."
Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Too far off. Better talk about something right in front of us. Where does Miglov live? I have business with him."
"You're scared?" Chu Zikai gave a deep, low laugh. "You really should be scared. Now that Miglov knows your identity, it means the entire Birch Tree Hermit Society knows who you are. They won't let you go.
If you want to track Miglov's movements and prepare accordingly, you still need to rely on me. I can continue to stay in contact with Miglov. I can use the Ferry Gang's identity to be your mole.
Rest easy, I've already gone above and beyond for Snowflake Beach. As long as you let me out, I'll become your most loyal subordinate."
Li Banfeng frowned slightly and said, "I asked you where Miglov lives. What are you saying all this for?"
Chu Zikai looked toward the doorway. "Let me out first. Once I'm out, whatever you ask, I'll answer."
Li Banfeng stood up and said, "So right now, you still don't want to talk?"
The phonograph came to Li Banfeng's side and used a warm puff of steam to gently stroke down his spine. "My beloved husband, don't get angry. A little thing like this doesn't need you to handle it.