"In the battle for Fuling Island, my Luo Family won a great victory and withdrew with ease..."
The Shopkeeper spoke cryptically.
But Su Ye's mind was sharp, and in an instant, he understood the meaning behind the Shopkeeper's words.
'Inflicted heavy casualties on the Shu Family cultivators and withdrew with ease?'
'Isn't that just a classic "strategic advance to the rear"?!'
After all, battle reports can lie, but the front lines don't.
No matter how they embellished the story, losing Fuling Island was a clear sign that the Luo Family was on the back foot!
Besides...
'Fuling Island...'
'This isn't just some insignificant little island!'
Thoughts flashed through Su Ye's mind as he recalled more information about the island.
Fuling Island contained a first-tier, high-grade Spirit Vein and was located within the territory of Donglong the Luo Clan.
Furthermore, the Spiritual Qi environment on the island was predominantly wood-elemental, making it extremely suitable for growing Spirit Medicine!
This was very rare in the Yaoguang Islands.
Due to the influence of the greater oceanic Spiritual Qi environment.
Most cultivators' Spiritual Roots and island Spirit Veins within the Yaoguang Islands were primarily water-elemental.
Rarity creates value!
Therefore, a wood-elemental Spirit Vein island like Fuling Island was extremely valuable.
Over half of the Luo Family's Spirit Medicine supply was produced on this island!
Even Donglong Island, with its second-tier Spirit Vein, couldn't match Fuling Island's Spirit Medicine output!
'With Fuling Island lost, the source of Spirit Medicine has been drastically reduced.'
'The Luo Family has no choice but to import more Spirit Medicine from other channels to fill the gap.'
'The cost of imports and transportation will inevitably be passed on to the elixirs.'
'That's why the price of Qi Replenishing Pills is going up!'
At this thought, everything became clear in Su Ye's mind, and he made the connection.
'Because of this, it's not just Qi Replenishing Pills; the prices of many elixirs will probably rise!'
'Maybe I can take this opportunity to make a quick profit?'
'Anyway, even if I get stuck with them, I can use the Qi Replenishing Pills myself. There's no way I can lose.'
A business opportunity emerged in Su Ye's mind.
However.
Then.
His brow furrowed slightly as he considered the further implications.
The fall of Fuling Island was perhaps a chain reaction from the battle where the Yunjin was damaged.
The Luo Family had clearly suffered significant losses.
Whether forced or by choice, they had decided to shrink their sphere of influence.
This ultimately led to the loss of Fuling Island.
'The Luo Family is contracting while the Shu Family expands. This means the danger of going out to sea to hunt demons has greatly increased!'
'Besides the danger from the demon fish themselves, I might also run into the Shu Family's Pirate Ships!'
A faint sense of crisis arose in Su Ye's heart.
Third-level Qi Refining was, in the end, still too weak!
If he encountered a Pirate Ship on the open sea, the risk would be substantial!
As Su Ye pondered this, he thanked the Shopkeeper, purchased a batch of Qi Replenishing Pills, and returned to his residence.
...
「A few days later.」
News of Fuling Island's fall gradually spread throughout Donglong Island.
The Luo Family repeatedly claimed that the Shu Family cultivators had suffered disastrous losses during the assault, having been heavily slaughtered by the defenders who relied on their Arrays.
"The battle for Fuling Island was not a defeat. The current withdrawal is merely a temporary regrouping..."
"The Shu Family's arrogance and tyranny have already displeased the upper sect. They will be punished soon..."
But no matter what the Luo Family said or what rumors flew around the market districts, after Fuling Island fell, the rising prices of various elixirs were an undeniable fact.
And thanks to the inside information from the Shopkeeper, Su Ye had stocked up on Qi Replenishing Pills in advance, making a small profit.
Not only that, but besides the price increase of Qi Replenishing Pills and other elixirs due to raw material supply issues, under the shadow of panic from the escalating conflict and the fear of a widening war, the prices of Magical Artifacts and talismans had also seen a slight increase.
This made selling the Shimmering Gold Flying Saber surprisingly easy for Su Ye!
A slightly damaged, low-grade Magical Artifact, after a little touch-up, actually sold for the price of a brand-new one.
Su Ye was beaming, having fleeced a fat sheep.
With this money, he sold his old Storage Pouch and bought a brand-new, larger one!
In it, he stored a year's supply of Qi Replenishing Pills.
He also purchased some healing and Qi Replenishing Elixirs to bolster his life-preserving measures.
'A pity... I had too little time and too little capital, or I could have earned more.'
Su Ye felt a slight sense of regret.
However, he was content.
If he earned too much, it would attract unwanted attention. It was better to keep a low profile.
「By the end of the month.」
A Communication Talisman flew to him, informing Su Ye that the Flying Serpent was about to set sail again!
...
Upon receiving the message, Su Ye packed his bags and set off on horseback.
He arrived at the harbor.
Many crew members had already gathered there.
Among them were familiar non-family faces like Zhao Li, as well as newly recruited Loose Cultivators.
Even though the Flying Serpent's last voyage had ended with grievous casualties, whenever they recruited for a sea voyage, numerous Loose Cultivators still flocked to join.
The high pay was enough to overcome the fear of death!
'After all, not everyone has a golden finger like I do...' Su Ye mused.
He wasn't surprised by the Loose Cultivators' choice.
The vast majority of Loose Cultivators were "three-no" people.
No aptitude, no resources, and no backing.
They had nothing but the life they lived.
In this situation, if they didn't fight and struggle, they could only rely on being spirit farmers, earning three or four Spirit Stones a year.
That was basically equivalent to giving up on the path of cultivation and just waiting for their lifespan to run out.
...
The Demon Hunting Ships were the economic lifeblood of the Luo Family.
The departure ceremony for the Flying Serpent was very grand.
Even the Luo Family's Young Miss, Luo Qing'e, came in person to offer a blessing for the Flying Serpent!
She had changed into a red and white ceremonial priestess's attire, wearing a crown of flowers, exuding a sacred and solemn aura!
Luo Qing'e moved with light, dancing steps, her figure graceful, as she chanted a sea shanty in some ancient tongue.
"In the vast azure sea, ten thousand demons breed."
"Their power is boundless, beyond all imagination."
"We of the human race hold the Mandate of Heaven!"
"Of all creation, we are the most divine!"
"From these islands we rise, to sail the four seas!"
"Fearing no storm, we hunt the myriad demons!"
"May this journey be smooth, and may you return with a full hold!"
Amidst the grand and fervent sea shanty, the Flying Serpent raised its anchor, unfurled its sails, and slowly departed from the harbor.
Carrying with them a craving for wealth, the greedy, fervent, yet fearless and enterprising demon hunters steered their spirit vessel and plunged headfirst into the vast and unknown sea!
Su Ye stood on the deck of the Flying Serpent, looking back at the harbor.
Dressed in red and white, Luo Qing'e stood at the very front, incredibly conspicuous.
As if sensing his gaze, Luo Qing'e looked up, and their eyes met.
She gave a radiant smile, her star-like eyes twinkling, and nodded at Su Ye in farewell.
Su Ye's second demon-hunting voyage had officially begun!
...
The Flying Serpent disappeared from the sight of the crowd in the harbor.
Luo Qing'e's beautiful eyes lowered slightly, her heart filled with worry.
'Damn it all. The branch family preserved their own strength and retreated without authorization, causing us to lose Fuling Island. It's made the clan's financial situation even worse.'
'I hope the Flying Serpent can return with a full hold and make up for some of this deficit...'
Meanwhile, outside the harbor on a nearby hill, a Loose Cultivator wearing a straw cape watched the departing Flying Serpent and crushed a Communication Talisman in his hand.
"Message for Shu Nine. Reliable intel: Flying Serpent's departure is confirmed!"