Chapter 693: Three-Sect Joint Venture

Mu Baiyi paid no mind to Lu Yang’s gaze; indeed, he did not dare to care.

The three questions Lu Yang had posed brought him a sudden, blinding epiphany.

"Does Young Cult Leader Lu mean that our Nine Nether Cult can collaborate with the Radiant Sun Cult to open a barbecue joint?"

"Not a barbecue joint, but a Solar Technology Development Chamber of Commerce, under which a barbecue business happens to be an industry," Lu Yang corrected.

Were it still just a barbecue joint, how could they possibly qualify for tax incentives? Only by altering the nature of the establishment could they enjoy such governmental favors. To avoid the dungeons and follow in his master's footsteps, Lu Yang had spent untold nights studying laws and policies, a solitary toil known to him alone.

"Right, right, right, a Solar Technology Development Chamber of Commerce." Mu Baiyi nodded in haste, marveling yet again at the brilliance of Young Cult Leader Lu’s intellect.

Was this not precisely the strategy of "uniting the Radiant Sun and Ruthless Cults" from the plan to conquer the realm given by the Young Cult Leader himself? It seemed the youth had long since foreseen today's predicament.

What terrifying, profound foresight.

Had he possessed a fraction of such a mind, why would he ever have needed to impersonate a devotee just to secure a loan? He could have erected several cities of Fengdu by now!

Never mind being the cult leader; the believers would have enshrined him as the primordial patriarch!

The Great Xia had always encouraged invention and creation; whether it was the flying carriage Lu Yang invented or the phantom bubbles of Tao Yaoye, both had enjoyed tax benefits.

Furthermore, because spiritual energy was inherently a strategic resource, the Great Xia encouraged people to utilize energies beyond it, which prompted the series of tax policies Lu Yang spoke of.

In Lu Yang’s view, the industrial revolution in the cultivation world had no need to follow the step-by-step progression of his past life, moving from steam to electricity. They could leap straight to the destination, employing clean, solar energy.

This was a notion that had struck him while perusing the archives of the Radiant Sun Cult, though he had not yet determined how to guide them toward this path before the opportunity presented itself at his doorstep.

"By jointly establishing a chamber of commerce to develop new solar technologies, the Great Xia will vigorously support it. Under such patronage, the taxes on the barbecue business will cease to be an issue at all."

"Moreover, to sustain the true fire during grilling, one must continuously infuse it with spiritual energy. If the Radiant Sun Cult achieves research breakthroughs, solar energy can be used to maintain the flame. In this way, the court will not only reduce taxes, but perhaps even offer subsidies."

The vista Lu Yang painted made Mu Baiyi’s eyes shine with fervor; recognizing the Heavenly Court Cult was truly the most correct decision he had made in his life.

Seeing Cult Leader Chi lower his head in deep contemplation, Lu Yang smiled. "Cult Leader Chi, I know what you are thinking. You are merely wondering if your Radiant Sun Cult could simply conduct solar research independently, without any need to cooperate with the Nine Nether Cult, correct?"

"No, no, not at all." Cult Leader Chi denied it flatly, though that was precisely his thought. "It matters not. It is human nature to pursue profit; it is entirely understandable."

"Only, I ask Cult Leader Chi to consider carefully: establishing a Solar Technology Development Chamber of Commerce requires, first and foremost, a clean identity."

"Registering such a grand chamber imposes strict requirements on the registration spirit stones and the identity of the registrant. At the very least, they must be of the Integration Stage."

"If my assumptions are correct, among the Integration Stage experts of your noble cult, Cult Leader Chi is likely the only one who is not a wanted fugitive."

"Are you prepared to use your identity as a great inventor to register the chamber, and then use your history of seven imprisonments for tax evasion to ensure the government marks your chamber as a primary target for scrutiny?"

Cold sweat drenched Cult Leader Chi’s back; he had not expected the other party to have investigated his identity so thoroughly.

In truth, he had always maintained two faces. One was the inventor Chi Guantian, who had created the telescope—this was his true face—and the other was the leader of the Radiant Sun Cult, which was a disguise.

This was to prevent other demonic cults from recognizing him and secretly reporting him. He had not anticipated that the youth would see through his masquerade.

Lu Yang possessed no such ability to peer through the disguise; it was the Eldest Senior Sister who had pierced the illusion.

After their last encounter, she had instantly recognized Cult Leader Chi’s true identity.

"In contrast, on the side of the Nine Nether Cult, the grand proprietor of the barbecue business, Shi Huagu, has received imperial commendations multiple times and commands the complete trust of the court. With him stepping forward to establish the chamber, it will undoubtedly save a great deal of trouble."

Meng Jingzhou slammed his hand upon the table with a resounding crack, bellowing, "Our cult commands sixty percent of the barbecue profits! Am I to understand that Cult Leader Chi is unwilling to let our cult participate in the matters of the chamber?!"

Though Meng Jingzhou was merely at the Nascent Soul Stage, his words fell upon Cult Leader Chi’s ears with the weight of a Tribulation Transcendence threat.

Only then did Cult Leader Chi remember that while the barbecue business belonged to the Nine Nether Cult on the surface, it was the Heavenly Court Cult that held the lion's share!

This was not a chamber formed by the alliance of two cults, but three!

What had he been thinking, attempting to go solo and blocking the financial path of the Heavenly Court Cult? Was he weary of living? This was precisely the opportunity to cling to their coattails!

Cult Leader Chi offered a placating smile. "Young Cult Leader Lu, Saint Son Long, you jest. With Lord Dou above, Chi truly harbors no thoughts of going it alone."

"Is that so? Very well." Lu Yang smiled, as though the words just spoken were indeed a mere jest, and patted Meng Jingzhou on the back.

"Old Long, calm your anger. You see, Cult Leader Chi has no such intentions."

"That is more like it." Meng Jingzhou snorted coldly, disinclined to speak further with them. Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou rose, raising their teacups, and seeing this, the two cult leaders hurriedly stood and raised theirs as well. "Then let us wish that the friendship between our three cults lasts for eternity. To Master."

"To Lord Dou." "To Lord Dou." "To Lord Dou."

The four drained their cups in a single draft, manifesting their utmost reverence for Lord Dou.

Within the spiritual space, Lord Dou was highly satisfied with the attitude the four displayed toward him. "Do the two of you have any other business?" Lu Yang stretched his arms. "None, none at all. Many thanks to Young Cult Leader Lu for the guidance."

"Chi is dull-witted; in the future, I must trouble Young Cult Leader Lu for more instruction."

Following Lu Yang's combination of benefits and warnings, the two cult leaders respected this young leader from the depths of their hearts. This was an existence to be befriended, never to be crossed.

After bidding farewell, the Young Cult Leader and the Saint Son departed, accompanied by the four Heavenly Kings.

The two cult leaders possessed profound cultivation, and their hearing surpassed that of ordinary Integration Stage experts. Even from afar, they could faintly catch the dialogue between Young Cult Leader Lu and Saint Son Long.

"Why did you bother telling them all this? Let them solve their own difficulties. You help them, but what can they do for us? Do we lack this bit of coin, or can they be of help in the future battle against the Four Ancient Immortals?"

"At any rate, Nine Nether used to share a decent relationship with us, and the Heavenly Court holds the divine office of the Sun. It counts as a shred of destiny. Seeing them in such a wretched state, one helps where one can."

"It makes it seem as though we are begging to join their chamber. Who cares for it? Is it not for the sake of researching solar energy to replace candles, so we have a reason to continue guiding their path? Without us, would their Radiant Sun Cult even know the next step? They know not goodwill!"

"Enough, Old Long. Times are hard for everyone; there is no need to let them know our considerations." Finally, the conversation dissolved into the wind, lost to hearing.

Upon hearing this, the two cult leaders were filled with immense shame. Had the Heavenly Court Cult not remembered the ties of old incense, they would not have even possessed the chance to cling to their great stature.