Chapter 689 - 84: Only by Not Competing

Tong Jiesheng, as the Patriarch of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association and the Leader of the Business Alliance, bore the responsibilities of the rise and fall of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association on his shoulders.

Once news of his death broke out, a re-election for the alliance leadership would naturally be necessary within the Business Alliance.

The two Vice Leaders from the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association would certainly give it their all.

If the Nine Tripods Commerce Association were to lose the position of alliance leader, many trading conveniences would no longer exist.

Thus, after Tong Jiesheng’s death, two elders from the Tong Family promptly sent messages to the Elder Hall within the clan, firmly sealing this news.

Tong Jiesheng’s soul painting self-combusted, not only indicating the final location where his divine soul dissipated but also reflecting the murderer.

The First Elder from the Tong Family Elder Hall was shocked upon discovering this and found the result incredulous.

There was even suspicion that the Tong Yaoyao reflected in the soul painting was not her true self, and surely an imposter, thus able to assassinate the patriarch.

However, before he could report to the Elder Hall, messages from the two elders had already arrived.

These two elders, having followed Tong Jiesheng, clearly held significant status within the clan, thus suppressing the matter.

After over a year, Tong Yaoyao returned from the Yellow Heaven Domain to the Ten Thousand Merchants Domain.

Tong Family Ancestral Hall.

"Everything thus transpired, Yaoyao is now aware that the uncles and elders from the Elder Hall vehemently opposed Tong Jiesheng selling me out back then. Yaoyao expresses gratitude here and will endeavor to work for the clan in the future to repay this kindness."

Tong Yaoyao sat high in the main seat of the ancestral hall, though her words were courteous, her actual actions appropriately confirmed her as the new patriarch of the Tong Family.

Moreover, upon her clandestine return to the clan, she brought Master Chunyuan, Li Ji’an, and Wu Weixiong into the ancestral hall.

Li Ji’an and Wu Weixiong were of no consequence, but the presence of Master Chunyuan made the elders of the Elder Hall somewhat uneasy.

Tong Yaoyao currently held the highest cultivation level in the Tong Family, though there were still two Core Formation Ascendants in tribute who had once received support from the Nine Tripods Commerce Association as Immortal Seedlings and had signed a Spirit Contract, they would not participate in internal clan struggles.

"Under the benevolent leadership of the patriarch, our Tong Family is bound to restore its former glory!" The nine elderly members of the Elder Hall spoke in unison.

It was evident that discussions had been made in advance.

Tong Yaoyao, with an unchanged expression, glanced around at everyone, nodded faintly after a moment: "In that case, for the glory of the family, Yaoyao shall take up the responsibility."

"I shall rely on you elders to take care of other matters within the clan."

The nine elders rose together and respectfully bowed: "Rest assured, Patriarch, we shall give our utmost for the family."

"As for others, the patriarch needn’t worry; you were already the rightful successor, and now it is justified."

Tong Yaoyao waved her hand: "The Tong Family distinguishes clearly between main and branch lineages, with order in the hierarchy, I am not worried about anyone within the clan seizing power, my focus is on the Business Alliance.

I fear that someone might not discern the stakes clearly and be bewitched by other commerce associations, and disclose this matter before we have secured the succession as alliance leader."

"Please rest assured, Patriarch, to this day, only the nine of us in the Elder Hall are privy to this, no other clan members are aware."

Tong Yaoyao nodded in satisfaction: "In that case, we must carefully contemplate the matter of the alliance leadership."

"Patriarch, as the leader, you have the preferential recommendation right, I hold the Magic Seal of the commerce alliance and can draft a recommendation letter." An elder responsible for the important seal hurriedly spoke.

"The patriarch is at the pinnacle of Core Formation Middle Stage and is an Upper True Pill, which satisfies the competition conditions for the alliance leader. With the previous alliance leader’s recommendation, the success probability is not low."

"The concern lies with the Business Alliance possibly using the excuse of the patriarch lacking trade experience to obstruct."

"Not at all, the patriarch represents our Nine Tripods Commerce Association, supported by our commerce association’s trade."

"The Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association will certainly compete for the alliance leader position in full force; within the Eighteen Merchants Association, we must secure at least nine votes to ensure."

...

The Tong Family Elder Hall immediately deliberated over the struggle for the Business Alliance.

Li Ji’an saw Tong Yaoyao stabilize the clan without any effort and felt joyous.

The upcoming cultivation environment would, at least, be stable.

As for the matter of the Business Alliance leadership that the Tong Family was discussing, it not only concerned the development of the Nine Tripods Commerce Association but was also closely related to his future spiritual talent for cultivation.

He also hoped for Tong Yaoyao’s success.

That night, Tong Yaoyao personally arranged Dao Fields for the three.

The Nine Tripods Commerce Association’s clan grounds were located in Feihong State, adjacent to the famous Feihong Dao Field.

Within the clan grounds was also a Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein Land, with a range several times larger than the Feihong Dao Field, capable of simultaneously accommodating the full cultivation efforts of three Ascendants, with relatively abundant spirit vein resources.

Normal tributes, even those two ascendant tributes, were arranged in the outer Tier Three Upper Grade Dao Field of the clan grounds.

However, Li Ji’an was arranged within the clan Dao Field, adjacent to Tong Yaoyao’s Dao Field.

Afterward, the Tong Family Elder Hall learned of the causal relationship between Li Ji’an and Tong Yaoyao, and their attitude towards him became even more amiable.

"Ping’an, you and Little Sister Ning may rest assured in your cultivation here; if there are any additional needs, feel free to speak up."

"Thank you, Clan Leader Tong," Li Ji’an replied in satisfaction.

"However, the Tier Three advanced materials you mentioned earlier may have to wait until the issue of commerce alliance succession is resolved," Tong Yaoyao further explained.

Li Ji’an nodded, casually asking, "Are you confident about the commerce alliance matter?"

Tong Yaoyao, hearing this, smiled somewhat bitterly, the pretended calmness and confidence shown before the elders now entirely cast aside: "Initially, I was confident, as the Nine Tripods Commerce Association had been flourishing in recent years, occupying significant markets in the eastern part of the Great Marsh and opening trade routes to the Central Region, accumulating considerable foundations.

Sadly, upon reviewing the clan’s commercial transactions of recent years today, I discovered how excessively Tong Jiesheng had consumed over the years, and for some unknown reasons, externalized certain clan interests, leading to a weakening of the commerce association’s foundation.

The Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association, however, have rapidly developed these years, and in sheer commercial prowess, they likely surpass us.

Based on informant intelligence within the clan, the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association has possibly already drawn four commerce associations to follow them.

The Taian Commerce Association has drawn five commerce associations through joint trade strategies and that Earth Element Immortal Scripture.

Currently, our Nine Tripods Commerce Association can only ensure the interests of four alliances secured, with no winning chance."

Li Ji’an patiently listened to her description of the situation and slightly relaxed his brows after a brief contemplation: "Clan Leader Tong, since the full effort has no chance of winning, I wonder if not competing is an option."

"Not competing?" Tong Yaoyao’s eyes shifted slightly.

"Because only one who does not compete can the world not compete with them!" Li Ji’an smiled.

Tong Yaoyao pondered for a moment, suddenly bursting into a radiant smile: "Ping’an means that with the current strong momentum of the Fierce Tiger Commerce Association and Taian Commerce Association, if I compete, they will inevitably join forces, leaving me with no chance of winning.

It would be better to conform to the current trend and not compete, then they must compete against each other.

Wait until they both suffer losses...

Thank you, Ping’an, for your guidance, like being woken from a trance."

"It was merely a casual remark from Li, whether it can be useful for such a significant matter, I truly have no assurance, please consider it yourself, Clan Leader Tong." Li Ji’an waved his hand while smiling, without asserting the statement definitively.

"Just as humble as your master!" Tong Yaoyao shook her head smilingly.

Li Ji’an ceased his concern over subsequent matters until three months later when it was unknown whether Tong Yaoyao and the clan had fully prepared and suddenly announced to the world that Tong Jiesheng’s soul painting self-combusted, leading to death and soul dissolution.