Fang Ming closed his immortal aperture and left the island, flying toward the Trade Merchant Alliance.
Eastern Sea was vast. The water beneath him stretched endlessly, blue waves rising and falling under the pale sky. Occasionally, large shadows moved beneath the surface, but none approached him. Fang Ming did not conceal himself completely, nor did he release his aura openly. He only maintained the presence of an ordinary Rank 6 Gu Immortal.
Before leaving, he had already adjusted his appearance slightly. His body had changed completely after obtaining the Great Strength True Martial Physique, but relying on that alone was careless. The face he used now was calm and unfamiliar, with ordinary features and a steady gaze. His aura was suppressed, neither sharp nor weak, giving others the impression of a lone immortal with some foundation but no obvious backing.
In trade, appearing too strong invited caution. Appearing too weak invited greed. Ordinary was better.
After flying for half a day, several islands appeared on the horizon. They were not arranged naturally. Each island was positioned with purpose, forming a loose chain across the sea. Flying routes connected them, and faint traces of formations could be seen beneath the clouds.
This was one of the outer reception branches of the Trade Merchant Alliance.
Fang Ming slowed as he approached. He did not enter immediately, but observed from a distance. Some islands were used to receive guests, some stored goods, while others were clearly prepared for negotiations. Gu Immortals moved between them from time to time, most with restrained auras and calm expressions.
There were no loud shouts or chaotic bargaining. Even the mortal Gu Masters moving around the docks were orderly.
This place did not look like a market.
It looked like a mechanism.
A mechanism built from contracts, routes, prices, and trust.
Fang Ming descended on the reception island. As his feet touched the ground, a middle-aged Gu Immortal stepped forward. He wore a simple blue robe and had a mild smile on his face.
"Friend, is this your first time visiting our Trade Merchant Alliance?"
His tone was warm, but his gaze paused on Fang Ming for a moment longer than necessary.
Fang Ming returned a slight nod. "Yes."
The man's smile did not change. "Then allow me to introduce this place. All newcomers pass through the reception island before entering the inner trade zones. May I ask what kind of business friend has come for?"
"Food path resources," Fang Ming replied calmly.
The middle-aged immortal's eyes flickered slightly. "Food path… that is not a small field."
Fang Ming did not answer immediately. He only looked at the man quietly.
The middle-aged immortal laughed lightly, as if he had not been probing at all. "I am Lu Chen, one of the reception elders here. Since friend deals in food path resources, may I ask whether you are buying or selling?"
"Selling."
"Oh?" Lu Chen's smile became a little warmer. "Food path sellers are always welcome in Eastern Sea. Sea areas are vast, beast groups are numerous, and many forces require stable feed. May I know what goods friend has brought?"
"Junglefowl."
Lu Chen paused for a brief moment.
This pause was very short. An ordinary person would not notice it, but Fang Ming caught it clearly.
"Green Junglefowl?" Lu Chen asked.
"Red Junglefowl and Green Junglefowl."
This time, Lu Chen's smile truly changed.
Green Junglefowl were more common in the Eastern Sea, while Red Junglefowl were more valuable and rarer, as they were native to the Northern Plains. Both were food path beasts, yet they addressed different feeding problems. Having a seller who could supply both was great news.
"Friend's business is quite interesting." Lu Chen gestured politely. "Please follow me. We can speak inside."
Fang Ming followed him into a hall near the center of the island. The hall was not luxurious, but every table, chair, and wall carving was made from Gu materials. Even the tea placed before guests carried faint dao mark fluctuations.
After the two sat down, Lu Chen waved his hand, and a mortal Gu Master immediately withdrew.
Only then did he speak again.
"May I know how friend should be addressed?"
"Feng Ming," Fang Ming answered.
Lu Chen nodded. "Brother Feng, since you came here personally instead of selling everything through treasure yellow heaven, I assume you are not looking for a small transaction."
Fang Ming lifted the tea cup but did not drink. "I want stable buyers."
"Stable buyers require stable supply," Lu Chen said. "Our alliance does not lack customers, but reputation matters. If goods are promised and not delivered, the loss is not only immortal essence stones."
"I understand."
"Then may I ask what quantity Brother Feng can provide?"
Fang Ming looked at him. "That depends on the price."
Lu Chen laughed. "A merchant answer."
Fang Ming remained calm. "A seller answer."
The two looked at each other for a moment. Lu Chen smiled first.
"Good. Then let us not waste time. If Brother Feng can provide a sample batch, the alliance can evaluate the quality. If the dao mark density, vitality, and breeding condition are acceptable, we can introduce several deals."
"Only deals?"
"Newcomers do not receive long contracts immediately," Lu Chen said smoothly. "First there is testing one time deals, then small contracts, then larger contracts. If Brother Feng performs well, stable annual purchase agreements can be discussed."
Fang Ming nodded. This was within expectation.
Lu Chen continued, "Of course, if Brother Feng has a force behind him willing to guarantee the supply, the process can be faster."
Here it was.
The first real probe.
Fang Ming's expression did not change. "No force."
Lu Chen's gaze moved slightly. "A lone immortal?"
"For now."
This answer was neither confirmation nor denial. It gave no useful information.
Lu Chen smiled again. "Brother Feng is cautious."
"Merchants should be."
"Hahaha, true." Lu Chen laughed warmly, but his eyes remained clear. "Then I will not ask more. However, the alliance has rules. To trade inside, Brother Feng must register an identity, provide goods for inspection, and sign a basic trade agreement."
"What does the agreement include?"
"Non-fraud, delivery confirmation, transaction fee, dispute handling, and compensation rules."
"Any exclusive supply clause?"
"No."
"Any oath requiring background disclosure?"
Lu Chen's smile paused again.
Then he laughed more loudly than before. "Brother Feng, you truly are experienced. No, the basic agreement does not require that. Our Trade Merchant Alliance conducts business, not interrogation."
Fang Ming placed the tea cup down. "Then I can consider it."
Lu Chen leaned back slightly. His attitude was still friendly, but inwardly, his evaluation of Fang Ming had already risen.
A newly arrived Rank 6 who sold things was not rare.
A newly arrived Rank 6 who directly asked about exclusive clauses and oath traps was different.
This person was not some lucky immortal who had stumbled upon a resource point. He understood trade risks.
Lu Chen's smile became more sincere. "Brother Feng, if you are willing, we can arrange the first inspection today."
Fang Ming nodded. "How many?"
"For initial testing, five hundred Red Junglefowl and five hundred Green Junglefowl are enough."
"Too few."
Lu Chen raised his brow slightly.
Fang Ming said calmly, "Five thousand each. Inspection, trial sale, and buyer interest can be tested together."
The hall quieted.
Five thousand each was not a huge number for large forces, but for a newcomer, it revealed confidence. More importantly, Fang Ming said it casually, which meant this amount was not his limit.
Lu Chen looked at Fang Ming for a few breaths before smiling again.
"Brother Feng, it seems I underestimated your business."
Fang Ming did not deny it.
Lu Chen stood up. "Then I will personally arrange the inspection area. If the goods are good, I believe many buyers will be interested."
Fang Ming also stood.
Lu Chen walked toward the door, then suddenly stopped. "Brother Feng, one more thing."
Fang Ming looked at him.
"Inside the Trade Merchant Alliance, prices are important, but trust is more important. A seller who hides too much will find it difficult to grow."
Fang Ming's expression remained calm. "A seller who disrupts the market order too much will also face backlash. I would rather follow the standards."
Lu Chen stared at him, then laughed.
"Well said."
This time, his laughter carried less probing and more approval.
The door opened, and the sea wind entered the hall.
Fang Ming followed Lu Chen outside. In the distance, flying routes connected the islands like invisible threads. Gu Immortals moved between them, carrying goods, contracts, and messages.
This was not a battlefield of blades and killer moves.
But Fang Ming knew clearly that danger here was not lower.
It was only quieter.