Chapter 21

Chapter 19: Forming a Caravan

Xia Yuxuan was so angry that her face turned ashen, not knowing how to deal with such a helpless situation.

Tuoba Ye quickly sent her a message, teaching her how to handle it.

Xia Yuxuan shouted loudly, "All vendors, listen up! If you are willing, you can directly join the Treasure Tower. I can guarantee that your income will be twice what it is now, or even more."

The vendors stopped in their tracks. If they could join the Treasure Tower and have a stable income, they would naturally be willing.

Running their own businesses was very difficult; they didn't earn gold coins every day, and sometimes they even suffered losses.

But joining the Treasure Tower was different. The Treasure Tower would pay them a commission, allowing them to work steadily without worrying about their income.

"Boss, how much commission will we get each month if we join the Treasure Tower?" one vendor asked.

The other vendors were very curious, stretching their necks to wait for Xia Yuxuan's response.

These vendors' monthly income was not high, usually only three to five gold coins, and they could earn more if they had good luck.

Xia Yuxuan weighed her options and said, "As long as you join the Treasure Tower, we will pay you ten gold coins each month. If you earn more, we will give you a bonus. The amount of the bonus will be proportional to your performance."

These methods were, of course, what Tuoba Ye had told Xia Yuxuan.

"Boss, I want to join the Treasure Tower!"

"Boss, count me in..."

...

The vendors on the scene were extremely excited and all requested to join the Treasure Tower.

Qian Duoduo and the others turned pale; their schemes had failed.

"The Treasure Tower is offering such a high price to the vendors, which is no different from suicide. We'll just wait and see the show," a chamber of commerce president sneered.

"That's right. If all the vendors join, the Treasure Tower won't be able to pay the commissions in the future. Plus, if our chamber of commerce alliance uses a few small tricks, the Treasure Tower will definitely face great difficulties," Qian Duoduo smiled.

The people from the chamber of commerce alliance quickly dispersed, and the vendors began to register, officially joining the Treasure Tower.

"Xiao Ye, now that hundreds of vendors have joined the Treasure Tower, we will need thousands of gold coins just for the commissions each month. I'm worried that the Treasure Tower will have a hard time in the future," Xia Yuxuan said with concern. "Moreover, the chamber of commerce alliance won't let this go. They will surely try every possible way to cut off our supply of goods."

"Mother, don't worry. The reason I had you keep those vendors is to prevent the chamber of commerce alliance from cutting off our supply of goods," Tuoba Ye smiled. "The Southern Wilderness is rich in resources. We can form a caravan to buy treasures from the cities bordering the Southern Wilderness and then transport them back to the Divine Capital for sale. The Southern Border is where our Tuoba family has troops stationed, so it's our territory. The chamber of commerce alliance won't dare to stop us there."

"Xiao Ye, the journey from the Southern Border to the Divine Capital is long. Transporting the treasures back won't be easy, will it?" Xia Yuxuan asked.

Tuoba Ye smiled, "It is indeed difficult, but I will have the Eight Dragon Guards responsible for escorting them, which will also help to hone their skills. Plus, our Tuoba family's troops will secretly protect them along the way, so there shouldn't be any problems. Mother, you must also want to know about Father's situation. Let's form a caravan as soon as possible and have them set out early."

"Good! Xiao Ye, let's do it right away. However, we should still inform your second grandfather and have them secretly cooperate. They control the armies in many cities, and without their cooperation, our caravan won't be able to move an inch," Xia Yuxuan was extremely happy.

Tuoba Ye said, "I'll have Zhan Meng go back tonight to avoid drawing attention from others."

After moving to the Treasure Tower, Tuoba Ye and Tuoba Wei communicated through Zhan Meng.

Xia Yuxuan went to select capable vendors, and together with Duan Ziyu, they formed a caravan of over a hundred people, preparing to set out for the Southern Border.

Tuoba Ye, on the other hand, hurriedly made some Power Charms and Vajra Charms for the Eight Dragon Guards to use.

Before they left, he also taught the Eight Dragon Guards a formation called the Eight Desolations Demon-Slaying Formation.

Long Yi and Long Er were both capable of advancing to the Two-Star Innate Martial God level. To ensure their safe return, Tuoba Ye personally guarded them as they broke through their bottlenecks.

A few days later, Long Yi and Long Er finally became Two-Star Innate Martial God level experts. They had successfully cultivated the War Dragon Overlord Blade, making their combat power comparable to that of Three-Star Innate Martial God level experts. If they used the Power Charms and Vajra Charms, they could勉强与五星先天武神抗衡。

再加上八荒屠魔大阵，八龙卫联合起来，足以对付七星先天武神级别的强者。

有了这些准备，拓拔野总算放心了。

在八龙卫的实力没有暴露之前，相信就算有势力要对付他们，也不可能派出七星先天武神级别的强者。

只要不是七星先天武神级别以上的强者，八龙卫无惧任何对手。

八龙卫以后负责运送货物，聚宝楼的防卫力量有些不足了。

这件事情，还是要跟拓跋杰商议之后，看看如何做才是最好的。

拓跋家族是战国最强的五大家族之一，而且掌控大量军队，肯定会有一些隐秘的强者，说不得要利用起来了。

要是去收购奴隶，然后慢慢培养，也是可以的。只是聚宝楼才刚刚起步，资金有些紧缺。这次商队去南疆，肯定要把大部分现金带走，收购更多的货物。

暂时，聚宝楼不能购买奴隶了，只有让战猛和白玉狮龙分担防守聚宝楼的重任了。

十天之后，聚宝楼组建的商队秘密出发了。虽然是秘密组建的商队，也是秘密出发的，可想要瞒过其他四大家族的眼线，基本上是不可能的。四大家族早晚会知道，他们会不会出手，还不得而知。

神都商会联盟，已经拒绝跟聚宝楼做任何交易，断了聚宝楼的货源，拓拔野他们没有别的选择，只有派出商队了。

好在拓跋家族在南疆这个方面，有着深厚的根基，有拓跋家族的军队暗中护送，商队的安危还是可以保障的。

商队出发了，夏雨萱和拓拔野松了口气，却也有些担心。

不过，他们也没有别的办法，只有静静等待了。

聚宝楼总共招收了五百多名摊贩，还剩下四百多名摊贩，他们的任务很简单，就是在神都临近的一些城池去，收购一些货物，然后继续在聚宝楼摆摊。

他们的资金是聚宝楼出的，收入也归聚宝楼，每个月聚宝楼给他们发佣金。

为了秘密起见，四百多名摊贩分成两批，一批在暗处，负责收购货物。一批在明处，负责销售货物。

拓拔野这样做，是防止那些摊贩被盯上。聚宝楼的摊贩一旦被商会联盟盯上，下场肯定很凄惨。

有了两手准备，加上前期招揽的铁匠、裁缝，聚宝楼基本上能够自给自足了。

要是商队能够从南疆带回大批货物，那么聚宝楼就不怕商会联盟封锁货源了。

商会联盟暂时没有过激的举动，他们也想看着聚宝楼断了货物，到时候生意自然没有了。

他们很快就发现，聚宝楼运作得很不错，货物也还够用。

他们还是没有妄动，继续盯着聚宝楼。

拓拔野早就算到这一点了，接收那些摊贩的货物，都是用隐秘无比的渠道，转换了几次，才进入聚宝楼的。想要查出来，几乎是不可能的事情。

这件事情，拓跋伟他们帮了大忙，要不然真的没有办法瞒天过海。

聚宝楼的局面，暂时稳定了下来。

拓拔野开始全力培养夏芸等人，让她们代替八龙卫，守护聚宝楼。

女子先天上，天赋确实不及男子，尤其是力量方面。

不过这没有太大的关系，完全可以靠精妙的武技来弥补。

只是夏芸她们还不是先天武神级别的强者，战斗力远远无法跟八龙卫相比。

先天武神级别的强者，与九星后天武者级别的强者，有着天渊之别。

一旦进阶成为先天武神，元力就能够形成护罩，防御力大幅度提升。而且元力还可以外放，形成拳芒、刀芒、剑气，远攻近战皆有巨大的威力。

先天武神级别的强者，才算是真正的强者。

可惜夏芸她们修炼的时间还短，还需要几个月时间，才有可能成为先天武神级别的强者。

她们都是借助引灵符修炼，要不然一辈子都有可能无法成为先天武神级别的强者。

战猛和拓拔野的修为进阶最快，战猛早就已经是二星先天武神了，开始冲击三星先天武神级别。拓拔野的修为，也在几天前，成功突破成为四星先天武神级别的强者。他的肉体力量达到了六万，更为强大了。

他的整体实力，堪比六星先天武神级别的强者，要是借助符箓的力量，他的战斗力勉强能够与八星先天武神级别的强者抗衡。

拓拔野的神念修为，虽然进步缓慢，但也有所进步，只是他还无法动用神念进行攻击。

要是能够用神念进行攻击，那拓拔野的战斗力有多强，恐怕超乎想象，连他自己都没底。

因为神念太高等了，拓拔野前世都没有接触过。

兔儿爷还是老样子，吃了睡，睡了吃。只有拓拔野知道，兔儿爷体内有浩瀚的能量。

只是兔儿爷从来没有展露实力，依靠他是没有用的。甚至有可能，连他自己，都无法调动那些能量。

白玉狮龙，潜力无穷，但跟随拓拔野的时间比较短，这么短时间，精进不少，但离突破还远。

最终，拓拔野还是只能靠自己，加快修炼速度，要是他能够再进一步，那么就无需害怕其他家族迫害了。

他吸纳的天地元气，被神根和神罚玉符吸走了九成，让他的修为提升慢了许多，要不然他很可能已经修炼到了九星先天武神级别了。

这天，拓拔野闭关苦修，夏雨萱突然打断了他修炼：“小野，不好了，我们的商队被困在南云城了。”

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If they used the Power Charms and Vajra Charms, they could barely match a Five-Star Innate Martial God.

With the Eight Desolations Demon-Slaying Formation, the Eight Dragon Guards combined could handle a Seven-Star Innate Martial God.

With these preparations, Tuoba Ye was finally at ease.

Before the Eight Dragon Guards' strength was exposed, he believed that even if a force wanted to attack them, they wouldn't dare to send a Seven-Star Innate Martial God.

As long as it wasn't a Seven-Star Innate Martial God or higher, the Eight Dragon Guards were unafraid of any opponent.

The Eight Dragon Guards would be responsible for transporting goods, leaving the Treasure Tower's defense somewhat lacking.

This matter still needed to be discussed with Tuoba Jie to see what the best course of action was.

The Tuoba family was one of the five strongest families in the Warring States, and they controlled a large number of armies. There were bound to be some hidden experts who could be utilized.

If they bought slaves and slowly trained them, it was also an option. However, the Treasure Tower was just starting, and funds were tight. This time, the caravan going to the Southern Border would definitely take most of the cash to buy more goods.

For the time being, the Treasure Tower couldn't buy slaves and had to rely on Zhan Meng and Bai Yulong to share the responsibility of defending the Treasure Tower.

Ten days later, the Treasure Tower's secretly formed caravan set out. Although it was a secret caravan and a secret departure, it was almost impossible to hide it from the eyes of the other four major families. The four major families would eventually find out, and whether they would take action was unknown.

The Divine Capital Chamber of Commerce Alliance had already refused to do any business with the Treasure Tower, cutting off its supply of goods. Tuoba Ye and the others had no other choice but to send a caravan.

Fortunately, the Tuoba family had deep roots in the Southern Border, and with the secret protection of the Tuoba family's army, the caravan's safety could be ensured.

The caravan set out, and Xia Yuxuan and Tuoba Ye breathed a sigh of relief but were also somewhat worried.

However, they had no other choice but to wait quietly.

The Treasure Tower had recruited over five hundred vendors, and the remaining four hundred had a simple task: to go to nearby cities around the Divine Capital, buy some goods, and then continue selling them at the Treasure Tower.

Their funds were provided by the Treasure Tower, and their income also belonged to the Treasure Tower, with the Treasure Tower paying them a commission each month.

To maintain secrecy, the four hundred vendors were divided into two groups: one group worked in secret, responsible for buying goods, and the other group worked openly, responsible for selling goods.

Tuoba Ye did this to prevent the vendors from being targeted. If the Treasure Tower's vendors were targeted by the Chamber of Commerce Alliance, their fate would be dire.

With these two plans in place, and the earlier recruitment of blacksmiths and tailors, the Treasure Tower could basically be self-sufficient.

If the caravan could bring back a large amount of goods from the Southern Border, the Treasure Tower wouldn't fear the Chamber of Commerce Alliance's blockade of supplies.

The Chamber of Commerce Alliance had not taken any drastic actions yet. They also wanted to see the Treasure Tower run out of goods, at which point the business would naturally decline.

They soon discovered that the Treasure Tower was operating well, and the goods were still sufficient.

They did not act rashly and continued to monitor the Treasure Tower.

Tuoba Ye had anticipated this. The goods from the vendors were received through extremely secret channels, changing hands several times before entering the Treasure Tower. It would be almost impossible to trace.

This matter was greatly helped by Tuoba Wei and the others; otherwise, it would have been impossible to keep it hidden.

The situation at the Treasure Tower was temporarily stable.

Tuoba Ye began to focus on training Xia Yun and the others, having them replace the Eight Dragon Guards in guarding the Treasure Tower.

Women, by nature, have less innate talent than men, especially in terms of strength.

However, this was not a significant issue, as it could be compensated for with exquisite martial techniques.

However, Xia Yun and the others were not yet at the Innate Martial God level, and their combat power was far from that of the Eight Dragon Guards.

The difference between an Innate Martial God and a Nine-Star Afterbirth Martial Warrior was vast.

Once one advanced to the Innate Martial God level, their Primordial Energy could form a protective shield, greatly enhancing their defense. Primordial Energy could also be released externally, forming fist auras, blade auras, and sword qi, making them powerful in both long-range and close combat.

Only at the Innate Martial God level could one be considered a true expert.

Unfortunately, Xia Yun and the others had been training for a short time and would need several more months to reach the Innate Martial God level.

They were all using Spirit-Inducing Charms to train; otherwise, they might never reach the Innate Martial God level in their lifetimes.

Zhan Meng and Tuoba Ye's cultivation progressed the fastest. Zhan Meng had long been a Two-Star Innate Martial God and was now aiming for the Three-Star level. Tuoba Ye's cultivation had also successfully broken through to the Four-Star Innate Martial God level a few days ago. His physical strength had reached 60,000, making him even stronger.

His overall strength was comparable to that of a Six-Star Innate Martial God. With the help of charms, his combat power could barely match an Eight-Star Innate Martial God.

Although Tuoba Ye's divine sense cultivation progressed slowly, it had improved. However, he still could not use his divine sense for attacks.

If he could use his divine sense for attacks, his combat power would be unimaginable, even to himself.

Because the divine sense was too high-level, Tuoba Ye had never encountered it in his previous life.

Rabbit Lord was still the same, eating and sleeping all day. Only Tuoba Ye knew that Rabbit Lord had vast energy within him.

However, Rabbit Lord had never shown his strength, and relying on him was useless. It was even possible that he himself could not control that energy.

Bai Yulong had boundless potential, but he had been with Tuoba Ye for a short time. Although he had made significant progress in this short period, he was still far from breaking through.

In the end, Tuoba Ye could only rely on himself, accelerating his cultivation. If he could make further progress, he would no longer fear persecution from other families.

The Primordial Energy he absorbed was mostly absorbed by the Divine Root and the Divine Punishment Jade Charm, slowing his cultivation significantly. Otherwise, he might have already reached the Nine-Star Innate Martial God level.

One day, while Tuoba Ye was in deep cultivation, Xia Yuxuan suddenly interrupted him, "Xiao Ye, it's bad. Our caravan is trapped in Nanyun City."