Chapter 648: Grand Tournament Reward

Zi Di had carefully considered her choice of potions— Smooth Stride and Spirit Stimulation.

In her original plan, her next alchemy product was to be the Song of Ice and Fire. This was not a potion and thus fell outside the cooperative agreement between the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps and the Li Jian Clan.

Zi Di intended to establish her own alchemy laboratory, workshop, or factory, essentially relying on the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' own strength for independent production.

The advantage of this approach was that the profits earned would not need to be shared with other factions but would be exclusively enjoyed by the survivors.

Simultaneously, it would grant genuine production capacity.

This production capability, combined with the already established sales channels, would form the cornerstone of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' alchemy business.

The immense fame of the dragonman youngster directly spared the survivors the effort of advertising.

The collaboration on dragon rider potions ensured the survivors continued to enjoy the protection of the Li Jian Clan.

Zi Di's business plan unfolded step by step, tightly paced and logically arranged. Each phase yielded tangible results. Upon overall completion, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps would sell their alchemy goods nationwide across Ice Sculpture.

The plan was sound, but reality always brought complications.

The challenge from Bing Yang made Zi Di and Zong Ge realize this was another enemy move.

The survivors' own business plans, coupled with the stakes involving the Wisteria Cache, left Zong Ge and Zi Di no choice but to confront the threat head-on.

"Zong Ge is stubborn, he won't retreat. He's our mainstay now, the sole pillar holding this situation together. We absolutely cannot let him fall!"

“I should do something too.”

Before the discussion began, Zi Di had already anticipated Zong Ge's choice.

Spirit Stimulation and Smooth Stride were her ways of supporting him.

Originally, Zi Di had intended to collaborate with the Li Jian Clan on only a single potion. The profits from the dragon rider potion were sufficient to sustain their alliance.

Only after the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had grown strong enough to withstand risks would Zi Di consider re-entering the potion market with [Smooth Stride] and [Spirit Stimulation].

By partnering with the Li Jian Clan this way, the formulas for these two potions would inevitably be leaked.

“There was no choice. Circumstances forced this course.”

“Fortunately, War Merchant's database holds many such potion recipes.”

"The next priority is establishing production facilities. Setting up alchemy labs within the royal capital is relatively straightforward."

Over recent days, Zi Di observed numerous alchemy laboratories, many of which lay abandoned.

Several streets in the capital were once lined end-to-end with alchemy labs.

Not only on the surface, but beneath the ice lake, the number of alchemy labs was even greater!

“I can apply for some of these labs and secretly convert them into alchemy workshops for production.”

“Better yet, select a location and build a large-scale alchemy factory with assembly lines.”

“Just like what I once saw on Mystifying Monster Island.”

However, constructing an alchemy factory proved far more challenging than establishing workshops.

Site selection required careful consideration, and factory construction permits needed to be applied for.

“Funding for construction isn't a concern, profits from dragon rider potions are more than sufficient.”

“Regarding factory permits, we could explore avenues through the Li Jian Clan or Elder Jiu Jin.”

“The most critical issue is security!”

Currently, Zi Di remained unaware of the duelists' true identities. Neither she nor Zong Ge could uncover the depths of this mysterious faction.

Once the factory was built, it would inevitably become the prime target for attack.

Zi Di and the duelists had clashed over several rounds, and she deeply sensed the enemy's formidable strength. This power extended beyond combat prowess to encompass the intellect and strategic cunning exemplified by Mei Lin.

“The most thorough solution to the security issue is a mage tower!”

“Ah... a mage tower feels so far beyond my reach.”

The funds required to construct a mage tower were astronomical. Profits from dragon rider potions alone were utterly insufficient.

Qualification to build a mage tower within the Ice Sculpture Kingdom was exceedingly rare. It was not something outsiders like the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps could obtain.

These two obstacles alone loomed as high as mountains before Zi Di, making even the mere thought of overcoming them feel overwhelming.

“Magician Yao Ma, according to our cooperation agreement, what does your side require this time?” The Li Jian Clan steward's expression was solemn.

The first collaboration, merely the dragon rider potion, yielded such enormous profits that the entire Li Jian Clan was thrilled.

Now, Zi Di was presenting two potion formulas, thoroughly proving the survivors' prowess in the field of potion-making. This action earned the Li Jian Clan a more proactive stance toward cooperation.

Zi Di stated directly, “Now, we've encountered a bit of trouble.”

“You've likely heard about the duel challenge from Bing Yang?”

The Li Jian Clan steward nodded, expressing confidence in Long Fu and doubting Bing Yang's victory.

Zi Di continued, "While we share that view, we must ensure absolute certainty. After all, should the commander suffer defeat, it would deal a devastating blow to our potion sales."

The Li Jian Clan steward nodded repeatedly: “You're absolutely right!”

Bound by mutual interests, they understood perfectly the consequences of Long Fu's defeat. The steward appeared even more concerned than Zi Di: “If there's anything we can do to help, just say the word.”

Zi Di shook her head: “We've gathered extensive intelligence on Bing Yang, but he's rarely fought publicly in recent years and has been secluded within his ice prison.”

“Honestly, I'm unsure how to prepare for this battle.”

“Understood, I understand,” the steward replied. “I'll depart immediately to relay this news back. We'll mobilize the clan's resources for an urgent investigation, then make targeted preparations!”

“Yes, hurry back. I await your report,” Zi Di instructed.

The Li Jian Clan steward hurriedly bowed and turned to leave.

Zi Di sighed inwardly. This was the benefit of having interests intertwined.

“Of course, our intelligence capabilities remain severely lacking.”

Zi Di once again felt the weakness of their position. The intelligence they purchased externally lacked depth.

For now, they could only rely on the Li Jian Clan, barely managing to address the issue.

It would be better to establish their own intelligence agency.

External entities like the Li Jian Clan and the Thieves' Guild had conflicting interests with the survivors. Many intelligence-gathering actions themselves leaked secrets.

For instance, when Zi Di previously investigated the Wisteria shop, she had to act alone.

Though she achieved results, she relied on the ice gargoyle, snake shadow ghost, and rat eye ghost. The former depended entirely on the Deceptive Disguise spell, while the latter leveraged the undead faction's advantages of being new.

But the Deceptive Disguise spell consumed the god level material pearl bubble, the cost was far too high!

The undead faction's advantage steadily diminished over time, drawing ever closer to its complete exhaustion.

“We need a stable, reliable intelligence gathering organization that truly belongs to us...”

When Zi Di returned to the inn, Elder Jiu Jin had been waiting for quite some time.

He looked at Zi Di, head held high, speaking with an air of superiority: "Magician Yao Ma, my time is precious. Do you have any idea how much business I've neglected waiting for you?"

Zi Di immediately smiled apologetically and offered monetary compensation for Elder Jiu Jin's losses.

“My time,” Elder Jiu Jin declared, though his expression softened, “cannot be measured by mere gold coins!”

The brief public display concluded, and Zi Di led Elder Jiu Jin into his study for a private conversation.

The moment the study door closed, Elder Jiu Jin lowered his previously haughty head. He dared not sit, instead standing as he reported the latest developments to Zi Di.

Zi Di frowned. “Hua Ni intends to target us?”

Elder Jiu Jin hastily protested that this was not his wish, but he had no choice, he could not defy Master Hua Ni's instructions.

“You must trust me!”

“Though I am an elder, I cannot compare to the likes of Hua Ni or Shuang Lian.”

“All I can do now is leak the exam questions to your side in advance.”

Elder Jiu Jin wore a deeply troubled expression.

With Zi Di holding his weakness, he could only obey her orders in secret, submitting without resistance.

Zi Di smiled, indicating understanding, and offered Elder Jiu Jin several words of comfort.

Then she asked what the exam questions were this time.

Elder Jiu Jin answered truthfully.

The hidden alchemy apparatus had already recorded this entire scene.

“Excellent. This gives me yet another leverage point over him.” This was precisely what Zi Di sought.

The previous leverage had proven rather ineffective.

Should it be exposed, Elder Jiu Jin would inevitably face a full-scale investigation due to the involvement of necromancers. Imprisonment, interrogation, and removal from office would follow and his personal value would be utterly destroyed.

Zi Di, intent on squeezing every last drop of value from Elder Jiu Jin, would never allow him to become a prisoner.

The exam questions were indeed challenging.

After reviewing them, Zi Di's expression grew grave.

Elder Jiu Jin, reading her mood, subtly offered his assistance, hinting he could secretly help Zi Di pass. However, the condition was that both parties sign a contract, never to mention the necromancer's scandal again.

Elder Jiu Jin refused to be controlled and had his own agenda. He went with the flow, using Hua Ni to create resistance and amplify Zi Di's need to advance in the Warm Snow Cup Tournament, thereby planning to achieve his own goals.

Zi Di shot Elder Jiu Jin a glance, her mockery unmasked. “Elder Jiu Jin, you seem to underestimate me.”

“Though I'm only a silver level with limited alchemy talent, passing the first trial poses no difficulty.”

Elder Jiu Jin's face twisted with awkwardness.

Zi Di shifted her tone: “Of course, your suggestion is sound.”

“Should I require assistance later, rest assured, you'll be my first consideration!”

Elder Jiu Jin offered a stiff smile.

After reviewing all the intelligence Elder Jiu Jin had provided, Zi Di continued: “So this year's Warm Snow Cup has drastically increased in difficulty, yet the rewards far exceed previous editions.”

"In the past, only the first-place winner earned the right to build a mage tower. But this year, the top three all qualify for that privilege."

“Moreover, the champion will receive substantial sponsorship from the Ice Sculpture Royal Family and the Alchemy Guild to aid in constructing their mage tower!”