Chương 970: Chapter 968: Trading Fates

Li Yu returned to the Zhan Clan estate after concluding his successful business meeting with the Silver Fin Syndicate. He felt a sense of accomplishment regarding his new project. The aquatic beasts from his Koi Sanctuary were already prepared to be transferred to their new home as well. The foundational breeding stock was secured and officially scheduled for delivery and the initial construction of the Five Star Lakes was steadily progressing under the watchful eyes of the clan builders.

Li Yu soon realized he had a critical problem to solve before the beasts arrived. He needed dedicated people to work the massive pens and manage the daily operations. He already ruled out Zhan Clan disciples or outer servants for the tasks. Li Yu wanted this specific area to be entirely his own private domain. Zhan Clan members would ultimately report back to their respective elders out of habit or duty.

They would inevitably leak his secrets and eventually there would be those that get in to spy on him or something else. Li Yu needed absolute loyalty and complete operational secrecy to feel truly secure in his new home. The easiest and most practical solution was to acquire slaves and buy their freedom. He would be changing some cruel fates and securing himself with workers that couldn't betray him. Li Yu would also get the dedicated manpower he needed for his lakes without compromising his privacy.

He walked back toward the bustling supply pavilions near the outer training grounds and found the same logistics elder he had spoken to earlier at the start of the project. Li Yu politely asked the elder for advice on acquiring reliable and highly skilled servants.

"You should go to Tethered Stones City." The elder recommended while putting away a thick ledger.

"It is located within our realm and it is one of the largest trading hubs here. It is also one of the biggest markets for the direct trade of people and other lifeforms." The elder then elaborated on the highly complex reality of the servant market just in case Li Yu didn't understand. The elder knew that Li Yu was raised away from the clan so he wanted to add additional knowledge for Li Yu's own understanding.

The people sold there were mostly defeated cultivators who had surrendered after battles or brutal faction wars. It was generally frowned upon for forces to just go around enslaving others without a valid and public cause. Those who surrendered on their own and submitted after conflicts were generally accepted as legitimate slaves. How would one really know exactly how they were enslaved in the first place?

Most buyers simply did not ask and even if asked, most suppliers could simply lie, that created a massive gray area in this field. The elder mentioned that if major forces got wind that a group was going around just enslaving innocent lives and forcing them for no reason, they would be aggressively attacked and hunted down. The major factions across the Myriad Realms prided themselves on a grand facade of righteousness.

Captives from active conflicts who were willing to be enslaved instead of dying were deemed perfectly okay by society. It was a pretty fine line but there was a distinct difference in the eyes of the ruling authorities. This unspoken rule effectively prevented rogue forces from just ransacking innocent territories and enslaving populations wantonly. However, it also provided those that have been defeated to surrender and not lose their lives. Did it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

It did not really matter to the miserable people in chains. Lines simply had to be drawn somewhere to maintain order and trade. The cultivation world was incredibly hypocritical and history was always written by the victors anyway. Li Yu thanked the logistics elder and headed to the main transport docks. He boarded a sleek ship with the two Core Wardens and set a direct course for Tethered Stones City to buy his new workforce.

'It might not be the best outcome for them but at least I won't treat them cruelly as maybe some others would do.' Li Yu thought and justified to himself. The journey took him across the vast and beautiful Zhan Clan territories, which contrasted their headquarters quite a bit. The ship finally descended toward a sprawling metropolis built deep inside a wide canyon. Tethered Stones City was a chaotic and bustling hub of endless commerce.

Massive stone bridges connected the canyon walls while flying ships constantly darted through the busy airspace. Huge waterfalls cascaded down the sides of the canyon and created a constant mist in the air and the lower levels of the city were dangerous while the upper tiers catered to the wealthy elite. Li Yu wasn't made to pay the exorbitant docking fees since he was a Zhan Clan member, identified by his token and the ship he took. He then walked directly into the heart of the city.

Li Yu stayed in the middle tiers where the merchant guilds operated their primary auction houses. He walked past noisy stalls selling exotic spiritual fruits and rare metals. He completely ignored the merchants shouting their high prices and kept his focus entirely on his primary mission. He entered a open air plaza dedicated entirely to the slave trade. The sheer scale of the operation was staggering and slightly sickening.

Thousands of defeated cultivators were displayed in heavy iron cages or chained to massive stone posts. The sounds of weeping and hushed prayers filled the misty air. Li Yu felt a brief pang of sympathy but he quickly hardened his heart, he knew he could not save everyone in this cruel universe. He could only change the fates of those he directly purchased today. Li Yu spent several hours methodically inspecting the different groups of captives across the various merchant stalls.

He evaluated their cultivation bases and their physical vitality using his divine sense. He specifically avoided anyone who looked utterly broken in spirit or possessed hidden dark curses. Li Yu wanted workers who still had a spark of life and a genuine desire to survive. On top of having skills he was looking for. He ended up buying exactly thirty people from a highly reputable dealer draped in luxurious purple silks. The diverse group consisted of eighteen males and twelve females.

Their cultivation levels ranged from Core Formation all the way up to Half King. Only two cultivators were at the Half King level and one was a male and the other a female. He gathered his new purchases in a private and heavily secured courtyard provided by the slave merchant. The thirty people sat on the cold stone floor and looked up at him with tired and deeply guarded eyes.

They all wore heavy suppressing collars that sealed their Qi as Li Yu stood before them and carefully examined the key personnel he planned to put in charge. He focused his attention on six specific individuals who would lead his operations at the Five Star Lakes. The first was the male Half King. His name was Wei Jian. He was the former captain of a defeated mercenary band that had lost a brutal turf war. He was incredibly stoic and his muscular arms were heavily scarred from years of constant frontline combat.

His eyes held a quiet and dangerous intensity. Li Yu specifically needed him to help subdue any aquatic beasts that decided to go wild in the pens and act as a guard. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The second Half King was a sleek and quiet female named Rhea. She was a highly skilled rogue cultivator who surrendered her freedom to avoid execution after a completely botched heist on a major sect.

She had sharp eyes that constantly analyzed her surroundings and a highly pragmatic demeanor. She would work directly alongside Wei Jian to maintain order and strict security across the massive lakes. The third was a Soul Formation female named Mirelle. She was the former quartermaster of a fallen minor sect that had been entirely wiped out by a rival faction. She looked physically exhausted but her mind seemed sharp and meticulous despite her ragged appearance after some conversations with her.

She was said to be highly skilled in keeping accurate accounts and managing large inventories. Li Yu needed her to handle the complex logistics of his new estate. The fourth was a Divine Transformation male named Alden. He was an older gentleman with gray hair. He had previously managed the vast estate of a disgraced noble family before their sudden political downfall. He was exceptionally polite and stood with formal posture despite his dirty clothes.

He was said to be very good at keeping households running smoothly and managing domestic staff. He would serve as the head butler and manage the central pagoda. The fifth was a Core Formation female named Nadia. She was a former head chef from a prosperous coastal city that had been recently conquered by a massive naval fleet. She smelled faintly of exotic spices and ocean salt. She possessed a rare water and fire Qi balance that made her an exceptional cook.

Li Yu wanted her to prepare the spiritual seafood for his own daily consumption, the people working for him and for any future clan banquets he might host. The sixth was a Core Formation male named Jace. He was a young and incredibly strong backed worker with deep dirt under his fingernails. He had unfortunately surrendered during a violent territorial border skirmish between two large families. He possessed physical stamina and a sturdy frame. He lead the daily physical labor required around the aquatic pens.

Li Yu looked at the diverse group and took a slow breath. He stepped forward so they could all hear him clearly over the ambient noise of the city.

"I am Li Yu." He stated clearly and calmly.

"I have purchased your contracts and your lives. You will work for me at my private estate." He raised his hand and formed slave soul contracts with every single one of them in the courtyard. Invisible spiritual chains materialized in the air and linked their lives directly to his mental command. The process was standard but it was always a grim affair. Li Yu made sure to address their obvious fears and unspoken anxieties immediately.

"I promise that I will not mistreat you." He said while looking at each of them.

"You will be provided with cultivation resources and a safe place to live. If you work hard and do a good job for me, things will change. You can eventually go do what you really want depending on how well you perform your duties here. You are welcome to stay at that point or go do your own thing. We would change the contract to only you not being able to reveal my secrets at that time." The thirty slaves exchanged surprised glances.

It was incredibly rare for a new master to offer a genuine and clear path to freedom on the very first day of their servitude, even though the words were extremely vague. The heavy and suffocating despair in their eyes lifted slightly though, a chance was better than none at all. They slowly nodded their heads and formally accepted his terms. Li Yu went out and instructed the merchant to remove their heavy suppressing collars. He then took all thirty of them back to the Zhan Clan estate on his transport ship.

They traveled quickly across the realm and arrived at the lush green valley where the Five Star Lakes were currently under heavy construction. He introduced his new workforce to the clan builders and the earth cultivators. The thirty servants were immediately set to work alongside the Zhan Clan team for construction. Li Yu gathered his six key leaders inside a temporary wooden pavilion and gave them strict and highly detailed instructions regarding the layout of the pens.

"Alden." Li Yu said while pointing at the central pagoda on the architectural map.

"You will be responsible for the main residence. You will manage the main staff and ensure all domestic supplies are fully stocked."

"It will be done exactly to your standards." Alden replied with a deep and formal bow.

"Mirelle." Li Yu continued while tapping a storage building on the map.

"You will strictly handle the ledgers. You need to track every single beast that enters or leaves these lakes. The Silver Fin Syndicate will deliver our breeding stock soon. You must verify their counts and ensure they do not shortchange us." Mirelle nodded firmly.

"I will not let a single scale go unaccounted for." She promised.

"Wei Jian and Rhea." Li Yu looked at the two Half Kings.

"The beasts we are bringing in are mostly low level but some might become aggressive as they establish their territory. Your primary job is to suppress any violent outbreaks without killing the expensive breeding stock and also guard this place." Wei Jian crossed his heavily scarred arms.

"We understand." He said with a gruff voice.

"Nadia." Li Yu turned to the skilled chef.

"You have full control over the main kitchens. I want you to start experimenting with the different ingredients. Not only will we provide the raw resources, I want us to be able to tell them how best to prepare it. We will have thousands of fish soon and I want premium recipes ready for any clan banquets."

"I will craft dishes worthy of your high status." Nadia promised with a genuine smile.

"Jace." Li Yu finally addressed the young worker.

"You are my hands on the ground."

"I will work hard and I will not let you down." Jace said back with a nod. Li Yu dismissed the leaders and watched them quickly integrate with the construction teams. Alden stepped up and took charge of organizing the general workers. Mirelle pulled out a fresh ledger and began tracking the building materials. Wei Jian and Rhea drew weapons that were provided to them and began patrolling the outer perimeter of the valley to ensure no wild beasts interfered with the digging process.

Jace rolled up his sleeves and eagerly joined the earth cultivators in carving out the massive trenches. Nadia immediately set up a temporary outdoor kitchen to feed the workforce with proper and nourishing spiritual meals. Li Yu stood on the overlooking ridge and watched his new people work together in harmony. He normally would jump down into the mud and help build the structures himself but he decided to sit inside the temporary pavilion and focus entirely on cultivating instead.

This entire project was meant to be a relaxing break from his ruthless cultivation sessions but he still needed to maintain his daily Qi circulation and stabilize his newly formed second node. He wanted to make sure he had some deep and permanent roots in the Zhan Clan and this valley was the perfect start. Li Yu closed his eyes and let the pure spiritual energy of the valley wash over him while the rhythmic sounds of construction echoed in the background. The days passed quickly and peacefully.

Li Yu divided his time between quiet meditation and overseeing the specific details of the lakes. He watched as the massive basins were lined with smooth stones and filled with pristine spring water. He observed Mirelle expertly handling the complex logistics and Alden keeping the workforce highly motivated and organized. The addition of the thirty skilled servants drastically accelerated the timeline of the entire project.

Two full weeks passed in a blur of steady progress and calm routine, a total of three weeks had passed since the construction had taken place. Li Yu opened his eyes from a deep meditation session and walked out of the temporary pavilion. He looked down at the beautiful valley and smiled softly to himself. The construction was already nearly done. The five massive lakes shimmered beautifully under the midday sun and formed a star shape across the lush landscape.

The central pagoda stood tall and elegant against the green mountains. The various processing buildings and storage sheds were fully completed and ready for immediate use. His new estate was finally ready to receive the aquatic beasts and officially begin operations. He took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air and he began to feel even more at home.