Chapter 861: Chapter 649: Tournament Rewards

Zi Di took out the magic potions [Soul Strolling] and [Smooth Running] after careful consideration.

In her original plan, her subsequent alchemical product was [Song of Ice and Fire]. This is not a potion, so it is not included in the cooperation agreement with the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps and the Lijian family.

Zi Di intends to independently prepare an alchemy laboratory, alchemy workshop, or alchemy factory, relying on the strength of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps itself for independent production.

The advantage of this approach is that the profits earned do not need to be shared with other forces and can be exclusively enjoyed by the survivors.

At the same time, real production capabilities can be achieved.

Combined with the already mature sales channels, a certain production capacity officially forms the cornerstone of the alchemical business of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.

The immense reputation of the Dragon-man youth directly aids in the advertising efforts for the survivors.

The cooperation on the Dragon Power Riding Potion allows the survivors to still enjoy the protection of the Lijian family.

Zi Di’s business plan is like this, step by step, tightly arranged. Each stage has stage results, and once completed, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps will sell their alchemical products nationwide in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.

The plan is beautiful, but reality always brings various troubles.

Ice Calamity’s challenge made Zi Di and Zong Ge realize that this was the enemy taking action once again.

The business plan of the survivors and the relevance of the Purple Vine’s secret stash forced Zong Ge and Zi Di to face the battle without any escape.

“Zong Ge is stubborn, won’t avoid it. He is our main force now, the only pillar maintaining the situation, and he must not fall!”

“I should also do something.”

Zi Di anticipated Zong Ge’s choice even before discussing.

[Soul Strolling] and [Smooth Running] are her ways of helping Zong Ge.

Initially, Zi Di only planned to cooperate with the Lijian family on one magic potion. The profits from the Dragon Power Riding Potion were already enough to maintain the alliance.

Only after the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps grows in strength and gains certain risk resistance capabilities, will Zi Di consider bringing out [Soul Strolling] and [Smooth Running] to re-enter the magic potion market.

By cooperating with the Lijian family in this way, these two magic potion formulas end up being leaked.

“There is no choice, the situation forces us to do this.”

“Fortunately, the War Merchant’s database still has many of these magic potion formulas.”

“The next focus is building the production base. It is relatively easy to set up an alchemy laboratory within the Royal Capital.”

In these days, Zi Di saw many alchemy laboratories, some of which were abandoned.

There are several streets within the Royal Capital that are lined with alchemy laboratories from front to back.

Not only on the surface of the Royal Capital, but the number of alchemy laboratories is even more abundant underground within the Ice Lake!

“I can apply for some alchemy laboratories, secretly transform them into alchemy workshops, and commence alchemy production.”

“Better is to select a location and then construct a large-scale alchemy factory, establishing a streamlined production line.”

“Just like I once saw on Mysterious Monster Island.”

However, building an alchemy factory is much harder than setting up an alchemy workshop.

The location needs consideration, and qualifications for factory construction need to be applied for.

“Funding for construction need not be worried about, the profits from the Dragon Power Riding Potion are more than sufficient.”

“As for factory construction qualifications, they can be explored through channels like the Lijian family and Elder Jiu Jin.”

“The most critical issue is security!”

Currently, Zi Di still does not know the true nature of the duelists, and she and Zong Ge cannot probe the details of this mysterious force.

Once the factory is built, it will inevitably become the best target for attack.

Zi Di has already had several rounds of confrontation with the duelists and feels deeply the strength of the enemy. This strength is not only in combat power but also in intelligence and strategy, represented by Mei Lin.

“To address the security problem, the most thorough solution is the Mage Tower!”

“Alas… the Mage Tower is really too distant for me.”

The funds required for constructing a Mage Tower are enormous, and the profits from the Dragon Power Riding Potion alone are far from enough.

Qualifications for constructing a Mage Tower in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom are extremely rare. It is not accessible to outsiders like the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.

Just these two difficulties are already as daunting as a mountain, standing in Zi Di’s way, making even the thought of them exhausting.

“Yao Ma Mage, according to our cooperation agreement, what do you need this time?” The housekeeper of the Lijian family asked solemnly.

The first cooperation was only the Dragon Power Riding Potion, and the enormous profits delighted the entire Lijian family.

Now, Zi Di has thrown out two magic potion formulas, thoroughly proving the survivors’ strength in the magic potion domain. This action gained a more proactive cooperation attitude from the Lijian family.

Zi Di directly said: “Right now, we are facing a bit of trouble.”

“You should have already heard about Ice Calamity’s duel challenge, right?”

The housekeeper of the Lijian family nodded and expressed confidence in Long Fu, not considering Ice Calamity a winner.

Zi Di: “Although we are confident, we still need to ensure absolute victory. If the squad leader suffers defeat, it would have a very significant negative impact on our magic potion sales.”

The housekeeper of the Lijian family nodded repeatedly: “You are absolutely right!”

Bound by interests, they clearly understand the consequences of Long Fu’s defeat. The housekeeper showed more worry than Zi Di: “Whatever help you need, just ask.”

Zi Di shook her head, “We’ve collected a lot of intelligence on the Ice Calamity, but he has rarely engaged in public battles in recent years and has been hiding in the Ice Prison.”

“To be honest, I don’t know how to prepare for this battle either.”

“I understand, I understand.” The Housekeeper said, “I will set off immediately, first deliver the message back, mobilize the family’s forces for an emergency investigation, and then make targeted preparations!”

“Yes, hurry and return, I’m waiting for your news.” Zi Di said.

The Housekeeper of the Lijian family hurriedly saluted, then immediately turned and left.

Zi Di secretly sighed in her heart, this was the benefit of being bound by interests.

“Of course, our intelligence capabilities are still far from enough.”

Once again, Zi Di realized the weakness of her own side. The intelligence they bought from agencies was not deep enough.

For now, she could only rely on the Lijian family, which barely managed to address the issue.

It would be best to establish their own intelligence agency.

Because these external organizations, like the Lijian family and Thief Guild, do not share the same interests as the survivors. Many actions to gather intelligence have already leaked secrets.

For example, Zi Di had to investigate the Purple Vine Shop herself.

Although she achieved results, she relied on Ice Statue Ghosts, Rat Eye Ghosts, and Snake Shadow Ghosts, the former relying on Deception and Disguise Skill, while the latter depended on the new advantages of the Undead Faction.

But the Deception and Disguise Skill consumes Divine Level material Pearl Bubble, which is too costly!

The new advantages of the Undead Faction are continually diminishing with time, and the days of complete loss are drawing nearer.

“We need a stable and reliable intelligence-gathering agency that truly belongs to us…”

Zi Di returned to the inn, where Elder Jiu Jin had been waiting for a long time.

He looked at Zi Di, holding his head high, arrogantly saying, “Yao Ma Mage, my time is very precious. Do you know how much I’ve delayed during this waiting period for you?”

Zi Di quickly smiled and apologized, offering to compensate Elder Jiu Jin’s loss with money.

“My time cannot be measured simply by Gold Coins!” Elder Jiu Jin said, but his expression softened.

The small public performance concluded, Zi Di led Elder Jiu Jin into the study for a private conversation.

Once the study door closed, Elder Jiu Jin’s haughty demeanor dropped, and he dared not sit but stood reporting the latest situation to Zi Di.

Zi Di frowned, “Hua Ni wants to deal with us?”

Elder Jiu Jin quickly explained that it was not what he wanted to see, but he had no choice and could not defy Master Hua Ni’s instructions.

“You must trust me!”

“Although I am an elder, I am no match against the likes of Hua Ni and Shuanglian.”

“All I can do now is to give you an advance notice.”

Elder Jiu Jin wore a troubled expression.

His weakness had been grasped by Zi Di, leaving him no choice but to secretly obey and comply.

Zi Di smiled, expressing understanding, and comforted Elder Jiu Jin with a few words.

Then she asked, what was the topic for this time.

Elder Jiu Jin answered truthfully.

Secret alchemy devices had already recorded this scene.

“Very well, with this, I have another hold over him.” This was what Zi Di wanted to see.

The previous leverage was not very useful.

Once exposed, involving Undead Mages, Elder Jiu Jin would be thoroughly investigated, imprisoned, interrogated, dismissed—a full set. His personal value would be nearly wiped out.

Zi Di intended to extract value from Elder Jiu Jin, so she would not let him become a prisoner.

The topic was indeed challenging.

After looking through it, Zi Di showed a serious expression.

Elder Jiu Jin, observing her expression, subtly offered his help, secretly assisting Zi Di to pass. The condition was to sign a contract where the issue of the Undead Mage’s leverage would no longer be mentioned.

Elder Jiu Jin, unwilling to be controlled, had his own plans. He used the opportunity presented by Hua Ni to create obstacles, amplifying Zi Di’s need to pass the Warm Snow Cup, and thus intended to achieve his aim.

Zi Di glanced at Elder Jiu Jin, openly displaying her scornful look, “Elder Jiu Jin, you seem to underestimate me.”

“Although I’m only at the Silver Level, with not much alchemy talent, passing the first question is not difficult.”

Elder Jiu Jin looked embarrassed.

But Zi Di then shifted the conversation, “Of course, your proposal is good.”

“If I need help in the future, rest assured, I will consider you first!”

Elder Jiu Jin forced a stiff smile.

Zi Di pondered over all the intelligence Elder Jiu Jin brought, then said, “This means the difficulty of this year’s Warm Snow Cup has increased significantly, but the rewards are also much higher than previous years.”

“In previous years, only the first place had the eligibility to build a Mage Tower. But this year, the top three all have Mage Tower construction eligibility.”

“Even the champion can receive substantial sponsorship from the Ice Sculpture Royal Family and the Alchemy Guild to help build the Mage Tower!”