Despite his surprise, Liu Baihe continued to inform Han Cai, careful not to overlook any details. "The lightning storm is the most dreaded and enigmatic natural disaster of the Emerald Wind Grasslands. It's a sudden tempest that often streaks unpredictably across the grasslands. Any life caught in the storm is doomed. If mortals see it, their fate is sealed. Cultivators are not exempt either. Once they spot it, it's usually too late for them to escape. Even though this storm is frightful, it only occurs in certain areas and never near the larger plateaus. Therefore, with due caution, it is possible to preserve one's life. Hence, despite being the most terrifying, this particular natural disaster has claimed the fewest lives." A glimmer of relief was evident as the old man concluded his explanation.
After listening to Liu Baihe, Han Cai fell deep into contemplation. 'What sort of damned place is this? According to his explanation, my plan of finding an area to cultivate in seclusion for a while is futile. I risk encountering the insect tides or lightning storm, leading to a grisly end.'
Seeing Han Cai's apparent thoughtfullness, the old man felt a pang of worry. 'Did I unintentionally upset the Great Immortal?'
As the old man was grappling with his anxiety, Han Cai broke his silence, "That Lord Zhu we met earlier, why does he want me to visit his home at Robust Bison Plateau? And where is this caravan presently headed?" Han Cai's gaze was neutral, betraying no emotion.
The old man's heart thumped when he saw Han Cai's indifferent expression, and he couldn't help but hesitate. How could Han Cai not see that there was something wrong? He softened his expression, saying, "Mister Liu, be at ease. I am only asking this to understand the present circumstances clearly. After all, I can't just casually agree to Lord Zhu's request without knowing anything. If I only have to help with a few minor errands, I wouldn't mind taking a trip to the Robust Bison Plateau."
Liu Baihe knew that he could no longer stay silent; otherwise, he would greatly offend this Immortal and be certain to face a bitter outcome. Thus, after a dry cough, he smiled and spoke while trembling, "This old man begs Immortal Master to not blame him. In truth, this matter wasn't meant to be concealed. It's just that Immortal Master hadn't asked."
Han Cai rolled his eyes inwardly at these evasive words. Still, the old man tactfully provided an immediate explanation of the situation.
Originally, this caravan had just finished making a trip for trade and was en route to return to the Robust Bison Plateau. As for Lord Zhu, he was not born and raised on Robust Bison Plateau, but on one of Robust Bison Plateau's subsidiary plateaus instead. However, after becoming prosperous from business, he had recently decided to move to the main plateau.
The truly lucrative business involved traveling to large, faraway plateaus, which only mortals of the Robust Bison Plateau were capable of doing. Mortals born on the main plateau and those born on subsidiary plateaus held different statuses.
Lord Zhu's business originally revolved around reselling goods among the subsidiary plateaus. Only after moving to the main plateau did he take his business a step further. However, after arriving on the main plateau, Lord Zhu made an astonishing discovery. The business of long-distance trading between the great plateaus wasn't something one could casually participate in. This business had been previously allocated to a set number of parties. Only few clans on the plateau were able to participate in this extremely lucrative business.
In addition, these clans were not fixed and unchanging. They were decided in a battle that was held every five years.
If a family wants to do business between plateaus, they need to hire an Immortal to compete in the contest. They can only get a license to trade across the large plateaus if their Immortal wins in this competition.
When Lord Zhu learned of this, he was taken aback. Because he had previously only performed short-distance trade, he had never hired any cultivators, as there was no threat from creatures in the nearby areas. As a result, he knew very few cultivators! He originally intended to wait until he had established his business and slowly amassed the large sum required to hire one.
The contest for trade was near. He couldn't possibly have the time to look for a cultivator to hire!
Although there were many cultivators at Robust Bison Plateau, a majority of them were proud and arrogant. Only a pitiful few were willing to enter employment under a mortal, and most of them would only lend their assistance if they had some relationship beforehand.
As for the few cultivators he was somewhat acquainted with, they found it embarrassing to participate in the challenge. Running short on time, Lord Zhu was unable to find any willing cultivators in the Robust Bison Plateau.
Left without any better option, he embarked on a trip to deliver goods back to the plateau of his birth. However, Out of nowhere Han Cai, a foreign cultivator, had joined his caravan. Despite previous disheartening failures to find a cultivator, the appearance of Han Cai left Lord Zhu ecstatic. Although he didn't know the level of Han Cai's cultivation, it was certainly better than waiting another five years without any progress. Therefore, he attempted to persuade Han Cai to join him at all costs and fight on his behalf.
Han Cai was rendered speechless upon hearing this.
Initially, the idea of mortals hiring cultivators to traverse the grasslands had seemed unbelievable to him. But learning that cultivators fought on behalf of mortals for the right to conduct trade between large plateaus left Han Cai temporarily at a loss for words.
It appeared that while the cultivators in this area were aloof, they didn't consider it beneath them to work for mortals. Instead, it seemed that mortals and cultivators shared a complex relationship in this region.
However, he wasn't inclined to participate in a battle for Lord Zhu's trade rights. He wasn't that desperate for compensation.
But he was still somewhat uncertain. With a faint smile, he slowly asked, "Mr. Liu, I am quite inexperienced. I have a question for you."
"If there is anything Immortal Master doesn't understand, please ask! This old man will do his best to answer!" The old man respectfully replied with urgency.
"I am confused. If one wanted to transport goods between plateaus, why would they entrust ordinary mortals to carry them across the grasslands? Are Immortals unwilling to use their storage rings and other such storage items? Isn't flying both faster and safer?"
In response, Liu Baihe could only offer a smile.
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