Chapter 2824

Naturally, after the duel concluded, Yun Xi invited Prince Yong, King Zhenjiang, and Duke An to discuss the matter of four-nation trade.

"Four-nation trade?" King Zhenjiang had never heard such a term.

"Yes, four-nation trade. It can also be called multi-nation trade. This trade is led by our four nations, with smaller nations assisting, for mutual development," Yun Xi said seriously.

"Please, Protector Duke, explain a little more so we have a baseline," Duke An said gently.

Yun Xi nodded. "Actually, the idea for this multi-nation trade was inspired by words from Chief Minister Wang."

"My words?" Wang Lanxuan was slightly stunned. He didn't recall saying anything significant.

Yun Xi smiled faintly. "You forgot you told me that this world is known as the Vermilion Bird Plane. Above our heads are the Qilin Plane and the Azure Dragon Plane."

"Yes, I said that," Wang Lanxuan replied. "And everyone knows this."

"Yes, we all know," Prince Yong added.

Yun Xi hummed. "Why do the Azure Dragon and Qilin planes look down on us Vermilion Bird? First, we are weak. Not just in military strength, but economically too. And we love to fight. Of course, wars between nations have various causes, and no one can say every war is wrong. That topic is impractical. Basically, in my opinion, most wars are truly unnecessary for us. Most wars arise from resource plundering. For example, today you need our clothes, tomorrow we need your grain. Thus, wars break out."

Yun Xi paused. "But once trade is established, regardless of the goods, everyone exchanges them mutually and develops together. Friction between nations decreases. Then, the army can be prepared specifically to deal with those above."

"Deal with those above?" Everyone present was stunned.

Yun Xi said calmly. "Who told you we will forever live only in this plane? Places those above can go, we can also go. This world belongs to everyone; no one can stop us. But to go above, our military strength must increase. To increase military strength, we must first boost the economy."

King Zhenjiang’s mouth hung open. "I always thought I was a very bold person, but now I realize that compared to Protector Duke, my courage is truly like a mouse's."

Prince Yong also looked deeply moved. "Exactly. I never thought of this. Protector Duke, I truly admire you."

Yun Xi cupped his hands. "Thank you for the praise." Then he smiled lightly. "But you cannot deny that what I said is wrong."

"To tell the truth, I must admit Protector Duke’s words are quite interesting," the Regent said. "For these years, to break through to Golden Book Aura, I have traveled the world. I once visited the Qilin Plane. Of course, I only went to the Qilin Plane; the Azure Dragon Plane is above it, and I did not go. It wasn't that I didn't want to, but that I lacked the ability."

The Regent looked serious. "I saw people with Golden Book Aura everywhere in the Qilin Plane. It’s like fire; sometimes even a small village head has Golden Book Aura, and those with Purple Book Aura are everywhere. I once asked around. Although they didn’t say much, I discovered from their hints that they have specific cultivation methods for Book Aura, which we do not have."

The Regent continued, "Moreover, besides Golden Book Aura, they possess a unique type of Book Aura: Dark Book Aura."

"Dark Book Aura?" Yun Xi was slightly stunned. In his heart, he asked, "Liangchen, didn't you say only I have Black Book Aura?"

"Yes," Liangchen replied. "Your Book Aura is cloud-attribute, so it has black characteristics, capable of包容 (containing) all colors."

"Then what does the Regent mean by discovering Black Book Aura?" Yun Xi asked.

Liangchen pondered. "That should be Dark Book Aura."

"Dark?" Yun Xi heard another different answer. "How is there a 'dark' color? And 'dark' shouldn't be a color, should it?"

"Red, blue, green, and other colors, when darkened, give the feeling of black," Liangchen explained.

"Is there a difference from Black Book Aura?" Yun Xi continued.

"Naturally. Dark Book Aura is essentially just the deepening of color. Generally, possessing Dark Book Aura makes one a talent. However, it absolutely cannot compare to your Black Book Aura. Black Book Aura is not something anyone can possess. You have it because you are special." Liangchen stopped there, not explaining why he was special.

Yun Xi did not press further. For him, this answer was sufficient.

"Black Book Aura?" Yun Xi said aloud. "It should be Dark Book Aura."

"Dark Book Aura?" The Regent looked at Yun Xi. "What kind of Book Aura is that? Is there a color called 'dark'?"

Yun Xi smiled. "When a color becomes very dark, it gives the impression of being black. But if this color directly meets sunlight, one can vaguely see its true form, such as dark red or dark blue. Without sunlight, it looks black to ordinary people. However, possessing Dark Book Aura still makes one a talent."

"How do you know this?" The Regent was curious.

Yun Xi pointed to his eyes. "I’ve read many books, so I know many things." He then added, "Black Book Aura does exist, but it is not something anyone can obtain. Generally, whether a world has a Black Book Aura user is uncertain, because Black Book Aura contains all Book Auras in the world."

"So, Black Book Aura cultivators are very powerful," King Zhenjiang said.

"Indeed," Yun Xi said with a smile.

"That Dark Book Aura is not bad either. In the Qilin Plane, he is the absolute top expert. Even the monarchs of various nations in the entire Qilin Plane treat him with the courtesy of subordinates," the Regent said.

"Does the Qilin Plane also have nations?" Yun Xi asked casually.

"Of course there are nations. However, their power is less than that of sects. They mostly depend on sects," the Regent explained.

Yun Xi nodded slightly. "Regardless of how the Qilin Plane is, at least one thing we can be sure of: to have absolute sovereignty, one must be absolutely strong. How our descendants’ future will advance requires us to guide them well." A gentle smile appeared on Yun Xi’s face. "We cannot let them survive forever in conflict."