Soon after the grand exhibition ended, Li Tian received a royal summons.
The emperor of the Sevenrock Continent, Long Fang, wanted to meet him in private.
Inside the imperial hall, Long Fang was already waiting. Several financial officials stood nearby with records from the recent event.
When Li Tian entered, the emperor went straight to the point.
"The results are beyond expectation."
Originally, both Long Fang and Li Tian had estimated the profit from the event to reach around 200 to 300 gold blocks.
However, the final calculation showed something astonishing.
With a total investment of 100 gold blocks, the event had generated 500 gold blocks of profit.
For an empire, that amount of gold was roughly one-fourth of the average income collected in six months.
But the greater achievement was not the immediate profit.
The exhibition had attracted envoys, merchants, and nobles from across the world to the capital of Sevenrock.
The entire continent was now discussing the same products—mirrors, luxury glass artifacts, and polished glass slabs.
Long Fang looked satisfied.
"Five empires have already signed orders."
"Two hundred gold blocks worth of polished mirrors and glass artifacts."
"Along with a large quantity of refined glass slabs."
He looked at Li Tian with clear appreciation.
"You did not only bring profit."
"You brought attention from the entire world."
After a brief pause, Long Fang made a decision.
"As a reward, I will grant you a title."
The emperor's voice carried authority.
"From today onward, you shall hold the title of 'Emperor's Friend.'"
The officials present were slightly surprised.
This title was extremely rare.
It meant Li Tian could freely enter the territory of the Sevenrock Continent without requiring official permission, and his trade activities would be exempt from the standard imperial tax system.
Li Tian accepted the title calmly.
However, he had not come only to receive rewards.
After the ceremony, he took out a contract document and placed it before the emperor.
"This is something Your Majesty should see."
Long Fang opened the document and read it carefully.
The contract clearly stated that the Fifth Princess of the Azure Flame Empire would now become the official producer and owner of raw glass production.
According to the contract, she would sell raw glass slabs exclusively to the Sevenrock Continent at the price of five gold coins per slab.
Long Fang slowly lifted his head.
A powerful wave of qi pressure filled the room as his gaze locked onto Li Tian.
"You know very well that our two empires are enemies."
"Then why would you create such an arrangement?"
Li Tian remained calm under the pressure.
"Because the conflict between the Azure Flame Empire and Sevenrock is not truly about hatred."
"It is about land."
The emperor did not interrupt.
Li Tian continued.
"Land is valuable only because it produces income for an empire."
"Mines, farms, and resources."
"But all mines have limited reserves."
"Most of them last only one or two hundred years."
He then gestured toward the contract.
"But glass production is different."
"If the Sevenrock Empire buys raw glass from the Azure Flame Empire for five gold coins, your craftsmen can process it and sell finished mirrors and artifacts for twenty to twenty-five gold coins."
"That profit will continue endlessly."
Long Fang listened carefully.
However, he was still not completely satisfied.
"That alone is not enough."
Li Tian nodded slightly, as if expecting this response.
He placed another document on the table.
"A second contract."
Long Fang opened it.
This contract concerned paper distribution.
Because of the long-standing conflict between the two empires, the supply of paper within Sevenrock had been forced to move through illegal smuggling routes. As a result, the price of paper there had become three times higher than in other empires.
Li Tian explained calmly.
"The Fifth Princess will not sell paper directly to the Sevenrock Empire."
"Instead, she will sell it exclusively to Your Majesty."
"With a ten percent discount."
Long Fang's eyes narrowed slightly as he calculated the implications.
If Sevenrock controlled the official supply of paper while importing it cheaply, the profit margin would be enormous.
After a long moment, the emperor finally laughed.
"With these agreements…"
"…I can earn five times more gold than the income from several of my mines."
He looked at Li Tian again, this time with clear satisfaction.
"You truly deserve the title I gave you."
The contracts were finalized soon afterward.
With the deals completed and enormous profits already secured, Li Tian prepared to return to the Azure Flame Empire.
This journey to the Sevenrock Continent had not only strengthened his influence but had also generated massive wealth and powerful alliances.
And for Li Tian, this was only the beginning of a much larger plan.