Big Data Cultivation
Chapter 720 - Chapter 720 Chapter 720 The Talk Falls Through (One more to

Chapter 720: Chapter 720: The Talk Falls Through (One more to celebrate Alliance Leader Bai Haicheng) Chapter 720: Chapter 720: The Talk Falls Through (One more to celebrate Alliance Leader Bai Haicheng) The people from the Yinsha Sect had not been there long before a large group from the Tiantong Commerce Alliance hurried back, signaling the end of today’s training session.

Heavy snow had blocked the mountain paths, making travel difficult, but since it was only the second day of snowfall, and the snow hadn’t yet frozen solid, everyone had managed to return in three all-terrain vehicles.

You Longzi was chatting with Master Yan in the adjoining room and came over upon seeing the scene, casting an intrigued look at the strange vehicles.

The next day, with the snow having stopped, Le Ye accompanied Xia Er and an Intermediate Level Cultivator at the peak of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Qi Wushi, into Feng Jun’s territory.

In such weather, there was basically nothing for people to do, even the mining of Huashi had ceased, as it was just too dangerous.

However, many had been given new tasks, cutting and polishing Huashi – for which Feng Jun was willing to pay a handsome reward.

Feng Jun was planning to build a Jade house for his parents.

His own Jade construction had drawn many amazed gazes, which made him think, “I have such a nice place to live in, but my parents do not, which doesn’t seem quite right.”

Since it was the snowy season and everyone was idle, people tended to stir up trouble when they had nothing to do. And considering that there were now seven to eight thousand residents on his land, he needed to find something to keep them busy.

These workers could not only carve Jade, but also construct buildings. There were not very many proper houses on Feng Jun’s land despite the large population, and many still lived in thatched huts.

Following the customs of Earth Realm, Feng Jun planned out a commercial center, the future core of his estate.

Within this commercial district, several buildings and a considerable number of thatched huts had already sprung up.

However, as landlord, Feng Jun faced no issue with demolition; if he decided on it, he could simply go ahead. If he was willing, commensurate compensation might be offered, but if not, a single word sufficed, “Scram!”

The buildings that had been erected belonged primarily to the offspring of the Tian, Yu, Mi, and Chen families. Not wanting to directly evict them, Feng Jun informed them, “I have plans for this area. I’ll reimburse your construction costs – please find another location to rebuild.”

For those with irregularly constructed thatched huts, Feng Jun didn’t just drive them out either. Instead, he promised that when it came time to build, he would prioritize hiring them for labor.

Of course, the plans for the commercial center were still on paper, and with the current weather, construction was impossible. Nevertheless, materials like bricks, tiles, and timber had to be prepared in advance, which also required labor.

After wandering around for a bit, the three disciples from the Yinsha Sect realized that despite the heavy snow, the people here were still bustling with various jobs to do, showing a refreshing sight of liveliness and vigor.

Still, Xia Er, who had formed her opinion early, disdained Feng Jun’s actions, criticizing, “He squanders the essentials for the trivial in a vain attempt to impress the crowd.”

Qi Wushi gave her a look but said nothing, while Le Ye discreetly spoke up, “We are on someone else’s territory, junior sister, you’d best restrain yourself. Our task is to find out where he’s breaking the rules.”

Regrettably, under such weather conditions, both Feng Jun and Yu Changqing had not activated their Spirit Gathering Arrays, hence there was no question of any rule violations, unless the Yinsha Sect’s men could observe for a longer duration.

However, that was impractical. Having arrived the day before, it was improbable for Feng Jun to be unaware of their presence – there were simply too many who might have tipped him off.

If Le Ye did not proceed with purchasing the Nether Bead today, it could have been excused as needing some rest due to representatives from his sect arriving. But if he still took no action tomorrow, it would suggest that the Yinsha Sect had an ulterior motive for their visit.

As a Qi Refining Disciple of the Yinsha Sect, Le Ye wasn’t afraid of being framed; however, it would be a major loss if he failed to obtain the Nether Bead because of this.

The advice from his uncle, You Longzi, was sensible: first find fault in Feng Jun’s actions, gain the moral high ground, gather concrete cases of violations, and then… things would be much easier.

Yet, no one anticipated that they would arrive just when the heavy snow sealed off the mountain, halting all activities.

It was unreasonable to prolong their stay and observe for a few more days because… they dared not delay.

At midday, the three went back to the small courtyard of the Tiantong Commerce Alliance and reported their findings to the distinguished You Longzi.

After some thought, You Longzi shook his head helplessly, “The heavens are not on our side, but no matter. Tell him this afternoon that we would like to understand the relevant situation, and the transaction will occur in two days.”

Such confidence can only come from someone with a strong backing. As an Intermediate Level Cultivator, he openly announced his intention to understand the circumstances, which left no one in a position to object.

Upon receiving the message, Feng Jun could only nod, “That’s fine. Consider it carefully, after all, it’s twenty thousand Spirit Stones. It’s quite necessary to be cautious.”

This comment sounded normal, but carried an undertone of sarcasm – as if to say that the Yinsha Sect knew nothing about Spirit Stones – were twenty thousand Spirit Stones even considered money?

However, for Qi Refinement Disciples like Le Ye, they didn’t actually see anything amiss – twenty thousand Spirit Stones was indeed a substantial amount.

Over the following two days, they found no substantial evidence but learned that Feng Jun had set up a Lingzhi Formation in some cave. Yet what sort of case could be made from cultivating Spirit Plants?

Through the still-operating Lingzhi Formation, the Yinsha Sect people deduced that Feng Jun had no intention of hiding his actions in the Mortal Realm. Things like mooching off a Spirit Gathering Array weren’t something he would conceal; the Spirit Gathering Array had simply not been activated due to the poor weather.

On the afternoon of the third day, Le Ye went to see Feng Jun, with the Sect elder present to witness the transaction.

Feng Jun really felt a bit sentimental. Whenever he had traded with Chairman Huang Fu in the past, he always felt that this woman was scheming and continuously probing–she was genuinely a shrewd businesswoman.

But it wasn’t until he interacted with the people of the Yinsha Sect that he realized the advantages of dealing with Chairman Huang Fu.

No matter what quirks she had, there was one good thing–when it came to large Spirit Stone transactions, she could make decisions on her own.

Take the current situation for example, Chairman Huang Fu had loaned out twenty thousand Spirit Stones without having to seek anyone else’s approval, whereas the Yinsha Sect required an Intermediate Level Cultivator to witness the deal.

Although Feng Jun had his thoughts, he still agreed and promised to go to the courtyard of the Tiantong Commercial Alliance the next morning to complete the transaction.

Le Ye, having received guidance from You Longzi, then declared, “My uncle master believes there is no need to go through the Tiantong Commercial Alliance for this matter. Does Fellow Daoist Feng wish for them to go around spreading rumors?”

Feng Jun smiled and responded indifferently, “Your Spirit Stones are borrowed from Chairman Huang Fu. How could this possibly be kept secret from her?”

Le Ye responded seriously, “My uncle master rarely makes a trip out and is interested in visiting this place. Surely you won’t refuse entry to a visitor?”

This was his true intention. Before coming, the Venerable You Long had instructed him that if Feng Jun invites me for the transaction, then try to get the location set within the courtyard of the Tiantong Commercial Alliance. If he wants to come out for the trade, then the uncle master must go in.

This wasn’t because You Longzi was being contrary, but rather he was quite wary of Feng Jun’s dwelling–would someone without confidence dare to say “No entry during the Qi Refinement Realm unless invited”?

The Qi Refining Disciples of the Yinsha Sect didn’t find anything amiss at Feng Jun’s place, but that didn’t mean they lacked a last-resort tactic.

Since Feng Jun didn’t plan to invite people in, it meant he had no intentions of turning hostile, which provided You Longzi with a good opportunity to take a look inside.

Upon hearing this, Feng Jun chuckled, “I didn’t expect the Venerable You Long to have such refined taste. Well then, I will personally extend an invitation. How does that sound?”

Of course, that was no problem, but as Le Ye left, he still gave Feng Jun a puzzled glance: This fellow is really confident. Could he truly have some tricks up his sleeve?

Early the next day, Feng Jun, accompanied by Lang Zhen and others, came to invite You Longzi–he didn’t quite understand the other’s attitude, but with such a big deal and the other party being of the Intermediate Level Earth Realm, it was only proper to maintain the necessary courtesies.

However, he had his own way of doing things and wouldn’t be easily manipulated. After meeting with the Venerable You Long, he turned to Chairman Huang Fu, inviting her to witness the transaction.

You Longzi’s expression became unsightly, and Xia Er replied directly, “For a transaction between us, there’s no need for outsiders to watch, is there?”

Feng Jun was a bit puzzled, “Your Spirit Stones are borrowed from the Tiantong Commercial Alliance. It would be normal for Chairman Huang Fu to observe, wouldn’t it?”

“We did not borrow any Spirit Stones,” Xia Er asserted arrogantly, her chin nearly touching the sky. She proudly declared, “A mere tens of thousands of Spirit Stones are nothing to the Yinsha Sect.”

Feng Jun looked at Chairman Huang Fu, stunned. Were they telling the truth?

Chairman Huang Fu smiled and helplessly shrugged her shoulders, “Indeed, the Yinsha Sect hasn’t borrowed any Spirit Stones from me.”

Feng Jun understood. The Yinsha Sect hadn’t borrowed Spirit Stones, but that did not mean that You Longzi had indeed brought twenty thousand Spirit Stones with him.

He looked at You Longzi impassively and calmly spoke, “Would it trouble the venerable one to show your Spirit Stones?”

No sooner had these words left his mouth than Xia Er was about to react, but Le Ye was the first to object vehemently, his voice harsh, “Feng Jun, what do you mean by this? How dare you insult our Yinsha Sect’s venerable one?”

Feng Jun glanced at him and spoke evenly, “Calm down, Fellow Daoist Le. Doing business isn’t about who has the louder voice. Isn’t it reasonable to verify the merchandise and funds before trading? You’ve seen my Nether Bead, but I haven’t seen your Spirit Stones.”

Xia Er’s face turned crimson with anger, “You’re clearly trying to insult my master. The name ‘You Longzi’ is as good as Spirit Stones.”

Feng Jun frowned and said discontentedly, “You’re plainly arguing for the sake of arguing. Since it’s a transaction, both parties have the right to inspect the goods and funds; that is a legitimate request. If you don’t believe me, go ask Chairman Huang Fu what she thinks.”

“Why should I care what she thinks?” Xia Er was genuinely angry and said anything she dared, “If you doubt my master, that’s out of the question!”

“Ridiculous!” Feng Jun shot her a cold glance before looking back at the Venerable You Long.

Little Fatty, with his hands clasped behind his back, watched their argument with interest, showing no intention of speaking up.

“Then I won’t sell to the Yinsha Sect,” Feng Jun said as he turned to leave. “All right, let’s go back, everyone.”

The Venerable You Long, who had been staying out of it up until then, couldn’t help but speak up when he saw this attitude, “Fellow Daoist Feng, please wait!”

“It’s you who should wait, Venerable You Long,” Feng Jun answered without turning back. “I have offered all the courtesies I should; since you show no sincerity, it’s best if we do not talk at all.”

“Impudent boy!” This time, Qi Wushi couldn’t hold back. With a flick of his wrist, a green banner suddenly appeared in his hand.

(First update, to celebrate Chairman Bai Haicheng for finally paying off his debts, and then Feng Xiao went to the hospital to accompany someone for an examination. During the double monthly ticket period, call out for monthly tickets.)