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Chapter 106: Borrowing Money (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance Leader! )

Chapter 106: Borrowing Money (Congratulations to the Silver Alliance Leader! )

“A second-order spirit vein? What a grand gesture! ”

Fang Xi was smiling, but his smile was somewhat cold.

In his heart, he was secretly grumbling: "Is this Spirit Sky Island market planning to contend with the Zhong Clan's Treasure Ship Market?"

"Damn it, how many years of peace has it been?"

Relying on the Treasure Ship Market, the Zhong Clan had earned a large quantity of spirit stones and cultivation resources. It would be a lie to say the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance wasn't envious.

It was just that before, they had never dared to touch the Zhong Clan's forbidden territory, but now they suddenly dared, which meant they must have something to rely on!

Beside him, Widow Wang was still chattering away: "They say on opening day, the pills and artifacts in the market's shops will be discounted. . . Lots of people on our Peach Blossom Island are saying they want to go together and browse!"

Although the market was good, the surroundings were bound to be dangerous, with potential rogue cultivators lurking.

Fang Xi, however, was secretly praying that great chaos wouldn't erupt, and certainly wouldn't spread to Peach Blossom Island.

He looked at Lu Guo, who had an eager expression, and immediately found a quiet spot, beginning to teach him the first layer of the 'Evergreen Spring Art'.

After seeing Lu Guo memorize it, he casually instructed Widow Wang to guide him a bit.

He truly wasn't very invested in this child.

"Oh, right, how do you feel about the people on the island after being here for a while?"

Finally, Fang Xi asked Widow Wang a question.

"Steward Feng is exceptionally graceful, and Island Master Ruan is like a celestial maiden. . ."

Widow Wang's eyes darted around: "As for that mother and daughter on Twin Western Peak, I haven't even seen them. Could it be that Master wishes to inquire about information regarding that Widow Hua? If so, I could. . ."

"Cough cough, tell me about the Mu family instead!"

Fang Xi coughed.

"The Mu family, you say. . . " Widow Wang thought for a moment. Among her recent close confidantes were members of the Mu family: "They say that their family head, Mu Wen, wants to go and oversee a post at the Spirit Sky Island market, and for that, he's been trying to borrow spirit stones through various channels!"

"Go to Spirit Sky Island market?"

Fang Xi asked a few more questions and soon learned the details.

Peach Blossom Island was also a member of the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance. Although its presence wasn't very strong, the managers of the Spirit Sky Island market still showed some courtesy and sent over a property deed for a shop.

Ruan Xing Ling was considering opening an artifact refining shop, and at the same time, looking for a suitable shopkeeper.

Without a doubt, this was a lucrative position!

Not only could one cultivate atop a second-order spirit vein, but also interact with many cultivators and enjoy all the conveniences of the market!

Within a market, besides various shops selling pills, talismans, and artifacts, there were also auctions, restaurants, and even establishments like "Marvelous Melody Pavilions" bustling with female cultivators. . .

"With such a lucrative position, competition is bound to be fierce. It's unavoidable that Mu Wen would borrow spirit stones for his activities."

Fang Xi understood this quite well.

"Exactly. . . But the Mu family is truly desperate for money. They even tried to borrow spirit stones from me! If they can get a single spirit stone out of me, then they're truly impressive!"

Widow Wang looked quite indignant.

...

Several days later.

Lu Guo still did farm work every day, then squeezed out time for arduous cultivation.

That day, Feng Man Lou came to visit again.

Inside the courtyard, peach blossoms bloomed.

Feng Man Lou and Fang Xi sat under the peach blossom tree, sipping spirit tea.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, have you grown restless during this time of peace and considered a trip to the Spirit Sky Market? " Feng Man Lou extended an invitation.

"The Spirit Sky Market, you say? I think I'll pass. . ."

Fang Xi cupped the teacup in both hands, taking an occasional small sip.

In truth, it would be impressive enough if he could even leave Emerald Cliff.

Furthermore, that Spirit Sky Market might not even open smoothly.

He refused to believe that the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan would remain indifferent to this. Such cultivation families, just like the Situ Clan, he had seen through them.

When their interests weren't touched, they were still arrogant and overbearing, but once their core interests were threatened and they cast aside all pretense, there was no telling how ruthless they would become.

"Sigh. . . Brother Fang is prudent, but I, your junior, have no choice but to go."

Feng Man Lou wore a bitter expression: "The Island Master intends for me to be the shopkeeper. There's truly no way out of it. . ."

Fang Xi wasn't surprised by this.

Strictly speaking, his relationship with the Mu family and the Wei family to Ruan Xing Ling was one of alliance, not subordination.

Someone like Feng Man Lou, on the other hand, was truly Ruan Xing Ling's subordinate.

When it came to dispatching a shopkeeper, she would definitely use one of her own people!

"What? You're not optimistic either? That's a second-order spirit vein! " Fang Xi's face showed a teasing expression.

"Sigh. . . Everyone knows that fish will eat people!"

Feng Man Lou had already considered Fang Xi one of his own, and spoke much more casually: "This time, the Alliance dares to contend with the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan, they must have something to rely on. . . but I just hope the two sides don't start fighting. After all, a single snowflake from a major power landing on us small cultivators means utter disaster!"

"Me too. . ."

Fang Xi sighed, and both fell silent.

In the cultivation world, the opinions of lower-level cultivators simply didn't matter.

Just like within the Dragon Fish Zhong Clan, whether to fight or seek peace was merely a word from their Foundation Establishment patriarchs above. . .

The same applied to Peach Blossom Island.

Even if Feng Man Lou didn't want to go, he would still have to, with just a single word from Ruan Xing Ling!

As the two were chatting idly, Widow Wang approached: "Master. . . The Mu family head is asking for an audience outside!"

"Mu Wen?"

"Sigh. . . This time, he probably thinks I'm his biggest rival for the shopkeeper position. I'd better avoid him!"

Feng Man Lou gave a wry smile and said to Fang Xi.

Fang Xi naturally nodded, telling Widow Wang to take Feng Man Lou to hide.

A moment later, Mu Wen, dressed in brocade robes and looking somewhat more mature, walked into the courtyard. Seeing Fang Xi, he first bowed: "This nephew greets Uncle!"

"Nephew, quickly rise, how can I accept such a grand bow?"

Fang Xi quickly helped him up and said with a smile: "You only visit the Hall of Three Treasures when you need something. Your presence today surely means there's an important matter!"

Mu Wen's old face flushed, but he said: "When the Old Ancestor was alive, he always said you were his confidant, and that we, the younger generation, should learn more from you. . . This time, your nephew is in trouble and specially came to Uncle Fang for help."

"Oh? What is the matter, I wonder? " Fang Xi asked, feigning ignorance.

"Does Uncle know about the Spirit Sky Island market opening? My Mu family has cultivated Twin Eastern Peak, but alas, the spiritual energy there is limited, with only twenty mu of spirit fields at most. Our clan's population is growing, and resources are gradually becoming insufficient. . ."

Mu Wen grumbled on and on, pouring out his grievances.

Although Twin Eastern Peak had better spiritual energy and spirit fields than Emerald Cliff, the Mu family had a large population and many cultivators.

When there were too many people, resources became insufficient to divide, and the various branches of the clan often schemed against each other over trivial matters.

Before, with Mu Xiu present, it was fine; his prestige was enough to suppress everything.

But with Mu Wen in charge, he felt somewhat powerless.

Thus, he wanted to open another source of income for the family: the Spirit Sky Market!

As the shopkeeper of an artifact refining shop, it was hard to say if he would line his own pockets, but if he brought some goods for the family to sell in the market, no one could really say anything.

"...It's just that, all these arrangements require funds, and the clan treasury doesn't have enough spirit stones. I humbly ask Uncle to lend me one hundred spirit stones. Your nephew will certainly return them in the future, with interest!"

By the end, Mu Wen bowed sincerely once more.

"Mu Wen, my boy. . ."

Fang Xi leisurely blew on his tea leaves and spoke: "The Spirit Sky Market is a dragon's den and a tiger's lair, not a benevolent place. Wouldn't it be better to just be a spirit farmer in peace? Look at your Uncle, how carefree and content I am?"

For Old Daoist Mu Xiu's sake, he still offered a word of advice.

"Cultivators value striving! If one doesn't strive, how can they get resources to cultivate? How can they break through bottlenecks?"

Mu Wen suddenly raised his head, clenching both fists: "Uncle, by doing this, you have given up on the Dao path, but your nephew still dreams of one day achieving Foundation Establishment and bringing glory to the family!"

Fang Xi: ". . ."

After a moment of speechless silence, he still shook his head: "Although your old Uncle here has farmed for a few years, I genuinely haven't had much income. This time, I'm afraid I can't help you."

"Uncle Fang, back then, when the Old Ancestor heard you were borrowing spirit stones, he agreed without a second thought. . ."

Mu Wen's eyes reddened slightly.

"Sigh, it's not that I'm unwilling, but that I truly cannot. You should go. . ."

Fang Xi picked up his teacup, signaling the end of the visit.

Mu Wen wanted to say more, but ultimately realized he truly had no significant relationship with the other party, and could only stand up, filled with resentment.

After leaving Emerald Cliff, he secretly fumed: "Fine, Fang Xi. . . As if I don't know that your granary is surely overflowing with spirit rice, yet you're unwilling to lend a mere hundred spirit stones. The Old Ancestor was truly blind back then, he misjudged you!"

He walked a few steps, then seemed to remember something, clutched an Invisibility Talisman, and hid by the roadside.

...

"Sigh. . . Brother Fang, you meant well, but who would have thought this person would. . ."

After Mu Wen left, Feng Man Lou emerged from the room, shaking his head and sighing.

"It's quite amusing, actually. This Spirit Sky Island market. . . some people avoid it like the plague, while others flock to it like ducks to water. . ."

Fang Xi chuckled, casually pulling out a handful of spirit rice and tossing it into the pond.

The Big Green Fish flicked its tail, rapidly devouring the spirit rice.

In reality. . . Fang Xi truly didn't have much money.

His granary actually had very little spirit rice left; it had all been eaten by that glutton Taisui.

Of course, no matter what, he could still easily take out a hundred spirit stones.

But who was Mu Wen to him?

"Precisely. . ."

Feng Man Lou stroked his chin, then suddenly asked: "Brother Fang and Old Daoist Mu Xiu seem to have a good relationship?"

"You could say that. It's a pity the younger generation is incompetent. I reckon this Mu family's downfall will be at Mu Wen's hands. . ."

Fang Xi suddenly smiled again: "But what does that have to do with me?"

"Many thanks!"

Feng Man Lou's eyes lit up, and he rose to leave.

He had been vexed by this matter, and now a perfect scapegoat had automatically presented himself.

And Fang Xi's words were tantamount to completely giving up on Mu Wen.

He also didn't mind resorting to a few petty tricks now.

With Feng Man Lou's worldly wisdom, honed through his experience in influential families, Mu Wen was absolutely no match for him. It was likely he'd be sold off and still help count the spirit stones for the other party!

For example, if Feng Man Lou approached Mu Wen, using withdrawal as an excuse to demand a sum of spirit stones, Mu Wen might actually pay!

The Small Cloud Rain Array dispersed, and Feng Man Lou, controlling a feather artifact, flew out, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

By the roadside, Mu Wen witnessed this scene and immediately gritted his teeth: "Fang Xi. . . you petty scoundrel, not only do you refuse to lend me spirit stones, but you associate with these family members!"

"Old Ancestor, you misjudged him! This man is the real traitor among our three families!"

He gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with determination: "I won't give up! I'll show you how the Mu family will prosper under my hands!"