The Eastern Territory's Solidarity Board

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The gates of the City Lord's Mansion were pounded so hard they shook. Steward Liu yawned as he pulled the door open, only to be met with the beaming faces of Xue Mingzhao and Su Ye.

Steward Liu: “...”

Why was it those two again? Did they think the City Lord's Mansion was their own backyard?

Before long, Zhao Yunzhou walked into the reception hall with his outer robe thrown over his shoulders and a dark expression on his face. In his mind, he had already cursed these two little brats eight hundred times: they came to pester him in the middle of the night instead of sleeping, so they must have caused some kind of trouble again.

As soon as he entered, he saw Xue Mingzhao and Su Ye sitting cross-legged in the guest seats, happily munching on the spirit pastries exclusive to the City Lord's Mansion. Their posture was even more relaxed than when they were back in their own sect.

Zhao Yunzhou's temper instantly flared, and he said stiffly, “It's the middle of the night. What happened this time?”

Xue Mingzhao stuffed the half-eaten honey spirit fruit into Su Ye's hand, casually wiped her mouth, and rattled off everything about the prestigious families proactively donating spirit stones.

Zhao Yunzhou frowned. “And you just accepted it directly like that?”

Xue Mingzhao blinked, looking utterly helpless. “Everyone was just too enthusiastic! They insisted on donating. We couldn't even stop them.”

Zhao Yunzhou fell silent for a long moment. “Accepting a bit of pocket change is one thing. But you want to erect a monument of merit to display everyone's names publicly. Some of the prestigious families are bound to feel unhappy about it and gossip behind your backs, accusing your Grand Primordium Sect of using the spiritual energy revival as an excuse to amass wealth.”

Xue Mingzhao immediately straightened her back, her face filled with righteous indignation. “Uncle Zhao, you mustn't think that way! Our Grand Primordium Sect has its pride. How could we possibly covet other people's charity and do something as shameful as accepting handouts?”

Zhao Yunzhou: “...”

You've already pocketed the spirit stones, and only now do you think about being upright and honorable?

Xue Mingzhao continued, “How could our Grand Primordium Sect keep this money for ourselves? This is everyone's goodwill, and I've recorded every single transaction. I came to find you tonight, Uncle City Lord, precisely to discuss this matter with you.”

“Discuss it with me?” Zhao Yunzhou's tone carried a hint of surprise. “Does this matter involve the City Lord's Mansion as well?”

Xue Mingzhao chuckled. “It just so happens that I took over a few shops in prime locations recently. They'll be opening in a few days. We plan to sell pills and talismans first to subsidize the sect, and later we'll also offer spiritual weapons and other goods!”

Zhao Yunzhou picked up his tea and took a sip, waiting for her to continue.

Xue Mingzhao sat up straight, her tone growing increasingly sincere. “Our Grand Primordium Sect absolutely cannot let everyone's spirit stones go to waste.

“Anyone who donated over one million high-grade spirit stones will receive a thirty percent discount on all items at any shop under the Grand Primordium Sect.

“Those who gave over one million mid-grade spirit stones will get a twenty percent discount.

“For one million low-grade spirit stones, it's a ten percent discount.

“And for all other donors, no matter how much they gave, they will get a five percent discount!

“This isn't a transaction; it's the Grand Primordium Sect's way of giving back to everyone for their kindness.

“They trusted us, so we must be worthy of that trust!”

Zhao Yunzhou held his teacup, scoffing inwardly.

This girl really knows how to calculate. She not only gave the donors face, but she also directly converted the goodwill of every donation into a long-term customer base for her own shops. She was managing both personal relationships and business flawlessly without losing a single cent.

Just as he was marveling at how persuasive she was, Xue Mingzhao added another line: “On top of that, we will take thirty percent of all the donations and hand it over to the City Lord's Mansion. It will be used to repair the city, set up the city defense array, and nourish the Eastern Territory's spirit veins.

“Uncle Zhao, do you think this arrangement is feasible?”

Zhao Yunzhou's hand holding the teacup shook violently. “Thirty percent will be transferred to the City Lord's Mansion?”

“Exactly!” Xue Mingzhao's expression was completely open, her words powerful and resonant. “Back then, it was our sect's duty to empty our treasury to revive the spiritual energy. Now that the various families are voluntarily donating, this goodwill belongs to all cultivators in the Eastern Territory. Allocating thirty percent to give back to the entire region is only right.”

After hearing this, Zhao Yunzhou studied Xue Mingzhao with a complex expression for a long while.

This girl didn't hide anything. She laid out all her plans clearly and even proactively handed over thirty percent of the profits to the authorities. She was so open and upright that no one could find any fault with her.

Zhao Yunzhou's expression turned solemn, and he nodded with a smile. “Niece Mingzhao, this matter benefits the entire Eastern Territory. I will support you fully. If you need the City Lord's Mansion to lend a hand with anything in the future, just speak up.”

Xue Mingzhao immediately took advantage of his words, her eyes full of anticipation. “Uncle Zhao, I actually do have a couple of things I'd like to ask of you.

“First, I plan to carve an Eastern Territory's Solidarity Board. The main monument will stand before the Grand Primordium Sect's gates, and a replica will be placed at the entrance of every shop. It will bear the names of all the cultivators and prestigious families who donated spirit stones. Do you think this arrangement is appropriate?

“And second...” She leaned in slightly. “When the shops officially open, could you personally attend to help us show some presence?”

Zhao Yunzhou waved his hand, the tension completely leaving his face as he laughed. “Erecting monuments is a trivial matter. Go ahead and do it; the City Lord's Mansion won't interfere in the slightest. As for the opening ceremony, I will definitely be there to support the Grand Primordium Sect.”

With the agreement reached, the two happily flew back to the Grand Primordium Sect.

Zhao Yunzhou watched the departing spirit boat and sighed to Steward Liu, “This niece of mine is incredibly intelligent and perceptive. The more I look at her, the more I like her. Next time she comes, prepare more delicious food to entertain her.”

Steward Liu's lips twitched. “...”

Who was the one grumbling in the room earlier about how that brat had come to torment people again?

Ignoring Steward Liu's complex and subtle expression, Zhao Yunzhou sighed to himself, “That miserable old geezer Su Mingyuan is truly blessed to have taken in such a capable and sensible disciple.”

...

At this moment, the blessed Su Mingyuan was buried in paperwork, his head spinning with all kinds of miscellaneous sect affairs.

Seeing Xue Mingzhao and Su Ye walk in side-by-side, he didn't even look up as he cautioned, “You're back. In the future, keep your distance from the Li family. That family is full of schemes and up to no good.”

Su Ye shook the heavy storage bag in his hand and said with a grin, “Let's not talk about the Li family first. Master, look at what this is!”

Su Mingyuan took the storage bag and swept his senses inside: ???

He raised his head, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two of them. “Did you two sneak off to the black market to sell things again? Where did so many spirit stones come from?”

Su Ye quickly waved his hands in denial, while Xue Mingzhao chimed in. The two of them took turns explaining the entire situation—how the prestigious families in the city had proactively donated, their meeting with City Lord Zhao Yunzhou to discuss the allocation of the funds, the opening of the shops, and the creation of the Solidarity Board.

When Su Mingyuan finished listening, his brush paused, and a small blot of ink bloomed on the ledger. Yet, he was completely oblivious to it. He merely looked up at the two of them, his eyes filled with immense relief and praise. He repeatedly said,

“Good, good. This arrangement preserves everyone's dignity while ensuring the donations are put to practical use. You've handled this beautifully.”

He set down his brush and immediately picked up his transmission jade pendant to send messages to Mu Tianqing, Wen Shuxian, and An Shihuai, ordering them to come to the main hall for a meeting at once.

Once the three arrived, Su Ye explained the events of the day once more from beginning to end.

Standing to the side, An Shihuai looked at his junior sister, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration for the first time.

In the past, he had worked tirelessly for a whole year just to earn ten to twenty thousand spirit stones, all of which went into maintaining the sect's operations without a single stone left over.

But since his junior sister arrived, millions and tens of millions of spirit stones flowed in effortlessly. The gap was so vast he was almost numb to it.

Xue Mingzhao took the opportunity to delegate tasks:

The shops in the city would be fully managed and coordinated by Martial Uncle Mu.

Second Senior Brother An Shihuai would be responsible for bookkeeping and assisting with the daily inventory of income and expenses.

Martial Uncle Wen would be fully responsible for crafting all the Eastern Territory's Solidarity Boards.

A few days later, in the prime location of Dongcang Heavenly Capital's busiest market, the Grand Primordium Rejuvenation Pavilion and the Grand Primordium Kongming Pavilion opened simultaneously.

City Lord Zhao Yunzhou personally came to preside over the opening ceremony. The entire street was packed so tightly that not even a drop of water could trickle through. Rogue cultivators and stewards from various prestigious families in the city all rushed over to join the excitement and show their support.

After hearing the plan for how the donations would be used, everyone nodded in approval. It not only honored the goodwill of the families who contributed spirit stones but also provided long-term benefits to the donors, while allocating thirty percent to repair the entire Eastern Territory. Everyone benefited, and no one could find any fault with it.

Initially, a small number of people had been quietly whispering that the Grand Primordium Sect was using this opportunity to reap benefits. However, once they entered the shops and saw the quality of the pills and the power of the talismans with their own eyes, their dissatisfaction instantly vanished. They felt that the discounts and benefits offered were genuine and not just empty promises.

On the opening day, wave after wave of people rushed over to make additional donations, creating an endless stream of visitors.

An Shihuai stood behind the registration table, his jade brush recording nonstop. The friction of the brush tip against the jade slips almost produced smoke, and he was so busy he didn't even have time to look up and wipe his sweat.

The Eastern Territory's Solidarity Board standing before the door was surrounded by layers upon layers of people. Cultivators checking and admiring their own names crowded around it, and the space in front of the board was never empty from start to finish.