Chapter 572: School District Housing (Thanks to zoy1 for the Clan Leader's Reward)

Regarding Hong He, you don't need to worry about him becoming your rival, because he has no interest in the sect leader position. Chen Mobai gave a reason. He knew that Hong He might be involved with demonic cultivation, and for the greater good, he might have to expel him from the Divine Wood Sect in the future. However, this information could not be revealed to Zhou Wangshen.

“Given his personality, that’s true. But placing my hopes on others is not my style. I still wish to be no weaker than him in terms of cultivation realm.” Zhou Wangshen was also a proud person. Although he had been repeatedly challenged by Chen Mobai and Hong He over the years, he had always maintained a peak level just below them. Now, having taken over the Zhou family and being granted the authority to govern Xiaoguo, he was even more eager to reclaim his own glory. While he couldn't compare to a prodigy like Chen Mobai, Zhou Wangshen still wanted to test his strength against Hong He.

“Then you must work hard. I hope to see the miracle of the 'Longevity Sutra' and 'Longevity Dao Body' fusing within you in the future.” Chen Mobai also highly valued Zhou Wangshen. After all, he was a loyal and true disciple of the Divine Wood Sect, a descendant of the Zhou family who would never betray the sect. Chen Mobai intended to unite the Eastern Wilderness with the sect's strength, and Zhou Wangshen would be a great general capable of expanding its territory. Moreover, since Zhou Shengqing was still present, Chen Mobai specifically stayed in Xiaoguo for two days to thoroughly instruct Zhou Wangshen. Only then did he proceed to Yanguo!

“Greetings, Sect Leader!”

E Yun had already led the others to wait. Chen Mobai stepped out of the teleportation array and, seeing Bei Yuan City, which had realized about one-tenth of his blueprint, couldn't help but nod slightly.

“You’ve worked hard these past years, facing the oppression from the Southern Profound Sect.” Chen Mobai said to E Yun, but the latter shook his head, stating that as the defender of Yanguo, this was the pressure and responsibility he ought to bear.

“What kind of person is Fang Xuanyang?” Chen Mobai had only heard the name of Fang Xuanyang, the Core Formation cultivator from Profound Exalt Dao Palace who replaced Xuan Shu, but had never met him.

“This person is arrogant but also calm and cold-blooded. He once competed for the position of Dao Son but lost to Xuan Shu. His cultivation is unfathomable, at least at the middle Core Formation stage or above.” E Yun recounted the information he had gathered, and Chen Mobai nodded.

After Fang Xuanyang arrived in the Eastern Wilderness, besides re-establishing the Southern Profound Sect's mountain gate at Baose Mountain, he continuously dispatched his cultivators towards Xiaoguo, secretly opening a channel to the Cloud Dream Lake. This channel naturally couldn't be concealed from the Divine Wood Sect. Unfortunately, when Zhou Wangshen of Xiaoguo wanted to intervene and prohibit it, it provoked Fang Xuanyang's personal appearance. If Fang Xuanyang hadn't been unwilling to completely fall out with the Divine Wood Sect, it's likely that all four Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Divine Wood Sect in Xiaoguo would have perished instantly.

Because of this incident, Fu Zongjue personally brought the Purple Sun Puppet and came to communicate with Fang Xuanyang. The two barely reached a consensus: the Divine Wood Sect would not interfere with the channel opened by the Southern Profound Sect, and Fang Xuanyang guaranteed that during his stay in the Eastern Wilderness, he would not bully the weak or attack the Divine Wood Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, upon later analysis, it became clear that Fang Xuanyang had deliberately orchestrated this. It seemed he intended to use this trivial matter to reach a non-interference agreement with the Divine Wood Sect, the overlord of the Eastern Wilderness. After all, although Fang Xuanyang was an elder of Profound Exalt Dao Palace, Nan Xuanjing and Zhao Xuankang, two Core Formation cultivators, had died here consecutively, and Xuan Shu had fled back to Dongyi severely injured. This indicated that the Divine Wood Sect would absolutely not show any deference due to his background. Should a real conflict erupt, Fu Zongjue alone from the Divine Wood Sect could fight him to a draw with the Purple Sun Puppet. If Chen Mobai or Mo Douguang from Golden Light Cliff were to arrive, he would likely have to flee. As a Core Formation cultivator of Profound Exalt Dao Palace, Fang Xuanyang looked down on the Eastern Wilderness, this provincial area, from the bottom of his heart. Yet, in the face of reality, he could only temporarily yield.

After reaching the agreement not to attack Foundation Establishment cultivators, both sides began to compete through normal commercial models in Yanguo and Xiaoguo. Profound Exalt Dao Palace had a merchant guild. After all, it was a force with a Nascent Soul cultivator overseeing it, and at its peak, its influence extended throughout the entire Eastern Region, even having dedicated branches and outposts in the Central Lands. However, as Patriarch Jinfeng's lifespan neared its end, the influence of the Grand Profound Exalt Merchant Guild continuously contracted. Now, it was confined only to the three realms of Dongyi, Eastern Wilderness, and Dongwu.

Previously, the Grand Profound Exalt Merchant Guild used the two countries where Mount Shaking Peak was located as its stronghold, supported Ji Zhenshi, and plundered many precious mineral resources from the Eastern Wilderness, as well as resources from Cloud Dream Lake. Later, although Mount Shaking Peak was destroyed, the Grand Profound Exalt Merchant Guild was well-prepared and took over most of its legacy. Unfortunately, in the most crucial battle, they couldn't withstand the Divine Wood Sect's 'God of Slaughter.' Nan Xuanjing was beheaded on the battlefield, and the influence that Profound Exalt Dao Palace had painstakingly cultivated in Yanguo and Xiaoguo for nearly a century was wiped out in one fell swoop. Those precious spirit stone veins and other resources were also retaken by the Divine Wood Sect. Later, although Profound Exalt Dao Palace sent Xuan Shu, the Dao Son, he encountered Zhou Shengqing who erupted with Nascent Soul power. Finally, the forces contending with the Divine Wood Sect in the Eastern Wilderness were all annihilated above Great Wood Ridge.

When Fang Xuanyang received his appointment, he had no desire to come to the Eastern Wilderness to clean up the mess. However, Patriarch Jinfeng was still alive. Facing the pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could only grit his teeth and come. After difficult negotiations and reaching an agreement with Fu Zongjue, Fang Xuanyang began to leverage the Grand Profound Exalt Merchant Guild's advantage of connecting the three realms. Using Foundation Establishment Pills as his trump card, mobilizing resources from all three realms, and their unique third-tier Golden Haze Rice, he continuously developed the Baose Market.

“Sect Leader, forgive me. Even with your methods, I've only managed to make Bei Yuan City share the Yanguo market equally with Baose Market.” Chen Mobai toured the greatly expanded Bei Yuan City. E Yun followed beside him, a hint of shame on his face.

“You've done very well. After all, the sect cannot even produce Foundation Establishment Pills or third-tier Golden Haze Rice.” The Divine Wood Sect's refined Foundation Establishment Pills were barely enough for their own use; how could they bring them out to compete with Baose Market? As for third-tier spirit rice, it was even rarer. Throughout the Eastern Wilderness, only Returning Heaven Valley, with the help of Star Heaven Dao Sect, had Coiling Dragon Spirit Rice, and even Core Formation cultivators had to queue to purchase it. Fang Xuanyang used Foundation Establishment Pills to attract most of the Qi Cultivation stage cultivators in the Eastern Wilderness, while the third-tier Golden Haze Rice made many families and rogue cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage willingly send spirit stones to Baose Market. Chen Mobai even received news from the sect's Divination Department that both the Five Elements Sect and Blowing Snow Palace had opened branches in Baose Market, specifically to purchase Golden Haze Rice for their own Core Formation ancestors. After all, in the Eastern Wilderness, apart from Yan Shaoyin, who had no shortage of third-tier spirit rice, all other Core Formation cultivators found it insufficient. As for the Divine Wood Sect, if they didn't have channels to purchase Fire Crystal Rice from Bathing Sun Sea and Yellow Bud Rice from Dongwu, and considering their hostile relationship with Baose Market, they probably wouldn't have been able to resist sending spirit stones to Fang Xuanyang. Yet, under the pressure of Foundation Establishment Pills and Golden Haze Rice, Bei Yuan City could still contend equally with the Southern Profound Sect, relying on the foundation Chen Mobai had laid previously.

Selling real estate! Contracts personally signed by Chen Mobai, the Sect Leader of the Divine Wood Sect, ensured that cultivators who purchased a cave dwelling in Bei Yuan City would receive protection from the entire Divine Wood Sect until their property deed expired, even if they offended a Core Formation cultivator. Once launched, this immediately made the insecure rogue cultivators of the Eastern Wilderness long for it immensely. This was guaranteed by Sect Leader Chen of the Divine Wood Sect with a Dao Heart Vow: as long as the buyer had no history of raiding cultivators, had a clean background, and paid the full price, they could obtain a property deed for a cave dwelling in Bei Yuan City. Now, rogue cultivators throughout the Eastern Wilderness took pride in owning property in Bei Yuan City. The initial 300 cave dwellings with first-tier spirit veins had all sold out. Under competitive bidding, their price soared six to seven times from the provisional price of one thousand spirit stones per dwelling. This revenue, with a wave of Chen Mobai's hand, was entirely given to E Yun to manage, allowing him to continue developing real estate in Bei Yuan City.

“It's just that the second-tier cave dwellings aren't selling well. The cultivation families only bought first-tier ones, as the sect's protection provided is the same for both first- and second-tier cave dwellings.” E Yun spoke of the problems he encountered. The second-tier cave dwellings in Bei Yuan City were theoretically meant for Foundation Establishment cultivators, but most of those who reached such a realm were ancestors of major families. They all had their own clan lands, with more abundant spirit veins and grand formations for protection. Even if they bought a second-tier cave dwelling in Bei Yuan City, they wouldn't move in. As for other rogue cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, while they lacked a secure cave dwelling, their numbers were very few. On the other hand, a few rogue cultivators at the Qi Cultivation perfection stage could afford ten thousand spirit stones to purchase a second-tier cave dwelling. Normally, these individuals would certainly be unwilling to reveal their wealth, but in Bei Yuan City, with assured safety, they no longer had such concerns. However, these individuals were a minority. During its initial construction, 100 second-tier cave dwellings were planned, but to this day, only twelve have been sold.

“That's simple.” Chen Mobai listened, his expression relaxed. Then, at E Yun's request, he revealed a method that made E Yun's eyes light up with shock.

“School district housing?” Yuan Chizhi, Qi Rui, and Yu Lian, who were on the side, listened and felt somewhat bewildered. Could this really stimulate cultivation families to buy second-tier cave dwellings?

“I enjoy teaching and nurturing talent. The Divine Wood Sect's traditional decennial recruitment of disciples undoubtedly causes many with spiritual roots to miss their prime cultivation time. So, I've been thinking about how to solve this problem and found that the mortal world's private academies are an excellent method. I plan to first establish a pilot Daoist Academy in Bei Yuan City to recruit cultivators with spiritual roots. Any cultivator with a property deed in Bei Yuan City can send their descendants under the age of thirty here. I will serve as the honorary headmaster, and sect True Disciples and Foundation Establishment cultivators will be dispatched to personally educate and guide them. This academy will admit a new cohort of students every year, with a total of six grades. After six years, I will personally set the examination. If they pass, they can enter my Divine Wood Sect and become our disciples. If they wish to go to Golden Light Cliff, that's also an option. Students who do not pass the examination will be issued a completion certificate. However, students from second-tier cave dwellings, even if they don't pass, can directly enter the Divine Wood Sect without examination.” Chen Mobai had long had this idea. The traditional decennial sect recruitment in the Eastern Wilderness was simply too inefficient. The Immortal Sects had already perfected their research in the area of education. He just needed to make a few adjustments and apply it here. With the current reputation of the Divine Wood Sect, countless people in the Eastern Wilderness would undoubtedly wish to join them. This was the best opportunity for expansion. If limited to opening the sect gates only every ten years, they could easily miss the current rare period of peaceful development.

After E Yun heard Chen Mobai's school district housing plan, he vaguely sensed that it would have a significant impact on the sales of cave dwellings in Bei Yuan City. At the very least, most of the remaining eighty-eight second-tier cave dwellings could be sold. However, E Yun had completely underestimated the influence of school district housing. After this news spread, the very next day, representatives from various major families in Bei Yuan City rushed over, almost flattening his doorstep.

“Defender E, get one for my Wang family!”

“Our Tie family wants two!”

“The Xuefeng Bai clan wants five!”

In just three days, all the second-tier cave dwellings were snatched up, leaving not a single one for E Yun.

“Damn it, we sold them too cheap!” Looking at Bei Yuan City on the map, with flags marking all the second-tier cave dwellings, E Yun was filled with regret. He heavily thumped the table, lamenting why he hadn't raised the price.

“Haha, no need to mind. Bei Yuan City is only one-tenth developed according to my blueprint. There are nearly a thousand more second-tier cave dwellings to come; you can name any price you want.” Chen Mobai listened to E Yun's sighs, as if he had lost millions of spirit stones, but Chen Mobai remained calm and unconcerned. If Bei Yuan City were to sell all its shops and cave dwellings according to his initial blueprint, it could potentially gather nearly a hundred million spirit stones from families and rogue cultivators across the Eastern Wilderness. However, he had no intention of exhausting the resources all at once. The property prices would certainly rise gradually as development and supporting facilities improved. He wanted the cultivators who bought cave dwellings in Bei Yuan City to feel that they had made a worthwhile purchase.

“By the way, how many third-tier cave dwellings have been opened?” Chen Mobai asked again. According to the plan, these were reserved for the Divine Wood Sect's own cultivators for residence and cultivation.

“Reporting, Sect Leader, a total of ten have been opened on the mountaintop.”

“If they were sold for a price of one hundred thousand spirit stones, do you think anyone would be willing to bid for them?” Chen Mobai's question sent E Yun into deep thought. After a long while, he shook his head, thinking that even a family as wealthy as the Xuefeng Bai clan would likely not pay so many spirit stones for a single third-tier cave dwelling.

“What if we add this: students from third-tier school district housing, upon entering the sect, are guaranteed to receive one Foundation Establishment Pill? Then, do you think people would buy them?” Chen Mobai's words made E Yun's mouth gape open.