Chapter 956: 法 Money Paves the Way

Unable to assist with A-Ze's situation, Wei Wuwei seized the opportunity to update Ji Yuan on the progress of his current plans.

Personnel had been stationed in most of the major immortal ports, primarily those in the Four Continents, and many Jade Embrace Treasuries had been established. This was largely due to the support of Jade Embrace Mountain, the full efforts of the Wei family, and the significant contributions of Lingbaoxuan, which was already highly accomplished in this venture.

They were now expanding into large island continents such as Tianyu, Fangtai, Xingluo, and Wutong, ensuring at least one branch in each. Naturally, areas with a high concentration of cultivators and frequent travel, like the Thousand Reef Islands, were prioritized for new branches.

Theoretically, Wei Wuwei had, over many years, established Jade Embrace Treasuries across the world, with the exception of the strictly forbidden Black Dream Spirit Continent and the desolate seas. Often, he even assisted Lingbaoxuan in expanding its own branches.

As Wei Wuwei recounted these achievements, a distinct sense of pride filled him.

"To date, including the new branch on Thousand Reef Island, the Jade Embrace Treasury now has forty-six locations, with an additional three hundred twenty-three affiliated shops."

Ji Yuan hadn't received an update on these developments for a long time. Hearing Wei Wuwei's comprehensive report, he was slightly astonished, realizing that in little more than a decade, Wei Wuwei had managed to expand the scale of the treasuries under his control to such an impressive degree.

"Patriarch Wei, it seems your family's mundane businesses haven't been neglected either. Where do you find so many Wei clan members to assist you?"

Hearing Ji Yuan finally ask this question, Wei Wuwei, who had anticipated it for a long time, felt a certain gratification. He displayed his characteristic smile before slowly beginning his explanation.

"Sir, you may not know, but when you first mentioned this to me over a decade ago and we discussed its feasibility, I had a vague premonition that such a day might arrive. What a grand aspiration this was..."

Wei Wuwei, usually stoic, showed a hint of excitement at that moment.

"My Wei clan, in its entirety, numbers only a few hundred. While many are capable and some can shoulder great responsibilities, excluding the elderly and infirm, our numbers are far from sufficient. Therefore, years ago, the Wei clan began consistently searching for orphaned children of suitable age across the human realm. We adopted them, granted them the surname Wei, and diligently educated them. Many of them have proven talented, enabling me to pursue my ambitions."

Ji Yuan understood that not all Wei clan members traveling the world truly shared the Wei family's bloodline.

"Patriarch Wei, you've gone to great lengths!"

Ji Yuan commented, and Wei Wuwei simply smiled.

"This is a joyful endeavor, a matter of lasting merit; I wouldn't call it hard work. By the way, Mr. Ji, if I may be so bold, when can the method for refining the tiered magic coins be disseminated?"

Ji Yuan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Wei Wuwei and posed a question in return.

"Patriarch Wei, when do you believe would be most suitable?"

Wei Wuwei considered for a moment, then replied thoughtfully.

"If this method remains entirely in our hands, even the most composed immortal mansions and sacred cultivation sites, no matter how devout their pursuit of the Dao, would undoubtedly raise significant objections. However, simply offering it to them isn't ideal either. My suggestion is that the various Treasuries begin refining the first three grades of magic coins. When cultivators come to trade, we can introduce these coins as valuable exchange items, allowing them to gradually familiarize themselves with them."

"Once the prominent cultivation sects begin to recognize the nature of magic coins, if they inquire, we can generously cooperate and share the methods for refining all four grades of magic coins…"

Ji Yuan smiled, watching Wei Wuwei.

"Oh, Patriarch Wei, are you willing to give that up?"

"Haha, this endeavor brings myriad benefits; there's nothing to 'give up.' It's all about promoting this system. Sooner or later, such a day will come. If Jade Embrace Treasury and Lingbaoxuan are generous, they can establish a strong reputation, becoming the first and most respected leaders in this field. Ultimately, success still hinges on good management."

Wei Wuwei's openness stemmed from his clear understanding that the highest-grade Qiankun Ruyi Coins could likely only be refined with relative ease by Ji Yuan himself.

This wasn't merely Wei Wuwei's speculation; he had specifically consulted with esteemed figures such as Ju Yuanzi, Ying Longjun, Qin Shenjun, and most of the high-ranking experts within Lingbaoxuan, even seeking advice from Xiezhi on one occasion.

The aforementioned masters had all stated that Qiankun Ruyi Coins were items closely connected to the Dao. Though Ji Yuan simply referred to them as "magic coins," they truly pointed to the fundamental essence, manifesting as Dao artifacts. Even if these masters knew the refining method, creating Ruyi Coins would be akin to forging a treasure, demanding significant time, energy, and spiritual power. Refining the lower grades of magic coins, however, would be considerably simpler.

When Wei Wuwei posed the question to Xiezhi, the latter simply smiled and replied, "Aside from Ji Yuan, no one else should even contemplate refining Ruyi Coins."

Thus, Wei Wuwei, inherently confident, felt completely assured. After all, Ji Yuan stood behind him, and the very concept of magic coins was his own realization.

Hearing that Wei Wuwei had considered everything so meticulously, even more thoroughly than he himself had, Ji Yuan had nothing more to add. With so many other matters to attend to, he simply decided to trust Wei Wuwei.

"Very well, in that case, proceed as you see fit. Do you have enough magic coins?"

Wei Wuwei's heart surged with joy.

"Thank you for your trust, Sir. We have enough magic coins — in fact, I haven't even used a single one yet! If you have no other instructions, I must quickly return to prepare and consult with my colleagues from Lingbaoxuan."

"Very good, Patriarch Wei, take care. Oh, and regarding the stewed noodle stall at Tianniu Fangkou, if that Wei clan member has other ambitions, there's no need for him to continue selling noodles there."

Wei Wuwei quickly bowed once more.

"Yes, I understand. I shall take my leave now."

"Alright, I won't see you out."

"It's my honor!"

Wei Wuwei left Jv'an Small Pavilion with a sense of satisfaction. He understood Ji Yuan's meaning: it was a time for the Wei clan to bravely advance and expand their influence. All younger Wei clan members surely harbored ambitions, and those capable of running a stall outside Tianniu Fang were certainly not ordinary individuals.

Wei Wuwei strode out of Tianniu Fang light-footed. He saw the Wei clan member, whose stall bore the sign "Sun's Stewed Noodles," busily cleaning up. The customers had just left, leaving many bowls and chopsticks to be washed.

Wei Wuwei approached, and before the stall owner, who had just noticed him, could bow, he spoke.

"Starting tomorrow, if you no longer wish to run this stall, you may return to Desheng Prefecture City, where significant new responsibilities will be arranged for you."

The stall owner paused, then immediately put down his bowl and bowed.

"Patriarch, have I done something amiss?"

"Haha, you've done nothing wrong. It's simply that there's no longer a need to specifically do this. Of course, if you prefer to continue running this noodle stall and enjoy the tranquility here, I fully support that."

The Wei clan member's face lit up with surprise and joy.

"I am eager to follow the Patriarch in establishing the Wei clan's enduring legacy!"

Wei Wuwei nodded, turned to leave, and a final instruction drifted back.

"You must properly explain the situation to the Sun family, and don't forget to pack up the stall and return it to them."

"Understood!"

Hearing the Wei clan member's excited reply, Wei Wuwei turned his head slightly but didn't look back, sighing inwardly. While the man was intelligent, he didn't seem to possess the qualities for truly great undertakings. If he had genuinely preferred to continue running the stall, regardless of whether it was true or feigned, Wei Wuwei would have certainly held him in higher esteem.

However, Wei Wuwei was not yet ready to return home. He still needed to make a trip to Niukui Mountain. Lu Shanjun held strong grievances against Hu Yun, and Wei Wuwei couldn't pretend he hadn't heard about it. He felt obligated to help Lu Shanjun express his displeasure to Hu Yun, serving as a reminder as well.

Inside Jv'an Small Pavilion, Wei Wuwei had already departed, but Ji Yuan remained, pondering what Wei Wuwei had said earlier. Despite the brevity of the visit, the information conveyed was substantial.

"Sir, that Lian Ping'er is truly despicable, daring to impersonate your Dao companion and harm others!"

"Master, even common demons respectfully address you as Mr. Ji, yet this person shows no regard whatsoever. If she isn't removed soon, she will undoubtedly become a significant problem in the future."

Ji Yuan twirled the chess piece in his hand, placed it on a spot on the board, then looked at Zaoniang and Bairuo.

"Bairuo, go to Yunshan Temple. Ask Daoist Master Qingsong to divine the whereabouts of the demon blood from beneath the Mirror Sea's heavy waters. Send me a message back with the information, and for now, remain at Yunshan Temple to peruse those few Heavenly Books."

"As you command, Master!"

"Zaoniang, if you wish to go, you may accompany her."

However, Zaoniang smiled and shook her head.

"I have already read all those Heavenly Books, and since Master is here in the pavilion, Zaoniang prefers to stay and attend to him."