185: Chapter 185: Scattering Spirit Stones

Xiao Ran returned to the stronghold when dawn was about to break.

He did not rest and immediately gathered his people.

Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui, Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, Captain Zhao Wuji, Finance Manager Shen Qing, Lin Xue... everyone stood in the courtyard.

Xiao Ran scanned the circle, took out the property deed from his robes, and waved it in front of everyone.

"The three storefronts in the east of the city are ours starting from today."

Everyone was stunned, then burst into cheers.

Deputy Commander Tie Xiong rubbed his hands in excitement: "Elder, are we opening a shop?"

Xiao Ran nodded: "Yes, opening a shop."

He looked at Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui: "Junior Brother Bai, you are responsible for the renovation. I want to see the three storefronts looking brand new within three days."

Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui nodded: "Understood."

Xiao Ran looked at Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, and Captain Zhao Wuji.

"The three of you are responsible for purchasing stock—Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and Materials. Buy as much as you can; the money will come from the stronghold's account."

The three responded in unison.

Xiao Ran finally looked at Finance Manager Shen Qing and Lin Xue.

"You two are responsible for watching the shop. Finance Manager Shen Qing, you manage the accounts, and Lin Xue, you handle the customers."

Finance Manager Shen Qing was stunned: "Elder, I... my cultivation is too low, I'm afraid..."

Xiao Ran waved his hand: "Don't worry about low cultivation; as long as you have a sharp mind. You were a Genius before, so you should know how to calculate accounts, right?"

Finance Manager Shen Qing gritted his teeth: "I do."

Xiao Ran nodded, then looked at Lin Xue: "And you?"

Lin Xue gripped her short sword tightly: "Don't worry, Elder, I will definitely work hard!"

Xiao Ran nodded with satisfaction: "Alright, go get busy. We open in three days."

Everyone dispersed.

Xiao Ran stood in the courtyard, watching the sky gradually brighten, and took a deep breath.

The storefronts were acquired, the manpower was ready, and the stock source was settled.

Next, it was just a matter of waiting for the grand opening.

He turned and walked into the main hall, took a blank plaque from his storage ring, and raised his hand to carve three large characters onto it.

Guixu Pavilion.

The stroke was like a sword, and the Aura was imposing.

Three days later.

East of the city, Guixu Pavilion.

The three storefronts had been opened up and connected into one.

White walls, black tiles, vermilion lacquer doors, and a brand-new plaque hung on the lintel.

Inscribed were the three large characters: Guixu Pavilion.

Two stone lions stood at the entrance, looking majestic.

A red carpet was laid out on the steps, and flower baskets were placed on both sides.

Even before the auspicious time, the entrance was already crowded with people.

"Guixu Pavilion? This name is quite imposing!"

"I heard it was opened by people from the Eternal Night Demon Sect?"

"The Eternal Night Demon Sect? That is one of the four transcendent powers in the Far North Land!"

"No wonder it's so grand."

In the crowd, a few young people dressed in white robes squeezed to the front; they were Outer Sect Disciples of the Sword Sect.

The leader was a young man with a sinister expression, a Nascent Soul Great Perfection, looking arrogant.

"The Eternal Night Demon Sect? In the Far North Land, it's not their turn to be arrogant."

He snorted coldly.

The people beside him quickly echoed: "Exactly, exactly, the Sword Sect is the hegemon of the Far North Land."

"They are nowhere to be seen when it comes to defending against the Yao Race, but they are quite good at opening shops."

"..."

As expected, the people from the Sword Sect were extremely arrogant.

Xiao Ran stood at the entrance, watching the crowd, taking everything in.

Including the complaints from the Sword Sect Disciples.

However, Xiao Ran had no time to deal with them right now because he needed to prepare for the opening ceremony and give the small Sword Qi Great Wall a shock.

Xiao Ran raised his hand and sent a surge of spiritual power into the ground.

The ground shook, and a stone platform three zhang high rose from the ground.

Everyone was stunned, not knowing what he was going to do.

Xiao Ran took a step, and his figure shot straight into the clouds!

The pressure of the Soul Transformation Stage was released without reservation, and in an instant, the wind and clouds changed color.

In the sky, a huge vortex appeared out of thin air, with gray-black light swirling in the center, as if it could swallow everything.

"My god!"

"What kind of method is this?"

Xiao Ran stood in the air, overlooking the scene below.

He raised his hand and waved it gently.

In an instant, countless Spirit Stones flew out from his sleeves!

Top-Grade Spirit Stones, each one worth a fortune.

The Spirit Stones fell like raindrops, sparkling with dazzling light under the sun!

"Spirit Stone rain! It's a Spirit Stone rain!"

"My god! So many Spirit Stones!"

"Grab them!"

Thousands of people rushed madly toward where the Spirit Stone rain was falling!

Some jumped to catch them, some used spiritual power to draw them in, and some simply lay on the ground to pick them up.

For a time, the scene was extremely chaotic!

Some grabbed a dozen and beamed with joy.

Some only grabbed one or two and were filled with annoyance.

Some almost started fighting over a single Spirit Stone.

Xiao Ran stood on the high platform watching this scene, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.

This was the effect he wanted.

The Spirit Stone rain lasted for ten full breaths, showering down a full ten thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones.

It was simply outrageously wealthy.

When the Spirit Stone rain stopped, the ground was covered with a thick layer.

Some low-cultivation Cultivators lay directly on the ground, frantically picking them up.

These Spirit Stones might just be pocket change for the big shots, but for them, it was cultivation resources for several days.

Those Soul Transformation Stage onlookers watched this scene, and the corners of their mouths twitched.

"This kid... is this rich?"

"Nonsense, can someone from the Eternal Night Demon Sect not have money?"

"This display is even grander than when Wan Hua Pavilion opened back then."

Xiao Ran slowly descended from the sky and stood in front of Guixu Pavilion.

"Everyone,"

His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered everyone's ears.

"Guixu Pavilion is open today. We have Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and Materials—everything you need. The prices are fair, and we do not cheat our customers."

He paused.

"Today is our grand opening sale, 20% off everything."

"Additionally, the first one hundred guests to enter the shop will each be gifted a foundation establishment pill."

The crowd boiled over again!

"A foundation establishment pill? Giving them away for free?"

"Charge!"

The crowd surged toward Guixu Pavilion like a tide.

Finance Manager Shen Qing stood behind the counter, busy recording accounts in a flurry.

Lin Xue greeted customers at the door, her face stiff from smiling.

Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, and Captain Zhao Wuji acted as shop assistants, moving goods, collecting money, and answering questions, so busy they didn't have a moment to rest.

Patrol Captain Bai Qiushui stood to the side, maintaining order.

He was dressed in white, with a long sword hanging at his waist, expressionless. Just standing there brought an Aura of "strangers stay away."

A few Cultivators who wanted to fish in troubled waters were scared into pulling their hands back by just one look from him.

Xiao Ran stood in front of the second-floor window, watching the lively scene downstairs, and nodded with satisfaction.

In the Soul connection, Li Changsheng's voice came through.

"Xiao Ran, I heard you were scattering Spirit Stones at your opening?"

Xiao Ran smiled: "You're well-informed."

Li Changsheng: "Nonsense, it's spread all over the Sword Qi Great Wall. There's still a long line at the entrance of your shop right now."

Xiao Ran said proudly: "How about it? The display was grand enough, right?"

Li Changsheng said sourly: "Is having money so great?"

Xiao Ran: "Having money is great. If you aren't convinced, you scatter some too."

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment: "My stronghold is still being rebuilt... Wait until I finish building it, I'll put on a show too."

Xiao Ran laughed out loud.

The two chatted for a few sentences and then cut the connection.

Xiao Ran turned around and looked at the young man in white with a sinister expression downstairs.

The Sword Sect people had indeed come.

"This Fellow Daoist, are you a promising talent from the Sword Sect?"

The young man in white looked up at Xiao Ran, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

"I am Zhou Jian, an Outer Sect Disciple of the Sword Sect. You are the boss of Guixu Pavilion?"

Xiao Ran nodded: "That is I. Fellow Daoist Zhou, what advice do you have?"

Zhou Jian snorted coldly: "Nothing. Just a reminder: the Far North Land is not the territory of the Eternal Night Demon Sect. To do business here, you must follow the local rules."

Xiao Ran smiled: "What rules?"

Zhou Jian stared at him: "The Sword Sect's rules."

After saying this, he turned and left with a few Junior Brothers.

It was as if he was afraid Xiao Ran would make things difficult for him.

Xiao Ran looked at his back, slightly mocking.

Someone from the Sword Sect wanted to give him a show of force!

But it seemed the person behind it had mediocre strength.

He turned and walked back into the shop to continue greeting customers.

Night fell.

The noise of Guixu Pavilion gradually subsided.

Finance Manager Shen Qing lay on the counter, his hands still shaking.

Lin Xue sat in a chair, rubbing her face, which was stiff from smiling.

Deputy Commander Tie Xiong lay on the floor spread-eagled, muttering that he was exhausted to death.

Captain Leng Yue leaned against the wall, closing her eyes to rest.

Captain Zhao Wuji squatted in the corner, counting today's income.

"How much?"

Xiao Ran walked over.

Captain Zhao Wuji looked up, his eyes shining.

"Elder, today's turnover... five hundred thousand Spirit Stones!"

Everyone gasped.

Five hundred thousand Spirit Stones? In one day?

Xiao Ran nodded: "Not bad. After deducting costs, we cleared a profit of three hundred thousand."

He looked at Finance Manager Shen Qing: "Finance Manager Shen Qing, is the account clear?"

Finance Manager Shen Qing nodded quickly: "It's clear; every transaction is documented."

Xiao Ran nodded with satisfaction.

"From today on, you are the manager of Guixu Pavilion, and Lin Xue is the assistant manager."

"Deputy Commander Tie Xiong, Captain Leng Yue, and Captain Zhao Wuji are responsible for purchasing and security, and Junior Brother Bai is responsible for overall coordination."

Everyone responded in unison.