51: Chapter 51 Earning Spirit Stones: Two Pillars for the Future!

The journey through the remaining three counties went very smoothly.

Ningshui County was relatively impoverished. As a newly promoted Foundation Establishment Family, the Bai Family was also in a period of recuperation, so the majority of active people were Loose Cultivators.

Sun Mao simply went through the motions, offered market prices, and finished everything quickly.

Jing'an County, however, had a minor incident.

A local leader of Loose Cultivators at the eighth level of Qi Refining, relying on the prestige he had accumulated over many years, mockingly claimed in front of many street vendors that the Commerce Alliance was nothing more than a front for the Sun Clan to amass wealth...

Sun Mao did not lift a finger.

He had someone transcribe a copy of the accounts from the Nine Counties over the past half year and read them aloud to the surrounding vendors on the spot.

How much more they earned, how much less they paid—it was all there in black and white.

Standing in the crowd, the Loose Cultivator leader's face turned from red to white before he finally slipped away into the crowd and vanished.

The Black Dog lay at Sun Mao's feet and let out a yawn.

The final county, Dong'an County, also concluded extremely quickly, with all business negotiations proceeding smoothly.

The merchant caravan turned around and headed straight for Baiyun Market.

---

Inside Baiyun Market, the Sun Clan owned three storefronts in a relatively central location with dense foot traffic, right next to the Spirit Medicine Street.

Sun Mao spent half a day rearranging the storefronts.

The shop sign was changed to the two words 'Mingqiu,' personally written by Sun Boan. The handwriting was steady and flamboyant, exuding a majestic aura.

On the day of the opening, there was no ceremony. Sun Mao simply had the shopkeeper hang up the price tags and opened the doors directly.

Spirit Medicines, Yao Beast Materials, low-tier Medicinal Pills, and various miscellaneous items.

The quality was genuine, and the prices were five to ten percent lower than similar shops. As news spread, the foot traffic on the first day nearly trampled the threshold flat.

Sun Boan stood on the second floor of the tea house opposite, looking down with a cup in hand, saying nothing.

The moment the accounts began to roll in, he squeezed his teacup and let out a sigh of relief.

Three days later, Sun Mao presented the summary of the accounts to Sun Boan.

“After deducting business costs, labor expenses, and shop renovations, the net profit is over four thousand three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”

Sun Mao paused and added, “If we include the batch of Yongchang spiritual plants that have been negotiated but not yet delivered, it could reach four thousand eight hundred.”

Sun Boan looked at the stack of accounts, flicked the abacus beads, and looked up. “For the first trip, it's enough.”

Enough—it truly was enough.

It wasn't just enough Spirit Stones; it meant that from now on, the Sun Clan had its own channel to reach outward. Making such a trip every year could nearly double their output!

The next ten years would surely be the golden age of the Sun Clan.

...

On the west side of Baiyun Market.

There was a tea house exclusively for the Disciples of White Cloud Temple called 'Jiyue Pavilion,' which was an industry under the temple's name.

Sun Mao was waiting for someone here.

He didn't wait long.

A young girl of sixteen or seventeen walked in, wearing the white uniform of the temple, her hair combed neatly.

Her features were still as they were in her childhood, but her gaze had become much more steady, carrying a focus that exceeded her age.

Sun Yao saw Sun Mao the moment she entered and was stunned for a moment, her emotions surging, before she walked over and sat down opposite him.

“You've grown taller.”

“You've grown thinner.”

The two looked at each other for a moment before Sun Yao was the first to look away. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said in a very low voice:

“The sect has many rules, but it's alright; no one bullies me.”

Sun Mao nodded and didn't press further.

Since she said she was fine, then she truly was fine. Sun Yao was not the type to endure in silence; she had a straightforward personality.

“How is Grandfather's side doing?”

Sun Yao put down her teacup, her fingers unconsciously turning the lid.

“The old man is doing quite well, his health is still robust. You don't need to worry; with us and the Old Ancestor at home, the Family won't collapse.”

Hearing this, Sun Yao's hand holding the cup paused. She didn't speak, lowering her head, her eyelashes fluttering slightly as she showed a hint of relief.

After a while, she finally said, “And Ancestor Shi? Is he still in secluded cultivation?”

“He's been in for half a year now, with no news.”

“So he hasn't come out yet.”

“If he were to come out, there would be a commotion all over the back mountain.”

Sun Mao laughed. “You certainly understand him.”

“Anyone who lives on the back mountain long enough would understand.” Sun Yao looked up. “The Old Ancestor's temperament may seem lazy, but he's clear-headed about everything. Grandfather's foundation establishment pill was decided by him personally.”

Sun Mao didn't reply, but simply pushed a Storage Pouch across the table.

Sun Yao looked down at it but didn't move.

“What's inside?”

“Three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, a set of spiritual energy auxiliary cultivation array diagrams, and some miscellaneous Medicinal Pills, all of which I refined personally.”

“I specifically sought out the array diagrams from the market; they are useful for harmonizing the spiritual energy of a three-attribute Spiritual Root. Take them back and contemplate them slowly.”

Sun Yao frowned. “Can't the Family use these things themselves?”

“The Family can use them, but it's more worthwhile for the Family to give them to you.”

“I have sect resources, I don't need...”

“Sect resources are given to you by the sect.” Sun Mao interrupted her, his tone flat. “This is from the Family for our own people; they are two different things.”

“First, you are a member of my Sun Family; second, you are a Disciple of White Cloud Temple.”

Sun Yao was silent for a moment and didn't push back again.

She took the Storage Pouch, tucked it into her robes, and rested her hand on it for a moment.

“Sun Mao,”

“You all take care out there.”

“Don't make it sound like a funeral. We're all Family; Family doesn't need to speak like strangers.” Sun Mao picked up his teacup.

“I'm serious.”

“I know.”

Sun Mao took a sip of tea and set down the cup. “So you'd better cultivate seriously for me too. Don't delay the matter of Foundation Establishment. If you can do it within ten years, then do it.”

Sun Yao gave an 'en' in response. She didn't boast, just nodded.

This was the Sun Family; they had a resilience in their bones. Things they promised would be remembered until death, passed down like a flame, never to be extinguished.

Waiting for the day when the sparks would set the plains ablaze!

...

In the evening, Sun Mao walked out of Jiyue Pavilion. The Black Dog darted out from a corner to follow his lead, and the Spirit Mouse poked its head out from his sleeve with a squeak.

Sun Mao ignored his spirit pets. He looked up at the faintly visible mountain gate of White Cloud Temple above Baiyun Market...

The mist there was permanent, like a fairyland. A hint of envy flashed in his eyes.

He withdrew his gaze.

The first circuit of the Mingqiu Merchant Alliance ended here. It wasn't a loss; in fact, they had earned quite a lot.

The Dark Gold Ape bone fragments were tucked away in his Storage Pouch, and the lei yuan fruit tree was already loaded onto the wagon. When he returned, he would take them all to the back mountain.

He didn't know when Ancestor Shi would emerge from seclusion, or if he would be able to use these things when he did.

But no matter what, they had to be prepared.

Sun Mao pulled his collar tight and turned toward the encampment...

Just then, footsteps came chasing from behind.

A youth dressed as a White Cloud Temple Disciple caught up, panting as he handed over a folded note.

“Benefactor Sun, our Senior Sister asked me to deliver this. She said... she forgot to say it in person.”

Sun Mao took it and unfolded it to see only four words—

[Safe travels]

He folded the note, tucked it into his sleeve, said nothing, and continued walking.

The Black Dog gave a low growl, seemingly urging him on.

Sun Mao gave it a kick, but his pace unconsciously quickened a bit.

Tomorrow morning, they would set off for home!