In the side hall, Uncle-Master Pang and the others carefully examined their new Comprehensive Mirror.
The lowest level of cultivation among them was Nascent Soul, while this Comprehensive Mirror was merely a Qi Foundation Establishment level Qi Refinement Realm Law Artifact.
But the eyes of the crowd were filled with curiosity, even amazement.
Although they had never seen a smartphone before, none of them were fools. After listening to Madam Xuanhua's explanation, how could they not understand the special nature of Comprehensive Mirror Law Artifact like the Zizhi Tongjian?
Leaving aside the function of the Comprehensive Mirror, the very concept behind this Law Artifact is unprecedented even in the Xuanwei Realm.
In terms of function, Xuanwei Law Artifact Law Treasure can be roughly divided into two types: either they help in combat, or they assist in cultivation.
Other types of ritual Law Artifact do exist, but they are never valued.
No one had ever thought of creating a magical Law Artifact similar to the Comprehensive Mirror.
In the past, if someone asked them to spend Spirit Stone to buy a magical Law Artifact that could neither harm people, protect them from harm, nor accelerate their cultivation, they would have thought that person was trying to cheat them.
Yet, looking at the Comprehensive Mirror before them, they had only one answer in their hearts:
purchase!
Not only them, but as Xiao Yuying said, any Xuanwei cultivator would probably find it difficult to resist the new Comprehensive Mirror.
" The Comprehensive Mirror (Comprehensive Mirror) is a magical Law Artifact unprecedented in the Xuanwei Realm, with a vast market prospect." After a long silence, Xiao Yuying asked first, "Could it be that these two applications can be even more profitable?"
Uncle-Master Pang nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with Xiao Yuying's words.
Judging from his own experience, he found it hard to imagine how much benefit the Comprehensive Mirror could bring to the Nine Mountains Realm.
But Madam Xuanhua's words implied that these two applications could be even more profitable than the Comprehensive Mirror itself...
This was truly beyond his comprehension.
Madam Xuanhua glanced at Zheng Fa, a hint of admiration in her eyes:
"Just like before the New-Style Comprehensive Mirror came out, I didn't know that Law Artifact could be made in this way. If the Sect Leader hadn't designed these two applications, I also wouldn't have thought that Spirit Stone could be earned in this way."
After saying that, she lightly tapped the Nine Mountains Marketplace.
A new interface popped up in the light screen in mid-air.
A list of magical Law Artifact and elixirs appeared on the interface.
They are arranged from top to bottom, with patterns on the left and text and numbers on the right.
The name, style, and price were all clearly displayed. Even though he had never seen a similar Law Artifact before, Uncle-Master Pang immediately understood what this mall was.
" Zheng Fa included the establishment of Marketplace in the Comprehensive Mirror (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government)?"
Uncle-Master Pang asked in surprise.
Zheng Fa inwardly praised his uncle, thinking that this uncle was quite perceptive and that his words had a sharp edge.
For cultivators of the Xuanwei realm, this marketplace is essentially an online Marketplace.
Madam Xuanhua nodded and said, "According to the Sect Leader's idea, in the future, cultivators of the Hundred Immortals Alliance and even the entire Xuanwei Realm will be able to purchase pills and magical Law Artifact through the Nine Mountains Marketplace."
"Buy? How do I get the items after buying them... Oh, the Divine Firmament Warship!" Uncle-Master Pang was puzzled at first, but then he immediately realized, " The Divine Firmament Warship can deliver goods!"
As expected, this senior uncle was the most knowledgeable about practical matters among the previous elders of the Nine Mountains Sect Taishang, and he could even see the foundation of the mall's operation at a glance.
Zheng Fa has been eyeing the online marketplace for quite some time.
However, without the Divine Firmament Warship and a low-cost logistics system, this idea is just a castle in the air.
Now that Zheng Fa has improved, the Comprehensive Mirror Tongjian has been perfected, and the logistics system is functioning well, everything is ready and things are going smoothly.
Uncle-Master Pang murmured, "In this way, every user of the Comprehensive Mirror will be a customer of our Nine Mountains Market. If everyone Comprehensive Mirror the Xuanwei Realm has one, then... this market will encompass all cultivators in the Xuanwei Realm, making it the largest Marketplace in the Xuanwei Realm!"
Not only him, but everyone in the hall immediately realized why Madam Xuanhua valued these two applications so much.
This Nine Mountains Marketplace freed the Marketplace from geographical limitations; anyone with Comprehensive Mirror could shop.
It is easy to imagine how huge the market Nine Mountains Realm will have in the future.
Elder Xiong Azure Wood Sect Zongxiong suddenly looked at Zheng Fa.
With so many customers, wouldn't we be able to sell as many pills as we produce?
The conclusion was actually quite obvious, but his tone was full of disbelief.
Zheng Fa nodded to him.
Elder Xiong's breathing became heavier. As the Grand Elder of the Azure Wood Sect, he naturally understood the Spirit Stone value behind the words "no worries about selling."
Thinking about the future prospects of the mall, his hand holding the Comprehensive Mirror trembled slightly.
"It's not just that we don't have to worry about customers."
Unexpectedly, Madam Xuanhua threw out another remark.
"This marketplace isn't just about making money off customers. The Sect Leader plans to open it up to other sects or Rogue Cultivator to set up shops."
"... Open a shop?" Elder Xiong murmured softly at first, then slapped his thigh and shouted, "That's right, we can even collect rent!"
The others also looked enlightened.
With such a large market, how could Nine Mountains Marketplace not attract merchants?
The bulk of the income from Marketplace comes from rental income.
"This... this mall makes money off customers, and it also makes money off the shop owners?" Uncle-Master Pang stammered, "Earning from both sides?"
Uncle-Master Pang is being a bit too perceptive...
The phrase "eating from both sides" sounds really bad.
It was clearly meant to make business easy for Xuanwei!
"It's not just about making money; that's a minor point," Zheng Fa explained. "What I value is that this marketplace can unite other cultivators."
Nine Mountains Marketplace is of great significance to the Nine Mountains Realm.
On the one hand, it can resolve a potential problem:
The technology in the Nine Mountains Realm is constantly improving, and the production of various Law Artifact and elixirs is increasing day by day.
This is certainly a good thing.
However, for production capacity to be transformed into substantial wealth, or to generate excess profits, a market is required.
The traditional Marketplace in the Hundred Immortals Alliance have limited purchasing power and are inconvenient to navigate.
Although it can currently meet the needs of the Nine Mountains Realm, considering the technological advancements of the Nine Mountains Sect, there will always be a day when it is insufficient.
On the other hand, it is to unite people's hearts.
"Whether it's the Hundred Immortals Alliance or those Xuanwei cultivators in the future, if they can earn Spirit Stone on the Nine Mountains Marketplace, they will naturally be loyal to our Nine Mountains Sect," Zheng Fa said softly. "We can give up some less important assets to support their livelihood."
As the economy develops, business activities inevitably become more complex.
Even with the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation, the Nine Mountains Sect could not possibly control all of its industries.
This model has too many drawbacks, and the returns are actually not high.
His current plan is for the Nine Mountains Sect to control key areas and high-end industries, while opening up other industries to other cultivators.
With a platform like the online marketplace to collect rent, Nine Mountains Sect has no worries about making a profit.
Besides, the greatest advantage of this method, as Zheng Fa said, is actually its influence on the change of people's hearts:
Cultivators are also human beings; their lives are filled with activity, all driven by nothing more than self-interest.
When these merchants enter the Nine Mountains Sect's business system, they will naturally take on the shape of the Nine Mountains Sect.
In this way, talent is cultivated through high-investment education, and talent improves commodity output through the scientific research system. Commodities earn resources such as Spirit Stone through the Nine Mountains Marketplace, and these resources can then cultivate even more talent.
When these three elements form a cycle, the development of the Nine Mountains Sect can be considered to be on the right track.
He was still thinking about Nine Mountains Marketplace when he suddenly realized something was wrong.
The once quiet side hall was now bustling with noise and chatter.
He turned his head and saw Senior Sister Zhang and Aunt-Master Huang huddled together, with Xiao Yuying and Xie Qingxue also joining in, chatting animatedly.
Zheng Fa quietly walked behind the four people and saw that they were holding the Comprehensive Mirror in their hands and browsing through the Nine Mountains Marketplace, seemingly selecting Law Artifact.
"This Law Artifact is beautiful!"
Xie Qingxue pointed to a jade hairpin.
"This was crafted by a female disciple of the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion. Her skill is quite good, and it has some ingenuity," Madam Xuanhua said after thinking for a moment, glancing at Xie Qingxue. "It should suit you quite well, True Person Xie."
"Then I'll order one!" Xie Qingxue seemed to really like the hairpin, and even asked the others, "Do you want one?"
Senior Sister Zhang shook her head.
Xiao Yuying hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll buy one too. They're not expensive, and I won't feel bad if they don't fit."
No, you're all at least at the Nascent Soul, what use would you have for a Law Artifact like a jade hairpin?
Besides, Xiao Yuying, are you someone who's missing a hairpin?
My Senior Sister Zhang is so thrifty...
Senior sister?
Senior Sister Zhang lightly raised her jade finger and tapped the Zizhi Tongjian dozens of times. Her movements could be Comprehensive Mirror in two words: domineering!
" True Person Zhang, why did you buy so many dresses?"
"Change clothes."
"... I remember, I've never seen you, True Person Zhang, go to the Marketplace?"
" The Marketplace is too crowded, it's troublesome."
"That's true!" Xie Qingxue nodded slightly, her expression agreeing. "When you go, a whole group of people surround you. I'm in the Tianhe Sect, so I don't go there often."
This was something Zheng Fa hadn't expected.
Indeed, given Senior Sister Zhang's status, her visit to Nine Mountains Market now seems like an inspection tour by a high-ranking official.
Others felt uncomfortable, but she felt even more uncomfortable.
Moreover, she is extremely busy.
Xiao Yuying, who was also quite famous, probably had similar worries. Engrossed in the online store, she said cheerfully, "That's right, with this online store now, things are so much more convenient."
Seeing how enthusiastically Senior Sister Zhang and the other three were doing it, the prospects for this mall were even better than they had imagined!
Zheng Fa looked at the others and saw that Uncle-Master Pang was staring blankly at Aunt-Master Huang with a complicated expression, seemingly lost in thought.
"Uncle-Master?"
Uncle-Master Pang, however, seemed to be trying to hide something from someone, and secretly transmitted his voice:
"How many years has it been?"
Zheng Fa was puzzled and asked telepathically, "What do you mean, how many years?"
"That guy surnamed Huang hasn't laughed like that in years."
There was a faint hint of nostalgia in Uncle-Master Pang's tone.
Zheng Fa looked up at Aunt-Master Huang Aunt-Master Huang, who was standing next to Senior Sister Zhang, also chattering away as they picked out dresses.
Judging from their conversation, it seemed like the master and apprentice were talking about buying the same dress and wearing it together.
Just as Uncle-Master Pang said, Aunt-Master Huang had an extremely hearty smile on his face when he was choosing clothes.
In all his years at the Nine Mountains Sect, he had never seen his Aunt-Master Huang smile like that before.
Zheng Fa heard his Uncle-Master Pang sigh softly again:
"Back in the day, this woman surnamed Huang loved to go to the Marketplace. She went every day, buying clothes one day and jewelry the next. She was such a spendthrift, it made my senior brother complain to me every day, and sometimes he even borrowed money from her. But later... she never went to the Marketplace again."
I didn't expect Nine Mountains Marketplace to have this effect.
Seeing Aunt-Master Huang's smiling face, Zheng Fa felt a sense of accomplishment, and believed that Uncle-Master Pang was also quite pleased...
"As expected, you're incorrigible and superficial!"
"?"
So you're afraid to say it openly because you're afraid of getting beaten up, right?
Seeing that Senior Sister Zhang and the other three were still engrossed in shopping, Uncle-Master Pang shook his head and said impatiently, "Taking so long to pick out clothes is such a hassle. I could finish in half an incense stick's time! Tell me, what does that Nine Mountains Entertainment do?"
" Nine Mountains Entertainment is very simple." Zheng Fa tapped the screen, opening Nine Mountains Entertainment. "It's basically news, plays, and storybooks."
"The news? The one that Junior Nephew Yuan was in charge of?"
Uncle-Master Pang was stunned.
"That's the one."
"What's the point of showing this news to outsiders? It could easily lead to leaks."
Uncle-Master Pang clearly didn't understand.
Zheng Fa smiled but offered no explanation.
Even disregarding Uncle-Master Pang, it's likely that even the propaganda genius Old Yuan doesn't fully grasp the true power of controlling public opinion.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Uncle-Master Pang didn't press him further, but instead looked at the other two sections.
"A stage play? Like that rescue play from before..."
"Yes, we have quite a few plays in our sect now. We can put them here in the future and let other cultivators pay to watch them."
"...Great! This will definitely make money!" Uncle-Master Pang exclaimed happily, "It might even make more money than the in-game store!"
Zheng Fa nodded slightly. Uncle-Master Pang indeed had some talent for mundane affairs.
Based on his observations over the years, many monks' entertainment needs even outweigh their physiological needs.
Cultivators are a group with an extremely long theoretical lifespan, yet their lives are often uncertain and they face immense psychological pressure.
Once their cultivation reaches the Golden Core stage, they can even skip eating.
If a cultivator lies down, he is practically idle, bored out of his mind, and doesn't know how to pass the time.
It can be said that there is an extreme lack of entertainment activities.
Tickets for the theaters in Nine Mountains Market are always in short supply.
Drama has become a signature feature of the Marketplace, attracting many visiting monks.
"But storybooks are too old-fashioned, aren't they? There's nothing new to them, so they probably won't make much money. They can't compare to plays; they're fresh, something the Xuanwei Realm doesn't have."
Uncle-Master Pang said with absolute certainty, "Not to mention others, I read quite a few storybooks when I was young, but I've long since lost interest. Besides, it would cost money, so it's absolutely impossible!"
Before Zheng Fa could explain, an urgent question came from beside him.
What's next?
Zheng Fa and Uncle-Master Pang turned around and saw Elder Xiong standing anxiously to the side.
"What below?"
Uncle-Master Pang asked, puzzled.
"Storybooks!"
Uncle-Master Pang asked curiously, "Storybooks? What are they about?"
"Let me tell you, this story is quite interesting. The protagonist's fiancée was stolen by a disciple of Vast Sun Mountain, leaving him severely injured and on the verge of death. Just when things seemed to be turning around, he found a ring containing the remnant soul of a powerful being. He had a series of fortuitous encounters, joined the Nine Mountains Sect, and soared to great heights. He awakened his talent for weapon crafting and achieved the Golden Core stage in just ten years."
At this point, Elder Xiong paused, his gaze towards Zheng Fa even tinged with resentment, "I just saw the protagonist seeking revenge on that scoundrel from Vast Sun Mountain, and then that was it?"
Uncle-Master Pang listened, stunned, and stared blankly at Zheng Fa: "What kind of storybook is this? I've never seen it before."
"My newly written one."
Uncle-Master Pang listened, his curiosity growing stronger.
He opened the Comprehensive Mirror, found the storybook interface, saw that there was only one book on it, and started reading it directly.
Nascent Soul Cultivator read extremely fast, and their facial expressions changed even faster, like a face-changing act. One moment they were gritting their teeth, and the next they were beaming with joy.
He would slap his thigh every now and then, making a loud slapping sound, completely unaware of it.
After about half an incense stick's time, he raised his head and looked at Zheng Fa:
"What's next?"
"The payment is due now."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Uncle-Master Pang took out a Spirit Stone and stuffed it into Zheng Fa's hand without any hesitation.
Zheng Fa handed him a card and explained to his somewhat confused Uncle-Master Pang, "This is Merit Card. Uncle, you can enter the number on it into the Comprehensive Mirror to earn Merit Points. These Merit Points can be used to shop in the mall and to watch plays and read stories at Nine Mountains Entertainment."
The biggest problem in making money through these two apps is actually the lack of a suitable payment system.
Given the incomplete monetary system of the Xuanwei Realm, Zheng Fa couldn't think of a solution for the time being, and now he could only resort to something similar to game point cards:
Holders of the Comprehensive Mirror) can purchase physical game cards, recharge their Merit, and then spend them.
Although it's a bit troublesome, given the current technological reserves of the Nine Mountains Realm, this is the only solution Zheng Fa can think of for the time being.
Aunt-Master Huang led Senior Sister Zhang to Zheng Dharma Body, and looking at Uncle-Master Pang, whose expression seemed to change drastically in an instant, asked in confusion:
"What is he doing? Has he Qi Deviation?"
"Read storybooks."
Aunt-Master Huang sneered upon hearing this, "This fellow surnamed Pang, after all these years, he hasn't changed his ways. How naive!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Xuanhua hesitated for a moment, then spoke up for Uncle-Master Pang, saying, "It's not entirely Elder Pang's fault."
"Um?"
"Although the plot of this storybook by the Sect Leader is somewhat thin and the language is almost plain, it is so captivating that one cannot put it down. I couldn't resist reading it for a whole day and night the other day, and almost neglected the important business of the Heavenly Crafts Pavilion."
"... So beautiful?"
Aunt-Master Huang asked in surprise.
Uncle-Master Pang looked up, giving Zheng Fa a strange look:
"It's more than just good-looking! Zheng Fa's storytelling, tsk..."
"What are you tsk about?"
"The villain in his story is True Disciple of Vast Sun Mountain, surnamed Lu. He's incredibly arrogant, unreasonable, treacherous, and vicious. Vast Sun Mountain is also a hypocrite, a den of snakes and rats." Uncle-Master Pang's tone became increasingly strange. "The protagonist joined the Nine Mountains Sect, where brothers are friendly and respectful, elders are kind, fair and just, and the sect is united in purpose."
"After comparing them, who wouldn't curse Vast Sun Mountain?"
Who wouldn't admire my Nine Mountains Sect after seeing this?
"And yet, it's written so well, you can't find a single flaw in the details."
Of course, there's nothing wrong with it.
When Zheng Fa copied this stuff, the storyline was naturally written to be easy for beginners.
However, the Cultivation Method techniques, secrets, Law Artifact artifacts and elixirs, the customs and traditions of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and especially the rules of Vast Sun Mountain, are all true and realistic.
He personally gathered information and conducted on-site investigations at the Profound Mystery Sect. As True Disciple of Vast Sun Mountain, he directly possesses firsthand information; who dares to say it's false?
This story is 100% fictional in modern times.
But in the Xuanwei Realm, it's almost worthy of being called documentary literature.
Modern people call this kind of cheesy, lowbrow writing, but Zheng Fa dares not criticize it.
But once inside the Xuanwei Realm, these cultivators respectfully addressed it as... the Brilliant Dream of the Nine Mountains!
" The Nine Mountains Sect here is perfect..." Uncle-Master Pang looked at Zheng Fa with a very strange expression, "I blushed just looking at it."
Everyone's expressions turned somewhat strange upon hearing this.
This Elder Pang is probably the one in the hall who cares most about the Nine Mountains Sect.
If he said that, you can imagine how incredibly good the Nine Mountains Sect in this story must be.
Sun Daoyu entered from outside the hall, bowed to the Nascent Soul, and then cupped his hands to Zheng Fa, saying, "All the disciples have arrived. Please give your instructions, Sect Leader."
Zheng Fa nodded to Sun Daoyu, then turned to Uncle-Master Pang and said, "Uncle Pang, do you think the Nine Mountains Sect in this story is too fake?"
Uncle-Master Pang grinned. "I'm not saying the Nine Mountains Sect is bad, but the Nine Mountains Sect in this storybook... is too good to be true."
Zheng Fa smiled, lifted his foot, and walked towards the door, leaving only his voice echoing in the hall:
"But that's the Nine Mountains Sect in my heart."
"If my uncle thinks it's not realistic enough, then after the Nine Mountains are restructured today, we'll make it a reality."
(End of this chapter)