Earning Spirit Stones, Two Pillars of the Future!

The remaining three counties went smoothly.

Ningshui County is relatively barren, Bai Household, as a newly established Foundation Establishment Lineage, is also in a recuperation phase, with most of its members being independent Rogue Cultivator.

Sun Mao went through the motions briefly, gave a market price, and the whole thing was over quickly.

There was a minor incident in Jing'an County.

A local Rogue Cultivator at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, relying on his years of local influence, mocked the Merchant Alliance in front of a group of vendors, saying it was nothing more than a front for the Sun Clan to amass wealth...

Sun Mao did not make a move.

He had someone copy down the accounts of the nine counties over the past six months and read them aloud to the onlookers.

How much more you earn, how much less you pay—it's all in black and white.

The leader of the Rogue Cultivator stood in the crowd, his face turning from red to white, before finally quietly disappearing into the crowd.

The black dog lay down at Sun Mao's feet and yawned.

The last county, Dong'an County, also saw a very quick conclusion, with all business negotiations proceeding smoothly.

The caravan changed course and headed straight for White Cloud Market.

Within White Cloud Market, the three shops owned by the Sun Clan family are located in a central and densely populated area, right next to the street lined with spirit medicine.

Sun Mao spent half a day rearranging the shop.

The plaque on the door was changed to the two characters "Autumn Cry," written by Sun Bo'an himself. His calligraphy was steady and vigorous, exuding a grand and majestic aura.

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

Spirit medicine, Demon Beast materials, low-grade pills, and various other miscellaneous items.

The quality is genuine, and the price is 50% to 10% lower than similar shops. When the news spread, the doorstep was flattened by the crowds on the first day.

Sun Bo'an stood on the second floor of the teahouse across the street, holding his cup and looking down without saying a word.

The moment the accounts started rolling in, he squeezed his teacup and breathed a sigh of relief.

Three days later, Sun Mao presented the summarized accounts to Sun Bo'an.

After deducting the costs of buying and selling, manpower expenses, and shop renovations, the net profit was over 4,300 low-grade Spirit Stone.

Sun Mao paused, then added, "If we include the batch of Yongchang spiritual herbs that has been negotiated but not yet delivered, it could reach four thousand eight hundred."

Sun Bo'an looked at the stack of accounts, adjusted the abacus beads, and said, "That's enough for the first time."

That's enough, really enough.

It's not just about Spirit Stone; it's about giving the Sun Clan a way to reach out and make money. If they do this once a year, their output will nearly double!

The next ten years will undoubtedly be the golden age for the Sun Clan.

West side of White Cloud Market.

There is a teahouse called "Clear Moon Pavilion" that is only open to disciples of White Cloud Temple. It is a property under the White Cloud Temple.

Sun Mao and others were present.

It didn't take long.

A girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old walked in, dressed in a white temple robe, her hair neatly combed.

His eyebrows and eyes are still the same as when he was a child, but his gaze has become much more mature, with a focus beyond his years.

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

You've grown taller.

You've lost weight.

The two stared at each other for a moment, then Sun Yao looked away first, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and spoke in a very low voice:

"My sect has many rules, but thankfully, no one bullies me."

Sun Mao nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

Since she said she was fine, then she really was fine. Sun Yao wasn't the type to keep quiet; she was straightforward.

How is Grandpa doing?

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

"The old man is doing well; he's still in good health. You don't need to worry. With our ancestor here, this family won't collapse."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yao paused in her grip on the cup, remained silent, lowered her head, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly, revealing a hint of relief.

After a while, she asked, "Where is Ancestor Shi? Is he still in seclusion?"

"It's been closed for half a year, and there's been no news."

"That means they haven't come out yet."

"If he comes out, the whole back mountain will be in an uproar."

Sun Mao chuckled. "You seem to know him quite well."

"Anyone who's lived in the back mountain for a long time knows this." Sun Yao raised her eyes. "The old ancestor may seem lazy, but he's very clear-headed. Grandpa's Foundation Establishment Pill was decided by him."

Sun Mao didn't reply, but simply pushed a Storage Bag from the table towards him.

Sun Yao looked down but didn't move.

What's inside?

"Three hundred low-grade Spirit Stone, a set of spiritual energy cultivation array diagrams, and some miscellaneous pills, all of which I refined myself."

"I specially found this array diagram at the market. It's useful for harmonizing the spiritual energy of those with Three Spirit Roots. Take it back and study it slowly."

Sun Yao frowned. "Don't the clan need these things themselves?"

"The clan can use it, but it's more cost-effective for the clan to keep it than for you to use it."

"I have resources from my sect, I don't need..."

"The sect's resources are given to you by the sect," Sun Mao interrupted her, his tone flat. "These are for the clan's own people; they're two separate matters."

"First and foremost, you are Sun Household; only secondly, a disciple of White Cloud Temple."

Sun Yao remained silent for a moment, then did not push it again.

She put the Storage Bag away, placed it in her bosom, and paused for a moment, placing her hand on it.

Sun Mao,

"Take care of yourselves while you're out there."

"Don't talk like it's a funeral. We're all family, and family doesn't need to speak like that." Sun Mao picked up his teacup.

"I'm serious."

"I know."

Sun Mao took a sip of tea and put down the cup. "So you also need to focus on your cultivation. Don't delay the Foundation Establishment process. If you can achieve it within ten years, then do it."

Sun Yao hummed in agreement, making no boastful remarks, but simply nodded.

This is the Sun Household —inherently resilient, they remember their promises to the death, passing the torch from generation to generation, never extinguishing.

When the flames of civilization ignite a prairie fire!

As evening fell, Sun Mao walked out of the Clear Moon Pavilion. The black dog darted out from the corner of the wall and followed him, while the nimble rat poked its head out from his sleeve and squeaked.

Sun Mao ignored the spirit pet and looked up at the Baiyun Temple gate, which was faintly visible above White Cloud Temple White Cloud Market...

The place was shrouded in mist, like a fairyland, and a hint of envy flashed in his eyes.

He looked away.

The first tour of the Autumn Cry Merchant Alliance has come to an end, and it was a profitable venture, even generating considerable profits.

The Dark Gold Ape bone fragments were kept in his Storage Bag, and the Thunder Essence Fruit Tree had already been loaded onto the cart; he would take them to the back mountain when he returned.

It's unknown when Ancestor Shi will emerge from seclusion, or whether he'll be able to use these things when he does.

But no matter what, you have to have one.

Sun Mao straightened his clothes, turned around, and walked towards the camp...

Just then, footsteps approached from behind.

A young man dressed as a disciple of White Cloud Temple caught up, panting, and handed over a folded note:

"Benefactor Sun, this is something my senior sister asked me to pass on. She said... she forgot to say it in person."

Sun Mao took it, unfolded it, and saw only four words—

Have a safe journey.

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

The black dog growled, as if urging him on.

Sun Mao kicked it, but his steps unconsciously quickened by half a step.

I'll set off home early tomorrow morning!