Chapter 204 - - 203 Can only go up, cannot fall_1

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“…Ale, don’t you want to go worship at a sect and cultivate? Seven Star Gate is a good place. Dad can pay them a sum of money and become one of their shareholders. Then we can enter to apprentice and learn the arts.”

Sky Mist Valley.

Fang Family’s Residence.

In a luxurious backyard, the pot-bellied middle-aged Fang Shan, fan in hand, was fanning his only son Fang Wenle, who was lying leisurely in the shade eating grapes. As he fanned, he said, “Dad has plenty of money. By buying more shares, I can have a say at Seven Star Mountain. When my boy goes up there to learn, he definitely won’t suffer hardships.”

“What Seven Star Mountain? What shareholders?” The carefree young master opened his eyes in surprise, waved his hand to stop the maidservant from feeding him grapes, and asked.

“Son, this is a strange event that’s recently reached Yang City. Seven Star Gate was originally an unknown little sect with not many people. But some time ago, a sect elder who had been traveling abroad suddenly returned and restored the sect’s lost Cultivation Technique…”

Fang Shan went on and on, recounting the legend of Seven Star Gate to his son, and concluded, “Since ancient times, the Cultivation World has had little interaction with the secular world. It’s the first time a sect like Seven Star Gate has actively engaged with the world. Many people are rushing to buy shares. Some want to affiliate with an Immortal Sect, taking a gamble on luck; others see an opportunity to make a quick buck. Haven’t you been clamoring about cultivating lately?

Those major sects are completely out of our reach, and besides, Dad has heard that the Cultivation World is very brutal. A fight could break out at any time and a mishap could mean death.

The Old Fang Family has you as its sole seedling. If anything happens to you, who will I leave this vast family wealth to? Seven Star Gate comes as an opportunity. Being shareholders, we can have a say. Moreover, the most critical point is it’s close to home. If Dad wants to see you, it’s just a step away. We might even turn a profit…”

What the fuck!

Who would be so bold?

Trading stocks in the Immortal Martial World?

Has he gone mad!

Afraid others won’t know you’re a warrior?

Is the keyword operating trade or something?

Using financial means to roll up the stats and grab an early development advantage?

But this is the Immortal Martial World. How can you be sure you can peacefully get through the early stage? No matter how fast your attributes grow, if you provoke one or two Cultivation World experts, they could smack you down!

Even if there are no expert cultivators?

If someone targets your financial attributes for a hit, any level of attributes you reach could plummet back down!

Who could be so foolish?

Please don’t let it be one of ours!

Fang Wenle, his mouth full of grapes, didn’t swallow for the longest time. He stood stunned by Duge’s moves, a storm brewing in his mind.

“Ale, what are you thinking about?” Fang Shan waved his hand in front of his son’s eyes and laughed, “You also think Dad’s idea is good, don’t you? Let’s pack up, and we’ll set off for Seven Star Gate tomorrow. Before others catch on, let’s secure a major shareholder position. To tell the truth, I’m quite interested in this stock business. I feel there’s a lot to explore…”

“I won’t go,” the young master called Ale quickly shook his head.

“What’s the matter?” Fang Shan was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy, “You don’t want to cultivate to immortality anymore?”

“No, I will still cultivate, but not at Seven Star Gate. I’ve reviewed a lot of materials these past days. Cultivating to immortality must have a substantial legacy and a vast amount of resources. Otherwise, nothing will come of the effort in the end.”

Fang Wenle shook his head. “According to you, Seven Star Gate was so destitute that they needed a traveling elder to bring back the legacy for them to continue. What’s worth my time in such a sect? Even if I were to join, my achievements would be limited. I will not waste my time there; even if it’s to do menial tasks, I would rather go to a sect like Heaven’s Path Institute.”

Looking at the stunned Fang Shan, Fang Wenle glanced at him sideways and said, “Dad, you don’t seriously think that mortal wealth can aid in cultivation, do you? In my view, Seven Star Gate can’t make it in the Cultivation World and wants to make a bundle in the Mortal Realm, living the easy life as a wealthy family, fooling people like you for their money…”

“I didn’t expect my Ale to have learned to analyze things,” Fang Shan chuckled, twirling his mustache, “But my thoughts are exactly the opposite of yours. If you go to a large sect, who knows how many decades it will take before you rise to prominence…”

“Dad, I know what you mean; you’re just worried about the Fang Family dying out, aren’t you?” Fang Wenle curled his lip, “Haven’t I been busily sowing my seeds lately? If you’re still unsure, find me a few more concubines. Once they’re all with child, wouldn’t it be all right for me to leave then?”

“Ale, have you set your heart on leaving?” Fang Shan’s smile faded, and he sighed.

“Yes, I am determined to pursue immortality,” Fang Wenle declared. “Dad, as long as my cultivation succeeds, circling over Fang Family’s Residence on a flying sword, I can ensure at least ten generations of prosperity for the Fang family.”

“You’re right, but cultivation can take decades. I’m afraid I may not be able to wait for your return,” Fang Shan said gloomily, “What’s wrong with Seven Star Mountain? I’ve heard that elder has at least reached the Nascent Soul Stage, flying through the sky, nothing impossible…”

“Ten years. Dad, just give me ten years. I swear, in ten years, whether or not I have attained success, I’ll come back to see you. Is it a deal?” Fang Wenle raised his hand, making a solemn vow.

“Ah,” Fang Shan looked at his son, who was resolute in pursuing cultivation, and suddenly let out a heavy sigh, seeming to age a decade in an instant.

“Dad, don’t look so worried. Go ahead and buy the shares in Seven Star Mountain if you want. Later, if your son fails to make it in cultivation, there will be a fallback plan on his return,” Fang Wenle said, looking at the disheartened Fang Shan, “Besides, I think with Dad’s business acumen, making some money from the shares in Seven Star Mountain won’t be hard.

And, I just heard you say these stocks can be bought and sold. Since they can be traded, they can be manipulated. Why don’t you consider finding a way to manipulate them, and multiply the Fang family’s assets several times over? When your son Ale returns after mastering the lessons, internal and external forces combined, we could take ownership of Seven Star Mountain…”

“Good!” Fang Shan looked at Fang Wenle and nodded, “Then it’s settled. I will manipulate Seven Star Mountain’s stock, and when you return after mastering your skills, we father and son will take control of Seven Star Mountain together…”

“It’s settled.” Fang Wenle said.

“However, let me make this clear upfront. If you, my boy, don’t leave behind a few offspring for the Fang family, you’re not allowed to leave,” Fang Shan huffed.

“I know, I know,” Fang Wenle waved his hand impatiently, “Even if I go out to seek the Dao, I will bring along a few concubines. Once they are with child, I will send them back to the Fang family’s residence, is that okay?”

“You little rascal, your father’s life was ruined by you,” Fang Shan cursed with a smile, shaking his head and turning to leave, his figure looking somewhat desolate.

…

Supervisory Academy.

Intelligence on Seven Star Gate was laid out on the dean’s desk.

The dean glanced through it casually and then tossed it aside, scoffing, “What nonsense, cheat and deceive, no wonder Sky Mist Valley wants to take your territory. This is all the merit you’ve got.”

“Dean, shall we stop Seven Star Mountain’s actions?” a cultivator next to the dean asked softly.

“Why stop them? Has Seven Star Mountain violated any rules?” the dean glared at him and rebuked, “Are you a man of the Supervisory Academy, or a man of Sky Mist Valley? Don’t think I don’t know about you colluding with Sky Mist Valley behind the scenes, up to some mischief?

In these days, you keep an eye on Sky Mist Valley’s people for me. I don’t care about their grievances with Seven Star Mountain, but if they dare to lay hands on mortals, I’ll be the first to not let them off…”

The cultivator was startled, then his face showed a sudden realization: “Dean’s vision is far-reaching.”

…

Meanwhile.

Seven Star Mountain.

Duge found his younger martial sister and the seventh brother, who were practicing in the back courtyard.

The eldest brother, who had taken a Revitalizing Pill, was already able to move about, but his body was still somewhat weak. He was instructing his martial sister and brother in their practice. Seeing Duge coming, he managed a strained smile, “Sect Head Junior Brother, you’ve come.”

Duge greeted him with a fist and palm salute: “I’ve seen the eldest brother.”

“Greetings to the Sect Head Senior Brother.” The younger martial sister and the seventh brother stopped practicing and saluted Duge together.

“Today’s prosperity of Seven Star Gate is all due to Sect Head Junior Brother’s efforts alone; your elder brother here couldn’t help at all, I’ve really let our master down,” the eldest brother said to Duge with a sigh of resignation.

“Eldest brother need not be so modest, in these days we’ve recruited quite a few disciples, and it’s the eldest brother who has been teaching them the basics of cultivation,” Duge chuckled, “We brothers each fulfill our duties, there’s no need to talk about hardships.”

The eldest brother shook his head and chuckled, “Sect Head Junior Brother, what new ideas have you come with today?”

“Eldest brother, Seven Star Gate and the surrounding common folk’s interests are now bound together. Sky Mist Valley dares not act rashly against us, and for now, our sect is not in any danger. I plan to take the seventh brother to Sky Mist Valley for a visit and resolve the animosities between our two sects at the root,” Duge said solemnly, looking around at the three of them.

All three were stunned at the same time.

“Sect Head Junior Brother, now that Seven Star Gate has found its own path, we should develop steadily. Why bother provoking Sky Mist Valley?” the eldest brother said with a frown, “If the Valley Master of Sky Mist Valley manages to form his Golden Core, wouldn’t that be like a sheep entering a tiger’s den?”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of, him forming the Golden Core,” Duge sighed, “The revenge for our master must be sought. If he forms a Golden Core, we will no longer have any chance for revenge. Moreover, for Seven Star Gate to experience long-term stability, we must have a true predecessor of our sect, not one fabricated out of thin air…”

The eldest brother suddenly realized, “Junior brother, are you planning to attack Sky Mist Valley?”

“Exactly,” Duge nodded and smiled, “I’ve gained some enlightenment in the Dao fruit these past days, achieving some accomplishments. I feel that my own strength is sufficient to make a move against Sky Mist Valley now.”

As a third of the month had passed with no clue to the second skill, Duge had to take the initiative to attack.

Since he couldn’t find an advanced skill for the time being, he would enhance himself through cultivation techniques.

If Sky Mist Valley’s nameless secret manuscript can lead to the formation of a Golden Core, then he would seize it to use for himself first.

Otherwise, in twenty more days when the rankings are announced, if the blind dare to trouble him, he would have nowhere to hide…

Having decided to risk it all, naturally, the stronger his power, the better.

“Elder brother, I’ll go with you,” the younger martial sister said.

“No, younger martial sister, Sky Mist Valley is important, but Seven Star Mountain is even more critical. You’ve already understood our current mode of operation. During this period, you should stay at Seven Star Mountain and oversee everything,” Duge smiled, “Build the houses that need to be built, construct the roads that need work, spend all the money. When we run out of money, continue selling stocks, sell them at the new market value, make announcements when necessary, and report the progress of the projects to the public. Our stock can only go up, not down…”

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