Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 794 - 777: The Great Capitalist
The matter of settling the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle went smoothly, and the Thunder Feather True Spirit certainly wouldn't refuse such a trivial task.
Learning that it could follow a "Thunder Roc" True Spirit for a century, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle was overjoyed and felt boundless gratitude towards its master, Zhouyang, no longer mentioning the hardships it endured at the giant spirit stone ore.
Meanwhile, Zhouyang also learned from the Thunder Feather True Spirit that while he was concerned about his son Zhou Guangcheng's injury, the two flood dragons, Qing Luo and Silver Bell, secretly tried to find a new patron behind his back.
Although the Thunder Feather True Spirit did not accept the allegiance of these two flood dragons, Zhouyang was still extremely annoyed by the incident.
He considered himself very tolerant towards the flood dragons, yet his tolerance was taken for granted.
How could he not be angered by this?
So, after bidding farewell to the Thunder Feather True Spirit, he immediately returned and severely punished the two flood dragons, forcibly removing thirty percent of their dragon scales and drawing over a hundred catties of flood dragon spirit blood!
After such punishment, the two flood dragons were nearly half dead.
This scene also scared Bi'Er, the demon servant who had entertained similar thoughts, out of her wits, completely deterring her from any further schemes.
What surprised her even more afterwards was that Zhouyang arranged for the Tier Six Cyan Flood Dragon to replace her duties and allowed her to stay at the safe and spiritually rich "Donglai Immortal Island" to oversee and assist Silver Flood Dragon Bell in tending to the various spirit herbs and elixirs on the island.
Actually, if not for the need to irrigate and cultivate the "Blood Dragon Rice" spirit field with flood dragon spirit blood, Zhouyang would have taken Silver Flood Dragon Bell with him.
Since these two flood dragons were so ungrateful, he decided to let them experience the perils of the outside world and realize how wonderful it was to safely farm on the immortal island.
Without the Thunder Feather True Spirit to carry them, Zhouyang's return journey was much slower after leaving the immortal island.
After spending over a year on the road, they finally returned safely to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.
Upon returning, Zhouyang immediately went to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, sending his son Zhou Guangcheng to the sect to once again seclude and form his nascent soul at Profound Sun Peak.
This time, Zhouyang personally acted as the guardian for his son's nascent soul formation, never leaving the Profound Sun Peak for a moment.
With such a powerful figure, whose strength was comparable to that of a "Half-Step True Immortal" of the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Realm, personally guarding Profound Sun Peak, Master Cyan Yang and the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect naturally offered their utmost support.
Fifteen years later, the sky above Profound Sun Peak suddenly changed dramatically, triggering a grand celestial phenomenon of nascent soul formation.
After fifteen years, Zhou Guangcheng finally succeeded in forming his nascent soul, becoming the fifth Nascent Soul Stage cultivator of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.
And the entire Zhou family had also fully achieved the Nascent Soul status.
Zhou Guangcheng's successful nascent soul formation was a major joyous event for both the Profound Sun Immortal Sect and the Zhou family.
According to Master Cyan Yang, a grand nascent soul ceremony should be held to celebrate the occasion.
Zhouyang had no objection to this, as the more illustrious his son became, the more face and sense of accomplishment he, as a father, would have.
However, after the matter of Zhou Guangcheng's successful nascent soul formation was settled, he did not stay long in the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to accompany his wife and children, instead heading alone to the Wilderness Jungle.
In the Wilderness Jungle, after visiting Zhu Zizhen, Zhouyang borrowed the "Vermilion Bird Fan," a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, and shared the story and process of the Thunder Feather True Spirit's successful celestial tribulation crossing with her.
Since he had recorded the scene using the "Profound Light Shadow Mirror," Zhu Zizhen was able to take a glimpse of the event.
Although the "Profound Light Shadow Mirror" was a Tier Six Spiritual Artifact, it could only capture shadows and images, unable to preserve the majestic aura of the thunder tribulation.
Nonetheless, Zhu Zizhen was very appreciative of Zhouyang's thoughtful gesture.
After watching the entire tribulation crossing process, her beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement, her mood highly stirred.
"I can't believe Fellow Daoist Lei Yu actually succeeded in taking this step! He truly did it!"
As a fellow bird-type demon race, Zhu Zizhen believed she was in no way inferior to the Thunder Feather Demon King.
Even in terms of noble bloodline, she, possessing the True Vermilion Bird Blood, was far more noble than the Thunder Feather Demon King, who only harbored Thunder Roc True Blood.
The Thunder Feather Demon King's successful tribulation crossing undoubtedly set a precedent for her while also bringing some pressure.
"If Elder Zhu needs help, once Fellow Daoist Lei Yu stabilizes his True Spirit Dharma Body, I can mediate a meeting between you. Given your shared demon race heritage and my face, he should be willing to share his tribulation crossing experience with you!"
Understanding Zhu Zizhen's thoughts, Zhouyang sincerely offered his goodwill, looking at her earnestly.
Yet Zhu Zizhen declined his kindness.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I appreciate the sentiment, but I still have some time before facing the True Spirit Celestial Tribulation myself and am not in urgent need of such knowledge. Besides, I have other channels to obtain this information, so there's no need to owe favors."
He almost forgot she had an "Demon Saint Palace" behind her!
Zhouyang thought to himself, subtly nodding as he said, "Since Elder Zhu has other plans, I shall not be obtrusive. After I finish my business, I will return the 'Vermilion Bird Fan'."
Having borrowed the "Vermilion Bird Fan" from Zhu Zizhen, Zhouyang returned to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to attend his son Zhou Guangcheng's nascent soul ceremony.
The name of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect was already well-established, and they had hosted Nascent Soul ceremonies countless times, handling the procedure with remarkable skill.
Moreover, this time, the ceremony's main character, Zhou Guangcheng, was the only son of a great cultivator like Zhouyang himself. With Zhouyang personally overseeing the event, there wouldn't be a repeat of what happened during Zhouyang's own Nascent Soul ceremony.
After the lively celebration, Zhouyang returned to the Fire Birch Mountain Cave Mansion with his dao companion, Xiao Ying.
Meanwhile, Lu Xuewei, who was cultivating at the Suyun Sect, also received Zhouyang's message and hurried back to Fire Birch Mountain.
"The reason I called you over this time, Xuewei, is because I plan to deal with a formidable creature, and your Ice Element Divine Techniques might prove unexpectedly useful."
"But the creature is extremely dangerous, almost comparable to a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator, so you need to be very cautious yourself."
Upon Lu Xuewei's return to Fire Birch Mountain, Zhouyang revealed some details to her.
Hearing his words, Lu Xuewei's expression changed slightly, but she soon looked at him determinedly and said, "Disciple understands and will strive to accomplish this task to meet the high expectations you have set, Master!"
"Good. I'm relieved to see your determination."
Zhouyang nodded with satisfaction, then revealed mysteriously, "Let me give you a little hint: If we succeed, it will benefit not only me and you greatly but also the whole Zhou family immensely. You will know then."
After saying this, he then took his dao companion Xiao Ying, Qin Yue'Er, and Lu Xuewei, the three Nascent Soul Stage female cultivators from the Zhou family, and left the Fire Birch Mountain Cave Mansion, heading to the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.
On the way, passing through the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, Zhouyang made a detour to Heaven Pillar Peak to deliver a letter entrusted to him by the Thunder Feather True Spirit to the Demon King on the mountain.
The relation between the Thunder Feather Demon King and the Zhou family had been known among the Demon Kings in the Broken Cloud Mountain Range for some time, who had always shown great respect and did not obstruct the Zhou family cultivators' travels.
Now, upon learning from Zhouyang about the Thunder Feather Demon King's successful celestial tribulation crossing and ascension to Thunder Feather True Spirit, the Demon Kings in the Broken Cloud Mountain Range became even more respectful towards Zhouyang.
"Fellow Daoist Lei Yu's message has been read by this king. Since Fellow Daoist Zhou is a recognized friend of his, then you are a friend of our Broken Cloud Mountain Range's Demon Race. In the future, as long as Fellow Daoist Zhou and those from the Zhou Family carrying the token enter and exit the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, they will certainly come and go safely, transforming danger into safety!"
Outside the Heaven Pillar Peak, the highest cultivation demon king of the Broken Cloud Mountain Range, the [Heaven-Reaching Demon King], personally met with Zhouyang, officially granting him and the Zhou Family guaranteed safe passage through the Broken Cloud Mountain Range.
Compared to the security guarantees previously solely based on the personal rapport with the Thunder Feather Demon King, this official endorsement and guarantee are undoubtedly more binding and enforceable.
This means that from now on, as long as the relationship between the Thunder Feather True Spirit and Zhouyang remains intact, the Zhou Family will become the only human power in the entire "Spirit Realm" with a safe passage permit through the Broken Cloud Mountain Range.
In this situation, the million-mile-long Broken Cloud Mountain Range instead becomes a natural barrier for the Zhou Family, with the demon race of the Broken Cloud Mountain Range becoming the Zhou Family's protectors.
This holds extraordinary significance for Zhouyang and the Zhou Family, who are preparing to become independent in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.
"With Fellow Daoist Tongtian's words, I, Zhou, can be at ease."
Zhouyang nodded gently with a smile on his face, speaking with a serious tone: "I, Zhou, can also promise Fellow Daoist Tongtian that as long as the demon kings of the Broken Cloud Mountain Range do not actively leave the mountain range to invade the human cultivation realm, I and the high-tier cultivators of the Zhou Family will never enter the mountains without authorization and engage in battle with the demon race!"
By now, the news of Zhouyang defeating "Master Purple Mist" Xiao Yuanli, this Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator, has already spread to the demon kings of the Broken Cloud Mountain Range.
Thus, when he spoke these words, the [Heaven-Reaching Demon King] on the opposite side was both surprised and moved.
He could not help but look deeply at Zhouyang, letting out a long sigh: "Fellow Daoist Zhou is truly extraordinary. No wonder, even though the Thunder Feather True Spirit has advanced to the True Spirit Realm, it regards you so highly!"
After saying this, he nodded to Zhouyang, turned, and went back into the Heaven Pillar Peak.
The [Heaven-Reaching Demon King] naturally did not understand the real intention behind Zhouyang's words at this time.
When the Boundless Desert Sea begins to revive in the future, he will understand the true intent behind Zhouyang's promise.
After leaving Heaven Pillar Peak, Zhouyang continued his journey, swiftly crossing the entire Broken Cloud Mountain Range, returning once more to the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.
The Boundless Desert Sea at this time, at first glance, does not seem much different from a thousand years ago, still covered with yellow sand, with no greenery in sight.
But for Zhouyang, who has traversed this route several times, it's easy for him to notice changes in the Desert Sea.
That is, the number of oases in the Desert Sea has at least tripled compared to a thousand years ago, particularly within the traditional boundaries of the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, where the oasis density has reached the point of being able to see one every two or three thousand miles.
Some oases may not necessarily have human inhabitants, but they certainly exist, and each year there are designated individuals who come to maintain and care for them.
Since over a hundred years ago, when Zhouyang discussed the plan to revitalize the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm with Li Hong, the Zhou Family has spearheaded the largest oasis creation movement in the history of the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.
This movement has involved almost 80% of the cultivators in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, and it has not ceased to this day.
The result of the oasis creation movement, which has lasted for over a hundred years, is the addition of more than three thousand new oases in the Boundless Desert Sea, expanding the living area for the human race within the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm to nearly triple the original size!
At the start of this oasis creation movement, it was entirely driven by the Zhou Family, spending a vast amount of money and resources, and the cultivators who participated did so only for the high rewards offered.
However, as more and more oases were created, using these oases as bases and discovering more mineral resources buried under the Desert Sea, some medium and small cultivation clans within the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm also started to actively create their new oases.
The Zhou Family not only refrained from hindering this development but encouraged all subordinate forces to do so, broadly purchasing the resources produced from their oasis developments.
When they discovered that creating a new oasis not only secured new land but also offered a minor profit, those medium and small cultivation clans became even more enthusiastic about creating new oases.
"The number of oases belonging to the Clan has now reached 2,547, and it's increasing by more than three per year, while the total number of registered oases in the entire Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm has reached 5,432!"
"However, there's one thing the ancestor should know: over the past hundred years, the funds and resources the Zhou Family has invested in the oasis creation movement have totaled over 68 million low-grade spirit stones. Not counting the top-grade spirit stones reserved as the foundation, the number of spirit stones currently stored in the Clan Treasury is less than two million low-grade spirit stones!"
"In fact, if it weren't for the Zhou Family recouping two to three million low-grade spirit stones by selling various self-produced pills, artifacts, talismans, and spiritual objects after distributing these spirit stones, the revenue from the shares of that giant spirit stone mine wouldn't have been able to cover these enormous expenses!"
"Now the situation is that all the cultivators participating in the oasis creation are holding onto a large number of spirit stones, but the Clan does not have enough resources they need for them to purchase."
"If this situation is not changed quickly, the entire commodity price system of the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm could collapse. At that time, the cultivators holding enough spirit stones but unable to buy Foundation Establishment Pills or [Purple Heart Jade Marrow] might become desperate and mad, and the consequences are unthinkable!"
At Rhino Horn Continent, within the ancestral land of the Zhou Family on Lingxi Peak, Zhouyang, who had just returned, was listening to Zhou Liangyu, the current Clan Leader of the Zhou Family, reporting on various aspects concerning the Zhou Family.
He had not inquired about these matters in such detail for several centuries, but this plan concerns the glory and decline of the Zhou Family for the next thousand, ten thousand years, and he had to inquire before he could be at ease.
When he heard Zhou Liangyu mention the inflation issue now facing the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, he couldn't help furrowing his brow slightly.
In reality, the prices of various resources in the Cultivation Realm have always been relatively stable because many of the resources used by cultivators regenerate slowly or are even non-renewable.
Also, spirit stones, as a consumable energy source, are often used in large quantities during wars and other actions.
Therefore, in a Great Cultivation Realm, while inflation cannot be said to be nonexistent, it certainly wouldn't be so severe that spirit stones would become worthless and things couldn't be bought.
The Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm faced this situation mainly because the environment here is closed, and all high-end resources heavily rely on the Zhou Family purchasing imports from the outside.
But the problem is that many resources are still regulated resources externally, and even the Zhou Family cannot procure them in bulk.
This was not a problem in the past because, with the scarce output of spirit stones in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, very few cultivators here could afford those high-end resources.
Yet now, to motivate cultivators here to create oases, the Zhou Family massively distributed spirit stones, dispersing large amounts of spirit stones from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm's mining operations here, directly resulting in an increase of wealthy individuals, but the supply of high-end resources remained unchanged or changed little.
Thus, severe inflation was inevitably triggered.
To solve this inflation, there's only one solution: to earn back the spirit stones distributed to those low-tier cultivators, then stop large-scale spirit stone distribution.
But such a straightforward principle certainly doesn't need Zhouyang to teach Zhou Liangyu, even if he doesn't know himself, among so many cultivators in the Zhou Family, someone would provide advice.
Yet now that he still finds himself at a loss over this, seeking answers from Zhouyang indicates he has no solution to this issue.
While Zhouyang, benefiting from his previous life's knowledge, has many solutions in mind, he refrained from speaking immediately; instead, he frowned, looking at Zhou Liangyu and asked: "Does the Clan have no solution at all for this?"
Of course, there is a solution!
Zhou Liangyu sighed inwardly, a trace of reluctance flashing in his eyes.
He felt that the solutions proposed by those elders of the Zhou Family were too cruel, so he chose not to adopt them, hoping to seek a better and more perfect strategy from Zhouyang.
Unexpectedly, Zhouyang asked him about this matter first.
He slightly lowered his head and said with a heavy tone: "Some elders in the Clan feel that since those low-tier cultivators are hoarding spirit stones for buying rare resources like Foundation Establishment Pills, the Clan should drastically inflate and speculate the prices of such rare resources to a level that would bankrupt them and still make it difficult for them to afford!"
"Some elders also believe that the reason low-tier cultivators can hoard large amounts of spirit stones without buying magical artifacts, spirit talismans, or healing and detoxification elixirs is because the law and order in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm is too good, making these cultivators feel these items lack purchase value. Therefore, they suggest the Clan relax security controls and allow some bandits to plunder and rampage, awakening the cultivator's sense of crisis, motivating them to spend spirit stones on arming themselves."
"Of course, there are also some elders who believe that the Clan should tighten the distribution of spirit stones and halt the oasis creation activities, thereby fundamentally blocking channels for those low-tier cultivators to easily earn spirit stones."
