Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
Yang Zhenshan discovers he is being followed by two men who recognize him. He learns they are seeking revenge for their sister, whom Yang Zhenshan killed in the past. These men are now associated with the powerful Cloud Wilderness Alliance within White Cloud Immortal City. Yang Zhenshan discusses the situation with Yun Xiao, who pledges his support despite the potential danger from the Alliance.
"Because of the Demon Essence Pill!" Yang Zhenshan reminded him.
Yun Xiao was briefly taken aback, a look of understanding dawning on his face.
"That’s right, you possess the ability to refine the Demon Essence Pill!" His expression immediately turned excited. "Have you joined the Ten Thousand Treasures Store yet?"
"Not yet, I mentioned I would consider it first!" Yang Zhenshan entered the main hall, casually picking up a teapot and filling a bowl with tea.
"Consider what? You cannot afford to miss such a fantastic opportunity!" Yun Xiao urged, sounding anxious.
Yang Zhenshan poured a bowl for him as well. "My knowledge of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store is still quite superficial; I wish to understand it more thoroughly!"
"There’s no need!" Yun Xiao waved his hand dismissively. "You only need to know that the Ten Thousand Treasures Store is immensely powerful!"
He continued, "Regarding a deeper understanding, let me put it this way: fewer than a hundred individuals in the entirety of White Cloud Immortal City truly grasp the essence of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store!"
Yang Zhenshan expressed some surprise, asking, "Why is that?"
"Because the Ten Thousand Treasures Store is not an entity from our Western Regions; it is believed to be a business established by a major Sect from the Central Domain! Unless you journey to the Central Domain, you will be unable to obtain accurate information about the Ten Thousand Treasures Store!" Yun Xiao explained.
Yang Zhenshan grew even more perplexed. "Then how is it that you know this information?"
"Lin Daoyuan informed me; he has visited the Central Domain before!" Yun Xiao clarified.
Yang Zhenshan suddenly comprehended. It wasn't surprising that Lin Daoyuan possessed such knowledge; after all, he was a Divine Soul Realm Martial Artist, and the circles he interacted with were far beyond the reach of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Yun Xiao added, "However, even his understanding of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store is limited; he only stated that even True Monarch White Cloud cannot afford to offend powers like the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and the Ten Thousand Treasures Store!"
"Since you now have the chance to join the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, do not hesitate and seize it immediately!"
Yang Zhenshan gave a slight nod. "Hmm, I shall proceed to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store tomorrow!"
...
In the evening, he retrieved the Jade Scroll bestowed by Zhongli Xiayi, which detailed the benefits and regulations associated with being a Guest Elder at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.
The Guest Elders of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store were categorized into nine distinct grades, with the lowest being the ninth grade. Advancement through the grades necessitated meeting specific requirements in cultivation, skills, and accumulated contribution points.
Fundamentally, the title of Guest Elder was more akin to that of an employee. That is, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store compensated you, and in return, you provided your services to them.
Contribution points served as the remuneration provided by the Ten Thousand Treasures Store. These points could be utilized to exchange for any merchandise available within the store, encompassing a wide array of spiritual materials, various spirit pills and medicines, numerous magic artifacts, and even spiritual artifacts, among other items.
As long as one possessed sufficient contribution points, and the Ten Thousand Treasures Store stocked the desired item, it could be acquired through exchange.
This system differed from the arrangement Zhongli Xiayi had previously mentioned, where completing three tasks allowed for the exchange of a piece of third-rank spiritual material. Those undertaking tasks were more like temporary laborers, whereas Guest Elders were designated as formal employees.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Store did not impose restrictions on the freedom of its Guest Elders but mandated that they regularly earn a certain quota of contribution points.
For a ninth-grade Guest Elder, the requirement was to accumulate one thousand contribution points every ten years. Failure to meet this target would result in a demotion in grade. If a ninth-grade Guest Elder failed, they would be summarily expelled from the store.
Upon thoroughly understanding the operational framework for Guest Elders within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, Yang Zhenshan firmly resolved to join.
From his perspective, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store represented an undeniably potent force that not only respected his personal freedom but also offered him a valuable avenue for obtaining various precious spiritual objects and materials.
Furthermore, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store held the potential to develop into his collaborator, assisting him in the external sale of his diverse range of spiritual objects, materials, and elixirs.
Currently, the Spirit Source Land might not yield a substantial volume of spiritual objects and materials suitable for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, but this situation was poised for change in the future. Once the various spirit plants within the Spirit Source Land reached maturity, he would require a vast commercial organization like the Ten Thousand Treasures Store to facilitate the distribution and sale of those spiritual products.
It would function much like the Illusion Moon Sect!
While the Illusion Moon Sect only held sway over the Spirit Sea's market, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store commanded the entirety of the Wanhua Western Region, and even reached into the Wanhua Central Domain.
The old adage, "seek shade under a large tree," rang true in this situation!
If the Spirit Source Land could align itself with the colossal Ten Thousand Treasures Store, its development would surely be far more robust.
Similarly, with the backing of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, Yang Zhenshan's endeavors within White Cloud Immortal City would become substantially smoother; he would no longer need to fret over potential threats from the Cloud Wild Alliance.
The following morning.
Yang Zhenshan found himself back at the Ten Thousand Treasures Store.
He was ushered into the same private chamber.
"Fairy Xia Yi, I have made the decision to join the Ten Thousand Treasures Store. I humbly request your continued guidance in the future!" Yang Zhenshan stated respectfully.
A delighted smile graced Zhongli Xiayi's features upon hearing his words. "I am confident that Daoist Yang will have no regrets about the choice made today!"
The circumstances of this day differed greatly from the previous one. Yesterday, Zhongli Xiayi had encountered Yang Zhenshan for the very first time, possessing only limited knowledge of him.
However, by today, Zhongli Xiayi was in possession of Yang Zhenshan's detailed information.
In the span of a single day, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store had meticulously compiled all the essential intelligence concerning Yang Zhenshan.
Admittedly, the scope of information that the Ten Thousand Treasures Store could amass in such a short period was, by its nature, superficial.
For instance, it was known that Yang Zhenshan had acquired an Immortal Dao skill from an ancient relic array, marking his transition from martial arts to the path of cultivation.
Furthermore, Yang Zhenshan had established the Yang family within the Spirit Sea and cultivated amiable relationships with the Three Sects of the Spirit Sea.
Also noteworthy was Yang Zhenshan's rapid advancement from the early stage of Foundation Establishment to the mid-stage within a mere thirty years.
And the most crucial detail, the aspect Zhongli Xiayi valued above all else, was that Yang Zhenshan had embarked on the Immortal Dao path less than fifty years ago. During this time, not only had he achieved mid-stage Foundation Establishment, but he had also ascended to the ranks of a second-order alchemist, capable of refining Demon Essence Pills.
Some alchemists dedicate fifty years to the study of the Demon Essence Pill without achieving mastery, yet Yang Zhenshan, in the same fifty years, progressed from a first-order alchemist to a second-order one, successfully refining the formidable Demon Essence Pill.
