Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World-Chapter 1261 - 560: Divine Dao Ordination, Rapid Progress

Since returning from the Nine Mountains Department Store, Lady Qian Ji has looked deep in thought, even when meeting Gu Hong Taoist.

"What’s wrong? Is there something amiss with the Jiushan Sect’s delegation?"

Gu Hong Taoist asked.

"There’s nothing wrong, actually. I expected them to gather more intel, but they haven’t even stepped outside." Lady Qian Ji shook her head, as if facing a difficult problem, her brow furrowed tightly, "But I keep feeling..."

"What?"

"Something dangerous."

Gu Hong Taoist’s expression became solemn. His trust in Qian Ji was not just because she was perceptive and attractive, but because her intuition was astonishingly accurate.

"What exactly is happening within the Nine Mountains Department Store?"

Lady Qian Ji narrated what she had seen and heard inside the Nine Mountains Department Store, leaving even Gu Hong Taoist puzzled: "The Jiushan Sect’s expertise in Artifact Refining is indeed remarkable, which we had known for a while, and as for the Heaven Earth Bank, to a Xuanwei Cultivator, it seems like a good thing..."

...

"The Heaven Earth Bank makes money faster than robbery!"

Within the Jiushan Sect, Master Pang couldn’t help but exclaim after reviewing the financial report handed over by Zhang.

Water Mother stood nearby, curious about many things within the Jiushan Sect that she had never heard of before.

Especially this Heaven Earth Bank, which confused her a bit—

The Jiushan Sect took Spirit Stones and resources from the Northern Continent and gave interest, how could this make a profit?

In fact, it wasn’t just her. The Nine Nether Emperor, as a major shareholder of the Heaven Earth Bank, was also confounded and directly voiced the question.

"Actually, it’s two kinds of money. First, we haven’t provided that many Spirit Stones, meaning we’ve acquired a large amount of resources and Spirit Stones just through numerical changes."

"Ingenious robbery without moving a finger?"

"Not exactly. We do pay corresponding interest, and for the Heaven Earth Bank to continue operating, the principal can’t be shirked—in a sense, this is called leverage, which carries a certain risk."

This was clear upon reflection. The Nine Nether Emperor furrowed his brows again: "So, isn’t the Heaven Earth Bank still losing money?"

"But the Heaven Earth Bank can lend money to the Jiushan Sect!" Zhang spoke, "The Jiushan Sect can leverage these resources to create profits far exceeding the interest."

Zheng Fa established the Nine Mountains Bank intending to manage it as the foundation for the Nine Mountains Immortal Court. Especially when it was newly established, it wasn’t suitable to engage in too many destabilizing operations that would damage the Jiushan Sect’s reputation. For him, the most important role of the Nine Mountains Bank right now is to absorb Xuanwei’s resources to support the production and development of the Jiushan Sect.

Neither the Nine Nether Emperor nor Water Mother was foolish; Zhang explained to them the fund costs and returns of the Nine Mountains Bank, including the average profit margin and labor costs of the Jiushan Sect’s products, finally making them understand where the benefits lay. They realized that what the Jiushan Sect is playing now is actually the game of laying the golden eggs.

The Nine Nether Emperor sighed: "This is the strength of the Jiushan Sect supporting the Heaven Earth Bank..."

These were not empty praises from the Nine Nether Emperor. In a way, under the previous Xuanwei production model, the role of the Heaven Earth Bank wasn’t that significant and could even result in deficits—the cost of absorbing and managing funds was substantial, and without complete investment into reproduction to earn profits, these costs could crush the bank.

But for the Jiushan Sect, their production capacity had already surpassed other Xuanwei cultivators, only lacking sufficient resources.

Essentially, the Heaven Earth Bank has transformed every cultivator into an anonymous shareholder of the Jiushan Sect, sharing in the Jiushan Sect’s productive capabilities.

"The most important aspect is that this method not only requires no military engagement but also wins the hearts of the Northern Continent." Water Mother shook her head, feeling enlightened, "Nine Mountains Money is so convenient, with interest added. Even if they don’t express gratitude, they would likely feel more acknowledged by the Jiushan Sect."

"The younger brother said, this is essentially a form of warfare, just that the opponent doesn’t know where the battlefield is, while our attack proceeds silently, without engaging a single soldier, costing virtually nothing."

Once all cultivators from the Northern Continent hold Nine Mountains Money, they become anonymous shareholders of the Jiushan Sect, and the ownership of the Northern Continent becomes debatable.

Master Pang suddenly said: "Nephew Zhang, did you anticipate this all along?"

The Nine Nether Emperor and Water Mother looked at Zhang, not understanding why Master Pang made such a statement.

Master Pang continued: "After Han Qi reported back, you paused the sect’s battle preparations and chose to fully support the Nine Mountains Department Store and Heaven Earth Bank."

"This Han Qi is a talent, quick-witted."

With a light laugh, Zhang replied.

Master Pang became more puzzled, wondering why Nephew Zhang, who was previously eager for conflict, had suddenly changed personality.

"The younger brother took me to a place."

"Where?"

Zhang caressed the Comprehensive Records in her hand, her tone somewhat nostalgic: "There are things, far more potent and malicious than the power of Magical Treasures."

Water Mother listened in confusion, hearing Zhang add: "Han Qi gave the cultivators with deposits a Comprehensive Records, essentially spreading an information network across the Northern Continent. Through the Comprehensive Records, we can not only monitor important information but also convey the ideals of the Jiushan Sect."

Upon hearing this, Water Mother felt suffocated even at the thought, for she had lived long enough and had never seen such a playstyle from the Jiushan Sect, which was simply indefensible.

As she marveled, Zhang turned and asked: "Is Water Mother prepared?"

Water Mother also became serious, nodding slightly to Zhang, and a group of them exited the Jiushan Realm and arrived at the foot of Haori Mountain, at the vast city, now renamed Sun City for ease by the Jiushan Sect.