……

East Sea.

The vast and magnificent sea, with its surging blue waves.

A giant sailing ship was braving the wind and waves, moving forward. The ship was made of heavy wood, with iron plates studded with rivets covering the hull and key parts, making it extremely sturdy.

It was about thirty feet long and over eight feet wide, a giant cargo ship.

At the bow, sides, and stern of the ship, large crossbows were installed. The crossbow bolts were over a foot long, their tips bristling menacingly. Once shot, even a third-order beast would feel threatened.

The ship was loaded with a large amount of goods, including precious glassware, paper, and snowflake sugar. However, the most abundant was a type of cargo called cement.

Cement was a building material. For those who owned private properties, any important buildings, such as houses, gates, city walls, etc., would use a building material called oyster lime.

Oyster lime was a high-quality building adhesive, but the only problem was its high price. The price of a load of oyster lime was comparable to that of a load of ordinary grain.

Such a price was not affordable for ordinary families. Even the Xuanwu Clan would only use this material for important buildings.

Cement was a building material comparable to oyster lime, but its price was only two large coppers per load, far cheaper than oyster lime. As soon as it hit the market, it was well received, and all Xuanwu families switched to cement.

Even some ordinary civilian families would grit their teeth and use cement when building houses. After all, it would make the house more reliable, sturdy, and durable.

This giant ocean-going ship was loaded with a full hundred thousand loads of cement, worth a total of two thousand Top Gold. But even so, these hundred thousand loads of cement were just a drop in the bucket.

As soon as it arrived at East Sea Commandery, it would be sold out.

Such large sailing ships, the Chen’s Clan of East Port owned a full five, providing five hundred thousand loads of cement, as well as glassware, snowflake sugar, etc., to East Sea Commandery every three months.

Just this one trade trip was worth more than thirty thousand Top Gold.

At the bow of the ship, a handsome young man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sea and listening to the report from the person next to him. With the waves rolling, his posture was as steady as if he were on flat ground.

Surrounding him were two distinguished old men and a man in his thirties.

The man was also distinguished, dressed in a long robe, with a handsome face and a small mustache. He said with a smile, “Shouzhe, the situation with the cement trade is roughly as I’ve described. The biggest problem now is the lack of production, otherwise, we could transport cement even further.”

Cement was a basic building material with a very wide market application. No matter how much was produced, it would be consumed. The handsome young man was Wang Shouzhe, and the other man was his brother-in-law, Chen Fangjie.

“I will notify the Gongsun’s Clan and Liu’s Clan to expedite the extraction of raw materials,” Wang Shouzhe said calmly. “Your most important task is to keep the secret. No one must know that the origin of cement is our Changning.”

“Shouzhe, rest assured, the names cement and foreign glass are well chosen. People only know that our Chen’s Clan of East Port imports them from overseas,” Chen Fangjie said confidently. “Our Chen’s Clan of East Port has over a hundred years of overseas trade experience and our own unique shipping routes. We will not be exposed.”

Wang Shouzhe nodded. Over the years, the Chen’s Clan of East Port had done very well in this area.

This was a temporary measure taken because everyone was too weak and feared attracting others’ covetousness.

His main purpose for coming to East Sea Commandery was not to inspect the industry. He had heard that there was a marrow-cleansing pill up for auction at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in East Sea Commandery, and he had traveled thousands of miles to get here.

“Shouzhe, the funds you need to mobilize are ready. This time I have prepared a hundred thousand Top Gold for you,” Chen Fangjie said proudly. “Our Ancestor Ruhong said that as long as Shouzhe needs money, even if we have to mortgage our industry, we must raise the money. If it’s not enough, I’ll find a way.”

“That should be enough,” Wang Shouzhe said calmly.

This time he had brought three hundred thousand Top Gold with him, which was the maximum amount of liquid funds that the Wang’s Clan could currently spare. Any more would affect the operation of various industries.

To prevent accidents, he had asked the Chen’s Clan of East Port, Gongsun’s Clan, Liu’s Clan, and Lu’s Clan to prepare a sum of reserve funds. After all, the items he wanted to buy this time were all expensive, and it was always right to prepare more funds when he was determined to get them.

Including the reserve funds prepared by his allies, the total had reached seven hundred thousand Top Gold. With such a terrifying amount of funds, even a celestial family would be knocked down if they dared to compete with him.

Yes, this was the power of the Wang’s Clan and their allies. Everyone worked together in industry, each responsible for their own part. And Wang Shouzhe was the most central figure among them.

This was a plan Wang Shouzhe had had for a long time. The Wang’s Clan alone was too weak, and any disturbance was a risk. It was better for allies to share interests, develop together, and survive as a group.

As a result, not only did the Wang’s Clan grow rapidly, but their allies also became stronger and stronger.

Some time ago, Gongsun Qiang of the Gongsun’s Clan and Lu Zhengjie, these two uncles, had successfully advanced to the Lingtai Realm, adding two more warriors to the alliance. These two new forces would not stay in their clans, but would join the alliance’s industry to protect it.

With Wang Shouzhe at the core, the alliance of interests was bound to become more united and stronger, capable of fighting even a celestial family.As the sailboat journeyed, it docked in the deep-water port of Donghaiwei.

On the dock, a well-dressed young man in his thirties was waiting, with several followers behind him.

Upon seeing Chen Fangjie, he greeted him with a warm smile, “It’s been a long time, little brother Fangjie.”

Then he turned his gaze to Wang Shouzhe, his eyes flashed with surprise. He never expected such a young gentleman to have already reached the peak of Qi Refining Realm.

Moreover, the two old guards beside him were not simple either, their aura was profound and deep, even he, who had just advanced to the Spirit Platform Realm, found them unfathomable.

He immediately showed a warm smile, “I presume this is the young master of the Wang Clan from Lingbei, right? I am Dantai Heyu, you can just call me Heyu.”

“I am Wang Ziteng,” Wang Shouzhe greeted him gracefully, looking every bit the noble son of a prestigious family.

After some small talk.

Dantai Heyu led the group into the best restaurant in Donghaiwei.

Then naturally, there was a warm welcome.

The details of the following events are not elaborated.

Several days later.

Donghaiwei, Baibaoge.

Thanks to Dantai Heyu’s arrangements, Wang Shouzhe and his party were naturally placed in one of the best private rooms, waiting for the upcoming auction.

At the same time, guests from all walks of life arrived.

This auction had many rare items, attracting many families from nearby cities to come. However, most people could only be in the second-best private rooms.

Only two groups of people caught Wang Shouzhe’s attention.

The leader of one group was a middle-aged man in splendid attire, his demeanor was lofty and his gaze was full of confidence, with two Spirit Platform Realm cultivators following him.

The other group was led by a woman with a bewitching appearance, equally impressive, with a cloud of guards around her.

These two groups, upon meeting outside the private room, immediately became tense.

The bewitching woman sneered first, “Oh, isn’t this the head of the Zhang Clan from Chuyun, Liu Kangping? You must be eyeing the Marrow Cleansing Pill too, I advise you to give up, your useless son would be better off being reborn.”

The Zhang Clan from Chuyun was a renowned celestial family in Chuyunwei, with a long history and strong power.

Liu Kangping’s face turned cold, “I was wondering who was so arrogant, turns out it’s Madam Bilian. Who’s the young pretty boy you’re eyeing this time? You’re actually willing to buy a Marrow Cleansing Pill to lure him.”

Madam Bilian laughed, “I can do whatever I want, at least it won’t be your useless son’s turn.”

Liu Kangping sneered, “Let’s wait and see, I hope Madam Bilian has prepared enough money.”

After a few exchanges, the two groups returned to their private rooms.

They didn’t hide their conversation, so Wang Shouzhe heard everything clearly. Obviously, these two groups were his strongest competitors.

However, he had been waiting for news of the Marrow Cleansing Pill for several years and was determined to get it, even if it meant competing with celestial families. Moreover, with the Marrow Cleansing Pill to enhance his bloodline, he was confident of winning the second round, and would not lose out.

The Marrow Cleansing Pill was very expensive, even celestial families found it difficult to buy. If one were to casually buy a Marrow Cleansing Pill, it would likely cause a significant loss of vitality.

The auction soon began.

One by one, the treasures of heaven and earth were displayed, from several hundred Top Gold to several thousand Top Gold, they were quickly auctioned off.

This time, Baibaoge of Donghaiwei had brought out many good items to boost its reputation.

Wang Shouzhe and the other two groups did not make a move.

An hour later.

The auctioneer began to auction the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

“The Marrow Cleansing Pill is a sixth-grade spirit pill, starting price is one hundred thousand Top Gold.”

“One hundred and twenty thousand Top Gold.” Before the auctioneer could finish, Liu Kangping immediately raised the price.

“One hundred and thirty thousand.” Madam Bilian was obviously determined to win, her funds were well prepared.

The two of them quickly raised the price to one hundred and fifty thousand.

Only then did their bidding become more conservative, raising the price by thousands.

Under normal circumstances, a Marrow Cleansing Pill could be auctioned for about two hundred thousand. But if they could get a bargain, why not? What if the other party didn’t have enough Top Gold?

Even for celestial families, raising two hundred thousand Top Gold at once was not an easy task.

“Two hundred thousand.”

Wang Shouzhe could no longer bear their tortoise-like bidding, and directly raised the price to two hundred thousand.

What?

Both groups were obviously unprepared for a third party to compete for the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Their faces turned angry, but the bidding voice also came from the best private room.

Baibaoge had rules, unless they were celestial families, they absolutely could not sit in the best private room.

This made them wary.

“Friend, which family are you from?” Liu Kangping said, “Why not give me some face and stop here, I bid two hundred thousand and one.”

“Ha ha ha~ Liu Kangping, you’re quite bold, I bid two hundred and ten thousand.” Madam Bilian also said, “I am determined to get this pill, you two should just give up.”

“Two hundred and fifty thousand.” Wang Shouzhe was too lazy to bid slowly with them, “It’s just fair competition, you can continue to bid.”

Upon hearing this, both Liu Kangping and Madam Bilian’s faces changed drastically.

Which celestial family’s young master was this? He was too extravagant! This price made them hesitate. Although the Marrow Cleansing Pill was precious, it rarely reached such a price.

Whose money was blown in by the wind? This was enough to buy how many Heavenly Spirit Pills?

What’s more, what if this guy was a shill? Once they bid higher than this price, the other party would immediately withdraw, wouldn’t they be fooled?He still had some money, but continuing the competition would hurt his vitality.

Liu Kangping left the Treasure Pavilion in a huff with a cold face. Despite being from a celestial family, he dared not cause trouble in the Treasure Pavilion.

However, Madam Bilian laughed and said, “This young master is quite bold. Which noble family do you belong to? I wonder if this humble woman has the honor to chat with you.”

Wang Shouzhe knew that Madam Bilian had a bad reputation, so naturally, he didn’t want to engage with her. What if it got back to his wife and he got beaten to death?

Wang Shouzhe immediately sneered, “I have no fate with you, madam.”

“Hmph.” Madam Bilian snorted coldly, “You don’t appreciate kindness.” Then she left angrily.

Naturally, the Marrow Cleansing Pill fell into Wang Shouzhe’s hands! After getting the Marrow Cleansing Pill, he couldn’t help but feel emotional. After eight years of crossing into this world, he finally had the chance to compete with the celestial families and suppress them.

Not to mention, it felt pretty good.

After getting the Marrow Cleansing Pill, Wang Shouzhe immediately went to get the next item.

……

Three months later.

At the end of August in the outer region, the weather was gradually getting colder.

A Primordial Water Spirit Turtle, larger than a car and weighing several tons, was running briskly on a dirt road. Even though it was carrying tons of things on its back, it was still full of energy.

There was no choice, its master was too domineering.

The reward for this task was extremely generous, with spiritual meat and spiritual fish supplied in abundance.

Following behind the Primordial Water Spirit Turtle, the eyes of the Ancestor Xuanfu were filled with a deep color.

Six months!

Wang Shouzhe had actually prepared for a full six months.

Are you going to the outer region or the demon realm?

And what did he prepare? A sedan chair made of vines was firmly tied to the body of the Primordial Water Spirit Turtle, forming a moving house. The inside was filled with soft goose feather cushions and a small table.

The table was full of snacks.

Her great-great-granddaughter, in whom she had placed high hopes, was lazily lying on the goose feather cushion, occasionally eating a piece of fruit, looking content and at ease.

“My lady, it’s hard on you to go to the outer region this time.” Wang Shouzhe said apologetically, “The time was rushed, and what I prepared was not sufficient. The conditions are too simple, I’m really sorry for the inconvenience.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s worth it to go on a raid for my husband, no matter how hard it is.” Liu Ruolan pinched a snack and put it in Wang Shouzhe’s mouth, “My husband has been preparing for the trip recently, that’s what’s really hard.” The concept of a raid, of course, was learned from Wang Shouzhe.

The two were showing off their love and affection.

This made Ancestor Xuanfu’s anger rise, her precious talent, which she had obtained with great difficulty, was now being spoiled by that annoying junior, Wang Shouzhe.

The worst part was, they were flaunting their love all the way.

How could she, who was still single at over 120 years old, bear this?

……