Chapter 781

Chapter 781: Heituan

"Why not align with the human race?" Xu Fan asked curiously.

"According to our ancestors’ rules, the Iron-eating Beasts never become slaves."

"Even when facing the once-rising Golden Winged Roc, we never compromised," Heituan said.

Xu Fan felt like he had heard this declaration before about the Iron-eating Beasts never becoming slaves.

"So, the reason for my visit is twofold: first, to show respect for the human race’s dominant position, and second, to clarify the stance of my Iron-eating Beast Clan," Heituan stated firmly.

"Well said, but I have one condition."

"I hope you can send 100 Iron-eating Beasts to my sect as disciples," Xu Fan said with a smile.

After the Dragon-Tiger Banquet, the entire Hidden Spirit Sect began to be gradually recognized in the cultivation world.

Elders, peak masters, inner sect disciples, outer disciples, and the demon division.

The structure was simpler than any sect in the cultivation world.

"Are these disciples considered inner sect disciples?" Heituan asked hesitantly.

If it was merely to have the Iron-eating Beasts join the demon division, he would certainly refuse.

But if they could truly become inner sect disciples, that genuinely interested him.

"It’s equivalent to the treatment of inner sect disciples," Xu Fan nodded.

"Supreme one, why grant such preferential treatment to my clan?" Heituan asked, both curious and grateful.

"Perhaps I feel a sense of warmth when I see you. I once traveled through the demon realm and met your Iron-eating Beast Clan."

"I don’t know why seeing your clan evokes my nostalgia; you Iron-eating Beasts are inherently kind, grateful, and especially possess that indomitable spirit, which I truly admire."

"Therefore, I assure you, once your clan’s excellent members arrive, I will grant them inner sect treatment," Xu Fan promised.

He looked at Heituan, the black and white Iron-eating Beast, particularly its shiny fur and adorable expression, wishing to pet it.

"Supreme one of the human race, I can’t make this decision alone; I need to discuss it with the elders back in my clan," Heituan replied after some thought.

"Go ahead, what I say is always effective."

"Later, I will communicate with the top-tier sects and sacred grounds of the human race and the Elder Council, vouching for your clan’s neutrality forever."

As Xu Fan spoke, he directly conveyed this to the Heavenly Way’s Will.

It seemed like he was not only addressing those powers but also speaking to the Heavenly Way’s Will.

Upon hearing Xu Fan’s words, Heituan grew excited.

He performed a grand salute of the Iron-eating Beast Clan to express gratitude for Xu Fan’s endorsement of their clan.

At that moment, Xu Yuexian brought out the already brewed celestial spirit tea.

"Drink tea, and let’s talk more about your clan," Xu Fan said, showing great interest in the Iron-eating Beast Clan.

With its enormous bear paws, Heituan clumsily grasped the small tea cup and skillfully poured the tea into its mouth, as if it were a cow savoring peony.

Delicious, but not enough.

"Grand Elder, our clan originates from the upper realm…"

Heituan sipped tea and recounted the history of the Iron-eating Beast Clan.

The human and the bear chatted for quite a while.

"Master, is there anything special about the Iron-eating Beast Clan?" Xu Yuexian asked curiously after Heituan left.

"In my homeland, we also have Iron-eating Beasts, but there they’re called pandas, and they’re our national treasure."

"Back then, everyone in my country dreamed of raising a panda," Xu Fan said, his voice filled with nostalgia.

"I see," Xu Yuexian nodded, finally understanding why Xu Fan felt such affection for the Iron-eating Beasts.

"Master, everyone who went to the South Mountain Realm has returned," Grape announced.

"Send Pang Fu over," Xu Fan said.

A small teleportation formation appeared, and Pang Fu stepped out.

"Grand Elder, the mission to the South Mountain Realm was a success. We’ve secured long-term supply agreements for several spirit ores and spiritual herbs with the Qingxuan Sect."

"The annual profit, converted to Immortal Jade, could reach 8,000," Pang Fu said excitedly. This profit alone was more than he had earned in over a decade of hard work.

"Good. The South Mountain Realm market is developing slowly. You have 1,000 years to make your mark."

"By then, I’ll take you to an even larger stage," Xu Fan said.

Pang Fu was the Minister of Commerce, and he was the one who gave Xu Fan the least trouble.

"Grand Elder, I’ll start preparing the trade goods now."

As Pang Fu turned to leave, he suddenly paused.

"Grand Elder, what if we created a joint trade platform to manage transactions between the two realms and maximize our advantages in the cultivation world?"

Hearing this, Xu Fan was reminded of when he first met Pang Fu.

It was a shame how fate had played out. Back then, Pang Fu had built a platform with grand ambitions for the sect, only for it to be destroyed by the beast race shortly after.

After arriving on the central continent, Pang Fu found himself in unfamiliar territory with no support. The small business he started struggled to survive under the pressure of larger enterprises.

It wasn’t until he met Xu Fan that things improved, but over the years, Pang Fu had buried his grand ambitions deep in his heart, dedicating himself entirely to the sect.

"Go ahead and do it with confidence. The sect will always have your back," Xu Fan said with a smile.

"Grand Elder, I understand!"

Pang Fu bowed and left.

"True, trading alone can only get you so far. The real profit lies in taking a cut from the platform," Xu Fan remarked, smiling as he watched Pang Fu walk away.

He knew that the words he had spoken to Pang Fu years ago had never been forgotten.

Not long after, the most powerful trade associations in the cultivation world received an invitation.

It came from the Hidden Spirit Sect’s business association.

On the day of the gathering, the leaders of these associations entered with puzzled looks.

Three days later, they emerged with mixed expressions—excitement mingled with resignation.

From that day on, Pang Fu’s name became well-known in the trading circles of the cultivation world.

"Grand Elder, all the major trade associations in the cultivation world have joined the platform. Now we just wait for the smaller businesses to come on board," Pang Fu reported.

"I heard you’ve earned the nickname ‘Pang the Skinner’ in the cultivation world’s business community. How much are you taking from them?" Xu Fan asked with a laugh.

"Thirty percent of the transaction value—a benefit for the larger associations."

"For smaller associations that join later, it’ll be forty percent," Pang Fu replied with a grin.

"Forty percent? Will they even make a profit?"

Xu Fan felt a sense of déjà vu.

"Grand Elder, I’ve done the math. They’ll earn more this way than they would in the cultivation world."

"Cross-realm trade is our exclusive monopoly, and monopolies come with monopoly pricing," Pang Fu said matter-of-factly.

Sometimes, the competition among trade associations was even fiercer than in the cultivation world.

Pang Fu felt he was being generous by not taking half.

It was his way of giving back to the business community of the cultivation world.