Chapter 122: with translation of chapter title

One Fengxi is already dangerous enough.

Add a Hougang, and it's basically headline news!

The two worked in perfect harmony, instantly devising a plan to help Yuchen, a good comrade, gain fame—helping him found a school and establish a lineage, acting as spokespeople for the Moral Heavenly Venerable's school, promoting the image of a top scholar, which later drew countless beings to jump into the same pit, only to be repeatedly harvested and exploited by a bunch of shady Wu Clan members.

In response, the sole witness here, the artist responsible for design, carried out the task willingly—arranging the cover while designing the interior illustrations, figuring out how to help make the pit bigger.

Three black-hearted guys.

In the shortest time, this book, "Complete Interpretation of the Moral Heavenly Venerable's Lectures—Five Years of Cultivation, Three Years to Become an Immortal—Wu Clan Special Publication," was already roughly completed.

Among them, Fengxi's contribution was the greatest, with various off-the-cuff remarks, and the deeper parts were not lacking in explicit and implicit hints.

"Before the Supreme Pure Purple Aurora Void Emperor, the Exalted Great Dao Jade Sovereign. In leisurely residence, he composes seven-character verses, scattering and transforming five forms into myriad deities..."

Throughout the process, Hougang and the artist kept looking at him with a strange gaze.

Fengxi completely ignored it.

Finally, he gave his instructions earnestly: "Our actions must be fast and broad, fully utilizing the local human resources, employing a one-to-two, two-to-four exponential spread mechanism, so that in the shortest time our publicity blankets the entire Kunlun Mountain, creating a favorable platform for the upcoming games!"

"After we succeed, I will represent everyone in presenting our achievements to Lord Houtu... Believe me, Lord Houtu's hand is generous, absolutely beyond your imagination!"

"So, from now on, whether we feast on delicacies or live on pickles and plain rice hinges on this one!"

"Understood!" Hougang nodded repeatedly.

The artist still had doubts, muttering, "Tsk... I recall that at the start, our diplomatic team's main source of income wasn't trade and wholesale of resources, was it?"

"How did the style shift so dramatically?"

"Heh!" Fengxi snorted, lifting his head arrogantly, "Relying on such trade, you'd only make a few coins?"

"Resource costs, labor costs... We aren't able to keep our earnings for ourselves; the vast majority must be turned over to the clan!"

"Even if we gain anything, it's just hard-earned money in the end."

"What compares to this kind of money-making scheme... Pah, the cultivation lecture business?"

"In terms of cost, we don't even need jade slips capable of imprinting divine sense traces—just use the cheapest paper; once the template is ready, mass‑printing is easy, simple, and swift!"

"Then, under the banner of priceless knowledge, we set a high price... As long as the promotion is spot‑on, a profit of ten million per copy is no problem!"

"Most importantly, the money we make this way is all ours!"

"Third‑rate merchants sell products; second‑rate sell technology; first‑rate sell brands; the top‑tier masquerade as a nation, ruling the world and setting market rules..."

"We can't reach the top tier, but first‑rate? I think we can still get a taste of it!"

Fengxi's orders were carried out and enforced in the shortest time.

In this regard, we must praise Hougang.

He lives up to the high praise from the Wu Clan's senior leadership—he's a truly capable tough guy!

Spending a year on the Moral Heavenly Venerable's lectures, he literally built a platform from scratch.

One side involved money opening doors—bribes, no, it was sponsoring Daoist affairs, causing some mid‑level Daoist managers to turn a blind eye, even secretly cooperating.

On the other side, he didn't spare using words to brainwash and entice beings loitering outside the Moral Heavenly Venerable's dojo, envious of others' classes, directly turning them into his lackeys on the spot.

For these lackeys, Hougang promised them benefits, looked ahead, had them firmly under control, waiting only for the moment to unleash terrifying force in an instant.

Taking action, waving the book "Complete Interpretation of the Dao De Jing," he transformed nearby crowds on the spot into customers and a new infection vector in the shortest time.

Yes, an infection vector.

And it's the proactive kind.

Because, according to common sense, obtaining a manual that looks supremely powerful in a world like Honghuang, where power means everything, those who have gotten the "Complete Interpretation of the Dao De Jing" would actually tend to suppress its further spread in secret.

They wouldn't want others to get it, after all they'd think—

"If that rival next door got this classic, and his talent surpassed mine, wouldn't that be a huge problem?"

No way!

Absolutely not!

Upon careful thought, this makes sense.

After all, even learning purely for rank and honor produces plenty of vain products like "academic sluts" that make people grit their teeth.

We agreed we'd all fall behind together, yet you secretly pulled ahead?

Pulling ahead is bad enough, but after the exam you pretend you failed... How hateful!

As soon as someone asks about a better study method, you feign ignorance while secretly catching up on lessons behind the scenes.

Self‑interest, vanity—all sorts of human hearts and natures; good things must be tightly guarded, not leaking a shred.

This holds between individuals, between nations, and between ethnic groups.

Knowledge blockades, technology embargoes... too many to count.

This isn't clearly good or bad, after all there's no strict principle demanding others be selflessly devoted.

As long as it doesn't endanger others' personal safety, no one has the right to blame or criticize.

One can guide, but not force.

And Hougang's greatest strength lies in his guidance methods, making all beings dance in his palm, unable to break free, leaving Fengxi in awe.

"How did you reverse that trend?" Fengxi asked curiously, looking at his soaring financial report and marveling at how profitable this business is.

"It's simple." Before Hougang could speak, the artist beside him chuckled lightly, "I can explain it clearly."

"Just add a bit of spice, sprinkle some bait to trigger profit‑seeking psychology, and naturally these beings will fall into the prisoner's dilemma of a non‑zero‑sum game."

"In theory everyone knows that if they don't cooperate with us to spread this book, or even secretly suppress it, they can buy time to accumulate and gain an edge over latercomers." The artist said wistfully, "For those who already benefit, this is the most advantageous approach."

"And this reflects in reality as many Great Luo Dao lineages—if you look closely, you'll see that many Dao lineages are filled with students whose lowest level is still no lower than the middle tier of the populace."

"Even the present Daoist sect is the same."

"Even a great being like Lingbao Tianzun, who teaches without discrimination, is like this... Why?"

It's just because the hidden thoughts of countless sentient beings have set up obstacles!

The painter seemed quite moved.

Some people are in darkness, know where the light lies but cannot reach it, so they stay silent and do not tell those who have the opportunity yet remain in darkness about hope.

Some have escaped the mire of darkness, yet when facing others who also wish to climb out, they quietly step on them—for without darkness, how could the exaltation of light and one's own nobility be displayed?

So, even though Lingbao Tianzun is very conscientious and works hard, with disciples spread across the south and north, but to say he truly educates the world… hey, this is actually challenging the dark side in many people's hearts!

"We're different." Hougang interjected, "We are employing evil to defeat evil, using darkness to crush darkness!"

"The world bustles, all coming for profit; the world tumultuous, all going for profit." He said, his brows dancing with excitement, "I've made some small arrangements, prepared a bit of profit as bait."

Many facts prove that as long as the profit is great enough, even the noose around one's own neck can be sold!

Thus, besides the data for selling books, I additionally set up a feedback channel, and also promoted the theory of cultivation resources.

Shift from whether cultivation is blocked to the intensity of competition for cultivation resources.

What I set up is that anyone who can bring in newcomers, letting us sell our books, will receive a share of the rebate.

The more newcomers you introduce, the more resources you can obtain.

Hougang's face lit up with a brilliant smile, "Actually, the vast majority of people's comprehension doesn't differ greatly."

In this world, true geniuses are few, true fools are few, most are neither here nor there.

Mediocrity is the mainstream.

And within this mediocrity, the main factor that creates a difference is the investment of resources.

The more invested, the stronger one becomes… compared to cheat-endowed geniuses, this is the powerhouse of paying to win.

"I set up a reward system, gave a channel to harvest resources, that's enough." Hougang laughed, gradually turning into a cold smile, "Although many who obtained the books know that cold treatment is the best way—first strengthen yourself, then plunder those backward sentient beings… isn't that fragrant?"

Too bad, just like the prisoner's dilemma he mentioned.

Because they feared others would actively spread out and gain a first-mover advantage in acquiring resources, they simply became the first person to betray the group!

Often, an individual's choice is not the group's best choice.

The result is that they betray each other, yet it benefits us, the bankers… after all, wool comes from sheep. Hougang exclaimed proudly, "The resources we give back to them aren't they just contributions from the future fat sheep?"

By this point, Fengxi had thoroughly understood the root of it.

This made him can't help but sigh, the big shots have plenty of tricks.

He plays the celebrity effect, while Hougang adds to the spread of rumors… one goes high-end, the other goes grassroots, cooperating, a perfect match.

"Aren't you afraid some folks will pull tricks in here?" Fengxi raised an eyebrow, "For example, privately selling pirated copies? Cutting off our revenue?"

"I've certainly considered that." Hougang gave a heh laugh, "The reproducibility of information has both advantages and disadvantages."

The advantage is we can open up the situation in the shortest time; the disadvantage is exactly the situation you mentioned.

But even in the worst case, haven't we publicized the existence of our Wu Clan?

No matter how stingy the pirates are, they still have to drink our foot-washing water… they contribute traffic.

Overall, we are in an invincible position, having realized the promotion of the All-University Games grand strategy… for this, even losing money to shout slogans is not unacceptable.

Hougang looked left and right, his spirit exuberant, "Of course we can make money, and we should try to make as much as possible."

So, besides the rumor-spreading system, I additionally set up a membership system.

This membership system is based on contributions in the rumor-spreading.

The greater the contribution, the more downlines developed, the higher the membership level! Hougang said meaningfully, "As for the function of the membership level… I think you should understand."

Fengxi pondered briefly, then understood.

"The function of the membership level is likely in the teaching staff, right?"

After all, cultivation is such that with only books and no guidance, at most one can practice a few minor supernatural abilities… the true secret gate to the Great Dao is fundamentally unknown.

He pointed at Hougang, tone half-smiling half-scolding, "You really are something… even mixing in after-school tutoring!"

The higher the membership level, the more able to invite renowned teachers for tutoring? This renowned teacher, who do you intend to fleece?

First, let's be clear, our Wu Clan still has proper business to attend to, we have no leisure for that!

"Hehe, I certainly know that." Hougang nodded, "I also won't pour our limited manpower into this bottomless pit."

But we have no people, the Dao Sect does!

He pointed toward the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, "We are not the birthplace of renowned teachers, but a platform for transporting teaching resources!"

We are middlemen!

For high-level members, we help connect them with prestigious academies—the students inside the Dao Sect!

Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, with so many disciples generation after generation, how much teaching resource have they accumulated?

Our platform, when cooperating with them, gives them a chance to earn extra income… aren't we afraid they won't rush to jump in?

The big shots don't care, but as long as those disciples care, it's enough… and with their level, deceiving ordinary heterodox cultivators is sufficient!

Those heterodox cultivators, after paying us an intermediary fee, we help connect them with Dao Sect students, giving them a chance to be guided… of course, the class fees are still to be paid by the students themselves, we don't pay a cent!

In the end, all three sides are happy.

High-level members obtain consultation opportunities they normally wouldn't have; we make money, the Dao Sect's students also make money… a triple win!

Nowadays, a channel is also a resource!

Mastering a channel can also be used to make money!

And how can pirated copies without a channel compete with us?

Hougang's face flashed with a dazzling, confident radiance, that is the light of locking in future victory!

Fengxi listened seriously, the more he listened, the more he felt his skill in scheming against people had greatly improved.

He deeply felt that there was still much to learn in this profession.

At the same time, Fengxi's curiosity overflowed, and he posed this question.

"You are truly outstanding… by the way, what was your occupation in your previous life?"

Every Wu has a past life; they are members of the extinct human race who are just barely adequate to be formed.

However, someone like Hougang... is absolutely as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

"My past life?" Hougang's eyes flickered, "How should I put it?"

"Is it hard to say?" Fengxi smiled wryly, "Then we don't have to say it."

"There's nothing hard to say, it's just more complicated." Hougang shook his head, "I lived in a turbulent era, from chaos to order... so I've done more work, and it's been varied."

"I've been a soldier, fighting on the front lines; I've also done diplomacy, negotiating with people..." He spoke with a nostalgic tone, "For a period, I served as senior management similar to a bank department, responsible for establishing financial regulations."

"Later, the senior leadership transferred me to write history, summarizing the organization's experiences from its founding through struggle to its peak..."

"So that future generations do not forget the past, remembering the hardships and difficulties we once endured!"

This is Hougang's account, a brief resume of his past life.

It was glorious and splendid; just hearing a few sentences made Fengxi feel solemn respect.

Such a complex life experience explains why he honed those terrifying wisdom tactics, able to read people's hearts and easily toy with all beings in the palm of his hand!

Remarkable!

Fengxi felt admiration from the bottom of his heart.

He sighed, "We with different life experiences have ultimately gathered in the same world, the same era, fighting side by side... truly wonderful!"

"Yes, it's truly wonderful." Hougang smiled.

"I think some of your work could also be preserved." Fengxi suggested, "Like writing history... that's quite important."

"The Lich Great Tribulation—I don't know how it will ultimately end, whether some truth will be buried in the dust of ages, unknown to posterity..."

"This calls for an upright historian who records the most detailed and accurate experiences with pen and ink, to become material for future research..."

"Perhaps we will die in the war... but if we can leave even a trace in historical books, our lives would not be in vain!"

"This... I'll do my best." Hougang shrugged, "History isn't that easy to write... if one doesn't achieve the Great Luo, one might perish any day."

"Be more confident!" Fengxi laughed, "I see that with your talent, you truly have a chance to reach the threshold of the Great Luo."

"Then I'll take your auspicious words!"

The Wu Clan's diplomatic corps stationed at Kunlun Mountain had just taken up its post when it achieved glorious results.

A book was published, riding the wind of the Heavenly Lord's teachings, leveraging publicity hype, employing infectious transmission methods, and in a short time it soared straight to the ninth heaven, unstoppable.

As the saying goes, one spreads to two, two to four, four to eight... such diffusion initially goes unnoticed.

But after fifty or sixty rounds of multiplicative expansion, that moment will explode!

Moreover, often it's not just spreading to two.

After all, although many lack admission tickets to the Heavenly Lord's discourse, those who can run to the venue's outskirts to snatch some diffused Dao sounds... their cultivation cannot be too weak.

Too weak, and they couldn't even get here; they'd be devoured on the road.

If one's cultivation is not weak, they have a say in their own race.

Once they get moving, it's a vast expanse!

Each person had a copy of 'Complete Exegesis of the Heavenly Lord's Lectures,' studying day and night, and in the process contributed a large sum of funds to the Wu Clan.

In fact, the resource issue is secondary... behind them are cultivators backed by their clans; saying they care too much would be an overstatement.

What truly attracts and tempts them is the Wu Clan's renowned teacher platform, the channel for instructor resources!

Usually, even with money one cannot find a suitable teacher, and there are too many problems... Will the teacher be conscientious? Will they teach genuine skills? Are the fees exorbitant or not?

But with the Wu Clan's efforts, as a platform linking everything, it's different.

Buyers have multiple choices; they need not hang themselves on a single tree.

Of course.

The intermediary fees the Wu Clan collects there are not cheap either.

But buyers say this service is truly good.

Not only buyers.

As sellers of teaching power—the Dao Sect—are also very satisfied.

Boosting employment rates, expanding the influence of academies... is there any better development than this?

Therefore, even under the Wu Clan's turmoil, the vast Kunlun Mountain range shows a trend toward developing a murky, polluted environment; as the largest landowner here, the Dao Sect also fell silent under the Three Pure Ones' guidance.

During this period, there were indeed some disciples of the Heavenly Lord who spoke up, urging suppression of the Wu Clan's actions, not to disturb cultivation—not everyone would be bribed.

But at the critical moment, someone stood up and spoke fair words.

Guang Chengzi.

"Since the three teachers have chosen the path of preaching and accepting disciples, they shouldn't interfere in this!"

"You boast of your nobility, putting on an aloof, unworldly air—who are you putting on this show for?"

"If you truly want to cultivate, then mind less external affairs and stop pointing fingers at the world's development!"

"If in the future the Wu and Li clans dominate the world, eternally suppressing antiquity, and you have the ability, you may as well step out and criticize to your heart's content."

"Take a look at those demon emperors and ancestral Wu—would they not just grab you and strike you down on a whim?"

Guang Chengzi's face was solemn; as a direct transmission of the Yuanshi, a bell-ringing golden immortal, he earnestly warned his fellow disciples: 'If any of you cannot control your mouths, then expel yourselves from the Dao Sect... otherwise, when disaster strikes, it may bring calamity upon the sect!'

The speaker fell silent.

This matter was merely a minor incident.

Against the great trend forged by Fengxi and Hougang, it didn't stir up much of a wave.

Indeed, that trend grew stronger and stronger, until finally no one in the entire Kunlun Mountain range was unaware of the Wu Clan's existence.

Riding this trend, the Wu Clan's diplomatic team perfectly realized its plans.

Packaging the Wu Clan's image—this is a people descended from the great Pangu ancestor god's bloodline, innately noble, loving peace...

All the good words were suppressed, leaving an incomparably cleansing mark in the hearts of countless beings.

This is successful propaganda!

Of course, as the great leader who directed all this, the Foreign Minister, Fengxi, has a rough time.

Because……

Yuchen brandished the Seven-Star Treasure Sword, hunting him down everywhere!

As the victim of portrait-rights infringement, still without any profit share, how could Yuchen not be angry?

"Fengxi, if you don't clarify things, I won't let this go!"

(End of chapter)