Chapter 735: Big Business

Yan Buji thought for a moment and said, "Wu Elder, since there are demonic beasts near the mining area, let's go clear a batch of them."

"Hey, that's none of your business," Wu Yuan waved his hand. "The sect originally assigned you to handle mining and trade; the rest will naturally be taken care of by us Elders."

Hearing Wu Yuan say that, Yan Buji smiled and said, "In that case, Wu Elder, if you happen to obtain some demonic beast corpses, could you sell some to me?"

"Sell them to you? How many do you want?" Wu Yuan smiled.

"At least ten Nascent Soul‑stage demonic beasts; of course, having some at the Transformation Stage would be best."

"Fine, I'll bring them in a few days. Your wine …"

"Any surplus will be given to you then."

"Hahaha."

Yan Buji laughed, considering that a deal had been reached with Wu Yuan.

Not long after.

Zhou Wan'an arrived with Tie Xinshi, and seeing their hurried expressions, Yan Buji guessed something had happened and asked, "What's wrong with you two? Why the panic?"

"Hall Master Yan, a strange ore has been discovered in the mining area!"

"Hmm?"

Yan Buji, hearing this, asked in doubt, "Could it be Precious Light Ore?"

Previously, this kind of ore had been heard of, though not in the sect's mining area.

But Tie Xinshi shook his head: "Hall Master Yan, you should come with us to see for yourself."

"Should we inform the other Elders?" Yan Buji asked with a serious expression; if it were something extraordinary, the news should be sealed.

Tie Xinshi looked puzzled: "I haven't seen that kind of ore either, but it doesn't seem to be a rare or precious spirit ore."

"If so, let's go take a look first."

Yan Buji followed the two, descending deep into the mine shaft.

He saw Tie Xinshi produce a specially made Accumulation Device that glowed, and said, "In this mine we must avoid open flame. This probing lamp was developed by me, specifically for illuminating the vein."

"Oh? Can't ordinary illumination techniques be used?" Yan Buji asked curiously.

"Yes, some veins contain spiritual energy or other substances that easily react with a cultivator's mana, causing explosions or toxic gases, so once inside you must follow the prescribed procedures," Tie Xinshi explained, and the three proceeded along the descending vein, soon reaching a spacious cavern.

Tie Xinshi picked up the strange stones around them and said, "Hall Master Yan, look, it's this kind of stone."

"Xu Tie …" Yan Buji muttered under his breath, his eyebrows raising.

"You don't recognize this item?"

"We don't."

Yan Buji feigned contemplation, picked up a piece, and said, "Alright, I'll take it back for the Elders to examine; if they recognize it, good. If not… then we won't mine it for now."

"I meant the same, but this cavern is too vast, hindering our continued excavation of gold‑steel ore; we'll likely have to extract a batch later."

"Then store the ore you extract in the warehouse for now."

"Fine."

Yan Buji looked at Zhou Wan'an: "From now on handle such matters yourselves; just give me a heads‑up."

Zhou Wan'an glanced around and said, "Hall Master Yan, actually we … also uncovered another ore."

"Oh?"

Tie Xinshi brought out of a side tunnel a massive piece of Precious Light Ore.

Yan Buji raised an eyebrow: "How much?"

"According to Tie Dao You's estimate, at least this amount!"

Zhou Wan'an spread his hands, crossing two fingers to indicate ten, and Yan Buji exclaimed, "One hundred thousand jin?"

"It's one million one hundred thousand jin!" Zhou Wan'an's voice trembled slightly.

Yan Buji frowned, his eyes shifting: "Keep this quiet for now; it's sect property."

"Yes, yes, Hall Master Yan, give us a decision; we don't expect to take it all, but we should at least get a piece of meat, right?" Zhou Wan'an gave a glance, and Yan Buji understood his meaning.

"Rest assured, we won't shortchange you." Yan Buji smiled.

After Yan Buji returned to the surface, he didn't rush to find Wu Yuan.

"One million one hundred thousand jin of Precious Light Ore… according to Huang Tianshangren, the Bright Light treasure refined from this ore is a top‑tier Accumulation Device lubricant, greatly enhancing a cultivator's control over Accumulation Devices, even Immortal Accumulation Artifacts can use it. Hence its price remains sky‑high …"

This Bright Light treasure sounds like a gemstone, but the ore yields a liquid, specifically used to polish Accumulation Device components, serving as a sealing and smelting lubricant and bonding agent. Because of its wide utility, it is highly sought after.

Even though it's merely a Fivefold Transformation Spiritual Material, the market is always in short supply, so its price once rose to over one tael per ten‑thousand low‑grade Spirit Stones!

"One jin of Precious Light Ore yields one tael of Bright Light treasure; one million one hundred thousand jin … ten thousand …," Yan Buji roughly calculated, "this wealth exceeds one hundred million High‑grade Spirit Stones!"

"I'm exhausted dealing with trade in the Youming Jie; mining a month earns more," Yan Buji sighed.

Sometimes money comes too fast and too violently, which can be troubling.

Yan Buji knew he couldn't handle this alone; even rallying all the Elders in the mining area wouldn't solve it.

So he could only turn to Elder Yuan Zhen; with his He Dao Stage status, he could suppress any ensuing trouble.

Yan Buji's eyes reddened as he carefully contemplated the matter.

A few days later.

When Wu Yuan found Yan Buji and gave him some demonic beast corpses, seeing his eyes bloodshot, he couldn't help but ask strangely:

"Hall Master Yan, haven't you rested properly?"

Yan Buji looked at Wu Yuan and said calmly, "Wu Elder, may I see Elder Yuan?"

"Elder Yuan? He's currently in seclusion …"

"It's a matter of utmost importance!"

"Hmm … alright. I'll take you there first and see if Elder Yuan is willing to meet you."

Yan Buji knew that such a power‑play was too risky; he had to bring someone else along before he could act.

Soon, Yan Buji followed Wu Elder together to the place where Yuan Zhen was in seclusion.

Wu Yuan went in to make a report, then came out and nodded at Yan Buji: "Hall Master, Elder Yuan wants you to come over."

"Yes."

Yan Buji entered the seclusion chamber, knelt before the door: "Subordinate pays respects to Elder Yuan."

Yuan Zhen's voice came from behind the door, asking: "What is the matter?"

"Elder Yuan, I have a... business involving one hundred million high-grade spirit stones, and I want to ask if you dare to join in." Yan Buji said directly.

One hundred million?!

Yuan Zhen behind the door also shrank his pupils; even though he is already a He Dao stage cultivator, such a huge sum of business he has only heard of within the sect, and his net worth is only one hundred million low-grade spirit stones.

"You...?"

"Elder Yuan, we have to do this matter, and we must get everyone involved. But if Elder Yuan is unwilling, then we'll have to hand it all over to the sect." Yan Buji's heart pounded.

Because Yan Buji wasn't sure whether Yuan Zhen was the type who treats wealth like dirt, or whether he is utterly loyal to the sect.

However, if he were to blame himself, Yan Buji would have nothing to say.

But if he were to let this money go untaken, Yan Buji would feel unwilling.

So he had to come; even if it were for smoother cultivation in the future, he'd have to take on this job and get it done!