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"Fair, my foot!" Li Xiao cursed inwardly.
Though the system's items were relatively cheap, its exchange prices were below market value. He'd rather auction items off through the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, where prices would skyrocket. He wasn't that stupid to be lured by the system's word.
Li Xiao sat in his chair, deep in thought. How could he earn more money quickly? If he operated with the current method, sooner or later, all the gold coins on the Dou Qi continent would flow into his hands. At that point, major powers would rush to seize gold mines. This would lead to inflation and an economic crisis.
Once this happens, the future earnings would become worthless, potentially sparking a full-scale war on the Dou Qi continent.
After pondering for a long time, Li Xiao suddenly came up with a solution. He could create a unique auction currency based on his previous life's knowledge, which would be used exclusively for the Heaven Ascending Pavilion's auctions. This currency would function similarly to casino chips, which are only valid within the casino. No matter how much regular currency someone had, it would not be accepted unless converted to this special currency.
This approach would mitigate economic crises and bring greater benefits to the Heaven Ascending Pavilion.
With this in mind, Li Xiao decided to give it a try. He opened the system and found a panel for creating special coins. The panel allowed customization of the coin's size, quantity, and color. He could design a coin unique to the Heaven Ascending Pavilion.
After tinkering for a bit, Li Xiao was finally satisfied and set the exchange value. One unit of this special currency would be equivalent to one hundred regular gold coins. This inflated value was well-suited for the capital-driven Heaven Ascending Pavilion and allowed for the phasing out of regular gold coins. Simultaneously, they could exchange various resources from major powers.
To earn even more money, Li Xiao decided to open another auction house. This would help achieve the target of earning ten billion gold coins in five years.
Li Xiao scrolled through the transparent panel in front of him and purchased another auction house from the system, naming it "Windguard Tower."
(T/N: the original name is Yufeng Lou, literally translated to "To Withstand/Resist Wind Tower". This might be the author's way to respond to the saying, "The Taller the Tree, The Stronger The Wind" meaning that the more famous or valuable something is, the more it will face difficulty. Thus, it reflect Li Xiao's will to overcome any obstacle in his path, including system's mission)
Although not as prestigious as the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, Windguard Tower was still a top-notch treasure. He planned to place it in the Jia Ma Empire and have the Mittel Family handle the auctions, thereby generating more gold coins.
"Lian Xue, here are some special coins I've named Spirit Coins. Arrange for their exchange in the Jia Ma Empire. Also, announce that the Heaven Ascending Pavilion will no longer accept regular gold coins but only valuable treasures. Use your judgment to determine the value of these items."
"Additionally, if anyone wants to use gold coins for auctions, they can go to Windguard Tower in the Jia Ma Empire."
Lian Xue nodded, taking the Spirit Coins coins respectfully. "Yes, Pavilion Master, I will get it done immediately."
Watching Lian Xue disappear, Li Xiao relaxed and propped up his legs. Now, he just had to wait for the upcoming auctions for harvest.
…
Over the next period, Windguard Tower became the only auction house in the Jia Ma Empire capable of attracting Dou Emperor experts. Its daily revenue reached hundreds of thousands, equivalent to the Mittel Auction House's annual income.
Mittel Family Head Teng Shan decisively decided to abandon the Mittel Auction House and move to Windguard Tower to help the Heaven Ascending Pavilion earn more gold coins.
Li Xiao promised them a 9:1 split of the auction income. Although the Mittel Family would only get a small percentage, this still meant tens of thousands of gold coins daily, far surpassing what the Mittel Auction House could offer.
Naturally, Teng Shan agreed enthusiastically. With Ice Emperor Hai Bo Dong supporting them, any troublemakers would be dealt with swiftly.
Hai Bo Dong had also broken through to the seven-star Dou Emperor. During his time cultivating at the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, his strength had not only returned to its peak but had even advanced a few stars. Now, as the person in charge of Windguard Tower, he enjoyed both fame and fortune.
Hai Bo Dong famously remarked, "I have never felt so refreshed!"
People like Jia Xingtian were envious of Hai Bo Dong's luck. No one expected him to have such opportunities after disappearing for twenty years. Now, it was just a matter of time before he broke through to the Dou Ancestor realm.
In the near future, the tale of Hai Bo Dong will become a legend in the Jia Ma Empire, revered by countless people.
…
Within the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, Queen Medusa was preparing to relocate her people to the Magic Beast Mountain Range. The Snake-People Tribe's settlement was nearly completed, and she intended to move her people from the desolate Tager Desert to this new location.
Li Xiao agreed to Queen Medusa's request. With the help of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion, a territory for the Snake-People Tribe had been established in a clearing within the Magic Beast Mountain Range. They could move in immediately.
Thus, Li Xiao arranged for Niu Meng to personally lead Cai Lin to the depths of the Tager Desert to escort the entire Snake-People Tribe to the Magic Beast Mountain Range. Additionally, he arranged for the shadow guards of the Mittel Family to provide security. These shadow guards were the elite force of the Mittel Family, under the command of Ice Emperor Haibo Dong. Each member was so powerful that they could serve as city lords in small cities like Wu Tan City.
This showed the formidable strength of the shadow guards, which was also the main force protecting the Mittel Family's auction house and ensuring its prestigious status.
Cai Lin was deeply grateful, but her priority was to relocate her tribe to the Magic Beast Mountain Range. She could express her gratitude later.
Yun Yun watched Queen Medusa leave with a complicated gaze and softly asked Li Xiao beside her, "Dear, why are you so kind to Snake-People Tribe?"
The Snake-People Tribe and humans had been mortal enemies for over a thousand years. Even Yun Yun was wary of the Snake-People Tribe and did not wish for them to birth a Dou Ancestor powerhouse. Seeing Queen Medusa already a Dou Ancestor and her husband helping relocate the Snake-People Tribe, she feared it might disrupt the balance between humans.
Yun Yun's blue eyes reflected her confusion.
Li Xiao gently stroked Yun Yun's cheek. "Don't worry, I have my own considerations."
Seeing her husband's confidence, Yun Yun could only sigh inwardly. Since she was now the wife of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion's master, she needed to support his decisions.
Yun Yun was a conservative woman who abided by traditional values. Since ancient times, a married woman always had to follow her husband. Since she had become Li Xiao's wife, she had to support his decisions.
Li Xiao lifted Yun Yun's delicate body and walked towards their room. Yun Yun's face flushed red, and she whispered, "Dear, what are you doing?"
"Hehe, of course, we're going to discuss the mysteries of life."
Yun Yun didn't resist. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Li Xiao's neck, resting her head on his shoulder.
Perhaps this was her happiest moment in years. She had been focused on cultivation, never considering matters of the heart. Now, after experiencing the joy of intimacy, she understood why many people couldn't extricate themself after tasting it once.