Chapter 629 - 629: From Zero to One

"I understand, of course, but Eldest Senior Sister is still abroad. There's no need to trouble her. Besides, everything we've planned so far is just that—a plan. Let's first go to Little Hua Mountain and get the Celestial Dao Pavilion established before we discuss anything else."

Jiang Xinghai had a detailed strategy for this. "Furthermore, I'm planning to purchase a piece of land and build a skyscraper. We'll name it the Celestial Dao Pavilion."

"But if you do that, the Celestial Dao Pavilion won't be a secret organization anymore. Are you sure?" Zhao Linglong asked, confused.

"Third Senior Sister, I just said that the Celestial Dao Pavilion will be a secret organization *before* it's established. But eventually, we'll have to reveal our strength. The day the skyscraper opens for business will be the day the Celestial Dao Pavilion is introduced to the world," Jiang Xinghai said with a deep smile.

「That afternoon.」

Jiang Xinghai arrived at Little Hua Mountain as promised to meet with the talented prodigies he had rescued.

The atmosphere on Little Hua Mountain was both fervent and solemn. Numerous young talents were gathered together, their eyes filled with anticipation and resolve.

Jiang Xinghai stood before the crowd, loudly proclaiming his plans and vision. He laid out the Celestial Dao Pavilion's founding principles, future goals, and the high hopes he had for its members.

"Everyone, you once endured hardships alongside my parents. Now, we will create a new and glorious chapter together, vowing to make it our mission to eradicate the Shadow Sect." Jiang Xinghai's hopeful gaze swept over every person present.

"Young Master Jiang's idea is excellent, but..."

A man built like a bear stepped forward. Despite his large, somewhat clumsy-looking frame, he was a meticulous person. "It's just that, compared to the Shadow Sect, our strength seems utterly insignificant."

"If I remember correctly, you're Wu Gang," Jiang Xinghai said with a smile.

"That's right. The 'Wu' as in warrior, the 'Gang' as in steel," Wu Gang replied with a low chuckle.

Jiang Xinghai said in admiration, "Brother, to have reached the Middle Stage of the Human Emperor Realm in your thirties is truly remarkable."

"Compared to Young Master Jiang, I still have a long way to go," Wu Gang said with a wry smile.

Jiang Xinghai slowly walked forward and said meaningfully, "As long as you cultivate diligently, I believe your strength will improve quickly. That goes for everyone here—don't be discouraged. Since you've chosen to follow me, it is only right that I grant you all a great opportunity."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Gathering Essence Pills, Nourishing Essence Pills, and Strengthening Pills. Five hundred of each for every person. I believe that with the help of these pills, your cultivation speed will skyrocket, won't it?" Jiang Xinghai once again scanned the crowd.

The crowd's jaws nearly hit the floor.

Gathering Essence Pills, Nourishing Essence Pills, Strengthening Pills... these were the kinds of pills that every practitioner of Martial Arts dreamed of obtaining!

In the past, even if their families had the means to acquire them, they could get three at most!

And even then, they had to pay an enormous price.

But now, with just a few words, Jiang Xinghai was going to give each person five hundred of all three types of pills!

"Young Master Jiang, if it's really as you say, our cultivation speed will definitely soar! After all, compared to the people of the Celestial Profound Realm, the biggest things we lack—aside from relatively denser Spiritual Qi—are pills!"

"That's right! As long as we have pills to aid us, our strength can grow day by day!"

Jiang Xinghai had successfully stirred up everyone's emotions.

Naturally, he couldn't let them down. With a flick of his wrist, he produced several glass vials.

"This is just a portion of what I had left over. I'll start refining pills tonight, enough for all of you to use in your cultivation."

Jiang Xinghai gave the leftover pills to Wu Gang, who immediately began to inspect the "goods."

"Heavens!"

"Such a rich medicinal aroma!"

"The color is so vibrant, and the Pill Patterns are so complex... These must be superior-grade pills!"

After everyone had a look, they were all stunned speechless, frozen in place.

'Our choice back then was the right one!'

"Brothers, by dawn tomorrow, the pills will be ready."

Jiang Xinghai had the ability to make such a guarantee, and he did so with confidence.

"Young Master Jiang, you're also an Alchemist?"

"My God... an Alchemist, a profession long thought to be extinct, has actually appeared before us..."

Jiang Xinghai just smiled slightly without offering much of an explanation. "Everyone, the Celestial Dao Pavilion we are creating isn't just a place for cultivation. It's a home where we can grow together and defend justice."

One by one, the crowd nodded, their eyes filled with boundless hope.

"I'm planning to buy a piece of land right here, near Little Hua Mountain, and build a skyscraper. It will be our base of operations and a symbol of our strength for the world to see," Jiang Xinghai said with unprecedented seriousness and gravity.

"Young Master Jiang, won't building a new skyscraper be too slow?"

Wu Gang walked over and offered a serious suggestion. "I actually have an idea. Just south of here, there's an artificial lake called Holy Water Valley. There's a tourist attraction that was developed there, but since it was all man-made, business is terrible. Why don't we just buy that place?"

"Wu Gang, are you a local?" Jiang Xinghai asked.

"I'm from the Taihang Mountain region."

Wu Gang chuckled. "However, before I was captured by Mirror Lake Manor, I lived in the Imperial City for ten years, right around here. So I'm pretty familiar with the surroundings. I noticed Holy Water Valley on my way here today."

"What are the buildings like there?" Jiang Xinghai's interest was piqued.

"They're only five-story buildings, but the grounds are huge. And the man-made lake and gardens are actually quite nice," Wu Gang said with a smile.

"Then let's go take a look right now. If it's really feasible, we'll buy it and make it the headquarters for the Celestial Dao Pavilion."

And so, Jiang Xinghai and his large retinue set off for Holy Water Valley.

When they arrived at Holy Water Valley, the scene before them was just as Wu Gang had described.

Although the original tourist attraction had been poorly managed, the environment was beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. The facilities were mostly complete and would be ready for use with just a few modifications.

Jiang Xinghai surveyed the area and nodded in satisfaction. "This is indeed a great place. It's secluded and convenient for our cultivation and operations. We'll establish the Celestial Dao Pavilion here."

"Little Junior Brother, leave all the matters related to purchasing this land and planning the renovations to me," Zhao Linglong, who had been by Jiang Xinghai's side the whole time, volunteered.

Jiang Xinghai was naturally very grateful for this.

This freed him up to go purchase medicinal herbs.

And it was a massive bulk order at that.

After all, the Celestial Dao Pavilion didn't just consist of Wu Gang and the thirty-odd other people. There were also the four hundred people from the former Celestial Net assassin group who would be arriving soon.

Jiang Xinghai, of course, had to treat them all equally.

Besides that, he also needed to make a trip to the Dragon Country Medical Dao Hall.

After all, he still needed to help his father break his Dantian Seal, and he was still missing the last two medicinal herbs: Purple Demon Grass and Thousand-Mile Fragrance!

"Young Master Jiang, let me be your aide and go with you to procure the herbs," Wu Gang proactively suggested.

"Brother Xinghai, my name is Meng Chun. I'm also a native of the Imperial City and know a thing or two about the various pharmacies, big and small. Let me accompany you to procure the herbs as well." A middle-aged woman who called herself Meng Chun approached Jiang Xinghai with an elegant gait.

It was worth noting that all these people had been imprisoned in Mirror Lake Manor, and the youngest among them was already in their thirties.

And while Meng Chun looked to be in her thirties, she was, in fact, already forty years old.

"Alright, the three of us will go procure the herbs."

Jiang Xinghai didn't refuse. He had been about to say that he was also a native of the Imperial City, but in the end, he kept it to himself.

'It wouldn't be bad to have some help on this trip.'

"As for the rest of you, please assist my Third Senior Sister with the land acquisition matters."

After making these general arrangements, Jiang Xinghai left with Wu Gang and Meng Chun.

In founding the Celestial Dao Pavilion, he had taken the first step on the journey from zero to one.

Although the initial founding process was complex, it was a good thing that everyone was tackling it with enthusiasm.

"First stop, we're going to the Medical Dao Hall headquarters."

After getting into the car, Jiang Xinghai informed Wu Gang and Meng Chun of their plan.

"To the Medical Dao Hall headquarters?"

Wu Gang and Meng Chun repeated the phrase at almost the same time, their expressions becoming exaggerated with surprise.