Chapter Sixty: I Am But Humble, Yet Known as the Divine Tycoon!

South Bank, the Eleventh Mountain.

This mountain was vast, with a multitude of disciples dwelling upon it, yet their cultivation levels were pitifully low—most were at the Qi Condensation stage, with hardly any at Foundation Establishment.

All of them wore rough linen robes, with a single character emblazoned on their chests: “Miscellaneous,” marking their status as menial disciples.

Menial disciples were responsible for the daily needs of both inner and outer sect disciples, as well as the entire operation of the sect. Without them, nothing would run smoothly.

The time left for their own cultivation was scant, so menial disciples yearned desperately for the chance to become outer sect disciples, to rise above their station.

In fact, menial disciples often interacted with the geniuses of the sect, for many matters required their assistance. For instance, the recent renovations of Yao Jianjia’s residence were carried out by menial disciples.

Though their work was at the very bottom, the sect maintained strict order, protecting the menial disciples from bullying by ordinary disciples and granting them basic dignity.

Even the most gifted disciples, when needing help from the menial ranks, were required to report first to the elders of the Miscellaneous Hall on the Eleventh Mountain, and only upon approval could they employ the menial disciples.

After returning to the sect, Wang Ran did not rush to the Hall of Enforcement but headed instead for the Eleventh Mountain.

Now that he had found a lucrative path, spirit jade would flow to him in abundance. But if he wished to attract the talented into his faction, mere words would not suffice—they would not so easily believe that Wang Ran was truly wealthy.

Despite Xu Ke’s widespread proclamation that joining Wang Ran’s ranks would bring generous rewards, those prodigies were shrewd; who would trust a single rumor? In all things, seeing is believing.

Thus, Wang Ran came to the Miscellaneous Hall, intent on rebuilding his own residence to a level of luxury surpassing that of Chu Yingxuan and her alliance.

Only in this way could he manifest the aura of a peerless magnate.

It was not Wang Ran’s first visit to the Miscellaneous Hall. Ascending the mountain, he recognized the way, passing the kitchens and smithies until he finally saw a grand hall crouched atop the peak.

This was the place where menial disciples received assignments. Many could be seen coming and going, even the geniuses from both the inner and outer sects appeared from time to time.

Spotting Wang Ran in his purple-white robes, many greeted him respectfully, rushing up to pay their respects.

He casually caught a disciple, asked after the location of the Miscellaneous Hall’s elder, and thanked him with an approachable smile.

The disciple was both surprised and delighted, clearly never expecting an inner sect disciple to be so amiable.

Wang Ran smiled, giving him an encouraging look, and then turned to follow the directions.

He had barely taken a few steps when he saw, not far ahead, an elderly man with drooping brows seated at a table, conversing with several disciples before him.

These disciples wore inner sect robes with the insignia of the Hall of Enforcement on their chests—clearly, all were disciples of the Hall of Enforcement.

Among them, a young woman’s face was streaked with worry as she pleaded, “Elder Zhao, could you not make it a bit cheaper? We truly are not wealthy. Would a thousand spirit jade suffice?”

“Yes, Elder Zhao, we only wish to cultivate, and need to build a training chamber within our residence. Please, consider our youth and reduce the cost.”

The old man, unmoved, stroked his beard and shook his head, “All resources used belong to the sect. I have no power to alter that. Of the fifteen hundred spirit jade, I can at most knock off a hundred—no more.”

Hearing this, the four grew anxious. Fourteen hundred spirit jade was a sum they simply could not afford.

They were merely an ordinary enforcement team, their cultivation average, and had not joined any faction. In terms of spirit jade, they were truly destitute.

Wang Ran listened for a while and understood the situation—a group wishing to build a training chamber, but the Miscellaneous Hall’s price was far beyond their means.

He had not intended to interfere, but noticing they had not pledged to any faction, his eyes suddenly lit up.

Elder Zhao of the Miscellaneous Hall was a stubborn old man, always adhering to rules; without proper payment, no approval was given.

The female disciple’s name was Jiang Xuexian, her token marked with the White Tiger, and she was the team leader. Her anxious face betrayed her desperation.

They were not prodigies, but had ascended to the Hall of Enforcement step by step through seniority, and thus, unlike Wang Ran, had no private residence besides their enforcement duties.

The so-called training chamber was not an ordinary room, but specially crafted, aiding in focus and greatly benefiting cultivation.

All of them were at bottlenecks in their training, and thus yearned for a chamber to help break through.

But fourteen hundred spirit jade was a price they could not even dream of affording.

Just as Jiang Xuexian was about to give up, footsteps sounded behind her, and a calm voice spoke, “Fellow disciples, are you in some trouble? Perhaps I can help.”

Everyone turned to see a youth with a face like polished jade, smiling at them.

Annoyed by the interruption, the group felt some displeasure, though seeing him in enforcement robes, they refrained from showing it.

One male disciple replied coldly, “Hmph, you can help? We’re building a training chamber—can you help with that?”

Jiang Xuexian glared at him for his attitude, then respectfully clasped her hands and greeted Wang Ran, “You’ve made us look foolish, junior brother.”

Wang Ran waved it off, “No matter. Since you wish to build a training chamber, is it the cost that troubles you? Are you short of spirit jade?”

Jiang Xuexian offered a bitter smile, nodding, “To be honest, it costs fourteen hundred spirit jade to build one, and we simply can’t manage it.”

“What? Fourteen hundred spirit jade?” Wang Ran exclaimed in surprise.

The male disciple sneered inwardly—so much for confidently offering help, now he was scared off by the price.

Yet Wang Ran’s next words nearly knocked him off his feet.

With incredulity, Wang Ran declared, “Fourteen hundred spirit jade? That’s so cheap! I thought it would be far more expensive. If I’d known, I’d have built a hundred or so myself!”

Everyone present widened their eyes.

Fourteen hundred spirit jade… Cheap?

They were stunned.

Jiang Xuexian blinked her beautiful eyes, not yet recovered, when Wang Ran, full of generosity, waved his hand.

“Elder Zhao, I’ll cover the costs for these fellow disciples. Here are two thousand spirit jade—keep the change.”

Before them appeared a tall stack of spirit jade, neatly arranged—two thousand pieces.

Even Elder Zhao was struck speechless, let alone the disciples, who could hardly breathe, utterly incredulous.

Jiang Xuexian’s mouth dropped open, flustered, “This… this isn’t right, junior brother, you should take it back, I—I…”

Seeing her flustered, Wang Ran laughed, “Senior sister, just keep it. Let’s call it making friends.”

“Ah?” Jiang Xuexian was stunned.

For Wang Ran to be so generous, he must be a top prodigy even within the Hall of Enforcement. But such people were proud—why would they make friends with ordinary enforcement disciples?

Jiang Xuexian felt a hint of inferiority and disbelief, “Junior brother, with your status, befriending us would only tarnish your reputation, besides…”

“Senior sister, you worry too much.” Wang Ran smiled kindly, then declared with boldness, “I’m known as the Great Magnate. When I make friends, I don’t care if they’re rich or poor—none are richer than me, so just come!”

His lavish demeanor left everyone dumbfounded, minds reeling—this youth truly exuded boundless grandeur.

The male disciple who had initially scorned him was now red-faced, wishing he could sink into the ground.

Jiang Xuexian bit her lip, her heart inexplicably fluttering with blush. What girl doesn’t long to meet a domineering hero? It was only natural.

Wang Ran, unaware of Jiang Xuexian’s feelings, saw the moment was ripe and revealed his true purpose, “It’s only spirit jade, senior sister, don’t worry. If you haven’t found your footing in the Hall of Enforcement, why not join Haoran Alliance? I, Wang Ran, do have some influence here, and our alliance offers abundant rewards—each member receives spirit talismans, spirit jade, magical tools, and more.”

Haoran Alliance was the name Wang Ran devised for his faction on his return to the sect, drawing from the character “Ran,” signifying upright grandeur.

A male disciple asked in confusion, “Haoran Alliance? We’ve never heard of such a group in the Hall of Enforcement.”

Wang Ran explained, focusing on the generous benefits, the alliance’s strength—his words painted a picture of unmatched prosperity.

The group listened, hearts yearning, wishing they could join this wealthy alliance at once.

As they departed, Wang Ran wore a satisfied, smiling expression.

It was easy to foresee that, through their word of mouth, Haoran Alliance would soon attract a flood of disciples, becoming the fifth great alliance in the sect, its rise imminent.