Taking care of Business

Fang Shi watched as Elder Zhang left the cultivation pod, walked forward, proceeded to shut it down, and stored it away in his storage bag.

The sect master and the elders looked disappointed as they witnessed this, and Elder Jian spoke, "Owner Fang, is it possible to keep this pod here?"

"No, I'm afraid not", Fang Shi replied, "This is property of the Heaven & Earth pavilion, to ensure that you get the artifacts that can be trusted I have brought cultivation pods that are blank. I will guide your artisans through the process over the next few days, and have them arrange everything."

"I will go get some help then", Elder Shen stated, and walked away.

It didn't take long for the head refiner to gather a group of refiners and disciples, and as they entered the room, they all quickly greeted the sect leadership waiting.

"What do we need to do first?", Sect master Jian asked.

Fang Shi looked around the room, "Well, considering that this room is circular, I plan on setting things up like this."

He stuck his hand out holding several image record talismans, selected one, and put the rest away. He activated the talisman, and a holographic image displayed above his hand. The sect master, and the elders looked at the image to see a small scale circular room with a station in the center with cultivation pods surrounding it.

"As you can see here, we will place the main artifact here in the center guarded by whatever formations you wish to secure it with", Fang Shi explained, "The pods will be place like this, and they will be connected to the main artifact like this."

He manipulated the image, and the image turned transparent while lines of different colors became visible.

"This is a diagram of how spiritual energy will flow from your source to the main artifact, out to the cultivation pods", Fang Shi continued, "This is what I suggest, but I have other plans if you wish to pick something else, or you can make your own arrangement."

Fang Shi reached into his storage bag to retrieve the previous talismans, but a loud noise interrupted him, "Oh, the results of the scan as finished."

He strolled over to the 'Hub' artifact with all the top sect leaders following him, and looked at the light screen.

"According to this, you can place 51 pods safely here without negatively affecting your spiritual vein", Fang Shi informed them.

"Do you mind if we look at all the different options?", Sect Master Jian asked.

"Of course", Fang Shi said as he handed all the talismans to the sect master.

Fang Shi waited as all the sect leaders moved to the other side of the room, and as they discussed the matter, he had his own problems.

'I'm bored', Fang Shi thought, 'In my previous life, I could just look at my phone when something like this happens. System, can't I make a phone from my previous life?"

'Answer: The host currently doesn't have the materials or skilled staff to produce a product like that', the system replied.

'I have the cultivation pods', Fang Shi retorted, 'And that was an idea that I conceived."

'Response: Host, the pods do not function as this 'phone' you are describing', the system said, 'At this time, it's not possible to create it with what's available to you. Once you have access to higher level materials and refining techniques, you can make what you wish.'

Fang Shi wanted to argue with the system more, but he noticed that the sect leaders had made their decision and were walking over.

The sect master handed the talismans over with the exception of one, "We wish to use this layout for our cultivation room."

"Excellent choice", Fang Shi gave them a professional smile, "Let's get started when you're ready."

Most of the sect elders, and the sect master left while Elders Shen and Jian stayed behind to supervise the room's construction. Over the next couple days, the room changed from an empty storage room into a cultivation pod cafe. Once the last touches were made, word was sent to Sect master Jian and they returned to see the result of everyone's work.

"This looks amazing, Owner Fang", the sect master told him once he finished looking about the room.

"You should give you praises to Elder Shen", Fang Shi replied, "I sat back as they did all the work, this was their efforts."

"So, it's ready to be used?", Chief elder Qin inquired.

"Not quite yet", Fang Shi responded, "Everything has been set up, but now you have to decide which realms you want?"

"You aren't going to just include everything?", Elder Qin countered in a disappointed voice.

Fang Shi narrowed his eyes, and decided to ignore this woman who most likely much older than him by centuries, but tried to act as a wronged young lady.

He turned to the sect leader, "Here is a list of all the realms, and their prices. Just a reminder, some realms will work the same as mine do, but they will require your input first."

"What does that mean, Owner Fang?", the sect master for once wasn't sure what Fang Shi was alluding to.

"For instance, the training realm has the ability to scan anyone who sits in the pod", Fang Shi said, "Afterwards, it has the ability to demonstrate methods, techniques, or exercises, and suggest cultivation methods and techniques based off the scan. Obviously you don't have my library, and I don't have your library. You will need to scan your library into the 'Hub' artifact so that it will work correctly. But if you decide not to purchase the training realm, there is no reason to worry about it."

"I see, that does make sense", the sect master agreed, "Well, after experiencing everything on the artifact you brought for your store, I've decided we want everything you have to offer."

Fang Shi smiled as he pulled out a box with a set of jade slips inside of it, and handed it to the sect master, "Please come with me so that I can teach you how to use these."

He walked to the 'Hub' artifact, and pointed to one side of it where a hole the size of the jade slip was.

"Please place a jade slip inside, and wait for the screen to inform you when it is finished", he instructed the sect master.

Sect master Jian gave the box to Elder Shen, and the latter walked next to Fang Shi. Elder Shen took the first slip on the right, and did as Fang Shi directed. As the screen displayed that the task was finished, the elder would remove a jade slip, place it back into the box, and insert another until all were done.

"Everything is done", Fang Shi cheerfully said, "You can start using the cultivation pods immediately, but as I've said, certain functions will not work until you get your library into the 'Hub'. Let's look at the total: 1 'Hub' artifact, 51 cultivation pod artifacts, 10k jade slips, and instruction scrolls for everything. One of these scrolls has the plans for creating the jade slips, and I recommend uses them to load your library in. You also can customize your own jade slips, but please remember that if you do, they will only work here but not at any other location with pods. Does this sound correct to you?"

"Yes", Sect Master Jian replied.

"Then here is my bill", Fang Shi sent over a small scroll.

Sect master Jian looked it over before giving it to the Chief Elder, who sent someone off to procure everything. The sect members in the room started to enter pods to test their functionality, and Fang Shi was answering questions from the leadership. The runner sent returned soon, and handed a storage ring to the sect master, who in turn handed it to Fang Shi.

Fang Shi took the ring, dripped a drop of blood on it, placed it on his finger, and bowed to Sect master Jian, "Thank you, but I have to leave now since I also have an agreement with the Azure River sect. If you have any minor concerns, please send a message talisman to me and I'll send the solution back. If you have major problems, send a message and I'll send someone out to you to fix it. I stand by my products, and other than time or self destruction, I will repair your pods for life."

"I'm glad to hear it, please allow me to escort you out", the sect master smiled.

Soon, Fang Shi and his two bodyguards were outside the Profound Sword sect mountain range, and bade farewell to the sect master. As the sect master left to return to the sect, Fang Shi and the two puppets pulled out their weapons and took off in the air.

Fang Shi wasn't looking forward to this part of the trip, the two sect were far enough apart that he would have to spend the night out in the wild. As a Qi Gathering realm cultivator, he still required some sleep which is why he bought equipment to camp for the night. As the sun went down, he signaled the other two and they landed near a small village. He didn't go inside the village though, instead opting to set up a kilometer from it. He quickly set up formations, an oven, and a tent. Unfortunately, the tent was still normal sized and not a regular tent with an expanded inside space like he had read in stories in his past life. He ate dinner and laid down to sleep, but he look over at a curious artifact inside his tent. He had an clock sitting on a stand just like he one at work. Next to the mine craft clock was a globe that was mostly greyed out, and a very small dot of color in a certain spot. Even though it was a globe, the image on the globe also looked like the map from minecraft as well. Just like that map, if he looked at a certain place on it, a light screen would appear with a detailed image of that area.

Fang Shi realized that the colored portion of the globe was the places he had personally seen himself. Since he hardly left the store, it made sense why the globe was still very grey. Feeling bored, Fang Shi finally laid down to sleep.

Several hours later, Fang Shi woke up when the 'Li Xiaoyao' puppet sent a mental message to him that a group was approaching their campsite. Several minutes later, the formation sprang to life, and Fang Shi exited the tent to find both puppets holding their swords out.

"Little boy", a voice called, "I can see that you are well protected, but there are many of us here and it will not take long for us to overpower your formation and kill your guards. So why don't you just make things easier for yourself, deactivate the array, and hand over all your items."

A round of laughter could be heard from the other bandits, and Fang Shi could hear as they spoke to each other in anticipation for the riches they were about to receive.

"May I ask who would be bold enough to rob me?", Fang Shi asked, "If your group doesn't even have a bounty, it's not worth my time to keep you alive."

There were some angry shouts before the voice spoke again smugly, "We are the Red Mountain bandits, and we have own this land for many years. Our deeds are known across the land, and we have never been caught."

Fang Shi gave his bodyguards a mental command, 'Don't kill, just ruin their cultivation and capture. We will turn them in when we arrive at the Azure River sect.'

The two bodyguards immediately disappeared, and screams started erupting from the surroundings, "They are too strong", "Run!", "You bastard, you stabbed my dantian!", "Scatter!"

Once everything went quiet, Fang Shi opened the formation to allow the bodyguards to bring the bandits in. As the two bodyguards were chasing the last few stranglers, Fang Shi walked to the closest body on the ground to drag it inside. Just as he reach the man's body, it suddenly moved and a sword thrust in his direction.

"I have to hurry and take what I can", the bandit said as he pulled his sword back, "If I'm lucky I can buy a pill to repair my dantian."

"Won't that be difficult with me here?", Fang Shi inquired.

The bandit turned to look at Fang Shi, and saw nine guardian talismans floating in front of him. In a panic, the bandit desperately swung his sword in an attempt to kill the boy, but each time the nine talismans in an array would shift and block his attack. After ten strikes, Fang Shi saw his talismans would fail soon so he pulled nine more talismans out of his new rings.

"I was hoping to experience this for longer, but this still of battle is strange", Fang Shi said as his shield finally broke.

He activated the nine new talismans in a new array, and small arcs of static energy combined together generating a lightning bolt that struck the man. The bandit fell over stunned, and Fang Shi jogged over before stabbing him in his lower abdomen. The bandit screamed in pain, but Fang Shi ignored him while using a binding talisman.

Both bodyguards returned with other bandits in their arms, and started making trips back and forth as they were all captured.

"Check around the area, and see if you can find their base", Fang Shi ordered both puppets.

Without a sound, they both vanished and he walked over to the man he assumed was the leader.

After kicking the man and seeing his eyes open, Fang Shi spoke, "I've noticed that your weapons, pills, and items are fairly bad. But I have a proposition for you."

"What?", the bandit leader replied weakly.

"I would like to purchase all your things", Fang Shi suggested.

The man suddenly gave Fang Shi a strange look, "What?"

"I mean it, but the choice is ultimately up to you", Fang Shi continued, "I am a merchant, and I feel like this is an opportunity. I will pay market price for anything you wish to sale, but if you are suspicious of my intent, it's fine. I'll be turning you and your gang in for your bounty, so you have limited time to think about it."

The bandits all heard his proposal, but no one said anything. Soon, Fang Shi heard noises as the two bodyguards returned carrying a bag and being followed by many women. Those women were also dragging a couple of more bandits, though their treatment of the men was rather unpleasant.

When the captured bandits saw their companions captured, their hostages freed, and all their treasure taken, the bandit boss spoke up, "Young master, I accept your deal. I believe you are of unparalleled integrity, and never doubted your words."

Fang Shi saw the captured bandits had changed once his bodyguards had returned, and realized it was because their hope had finally been crushed.

"You aren't agreeing now because you believe I am coercing you, are you?", Fang Shi asked, "Because like I said, I only offer you this deal because you genuinely wish to do business."

"No, I declare right now that I accept your offer of my own violation", the bandit leader promised.

Fang Shi immediately took out all the items from all the storage bags he had collected, and displayed them in front of everyone. One by one, he analyzed each item and paid the spirit stones until everything was purchased.

"Thank you fellow Daoist", Fang Shi said as he started packing up camp. When everything was ready, he pulled out a small flying ship he had received from the Profound Sword sect and dragged all the bandits on board.

Then he turned his attention to the women, "I'm Fang Shi, a store owner in Blue Moon city", he introduced himself, "I assume that you were all hostages taken by that bandit group?"

One woman whose spirit wasn't as broken as the rest stepped forward, "Yes, my lord."

"I'm not noble or royalty", Fang Shi replied, "Most just call me Owner Fang. Now I can't just leave all of you out here by yourself. So I can assist you if you wish, I won't force you. I'm headed to the Azure River sect for some business, and even though I should get moving, I don't mind helping. You can stay here and we will escort you to the closest town about a kilometer away, or I can take you to the town close to the Azure River sect, or I can hire you for my store. I'm leaving now, so choose quickly."

Several of the women took the first option, while the majority took the second. Four women opted for the third option much to Fang Shi surprise.

"Please enter the flying ship, and we will get moving", he instructed them.

The women, the bodyguards, and finally Fang Shi boarded the flying ship, and he piloted to the nearby town where he dropped off those who wished to stay here. He distributed a bag of food and coins to each one, and wished them well. Next, he set his heading for South River city, and arrived after half a day. He turned in the bandits for their bounty, and gave supplies to the women who wished to stay here before heading to the Azure River sect.

Fang Shi landed the flying ship just outside the the sect's lands before pulling out a token, and activated it.