Chapter 0365 – Staggering Wealth

Three months. In order to build Xuanhuang Town and prepare for the transition to private ownership, Yi Tianxing had waited a full three months.

Over 400,000 people had gathered together, and each day, the number of Will Beads condensed on the Money Tree exceeded a thousand. The same went for Demonic Thought Beads. Yi Tianxing did not touch the Will Beads, using only the Demonic Thought Beads. Over the course of three months, he had amassed 100,000 Demonic Thought Beads, and once converted into Eternal Coins, the number exceeded ten million.

If he were to use the Will Beads as well, he could forge more than twenty million Eternal Coins in a short time.

In ancient times, even entire dynasties might not collect ten million coins in a full year of taxation.

And now, just within Xuanhuang Town alone—circulating among its 400,000 residents, even including surrounding villages—this ten million Eternal Coins was more than enough to sustain operations. One must understand: Eternal Coins were far from ordinary currency.

One Eternal Coin could buy a hundred catties of mixed spirit rice—the kind currently grown in the fields, white and clean, husked and ready to eat. A hundred catties of that rice could feed a person for ten days to two weeks or longer. And that's even factoring in the increased appetite of cultivators. Conservatively eaten, it could last a full month.

With basic needs met, social stability could be maintained.With no hunger, there would be no unrest.

By rough estimates, a million Eternal Coins would suffice for basic operations and a successful transition. But given the risks, Yi Tianxing had prepared over ten million. And if necessary, he could forge another ten million after that. With such a deep foundation, there was no reason this transformation couldn't be completed in one stroke.

"Opening the path to privatization is a shift every civilization in history must go through. The only barrier to this transition is wealth—and we, in Xuanhuang Town, are not like the others. We have ample food. We lack nothing. And now, I have ten million Eternal Coins at the ready. Our granaries are full. All that remains is to set the winds of change in motion. This must be done," Yi Tianxing declared resolutely.

His words were firm, revealing his unwavering determination.

"To think that a full ten million Eternal Coins have already been forged. With such immense financial support, the transition to privatization can proceed smoothly—and more importantly, it will ignite the passions of all the people. It will allow the currency system to truly spread and become the dominant form of exchange,"

Xue Jin's eyes lit up. A merchant by trade, he knew all too well the value of money and currency. He understood better than most that only privatization could unleash creativity, birth commerce, and allow currency to truly circulate. It was like changing stagnant water into flowing water.

With the population in Xuanhuang Town now booming, they could no longer survive under the "shared pot" system. Privatization would unleash people's drive. Without it, everything would be an illusion—and worse, it would hinder development.

"So the Lord had already planned this, holding all the cards. With such wealth at hand, the transition is entirely feasible. I fully support it."

Huang Chengyan, too, was overjoyed.

Previously, his opposition stemmed from fears that something might go wrong during the transition—a major risk to the newly stabilized Xuanhuang Town and its people. Any instability at this point could have catastrophic effects.

No one would have expected that Yi Tianxing could forge such a vast number of Eternal Coins in such a short time. The magical nature of Eternal Coins was well known. Even nearby villages longed for them, yet what few coins made it to them were either hoarded or only granted to key personnel.

The real problem lay in the scarcity of Eternal Coins outside the town.

After all, Eternal Coins were precious cultivation items, consumed daily. Once one cultivated with them, the difference between that and hard-earned cultivation was like heaven and earth. They were not just ordinary currency—they were cultivation resources. No matter how many were produced, they would be consumed.

What's more, the forging of Eternal Coins was personally handled by Yi Tianxing, with no one else involved. No one knew how many he could make, though it was assumed it wasn't easy. The resources consumed and the rare spiritual materials required must be substantial. After all, these coins could increase cultivation and speed up training—far more effective than spirit stones.

If Eternal Coins were easy to make, it would be unbelievable. They must require some precious material.

Now, to suddenly bring out ten million of them—this was truly astonishing.

Such a currency couldn't be entrusted to just anyone. If the method of minting them fell into the wrong hands, it could lead to disaster. Only with Yi Tianxing in control could this currency be considered safe. For whoever controls the Eternal Coin, controls the lifeblood of the entire faction. That's the foundation of all power.

"Excellent. With such a staggering wealth behind us, we can not only support reform in the town, but also push the circulation of Eternal Coins in the surrounding villages. Once Eternal Coins replace all other forms of currency, they'll become the dominant standard. At that point, in name and in substance, we will control the economic lifeline of the surrounding region. Without a single blade drawn, we'll draw countless villages into our orbit, expanding our strength,"

Jia Xu's eyes gleamed as his mind raced ahead.

He saw further than the others. In chaotic times, it's always big fish eating small fish. That's nature's law. The weak relying on the strong was inevitable. But there needed to be a bridge—a reason for people to submit.

Currency was the perfect bridge.

Any power that controls a currency's issuance naturally holds dominance over nearby factions. That influence can quietly sink deep into the hearts of others—fostering both fear and trust. That kind of power far surpasses even ten legions of elite troops.

"Very well. With such a vast wealth as our backing, privatization can officially begin. I support it too," Lu Shi agreed, nodding without further objection.

"We must not rush. It must be done gradually, over the course of a month. For instance, distributing housing will place a heavy burden on the town. I propose restrictions. For example: if a man and woman become husband and wife, they may be given a home, free of charge, complete with ownership documents. If single individuals receive temporary housing, it shall remain under public ownership—only when they marry will it become private property. Furthermore, the man shall retain his home, but if a woman marries out, her residence returns to public control. This will ease the housing crunch, encourage marriage, and help build new families—ensuring our human race's continued survival."

Huang Chengyan's eyes sparkled with wisdom as he stepped forward.

"Well said! Brother Chengyan is a true sage. This solution relieves the housing issue, stabilizes the people, and even encourages family formation. Now that we're on the Eternal Continent, almost everyone has lost their homeland and families. Hearts are heavy with sorrow. But if people can start fresh—marry, build homes, raise children—the town's spirit will be renewed. It is birth, not just survival, that ensures the human race lives on."

Jia Xu clapped his hands in admiration.

"Good. Then preparations for the transition must begin immediately. In three days, issue the public notice. The Myriad Treasures Hall will begin distributing food, drafting homeownership contracts, and registering all information on the Heaven Registration Cards. Not a single detail may be overlooked."

Yi Tianxing nodded firmly and made the decision.

"Yes, my Lord!"

Jia Xu and the others bowed in unison.

Three days passed in a flash.

And in that time, much activity occurred.

In the grain warehouses, bags of rice were counted and organized. Carts loaded with Eternal Coins, packed into wooden crates, were sent to the Myriad Treasures Hall, where they were piled up like mountains.

During transport, a few crates tipped open, revealing glittering Eternal Coins. At that moment, countless townspeople felt their hearts stop. Speculation ran wild—what were all these Eternal Coins for?

DANG! DANG! DANG!

A crisp sound of a gong echoed from the town's notice board.

A new proclamation appeared, and a crowd quickly gathered.

Gasps and murmurs rose as they read the notice.

"Heavens! Something big is happening. The Lord is implementing privatization and ending the shared-ration system!"

"That means no more free meals. From now on, if you want to eat, you'll have to work for it."

"It says here: residents of the town can use their Heaven Registration Cards to claim a one-time relief package at the Myriad Treasures Hall—one bag of mixed spirit rice (a hundred catties), ten Eternal Coins, and a temporary home. If a man and woman marry, they will receive a home and ownership deed free of charge. After that, food and clothing are your own responsibility. The town will no longer provide them."

"Self-reliance! Work and earn! The town will pay wages for labor. Those with skills can make and sell goods—open inns or shops, craft talismans or refine pills. You can even hunt fierce beasts, sell their meat and materials, and trade freely to earn what you need."