Xuanjian naturally knew that these two treasures were crucial to Nuwa's future grand plan of creating humanity, but... at the present stage, he still had uses for these two Innate treasures and had no intention of selling them to her.
Moreover, the time when Nuwa would create humanity was still far off.
Seeing Xuanjian refuse again, the eager light in Nuwa's eyes dimmed with disappointment. “Can you truly not sell them to me?”
Fuxi said, “Then forget it. However, Fellow Daoist Xuanjian, if you plan to sell these two treasures in the future, please be sure to think of our sibling pair first. We are willing to pay a high price to purchase them.”
Xuanjian said, “No problem.”
Nuwa returned disappointed once again, looking back at Xuanjian reluctantly as Fuxi led her away.
Her gaze carried a hint of resentment amidst her disappointment.
Xuanjian merely laughed it off and did not take it too seriously.
After Nuwa and Fuxi left, the Four Dragon Kings of the Dragon Clan approached Xuanjian.
“Fellow Daoist Xuanjian, thank you for lending a helping hand regarding the matter last time,” Ao Yin, the Eastern Sea Dragon King, said, cupping his hands in gratitude.
He was naturally referring to being pressured by the Immortal Court.
Hearing this, Xuanjian smiled faintly. “Fellow Daoist, helping your Dragon Clan was originally part of our transaction. We each took what we needed; there is no need to thank me.”
“Although there was a prior oath,” Ao Yin shook his head and said with heartfelt gratitude, “Fellow Daoist acted chivalrously, and my entire Dragon Clan remembers this kindness of yours. If Fellow Daoist has any needs, please do not hesitate to speak up. As long as my Dragon Clan can do it, we will never refuse!”
“Big Brother is right!” Ao Quan, the Western Sea Dragon King, chimed in, immediately exuding the distinct aura of a nouveau riche tycoon. “Fellow Daoist, your merchant guild has just started and must urgently need treasures to hold down the fort, right? Although my Western Sea Dragon Clan's vault is not as wealthy as Fellow Daoist's merchant guild, we still have three or four Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures. If Fellow Daoist is willing, this king will gift them all to you!”
The Dragon Kings' enthusiasm was somewhat beyond Xuanjian's expectations.
Especially the Western Sea Dragon King—he was actually so generous as to offer three or four Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures right off the bat.
Such a grand gesture...
Could one only say, “as expected of the Dragon Clan”?
An emaciated dragon is still plumper than a jiao-dragon.
Xuanjian also understood that the Four Seas Dragon Kings were ingratiating themselves with him at all costs in order to extend goodwill.
They likely wanted to foster good relations with his Treasure Vault Merchant Guild.
Xuanjian was not averse to this.
He pondered for a moment, looked at Ao Yin and the other Four Seas Dragon Kings, and said, “This poor Daoist truly does have a matter that requires the Dragon Clan's help.”
“Oh?”
At these words, the dragon eyes of the Four Seas Dragon Kings lit up, and they asked hurriedly.
Ao Yin: “Fellow Daoist, please speak!”
Ao Quan: “Do you plan to take over my Western Sea vault?”
Ao Bai, the Northern Sea Dragon King: “Fellow Daoist, it is not my Dragon Clan boasting, but as long as it concerns the Four Seas, there is nothing my Dragon Clan cannot handle.”
Ao Ming, the Southern Sea Dragon King, deflated his brag: “Stop bragging through your teeth. If you have the ability, go and deal with the Immortal Court in the Eastern Sea.”
Ao Bai: “...”
Ao Bai stiffened his neck and retorted stubbornly, “What does the Immortal Court count for? As long as Ancestor Zhulong takes action, a mere Immortal Court could be wiped out with a flip of a palm!”
Hearing Ao Bai's words, Xuanjian grew thoughtful. “Zhulong? Legend has it that he is Ancestor Dragon's younger brother, the second-in-command of the Dragon Clan. He dominated the Dragon-Han era, striking upward into the Nine Heavens and suppressing the Netherworld below, sweeping across that age. Aside from Ancestor Dragon, Yuanfeng, First Qilin, and scheming old fiends like the Dao Ancestor and Demon Ancestor among the Innate God-Fiends, no one was a match for this Zhulong.
“However... last time, even when the Dragon Clan suffered such a catastrophe, Zhulong did not emerge. Presumably, Zhulong must be severely wounded as well.”
Suppressing this thought for the time being, Xuanjian stated his request.
“I need a large number of people to help me run the merchant guild. You can also call these people: employees!”
Xuanjian briefly explained the matter of employees and the plan for the Treasure Vault Merchant Guild to establish branches across various regions.
The Four Seas Dragon Kings all took Xuanjian's words to heart attentively.
Once Xuanjian finished speaking, Ao Yin said, “Fellow Daoist, the employee issue is easy to resolve. Although my Dragon Clan has declined, we still govern the aquatic clans of the Four Seas. You can have as many employees as you want, and even members of my Dragon Clan can be placed at your disposal.
“The Shark clan, Clam clan, Jellyfish clan, Whale clan...
“As for merchant guild branches... my Dragon Clan cannot intervene on the vast land of Honghuang, but within the Four Seas, our Dragon Clan can assist Fellow Daoist in establishing branches one by one!
“One thousand years!
“Give my Dragon Clan one thousand years, and we will surely make merchant guild branches spread all across the Four Seas!”
“Good!” Xuanjian did not hesitate and agreed, adding, “How about this: there is no reason for anyone to work for free. Twenty percent of all merchant guild profits in the Four Seas can be distributed to the local dragons.”
Hearing these words, the joy of the Four Seas Dragon Kings was replaced by shock, and they hurriedly refused.
Hadn't they rushed over to curry favor with the Treasure Vault Merchant Guild precisely to establish a connection with it?
If they accepted benefits, a favor would turn into a transaction.
“Do not be in a rush to refuse,” Xuanjian said with a smile. “The twenty percent profit is not given for nothing. Once you take the profit, you must keep a close eye on the business across the Four Seas for me. The venues, performance, and reputation must all meet standards.”
Simply put, the Treasure Vault Merchant Guild was a company. Now, the bankrupt Dragon Clan was asking a favor of the Treasure Vault Merchant Guild, and Xuanjian, as the chairman of the board, incorporated the Four Seas Dragon Clan, developing them into local branch companies. He had the Four Seas Dragon Clan work for the merchant guild and ultimately receive dividends based on profits.
After all, the Dragon Clan entrenched themselves in the Four Seas. Aside from being unable to provoke the newly risen Immortal Court of this era, the Four Seas remained the Dragon Clan's domain!
A mighty dragon does not oppress a local snake—all the more so when the Dragon Clan was the true dragon of the local area!
It could not be more suitable for them to manage the businesses of the Four Seas.
As for whether the Dragon Clan would play petty tricks?
Xuanjian said, “If you agree, this poor Daoist will draft a Heavenly Dao contract. Once signed and sealed, the contract takes effect, and you will not be able to go back on your word.”
The Four Seas Dragon Kings were still hesitant, and even somewhat bewildered.
What was Fellow Daoist Xuanjian talking about?
Why was it a bit incomprehensible?
However, with things spoken to this extent, if they refused any further, it would make their Dragon Clan seem ungrateful.
“Then let us proceed according to what Fellow Daoist said,” Ao Yin said, looking somewhat confused at the same time. “I wonder, Fellow Daoist, what does this 'Heavenly Dao contract' mean?”
Xuanjian said, “A Heavenly Dao contract can be understood as a more detailed Heavenly Dao oath.
“Once signed, both you and I must act in accordance with the contract. If violated, the Heavenly Dao will punish the violator.”
Ao Yin was enlightened. “So that's how it is. It ought to be so.
“With a Heavenly Dao oath binding us, there will be no friction between the merchant guild and my Dragon Clan due to interests.”
Xuanjian nodded. “Indeed, exactly so.”
The cooperation between the Dragon Clan and the Treasure Vault Merchant Guild was finalized.
The Four Seas Dragon Kings each returned to their respective territories.
They selected suitable candidates from among the myriad aquatic clans to send to the Treasure Vault Merchant Guild as employees.
On Xuanjian's side, he compiled everything he knew from his past life—employee models, management systems, welfare benefits, and so on—into a PowerPoint presentation to train those employees.
In addition, Xuanjian also drafted two contracts.
One was between the merchant guild and the Four Seas Dragon Clan.
The other was between the merchant guild and the Wu tribe.
The one with the Dragon Clan was naturally the 《Branch Company Operation, Management, and Profit-Sharing》 contract.
The one with the Wu tribe was the 《Security and Joint Defense Contract》.
...
“Are you Ao Run?”
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