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Helan Prefecture.
Geographically speaking, Helan Prefecture is located to the northwest of the entire Han Yue Continent. The famous main range of the Helan Mountain Range runs through one side of its territory, extending into countless intersecting branches, forming endless mountains and mining areas.
Of course, the region of Helan Prefecture is vast, and the mining areas surrounding the Helan Mountain Range occupy at most only half of its total jurisdiction. Further north lies the famous Helan Prairie of the Immortal Dynasty and the perpetually frozen Northern Frozen Ocean.
In the middle section of the Helan Mountain Range, there is a large, fertile basin surrounded by mountains, known as the "Helan Basin."
The climate here is pleasant, and resources are abundant, making it the location of the prefectural capital of Helan Prefecture.
Helan Prefecture has thousands of families, large and small, but areas suitable for large-scale human habitation are few. Any family with so reputation will choose to purchase estates and other properties near the prefectural city.
Especially families of the third grade and above, their main residences are mostly not far from the prefectural capital.
This has led to the current economic prosperity and the concentration of families in the Helan Basin.
Currently, Helan Prefecture has two first-grade families, one of which is the Helan Han Clan, whose industries are mainly concentrated in the mining sector.
The main residence of the Helan Han Clan is located on the northern side of the Helan Basin.
As a long-established family with deep roots, the main residence of the Helan Han Clan occupies an entire city, and the surrounding areas are all Han Clan industries, almost forming an "independent kingdom."
As the capital of this "independent kingdom," the architecture of the main residence exudes an ancient and heavy atmosphere.
Even after thousands of years and countless renovations, the architectural complex of the main residence still maintains its forr appearance, showing no signs of decay. The Gathering Spirit Array set up in the main residence continuously gathers spiritual energy, making the concentration of spiritual energy in the area far higher than elsewhere.
This shows that the Helan Han Clan is currently operating well, with no signs of economic collapse.
Deep within the main residence, there is a secluded and spiritually rich courtyard called "Erald Brocade Garden."
In the garden, spiritual bamboos stand tall and vibrant, and the pond is filled with clusters of spiritual lotuses, with various spiritual fish swimming leisurely, exuding an indescribable sense of tranquility and freedom.
Above the lotus pond, there is a square pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, two handso and extraordinary young n are sitting opposite each other, leisurely sipping tea.
Among them, the one on the left appears slightly more mature.
He is dressed in a loose white robe, with an elegant deanor and a few traces of laziness in his expression.
This gives him a more carefree air, less serious and formal than the typical family scion.
This person is none other than the most outstanding talent of the current generation of the Helan Han Clan—Han Langtai.
Han Langtai is bold and unrestrained, not concerned with trifles, and his favorite pasti is traveling around and making friends with those he finds agreeable, while ignoring those he doesn't.
Such a free-spirited personality gives the elders in the family, who have high hopes for him, quite a headache, and they often nag him.
However, he himself doesn't care at all and continues to do as he pleases.
Now, with nothing to do, being able to sit leisurely in the pavilion with a friend and sip tea is already a great joy for him.
As for the young man sitting opposite him, he is his friend, Jiang Xingyuan.
After returning from East Qian, Jiang Xingyuan didn't stay at ho for long. After handling the matter Wang Shouzhe entrusted to him, he continued his travels.
Recently, he happened to be visiting the Helan Han Clan.
"Good tea, good tea~ This tea has a profound taste, a refreshing aroma, and a sweet and nourishing effect on the lungs. Upon careful tasting, it even has the effect of nourishing the bloodline origin." Jiang Xingyuan took a sip of tea and praised, "I never thought I, Jiang Xingyuan, would one day be able to taste the Ten Thousand Year Purple Iron Sunflower Tea of your esteed residence."
The Han Clan has a clan-guarding spiritual tree called the "Purple Iron Sunflower Tree," planted in a rare purple iron mine. It has lived for ten thousand years and reached the peak of the tenth grade, making it quite famous even in the entire Immortal Dynasty.
This tree blooms once every three hundred years, and with the Han Clan's secret thod, it can be made into Purple Iron Sunflower Tea, which is not only delicious but also has various wonderful uses for cultivators, offering many benefits.
The Han Clan has always regarded it as a treasured specialty, and every ti the Purple Iron Sunflower Tree blooms, they select the best batch of tea to present to the Immortal Emperor, with the rest going to the major prestigious families of the Immortal Dynasty.
Naturally, it is rare to find it outside.
"Heh~"
Seeing his expression, Han Langtai chuckled and said casually, "This 'Purple Iron Sunflower Tea' was originally ant to be sent to Princess Jing'an by the Ancestor, but I embezzled it, so you got lucky."
"Poof!"
Jiang Xingyuan spat out a mouthful of tea.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Han Langtai, "You, you, you, you even dare to embezzle this?"
"Why wouldn't I dare?" Han Langtai drank his tea calmly, looking completely at ease, "The Ancestor wants to curry favor with the Third Princess, that's his business. I, Han Langtai, disdain such things. How could I be like that Wei Qingyun and beco the Third Princess's dog?"
"You can't say that. Among the princesses, Princess Jing'an has a good chance of reaching the top." Jiang Xingyuan chuckled mischievously, "Wei Qingyun failed to win the Sword Formation Manual and brought trouble to the Wei Clan. He's probably out of the running for the position of Mansion Master of the Jing'an Princess Mansion."
"And Brother Langtai, in every aspect, you're much stronger than that Wei Qingyun, aren't you? Don't you want to experience what it's like to be with an immortal princess? In the future, you might even beco the Immortal Emperor's consort. When that ti cos, I, Jiang Xingyuan, can also rise with you."
Han Langtai gave Jiang Xingyuan a look of deep disdain, "Little brother Jiang, I rember you used to have high aspirations. How did you beco so sleazy after a trip to the Eastern Qian Kingdom? Why don't you represent the Cold Moon Jiang Clan and try to curry favor with the Third Princess?"
"First, my relationship with my family isn't good. I barely stayed a few days at ho this ti before those old fellows were driving crazy." Jiang Xingyuan didn't mind, leisurely sipping his tea, "Second, in recent years, the royal family has a Fourth Little Princess, whose maternal family is the Daliang Jiang Clan."
"Although the chances of our Fourth Little Princess reaching the top are slim due to her age, she is ultimately closely related to our family. If I dared to curry favor with Princess Jing'an, I might be expelled from the family by those old fellows."
"In comparison, Brother Langtai currently has all the advantages of ti, place, and people. It would be a pity not to try to win the Third Princess's favor."
"Hmph~ I don't care for what Wei Qingyun has licked. Let's not ntion this again. Instead, tell about your interesting experiences traveling in the Eastern Qian Kingdom." Han Langtai changed the subject, "You ntioned earlier that Brother Gongyang lost the Lingyun Codex competition? I can't understand it. Although Brother Gongyang cos from a humble background, his talent and intelligence are top-notch. There's no reason he would lose."
"Could it be that Brother Gongyang encountered so unfair treatnt? If so, I, Han Langtai, cannot stand idly by."
"Co on, this ti, Brother Gongyang lost the Holy Son Struggle at the Lingyun Holy Land in the Eastern Qian Kingdom fair and square." Jiang Xingyuan's expression was complex, as if he had a lot to say.
Han Langtai was shocked, "Could it be that the Holy Land of the Eastern Qian Kingdom has a great prodigy more powerful than Brother Gongyang?"
"More than just a great prodigy..." Jiang Xingyuan's eyes were a bit dazed, with a slight cold sweat on his forehead, as if he was recalling sothing he didn't want to rember, "The Eastern Qian Kingdom is a pit, no, a heavenly pit~~"
"......"
Han Langtai was speechless.
How exactly is it a pit? Explain clearly~
While the two were chatting, in the Helan Mountain Range, a low-key and luxurious flying carriage glided through the sky, entering the outer periter of the Helan Han Clan's main residence with a low-key posture.
The only Void Ancestor of the Han Clan, Han Qixuan, along with two family elders and the current family head, secretly welcod them in the back mountain.
As the flying carriage landed, Han Qixuan was the first to step forward, laughing heartily, "The presence of the Fourth Little Princess at the Han Clan truly brings glory to the Helan Han Clan~~"
"True Lord Qixuan is too kind~ To have you personally welco today truly makes ngyu feel honored." Yun ngyu gracefully descended from the carriage and returned the courtesy to Han Qixuan.
Despite being only eleven years old, she already exuded the noble air of an immortal princess, with a serious expression on her small face and an ethereal aura in her every gesture.
Following her was an absolutely beautiful woman with fair skin, a cold and ethereal temperant, like a flower on a high mountain.
At the sight of this beautiful woman, Han Qixuan was taken aback, his expression imdiately becoming more serious.
"Han did not know that True Lord Yuling was coming, and I apologize for not welcoming you from afar." He hurriedly raised his hand in salute.
"True Lord" is a title conferred by the Immortal Emperor.
Only those who have reached the Lingxu Realm and have made enough contributions on the battlefield can receive the Immortal Emperor's confernt.
Typically, the prefix of the title is chosen based on the characteristics of their cultivation thod or their own na.
In most cases, a Lingxu Realm expert will have their own title, as Lingxu Realm experts have long lifespans and will inevitably be called to the battlefield at so point.
The stronger the family, the more resources they can gather, and naturally, the stronger they beco. At this level, they are naturally expected to shoulder the burden of the survival of the human race, and escape is not an option.
The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.
This is the common understanding of all humans and the principle that has been adhered to.
After all, without the efforts and sacrifices of the predecessors on the battlefield, maintaining basic peace in this world under the threat of outer region demons, the younger generation of cultivators would not have the opportunity to grow comfortably.
However, outstanding young humans are generally required to delay going to the battlefield.
A great prodigy wanting to go to the battlefield at the Celestial Realm will be stopped by their predecessors and elders. Even a peerless prodigy at the Purple Mansion Realm often has little chance to go to the battlefield.
Of course, if one insists on going, they can still go to the battlefield to gain experience, but the commanders will not assign them overly dangerous tasks.
However, a great prodigy at the Purple Mansion Realm will inevitably go to the battlefield. A peerless prodigy at the Divine Realm must also go to the battlefield to gain experience. This is their necessary path to higher levels.
But I digress.
Next, there was a round of formal pleasantries.
Soon, the Fourth Princess Yun ngyu was invited into the high pavilion of the Han Clan's main residence, specifically used for receiving distinguished guests, and received high-standard hospitality according to the etiquette for welcoming a princess.
Soon, Han Langtai, who was chatting with Jiang Xingyuan in his garden, was also "captured" by Han Qixuan to accompany the Fourth Little Princess for a al.
And when Jiang Xingyuan heard that the Fourth Little Princess had arrived, he naturally tagged along to join the al.
Although Jiang Xingyuan knew that the Fourth Little Princess Yun ngyu had a close relationship with his family, she was only eleven years old, and he was floating around the Eastern Qian Kingdom when she was born. When Yun ngyu visited the Eastern Qian Kingdom, she kept a low profile, and he happened to be playing with Gongyang Ce at the Lingyun Holy Land, so they hadn't t.
Therefore, this was their first eting.
"Greetings to the Fourth Princess, greetings to True Lord Yuling." As soon as Han Langtai and Jiang Xingyuan entered, they respectfully raised their hands and greeted the two.
No matter how self-assured they were, they dared not put on airs in front of the Fourth Princess and True Lord Yuling.
Especially Jiang Xingyuan, whose face changed at the sight of True Lord Yuling.
Jiang Xingyuan was a mber of the Cold Moon Jiang Clan. He had a falling out with his family and joined the Immortal Palace in a fit of pique. Although True Lord Yuling was from the Daliang Jiang Clan, she had long been under the care of the Cold Moon Jiang Clan, and their relationship was naturally harmonious.
Naturally, Jiang Xingyuan beca a "key care object" for True Lord Yuling, who would summon him from ti to ti for guidance.
As a result, Jiang Xingyuan lived a "happy life" in the Immortal Palace, being beaten up every three days and severely punished every five days, to the point where he now cowered at the sight of True Lord Yuling.
"Oh, isn't this Xingyuan?" True Lord Yuling glanced at Jiang Xingyuan with a half-smile, "I heard you've been traveling? This ti, your travels were quite long. Was the Eastern Qian Kingdom fun?"
"Yes, fun."
Facing True Lord Yuling, Jiang Xingyuan was like a mouse seeing a cat, trembling and not daring to breathe heavily.
"Very well, then stay by my side for a while~ I haven't guided you in quite so ti." True Lord Yuling said leisurely, "You've been traveling for decades, so you must have gained a lot of insights and accumulation."
"Yes, True Lord Yuling."
Jiang Xingyuan hung his head, not daring to utter a word of opposition, while inwardly he let out a pitiful wail.
Oh, how miserable my life is, Jiang Xingyuan~ He just wanted to et the Fourth Little Princess he had never seen before, who would have thought True Lord Yuling would be there too? He had walked right into the lion's den~~
After a round of eating and drinking.
The irrelevant people left.
Naturally, Han Qixuan took out the Purple Iron Sunflower Tea to entertain the distinguished guests, even packing two extra bags to give away, one for the Fourth Princess and one for True Lord Yuling.
After three cups of tea.
Han Qixuan tentatively broached the main topic, "The Fourth Princess and True Lord Yuling have graced our Han Clan with their presence, is there sothing important? As long as it's within our Han Clan's capability, we will not hesitate."
True Lord Yuling continued sipping her tea, remaining silent.
Seeing this, Han Qixuan imdiately understood sothing and turned to look at Yun ngyu.
Yun ngyu pondered for a mont before saying, "To be honest, I do have an important matter to ask for. True Lord Qixuan, are you aware that the conflict between Daliang and the Demon Yan Kingdom has intensified in recent years?"
"I've heard a bit about it." Han Qixuan nodded solemnly, "The Demon Yan Kingdom and Daliang are evenly matched in overall strength, and the fighting is intense. However, neither the Immortal Dynasty nor the Demon Dynasty can easily increase their support, as it could trigger a new round of the Immortal-Demon War."
"Indeed. The situation on the outer region battlefield is also becoming increasingly tense, and the Immortal Emperor and the Demon Emperor have tacitly agreed not to provoke an Immortal-Demon War at this critical juncture." Yun ngyu's expression was slightly heavy, "But my mother is a princess of Daliang, and because of this, she is constantly worried. As her daughter, I must help ease her worries."
"My mother ntioned that after years of warfare, Daliang's resources are severely depleted, and their stock of black iron ore is running low. However, the Demon Yan Kingdom is in a similar situation. If we can provide a large amount of black iron ore support now, it would greatly benefit the battlefield situation and might even give us an advantage in the war against the Demon Yan Kingdom."
Black iron ore?
Han Qixuan's heart tightened slightly, then he smiled wryly, "Fourth Princess, you may not know, but although our Han Clan has so black iron ingots in reserve, the quantity is not large, and they are for ergencies. Even if I want to help, I am powerless."
"Old Han, let's not say those empty words in front of the princess." True Lord Yuling slowly raised her head, smiling faintly, "There are so things that I, as a true lord, don't want to say too bluntly, for fear of hurting our mutual face."
"True Lord Yuling, I..."
Han Qixuan's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly tried to say sothing.
However, he had just said half a sentence when Yun ngyu raised her hand to interrupt him.
"True Lord, it's normal for families to pursue profit, and we don't an to bla you. Since we ca here today, we naturally know so inside information, so don't try to fool with those clichés. Let's be open and honest, so the conversation can continue."
"Fourth Princess, True Lord Yuling." Han Langtai frowned slightly, speaking up for his family ancestor, "Our Han Clan does have so black iron ingots in reserve, but they are for ergencies, not for hoarding. Are you planning to use the princess's power and force to forcibly seize our Han Clan's black iron reserves?"
Han Langtai, who didn't want to curry favor with the highly anticipated Third Princess, naturally wouldn't be intimidated by the yet-to-be-established Fourth Princess, so his tone was quite firm.
"Brother Langtai, you're overthinking it." Yun ngyu had already prepared a strategy before coming, so she wasn't surprised by his words and remained exceptionally calm, "We have no intention of buying or seizing the Han Clan's black iron ingots. We intend to borrow them!"
"Borrow?"
Han Langtai and Han Qixuan exchanged glances.
Is the Fourth Princess out of her mind?
Their Han Clan didn't even want to sell, let alone lend? The price of black iron ingots is steadily rising, and the future price and market prospects are very promising... Selling black iron ingots now would be a loss.
The cunning Han Qixuan was about to politely refuse when Yun ngyu raised ten fingers and said, "Three years, I'll return thirteen for every ten borrowed!"
Han Qixuan was montarily stunned, sowhat uncertain as he looked at Yun ngyu, "Fourth Princess, do you an...?"
"It's simple. We want to borrow enough black iron ingots to forge one hundred thousand sets of black armor. In three years, I'll return enough black iron ingots for one hundred thirty thousand sets." Yun ngyu explained seriously.
"Is this true?"
Han Qixuan stood up abruptly, his eyes gleaming.
Over the years, the Han Clan and the Wei Clan had been secretly hoarding black iron ore and jointly speculating on the price of black iron ingots. Because both families controlled a significant portion of the black iron ore veins in the entire Immortal Dynasty, they had always cooperated smoothly.
This ti, their target price for speculation was eight hundred immortal crystals per set. Moreover, they had agreed to sell uniformly, and no one was allowed to sell privately.
Based on this price, one hundred thousand sets would be eighty million immortal crystals!
This was almost the entire stockpile of the Han Clan, accumulated over hundreds of years, relying on this wave to make a fortune.
But Yun ngyu's proposal, to return enough black iron ingots for one hundred thirty thousand sets in three years, would yield an additional twenty-four million immortal crystals, based on eight hundred per set! This doesn't even account for the price increase of black iron ingots over the next three years.
How much money is that?
That's equivalent to half a regular Dao Artifact! If exchanged for Divine Spirit Artifacts, it could buy at least five!
Even for a first-grade family, it would take a long ti to accumulate such a huge fortune.
There's no denying that Yun ngyu's proposal was incredibly tempting.
For a mont, Han Qixuan's breathing beca heavier.
"What if the Fourth Princess can't gather that many black iron ingots by then?" Han Langtai, however, was not blinded by profit and asked with a frown.
"Then we will compensate the Han Clan according to the highest market price of black iron ingots at that ti, ensuring that the unit price will not be less than eight hundred immortal crystals." Yun ngyu quickly reported the figures, "In other words, the worst outco for the Han Clan in three years is to receive compensation of one hundred and four million immortal crystals. Of course, we will prioritize replenishing with black iron ingots."
Only at this point did True Lord Yuling put down the tea cup she had been holding and said lightly, "I, Yuling, and the Northern Territory Wang Mansion can guarantee this."
Although she appeared calm on the surface, her heart was filled with emotion.
The plan devised by these two eleven-year-old kids was terrifying, involving billions of immortal crystals. Poor Jiang Yuling, in her lifeti, had never seen such a huge sum of money~~
"Good, good, good~~ With the guarantee of True Lord Yuling and the Northern Territory Wang Mansion, I can lend with peace of mind. I can also do sothing for the Human Alliance."
Hearing this, how could Han Qixuan still have any doubts?
He imdiately agreed with a smile.
However, he wasn't completely blinded by profit and soon cleared his throat, saying seriously, "However, regarding this matter, I have two conditions."
"First, this matter must be kept confidential, and everyone present must swear an oath not to disclose a single detail. Second, all terms must be clearly written on paper, and if the Northern Territory Wang Mansion and True Lord Yuling can't repay, I can take it up with the Immortal Sovereign and the Immortal Emperor."
Only in this way could he feel secure in lending out the stockpile.
"Of course. Confidentiality is of utmost importance, as we don't want the Demon Dynasty to know about this and potentially beco the trigger for the next Immortal-Demon War." Yun ngyu also maintained a serious expression, her small face tense.
However, despite her calm exterior, she was actually overjoyed inside, so excited that she almost wanted to jump up. She had to keep a straight face to avoid bursting into laughter on the spot.
Fugui was right. Money moves people's hearts, and greed is the original sin~
As long as the profit is large enough, even the most outrageous things can beco reality.
Of course, Yun ngyu had no intention of joking with her princess's reputation. Three years later, she would definitely repay the Han Clan with the promised black iron ingots.
As for the process in between, and whether the Han Clan would regret it by then, that was not her concern. After all, the contract was clear, and she would fulfill it.
By the way, how did Fugui put it?
Short selling.
Yes, "short selling."
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