"This is a python pearl, what a large one!" Lin Miao split open the head of the male python and took out a translucent pearl, partially transformed into jade.

This pearl emitted a brilliant glow, as big as a baby’s fist!

"Monk, this python pearl is yours!"

"Mr. Lin, this thing is of no use to me, you should keep it," said Fahai, reaching out to receive it, glancing at it before tossing it back.

Meanwhile, Si Miaoxue and Yue Mei’Er, having been tense, sighed in relief when they saw Fahai returning the python pearl.

"Alright, then convert it into incense money and donate it to Shanglin Temple," Lin Miao chuckled. He knew well that the pearl was a treasure.

The thing was, he had promised to give it to Fahai, and he couldn’t go back on his word.

Indeed, this python pearl was not a relic bone, thus not much use to Fahai, except to be exchanged for money.

It’s not like Shanglin Temple could offer a python pearl, right?

Fahai didn’t mind, but the monks of Shanglin Temple might not feel the same. However, since Fahai refused it, no one would say anything about Lin Miao taking it back.

This "python pearl" belonged to Fahai, and since he gave it to Lin Miao, it was his now.

The two giant pythons yielded two python pearls in total. The male’s pearl was large and lustrous, emitting a radiant glow that marked it as a treasure.

However, the female python’s pearl was much smaller and somewhat dull, though it was still a treasure.

Priceless, selling it was out of the question.

Besides being treasures, these two python pearls should be medicinally valuable. In the universe, anything could be used as medicine, depending on how it’s applied.

Still unsure how to use them, Lin Miao decided to keep them for now.

Apart from the python pearls, the scales and skin of the giant python were also valuable. After special processing, they could be crafted into soft armor that could resist Cold Iron Arrows and absorb physical damage; importantly, it was lightweight, many times lighter than heavy iron armor.

The python skin reminded Lin Miao of the instrument "erhu." He had the craftsmanship process of it in his mind because when he was sick, one of his few hobbies was playing the erhu. Thus, he learned its crafting process online. Now with this python skin, he thought, when he had time, he could make this instrument.

He needed to collect the materials.

Some could be sold, while some should be kept for his own future use.

The python’s gallbladder, its bile was precious, invaluable for clearing heat and detoxifying—it was one-of-a-kind.

Python liver, stir-fried, was incredibly fragrant, tender, and smooth...

Handling these things required professional hands, so Lin Miao immediately called for helpers, bringing Guan Biyun and Mr. Jia over.

He couldn’t manage these alone and needed help.

"Mr. Guan, Mr. Jia, thank you for your hard work!"

Seeing the carcasses of the two giant pythons, Guan Biyun and Mr. Jia’s eyes sparkled with excitement—they wouldn’t feel fatigued; the chance to participate in such a "dissection" was something to brag about for a lifetime.

Along with two more helpers, they joined the dissection team.

...

The people from Heaven-Dominating Tower in Li Hen City arrived, as did those from Shu Lou and the Skull Association—they came for the two giant python corpses.

Of course, they were to be appraised and sold to them.

Given Lin Miao’s current small stature, he couldn’t manage all of it—he could only take a small part.

Thus, a massive open-air auction was held in Yingfeng Valley.

The two giant pythons, aside from what was kept for personal use, were divided and auctioned off by value—python heads, venomous fangs, poison glands, scales, skin, even bones...

There were also piles of python meat and barrels of python blood.

Seeing this, the three parties were stunned and noticed the formidable presence of three Martial Arts Experts at the Peak of Meridian Realm with Lin Miao, emitting a terrifying aura—clearly, no one to be trifled with. Especially knowing that a single monk had taken down the male python, they dared not entertain any wicked ideas and honestly bid for items.

Selling these things back would surely be profitable. Anything from exotic beasts could fetch a high price.

Even if unsold in Li Hen City, they could sell it outside.

Overall, they wouldn’t lose.

So, the three parties bid competitively; it didn’t take long before the two giant pythons were completely stripped clean—even the discarded scraps were picked up.

The most essential parts were retained or taken by Lin Miao; the rest, which they couldn’t carry, had to be dealt with on the spot.

Yet even so, over a million tales of silver were earned.

Half of this was due to Fahai’s contribution.

Because his efforts in slaying the two giant pythons were extraordinary; without him, Lin Miao and his group couldn’t have tackled them, let alone handled the Yin Demon.

This 500,000 tales of silver, Lin Miao would donate as incense money to Shanglin Temple. Fahai also feared being reprimanded by the abbot upon returning, so he wilfully omitted his accomplishment in slaying the pythons.

After all, it involved killing, breaking the precepts, something forbidden in Buddhism.

As long as Lin Miao didn’t mention the python-slaying, the old monk wouldn’t know the truth. Moreover, Lin Miao wouldn’t hand over the entire 500,000 tales at once; this sum would be allocated annually. The first year, 50,000 tales, then 20,000 tales each year for 25 years.

The extra 50,000 tales would act as interest held by Lin Miao since, with such an amount, he could accomplish a lot more.

With Fahai presiding, the auction proceeded smoothly and harmoniously.

...

After staying in Li Hen City for one night, the next day, Lin Miao and his group returned to Dongshan City.

"Master Fahai, if there’s anything in the future, just send someone to inform me at my residence. You’re welcome to join for a drink as well."

"Well then, Mr. Lin, I thank you." Fahai clasped his hands and uttered a Buddhist prayer, then mounted his horse and left.

Lin Miao’s group didn’t head back to the city immediately but went to the estate outside the city where Si Miaoxue was fostering orphans.

The estate wasn’t very large, spanning about ten acres. Although not the best feng shui treasure ground, it was a very peaceful place.

It’s only about ten miles from Dongshan City, and there’s a small village nearby, with 40 to 50 households. The land of the estate is managed by the villagers, with a very cheap rent, maintaining good relations.

Si Miaoxue has adopted quite a few orphans over the years, about ten or so, the oldest not yet ten years old and the youngest still in swaddling clothes.

Some of these orphans were born to unfortunate women from Huaye Tower who became pregnant; they have no choice—most are brought here after being nursed by their mothers for two or three months.

Huaye Tower is a brothel, not an orphanage.

Some were also ruthlessly taken away by Si Miaoxue’s order, for if not, how can her Huaye Tower continue to operate?

Some were found outside. Mostly, these children’s backgrounds are similar, and she sought out local village women and built an estate to foster and take care of these children.

Later, Si Miaoxue established the "Colorless Glazed" workshop also in the adjacent area of the estate, which was managed more strictly.

Another confidant of Si Miaoxue, who has operated in Dongshan for ten years, was in charge, and naturally, Long Po and Si Miaoxue have a number of people under their command.

"Miaoxue, your place is nice. It can be used as a warehouse and transit station in the future. Our production base must be moved to Longchuan Canyon in Li Hen City for maximum safety."

"But Li Hen City has three major forces. What if they set their sights on our business and try to take it over?" Yue Mei’Er interjected.

"Just as well, I am thinking of taking over their establishments." Lin Miao replied.

"Ah?"

"Miaoxue, next we need to move our glazed and crystallized sugar purification workshops there. While we have a good relationship with them now, we must secure a piece of land and recruit manpower from other places..."

"Mr. Lin, Yingfeng Valley is a good spot. All we need to do is clear out the snake pit, build a fortress there, and there’s no need to set up workshops within Li Hen City. Yingfeng Valley is not far from Li Hen City either. The roads are not difficult to traverse; just smooth them a bit, and two carts can easily go side by side..."

"Alright then, let’s set up a brick kiln right here. Find out where there’s clay, and we’ll fire the bricks ourselves; wood and food can be sourced locally." Lin Miao thought for a moment and agreed that Yingfeng Valley, without the giant python, is indeed a feng shui treasure.

The snake pit, however, needs to be cleared out.

With mountains and water, it’s a naturally excellent place.

Even if a castle is built there, probably no one will have any objections. In the future, it will be a good place for vacationing or retiring.

"Mr. Lin, are you planning to settle in Yingfeng Valley in the future?"

"Whether or not we settle, we’ll see. Once it’s built, it will at least become one of our assets, a retreat." Lin Miao laughed, "You two will be following me, I can’t have you wander without a home, living under harsh conditions."

"Mr. Lin wants to build a home for me and Sister Miaoxue in Yingfeng Valley?"

"You could say that. Otherwise, what’s the point of earning so much money if we don’t spend it?" Lin Miao said, "Money is only yours once spent."

Si Miaoxue and Yue Mei’Er exchanged a glance, eyes glowing brightly. Nothing excites them more than having their own home.

While they have never had a shortage of money or places to live, the heart needs a place to belong. Si Miaoxue never had parents, chosen as a candidate for Consort Yue from childhood, later apprenticing under Long Po and coming to Dongshan City, where she’s lived for ten years. In truth, she never considered Huaye Tower home, merely a place to rest or sleep.

Had she not met Lin Miao, she’d never have imagined that one day she’d have a home, one she could build herself.

As for Yue Mei’Er, she did have a home but was merely a pawn to her father. Yuegui had many women; Yue Mei’Er was chosen for her intelligence and beauty. In that home, if she lacked value, even as a direct member of the Yue family, she wouldn’t be given a second glance.

The supposed equality of Moon Worship Sect is just another form of natural selection, survival of the fittest.

If she had to sacrifice for Yue’s interests, her father, the Left Envoy Yuegui, wouldn’t hesitate.

After all, he has many daughters; Yue Mei’Er is just one with a bit of potential.

Essentially, if the Sect Leader wanted her to serve as a companion, Yue Mei’Er doesn’t have the power to refuse.

Si Miaoxue has Long Po as a mentor, who could take her away from the headquarters, but Yue Mei’Er doesn’t have that option. After leaving the Moon Palace, she turned to Si Miaoxue, essentially seeking a chance to change her fate.

At least following the Saint Heir is much better than being with that old man who doesn’t have many years left; within the Moon Worship Sect, the women favored by the old Sect Leader, unless they give birth to his bloodline, are all buried with him.

No one can guarantee they will produce offspring; in all these years, aside from the initial few, including the Saint Heir, the current old Sect Leader only has three children, one died young, one’s a girl with mediocre talent and no special bloodline, and after that, no more offspring were born.

"Find people to clear and level the land first, then clean the snake pit, select sites for brick and lime kilns, quarry stone, order construction materials, I’ll handle the design and hire a construction team. If it can’t be done in a year, then two years, three years, we’ll get it built." Lin Miao said.

"Alright." The two women nodded in unison.

"Sounds good. Before I return, I’ll set up a medicinal bath for you. Python blood is a good thing; wasting it would be a shame!" Lin Miao said, planning to use python blood for a medicinal bath. Its effects are uncertain, but worth a try.

Lin Miao himself wanted to try it too.

"Everyone gets one." Lin Miao announced.

"Thank you, young master."

To establish a foothold in Li Hen City, one needs strong power, and just having Si Miaoxue and Yue Wu at the Meridian Passage Realm is not enough.