"You've already given the answer yourself, haven't you?" Wang Hong smiled and said. Hu Jian had just listed a few names, but they were quite fitting. This showed his ability to judge people accurately.

In truth, Hu Jian was a meticulous person, but whenever he faced combat, he transformed into a completely different person, often risking even his life.

"Ah! Being too clever can sometimes backfire! Small cleverness can't always lead to great success!" Hu Jian scratched his head, looking quite simple-minded.

"Alright, stop pretending. I'm entrusting those five hundred people outside to you!" Wang Hong said.

"Alright!" Hu Jian reluctantly walked out.

Hu Jian made his way to Outer Valley, where over five hundred newcomers had gathered, forming groups in the east and west.

"May I ask, Fellow Daoist, what is your name?" Hu Jian approached a Foundation Building cultivator and inquired.

"I am Meng Song, the head of the Meng family. How may I assist you, Fellow Daoist?" Meng Song, seeing that Hu Jian had come out of Inner Valley, knew that he was one of Wang Hong's core members.

Now, as a guest in someone else's territory, even though Hu Jian appeared honest, Meng Song dared not be disrespectful.

"So, you're Fellow Daoist Meng. I've heard that there's a Tier Two Refining Tool Master named Meng in Outer Valley. I assume that's you?" Hu Jian said with pleasant surprise.

"Fellow Daoist is too kind. I've only recently started my journey in Tier Two Refining Tools. May I know Fellow Daoist's name?" Meng Song replied, somewhat pleased with the praise.

"I'm Hu Jian. East Master has entrusted me with the affairs of Outer Valley, and I'll need your assistance in the future," Hu Jian explained.

"Certainly, Fellow Daoist. Please feel free to ask for anything," Meng Song politely nodded and bowed.

"In that case, thank you. I have a matter at hand and would like to trouble Fellow Daoist for assistance. I'd like you to gather the shopkeepers from various stores and the clan leaders from different families so that we can discuss matters together."

"No problem, I'll take care of it," Meng Song assured him. He left and returned a while later with several dozen people.

Among these people, there were only three Foundation Building cultivators, while the rest had the lowest strength at Qi Cultivation Fourth Level.

Having experienced the Marketplace Battle and a long journey, their faces showed signs of exhaustion.

Hu Jian led them to a flat area and arranged some simple tables, cushions, and mats.

Once everyone was seated, Hu Jian began, "You've traveled a long way, and I appreciate your efforts. I'm Hu Jian, and I've prepared some water and wine to welcome you."

He then took out dozens of bottles of Spirit Wine and some spirit fruits, snacks, and other items. Using his Spiritual Energy, he placed them on each person's table.

These cultivators hesitated as they looked at the various Spiritual Objects on the tables. Except for the three Foundation Building cultivators, the rest were not accustomed to such extravagance when it came to Spiritual Objects.

Especially in the current Cultivation World, such consumable Spiritual Objects were rare and precious.Because most of the spirit fields had been damaged, there would be no production of Spiritual Objects for a long time in the future.

Hu Jian persuaded them with several rounds of drinks, and these junior cultivators finally let loose and began eating. While eating, they were also secretly regretting their extravagance.

In fact, several Qi Cultivation cultivators even broke through their realms during the feast.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the weariness that had been on their faces earlier was swept away, and their complexions appeared much healthier.

"Fellow Daoists, I've invited you here today to discuss the future development of our Outer Valley," Hu Jian finally got to the official business after seeing that everyone's spirits had improved.

"I understand the current situation you all are in, and it's safe to say that you are starting from scratch. The supply of Spiritual Qi in this Mountain Valley is clearly insufficient for hundreds of cultivators. We can only rely on Spirit Stones to supplement our daily cultivation."

Hu Jian paused here to allow everyone to think for a moment.

At the moment, none of the Outer Valley cultivators could produce a single Spirit Stone, as they had all been invested in the Large Formation during the Demon Clan attack. Fortunately, they didn't give up back then, or they wouldn't have survived until Wang Hong's rescue. However, to continue their cultivation, they needed a sufficient supply of Spirit Stones.

"If we want to obtain Spirit Stones, we must earn them ourselves. Now, East Master is offering you an opportunity to earn Spirit Stones. He can provide some raw materials, and you can use your skills to refine them into finished products. Afterward, you can return the finished products, deducting the cost of the materials you received, and receive Spirit Stones or other resources as payment."

Upon hearing this news, those with particular skills couldn't help but feel delighted. At least they would have a means of livelihood and cultivation. Although some clan leaders didn't possess these skills themselves, every clan had one or two such talented individuals. Relying on these individuals, they could at least get their clans through the current hardships.

While some were happy, others were worried. The shopkeepers of these stores were at a loss since they were only good at managing businesses and had never learned any particular skills.

"As for the shopkeepers, there's no need to worry. We have other arrangements for you, which we won't discuss today," Hu Jian reassured the shopkeepers present, putting their minds at ease.

"Do any of you have any objections or suggestions regarding this plan?" Hu Jian asked the crowd.

Everyone expressed their approval of the arrangement, and no one opposed it.

"Good! Since everyone agrees, let's put this matter aside for now. Our current priority is to repair the housing. I have here a set of blueprints. I'd like you to organize the workforce, and together we will construct it."

Hu Jian then handed out dozens of copied blueprints to the people below. These construction blueprints included not only the residential areas in Outer Valley but also plans for constructing a marketplace in a flat area outside the valley's entrance.

The residential area was to be built in Outer Valley, while beyond the valley's entrance, two streets were planned for construction. On both sides of these streets would be shops, as Hu Jian intended to establish a marketplace there. After all, the products they manufactured needed a market.

As for customers, he aimed to attract the vast group of Treasure Hunters. These Treasure Hunters had accumulated a lot of wealth, including various raw materials, which were currently a burden to them. Among the Treasure Hunters, very few had the skill to refine these materials, and those who did wouldn't resort to robbery and looting.

The East Zhou Trading Company now had the strength and capability to trade with these Treasure Hunters, taking these materials off their hands.

Afterward, dozens of people discussed and allocated areas for each person to be responsible for construction. Hu Jian also provided a certain amount of Spirit Stones or pills as compensation for those participating in the construction. For these peripheral members, it was a lifeline.

As a result, everyone worked diligently on the construction task. In just five days, all the construction tasks were completed.

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