After racking his brain for a long time, Lu Heng consulted historical county records of Jinyang City and learned that there were many towns like Jinyang City on the Shengyuan Continent. These remote towns were not large in scale, and their city lords were appointed by the royal family of their respective fiefdoms.
Lu Heng knew that with the ability of Wuchenzi from the Danyang Sect, it would be no problem to find the royal family of the relevant fiefdom and replace the city lord of Jinyang City with himself.
After all, looking at the historical county records, the city lords of Jinyang City had never made any achievements particularly beneficial to local development; they were all mediocre individuals.
However, if he did that, he would inevitably owe a great favor to Wuchenzi and the Danyang Sect, something Lu Heng was unwilling to do.
Therefore, the only option was to first set up a shop in Jinyang City. In the early stages, he would still operate under the guise of cooperation with the Danyang Sect to avoid trouble.
As for the pricing of crystals here, Lu Heng had also thought about it. Although high-level magic crystals were very rare, it didn't mean they were impossible to obtain. Some major families would still find ways to hunt high-level magical beasts.
Thus, the pricing of crystals could not be too low; it was best to set it at a level that could be exchanged for some Level 4 magic crystals. This way, not only could he absorb these magic crystals himself, but they would also be very useful when taken back to the apocalypse. After all, the energy contained in a Level 1 magic crystal was much greater than that in a regular Level 3 crystal.
The pricing was set at Level 4 because higher-level magic crystals were scarce. Lu Heng had searched the entire Jinyang City, and due to its underdeveloped nature, the best they had were some Level 3 magic crystals stored in the City Lord's mansion.
To promote the development of Jinyang City, Lu Heng only planned to sell crystals in Jinyang City. Once this scarce item gained popularity, people doing business in surrounding areas would surely follow. With the passage of time, it might even attract merchants who only sold and stored items in large cities to open shops here.
With his goals set, Lu Heng planned to discuss this matter with Wuchenzi when he saw him next. Wuchenzi could probably help resolve the issue of the shop, and more importantly, with publicity.
What happened in Pingliang City yesterday, even if it had spread, only a few surrounding towns had learned of the news. However, for better development, it was still crucial for Wuchenzi to promote it among the royal family members.
...
Around three in the afternoon, Lu Daniu returned from the academy.
"They finish school this early?" Lu Heng was a little surprised. The disciples here lived on the mountain, and he didn't expect their school hours to be much easier than those of students before the apocalypse.
"Yes, the academy says they finish school at this time. The rest of the time, disciples of the Danyang Sect have to do chores to earn points," Lu Daniu said, putting down his bag and pouring himself a glass of water.
"Oh, then come and tell me what they taught in the academy today," Lu Heng put down the book in his hand and beckoned to Lu Daniu.
"Well, today the academy gave the new students an overview of the curriculum for their year at the academy. I've noted it all down, but my literacy is limited, so I had the tutor help me catch up on some parts after class."
Lu Daniu scratched his head sheepishly. Indeed, people from ordinary families rarely learned to read and write before passing the test. Even Lu Daniu, due to his diligence, would listen outside the schoolhouse in the neighboring village during the off-season.
"The tutors here will likely teach you in the future, but if you want to catch up with disciples from families with better conditions, you'll have to work even harder."
"Yes, I know that. The tutor said that slow birds have to fly early... hehehe."
"That's not how 'slow birds fly early' is used; it's called diligence makes up for lack of talent."
"Oh, Master, your knowledge is also profound. I feel you are much stronger than that tutor."
"Of course... Stop flattering me. Tell me more about what else you did today?"
"Oh, besides teaching some basic knowledge, the academy gave us a few booklets. Apart from booklets on how to mobilize energy and control it according to our elemental affinities, they also gave us a booklet on body refinement. The tutor said that we, as elemental disciples, also need to strengthen our physical training."
As he spoke, Lu Daniu quickly got up, grabbed the bag he had placed on the outer table when he came in for water, and rummaged through it to find a few booklets to show Lu Heng.
"Hmm, these are written in great detail. Just follow the academy's pace. As for improving your enlightenment and cultivation, come to me every three days to collect some Level 1 magic crystals."
"Okay."
"What is this package?" Lu Heng put down the booklets and looked at Lu Daniu fiddling with a worn-out package, which seemed to contain only two not-so-new pieces of clothing.
"Heh, my father prepared this bundle for me. I left in a hurry with you that day, Master, so I forgot about my father."
"Hehehe... Then I, your master, will also give you a few sets of clothes. You should also change this package. As for the one your father gave you, keep it with me for safekeeping. You can keep it yourself when you get a storage ring."
"Okay."
Then Lu Heng found several sets of clothes from his space, all tailored to Lu Daniu's size, taken from the ready-made clothing shops in the ancient city within his space.
Anyway, they were all basic styles, so even if worn outside, they wouldn't attract attention.
"Thank you, Master," Lu Daniu said, looking at the brand-new clothes, his eyes slightly red. He felt once again that following Lu Heng was the most correct choice he had ever made.
"Alright, men don't cry easily. You're not young anymore, don't cry for no reason," Lu Heng patted Lu Daniu's shoulder, then took out a jar from his space and handed it to him.
"These are snacks I prepared for you. Eat them for fun when you have nothing to do, or to fill your stomach when you're hungry."
"Master, what kind of meat is this?" Lu Daniu took the jar and looked at the dried meat strips inside.
"Beef jerky."
"Beef? Is it dried meat from a rift-hoofed bull?"
"Uh... no, just eat it yourself. When it's time for dinner, the academy will send someone to deliver food boxes. Call me then. I'm going to rest for a while."
He had worked overtime last night, finally translating all the books he had into the written language of the apocalypse, and then spent a long time printing and typesetting. Now, Lu Heng planned to go back to his apartment in the space to rest, as time flowed more slowly there.