275: Fifth Incarnation: Heavenly Physician (Sixty-seven)

The square was deathly silent.

Everyone was intimidated by these thunderous methods.

No one expected this young Young Lord to act so decisively and ruthlessly!

And he actually showed no regard for the Law Enforcement Elder's face at all!

Xu Yuan's gaze swept across the silent crowd below once more, his tone returning to its previous calmness, yet carrying a convincing power:

"The vermin have been removed, and the deep-seated ailments must be cured. From this day forth, the Flowing Cloud Market will establish new rules and implement new policies..."

He began the promulgation of the new policies.

With the initial show of authority, naturally, no one dared or was able to obstruct Xu Yuan's new policies.

Xu Yuan sat at the center; he didn't do everything personally, but his "humanity seal" constantly sensed the flow of "Luck" and the construction of "Order" throughout the entire market.

He was more like a master chess player, grasping the overall direction and only placing pieces at critical points.

In the following days, the Flowing Cloud Market entered a period of unprecedented high-speed operation and drastic transformation.

A new management structure was built with astonishing efficiency. People with real ability and drive were promoted to suitable positions, and enthusiasm reached an all-time high.

The results were immediate!

Originally sluggish tasks were completed efficiently, service attitudes were completely refreshed, and the market environment became clean and orderly.

Even more surprising was that, under the incentive of the new contribution system, many Cultivators began to actively seek business opportunities, optimize processes, and even develop new service projects.

The market's turnover rebounded from its decline at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the growth momentum was rapid!

In just one month, the Flowing Cloud Market was completely transformed, changing from a mess everyone detested into a "new city" full of vitality and hope!

The support for Xu Yuan among the middle and lower-level Cultivators reached its peak!

However, when the cake of interests is redistributed, it inevitably enrages the original consumers.

Beneath the brilliance, dark undercurrents surged.

Su Jin, who had been publicly dismissed and had returned to the clan in disgrace, did not remain silent like a stray dog. He immediately went to the Immortal Cave of his uncle, Law Enforcement Elder Su Zhenshan, to voice his grievances.

"Uncle! You must stand up for me!" Su Jin knelt before the grim-faced Su Zhenshan, tears streaming down his face. "That brat Su Yuan, relying on his status as Young Lord and his Shangqing background, is absolutely lawless! As soon as he arrived, without distinguishing right from wrong, he dismissed me in public and even framed me for dereliction of duty! This is clearly showing no respect for you; he's slapping the face of our Law Enforcement Hall!"

Su Zhenshan sat upright on a prayer mat, his surrounding aura icy cold, with faint flashes of lightning at his fingertips.

He had been in charge of the Su Family's penal laws for a hundred years and held immense authority; when had he ever faced such a provocation?

Especially from a Junior who was not even twenty years old!

"Enough!" Su Zhenshan barked lowly, like a muffled clap of thunder that made Su Jin tremble all over. "Crying like that—where's your sense of decorum! If you hadn't left any leverage for others to grasp, how could he have taken you down so easily? Useless!"

Su Jin was as quiet as a cicada in winter, not daring to speak further.

Su Zhenshan's eyes were dark and cold as he said slowly, "This boy... is even more ruthless and cunning than his father. He didn't act recklessly; he saw that the Flowing Cloud Market's deep-seated problems were severe and used you to establish his authority and win people's hearts. Furthermore, he used the name of the pilot program given by the Clan Chief to seize the moral high ground."

"Are we... are we just going to let him do as he pleases?" Su Jin said unwillingly.

"Hmph!" Su Zhenshan sneered. "Reform? Easier said than done! How can the interests he's touched be easily settled by a Foundation Establishment kid? Pass down my orders..."

He whispered a few instructions to Su Jin, cold light flickering in his eyes.

"Remember, keep your hands clean and leave no traces. We want everyone to see how his so-called 'new policy' is utterly vulnerable in the face of reality!"

"Yes! Your nephew understands!" A gleam of malice and excitement flashed in Su Jin's eyes as he took his leave.

Soon, the "good days" of the Flowing Cloud Market seemed to come to an end.

First, the supply of several key Alchemy and Artifact Refining Materials required daily by the market suddenly became tight, prices were inexplicably raised, and the quality became uneven.

The Deacons in charge of procurement were overwhelmed, and the market's operating costs skyrocketed.

Next, news came from several stable trade routes one after another: either they encountered "banditry" and needed to take detours, or the partners suddenly demanded a higher share of the profits, leading to a sharp decrease in gains.

Even more troublesome was that various rumors began to spread within the market:

"I heard the Young Lord's new policy is just a way to squeeze us; when those Contribution Points are converted, they're not even as good as the old fixed salary!"

"Competitive hiring? Sounds good! But in the end, isn't it just the Young Lord and his cronies who have the final say? People like us without backgrounds are destined to do hard labor forever!"

"Hmph, having offended the Law Enforcement Elder, how can this market still have a future? I think this new policy won't last long!"

Rumors spread like a plague, and combined with real operational difficulties, the hearts of some Cultivators who had just kindled hope were once again cast in shadow, and people's minds became unsettled.

Inside the market's core Council Hall, Su Wen, the acting Head Deacon, Zhao Li, and others reported the recent difficulties to Xu Yuan with worried expressions.

"Young Lord, the supply channels are being choked, the trade routes are blocked, and rumors are everywhere. Although the market's income has improved compared to before, if this continues long-term, I fear it will be unsustainable," Su Wen said, his brow furrowed.

Zhao Li also added, "Someone is definitely making trouble behind the scenes. It must be Su Jin; he has operated here for many years and has deep-rooted connections. We are newcomers and find it difficult to contend with him."

Xu Yuan sat in the main seat, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his expression calm and unruffled.

The "humanity seal" inside him rotated slightly, and the flow of various "forces" within the market—the blockage of resources, the doubts in people's hearts, the hidden malice—were all as clear as the lines on his palm.

"Just clowns at their wits' end."

Xu Yuan spoke indifferently, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.

"Do they think that by cutting off resources and spreading some rumors, they can leave me helpless?"

He looked at Su Wen and Zhao Li, his gaze deep: "As Cultivators, why should we fear a lack of resources? The world is vast; is it limited to just those few trade routes of his? And how can the sharpness of people's hearts be easily shaken by a few rumors?"

"Su Wen."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You immediately draft an announcement and declare three new orders!"

Xu Yuan's speaking speed was steady, but it carried an unquestionable power:

"First, open new paths! Issue high-reward contribution tasks to encourage Cultivators to explore surrounding unknown dangerous lands and contact new merchant caravans and Loose Cultivator sources. Anyone who contributes will be heavily rewarded!"

"Second, tap into internal potential! The Flowing Cloud Market is backed by a Third-rank Spiritual Vein with abundant Spiritual Qi. Starting today, open some public Pill Refining Rooms and Artifact Refining Rooms for lease using Contribution Points. Encourage Cultivators to produce for their own use or even for external sale. The market will only charge a small management fee and provide basic support."

"Third, rumors end with transparency! From today onwards, all market accounts, contribution leaderboards, and task details will be posted daily in the central square. A suggestion box will be set up, and anyone whose constructive suggestions are adopted will be heavily rewarded! Anyone who reports rumor-mongers will be heavily rewarded upon verification!"

Hearing this, Su Wen's and Zhao Li's eyes lit up!

The Young Lord's move not only stabilized people's hearts but also turned passivity into initiative, transforming the crisis into an opportunity to further unite people and stimulate internal potential!"