Seeds

With the Yì Family Trading Hall under control, Mǎ Fáng called in Báihuā and Dà mǎyǐ, presenting them as his agents who would make the Yì Family Trading Hall, bringing wealth and prosperity to the people. They were a bit confused, but they went along with it, waving to the people as Mǎ Fáng brought them inside. Mǎ Fáng then told them he had to leave, but he wanted to check up on their progress.

Báihuā became very interested in the seeds, so he used his family's special fertiliser, said to grow crops within three breaths, becoming mountains and titans of greenery. When Báihuā used it before, it didn't work because his ancestors said it had to be from another realm, such as the Heavenly Realm (Immortal Realm), or even just seeds from a different mortal realm. The reason wasn't well understood, but the secret was that the wavelength of each realm was studied, and so Báihuā's family's special fertiliser then used said principle to create controlled instability, creating tremendous growth. Moreover, since the seeds were from another multiverse entirely, although the qi in this mortal realm wasn't that strong, the tomato and melon seeds, the replanted potatoes, and even some of the dead plants were able to grow. When Báihuā said this, Dà mǎyǐ then asked, in a panicked voice, "THAT WAS YOU?!" Mǎ Fáng and the others then looked out the window and saw a whole new jungle just outside of the village, consisting of all these plants, which weren't just the aforementioned ones, and basically had things from the whole spectrum (Mǎ Fáng was trying to woo a vegan). The best part was that these crops mutated and grew elemental spirits based on the plants. Because of all this, the fields were protected and under Báihuā's control, guarded by normally passive plants shaped like monsters, and tomato spirits or celery cavalry. All of these plants obeyed Báihuā, and if ordered, could even **** a few sects to unite against them, making Báihuā the most dangerous mortal anyone in that village knew of. What's more, Báihuā attributed all his newfound success to Mǎ Fáng, worshipping him as a god and believing he is a transcendental immortal who surpassed the mythical Immortal stage.

Not wanting to lose his favour, Mǎ Fáng went along with it, telling Báihuā that he was under a new cultivation technique that would bring him to greater heights, but had restarted his cultivation. "Still, I'm not weak enough to be taken out by mortals, even those I've empowered," is what Mǎ Fáng said, ensuring Báihuā still revered him and feared him as he gave Báihuā his "divine role."

Acting like an immortal, Mǎ Fáng said: "With this power, you shall be one of two kings in this world, ruling the world's commerce and food through the empire I shall gift the two of you."

The two then said at the same time, "Both of us?"

Hearing this, Mǎ Fáng chuckled as he told Báihuā that he still had a lot of growing to do. Mǎ Fáng then followed up by telling Báihuā that he would one day join Mǎ Fáng as an immortal. Dà mǎyǐ would be Báihuā's guide, controlling men and armies, becoming the greatest emperor this mortal realm has ever seen, commanding Báihuā and the clan he would create, while Báihuā's clan controlled the private sector and food. They would grow the empire that the two of them would form together, but this world would be Dà mǎyǐ's to rule and pass down. If one day he rises to immortality, he would be welcomed, but he came from lesser blood, so it would be up to Báihuā's clan to become the great aids of Dà mǎyǐ's future royal lineage.

As for how Dà mǎyǐ would contribute, he would firstly become the emperor, but he would also be the general, tactician, and government head for all administrative duties. Although Báihuā's clan would help grow the empire and feed its people, they would be given the ability to ascend without worrying about politics or the weight of the crown. Such things would be up to Dà mǎyǐ and his descendants. Together, they were supposed to usher in a new era and reach greatness, taking in the fruits of the entire world.

Hearing his plan for them, the two looked at each other expectantly, glowing like children hearing they'll become superheroes. Still, Mǎ Fáng had one more thing to do as he dropped a stone tablet and wrote the greatest rules of this new empire that must be followed to the letter.

The pair then agreed immediately, then they read the tablet and had it drilled in that they wouldn't control women, exploit children, abide by slavery, punish without due process, harm innocents in any military or civilian missions, and would prepare for a peaceful integration of people from conquered territories. There were other rules, but these were the most relevant to the world at the moment, and the two men understood that Mǎ Fáng was deadly serious with these rules, so they accepted them and left, preparing to use their new army and resources to craft things in the book and recruit people they would train into soldiers.

Additionally, Mǎ Fáng told them to make this trading hall their starting point, to first gain funds before they march on any cities, and also to avoid cultivators when possible.

Mǎ Fáng: "Also, make sure you make regular offerings to the trading hall."

Mǎ Fáng could tell that as a cultivator, the trading hall was powerful. It's power was limited, but while people cultivate themselves and the Dao, ghosts cultivate obsessions and the domain they're stuck with.

Since Kōngxīn sǐ now has the Ghost Lord Physique, she's supposed to devour ghosts and create her own phantoms that are always created on a certain level, unless she gets very lucky or upgrades this cultivation technique. However, since she has a domain and has trained it, along with herself, she is still connected to the trading hall and now has a strong secondary power, along with a second form of immortality besides becoming a ghost once her physical body is destroyed. Moreover, this irregularity has given her two bodies under one mind, meaning that Kōngxīn sǐ can stay with them, but also remain at her trading hall.

Worst comes to worst, return to the trading hall, and Kōngxīn sǐ could protect them with all the resources they are supposed to give her.