Hearing this, Liu Yalan’s spirits lifted, and she looked at Li Mu with surprise and delight, "Elder, is this for real!"

This condition surprised her somewhat, but it also gave her hope. If she could collaborate with Li Mu, then the Liu Family might have the opportunity to rise again.

After all, the business of Spiritual Materials has always been the Liu Family’s strength. They hold many high-quality Spiritual Material procurement channels, which is one of the key reasons they can stand firm on Ten Thousand Stars Island.

However, recently the family had encountered difficulties, and their business suffered a significant blow. If they could collaborate with someone like Li Mu, who has vast financial resources, the Liu Family might be able to weather this crisis.

"Of course, the amount and variety of Spiritual Materials I need are not small. If the Liu Family can supply them in time, the price will certainly not let the Liu Family suffer." Li Mu smiled lightly and confirmed.

"I can’t decide this matter on my own, I need to communicate with the Patriarch." Liu Yalan responded with mixed surprise, trying hard to contain her excitement.

"Alright! Today, let’s first discuss the shop transfer issue. Miss Ji, I will rent this shop. If there are no problems, please draft a lease agreement!" Li Mu nodded, then turned to Ji Hanyan and indicated.

"Yes, Elder!" Ji Hanyan nodded excitedly and immediately took out pen and paper to draft the lease agreement. The shop lease agreement had a template ready, and she quickly drafted the lease agreement.

...

Time flies, and an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Under Ji Hanyan’s lead, Li Mu signed the lease agreement, leased the Liu Family’s shop, and took inventory of the Liu Family shop’s Spiritual Material warehouse. In total, he spent nearly two million Top-grade Spirit Stones.

Receiving the full payment from Li Mu in one go made Liu Yalan have a deeper understanding of his strength, and she couldn’t help but focus more on his offer to invite her.

"Elder, I wonder how you plan to run this shop in the future. If you continue selling Spiritual Materials, the competition on Ten Thousand Stars Island is fierce! Without your own supply channels, it might be difficult to manage." Liu Yalan looked at Li Mu inquisitively.

"Shopkeeper Liu, this shop will no longer sell Spiritual Materials. Instead, it will sell Spiritual Artifacts, Spirit Pills, Spirit Talismans, and other finished Spiritual Objects, with guaranteed quality, quantity, and profit margins, not fearing competition from other businesses." Li Mu smiled confidently and responded.

"What do you think, Shopkeeper Liu, would you be willing to join our shop? As for the compensation, a monthly salary of thirty thousand Middle-grade Spirit Stones plus a one-percent performance commission!" Li Mu looked at Liu Yalan and warmly invited her.

This offer was very enticing, immediately stirring Liu Yalan’s heart. However, she also had some concerns about whether Li Mu’s supply source could be stable.

"Elder Li, your financial strength is unquestionable, and this offer is indeed very attractive. However, I want to know if the supply can stabilize. If the supply is unstable, the shop might not operate smoothly." Liu Yalan looked at Li Mu and honestly expressed her concern.

She knew that the stability of the supply was crucial to the operation of the shop. If the supply was unstable, the shop’s operations would be affected, possibly leading to operational difficulties.

Hearing this, Li Mu pondered for a moment. This issue indeed required careful consideration. Although he was skilled in many fields, such as Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Talisman Making, and Puppet Refining, and was in the Grandmaster realm in all, a person’s time and energy were limited. If the supply opened up, it would go against his original intention of opening a shop.

Regarding Spirit Stones, Li Mu was not lacking. His main purpose in opening this shop was to establish a stable channel to collect those rare, scarce high-tier Spiritual Materials while selling some of the Spiritual Objects he refined.

However, if the supply couldn’t be stabilized, achieving this goal would be difficult. He needed to find a way to ensure the stability of the supply without going against his initial shop-opening intentions.

Li Mu thought seriously for a moment and immediately had an idea.

The Cyan Jade Ginseng King is a spirit plant essence that has achieved a Tier Seven True Spirit. Through the Spirit Taming Contract Seal and Divine Soul Transmission, it could be taught the insights of Puppet Refining Technique and Alchemy, allowing it to gradually take on the role of an Alchemist and Puppet Maker.

Moreover, the Chi Lian Fire Phoenix is also a Tier Seven True Spirit, though still young. Having it learn the Path of Artifact Refining would also help in learning and exercising the Power of Fire Manipulation, making it naturally suited to become an Artifact Master.

Tier Five and Tier Six Spiritual Artifacts and Spirit Treasures don’t have to rely on the Chi Lian Fire Phoenix. It can start by refining Low-Tier Spiritual Artifacts, which shouldn’t be a problem.

Additionally, the Extreme Yang Celestial Fire’s Spiritual Energy isn’t weak, and having been refining artifacts with him for so long, it should have learned quite a bit about the Path of Artifact Refining. Offering it some benefits and having it cooperate with the Chi Lian Fire Phoenix in refining artifacts shouldn’t be a problem.

There’s also the Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape, which has already transformed into Tier Six, possesses six arms, and understands human nature. With its intelligence, learning to draw Spirit Talismans shouldn’t be much trouble.

...

Numerous images flashed through Li Mu’s mind, and he immediately arranged tasks for the magical creatures under his command who were lazing around.

Xiaowa and Xiaojin were responsible for watching over the shop’s warehouse, Xue’Er was to learn the shop operations from Shopkeeper Liu, the Cyan Jade Ginseng King would care for the Spirit Plants while learning Alchemy and Puppet Refining, the Chi Lian Fire Phoenix would learn Artifact Refining, and the Jade-Eyed Long-armed Ape would learn to draw Spirit Talismans. As for the Two-Horned Cyan Moon Flood Dragon, tribulation crossing was more important right now, so it was exempt.

Finding tasks for these magical creatures would prevent them from idly lounging around and neglecting their cultivation.

By then, he would only need to occasionally refine some high-tier Spiritual Artifacts, Spirit Pills, and Puppets to provide premium goods for the shop, allowing it to run smoothly without consuming much of his energy.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Li Mu’s face showed a confident smile. Looking at Liu Yalan, he responded, "You don’t need to worry about the supply. I’m opening this shop with confidence!"

"That’s good. Since Elder Li is so confident, I feel relieved." Liu Yalan looked at Li Mu and said with a satisfied smile.

"Shopkeeper Liu, shall we join forces and work together to operate this shop?" Li Mu smiled at Liu Yalan and asked for confirmation.

"Yes, Yalan will not disappoint!" Liu Yalan bowed and replied with a smile.

The two exchanged knowing smiles, their hearts brimming with anticipation and confidence.

Afterward, Li Mu collected all the Spiritual Materials in the shop and then summoned Xue’Er from the Painting Realm Treasure Mansion to involve her in the shop’s renovation, renaming, grand opening, and other related tasks.

Ultimately, the shop was renamed "Li’s Treasure Tower," with Liu Yalan serving as the Head Shopkeeper, responsible for the daily management, personnel recruitment, and all affairs of the shop. Xue’Er would be the Deputy Shopkeeper, assisting in managing the shop and overseeing the accounts. Meanwhile, Liu Yalan would also be responsible for communicating with the Liu Family to ensure timely supplies of family Spiritual Materials.

As for Li Mu, he played the role of a hands-off shopkeeper, providing Spirit Stones and supply goods without involving himself in the shop’s daily management.

Seeing the two women discussing decoration details enthusiastically, Li Mu turned and left the backyard, stepping out of the shop to take a breath.

Just then, footsteps approached quickly from afar.

"Elder, this is a temporary residence token. Please take it; you’ll use it for daily access to Ten Thousand Stars Island. Once I submit this contract, I’ll handle the permanent residence permit for you." Having been away for a while, Ji Hanyan returned in a hurry, handing Li Mu a white jade token, gesturing.

"Hmm! Thank you, Miss Ji." Li Mu accepted the token and expressed his gratitude.

"Elder, you are too kind. If there’s anything else you need, please do not hesitate to tell me. Hanyan will spare no effort." Ji Hanyan said with a smile.

First renting the Spirit Island and then the shop, having served Li Mu twice, Ji Hanyan earned commissions she hadn’t seen in over a decade from him and was naturally grateful.

If she could cling to a thigh like this, even as a concubine, Ji Hanyan would be content, given her talent and the substantial chance of nascent soul promotion. Unfortunately, Li Mu wasn’t interested in her and didn’t reciprocate her hints at all.

"Alright! If there’s a need, I’ll certainly come to you." Li Mu smiled slightly, responding as he watched her go.

"Then, I won’t disturb you anymore. Farewell, Elder." Ji Hanyan took her leave with a bitter smile, tactfully turning away.

Watching Ji Hanyan’s departing back, Li Mu couldn’t help but conclude that female cultivators in this world were not much different from women in his original world. For women like Ji Hanyan, interests are what they value most, and they can give anything as long as they get enough benefits.

Shaking his head, Li Mu stopped thinking about these matters. His Divine Sense probed into the Nine Treasures Spirit Pearl to examine the two unexpected gains he acquired from leasing the shop.