Cultivation, Inc.I Use Capitalism to Fix a Dying Sect

Chapter 182: The Situation in Chaos Demon Commandery is Settled (Tenth Update, Seeking Support)

The Evil Spirit Ancestor had only recently possessed this new vessel. It had taken time to adapt to the unfamiliar flesh, during which he dispatched two Golden Core cultivators to scout the current state of the Chaos Demon Commandery.

Just now, these two subordinates had finished their detailed report.

Upon hearing the news, the Evil Spirit Ancestor let out a furious roar. “Damnable Qingyun Sect! Hateful Patriarch Qingxuan! To shamelessly solicit outsiders from the Heavenly Saint Commandery to do their dirty work!”

*Boom!*

With a violent wave of his hand, a streak of blood-colored light erupted, pulverizing a massive boulder beside him into dust.

Behind him, the two Golden Core cultivators watched in trembling silence, bowing their heads low. Although their cultivation realms far exceeded the Ancestor’s current state, their bodies had been implanted with vicious restrictions back in the Evil Spirit Valley.

Even though the Evil Spirit Ancestor was currently reduced to the Foundation Establishment Grand Perfection stage, a single thought from him could determine their life or death. They dared not show anything but absolute subservience.

One of the Golden Core cultivators sighed inwardly. In truth, he found himself begrudgingly admiring the Qingyun Sect’s operations. If the Evil Spirit Valley had possessed the strategic vision to employ such methods against the Black Wind Stockade earlier, they would have unified the Chaos Demon Commandery long ago.

Regrettably, the Evil Spirit Valley was history. The Chaos Demon Commandery was now the domain of the Qingyun Sect.

“Ancestor, the Qingyun Sect’s momentum is unstoppable. How should we proceed?” one of them asked cautiously.

“I must enter secluded cultivation,” the Evil Spirit Ancestor hissed, his voice dripping with malice. “Once my cultivation is restored, I will devise a method to crush the Qingyun Sect. Your task is to gather cultivation resources for me and keep a close watch on their movements.”

The Evil Spirit Ancestor was no fool. With his current strength, seeking revenge against the Qingyun Sect now would be suicide. He needed to recover his power base first.

“Go. Hunt me some ‘blood food’ immediately. I need to cultivate. If I discover you slacking off…” He let the threat hang in the air.

He glanced at them with eyes that glowed like pools of fresh blood, causing the two Golden Core experts to shudder involuntarily.

“Rest assured, Ancestor! We will spare no effort. We dare not be negligent!” one of them replied hastily.

“Good.”

The Evil Spirit Ancestor’s body flickered, transforming into a streak of bloody light that shot down into the dark valley below.

The two Golden Core cultivators exchanged a weary sigh before transforming into beams of escaping light, shooting off into the distance to carry out their grim task.

***

Sun Yi had returned to the Qingyun Sect.

Recently, the workload had been overwhelming. Between managing the expansion and stabilizing the territory, he barely had a moment to breathe, let alone cultivate.

In the central hall of the Qingyun Sect, Sun Yi sat reviewing a jade slip, his brow furrowed in concentration.

The slip contained intelligence regarding the events of the past few days in the Chaos Demon Commandery. Previously, Qingyun disciples would encounter friction when venturing out. However, ever since news spread of the Qingyun Sect’s ruthless extermination of the Zhou Family and the Xuanyin Sect, the local powers had fallen in line.

Suddenly, Er Gouzi entered the hall and cupped his hands respectfully. “Headmaster, representatives from the Dongshan Li Family have arrived bearing heavy gifts. They claim there was a ‘misunderstanding’ previously and have come specifically to apologize.”

Sun Yi set the jade slip aside, a playful, calculating smile touching his lips. “Fear has finally taken root. They’re here to beg for absolution, aren’t they?”

“Headmaster, how should we handle them?” Er Gouzi asked.

Sun Yi tapped his finger on the armrest. “Since they are showing such ‘sincerity,’ I am naturally willing to forgive them. I estimate other families and forces will soon follow suit with their own tributes. Accept everything. Tell them this: As long as they adhere to the laws and regulations set by the Qingyun Sect, the slate is wiped clean. We will not pursue past grievances.”

“Understood, Headmaster. I will handle it immediately.”

Er Gouzi nodded and turned to leave, but Sun Yi called him back. “Wait. How is the remote exchange point project coming along? Have any rogue cultivators visited?”

Er Gouzi shook his head. “Not yet. It is likely due to the distance. Most rogue cultivators possess low cultivation bases; making the trek to our vicinity is a strenuous and dangerous endeavor for them.”

“Mm. Have the supplies exchange lists been finalized? And what is the status of the Miscellaneous Arts Hall?”

“The exchange lists are ready,” Er Gouzi reported with a hint of excitement. “As for the Miscellaneous Arts Hall, all disciples have successfully opened five gates. Since the Fire Gate provides significant auxiliary benefits to crafting arts, the overall skill level of the disciples has skyrocketed.”

Er Gouzi continued, his voice growing more animated. “Progress in artifact refining, talismans, Spirit Pills, and formations has been smooth. The quality of the goods is higher, but more importantly, the efficiency has exploded. Combined with the assembly line method you established, Headmaster—our output of supplies has increased tremendously.”

“Excellent,” Sun Yi said. “Continue as planned. Supply them with raw materials without limit. Any Spirit Weapons, Spirit Pills, talismans, or formation flags that the sect cannot utilize internally should be added to the public exchange inventory.”

Sun Yi paused, his expression turning serious. “Our numbers are still too few. The priority is recruitment. We lack the manpower to expand into the Myriad Demon Forest right now, so we must maximize the utilization of resources within the sect first.”

Er Gouzi nodded in agreement. He was intimately aware of the sect’s logistical bottlenecks. Currently, aside from the production staff in the Miscellaneous Arts Hall, every available combat disciple had been deployed.

The construction of the grand Qingyun Dao Palace was a long-term project. The purging of demon beasts in the Chaos Demon Commandery was an ongoing grind. Then there was the occupation of resource points, the establishment of the branch at Black Wind Mountain, the urban planning for the Evil Spirit Valley market, and the management of the spirit veins seized from the Xuanyin Sect and Zhou Family.

Every single project required people. The manpower shortage was critical.

“And the Spirit Beast Hall?” Sun Yi asked.

“The framework is active,” Er Gouzi replied quickly. “We’ve built the department around the disciples who cared for the Mi Luo Beasts. The ancient beast-taming tomes you brought back have been archived in their library. The disciples are currently decoding them and conducting research. It will take some time before we see concrete results.”

Sun Yi nodded with satisfaction. Er Gouzi was proving to be an exceptional Deputy Headmaster, keeping the complex machinery of the sect running smoothly.

“And the ‘Million Spirit Stone Annual Salary’ recruitment drive for Spirit Herb Planters? How is that progressing?”

This was a key part of Sun Yi’s strategy. As Headmaster, he set the vision and the incentives; the execution was left to his staff.

“The recruitment notices have been drafted and are being disseminated across the various regions of the Chaos Demon Commandery,” Er Gouzi answered. “It will take time for the news to ferment and for candidates to travel here.”

“Good. Keep a close eye on these projects. If you encounter any bottlenecks, come to me directly.”

“Yes, Headmaster. I will return to my duties.”

Er Gouzi bowed and exited the hall.

With the administrative burden lifted for the moment, Sun Yi retreated to his private cultivation chamber. Delegation was the key to leadership; others would handle the work, allowing him to focus on power.

Back in the chamber, Sun Yi took out a High Grade Spirit Stone and began to absorb its energy. Simultaneously, his consciousness split, his divine soul continuing to run simulations and research within his mind. He was multitasking at a level few could comprehend.

And almost simultaneously, a rogue cultivator, holding a try-and-see attitude, had arrived outside the Qingyun Sect.