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

Chapter 137: Evil Spirit Valley Seizes the Opportunity

Sun Yi had optimized every defensive protocol before the clash, but the final casualty report was still a bitter pill to swallow.

Over 100 Qingyun Sect disciples had been terminated by the Black Wind Stockade.

He had mentally prepared himself for a high mortality rate. In this ruthless world, death was just a lagging indicator. Yet, looking at the grim reality of the outcome, a heavy, genuine sorrow weighed down his chest.

Strictly speaking, Sun Yi’s business model for the Qingyun Sect was simple: use it as an incubator to harvest resources and accelerate his own cultivation. But over time, the ROI had become personal. His emotional investment was absolutely genuine.

Writing off these disciples as mere ‘lost assets’ made his heart ache.

At the summit of the main peak, Sun Yi stood on the viewing platform. He stared out at the rolling sea of clouds, his expression clouded with a deep, dejected gloom.

Elder Ye Luo and Elder Han Yun approached silently from behind. Seeing their Headmaster’s deeply sorrowful state, Elder Ye Luo couldn’t help but offer his counsel.

“Headmaster, you must not let grief consume your Dao heart,” the old man said gently. “The Cultivation world is a river of blood. Karma comes for us all, and death is an ever-present shadow. The Heavens claimed these disciples today, but who knows when our own allotted lifespans will reach their end?”

“Systemic weakness,” Sun Yi sighed, his corporate mask slipping for a moment. “In the end, our total power output is still too low.”

“Headmaster, you have already done more than any mortal man could ask,” Elder Han Yun interjected firmly. “If not for your tireless guidance and sect expansion, today’s outcome would be a tragedy. Our Qingyun Sect would likely have been erased from history.”

The Elder’s aura surged, a fierce, murderous intent rolling off his robes. “Rest assured, Headmaster. The Heavens are watching. We will collect this karmic debt, sooner or later!”

A cold, analytical glint flashed in Sun Yi’s eyes. “Let them enjoy their little market share for a bit longer.”

One day had passed since the great collision.

Under Sun Yi’s direct management, Elder Ye Luo and a specialized maintenance crew had already patched the Sect’s grand mountain-protecting formation, bringing the defensive infrastructure back online.

Simultaneously, Elder Li Tai had vanished into the shadows, deployed as a scout to gather real-time intelligence across the Chaos Demon Commandery.

The Qingyun Sect was a hive of buzzing activity, repairing and recalibrating. But beyond their borders, a violent storm of shifting power dynamics was already brewing.

Far away, Wen Sha had dragged the remnants of his shattered forces back to the Black Wind Stockade. The news of their humiliating defeat at the hands of the supposedly weak Qingyun Sect spread like a plague, infecting the entire sect with widespread fear and anxiety.

Meanwhile, the true instigator behind the conflict—the Evil Spirit Valley—downloaded the detailed battle reports almost instantly.

Inside the grand hall of the Evil Spirit Valley, a cabal of high-level cultivators had convened.

Golden Core stage auras filled the room as the Elders scanned the intelligence briefings. One by one, shock warped their arrogant expressions.

“The Heavens have mercy… I truly didn’t expect the Qingyun Sect to possess such terrifying foundations,” one Golden Core Elder murmured slowly. “It is a blessing that we did not foolishly court death by attacking them first.”

“Indeed,” another stroked his beard, his eyes narrowed. “Who would have fathomed that those two old fossils, Jin Jue and Ye Luo, had not only broken through to the late Golden Core stage but could also channel the might of Grand Perfection? The Qingyun Sect has hidden its true depths beneath the deepest waters.”

“If not for this great clash, we would still be blind to the sleeping tiger in our midst,” a third Elder chimed in. “But what truly defies the natural order is old ghost Guimu. To be slain by a mere Foundation Establishment junior? Preposterous.”

“It explains the whispers from the Seven Star Tower,” a fourth Elder noted. “Rumors said the Qingyun Sect was bulk-purchasing body-tempering spiritual materials. It seems they have genuinely committed to the brutish path of body cultivation.”

“Hmph,” an Elder scoffed with disdain. “Is the Dao of the body so easily tread? It yields brute force in the early stages, but at the higher realms, it is a bottleneck. A sheer waste of time and a squandering of precious resources.”

“Exactly. I wager Guimu only perished due to his own foolish arrogance,” the elder continued, dismissing the threat. “Ambushed by a brute. In a fair duel of Daoist Arts, that body cultivator would be turned to ash.”

“Enough chatter.”

The Evil Spirit Valley Master spoke, his voice echoing like grinding stones. His gaze swept over the assembly, commanding absolute silence. “I have summoned you to deliberate on our next move.”

“Hehe,” a Golden Core Elder chuckled darkly. “The Black Wind Stockade attempted to gain an advantage, but ended up suffering a catastrophic loss. Four hundred Foundation Establishment disciples slaughtered, and a Golden Core Elder dead. Their foundations are cracked. This is the optimal time to extract some benefits from their misfortune.”

“Correct,” another Elder smiled, greed flashing in his eyes. “The Changfeng Spirit Mine sits close to our borders. It is time we ‘reclaimed’ it.”

“And the Tianfeng Spirit Land,” another added smoothly. “It is high time our Evil Spirit Valley took over its guardianship.”

Before the Qingyun Sect’s aggressive market entry, the Evil Spirit Valley and the Black Wind Stockade had been locked in sharp opposition, monopolizing the resources of the Chaos Demon Commandery.

For years, the two titans had bled each other over spirit veins and mines, with both sides experiencing wins and losses. Because their power scaling was roughly equal, the Evil Spirit Valley had never managed to achieve a true monopoly.

But the data had changed.

The Black Wind Stockade’s sudden loss of 400 Foundation Establishment troops and a late-stage Golden Core Elder represented a massive drop in their combat metrics. They were at their absolute weakest.

If the Evil Spirit Valley initiated a hostile takeover now, they could seize a massive portion of the Black Wind Stockade’s portfolio.

Since the Qingyun Sect had proven to be a high-threat entity, the Evil Spirit Valley had no interest in testing their defenses. It was much easier to cannibalize the wounded Black Wind Stockade.

“Excellent,” the Valley Master declared, his eyes shining with a fierce determination. A terrifying aura erupted from his body, shaking the dust from the rafters. “Mobilize our forces. Strike at dawn. It is time the Black Wind Stockade remembered the true terror of the Evil Spirit Valley!”

The execution was brutal and efficient.

The Evil Spirit Valley, leveraging its network of subordinate families, launched a blitzkrieg against the Black Wind Stockade’s vulnerable resource points.

In less than 15 days, they had annexed a staggering amount of territory.

Crippled by their severe lack of mid-level Foundation Establishment enforcers, the Black Wind Stockade had no choice but to continuously cede ground, terrified of a total sect-wiping war.

Back in the main hall of the Black Wind Stockade, the atmosphere was suffocating.

Wen Sha sat on his throne, his face twisted into a mask of pure fury. The high-spirited enthusiasm that had fueled their initial crusade against the Qingyun Sect was completely dead, replaced by the grim reality of a collapsing empire.

“Bastards! Unfilial curs! The Evil Spirit Valley pushes us too far! Sect Leader, we cannot cede another inch of ground!” Daoist Centipede roared, his voice thick with venom.

“He is right,” another Golden Core Elder growled, his face dark. “Their insolence knows no bounds. They have swallowed too many of our resource lands. If we allow this unchecked expansion, our sect will starve!”

A cold, venomous glint flashed in Wen Sha’s eyes.

“Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder, Sixth Elder, Seventh Elder,” Wen Sha commanded, his voice dripping with malice. “Deploy immediately. Garrison the resource points closest to the Evil Spirit Valley front lines. Halt their advance at all costs.”

“As you command!” The Golden Core Elders bowed deeply.

“This disaster with the Qingyun Sect occurred because we misjudged their foundations,” Wen Sha spat, his knuckles white. “But do not lose heart! Once the Ancestor completes his breakthrough to the next realm, we will exact our vengeance!”

“A blood debt must be repaid with blood!” Daoist Centipede hissed, his eyes radiating a piercing, murderous intent that chilled the air.

“Enough talk. Execute your orders,” Wen Sha dismissed them with a heavy wave of his sleeve, rising to leave the hall of failures.

Meanwhile, back at the Qingyun Sect.

Sun Yi, Er Gouzi, and the five Golden Core Elders were assembled in the central command hall. Elder Li Tai was uploading the latest intelligence brief.

“The Evil Spirit Valley took the bait,” Li Tai reported with a satisfied nod. “In just 15 days, they’ve seized a massive chunk of Black Wind Stockade’s assets. The Stockade’s arrogance has been thoroughly crushed.”

“A shame,” Elder Jin Jue sighed, stroking his chin. “I had hoped they would wage a war of mutual destruction. That would have been quite the spectacle for these old eyes.”

Sun Yi waved his hand dismissively.

“As long as they don’t disrupt our local operations, they are irrelevant,” Sun Yi said, calculating the long-term projections. “Let them fight over the scraps. Ultimately, the entire region will be acquired by us anyway. Let the Evil Spirit Valley enjoy their temporary stock bump. Elder Jin Jue, status report on the War Soul Mausoleum?”

“Ahead of schedule, Headmaster,” Elder Jin Jue replied, his tone shifting to deep respect. “Construction will be finalized by tomorrow. The fallen disciples will be laid to rest with full honors.”

“Perfect,” Sun Yi nodded, his tone carrying the weight of absolute authority. “Tomorrow, I will lead the entire Sect in a unified memorial service. Er Gouzi, broadcast a sector-wide alert. This event is mandatory. All personnel must attend.”

“Yes, Headmaster!” Er Gouzi nodded enthusiastically, turning on his heel and marching out of the hall to execute the directive.