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

Chapter 189: Another Purple Extreme Berserk Flame Acquired

The Seven Star Tower was, after all, a strategic partner of the Qingyun Sect. Their visits were rare and lucrative, demanding a reception that balanced courtesy with a display of strength. Sun Yi, accompanied by Er Gouzi and a retinue of disciples, ascended to the skies outside the mountain gate, waiting amidst the clouds for the guests to arrive.

Moments later, a Fourth-Tier flying boat pierced through the mist, its hull shimmering with defensive formations. Standing on the deck were the familiar figures of Tower Master Mo Wen and his two Deacons.

The vessel decelerated smoothly, hovering before the sect’s entrance. Sun Yi stepped forward on the empty air, cupping his hands with a welcoming smile. “Tower Master Mo, Deacons. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

Mo Wen returned the gesture, his expression polite but guarded. “Headmaster Sun, you honor us by greeting us personally once again. You are too courteous.”

“Nonsense,” Sun Yi replied smoothly. “The Seven Star Tower is our most valued partner. It would be a breach of etiquette to do otherwise. Please, come in.” He gestured towards the main peak. “My apologies, but our Elders are currently indisposed with urgent sect matters and could not join the reception. I hope Tower Master Mo does not take offense.”

“Headmaster Sun, please, there is no need for explanations,” Mo Wen waved his hand dismissively. “We are well aware that your noble sect has been… busy recently. We understand completely.”

As he spoke, Mo Wen cast a deep, probing look at the young Headmaster.

As one of the Seven Star Tower’s regional executives, Mo Wen kept a close ear to the ground. He knew exactly what “busy” meant. He knew about the lightning war that obliterated the Black Wind Stockade and the Evil Spirit Valley—a campaign so swift the Seven Star Tower hadn’t even had time to update their intelligence reports before the dust settled.

He knew about the destruction of the Zhou Family and the Xuanyin Sect. He saw how the Qingyun Sect had ruthlessly stabilized the Chaos Demon Commandery, enforcing order with an iron fist while simultaneously launching massive infrastructure projects like the Qingyun Dao Palace and the demon beast extermination campaign.

Mo Wen’s investigation pointed to one uncomfortable truth: the architect behind this terrifying efficiency was not the reclusive Patriarch, but the smiling young man in front of him.

Previously, the Seven Star Tower had rated Sun Yi as a one-star threat—a figurehead. Now, in Mo Wen’s internal dossier, Sun Yi was a five-star anomaly.

Technically, Sun Yi was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Yet, standing before him, Mo Wen felt a pressure more suffocating than facing a Nascent Soul eccentric. This man was dangerous.

“We owe much of our success to the resources provided by your Tower,” Sun Yi said as they flew towards the main hall. “I hope we can expand the scale of our cooperation in the near future.”

“That is exactly what we seek.” A sharp glint flashed in Mo Wen’s eyes.

They touched down outside the Central Great Hall. As they entered, Mo Wen and his Deacons paused, their steps faltering slightly.

Seated at the head of the hall was Patriarch Qingxuan.

Though they had never met him in person, the sheer density of spiritual pressure radiating from the old man was unmistakable. It was the weight of a Golden Core powerhouse—and a strong one at that.

The three guests hurriedly bowed, their posture respectful. “We pay our respects to Senior Qingxuan.”

Patriarch Qingxuan looked down at them, a benevolent smile on his face. “Please, no need for formalities. This old man was in secluded cultivation during your previous visits and neglected our guests. I hope you do not mind.”

Mo Wen’s eyelids twitched slightly. Secluded cultivation? The whole commandery knew Qingxuan had been missing or injured for years, only to suddenly reappear. But in the world of cultivation, one did not poke holes in a senior’s lies.

“Senior is too kind,” Mo Wen replied smoothly. “Cultivation comes first.”

“Friends from the Seven Star Tower, please sit. Tea!” Qingxuan commanded.

A disciple materialized, serving fragrant spirit tea to the guests. Qingxuan took a sip, his tone casual yet authoritative. “I hear the Seven Star Tower has been taking good care of the Qingyun Sect. For that, I thank you. I trust our future dealings will be equally prosperous.”

“Senior Qingxuan flatters us,” Mo Wen said humbly. “If anything, it is your noble sect that has provided us with lucrative business. It is a win-win situation.”

“Hehe, ‘win-win.’ The Headmaster uses that phrase often. I agree with the sentiment.” Qingxuan set down his teacup and stood up. “However, I have little patience for ledgers and bargaining. I will leave the business to the young ones. Please, excuse me.”

“We respectfully bid farewell to Senior!”

“Farewell, Patriarch!”

The group rose to bow as Qingxuan dissolved into a streak of light, vanishing from the hall.

The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The oppressive weight of the Golden Core ancestor was gone, replaced by the sharp, transactional air of negotiation.

Sun Yi leaned forward, interlacing his fingers. “Everyone, please sit. Let us get down to business. I assume the Seven Star Tower has brought good news?”

“I guarantee Headmaster Sun will not be disappointed,” Mo Wen said confidently. “Please, take a look.”

He flicked his wrist, and a Storage Ring glided through the air, hovering before Sun Yi.

Sun Yi caught it and swept it with his Divine Sense. His eyebrows raised slightly. The ring was packed with resources—seventy percent body tempering materials, twenty percent Qi refining aids, and the remainder filled with miscellaneous strategic goods: Mi Luo Beast carcasses, ancient texts, and rare ores.

And tucked away in a corner, sealed within a specialized containment box, was a familiar, violent energy signature.

Sun Yi’s hand flashed, and a jade box appeared in his grip. Through the translucent material, a wisp of purple fire raged like a trapped beast—a Purple Extreme Berserk Flame.

“I didn’t expect the Seven Star Tower to secure another one so quickly,” Sun Yi mused, turning the box over in his hands. “Impressive sourcing.”

He sighed, shaking his head with a look of pained regret. “It’s a pity, though. We tried to refine the last one you sold us. Complete failure. The flame destabilized and burned itself out. A total waste of Spirit Stones.”

Sun Yi looked up, his expression sincere. “I hope we don’t burn money for nothing this time.”

Standing behind Mo Wen, Deacon Wen lowered his gaze to hide a sneer. Of course you failed, he thought. The Purple Extreme Berserk Flame is notorious for being uncontrollable. If it were easy to tame, the Heavenly Saint Commandery would have hoarded it long ago. Selling it to you bumpkins in the boonies is the only way we can offload it.

Mo Wen, ever the professional, adopted a look of sympathetic concern. “That is indeed unfortunate. The Purple Extreme Berserk Flame is a wild, tyrannical force. It often requires multiple attempts to master.”

“You are right, Tower Master Mo,” Sun Yi agreed. “But the cost of failure is high. This flame is expensive. If… and only if… your Tower can offer a significant discount, the Qingyun Sect might be willing to take the risk again. We could treat it as a research project.”

Mo Wen’s internal calculator whirred. He knew the Qingyun Sect was rich, but he also knew this flame was a hard sell elsewhere.

“How about this,” Sun Yi proposed, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Half the price of the last transaction. If you agree, I’ll take it off your hands. If not… well, I can’t justify the expense to the Elders.”

Mo Wen and his Deacons froze. Half price? That was a slash of several million Spirit Stones. It was robbery.

Sun Yi leaned back, looking indifferent, as if he was ready to toss the ring back at any moment.

Silence stretched in the hall.

Finally, Mo Wen exhaled slowly. He looked at Sun Yi with the gaze of a gambler pushing all his chips in.

“Headmaster Sun,” Mo Wen said slowly. “We actually have located a stockpile of these flames. They are… difficult to move. If you are willing to buy every single Purple Extreme Berserk Flame we have found—clearing our entire inventory—I can authorize the fifty percent discount.”

Sun Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Jackpot.

To the outside world, these flames were dangerous waste. To Sun Yi, they were the batteries for his industrial revolution, specifically for upgrading Elder Ye Luo’s crafting capabilities.

On the surface, however, Sun Yi frowned, looking torn. He tapped his finger on the armrest, feigning hesitation before finally sighing.

“Very well. I’ll take the risk.”