Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 536 Building on the Past and Opening Up the Future: Maritime Strategy
The conclusion of the first fifty-year plan signifies the start of the second fifty-year plan.

The Purple Palace Enclosure, the Heavenly Palace.

Apart from Zheng Fa, all eleven Nascent Soul cultivators from Jiushan were present, along with over a hundred Nascent Soul and Golden Core disciples from the sect.

The sect's elites gathered together. Many disciples looked at each other, feeling both excited and inexplicably solemn, and dared not whisper to each other.

Because they knew that this meeting would determine the future of the Nine Mountains Sect for the next fifty years.

The atmosphere in the hall was different from that of a regular meeting due to the arrival of these disciples; the silence was filled with excitement, and the solemnity was tinged with high spirits.

The Heavenly Emperor sat at the head of the table, and when he looked at Uncle Pang and the others, there was a smile in his eyes.

The purpose of having these disciples attend was naturally to gather opinions from all members of the Nine Mountains Sect and identify the most pressing issues to be addressed in the next fifty years.

To be honest, those with higher cultivation levels often cannot truly understand the difficulties faced by disciples in their sect, let alone ordinary people.

Of course, for the Heavenly Emperor, he also has another channel for collecting public opinion—the desires of all living beings.

On the other hand, this is also a way to cultivate these disciples.

Nowadays, there aren't many power-hungry people among the higher-ups of the Nine Mountains Sect. Or rather, cultivators value cultivation more, and power is just an aid in comparison.

Therefore, training disciples and having them take charge of various departments in the Nine Mountains Realm is not unacceptable to the elders of the Nine Mountains.

When Uncle Pang and the others looked at these disciples, their eyes held more pride than anything else.

Many of these people were their students, and to varying degrees, they all shared a teacher-student relationship.

The elders are very pleased with how outstanding they have become.

……

The meeting was brief and quickly got down to business.

"Last year, the total income of our sect, converted into spirit stones, amounted to approximately 32 million spirit stones."

Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit stood in the center of the Heavenly Palace, discussing the most important topic of the meeting—the economy.

Everyone listened attentively.

The disciples present had all experienced life in the mortal realm, and almost none of them were naive about worldly affairs.

Therefore, they certainly understood that for any sect, or even any cultivator, the economy was arguably the most important issue.

Hearing Jiu Zhang Suan Ling's summary, many people gaped in astonishment—because the Nine Mountains Sect was indeed incredibly profitable.

The Heavenly Emperor remembered very clearly that when his true form first came to the Nine Mountains Sect, the sect's annual income was around 20,000 spirit stones, but less than 30,000.

Today, the annual income of the Nine Mountains Sect has increased more than a thousandfold!
Not to mention these disciples, even Uncle Pang and the others looked like they didn't recognize spirit stones: they certainly knew the general data, but when it came to converting it into spirit stones, they had a real sense of its reality.

Seeing their surprised expressions, the Heavenly Emperor tapped the table and explained, "We don't have that many spirit stones. Most of our items are pills, spirit weapons, and spirit materials, valued at market prices."

He thought it was normal.

to be honest.

In its early days, the Nine Mountains Sect was merely one of the sects within the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

Today, the territory of the Nine Mountains Sect has expanded more than a hundredfold. With the promotion of various technologies, productivity has increased by leaps and bounds. It can even be said that it has initially moved from an agricultural society to an industrial society, creating an economic miracle that is hard for the entire Nine Mountains Sect to believe.

The joy in Uncle Pang's eyes grew stronger, but the words that followed from Nine Chapters Divination Spirit made them less happy.

"Regarding expenditures, our sect's total expenditures last year amounted to thirty million spirit stones, detailed as follows..."

"thirty million?"

Uncle Pang exclaimed in surprise, his expression full of heartache.

They didn't know this data before. Apart from Zheng Fa, only Senior Sister Zhang in the sect was familiar with all kinds of data.

Specifically, most of the Nine Mountains Sect's expenditures are spent on disciple training, industrial development, and various research projects.

These three items cost approximately 20 million spirit stones.

Other expenditures include various public welfare expenditures and various task rewards.

It can be said that they can both earn and spend.

The Heavenly Emperor explained, "In recent years, there have been many more Nascent Soul disciples advancing to the next level than usual, which has also increased the expenses."

Everyone nodded in agreement, showing their understanding.

The fact that the Nine Mountains Sect has so many Golden Core cultivators, Nascent Soul cultivators, and even Deity Transformation cultivators is not due to their advancement through mere air.

Every cultivator consumes resources.

Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit continued to report: "According to calculations, our sect's expenditures will increase further next year, and the total budget for next year should be set at over 33 million spirit stones."

"No..." Uncle Pang finally couldn't hold back anymore, "So, what we're saying is, what we earn this year isn't enough to last us next year?"

Seeing the doubts on the faces of the others, the Heavenly Emperor explained, "The reason for such high expenditures next year is partly because the number of Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation cultivators in our sect will further increase."

"On the other hand, the investment in Jiushan Military Academy will amount to another two million spirit stones."

Uncle Pang muttered, "Two million?"

The Heavenly Emperor nodded slightly and affirmed, "This relates to the main objectives of the next fifty-year plan."

"Our most important achievement in the last fifty-year plan was actually the establishment of the Nine Mountains Sect's industrial system, which strengthened our economic power." The Heavenly Emperor stood up, looked into the hall, and said loudly, "In the next fifty years, our focus will shift to military affairs."

Simply put, they're drastically increasing military spending!

"Since the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor attained enlightenment, the world has undergone tremendous changes, a change that has not been seen in millions of years."

"In the next few years, or at most a few decades, Golden Immortals will appear in the Xuanwei Realm. Whether these Golden Immortals are friends or enemies, no one can guarantee."

"We must strengthen the fighting power of the entire Nine Mountains Sect. We cannot wait until the crisis is imminent or until the enemy shows up."

"We must plan ahead."

The Heavenly Emperor's words were met with nods of approval even from Uncle-Master Pang.

Nobody wants the tragedy of someone dying while their money remains to happen to the Nine Mountains Sect.

The Heavenly Emperor smiled. As everyone knows, to increase military spending, you have to create a formidable enemy...

For the Nine Mountains Sect, there are plenty of ready-made enemies; even Golden Immortals have to wait in line.

"Whether it's me or Senior Sister Zhang, it will be much more difficult to improve our cultivation level rapidly in a short period of time than before."

The Heavenly Emperor understood this very well.

He is more fortunate than Venerable Tianhe in that he possesses the fruits of Venerable Tianhe's life and the modern world.

Unfortunately, the situation in the Xuanwei Realm developed too quickly.

Venerable Tianhe had enough time to gradually walk the path to invincibility, but he didn't—compared to Lu Yao, compared to those Golden Immortals, he was still a baby not yet a hundred years old.

Therefore, the Nine Mountains Sect had to frantically increase its military spending.

……

"The main goal of my Nine Mountains Sect in the next fifty years is to enhance our combat capabilities based on the previous fifty years."

"To be more specific, it is to enhance the lethality of the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, ideally taking it to the next level and giving it the power to kill Golden Immortals."

Uncle Pang and the others nodded in agreement.

The Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation now possesses the combat power of a top-tier True Immortal, which is already quite remarkable, and it is also the most powerful technique in the Nine Mountains Realm.

Therefore, the most realistic approach to defeating a Golden Immortal is to start with the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation.

"Then, we will use the Divine Firmament Legion as a supplement to the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation."

Both of these matters are old news, and the Heavenly Emperor only briefly mentioned them.

"As for the industrial plan, there are two main points. One is the industrial aspect. Our plan is to consolidate our advantageous position in weapon crafting and talisman making, and completely dominate the weapon crafting market in Haori Mountain."

"Secondly, we should increase investment in pharmacy and alchemy."

At this point, the Heavenly Emperor glanced at Sect Leader Song of the Green Wood Sect, and then looked at Mu Qingyan.

When it comes to alchemy, the Hundred Immortals Alliance actually developed quite early.

Mu Qingyan has been leading research in pharmacy for almost twenty years.

The achievements are actually quite numerous. Whether in alchemy or medicine, the Nine Mountains Sect is now much stronger than before.

But compared to the highest Dao, it is still far inferior.

Mu Qingyan was actually a little anxious, but Zheng Fa was quite optimistic—this industry is one of long cycles and high investment. In modern times, pharmaceutical companies are generally stronger the older they get.

Not to mention the profound and subtle.

"The elixir industry serves two purposes: firstly, to accelerate the disciples' cultivation," the Heavenly Emperor explained, "and secondly, to meet the needs of combat."

For cultivators of the Xuanwei realm, elixirs are very important in their daily lives.

You could even say this stuff is way more profitable than weapon crafting—

Essentially, in the Xuanwei realm, elixirs are considered essential consumer goods, and people even need to take two every few days.

And magical artifacts and treasures...

Well, not having it doesn't hinder cultivation, does it?
When war comes, the importance of elixirs will naturally rise to a new level.

Seemingly sensing the gaze of the Heavenly Emperor, both Sect Leader Song and Mu Qingyan showed signs of pressure.

Uncle Pang frowned and said, "The industry... the sect's expenses are getting higher and higher, can we afford it?"

These are the words of an experienced person.

In the last fifty years, their development of the Hundred Immortals Alliance's Nine Mountains Realm and utilization of trade routes can be said to have had little room for improvement.

Seeing that no one spoke, Uncle Pang suddenly said, "How about we cut some other expenses?"

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone understood that there weren't many areas that could be cut—because training disciples couldn't stop, nor could industrial development.

Therefore, there are two main ways to save money:
Public welfare expenditures and task rewards.

Uncle Pang meant to tighten his belt, endure hardship in the Jiushan area, and develop military strength.

The disciples' expressions immediately became somewhat strange.

The Heavenly Emperor shook his head: "It hasn't come to that point yet."

Uncle Pang looked a little stunned, then saw Senior Sister Zhang stand up, take the Flying Immortal Brush, and draw two strokes in the air.

A map of the sea appeared in the hall.

The map is covered with hundreds of tiny points of light, in blue and white.

"The next growth point for our Nine Mountains Sect's income will be in the sea!" Senior Sister Zhang declared loudly.

Everyone perked up and carefully examined the points of light.

"The blue dots on these are the locations we explored before, places where we can cultivate various marine spirit beasts and plants."

"This is thanks to the research of Elder Qian, Elder Jiao, and Elder Xuehe."

"It is estimated that if marine aquaculture goes smoothly, agriculture alone will bring our sect nearly one million spirit stones in revenue each year."

"Moreover, marine aquaculture can cultivate some rare spiritual materials. Combined with the weapon-refining capabilities of my Nine Mountains Sect, the value created each year will exceed three million spirit stones."

"If the agricultural college makes further breakthroughs in research, these incomes will be even greater."

Whispers began to circulate in the hall.

A few million spirit stones seem insignificant compared to the mere 32 million mentioned earlier.

But it can already be considered a major industry.

Xiao Yuying asked, "What about the white light spot?"

“It’s underwater spirit ore,” Senior Sister Zhang explained. “The sea area is vast, and the amount of spirit ore is actually no less than that on land, but it is difficult to mine.”

"But for my Nine Mountains Sect, with the help of mechanical power and magical artifacts such as the Divine Firmament Warship, this difficulty can be completely overcome."

"According to the disciple's investigation, the total value of the seabed mineral vein is at least 10 billion spirit stones, or even more."

There was not even a sound of breathing in the hall.

The figure of 10 billion spirit stones left everyone speechless.

Although it's just the total reserves, there's still the issue of extraction, but it's worth 10 billion!

Uncle Huang slammed his fist on the table: "The ocean must belong to my Nine Mountains Sect!"

Inside the Heavenly Palace, everyone was nodding, some even with green eyes.

Only Xiao Yuying spoke with a frown, her eyes showing some worry.

Senior Sister Zhang didn't finish her sentence: "In addition, according to my investigation, the newly appeared ocean area in the far north of the sea should be no smaller than the original Xuanwei Sea area."

"Although we did not send any disciples to investigate for safety reasons, the sea area will inevitably become more important after the changes in the world."

Everyone actually understands this.

After Xuanwei expanded, the sea area underwent the greatest changes. Those newly emerging cultivators who wanted to trade with Xuanwei would inevitably have to cross the ocean.

In this way, the value of maritime trade routes will naturally be even higher.

Even more so, the Nine Mountains Realm could use this to gain an advantage.

Trade routes are now the main source of income for the Nine Mountains Sect.

It can be said that the value of trade routes is no less than that of those underwater mineral deposits, and may even be more abundant.

"Therefore, if we can firmly control and further develop the sea area, the income of my Nine Mountains Sect can at least double again, or even more than double."

No one questioned Senior Sister Zhang's summary.

……

After the Heavenly Emperor and Senior Sister Zhang finished speaking, everyone discussed the matter further.

The Nine Mountains Sect's second fifty-year plan has only just begun to take shape.

Although there are many entries.

But the most important grand strategy still rests on the two points mentioned by the Heavenly Emperor and his companions:

It focuses on military applications and the development of maritime areas.

The rest are all details.

After everyone left with the newly released "Outline of the Second Fifty-Year Plan," the elder slowly walked out of the Heavenly Palace and strolled over to Uncle Pang's side.

"Aren't you afraid your disciples will hate you?"

Uncle Pang glanced at him sideways without saying a word, seemingly not understanding what he was talking about.

The elder shook his head helplessly: "Do you really want to bear the infamy?"

Uncle Pang smiled and said, "There are some things that Zheng Fa and Wu Yi can't say."

He watched the disciples' retreating figures with a calm expression.

"You don't need to tell me that."

The elder statesman had mixed feelings.

This junior brother is very clever. How could he not know that reducing the disciples' rewards would provoke public outrage?

It was intentional.

“The other elders are either from outside or lack the qualifications.” Uncle Pang’s voice was soft, but his thoughts were clear. “Only a few of us old folks can hold out.”

Even the elder statesman had to admit that this was true.

“If we don’t bear this infamy, who will?” Uncle Pang said with great insight. “Besides, didn’t I not bear it?”

To put it bluntly, no one can conjure up spirit stones.

If the Nine Mountains Sect wants to fight against the Golden Immortals, it must increase its military investment, either by squeezing resources out of its own people or by taking them from outsiders.

Their choice was the sea area—although it was the territory of the Nine Mountains Sect, the Dragon Lord held a special position and was also an ally of the Nine Mountains Sect, and the two sides had gotten along fairly well in the past.

However, the Dragon Lord's thoughts are somewhat unpredictable these days.

In the distance, Xiao Yuying was flying alone in the air.

Recalling Xiao Xianzi's silence during the meeting, the two exchanged a glance and sighed simultaneously.

(End of this chapter)