If You Can't Solve the Problem, Take Care of the One Who Set It!

Chu Xinghe had been staying in the Spirit Crane Palace for the past few days, but even so, Ma Liang did not let him off the hook.

This guy runs around the various palaces of the sect every day, and at the drop of a hat, he'll tell people how ferocious his Fengdu Grand Formation is now.

"Senior brother, please look... With the blessing of ancient malevolent energy, my Fengdu Grand Formation has not only increased in destructive power by a level, but the defensive capabilities of the vengeful spirits within it have also been enhanced by several levels..."

"Junior sister, look how mighty my Ghost General is! That's right, it's all thanks to Senior Brother Xinghe and the Vice Sect Master that I'm where I am today..."

Eating, sleeping, and showing off the Fengdu Grand Formation and fighting Chu Cheng became Ma Liang's daily routine.

This guy can brag in other palaces, but he also came to the Spirit Crane Palace at the drop of a hat and grabbed Senior Brother Xinghe, saying, "Senior Brother Xinghe, please rest assured, although the Fengdu Grand Formation has lost its ability to refine medicine, I will do my best to develop the other abilities of the Fengdu Grand Formation."

Upholding the spirit of Senior Brother Xinghe, we must not allow the sect to suffer any loss!

Not only did Ma Liang visit Spirit Crane Palace, he also made a special trip to the Haotian Palace to thank the Vice Sect Master.

Ma Liang said, "I was ignorant before. I thought that the Vice Sect Master's personal disciple was just a figurehead. I never expected that the Vice Sect Master would value me so much as a personal disciple. Although I am no longer the Ma Liang Sect Master's personal disciple in name, please rest assured that I Ma Liang regard the Vice Sect Master as my teacher."

I will work hard to build up the sect and make up for all the regrets the vice sect leader has had over the years when he was away building the sect...

I heard that after hearing Ma Liang's words, the deputy sect leader was so excited that he immediately announced he would go into seclusion for a few more days...

It's true that people are more likely to have sudden insights when they are extremely happy...

It wasn't that Chu Xinghe didn't want to send Ma Liang out of exile again.

Ma Liang's past achievements told him that this guy would be in far more danger outside than inside the sect.

Who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause outside with the Fengdu Grand Formation?

So after thinking it over, I decided to let Ma Liang show off in the sect. Although it's a headache, it's less harmful.

The other fellow disciples didn't know how Ma Liang was perceived, but now Lu Chengqing had become Senior Brother Xinghe Ma Liang's most trusted confidant.

Since the Fengdu Grand Formation was upgraded, the Soul-Devouring Banner's abilities have been proven. Now, if Ma Liang is willing, the vengeful spirits of the Fengdu Grand Formation can be divided into countless smaller arrays, and these smaller arrays can be managed by the Soul-Devouring Banner.

Ma Liang handed the Soul-Devouring Banner directly to Lu Chengqing. He heard that Lu Chengqing had been rehearsing his new play at the amusement park for the past two days and had publicly declared that the Southern Branch would definitely achieve new glory by the end of this year.

Chu Xinghe wasn't Lu Chengqing's boastful words; it's just that the entertainment industry is incredibly lucrative.

Just as Chu Xinghe was pondering how to fix the bug that allowed the Soul-Devouring Banner to help the Southern Branch take off, Senior Brother Shen Chun suddenly appeared from some unexpected corner.

"Junior Brother Xinghe, the Grand Elder requests your presence!"

"Huh? The Grand Elder wants me to refine medicine again?" Chu Xinghe trembled.

Has nothing good happened lately?

But soon, Shen Chun's words brought Chu Xinghe a sliver of genuine joy amidst the gloom.

It wasn't about alchemy... The Grand Elder had come to me this time because of Sima Bian's matter.

If you ask me what my happiest moments have been lately, they're definitely all related to Sima Bian.

Southern Branch will take off or not is unknown, but the Northern Branch is completely doomed.

The Northern Branch used to be rampaging through the Ten Thousand Ghosts Pills, but now that the Fengdu Grand Formation no longer has the ability to refine pills by vengeful ghosts, it means that all of the Northern Branch's low-grade pill business is finished.

Sima Bian stayed at the sect, crying and wailing, refusing to return to the merchant guild because of this.

Sima Bian knew that at the current pace, let alone getting the vice president position of Vast Heaven Chamber of Commerce this year as he had originally planned, it would be a miracle if he could even keep his current position as branch president.

So after much deliberation, Sima Bian could only go and cry to the Grand Elder.

Following Senior Brother Shen Chun, we arrived at the Grand Elder's place, and sure enough, we saw Sima Bian with teary eyes as soon as we entered.

"Xinghe greets the Grand Elder..."

After Chu Xinghe bowed to the Grand Elder, the Grand Elder didn't waste any words and directly pointed to Sima Bian beside him, saying, "Xinghe... Sima Bian also came from our Spirit Crane Palace. It's not easy for him to be in charge of the Northern Branch now. You're quick-witted, so give him some advice."

Upon hearing the elder's words, Chu Xinghe nearly erupted in anger and spat at him.

Elder, listen to what you're saying! Is this even human language?

Let me give Sima Bian some advice?

Have you considered that, when it comes to business, Sima Bian is the real professional... I'm just a complete amateur, okay?

You expect me, an amateur, to give professional advice without warning... isn't that a bit too much to ask?

Of course, Chu Xinghe only thought these things in his heart and didn't dare to say them out loud.

Chu Xinghe remained completely unperturbed by the Northern Branch.

The Northern Branch mainly deals in elixirs, and now, thanks to low-grade elixirs, the Northern Branch's profits are astronomical.

Now that the Fengdu Grand Formation has lost its ability to refine medicine, this is like cutting off the fuel supply. As the saying goes, even a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice. Without the Ten Thousand Ghosts Grand Formation to refine medicine, no matter what the Northern Branch does, it will have absolutely no chance of rising again!

"Sima Bian, tell us your thoughts first, and then let's see if Xinghe has any solutions to break this deadlock!"

After the elder finished speaking, Sima Bian took out a small notebook and expressed his thoughts.

The remaining pills from the Fengdu Grand Formation can sustain sales for about a year.

There are already rumors that the Fengdu Grand Formation has lost its ability to refine medicine, so people are speculating whether the Northern Branch can hold out. Sima Bian's idea is to temporarily reduce the number of pills sold, hoping to buy some time for another year or two, and then see if a new method to replace the Fengdu Grand Formation for refining medicine can be found during that time.

It's basically a delaying tactic.

The Grand Elder agreed with Sima Bian's idea, saying that delaying it for now wouldn't be a problem.

But as soon as Sima Bian finished speaking, Chu Xinghe became anxious.

Elder, are you out of your mind?! I've waited so long, and the Northern Branch is finally on the verge of collapse, and you're telling me to delay it?

I can't delay even a little bit!

Do you know what "the longer you wait, the more problems arise" means? What if this drags on and Ma Liang discovers a bug that allows him to refine pills even while radiating anger?

Therefore, we absolutely cannot delay; we must act swiftly and decisively. Look how much pain Sima Bian is in; shouldn't we give the Northern Branch a quick and painless victory?

"I believe that delaying will not solve the problem. As the number one sect in the world, our Vast Heaven Sect has previously stated that the Vast Heaven Chamber of Commerce will supply pills without limit. If we now restrict the quantity that can be purchased, how can the sect maintain its reputation by changing its mind so frequently?"

Upon hearing Chu Xinghe's words, the First Elder couldn't help but nod.

Xinghe's thinking is much more comprehensive. Just like Xinghe said, if the Northern Branch loses the pills for the Fengdu Grand Formation, at worst Northern Branch just stop selling them. But they said there would be no limit on supply before, and now they've changed it to a limited supply. What will the outside world say then?

The Vast Heaven Sect keeps changing its orders? If you can't afford to sell them, then don't sell them at all. What's with this limited-edition sale? Who are you trying to disgust?

"So not only can we not delay the restrictions, we also need to launch a promotional campaign!" Chu Xinghe continued.

However, upon hearing this, not only was Sima Bian stunned, but the Grand Elder was also filled with questions.

What Xinghe... do you want to hear what you're saying?

The Northern Branch already had a shortage of pills. We can hold on for a while with normal sales, but if you launch a promotion, won't that just deplete the Northern Branch's inventory even faster?

Are you sure you're helping the Northern Branch not bringing it down?

Sima Bian was also completely baffled... Senior Brother Xinghe, what kind of bizarre move is this? Are you sure our Northern Branch will still exist by the end of the year if you do this?

"Sima Bian... procrastination won't solve anything. The Grand Elder said that when you encounter a problem, you should look for solutions, not procrastinate!"

The Grand Elder nodded secretly upon hearing Xinghe's words, though he couldn't quite recall when he had said such a thing.

But that's not the key point. The key point is that what Xinghe said makes perfect sense.

Sima Bian agreed with Senior Brother Xinghe's words, but Senior Brother Xinghe, what the hell is this "promotion to solve the problem" nonsense?

Is this how you solve problems? It looks more like you're trying to ruin our Northern Branch.

So, if you encounter a problem and can't solve it, do you solve the problem that created it?

Just as Sima Bian was filled with questions, Chu Xinghe spoke again, "This round of promotions is to tell the whole world that even without the Fengdu Grand Formation for refining pills, our Vast Heaven Sect has other solutions!"

Sima Bian listened with teary eyes.

As expected of Senior Brother Xinghe, when I encounter problems, I only think about how to procrastinate, but Senior Brother Xinghe thinks about facing difficulties head-on.

If there are difficulties, face them head-on; if there are no difficulties, Senior Brother Xinghe will create them to overcome them!

Although I have been in the business world for many years, compared with Senior Brother Xinghe, my level is still far behind.

Before Sima Bian could even clap his hands, Chu Xinghe continued speaking.

"As for a solution... I've thought about it. It's just low-grade pills, right? Who says low-grade pills have to be refined? Let's change our thinking. Can't low-grade pills just grow directly from the ground? Our next goal is to have Mu Bai and the others research how to grow pills from the ground!"

As soon as Chu Xinghe finished speaking, Sima Bian and the elder were both dumbfounded.

The Grand Elder almost applauded Xinghe after hearing Xinghe method of solving problems without delay.

But what you said before was fine, Xinghe, are you sure you're speaking like a human being?

How can you grow elixirs from the ground?

This isn't even a question of whether it's outrageous or not; this is utterly inhuman!

You think growing wheat means it just sprouts out of the ground?

Alchemy, alchemy, it's all about refining. Only after refining can you get the elixir, right? Isn't your idea a bit too far-fetched?

Sima Bian was also dumbfounded...

Well... I, Sima Bian, am at least a branch president of the Northern Branch, and we've been researching elixirs, okay... But what you just said, Senior Brother Xinghe, about growing elixirs from the ground, is utterly inhuman!

As a descendant of the Medicine Saint, Senior Brother Xinghe, do you realize that what you just said is nothing short of superstition?