A Brand New Strategy

[Ding! The intimacy panel is entirely based on the host's personal will. The system will not interfere with whether you become partners or who those partners are. A reminder to the host: disciples with intimacy levels can increase the return multiplier.]

[Ding! Current Medusa favorability 75, intimacy 0.]

[Ding! Current Zi Yan favorability 60, intimacy 0.]

Damn it! Not a single word about what happens with the disciples, yet every sentence is obsessed with this! I, Zhang Nian, am a good master! I would never do such a thing!

Now that I have disciple slots, my mind naturally started wandering. For instance, what about Ya Fei, who is already at the mountain gate? In my memory, Ya Fei is an incredibly shrewd woman. Relying on the resources of the Miteer Clan and the support of Hai Bodong, she used her status as a woman to forcefully develop and infiltrate, eventually holding all the intelligence of the entire Jia Ma Empire in her hands. If given more resources, it is not impossible for her to expand that infiltration into a much broader world.

Next is Yun Yun of the Yunlan Sect. Although her talent and aptitude can only be considered decent, she holds a significant place in Zhang Nian's heart. Yun Yun represents more of a personal charm and sentiment. However, the current Yun Yun is likely already being groomed by Yun Shan as a successor to the sect leader, so perhaps it is better to let it go. After all, the continent is teeming with geniuses; by developing quietly, I can simply take in someone suitable when I encounter them in the future.

Once Medusa obtained the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline, Zhang Nian stopped panicking. If he truly encountered an unsolvable situation, he could just hole up within his restrictions. Relying on the Nanming Li Fire and the restrictions set by a five-star Dou Sheng, he had the confidence that even a peak nine-star Dou Sheng would have to avoid his edge. As for a Dou Di? Don't make me laugh. The only two people on the entire continent capable of becoming a Dou Di—one is Hun Tiandi, who hasn't even begun his plans yet, and the other is Xiao Yan, who probably isn't even a tadpole yet. What is there to fear?

However, as for Ya Fei, it might be worth a try. Based on current trends, every time I take a disciple, I am given treasures similar to some attribute of that disciple. For example, Medusa's was a grade nine medicinal pill to assist her awakening and breakthrough, and Zi Yan has a "foodie" attribute, so I was given a herb warehouse. Then wouldn't Ya Fei be...

Hmm?

An intelligence organization? Or perhaps a treasury?

Both seem pretty good, though the former is clearly better than the latter. On this continent, money might tempt people, but those with high strength disdain wealth; it is far less practical than a herb warehouse.

Of course, there is a certain amount of selfishness involved here. Everyone loves beauty, and these women are among the top beauties in the original story. Now that I have the strength and have arrived in this world ahead of Xiao Yan, why shouldn't I make a move?

"Master Saint..."

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Ya Fei arrived at the main hall with the ledger she had organized overnight. She placed it on the coffee table, then stepped aside and stood quietly, waiting for Zhang Nian's instructions.

I took a rough look. There were thirty grade six medicinal pills and one hundred grade five pills. No wonder the old man Yun Shan didn't even haggle; it turns out the Yunlan Sect treasury didn't have anything good to begin with.

"Clatter~"

Ya Fei quietly picked up the kettle on the table to refill Zhang Nian's tea, then said nonchalantly, "Master Saint, when you left today, the Yunlan Sect leader, Yun Shan, came to visit. I suspect he didn't catch you, so he will surely visit again in a few days."

"Mm, I know. Medusa has already told me about this. By the way, put the things he sent into the treasury as well. Go find Medusa for the key, and keep one for yourself. She needs to cultivate, after all, so if she needs to take anything out, she can report it to me."

Casually tossing out the Storage Ring filled with gifts, Zhang Nian placed the ledger on the table and pondered for a moment. Regarding Dou Techniques, there were only a dozen or so fire-attribute techniques suitable for him at the Xuan grade. As for Huang grade, there was no need to even consider them. Other things, like movement techniques or close-quarters combat, were just mediocre. Right now, Zhang Nian was more interested in learning some fire-control techniques. Possessing a divine fire, he could completely simplify many of his battles.

Perhaps because he was immersed in his thoughts, he completely failed to notice the adorable, stunned expression on Ya Fei's face. Upon hearing Zhang Nian's instruction, her heart trembled violently. Handing the keys to the treasury to an outsider like her was an extremely dangerous signal for Ya Fei.

Could this man be planning to...

No way!

It seems the schedule for getting people from the Yunlan Sect involved needs to be moved up...

I'm sorry, Medusa, you are improving too slowly. If, before she becomes a Dou Zong, I am first... Eww~

Ya Fei decided it would be better to introduce someone else to take the hit for her. As for Medusa's trust, let it drift away with the wind.

"Master Saint, I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate. I am merely a servant; the keys to the treasury should be kept by you and Lady Medusa. I should just do my own work properly." Ya Fei smiled, her expression carrying a hint of awkwardness, but her tone conveyed a polite refusal.

Zhang Nian couldn't be bothered to argue, so he said directly, "Enough, you aren't really an outsider. It's fine to leave these things with you; they aren't anything valuable anyway. If you're afraid of losing them, don't worry—no one is going to take them."

In fact, he really didn't care for these items. Currently, the highest return came from Medusa, and even if you calculated a two-thousand-fold return on grade five or six pills, what would they become? Probably just grade eight or nine precious pills. It's not that they are bad, but they are still far from meeting Zhang Nian's expectations.

It seems I need to meet with the Imperial Family and the Yunlan Sect as soon as possible. The matter of the Snake-People Tribe needs to be put on the agenda quickly. As for Zi Yan, that little transparent girl, she doesn't work hard at cultivation nor does she eat herbs to increase her strength. She is nowhere to be found all day; as soon as she wakes up, she runs to the back mountain to frolic. Zhang Nian had a headache just thinking about it. He finally understood why, by the time Xiao Yan arrived at Jianan Academy, this little girl was only barely a Dou Wang. He had originally thought the academy was stingy with food, but now it seems it was entirely because the girl herself didn't put in the effort.

He decided to stop worrying about it. The top priority was to conquer Medusa and get a ten-thousand-fold return, which would make it easier for him to increase his strength. A Dou Zong can walk sideways in the Jia Ma Empire, but Zhang Nian does not intend to be limited to this small patch of land.

"Ya Fei, draft a letter. Help me invite the Jia Ma Imperial Family and the Yunlan Sect to discuss matters at the mountain gate the day after tomorrow. I might need to go out for a trip over these next two days."

The evolution of the Fen Jue still needs to be put on the agenda. If he remembered correctly, somewhere beneath the desert in the Taguer Mountain Range, there was the nineteenth-ranked Green Lotus Core Flame. Although it wasn't mature yet, perhaps he could try to force it to ripen?

As for other flames, there were no leads for now.

Should I still try to take in Ya Fei? While having strong power is good, information is relatively important too. I can't always rely on the script in my heart to make judgments; my timeline is, after all, much earlier than the original.