Another Round of Harvesting

Ning Fengzhi had just walked out of Spirit Hall with Chen Xin and Gu Rong when he suddenly slapped his forehead.

"Damn it, I fell for Qian Xunji's scheme!"

"Fengzhi, did Qian Xunji deceive you?"

Ning Fengzhi shook his head, his voice filled with bitterness when he spoke again.

"Qian Xunji used me as the breakthrough point."

"By now, the other factions must think that everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect possesses cultivation methods."

"Uncle Chen, Uncle Gu. Our sect has money and people. In the past, no one paid us much attention because our combat strength was too weak."

"But now..."

Ning Fengzhi did not finish his words, but Chen Xin and Gu Rong already understood.

Spirit Hall knew that once it revealed those three extraordinary Self-Created Soul Skills, no faction would be able to resist being tempted. And their Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had become the first big fish to take the bait.

Ning Fengzhi had been eager to obtain the cultivation methods, yet he had also become Spirit Hall's best assistant in driving up the price.

Those three sets of cultivation methods were enough to raise a sect's strength. Now that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had them, the other sects had to catch up quickly. Otherwise, the sects that obtained cultivation methods from Spirit Hall would surely trample those that lagged behind.

Only now did Ning Fengzhi belatedly realize that while he had been trying to talk Qian Xunji around in that room, Qian Xunji must have been watching him make a fool of himself.

By now, the sect masters and clan heads who had spoken with Qian Xunji were surely cursing him to death in their hearts.

"Fengzhi, since we obtained ten slots, do we still need to find people to exchange with Spirit Hall?"

"Yes! To be safe, we must exchange for one set!"

Ning Fengzhi answered through gritted teeth.

The sect had money. At worst, they simply would not make a profit this year!

Inside Pope Hall, Qian Xunji sent the guests away one by one. Everyone wore a smile before leaving, yet the moment they walked out of Spirit Hall, pained expressions appeared on their faces.

Ruthless!

It was simply too ruthless!

Every cut Qian Xunji made struck straight at their vital arteries.

Most hateful of all, Qian Xunji had used an open scheme this time. They had no means of countering it whatsoever.

In the end, all they could do was salvage their pride inside Pope Hall, force themselves to smile, and pretend they had enjoyed a pleasant conversation with Qian Xunji.

After everyone left, Qian Mochen emerged from behind the screen. Seeing the notification displayed by the system, a brilliant smile appeared on his face.

As expected of people from great sects and prominent clans. They really gave plenty of Emotion Points!

In a single day, Qian Mochen had gained over a hundred thousand Emotion Points.

"Little brother, I got everything you wanted. Next month, when the people they arranged arrive, they'll bring the items with them."

After seeing off the last guest, Qian Xunji rubbed his somewhat stiff smiling face and let out a long breath.

Dealing with those old foxes for one day was more exhausting than fighting for ten days and ten nights.

"Once the items arrive, keep copies of the cultivation methods and manuals, then put all of them in the Merit Hall."

"I'll take the medicinal herbs. Refining them into pills before listing them will fetch a higher price."

Qian Mochen flipped through several pages of the agreements. His elder brother was becoming increasingly skilled. Aside from the few manuals Qian Mochen had specifically requested, he had also earned quite a few things for Spirit Hall.

This harvest of fat sheep would cover Spirit Hall's operating expenses for the next ten years.

The moment Qian Xunji heard his younger brother's first sentence, he was stunned. "You want to make all these manuals and cultivation methods public?!"

He had exhausted himself negotiating for these things. Every one of them was a treasure each faction had kept hidden away!

And they were just going to make them public?!!!

"Big brother, don't make such a fuss."

Qian Mochen patted Qian Xunji on the shoulder and poured him a cup of water.

"Have some water and calm down first!"

Qian Xunji drained the cup in one gulp, then craned his neck as he stared at Qian Mochen.

If his little brother could not give him a proper explanation this time, he would personally beat this spendthrift and let him learn the dignity of the eldest legitimate son!

Qian Mochen played with the teacup in his hand and asked Qian Xunji a question instead.

"Big brother, how many years has it been since Spirit Hall's current cultivation method changed?"

"What does that have to do with you being a spendthrift?"

Qian Xunji blurted it out instinctively, then suddenly realized he had nearly been talked around by his little brother again. He immediately demanded gruffly.

"Of course it does, and it has everything to do with it!"

After thinking for a moment, Qian Xunji spoke somewhat uncertainly. "Spirit Hall's current method for refining Soul Power has long since been perfected. Our father's generation cultivated using this same method."

"Then compared to the Heavenly Treasure Profound Chapter I brought out, which is better?"

Qian Xunji paused. "Naturally, the Heavenly Treasure Profound Chapter is better!"

"Big brother, Spirit Hall is powerful now, but we have always been complacent. Our strength relies entirely on the older generation of enshrined elders to support it."

"If no one rises up in our grandchildren's generation, then the future of the Qian Family..."

After hearing that, the anger in Qian Xunji's heart gradually subsided.

He had personally experienced what it meant to have poor talent. Just look at his little brother—barely over two years old, yet already several times stronger than him.

Through the efforts of dozens of generations of the Qian Family, Spirit Hall had accumulated countless riches and treasures.

Without someone powerful enough to suppress others, it would be nothing more than a huge slab of meat placed before wolves. Anyone could come and take a bite.

At that thought, a trace of curiosity could not help rising in Qian Xunji's heart.

"Little brother, have you discovered some genius among the next generation who can innovate cultivation methods like you?"

"No."

Qian Mochen shook his head, not giving Qian Xunji a chance to continue questioning him.

"Big brother, if I place so many good things in the Merit Hall, even if Spirit Hall's people exchange everything they can with the Merit Points in their hands, they still will not be able to take away even one-fifth of what is inside."

"Do you remember the special clauses I added for earning Merit Points?"

Qian Xunji quickly searched his memories. After finding the answer, his face lit up in realization, and surprise entered his voice.

"I remember that clause. Deducing a new cultivation method can earn 500, or even more, Merit Points."

"You started planning this half a year ago!"

"Our Soul Masters from the various branch halls number in the thousands. As long as even one in a thousand—or one in ten thousand—can deduce a cultivation method, the Qian Family will still benefit the most!"

"Moreover, all the good things from the various sects and clans are gathered in Spirit Hall. I refuse to believe that the Soul Masters unaffiliated with any faction will not be tempted!"

"Brilliant. Truly brilliant!"

When Qian Xunji imagined disciples of the major sects emerging in the future only to discover that just about anyone knew their sect's secret manuals, he could not help wanting to laugh at the thought of their expressions.

"Big brother, please have people divide these manuals into upper, middle, and lower volumes. As before, only the most loyal people may exchange for the middle and lower volumes."

"Don't worry. I can finish it in seven days at most!"

Qian Xunji agreed without hesitation, completely failing to notice that his little brother had assigned him another pile of work.

Qian Mochen leisurely walked out of Spirit Hall and strolled slowly down the street. Whenever he came across food that interested him, he casually bought a portion to take away.

Half an hour later, Qian Mochen arrived at a secluded residence and gently knocked on its gate.