After hearing Xu Qingtong's explanation, Shen Haotian suddenly understood.
"Qingtong, you want the Spirit Fields to grow Yuanrong Fruit?"
Xu Qingtong nodded and said, "Sect Master, if we have enough Yuanrong Bolts, the Academy's fighting strength will certainly improve greatly. Does that count as a matter concerning the Academy's survival?"
"Yes! Absolutely!" Shen Haotian said. "But you want too many Spirit Fields. Unless we dig up the spirit medicine already growing, there's no way we can scrape together that many!"
Xu Qingtong shook his head and said, "Sect Master, why must we dig up the existing Spirit Herbs? Can't we open up new Spirit Fields?"
"Do you know how much it costs to open up one mu of Spirit Field?"
"No!"
Looking pained, Shen Haotian said, "With the formations, materials, and Spirit Soil added together, one mu of Spirit Field costs at least ten million Spirit Stones!"
"But compared with the Academy's safety, I don't think ten million Spirit Stones amounts to much!"
"Easy for you to say! A hundred mu of Spirit Fields would cost a billion Spirit Stones. Do you have that many?" Shen Haotian said indignantly.
"Uh, forget it, then. Pretend I never said anything!"
Having said that, Xu Qingtong turned to leave, but Shen Haotian called him back.
"Don't rush off. Let's discuss this some more!"
Xu Qingtong spread his hands. "What's there to discuss? Don't expect me to contribute Spirit Stones. I haven't got a single coin!"
"We can talk this through. Sit, sit down and talk!"
Extremely reluctantly, Xu Qingtong turned back and sat down, watching Shen Haotian with a wary expression.
"Qingtong, the Academy's monthly expenses require quite a few Spirit Stones, and keeping the formations running takes a great many as well. How about this? Consider it a loan to the Academy.