Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 573 - 573 572 A New Challenge

573: Chapter 572: A New Challenge 573: Chapter 572: A New Challenge Yu Zhengxing rebuked, “Nonsense, when have I ever set traps for the younger generation?

It’s all for your growth, alright?

This time I’ve called you here because I want to hear your opinion on solving the problem of stretched resources and personnel.

Don’t worry, it’s just for an opinion, I won’t make you do it yourself, after all, I need your combat talents more.”

Hou Niao was skeptical, “Really?

You’re a person of status, you can’t go back on your word, can you?”

Yu Zhengxing declared decisively, “Really!

Rest assured and make suggestions boldly, no matter what the suggestion, I won’t make you get involved.”

After thinking it over, Hou Niao felt it posed no danger.

For him, since he had already invested his entire fortune, there was no way he could just give up halfway.

He had to struggle on; otherwise, he would not be content.

“First, let’s talk about resources.

Uncle-Master, relying on voluntary contributions is not a long-term solution; many people pour their life’s hard-earned wealth into a bottomless pit without seeing any tangible benefits.

Not everyone has such lofty aspirations, and this approach artificially narrows the path.

Planting trees and creating forests over tens of thousands of miles – how can you do that with so few people?

Since there’s a shortage of resources, of course, we need to match with a power of equal standing.

In the Jinxiu Continent, apart from the various national chambers of commerce, where else can you find such powerful forces?

If you manage to mobilize the Continent Chamber of Commerce, not to mention thousands or tens of thousands of miles of forest, even if you want to create forests stretching over hundreds of millions of miles, it wouldn’t be too difficult!”

Yu Zhengxing asked calmly, “How do we persuade them to help?”

Hou Niao smiled, “Entice them with benefits!

Having been in Mirage for decades, I understand the nature of these merchants all too well.

If they can be lured with profit and see potential benefits for the future, you won’t even need to persuade them – they’ll be rushing to deliver the necessary resources for afforestation themselves.

The Kneecap Desert is not entirely unprofitable, otherwise, why would so many adventurers come here?

You can spread the word, seeking several major firms to bid for the exclusive rights to exploit certain specialties of the Northwest Desert: things like animal furs, rose stones, earth fire oil, sand ginseng, cistanche, frost jade, diamonds, mica star stones, etc.

Once it becomes a scale operation, with the desert’s endless output in front and the huge market of the Cultivation World on the Continent behind – tell me…”

Yu Zhengxing was immediately intrigued, “…in that case, we’ll need to consider carefully, it seems not entirely impossible?”

Hou Niao fanned the flames, “Think bigger.

Don’t just focus on the merchants of these few Northwestern countries.

They’re stuck in the old ways, rigid in action, and few really have vision; if it were in the South, some merchants would have already taken the initiative to contact us.

Look for the merchants from the Southeast and Southwest coasts; they are more daring.

As long as the profits are enticing, they would even dare to venture to Hell, not just the desert!

First, bring a group of them for an on-site inspection, let them see our protective forests, look at what’s produced here, then paint a big picture and talk about the future – you’re quite skilled at this kind of play, Uncle-Master.

Just trick them like you trick us foolish people…”

Yu Zhengxing coughed lightly, evidently tempted, but he still needed to carefully consider the specific details.

“Alright, regarding the issue of resources, you’ve made a contribution.

Now let’s talk about the issue of personnel: how do we get more people to come to Kneecap Desert to offer their services, even if just on a rotating basis?”

Hou Niao said casually, “I remember, in a little over a month, our Shan Sect is holding the annual meeting, right?

Why not throw out some bait to get those who have nothing better to do and want to make a name for themselves to take action?”

Yu Zhengxing snorted, “Focus on the main point, don’t beat around the bush.

What bait will make those restless people eager?”

Hou Niao played his hand, “For example, when Shan Sect considers the position of a True Disciple, add a criterion of contribution to the welfare of the populace of the Continent?”

Yu Zhengxing’s gaze sharpened as he stared at him, “So it turns out, you rascal, you’re smuggling in your own agenda for your own sake!

Alright, as long as this matter is accomplished, I don’t mind being played by you once.

As for the three manors, I also have some connections there, not worse than Li Chuping!”

Hou Niao flattered hastily, “Uncle-Master Yu is committed to the nation, the Great Dao, and the people.

Your planning will surely benefit the Universe, gaining fame across the world, leaving your name in the annals of history.

As your disciple, I am willing to ride on your coattails, to ascend to heaven with the chicken and the dog…”

However, Yu Zhengxing was not fooled, “You rascal, you aim high.

I am just a corner in the Northwest, but you truly have your eyes on the entire Continent!

Good thinking, good planning, great ambition!

But have you really thought it through, are you ready to do this?”

Hou Niao was indifferent, “As for True Disciples, what is our sect if not competitive?

The most capable will occupy the position in Outer Space!”

Yu Zhengxing laughed heartily, “In that case, I’ll help you along, as a way to return the favor for the years you have called me Uncle-Master!

Regarding the annual meeting’s plans, don’t worry, there will be changes when the time comes, just wait and see.”

Hou Niao bowed deeply in gratitude, “Thank you, elder, for your help.”

He had some idea of Yu Zhengxing’s background.

Among the thirteen Nascent Transformation old ancestors in the Shan Sect’s Quanzhen, seven belonged to the three manors, and each of the two Prince Manors had one.

Altogether, nine people controlled the nine True Disciple positions of Quanzhen Sect.

But one should never forget, Quanzhen Sect also had four Nascent Transformation old ancestors; what power did they represent?

Could they really be hermits with no connections?

Impossible!

Each had cultivated for hundreds of years, with countless disciples, friends, and old acquaintances.

Their strength was merely not displayed openly, like an iceberg, its depth unknown beneath the water.

Yu Zhengxing acted autonomously within Shan Sect, neither deeply involved in the three manor system nor under the influence of the two Prince Manor powers, so where did his unique clout come from?

After much thought, it seemed only the widely-feared demonic path within Shan Sect could explain this.

Only such background could explain why Yu Zhengxing dared to assert that he could add such a clause to the assessment of True Disciples, despite being merely a Golden Core Cultivator.

The weight of four Nascent Transformation old ancestors was indeed heavy, more than any of the three manors could bear.

But it wasn’t over yet; Yu Zhengxing was never one to suffer silently, “I can pass the word and probably also get the matter done because then we’d have quite a few skillful sword cultivators from the Northwest.

But I currently have a troubling matter, would you be willing to relieve me of this worry?”

Hou Niao was speechless, “Uncle-Master, you really don’t like to be at a disadvantage, huh?

My suggestion was primarily aimed at solving the lack of personnel for the protective forest, and it might also slightly deal with some personal matters.

But I’ve kept the priorities clear.

Without your grand afforestation, I wouldn’t have dared to speak of my private affairs.

You, however, seem determined to take advantage of me?”

Yu Zhengxing elegantly replied, “To do or not, in a word, why all the complaints?”

Hou Niao, with no other option, responded, “I’ll do it, I’ll do it, I’ll do it.

But Uncle-Master, I must be clear beforehand that it has to be within my Realm.

If you expect me to delve deep into the lairs of immortal creatures to vie for food from the jaws of death, I won’t do it.”