"You want to establish an additional faction to help your master to rule over the whole Seven Star Sect? Dream on! The few old elders like us will not allow that. No, even if you're the person that possibly rewrite the whole new Bone Strengthening Art. You cannot blame us either, because since the ancient era, the fight to obtain the highest position and power is always around in our lives, and it will not vanish because of a mere explanation!" all the elders were thinking the same thing.
"Master Senior Ninth, can this old woman ask you a question?" the headmistress questioned the youth. It seems that their final decision will depend on this question and how he answered it.
"What makes you considered establishing the Seven Star Apprentice Hall? Won't the talent, resources, and effort worth more when they were used on potential candidates that might become the pillar of the sect in the future? Why would you consider cultivation those slave disciple that we treated them as subordinates instead? Are they worth the sect putting so many resources to?" the headmistress question was right on the most important point, where she gave him the opportunity to obtain her approval.
"Master Mother, Wu Ji's answer is Yes. The slave disciples and less potential Inner Disciples are worth the resources we're giving to them. If everyone here doesn't mind, can Wu Ji make a bet with everyone here, that even without the support of the Seven Star Sect, the Apprentice Hall will still successfully grow? At most, two year is all we need to become an establishment even bigger and richer than the Wen Wu City's Militarized Forces." his answer by giving a question and confidence that he will succeed shock everyone in the room.
"I hope Master Mother will not blame Wu Ji for questioning everyone here. Can any of you answer me, who done your laundry, plantation, herb arrangement, recording in a various matter, handling task and missions, conducting cleaning and cooking to everyone within the sect, and many more insignificant responsibilities?"
"I even dare to say, even myself, as a Master Senior, still need them to help me manage my own farm, and three more only to handle my normal task. I won't hesitate to dare the elders and everyone present here, that you will not need them to do your mere simple task. If it's a mere task, why do you need others to handle them, and in fact, you need somebody so insignificant and you despise to handle the task? Aren't this an ironic topic to discuss?"
"We're not better. We're only stronger than them, older, experienced, and have some authority. If we were in a similar position as they do, will we do well in their family? I doubt that because even a trash like them can be sent to the Seven Star Sect to try becoming a disciple, what do you think about their more elite siblings? Are we the only sect in this Ping An Continent?"
"Instead of considering myself trying to cultivate trash, I will call myself a person that will not let go a single talent. Even a farmer is more experienced than us in the field of tilling the land to prepare the soil. And a herbalist is more experience than any of us i the field of cultivating medicine."
"Are we mighty? If we're thinking like that, I will honestly say, the Seven Star Sect will be doomed! Because it was led by people like you! Do you think that because we have an Inner Qi Lord in the sect it will protect us forever? Even a single Inner Qi Warrior can be killed by a person like me, do you think an Inner Qi Lord is mighty?" his question brought up the anger in the others, especially the bottom six elders from the Knowledge Pagoda, and the three elders.
Only the Grand Elder of Left and Right, the Seventh Floor Pagoda Elder, Headmaster, and headmistress understand the depth in his question. This simple question allows them to understand one fact, this youth future prospect is many folds above anyone else in the sect.
Didn't the headmistress mention that spending the resources only on those with talents and good prospects? Didn't the elder of treasury mentioned that it would worth more if they spent their resources on those with good future? Then why are they going opposite of what they were saying? Does this mean Zhang Wu Ji wasn't worth all their effort to cultivates?
"I am convinced by your answer. I will support you in the establishment of Seven Star Apprentice Hall, but I have two restrictions." the headmistress is bought by his answer, but she did not immediately give up in stating her requirement.
"First, unless they were stable enough, the Apprentice Hall are not to take the word Seven Star Sect in their name, until their overall wealth is comparable of the Sect's One-Quarters Wealth. And the second will be I want to hear what is the initial profession you intend to introduce in the apprentice hall. We might not lack books, but I believe we're lack of talents and also backups to begin." the headmistress stated her requirements.
"Dear Master Mother, Wu Ji has considered the answer to the second question, Seven professions, starting from Herbalist, Alchemist, Forging, Papermaking, Martial Arts, Construction, and Hunting. This seven main profession will be what we will be focusing on. As for the name, it wasn't a must to take Seven Star Sect's name, but please take note that no matter what, we will be a part of Seven Star Sect." Zhang Wu Ji confidently answered her two requirements, and the answer completely obtains her approval.
With the vote of two support and two against, the Seven Star Apprentice Hall, were allowed to establish under the temporary name of Apprentice Hall directly. It may not seem like a grandiose name, but the intention wasn't for the sake of a name but as a stepping stone.
Proceeding according to his own words, Zhang Wu Ji did not take a single penny from the Seven Star Sect Treasury because he was a wealthy person, to begin with. With a simple agreement between the Humble Hall of Treasure and Zhang Wu Ji's Apprentice Hall, they sold five more limited version of the Double Xuan Paper Roll, and this time it thoroughly earns him 7 million Gold Coins in two simple auctions.
That took him six more days to complete the initial preparations, while the new ten subordinates with forty temporary assistants are busy with their own preparations. The fact five of the seven professions he chooses for the apprentice hall were based on the profession of his subordinates. The fifty of them were evenly distributed to ten members leading their own design for the Herbalist Profession, where they utilized three million Gold Coins to purchase the nearby 2 acres of land to promote their own production of herbs.
Following the similar track like the Herbalist Team, is the Forging Team, the Alchemist Team, and the Hunting Team. They quickly establish their base of operation, taking up the Southwest, Southeast, and Northwest corner of an empty plot of land just beside the Herbalist farming land. The Construction Team were agreed to be their core because of their sensitive responsibilities, and without fail, the forty team members from others came to aid them to hasten the completion of their initial building, which cost another two million Gold Coins to build.
It was an extremely costly project, which might be failed if Zhang Wu Ji weren't as capable to earn money as how he does. But what they didn't know is following from behind, Zhang Wu Ji has begun his first method to start earning some money. It wouldn't do if this Apprentice Hall failed to help him to earn money without himself being on the establishment.
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The six days he took granted him an additional 6 more strands of Fighter Qi in his body, his body was now capable of controlling 13 strands of Fighter Qi in his body while having 1330 strands worth of Inner Qi to help him in many of his daily tasks. But unexpected enough, this youth still did not notice that he completely has forgotten about upgrading his item over +5, since he already passed and become an Inner Qi Fighter now.
He rewrites another thirteen New Fist of Destructive Qi Manual to be distributed to his followers, and when their initial building was completed, Zhang Wu Ji did not waste his time for small celebrations, but immediately follow up with the sales of better quality Wound Mending Pills, Meridian Soothing Pills, Xian-Lady Pills, and many more, such as a limited version Violet Calming Pill.
But the profit brought by these pills aren't comparable to the Military Grade Weapons made from his forge. After he passes some techniques to the other ten efficient blacksmiths, they did not take too long to learn how can they product metal in such quality. Since it was an early start of their business, Zhang Wu Ji and his people did not take it easy, but to begin recruiting more Slave Disciple to join their Apprentice Hall in a part-time basis to learn more and also earn their temporary keep.
It was more profitable than what he expected when business keeps coming without stopping. At this moment, only the Herbalist Team, Papermaking Team, Martial Art Team, and Hunting Team still yet to bring back some profit back to the hall. They were nervous and starting to get into a mental breakdown until Zhang Wu Ji tells them the motive this four department was established.
The herbalist team should provide a continuous supply of medicinal ingredients to allow the Alchemist Team to continue their production, while the Martial Art Team and Hunting Team should work together. The Martial Art Team can also be taken as the security department for the Apprentice Hall, to make sure they protect their business from people coming to cause trouble.
Lastly, the Papermaking Team, where Zhang Wu Ji not only teaches them the trick to produce a different material of Xuan Paper, he even treated this department as a luxurious commodities department, where their new product, the Mulberry Xuan Paper are only made for the City Lord, Auction, and prosperous family to use. It was a starting of a new trend, where everyone was forced to learn calligraphy and reading just in order to follow the trend of using the custom-made Mulberry Xuan Paper to communicates.
Two days later, he personally invited the Headmaster and Headmistress, along with the Wen Wu City Lord, the Militarized Forces Commander, and some extremely wealthy merchants and families just for the sake to honor the opening of the establishment. Even the blind can see that the Apprentice Hall were backed by the Seven Star Sect, while the City Lord and Militarized Forces are only here to grace them.
In another side, it was a surprise for them to noticed that even the Humble Hall of Treasure was invited. Guo Cheng Hai is even treated as one of their honorary guests during their opening. When all the ceremonial practice is complete, the Apprentice Hall is officially opened for business, and on this day, many different merchandises are up to the sale, and among them, the Mulberry Xuan Paper were among the best seller.
It was said that in their first day of opening, the Papermaking Department makes a profit of 500,000 Gold Coins, followed by the Alchemist Department with a profit margin of 350,000 Gold Coins. Even the Forging Department also managed to earn 150,000 Gold Coins of profit in their first day. In total, their sales were 1 million Gold Coins, breaking the record of Wen Wu City's most profitable establishment in the record.
But this wasn't all. Zhang Wu Ji's efficient skills and meticulous attention at the apprentice's performance and how they handle their work further increase their performance, although none of them do understand the fact most of the tool they were using were all upgraded, thus their success rate, results, and the effect was stronger than normal. Although this shortcut was despicable if it was exposed, what was better than a continuous success record in their practice?
With the Apprentice Hall able to handle themselves, Zhang Wu Ji soon detaches himself from personally managing them. It was important for them to work independently because this should be what the slave disciple excels in. Micro Managing and Manpower Handling. Their capability in this aspect is forever above Zhang Wu Ji, especially due to the unfortunate condition they were in.
Today, it was a very fruitful day, when the disciples that were in their 2nd Stage to 4th Stage of Inner Qi Fighter came back from their hunts. With the payment of 25 Qi Sensing Pills every day, the team of 5 members was to enter the Southern Bamboo Forest to harvest for any materials they stumbled across in their exploration. Sometimes, the result was dependable on the efficiency of the team, and also a part of them is based on their luck.
There wasn't an assurance in their exploration, as some team might come back with only a few stalks of herbs instead of a basket full of treasures. But this small lottery of luck still able to get the attention for most of the businessman, because the small bet may end up as a possible big profit when the exploration team came back.
Of course, their result was still bounded by the restriction, and to remove the restriction of all these, knowledge in hunting, cultivation strength, and some luck is very important. Thus, some team is able to charge a higher rate knowing that their team is more excellent than the others. And this was why Zhang Wu Ji purposely cultivates and educates his own Hunting Department and Martial Art Department for the sake of this reason alone.
"Master Senior Ninth! Look at what we found! The two teams of five members each immediately report themselves to their master when they returned. In their eyes, it was full of a surprise because, in their first time of hunting and procuring precious materials, they would end up stumble across so many good treasures! Each of their eyes was shining with confidence, and eager to enter the Southern Bamboo Forest once more.
If only a two days effort is so profitable, then how much will that be if they were to enter for one week? The two groups immediately compare their total number of harvested resources, but when they were busy competing, Zhang Wu Ji did not intend to join into their small little brawl and instead go to check the treasures they brought back from the Southern Bamboo Forest.
If there was something to be surprised with, then the fact the forest is able to remain rich with resources after so many expeditions is conducted by the human every day is what surprised him the most. Even himself after trying his best to upgrade the tools and fertilizers can he sped up the growing process of a plant by few hours, how can the forest does it as they can grow in 24 to 48 hours?
From the treasure they brought back, most of them were matured plants that were rich with medicinal properties, but it did not contain any seeds that can be planted. This means the medicinal herbs that were harvested from the Southern Bamboo Forest are rich in medicinal properties, but they lack matured seeds that can sprouts!
The next weird information he found was that most of the medicinal herbs they collected from the forest are likely Grass and flowers, which means that it was void of any tuber and root like herbs. Doesn't this seem weird? Back in his world, no matter how untended is the wild forest, the richness of flora and fauna is always fascinating, and there will be no lack of flowers, grass, roots, and tuber plants. Even some fruit that was to grow inside of the soil, such as potato and yam can easily be found in the wild.
Other than that, it was a collection of good mineral rocks that was gathered inside of the forest, and also some fruits and leftover materials such as treasures and pouches of the dead cultivators, and also some Wild Beast's corpses. But this stuff was the minority, while the herbs took the majority of the treasure they collected from the Southern Bamboo Forest.
"Master Senior Ninth, please inspect this two treasures." the two team leader both took their most precious gain of the day for his inspection, and without disappointing the two leaders, he stretches his hand and touches the two item. The first one came in a shape of a scroll that was rolled together, but because of the passage of time, some of their content was washed away and smeared because of vapor, heat, and beast cause. As for the second item, it was a watermelon shaped fruit that was completely dried up, but still, its hardness wasn't something that can be broken by a mere military quality dagger.
Destroyed Record of Ping Lei Continent
-Usage 1: No Longer Applicable
-Usage 2: No Longer Applicable
-Durability: 5/109
-Special: The Record also works as a key to unlock the restriction to exits the Ping Lei Continent
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Tomb Silver Bead
-Contains: 66% Silica / 3.1% Tomb Silver / 19% Obsidian / 11.9% Copper
-Quality: Proper
"This two treasure is not bad, but it was useless for our establishment at this moment. Place this within the Construction Department's Vault for safekeeping and make sure nobody touches these items. I will inspect them carefully when I have some time to do so." Zhang Wu Ji ordered. The treasure was a stunning find for him, especially to a person like him that can make sure what is the item is all about. But no matter how, he still needs to maintain his composure, and keep the thing one at a time.
After he paid their salary according to the rates, Zhang Wu Ji returned to his own room, which was separated from the other buildings. His own little building came with four different section, with a main room in the middle. Each section is able to be transformed into a profession related workshop, and these meticulous design came from the talented individuals from the Construction Department.
"These guys will be fine with their own approach for now. As for safety reason, I will only send the exploration team into the forest once every week, and we will see how they progress from there. Its been over a week I did not return to the Seven Star Sect, I suppose Tang Yuan and the other three must have some improvement by now." Zhang Wu Ji arranged the occasion of their exploration and started to concoct some pills for now.
With the mindset to return to the Seven Star Sect in the next few days, he will have to prepare stocks that enough for the Apprentice Hall to sell, because the Pill Concocting Ability from those in the Alchemist Hall were still limited to only untiered medicinal pills. Only by providing some of the higher quality pills himself can the Apprentice Hall continue to do business, even while he wasn't around.