Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

Chapter 238 - 182: Pioneering an Industry

Only after Fang Qingyuan ascended to Foundation Establishment did he realize that in some ways, the high-and-mighty Foundation Establishment Cultivators were no different from Qi Refining Cultivators. Sometimes, they were even worse than mortal leaders.

This wasn’t something that came automatically with a high cultivation level, nor was it an epiphany one could achieve through daily cultivation and meditation. It was a trial of the mind, something one could never truly grasp without experiencing hardship.

Zou Yu, who was now before him, was a perfect example. Although he was a Third-Layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he had lost his composure under Fang Qingyuan’s pressure and collapsed to the ground.

With his deepest secret exposed, Zou Yu’s cultivation could do little to help him. Besides, ever since reaching Foundation Establishment, Fang Qingyuan’s spiritual soul had become even stronger than that of Zou Yu, a Third-Layer Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Fang Qingyuan’s spiritual soul was already twice that of an ordinary person to begin with, and he had also been practicing a Soul Dao Technique in the Immortal Mansion. With these two factors combined, although Fang Qingyuan had only just entered Foundation Establishment, his spiritual soul was already thirty percent stronger than Zou Yu’s. When coupled with the Soul Dao techniques Fang Qingyuan had just used to rattle his spirit, it was no wonder the guilt-ridden Zou Yu had completely lost his composure in front of him.

Fang Qingyuan’s reason for doing this was simple: he wanted to subdue Zou Yu. Although Zou Yu had appeared completely obedient to Fang Qingyuan before, he still harbored other intentions in his heart.

Fang Qingyuan helped Zou Yu up from the floor, led him to a seat, and continued speaking.

"Illicitly selling Spirit Beasts is no small crime. If the Music Master finds out, you’ll lose your position. And that’s not all—you won’t escape thirty years of hard labor either."

As Fang Qingyuan brought up his greatest fear, Zou Yu’s face turned pale. However, he noticed that Fang Qingyuan didn’t look angry as he spoke. Zou Yu immediately tried to guarantee:

"First Seat, please be merciful! I was forced to participate in these matters at first. It’s just that it grew larger and larger until I couldn’t stop. But since you don’t want me to do it anymore, First Seat, I’ll stop right away."

Fang Qingyuan waved his hand and said,

"I don’t want to dwell on the past. But from now on, you are not to do this kind of thing again without my permission. Otherwise, if the Music Master finds out, even I won’t be able to protect you."

Hearing this, Zou Yu was overjoyed. He was about to disregard his status and kneel to thank Fang Qingyuan on the spot, but Fang Qingyuan stopped him and began to question him in detail.

"Those Spirit Beasts you’ve been selling off the books... how many Spirit Stones do you make a year? How much do you have to split with the other Cultivators, and who else is involved?"

Zou Yu looked troubled. Faced with Fang Qingyuan’s probing questions, he began to hesitate.

But when Zou Yu saw Fang Qingyuan’s expression gradually turn cold, he knew he wouldn’t get through this without confessing. ’Since Fang Qingyuan wants a pledge of loyalty,’ he thought, ’I have no choice but to give it to him.’

So, gritting his teeth, Zou Yu began to explain the entire operation to Fang Qingyuan...

A while later, Fang Qingyuan calmly dismissed Zou Yu. He returned to his sandalwood desk and picked up a book, but his eyes weren’t on the pages.

’The information I bought from the Black Hand was indeed accurate,’ Fang Qingyuan thought. ’But for them to know something this secret... it seems the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect has gotten too comfortable lately. They’ve grown arrogant and have been infiltrated so thoroughly they’re like a sieve.’

’In this state, how can we possibly compete with the Spirit Wood Alliance?’

After considering this, Fang Qingyuan’s thoughts returned to Zou Yu.

Zou Yu managed many of the Spirit Beast breeding grounds within the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect. The Spirit Beasts from these grounds, raised using the Beast Taming Sect’s Secret Techniques, grew larger and had a better appearance from birth to maturity compared to those in the wild.

Although they lacked some of the wild Spirit Beasts’ cunning, they were much more docile, which made them very popular with outside Cultivators.

A high-quality Spirit Beast could not only be a capable assistant to a Cultivator but also serve to highlight their status and standing.

Therefore, many Cultivators were proud to own a Spirit Beast produced by the Beast Taming Sect. However, most of the Spirit Beasts bred by the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect were for internal use and rarely sold to outsiders. Zou Yu and his group took advantage of this by secretly selling them off, running a smuggling business to earn a large amount of Spirit Stones.

This smuggling business generated a profit of nearly a hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones annually. Although this had to be split among seven or eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and they also had to bribe the guards at the various breeding grounds, Zou Yu still managed to pocket nearly twenty Top-grade Spirit Stones in illicit gains each year.

In contrast, when Fang Qingyuan had followed Jiang Kui to mine on Yuanling Mountain, he had only earned two or three Top-grade Spirit Stones a year for his hard labor. They were both at Foundation Establishment, but one was effectively exiled while the other remained within the sect—the disparity was just that vast.

’But now, I’ve fought my way back!’

Fang Qingyuan put down the book and began to pace, contemplating how to handle the matter. The Southern Border Beast Taming Sect was currently facing an annual deficit of more than two hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones. They also had to consider using force against the Spirit Wood Alliance. Forget a full-blown war; even just a few skirmishes on the Southern Border would create a massive financial drain.

Furthermore, the sect couldn’t run a financial deficit every year. It needed to accumulate Spirit Stones to prepare for the War of Expansion in ten years. When that war truly began, apart from the resources allocated from above, the sect would have to procure everything else itself.

Every single one of these aspects required Spirit Stones. Fang Qingyuan had only been in his position for a few days, yet he had already signed off on numerous requisitions for funds. Watching the Spirit Stones in the Storage Room dwindle, Fang Qingyuan couldn’t help but feel an urge to make some moves.

The tragedy was that while the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect had no money in its accounts, Foundation Establishment Cultivators in power like Zou Yu were using the authority granted to them by the sect to line their own pockets, stuffing large amounts of Spirit Stones into their own bags.

Zou Yu was only the seventh-ranked Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and he was taking in twenty Top-grade Spirit Stones a year. ’How much,’ Fang Qingyuan wondered, ’are Zhao Liangde, Qu Jianyan, and Ling Ziqing—who all rank above him—raking in each year?’

In comparison, the annual budget for the benefits of over a thousand Qi Refining Disciples—the true foundation of the sect—was less than what any single one of them embezzled.

Currently, in the Southern Border Territory, the lowest-level Qi Refining Loose Cultivators earned over ten Low-grade Spirit Stones per month, while the sect’s Outer Disciples earned over fifty.

’If I kill Zou Yu and confiscate all his assets, could I get a hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones? Would that allow the thousand-plus Qi Refining Disciples to live a little better?’

The thought flashed through Fang Qingyuan’s mind, but he ultimately dismissed it.

’It’s not the right time,’ he concluded. ’It’s too early to move against the established interest groups. My own power base isn’t strong enough yet. If I move against Zou Yu now, it will be fraught with difficulties.’

’To act recklessly without considering the consequences, just because I have Lechuan’s favor, is the way of a hothead. Even if I somehow succeeded by force, it would only unite the others against me. And if Lechuan saw that happen, he would probably be deeply disappointed in me.’

Having lived two lives, Fang Qingyuan naturally understood these things. Reprimanding Zou Yu today, showing him that he wasn’t some blind fool who could be easily deceived—sending that signal was enough for now.

’I can’t be too hasty with what comes next. I just have to take it slow. The most important thing is not to make any mistakes that others can use against me.’

With this in mind, Fang Qingyuan settled on a plan. The most important thing now was to open up a new source of revenue. He would create a new industry, make the whole pie bigger so that everyone could get a slice. This would placate the others while also increasing the sect’s income.

Fang Qingyuan then took out the Ten Thousand Beasts Qiankun Banner. With a wave of his hand, he drew the Crimson Young Bird into the banner, then walked out the door with Jinbao.

Zhan Zhi’Er, who was on duty at the door, saw Fang Qingyuan emerge and quickly asked,

"First Seat, do you require a disciple to accompany you?"

Fang Qingyuan shook his head. Without saying much, he flew into the sky with Jinbao, heading toward Lechuan Mansion. The business he had in mind still needed Lechuan’s approval.

Upon arriving at Lechuan’s residence, Fang Qingyuan went straight to the back mountain to find him. Seeing Fang Qingyuan, Lechuan laughed and said,

"What’s wrong? Is the First Seat’s position not so easy to sit in? Have you come crying to me, hoping I’ll intervene for you?"

Fang Qingyuan gave a helpless reply to Lechuan’s teasing:

"It’s only been a few days. I haven’t fallen that low yet. Rest assured, Master. There will be a time for you to intervene, but please don’t be in a hurry for now."

Lechuan roared with laughter. Bantering with Fang Qingyuan like this had greatly improved his mood. Still, he was very curious about the purpose of Fang Qingyuan’s visit.

"I wish to start a new line of business in the Southern Border Territory, and it will require using the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect’s reputation as a guarantee. I came here, Master, to borrow your good name."

Lechuan grew even more curious. He asked, puzzled,

"What kind of business needs my reputation? Let me be clear: I won’t do anything that brings me shame. And you, kid, better not be cooking up any wicked schemes."

Fang Qingyuan considered it. ’What I want to do might not have the best reputation, but that’s only in certain regions. As long as I ensure it’s fair and just, it can be a good thing.’

So, Fang Qingyuan said directly,

"Master, have you ever heard of a welfare lottery?"