Chapter 320

Chapter 320: The Sealing from the Sect

The Haotu Sect has experienced many changes in the past two months. Following the elders from various factions vying for the Dao body disciples, an overwhelming number of spirit talismans flooded the markets, and the money houses had to stop lending sect points due to a warning from the sect. This effectively cut off that financial pathway. At the same time, they increased scrutiny over the sale of spirit talismans, dismantling over thirty sales points overnight.

“Do they say I’ve disrupted the order of the sect? The Law Office reprimanded me once. If I offend again, I’ll be penalized, losing my points and sent to face the wall!” Li Hui held the edict sent by the Law Office not in anger, but deep in thought as he asked Huo Qiniang, “How many businesses under you have come to apologize?”

“In total, there are twenty-two businesses, and their attitude has been decent. However, their industries originally had low profits, being from a humble background, so they might prefer to maintain the status quo rather than taking a risk.”

“Only twenty-two?” Li Hui waved his hand and stated, “Alright, redeem these twenty-two businesses with their points. Provide each with a hundred thousand spirit talismans as capital, to be managed by the storeowners. Tell them to show results in six months; if they don’t make profits, they must close down and sell the businesses as severance pay. Let’s part on good terms.”

“Understood!” Huo Qiniang nodded; this was the most sensible approach. Although sending a hundred thousand spirit talismans to each business seemed excessive, it wasn’t easy to achieve results, truly testing their operational capabilities.

Li Hui picked up his pen and began writing notes while saying, “Cash in the businesses to gather points; for the points already lent to sect disciples, have the money house settle them in Mixed-colored Miao Jade at seventy percent of market exchange rates. They won’t refuse if they see a considerable profit.”

“Ah? So soon?” Huo Qiniang exclaimed in surprise.

“We don’t have time to waste; the sect is tightening the noose on us bit by bit. The previous ban on selling spirit talismans was only the first step; now they have banned us from lending sect points as the second step, with a third and fourth on the way until the truth is revealed.” Li Hui’s expression turned cold as he continued, “Soon you will realize that even if we hold a large amount of sect points, we won’t be able to use them. As long as the Treasure Pavilion and Task Office allow themselves to be passive, the path to exchanging points for Mixed-colored Miao Jade will be blocked.”

“That…”

“Take my words and act immediately; keep your involvement to a minimum and have trusted people carry out the tasks simultaneously. If our actions lag, we might even have the path to exchange for Miao Jade blocked,” Li Hui handed over the notes. Neither Qiniang nor even he could step forward in this dire situation!

“I will take action right now.” Huo Qiniang hurried away, working to snatch the time back.

Li Hui called for Song Zining, instructing him, “Take the talisman flags back to Nanxun City, and set up the linked flag array according to my teachings. If you encounter any killing intent along the way, use the talisman flags and talisman formation to eliminate the enemy. The Ghost Fox Sect’s malevolent spirits linger; we must stay alert. I specifically designed talisman flags from the Fire Bearer’s Inferno and Abyss of Darkness to counter their sneaky tricks.”

“Understood!” Song Zining replied without hesitation. He had spiritual fields at Yantai Mountain and even received a small spirit herb garden, transforming from pirate to well-off cultivator; who would dare to ruin such hard-earned property? He would fight to the death for it.

Li Hui instructed Zhong Yuan and Jin Feng to continue making talisman paper, diluting the talisman ink, and processing the mediums. After that, he took out the Mysterious Water Pearl and released wisps of profound qi, calling out, “Mingming, stop sleeping and wake up quickly.”

“Mingming…”

“Um, Uncle, where are you?” the little girl, perfectly delicate, opened her eyes. After months of nurturing her health, she had digested most of the medicinal properties of the rare ginseng, greatly benefiting her, with her appearance becoming vibrant and beautiful.

Li Hui drew her out by gesturing, and a large Ice Butterfly flapped its wings to carry Mingming out of the pearl.

“Is it really you, Uncle? Mingming isn’t dreaming, right? Uncle hasn’t changed at all!” The little girl dashed over, her eyes growing red. She barely remembered what her parents looked like but was deeply attached to her uncle, thinking about him day and night. Today, her wish finally came true.

“Ha ha, from a little snot-nosed child to a young lady! In another two years, you will be a slender beauty. Before, I could carry you around on my shoulders; now you mustn’t ride on my neck and run freely!”

Hearing this, Mingming turned red. She felt her uncle was more like a brother; cultivation was so magical! When he left Chuxia Mountain, he was still that size, and now he returned just the same.

“Eh? Where is this place? The Celestial Palace?” She saw the ground paved with jade, gold columns, ringing chime stones, and exquisite bonsai trees, feeling overwhelmed. She had never seen such sights before, not even in her dreams.

Li Hui looked at Mingming. Her full name was Duanmu Mingming. Who said that villages lack elegance? Who said that common folk lacked treasures? The little girl’s expressive eyes were beautiful, and with the assistance of the rare ginseng, she temporarily suppressed her Ice Marrow Physique, appearing spirited and exceptionally clever, endearing her to anyone who saw her!

“Let me tell you the story from the beginning.”

From leaving Jade Spring Mountain to returning to Chuxia Mountain, and finally rooting himself in Nanxun City in Yunzhou, Li Hui recounted briefly. The little girl listened attentively, tears streaming down her cheeks as she realized that her uncle had suffered so much outside, facing great dangers and nearly losing his life!

“Ha ha, reunion is a blessing, reunion is a joy; why cry? Still the same crybaby as before!”

“Wuwuwu, Mingming just wants to cry. Uncle need not worry; this will be the last time I cry in this life. I will cry all my tears out, and after this, I won’t cry anymore!”

“I know you have a lot of clever ideas.” Li Hui playfully scratched the tip of the little girl’s nose and said, “You have an Ice Marrow Physique; although there is still a gap to reach the innate constitution, there is hope for you to become a postnatal constitution. Since you have nothing to do, I won’t be doing needlework; I’ll teach you cultivation instead. Keep two Ice Butterflies with you as companions during your training!”

Alright! It turns out that Li Hui was concerned about the little girl being idle, so he sent out two Ice Silkworms that transformed into Ice Butterflies; this was not an ordinary gesture!

Mingming understood very well that opportunities to become a practitioner were rare. She began to cultivate according to Li Hui’s guidance. Previously, she had exchanged for Profound Ice Marrow Cleansing Pills and Spiritual Bone Restoration Pills, as well as a Heavenly Yuan Dao Fetus Precious Pill from the sect, all costing a significant amount of points, in hopes of establishing a postnatal constitution.

When most practitioners encounter difficulties and obstacles in cultivation, what do they do? Two words: take medicine!

Alchemy is profound and vast, with even alchemists using spirit pills and precious pills in combat. Among practitioners, the wealthiest individuals are undoubtedly the alchemists!

Li Hui fully invested in cultivating the spirit herb garden, clearly focusing on these wealthy individuals. He didn’t need the pills but required vast amounts of wealth and Miao Jade to drive the treasure cabinet, produce spirit talismans, and accumulate strength. The sealing from the sect had only just begun; he needed to be cautious with every step he took moving forward…