Qi Yu paid them no mind, snorted, and then set about preparing the Changqing Sect's mess hall.
Having never considered the details of dining, the Changqing Sect's mess hall, though spacious and bright, was exceptionally bare, offering only two bowls of plain noodles.
Even these most ordinary noodles lacked any seasonings, with only a pinch of salt added to the bowl, making it remarkably simple.
While Wang Lanqing was fond of the Changqing Sect, her affection didn't stop her from complaining during meals. Consequently, most of the time, these new disciples would band together to hunt wild game in the mountains, pick seasonings suitable for pickling meat, and then roast their catches near the pile of stones at the foot of the mountain in small groups.
Or they would simply go fishing in the mountain streams.
Given the harsh dining environment, when everyone heard that Qi Yu planned to improve the Changqing Sect's mess hall, they erupted in cheers.
Si Qing cross-referenced the list of ingredients that needed to be purchased and looked up at Qi Yu, suggesting, "I think simple changes would suffice. The Changqing Sect doesn't have much gold or silver right now."
This was because most of the expenses had been used for establishing the sect.
Qi Yu had previously funded all modifications with her private funds, but now the Changqing Sect had begun accepting disciples.
Many things were starting to operate normally, so if the Changqing Sect couldn't find its own way to generate income, it wouldn't do to rely on Qi Yu as the sole source of funds indefinitely.
Qi Yu fell into thought.
After deliberation, she went and discussed it with the elders the very next morning.
Yue Zhiyin nodded, "I think Si Qing's words are very reasonable. We can't go on like this forever. Even if each of us contributes some gold and silver to the Changqing Sect, without its own means of earning money, it will eventually face this situation. So, we should think of a way to increase our income."
Yan Hua had no objections, "You've all discussed it, but how should income be increased? Are we going to find a way to lease out land for annual rent, or perhaps conduct transactions outside?"
"There's a dedicated currency exchange market in the Cultivation Town," An Nuo opened a cowhide map from her storage bag and pointed to a spot, "It's located right here. If we fly by sword, it's about half a day for a round trip. Moreover, there are many secret realms near our Changqing Mountain. Secret realms are now of various types, especially since the Heavenly Dao changed, and new secret realms are appearing more and more frequently. There are many secret realms where one can capture demonic beasts and exotic beasts. After capturing them, they can be taken to the market for sale."
The so-called Cultivation Town was not only inhabited by cultivators but also by many demons and other races who chose to reside there to escape the confines of their own clans. Consequently, the range of trade in Cultivation Town was very broad.
Some purchased exotic beasts or demonic beasts for consumption, while others sought to absorb their spiritual energy. In short, there was a demand for everything.
An Nuo had visited and browsed a few times before and felt that this was indeed a very good source of income. If they took the new disciples of the Changqing Sect into the secret realms to capture demonic beasts, exotic beasts, and monsters, and then sold them outside, it would not only provide training for the new disciples but also generate income for the Changqing Sect. With reasonable distribution, the disciples would benefit, and the entire sect would profit.
It was killing three birds with one stone.
Having been with An Nuo for many years, Shao Feng naturally understood his wife's intentions. So, upon hearing An Nuo's suggestion, he immediately grasped her meaning, "An Nuo's idea is excellent. Let the new disciples go to the secret realms to capture exotic beasts, demonic beasts, and monsters, gaining experience while selling what they catch."
"But you've forgotten one problem: these new disciples all have shallow cultivation bases. They'll have to at least reach the Golden Core stage before entering the secret realms, right?"
"Furthermore, if they catch beasts and sell them for money, that income should entirely belong to them. By rights, our Changqing Sect shouldn't arbitrarily seize it. So, how about this?" Qi Yu calculated, "The Changqing Sect will provide the talismans and props for capturing demonic beasts, exotic beasts, and monsters. The sale of the beasts can be directly to Yan Hua. After Yan Hua receives the goods, he will calculate the money for them according to the market price in Cultivation Town, and then we will go to Cultivation Town to sell them."
"Of course, before any disciples reach the Golden Core stage, all the needs and expenses of the Changqing Sect will still be covered by me."
"But if we calculate the money for them at the price of Cultivation Town and then sell them to Cultivation Town, this back and forth seems..." Chen Xi rolled his eyes, meticulously calculating how to balance the books, unable to understand how this transaction would work out.
He felt like they weren't making any profit.
Qi Yu patted Chen Xi's shoulder, "You just need to assist Yan Hua in collecting the exotic beasts, demonic beasts, and monsters from the disciples. Leave the matter of selling them in Cultivation Town for money to me. I'll handle it personally."
When Qi Yu said this, her tone was light and breezy, as if she didn't take the matter to heart at all.
Si Qing, however, seemed to recall something and paused slightly, then asked in an uncertain tone, "Sister, do you have some dealings in Cultivation Town?"
"How could I?" Qi Yu quickly denied, "Don't you think about when Cultivation Town appeared? How could I have had the time to manage that? Oh well, in short, if I say I can handle it, then I can handle it. You'll all see soon enough."
After speaking, Qi Yu went out to inform all the disciples of the Changqing Sect that they could freely enter various secret realms once they reached the Golden Core stage.
Afterward, she erected a stone tablet nearby.
She planned to post a notice on it, announcing who had been the first to reach the Golden Core stage. Those who reached the Golden Core stage first would be promoted to inner disciples and receive new sect attire and other privileges.
The disciples of the Changqing Sect, who had been quite casual before, were now enthralled by the numerous benefits of reaching the Golden Core stage, and they all cultivated with fervent dedication.
Within two or three days of Qi Yu announcing this matter, some disciples went from having no cultivation to reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.
Even among Si Qing's disciples, who were known for their idleness and only cared about eating, drinking, and having fun, there was now a drive to strive for progress.
Si Qing couldn't help but exclaim, "I truly didn't expect this tactic to be so effective on them. If I had known, I should have offered even greater rewards."
"Alas, haste makes waste. I think what we have now is fine," Qi Yu said unhurriedly. "By the way, when the first batch of disciples reaches the Golden Core stage, let's accompany them into the secret realms. After this outing, other elders can pair up and accompany the disciples who have just entered the Golden Core stage into the secret realms."