Three days later, and 150 days after entering the Treasure Hall.
The first staff meeting was held in the left side hall.
It consisted of the Black List, Hunters, Chefs, Heavenly Gate Sect, and Martial Arts.
Besides these five, the main forces were the labor group directly under Zhang Wei, and the heads of various administrative units.
First, Zhan Hua reported on his work.
"We took over the external trade, receiving over 30,000 cultivators in total, exchanging ingredients valued at approximately 1000 Gourmet Coins, equivalent to about 1.4 million spirit stones!"
1.4 million!
It was as high as a mountain.
Zhan Hua had never imagined so much money flowing through his hands.
"If I'm not mistaken, at least forty percent of the wealth within the millions of square kilometers of Chongzhou flows here."
"And Chongzhou is merely a backwater in the entire cultivation world."
Zhan Hua continued, "According to yesterday's statistics, fifty people have now been able to sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, absorb it from spirit stones, and convert it into true qi."
Spirit stones are small, milky-white stones. Though their sizes vary, the spiritual energy they contain is almost identical.
The spiritual energy within them is more concentrated than that found in the environment, and can be directly absorbed and utilized.
Speaking of which, spiritual energy is like a seasoning, a substance similar to sugar, which can provide energy to people. Then what about spirit stones?
"Bring me a spirit stone."
Zhan Hua quickly stepped forward and handed his storage pouch to Zhang Wei.
Trembling, he presented over a hundred stones.
Zhang Wei examined them carefully but received no system notification.
"This shouldn't be..."
"There's spiritual energy in the air, and the system hasn't prompted anything. Could it be that spiritual energy must be attached to an object to be recognized? Similar to how Gourmet Cells must be materialized?"
"But spirit stones are also materialized. Could it be... that the level is too low?"
Zhang Wei asked, "Are all spirit stones like this?"
"Most of them are."
"Are there any higher-grade spirit stones?"
Zhan Hua respectfully replied, "The spirit stones used in the cultivation world are called low-grade spirit stones. The spiritual energy they contain is absorbed slowly and is only suitable for cultivation. Mid-grade stones are much more refined, with greater quantity and quality!"
"One mid-grade spirit stone can store half the energy reserves of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. If one holds a mid-grade stone during combat, they can possess formidable sustained combat capabilities. However, after the spiritual energy is extracted, the spirit stone becomes ordinary rock and cannot be replenished."
"Therefore, each one used is one less. A single mid-grade spirit stone can be exchanged for at least two thousand low-grade spirit stones, equivalent to thousand-year-old spirit herbs and elixirs. No one would be so extravagant unless absolutely necessary."
Directly replenishing stamina?
It was equivalent to reaching food grade!
"Can we trade mid-grade spirit stones?"
"Yes, they are valued at 2200 low-grade spirit stones, equivalent to two Gourmet Coins."
"Bring them."
The effect of the taste is somewhat like MSG, except spirit stones have a unique flavor.
The taste of spiritual energy is hard to describe, seemingly filled with a light, ethereal, and stimulating sensation, much like the umami of MSG, which cannot be concretely described.
The most obvious example is tea; once it contains spiritual energy, the refreshing essence that penetrates the heart is particularly prominent.
It seems to make food delicate yet not bland.
Zhang Wei exerted a slight force with his finger, and the mid-grade spirit stone instantly shattered!
Spirit energy crystal!
Zhang Wei flickered to the very end of the Treasure Hall. A display case floated up from nowhere. On a stone slab beneath a glass cover, a few extremely fine milky-white particles were placed.
"Is this spirit energy crystal?"
"So little, you can't even see it without a magnifying glass!"
"The extraction principle is a bit like salt refinement; by destroying and pulverizing the outer rock wall, the Treasure Hall can then purify the salt essence within."
"Unfortunately, the quantity of mid-grade spirit stones is too scarce, and low-grade spirit stones are not sufficient."
Returning to the meeting center in the left side hall.
Zhang Wei instructed Zhan Hua, "Going forward, for the weight of our transactions, the purchase price of mid-grade spirit stones will be raised to three Gourmet Coins."
Zhan Hua acknowledged.
Next was the Martial Arts Alliance, represented by Shao Feng.
At this moment, Shao Feng could barely conceal his joy and stated directly, "Over eight hundred people have now learned methods to utilize internal energy, and this number is expected to increase tenfold within the next year!"
"However, I have made an even greater discovery!"
Zhang Wei became interested and said, "Oh? Tell me more."
Shao Feng said, "You all might not believe this, but it requires the cooperation of Elder Zhan Hua with me."
Zhan Hua was taken aback. What cooperation could he, from the cultivation system, offer to the martial arts system? But he still replied, "Of course. How do you wish to cooperate?"
"Lend me a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining."
"What for?"
"To spar with me!"
Zhan Hua shook his head helplessly, "Have you eaten too much delicious food and lost your intelligence?"
"Please."
"Alright."
Zhan Hua casually assigned a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining. This cultivator was also exceptional; over these 150 days, through constant eating, his dantian capacity had grown to more than five times that of a normal third-level Qi Refiner.
A normal third-level Qi Refiner's true qi would be enough to unleash about ten basic spells, whereas he could unleash fifty!
The cultivator nodded slightly and said, "This humble one is Li Kexiu, please enlighten me."
Shao Feng twirled his sword, performed a flourish, and bowed, "Sixteen styles of North Yue Sword Intent, please enlighten me!"
With that, he held his ancient sword and thrust it forward without any fancy moves!
Li Kexiu lightly shook his head. The whisk in his hand swayed, extending over ten feet, and directly caught Shao Feng's sword.
It was over!
Internal energy can be infused into weapons, turning wooden sticks into steel. Martial arts masters can injure others with just a tree branch!
And the true qi of a cultivator is even more domineering, its power far surpassing internal energy. Once they connect, the internal energy will instantly dissipate into nothingness!
With this sweep of the whisk, Shao Feng's long-time companion sword would likely turn into scrap metal.
But this was also good; it would serve as a lesson for his disdain towards cultivators!
Just then!
Li Kexiu's expression changed. A faint sword light flashed from his whisk!