After dinner, in the back hall, everyone was present except Ling Jin.
"Luo'er, you said you wanted to improve the Ling family's strength. Second Uncle will listen to you."
Regarding Ling Luoyi being an alchemist, Ling Qi already knew, so he was very relieved to hand this matter over to her.
"Second Uncle, to improve the Ling family's strength, disciples, wealth, and cultivation resources are essential. We don't need to rush cultivation resources; I can provide them. So, we need to solve the problems of disciples and wealth first."
"Then how do you plan to solve it?"
"The number of disciples isn't urgent. In a month, there will be a talent selection, and we can recruit new disciples then. For now, we need to address the disciples' mindset. So, Grandpa Liang, please convey a message to all Ling family disciples: meet at the summit of the back mountain tomorrow at the exact hour of Mao. Any outer disciples who don't show up will be expelled from the Ling family. As for collateral and direct lineage disciples, I will not provide any cultivation resources."
"Eldest Miss, is it all disciples? Do those children who are only five years old also have to go?"
"Grandpa Liang, all disciples must go."
"Yes, this old servant understands."
"What about us?" Li Ziya teased.
"If the elders are willing to go, that's also fine."
"Luo'er, then how will the financial issues be resolved?"
"Second Uncle, I walked around the city this afternoon and found that what is most suitable for the Ling family's current situation to sell are elixirs and weapons. Elixirs are consumables, which everyone needs. However, most of the elixirs circulating in Cloud Abyss City are second-grade, with fewer third-grade ones. Fourth-grade ones are only available at Flowing Cloud Pavilion and the Alchemist Guild, and there are only a few. The situation with weapons is better, generally fourth or fifth-grade, with more fourth-grade. Flowing Cloud Pavilion and the Artifact Refiner Guild also have some sixth-grade ones. However, regardless of whether it's elixirs or weapons, the quality is not very good."
"Luo'er, mid-grade elixirs and weapons are not considered good? Those are mid-grade, let alone high-grade ones." Ling Luoyu couldn't help but interject.
"Third Brother, I have better ones. I'll give them to you tomorrow."
This sentence silenced Ling Luoyu, who wanted to say more.
"So, Second Uncle, you may need to buy a shop tomorrow. The location doesn't need to be too good, but try to buy a large one. The rest will depend on your requirements. Also, hire a few more clever shop assistants."
"Luo'er, regarding shops, Fourth Aunt has a few. They are not specifically for selling elixirs, but the shop assistants and accountants are quite clever. Do you think they would work?"
"In that case, consider it as me renting from Fourth Aunt, and I will pay sufficient rent."
"Luo'er, we are all family. What's this talk of renting and rent?"
"Indeed. Then, this way, we save some money. Thank you, Fourth Aunt."
This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
"Luo'er, remember, a tall tree catches the wind."
"Eldest Brother, I know. That's why I don't plan to sell high-grade elixirs. I'll only sell some first and second-grade ones, but with higher quality. When doing business, it's inevitable to encounter similar products. So, I'll offer some elixirs that others don't have, which isn't considered snatching business."
"But Eldest Sister, didn't you promise Flowing Cloud Pavilion that you would prioritize selling there?"
"Ran'er, I only promised to prioritize selection, not to sell exclusively at Flowing Cloud Pavilion."
"Luo'er, others might come to cause trouble."
"Therefore, I need you all to improve your strength as soon as possible. As long as your strength is sufficient, no one will dare to cause trouble."
Upon hearing this, everyone clenched their fists. Improving their strength was urgent.
"Luo'er, do you have anything else to say?"
"Second Uncle, I also want to hold an auction before the talent selection."
Without further explanation, they all understood her intention. The talent selection was a grand event across the continent. People from other cities in the Tianwu Kingdom would come to the capital, and the Ling family's reputation would spread.
However, could the Ling family bear it?
"Luo'er, you go ahead with your plans tomorrow. Leave these matters to Second Uncle and your aunts. But what about those things?"
"Second Uncle, by the time you're done, I should be finished here too. Just have someone guide me there."
"Alright, it's late today. You all should go back and rest quickly. We have to go to the back mountain early tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
Everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
The next day, at the second quarter of Mao, at the summit of the Ling family's back mountain.
Ling Luoyi sat boredly on a rock. Her divine sense had already covered the entire mountain, and she could clearly sense countless figures rapidly approaching her.
Within a few breaths, the first figure appeared before Ling Luoyi.
Seeing the approaching person, Ling Luoyi walked over and greeted, "Greetings, Great Elder."
The Great Elder put down the person in his arms and said, "Greetings, Eldest Miss."
The little one also bowed to Ling Luoyi and greeted, "Greetings, Eldest Sister."
"Hello, Zhi'er," Ling Luoyi said, stroking the little one's head.
The little one was very happy and said, as if seeking praise, "Eldest Sister, Zhi'er was the first to arrive."
"You were carried up by the Great Elder, so it doesn't count."
"Eldest Miss, Ninth Miss is still too young, so this old man carried her up."
Ninth Miss Ling Luozhi, the youngest child of the second branch, and also the youngest child of the Ling family's direct lineage.
"Great Elder, Luo'er knows, it was just a joke."
"Great Elder, Luo'er, Zhi'er."
As they spoke, a few more people arrived. After greeting, they went to the side.
Time slipped away as they talked. Soon, it was the exact hour of Mao, and the last person arrived.
Ling Luoyi stood on the rock and looked down. The disciples were discussing animatedly.
The disciples were arranged according to direct lineage, collateral lineage, and outer surnames, and they were wearing their respective training uniforms, making them easy to identify.
The disciples looked at her curiously, not understanding why the elders were present, yet she was standing at the highest point.
Ling Luoyi clapped her hands, signaling for quiet.
The Ling family disciples were well-trained and quickly fell silent.
"Time is up, and everyone has arrived. Now, listen to me."
Ling Luoyi's voice carried a trace of spiritual energy, enough for her voice to reach every disciple's ears.
"I believe you all have many questions. Bear with them for now and listen to me finish before you ask. I won't talk about the direct lineage and collateral lineage disciples for now. You all share the surname Ling, and you should understand that the Ling family's prosperity is your prosperity.
So, collateral lineage disciples, listen carefully. I don't know if you joined the Ling family willingly. Now, I'm giving you an opportunity. Anyone who wishes to leave the Ling family can go to Eldest Young Master now to collect fifty orange crystal coins and then leave with their families. You have fifteen minutes to consider. Those who remain after fifteen minutes will be considered to have joined the Ling family.
To these individuals, I must speak plainly: I am giving you an opportunity now to leave without any cost, and even with money. If I discover later that you have any thoughts or actions of betraying the Ling family, I guarantee you will wish you were dead and unable to die! Consider carefully."
"Eldest Miss, are you telling the truth? We can leave safely after taking the money?"
"Yes."
Although some were hesitant at first, seeing the first person take the money and leave, others followed suit.
After fifteen minutes, nearly two-thirds of the outer surname disciples, who were initially quite numerous, left. Only one hundred and ten people remained.
Watching the backs of the last people disappear from sight, Ling Luoyi took out a white sphere, injected spiritual energy into it, and the sphere instantly enlarged, enveloping the entire mountaintop.
The crowd watched Ling Luoyi trap them there, and they immediately became panicked.
Seeing the panicked crowd, Ling Luoyi said helplessly, "What are you panicking about? This is just a barrier, to prevent today's commotion from attracting attention."
A barrier!
To cast a barrier, one must have at least the cultivation of a Spiritual Scholar! And even then, it would only be barely possible.
How far had Eldest Miss's cultivation reached!