Chu Xinghe had been staying in the Spirit Crane Palace these past few days, but even so, Ma Liang didn't let him off.
This guy was running around all the palaces in the sect every day, boasting about how ferocious his Feng City Formation had become.
"Senior Brother, look... With the ancient fiendish energy enhancement, not only has the destructive power of my Feng City Formation been upgraded, but the defense of the fierce ghosts within the formation has also improved by several levels..."
"Sister, do you think my ghost general is mighty? Yes, it's all thanks to Junior Brother Xinghe and the Deputy Sect Master's help that I have what I have today..."
Eating, sleeping, showing off the Feng City Formation, and beating Chu Cheng had become Ma Liang's daily routine.
It was one thing for this guy to show off in other palaces, but he even ran to the Spirit Crane Palace to grab Senior Brother Xinghe, assuring him that although the Feng City Formation had lost its alchemy ability, he would do his utmost to develop its other capabilities.
Upholding Senior Brother Xinghe's spirit, he vowed not to let the sect suffer any loss!
Not only did he come to the Spirit Crane Palace, but Ma Liang also went to the Grand Sky Palace to thank the Deputy Sect Master.
Ma Liang admitted that he was immature before and thought the Deputy Sect Master's personal disciple was just a title. He never imagined the Deputy Sect Master valued him so much. Although he was no longer the Deputy Sect Master's personal disciple in name, he still considered the Deputy Sect Master his teacher at heart.
He promised to work hard to build the sect, making up for the Deputy Sect Master's regrets over the years of not being able to contribute to the sect...It was said that after hearing Ma Liang's words, the Deputy Sect Master was so moved that he announced he would go into seclusion for a few more days...
Indeed, extreme happiness can lead to enlightenment...
It wasn't that Chu Xinghe didn't want to send Ma Liang away again.
The main thing was that Ma Liang's past performances told him that this guy was more dangerous outside the sect than inside.
Who knows what kind of trouble he would stir up with the Feng City Formation outside?
So after thinking it over, it was better to let Ma Liang show off in the sect. Although it was a headache, the harm was relatively smaller.
As for how other brothers felt about Ma Liang, now Lu Chengqing had become Senior Brother Xinghe's number one confidant, and Ma Liang's number one confidant.
Since the Feng City Formation was upgraded, the ability of the Soul Devouring Banner had also been verified. Now, as long as Ma Liang wished, the fierce ghosts of the Feng City Formation could be divided into countless small formations, which could be managed by the Soul Devouring Banner.
Ma Liang directly handed the Soul Devouring Banner to Lu Chengqing. It was said that these days, Lu Chengqing was rehearsing various new plays in the entertainment venue, shouting slogans to the outside world, declaring that the Southern Branch must achieve new heights by the end of the year.
Regarding Lu Chengqing's bold words, it wasn't that Chu Xinghe overestimated him; it was mainly because the entertainment industry was really a money-making machine.
Just as Chu Xinghe was pondering how to fix the bug in the Soul Devouring Banner to help the Southern Branch take off, Senior Brother Shen Chun suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Junior Brother Xinghe, the Great Elder requests your presence!"
"Huh? The Great Elder wants me to refine pills again?" Chu Xinghe shivered.
Is there really no good news lately?
But soon, Shen Chun's words brought a sliver of genuine joy to Chu Xinghe amidst the gloom.
It wasn't about pill refining... This time, the Great Elder sought him out because of Sima Bian.
If you were to ask what has been the happiest thing recently, it would definitely be related to Sima Bian.
Whether the Southern Branch takes off or not is unknown, but the Northern Branch is completely done for.
The Northern Branch was thriving with the Wan Ghost Pills, but now that the Feng City Formation no longer had the ability to refine pills, it meant that all the low-grade pill business of the Northern Branch was over.
Sima Bian had been staying in the sect, crying and refusing to return to the Chamber of Commerce because of this.
Sima Bian knew that at this rate, let alone securing the Vice President position of the Grand Sky Chamber of Commerce this year, it would be a miracle if he could even keep his branch president position.
So after much thought, Sima Bian could only go to the Great Elder to cry.
Following Senior Brother Shen Chun all the way to the Great Elder's place, as soon as they entered, they saw the tearful Sima Bian.
"Xinghe greets the Great Elder..."
After Chu Xinghe saluted the Great Elder, the Great Elder didn't waste any time and pointed to Sima Bian beside him, saying, "Xinghe... Sima Bian also came from our Spirit Crane Palace, and now it's not easy for him to manage the Northern Branch. You're quick-witted, give him some advice."
The Great Elder's words almost made Chu Xinghe want to lash out in anger.
Great Elder, do you hear yourself?
You want me to give Sima Bian advice?
Have you considered that when it comes to business, Sima Bian is the professional... I'm just an amateur, okay?
You're asking an amateur to advise a professional... Isn't that a bit too much?
Of course, these were just thoughts in Chu Xinghe's mind, and he didn't dare to say them out loud.
As for the Northern Branch, Chu Xinghe wasn't worried at all.
The Northern Branch mainly dealt in pills, and with the low-grade pills, their profits were astronomical.
Now that the Feng City Formation has lost its alchemy ability, it's like cutting off their lifeline. As the saying goes, a clever woman can't cook without rice. Without the Wan Ghost Formation for pill refining, no matter what the Northern Branch does, there's absolutely no chance of a comeback!
"Sima Bian, why don't you share your thoughts first, and then see if Xinghe has any ideas to break the deadlock!"
After the Great Elder spoke, Sima Bian took out a small notebook and shared his thoughts.
The pills left by the Feng City Formation could still support about a year's worth of sales.
There were already rumors outside that the Feng City Formation had lost its alchemy ability, so outsiders were speculating whether the Northern Branch could hold on. Sima Bian's idea was to temporarily reduce the number of pills sold, hoping to delay for another year or so, and during that time, see if they could find a new method to replace the Feng City Formation's pill refining.
Basically, it was a strategy of delay.
The Great Elder also agreed with Sima Bian's idea, thinking that delaying a bit wouldn't hurt.
But as soon as Sima Bian finished speaking, Chu Xinghe got anxious.
Great Elder, you're confused! I've waited so long for the Northern Branch to finally be on the brink of collapse, and you're telling me to delay?
I can't delay at all!
Do you know what they say about long nights and many dreams? If we delay, what if Ma Liang suddenly figures out a bug that allows pill refining even with the fiendish energy?
So we absolutely can't delay; we must act swiftly. Look at how miserable Sima Bian is; shouldn't we give the Northern Branch a quick end?
"I think delaying won't solve the problem. As the Grand Sky Sect, the world's number one sect, the Grand Sky Chamber of Commerce has previously announced unlimited supply of pills. If we now limit the purchase quantity, what will happen to the sect's reputation?"
Hearing Chu Xinghe's words, the Great Elder couldn't help but nod.
Xinghe's thinking is comprehensive, just like he said. If the Northern Branch no longer has the Feng City Formation's pills, at worst, they just won't sell pills anymore. But they previously promised unlimited supply, and now they're changing it to limited supply so soon; what will outsiders say?
The Grand Sky Sect changes its mind frequently? If you can't sell, then don't sell, but what's with the limited sales? Who are you trying to disgust?
"So not only should we not delay or limit, but we should also launch a promotional campaign!" Chu Xinghe continued.
But as soon as he said this, not only was Sima Bian dumbfounded, but the Great Elder was also full of questions.
Xinghe, do you hear yourself?
The Northern Branch is already short on pills. We can still hold on for a while with normal sales, but if you launch a promotional campaign, won't that deplete the Northern Branch's stock even faster?
Are you sure you're helping the Northern Branch and not trying to bring it down?
Sima Bian was also full of questions... Senior Brother Xinghe, what kind of strange operation is this? Are you sure the Northern Branch will still exist by the end of the year if we do this?
"Sima Bian... Delaying won't solve the problem. The Great Elder has said that when faced with a problem, we should seek solutions, not delay the problem!"
The Great Elder listened to Xinghe's words and nodded secretly, although he couldn't remember when he had said such a thing.
But that's not the point; the point is that Xinghe's words make sense.
Sima Bian, although he agreed with Senior Brother Xinghe's words, was puzzled by the idea of a promotional campaign as a solution. Is this really solving the problem, or does it look like you're trying to solve the Northern Branch?
So when faced with a problem, if you can't solve it, do you eliminate the one who posed the problem?
Amidst Sima Bian's confusion, Chu Xinghe spoke again: "This promotional campaign is to show the world that even without the Feng City Formation for pill refining, our Grand Sky Sect has other solutions!"
Sima Bian listened with teary eyes.
As expected of Senior Brother Xinghe, while he only thought of delaying when faced with a problem, Senior Brother Xinghe thought of confronting it head-on.
Facing difficulties head-on, and if there are no difficulties, Senior Brother Xinghe creates them to overcome!
Although he had been navigating the business world for years, compared to Senior Brother Xinghe, the gap in their levels was still quite significant.
But before Sima Bian could applaud, Chu Xinghe continued.
"As for the solution... I've thought about it. Isn't it just low-grade pills? Who says low-grade pills have to be refined? Why can't we change our thinking and have low-grade pills grow directly from the ground? Our next goal is to have Mu Bai and the others research how to grow pills from the ground!"
As Chu Xinghe finished speaking, Sima Bian and the Great Elder were both stunned.
The Great Elder had been listening to Xinghe's method of not delaying and solving problems and was about to applaud him.
But the earlier words were fine; the latter words, Xinghe, are you sure you're speaking human language?
Growing pills from the ground?
This isn't just about being outrageous; this isn't even human language, okay?
Do you think it's like growing wheat, just sprouting from the ground?
Pill refining is about refining; only after refining can you have pills, okay? Isn't this outrageous idea of yours a bit too much?
Sima Bian was also dumbfounded...
Well... I'm Sima Bian, and I'm the branch president of the Northern Branch. We've always been researching pills, okay... But Senior Brother Xinghe, your idea of growing pills from the ground isn't even human language!
As a disciple of the Medicine Saint, Senior Brother Xinghe, your words just now are practically promoting superstition, you know?