Chapter 39: Increase the Supply of Spirit Stones!!!

As the effects of the Meridian-Protecting Pill spread, the entire Foundation Establishment tier of the White Sword Sect erupted in fervor.

These disciples, currently at the Foundation Establishment stage, knew all too well how arduous it was to consolidate their cultivation. Under normal circumstances, it would require vast amounts of time and resources—at least half a month for even the most gifted among them. Yet, Peng Shan and Peng Hai had managed to solidify their cultivation in a mere day, and rumors even claimed their subsequent cultivation speed had accelerated.

A swarm of Foundation Establishment disciples rushed toward the spirit chambers as if possessed. Just one day later, they emerged one after another. After exchanging a single glance, they let out a sky-shaking cheer.

"My cultivation is stabilized! What kind of miraculous elixir is this?"
"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't experienced it myself—I consolidated my progress in just one day!"
"The alchemist invited by our sect leader is truly formidable to provide us with such a pill!"

Because of this, their reverence for the mysterious alchemist deepened. They had never heard of any sect willing to provide such high-quality pills for their disciples' training. With this elixir, their cultivation speed was bound to soar. Previously, they had been filled with dread regarding the Yangsheng Sect, but now, all fear had vanished, replaced by excitement and grand aspirations for the future.

The Yangsheng Sect? What kind of joke were they? Could they provide their disciples with such pills? With this aid, the disciples felt they could reach the mid-Foundation Establishment stage in less than a month. Such treatment was likely reserved only for the inner sect disciples of the most prestigious top-tier sects.

Meanwhile, the Qi Refining disciples waiting to enter the spirit chambers watched in bewilderment. They knew the seniors had received a new type of pill, but were they really so excited?

"Brother Gou, what exactly are you all so worked up about?" one Qi Refining disciple asked, stepping forward with a puzzled expression. Having just received his own Foundation Establishment Pill, he expected to breakthrough within days and was curious about what the others had obtained.

Brother Gou stroked his handlebar mustache and held his head high. "You wouldn't understand. Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage and get your hands on this pill, you’ll realize just how terrifyingly effective it is!"

Although they already knew of the results, only by practicing could one truly fathom the sensation. The endless stream of spiritual energy felt like a vortex; they had never experienced such rapid progress in their entire lives. Even without knowing the pill’s name, they were certain it had to be at least a third-grade medicine; otherwise, it could never produce such a monstrous effect.

"Then I’ll hurry up and break through!" the Qi Refining disciple said, quickening his pace toward the spirit chamber.

With the news spreading, the enthusiasm for cultivation across the entire sect skyrocketed. No one wanted to slack off. Before, they might have been lazy, knowing their natural limits, but to be idle now, with such pills at their disposal, would be absolute madness.

Since the ten public spirit chambers were constantly occupied, a long line had formed. Even those who couldn't get inside waited nearby, as the residual spiritual energy around the chambers still offered a slight boost compared to other areas. Aside from those with specific duties, almost every disciple was waiting outside.

Liang Chuan stepped out of his private chamber, contemplating the scene before him. He had already relocated the spirit chambers from the other three sects to this site, yet it still wasn't enough. Before he took over, the sect’s spirit chambers were rarely used; few could afford the cost of the spirit stones required. But the current White Sword Sect, rolling in wealth, no longer cared about such expenses.

Liang Chuan glanced back at the chambers and sighed, whispering to himself, "Ultimately, this still requires the backing of technology."

In the modern era, spirit chambers were far more advanced but far too expensive for ordinary people. Modern chambers relied on massive quantities of spirit stones to drive spiritual density, creating effects a hundred times greater than standard cultivation. If they could implement modern-style chambers, their speed would increase exponentially. A single day of training would equal a hundred days of traditional effort. Currently, even with these pills, their chambers only offered a five-to-six-fold increase, while his own private chamber barely reached ten times the normal rate.

"Fourth Junior Sister." Liang Chuan spotted Liu Ruyan nearby and beckoned her over.

"Senior Brother, is something the matter?" Liu Ruyan hurried over. Upon seeing his handsome face, she blushed, recalling something. She knew that the Meridian-Protecting Pills the disciples were using were the same ones she had been given earlier. It meant that the moment these pills appeared, Liang Chuan had set them aside for her—could this be…

Oblivious to her wandering thoughts, Liang Chuan asked, "Is this the maximum spiritual density we can achieve on Lingyun Peak?"

"Senior Brother, our spirit vein is only a low-grade one. Even if we wanted to increase it, it is beyond our capabilities," she replied, shaking her head. This was the fundamental gap between sects.

"How many spirit stones are we consuming daily for the spirit chambers?" As the one in charge of the accounts, she alone knew the sect's expenditure.

"Even at the minimum standard you set, we are consuming at least one hundred thousand spirit stones every day." Liu Ruyan felt a pang of heartache. In the past, the entire White Sword Sect didn't even earn one hundred thousand spirit stones in a year. Now, they were spending that much in a single day. Without the success of the Foundation Establishment Pills, no sect could sustain such a drain.

"Let’s increase it," Liang Chuan said without hesitation. "Use at least one hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones daily to ensure the chambers remain saturated with spiritual energy!"

Liu Ruyan was stunned. "That’s impossible! We won't be able to cover the costs!" They had other expenses, such as procuring basic pills for the disciples, and this would create a massive deficit.

"Just pass down the order," Liang Chuan commanded firmly.

Liu Ruyan had no choice but to comply. When the news was announced, the crowd erupted. None of the disciples had expected that, even with their already rapid growth, the sect leader would invest even more. They were ecstatic. The disciples shouted in unison, "Long live the Sect Leader! Long live the White Sword Sect!"

In a distant corner, a figure watched the scene. It was Zhao Wu. He stared at Liang Chuan with a deep, piercing gaze, then turned and slipped away, his face twisted in a sinister, malevolent grin.