Chapter 638 - 460: Test the Waters with a Trial by Fire (Part 2)

However, Zheng Yi is not completely without confidence regarding the outcome.

Because history has already proven the feasibility of such things.

"We have prepared a banquet, and everyone can drink freely today. I hope that one day in the future, we can gather here once again."

The atmosphere of the banquet was much better than Zheng Yi had anticipated.

Most of these people carried personal grudges, so he originally thought they would be very somber before the expedition.

But their laughter seemed to pierce through the roof.

As if they were going on a spring outing, not a battle destined for death.

Even Zheng Yi rarely drank more than usual.

The next day, Zheng Yi personally bid farewell to these people. Apart from those leaving, Zheng Yi didn’t bring anyone else.

Even Zhou Kunshan and Feng Haitao didn’t come along.

In front of a cave that connected to the outside world, Zheng Yi advised a young man in his twenties, "You tend to be impulsive, so in the future, think carefully before you act. It’s better to miss an opportunity than to take a risk."

"In your future battles, there will be no shortage of opportunities. None of them is worth risking your life for."

"Yes!" The young man responded with tears on his face, bowing deeply to Zheng Yi before disappearing into the cave.

On the mountain path, Zheng Yi advised another student, "You have a steady personality and like to think carefully before acting. This is usually a strength, but sometimes thinking too much can also be a disadvantage."

"If in your future battles something happens that you can’t figure out, a desperate gamble may not be a bad opportunity."

The student choked out, "Immortal Master, I understand what you mean. Please rest assured, I will not bring shame to you."

Outside the village.

"As a woman, the dangers you face will be greater than those faced by men, so be mentally prepared."

By the harbor.

"Your mind is agile, but you are indecisive. Remember, once you choose a direction, don’t change it lightly. Otherwise, both you and those who follow you may become lost."

Zheng Yi spent the entire day seeing off each member personally.

If this were an ordinary world, Zheng Yi wouldn’t do this.

But the world of cultivators is different from the ordinary world, where a powerful cultivator can easily withstand armies of thousands or tens of thousands.

For this reason, Zheng Yi sent these students out.

Encouraging them to select those with good potential and impart the cultivation techniques he created to them.

In the Cangyan Realm, if suddenly there were countless strong individuals with blood feuds against the Zhao Family, it would be uncertain whether the Zhao Family could still prevail?

As for whether these people’s strength would drastically differ from the Zhao Family and their nurtured experts, Zheng Yi was not worried at all.

The cultivation technique he created was tailored to the characteristics of this world.

As long as there are cultivation resources, reaching the Golden Core Stage could be rapid.

But once reaching the Golden Core Stage, due to the instability of early cultivation, their speed becomes slower than those who steadily cultivate to the Golden Core Stage, making breakthroughs difficult.

Given the current situation, Zheng Yi still found it crucial to quickly empower them with the strength to resist.

As for future matters, they don’t concern him. It’s for those who practice the techniques he created to consider.

Zheng Yi’s goal has always been one.

To pull the Zhao Family from their high throne.

Although the Cangyan Realm is the Origin World of the Azure Moon Flame Emperor, if the ruler of this world changes, it would have a significant impact on him.

At least, the Azure Moon Flame Emperor could no longer plunder the world’s resources as recklessly as before.

Zheng Yi considered this the worst outcome.

The greater likelihood is that if the Zhao Family loses control over the Cangyan Realm, even the Azure Moon Flame Emperor who has ascended to the Upper Realm might lose the aura of a Child of Fortune.

At that point, the influence on the Azure Moon Flame Emperor might be far from simply being about cultivation resources.

Throughout the process of instructing these students, Zheng Yi accomplished another important task.

The integration of all resources in the mine.

Zhao Tianming had been thoroughly sidelined, although he was still nominally the mine master.

But now he was almost unable to mobilize people. Though he wasn’t his own person, Zheng Yi didn’t leave him idle.

Despite having no real power, Zhao Tianming remained responsible for most of the mining operations.

With the latest mining pickaxes provided by Zheng Yi, without any restrictions, the efficiency of mining increased several times directly.

Through Zhao Tianming’s existing connections and various black market transactions, Zheng Yi acquired a large quantity of supplies.

A small portion was stored for future capital, while the remaining supplies were used to provide benefits to the surrounding miners.

Whether former miners or people associated with the mine, none were left behind.

Zheng Yi’s current actions were akin to using gold as copper coins.

Precious cultivation resources were treated as ordinary currency.

This approach could be considered extremely wasteful.

Zhou Kunshan had advised Zheng Yi more than once.

"Lord, we’re at a great disadvantage doing this. Those black market guys are simply greedy."

"The Fire Rock Ore we give them could exchange for at least ten times the resources elsewhere."

"Yet those guys not only aren’t satisfied but hint that they’ll raise prices later."

"Lord, I think it’s time to teach them a lesson."

Seeing Zhou Kunshan’s angry expression, Zheng Yi could almost imagine how much distress this kid had endured in front of those people.

"Go out and calm down for half a tea’s time and then come talk to me." Zheng Yi, instead of comforting him, directly sent Zhou Kunshan out.

Zhou Kunshan was dumbfounded, his mind unable to process.

He was considering Zheng Yi’s position, using precious cultivation resources to exchange for ordinary life necessities was already a loss, and those people were still insatiable.

He expected the Lord to be equally furious, but the reality was far from what he imagined.

Not only did the Lord not express any anger, but he even kicked him out.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" Zheng Yi’s eyes slightly narrowed.

Zhou Kunshan shivered violently, realizing his attitude had been problematic, hurriedly saluting Zheng Yi before leaving the room.

Watching the closed door, Zheng Yi smiled and shook his head, "Although more composed than ordinary people, still too young."

After nearly half an hour, Zheng Yi in the midst of cultivation heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Zhou Kunshan gently opened the door, entering with head hanging and eyes lowered.

"Sorry, Lord, it was my recklessness earlier, please punish me."

Zheng Yi laughed, "So, have you realized what your mistake was?"

Zhou Kunshan paused, "Please instruct me, Lord. I still believe we shouldn’t tolerate those greedy black market merchants. They’re testing our limits, and without a counterattack, they’ll only become more demanding."

Zheng Yi felt slightly disappointed; this kid still couldn’t understand.

However, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.

Though Zhou Kunshan showed promise, ultimately, he was just a small village chief.

Compared to others in the village, he was already regarded as knowledgeable.

Yet, constrained by his status and environment, his understanding still had significant limitations.

"Kunshan, the biggest issue in this matter isn’t whether to teach those black market merchants a lesson, but you..."

Zhou Kunshan was flabbergasted, incredulously pointing to his neck, "Lord, you’re saying I was wrong?"