Chapter 518
Perhaps it can be said that meetings may not solve problems, but not having meetings will definitely not solve them.
"After the alliance meeting, the Xuanwei Realm should enjoy a period of stability," Zheng Fachao explained to the others. "Moreover, since we hold this nominal title, we can bring out certain things without fear of taboos."
In the past, many techniques and plans were only experimented with within the Jiushan Sect and never implemented externally—back then, the Jiushan Sect could not afford the scrutiny of outsiders.
But now, things are different. As one of the six sects of Xuanwei and a current rule-maker in this world, Zheng Fachao and the Baixian Alliance can rest easy in their territory, free to cultivate and expand their influence!
"This period of stability is crucial for us, perhaps even our last chance for development."
Zheng Fachao's tone was calm, yet it concealed a hint of restlessness.
"I believe we should take bolder steps and have greater courage."
The essence of the first fifty-year plan is to disregard everything, seize the moment, concentrate the sect's resources, and strive for industrialization through scientific research to achieve rapid development.
This model was unheard of for those present; it was their first encounter with such an approach.
Yet Zheng Fachao had made up his mind.
The Jiushan Sect, to put it bluntly, was living a lie; it bore the name of the six sects but was perhaps in a more precarious situation than before.
For Zheng Fachao and the Jiushan Sect, there was no other choice—just two words: develop with all their might!
On another note, this alliance meeting provided the Jiushan Sect with a rare opportunity for safety.
This was one of the few golden periods for the Jiushan Sect, which had been facing crises since the emergence of the Dazizai Demon Sect.
Sister Zhang looked at the confused expressions of Uncle Pang and the others and added, "Uncle, although we may seem inflated now, time is always on our side."
Everyone's gaze was drawn to the confidence radiating from Sister Zhang's face.
She rarely displayed such outward emotion, especially not with such high spirits.
"The highest cultivation level in the Jiushan Sect is only at the Yuan Ying stage," Sister Zhang said firmly, "but we have already grasped some of the secrets of the Dao fruit and can, to some extent, stand toe-to-toe with the five sects."
"The fact that the Jiushan Sect can stand in this position is enough to prove our potential and that our path is the right one!"
After hearing their words, everyone nodded in agreement.
Sister Zhang was not one to speak eloquently, yet her simple words were enough to raise the temperature in the hall, even igniting a fervor that felt like it could burst through the roof:
Even Zheng Fachao felt a surge of pride—wasn't it a miracle that the Jiushan Sect could stand before the five sects and make them take notice?
If one were to look back five or ten years, who could have imagined that the Jiushan Sect would be where it is today?
Shouldn't those who created this miracle feel proud?
Perhaps the five sects thought that Zheng Fachao had some terrifying Dao fruit behind him, or that he was a hidden master of the Dao fruit.
But those present understood that while Zheng Fachao might have some special inheritance, the current Jiushan Sect was built brick by brick by him and them.
There may have been wisdom from predecessors.
But to say it was all due to some fortuitous encounter or inheritance would be to underestimate their efforts.
Sister Zhang's "Fuda Foundation Establishment Method."
Uncle Pang and the others' celestial formations.
And even Madam Xuanhua's contributions to the "Jiushan Golden Elixir Method."
Even Xiao Yuying had greatly assisted the Jiushan Sect in agricultural science, spiritual material studies, and even thunder techniques—being a professor of archaeology, she had taught nearly a hundred students by now.
Perhaps Zheng Fachao contributed the most to the Jiushan Sect, but each person present had laid a brick and added a tile to the Jiushan Sect of today.
The crowd in the hall looked out through the doors. Disciples were coming and going, many discussing the recent news or questions left over from class.
This scene was ordinary, even monotonous, yet even Xiao Yuying couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. She sighed, "It's not easy..."
Though he was at the Golden Elixir stage, Zheng Fachao felt a pang of emotion; it truly wasn't easy.
If one were to speak of hardship, he certainly didn't suffer as he did in his childhood.
If one were to talk about being oppressed, harmed, or facing injustice, there wasn't much to recount...
But since joining the sect, Zheng Fachao's nerves had been on edge.
Every step was taken with caution, sometimes hesitating, often losing sleep over difficult decisions—there were moments of desperate determination.
Not just him; among the Yuan Ying cultivators of the Jiushan Sect, Sister Zhang was the most burdened, shouldering the internal affairs of the sect.
Uncle Pang had faced life-and-death situations multiple times, and Madam Xuanhua sometimes spent months buried in the laboratory, all contributing to the Jiushan Sect of today.
In their faces, Zheng Fachao could see the same emotions he felt—because it wasn't easy, they were reluctant to let go.
Uncle Pang glanced at the plan again and suddenly asked, "Can it really be like this in fifty years?"
"Sister Zhang and I are being quite conservative."
Upon hearing this, a hint of color rose to Uncle Pang's face, and he said with determination, "Tell me, what can I do?"
Seeing him like this, Zheng Fachao turned to the others, noticing that everyone was looking at him with bright eyes, as if waiting for him to give orders.
Zheng Fachao pointed to the table, where the plan was spread out.
He smiled at Uncle Pang and said, "Uncle, the most important task is yours."
"What?"
Uncle Pang leaned over to see a title on the page of the plan: "First Census Plan of the Baixian Alliance."
"Census?"
Zheng Fachao nodded and explained, "We have a deep understanding of the Jiushan Realm, but we know very little about the Baixian Alliance and the sea regions."
"So we need to clarify?" Uncle Pang began to understand, though still somewhat confused. "What does census mean?"
"Everything needs to be investigated."
"First, the people: population, professions, ages, families, and economic conditions."
Uncle Pang's brows furrowed.
"Second, resources, including land resources, local products and industries, the area of each island, and the conditions of various sea regions."
"The most important thing is to clarify the locations and industries of spiritual veins, spiritual materials, and spiritual beasts."
"These are the basic survey categories."
The more he listened, the more uneasy Uncle Pang looked; it seemed his enthusiasm was cooling.
"All of this is assigned to me?"
Zheng Fachao felt a pang of guilt.
The vastness of the Baixian Alliance was certainly a good thing, but it added many difficulties to such a survey, especially regarding the sea regions.
The sea might still harbor some lingering demon beasts, not to mention various perilous areas. Fully understanding it would not only be a laborious task but also extremely dangerous.
Yet Zheng Fachao and Sister Zhang had other matters in his plan.
"Not just you, Uncle; we will primarily rely on disciples who have practiced the 'Dongxu Spiritual Eye,' supplemented by students with good mathematical skills, to form survey teams and go to various places."
Only then did everyone understand why this task fell to Uncle Pang—surveys naturally required keen observation.
Most practitioners of the "Dongxu Spiritual Eye" were his disciples.
However, Uncle Pang's expression showed hesitation, as if he were troubled.
"Uncle," Zheng Fachao said, "if we want this plan to truly succeed, we must have accurate information. Otherwise, we may not only fail to develop the Baixian Alliance but could even cause irreparable harm."
Even now, Zheng Fachao's approach remained cautious.
"The census is the first step of this plan and can be said to be the most important step."
"This plan is still just an idea; many things need to be adjusted based on actual conditions."
"Only with clear data can we adapt to local conditions."
"Being pragmatic is the most important requirement of this plan."
Uncle Pang sighed and voiced his concerns: "It's not that I'm afraid for my life, but this matter is so important, and the sea is vast and fraught with dangers. I'm just at the Yuan Ying stage; if I die, it doesn't matter, but I fear it will delay the big picture."
Was it possible that he and Sister Zhang had made this investigation seem too important?
Had they made this uncle feel anxious?
Seeing the uncertainty on Uncle Pang's face, Zheng Fachao quickly reassured him, "This task is actually most suited for you."
Uncle Pang's face flashed with confusion.
"The first step of this investigation is to clarify the situation of the old territories of the Baixian Alliance. Among the Jiushan Sect, you are the one most familiar with the people of the Baixian Alliance."
One must eat a meal one bite at a time; although the sea regions held immense wealth, Zheng Fachao wanted to first solidify the resources of the Baixian Alliance and turn them into his foundation.
The social connections of the Baixian Alliance were not to be underestimated.
Uncle Pang nodded slightly, thinking for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, "In that case... even if I die, I will complete this investigation!"
Well, it shouldn't come to that...
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