Liang Yuan’s arrival immediately bolstered the Forging Hall, which already had a basic framework in place.

This was a crucial part of Chen Che’s plan to revitalize Jinyun Valley. Selling forged weapons and Magical Artifacts, compared to just selling raw Materials, could not only increase profits dozens of times over but also cultivate a group of disciples skilled in Forging, creating a new source of income for the Valley.

After all, maintaining a faction with four to five hundred disciples in Cultivation was no easy task.

The daily living expenses and all Cultivation costs for the disciples were astronomical.

Of course, this was a necessary investment.

Once their Realms improved, they could strategize from a position of power, expand their industries and territory, and even plunder resources from others.

However, the massive investments were already starting to show results:

Setting aside the upper echelons, of the four hundred sixty-one disciples, seven had already reached the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, twenty-six had stepped into the Qi Refining Third Layer, and all the rest had reached the Second Layer.

"These people sure know which way the wind is blowing," Rong Shisan sneered.

Every month, Chen Che would check the disciples’ Cultivation progress. As a Tutor, Rong Shisan naturally compiled these statistics to present to Chen Che for review.

"The seven at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer are all disciples from various clans. Back when those clans first sent their members to Jinyun Valley for Cultivation, they were quite reluctant. But upon seeing their Cultivation speed far surpass that within their own clans, they immediately began to funnel resources their way."

"If they didn’t funnel resources, wouldn’t that imply Jinyun Valley has no value?"

Chen Che was completely unconcerned. As long as he was strong enough, these minor clans couldn’t cause any major trouble.

If they enjoyed the benefits of Jinyun Valley and still dared to have divided loyalties, the only consequence was death.

Thinking of this, Chen Che looked at Rong Shisan.

"What is your current Cultivation level?"

Rong Shisan no longer concealed it and released his aura.

Chen Che nodded. Before joining the Valley, Rong Shisan was already at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer. In the past year, although his Cultivation level hadn’t increased, his True Essence had become full and clear. In this world, he was ready to attempt Foundation Establishment at any time.

"Suppress it for another two months to further condense your True Essence. Also, expand your Divine Sense to a range of ten zhang."

As he spoke, he tossed over three sticks of Concentration Incense.

"Thank you, Valley Master."

Rong Shisan was overjoyed.

He had only ever seen Hu Yao and Rong Zhongxuan use this incense. His Divine Sense Seed had already awakened, and through arduous daily Cultivation, he could only expand it by half an inch.

Just one sniff had caused it to grow by half an inch.

There were many items in the Valley not for external sale, and Concentration Incense was one of them.

Next, Chen Che summoned Zhao Deyou and Liang Yuan to ask about the affairs of the Alchemy Hall and the Forging Hall.

He had personally established the framework for the Alchemy Hall, with the apprentices from the Pill Shop forming its core staff. Currently, the hall was responsible for supplying some of Yunzhou’s Cultivation Clans with large batches of healing and calming Pills. Some clan factions also purchased Spirit Liquid to aid their Cultivation.

It had taken over the Pill Shop’s business and was now the Valley’s most profitable Hall.

The Market and the auction house ranked second.

Although the auction was held only once a month, the high prices meant the commission fees were substantial. As for the items that didn’t sell, they flowed into the Market, increasing foot traffic. Including the monthly taxes, it brought in nearly a thousand Spirit Stones.

As for the Forging Hall, since it was established only recently, it currently just had a single shop inside Jinyun Valley. It was frequented by many Loose Cultivators, but no major factions had made purchases yet, so it was operating at a significant loss.

Of course, the most difficult part was the Sacrificial Hall.

It still only had three members: Lu Qinglian, Xing Lin, and Liang Yuan. Quite a few Cultivators had come seeking to join, but most of them were dregs.

’Ugh, I almost forgot. I still need to make a trip to the Meng Family.’

After handling his affairs, Chen Che’s brow furrowed.

Last year, Meng Changyuan had hinted that he should visit the Meng Family after the auction. However, the Hu Family’s interference had caused a delay.

Afterward, with the establishment of the Sacrificial Hall, then the Forging Hall, and various other matters, he had postponed it until the end of April.

If he delayed any longer, the school term on Earth Element Star would begin, and he feared he would have even less time to spare.

Besides, whether it was with the Beast Shop or the Foundation Establishment Pill, Meng Changtu had helped him a great deal. It was fair to say that without that Foundation Establishment Pill, the auction house wouldn’t have taken off so quickly.

Of course, he couldn’t go on this trip empty-handed.

Chen Che prepared nine bottles of Celestial Spirit Pills, three Tier Two Magical Artifacts, and three thousand Spirit Stones. As for various Tier One Pills, he prepared over a hundred bottles.

"This... this is too much..."

Meng Qingxuan shook her head hastily upon seeing the prepared gifts. "The Valley doesn’t have much of a surplus. Just taking one bottle of Celestial Spirit Pills back will be enough."

Chen Che glanced at the ’Lady of the Valley’ and couldn’t help but chuckle.

’I wonder how Meng Changtu would feel if he heard that.’

As Jinyun Valley’s personnel grew and its affairs multiplied, the Chief Steward, Ding Fei, found his energy limited, so Meng Qingxuan naturally stepped in to help. As expected of someone from a major clan, she got the hang of it in just two or three days.

Not only did she sort out some of the messy accounts, but she also rooted out a few shops that were evading taxes, saving the Valley a significant amount of money.

However, the books still showed no surplus. At best, she had managed to stop him from having to pour his own money into the Valley.

Of course, Chen Che also knew that Jinyun Valley wasn’t the only one in this predicament. Many clans, lacking any special skills, struggled just to maintain their basic operations. That was why they attached themselves to larger powers, and some even moonlighted as Tribulation Cultivators.

Thinking of this, he refused her outright:

"That’s far too little. I’m a Valley Master, after all. If I’m too stingy, it’ll surely cause gossip. Besides, your father isn’t the only voice in the Meng Family. This is also to shut the mouths of others."