Yunkui Summit Cafeteria.
"Arden, hasn't the amount of meat in our meals… gotten smaller these last few days?"
Ju Fufu stared at the few pitiful cubes of meat on her plate and couldn't help complaining.
"Yeah."
Arden also frowned. It wasn't just them—other disciples in line were equally dissatisfied with the cafeteria's meals.
This shouldn't be happening…
Suspicion rose in Arden's mind.
Whether one practiced spells or martial arts, the energy consumption was enormous; such a shortage of meat was unreasonable. Besides, the reduction had only begun recently.
If something strange happens, something must be behind it. I'll ask Pan Yinhu later.
As the main chef of the grand cafeteria, Senior Brother Pan Yinhu should know something.
For now, calming Ju Fufu's emotions was more important.
"Just bear with it for today. We're going down the mountain tomorrow—I'll treat you to roast chicken!"
Arden lovingly rubbed Ju Fufu's head. No matter who had to suffer, it couldn't be his little tiger.
"Great!"
At the mention of chicken, Ju Fufu's mood instantly brightened.
…..
After lunch, Arden sought out Pan Yinhu to ask about the situation.
However, Pan Yinhu didn't know much either. He only knew that the reduction in meat wasn't due to kitchen stinginess, but a supply issue.
He was planning to ask Yi Jing, the logistics officer, later. But Arden suggested they ask Sect Master Yixuan directly instead.
Thus, Arden, Ju Fufu, and Pan Yinhu made their way to Yixuan's residence.
…..
Sect Master Yixuan's residence was in a different area from the disciples' quarters, located deep within Yunkui Summit. Not only was the environment more serene, but the place was also far more spacious—a three-section compound.
Some side rooms were originally meant for personal disciples, but since Yixuan had yet to accept any, all of them were empty.
Inside the main house, Yixuan sat at the head, with officer Yi Jing seated below.
"Recently, many disciples have reported that the cafeteria meals have deteriorated. Do you know why?"
Yixuan wasn't a negligent leader. Anything happening within Yunkui Summit, she naturally heard about.
She had summoned Yi Jing today specifically to ask the logistics supervisor what was going on.
"Sect Master, the situation is…"
Yi Jing seemed prepared. As soon as Yixuan spoke, he responded without hesitation, clearly explaining the difficulties facing Yunkui Summit.
In short, Yunkui Summit was facing financial issues, and to avoid running a deficit, they had no choice but to reduce daily expenses.
Yunkui Summit's income came from three major sources.
The first was Suibian Temple on the Waifei Peninsula.
Though Yunkui Summit withdrew from the peninsula ten years ago, several industries remained—such as Suibian Temple's divination and feng-shui services, and shops selling Yunkui Summit's specialties like pills, talismans, and Hollow-related items.
The second source was completing commissions.
Helping citizens resolve disasters had always been Yunkui Summit's mission. They collected modest payments for this, but most of it went to the disciples who completed the tasks. Only commissions requiring Yixuan herself—or those issued by the Mayor—were counted as sect revenue.
The third source was donations from benefactors.
The first source was stable, but the latter two fluctuated greatly. With shop income sharply dropping now, it was indeed difficult.
"A-Shuo from Suibian Temple was hospitalized due to poor health, so divination services had to be suspended."
Yi Jing spoke with regret.
Though A-Shuo was a dog, perhaps because he had once been corroded, he was extremely sensitive to ether, and even had an unusual sense of fate.
With both the master and disciples gone, A-Shuo had become the pillar of Suibian Temple, offering divinations to visitors—a significant source of income.
"A-Shuo…"
Yixuan frowned. "I understand. Do you… have any suggestions?"
"I think, to ease our financial issues, we could auction off the operating rights of the Porcelume Ridge mine—"
"No."
Before Yi Jing could finish, Yixuan rejected the idea outright.
Porcelume was extremely valuable due to its capacity to block ether, especially in combating Hollows and Ethereals.
Everyone knew that nearly all Porcelume Ridge mining and Porcelume production were monopolized by Porcelumex, a subsidiary of TOPS. Naturally, the Mayor—TOPS's rival—did not wish this situation to continue.
The Defense Force, Public Security, and H.A.N.D were all constrained by TOPS's control over their equipment. This was far too dangerous.
Thus, the Mayor of the Mayflower family had long sought alternative Porcelume Ridge mining and Porcelume manufacturing channels.
The mine whose operating rights Yunkui Summit held was one such rare success.
As for why something so important ended up in Yunkui Summit's hands… it was simply that the Mayor had too many traitors around him—or rather, he had very few people he could trust. Yunkui Summit happened to be one of those rare allies.
Not only Yixuan, but the previous heads of Yunkui Summit had maintained good relations with the Mayflower family for generations.
Therefore, selling the mine's operating rights would be an act of betrayal—something Yixuan would never agree to.
"Well then… I have no solution either."
Yi Jing spread his hands helplessly.
"In that case… I'll personally go to Suibian Temple and offer divinations to the visitors."
This wasn't arrogance. If Yixuan took charge, the crowds at Suibian Temple would surely overflow.
"If you have nothing else, you may leave."
...
"Going personally to Suibian Temple, huh…"
Leaving the courtyard, Yi Jing muttered under his breath.
"Hm?"
At that moment, he encountered Arden and the other two approaching.
"Hmph!"
Yi Jing snorted coldly and shot Arden a nasty glare, venting all his earlier frustration on him.
Then he walked off without even greeting them.
"Honestly…"
Arden didn't care about Yi Jing's attitude. He merely shook his head. Everyone at Yunkui Summit knew he and Yi Jing didn't get along.
…..
The three visited Sect Master Yixuan and explained why they had come.
"I've already heard the situation. I'll resolve it as soon as possible."
After giving her promise, Yixuan dismissed them. But before they could leave, she suddenly called Arden and Ju Fufu back.
"Arden, Fufu… you two are from the Waifei Peninsula, right?"
"Yes, Sect Master. Is there something you need?" Arden asked, puzzled.
Yunkui Summit was close to the peninsula, so many disciples came from there. Arden didn't understand why Yixuan brought this up.
"Then… I assume you know the peninsula very well?"
"Of course! Maybe not every blade of grass, but we've been through every alley!"
Before Arden could speak, Ju Fufu answered eagerly. "Local experts—that's me and Arden!"
"Good."
Yixuan nodded in satisfaction. "Tomorrow, come with me to Suibian Temple. I'll be needing your help."
After Yi Jing left, Yixuan cast a divination. The results showed that this financial crisis was anything but simple.
Among all the outer disciples, Arden was clever and capable, and Ju Fufu was strong. Both were locals of the Waifei Peninsula—taking them along might prove useful.