Chapter 207: Inviting Ning Tian, Expanding the Tang Sect
After spending a few leisurely days at the Tang Sect, Ye Chen returned to the academy.
Although he was away, he still observed Wang Dong and the others' training daily through the Heaven and Earth Infinite Eye.
Life at the academy, though monotonous, wasn't entirely dull.
There were daily combat classes, duels at the Soul Arena, organization events, soul tool symposiums, and sometimes student exchanges with academies from across the continent. After all, a school couldn't focus only on cultivation—there had to be various activities or students would surely develop mental fatigue.
Ye Chen, however, cared little for such things.
Now that his strength had reached a sufficient level, it was time to expand the Tang Sect.
Though he often treated the Tang Sect as his private paradise, he had long declared that he would make it flourish again.
His future plan was to divide the Tang Sect into an inner and outer division—the inner sect composed of his own people, and the outer sect of hired workers.
Of course, those workers would also need to be properly rewarded.
With his Myriad Phenomena Codex, Ye Chen could casually produce materials, artifacts, even blueprints—whatever was needed.
What he lacked now were hands—laborers, craftsmen, and an industrial base. He needed his own factory and a workforce of soul tool engineers—people who could "tighten the screws."
In short, he was in desperate need of money.
Soul engineers were often looked down upon by traditional soul masters, yet the profession was highly lucrative—equivalent to alchemists in other cultivation worlds.
In the three great empires, every soul engineer was extremely valuable, nearly impossible to hire.
There were still no mass-production lines for soul tools in this world.
Ye Chen's idea was to build the first such production line, focusing on low-level, consumable-type soul tools. Through sheer quantity, he could flood the market, earning huge profits and swiftly growing the Tang Sect's influence.
High-end soul tools would be entrusted to Xian Lin'er—they would collaborate for mutual gain, with Shrek receiving a small share.
For low and mid-tier soul tools, Ye Chen planned to partner with Ning Tian's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
As an auxiliary-type sect, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had far more intellect and adaptability than combat-oriented sects like the Clear Sky Clan or Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan—making them ideal business partners.
Moreover, with its vast network, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's business extended across the entire continent, even reaching into the Sun-Moon Empire.
Using them as a springboard, the Tang Sect could rise at remarkable speed.
With Ye Chen's technological expertise, he could also initiate technical exchanges with Mingde Hall in the future.
In time, Ye Chen even planned to visit the Sun-Moon Empire himself.
As for the possibility of technology being leaked—he wasn't worried.
If the Sun-Moon Empire behaved, Ye Chen would leave them alone.
If they didn't… he wouldn't mind absorbing their empire into the Tang Sect and making them work under him.
…
…
Upon returning to the Tang Sect, Ye Chen first sought out Ning Tian.
Since this was a serious discussion, he went alone—without Wu Feng.
At the entrance to the Seven Treasure Hotel, Ye Chen sent someone to invite her.
Moments later, clad in her academy uniform, Ning Tian appeared at the corner of the street.
The instant she saw him, her eyes brightened and she ran over, closing the distance in a few steps before leaping straight into his arms.
"Ye Chen~ Where have you been these days? I've missed you so much~"
Ning Tian crashed against his chest, hugging him tightly, as if afraid he might vanish again.
"Mm, I missed you too~"
Ye Chen chuckled softly, gazing down at her.
The sunset reflected in her clear eyes like melted gold.
Unable to resist, he lowered his head and gently kissed her rosy lips.
"Mmm…"
Ning Tian let out a shy hum, her small hands unknowingly clutching at his shirt, her breath quickening until it mingled with his.
She felt her strength melting away, her body turning pliant against his embrace, overwhelmed by the dizzying sweetness of his affection.
…
After a long while, their lips parted.
Ning Tian's cheeks glowed crimson, her breath uneven, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she looked up at him through hazy eyes brimming with shy warmth.
"What are you doing… we're outside! What if someone sees us…" she murmured, turning her face aside, voice soft and scolding.
"What's the problem? Showing affection with my fiancée is only natural," Ye Chen said teasingly, whispering into her ear, his warm breath making her shiver.
"F-fiancée? Don't say that… we haven't even met each other's parents yet…"
She stammered softly, face aflame. Yet her irritation quickly melted into bliss. Leaning into his chest, her heart fluttered like it was filled with honey.
"Then let's meet them soon. It's best to make things official early."
Ye Chen smiled, setting her gently back on her feet.
"Ah? So soon…? W-when?"
Ning Tian panicked, lowering her head shyly, her mind a swirl of surprise and joy.
She hadn't even told her family about Ye Chen yet. If she suddenly brought home a fiancé, how would they react?
But if she refused… would Ye Chen be upset?
"Right, Ning Tian, there's something important I want to discuss—with you, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Ye Chen didn't wait for her flustered reply; he simply held her hand and led her into the hotel.
Ning Tian, her face still faintly red, lifted her gaze curiously. "Hmm? What is it? Tell me."
"You know about the special technologies I've developed—especially those related to soul tools."
Ye Chen began calmly, organizing his thoughts.
"As you know, the Tang Sect is still small. For us to grow stronger, relying on just a few people isn't enough. I plan to use my technology to create practical, consumable low-level soul tools—affordable items that ordinary soul masters can use."
Ning Tian's eyes brightened at that. "Low-level soul tools? What kind, exactly?"
"For example, domestic-use soul tools—like the image-recording device I showed you earlier. Or short-distance communication tools," Ye Chen explained. "The specific type doesn't matter much. What matters is that only we can produce them—and with my simplified production method, our profits will be enormous."
There were no antimonopoly laws in this era.
As long as Ye Chen kept the core technology of his soul tools secure, each one could yield multiple times—or even dozens of times—its cost in profit.
Cooperating with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was purely to expedite the Tang Sect's growth, leveraging their networks and influence.
And, of course, because of Ning Tian.
Without her, Ye Chen might have turned to Xian Lin'er instead—since her loyalty was such that she'd practically hand over all profits to him.
But Xian Lin'er was busy forging her own ninth-level soul tool, and he didn't want to trouble her over mundane business matters.
If it was something he could do himself, Ye Chen preferred to handle it personally.
(END CHAPTER)
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