Chapter 238: Z-Type Productivity Enhancement Capsule

“As long as profits have increased, that’s fine.” Xiong Zhigang replied; in recent days, his own power had nearly doubled.

“But His Majesty has recently begun seeking immortals and the Dao for longevity—what insights do you have on this matter, Master Chu?”

As Xiong Zhigang spoke, a look of helplessness crept onto his face.

It seemed that, having realized he could no longer effectively suppress or control Xiong Zhigang, the young emperor had simply given up.

Whether this was genuine negligence or concealed maneuvers beneath the surface remained unknown.

The other party was indeed skilled in patience and deception.

Chu Danqing and Guo Ming exchanged glances, and Chu Danqing said: “Actually… yes.”

He recounted the old affair, and Xiong Zhigang, upon hearing it, could only laugh and sigh in disbelief.

It turned out the affairs of the two previous emperors were also involved—thankfully, the flesh scholar’s spellbook had been taken away, or another monster might have been born.

“But rest assured, everyone connected to this matter has been eliminated.”

“So even if the young emperor finds written records, all he’ll find is a ridiculous tale,” Chu Danqing said.

He had handled it cleanly—he had no desire to see another mad emperor.

The young emperor was already politically unstable; if he further tainted himself with such evil forces, he’d likely go completely insane.

The family’s temperament bore a certain inherited streak.

“Since this young emperor is so unreasonable, perhaps, Master Xiong, you should replace him,” Guo Ming ventured with a joking tone.

For this matter benefited everyone.

“Impossible. To eat the ruler’s grain is to serve the ruler faithfully—how can one speak of usurpation, such treasonous words?” Xiong Zhigang’s expression hardened.

Yet his achievements overshadowed the throne, and his command of heavy troops was already glaringly conspicuous.

Any observant person could see the young emperor wished to kill Xiong Zhigang.

But though Xiong Zhigang was a loyal minister, he was not foolishly rigid.

He did not choose to retreat or compromise.

If he yielded, it would not be just him who died—it would drag down his entire retinue.

“Let Master Xiong decide for himself,” Chu Danqing said calmly. “Wait here—I’ll go buy you something to take back.”

“The sweet potatoes, corn, White-Feathered Chickens—the things that boost productivity?” Xiong Zhigang asked eagerly.

Xiong Zhigang knew full well: once these were implemented, the momentum carrying him would grow ever stronger, and he could already foresee the final outcome.

But with these things, the people would live better—perhaps even have meat to eat and clothes to wear.

Compared to that, his own personal concerns meant nothing.

Between the emperor and the people, he would choose the latter.

“Yes, those things—I’ll go buy them from the Life Adept,” Chu Danqing said, then hurried off.

His requirement was clear: items that enhanced productivity, not too high-tier, and not involving the supernatural.

It wasn’t that he was stingy—Xiong Zhigang’s trial world was too low in level; items too high-tier might not even survive there.

This had to be done gradually, not rushed—step too far, and you’d tear your own groin.

You had to buy the highest quality possible, within suitable limits.

About half an hour later, Chu Danqing spent five thousand Paradise Points to purchase a Fine-grade item from a Life Adept.

Named the Z-Type Productivity Enhancement Capsule.

Inside were not only modern-bred crop seeds and selectively bred poultry and livestock, but also feed formulas, farming tool blueprints, fertilizer industry knowledge, and more.

The resources stored within were worthless—the true value lay in their high universality, usable across most trial worlds.

And it counted as a single item, easy to transport.

Otherwise, Chu Danqing would have had to herd chickens, ducks, and pigs over—and Xiong Zhigang would’ve struggled to bring them back.

They had also recommended the Superior-grade Y-Type Productivity Enhancement Portable Case—but when Chu Danqing saw the price, he abandoned it.

Better to wait until he reached Rank 2, then spend another five thousand Paradise Points to buy another.

The resources inside this Z-Type Productivity Enhancement Capsule would keep Xiong Zhigang busy for a long time.

When Xiong Zhigang saw its grade upon receiving it, he was stunned.

“You’ve spent again, Master Chu,” Xiong Zhigang said, for having never participated in Rank 1 trial missions, his understanding of item grades still clung to the Reserve Level.

Back then, Fine-grade items were highly valuable—three or four could be traded for a basic skill.

“Not a waste—I bought this from a Life Adept; it’s barely above cost.”

“It’s not Reserve Level anymore—Fine-grade items aren’t that valuable now,” Chu Danqing said.

Five thousand Paradise Points for a Fine-grade item—any kind—would’ve been shocking in Reserve Level.

But in Rank 1, it was quite ordinary.

Especially since it was a Life Adept’s product, which naturally sold cheaper.

Guo Ming glanced over and smiled.

He too wanted one—but now was not the right time for the Guo clan.

Yet now that Xiong Zhigang had accepted it, once he launched his productivity-enhancing policies, he would inevitably infringe on the interests of landlords and gentry.

He’d then face two choices: either surrender and let the people suffer more, or resist.

If Xiong Zhigang refused to sit idle, even those who didn’t oppose him would be forced to.

This benefited Chu Danqing.

Xiong Zhigang’s power represented not only the yield of Basic Skill Crystals, but also his own strength.

His military commander class was deeply tied to his influence.

“Still, you paid out of your own pocket,” Xiong Zhigang could not fail to see Chu Danqing’s sacrifice: “Next trial, Master Chu, don’t forget me.”

“I and Taichang owe you our debt—we have nothing to repay you with except our service.”

Xiong Zhigang had long used Chu Danqing’s platform to elevate himself and his power—but he knew he couldn’t keep taking forever, or he’d exhaust their goodwill.

Especially since his trial world was so low-tier—he needed resources from Chu Danqing’s platform to keep pace.

Thus, he needed to demonstrate his own value.

Goodwill alone was insufficient—he needed to bind their interests together, to become lifelong allies.

Now, Xiong Zhigang and Guo Ming represented not just themselves, but their respective factions.

“The last trial world was unsuitable—I was in the mountains, then entered a tomb.”

“If the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry arrived, they’d only throw themselves into chaos,” Chu Danqing said.

A hundred or so heavily armored cavalrymen simply couldn’t maneuver properly.

Hearing this, Xiong Zhigang pondered: his entire force was cavalry—they’d inevitably encounter unsuitable terrain.

He’d need to restructure his army’s composition upon returning.

“I understand—it was my oversight,” Xiong Zhigang continued. “I’ll reconsider once I return.”

Previous summons had seen cavalry achieve success, so Xiong Zhigang had unconsciously assumed Chu Danqing’s trial worlds were all urban.

The Flying Bear Iron Cavalry excelled in both ranged and melee combat—but no one expected Chu Danqing to enter the mountains.

Then cavalry became useless.

“Do you have other troop types?” Chu Danqing was surprised—normally, maintaining such a heavy cavalry force would drain Taichang’s treasury.

Yet Xiong Zhigang had other units of equal caliber—this was astonishing.

“Thanks to the teachings of the Divine Might Heavenly King, and the military treatise Master Guo found, I’ve unlocked some talents and skills to reduce costs.”

“That’s how I barely manage it.” Xiong Zhigang had once been unable to afford them—but times had changed.

“But the other newly trained armies are inferior to the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry.”

“Yet when paired with them, they complement each other well,” Xiong Zhigang said.

In truth, Xiong Zhigang had not mentioned one thing—he was nearly bankrupt.

The Z-Type Productivity Enhancement Capsule Chu Danqing delivered filled this gap perfectly; if widely adopted, his new armies would soon catch up to the Flying Bear Iron Cavalry.

Productivity was the key—without it, growth was impossible.

Chu Danqing knew little about military affairs, so he simply replied: “Good.”

Then he changed the subject; the three chatted for nearly another half hour before sending the two back at the deadline.

—

【Alliance target carries a Fine-grade item belonging to a Rank 1 Dimension Adept. You may choose to pay a fee to transfer it, or abandon the transfer.】

【1. Fee: 1,000 Paradise Points】

【2. Abandon transfer—the item remains where it is】

—

【You returned your alliance target. Reintegration cognition normalization complete. Current duration: 26 hours. Cost: 9,958 Paradise Points】

—

The upgraded Shanhe Alliance, combined with his Command Basic/Proficient skills, had saved Chu Danqing many Paradise Points.

“Spending like water,” Chu Danqing noted his Paradise Points now stood at 104,558.

Though he still had one hundred thousand, fifty-nine thousand of it was reserved for skill upgrades, and ten thousand seven hundred for the next trial world’s startup funds.

In the end, only 34,858 Paradise Points remained for his personal use.

He had started with one hundred seventy thousand.

Chu Danqing’s head ached at the thought of needing a Superior-grade Equipment Synthesizer and a Fine-grade True Spirit vehicle item—in full True Spirit Awakening state.

His available items were severely limited—barely any.

“If not for the last trial world granting me my talent and the Great Bone, I’d be in the red,” Chu Danqing reflected—his Paradise Points had increased, but everything else was still lacking.

Especially in terms of equipment and items.

"I hope these two excellent and three fine items are enough."

"Before that, I need to confirm how many of these pieces are True Spirit equipment."

To get a good price, you must first estimate the baseline.

(End of chapter)