Chapter 232: 232. Chapter 229: Territory Summary

232. Chapter 229: Territory Summary

After Li Xuan finished speaking, he sat in his seat, his gaze sternly fixed on the people before him. Though Li Xuan was still young, he was, after all, the true master of Ladi Canyon, exuding an air of ownership.

The people before Li Xuan were all elite backbones of Ladi Canyon, and they had kept Ladi Canyon running smoothly during Li Xuan's absence.

"Everyone, sit down. I've been away for a while, and during this period Ladi Canyon has developed quite well. Thank you all for your hard work. The purpose of today's meeting is to have each of you report on your responsibilities; I want to understand. Everyone, sit down," Li Xuan smiled at the seated people, his tone gentle, since Ladi Canyon was now doing quite well.

"Sun Mu, first report the cash flow of the territory during the five months I was away," Li Xuan glanced at Sun Mu and said.

Sun Mu, upon hearing Li Xuan's voice, immediately stood up, took a notebook from his Soul Guide Device, cleared his throat, and began to prepare his report.

"Yes, Young Master. During this period the canyon spent 3,640,000 gold Soul Coins and earned 4,110,000 gold Soul Coins. Last time Huang the merchant took away 1,000,000 gold Soul Coins; you replenished 600,000 gold Soul Coins. Now the territory has only 70,000 gold Soul Coins left. However, there have been no major expenses lately, so we can rest for a few months. The detailed accounts have already been organized, and you may review them at any time," Sun Mu reported the cash flow, then closed the small booklet and looked at Li Xuan.

"Not bad. In five months you only needed to top up 600,000 gold Soul Coins at the start, and you've basically achieved a balanced budget. Sun Mu, very good, keep up the effort," Li Xuan nodded at Sun Mu, speaking with satisfaction.

"Thank you, Young Master, for your generosity," Sun Mu, seeing that Li Xuan bore no blame, breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down.

Ladi Canyon had gone nearly half a year without any income; Sun Mu's face was dim. But there was nothing he could do—money was needed everywhere in the territory; the more you earn, the more you spend. He couldn't be blamed. However, in the future Ladi Canyon's revenue should exceed its expenses, and then the canyon will have its own reserve funds.

Next, Li Xuan turned his gaze to Han Shucheng.

Han Shucheng not only oversaw Ladi Canyon's Library, but also managed the personnel records within Ladi Canyon.

"Han Shucheng, how many ancient books have been duplicated?" Li Xuan asked Han Shucheng.

"Answering the Young Master, about one tenth has been duplicated. However, my subordinates' soul power levels have recently improved, so the duplication speed has increased considerably," replied Han Shucheng.

"Additionally, when Huang the merchant was on a trade trip, he brought back many books; we have already cataloged over 30,000 books and are proofreading and revising them. Now the first and second floors of the Library are fully packed, and we are proceeding with further classification and adjustment," Han Shucheng briefly reported the Library matters to Li Xuan.

After hearing Han Shucheng's words, Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

Ancient books are only part of the material; the existing books are also important, so we must not only duplicate ancient texts but also purchase some mainland books to expand the Library's collection.

"This has been handled well; the Library's importance needs no explanation, and it still requires a massive collection. By the way, what about the personnel registrations in the territory? How many are still incomplete?" Li Xuan asked Han Shucheng again.

Compared to the Library, the household registration issue is even more important.

"Currently the territory has 123,426 people, including 54 soul cultivators, all of whose levels have been recorded. Of the children we recently acquired, only sixteen possess Xiantian Soul Power Level; they have already been supplied with resources to begin cultivation. The remaining children have all been assigned, and basically every position is filled," Han Shucheng said to Li Xuan again.

"That's sufficient; well done. These children must be nurtured well; they will become Ladi Canyon's main force in the future. Alright, sit down," Li Xuan nodded satisfactorily at Han Shucheng.

"Thank you, Young Master!" Han Shucheng respectfully nodded to Li Xuan and then sat back in his seat.

Then Li Xuan turned his gaze to Tao Lin.

Now Wine City is the only profitable place in Ladi Canyon; all other locations still require expenditure.

"Old Tao, how is Wine City's output? Any problems?" Li Xuan asked Tao Lin.

"Answering the Young Master, all breweries in Wine City are now fully operational. Each month one third of the wine is shipped for sale, and the remainder is stored in the Wine Cellar, to be aged and sold later. The current production is already more than sufficient for sales, and can even be increased," Tao Lin stood up and smiled at Li Xuan.

"Well done, Old Tao. However, Dragon Tooth Rice is about to be harvested, and I need at least three breweries to brew this Dragon Tooth Rice into liquor. Can that be done?" Li Xuan smiled at Tao Lin and then asked him again.

"Young Master, you mentioned this before, so I have ten breweries on standby, ready to go. Once the Dragon Tooth Rice harvest is complete, we can start brewing immediately," Tao Lin said, his expression solemn, and nodded at Li Xuan.

"Alright, be ready at any time. Sit down," Li Xuan said, nodding with satisfaction.

Finally, only Zhou Chen remained as a subordinate.

Now Zhou Chen is the chief steward of Ladi Canyon, handling all matters there, primarily coordinating various parties and overseeing the farms.

"Zhou Chen, come forward and report on the farm's status. How many days until the Dragon Tooth Rice harvest, and how are the related arrangements?" Li Xuan asked Zhou Chen.

Dragon Tooth Rice is about to be harvested; as a Heavenly Material Earth Treasure, its effect is modest but it does strengthen the body, which is greatly beneficial to soul cultivators.

"Answering the Young Master, it will be three more days until harvest. Every farm is ready, and three days after sunrise we will begin harvesting. However, Young Master, according to the farmers' observations, the yield of Dragon Tooth Rice seems lower than that of ordinary grain," Zhou Chen frowned and asked Li Xuan.

"Its main purpose is soil improvement, and we will need to plant Dragon Tooth Rice for the next few years. After this harvest we must summarize the experience; three years later we will switch to medicinal herbs. Then half the farms will continue Dragon Tooth Rice, and the other half will belong to Medicine City to grow herbs. Understood?" Li Xuan thought for a moment and explained the multi‑year plan to Zhou Chen.

"Yes, Young Master," Zhou Chen nodded after hearing Li Xuan, said nothing more, and sat back in his seat.

"Xuan Ge'er, aren't you listening to my report?" Si Yu suddenly stood up, smiling at Li Xuan.

"Haha, Si Yu big brother, why are we being polite? In this setting, why would you report to me? Since you brought it up, let me ask how Weapon City is doing," Li Xuan said to Si Yu, flashing a bright smile.

"The Fifth Order Shock Heaven Cannon's technical barrier hasn't been broken yet, but after our improvements, the Fourth Order Heaven-Shaking Cannon's effect is almost comparable to the Fifth Order's. For Title Douluo and below soul cultivators, its lethality is extremely high, mainly because the cost has dropped dramatically. We intend to mass‑produce it," Si Yu nodded at Li Xuan and continued.

After hearing Si Yu's words, Li Xuan slowly frowned.

That truly was unexpected.

Lou Gao indeed lives up to being a Divine Blacksmith; the Fourth Order Heaven-Shaking Cannon he forged can rival the Fifth Order's.

If it can be mass‑produced, Ladi Canyon's safety will be greatly enhanced.

"Si Yu big brother, after a couple of days when I'm done with my tasks, I'll go find Elder Lou personally to discuss," Li Xuan took a deep breath and said seriously to Si Yu. So this matter still requires Li Xuan to study it carefully with Lou Gao before it can be finalized.

"Xuan Ge'er, the teacher also said they've missed you lately; have you had time to visit?" Si Yu laughed brightly at Li Xuan, then nodded and said, and sat down.

After Si Yu sat down, Li Xuan looked around; essentially all the territory's matters had been reported.

"These past weeks, thank you all for your hard work. I am still young, and will focus on cultivation in the future. Ladi Canyon will continue to rely on each of you, please," Li Xuan bowed deeply to the group.

"Young Master (Xuan Ge'er), you are too modest!" Everyone immediately stood and returned the salute to Li Xuan.

"Everyone, tomorrow night we will celebrate the initial completion of Ladi Canyon, drink some wine and eat meat together! Let's gather well," Li Xuan said to those around him.

"Thank you, Young Master!" Everyone shouted in unison to Li Xuan.

"The meeting is adjourned; everyone return to rest, and resume normal work tomorrow," Li Xuan waved his hand.

"Yes, Young Master!" Everyone replied, then left the Meeting Room.

Soon, the Meeting Room was empty except for Li Xuan, Bang Chui, and Bai Chuan.

"Brother, where are we heading next?" Bang Chui asked Li Xuan.

"I'll go to Medicine City in a bit to chat with those two seniors. Bang Chui, you take Zhou Chen to the Main City and arrange a banquet table; tonight I'll return with Yang Wudi and Bai He for drinks," Li Xuan took out a water flask, took a sip, and said smiling to Bang Chui.

"Got it, brother!" Bang Chui nodded and turned to leave.

"Uncle Bai, let's set off right away," Li Xuan said smiling to Bai Chuan.

"Yes, Young Master!" Bai Chuan replied and went to arrange a carriage.

…

Half an hour later, Bai Chuan drove, bringing Li Xuan and Bang Chui to Medicine City.

At this moment the streets of Medicine City were quiet; occasionally one or two people hurried by, gave Li Xuan a bow, and then went on with their business.

It seems Yang Wudi and Bai He have already arranged lodging for their own clansmen, and are now probably tidying up their rooms.

"Go straight to the City Lord's Mansion," Li Xuan said to Bai Chuan.

Bai Chuan nodded, then drove the carriage to the City Lord's Mansion in Medicine City; at that moment Bai He and Yang Wudi were carefully examining the city's design blueprints, looking quite absorbed.

"Grandpa Bai He, Senior Yang, what are you looking at?" Li Xuan said with a smile after entering the City Lord's Mansion, greeting Bai He and Yang Wudi.

Hearing Li Xuan's voice, Bai He and Yang Wudi came back to themselves and turned to glance at Li Xuan.

"Young Master Ande? Have the affairs in the domain been settled?" Bai He asked Li Xuan with a smile.

"They're mostly taken care of; my subordinates are reliable, no trouble arose," Li Xuan replied with a smiling nod.

Then Li Xuan led Bai Chuan into the City Lord's Mansion and approached Bai He and Yang Wudi.

"Young Master Ande, Medicine City is even larger than we imagined. It can't be just a simple place for making medicine, and there are several Earth Fire Chambers here—what are they for?" Yang Wudi asked Li Xuan with a strange, puzzled expression.

"To be frank, Medicine City was originally a place I set aside for myself to produce and refine medicines; it has no other purpose. I don't need to explain the medicine production—you, Senior Yang, are more familiar with that—and it requires a spacious area. As for refining medicines, it needs special flames; you have seen them. Only someone like me, a fire‑attribute martial soul practitioner, can wield them, which is why those Earth Fire Chambers exist. They were intended for other soul masters to use," Li Xuan gave a brief explanation to Yang Wudi.

"I see," Yang Wudi nodded.

It seems Li Xuan also has a plan to pass on the Alchemy Art.

Hearing Li Xuan say that, Yang Wudi also nodded silently; in that case, the Po Clan and Min Clan need not worry that Li Xuan won't teach the Alchemy Art earnestly.

"By the way, Young Master Ande, when will you have time to explain the Alchemy Art to us?" Yang Wudi continued asking Li Xuan.

"How about this: in the next few days I need to handle some affairs in my domain. After a few more days I will compile the Alchemy Art I have mastered into a volume; then you and your clan can study it yourselves. I will also come here regularly to refine medicines, and you can observe," Li Xuan said after a moment's thought to Yang Wudi.

Both the Po Clan and the Min Clan are well suited for Alchemy. The Po Clan not only has high combat power but also a foundation in medicine, while the Min Clan's combat power is low but its soul power talent can be used; using surplus soul power in their bodies to forge Alchemy Pills is also quite effective.

However, the Alchemy Art Li Xuan can impart only reaches the Second Grade level, which is already top‑tier; after all, Li Xuan is currently a Second Grade Alchemist, and he does not intend to teach them all of the Alchemy techniques.

After all, Alchemy is considered a top‑level ability.

To Li Xuan, the Po Clan and the Min Clan are merely subordinates for mass‑producing Alchemy Pills.

"That's wonderful!" Yang Wudi exclaimed, grabbing Li Xuan's hand and saying to him.

Li Xuan looked at Yang Wudi and helplessly shook his head.

Yang Wudi is truly obsessed with Alchemy.

(End of Chapter)