Lu Ping took a closer look at the effects of [Resource Optimization] and pulled up the system panel.
[Sect Simulator]
[Host: Lu Ping]
[Sect: Cyan Mountain Sect]
[Identity: Cyan Mountain Sect Ancestor]
[Level: Qi Cultivation Sect]
[Reputation: 141]
[Fame: Greatly reduced fame, unclear good and evil]
[Members: 30]
[Buildings: Sect Hall, Library Pavilion, Alchemy Room, Artifact Refining Room, others omitted]
[Resources: Cyan Lotus Mountain Spiritual Vein (Tier Two), Small Mist Concealment Sword Array (Tier Two), three acres of Medicine Field (Tier One), ten acres of Spirit Field (Tier One), one Marketplace Shop, Spiritual Peach Tree (Tier One)]
[Income: 730 Spirit Stones/year]
[Expenditure: 1260 Spirit Stones/year]
[Net Income: -530 Spirit Stones/year]
[Savings: 23 Spirit Stones]
[Map: Lushan County (49%)]
[Message: Vast martial world, demons devour the heavens. Your presence is insignificant to the masses, an ordinary individual, but small people can achieve great things]
[Objective: With internal strife and external threats, the Cyan Mountain Sect is in ruins, as the founder, please strive to revitalise your sect]
...
Lu Zhiwei and others had not yet returned to the sect, and the Tree Cave Fox's fur had not been sold in the market, so the sect's savings remained at 23 Spirit Stones.
Among the various data, only the resources and sect members' sections showed changes.
Due to Tang Zhixian's departure from the sect, the sect members decreased from thirty-one to thirty.
In the resource section, the Spiritual Peach Tree was added.
Lu Ping's previous operations included purchasing and planting the Spiritual Peach Tree and using the system's basic functions to send disciples on expeditions to explore Doorway Affairs and delegate tasks.
In the short term, it's understandable that most of the sect's data hasn't changed.
After pondering for a while, Lu Ping had an idea about using [Resource Optimization].
From the effect of this item, it can optimize one resource within the sect, and with luck, even improve its tier.
It happened that he could use it on the sect's Spirit Field or Medicinal Garden to raise one of their tiers.
When the sect decided to heavily invest in three major industries, Lu Ping still had some concerns about its future.
It's not that the investment risk is high and the return low, but that efficiency is low.
Take the Spirit Field, the sect is cultivating Tier One Spirit Field which naturally produces Tier One Spirit Rice.
This level of Spirit Rice has a low price and low yield.
An acre of Spirit Field yields about three hundred pounds.
To see improvement in the sect within three years and accumulate substantial income to restore disciples' halted salaries, the process will surely be difficult and arduous.
Lu Ping has ambition and is aware of the benefits of hybrid rice from his past life, so he naturally hopes to expand Spirit Field cultivation to achieve high-yield Spirit Rice, bringing efficient returns to the sect.
If [Resource Optimization] is used on the Spirit Field, it might be upgraded to Tier Two.
Tier Two Spirit Field can produce Tier Two Spirit Rice!
The price of Tier Two Spirit Rice is more than double that of Tier One Spirit Rice, and the income will greatly increase!
Even if the Spirit Field is not optimized, optimizing the Medicinal Garden would also be significantly beneficial.
Lu Ping couldn't wait to redeem [Resource Optimization] and apply it to either the Spirit Field or Medicinal Garden.
Taking a step back, even if the tier upgrade fails, optimizing would still be good, at least it could surpass expectations.
Though the idea is good, looking at the redemption price, it requires fifty reputation points, which Lu Ping finds a bit expensive.
"Redeeming one requires fifty reputation points, to optimize both the Spirit Field and the Medicinal Garden would need at least one hundred reputation points."
"The good stuff here is really not cheap."
Despite currently having one hundred forty-one reputation points, enough to redeem one [Resource Optimization], Lu Ping decided to hold off.
After this year's Spirit Field harvest, expanding the Spirit Field before redeeming it would yield the best optimization effect for the Spirit Field.
Solving Lu Zhiwei's mental state problems is particularly important, priorities must be clear.
While Lu Ping was contemplating this, two days later, footsteps were heard outside the cave mansion — Lu Zhiwei had returned to the sect and came to see him first thing.
"Father, Zhiwei is back."
Lu Zhiwei stood outside the cave mansion.
"Hmm."
Upon hearing his daughter's voice, Lu Ping used the [Communication] function to initiate a private chat with Lu Zhiwei.
He wanted to see her.
Lu Zhiwei reported, "Father, the Demonic Fox in Little Stone Town has been cleared, and there are no survivors."
"Was the demon-clearing process smooth?"
"Thanks for your concern, father, everything went smoothly."
"This demon-clearing task was well done by you."
Lu Ping opened the system panel and redeemed [Steadfast Dao Heart] in the mall.
Receiving praise from Lu Ping made Lu Zhiwei somewhat happy, and her facial expression looked much lighter.
"Now the sect is in a tough spot, the Tree Cave Fox's fur can fetch some Spirit Stones, although not much, every bit counts."
Lu Ping instructed, "Sell those furs and store the Spirit Stones you earned. The sect's operation needs Spirit Stones to maintain, necessary expenditures shouldn't be spared."
"Zhiwei understands."
Regarding the sale of Tree Cave Fox fur, Lu Zhiwei and Lu Ping had the same thought; otherwise, during the demon-clearing, she wouldn't have instructed disciples to handle it carefully to preserve the Tree Cave Fox's fur.
Lu Ping had Lu Yuanshan return the Zhaoyun Sword to Lu Zhiwei, in fact, he was thinking that selling the Tree Cave Fox fur could earn some Spirit Stones, which would help the sect slightly and avoid having to sell the Zhaoyun Sword.
After giving these instructions, Lu Ping applied [Steadfast Dao Heart] to Lu Zhiwei.
Outside the cave mansion, Lu Zhiwei only stood for a moment, then felt a slight anomaly growing within her, specifically manifesting as a change in her state of mind.
Suddenly, she had a strong desire to resume cultivation and continue striving in the Immortal Dao.
This desire was so strong that she felt as if a fire was lit in the darkness, illuminating her path forward, making her wonder and uncertain about what had happened.
"Father, why do I feel..."
She then spoke to Lu Ping, seeking an explanation.
She was smart, suspecting it was related to her father.
"No need to worry."
Lu Ping's voice sounded; he had noticed Lu Zhiwei's expression.
"I observed your Dao Heart is unstable and lacking a desire for cultivation, so I intervened to reinforce your Dao Heart, hoping you can emerge from the shadow and no longer be mired in the guilt of your past Foundation Establishment failure."
"Father, your method is quite extraordinary, able to..."
"There's no need to ask further, just know that Father is helping you and wants you well."
Related to the system, it was hard to explain, and Lu Ping didn't bother to say more.
He paid attention to Lu Zhiwei's personal attributes and saw the status section's [Dao Heart Lost, Mild Depression] disappear, replaced with [Healthy].
Additionally, the personality section's [Silent and Solitary, Vulnerable and Sensitive] had not changed, presumably character transformation requires time and cannot happen immediately.
Fortunately, this is not an issue.
Thus, he continued, "I will continue seeking ways for the sect's development and strive hard. Similarly, you all need to have confidence."
"Yes."
"Moreover, you are among the highest cultivators in the sect and a Tier One High-Grade Refiner. If you can break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, the sect can take a good breath and won't be as tough as it is now."
Saying this, Lu Ping's tone became subdued.
"Perhaps you think I'm about to exit seclusion to strengthen the sect, but I cannot exit seclusion in the near future, not even for a long stretch, so the sect's future still depends on you."
Lu Zhiwei listened quietly and nodded slightly.
Previously, Lu Yuanshan had mentioned to her about Lu Ping's temporary inability to exit seclusion, understanding Lu Ping might have some secret reason, she didn't press for an explanation.
"Wait for me outside, I still have two items to give you."