This money caused Ning Zheng a pang of distress.

Even planting a field incurs huge costs, a full twenty thousand magic coins.

But he has no choice but to spend.

He must spend now during the Red Moon to save money.

Otherwise, it will only be more painful in the future.

Other blacksmiths have nothing to do with the spirit farmers.

But their manor is different; they need spiritual roots.

The technique to cultivate spiritual roots is also necessary.

Though it seems there's little dependence now, with spiritual roots growing everywhere.

But what about later?

When Sword Casting Manor requires lower, middle, and upper-grade spiritual roots for weapon making, they must rely on their cultivation instead of paying high prices outside for spiritual roots.

Relying on external suppliers for the source would mean letting others control them.

Ning Zheng thought to himself:

"The spirit farming industry needs early investments. So, when the blacksmith shop's technology advances to need lower-grade spiritual roots, the spirit farming might have developed to produce them."

He can't wait until they hit a bottleneck to start developing spirit farmers; it would be too late.

The investment in spirit farmers will probably be the biggest future expense!

Don't think the blacksmiths are the most costly.

Cultivating heavenly and earthly treasures by spirit farmers is the real money pit!

But it can't be ignored.

Ning Zheng took stock of his manor's industries.

Forging magical artifacts.

Spirit field farming.

Medical clinic treatment.

Magical robe weaving.

....

He seemed to have formed an ecosystem typical of a sect.

Yes, only a sect would have this.

Even the major families in Pingchang City wouldn't dabble in all these industries, preferring mutual trade to meet needs.

Only established sects on the mountain encompass these, forming circles with various disciples' halls and self-sufficient peaks.

"This is heading towards developing a sect."

Ning Zheng thought to himself.

Wait, the more he thought about it, the more something felt off!

Initially, they were to mine and manage some magic copper molds, just a basic mining operation...

He was joyfully reaping Qi fortune values.

How did it turn into this in just a month?

When did he start getting led astray by them?

The tone of everything gradually shifted.

He became the Manor Master of Sword Casting Manor, dedicated to entrepreneurship, saving money, and diligent management?

At this point, Jiucai Rong immediately said, "Manager, we're missing the last part of the ecosystem, the alchemy room, with the associated secondary profession being alchemist."

Ning Zheng was still reflecting on life.

When did he get influenced by them?

With a serious expression, Jiucai Rong stepped forward and advised like a Prime Minister:

"Sir, I suggest buying some basic books on alchemy. Such books won't cost much, a small investment that may yield considerable returns for our manor, simply worth it."

The others chimed in:

"Buying a basic alchemy book costs just a dozen magic coins."

"Getting a basic pill furnace is also feasible; I saw the price last time, palm-sized for only fifty magic coins."

"Yeah, you won't lose by buying these."

"Old Manager is awesome!"

"Old Manager is awesome!"

...

Ning Zheng: "..."

In the midst of the immersing praises, Ning Zheng finally remembered.

Last time, they also said.

Buy some physician books, some spirit farmer books, some blacksmith books... a little investment for basic entry-level books is never a loss.

What if? What if there appears to be a prodigy, one can always gamble on that.

The result now was no prodigies in sight. On the contrary, each building, once developed, demands funding excessively.

Alchemist and physician are two distinct professions.

One specializes in crafting pill medicine for cultivation, while the other focuses on hands-on healing and rescue.

They even intend to introduce alchemists.

Ning Zheng wanted to ask what use alchemists are to you blacksmiths?

You don't even cultivate conveniently.

Simply wanting medicine for work doesn't require advanced skills.

Directly taking Medical Fairy's medicine to stimulate work also results in rapid burnout, right?

Alchemist, to the development of Sword Casting Manor, is an almost useless profession.

Ning Zheng felt he couldn't randomly invest this time!

He understood now, this group of blacksmiths wanted to try everything, explore every method, divided attention, aiming too high.

He cannot let them lead him astray again.

Absolutely not.

Ning Zheng secretly warned himself to stay clear-headed; the investment is already plentiful.

"Old Manager, sir."

But Jiucai Rong was no ordinary person, advising, "Alchemy room and spirit farmers are complementary; spirit farmers grow heavenly and earthly treasures, alchemy room refines them into pill medicine."

"In this way, the spiritual roots produced by spirit farmers might not be suitable for weapon forging, yet can be consumed and made into pill medicine, compensating for their research loss."

"Otherwise, the cost for spirit farmers is too high; spiritual roots are hard to sell, unable to recover our losses."

Upon hearing this, Ning Zheng felt it made sense.

Spirit farmers have cost too much, getting alchemists up and running is essential.

Otherwise, with half-developed industries, there's some loss.

"Then let's buy a small pill furnace and an entry-level book." Ning Zheng, not wanting to think more, sighed and nodded, "The budget is only one hundred magic coins, no more."

"Old Manager is terrific."

"Oh my, I'm going to study alchemy."

"I want to check it out too."

"Hahaha, I, the Supreme Laojun, start alchemy."

"Wait, I'm going to make Embers take up the profession as a pill furnace, automatically crafting pills."

"Whoa, unbelievable!"

"A new method, automatic pill furnace, yielding pills rapidly."

"Old Manager is so cool."

...

Ning Zheng hurriedly left, fearing losing himself to the praises, emptying all his magic coins.

As the sunset waned.

Ning Zheng headed down the mountain, contemplating all the way.

The surrounding woods rustled in the wind.

Just touring the manor cost fifty-five thousand public magic coins.

Spending like running water could describe it.

Now expanding various equipment production lines, funds really fall short, consuming over half of prior savings.

But it's still okay.

Mining and coin casting are inherently profitable, estimated to yield hundreds of thousands in a year, though Ning Zheng preferred not to touch this money, likely reserved for tribute payments.

He needs to earn his weapon money.

The Dog Tail series, 300 pieces, with current estimated net profit reaching ninety thousand magic coins, fully compensating for today's investments.

The Painting Card series in its early stages promises even more.

Nighttime.

Returning down the mountain, crossing streets, entering his home.

Upon entering, he heard Ning Jiaojiao and Su Yuniang in the yard, grim-faced as they discussed something, occasionally nodding.

Curious, Ning Zheng wondered why the fishing duo was not interested in fishing today?

A bit strange.

Upon seeing Ning Zheng, Su Yuniang hurriedly said, "Jiaojiao almost had an incident just now."

Ning Zheng was taken aback and quickly asked, "What happened?"

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