Chapter Forty: The Emptied Warehouse No. 1

Su Ye’s lengthy exposition almost made Zhang Ning feel as though she were back in the classroom listening to a teacher lecture. Yet, she found Su Ye’s reasoning perfectly logical.

Moreover, Su Ye had already drafted a comprehensive development plan. If nothing major went awry, Zhang Ning intended to follow his lead and observe. After all, in this otherworld where individual martial prowess reigns supreme, no matter how capable one’s subordinates are, those in power can never truly be sidelined.

Thus, with Su Ye overseeing these matters, Zhang Ning felt entirely at ease. She resolved to shift her focus beyond live broadcasting, dedicating herself to cultivation. She would use the system only to enhance her perception and luck, those embellishments that, even if lost someday, would have limited impact. Due to her childhood experiences, Zhang Ning harbored a deep aversion to directly gaining cultivation through the system’s forced bestowal.

Indeed, the live broadcast system had undergone considerable repairs. The mall function, which was already intact, needed no mention. Just yesterday, Zhang Ning had restored the combat module as well; by burning up her points of attention, she could temporarily attain overwhelming strength! There was even an “Invincible Mode” so intimidating that its consumption of attention points could hardly be described as burning—it was more like exploding. Zhang Ning had no intention of touching it anytime soon; if she did, she would be a fool.

She pondered and asked Su Ye about various other matters, becoming increasingly convinced of his talent. Then she suddenly blurted out, “Do you still have enough money? …Uh, I mean, are your resources sufficient?”

A flicker of emotion crossed Su Ye’s face. “You need not worry, Your Highness. The sect is providing us with extraordinary support!”

He handed over a jade token storing information, detailing the recent flow of resources. After Zhang Ning read it, she couldn’t help but be astonished.

The two discussed official business for a while longer. Seeing that Zhang Ning had no further questions, the atmosphere between them relaxed. Su Ye, perceptive as always, shared some amusing stories from the sect. “Speaking of resources, Your Highness, would you like to hear about the recent events in Warehouse Number One?”

Within the Grand Free Sky Demon Sect

The Branch at the Flaming Desert

The newcomer, Wei Wangting, gazed at the Grand Free Sky Demon Sect’s storage warehouse, unable to suppress the shock on his face.

“This…this… It’s as if it’s been hollowed out by termites!” Wei Wangting’s voice was nearly stuttering. Normally, he would never have been so lacking in composure, but the impact of this scene was too great.

Wei Wangting had been formally recruited as a disciple, passing multiple rounds of selection to enter the sect’s headquarters and study its martial arts. Due to his outstanding performance, he was dispatched to the borderlands of the Grand Free Sky Demon Sect, at the boundary with the alien races—the Flaming Desert—to take on a very important post: warehouse guard!

Do not underestimate this position. The Grand Free Sky Demon Sect’s resource flow was astonishing, and the warehouses were always bursting at the seams. The branch constantly acquired resources through various means—some were sent back to headquarters, while others had to be kept ready at all times for disciples to exchange with contribution points to boost their strength.

For a long time after being assigned here, Wei Wangting felt anxious, unable to sleep, haunted by dreams of the warehouse being emptied by thieves. Eventually, seeing the warehouse remain safe and its defense arrays enduring every test, he slowly relaxed. So, witnessing the warehouse now utterly empty felt like a nightmare come true.

The Flaming Desert was vast and rich in resources, and its warehouse had earned the title of Warehouse Number One! Aside from the headquarters and other secret warehouses, its reserves surpassed those of all other branches.

“Young Wei, you’re making a fuss. You know the resources were previously requisitioned by headquarters. No surprise there,” said Wei Liqing, Wei Wangting’s direct superior. As both shared the surname Wei and were related, others distinguished them as Young Wei and Elder Wei. Wei Liqing had always looked after Wei Wangting.

Wei Wangting exclaimed, “Uncle Wei, but isn’t this too much?!”

Wei Liqing merely smiled, thinking there was nothing extraordinary about it. He had contacts among his peers at headquarters and knew these resource flows were typically dispatched for the Fifth Highness.

Of course, not knowing much about live broadcasting, Wei Liqing was unaware that all these resources were sent to support the broadcasts. In the beginning, it was all intake with no output—a true test of the sect’s foundations.

Wei Liqing assumed Fifth Highness was using live broadcasts as a cover for something more clandestine. But when it came to matters involving such major figures, Wei Liqing had his own survival philosophy.

He never commented on their affairs; instead, he silently resolved to follow! Whatever the princes, elders, branch leaders, hall masters, or even venerable ones decided, he would follow, even if it meant staking his life!

If the sky fell, they would bear it—but every sect needed steadfast individuals like Wei Liqing. He never overestimated himself, nor did he undervalue his worth.

Wei Liqing had already reached the Martial Pill Realm, able to project internal energy and was somewhat renowned. In his youth he nearly made it onto the Human List! Moreover, his greatest strength was not his martial cultivation.

Seeing Wei Liqing ignore him, Wei Wangting muttered to himself, “It really is outrageous… Everything is gone!”

“Everything?” Wei Liqing was startled. “Impossible! There should still be some resources in two small warehouses!”

Wei Wangting and Wei Liqing exchanged glances and sprang into action, realizing this was no mere accounting error. Someone must have had the audacity to raid the warehouses—and succeeded!

Wei Wangting asked, “Uncle Wei, what should we do?! This is serious—”

Wei Liqing replied, “Stay calm, Young Wei. If you don’t keep your composure, nothing can be solved! Use a talisman to notify the branch leader, and let’s give chase at once!”

“You already suspect outsiders tampered with it?” Wei Wangting suddenly felt he had a pillar of support, admiration flooding him like a surging river. He recalled rumors about Wei Liqing, and his heart began to race.

Wei Wangting was correct—Wei Liqing was indeed confident and prepared! Over the next seven days, he and Wei Wangting engaged in a dramatic game of wits and courage with a skillful member of an alien race at the borders of the Flaming Desert. Scheming and counter-scheming, scouting and counter-scouting—a saga so intricate that even a single day’s events could fill an entire book.

Of course, Wei Liqing’s report to his superiors could not boast of the trials and cleverness displayed; it was merely summarized in a few lines.

When their story reached the branch leader’s desk, it became two thin sheets of paper.

When it reached Zhang Ning, it was simply fodder for casual conversation.