Layla exhaled sharply. "Fine. But I want a full report on how this trade deal affects sect operations. We can't afford to rely entirely on outside merchants."
Meyu stretched lazily. "Oh, don't worry, dear sect leader. We're in an era of… economic prosperity. You'll thank me later."
Layla shot her a warning look but chose not to press the issue further. Not yet.
Meyu leaned back on a tree, her mind spinning with calculations just like Atlas. Atlas always said
"Control the flow, and you control the future." This wasn't just about making the sect wealthier—it was about ensuring sustainability.
First, the workforce.
She needed to divide the labour between Ryl Trading's people and Silver Lotus Sect's disciples. Merchants and skilled workers would focus on trade, infrastructure, and specialized crafts, while the sect's disciples would be trained in essential survival skills—farming, storage management, and resource conservation. No one would be idle, and no work would be wasted.
Next, the buildings.
Two new structures had to be built.
A school: Literacy was essential if they were going to modernize. A moderate-sized building, 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, with two classrooms and a storage room for scrolls and writing tools. This would be enough to accommodate a steady rotation of students without overwhelming resources.
A sanitation building: Layla had requested better hygiene facilities in the carriage and previously, and now was the time to act. This one would be slightly larger, around 25 meters long and 15 meters wide, designed to house bathing areas, a clean water supply, and proper waste disposal.
Finally, food storage.
The sect needed a preservation system that would last through the harsh winters. She planned for;
Rice & Wheat Storage: A granary elevated on stone pillars to prevent moisture damage.
Meat Storage: A smokehouse built near the northern edge of the sect, using traditional curing methods to preserve protein sources.
Vegetable & Fruit Preservation: Underground storage cellars, where natural insulation would keep them fresh longer.
Meyu's lips curled into a grin. With this, Atlas's influence wouldn't just bring control—it would bring long-term stability.
She turned to Layla. "Alright, I have a plan."
Layla raised an eyebrow. "That was fast."
"Efficiency, dear sect leader." Meyu gestured toward the gathered sect members.
"We divide the workforce between skilled trades and general labour. We construct two new buildings—one for literacy, the other for sanitation, per your request of course. And we establish proper food storage to ensure we never run out of supplies."
Layla's expression shifted into deep contemplation. "Give me the specifics."
As Meyu relayed the details, Layla's mind sharpened, slipping into the practiced calculations of a ruler. A queen does not accept plans blindly—she dissects them, tests them for flaws, and bends them to serve her vision.
She assessed the workforce division first. Splitting labour between traders and sect disciples was logical. The traders handled commerce and craftsmanship, while the disciples learned practical survival skills. It ensured productivity without compromising sect traditions.
Then the buildings. The school was necessary but had to be scaled properly. A 20-meter by 10-meter structure was reasonable, but she would ensure the space could be expanded later. A small investment now would prevent future stagnation. The sanitation building, on the other hand, was non-negotiable—cleanliness equated to health, and a healthy sect was a strong one. She noted the 25-meter by 15-meter dimensions and approved without hesitation.
Food storage required particular scrutiny. The granary's stone pillars were ideal against moisture, but placement had to be strategic. If positioned too close to the river, flooding could be an issue. She would relocate it to higher ground. The underground cellars for vegetables and fruit were practical, but she would demand an inspection routine to prevent rot.
Satisfied with the foundations, Layla gave her final adjustments. Only when she was certain the sect's future was secure did she nod her approval. When they were finished, Layla nodded.
"Approved. Give the orders."
Meyu clapped her hands together, turning toward the crowd. "Alright, listen up! Here's how we're going to change this sect forever—"
The Ryl Trading employees, almost on instinct, snapped into position, standing in neat, disciplined rows like trained soldiers. In stark contrast, the disciples of the Silver Lotus Sect stood haphazardly, shifting uneasily as they observed the precision of their merchant counterparts. Some of the younger sect members whispered among themselves, clearly wondering when and how traders had become more organized than cultivators.
Layla let out a quiet sigh but quickly refocused. She reached out as Lin Wuye handed her a paper and quill—something she hadn't seen in some time. The feeling of the quill between her fingers stirred old memories, but she pushed them aside. Now was not the time for nostalgia.
She knelt and began sketching the layout of the new structures with swift, precise strokes.
"We need to complete this before winter strikes in full force—no later than two weeks from now. Otherwise, survival will be a problem."
She pointed to the sections of the map. "The workforce will be divided efficiently. Masons and builders will focus on constructing the school and sanitation building. Farmers and general laborers will set up the granary and preservation systems. The sect disciples will have designated training times to ensure physical strength and qi refinement aren't neglected."
She paused, adjusting a few details. "We need to set dedicated training hours—early mornings and evenings. That way, no one loses focus on cultivation while we prepare for the coming months."
Before she could continue, Lin Wuye stepped forward.
"We should modify the labour schedules slightly. While your plan is strong, we need to ensure proper breaks and alternate shifts. Overworking will lead to mistakes, and in winter, mistakes are fatal."
His voice carried more authority than before, a subtle but significant shift. For years, he had remained passive, but now, he was stepping forward—an unmistakable declaration that the Silver Lotus Sect was no longer idle.
Jiang smirked, stepping forward. "I'll take charge of the new trainees. We'll need someone to lead the physical drills and qi refinement."
Layla gave him a pointed look. "Wasn't that a given?"
The murmurs among the elders grew louder. The eldest of them, Elder Jian Bo, narrowed his eyes.
"Why this sudden shift? We have followed the same traditions for decades. Now, we're suddenly restructuring everything? Are we not straying too far from our foundations?"
Lin Wuye, his voice firm, interjected before the whispers could grow into outright protest.
"We won the last war not through brute strength, but through Meilin's strategy. Yet we nearly lost because we lacked the power to support it. Tell me, elders, if we had to fight warriors all as strong as Shen Mu, would we survive?"
A heavy silence followed, some of the elders shifting uneasily. They knew the answer but refused to speak it aloud.
Meyu clicked her tongue, stepping forward with a dramatic sigh, her voice laced with mockery.
"Oh, come now, elders. If your answer isn't a confident 'yes,' then what are we even arguing about? Or are we just debating how long it would take before we're wiped out entirely?"
She smirked, eyes gleaming. "Because that's certainly an option. Maybe if we pray hard enough, the next war will be kind enough to ignore us."
A few disciples stifled nervous chuckles, while some elders bristled at her words. However, no one dared to refute her outright. Meyu, much like Atlas, had a way of cutting through pretense and ensuring no room for argument remained.
A young disciple hesitated before raising his hand. "How will we train? Will it be different?"
At that moment, a ripple of realization passed through the gathered sect members. Layla, Jiang, Bao, and Lin Wuye all exchanged glances, recalling their own training under Master Daokan. The elders, especially the eldest, Jian Bo, and even Elder Zhao Lihua, scoffed at the notion.
"Master Daokan training people like us? That's nonsense. The man is an untouchable legend."
Layla, undeterred, turned to Bao. "Step forward. Show them your improvements."
Bao moved to the center, taking his stance. He executed the first step of the Steps of the Gale—Whispering Breeze. His movements became elusive, his body gliding like a wisp of air, each step calculated, each strike a blur of precision. The gathered elders and disciples murmured among themselves—this was expected. Bao was a capable fighter, after all.
Then he transitioned into the second step—Rushing Wind. His speed doubled and the wind howled around him, his attacks becoming harder to follow.
Then he transitioned into the third step—Gale's Kiss.
The pressure of his attacks became suffocating, his strikes forming shockwaves that forced the air itself to part around him. The murmurs in the crowd ceased, the disbelief among the elders now turning to stunned silence as they watched a technique that Bao never used before come to life before their eyes.
Silence fell over the crowd as they watched the sheer intensity of his form shift into something beyond what they had previously seen.
Lin Wuye crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Is anyone else doubting our words now?"