Chapter 301: Nine Nether Sect Regular Meeting

At the headquarters of the Nine Nether Sect, a large rectangular conference table occupied the center of the room. The Sect Master sat on one side, while the three Deputy Sect Masters sat on the other. White ceramic cups, filled with hot water, were placed beside each of them.

The Sect Master cleared his throat twice and opened his notebook. "Let's begin today's regular meeting. There are three items on the agenda. For the first item, Deputy Sect Master Xiang, please report on the Nine Nether Sect's activities over the past month."

Deputy Sect Master Xiang had an unusual appearance, possessing three eyes on his forehead. This allowed him to perceive everything and see in all directions. He served as the Executive Deputy Sect Master.

"Since June, our sect has demonstrated a trend of stable and positive development."

"This month, we welcomed thirty-three new disciples: twenty-three male cultivators, ten female cultivators, and three non-human entities, specifically ghosts."

"The proportion of male cultivators remains high. The Sect Master's directive to 'recruit more female cultivators' has not been adequately implemented. We will continue to address this issue after the meeting, aiming to achieve a balanced male-female ratio as soon as possible."

"This month, eighteen disciples were arrested by the Great Xia Dynasty, three went missing in the Demon Realm, and two surrendered to the authorities after being persuaded by the Hanging Temple."

"According to reliable sources, the Great Xia Dynasty is revising its 'Ghost Management Regulations' in response to the increasingly rampant ghost activity. Once these regulations are enacted, the operational scope of our sect's ghosts may be restricted, indirectly affecting the construction progress of Fengdu."

"Concerning new ventures, our sect has thoroughly implemented the Sect Master's directives, actively promoting diversified entrepreneurial channels. We now offer comprehensive funeral and cremation services, encourage commoners and cultivators to bury their remains in cemeteries established by our sect, and provide grave rental services, with plans to charge every fifty years."

"Our sect has also aggressively developed the smuggling industry, effectively driving the implementation of the Great Xia Dynasty's Smuggling Law. The Great Xia Dynasty even issued a commendation banner, expressing encouragement and support for our sect, though no one dared to claim it. Currently, the smuggling business is struggling, yielding meager profits, and new approaches are needed."

"While developing our tomb-raiding operations, we repeatedly encountered the Grand Elder of the Wen Dao Sect. It is suspected that the Wen Dao Sect has obtained some clues regarding our sect's tomb-raiding patterns."

"Moreover, during one tomb-raiding operation, our sect inadvertently unearthed a dormant ancient Integration Stage cultivator. After an intense battle, both sides were eventually arrested by the Great Xia Dynasty."

"Finally, after a thorough and meticulous investigation, we have completely ruled out any communication channels established by the Immortal Sect. It is impossible for the Great Xia Dynasty and the Wen Dao Sect to contact us through any of the Immortal Sect's residual pathways."

"That concludes my report."

The Sect Master listened to the report and secretly sighed. The Nine Nether Sect was truly difficult to manage; what a mess of trivialities!

Earning money was proving to be a challenge.

"Old Xiang, how exactly were those eighteen unfortunate disciples captured by the authorities?" another Deputy Sect Master, a ghost cultivator named Shi, asked curiously.

He was once a Buddhist disciple who, while chanting the Rebirth Mantra, exerted himself so forcefully that he inadvertently transcended his own soul from his body. He was later discovered and recruited by the Nine Nether Sect.

Deputy Sect Master Xiang sighed. "Aside from the ten individuals who were arrested after inadvertently unearthing an ancient Integration Stage cultivator and causing too much commotion during the ensuing battle, there were also eight complete fools."

"I tasked these eight individuals with opening a brothel. After conducting their own on-site investigation, they concluded that the taxes on brothels were too high. So, they brought dozens of female shapeshifting demon beasts from the Demon Realm and registered a zoo instead, which drastically reduced the tax rate."

"While it was called a zoo, it functioned essentially as a brothel. Whenever the authorities conducted an inspection, they would simply feign being a legitimate animal park."

"That's quite ingenious," Ghost Cultivator Deputy Sect Master Shi remarked, impressed by their ingenuity.

Deputy Sect Master Xiang responded somberly, "The problem is, a typical zoo doesn't put up a sign saying 'No minors allowed.'"

"The critical mistake was when a private tutor heard about the zoo opening in the city and, claiming it would broaden their horizons, took his students to visit."

"And they certainly did broaden their horizons."

Deputy Sect Master Shi was speechless.

"Ahem, we can discuss these experiences after the meeting. Let's proceed to the second item on the agenda."

"Deputy Sect Master Shi, please update us on the construction progress of Fengdu."

"Progress is smooth; eighty percent is complete. As soon as the necessary funds are secured, the remaining twenty percent can be finished quickly."

The Sect Master breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; it was finally nearing completion. To finance the construction of Fengdu, he had almost resorted to selling his last possessions.

Unfortunately, he was not from the Phoenix Clan; otherwise, he would even consider selling his own blood.

Shouldn't demon sects operate like underground emperors, displaying their might? Why was their Nine Nether Sect faring so poorly?

Look at the Immortal Sect, the Blazing Sun Sect, and the Ruthless Sect—none of them are in such a state.

The other two Deputy Sect Masters' eyes lit up with excitement upon hearing the news.

Fengdu was their deeply held aspiration. As the Nine Nether Sect, how could they not possess Fengdu, a city symbolizing the afterlife?

"How many spirit stones are still required?"

"Three point eight billion."

The Sect Master's hands trembled; this amount was truly astronomical.

Was it still possible to abdicate now?

Seventeen years ago, Qin Haoran's life token shattered, leading to his sudden death and plunging the Nine Nether Sect into chaos. The four Deputy Sect Masters, each vying for power, refused to acknowledge one another.

With the four Deputy Sect Masters possessing similar cultivation levels and spheres of influence, it was difficult to determine a clear victor. It was then that he had a sudden idea: he promised that if he were to become Sect Master, he would undoubtedly build Fengdu.

This promise garnered him significant support from many Nine Nether Sect disciples, and he thus naturally ascended to the position of Sect Master.

He shouldn't have spoken so carelessly back then. Let whoever wants this accursed Sect Master position have it.

Regret was now futile.

Qin Haoran had failed to construct Fengdu during his eight hundred years in power, yet he, the new Sect Master, was nearing completion in just seventeen. Naturally, he had his own methods.

Masterful in transformation techniques, he had spent the past seventeen years using every disciple's identity information to secure loans.

If this secret were ever exposed, it wouldn't merely be the end of his tenure as Sect Master; it would be the end of his life.

"The Immortal Sect has only just been destroyed, and the Great Xia Dynasty and the Five Great Immortal Sects are watching us very closely. To be safe, let's temporarily postpone the construction of Fengdu."

The Sect Master's proposal received the support of the three Deputy Sect Masters. While the Four Great Demon Sects could not truly unite due to fundamental differences in their beliefs, they had coexisted for over ten millennia. The fall of one sect inevitably caused the remaining three to feel insecure.

The demon sects had managed to persist for so long precisely because they always prioritized safety.

"Now, let's proceed to the third and final agenda item: the reincarnation of Qin Haoran and the authenticity of the Heavenly Court Sect."

"The Heavenly Court Sect?" Deputy Sect Master Xiang and Deputy Sect Master Shi exchanged bewildered glances. This topic left them particularly confused. There had always been only the Four Great Demon Sects; when did a Heavenly Court Sect emerge?

And what connection did this have to Qin Haoran's reincarnation?

Both of them had also arranged for two minor cultivators to claim to be Qin Haoran's reincarnated self.

"Deputy Sect Master Shi, you are most familiar with this matter, so please elaborate."