Suffered a heavenly punishment?
As soon as these words were uttered, the atmosphere in the hall instantly dropped to zero. Everyone looked at Fang Junxue in astonishment, not understanding why she would make such a guess.
"Junxue, are you basing this on the last words our teacher left behind?" Ye Ming asked in a deep voice.
"Yes!" Fang Junxue nodded and continued, "At least for now, the ancestral teachings have been broken, and that has become a fact."
That's right!
Since that has become a fact, what about the latter half of the sentence?
Where should we go from here?
Is this also a warning of something?
If that's the case, then why would Ye Zhisheng know?
Unless, he had divined the secrets of heaven through extraordinary means.
This was likely why Fang Junxue believed Ye Zhisheng would suffer heavenly punishment.
"Ye Ming, by now, the knowledge of immortal cultivation has spread to every corner of the world. Have we completed our first step?"
Fang Junxue looked at Ye Ming, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
The first step was complete, was it time to take the second step?
"You're right, our first step has been successful." Ye Ming tapped his fingers on the table, his expression gradually becoming serious. "However, before we officially take the second step, there's one more thing we must do."
One more thing!
What was it?
Fang Junxue clearly knew what Ye Ming was referring to. After a moment of contemplation, she said calmly, "It's not time yet."
"What's not time for?"
Ji Hongying and Bai Qiushui exchanged glances and spoke one after another.
"I know this!"
Nangong Qianyu raised her hand with a smile and said proudly, "It's about making people recognize the existence of the path of immortal cultivation, right?"
"Huh?"
Ji Hongying and the others looked at Nangong Qianyu in surprise, somewhat bewildered.
In their understanding, Nangong Qianyu clearly lacked this kind of intelligence. What was going on?
Ye Ming didn't need to think to know that Nangong Qianyu had cheated by using their special connection.
"Qianyu is right. What I'm going to do next is to make people aware of the existence of immortal cultivation." Ye Ming continued, "Although the cultivation techniques have been passed down, we still need to shift their mindset from ancient martial arts to immortal cultivation. Only then will it be beneficial for our second step."
"So that's how it is!"
Bai Qiushui finally understood, but she had a new question. "Then what did Junxue mean when she said it's not time yet?"
Haven't the immortal cultivation techniques already been passed down? Why the wait?
"Qiushui, people haven't been exposed to ancient martial arts for very long. If we were to tell them now that immortal cultivators also exist in the world, what do you think would happen?" Ye Ming asked with a smile.
"What would happen..."
This time, Bai Qiushui put herself in the shoes of an ordinary person and thought carefully. In less than a moment, she suddenly realized, "They wouldn't be able to accept it. Ordinary people absolutely couldn't accept it. Moreover, there's a high probability of widespread chaos."
Hearing her words, everyone else nodded in agreement.
"Yes! So we have to wait for a while." Ye Ming said in a deep voice, "Only after people have fully accepted ancient martial arts can we proceed to the next step."
After all, ancient martial arts, from a certain perspective, had already touched upon the path of immortality.
The power possessed by some top-tier ancient martial artists was also terrifying. When people got used to this, they wouldn't be overly shocked by the appearance of beings even more formidable than ancient martial artists.
Therefore, everything had to be a gradual process.
"Young Master, what should we do now?" Doris asked.
"Two things!"
Ye Ming looked at Nangong Qianyu and said, "First, it's about the live streams."
"The various forces in the hidden realms are already restless. I believe it won't be long before they fully enter the current world." Ye Ming's voice deepened. "Therefore, before that happens, we need to spread the cultivation techniques that haven't been taught yet as quickly as possible, striving to let everyone find suitable techniques within this time."
"Ye Ming, do you mean to extend the live stream duration?" Nangong Qianyu asked.
"No! Increasing the live stream duration is not conducive to public viewing, and many people won't have that much time." Ye Ming shook his head. "Didn't our previous live stream editors cut each cultivation technique into a separate video for people to watch?"
"Yes!"
Nangong Qianyu nodded. She naturally knew about this.
After all, not everyone would watch the live streams.
"If that's the case, besides live streams, we can also directly film the cultivation techniques into tutorial videos and upload them directly to the internet. This will not only speed up the spread of the techniques but also save a lot of time."
Clearly, Ye Ming had already planned this.
"Won't this put too much strain on your body?"
After hearing this, Nangong Qianyu was a little worried. "During the previous live streams, continuously teaching the Six Paths set of techniques consumed a lot of your mental energy, right? Now, in addition to live streams, you also have to record tutorial videos. Your mental energy..."
Nangong Qianyu's concern was not unfounded. During previous live streams, Ye Ming had almost collapsed several times.
After all, when Ye Ming transmitted each set of cultivation techniques, he had to fully comprehend it himself to teach it effectively.
Because of this, it was a significant challenge for his mental strength.
"Don't worry, with the time room, I'll be able to recover quickly." Ye Ming smiled.
"Time room!"
Bu Qingyu said with some excitement, "Are you referring to those special rooms upstairs?"
Nangong Qianyu had already let her experience them before.
Ten days inside, only one day outside.
This was truly incredible, and she felt as if she were in a dream.
"Yes!"
Ye Ming nodded with a smile. "With the time room, we don't lack time."
"This is indeed a good idea!"
Fang Junxue also agreed wholeheartedly. "With this, everyone should be able to find suitable cultivation techniques in no time."
"Qianyu, you and I will be responsible for the live streams and tutorial videos." Ye Ming looked at everyone and began to assign tasks. "Qiushui and Doris, you two will continue to help Junxue manage the Qianxue Group as before."
"Qishi Pharmaceutical is the research and development and manufacturing center for spiritual artifacts and elixirs. I plan to build the Qianxue Group into a sales and management center." Ye Ming said in a deep voice. "Therefore, the senior management of the Qianxue Group must be our people. Otherwise, hidden dangers are very likely to arise."
"I know!"
Fang Junxue and the other two naturally understood the immense profits involved.
"As for the agents in each country, I've already had Nini'er and Black Tower collaborate. They will screen candidates from their respective intelligence networks, and Nini'er will make the final decision." Ye Ming smiled. "In this regard, I believe no one is more suitable than her."
"At the same time, no force can refuse to cooperate with me."
Ye Ming possessed absolute confidence in this matter.
After all, this was about cooperation on spiritual artifacts and elixirs. Anyone with a bit of sense would see the benefits.
"Then what do we need to do?" Ji Hongying raised her hand and asked.
She had already entered the Origin Realm and awakened the "Power of Desire." Her current strength was far beyond what it was before.
Bu Qingyu also weakly raised her hand, clearly wanting to help.
"Qingyu, you don't need to rush."
Ye Ming looked at the easily flustered girl and smiled. "You are one of our strongest trump cards. What you need to do now is to improve your cultivation level as quickly as possible, understand?"
She was a spiritual being!
Only by improving her realm could she see a clearer future.
"Okay! I understand!"
Bu Qingyu clenched her fists and nodded seriously.
"Hongying, you have arrangements too!" Ye Ming's tone became serious. "Now that Uncle Bu has agreed to cooperate with us, we naturally must ensure their safety."
"Next, they plan to subjugate all the surrounding ancient martial arts forces. Who knows what will happen. Therefore, I want you to act as a shield to prevent any unforeseen accidents."
"Is that okay?"
Ye Ming asked softly.
"Okay!"
Ji Hongying smiled charmingly and agreed without hesitation.
Before, it was always you helping me. Now, I can finally share your worries.
She was very happy.
"By the way, Ye Ming, didn't you say there were two things to do? What's the other one?" Bai Qiushui asked.
The first thing was to speed up the spread of cultivation techniques. What about the second thing?
"As for the second thing..."
When Ye Ming reached this point, his expression became more solemn and grave than ever before. It seemed he had thought about it for a long time.
"I plan to merge all the forces I control and establish a new alliance."
"Establish a new alliance?"
Everyone was shocked by this statement.
Even Fang Junxue had never heard Ye Ming mention this before.
Now, let's carefully inventory the forces currently under Ye Ming's control.
First, there was the Heavenly Mandate Temple, which he founded himself.
Secondly, there was the Shadow Society, which he controlled with Leng Qianqiu.
The Shadow Society had now occupied nearly half of China's underworld territory and was still expanding. Its core members were already cultivators.
This terrifying force could naturally be used by Ye Ming.
Third, the Ancient Martial Arts Association.
Ye Ming had long ago instructed Ying Qianshi to infiltrate this organization. After so much time, Ye Ming had gained control of it.
Among them, Feng Wuji, as the "Wind Spirit," had apparently become the honorary president of the Ancient Martial Arts Association, and his strength was no longer what it used to be.
Spirits naturally grew at a terrifying rate. Coupled with Feng Wuji's personal guidance from Ying Qianshi, Ye Ming was very much looking forward to Feng Wuji's current level of growth.
Fourth: The Yekawa Sha Palace and the Kawano Shin mother and daughter, who controlled the Martial God Mountain and the Yekawa family. Even broadly speaking, the Eastern Island nation might be under their control.
And since they were all Ye Ming's women, was there any difference between the forces they controlled and Ye Ming's?
Fifth: Black Tower.
Although this force was not large, its ability to collect intelligence was in no way inferior to the Thousand Faces Temple controlled by Nini'er.
This was also a considerable help.
Sixth: The Heavenly Pavilion from the hidden realms.
The Heavenly Pavilion here naturally referred to the new Heavenly Pavilion, which had already annexed forces such as the Mad Blade Sect and the Cloud Merchant Association.
Its status was now second only to the Eight Great Super Sects.
One could imagine how much help this force, as Ye Ming's layout in the hidden realms, would provide him.
Seventh: Qianxue Group and Qishi Pharmaceutical Group.
There was no need to elaborate on these two giant commercial forces; they were currently working diligently for Ye Ming.
Finally, there was the newly acquired Heavenly Sword Mountain.
If one had to compare, Heavenly Sword Mountain was perhaps the weakest force at present.
However, this was only for the present.
They were more of a reserve force.
As the new era fully dawned, the advantages of ancient martial artists would gradually emerge. Therefore, what Ye Ming needed to do now was to use Heavenly Sword Mountain as a focal point to strongly rally the ancient martial artists in the martial arts world, preparing for the future.
Just by listing them like this, Ye Ming now possessed eight forces, and there might be more in the future.
Therefore, establishing an alliance was a necessary step.
It could also better consolidate these forces.
...
After listening to Ye Ming's description of the forces under his control, including Fang Junxue herself, they were deeply shocked.
She had never truly inventoried these before. Hearing Ye Ming say it now, it was indeed necessary to unite them as soon as possible.
And for Bu Qingyu, who had just joined this large family, this news was like something out of a fairy tale; she was completely stunned.
Only now did she truly realize how "terrifying" the person she had been searching for was.
However, she did not know that this was not all.
As if on cue, Fang Junxue added some more information.
"Ye Ming, have you forgotten some forces?" Fang Junxue asked with a smile, having returned to her usual calm.
"Huh? Did I?"
Ye Ming thought carefully but couldn't recall any.
"Does the Du family count?"
Fang Junxue reminded him.
"This..."
Ye Ming gave an awkward smile. He had indeed thought of the Du family. After all, it was the family of Du Yuemian, how could he overlook it?
However, compared to the other forces, it was indeed a bit... weak.
Therefore, Ye Ming had not listed it.
Fang Junxue seemed to have noticed this, smiled, and continued, "I know the Du family is too small individually, but what if we add the Zhong family and the Four Bright Clans of the capital?"
"Four Bright Clans?"
Ye Ming looked at Fang Junxue in shock. "Could it be..."
"You guessed right!"
Fang Junxue began to introduce him. "Let me reintroduce them. The current clan leader of the Li clan in the capital is named... Li Zhirou."
"Li Zhirou!"
Ye Ming's eyes moved.
The moment he heard this name, a vision of a noble lady immediately appeared in his mind.
He had always held Li Zhirou in high regard. Her strategy was completely on par with Fang Junxue's.
"Did you two really join forces to take down the Four Bright Clans of the capital?"
This surprised Ye Ming greatly.
"No! If it were just the two of us, we couldn't have achieved this so quickly." Fang Junxue smiled slyly. "Have you forgotten you have another father-in-law?"
Father-in-law?
"Uh!"
Hearing this, Ye Ming's old face blushed. With her saying it so explicitly, how could he not remember who it was?
Wasn't it Shangguan Yuan, Shangguan Xi'er's father?