Chapter 138: Little Junior Brother, You’re So Naughty!
“More like a helper, I guess,” Bai Feng explained. “After all, I only have so much energy. If I start selling a bunch of items, I won’t be able to keep track of everything. So, I need a few helpers to handle the ongoing research and improvements.”
Because a decent product definitely needs to be updated constantly based on market feedback—new versions, you know—the kind that keep customers coming back. But honestly, Bai Feng probably doesn’t have enough juice in him to babysit all that. A research team dedicated solely to making these better? Perfect.
And hey, if he ever gets super busy one day (which he totally will, right?), he can just have the research team take over development. Smooth as butter.
If this setup works out, Bai Feng could just kick back and make money while lying in bed. Heaven!
Yu Yao nodded thoughtfully—but almost immediately, her face scrunched up with worry.
“But… if we do that, it’s not just teaching the basics of Array anymore, right? What if our carefully trained employees get poached by competitors?”
“Hmm, that’s indeed a problem,” Bai Feng turned to look at Yu Yao seriously. “So… the research team must detach from Yu Ling Long. Or rather, it can’t be solely run by Yu Ling Long.”
“You mean…” Yu Yao blinked, realization dawning almost instantly. “Letting Heavenly Sword Sect also get involved?”
Bai Feng nodded. “Exactly. Even with Yu Ling Long and the Bai Family, it’s not enough. I want to register this research team under Heavenly Sword Sect’s name.”
“You’re so bold, little junior brother!” Yu Yao’s eyes glittered with excitement, but then she hesitated. “But… would the Sect Master agree?”
“I dunno, but it’s worth a try,” Bai Feng shook his head. “This benefits Heavenly Sword Sect too. He probably won’t refuse. I’ll draft a proposal later.”
The sect also needs to make money, after all. Take Dan Peak, for example, a major income stream for Heavenly Sword Sect. Plus, if the products become popular, it’s basically a massive public relations boost. Helping Heavenly Sword Sect rise even higher in the hearts of the Northern Region’s folks. Future talented disciples, especially those good at Array tricks, would naturally be more inclined to join.
Of course, that’s the best-case scenario. Nothing’s set in stone yet.
“But don’t get ahead of yourself,” Bai Feng added casually. “We only have one talented employee now. And he might not even join us. Building this research team? That’ll take quite a bit of time.”
Yu Yao nodded. “Right. Then I’ll focus on keeping that promising employee with us first.”
“Yeah, hint at the research team stuff with some treats—dangle the carrot first,” Bai Feng smirked.
“Little junior brother, you’re so wicked!”
With the thorn taken out of the way, Yu Yao grabbed a handful of snacks and plopped onto the chair beside Bai Feng, already imagining the future.
“If this works out, little junior brother, you’ll have your own crew! Then we’ll team up and blast out of the Northern Region together.”
“What are you even talking about?” Bai Feng shot her a glance. “This research team is a business venture. Of course, you’re the one managing it—know your customer needs!”
“Me?!” Yu Yao blinked, pointing at herself with a stunned expression. “Little…little junior brother, do you trust me *that* much?”
This isn’t just some simple array disks anymore! Such an important position handed over to her? She’d be in charge of not only supplying products but also training employees, handling the funds, and even building the research team. She, Bai Feng, how can she possibly deserve this?
“I already told you—I trust your character,” Bai Feng said with a smile. “Plus, I don’t really ignore everything. And with Heavenly Sword Sect involved, even if Sister Yu suddenly turns evil and tries to cheat me… dare she cheat Heavenly Sword Sect?”
Most importantly, Bai Feng just didn’t want the headache of managing a team. He preferred lying around, making money quietly.
“But… such things are just… ugh,” Yu Yao mumbled softly, then suddenly straightened with a serious look.
“Little junior brother, I think we need to strengthen our relationship.”
Bai Feng shot her a look, knowing exactly what she was implying. Before she could say more, he cut her off:
“Oh? Are you proposing we swap sworn brothers of the opposite s*x?”
Yu Yao’s face immediately fell. “Little junior brother, you’re so un-cute now!”
“Stop messing around—let’s see how the sales of the Image Retainer are first. If they flop, our plans are dead in the water,” Bai Feng said with a slight smile.
Yu Yao’s face brightened again. She waved her hand. “Don’t worry! I checked already. Customers are eager to buy, so sales shouldn’t be a problem!”
“Oh? Well, I’ll look forward to seeing how well it does.”
……
Xuan Guang City.
“Wow, so many people…”
Fang Yue watched the dense crowd ahead, feeling nostalgic—like that day at the auction when he was just a temp worker.
But luckily, today he wasn’t just a temp. He was here because Brother Chen and the others dragged him out for some fun.
“See what I told you? The Image Retainer is definitely going to sell like hotcakes! No worries about losing our jobs this time, right?” Brother Chen kept yabbering.
Fang Yue just smiled and kept watching the impatient stream of people—not just cultivators, but quite a few traders too.
Even some customers who traveled from afar stayed a few extra days just because of all the advertisements and hype.
His admiration for Yu Ling Long and that Array Master deepened—though not for the modifications to the Image Stone. He’d seen high-end customized Image Stones before; even a Master Arrayist could tweak those features without much trouble. But they were costly, and few could afford them.
But Yu Ling Long? She actually disassembled the Image Retainer and had even employees—some who aren’t even true Array Masters—produce it! Thanks to that, the price is much lower than those fancy custom-made stones.
It fit perfectly into his dreams—like opening the door to a new world. So many ideas spun around in his mind.
*If only I could meet that Array Master…*
Fang Yue sighed, his recent display of Array talent attracting Yu Ling Long’s attention. He’d quickly hinted he wanted the Master’s guidance, but honestly, hopes were slim—probably nonexistent.
Getting that connection? Not likely. Even if the Master knew, he’d probably just laugh it off. He’s just a rookie employee with some talent—nothing special.
Suddenly, an employee spoke up, breaking Fang Yue’s thoughts:
“Hey, with Image Retainers selling so well, do you think our production these past few days is enough?”
Everyone froze. Brother Chen looked out over the sea of people, uncertain.
“Should be enough, I guess,” Chen said. “The price isn’t cheap—five thousand each. We should sell for a few days at least.”
Right then, a middle-aged man appeared behind them.
*Ahem!*
Everyone hurriedly stood straight. “Hello, Supervisor!”
“The inventory’s running low. Please go and add a shift,” the middle-aged man ordered. “Don’t worry—overtime pay will be triple wages.”
Initially, everyone was a bit sour about working extra, but the triple pay? Eyes lit up immediately.
“Got it! We’ll start right away!”
The middle-aged man nodded, then looked at Fang Yue. “Fang Yue, come with me for a moment.”
Fang Yue hesitated briefly but followed quickly.
