The Joy of Mass Production, the Logistical Nightmare

"It's as smooth as silk, perfectly controlled."

If he weren't a transmigrator, Lin Fan might have used the word "smooth." However, as a modern individual who had crossed over, he felt that "silky" better captured the sensation of the moment.

His hand slowly shifted into different gestures, with the Core Earthfire dancing in his palm, as if performing a graceful dance.

"Incredible. And, as I suspected, when sharing the power of disciples with grade-A talents or above, it's not just their cultivation level that's shared but all their techniques as well. What they know, I know. What they don't know, I still know!"

At this moment, Lin Fan felt an unparalleled exhilaration.

Originally, the Core Earthfire was a unique existence, but now it had been supercharged and duplicated. Xiao Ling'er could use it, and so could he, simultaneously!

His alchemy skills were initially non-existent, despite having ten openings in his mind. However, now his mind was suddenly filled with memories and experience. Whenever he wished, he could refine pills just as competently as Xiao Ling'er, who had painstakingly cultivated her alchemy skills.

"Realm, combat skills, cultivation techniques, battle experience, and even auxiliary skills—all can be shared. Perhaps the only thing that can't be shared is external objects, right? Like equipment."

Lin Fan quickly analyzed numerous details.

Then, he chuckled softly.

Happily, he grabbed a Condensation Pill, ready to take it.

But just then, Elder Li Changshou suddenly appeared. "Sect Master, I've discovered..."

"Hmm?!"

As soon as he spoke, he widened his eyes, staring intently at the pill in Lin Fan's hand. "A grade-seven Condensation Grade Pill? Sect Master, where did you get this pill?!"

"Xiao Ling'er made it." Lin Fan smiled. "She has a great talent for alchemy."

"Great talent? That's an understatement!" Li Changshou's mouth twitched, utterly shocked. "This is already at an unparalleled level! She just broke through to the Condensation Realm and can already refine grade-seven pills. Even fourth or fifth-tier alchemists have a low success rate with pills of this quality. However, if it was a stroke of luck, it might be acceptable to refine a batch like this."

He comforted himself in this way.

Otherwise, it was hard to imagine what kind of prodigy could accomplish this.

However, Lin Fan softly said, "It wasn't a coincidence."

"Ah?! Sect Master, what do you mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. When she gave me the pills, she looked very relaxed and even told me to share them with my fellow disciples. It didn't seem like a fluke. Besides, in this jade bottle..." Pointing to the jade bottle, Lin Fan murmured, "There are about a hundred or so more pills, I think."

"What?!"

Li Changshou shuddered. "A hundred or so grade-seven Condensation Realm Pills? Even if she refined nine per batch, that's still...!"

"Hiss!"

He took a sharp breath.

At this moment, four words stuck in his throat, impossible to hold back.

"Damn, this is terrifying!"

But even more terrifying was...

How did the Sect Master manage to pick Xiao Ling'er out of those ten thousand candidates?!

At the time, she showed no outstanding traits, no sign of any advantage.

No, it should be said, what was the basis for the Sect Master's peculiar selection criteria?!

No matter how one looked at it, the criteria seemed extremely chaotic and without any discernible logic. Yet, it was precisely one of these criteria that allowed him to select the seemingly ordinary Xiao Ling'er from among the masses.

In the end, it turned out that Xiao Ling'er possessed an insanely powerful talent!

Even in the peak days of the Moon Grasping Sect, there had never been such a monstrous disciple as her. If Xiao Ling'er remained grateful and did not perish prematurely, wouldn't the Moon Grasping Sect have a real chance of restoring its former glory?

At the very least, during Xiao Ling'er's lifetime, the sect's status wouldn't be too low, right?

Thinking this, Li Changshou became even more excited, but his gaze towards Lin Fan grew more complex.

At the same time, he couldn't help but delve deeper into his thoughts...

"There are dozens of criteria in the new disciple recruitment rules. If just one can produce a prodigy like Xiao Ling'er, then wouldn't someone who meets several criteria possess an invincible presence, capable of dominating an era? Even if no one can meet multiple criteria, simply finding more individuals who meet one criterion each and taking them in as disciples would greatly elevate the Moon Grasping Sect's status and reputation. It wouldn't take long to achieve a 'great revival'!"

"Hiss!"

Another sharp intake of breath, Li Changshou murmured, "Monstrous, truly monstrous. If Xiao Ling'er is willing, in the days to come, she could carry our entire sect forward. Moreover..."

He looked at Lin Fan again. 

"The Sect Master must also have astonishing talent, but we just can't see it. After all, these continuous epiphanies and breakthroughs aren't something an ordinary person could achieve. We're saved! The Moon Grasping Sect is saved."

Seeing Third Elder Li Changshou getting more and more excited, mumbling incoherently, Lin Fan couldn't help but clear his throat. "Third Elder. Why have you come here?"

"Uh!!!" Li Changshou snapped out of it. "I lost my composure."

He forced himself to calm down. 

"Sect Master, our resources are running low. We've been allocating the bulk to Ling'er, but the other disciples also need resources. We've been working outside, but it's been a drop in the bucket. Medicinal herbs and materials are still being supplied. But spirit stones..."

Initially, they thought they could handle it themselves, but in the end, they couldn't and had to report it up the chain.

Currently, what Xiao Ling'er needs the most aren't spirit stones but various medicinal herbs and materials.

Since Xiao Ling'er is only at the Condensation Realm, the materials she requires aren't particularly rare. The elders, being at the Cave Heaven Realm, have been able to gather them by traveling around, ensuring she has enough.

However, the other disciples need spirit stones.

Even though their talents are mediocre and they serve more as mascots than for their actual contributions, they are still disciples of the sect. They can't be ignored.

Even if they are relegated to outer disciples to do menial tasks, you can't have the personal disciples, elders, or even the sect master doing such work, right?

For instance, you can't expect personal disciples to be "closed-door disciples," right? Who would handle the responsibilities of "open-door disciples"?

"Moreover, maintaining the sect's protective formations and other functions also requires spirit stones."

Li Changshou smiled wryly.

Stronger third-rate sects usually have their own spirit stone mines. Although small, they suffice for their needs.

But the Moon Grasping Sect, being dirt poor, naturally has none.

They can only earn them slowly.

"This is indeed a problem." Lin Fan frowned slightly.

He didn't fully grasp the sect's spirit stone expenses, as he hadn't been managing them directly.

However, having played countless strategy games, he knew all the tricks.

Especially in management games.

Mass-producing troops is necessary, but you also can't let the economy collapse. Otherwise, you'd be in trouble, unable to call for help. Even in a game like Red Alert, you'd need to build more mines and seize extra oil fields.

Raiding a spirit stone mine with the current strength of the Moon Grasping Sect is unrealistic.

Robbing others is even less of an option; you can't invite trouble during the novice period, especially avoiding becoming "red-named."

So, they could only focus on resources they could produce themselves.

Speaking of resources...

Lin Fan glanced at the pill in his palm that he hadn't swallowed yet, raising an eyebrow.