NOVEL NEXT Chapter 658: Anticipation
The Shancai Divine Envoy, Zhao Chongling, prepared to leave the Main Temple and head to the surface. Before departing, he conducted one last inspection of the multilayered medicine fields being developed around the Main Temple.
After the Divine Sect Headquarters migrated underground to the Star Port, His Highness King Ming issued a decree appointing the Heavenly Fragrance Divine Envoy, the Wisdom Divine Envoy, and the Protector Dharma King as the chief and deputy agricultural governors. Together, they led the Protecting Sect Divine Army, the priests, and the families of the Protecting Sect Divine Army to excavate caves near the Main Temple. They also introduced the agricultural technologies of the Outer Heaven Demon, preparing to cultivate multilayered farmlands underground and grow large numbers of Spirit Plants.
The Light God Sect was very familiar with the agricultural technologies of the Heavenly Demons. Their headquarters was a colony-class warship, and the three-layer farmland area below it was derived from the Outer Heaven Demons.
However, this was technology from over six hundred years ago—a legacy restored by the Seventh King Ming after repairing the warship, putting those three farmland layers into use.
As such, these three farmland layers currently only produce 3.2 million units of various grains, along with some vegetables and fruits, barely sufficient to meet the annual daily needs of the 1.2 million people within the Main Temple.
Yet, two months ago, King Ming allocated funding through Zhao Chongling to purchase various agricultural machinery from the Outer Heaven Demons, including various types of tunneling machines, tunnel boring machines, construction robots, agricultural robots, small nuclear fusion reactors, highly realistic agricultural sunlight lamps, fully automatic irrigation systems, and more.
His Highness was not only preparing to upgrade all technologies and equipment in the farmland area inside the Main Temple but also intended to construct an expansive cluster of 300,000 hectares of caverns outside the Main Temple, arranged into ten layered fields.
King Ming even decreed that the Protector Dharma King should select devout priests to excavate an underground pipeline leading to Sky Pond. This pipeline would be equipped with multilayered filtration nets to purify the 'Purgatory Light' and channel the abundant Ether Element Power from Sky Pond into these massive cavern fields.
Zhao Chongling had previously been busy outside, raising funds, procuring supplies, and gathering weaponry for the Invincible Dharma King.
Only recently, after the Invincible Dharma King secured a decisive victory in a battle against the Second and Third Divine Envoys of Cheng Country, critically injuring the opposing Third Divine Envoy and stabilizing the Beicheng District front line, did Zhao Chongling return to the Main Temple.
Upon returning, Zhao Chongling was stunned by the sight before him.
Since King Ming purchased only civilian machinery, the funding requested from the Shancai Holy Hall was minimal, so Zhao Chongling had dismissed this matter as negligible.
He had never imagined that His Highness King Ming would orchestrate such a grand undertaking, presenting such an extraordinary surprise.
Not only was Zhao Chongling adept at managing finances, but he also understood agriculture.
After careful analysis, he estimated that King Ming's initiative could increase the internal food production of the warship by approximately 62%. Additionally, it would allow the cultivation of large quantities of high-grade Spirit Plants and medicinal materials.
If the ten-layer, 3-million-hectare medicine fields were fully completed, the first year's revenue could offset the losses incurred by the war.
And this was only the first phase of King Ming's plan.
Due to the limitation of manpower, 3 million hectares was currently the maximum area they could manage.
As Zhao Chongling observed the bustling surroundings, his gaze grew complicated: "Why hadn't we thought of developing underground medicine and farmland before?"
It was widely known that only the eight prefectures near Sky Pond could produce various top-grade medicinal materials and Spirit Plants.
As a result, nearly one-sixth of the population of the Great Song dynasty was concentrated in this area. However, the farmlands near the eight prefectures of Sky Pond were not only exorbitantly priced but, in most cases, had fallen into the hands of high-ranking officials, aristocrats, prominent families, or local powerhouses with significant backing.
Yet, if underground medicine fields and farmland could be developed, the arable area near Sky Pond could increase exponentially.
Zhao Chongling mused that if Sky Extreme Star fully adopted the agricultural technology of the Heavenly Demons, then the grain outputs from Sky Pond alone could support a population of hundreds of billions or even a trillion.
Life would not only be sustainable but remarkably comfortable, with no concerns about food or clothing.
"It's said that the Outer Heaven Demons started developing underground medicine fields a long time ago. However, they struggled to solve the issue of the Purgatory Light, especially for large-scale farming. Purifying the Purgatory Light is said to be extremely costly, with a high probability of humans undergoing Demon Transformation and Heavenly Demons developing various mental afflictions."
Standing next to Zhao Chongling, the Heavenly Fragrance Divine Envoy pointed toward the Radiant Holy Altar: "King Ming said we're not the same. We have plenty of devout priests, the Purity Divine Fire, and faith in Guang Ming. Not only can we ensure safety, but we can also significantly reduce the costs of purifying the Purgatory Light."
Faith in Guang Ming, coupled with the presence of Divine Fire, can drastically reduce the probability of Demon Transformation.
However, the tone of the Heavenly Fragrance Divine Envoy suddenly grew peculiar: "As for why we hadn't thought of it before, who knows?"
Thus, His Highness King Ming was their true master!
The priests studying within the Main Temple were visibly exhilarated.
They believed they had glimpsed the hope of Guang Ming. Anyone with a sound mind would understand that humans needed food and drink.
Only with an abundance of food and clothing would they be able to perceive the true Purity and Guang Ming—
Zhao Chongling also focused his attention on the priests laboring fervently: "The enthusiasm of my brethren is exceptionally high. Since joining the sect, I've never seen a scene like this. They all hold His Highness King Ming in great reverence."
King Ming's earlier manifestations during the altar ceremony had only given the middle- and lower-level priests a sense of anticipation and recognition of his legitimacy.
Now, Zhao Chongling found that most people within the Main Temple had begun truly venerating and rallying around King Ming.
This wasn't only because of the occasional occurrence of 'Ming King Seated Lotus Temple,' where priests observed higher-level Divine Fire during their meditation. It was also due to King Ming's initiative to develop underground farms, offering them greater hope.
"Therefore, His Highness King Ming hopes to expand the Protecting Sect Divine Army and select more devout believers from various regions to study doctrines in the Main Temple and meditate on Divine Fire, thereby strengthening our team of priests. All this requires Brother Zhao's support."
The Heavenly Fragrance Divine Envoy continued solemnly: "Furthermore, King Ming hopes the Shancai Divine Envoy can procure two to five ships similar to the Main Temple from the Outer Heaven Demons in the Star Port area, equipped with the latest Heavenly Demon technologies, including defense systems and life support systems.
We don't necessarily need starship capabilities, but the ships must possess the ability for Deep Sea and underground navigation, referred to by the Heavenly Demons as 'Curvature Navigation.' Additionally, the ship's interior should ideally feature more agricultural zones."
"Heavenly Demon ships?" Zhao Chongling furrowed his brow upon hearing this.
Expanding the Protecting Sect Divine Army and the Main Temple's priest team—was this to increase labor capacity? It certainly could help further expand this underground cultivation zone.
As for purchasing Heavenly Demon battleships similar to the Main Temple, it was presumably for safeguarding the priest team.
After all, this was the core territory of the Great Song dynasty. They must prepare for potential evacuation at any given time. Without factoring in internal production, the Main Temple could only accommodate up to two hundred thousand people in an emergency.
The rationale behind acquiring more agricultural zones was also clear; fixed underground farms were not conducive to relocation. But what if these farms were directly housed within ships?
Zhao Chongling considered the idea of procuring ships and found no objections. As long as they weren't military-grade battleships equipped with Quantum Migration Devices, they wouldn't fall under the Heavenly Demons' prohibited items list.
Being in charge of the Shancai Holy Hall with its ample reserve funds, Zhao Chongling was ready to allocate the necessary finances despite the financial strain on the Light God Sect at the moment.
Moreover, purchasing Heavenly Demon ships like the Main Temple and expanding the Protecting Sect Divine Army were measures that could genuinely improve the sect's finances and significantly boost their revenue.
Even if the Bright Holy Sect became an enemy of the world and was surrounded on all sides, they would possess a stable source of income.
At the same time, His Highness King Ming would not only gain a stronger military force but also elevate his image and prestige in the eyes of the sect's priests and believers.
Since joining the Light God Sect, King Ming had shown no inclination for power struggles, nor had he attempted to check or restrain the increasingly influential Invincible Dharma King. Yet his foundation within the sect continued to grow stronger by the day.
That was ultimately a good thing—
In an instant, Zhao Chongling made up his mind: "Heavenly Fragrance, you can inform His Highness King Ming that the Shancai Holy Hall will offer its full support and strive to make this happen."
The Heavenly Fragrance Divine Envoy smiled faintly: "Additionally, regarding your upcoming negotiation with the Hidden Crown Prince, His Highness King Ming has provided some directives. Lin Hao previously claimed boldly that the opening of the port by the Song Court could double its tax revenue within a few years. This statement undoubtedly puts pressure on him. Thus, we can start by leveraging this angle. Our Light God Sect can consider channeling all materials to the Star Port for sale, paying taxes according to regulations, thereby earning his support.
Moreover, the Hidden Crown Prince has had numerous dealings with the Heavenly Demons due to the port opening and has even earned admiration and endorsement from the Heavenly Demon President. As such, he must possess some secret connections that could allow access to various banned items from the Heavenly Demons. You could explore this angle in negotiations with him."
The Heavenly Fragrance Divine Envoy's expression grew peculiar at this point because King Ming was the Hidden Crown Prince himself.
King Ming's orders effectively amounted to directly guiding Zhao Chongling on how to handle matters with the Hidden Crown Prince.
Zhao Chongling uttered a soft "Hm" and narrowed his eyes.
His trip to the Star Port was motivated by the recent sharp price hikes by Heavenly Demon smugglers on banned items and their joint efforts to suppress the prices of various bulk goods.
Zhao Chongling was eager to break the blockade and find new supply channels and market outlets, although he hadn't initially considered it from such a nuanced perspective.
"Understood!"
Zhao Chongling cupped his hands respectfully: "When I meet with Manager Lü, I will attempt to make contact."
He gazed upward at the cavernous dome above, harboring even greater anticipation for the upcoming negotiations.