Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

Song Youping's words echoed in the hall, and everyone stared into deep thought as they looked at the wooden box in Song Changsheng's hand.

Song Changsheng did not rush to make a decision, but instead turned his gaze to the others present and asked, "What do you elders think?"

"In my opinion, using [Gold-Eating Insects] for mining has both obvious advantages and disadvantages."

The advantage is that it can reduce the input of manpower. You only need to maintain the size of the swarm to achieve high-efficiency collection. You also don't have to worry about water monsters attacking you because the insects reproduce very quickly and can be quickly replenished after losses.

What's most ingenious is that the Gold-Eating Insects have a simpler way of thinking than humans; they only act according to commands, which means they don't waste any precious time.

Moreover, the ore can be refined within its body, which can also save a lot of manpower and resources.

Of course, it's not all good. The Gold-Eating Insects only eat metal, while there are a large number of non-metallic spiritual materials underwater, which still need to be collected manually.

However, compared to its advantages, I think this disadvantage is completely negligible.

I had Yuhei calculate it in advance. The family only needs to raise about one million [Gold-Eating Insects] to meet the family's mining needs and double the mining efficiency.

A hundred people are enough to control this size of Gold-Eating Insect swarm, and even ten people would be fine, but that would mean it wouldn't be able to be very precise and would only be suitable for rapid, destructive mining.

One person controlling 10,000 Gold-Eating Insects is the most reasonable number.

If converted to manual mining, we would need at least 1,500 Qi Refining cultivators working in three shifts every day.

Using the Bandung Chamber of Commerce's method would also require tens of thousands of sets of equipment and nearly two hundred thousand able-bodied ordinary people.

"The cost difference can be as much as ten times!" Song Qingxi said decisively.

"ten times?"

"hiss……"

A series of gasps immediately filled the hall.

They had some understanding of the situation in the East China Sea. Hiring 1,500 Qi Refining cultivators for underwater operations would cost over 400,000 low-grade spirit stones annually, not including compensation for injuries or deaths.

The cost of hiring is indeed not low, and it will be a huge burden in the long run.

If the cost can be reduced tenfold, the tens of thousands of yuan in annual costs will be just a fraction of the profit, and can be completely ignored.

"The idea is good, but the family has no prior experience in this area. Is it really feasible to mine with insects?" Xia Yunxue asked with slight hesitation.

Her question reflected the sentiments of most of the elders present. It sounded quite tempting, but it was undoubtedly something very new. Not to mention the cultivation world of the Great Qi, probably no one in the entire Southwest had ever heard of it.

They have an instinctive resistance and skepticism towards things that are too new.

"Actually, Grandma doesn't need to overcomplicate this matter."

After holding back for a while, Song Youbai stood up and looked at everyone, saying, "Everyone is unfamiliar with mining with the [Gold-Eating Insect], but what if we replaced it with a spirit silkworm?"

In recent years, our family has replanted mulberry trees and raised silkworms. We feed the silkworms with mulberry leaves and eventually obtain silk from them.

Spirit silkworm silk can be used to refine array flags, magic robes and other items, which is very similar to the [Gold-Eating Insect].
Furthermore, isn't the "Five Spirits Fat" that is often used to make incense also the excrement of the "Five Spirit Insects"?

There are many more examples like this, but I won't list them all here.

The [Gold-Eating Insect] is not fundamentally different from these spirit insects. Originally, it was indeed dangerous, feeding on metal and multiplying rapidly. Once it reached a certain scale, it was like a locust swarm that could not be stopped, and even cultivators in the Purple Mansion realm had to avoid its sharp edge.

But now my cousin has changed things from the original way. He has removed his aggression, and he can no longer reproduce on his own. He can be controlled through training, which is the same principle as taming beasts.

I think this plan is feasible.

If people are really worried, they can try it on a small scale first, and then gradually expand it.

Anyway, most of the family's mineral resources in the East China Sea have been used in cooperation with the Wanlong Chamber of Commerce, and there's no need for large-scale utilization anytime soon. The family can't just break the contract halfway through, can they?

As the family's foremost beast tamer, his understanding of spirit insects far surpassed that of the others. After this explanation, everyone's doubts vanished.

Seeing that no one objected, Song Changsheng nodded and said, "Hearing is believing, seeing is believing."

"Youping, I order you to proceed to the Twin Islands immediately. I will have my elder brother Changxuan allocate experimental fields and manpower for you to further verify the feasibility of mining with the [Gold-Eating Insects]. Submit a detailed report to the Elders' Council. Are you confident you can accomplish this?"

"I will certainly live up to the expectations of the clan leader and all the elders!" Song Youping readily agreed.

He has absolute confidence in his achievements over the past few decades, and no matter how it is verified, the results will prove him right!

"After all, the Gold-Eating Insects have their shortcomings, and other resources still need to be mined manually, so we should learn more from the experience of the Bandung Chamber of Commerce."

It's okay if you don't have any experience yet, take it slow. The Bandung Chamber of Commerce got to where it is step by step in the same way.

Let Youfu and Wanlong communicate to see if we can purchase a batch of underwater operation equipment from them first. A thousand sets would not be too few, and ten thousand sets would not be too many. Buy as many as you can.

The refining process shouldn't be too difficult; we can simply replicate it gradually.

"The way to long-term success lies in pursuing both paths simultaneously," Song Changsheng said loudly.

"The clan leader is wise." Everyone quickly added a compliment.

"Chief, there is more good news from the East Sea."

"Oh?"

"The elder sent back a message that the family has built three large shipyards on Yong'an Island and the Twin Islands, which can build six ocean-going warships at the same time."

"So efficient?" Song Changsheng raised his eyebrows in surprise. He originally thought that these shipyards would not be built until Song Qingxia and her group arrived. He did not expect that three shipyards would be built and officially started in less than three years.

"This is all thanks to the experienced craftsmen that the family recruited in Linhai City and the surrounding area. They have extremely high talent in this field."

In addition, Song Shouhe also provided the complete set of construction blueprints for the "Brocade Banner," which shortened the construction period to the minimum.

There are currently six warships under construction, and they are expected to be completed within the next eight to ten years.

"Eight to ten years, that construction period is no shorter than that of a flying boat," Song Changsheng remarked with a sigh.

“After all, the family has no experience in this area, and we don’t have enough manpower. Once we’ve accumulated enough experience this time, our efficiency should be able to improve.” “It’s just a thought. We still have to take things one step at a time.” Song Changsheng shook his head slightly. He didn’t want to put too much pressure on Song Youlin and the others. Shipbuilding is no ordinary task and cannot be rushed. Their efficiency is already fast enough.

After the meeting, Song Changsheng kept Song Youping behind. He took out a small piece of refined iron from his storage bag and threw it into the wooden box. The previously quiet [Gold-Eating Insects] swarmed up like sharks that had smelled blood.

With a chilling, slicing sound, a fist-sized piece of refined iron was completely devoured in less than three breaths, leaving not even a trace.

"They're bigger and more efficient now. You've really come up with some clever ideas. How did you do that?" Song Changsheng threw in another piece of refined iron and asked as he watched them eat.

His praise was genuine. He had read many relevant classics. In history, Song Youping was not the only one who thought of using the Gold-Eating Insects for mining, but most of them ended in failure.

There are also improved varieties, but none are as comprehensive as Song Youping's, which aroused his curiosity.

"Originally, my grandson's direction for improvement was to eliminate its aggression, but I obtained a method called 'Blood Soul Nurturing Spirit Scripture' from the General Affairs Elder."

This method has benefited me greatly, and it was from it that I got the inspiration to specifically seek out some other spiritual insects to try breeding with and change the genetic factors inside their bloodlines.

After rigorous selection, ten varieties were chosen from over five hundred. Then, through musical training, nine of them were eliminated.

"I named it the Silver-Winged Gold-Eating Insect," Song Youping said respectfully.

He spoke of it casually, but Song Changsheng was able to deeply understand the hardships and difficulties involved.

The Gold-Eating Insect is a product that existed in ancient times. It is not easy to find a spirit insect that can mate with it, yet he has bred more than 500 varieties. No wonder he has remained unknown for decades.

The bloodshot eyes revealed just how much effort he had put into this over the years.

"You've worked hard all these years." Song Changsheng patted his shoulder, then said seriously, "I intend to add another hall in the Hall of Hundred Arts, namely the Hall of Spirit Insects."

You will be responsible for teaching the methods of producing poison and raising insects.

I plan to set up the temple in the Twin Islands first. After you arrive, you can choose any of the spirit islands belonging to the family.

You can choose any manpower you want, and don't worry about resources. I'll have Youlin and the others give you their full support. I hope you can produce even more outstanding results like the [Silver-Winged Gold-Eating Insect] in the future.

In the Song family's original plan, the Hall of a Hundred Arts only had a few halls: the Hall of Elixir, the Hall of Spiritual Plants, the Hall of Array Weapons, the Hall of Talismans, the Hall of Celestial Crafts, and the Hall of Music.

Things like brewing, beast taming, and geomancy are not in the plan. It's not that these things are unimportant to the Song family, but they are relatively niche and are mostly taught one-on-one, so there is no need to open a separate hall for them.

However, Song Youping managed to change Song Changsheng's mind all by himself.

He saw the opportunities hidden in this path, and Song Youping was the one capable of making it flourish.

This is Song Changsheng's recognition of his talent.

Song Youping was shocked and knelt down excitedly, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, clan leader. I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

"Since I've entrusted this to you, it's natural that I trust you." Song Changsheng personally helped him up, then said meaningfully, "No matter what, cultivation is the most important thing. Reach the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, and prepare for breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm."

Without a doubt, he will also have a chance to break through to the Purple Mansion stage in the future, which is a recognition of his efforts.

Besides these, there are other material rewards, but Song Changsheng doesn't need to personally oversee these; Song Qingxi will handle them perfectly.

After personally escorting Song Youping, who seemed to have been injected with chicken blood, out of the main hall, Song Changsheng returned to check on Kong Sang Xiruo's condition. There was still no change, so he had no choice but to enter the seclusion room to cultivate in seclusion.

While he was in seclusion, Song Youping also took his findings and set off for the space teleportation array to Muyun City...

“Ping boy is here again. Did the clan chief approve your proposal?” Song Youfu said, leaning against the railing with his arms crossed.

"Replying to my brother, the clan leader and the elders have already approved it and appointed me as the head of the Spirit Insect Hall. I would like to trouble you to take me to see Elder Youlin. The clan leader has specially approved a spirit island for me."

"You not only got a new branch opened for you, but you also got an island?" Song Youfu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he heard this.

The position of hall master is already enough to be on par with him.

"It seems the clan leader really values ​​you," Song Youfu said with a hint of sourness.

Look at the difference. They are both meritorious members of the family, but the other person was promoted and given an island, while he only gets hard jobs and not even a lucrative position.

There is no harm without comparison.

Song Youping gave a faint laugh but did not reply.

"Xiao Linzi has gone on an inspection tour. Recently, a group of sea monsters came from the east. It is said that there are some tough guys among them. We need to go and deal with them to prevent them from threatening the Twin Islands."

"Bring out that thing, the [Gold-Eating Insect], and let me see it. Can this thing really mine minerals at the bottom of the ocean?" Song Youfu rubbed his hands together, grinning.

"Of course it's possible. I came here to conduct further experiments and produce a more detailed report."

"Please come with me, elder brother." Song Youping gestured for him to follow.

The two stepped into the azure waves and dived into the deep sea. Soon they arrived at the bottom of the deep sea, where it was so dark that they could hardly see their own hands, and they could almost touch the seabed.

Before them stood a prominent stone peak, through which the exposed deep blue ore could be clearly seen.

“【Deep Sea Black Steel】Ah, this is a third-grade low-level spiritual material. Are your little guys strong enough to handle it?” Song Youfu said jokingly.

"Brother, you jest. These are Gold-Eating Insects." Song Youping smiled faintly, took out the brocade pouch from his waist, and released a dense swarm of Silver-Winged Gold-Eating Insects, roughly estimated to be at least tens of thousands.

Even in the deep sea, these Gold-Eating Insects showed no signs of discomfort, accurately finding their target and quickly covering the protruding rock peak.

Amidst a cacophony of gnawing sounds, the stone peak shrank at a visible rate.

Song Youfu, who was standing to the side, was amazed. There really was such a magical insect. He had never seen anything like it before.

Just as he was about to pick one up for a closer look, his heart skipped a beat, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

Then a huge black shadow rushed towards Song Youping.

"Enemy attack!"

...(End of chapter)