Chapter 171: Comprehensive Major Upgrade

BH City is such a mess that Bingtang inevitably had to stay up the entire night handling things.

For the Ice Color Era Group, this was also an opportunity to accelerate upgrades across many industries in Beihai.

Of course Bingtang hoped Beihai would develop better and better. Although the visible losses looked large this time, in reality it was only rebuilding some houses, nothing vital. With a little backing from Ice Color Group, they could shoulder the losses.

Besides, the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau could apply to the Central Bureau for subsidies.

Branch offices rely on government appropriations, but the Central Bureau’s income is quite considerable. The pure profit from the Magical Girl Idol Project not only provides generous welfare funds for the magical girls — even a retired Miss Kingfisher can earn a monthly income far beyond ordinary people through this game.

After all, revenue from the gacha pool is shared with the magical girls. Popular magical girls, thanks to this game, can retire and never have to work again, living lives above the common folk.

If they formed an idol group and occasionally performed at concerts, they could earn a huge amount of money and boost their popularity, creating mutual reinforcement with the game.

Even unpopular ones who can’t do much still have a safety net, so their lives won’t be hard.

Therefore, unless someone is already independently wealthy, most magical girls hope to join the idol project.

They would never have to worry about money again in their lives.

However, most ordinary magical girls don’t have much popularity;

they also need time to learn and grow. At minimum they must reach Blooming, and after some promotion then they might consider entering the idol project.

That’s why each Disaster Control Bureau runs game ranking events and local idol group activities.

City governments also actively help promote local magical girls. On one hand this showcases the city’s safety and stability, promoting tourism and attracting new residents. On the other hand, the more magical girls from the city enter the idol project, the more weight the city carries with the Central Bureau.

What if a local magical girl pulled an SSR and exploded in popularity?

It would be like those already-famous magical girl idol groups — South China’s “Iridescent Magical Idol Club” and “South China High School Game Club,” East China’s “Magical Girl Fruit Supporters,” West China’s “Dreaming Magical Alice,” North China’s “Shining Cinderella,” and even older legendary groups like “7777 Magical Idol Girls” and “Love Magic Ins.”

They’re essentially world-class superstars. If there’s a disaster beast or enemy they can’t handle, the Central Bureau will prioritize helping.

Because this project’s costs are low and returns are extraordinarily high, the Witch Association actually created a similar witch idol plan.

The result was that online chatter praised them as gorgeous witches.

Clearly nobody spent money on them.

That project ended with the server being shut down.

Bingtang’s previously planned Magic Collection Card also ended in regret as members tore each other apart.

It wasn’t exactly super popular, but it did gain some recognition in Jiangming City, where idol culture runs strong, so Magic Collection Card accumulated some fans there.

But due to various inexplicable incidents, members started arguing and eventually exploded live on stage.

At first it was verbal sparring about why they played "Hakimi" instead of "Shenmanba." Then they incited fans to insult each other. About two thousand people attended that concert — some just there for the spectacle, not many dedicated single-artist fans.

Once two band members began insulting each other and egging on the crowd, the rest joined the fight.

When asked beforehand why they fought, some claimed they knew and thought it was part of the concert’s interlude — they said it was a low-key performance that felt very rock.

From singer to fans, everyone was fighting;

because it wasn’t real magic there was concern about casualties.

“It was like Marilyn Manson turned into a magical girl!”

The two band members’ verbal fight escalated to hair-pulling, then they transformed into magical girls and unleashed barrage magic at each other.

They fought from ground level up into the sky.

Still, the two magical girls displayed considerable professionalism — the teachers Bingtang had found for them were professionals and their training strict.

The concert required hefty compensation if it failed;

if it had flopped, those inner disciples would have owed Azure Cloud Sect unpaid labor for life.

So even while brawling, the two performed with seriousness.

They even managed to finish the concert while fighting.

As a result, the concert’s popularity exploded online, exceeding expectations and becoming a phenomenon.

Two magical girls fighting and singing amidst colorful magic blasts, with fans below writhing in a frenzy — even watching remotely conveyed the peak atmosphere.

It was a previously unseen audiovisual experience, creating a huge uproar.

Disaster Control Bureau magical girls usually got along well;

even at worst they only exchanged barbs.

Seeing two band members transform and fight onstage was rare.

Moreover, both girls’ professional level was high;

their fighting didn’t ruin the music. Heavy breathing and timely fierce shouts actually added intensity.

Combined with lighting and the feverish crowd, the concert’s effect strengthened.

Magic Collection Card disbanded after that set, becoming a swan song.

Suddenly Magic Collection Card’s fans surged online, going wild.

Some even stormed the Ice Color Era Group’s entertainment department, blaming capital for preventing the two from performing together again.

In truth, once it ended the two fully split;

even Bingtang’s personal mediation didn’t work, and they permanently separated.

One went into variety shows, recounting gory stage details.

The other took up self-media and turned it into a spectacle.

Under fan pressure, they later faced each other onstage, smiled, and reconciled.

Everyone said such sisterly groups wouldn’t come again.

Behind the cameras the two almost fought again.

They even argued in the inner disciples’ work chat.

Susan at one point demanded both be kicked from the inner group for disrupting work reports.

Bingtang, as the group owner, could only mute them and create a separate chat for their quarrels.

It was supposed to be sisterly;

instead it looked like mortal enemies. Bingtang couldn’t help but praise her own Shuangye as the true sisters.

Later it turned out they deliberately fought in the inner chat, claiming public reconciliation was too embarrassing;

they told everyone they only “reconciled” for work.

Bingtang considered kicking them both out of the inner gate.

After such experience Bingtang didn’t bother forming another band, even though the online heat was high.

That fame was fleeting, and with the two divided the hype couldn’t be converted into revenue, so it was pointless.

The entertainment department tried to launch a tribute girl band using bad atmosphere and hostile relationships as selling points.

It flopped badly — it looked too staged.

Magic Collection Card’s original feud had the flavor of genuine antagonism masked as performance, unlike the later manufactured acts.

In short, that project was fully sunk, just as the Sect Master had predicted.

Exhausted from handling things overnight, Bingtang slept a short while in the Illusory Moon Cavern Dwelling.

When Jiang Si returned, she woke, washed up, and continued handling the remaining arrangements.

Jiang Si had also summoned his disciples.

They included Bai Mei, who returned last night, and Qingying, preparing for the inner gate exam.

Xingxuan, under Bingtang’s arrangement, went to the city to find housing.

Those two didn’t have homes here and couldn’t stay in the cavern dwelling, so they needed outside housing.

When all the disciples were seated, Qingying looked a little stunned at the youth in front of her.

“Everyone.”

When he spoke, Qingluán finally couldn’t hold it in.

Shion really is a man!

Where did my cross-dressing beauty Sect Master go...

Biting her lip, she tried hard to control her expression so she wouldn’t appear odd.

Take a deep breath, Qingluán, you’re a somewhat mature magical girl — think of what Iris said before she lost consciousness:

“Shion! My arch-enemy! You finally came!”

Your magical girl arch-enemy is a boy, Iris...

“Now enemies surround us, danger lurks everywhere, invaders from beyond the domain eye us like tigers. There is no longer time to leisurely accumulate foundation and then ascend without limit. As disciples of Azure Cloud Sect, especially you True-Transmission, you are examples and leaders of the righteous path. You must ascend quickly and show the strength and spirit capable of protecting the world!”

Bai Mei applauded first. “This disciple will not fail to meet the Sect Master’s expectations!”

Yumo and Qinghua also immediately clapped solemnly. Four Leaf and Six Leaf were a beat slow but followed suit.

Only Qingluán froze for a moment until Six Leaf tugged her hand, “Clap! This is the Sect Master’s speech!”

Reluctantly she clapped with a half-laugh.

Why does Azure Cloud Sect also do this formalism...

“Since the mystery of Full Bloom was revealed, the crudeness of our realm divisions has been exposed. But it’s not too late to remedy it. Between Full Bloom and Blooming, we urgently need a new realm to fill the gap, to smooth the general ascension and let inner disciples clearly perceive their position on the Great Dao!”

“I have assigned your senior apprentice sister full responsibility for realm division. In this area your senior has deep understanding. If you don’t understand, ask her.”

Bai Mei smiled faintly. “Master flatters me. It’s only some minor work.”

Of course Jiang Si planned to discuss things with her later, but that wasn’t the focus now.

“I know previously you liked to emulate ancient practices to achieve Daoic perfection, suppressing ranks according to ancestral methods. But blind adherence to antiquity doesn’t suit every situation. The current circumstances are special. I have reached the first half of the path I practiced. It’s time for you to walk a new method of general ascension. I now transmit it to you, hoping you ascend soon.”

Jiang Si glanced at Bingtang with his eyes as he spoke.

Having known each other for years, Bingtang naturally knew what the Sect Master meant. She immediately set aside her work — though somewhat anxious, nothing was more urgent than the Sect Master’s matters.

“I long ago discovered the optimal mana fusion ratio, but I couldn’t find a better application. I only demanded diligent practice;

simply improving mana control precision is excellent and can aid joint combat. But now I have discovered that the best application of this optimal mana fusion ratio is actually for ascension, letting higher-tier practitioners lift lower-tier ones.”

Jiang Si continued, “Qinghua.”

“To me!” Qinghua stood at once.

In such a solemn occasion Qinghua dared not be playful.

“Try mana fusion with Bingtang.”

“Yes.”

In the current True-Transmission, Qinghua was still Seedling.

When the Sect Master disappeared, many True-Transmission ascended, but Qinghua kept making puppets looking for the Sect Master.

Her mana grew a lot, yet she hadn’t ascended.

Now Bingtang guided Qinghua through mana fusion, and Qinghua clearly sensed her mana’s nature changing.

Bingtang’s methods, her habits of mana control, and numerous insights into using mana were transmitted through the fusion.

Soon Qinghua felt a qualitative change in her mana!

She felt she had touched the threshold of Blooming!

Qingluán didn’t understand the specifics but was greatly shocked.

Even before joining she had guessed Azure Cloud Sect was different, but she hadn’t imagined it would be this extreme.

Would altering mana properties really be safe?

There had been people in the Disaster Control Bureau who tried similar things, but mana fusion is extremely dangerous for magical girls;

a single mistake can severely injure both sides.

It can even affect the seed’s mana supply!

Yet she watched Bingtang guide Qinghua’s mana fusion bit by bit, causing property change and even increasing Qinghua’s mana. Her heart shook....

“Previously you suppressed realms. Mana fusion at the Seedling stage is naturally difficult, but once you step into Blooming, with qualitative increases in control and mana, fusion becomes much easier. Blooming guiding Seedling’s mana fusion can enhance the Seedling’s power and speed up general ascension.”

Jiang Si said in a deep voice, “This is the new method our Great Azure Cloud Sect advocates — the Ascension-Lift General Ascension Method: first lift the general ascension to drive subsequent general ascension!”

Bai Mei clapped immediately. Without prompting Qingluán also applauded, convinced.

This practical approach is far faster than university theorists, though the risks are higher.

Clearly the Sect Master took on the risk personally before sharing the results.

Qingjia finally understood why he was Sect Master.

Why Bai Mei respectfully called him Dao Lord.

Opening a path where none had tread, worthy of the Dao Lord title!

“Of course, when two Blooming-level practitioners fuse mana, once completed the receiving side’s mana undergoes a nature change. This not only increases the destructive power of your mana but expands its attribute variations, allowing magical girls previously poor at combat to gain an additional specialty — essentially a born-ability breakthrough!”

“More importantly, after a mana nature change, it’s like introducing a celestial element into the magical girl’s lawful body, filling the deficiency in body and mind, allowing mana a subtle boost in rank. Even full-bloom magical girls I’ve seen couldn’t achieve this.”

“At minimum your mana won’t be easily polluted. Whether by gray-white Dregs or Polluted Magic, they cannot contaminate your mana. In this way you will have the capital to compete with invaders from beyond!”

These were insights Jiang Si had gained through battle and by guiding Keke.

“Now that you know Full Bloom’s flaw, you don’t need to walk that trashy path,” Jiang Si declared proudly. “We will follow our own path of mana qualitative change and Shion’s primordial spirit. We won’t scramble for Dao fruit Gold Nature with others, yet we’ll match Full Bloom! From now on the Azure Cloud Sect’s way for magical girls will be a flawless supreme Dao!”

“All right!”

Qingluán shouted louder than anyone, tears of excitement welling in her eyes.

A few True-Transmission who intended to cheer were surprised by Qingluán’s heartfelt cry.

Even Jiang Si was frozen by her passionate display.

He had lectured like this many times;

disciples typically agreed but rarely showed such emotion.

Even Bai Mei merely nodded respectfully.

To see Qingjia so aglow with respect and worship was rare and deeply satisfying.

It made Jiang Si feel very pleased.

She’s a good seedling.

One day she should be granted an honorary True-Transmission title.

For Qingluán, the deaths linked to Full Bloom weighed heavily.

Whether Iris or the senior who would never wake again, they were a stone in Qingluán’s heart.

The worst part was that others would inevitably follow that path.

The more responsible and compassionate the magical girls, the more likely they would suffer Full Bloom’s misfortune.

It was almost a death sentence for magical girls.

Jiang Si’s flawless path meant magical girls would no longer have to bear the consequences of Full Bloom’s deaths, and it struck Qingluán to the core. She was naturally ecstatic.

Jiang Si cleared his throat and stood a little prouder, declaring:

“The mission of Azure Cloud Sect: all True-Transmission and inner disciples, Blooming! I expect you all to give your all and, in Azure Cloud Sect’s name, dominate the ages!”

“Yes!”

Several True-Transmission erupted with shouts no less vigorous than Qingluán’s.

They would not lose in reverence to their Sect Master to a newcomer!

After covering the crucial matters, Jiang Si added a few mobilizing words, planning to discuss the new Magical Girl realm standards further with Bai Mei.

He thought seven tiers would be enough;

any more would be cumbersome.

Just as he finished, Bingtang pulled him aside.

“Sect Master, Central Bureau’s Jincha wants to discuss a cooperation matter with us.”

Jiang Si sneered coldly, “Didn’t we just talk last time? Talking every day gets us nowhere. No!”

“It’s about having Azure Cloud Sect disciples participate in the Mental Landscape awakening trials.”

Jiang Si’s sneer vanished and his expression turned solemn.

“We must talk, we must!”