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"Fengzhi, without using the name of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, is it still possible to establish an academy?" Chen Xin understood his concerns and, in order to keep Ning Tianchen close, proposed the idea.
Gu Rong disagreed. "Without the name of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, what influence would our new academy have? If, after its completion, we only manage to recruit fewer than a hundred students, wouldn't that be laughable?"
Ning Rongrong interjected, "Grandpas, Father, I think we could consider recruiting commoner soul masters."
Within Tiandou City, several prestigious academies only admitted noble or gentry-class soul masters. Commoner soul masters who wished to study at advanced soul master academies were forced to attend lesser-known institutions.
The reputation of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect would undoubtedly attract attention. Once their academy began admitting commoner soul masters, they wouldn't lack applicants.
With the absence of the Hao Tian Sect, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was quietly emerging as the continent's top sect. Many sought to align themselves with this towering pillar of power.
Ning Tianchen chimed in, "Uncle Ning, Grandpa, Bone Grandpa, I think Rongrong's suggestion is feasible."
They had discussed this on the road and were now coordinating their efforts to push the matter forward as quickly as possible.
Having an academy under the sect's banner would undoubtedly expand its influence.
However, if they loosened admission requirements, the academy's expenses would become a bottomless pit. Even a wealthy sect like the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect couldn't afford unlimited funding.
"Tianchen, Rongrong, since you've brought up this matter, go back and draft a proposal. If I find it satisfactory, the sect may establish an academy."
Ning Fengzhi was somewhat swayed, but founding an academy wasn't something to be decided lightly. Many details still needed careful consideration.
Assigning Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong to draft the proposal was also a way to cultivate their leadership skills.
Moreover, having a written proposal made it easier to identify and address issues. Discussing matters verbally often led to overlooking important details.
After they left, Gu Rong couldn't help but ask, "Fengzhi, are you really considering establishing an academy?"
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment, then nodded. "As long as the sect's annual subsidy doesn't exceed five million gold spirit coins, why not? I know there are many on the continent who want to join the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect but lack the opportunity."
"This Seven Treasures Academy will serve as a promotional banner for the sect."
Gu Rong pressed further, "Fengzhi, what should the academy's enrollment scale be?"
Enrollment size was tied to the academy's scale. Once determined, they could begin searching for land within the city.
"Let's wait. This isn't an urgent matter. First, let's see what kind of proposal Tianchen and the others come up with."
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Walking through the garden within the sect, Ning Rongrong asked in confusion, "Big brother Tianchen, you already finished drafting the proposal earlier. Why didn't you present it just now?"
As they spoke, the two entered a pavilion and sat down.
Ning Tianchen took out a pre-prepared manual from his sleeve and smiled. "Not yet. This is only about the academy—it's still a work in progress. To implement the ideas in this manual, the sect's industrial distribution needs to be upgraded and adjusted."
Ning Rongrong's brows furrowed slightly, and she softly reminded him, "Big brother Tianchen, we're still young, and Father hasn't entrusted us with managing the sect's industries. If we propose restructuring the sect's businesses, Father might not adopt it. He might even get upset."
Ning Tianchen chuckled. "Don't worry—this is just industrial consolidation, not a change in the type of business."
On the continent of Douluo, there was no concept of large shopping malls. Various shops were scattered across every corner of the city.
If they created a massive mall integrating shopping, leisure, entertainment, and dining, it would undoubtedly generate far greater profits.
With all shops concentrated in one place, people would only need to visit one location to buy everything they needed—why would they run around the entire city?
Moreover, after industrial consolidation, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect would free up vast amounts of land. This land could then be used to build the academy, saving the cost of purchasing additional plots.
It was a win-win solution.
Ning Rongrong said no more, standing quietly by as she watched Ning Tianchen write down his suggestions for industrial consolidation.
At first glance, Ning Rongrong found it somewhat complex, but once Ning Tianchen sketched out the layout of the mall, she immediately grasped its commercial potential.
Consolidating the sect's businesses into one location would make management easier while increasing foot traffic and boosting overall revenue for the shops.
Ning Rongrong was astonished.
This idea was so ahead of its time!
How had big brother Tianchen come up with it?
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Ning Tianchen spent two days refining his suggestions for industrial consolidation before he felt satisfied.
Then, together with Ning Rongrong, he submitted the manual to Ning Fengzhi.
In the study, Ning Fengzhi first flipped through the proposal for the academy's construction.
After reading, he frowned. "According to your plan, the academy could accommodate two thousand students. This means the land required for construction would be enormous."
"You've chosen the Eighth Street in the city for the academy's location. Do you realize how much the sect would lose by demolishing this street? And how much gold spirit coins it would cost to acquire the land?"
He wasn't upset, just felt that Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong were still too young and hadn't fully considered the implications.
Half of the shops on Eighth Street belonged to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, while the other half were owned by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and smaller factions allied with them.
Buying these shops from them would require a significant financial outlay.
Moreover, Eighth Street was one of the busiest streets in the city, with expensive real estate. Shutting down dozens of profitable shops to build an academy would surely result in heavy losses.
"Uncle Ning, don't rush. Take a look at the next manual."
The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect owned vast tracts of land on Third Street, which boasted the highest foot traffic in Tiandou City. Transforming this area into a mall would undoubtedly make it the city's commercial hub.
At that point, the foot traffic on Eighth Street would diminish significantly.
With reduced profits, the value of the land owned by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family and its allies would depreciate. The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect could then purchase it at a lower price.
After reviewing both manuals, Ning Fengzhi was stunned.
If the mall was successfully built, it would almost monopolize the majority of Tiandou City's market share.
Third Street was the largest commercial district, boasting natural geographical advantages.
Even if other factions tried to imitate it later, it would be hard to rival the Seven Treasures Mall.
According to Ning Tianchen's vision, the initial investment would be substantial, including the academy's construction, costing at least fifty million gold spirit coins.
But once the mall was completed, the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's revenue from its businesses in Tiandou City would increase by over forty percent.
And this was a long-term investment.
Struggling to contain his excitement, Ning Fengzhi calmly asked, "Tianchen, did you come up with all these proposals yourself?"
Ning Tianchen bowed and replied, "Uncle Ning, these proposals are the result of continuous brainstorming by Rongrong and me over the past few years, refined only recently."
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