A Conversation Within the Hall

The Four Seas Dragon Palaces have all arranged for outstanding younger members of the Dragon Race to come to Mount Sumeru to become disciples. The ones from the Northern Sea Dragon Palace are just the first batch. The Western Sea Dragon Palace is closer, so they should be arriving at Mount Sumeru soon. The Southern Sea and the furthest Eastern Sea Dragon Palaces will likely still need a long time to reach them.

Speaking of taking disciples, after Mount Sumeru opened its gates, Jieyin and Zhunti divided the disciples they accepted into several categories.

The first type is direct disciples, who have deep destiny and exceptional talent, sharing the same aspirations as the two of them. These disciples inherit their legacy and are the ones they value the most.

The second type is inner disciples, who have a relatively deep destiny and good talent. They can bring glory to the mountain gate and spread the teachings of the sect. The two also value these disciples quite highly.

The third type is outer disciples, also called registered disciples. They have shallow destiny and ordinary talent. They are generally used to spread the sect's philosophy and expand its influence. This type does not receive much attention.

There is also a fourth type: those who happened to overhear their sermons. Although they might call the speakers "Teacher," they are not actually recognized as disciples. It's like how Old Ancestor Hongjun gave three sermons; aside from the six disciples he personally accepted, the others who heard them are not considered his disciples. It was merely a transaction based on fortune. In the end, everyone recognized Old Ancestor Hongjun as the Dao Ancestor, using their own fortune to help him ascend to his position, repaying the favor of his teachings.

Currently, within the Western Teachings, the direct disciples are Jiang Yun, Pharmacist, Maitreya, and Ksitigarbha. The inner disciples include Mahasthamaprapta, Sunlight, Moonlight, as well as Kinnara, Fajie, Vajragarbha, and about ten others. All remaining disciples are outer disciples.

The dragon disciples sent from the Four Seas Dragon Palaces to become disciples will, for the most part, be registered as outer disciples. Jieyin instructed Jiang Yun to wait until everyone from the Western Sea Dragon Palace arrives before arranging a suitable time for them all to enter the hall and formally become disciples.

To boost the morale of these ordinary disciples, Jiang Yun proposed a suggestion to Jieyin and Zhunti: to introduce a point-based assessment system within the Western Teachings. For some outer disciples with less outstanding talent, if they make extraordinary contributions to the sect and accumulate enough points, they could be granted treasures to refine their roots and bones, and simultaneously be accepted as inner disciples. This would open up a path for ordinary disciples to advance, making them more invested in the sect's development and also keeping the internal flow of new blood fresh.

Regarding this matter, Jieyin and Zhunti pulled Jiang Yun aside to discuss his ideas for the internal organizational structure of the Western Teachings.

After hearing Jiang Yun's proposal for the structure of the offices, the two of them realized that within the current Western Teachings, disciples were only categorized by their level of importance, but there were no specific organizational structures for management. Such a sect was inherently loose.

They decided to establish corresponding institutions within the sect, referencing the organizational structure of the offices.

First is the Scripture Hall, which is the most important institution, bar none. It holds the entire heritage of the sect.

There is no need to establish a Transmission Hall within the sect. The number of direct disciples and inner disciples is very small, and the sermons and explanations given by the two in the Grand Hall are sufficient to cover them. As for the remaining registered disciples, the direct and inner disciples will be responsible for teaching the scriptures and doctrines.

The same applies to the Mission Hall and Exchange Hall. Tasks like the "First Five-Year Plan" will be assigned by the two of them to the direct disciples, who will then lead the inner disciples to complete them, and they will handle whatever is needed.

As for the Enforcement Hall, this is a very important institution. Disciples who corrupt the sect's merit and fortune need to be identified through daily patrols by the Enforcement Hall and dealt with promptly. This is crucial for the stability of the Western Teachings.

Additionally, based on Jiang Yun's suggestion for the promotion of ordinary disciples, a Personnel Hall was specifically established to record the contributions of ordinary disciples to the sect, verify their backgrounds, and conduct promotion assessments. Upon passing the assessment, promotions can be arranged.

Finally, a General Affairs Office was set up at the Dao Field on Mount Sumeru to coordinate the future branch offices at various nodes. It serves as an internal department, and all future branch offices at different levels will fall under the General Affairs Office. Concurrently, a Foreign Affairs Office was established, temporarily managed by Jiang Yun with the assistance of Mysterious Turtle, to handle external affairs. The first task is to manage the upcoming negotiations with the Dragon Race and reach an alliance as soon as possible.

The General Affairs Office will initially be managed by Zhunti. He will cultivate the current disciples based on the "Spirit Bamboo Mountain Node Construction Experience Manual" compiled by Jiang Yun. Once the cultivation of several direct disciples and inner disciples reaches the Golden Immortal Realm, they will be sent to the East and South to establish corresponding first-level nodes. As for the West and North directions, after discussions between him and Jieyin, it was decided that the Western node would be jointly constructed in cooperation with the Western Sea Dragon Palace, while the Northern node would be the responsibility of Jiang Yun. Zhunti will personally oversee the progress of the Western node, while Jiang Yun will have full authority over the Northern node. The Northern Sea Dragon Palace can assist, marking the first cooperative attempt between the two parties.

After discussing these matters, Jiang Yun recalled that when he was at Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain, Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi had invited them to visit Wuzhuang Temple in five thousand years, when the Ginseng Fruit Tree's fruits would be ripe, for a tasting and discussion of the Dao.

Now, with less than a thousand years remaining until the Ginseng Fruit ripens, and considering the time needed for travel, not much time is left.

"Teacher, Martial Uncle, less than a thousand years remain until the Ginseng Fruit ripens. It is not advisable to proceed with the construction of the Western and Northern nodes at this time. Let us wait until we return from tasting the fruit and discussing the Dao at Wuzhuang Temple before commencing the construction projects for these two locations!" Jiang Yun said.

"Preparations can begin now. Once the people from the Western Sea arrive, you can arrange to discuss this matter with the Western Sea and Northern Sea Dragon Palaces. We can start the actual work after we return from Wuzhuang Temple," Zhunti replied.

"This time when we go to Wuzhuang Temple, which fellow disciples are you planning to bring along, Teacher and Martial Uncle?"

"For this trip to Wuzhuang Temple, besides ourselves, the Three Pure Ones will also be participating. We shouldn't bring too many people. Your Teacher and Martial Uncle plan to bring only the four of you direct disciples," Jieyin answered Jiang Yun's question, then turned to Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea and asked, "Fellow Daoist Xuan Gui, are you interested in accompanying us?"

Although Mysterious Turtle of the North Sea has lived in the Northern Sea for many years, he had heard of the name of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, one of the ten top Innate Spiritual Roots. Since he had the rare opportunity to witness it this time, he naturally would not refuse.

"I have also heard of the fame of the Ginseng Fruit Tree. Having the fortune to witness its ripening and go there this time, I certainly will not refuse."

"Excellent. In five hundred years, we will set off and travel to Longevity Mountain together. Jiang Yun, go inform your fellow disciples."

"Yes, Teacher."

Jiang Yun replied and then exited the hall, preparing to inform his fellow disciples.