Li Ling listened without betraying any emotion, then instructed them, "With the arts of the Incense Path, one measure more is too strong, one measure less is too faint. Wielding authority and governing a sect are much the same.
Making our true teachings widely available and spreading the Dao throughout the world is a strategy I personally established. But carrying it out still depends on you. Conduct yourselves wisely."
At this point, he gave a meaningful look to the elder who had opposed granting an outsider like Qian Miao too much preferential treatment, a hint of approval showing on his face.
The Incense Accumulation Sect recruited talent from every direction and spread its traditions, then used that talent to imbue the four seas with its influence. Naturally, this was an excellent thing.
But if those below failed to understand the policy properly, or their thinking went astray and they implemented it incorrectly, it was easy to imagine them favoring these visiting students from other paths too heavily.
When that happened, people who held this opposing view would be needed to restore the balance.
Of course, preventing vested-interest groups from rising was even more important.
Fortunately, this world placed immortal cultivation above all else. A development strategy guided by the Dao Path had inherent advantages, making it countless times easier to manage than affairs in the mortal world.
Not long afterward, Li Ling left the sect grounds and arrived aboard a large ship moored at sea southwest of Nine-Wan Island.
Sect scouts had long been waiting there. Seeing Li Ling arrive, they hurried forward to pay their respects.
Li Ling waved a hand and asked, "How are things over there?"
"Reporting to the Old Ancestor: Grand Elder Chi has already dealt with the demons on the outskirts. Although the secret realm