The sect master's quarters were spacious, with three connected rooms: a study, a sitting room, and a bedroom.
Zhang Qingyuan stood in the study, examining the system.
Overall, it was a sect growth system, the game-like kind.
The system had already reached level ten.
It wasn't some beginner's gift package; it had leveled up to ten normally.
By rights, this system should have started at level one.
But since the Tianyang Sect already existed, the early sect-building quests had been completed automatically, letting Zhang Qingyuan scoop up a bargain.
The first ten levels offered plenty of rewards, with a corresponding reward for each level.
Level one: ten Creation Pills. Level two: ten Minor Rejuvenation Pills. Level three: three martial arts manuals from Jin's wuxia works. Level four: three martial arts manuals from Gu's wuxia works. Level five: ten Minor Rejuvenation Pills. Level six: three thousand taels of silver. Level seven: three martial arts manuals from Huang's wuxia works. Level eight: ten Creation Pills. Level nine: three manuals from high-martial TV dramas. Level ten: one One Hundred Percent Advancement Pill.
Honestly, Zhang Qingyuan didn't place much value on the manuals and such. The Tianyang Sect really had been wealthy in its ancestors' day, and its legacies were all still there. Its martial arts manuals were no worse than those of other worlds.
But he cared a great deal about the various pills.
Creation Pills remodeled one's constitution and improved cultivation talent.
Minor Rejuvenation Pills: added three years of martial cultivation.
The One Hundred Percent Advancement Pill was even more powerful. If he cultivated to the second grade and wanted to enter the first-grade realm, wouldn't swallowing that pill let him level up immediately?
Mm, I'll have to save this pill for a critical moment.
He put all the pills away, keeping them on his person.
Twenty Minor Rejuvenation Pills, twenty Creation Pills, and one One Hundred Percent Advancement Pill.
As for the twelve manuals, the moment Zhang Qingyuan claimed his rewards, they appeared on the desk before him.
Jin's wuxia: Nine Yin Manual, Nine Yang Divine Skill, Mount Hua Sword Technique. Gu's wuxia: Shaolin Fist Technique, Lianhua's Precious Mirror, Flying Immortal from Beyond Heaven. Huang's wuxia: Cihang Sword Canon, Eight Heavenly Saber Techniques, Demonic Illusion Movement Technique. High-martial TV dramas: One Sword Separates Generations, Innate Gang Qi, Heaven's Will Four Symbols Art.
He picked up the twelve manuals and headed out toward the library.
These are all products of my Tianyang Sect. This counts as adding to our assets.
Zhang Qingyuan took stock. This system should have accompanied him when he first transmigrated, but because he had been young then and had been taken straight to the Tianyang Sect, gaining the status of a disciple, it hadn't appeared.
Normally, if his master hadn't brought him up the mountain...
The system should have appeared promptly, then guided him through building a sect bit by bit.
Because the level-one quest was to choose a suitable location and establish his own force, with Creation Pills as the reward.
For the beginner quest, after finding a suitable place to build his sect, he would receive Creation Pills, and after taking them, his martial training would progress extremely quickly.
The level-two quest was to gain a little renown within ten li.
He would begin constructing sect buildings and let all the surrounding villages know about the sect, earning ten Minor Rejuvenation Pills.
The level-three quest was to gain a little renown within twenty li, and the rewards started including martial arts manuals.
The later quests also progressed step by step, improving his martial arts while expanding the sect.
Why was it only at level ten?
Because the level-eleven quest was to recruit a disciple, and after that came more sect expansion quests.
Zhang Qingyuan did the calculations. He wouldn't need to worry about any sect expansion quests up through level eighty, because the Tianyang Sect was already big enough.
Only the quests to recruit disciples and personnel and increase its reputation remained to be completed.
Level-eleven quest: recruit one disciple. Level twelve: expand the sect. Level thirteen: recruit five disciples. Level fourteen: recruit ten disciples. Level fifteen: gain a little renown within a fifty-li radius. Level sixteen: expand the sect.
After looking over the later quests, Zhang Qingyuan didn't take them to heart.
Because he didn't intend to follow the system's pacing. He hadn't even planned to develop the sect's influence according to the traditional wuxia formula.
The system's formula was basically the same as the traditional one: proceed step by step.
Zhang Qingyuan didn't have that much patience to play the base-building route and develop slowly.
To revive the Tianyang Sect, he had to catch people by surprise and try something different.
So what would be different?
Heh, ever heard of modern education?
After putting the manuals away, Zhang Qingyuan returned to the sect master's courtyard.
Although he wouldn't formally take over until tomorrow, he had already moved in.
Entering the study, he took out paper and a brush and began writing a proposal.
First, they weren't lacking a sect compound, and all the facilities were in place.
Second...
Furthermore...
Zhang Qingyuan spent the entire night thinking, writing, and sketching.
Only when the golden rooster heralded the dawn and the sky grew light did Zhang Qingyuan put down his brush.
He looked up and out the window, murmuring, "It's time to give this world something different."
With that, Zhang Qingyuan folded his completed proposal, summed things up, then swiftly burned it.
This thing was meant to remind himself. Before he succeeded, he couldn't let it get out.
His eldest senior brother made breakfast. After eating, the seven brothers held a grand sect master succession ceremony, without even a single spectator.
After the ceremony, Zhang Qingyuan carried the Tianyang Sword, dressed in the sect master's robes and wearing a purple-gold hair crown, and led his six senior brothers to the assembly hall.
Once inside, Zhang Qingyuan sat in the seat of honor, while the six of them sat below him.
"Hehe, you know, Old Seventh really does look the part in the sect master's robes," Old Third said with a laugh.
"Of course. Clothes make the man, just as a saddle makes the horse," Old Sixth said too.
"Ahem." Zhang Qingyuan cleared his throat lightly. "Now, as sect master, I'll announce the personnel appointments for my senior brothers."
He looked around. His six senior brothers' brows furrowed slightly.
Eldest hadn't understood and asked his junior brothers blankly, "What are personnel appointments?"
Old Third said, "No idea. If he's the sect master, shouldn't we all be elders?"
Fourth also said, "That's right."
He pointed at his senior brothers in turn. "First elder, second elder, third elder, and I'm the fourth elder."
"Old Seventh, what trick are you playing?" Fifth asked in puzzlement.
All six of them had already put on their elder robes. What appointments were still needed?
Zhang Qingyuan explained, "Although you're all elders, each elder still needs his own regular duties."
"Our job is teaching the disciples. Aren't you handling everything else?" Old Third spread his hands.
"Are you kidding, Third Senior Brother? I'm only one person. How could I keep up with all that?" Zhang Qingyuan said.
Without waiting for them to voice their opinions, Zhang Qingyuan called sternly, "First Elder, Zhao Guangqi!"
"Present, Sect Master!"
"I appoint you director of the Tianyang Sect's Logistics Department. From now on, all the Tianyang Sect's logistical work will be entrusted to you."
"Director of the Logistics Department?" Although it was his first time hearing the term, Bian Zhenxuan, as a rich second generation, understood immediately. "Isn't that just purchasing?"
"Yes. Logistics includes purchasing, meals, support, maintenance of the sect's grounds and buildings, and a whole range of other work."
Eldest immediately felt a heavy weight on his shoulders. He drew a deep breath. "Don't worry, Sect Master. I'll do my best."
"Good!"
"If you need to buy timber, books, cloth, or anything like that, you can choose the Bian Family Trading House. Third Senior Brother, get your father to give us a discount," Zhang Qingyuan said, looking at Bian Zhenxuan.
Bian Zhenxuan nodded. That was only right.
Besides, even without being told, his father wouldn't charge them too outrageously out of consideration for him.
"One more thing, Eldest Senior Brother," Zhang Qingyuan added. "You need to establish good relations with the grain and vegetable merchants in Phoenix Cry City as soon as possible, because in a few months, we'll have a large batch of disciples joining us."
"Huh? Oh, got it."
Eldest froze for a moment, wondering just how many people a large batch of disciples meant.
The other senior brothers were curious too. Over the past hundred years, who had voluntarily joined the Tianyang Sect anymore?
Even when they went down the mountain to recruit disciples, they only selected talented orphans.
The poor studied letters; the rich practiced martial arts. Besides money, talent was also important for martial training.
Of the seven martial brothers, six had been picked up.
And it wasn't as though they accepted just any orphan. At the very least, they had to be talented.
They didn't understand. A large batch of disciples joining-where were they supposed to rustle up a large batch of disciples?
"Don't tell me you want the remaining five of us to go out looking for disciples?" Old Third couldn't understand.
"Exactly. Even if we all go out recruiting, how many could we bring back in a few months? You're overestimating our abilities," Old Sixth said too.
At that moment, Fourth, who hadn't spoken for a while, thought it over and believed he understood Zhang Qingyuan's meaning. "Old Seventh, do you want us to travel through all the towns around Phoenix Cry City and Eastneighbor City, each taking responsibility for one area and recruiting all the talented children?"
"Damn, I can't run all that way. Those two cities cover an area nearly a thousand li across between them," Old Third immediately complained upon hearing this.
"There's no need for all that trouble. I have other tasks for you. First, hear out your appointments."
"Then go ahead."
Old Third didn't mind. He couldn't figure it out and didn't want to rack his brains, so he would just do whatever the sect master said.
The others all thought the same way. Since they had chosen Old Seventh, they had to trust him, because they didn't have the brains for it either.
Zhang Qingyuan was very pleased with this. Aside from certain senior brothers having a rather fine way with words, the seven brothers got along well. At the very least, there was no scheming against one another.
He looked at his second senior brother and continued, "Second Elder, Zheng Jianxin."
"Mm."
His second senior brother remained as cold as ever.
"As sect master, I appoint you director of the Tianyang Sect's Security Department. Your martial arts are the strongest, so you'll be responsible for everyone's safety."
"All right."
The position could belong to no one else. He had the greatest talent and the strongest martial arts, and the other martial brothers all thoroughly approved of this appointment.
"Third Elder, Bian Zhenxuan!"
"Sect Master."
"I appoint you director of the Finance Department, concurrently serving as deputy sect master of the Tianyang Sect."
"Huh?" Old Third froze. "I get two positions?"
"The capable shoulder more work. Third Senior Brother, you'll just have to keep a little busier."
"I came up the mountain to practice martial arts precisely because I didn't want to manage things. If I wanted to manage things, couldn't I just inherit my family's business?"
"It can't be helped, Senior Brother. You're the sharpest at accounts here, and you have management skills too. Your abilities in every respect are no less than mine. Your junior brother will have to rely on you in the future."
"I really..."
"Don't worry. Once our Tianyang Sect is on the right track and you find someone who can take over your work, you can retire and enjoy your leisure immediately. How about it?"
Bian Zhenxuan paused, then asked skeptically, "You mean it?"
"Yes. Once we're through this busy period, you can retire." After giving his assurance, Zhang Qingyuan persuaded him further. "It can't be helped, Third Senior Brother. Right now, our sect only has two or three little cats, just the few of us. Of course everyone has to pitch in."
Bian Zhenxuan sighed. "Fine, then let's leave it at that for now. Once I find a replacement, we'll switch right away."
"All right."
Having soothed Old Third, Zhang Qingyuan looked at Fourth.
"Fourth Elder, Bai Shuyan."
"Present!" He cupped his fist in salute, putting on one hell of a flashy act.
This fellow wore pale cyan robes with a full twelve parts of romantic flair. His collar hung slightly open, revealing a stretch of sharply defined collarbone. On that fair skin was actually tattooed a tiny blood butterfly, its wings spread as though about to take flight.
The outer corners of his long, narrow phoenix eyes naturally bore a touch of lush red. When they tilted slightly upward, he looked half-drunk, rippling with a pool of peach-blossom spring water.
His nose bridge rose steeply, like a mountain range thrusting from the earth, adding an impossible-to-ignore air of masculine handsomeness to his entire face.
His lips were slightly thin, bearing a touch of softness.
So flashy, so handsome, so well-endowed.
His martial cultivation was in the fifth-grade realm, and he was in his twenties. His talent was quite good too, and a crowd of naive young women fell at his feet.
Looking at Fourth, Zhang Qingyuan said, "I appoint you director of the Publicity and Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
"Why is my title so long?"
"A long title naturally means weighty duties. Your task is to have heart-to-heart talks with those heroines, promote our Tianyang Sect to the other sects, and make us lots and lots of friends. Understand?"
Bai Shuyan paused, then instantly understood.
I knew Old Seventh treated me best. This position is fantastic—flirting by imperial decree!
Deeply moved for a good while, he immediately cupped his fist in salute and said, "Rest assured, Sect Master. The director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs guarantees he'll complete his mission!"
He slyly swallowed the word "publicity" and went straight to foreign affairs.
But Zhang Qingyuan was not worried about him, because the fellow was good-looking and had many female confidantes hidden within the various sects and factions.
And those people would all be sources of support in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not supposed to do nothing but extend goodwill; it also needed to show appropriate firmness.
But as the Tianyang Sect stood now, it simply could not afford to be firm.
Given the Tianyang Sect's current size, who but him could take charge of publicity and foreign affairs?
"Fifth Elder, Li Moran."
"Present, Sect Master," he said with a smile.
"I appoint you Minister of Personnel. From now on, recruiting disciples and teachers, as well as managing the work of the disciples and the other teachers, will fall to you."
"All the recruiting is mine?" the fifth elder asked incredulously. "Can I even recruit that many people?"
"Don't worry. I won't let you wear yourself out."
"I'm having a little trouble not worrying."
"Everyone will pitch in. When the time comes, I'll demonstrate the recruitment process for you. Once we get through the first batch, the second will be easier to recruit."
The fifth elder still could not decide, his eyes darting about. Finally, after thinking it over, he said, "Fine, let's leave it at that for now. But let me make this clear first: if I can't do it, I'm dropping the whole thing."
"Don't worry. You can absolutely do it."
"I'll trust you this once."
"Sixth Elder, Sun Xiaotian!"
"Present, Sect Master." The sixth senior brother nervously stood at attention, looking at Zhang Qingyuan with particular seriousness.
Such an honest kid. Without being told, one would have thought he was Old Seventh.
Zhang Qingyuan smiled and said, "I appoint you secretary to all of us."
"Secretary?"
"That means anyone who's short-handed can call him over to help."
"Oh, oh, understood."
Sun Xiaotian stood to one side, feeling as though every senior brother was eyeing him like a tiger eyeing its prey.
There was no helping it. Every department was short-handed now, and everyone wanted to call him over to help.
Zhang Qingyuan walked down the steps. "All right. In a little while, each of you is to come see me in turn, and I'll assign each of you your specific tasks."
"Yes!"
Everyone shouted while staring at Sun Xiaotian.