Chen Shuangbai abruptly changed the subject, her tone suddenly sharp, "As the two in charge of this confrontation, you failed to restrain your fellow disciples, resulting in infighting and several casualties... According to the sect rules, you two should be apprehended, your cultivation crippled, and escorted back to the sect for punishment according to the law!"
Upon hearing this, the two were terrified, their faces turning deathly pale and their bodies stiffening.
The Daoist Mu knelt repeatedly, tears streaming down his face, and cried, "No... we know our sins, we know our sins... please, Your Excellency, spare our lives, spare our lives!"
While on the dragon chariot, Chen Shuangbai was pondering how to handle the matter.
After much deliberation, he finally decided that the traditional approach of giving a stern warning followed by a sweet treat was the most appropriate.
Of all the lineages under the Jade Spring Sect, the only reliable support that has allowed them to continue to this day is the Jade Spring Sect itself.
Therefore, in order to continue, the Jade Spring Sect's rules and regulations must be followed.
For cultivators at the Late Qi Refining Stage, having their cultivation abolished is a more terrifying outcome than death.
After seeing the two men kowtow repeatedly, Chen Shuangbai knew that the matter was almost settled.
The young Daoist seemed to have seen through Chen Shuangbai's plan. His eyes darted around, and he stepped forward to say to the two, "Master Chen, that is indeed the way, but considering that both sects have contributed to protecting the people's livelihood and the land's energy over the years..."
The two suddenly realized what was happening and begged for mercy.
The solemnity on Chen Shuangbai's face lessened slightly, and she said, "Considering the difficulty of your cultivation and that this conflict has not yet escalated into a full-blown fight, I can give you a chance to atone for your crimes and receive a lighter sentence."
Like drowning people grabbing onto a piece of driftwood, the two suddenly looked up, their eyes shining with hope.
In the end, both lineages wholeheartedly accepted all of Chen Shuangbai's punishments.
First, the disciples involved in the conflict were severely punished: those with minor offenses were confined to their quarters, while those with serious offenses were expelled from the sect and had their cultivation abolished.
Most importantly, the two lineages were directly disqualified from seeking the Dao from the Jade Spring main sect for three years.
This punishment was extremely severe. The two of them had a pretty good idea of Chen Shuangbai's plan, but they had no choice but to obediently accept it.
Besides that, the most important issue is the distribution of those micro-vessels.
Chen Shuangbai made a decision to directly incorporate this miniature mineral vein into the sect. However, the sect would not compete with disciples of the Dharma lineage. Therefore, the sect would send people to set up an office here called [ Cloudflow Mountain Mining Office ] to be responsible for the unified mining and distribution of the minerals in this area.
During the mining period, disciples from both of your lines can be hired first, and paid according to their work.
The Jade Spring lineage itself accounts for 60%, while the two other branches each account for 20%.
This was considered a severe punishment, and it also consolidated most of the benefits from the conflict between the two lineages, so naturally, both of them felt resentful.
But Chen Shuangbai added, " Jade Dew Hall can sign a two-year priority purchase contract for Qingling Grass with your Azure Cliff Monastery, with a price increase of 50%."
He then turned to the middle-aged Daoist priest from the Green Pine Sect and said, "Similarly, the Hundred Crafts Hall can sign a contract with your Green Pine Sect for the forging of a standard flying sword prototype, with the price increased by half a percent."
Upon hearing this, the two were greatly encouraged and knelt down in unison, praising the sect for its benevolence and compassion for its subordinate lineage.
Neither of them were stupid. Even though this was a very basic medicinal herb and weapon-refining transaction, it was a great opportunity to expand their network and enhance their status within the Dharma lineage!
Seeing their expressions, Chen Shuangbai knew that the time was almost right.
As for whether the Second Hall will do as promised... Chen Shuangbai felt that based on his current status within the sect, he still had some influence.
After the officials from the Expenditure Hall took over the matter, Chen Shuangbai got back into the dragon chariot and transformed into a streak of azure light, departing.
Inside the dragon-shaped chariot, the young Daoist looked at Chen Shuangbai, who was resting with her eyes closed, with awe in his eyes.
He felt that... this Chen Tang looked young, but his methods of managing subordinates... were truly skillful.
The dragon-shaped chariot was very fast, taking Chen Shuangbai to the county where the evil spirits had caused harm.
Chen Shuangbai, high above the heavens, saw with his Spirit-Appraising Pupil that the earth's energy was stagnant beneath a hill, becoming extremely cold and gloomy over time. This affected a nearby mass grave, causing many of the dead to transform into malevolent ghosts and harm people.
The handsome Daoist priest sat inside the dragon-shaped chariot, lifted the curtain, grasped a wisp of breeze, and blew a breath. The breeze transformed into an invisible wind dragon, which went straight into the stagnant cave, using its warm and gentle yang energy to blow away all the stagnant yin and cold energy within.
With the source gone, the remaining evil spirits are naturally no longer a major threat.
The disciples of the Evil Hunting Hall, who were hunting ghosts in the area, were stunned by this miraculous skill and didn't react for a moment.
By the time they realized what was happening, the dragon chariot had already disappeared into the thick clouds.
"His cultivation is also extremely advanced..."
The young Daoist recalled Chen Shuangbai's wind technique just now—effortless and casual, as if done at will, showing that in addition to his skill in swordsmanship, he was also very proficient in wind techniques.
Although Chen Shuangbai had her eyes closed, she was sorting out the last external matter in her mind.
That sect member who had reached the Foundation Establishment was named Mo Yun. His cultivation level was in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. Due to the exhaustion of his potential or other reasons, he lost the opportunity to advance further. After several attempts, he made no progress and even damaged his foundation.
He explained to the sect that he knew he was getting old, his potential was exhausted, and his days were numbered. He requested to return to his hometown to live out his remaining years, and also to contribute to the local people's livelihood by selecting a few promising talents to send into the sect.
Because of his achievements in his youth, Zongnai allowed him to return.
Just a few years later, the disciples of the Evil Hunting Hall, who were patrolling the four directions, passed through Clear Creek County, where the Mo Household, from which Daoist Mo Yun came from, lived, and found that the Mo Household family in this area was gradually going astray.
If it's a minor matter, such as friction between merchants or the occupation of more land, it's fine as long as the money or compensation is in place, everyone will turn a blind eye.
However, after delving deeper, the disciple of the Evil Hunting Hall discovered that the Mo Household not only forcibly bought up fertile land, seized mineral veins, and suppressed other small Lineage, but also seemed to be manipulating local governments and monopolizing several essential commodities!
It even involves many murder cases... Many victims, once they cry out for justice, are guaranteed to disappear without a trace the very next day.
Most importantly... the cultivation market controlled by the local Jade Spring Sect was gradually swallowed up by the Mo Household. Relying on the presence of Mo Yun, a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage ancestor, they joined forces to suppress all news unfavorable to the Mo Household.
In recent years, three or four disciples of the Mo Household have joined the sect through the personal connections of Daoist Mo Yun.
These matters, one by one, were presented and fell into Luo Tao's hands. The Jade Slip he dealt with contained only one sentence—
"Everything must be done in accordance with the sect's rules and regulations!"
Inside the dragon chariot.
Chen Shuangbai tapped her fingertips lightly on her knees, a multitude of thoughts intertwining in her mind, and gradually a solution emerged.
[PS: Third update today! Please give gifts! Please leave a 5-star review to improve the rating! Also, I want to say that those guys in the comments section who ask how much money they received as soon as they see a good review must do this kind of thing a lot, hence their experience and knowing the ropes.]