Pei Xiangcao Receives Pills and Accepts a Generous Gift; the Council Hall Disputes Pills and Settles the Lineage's Future

Despite being within the sect, Pei Xiangcao was not wary of the visitors. She touched the spiritual barrier in front of the gate, causing the runes on it to ripple outwards, revealing the imposing figure of Sect Leader Kang Da right before her.

"Disciple greets Sect Leader,"

Pei Xiangcao was surprised that it was Kang Dabao who came in person. Her face showed surprise and joy, but also some apprehension. The latter did not dwell on Pei Xiangcao's reaction. He simply glanced at her and sighed inwardly.

Originally, Fei Shuhe had planned to take Pei Xiangcao with her to Ying Prefecture before her departure, hoping that she might even encounter some good fortune. However, Sect Leader Kang Da rejected his wife's idea.

After all, for the young men of the Ying Prefecture Fei Household, this prejudice against different social classes would not disappear immediately just because Kang Dabao had killed several people in Shannan Circuit and spent years cultivating.

Even after Kang Changyan and Kang Changzhao, two illegitimate sons, went to the Esteemed Jade Hall, they might not have been highly regarded by the Fei Household. So, in the Fei Household's eyes, Pei Xiangcao, a junior disciple of Kang Dabao, was a distant relative.

With Pei Xiangcao by his side, Kang Dabao could finally rest assured that she could work in the rear without having to risk her life on the battlefield. Even though the girl's talent was only average, he wouldn't shortchange her on supplies. Ensuring she reached the Foundation Establishment shouldn't be a problem.

At least until the next promising descendant of Pei Yi emerges, Sect Leader Kang Da will not be willing to withdraw his attention from Pei Xiangcao.

"Well, you can accept these two Foundation Establishment Pills. It's enough that the two of us know about this; don't show it to anyone else. If you encounter any problems and find yourself unable to act on them, be sure to report to me and the elders immediately. Do not hide anything."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Sect Leader, but I am ashamed and dare not accept it."

Kang Dabao didn't care whether Pei Xiangcao's excuse was sincere or not. He simply placed the pill in her hand and then disappeared in a rainbow.

"Now that this girl has completed her Foundation Establishment, I, Old Ye, will need to keep a close eye on her and see if there are any suitable juniors nearby who can help her find a good match."

As Sect Leader Kang Da was leaving, a thought occurred to him, but he didn't pay much attention to it. He simply sent a letter to Ye Zhengwen's residence.

The talisman pierced through the floating clouds, swept past the mysterious lightning and ice crystals within, and landed directly in the hand of Ye Zhengwen, who was presiding over the meeting in the council hall.

After glancing at it, he first kept the matter in mind, but since it wasn't urgent, he put it aside for the time being. He then turned his gaze to the group of younger members arguing, but felt that his prestige was gradually waning and he was beginning to lose control over these eighth-generation pillars of the Chongming Sect.

Duan Anle noticed the displeasure in Ye Zhengwen's eyes at the head of the table, so he shouted in a deep voice, "Silence!"

He was, after all, the eldest of all his disciples and held considerable prestige.

Therefore, as soon as Duan Anle spoke, it was as if a large chime resounded in the hall, producing a clear and melodious sound. This brought the Chongming Sect, who were all blushing and nearly losing their dignity, back to their senses, and they all bowed to Ye Zhengwen in unison.

"Disciple, I'm sorry, please forgive me."

"Heh, elders and deacons are the backbone of Double Brightness Sect, how could I possibly offend you?" Ye Zhengwen was originally Rogue Cultivator, and his banditry was three pounds heavier than that of Sect Leader Kang Da, but he had toned it down considerably since joining the sect.

Especially since Pei Yi's death and the fact that he had been focusing more on teaching his disciples, his tone was extremely heavy, and even many of the more senior disciples had not heard it.

Thus, the tense atmosphere in the hall seemed to be quelled by Ye Zhengwen's few words. The disciples obediently returned to their seats, not daring to utter a sound.

"There are only five Foundation Establishment Pill left. Even a hundred years ago, when the sect leader and we were penniless, it would have been difficult for us to fight over them like this."

Has the Chongming Sect truly become a powerful sect in the southwest, free from external threats, to the point where it can tolerate discord and infighting among its disciples?!

Ye Zhengwen's expression and tone remained unchanged, yet they made the disciples in the hall lower their heads even further.

In the end, it was Duan Anle over. He stepped into the hall, bowed, and said, "My fellow disciples may have just come from battle and their minds are not yet at peace, which is why they behaved so improperly in front of the hall. Please forgive them, Uncle Ye."

"Heh," Ye Zhengwen's single eye narrowed, his tone still unchanged. "Anle, don't try to cover for them. Each of them has built Dao Foundation and made outstanding contributions. They all hold the positions of elders and stewards."

Therefore, if we're talking about sect rules, you should be on equal footing with this old man like me. I just wonder if the sect leader and my two junior brothers, Yuan and Jiang, were here, would you still be able to act as naturally as you do today?!

These words sent a chill down the spines of all the cultivators. Fortunately, although Ye Zhengwen's anger hadn't subsided on the surface, once he had extinguished the arrogance of each Double Brightness disciple, his heart had calmed down, and he began to speak of serious matters:

"As I just mentioned, since we've obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill formula, the Alchemy Hall will have to work much harder in the future. Therefore, I'll allocate the quotas to the Alchemy Hall Pill Hall first. If any Foundation Establishment Pills emerge from the Foundation Establishment Alchemy Hall, the supply of Foundation Establishment Pill will be much more stable in the future. Do any of you have any objections to this?"

Yuan Jin Shilun, who had just been handpicked by Yuan Jin to serve as one of the ten generals of the Azure Jue Guard, was still sickly at this time, but upon hearing Ye Zhengwen speak again, he still stepped forward despite the reproach on his face, bowed, and said:

"Uncle Ye, it's not that Shilun doesn't understand the principles, but the Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards are both severely injured after this battle, and we desperately need to select a group of capable disciples. We can't just rely on the local militia and righteous followers to maintain appearances! To be honest, this is much more urgent than the alchemy, weaponry, talisman, and array halls."

Jin Shilun had only spoken halfway when Kang Rongquan, who had already given up, stepped forward. His injuries were still not healed, but his voice was booming:

"Junior Brother Jin seems to have forgotten to mention my Spirit Plant Hall. From alchemy and weapon crafting to talisman arrays and the Beast Garden's Spirit Plant, which one didn't contribute to this battle? Why are you two being treated as inferior to me?"

The Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards need capable and courageous individuals. The sect's century-long cultivation of spiritual arts has been destroyed in an instant. Should the Spirit Plant Hall promote its next generation?! Now that the Alchemy Hall has received such good fortune, should it also urge its Alchemist to improve quickly?!

At this moment, Jin Shilun, who had been falsely accused, looked displeased and said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Kang, this is a sect meeting. I am merely stating the facts. I hope you will not misunderstand my meaning."

Kang Rongquan became even angrier and shouted, "What misinterpretation?! You let Senior Martial Uncle Ye make the judgment, am I not telling the truth?!"

"Uncle-Master, please speak politely," Duan Anle atmosphere, and stepped forward again to mediate. However, after glancing at Ye Zhengwen, he still stepped forward and bowed softly.

"Uncle-Master, if we follow your suggestion, the Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards are crucial to the safety of the sect and the continuation of our lineage. Therefore, could you consider allocating one less of the five Foundation Establishment Pills to the Alchemy Hall?"

Hearing Duan Anle speak in this way, Kang Rongquan did not say anything, but the anger in his eyes intensified. The group of fellow disciples behind him seemed to be dissatisfied as well, but since they had just been reprimanded by Ye Zhengwen, they did not make any move and just waited for the old cultivator at the head of the table to speak.

Ye Zhengwen took in the expressions on the faces of his disciples. It was only five newly acquired Foundation Establishment Pill. If he multiplied that number tenfold, he wouldn't find the disciples' commotion bothersome.

However, it was clear that the two factions led by Kang Rongquan and Jin Shilun had ulterior motives, which made Ye Zhengwen frown slightly and start to make plans in his mind.

After the old cultivator pondered for a while, he finally spoke again:

"The Alchemy Hall will receive two quotas, the Spirit Plant Hall will receive one, and the disciples in charge of the Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang will each receive one. As the sect leader said, from this day forward, the breakthrough pills in the Merit Points Hall will no longer be accumulated, but will all be displayed."

Furthermore, the Merit Points elders, deacons, and True Disciple can borrow will each increase by five; the Merit Points that inner and outer disciples can borrow will each increase by three. This will be announced immediately.

"Do not conceal anything; all disciples must know that the current situation is urgent and time is of the essence."

Ye Zhengwen's words clearly displeased both factions, but since it was ultimately just a matter of pride, the cultivators didn't dwell on it and simply accepted the order.

After a cup of tea, Ye Zhengwen accepted the nourishing treasures presented by Kang Rongquan and the precious spiritual treasures offered by Jin Shilun. Only then did the hall disperse, leaving only his disciple Liu Ya in attendance.

Ye Zhengwen suddenly felt exhausted and asked abruptly, "What do you think of today's events, Ya'er?!"

Liu Ya smiled, ignoring Ye Zhengwen's words, and instead comforted him, saying, "Master, perhaps you've been in the sect for too long and haven't had many assignments to take on at the Merit Points Hall."

In my early years, when I went to mediate and intervene in the internal strife among some families in my jurisdiction, they were almost at each other's throats, wishing they could go to the death row directly.

Compared to that kind of scene, what I'm doing today at the Chongming Sect is nothing more than a minor skirmish. How could it possibly cause my master, the Grand Elder, such worry?"

"Don't talk nonsense! When has my Chongming Sect ever had such a position as Grand Elder?!" Ye Zhengwen, perhaps feeling embarrassed by his disciple's words, earnestly continued:

"Don't you understand the principle that 'a thousand-mile dike can be breached by an ant hole'?"

Liu Ya smiled confidently as always, "How could I not know? But even though Senior Brother Kang and Senior Brother Jin are arguing so fiercely, do you think we wouldn't trust each other with our backs on the battlefield in the future?!"

Ye Zhengwen was slightly taken aback, but felt that his disciple's words made sense. However, he still had many worries in his heart, and then asked, "In your opinion, why are they fighting over this?!"

"Master, you are wise. If it were only five Foundation Establishment Pills, none of the fellow disciples who came to the hall for discussion today could not contribute one or two if they were willing."

Let alone the Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang Guards, who have reaped considerable spoils in battle; or the ever-prosperous Spirit Plant Hall; even I, a poor elder of the Punishment Hall, have no reason to argue so heatedly with my own people.

At this point, Liu Ya cautiously glanced at the look in Ye Zhengwen's single eye, and seeing that the latter did not resent her for showing off her words, she then spoke again:

"Today's dispute is because Senior Brothers Kang and Jin have both realized that Master has received instructions from the Sect Leader to slightly favor the halls that acquire resources in the future, such as alchemy, artifact crafting, and talisman arrays, in order to facilitate their development."

This greatly displeased Senior Brother Jin and the majority of the sect leaders, who naturally wanted to compete for power.

"The sect leader's lineage?" Ye Zhengwen chewed on this unfamiliar term, which he had never heard before in the sect, and scoffed, "You speak as if the disciples of my Chongming Sect are now clearly divided into different factions."

"Master, you are wise. Though I have not yet arrived, I am not far off." Liu Ya's smile faded, and after a few breaths, she became serious and spoke softly:

As the saying goes, "Within a sect, there are countless strange and wonderful things." When fellow disciples are assigned to various posts, who doesn't have to show some personal favors?

Those of high status and with good teachers naturally enjoy certain advantages; while those of low status and with poor teachers inevitably suffer some unpleasant losses. These losses may seem insignificant, but over time, even the most magnanimous person will inevitably feel some unhappiness.

Senior Brother Kang, as the eldest disciple of Martial Uncle Pei, has led all the fellow disciples of Master Li for many years without any objections;

Among the disciples of the sect leader, Senior Brother Duan was somewhat exceptional, so when Senior Brother Jin saw that Senior Brother Kang was constantly vying for profit, he was naturally not happy to see his own interests gradually being eroded.

As this went on, it became increasingly common for both sides to engage in petty squabbles, which is hardly surprising.

Ye Zhengwen went through Liu Ya's words in his mind and recalled many recent events, just as she said. He had previously thought that Jin Shilun and Kang Rongquan were at odds, but he never expected that they had always been fighting for their side.

After thinking it through, Ye Zhengwen's expression became even more complicated. "Am I really too old to handle things? Why are my eyes not as bright as these younger ones'?!"

He sighed inwardly, his tone softening. "You say they're just arguing out of pride because you've seen them only compete over these trivial matters and then form a tacit understanding. But when it comes to matters of principle, they've never acted out of self-interest?"

"Master, you are wise!" Liu Ya replied.

"Me, a clear-headed person?!" Ye Zhengwen shook his head for a while, then became much more clear-headed. After thinking it over carefully for a moment, he spoke again:

"The sect leader's faction? Martial Uncle Li's faction? When it comes to figures and power within the sect, how can these two be compared? Rongquan is truly fighting a battle of pride. If it weren't for Anle limits, how could he possibly stand up to Shilun?!"

But if they don't fight, the strong will grow stronger and the weak will remain weak. This so-called Martial Uncle Li's lineage will truly decline to an unbearable state. The balance they strike is not easy to grasp.

Even though he understood that Kang Rongquan and Jin Shilun had their reasons, Ye Zhengwen still sneered again:

"Ha, these kids should focus their energy on improving their cultivation instead of wasting it on these trivial matters. Even if they only achieve False Core, their status within the sect will be vastly different from what it was before. Why waste their energy on these childish jokes?!"

Having said this, Ye Zhengwen glanced at his disciple again, his single eye filled with suspicion as he tentatively asked, "So, which faction are you from, kid?"

Liu Ya immediately chuckled and said calmly, "Master, you're wronging me. Our lineage is small, and we rely entirely on gathering the disciples of the ladies to stick together and keep warm, which is how we manage to play both sides between the two factions."

Ye Zhengwen's expression softened slightly after hearing his disciple's joke, and he murmured, "Old Kang has always been insightful about people's hearts, so I don't need to advise him on these matters. However, how to weigh and handle things is something I need to carefully consider, so as not to disturb his cultivation."

After he finished reading, his gaze returned to his own disciples, and he gave them another instruction. "You should be as clear-headed as you are in front of me. These so-called factions and schools are just a joke and should not be taken seriously."

You, the elder of the Punishment Hall, must know your place and refrain from any framing, false accusations, favoritism, or other such sordid acts. Otherwise, the taste of my ruler will remain unchanged.

Upon hearing her master's admonition, Liu Ya immediately stopped smiling and bowed earnestly, saying, "Disciple understands."

Ye Zhengwen waved for Liu Ya to leave, then sat alone in the empty council hall, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the pill box on the table. The light outside the window was gradually dimming, casting a long shadow of him, and the hall was so quiet that he could hear his own breathing.

He recalled Liu Ya's words and suddenly realized that the affairs of this sect were like the clouds outside the hall—seemingly calm, but with countless wisps of inexplicable currents hidden beneath, which could only be slowly unraveled and carefully savored.

"Heh," Ye Zhengwen chuckled again as he sat alone. He was quite experienced, and often, if he was willing to think deeply, he could always get the gist of things.

After pondering for a while, Ye Zhengwen's worried expression vanished, and when he spoke again, his tone was full of mockery. "Not bad at all. We've poured our hearts and souls into it, and finally managed to get the sect to this point where it's 'a small temple with a lot of trouble, and shallow water with lots of turtles.'"

He tapped his knuckles lightly on the low table beside him, and with each tap, he murmured, "I'm getting old."

-----Three days later, at the temporary residence of the Spirit Plant Hall

As soon as Kang Rongquan returned to the room, his fellow disciples, who were lacking a leader, immediately surrounded him.

To be honest, the lineage of Master Li, as Liu Ya mentioned, is actually weaker than that of Old Sect Leader He.

This is because among these people, apart from Kang Rongquan, the only notable figures are Ye Yaoling and Jiang Tangpei, who are in charge of the Nurturing Qilin Hall; Zhu Yunsheng, who is no longer in charge of the Jia-Chou Military Stronghold and is now on official duty, under Sun Fu; Niu Kuang, the former Chongming City, who is in a similar situation to the former under Shan Yong.

Besides these three, if we exclude He Chang, the sect leader's nephew whose affiliation is ambiguous, then we must mention Qi Ke, Gun Fangmu, and Chen Zihang, three outstanding juniors who have already taken control of the crucial Alchemy Hall.

As for the people mentioned above, there are some other Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, but they are all mediocre, with no valuable tasks or outstanding skills. They are so ordinary that even some sect masters may not remember their names, and can only be considered marginal figures.

Compared to the sect leader's lineage, which boasts a wealth of prominent figures, it is indeed quite desolate.

At this juncture, if Kang Rongquan were to let things drift, in a few years, the incense offerings of his own grandmaster might not even be worthy of Martial Uncle Lian had never taught any disciples. This was something Kang Rongquan felt his late master, Pei Yi, would not want to see.

Since everyone in the hall was considered a close friend, Kang Rongquan didn't bother with pleasantries. He simply lined up all the spirits he had just received from the Merit Points Hall.

Besides the three most tempting Foundation Establishment Pill, other Foundation Establishment spiritual items were also included: Yi Wood Green Willow Heart, Ren Water Mystic Pearl Dew, Wu Earth Yellow Rock Crystal.

For some reason, apart from the most sought-after Fire Element Foundation Establishment Pill Foundation Establishment spiritual item, the Six Chongming Sect Six Harmonies True Yang Jujube, which the Mingzong Sect has always only taken in and never gave out, so Kang Rongquan replaced it with the even lower-grade Crimson Jade Seed, other Foundation Establishment spiritual items are considered scarce even in the current Shannan Circuit.

This also shows that Ye Zhengwen was instructed by Kang Dabao and did not hide those bottles and jars.

"Junior Brother Han of the Merit Points Hall, out of consideration for me, brought back two more Crimson Jade Seed of slightly lower quality. Therefore, each of you junior brothers can select two more disciples to attempt Foundation Establishment."

Kang Rongquan tapped the spiritual objects on the table with his fingertips, his gaze sweeping over Ye Yaoling, Zhu Yunsheng, and the others sitting around him. He said in a deep voice, "The Alchemy Hall has obtained two Foundation Establishment Pills, while our Spirit Plant Hall only has one. In my opinion, all three should go to Junior Sister Qi and the two junior nephews of the Alchemy Hall."

"Senior brother, you are so righteous!"

"Yes, we cannot afford to lose these vital locations."

Seeing that all his fellow disciples in the hall agreed, Kang Rongquan felt gratified and then spoke up, saying, "I urge all my fellow disciples not to let your personal disputes interfere with your cultivation. We have never had any enmity with the sect leader's lineage; we only seek to ensure the continuation of our lineage and prevent its destruction."

The cultivators nodded in agreement, and Kang Rongquan dismissed the meeting and began his own cultivation.

"Junior Brother Jin, you seem to have forgotten that when it comes to cultivation, you are far from being a match for your elder brother..."