The Salary Scandal (Part Two)

Chen Xiangning’s question was astute. Why not reduce the stipends of outer sect disciples to distribute among the excess, even if it meant a smaller amount for each?

After all, the Luoshen Sect ultimately decided the stipend amount, and no clear regulation dictated it.

The other three elders also found Chen Xiangning’s question pertinent. All eyes turned once more to Hua Yushan.

They expected her to provide a clear and reasonable explanation. Why employ a method that would sow chaos in the outer sect when a more suitable distribution plan was available?

Was this not simply creating trouble for them?

“I did consider that question,” Hua Yushan countered, “but I chose not to adopt it. Sect Leader Sister, while our Luoshen Sect is a sect of female cultivators, it is still a cultivation sect. Conflict is inevitable.”

“Only through competition can a sect produce truly outstanding disciples. Have any of you considered why our Luoshen Sect’s overall combat prowess isn’t as high as the other major sects?”

Indeed, this was true. Although the Luoshen Sect commanded a grand reputation, even boasting divine legacy, their current overall strength lagged behind the other major sects.

The reason lay in the fact that most of the other major sects in the Eastern Sea Region were predominantly male-cultivator sects. Competition among men often proved more brutal and ruthless, frequently leading to infighting among fellow disciples.

Consequently, those who survived such trials were almost always elites.

In contrast, the Luoshen Sect recruited three thousand outer sect disciples every century, yet very few managed to distinguish themselves.

As a result, the Luoshen Sect’s influence waned with each generation, a decline largely attributable to its lack of fierce competition.

While each batch of outer sect disciples indeed suffered casualties, a crucial issue remained: many of these losses weren’t due to direct combat, but rather intricate schemes and ploys.

This might stem from a perceived lack of practical combat prowess among female cultivators, leading them to favor cunning strategies and tricks against those they disliked.

Yet, such methods did not enhance their strength. On the contrary, they merely muddied the atmosphere of the Luoshen Sect, obscuring any genuine ambition expected of cultivators.

Therefore, Hua Yushan had, without consulting Luo Yan and the others, privately instigated this method to ignite competition among outer sect disciples. If one desired stipends and resources, they would have to seize them through strength; those who failed would be eliminated.

Hua Yushan meticulously explained her reasoning. Only then did Luo Yan and the others truly comprehend her motivations.

“Now that you’ve put it that way, I find myself without a counter-argument,” Bai Yiren admitted. “It’s true; our Luoshen Sect needs to change. If we don’t, the next generation might even fall short of our own.”

The others, too, seemed unable to refute Hua Yushan’s words.

“That may be so,” Qiu Hanyun interjected, “but stimulating them this way from the outset… the problem is, this method alone isn’t enough. Do we intend to implement even harsher competitive measures?”

“Yes, I believe it’s necessary,” Hua Yushan replied with a sigh. “We’ve always deemed the direct, violent struggles of other sects too barbaric. Yet, the cultivation world is inherently a savage place.”

“Cultivators who only rely on schemes will ultimately fail to achieve greatness. Personally, I feel our Luoshen Sect needs even more radical reform. Without it, we might as well await our demise; after all, divine legacy forces that have vanished into the annals of history are not few.”

The women exchanged glances. Having all cultivated to the Nascent Soul realm, none of them were fools.

Since Hua Yushan had brought this crucial topic to the forefront, they understood they had a responsibility to address it. However, a complete overhaul would require time and a gradual, step-by-step approach.

Meanwhile, Bai Lan and her companions, having failed to acquire cultivation resources, had no choice but to return to their abode. Li Yunxi, agreeing with Xue Linglong’s suggestion, had also moved in with them.

Even without cultivation resources, practice remained essential. However, the transformation of her body from male to female had left Bai Lan preoccupied recently.

As soon as she returned, she greeted Xue Linglong and the others, then quietly began cultivating the Snow Divine Scripture.

She hoped that through cultivation, she could temporarily forget the discomfort brought by her gender change. Since the Chaos Body had fully integrated with Bai Lan, her cultivation would no longer encounter any obstacles.

Having cultivated the Snow Divine Scripture before, she naturally faced no hindrances. She sat cross-legged in her dwelling, her hands forming peculiar gestures. Any cultivation technique required specific mental formulas and hand seals to work in conjunction.

It wasn’t simply a matter of sitting there to circulate the technique. Of course, to an uninitiated observer, these hand seals might appear quite comical, even somewhat mystical.

Yet, with each full circulation Bai Lan completed, a chill gradually emanated from her body. By that evening, she successfully cultivated the first level of the Snow Divine Scripture, signifying her entry into the first stage of the Qi Refining realm.

While the Qi Refining realm was not unfamiliar to Xue Yue, for Bai Lan herself, it was a conflicting blend of strange and familiar.

Entering this realm brought a leap in both her physical constitution and strength.

“Congratulations, Bai Lan, on entering the Qi Refining realm,” Yun Yao promptly announced upon seeing her breakthrough. “You may choose a suitable cultivation technique from me. Any type of technique is permissible.”

“Are they the lowest-grade Human-tier techniques?” Bai Lan inquired.

“Precisely. After all, at your current realm, you don’t require techniques far beyond your level,” Yun Yao explained. “You already possess the Snow Divine Scripture, which contains numerous abilities, so you aren’t truly lacking in these external ones.”

“Of course,” Yun Yao added, “if you don’t need a cultivation technique, you can exchange it for a treasure of equivalent rank.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Bai Lan chose a treasure. She currently lacked no techniques, and a treasure was a more direct and worthwhile acquisition, especially since her own treasures from the Xue Clan had long been confiscated.

“Very well, I’ll take a treasure,” Bai Lan declared. “Please select a sword for me that suits my physique.”

Yun Yao smiled faintly, then with a wave of her hand, numerous scabbard swords, shimmering with precious light, floated before Bai Lan.

They appeared ethereal, likely mere projections for Bai Lan to choose from before the physical sword was produced.

The swords varied greatly in style and type. Due to Bai Lan’s unique physique, she could wield treasures of any elemental attribute without restriction.

She pondered the choice. Since she cultivated the ice-attributed Snow Divine Scripture, an ice or water-attributed sword would be most suitable; other attributes might conflict.

“Leave only the ice and water-attributed swords,” Bai Lan instructed. “Remove all the others.”

Yun Yao nodded. Swiftly, the sky-full of projections dwindled, leaving only those of ice and water attributes. However, these remaining swords predominantly featured more delicate, feminine designs.

This was because water attribute was a standard for most female cultivators. It could be said that among ten female cultivators with spiritual roots, seven would possess water attribute, with the remaining three having other common attributes.

Bai Lan looked them over repeatedly, realizing they were all rather feminine, lacking even a hint of masculine design. With no other choice, she selected an ice-attributed sword.

This sword measured about three and a half feet long, with a white scabbard and hilt, both adorned with intricate floral patterns. It was clear at a glance that it was not intended for a man.

“This one will do,” Bai Lan stated. “After looking at them all, this is the only one that’s somewhat appealing.”

Seeing Bai Lan’s choice, Yun Yao immediately retrieved the sword from the treasury and handed it to her.