Chapter 668 - 528: Hardships Beneath the Flourishing Era

The Taiyin Illusion hung in the void, its cool light like a searchlight shining on the mountain peak.

When the beautiful light pathway disappeared, all the Golden Core Daoist Masters rode the clouds and flew away.

Ji An lagged slightly behind the others, and when he arrived above Sunrise Peak, he immediately felt the completely virtualized, invisible Stone Turtle merge with his body before entering his Dantian.

Li Haoran stood proudly on the mountain peak with a smile, and a moist radiance occasionally emanated from around him.

That was the flying sword, forged through six rounds of Thunder Tribulation, becoming a Lifebound Magical Treasure.

Master Yuxiao looked at the neatly groomed cultivator, somewhat enviously saying:

"Congratulations, you are the calmest cultivator I have ever seen."

He gestured in a circle at Ji An and the others, "Look at the state they were in after their breakthroughs, each one more miserable than the last."

Ji An scratched his head, who could be more miserable than him! In terms of the intensity of Thunder Tribulation, no one’s experience could match the strength of his.

Li Haoran smiled gently, "Before returning to the sect, my comprehension of Sword Intent has deepened."

He had now integrated the two Sword Intents he mastered, possessing the unrivaled sharpness of the Metal Element and the continuous flow of the Water Element, complementing and enhancing each other.

Sword cultivators don’t have strong defenses because, for a sword cultivator, the best defense is a strong offense.

As long as the attack power is strong enough, it’s the enemy that needs to defend.

Everyone offered their congratulations, and Daoist Master Zhengyang sighed softly, saying:

"When the merchant flying ship from the Central Continent arrives, the sect will purchase the cultivation techniques for Golden Core stage sword cultivators."

He suddenly felt that the thousands of years of resources accumulated by the sect didn’t seem so abundant, needing vast resources to purchase Golden Core stage techniques and various inheritances.

Li Haoran’s expression turned solemn as he said:

"I leave it to the Sect Leader’s decision, the Celestial River Sword Technique I cultivate was purchased from a Central Continent cultivator.

According to them, this set of sword techniques even includes a Nascent Soul level Dharma Gate."

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded slightly, "You can go along when purchasing the cultivation techniques, how do you feel now?"

"Very well, I didn’t suffer too much harm during the breakthrough, and all injuries healed afterward."

"What you need most now is to stabilize your realm; in three days, come to Wuji Hall, and everyone will discuss the sect’s future."

Daoist Master Zhengyang turned back and added:

"Everyone go back, in three days at 7:00 AM, everyone must be at Wuji Hall."

A few days ago, discussions about the sect’s future direction were intended, but with Li Haoran’s return, that topic was set aside.

"Congratulations, Haoran, see you later."

Seeing that Li Haoran was fine, everyone left reassured.

...

Except for the Daoist Masters who didn’t need to leave Sunrise Peak, Ji An should have been the first to return to the grotto mansion.

Only needing two teleportations, it was truly convenient and fast.

He returned to the Quiet Chamber, sitting cross-legged on the Pudun, and sank his mind into his Dantian to connect with the Upper Stone Turtle.

[Master: Ji An]

[Dao Rhyme: Metal 28.8, Water 27.4, Wood 24.3, Fire 22.8, Earth 20.2]

This was the Stone Turtle’s third time plucking wool, and Ji An could gauge the intensity of the Thunder Tribulation a cultivator endured from the Dao Rhyme obtained.

The stronger the Thunder Tribulation, the deeper the cultivator’s accumulation, indicating potential, though it wasn’t always accurate, it was a rare reference.

Neither Lin Jiuxiao nor Lin Qiu Bai had provided such significant gains.

Li Haoran was very strong, surpassing others in every aspect, proving that his achievements in Metal and Water surpass Ji An.

Ji An admired:

"No wonder he possesses Celestial-Grade Talent and a Metal Element Dao Body!"

Not only to his sect members, even if they were enemies, he would praise anyone who could provide so much Dao Rhyme.

Who doesn’t like tangible benefits!

He didn’t hesitate, grasping the Gourd Stone Pendant in his hand, gave an order:

"Refine all the Dao Rhyme and elevate the Little World’s tier."

The Stone Turtle emerged in his hand, swallowing the Gourd Stone, the black patterns of the Eight Trigrams on its shell growing darker.

...

Wuji Hall.

Everyone discussed the timing for holding Lin Qiu Bai and his apprentice’s Golden Core ceremony, setting it half a month later.

Daoist Master Zhengyang looked at the gathered crowd, completely dispelling the worries in his heart.

He coughed and bluntly stated:

"Previously, I never thought having too many Golden Core cultivators would be a burden, but today I realized that the sect’s current system cannot support too many Golden Core cultivators."

He showed a troubled expression, continuing:

"The purpose of this meeting is to brainstorm and discuss the sect’s future paths."

No matter the realm, cultivation requires various resources, yet the sect’s foundation cannot sustain so many Golden Core cultivators; it’s a sweet burden, to be sure.

He paused, surveying the crowd, and said with a wry smile:

"Originally, our sect had only two Golden Core cultivators, allotted fifty top-grade Spirit Stones every five years, and a pill corresponding to their realm to maintain cultivation.

This stipend calculation wasn’t detailed and couldn’t meet the needs of all Golden Core stages, requiring reestablishment of specific guidelines.

Now the sect has six Golden Core Daoist Masters, necessary cultivation techniques need purchasing, which can’t be saved on, requiring significant resources.

I traveled to the Central Continent to purchase Gold Core Pills and various inheritances, consuming a substantial portion of the sect’s foundation.

A few days ago, I carefully checked the Sect’s Secret Vault and found that if we distribute salaries according to the original rules, the sect simply can’t afford it.

The gap in spirit stones is relatively small and can be managed with some effort, but the expenditure on pills is enormous and completely impossible to bridge."

The atmosphere became somewhat quiet, and everyone fell into contemplation.

The current situation of the sect is due to the sudden emergence of too many Golden Core Cultivators.

It’s like the Spirit Field nurturing many high-tier spirit plants, exceeding the field’s own capacity.

If left unchecked, it will inevitably drain the Earth Vein’s essence, and these high-tier spirit plants will slowly wither.

Master Yuxiao cleared his throat and said solemnly:

"The merchant flying ship from Central Continent comes once every thirty years. There are six Golden Core Daoist Masters within the sect, and each transaction requires purchasing thirty-six pills.

Furthermore, the salaries for these past few years need to be supplemented, which is another dozen pills.

Calculating this way, the sect has a shortfall of more than fifty pills.

Whether the merchant flying ship from Central Continent will have enough pills left when it arrives here is uncertain."

These days, the sect leader and I discussed the matter of salaries, and the calculations were startling.

They reached a conclusion that relying on low-tier disciples to support the cultivation of Golden Core Cultivators is almost impossible.

Lin Jiuxiao said softly:

"To deal with this kind of situation, it is nothing more than increasing income and reducing expenditure. Do the senior brothers have any plans?"

The issue of pills is indeed very serious because the sect does not have the capability or materials to refine Golden Core Stage pills.

Acquiring enough pills through purchase is simply unrealistic.

Pills for improving cultivation are hard currency for cultivators in any cultivation stage.

Master Yuxiao sighed, "That’s right, it’s nothing more than increasing income and reducing expenditure, reducing the pill distribution from one every five years to one every ten years."

He had discussed this decision before, and it must be him to broach the topic and test everyone’s reactions.

The problem is not the lack but the inequality; they used to enjoy this treatment, and now it has to be reduced, which may cause resistance.

But without doing this, the sect’s foundation won’t last for many years.

Lin Jiuxiao spoke:

"When I was in the Law Enforcement Hall, I often encountered this situation.

Reducing the quota can only solve the immediate predicament, which I agree with.

However, if a better solution cannot be found, it will cause more conflicts."

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded, "Indeed, that’s why everyone is invited to discuss the future of the sect.

I no longer need to improve my cultivation, and my share of pills does not need to be spent, nor is any compensation plan needed.

Please express your stance on reducing the quota, raise your hand if you agree."

Ji An didn’t hesitate and raised his hand to show support.

The sect lacks the resources to provide so much, and even if the quota is not reduced but changed to IOUs, it has no practical meaning.

Not just him, everyone raised their hands.

To become a Golden Core Cultivator, everyone must have a broad vision of the overall situation.

Daoist Master Zhengyang smiled with relief and said:

"Thank you all for your understanding. The sect has already purchased pill formulas at the Golden Core level, which can refine pills for the early and middle stages of the Golden Core.

But having the formula without a stable supply of Spirit Medicine is meaningless.

The predecessors planted the trees, and the descendants take shelter; these Spirit Medicines have been handed over to the Agricultural Hall for cultivation, but waiting for the Spirit Medicines to mature for alchemy will take hundreds of years.

We need to discuss how to get through this difficult period."

Lin Qiubai pondered and said:

"There are two sources for Golden Core level pills. Since cultivating herbs can’t meet the urgent need, why not organize to hunt Golden Core Stage Demon Beasts?"

According to intelligence, Golden Core Stage Demon Beasts have settled around Mingfeng Mountain, which is not too deep into the Ten Thousand Mountains; we can give it a try.

Li Haoran smiled, "I think it’s feasible."

The sect has six Golden Core Cultivators, plus two Mountain Guardian Spirit Beasts, possessing eight Golden Core Stage combat capabilities.

Although four of them are at the First-Layer Golden Core, combined together, dealing with a Third-Layer Golden Core enemy is not pressuring.

Master Yuxiao gently shook his head, "It’s somewhat inappropriate. The fact that Golden Core Demon Beasts haven’t returned to cultivate within the third-layer Spiritual Vein deep in the Ten Thousand Mountains is unusually odd.

I suspect that higher-tier demon beasts have given certain orders, forcing them to hold position there."

What he doesn’t know is that his suspicion is indeed the truth.

Lin Qiubai opened his hands, "Then I can’t think of any other way."

He and Li Haoran are cultivators without skills at hand; if it isn’t fighting, it doesn’t concern them.

Ji An said firmly:

"Is it feasible to purchase materials to cultivate Alchemists for pill refining?

As long as we endure the initial failures in refinement, the situation will rapidly improve."

Daoist Master Zhengyang said seriously:

"The materials for refining Golden Core level pills cannot be bought with spirit stones, they must be traded with Tier Three Spiritual Objects.

If so, it would require activating the Secret Vault.

But such actions cannot be sustained for long, and the alchemists must quickly master the refining skills. I am worried we can’t cultivate such alchemists."

For every unsuccessful attempt at refining a Tier Three pill, the material loss is tremendous.

Ji An sat upright, "I am willing to try."