Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 33 Initial Meeting
Song Xian knew he couldn't change his deeply ingrained beliefs immediately, and he didn't want to argue with him. "Brother Zhong, I understand your concerns, but given the current situation, there's no need for us to make any distinctions. The most urgent task is to stabilize people's hearts and make them feel a sense of belonging to the new sect, so that we can unite as one. If we divide the sect into inner and outer sects at this point, wouldn't that just create divisions?"

"We can discuss this matter after the sect has completely stabilized and grown stronger! For now, let's follow my idea. I hope Senior Brother Zhong can support and cooperate."

"Since the master has made up his mind, let's do it! There is one more thing. How does the master plan to distribute the three training rooms in our sect?" This time, without waiting for Song Xian to reply, Zhong Wenyuan continued to speak on his own.

"Before coming here, I discussed it with Junior Brother Lin. The training room in this hall will naturally belong to the headmaster. Of the two training rooms at the bottom of the mountain, one will belong to Junior Brother Lin, and the other will be available for everyone to share. I wonder what the headmaster thinks?"

"This... I'm afraid it's not a good idea! There are only three training rooms in total. Senior Brother Lin and I will occupy two of them, leaving only one for the other brothers. I'm afraid people will be dissatisfied. In my opinion, it would be better to share all three training rooms and let everyone take turns using them." Song Xian felt a little embarrassed.

Zhong Wenyuan said sternly, "No, the training room is the lifeline of a cultivator's long-term cultivation. With the spiritual roots of the master and Junior Brother Lin, how could they not have a separate training room? No matter which sect a person with dual spiritual roots belongs to, there must be a dedicated training room."

"Even if you don't think about yourself, Master, you should at least think about Junior Brother Lin. With his cultivation and aptitude, if he follows us here and isn't even given a private training room, wouldn't that be disheartening?"

"Since the Master has decided to increase the salaries of all disciples, everyone will surely be happy. If you still care about this Spirit Gathering Formation, then you are simply greedy and insatiable."

"Even if the Master is kindhearted, he cannot be blindly lenient."

Seeing his firm attitude, Song Xian agreed. Of course, he also wanted to have his own independent training room, but because of his status, he couldn't ask for it directly. Now that Zhong Wenyuan proposed it, he was more than happy to accept it. Of course, he still humbly declined verbally.

……

The next morning, Song Xian called everyone to the main hall, and everyone sat around the stone table.

"Well, Junior Brother Shen Fan, don't stand there. Find a stool and sit down. Let's all squeeze over to the side. Oh! Forget it, this table is too small. Let's just not use it. Let's come over here." Song Xian said when he saw that everyone had taken their seats and surrounded the stone table, and only Shen Fan was still standing there in a daze.

Everyone moved aside and sat in a circle.

Song Xian coughed and said, "Our Hunyuan Sect is officially established from today. This is the first official meeting of our sect. Although the conditions are a bit simple now, I believe that as long as we unite and work together, Hunyuan Sect will surely grow and develop. Then, as the elders of the sect, you will surely reach the pinnacle of your lives."

Everyone smiled knowingly at this. Zhang Ningyuan said, "Master, I have a suggestion. Since we've settled here, shouldn't we build a few more rooms? There are only five rooms in the backyard, and we can't always be crammed together! Yesterday, I slept in the same room with Junior Brother Zhong Yang, and he was farting and grinding his teeth, which really tormented me."

Everyone laughed. Zhong Yang was usually a very quiet man, but after hearing this, his face flushed slightly. "He's snoring like thunder, and I haven't even said anything yet!"

Zhong Wenyuan also smiled: "Then you two are a couple, so don't complain about each other."

Song Xian nodded and said, "Brother Zhang's suggestion is very good. I was just about to mention this. When we settle down this time, the first thing we need to do is to stabilize all aspects of our daily life, which is nothing more than the three necessities of life: food, clothing, and shelter."

"Once the thirty mortals that Senior Brother Xu recruited at the foot of the mountain arrive, you won't have to worry about their food and clothing; just leave it to them. As for their accommodation, Senior Brother Xu, that's still your responsibility. Build a few more mansions and houses on this mountain."

Xu Ning said, "Building the mansion is a huge project. With our limited manpower, we may not be able to handle it. We need to go down the mountain to recruit more people. We also need to buy mud, sand, bricks and other building materials from outside."

"There's no need to rush this matter. Just take your time and plan. If you need anything, whether it's gold, silver, or spirit stones, write it up on a file and give it to me for signature, and then you can take it."

Xu Ning nodded and agreed to take on the matter.

Song Xian continued, "I said last time that once we settle down in Western Xinjiang, I will distribute the salaries to everyone and make corresponding adjustments."

"After careful consideration day and night, I have decided to abolish the previous salary classification system of Qingyun Sect. From now on, everyone will receive the same salary according to their cultivation level."

"In the early stages of Qi Refining, fifteen spirit stones per month."

"Thirty spirit stones per month for the middle stage of Qi Refining."

"Forty-five spirit stones per month for the late stage of Qi Refining."

When everyone heard this, they were surprised and happy.

Because this salary was the same as the original Qingyun Sect's salary for those with dual spiritual roots, everyone's salary increased a lot compared to before.

"Master, you are wise." Jiang Zichen couldn't help but cheer.

Everyone else was delighted, especially Zhang Yi, Zhong Yang, Xu Ning, and Shen Fan. Their eyes seemed to sparkle. They all possessed four spiritual roots. According to the Qingyun Sect's salary, those in the early stages of Qi Refining only received five spirit stones per month, and those in the intermediate stages received only ten spirit stones per month. Now that their salary had tripled, how could they not be delighted? Zhong Wenyuan and Lin Zixiang were the only two who remained silent.

"Please note that I am saying that from now on, the salary for the previous three months will still be paid according to the standards of Qingyun Sect."

Everyone had no objection and was immersed in joy.

Seeing everyone's joy and high spirits, Song Xian took the opportunity to say, "Don't be too happy too soon. Everyone knows our sect's current financial situation. We only have a little over 3,000 spirit stones. Based on the current salary, we can only last about a year at most."

"It's just that I think about how we all came out of Qingyun Sect together, how hard it was, and how we almost died at the hands of the Sheshan bandits at the temple entrance, yet you still stayed with us. So I really can't bear to treat you all unfairly."

"But if within a year, our sect cannot find a new source of income to maintain a balance between revenue and expenditure, we will no longer be able to provide spirit stones to you all. If you are willing to stay and help us weather the storm, then we can work together. If you do not want to stay and want to find another way, I will not force you."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ningyuan stood up and passionately expressed his position: "Master, you are so generous and treat us like brothers. I don't care about others. No matter how our sect develops in the future, I am determined to live and die with it and will never abandon it."

"I am a member of Hunyuan Sect in life and a ghost of Hunyuan Sect in death. I, Jiang Zichen, swear that I will stand by Hunyuan Sect forever." Jiang Zichen also stood up and said seriously.

Lu Yuan also said sternly, "Now that we've arrived here, we will definitely stand by the sect. Even if the sect's finances are completely depleted of spirit stones, I will not abandon the sect. I will definitely weather the storm with the Sect Master and my fellow disciples."

Everyone expressed their opinions one after another, and Song Xian nodded unconsciously, feeling very satisfied. This was exactly the effect he wanted. Only when everyone had a sense of belonging and responsibility to the sect would they work wholeheartedly.

"Well, I'm glad that you, my fellow disciples, have this intention. As long as we can work together, I believe there is nothing we can't accomplish and no obstacles we can't overcome. Regarding the salary, just follow what I said just now."

"Besides that, there's one more thing, and that's everyone's duties. From now on, we will no longer distinguish between inner and outer disciples. Everyone will have their own duties and must work hard to complete the responsibilities at hand."

"Let me be clear. If anyone is lazy and fails to complete their duties, I will deduct spirit stones from their salary as punishment. This is a necessary reward and punishment system for the long-term development of the sect. Do you have any objections?"

Everyone was in an turbulent mood of standing together with the sect, so naturally they had no objection and expressed their agreement.

Song Xian then informed Zhong Wenyuan of the job arrangements he had discussed with him yesterday.

"As sect elders, Senior Brothers Lin and Zhong will receive a 50% increase on their salaries. Does anyone have any objections?"

Few people would object.

Zhong Wenyuan said: "As the backbone of the sect, the headmaster should receive double the salary."

Before anyone could speak, Song Xian waved his hand and said, "No, even though I'm the Sect Master, I can't put myself above my fellow disciples. Besides, I've made no contribution to the sect, so how can I deserve to receive double the salary?"

"Master, there's no need to refuse. This is only natural," said Lin Zixiang. "Even the elders of the sect have received a 50% salary increase, so it's only natural that the Master should receive double. Besides, with the Master's current salary, a double salary would only be 30 spirit stones per month."

"It stands to reason that the sect leader should receive the highest salary, but since the leader has stipulated that everyone should be treated equally and receive salaries according to the regulations, we cannot force him to do so. However, if he refuses to even accept the double salary, how can Senior Brother Zhong and I have the dignity to accept the additional 50% salary increase?"

Zhang Ningyuan echoed, "Yes! Master, you have dual spiritual roots, and when you were in Qingyun Sect, you received a salary of fifteen spirit stones. Everyone else has received a salary increase, so you should get an even higher salary. Otherwise, it would be difficult for us to receive such a large salary."

Others also tried to persuade him.

Song Xian then responded, "Since everyone says so, it would be hypocritical for me to refuse again. Okay! Let's do as Senior Brother Zhong said, and the sect leader will receive double the salary. However, as the leader, I have my responsibilities."

"Everyone has a position. If they fail to complete their tasks, they will be punished and their salary will be deducted. The same applies to me. I cannot have rights without responsibilities."

"My duty is to lead the sect to gain a foothold here and to carry it forward. This is limited to one year. If I cannot find an income that allows the sect to maintain a balance between income and expenditure within one year, I will be fined half of my salary for that year."

"The same goes for all my fellow disciples. If anyone fails to complete the tasks assigned by the sect, half of their salary for that month will be deducted."

Everyone responded solemnly and said yes.

(End of this chapter)