Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

However, with a hundred or so people, all sorts of characters emerge. As the number of disciples increased, the network of relationships became intricate and complex, and the once close-knit, brotherly atmosphere inevitably became tainted with impurities. Wherever there are people, there is a world of intrigue, and the Qingyun Sect is no exception.

Resource allocation became the primary and most pressing issue, and thus the focus of the conflict.

On this day, the atmosphere in the Hall of Affairs (a newly established organization headed by Su Xiao and assisted by Wang Hu and others) was somewhat tense. A dozen disciples surrounded Wang Hu, who was in charge of verifying contribution points and distributing resources, and they were all talking amongst themselves.

"Senior Brother Wang, why is the quota for 'Condensing Cloud Pills' less this month? I completed two Class C patrols and one Class B escort this month, and my contribution points were clearly enough to exchange for three bottles!" A disciple at the fifth level of Qi Refining frowned and pointed to the ledger as he asked.

Wang Hu also looked helpless and explained, "Junior Brother Li, it's not that I'm holding you back. It's just that the harvest of 'Moon Shadow Flower' in the alchemy room isn't as good as expected. Senior Sister Xiaocao said that the success rate of this batch of 'Cloud Condensation Pills' is low, and the total amount is limited. We need to prioritize the senior brothers and sisters who are about to break through. I can remember your contribution points and I'll give them to you next month."

"Next month? I'm counting on the pills to break through to the sixth level of Qi Refining next month!" the disciple said, somewhat dissatisfied.

A disciple who was familiar with Junior Brother Li chimed in, "That's right, Senior Brother Wang. I heard that Senior Brother Shi never lacks pills and spirit stones whenever he comes out of the secret realm! Are we ordinary disciples just supposed to wait?"

Wang Hu's face darkened: "Senior Brother Shi always enters the 'Raging Cloud' difficulty level, fighting illusions equivalent to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining! The gains are great, but the consumption is naturally great too! Sect resources are limited, so they are naturally prioritized for disciples who have made great contributions to the sect and are in critical stages! That's the rule!"

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible..." someone muttered quietly.

At this moment, Su Xiao walked out from the inner room, her face calm. Her gaze swept over everyone, and the previously noisy hall immediately quieted down. Her authority was growing stronger every day, and the disciples both respected and feared her.

"The contribution point system, with its clear rewards and punishments, is the foundation of the sect and cannot be questioned."

Su Xiao's voice was cold and clear. "Resource shortage is a fact. But the sect is trying to find a solution. A new 'Yunlin Zone' has been opened in the herb garden, dedicated to growing 'Moon Shadow Flowers'; Junior Sister Qingyan is also trying to set up a 'Small Spirit Gathering Array' to accelerate the growth of spiritual herbs."

"The difficulties are temporary. You should all continue to cultivate diligently and let your strength and contributions speak for themselves, instead of complaining here. If you feel it is unfair, you can go to the quest log to accept quests with higher rewards, or enter the secret realm to fight, and you will reap the rewards."

Her words were clear, logical, and carried an undeniable decisiveness. The complaining disciples were immediately rendered speechless, sheepishly accepting their monthly stipends before dispersing. But a faint, lingering resentment and discontent remained in the air.

Besides resources, the closeness or distance among disciples also formed different cliques. The disciples of the Battle Hall, led by Shi Tie (who often went into secret realms for training and were responsible for external military affairs), were all fierce and brave, but sometimes they couldn't help but act domineeringly and looked down on those "weak" disciples who were in charge of internal affairs or alchemy formations.

The inner disciples, led by Zhao Qingyan and Li Xiaocao, felt that the warriors were all brawn and no brains, wasting too many resources.

There are bound to be some barriers between new and old disciples. Older disciples feel that they have made great contributions and worked hard, while new disciples feel that the opportunities are not equal.

What's even more troublesome is that, as they get older, some disciples have quietly developed romantic entanglements.

That evening, a scene unfolded by the stream beside the herb garden. Sun Hao, a sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator, stopped Xiao Yun, a female disciple who had just finished tending to the spiritual herbs and was about to return to her residence (one of the new female disciples who joined three years ago, now at the fourth level of Qi Refining, with a gentle nature and considerable talent in spiritual plants).

"Junior Sister Xiaoyun!" Sun Hao blushed slightly as he handed over an exquisitely carved wooden box. "This...this is the 'Warm Jade' I got from my last mission. I heard it can nourish the meridians, so I'm giving it to you!"

Xiao Yun was startled, her pretty face flushed red, and she waved her hands repeatedly, "Senior Brother Sun, this is too precious, I can't accept it! You can use it for your own cultivation!"

"I... I'm tough and don't need this! You work so hard taking care of the herb garden every day, this is perfect for you!" Sun Hao said anxiously, trying to shove it into Xiao Yun's hand.

As the two were shoving each other, another cold voice rang out: "Sun Hao, what are you doing?"

The newcomer was none other than Atu! He had grown considerably taller, and although he remained taciturn, his eyes were sharp, and his cultivation had reached the peak of the third level of Qi Refining. He had just emerged from the secret realm, still bearing injuries, and upon seeing this scene, his expression immediately darkened.

Sun Hao snorted when he saw it was Atu: "Atu, what business is it of yours if I'm talking to Junior Sister Xiaoyun?"

A-Tu stood in front of Xiao-Yun, staring at Sun Hao: "Junior Sister Xiao-Yun doesn't want to accept your things, don't force her."

"You!" Sun Hao was somewhat embarrassed and angry. "A-Tu, don't think you're so great just because you've entered a few secret realms! You're only at the third level of Qi Refining, and you dare to meddle in my business?"

Seeing the two about to clash, Xiao Yun stamped her foot anxiously, "Stop arguing! Senior Brother Sun, Senior Brother Atu, we're all from the same sect, why must we fight like this!"

Fortunately, Zhang Daniu, who was in charge of patrolling the mountain, happened to pass by and immediately stepped forward to stop them: "What are you doing! What are you doing! Do you want to break the sect rules? Private fighting will deduct one hundred contribution points! Disperse!"

Sun Hao and A Tu glared at each other before reluctantly parting ways, but a grudge had been formed. Xiao Yun watched their retreating figures and sighed softly.

Such incidents of rifts arising from personal feelings have occurred more than once recently. How to guide disciples in handling their emotions and balancing cultivation with personal relationships has become a new challenge for Su Xiao and other administrators.

Even Shi Tie and Su Xiao occasionally clashed due to their differing management philosophies.

"Junior Sister Su! I'm not trying to criticize you, but you've been too polite to those lads down there!" In the side hall of the main hall, Shi Tie's booming voice was filled with displeasure. "Look at them now! They dare to shout in the deacon's hall over the smallest things! Want resources? Fine! Go fight in the secret realm! Go take on dangerous missions! What's the use of just yelling? I think they need a good beating! Do as I say, cut their contribution points by 30%, and see who dares to complain then!"

Su Xiao rubbed his temples and patiently explained, "Senior Brother Shi, governing a sect is not like governing an army; you can't just use force. If a disciple harbors resentment, it's better to guide than to suppress it. We need to establish clearer promotion channels and reward mechanisms so that everyone can see hope. If we just suppress it, it might lead to internal strife."

"Internal strife? Let's see who dares!" Shi Tie's eyes widened. "Anyone who stirs up trouble, I'll throw them into the secret realm to feed the wolf spiders!"

"You..." Su Xiao was speechless with anger.

"Alright." Elder Han Lin, who had been listening in silence, spoke up to smooth things over. "Shi Tie is brave, and Su Xiao is prudent; they are both thinking of the sect. Before the sect leader went into seclusion, he said that the sect is beginning to take shape, and management needs to be both firm and flexible."

"The contribution point system needs minor adjustments, tilting it towards high-risk, high-contribution tasks; disputes among disciples should be arbitrated through a 'Discipline Hall,' with clear and just punishments; as for personal relationships among disciples... alas, youthful infatuation is human nature, it needs guidance to prevent it from affecting cultivation or creating irreconcilable conflicts. Specific regulations will be discussed after the sect leader emerges from seclusion."

Shi Tie snorted twice and didn't refute further. Su Xiao also sighed, knowing that managing a sect with over a hundred people was far more complex than when there were only a few dozen.