While the two elders were rearranging the courtyard, Wei Chenyin took Yun Xi, the Wei Clan's head, and the other elders back to the discussion hall.
"Ling Tao," Wei Chenyin said, "although the clan's move to Haoran City was sudden, it's ultimately a blessing. Kunyu City is nothing compared to Haoran City. Not just in terms of cultivation resources, but even the environment here is vastly superior.
A clan's prosperity doesn't rely on one individual. Even if Yun Xi is extremely capable, if the rest of the clan doesn't work hard, she won't be able to support incompetent members. Do you understand?"
Wei Lingtao immediately cupped his hands and said, "Ancestor Chen Yin is right. It's thanks to Yun Xi that the Wei Clan has made such a leap forward. We must seize this opportunity."
Wei Chenyin was pleased with Wei Lingtao's cooperative attitude. What she feared most was being brought back merely as a figurehead. If that were the case, her return would be meaningless.
She continued, "I never approved of Wei Nanfeng's approach. He only valued talent and ignored the effort and dedication of the clan's disciples. He blindly poured resources into those with outstanding aptitude. And in the end, what did it accomplish?
Forget me. Just look at Yun Xi and Yun Qing. Yun Xi is already close to breaking through to late Golden Core, almost catching up to me. Meanwhile, Yun Qing, with her dual spiritual roots, is still stuck at mid Foundation Establishment. That alone speaks volumes."
This time, Wei Lingtao didn't argue. He nodded repeatedly. It was the plain truth. The two sisters had joined the sect at the same time, but now their paths couldn't be more different.
Yun Xi wasn't just kind to the clan's disciples. She went out of her way to help them obtain cultivation resources. The group of disciples the clan sent to the sect had all progressed well under her help. At the very least, none were falling behind the average disciples. Not to mention, she had twice delivered cultivation materials back to the clan. Everyone had seen it with their own eyes.
In contrast, Wei Yunqing—who Ancestor Nan Feng favored—only visited the clan once after reaching Foundation Establishment. She even falsely accused Yun Xi of stealing her cultivation resources, without providing any evidence. Ancestor Nan Feng defended her without asking questions. If Yun Xi hadn't taken a step back for the bigger picture, even Wei Lingtao wouldn't have known how to clean up the mess.
The other elders nodded in agreement. This was reality, and no one could argue otherwise.
Seeing that no one objected, Wei Chenyin continued, "For the clan's growth and to ensure a fair competitive environment, from now on, resource allocation will not be based on aptitude. As long as a disciple begins cultivation, they will receive the same starting support. With each breakthrough, the resources allocated to them will increase accordingly.
During this period, I'll be relying on all of you. Each elder must help our disciples find the most suitable cultivation path and guide them accordingly, allowing their individual strengths to translate into true cultivation progress.
There's a reason why the Haoran Sect is the second strongest sect in the western region. It has countless peaks and uncountable disciples. There are many skilled in pill, talisman, tool, and array. Even on Law Peak, where I reside, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers. There are no useless disciples, only teachers who fail to teach."
As she finished speaking, Wei Chenyin waved her hand, and a stack of jade slips floated over to Wei Lingtao.
"These are clan regulations I modified, based on the sect's advancement and reward systems. Review them first. If anything is inappropriate, point it out. Once they're revised, make an official announcement to the clan. From now on, all matters will follow these rules.
Without rules, nothing can be done properly. I trust the elders understand my intentions."
Yun Xi silently applauded Wei Chenyin in her heart. This was exactly the kind of clean-cut, decisive action they needed. The era of Wei Nan Feng's dominance in the Wei Clan needed to end.
The timing was also ideal. The Wei Clan had just arrived in Haoran City. They hadn't fully integrated into the cultivation circles here and were still feeling their way forward. This made it the best time to reorganize internally. Even the old hardliners couldn't pull external support right now.
As Yun Xi swept her divine sense around the room, she noticed that the two elders who had previously disapproved of Wei Chenyin's handling of Wei Nanfeng's remains now looked even more displeased. But they didn't dare raise their heads or voice their opinions.
Yun Xi enjoyed this sight. Those who were unwilling to yield yet forced to endure—watching them stew in silence was oddly satisfying. In the mortal world, new rulers meant new ministers. The Wei Clan had changed its Ancestor. Anyone unwilling to adapt would be left behind.
At that moment, the Sixth and Seventh Elders entered the hall, carrying a jade slip and some storage equipment. They had finished sorting through Wei Nan Feng's belongings and now presented the findings to Ancestor Chen Yin and the clan head.
Wei Chenyin gave the jade slip a cursory glance with her divine sense, then passed it to Wei Lingtao. She smiled faintly and said to the assembled elders, "It seems most of the Wei Clan's treasures were in Wei Nanfeng's possession. He certainly lived up to the title of Ancestor."
Wei Lingtao's expression darkened. The clan's entire treasury couldn't compare to what Wei Nanfeng had hoarded for himself. Just thinking about it made his stomach twist. In hindsight, he was glad that Wei Nanfeng had died suddenly. Otherwise, this vast trove of cultivation resources might have gone to someone else. The name Wei Yunqing flashed across his mind, but he quickly erased it and handed the jade slip to the Grand Elder beside him.
The jade slip passed from elder to elder, making a full round before returning to Wei Lingtao. Every face looked grim, even those two who had been dissatisfied with Wei Chenyin earlier.
Yun Xi waved off the jade slip when it was offered to her. She wasn't involved in clan management and had no interest in Wei Nan Feng's assets.
Wei Chenyin noted everyone's subtle expressions as she took a sip of her spiritual tea, then spoke slowly.
"I already said that everything left behind by Wei Nanfeng will go to the clan treasury. However, all of you have worked hard for many years. Even if there was no merit, there was labor. Each of you may choose one item suited to your needs as compensation. These won't be counted toward the clan treasury."
Yun Xi immediately understood. Wei Chenyin was using the classic carrot-and-stick approach. By sweetening the deal, she silenced all dissent and got everyone onto the same boat.
Wei Lingtao immediately cupped his hands again.
"I am ashamed. On behalf of the elders, I thank Ancestor Chen Yin for your consideration."
Wei Chenyin simply replied, "You've earned it."
Thanks to that sweet date, the rest of the meeting proceeded smoothly. The atmosphere eased, no longer as tense as before.
Not long after, a disciple reported that Ancestor Chen Yin's new courtyard had been arranged. With that, the first clan meeting concluded. Yun Xi and Wei Lingtao accompanied Wei Chenyin to inspect the new courtyard.
Meanwhile, the other elders surrounded the Sixth and Seventh Elders, eager to get their hands on the rewards. With the three Golden Core elders absent, the others spoke more freely.
"Ancestor Chen Yin is truly generous."
"Of course. The Haoran Sect is the second most powerful sect in the western region, after all. Ancestor Chenyin has already reached late Golden Core. She wouldn't care about these trinkets."
One elder added boldly, "Why isn't anyone mentioning how selfish and domineering Wei Nanfeng was?"
"He's already dead. No point in discussing it. Ancestor Chen Yin is in charge now. We just follow orders."
"You're right. Sixth Elder, I'd like that Marrow-Cleansing Pill. It'll help clear the pill toxins from my body."
"Old Six, I've got my eye on that jade ruyi scepter."
It was at that moment that Wei Yunqing stepped into the discussion hall and saw the scene unfolding. She frowned and asked, "Where is Wei Yunxi?"