"For She Qingqing, fulfill any alchemy needs she has as much as possible. Use your judgment to handle it."
As for She Qingqing, Lu Ping will pay more attention in the future and provide alchemy guidance when needed. He believes that within three to five years, she can be cultivated into a Tier Three Alchemist.
According to Lu Ping’s plans, the refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill for Cyan Mountain Sect will be entrusted to She Qingqing in the future.
"As for She Qingqing, rest assured, Father. I will do my best to nurture her and not let her talent go to waste."
Lu Yuanshan responded.
Lu Ping did not say much more on this matter, and the topic shifted to the sect.
"Next, do you have any thoughts on sect development? What steps do you plan to take?"
If there’s no next step, then focus solely on the Hidden Nether Mountain issue.
Lu Yuanshan and Lu Changfeng exchanged a glance. As the Sect Leader, Lu Yuanshan did have plans for the near future and said immediately.
"Three years ago, we agreed with the disciples to suspend salaries for three years. Now, time has passed, three years have gone by, and the sect’s economy has shown signs of recovery. I’m preparing to hold a sect assembly soon to compensate for the three years without salaries."
Lu Ping nodded, acknowledging the importance of this matter and the need to avoid delays.
"The salaries should be distributed as soon as possible, let’s set it for tomorrow."
After this matter was addressed, Lu Yuanshan suddenly thought of something else and said, "There’s one more thing that requires your decision, Father."
"A year ago, Xuu Yi discovered an untapped Fire Source Stone Vein during his travels in the Cyan Mountain Range. My younger sister and second brother have already gone to investigate and confirmed the great value of this vein."
"However, deep within the vein, a Foundation Establishment Stage Stone Mother has emerged, and the sect currently lacks the strength to deal with it, so we have not yet taken control of the vein."
Lu Yuanshan explained the situation of the Fire Source Stone Vein in detail to Lu Ping.
Lu Ping felt a bit surprised after hearing this.
An ore vein, this is indeed a valuable resource.
Just right, there’s also a Celestial Spirit Fruit Tree guarded by a Foundation Establishment Demon Beast. Once we cultivate a Foundation Establishment Cultivator for the sect, we can quickly secure both locations.
By then, with the Fire Source Stone Vein and the ability to cultivate Celestial Spirit Fruit Trees, the sect will only continue to thrive.
"I understand this matter, I will figure something out."
"First, according to your plan, hold a sect assembly to handle some initial tasks."
The next day, under Lu Yuanshan’s summons, the sect held a meeting.
The investments in the Spirit Field, Medicinal Garden, and Marketplace Shop, these three major industries, have been completed, and they have yielded significant results. There aren’t many trivial matters within the sect.
During the meeting, after summarizing the sect’s financial situation over the past three years, Lu Yuanshan began to distribute the three years of suspended salaries to the disciples.
Based on the annual salaries from previous years, the Cyan Mountain Sect’s salary expenditure for all members is maintained at more than seven hundred Spirit Stones per year.
To compensate for three years of salaries at that rate, Lu Yuanshan would need to distribute over 2100 Spirit Stones.
Adding an additional year of salary as a reward, the total requirement would be over 2800 Spirit Stones.
The sect now has a considerable reserve of Spirit Stones, so it can afford this amount of salaries.
It is worth noting that some disciples like Song Minghui have advanced in their cultivation, moving from early-stage Qi Cultivation to mid-stage, or from mid-stage Qi Cultivation to late-stage.
Therefore, with their increased strength, the sect will also slightly increase their corresponding salaries.
This serves as an incentive to encourage disciples to work hard in their cultivation.
After the salaries were distributed, the disciples were all smiles.
Some wanted to take these Spirit Stones to the sect’s treasury to exchange for Magical Artifacts or Qi Cultivation Pills, while others planned to save them or purchase other necessities from the market.
Among the disciples, the two happiest were Li Ziqi and Zuo Luo.
Three years ago, to address potential insect infestation issues in the Spirit Field, Lu Zhiwei had slain the Mantis Locust King and used its scythe arm to refine a pair of Tier One Middle Grade Earth Attribute Flying Swords, the Cyan and Purple Dual Swords, temporarily bestowing them to these two.
The condition was that as long as they took good care of the Spirit Field diligently for the next three years, the Cyan and Purple Dual Swords would officially become theirs.
Li Ziqi and Zuo Luo fulfilled this commitment excellently.
The Cyan and Purple Dual Swords were formally bestowed upon them.
This sect assembly was indeed a celebration like a feast of accomplishments.
Coincidentally, the Peach Blossom Spirit Wine brewed from the peach blossoms harvested from the Spiritual Peach Tree in the past two years was now ready for consumption.
Lu Yuanshan named this first batch of Spirit Wine Peach Blossom Drunk. It was not sold externally, but used for the sect’s internal celebratory purposes.
By sharing the Peach Blossom Drunk, the sect celebrated its escape from economic crisis, and the sect was filled with a sense of joyous festivity for several days.
On the fifth day, activity emerged from the sect’s Artifact Refining Room.
Lu Zhiwei emerged from her secluded cultivation.
This time, her secluded cultivation lasted roughly a year, and she gained much from it.
In terms of Magical Artifacts, using the remains of the Locust King and others, she refined a total of five Magical Artifacts.
Three of Tier One Middle Grade and two of Tier One Top Grade.
Lu Zhiwei decided to place the three Tier One Middle Grade Artifacts in the sect’s treasury for disciples to exchange.
The remaining two Tier One Top Grade Artifacts were the Cold Snow Sword and the Bixiao Sword.
These two artifacts, one belonging to the water attribute and the other to the earth attribute.
Lu Zhiwei and Lu Yuanshan discussed and decided to bestow the Cold Snow Sword to Li Weimiao and the Bixiao Sword to Li Weixiao.
These two young cultivators practice diligently and are sensible.
After taking care of the artifacts, Lu Yuanshan inquired about the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword Technique.
"Little sister, how is your cultivation of the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword Technique going? Father has been concerned about this."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhiwei’s calm face showed a hint of a gentle smile.
"Big brother, please take a look."
As soon as Lu Zhiwei finished speaking, a light slowly emerged from her brow, transforming into a deep blue Flying Sword, which stood in front of Lu Yuanshan, floating quietly in the air.
Lu Yuanshan fixed his eyes and immediately recognized what it was.
"Little sister, you’ve successfully refined the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword!"
The deep blue Flying Sword did not radiate dazzling light but retained a subdued luminescence, yet it exuded a sharp and domineering Ancient Sword Intent.
Lu Yuanshan felt as if he were facing a war-seasoned Evil Sword, instilling a sense of awe in him.
"With only a small piece of Celestial Fire Purple Gold Copper, I barely managed to refine this Lifebound Flying Sword."
In terms of aptitude, she was inferior to Lu Yuanshan, who possessed the Wood Attribute Celestial Spirit Root, but her progress in cultivating the Taiyi Celestial Ruins Sword Technique was faster than his.
This cultivation technique was more suitable for Lu Zhiwei’s study.
Due to her identity, Lu Zhiwei could frequently undergo secluded cultivation for a year or two.
As the Sect Leader, Lu Yuanshan was busy with sect affairs, leaving little time for secluded cultivation.
After letting Lu Yuanshan closely observe the Lifebound Flying Sword for a moment, Lu Zhiwei retracted it, transforming it into a stream that returned to her brow.
"Has Father emerged from his seclusion?"
She asked, "I wish to see him."