117: Chapter 117 Reform [Part 1]
The next day.
The atmosphere was solemn inside the meeting room of Duobao Peak's Council Hall.
Over a dozen Elders and more than a hundred Deacons were gathered together.
Most of these people were white-haired, with even the youngest being over a hundred years old; their cultivation levels were at the Early Stage of the Golden Core at minimum.
The pressure on Chu Feng, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator sitting in the seat of honor, could well be imagined.
“I have invited you all here today to understand the progress of various projects.”
Chu Feng got straight to the point, “The resources of Duobao Peak are limited. We must ensure every bit is used where it's needed most. Let us begin the reports now, following the order of the dossiers.”
“This old man shall go first!”
A white-haired Elder was the first to stand up. “Deacon Chu, I am Zhou Yuan. I am responsible for the improvement of the Wuji Grand Formation.”
“This Formation is one of the cores of the mountain-protecting array, integrating both offense and defense, but its consumption is enormous.”
“After years of research, its power has increased by ten percent, but the Spirit Stone consumption has also increased by thirty percent.”
“We are currently trying to optimize the consumption. It is estimated to take another five years and requires an additional three hundred million Spirit Stones.”
Chu Feng nodded. “This Formation concerns our Foundation. While increasing its power is important, the consumption must also be controlled within a reasonable range.”
“Elder Zhou, I will give you three years and an additional two hundred million Spirit Stones.”
“If the consumption still hasn't decreased after three years, the project will be suspended and the resources redirected elsewhere.”
Zhou Mingyuan's expression changed. “Deacon Chu, how can Formation research be so short-sighted? Five years was already a conservative estimate!”
“Then find a way to speed up the progress.”
Chu Feng's tone was calm. “Or, you can choose to hand the project over to the younger generation; they might have new ideas.”
Zhou Mingyuan’s beard trembled with anger, but seeing Chu Feng's calm gaze, he eventually gritted his teeth and sat down. “Fine, three years it is!”
Immediately after, a middle-aged Elder stood up to report: “I am responsible for the improvement of the Earth Sun Pill.”
“This pill can increase the success rate of the Breakthrough from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core by thirty percent. Currently, the success rate has increased by ten percent, but the quality of the Medicinal Pill has slightly declined. The medicinal power is more violent, and the consumer must endure greater pain.”
“We are currently making improvements. It is estimated to take another three years and requires two hundred million Spirit Stones.”
Chu Feng frowned slightly upon hearing this.
The Earth Sun Pill was a strategic resource. Every bit the success rate increased could potentially create another Golden Core Cultivator.
However, the decline in quality was also a major problem. If the consumer could not withstand the pain and collapsed, it would instead damage their Foundation.
After a moment of deliberation, Chu Feng said solemnly, “The Earth Sun Pill concerns the Breakthrough from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core; this project will continue.”
“But there are two requirements: First, the quality issue must be resolved within one year. Second, if the final improved version's side effects are too great, I would rather keep the original version.”
“Understood!” The middle-aged Elder breathed a sigh of relief.
Subsequently, several more Elders and Deacons reported in turn.
Chu Feng listened carefully to the progress of each project and made decisions based on the actual situation.
For some projects with good prospects and reliable leaders, he generously added resources.
For some projects that were slow but significant, he gave clear time limits.
For projects that were clearly useless, he halted them directly.
Of course, these Elders and Deacons were not easy to deal with.
Those who received additional resources and convenience were naturally overjoyed, finding Chu Feng more and more agreeable.
But those whose projects were cut were absolutely furious.
They argued with Chu Feng until they were red in the face, and some even let out profanities.
“You little brat! Do you even understand Formation deduction? This old man has researched the Nine Fires Formation for seventy years, and you say stop just like that?”
“Deacon Chu, my Thousand Grass Longevity Pill is only one step away! Give me another five hundred million Spirit Stones, and there will be results within three years!”
“If that project of mine stops, can you bear the losses for the Peak?!”
Chu Feng was also very helpless against these people; he couldn't afford to offend them!
Did they have bad intentions?
Not at all.
They were purely researchers, extremely obsessed with the techniques and projects they studied, treating them as their very lives.
Were they wrong? It didn't seem so either.
Who wouldn't want their research to yield results?
The core of the conflict was that they consumed far too many resources!
Duobao Peak's own industries combined with the resources allocated by the Sect were barely enough to make ends meet, making it difficult to maintain everything.
As the grand manager, Chu Feng couldn't allow a deficit to occur during his tenure, could he?
The meeting lasted an entire day. It was noisy and rowdy, and people only began to disperse as the sun set behind the western mountains.
Chu Feng sat alone in the hall, letting out a long breath, his face filled with exhaustion.
He had never felt this tired, even after a whole day of 'exchanging' with his Dao Companion.
“Sigh... I've been scolded like a grandson by this group of old fellows.” In the empty hall, Chu Feng let out a faint sigh.
He couldn't speak back, couldn't strike them, and couldn't scold them.
Chu Feng had plenty of ability, but he had no way to deal with these people.
The key point was that many of the 'money-burning' major projects were led and promoted by 'Heavenly Revered Masters'.
They had theory after theory, leaving Chu Feng dazed as he listened.
As a mere 'Profound Master', he was little more than an errand boy in their eyes.
With such a gap in knowledge levels, how could he debate with these Seniors?
Of course, in the Dao of Talismans, Chu Feng was already an Earth Talisman Master, which was top-tier among the younger generation.
But compared to those old monsters who had been immersed in it for hundreds of years, it still wasn't enough.
In short, Chu Feng had suffered all sorts of grievances this day, and for the first time, the thought of “I’m quitting” popped into his head.
But on second thought, was this not also a form of tempering?
If he couldn't even manage Duobao Peak, what right would he have in the future to serve as Saint or even Sect Master and lead a million Cultivators?
These were all living people, each with their own thoughts, interests, and tempers.
Without true ability, it would be impossible to unite the various forces within the Sect into a single rope.
“It turns out that wanting to be a leader really isn't easy.” Chu Feng sighed softly and pulled himself together.
He looked at the project list he had organized in his hand.
Out of three hundred and seventy-two projects, he had halted forty-eight, ordered time-limited rectifications for ninety-two, given priority support to one hundred and five, and maintained the status quo for the rest.
It was estimated that twenty-three billion Spirit Stones could be saved annually, resources that could be invested into more promising projects.
Regardless, he had to withstand the pressure.
His Revered Master had given him the best opportunity to learn how to grow into a leader.
Chu Feng could not let his Revered Master down, nor could he fail the expectations of those around him.
The following day.
Chu Feng summoned those who were dissatisfied with the results once again.
This time it wasn't in the main hall but in a side parlor. There were fewer people, but the atmosphere was even more tense.
Those veteran Elders and Deacons whose projects had been cut stared at Chu Feng with unfriendly expressions.
“Seniors.”
Chu Feng spoke first, his tone sincere. “Yesterday's decisions may have been hasty. I invited you all here today because I want to hear your opinions once more.”
A red-faced Elder snorted coldly. “What is there to hear? The project is cut, the resources are gone, what's left to research?”
“Elder Li, please do not be anxious.”
Chu Feng personally poured tea for everyone. “I know you all have feelings for your projects and believe every project has value, but the situation at Duobao Peak...”