Chapter 183 The Final Decision

"The situation at the West Peak is also not optimistic," the West Peak Elder said with a frown. "The West Peak focuses on the cultivation of the Sword Dao and Illusion Arts, which require a secluded place. Now, even the most peripheral Mist Ravine is occupied by two Golden Core Cultivators. Let alone four new ones, even if only one came, I wouldn't be able to provide an Immortal Cave."

The North Peak Elder also nodded repeatedly: "The North Peak manages the Sect's Armory and Disciple trials. The Immortal Caves are mostly used to house injured Disciples returning from trials, so Immortal Caves for Golden Core Cultivators are in even shorter supply. The four new Golden Cores are all Elder Liu's talented Disciples with extraordinary natural talent and deserve a significant reward, but the North Peak truly cannot spare any extra space."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Elder in charge of the Artifact Refining Hall stood up and said: "The Artifact Refining Hall is located in the side hall of Tianshu Peak. The workshops and Materials storehouse take up most of the space. Even my own cultivation Immortal Cave is adjacent to the workshop; there really is no empty space for housing."

Immediately after, the Alchemy Hall Elder echoed: "The Alchemy Hall needs to maintain stable Pill Fire year-round, and the surrounding Spiritual Qi is chaotic, which is inherently unsuitable for long-term cultivation. Furthermore, there are only three Immortal Caves for the presiding Elders in the hall, and they are already full. I am powerless to help."

The Talisman Hall Elder also looked troubled: "Talisman making requires a clean and undisturbed environment. The Immortal Caves in the hall are all connected to the talisman paper workshops. The Spiritual Qi is mixed with the scent of cinnabar and talisman ink, which might affect the cultivation of the new Golden Cores. It is truly inconvenient to house them."

The Medicine Valley Elder sighed: "Although Medicine Valley is located in the Sect's back mountain, we need to monitor rare medicinal herbs at all times. All Immortal Caves are used for medicinal farmers and guardian Disciples. Moreover, the medicinal scent is thick, which conflicts with the Spiritual Qi required for cultivation. We cannot spare any Immortal Caves."

Finally, the Spirit Beast Hall Elder shook his head: "The area around the Spirit Beast Hall is mostly for keeping Spirit Beasts. The sound of beast roars is constant, and the Spiritual Qi is disorganized. Golden Core Cultivators would easily be distracted while cultivating here. There are no suitable Immortal Caves to bestow."

The Elders spoke one after another, all offering congratulations first before describing their own peaks' difficulties. Not one was willing to take initiative, and no one proposed a feasible solution.

The atmosphere in the hall gradually became awkward. Xuan Chenzi sat in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his brow furrowing even deeper.

"I naturally know everyone's difficulties," Xuan Chenzi's voice carried a hint of heaviness. "But four Disciples breaking through to the Golden Core at the same time is a first in our Sect's hundred-year history. If the reward is too meager, it will not only discourage them but also make other Disciples feel the Sect's rewards and punishments are unclear, affecting their future cultivation enthusiasm. Elder Liu has nurtured such excellent Disciples for the Sect; if we can't even handle this small matter, we would be unworthy of her efforts."

At the mention of Liu Qingyan, the Elders fell silent again.

Although Liu Qingyan was a junior, her cultivation was profound and her combat strength formidable. She was also deeply respected by the Disciples. The Sect truly could not mistreat her Disciples.

But the resource predicament was right before them. It was an established fact that the five peaks were overcrowded. Wanting to conjure four mountain peaks or four Golden Core Immortal Caves out of thin air was simply a pipe dream.

"Sect Head, how about... we first reward them with some rare medicinal herbs and Magical Artifacts, and discuss the matter of the Immortal Caves later?" one Elder suggested hesitantly.

"Inappropriate," Xuan Chenzi shook his head in rejection. "Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts are certainly precious, but an independent cultivation dao field is crucial for a Golden Core Cultivator's subsequent cultivation. They have just broken through and need a stable environment to polish their cultivation; it cannot be delayed. Besides, it was the same for Liu Qingyan and Lin Yue back then. If we use the same excuse to procrastinate again, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the masses."

Silence fell over the hall once more. The sunlight from outside filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the floor, but it could not dispel the solemnity within.

All the Elders looked troubled. On one side were the Sect's rules and the Disciples' expectations; on the other was the dire resource shortage. For a moment, no one could think of a way to satisfy both.

Xuan Chenzi looked at the silent crowd in the hall and sighed inwardly. Was this great joyous occasion for the Sect really going to end in an embarrassing situation of unclear rewards and punishments?

Just as everyone was deliberating, Wu Tianli and Mo Renxing suddenly appeared. The two exchanged a glance, a sinister smile curling on their lips.

"Sect Head, this is inappropriate!" Wu Tianli stepped forward, his tone carrying a deliberate respect. "Although Su Qingyuan and the other three have broken through to the Golden Core, they are not formal Disciples of the Sect, but merely Lin Yue's Dao Companions! According to Sect rules, only registered Disciples who advance to the Golden Core can be granted an Immortal Cave. What right do they have to occupy Sect resources?"

Mo Renxing immediately echoed: "Senior Brother Wu is absolutely right! Lin Yue already occupies the fief of the Abyss of the East Sea. Now his women want to carve up the Sect's foundation. This is unfair to other Disciples! In my opinion, it's better to let them leave the Sect and follow Lin Yue to the East Sea."

The two played off each other, their eyes full of calculation. They had long been jealous of the many talents under Liu Qingyan's tutelage. Now that the four women had advanced, if they received further support from the Sect, the East Peak's influence would only become more stable in the future, leaving them even less room to stand.

Liu Qingyan's gaze turned cold. She stepped forward, the pure spirit immortal flute spinning in her palm. Her tone was flat but carried a sense of pressure: "I'm afraid you two Senior Brothers have forgotten the Sect's rules?"

With a wave of her hand, four Talisman Tablets shimmering with spiritual light floated before the Sect Head. The tablets were engraved with the Qingyun Sect's emblem and the East Peak's mark, clearly recording the names and entry dates of Su Qingyuan, Ling Wei, Luo Ningshuang, and A He.

"Three months ago, I already accepted the four of them as formal Disciples of the East Peak. These are the Talisman Tablets registered with the Sect; the Sect Head may verify them." Liu Qingyan's voice was clear. "Since they are East Peak Disciples and Golden Core Cultivators, they should be granted Immortal Caves according to the rules. Furthermore, their Golden Core formation triggered the 'Four Phenomena Reflecting the Heavens' spectacle, bringing glory to the Sect. This achievement also deserves a reward!"

The Sect Head picked up the Talisman Tablets to verify. After confirming they were correct, his expression softened: "What Elder Liu says is true; the Talisman Tablets are indeed registered with the Sect. Since Su Qingyuan and the others are East Peak Disciples and have advanced to the Golden Core, the matter of granting them Immortal Caves is only right and proper."

Wu Tianli and Mo Renxing's expressions changed drastically. They hadn't expected Liu Qingyan to be so prepared. The two exchanged a glance, still wanting to argue: "But the Sect truly has no vacant Immortal Caves..."

"There's no need for you two Senior Brothers to worry about that," Liu Qingyan interrupted them. "The Abyss of the East Sea has abundant Spiritual Veins and a vast territory. Lin Yue is already stationed there. Why not let them go to the East Sea to reunite with Lin Yue and establish their Immortal Caves within the fief? This solves the Sect's land shortage and strengthens the East Sea's defense. It kills two birds with one stone."

Upon hearing this, the Sect Head immediately nodded: "An excellent plan! We shall do as Elder Liu says. Grant Su Qingyuan and the others the usage rights of the East Sea fief and allow them to build their Immortal Caves there. The necessary resources will be allocated from the Sect Treasury."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Wu Tianli and Mo Renxing could no longer object. They could only leave dejectedly, though a deeper malice was hidden in their eyes.

After hearing the news, the four women were filled with joy. They immediately packed their belongings and boarded the Sect's Spirit Boat, speeding toward the Abyss of the East Sea.