Chapter 50: The Grand Ceremony of the New Sect Leader

At this moment, everyone had already been waiting at the entrance for a whole hour, reminiscent of those times in his previous life when employees anxiously awaited the arrival of company executives for inspection. By now, it was already late morning, and the dazzling sun made Lin Yang’s eyes ache. With no other choice, Lin Yang simply ordered everyone to stop waiting and return to their tasks.

“It’s been an hour already. Who knows when they’ll arrive—let’s not wait any longer.”

“Just have the disciples in the kitchen prepare everything.” Lin Yang gave a few more instructions before everyone dispersed again.

By the time Li Yuanhua finally arrived, it was already late afternoon, with the sun slanting toward dusk. Lin Yang was quite relieved he hadn’t waited foolishly at the entrance all that time.

As Li Yuanhua approached the grounds, a disciple on duty stepped forward to greet him, while another went to inform the elders.

“Master Li has arrived!” The disciple guarding the entrance announced loudly as he entered.

“Alright, everyone, come with me to greet Uncle Li,” Lin Yang called several elders to join him, leading the group out to welcome the guest.

Standing before Li Yuanhua, Lin Yang greeted him respectfully, “Uncle Li.”

“So, you must be the Lin Yang my nephew spoke of. Truly, you are a handsome and heroic young man,” Li Yuanhua said with a smile.

“Uncle Li flatters me. I wouldn’t dare accept such praise. May I ask how Senior Brother Li Ming fares these days?” Lin Yang inquired, not knowing Li Ming’s current situation.

With a sigh, Li Yuanhua replied rather regretfully, “Alas, he failed to break through to Foundation Establishment yesterday. His next attempt won’t be for another five or six years at least.”

“Senior Brother Li is a man of good fortune; I am certain he will succeed next time. Please, follow me,” Lin Yang said, leading Li Yuanhua to the main hall reserved for receiving guests.

Lin Yang took the principal seat, while Li Yuanhua sat at his side. Though Lin Yang’s cultivation was not as advanced as Li Yuanhua’s, this place had been built by Lin Yang’s own hands, and as the adopted grandson of Patriarch Linghu, all matters here fell under Lin Yang’s management, with Li Yuanhua present only to oversee.

The sect was still in its early stages of construction, and Lin Yang had much to attend to, but with several elders supporting him, most affairs were handled smoothly. Once things settled, Lin Yang planned to delegate further and focus on his cultivation.

Thus, host and guest enjoyed a pleasant meal together. Afterwards, Lin Yang escorted Li Yuanhua to the residence prepared for him—a small courtyard built on an artificial island in the center of the lake, a place of true scenic beauty, temporarily entrusted to Li Yuanhua’s care.

……

Soon, the day of the sect’s grand hall ceremony arrived—the inauguration of the new sect leader. Lin Yang entered the grand hall, observing the bustling preparations. Today, representatives from the other six great sects had been invited to witness the ceremony. Lin Yang had returned primarily to offer his congratulations to Senior Brother Zhong.

In the distance, six tiny dots appeared in the sky, swiftly growing larger. After a while, it became clear: six flying boats approached, each landing in the plaza. From each vessel, a group of cultivators descended, all led by Foundation Establishment-level experts. Matters of this nature were typically handled by cultivators of this rank; sending anyone of higher cultivation would be unnecessary.

Among them, the envoy from the Moon Veil Sect was still Nangong Wan. Lin Yang had heard she had begun involving herself in sect affairs.

At noon, a stage three zhang high suddenly rose in the middle of the square. Zhong Lingdao ascended and gave a lengthy, crackling speech. At last, Patriarch Linghu personally handed him the seal of the sect master, charging him to develop the sect with fairness and justice.

It was all rather dull. Lin Yang looked around at the crowd and saw many disciples visibly stirred by the impassioned oration, seemingly ready to devote themselves entirely to the sect. The brainwashing seemed quite effective.

After half an hour of speeches and ceremonial duties, the inauguration finally concluded.

Then, Zhong Lingdao stepped forward. “Fellow Daoists, junior brothers and sisters, esteemed nephews—many of our senior brothers and sisters have departed recently, but their positions must still be filled. I will now make the necessary appointments.”

“Master of the Alchemy Hall: Lin Yang.”

Upon hearing his name, Lin Yang walked up to the stage. The new sect leader handed him the token of the Alchemy Hall. Lin Yang accepted it, said a few customary words, then stepped down.

“Mission Hall: Li Xin.”

……

Thus, the ceremony came to an end. Afterwards, Lin Yang paid his respects to the new sect master and returned to the branch sect.

Now, he needed to find a way to strengthen the Alchemy Hall. After much thought, Lin Yang devised a plan. He wrote his proposal on several sheets of rice paper and summoned Elder Sun, who was outside, to discuss it.

“Take a look at this—it’s the idea I’ve come up with. What do you think?” Lin Yang handed Elder Sun three sheets of rice paper.

Elder Sun read them over, his astonishment growing. He had never considered such a method before.

Lin Yang’s idea was to establish a college-like academy, where many could freely study together. With several elders taking turns teaching, the sect could attract a flood of freelance alchemists.

After all, it was notoriously difficult for unaffiliated cultivators to learn on their own, especially without seed money; success was a rare thing indeed. A venue offering direct instruction would be irresistible.

“But what if these freelance cultivators come just to take advantage of us?” Elder Sun pointed out the flaw.

“And what if a large number of family scions arrive as well?”

For Lin Yang, however, this was not a problem. Wasn’t there such a thing as an Oath of Dao Heart in this world? Much more binding than any contract. As long as he relaxed the requirements a little, they would be eager to refine pills for the sect. Add a points or rewards system, and they’d toil away with enthusiasm.

This also offered a way out for the freelance cultivators, who were often exploited and lived under constant threat. In Huangfeng Valley, the only oppression would come from the sect, and they would be free from mortal danger, able to improve their skills far more quickly—a windfall from heaven.

“They need only join Huangfeng Valley or become external members of our Alchemy Division,” Lin Yang said.

“I understand joining the sect, but when did we establish an external organization?” Elder Sun asked curiously.

“Have an elder open an Alchemy Pavilion. Those who regularly provide ingredients can purchase them at a ten percent discount. Pills sold to the Pavilion fetch ten percent higher prices. To join the Pavilion’s Medicine Hall activities, one must cooperate long-term and accumulate enough points,” Lin Yang explained with a sly smile.

“And what are these points?” Elder Sun still looked puzzled.

Lin Yang went on to explain the system: for example, selling one spirit stone’s worth of pills earned one point, and accumulating one or two hundred points allowed participation in academy classes.

Not all freelance cultivators would flock to Huangfeng Valley, but this would greatly improve their alchemy speed and earn the sect a good reputation in the cultivation world—a win-win situation. And with time, Huangfeng Valley could monopolize the local alchemy industry and control all subordinate forces within the valley’s territory.