In the early morning light, the deliberation hall of Qingxu Temple was already bustling with people. A dozen executive elders stood in ranks on both sides, reporting various affairs to Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng who sat upright at the main seat. From the harvest of spiritual fields to disciple assessments, from diplomatic exchanges to resource allocation, everything was being handled in perfect order.
"This year, the Snow Spirit Mushrooms from Danxia Peak have increased yield by thirty percent compared to last year, but the quality has decreased slightly." The elder from the Spiritual Planting Hall presented a jade slip. "I suggest adjusting the cultivation formation and appropriately reducing the yield to preserve quality."
Mu Qingfeng pondered briefly: "Agreed. However, we must first ensure the supply of Foundation Establishment Pill materials. Among the newly entered disciples, there are a few promising seedlings. We cannot delay their cultivation."
"The Chen family from the Southern Sea has sent a visitation invitation, hoping to visit next month." The Foreign Affairs elder continued his report. "They will be accompanied by three young disciples, intending to exchange and study."
"Arrange accommodations at the Tianxinyuan courtyard." Mu Qingfeng arranged with composure. "Have the Sword Hall dispatch two True Disciples to accompany them, showing respect while also allowing the Chen family's disciples to witness the elegance of Qingxu's sword Dao."
Xiao Qi appeared silently outside the hall, watching through the window. Seeing Senior Brother handle various affairs with steady competence, his eyes showed genuine satisfaction. In three years' time, this once somewhat green senior brother had grown into a pillar of the sect capable of standing alone.
"Sect Master." An elder spotted Xiao Qi and quickly rose to bow.
Mu Qingfeng turned at the sound, about to rise and offer his seat, but Xiao Qi waved his hand to stop him: "Continue, I am merely observing."
He casually sat at the far end of the hall and quietly observed the deliberation process. What surprised him was that Mu Qingfeng not only had thorough knowledge of all affairs but could also identify problems from the smallest details.
"Wait." Mu Qingfeng called out to the Artifact Forging Hall elder who was about to withdraw. "You just mentioned that the newly refined flying boat's speed has increased by twenty percent, but spirit stone consumption has increased by thirty percent. Have you calculated the comprehensive cost-benefit?"
The Artifact Forging Hall elder was stunned: "This... we have not yet conducted a detailed calculation."
"Then go calculate it first." Mu Qingfeng's tone was gentle yet left no room for debate. "The sect's resources are limited. Every improvement requires weighing pros and cons. If the cost outweighs the benefit, we might as well maintain the status quo."
Xiao Qi nodded slightly. This kind of big-picture thinking was precisely the quality most needed for leading a sect.
The deliberation lasted for an hour. Only after all elders had received their orders and departed did Mu Qingfeng come before Xiao Qi: "Sect Master, why did you find time to come today?"
"Just came to see how you were doing." Xiao Qi smiled. "Now I see, my concerns were unnecessary."
Mu Qingfeng shook his head modestly: "All credit goes to the Sect Master's excellent teaching. However..." He hesitated slightly. "Lately, visits from various sects have been frequent, and not a few are probing for information. I am concerned..."
"Worried they are here because of the Demon Calamity?" Xiao Qi continued.
"Indeed." Mu Qingfeng's expression was grave. "Although all sects publicly express their commitment to joint response, privately everyone is preserving strength. If it truly comes to a critical moment, I fear..."
Xiao Qi stood and walked to the window, gazing at the distant mist-shrouded mountain peaks: "Therefore we need someone who can oversee the overall situation. Qingfeng, effective today, all daily sect affairs are handed entirely to you."
Mu Qingfeng was stunned: "Sect Master, this..."
"No need to decline." Xiao Qi turned, his gaze sharp as lightning. "Your abilities are evident to all. And..." His tone deepened. "I sense the Demon Calamity approaching, so I must focus on improving my cultivation to cope with changes."
He produced an ancient token, carved with Qingxu Temple's mountain-protecting magical seal: "This is the Sect Master Command Token. Its bearer holds my full authority. For major matters, you may make decisions first and report to me afterward."
Mu Qingfeng received the token with both hands, his expression solemn: "I will certainly not fail the Sect Master's trust."
Three days later on a morning, Xiao Qi was preparing for seclusion when he was attracted by some commotion. Going to the front courtyard, he saw Mu Qingfeng mediating a dispute. Two inner disciples were arguing over the distribution of a cultivation cave, each insisting on their own version, neither willing to yield.
"That cave was clearly what I noticed first. Why should I give it to him?"
"Sect rules prioritize those with higher cultivation for cave selection. I am already at mid-stage Foundation Establishment, so naturally it should be mine."
Mu Qingfeng patiently listened to both sides' statements, then after contemplation said: "The sect indeed has the rule of prioritizing higher cultivation. However..." He turned the conversation. "I remember you excel at pill refining, but that cave's fire spiritual energy is not abundant. Instead, the Burning Sun Cave newly opened in the back mountain, though slightly farther, has pure underground fire. It would be more suitable for your cultivation."
He then said to the other disciple: "You specialize in sword cultivation. That cave near the Sword Monument Forest is indeed suitable. But as a senior brother, you should also have magnanimity. How about this, I will give up half my cultivation time, and you two can take turns using it?"
When this solution was presented, both disciples were stunned. They had not expected the senior brother to offer his own cultivation resources to resolve the problem.
"This... how could we dare..."
"We were too calculating and not understanding..."
Mu Qingfeng smiled gently: "Fellow disciples should understand and consider each other. Go, cultivate diligently, and do not waste this precious time."
Watching the two disciples depart in embarrassment, Xiao Qi nodded secretly. This approach maintained sect rules while preserving fellow disciple camaraderie, it was perfectly appropriate.
Over the following months, Mu Qingfeng displayed astonishing managerial talent. He reorganized the sect's resource allocation, established a more comprehensive disciple assessment system, and built closer cooperative relationships with various sects. Most remarkably, during the entire process of these reforms, everyone in the sect was genuinely convinced, without a single discordant voice.
"Sect Master, this is the new Disciple Advancement Regulations drafted by the Senior Brother." The executive elder presented a jade slip to Xiao Qi. "It contains detailed assessment standards and advancement conditions for disciples at each stage. It is fair and just."
Xiao Qi browsed the jade slip's contents, his admiration growing stronger. The regulations not only considered cultivation progress but also incorporated character cultivation and sect contributions into the assessment scope, eliminating the flaw of determining future prospects solely based on talent.
"It seems it is time for me to let go completely." Xiao Qi murmured to himself.
That night, he summoned Mu Qingfeng to the secret chamber and produced a heritage jade slip: "This contains insights and epiphanies from successive Sect Masters. Now I give it to you. Starting tomorrow, unless it involves matters concerning the sect's survival, there is no need to come for consultation."
Mu Qingfeng received the jade slip solemnly and bowed deeply: "I will spare no effort to protect the Qingxu Dao lineage."
Watching his senior brother's departing figure, Xiao Qi felt the burden on his shoulders lighten considerably. With such a capable assistant handling secular affairs, he could finally focus on facing the coming storm.
The moonlight was like water, spilling over the serene mountains. Xiao Qi sensed the tentatively stirring spiritual energy in his dantian and knew the opportunity for breaking through to Deity Transformation was not far. And all this was thanks to Senior Brother's growth, allowing him to pursue the higher Dao without worries.