A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 125 - 109: Yun Mountain’s New System (Part 2)

"As for other systems, including rewards and punishments, material distribution, etc., they all actually depend on this existence. Let’s set up the framework first, and then gradually fill in the flesh."

"Let’s modify them one by one, starting with the sect rules."

The first is the sect rules.

The changes to the sect rules aren’t particularly numerous; Lu Qian merely supplemented them with some modern legal concepts, based on existing rules. Mainly, he refined the overall discipline and regulations, amended ambiguous phrasing, and unclear expressions, making the rules clearer and more operable. At the same time, he quantified the punitive measures for violations, enhancing their deterrent effect.

However, different worlds have different rules. In this world, where cultivation is high and powers are strong, the combination of rule by law and rule by man is essential for the sect to go further.

The second is the education and training system for disciples.

Lu Qian plans to add a hierarchical honor system to the existing master-disciple teachings, enhancing the disciples’ sense of honor and responsibility; establish a point redemption mechanism to boost disciples’ initiative and enthusiasm; and implement a thought and culture work system to help disciples integrate into the sect better and more quickly, and remain loyal to the mountain gate.

In terms of the hierarchical honor system, disciples are still divided into Outer Sect, Inner Sect, and True Inheritance levels, but Inner Sect disciples are further subdivided, with varying benefits and resource allocations. Apart from the current batch of disciples, all new disciples must start as Outer Disciples and can only be promoted after passing the necessary assessments.

Outer Disciples mainly handle the sect’s miscellaneous duties and basic defense work. From the time they enter, they focus on thought and cultural education, learning the sect’s various institutions, and practice the basic cultivation techniques issued by the sect according to their qualifications. They also supplement their studies with life skills such as planting, breeding, talisman making, alchemy, and artifact refining to lay a solid foundation. Only those who pass the three exams, "Morality," "System," and "Cultivation," or have significant meritorious achievements, can be promoted to Inner Sect disciples.

Outer Disciples wear white feathers as a sign.

Inner Sect Disciples gradually reduce their miscellaneous duties based on actual performance, shifting their daily focus to diligent cultivation. In addition to receiving advanced cultivation techniques according to qualifications, the sect will also bestow magical artifacts. They can choose to study talisman making, magic techniques, or arrays to supplement their combat methods and continue to advance in life skills like planting, breeding, talisman making, alchemy, etc.

Inner Sect Disciples are subdivided into four grades: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding, with Jia class being the highest and Ding class the lowest. Those promoted from Outer Disciples automatically become Ding Class Inner Sect Disciples; further promotion depends on merit and a comprehensive evaluation, with individuals only able to advance from Ding Class based on accumulated merit and guaranteed character.

Inner Sect Disciples wear silver feathers, with one to four silver feathers as a sign from Ding Class to Jia Class.

Only those who reach the Inner Jia Class level are eligible to apprentice under Elders or the Sect Leader to become True Disciples.

Only those who reach the Inner Yi Class level or above can hold positions such as Steward or team leader within the sect.

After becoming True Disciples by apprenticing under Elders or the Sect Leader at the Inner Jia Class level, they are completely removed from miscellaneous duties, with all cultivation matters arranged by their respective masters. However, every five years, they must undergo a comprehensive true inheritance assessment. Those ranking last for three consecutive times will face severe punishment, and if they rank last for five consecutive times, they will be demoted to Inner Sect Disciples.

True Disciples wear golden feathers as a sign. Among them, Elder’s True Inheritance wears a single feather, while Sect Leader’s True Inheritance wears two feathers.

Regarding the point redemption mechanism, Lu Qian straightforwardly named it "Merit Points." Besides the regularly provided resources for each level, disciples who complete daily tasks assigned by the sect and temporary tasks will earn corresponding merit points.

With these merit points, they can exchange for materials of interest from the sect’s exchange list. However, the exchange lists differ between levels, with higher-level lists offering richer items for exchange.

Lu Qian hopes to use this additional redemption system to stimulate disciples’ initiative and enthusiasm, also giving more freedom to those disciples with their own ideas, allowing them to exchange what they need for cultivation as they wish.

In terms of thought and culture work, Lu Qian plans to partially draw from that mature education system, including catchy chants, vivid and touching stories, and inspiring slogans, subtly cultivating the disciples’ morality and enhancing their sense of belonging and honor to the sect.

The only headache is writing the corresponding textbooks, which cannot be completed in three to five months or even a year or so. Lu Qian can only think of a temporary solution.

The third is the sect’s power operation mechanism.

Below the Sect Leader, the highest authority in the Yunshan Sect is the Elder Council.

There are nine Elder seats, which are the Transmission Elder, Internal Affairs Elder, Business Elder, Reward Elder, Punishment Elder, Inspector Elder, Foreign Affairs Elder, Conquest Elder, and Security Elder.

Each Elder has two Stewards to assist in handling affairs.

Each Elder is responsible for various matters of the sect according to the division of labor. On the first day of each year, an Elder meeting is held to summarize the past year’s work, check material accounts, meritorious records, reward and punishment lists, etc., formulate the new year’s plan, revise sect rules, and decide on Elder appointments and disciple promotions.

The Sect Leader has the decision-making power over various topics discussed at the meeting, while the Elders have the right to suggest.

Apart from tasks temporarily instructed by the Sect Leader, all Elders must strictly adhere to the annual plan and sect rules in their work.

In addition to the annual Elder meeting, the Sect Leader can convene a meeting anytime if deemed necessary.

In case the Sect Leader is in seclusion, the Elder meeting is postponed until the Sect Leader exits seclusion. However, the maximum postponement time is ten years; if exceeded, the Elders can hold the meeting independently, but cannot amend sect rules or decide Elder appointments. Other matters can be approved with the consent of more than half of the Elders.

If disciples feel that an Elder or Steward is unfair or inappropriate in handling matters, they can report it to the Inspector Elder at any time. The Inspector Elder will question the relevant Elders and Stewards, check relevant accounts, and report the information to the Sect Leader at any time. Each disciple has only one opportunity to report per year, with no accumulation allowed. If malicious accusations are verified, they will be dealt with severely.

The next Sect Leader is appointed by the current Sect Leader, chosen from among the Sect Leader’s True Disciples and the Elders. If the current Sect Leader unexpectedly dies without leaving a will, an Elder meeting is held to elect a Sect Leader, requiring more than two-thirds of the votes to be elected. Until a Sect Leader is elected, the Elder Council handles sect affairs.

If all nine Elders unanimously agree and over ninety percent of Inner Sect disciples approve, the Sect Leader can be deposed.

...

Throughout the process, Guh Niqiang tried hard to understand but couldn’t suppress her drowsiness, nodding her head constantly. Master Xuan Ji listened very attentively, occasionally interjecting a few words, adding his understanding, and proposing some useful suggestions based on his rich experience.

But the more he listened, the more surprised and excited he became.

Lu Qian’s understanding of the sect’s institutions far exceeded his imagination.

In Lu Qian’s words, the sect’s system is the cornerstone of its operation. The Yunshan Sect should minimize rule by man and subdue all matters to rule by law. The system represents order and stability, ensuring that even mediocre people in the position of Elder can maintain the seamless operation of the sect if they follow the system.

In truth, given the Yunshan Sect’s current scale, such a comprehensive system isn’t particularly necessary, and at present, even the nine elders envisaged by Lu Qian cannot be assembled.

But the framework Lu Qian set up could accommodate not only Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul levels but also expand into a giant sect or super sect. This would merely require expanding on this foundation, shifting from a single Elder handling affairs to a department responsible for execution under the Elder, and adding some Steward positions.

This demonstrated his foresight and harbored his ambitions and boundless aspirations deep within.

On the night of October 4th, the 363rd year of Jia Shen, in the courtyard of Bichao Mountain, presided over by the fourth-generation Sect Leader Lu Qian, one Yunshan Sect’s new system after another was finalized, leaving a bright and vivid mark in the history of the Yunshan Sect.