Chapter 146, Initial Reforms Completed, and More Foundation Establishment Cultivators

Translator: Raznick

 

The abolishment of Peak Head authority and the establishment of the Executive Hall proved to be a relief for Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi, who hadn’t anticipated such a swift implementation by Zhou Chun.

 

He had previously discussed these reforms with Zhou Chun, largely agreeing to their proposed changes.

 

This internal management structure wasn’t unique to the Zhou Clan; many sects operated under similar frameworks, minimizing potential risks and easing acceptance among the clan cultivators.

 

As expected, upon hearing Zhou Chun’s words, even Second Elder Zhou Chongshan refrained from displaying any opposition.

 

He simply glanced at Zhou Chun and remarked, “This system isn’t new, but its application within the clan feels somewhat extravagant. Creating so many halls for just over a hundred cultivators is almost laughable.”

 

Zhou Chun, in response, shook his head. “Good systems aren’t dictated by power or size; they are universally applicable.

 

“Besides, this is a long-term investment for the future; what’s there to laugh at?”

 

Hearing his words, Zhou Chongshan couldn’t help but shake his head, choosing not to argue further.

 

“So, how will the executive for each hall be selected?”

 

Fourth Elder Zhou Jiarui interjected abruptly, posing a question of significant concern.

 

Zhou Chun answered without hesitation. “The Executive should be individuals with outstanding administrative capabilities, not necessarily of high cultivation. Therefore, anyone—whether a common clan member, an elite member, a core member, or even an elder—is eligible to serve as an Executive!”

 

Zhou Jiarui immediately stated, “This might not be appropriate.

 

“According to your assessment, Zhengchun, the executives of each hall undoubtedly possess considerable power. If ordinary clan members were to hold these positions, wouldn’t our elite clan members and core clan members be at a disadvantage in terms of treatment? How could we maintain order then?”

 

The Zhou Clan’s former Peak Heads were always core clan members, a necessity to maintain order.

 

Now, with the reformed executive positions, power would only be greater than that of a peak head, yet even ordinary clan members could qualify.

 

It wasn’t surprising that Zhou Jiarui found it unsuitable.

 

But Zhou Chun spoke with unwavering conviction, “There are always exceptions to every rule. Executive positions are inherently limited in number. If an ordinary clan member were truly capable of competing with our elite clan members and core clan members and securing an executive position, it would indicate that they possess exceptional abilities. In such cases, we should select talent and grant these individuals the power and status they deserve, thereby inspiring their passion and motivating the broader clan!”

 

Speaking here, he cast his gaze upon the assembled elders, his voice softening, “We cultivators believe in strength, and that’s not wrong. However, we must also acknowledge that strength cannot resolve every difficulty. At least, our clan currently possesses no one with the strength to overcome every obstacle!

 

“So, if someone can use their wisdom and abilities to resolve difficulties that strength alone cannot, why should we deny them the power and status they are due?”

 

The others couldn’t help but reveal contemplative expressions, thoughtfully considering his words.

 

After a moment of silence, Zhou Daoyi spoke first, “I believe it’s feasible. If executive positions are to be held by the capable, then the incapable should yield.

 

“Our elite clan members became clan elites precisely because of their exceptional strength—who would dare say that wisdom isn’t a form of strength?

 

“Anyone who lacks the ability to secure an executive position and resents someone else’s success should come find me; I’ll show them who’s in charge!”

 

With that declaration, the several elders fell silent.

 

Ultimately, these were internal clan affairs, previously decided by a single word from the Clan Leader.

 

Now, by presenting them for discussion, Zhou Chun had shown them immense respect.

 

They had to understand that.

 

Following the passage of Zhou Chun’s reform proposal, the conversation drifted back to the initial matter.

 

“So, regarding the increase in the clan’s cultivator population, Zhengchun, do you have any good suggestions?”

 

Zhou Daoyi looked expectantly at Zhou Chun, inquiring about a solution to the population issue.

 

“I have indeed conducted quite a bit of investigation!”

 

Zhou Chun nodded, then proceeded to detail the results of his inquiries.

 

“According to my investigations with numerous clan members, while many prefer solitary cultivation, there are also quite a few who intend to have descendants. Those who are hesitant, however, primarily worry that raising children will impact their own cultivation!

 

“Therefore, I believe this matter can be addressed from three avenues.”

 

“Firstly, for those clan members who intend to have descendants, the clan can, based on their matchmaking criteria, specifically provide opportunities for them to interact with potential female cultivators. The clan could even grant them special leave for this purpose and provide material rewards upon marriage as encouragement.

 

“Secondly, for those cultivators who worry that raising children will impact their cultivation, the clan can establish a childcare center within the estate.

 

“Then, select clan members from the mundane population, possessing extensive experience in raising children, to serve as caretakers, specifically responsible for helping to care for the offspring of the cultivator clan members until they are able to live independently!

 

“Thirdly, for the very few clan members who adhere to celibacy but are not opposed to having descendants, simply not wanting to raise them, encourage them to take numerous concubines and have children. For every descendant with a spirit root, they can receive subsidies based on the descendant’s aptitude!”

 

Having finished detailing his investigation and proposed solutions, Zhou Chun didn’t wait for the clan leadership to offer their opinions.

 

“Furthermore, I also suggest expanding classroom education for the young cultivators within the clan, changing the original method of each having their parents or relatives educate them, and having them uniformly educated by cultivators within the clan who are skilled in education.

 

“This way, it can ensure that they all have the same starting point during their formative years, and it can also promote emotional exchange between peers. When they grow up, they will be able to be more united and affectionate!”

 

Having finished speaking, Zhou Chun truly fell silent, awaiting the elders’ judgment.

 

“I think all of these are viable strategies.”

 

It wasn’t long before Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi nodded first, voicing his agreement with Zhou Chun’s suggestions.

 

He spoke in a deep voice, “In the past, when we were in the Feng Kingdom, quite a few clan members would send their children born without spirit root to common relatives for upbringing. Now that the clan establishes a childcare center for unified nurturing, allowing them to visit their close relatives at any time, this undoubtedly puts their minds at ease.

 

“And the practice of taking numerous concubines to produce heirs—that too was a necessary skill for a new cultivating clan to employ when first establishing itself, only the Zhou Clan’s situation was unique, so we hadn’t used this skill before!

 

“As for launching unified schooling for young cultivators, I admittedly overlooked that, failing to organize it promptly. It’s something every clan should be doing!”

 

The issue of childbirth had always been a significant problem for Zhou Chun in a previous life.

 

But that was relative to the entire nation and ethnicity.

 

In truth, those without the burden of raising children always simply bore them if they wished and gave birth if they could.

 

Some cultivators within the Zhou Clan were reluctant to have descendants, worried that raising them would consume their energy and impede their cultivation.

 

If the clan were willing to help them raise their children, eliminating that concern, and rewarded them for giving birth to descendants with spirit roots, how could they refuse?

 

After all, having cultivator descendants meant that even if they perished or attained stillness, their hard-earned possessions would be inherited.

 

If fortunate, they could even produce a brilliant descendant, potentially experiencing vicarious glory through their child, relying on their son to support their own cultivation in the future!

 

The suggestions Zhou Chun put forth at this time were exceptionally viable and wouldn’t spark any serious repercussions.

 

Therefore, not only did Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi quickly voice his agreement with Zhou Chun’s suggestions, but the other Zhou Clan elders swiftly expressed their support, strongly endorsing his recommendations.

 

After these suggestions passed unanimously, Zhou Chun then continued, “Now we’re left with the previous issue—concerning the establishment of a security force. What do the elders think?”

 

“Security teams is something all the major powers have; it’s just the names are different.”

 

“I think this sort of thing can be done, but the range of protection for the patrol officers can’t be too large, ideally within thirty miles of the clan estate.

 

“That way, if we truly encounter any major dangers and need assistance, we can reach the scene faster.”

 

This time, it was Second Elder Zhou Chongshan who spoke first in response to Zhou Chun’s words, expressing his own views.

 

As his words fell, Fifth Elder Zhou Jiahe immediately chimed in to agree: “I concur, and I suggest that the members of the security team be chosen from the upper echelons, prioritizing experienced clan elders, and providing each member with extra subsidies and rewards.”

 

“I agree with this matter.”

 

“I agree.”

 

Third Elder Zhou Daoquan and Fourth Elder Zhou Jiarui quickly expressed their opinions as well.

 

Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi, seeing this, immediately spoke: “Then, let’s send the decisions we’d deliberated on today to the Grand Elder for review!”

 

“Very well.”

 

After the meeting, Zhou Chun took personal charge, listing all the matters discussed in the meeting onto paper, and then accompanied Clan Leader Zhou Daoyi to see Grand Elder Zhou Mingde.

 

When Zhou Mingde finished reading the suggestion drafted personally by Zhou Chun, he paused for a moment before nodding directly and saying, “Alright, I think these suggestions are quite good; you can proceed!”

 

With the endorsement of a Grand Elder, Zhou Chun immediately announced the decision to the entire clan upon his return and began selecting executives and staff for each department.

 

To ensure that this matter went smoothly, each executive, even the staff, was personally interviewed and selected by Zhou Chun.

 

According to his plan, the Internal Affairs Hall primarily handled the various logistical arrangements within the clan estate, such as guarding the Purification Pavilion, overseeing the mountain array, and managing the cultivation zone for rogue cultivators, along with the tasks executed within the estate.

 

This hall’s executive didn’t require particularly high abilities, but absolute loyalty, reliability, fairness, and strictness were essential.

 

The External Affairs Hall was responsible for arranging tasks outside the clan, all tasks requiring clan members to be dispatched—these were either assigned to Zhou Clan cultivators directly or arranged by the hall’s executive to dispatch suitable personnel.

 

The requirements for this hall’s executive were similar to those of the Internal Affairs Hall; fairness and strictness were crucial.

 

The Beast Hall, essentially referring to the beast enclosure, was responsible for breeding and managing the clan’s various demon beasts, including beast taming, breeding, and hunting. The executive had to be thoroughly proficient in these skills.

 

The Medicine Hall corresponded to the Medicine Peak’s herb garden, encompassing several clan alchemists. This hall managed the clan’s herb garden, including alchemy production, herb cultivation, and herb storage; the executive similarly needed to be sufficiently proficient in related skills.

 

The Arts Hall corresponded to other fields like forging, talisman creation, and array design—Zhou Chun’s idea was to concentrate Zhou Clan cultivators who mastered these skills, allocate a certain level of resources, and help them elevate their skills, seeing if enough individuals of sufficient caliber could be cultivated.

 

Regarding finances, supervision, and penal matters, no further explanation was necessary.

 

Roughly a month later, Zhou Chun selected all eight executives.

 

The Internal Affairs Hall Executive was appointed Zhou Jiacheng, a core clan member.

 

The External Affairs Hall Executive was appointed Zhou Jiagong, a core clan member ranked eighteenth in the Jia generation.

 

The Beast Hall Executive was appointed Zhou Zhengyong, a core clan member.

 

The Arts Hall Executive was appointed Zhou Jiawei, a core clan member and the inventor of the Touch of Despair.

 

The Medicine Hall Executive was appointed Zhou Zhengyuan, a core clan member and currently the Zhou Clan’s most skilled alchemist.

 

Zhou Chun hadn’t yet made a decision regarding the financial executive and temporarily held the position himself.

 

The overseeing executive was chosen: Zhou Zhengjing, a rather righteous female cultivator.

 

The responsibility of administering punishments was also undertaken by Zhou Chun himself.

 

Following these selections, the first executive of each of the five major divisions was a core clan member, a choice made after Zhou Chun’s comprehensive consideration.

 

He desired that the divisions, after this restructuring, would operate smoothly, so certain decisions were necessary.

 

Once the executive and related personnel for each division were selected, the Zhou Clan’s affairs began to be carried out according to this new system.

 

To this end, Zhou Chun even suspended his cultivation of two secret arts, fully dedicating himself to clan affairs to ensure a smooth transition between the old and new systems.

 

When he finally helped the executive and personnel of each division familiarize themselves with the relevant procedures and could finally relax, the results of the two cultivators who had taken seclusion to Foundation Establishment after consuming an Elevating Spirit Fruit were finally announced.

 

The results could be described as a mixture of joy and sorrow.

 

The joy was that Zhou Jiapeng had successfully Foundation Establishment, adding another Foundation Establishment cultivator to the Zhou Clan.

 

The sorrow was that another Jia generation cultivator had failed and only managed to leave a suicide note in the secret room before regrettably passing away.

 

Ultimately, the five Elevating Spirit Fruits purchased by the Zhou Clan for eighteen thousand spirit coins brought two Foundation Establishment cultivators to the Zhou Clan.

 

But at the same time, it directly caused two core clan members in the Twelfth Layer of Qi Refining Stage cultivation to perish and crippled one core clan member!