While Luo Chen perused the Merits book, Murong Qinglian remained seated quietly by his side.
Whenever he had a question, she would offer an immediate answer.
One year of recuperation didn’t mean she was oblivious to worldly affairs.
Every movement within the Merits Hall was reported to her through documents brought back by Sima Wen Jie and Qin Liangchen.
Upon her recent return to the hall, she kept tabs on various affairs as if they were her personal treasures.
With her assistance, Luo Chen swiftly gained a preliminary understanding of the personnel situation within the Luo Tian Creed.
He had always paid close attention to matters of finance.
Now that he grasped the personnel situation, he could confidently manage affairs down the line, remaining calm and focused.
"Recruitment of the External Sect has been ongoing."
"Steward Xu spearheads the effort, with Chairman Sima giving final approval."
"Currently, the number of External Sect cultivators stands in hundreds, nearly half of the Inner Sect. Some higher-ups express worries about the tail wagging the dog, suggesting a need to limit the numbers."
When matters involving the External Sect arose, Murong Qinglian proceeded carefully.
After all, the Luo Tian Creed wasn’t a sect with a structured system, so it lacked the binding force that a lineage is backed with.
If the Outer Sect were to gain too much power, thereby posing a threat to the Inner Sect, it would create a significant problem.
Luo Chen, however, didn’t seem too concerned about this.
"As long as I am here, and we have Xiao Duan and the others who are at the Foundation Establishment in the Inner Sect, the Outer Sect won’t be able to stir up any waves."
"We should not lean towards the systems of Great Sects, but rather refer to the peripheral forces of the Broken Mountain Gang."
"These Outer Sect cultivators are drawn to the Luo Tian Creed for its prominence, much like the thousands of rogue cultivators who once flocked to the Great River District seeking refuge under the Broken Mountain Gang."
"In my opinion, it is not necessary to suppress them, but instead, we should recruit in larger numbers, as long as we ensure their general credibility."
Murong Qinglian understood Luo Chen’s perspective right away when he mentioned the Broken Mountain Gang.
At that time, the core of the Broken Mountain Gang comprised cultivators at the middle and late stages.
Those at the beginning and middle stages were basically used as beasts of burden.
Their treatment was close to non-existent!
Put into adverse situations, they were always the ones sent to the front lines.
Now that they were in Tian Lan Immortal City, the same arrangement could still be applied.
After all, a Qi Refinement Stage Rogue Cultivator was the least valuable in the Immortal Cultivation World!
If one group came to an end, there would be another group taking its place in no time.
The Tian Lan Immortal City, located at a critical junction, congregates rogue cultivators from all directions each day.
Those rogue cultivators who sought opportunities in the Immortal City could hardly rent a spot for an Immortal Mansion on Tianlan Peak or settle down on Danxia Peak, like the members of the Luo Tian Creed could.
They needed a place for cultivation, a Rich Spirit Land.
The Luo Tian Creed offered them this opportunity, so naturally they needed to pay a certain price.
The more people there are, the easier it is for the senior members of the Luo Tian Creed to be supported.
"Of course!"
"The ruthless exploitation and squeezing of wealth are unacceptable; they should be given proper channels for promotion."
"There should be a bridge between the Outer and Inner Sect, showing them a glimpse of hope for advancement."
Luo Chen couldn’t bring out the specific channels for promotion in an instant.
He needed to clarify all things first, to be able to aim accurately.
Speaking of unity!
Luo Chen put down the book and fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he snapped back to reality.
"As for the inheritance, it’s time."
Murong Qinglian hesitated, "What do you mean?"
"In the Luo Tian Creed, we already have four Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, including me. We might be outpaced by the Golden Core Great Sect, but we can certainly compete against those declining minor sects and factions. If they can use a heritage system to enhance unity, we certainly can do so too!"
Luo Chen did not mince his words and quickly reached a decision.
"I’ve already accepted Qu Lingjun as a disciple. It would only be natural for me to take in another disciple to inherit my mantle."
"Duan Feng has always been mentoring disciples. He could surely pick a few with solid potential and teach them his Tool Casting Artistry, or even pass down his Cultivation Technique."
"Min Longyu has always had his mind on reviving the Min Family. Now that the Min family no longer exists, he could pass down his array-based cultivation level, which was practiced in their clan, in a different way!"
"As for Wang Yuan, whether it is just for formality or genuinely taking in disciples, I will be present to discuss."
Listening to these words, waves stirred in Murong Qinglian’s heart.
This move, seemingly ordinary,
But she was clearer than others about what it hinted.
The elders of the Luo Tian Creed, no matter how much they trusted the power, and how cohesive they were,
They merely viewed it as a place to shelter and earn Spirit Stones.
It was nothing more than a more favorable and closer Great Sect Shop.
But if a firm inheritance system really went into effect, it would be totally different.
This would mean that the Luo Tian Creed, from being a general rogue cultivator gang, was advancing towards a Sect system!
A sect system, if not more attractive, was at least equally alluring compared to a clan system bound by blood ties.
Taking her Qin family as an example,
It’s been more than ten years since their son Xiao Hu joined the Luo Yun Sect!
The boy hadn’t returned home for a visit in that period, not even once, despite the numerous battles!
Their son’s letters from behind the scenes revealed that he often mentioned his sect brothers and sisters, uncles and so forth in his letters.
The feeling was like he had found a "new family" elsewhere.
A mature sect system truly gives a feeling of home to cultivators.
It even gets cultivators to genuinely consider the idea of shared fate with the Sect!
If Luo Chen’s inheritance system were to be truly implemented,
Its influence would outpace the merit policy implemented by Sima Huiniang when she was in office.
Swallowing hard, Murong Qinglian couldn’t help saying, "Chairman, you are wise!"