The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, as if entering winter.
In the Cultivation Realm, only one in a thousand has a Spirit Root, but among a hundred cultivators, only one can establish Foundation.
Even if one at the peak of Qi Cultivation takes a Foundation Establishment Pill, there's only a thirty percent chance of becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Whenever a Foundation Establishment Cultivator is born in a clan, they must hold a grand banquet, celebrating and declaring their prestige.
Even in the Lu Family, Foundation Establishment Cultivators hold high positions and great authority.
But now, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators lay on the ground, turned into corpses.
In the conference hall, the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, everyone inexplicably fearful and uneasy.
"Some people have broken the rules, I won't say much more, go to the Law Enforcement Hall to receive your punishment." Lu Fuming said coldly, "In this world of chaos and rampant demons, for a Cultivator Clan to survive, unity comes first, followed by doing things with principles. Those who have contributed must not be denied reward, even if they are displeasing to the eye, they must be rewarded; those who have erred must be punished severely, even if they are one's own son, if they must be killed, they shall be killed. Compassion cannot lead troops, righteousness cannot gain wealth, as a clan leader, the first rule is clear rewards and punishments, adhering to rules oneself. If one does not observe the rules, how can one expect others to?"
"If everyone fails to adhere to rules, the clan will inevitably descend into chaos, and in the face of external invasion, it will collapse instantly, everyone being slaughtered, reduced to Loose Cultivators."
"Life as a Loose Cultivator is tough, unable to eat well, wear warmly, and constantly hunted. Without the clan's protection, even a Purple Mansion Cultivator wouldn't last long. In the Cultivation Realm, to get along with others, one must uphold rules, rely on connections, and social networks. Those who don't adhere to rules, their very bones have rotted away."
The ancestor spoke earnestly.
Whether a few people listened, that was up to fate.
There are already those who've blown up, and countless others who haven't yet.
"Lu Tianming, are you willing to be the clan leader?"
At this moment, the Purple Mansion Ancestor looked at a cultivator and harshly asked.
"Ancestor, I am willing."
Lu Tianming said.
"Can you ensure clear rewards and punishments, love the clan members, and fight for the clan?" Lu Fuming harshly asked again.
"I can."
Lu Tianming said.
"Good, that's how it should be."
Lu Fuming said, "I appoint Lu Tianming as the clan leader. Do any of you have objections? If anyone believes they can do better than Lu Tianming and take more responsibility, they can replace him. Remember, being the clan leader is not about having power or being arbitrary, but about responsibility, rushing into danger first, and benefits not reserved for one's children."
To prevent the clan leader from abusing power, the clan's regulations include many restrictions on the clan leader's authority.
Many elders can supervise and check the clan leader.
"We are willing to accept."
A Foundation Establishment Elder said.
Other elders also spoke up one after another, willing to let Lu Tianming assume the clan leader position.
"Good. Next, it's time for elder appointments."
Lu Fuming said, "I announce the elder appointments. Grand Elder is Lu Tianyi, responsible for the Punishment Hall; Second Elder Lu Yan'an, responsible for the Alchemy Hall; Third Elder Lu Wanli, responsible for the Artifact Refining Hall; Fourth Elder Lu Jinwen, responsible for the Talisman case; Fifth Elder Lu Changming, responsible for the West River Marketplace; Sixth Elder Lu Anmin, responsible for Qingshui Marketplace; Seventh Elder Lu Jinxiu, responsible for Cyan Lotus Square stores; Eighth Elder Lu Changhe, in charge of the transportation and aggregation of Spirit Rice; Ninth Elder Lu Changming, responsible for seeking Spirit Roots and children's education. Tenth Elder Lu Yanling, Eleventh Elder Lu Ankang, responsible for the extraction of Spirit Ore."
"As for the other elders, they are currently recuperating, so tasks won't be assigned."
"Since I am injured, some assets need to be appropriately transferred..."
The old clan leader began to arrange plans for the clan's next twenty years and development direction.
Many cultivators listened, and Lu Xuanji also listened.
Just listening, he started to feel drowsy.
These matters were too distant for him.
To him, the most important thing now was to cultivate diligently; other things were temporarily beyond his concern.
He was just a little novice at the Third Layer of Qi Cultivation, not even qualified to be cannon fodder, looking to explore the outside world required at least the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation.
Otherwise, at a mere Third Layer of Qi Cultivation, he couldn't expect his enemies to all be at the First or Second Layer, weaker than him.
That was unrealistic, even impossible.
"You may leave, those under sixty years old and with Three Spirit Roots, stay temporarily." At this moment, the ancestor spoke.
Immediately, cultivators began to leave one after another.
There were about three hundred cultivators under sixty in the clan, the majority having Five Spirit Roots and Four Spirit Roots.
As for those with Three Spirit Roots, there were only less than twelve.
These twelve were the future candidates for Foundation Establishment.
The oldest was already fifty-eight, the youngest only eight.
Among them, the highest cultivation had reached the peak of Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation, while the weakest was only at the First Layer, making Lu Xuanji seem extremely inconspicuous among them.
"You are all new generation seeds. The Lu Family will do its best to find Foundation Establishment Pills for you, helping you establish Foundation... But you must also strive hard, not asking you to be great saints, but at least maintain basic human decency." The ancestor said, beginning to point out advice to the present cultivators.
One by one, precise guidance was given.
The Purple Mansion Ancestor, with immense wisdom, pointed out shortcomings and flaws at a high level, providing targeted solutions.
Many cultivators listened, having sudden realizations.
Because of the ancestor's guidance, they avoided many detours.
After the guidance, cultivators gradually left.
After a long time, it was finally Lu Xuanji's turn.
"Xuanji, your aptitude is top-tier. There's not much else to say, just remind you of one thing, take fewer elixirs to improve cultivation; every medicine has toxicity."
"I hope you don't compete with others for speed, but for foundation. Without taking elixirs, your cultivation speed may be slower, but you gain in stability, in having a deep foundation. Strong individuals are not afraid of progressing slowly, but fear having an unstable foundation; fast in the beginning, but slow later on."
The ancestor advised, seeming to recall some unpleasant memories.
The existence of elixirs has led many cultivators to rely on paying to boost cultivation.
There emerged prodigies who reached the peak of Qi Cultivation at twenty, and Foundation Establishment at thirty after taking Foundation Establishment Pills.
Such geniuses can be called prodigies.
However, what good does it do if they are fast early on but lack stability later, losing hope on Purple Mansion and Golden Core.
A solid foundation early on at least reduces later resources wastage.
...
After everyone left,
three figures appeared in the hall, they were Lu Xuance, Lu Yanping, and Lu Xiuxin, who had been slain earlier.
"Remember, from today onwards, you are already dead, do not set foot in Qingshui Commandery again."
"Leave."
The ancestor coldly said.
After all, they were clan members, siding with kin rather than reason, truly killing them was impossible.
Impossible.
However, from today onwards, they would live in anonymity, entering a kind of social death.