The Spiritual Peach Tree can be exchanged for twenty-five reputation points.
Lu Ping is quite interested in this item.
The Spiritual Peach Tree ripens once a year, and the spiritual peaches it produces are treasures comparable to Qi Cultivation Pills. Planting Spiritual Peach Trees is much more beneficial than farming.
The Spiritual Peach Trees provided by the system are high-yield spirit woods. A single tree can produce about sixty spiritual peaches, each worth three spirit stones.
Three Spiritual Peach Trees can yield over one hundred and eighty peaches in a high-yield year, with a total value of about five hundred and forty spirit stones.
The Spiritual Peach Tree is also easy to manage; once planted, it can grow for decades, even centuries, bearing spiritual peaches annually.
The sect currently lacks spirit stones, and planting Spiritual Peach Trees could significantly increase the sect's revenue over time, helping the sect overcome its difficulties.
Using the peach blossoms from the Spiritual Peach Tree to brew wine is also a profitable way to earn spirit stones.
As the Ancestor, Lu Ping naturally won't just watch the sect suffer; he should help generate income for the sect.
Planting Spiritual Peach Trees is generating income for the sect, something that can be exchanged, but Lu Ping thought about it and decided not now.
There are only fifty reputation points, which are very precious and must be used sparingly.
It's still early; the disciples have yet to vote on whether to sell the Sect Establishment Order or suspend the salary for three years, so waiting doesn't hurt.
While Lu Ping was contemplating, the discussions around him began to yield results.
Several disciples first stepped out, standing upright on the left side, making it very clear they chose to suspend the salary for three years.
This action immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"Ah, since some senior brothers are willing to generously support the sect, how can I stand in opposition to you."
"Three years is just a fleeting moment for cultivators."
Seeing someone take the lead, a few more disciples went to the left side.
"My salary is not much; three years without it is fine."
He said this while shaking his head, not sure if he was complaining about his low cultivation and thus low salary, or if he had already decided on the left side.
Seeing that some disciples had made their choice and were willing to share the sect's hardships, Lu Yuanshan showed some appreciation in his eyes.
Many disciples had already thought about it and now were making an example.
Some disciples stood to the right, choosing to sell the Sect Establishment Order, which inevitably attracted some strange looks, but that was all.
The sect has been in decline for over a decade, unable to revive. Those who could leave have left, joining other factions to seek new paths.
Now, those willing to stay in the sect either have low talents and cultivation, making them undesirable to outside sects, or they have feelings for the Cyan Mountain Sect and are unwilling to leave.
Everyone is aware but chooses not to speak about it.
The Sect Leader offered two choices; no matter which one is chosen, there is no need to worry about offending the Sect Leader or being disloyal to the sect.
...
An hour quickly passed.
During this time, Lu Yuanshan went out once, found Tang Zhixian, activated the Sect Protection Array, opened the mountain gate, and let Tang Zhixian leave the mountain.
Lu Changfeng stayed in the hall and did not see him off. Why bother seeing him off, that scoundrel who betrays his benefactors, out of sight, out of mind.
At this moment, the voting in the hall concluded.
Lu Yuanshan compared the numbers on both sides and cleared his throat.
"The voting has ended, and the results are clear. I believe with your efforts, the sect will overcome difficulties and thrive in the next three years."
In total, twenty-four disciples voted, with sixteen on the left side and eight on the right. Clearly, the side that chose to suspend the salary for three years won.
The minority obeys the majority, ending this meeting.
Lu Yuanshan was quite satisfied with this voting result, as it aligned with his intentions.
In the worst-case scenario, if the investment fails and the sect's economy doesn't improve, the Sect Establishment Order is still in hand, isn't it?
If truly desperate, selling the Sect Establishment Order then would suffice. The spirit stones obtained could also be used to pay the disciples' three-year salary and provide rewards.
Of course, Lu Yuanshan hopes that day never comes.
Most disciples are willing to generously support and help the sect through its difficulties, which deeply touched Lu Yuanshan's heart.
After all, unlike a family, where members naturally help and unite due to blood relations.
The Cyan Mountain Sect is just a sect, not a family; the disciples come from all over and could easily prioritize personal interests.
The good thing is, aside from Tang Zhixian, most disciples in the Cyan Mountain Sect are cohesive, which is a pleasant surprise.
The meeting ended, and Lu Yuanshan instructed the disciples to disperse.
The disciples left in an orderly manner, and the hall quickly quieted down.
Lu Yuanshan did not linger, looked at Lu Changfeng and Lu Zhiwei, and spoke.
"Second brother, little sister, although today's meeting concluded satisfactorily and provided a direction for the sect's future, the sect is still financially tight."
"The sect is currently in a difficult situation, with only twenty-three reserved spirit stones, which will soon be exhausted."
"So, for the next three years, your salaries will be suspended as previously discussed. I hope you understand."
"Brother, what are you talking about? In times of difficulty, I'm naturally willing to contribute to the sect. It's no problem to have three years less salary."
Lu Changfeng waved his hand indifferently. He knew the sect was in difficulty and would assist when needed, not being self-centered. But Tang Zhixian's departure made him sigh at the unpredictability of people's hearts.
"I'll follow your suggestion."
Lu Zhiwei also responded.
She took out a silver-white Spirit Sword and handed it to Lu Yuanshan: "Let this Zhaoyun Sword serve as my subsidy to the sect."
Seeing Lu Zhiwei's actions, Lu Yuanshan was momentarily stunned: "Little sister, what are you..."
Lu Changfeng also froze, not understanding what Lu Zhiwei was doing.
Before they could ask, Lu Zhiwei spoke: "Big brother, second brother, as you said, the sect is in financial straits, with little spirit stone reserves, and it is not easy for the sect's industries to be profitable; we need funds to keep things circulating."
"This Zhaoyun Sword is idle in my hands; it's worth about three hundred spirit stones and could be sold to get spirit stones to aid the sect."
"Selling your spiritual artifact..."
Lu Yuanshan quickly refused: "This is absolutely forbidden!"
Three hundred spirit stones aren't much, but this spiritual artifact is the only Tier Two Middle Grade spiritual artifact in Lu Zhiwei's possession. Selling it would reduce her combat power by at least thirty percent, making this loss outweigh the gain.
As a sect elder, the benefits the sect provides Lu Zhiwei are already minimal, leaving Lu Yuanshan feeling guilty.
Selling Lu Zhiwei's Zhaoyun Sword for spirit stones to aid the sect further made Lu Yuanshan strongly opposed to this idea.
"Indeed, little sister, even if the sect is in a difficult situation, we can find other ways to solve it."
"The Zhaoyun Sword was a birthday gift from father when you turned ten; you've always treasured it. How can you consider selling it?"
Lu Changfeng attempted to persuade: "Little sister, you should keep it."
"Don't say more; my mind is made up."
Seeing her elder brothers disagree, Lu Zhiwei intentionally showed some displeasure.
"I've lost my Dao Heart and no longer seek Dao. This Zhaoyun Sword will only dull in my hands, so it'd be better used to support the sect."
"Little sister..."
Lu Yuanshan wanted to say more, but Lu Zhiwei quickly interrupted.
"No need to persuade me further. If you don't accept it today, I'll eventually take it to the market myself; the outcome will be the same!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Zhiwei firmly placed the Zhaoyun Sword into Lu Yuanshan's hands and quickly left.
Watching her leave, Lu Yuanshan's hands holding the Zhaoyun Sword trembled slightly, and his nose soured.
If the sect weren't impoverished and in a difficult position, who would willingly sell their spiritual artifact—especially the sect's only Tier Two Artifact?
Selling is easy, but redeeming it might not be possible in the future.
The two brothers opened their mouths, seeing their sister's lonely departing silhouette, recalling her increasingly reclusive and weary demeanor over the years, and felt a pang in their hearts.
The two brothers remained silent for a long time.
"Alright then."
Finally, Lu Changfeng broke the silence, sighing: "Big brother, just go along with her wishes; it's also a gesture of goodwill from her."
Lu Yuanshan nodded, carefully stored the Zhaoyun Sword, exchanged a glance with Lu Changfeng, and the two brothers then left the hall.