97: family changes

In the side room of the Fangmu Mountain Council Great Hall, a red sandalwood Eight Immortals table stood in the center.

On the table, a teapot continuously emitted wisps of white steam.

On either side of the Eight Immortals table, a young man in a green shirt and a Middle-aged cultivator in a Daoist Robe sat facing each other, deep in conversation.

The young Cultivator was Lin Shiming, who had just come out of the Earth Fire Hall, and the Middle-aged cultivator was Lin Shiming’s Fifth Uncle, Lin Houyong.

Grand Elder Lin Yuqing, his father, and Fifth Elder were all currently in Lingnan County, so all of the Lin Family’s affairs, big and small, were being managed by his Fifth Uncle.

In about two months, the Family’s clan meeting would be held again, and at that time, Lin Shiming’s appointment as Clan Chief would be announced.

This would also be the third clan meeting Lin Shiming had participated in.

“The clan meeting is approaching, Shiming, there’s something I need to tell you in advance.” Lin Houyong’s expression was clearly not particularly good.

“Over the past three years, the number of Family Cultivators hasn’t changed much. There are nine Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level Cultivators, an increase of two. Six Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators made a Breakthrough, but six were also lost, so the number remains twenty-eight. There are forty Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, which is not only fewer than three years ago, but even two fewer than six years ago. However, there are now ninety Early Stage Qi Refining Cultivators and twenty Innate Cultivators!”

After Lin Houyong finished speaking, Lin Shiming’s expression also became somewhat grim.

It had been six years since the double stipend policy was implemented, and for the past three years, Family Cultivators had enjoyed double stipends, with additional rewards for Alchemy and Artifact Refining. However, the growth of Cultivators during this period was subtly inferior to the previous three years.

Although this was partly due to the sacrifice of several Cultivators, it’s important to note that the increased Late Stage and Middle Stage Cultivators included geniuses like Lin Shiming, Lin Shijie, and Lin Shitao.

This was completely unreasonable for a Foundation Establishment Family.

Although the Family was suppressed by the Li Family, the Lin Family’s stipends were distributed in full.

Even if the Spiritual Roots were slightly inferior, making it difficult to increase Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, the increase in Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivators should never have been so small.

This made Lin Shiming feel a sense of crisis, a crisis for the Family.

He understood that this was related to the Family’s demon-hunting team withdrawing from the Qingyun Mountain Range, and also to the Family’s lack of a strong enterprising spirit.

Family reform was imperative.

Otherwise, even if they reached Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion, the Lin Family would only be a castle in the air.

And how could a castle in the air contend with a Purple Mansion Family like the Li Family? Even if they developed for another three hundred years, they would probably still be destined for suppression.

They might even disappear.

That day, Lin Shiming and Fifth Uncle Lin Houyong talked for a full day before Lin Shiming left.

A day later, Lin Shiming appeared at the Green Lotus Pond again, reporting to Clan Leader Lin Xianzhi for a long time.

Only when the reforms began to take shape did Lin Shiming return to his Immortal Cave to Cultivate his Spiritual Qi… Two months passed quietly, and Fangmu Mountain was once again adorned with lanterns and decorations. All of the Family’s Cultivators, except for those stationed in Lingnan County and Xing County Market, had returned.

Compared to three years ago, all the Lin Family Cultivators were beaming with joy and radiating health, their complexions noticeably better.

They chatted in small groups, enjoying themselves immensely!

Lin Shiming was among them, but he was now in the Elder’s seat. Joining him as newly appointed Elders were his Second Uncle Lin Houshou and his eldest brother Lin Shijie.

As the auspicious hour arrived, Lin Xianzhi appeared, dressed in a green Daoist Robe.

The Lin Family first performed ancestral worship at the ancestral hall, and after its completion, they returned to the Council Great Hall.

The esteemed Lin Xianzhi was the first to announce:

“The Lin Family clan meeting recommences after three years. I announce that from today, Lin Houyuan and Lin Houyong are promoted to Foundation Establishment Grand Elder, and shall enjoy Foundation Establishment offerings!”

“At the same time, Lin Shiming of the Shi Generation will take over as Clan Chief!”

Lin Xianzhi’s voice was not loud, and his words were spoken quite calmly, but in the hearts of all the Lin Family Cultivators, they were filled with authority and unquestionable power.

The Lin Family Cultivators had no major objections to Lin Shiming’s succession as Clan Chief; this matter had even been foreshadowed as early as the previous three-year clan meeting.

Moreover, Lin Shiming had made numerous contributions, and his contribution points in the Family were now even higher than some Elders.

“Shiming, please report on the recent situation of the Family Cultivators!”

“Yes, Seventh Grand Uncle!” Lin Shiming nodded, then reread the data Lin Houyong had given him two months prior.

“Over the past three years, the Family has three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, with two new Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the former Clan Chief and Fifth Uncle Lin Houyong! This is truly gratifying!”

“There are nine Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level Cultivators, an increase of three, namely Lin Shiming of the Shi Generation, Lin Shijie, and Thirteenth Uncle Lin Houwei. This is also truly gratifying!”

“But!” Lin Shiming’s eyes suddenly changed, emphasizing the two words heavily.

“Six Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivators made a Breakthrough, but six were also lost, so the number remains twenty-eight. There are forty Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivators, which is not only fewer than three years ago, but even two fewer than six years ago. There are now ninety Early Stage Qi Refining Cultivators and twenty Innate Cultivators!”

“What does this indicate?”

“This indicates that some Cultivators of the Shi Generation have begun to indulge in pleasure, and some Cultivators believe that having Four Spiritual Roots or Five Spiritual Roots means they can stop striving for progress!”

“Even some with Three Spiritual Roots have started to slack off!”

“But the increased stipends from the Family are not for you to indulge in pleasure!”

As Lin Shiming spoke, the expressions of many young Family Cultivators suddenly changed.

Especially those Early Stage Qi Refining Cultivators and Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivators.

They were afraid that Lin Shiming would cancel the Family’s double stipend system.

“The Family must undergo reform!” Lin Shiming spoke again.

“The double stipend will be adjusted today!”

As soon as these words came out, everyone instantly erupted in an uproar, especially the troublesome Cultivators among them, who kept muttering below.

The next moment, Lin Shiming’s Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level pressure appeared, followed by the pressure of all the Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level Elders.

Then came Lin Xianzhi’s pressure!

The Foundation Establishment pressure was not fully released, but at this moment, everyone felt a chill.

Only then did they remember.

In the Family, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators had not indulged, nor had the Qi Refining Stage Ninth Level Elders.

“From today onwards, the double stipend is canceled, but the double stipend for outstanding Cultivators will be retained!”

“What constitutes an outstanding Cultivator? An Early Stage Qi Refining Cultivator who advances two levels in three years is an outstanding Cultivator. A Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivator who advances one level in three years is an outstanding Cultivator. A Late Stage Qi Refining Cultivator who advances one level in six years is an outstanding Cultivator!”

“Additionally, those who can successfully challenge Cultivators beyond their own stage are also considered outstanding Cultivators!”

“Those with Four Spiritual Roots or Five Spiritual Roots who complete the assessment will have their stipend increased to triple. Those who challenge two stages above their own will also receive triple stipend! This will increase incrementally!”

As Lin Shiming spoke, the young Cultivators of the Lin Family felt a surge of excitement.

Initially, they were displeased about the reduction in stipends, but upon hearing that challenging two stages above one’s own could earn triple stipend, and that those with Four Spiritual Roots or Five Spiritual Roots who completed the assessment could also earn triple stipend, most of them became satisfied.

And the small portion of those who were not striving for progress dared not say another word at this moment.

However, this was not all. Lin Shiming cleared his throat again and spoke:

“Furthermore, for those with poor talent but who still wish to enjoy the Family’s double stipend, you can choose to marry and have children. Giving birth to a Five Spiritual Roots child will restore three months of double stipend on top of the existing reward. Giving birth to a Four Spiritual Roots child will restore one year of double stipend on top of the existing reward. Giving birth to a Three Spiritual Roots child will restore six years of double stipend on top of the existing reward. Giving birth to a Dual Spiritual Roots Cultivator will restore ten years of triple basic stipend on top of the existing reward. Giving birth to a Heavenly Spiritual Roots Cultivator will restore a permanent triple basic stipend on top of the existing reward!”

As Lin Shiming spoke, with each additional sentence, the Cultivators below became more excited.

Cultivating was difficult, but having children was not.

Lin Shiming had also calculated that children born to Immortals generally had better Spiritual Roots and a higher probability of having Spiritual Roots.

He got this reform plan from Lin Shizhong’s father. Since Mortals could do it, why couldn’t some Immortals who were not striving for progress?

And with Lingnan County and the Glinting Metal Stone Vein, the Lin Family could fully afford the Family’s stipends.

Now the Family needed more Cultivators; it needed progress!