33: Chapter 33 Recent Developments at Cloud Mist Mountain

Fang Yuan circulated his Spiritual Qi, channeling it toward his eyes.

"Spirit Eye Technique!"

He performed a basic Spell.

He could clearly see the Spiritual Qi intensity of these two Disciples.

One was at Qi Refining Level 2, and the other had just entered Qi Refining Level 3.

The two Disciples also grew solemn; they sensed a slight fluctuation in Spiritual Qi but didn't know what Spell this person had cast.

They couldn't even sense the newcomer's Aura strength, making them feel very apprehensive.

"This is the Luoyun Sect's Cloud Mist Mountain. Who are you!" that Disciple shouted again.

Fang Yuan smiled and said, "I am the Inner Sect Disciple sent to take over the position of Mountain Master. My name is Fang Yuan."

Hearing this, the two Disciples first felt relieved, then overjoyed.

"So it is the Mountain Master arriving for duty. Please forgive our presumption, but may we check your mountain lord token and Identity Token?"

Fang Yuan casually took out two tokens.

The mountain lord token released a glow that shone upon the two of them.

The two men's Identity Tokens also lit up with a glow.

"Disciples pay their respects to the Mountain Master!" the two Disciples immediately said respectfully.

Fang Yuan waved his hand. "No need for such formality. What are your names?"

"My name is Qi Pinghu," the thinner Named Disciple at Qi Refining Level 3 spoke first.

"My name is Yu Xiqing," the other Disciple responded.

"Mm." Fang Yuan nodded calmly.

Qi Pinghu immediately said, "Mountain Master, how about I lead you to the courtyard first? Let Xiqing stay here on guard."

"Fine," Fang Yuan nodded.

Qi Pinghu immediately led the way for Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan followed with slow steps, though his pace was actually quite fast.

Qi Pinghu's figure leaped and moved constantly, but when he looked back, Mountain Master Fang had his hands behind his back, strolling leisurely.

He secretly speculated about the Mountain Master's strength while also worrying about the future development of Cloud Mist Mountain.

When the two of them reached the mountaintop courtyard...

Over a hundred Disciples had already gathered at the main gate.

A woman led the crowd out, and they all bowed in unison. "Greetings, Mountain Master!"

Spiritual light flashed in Fang Yuan's eyes as he scanned all the Disciples present.

Most were below Qi Refining Level 3. There were only ten at Qi Refining Level 4, and only one at Qi Refining Level 5—the female Disciple standing at the front.

Fang Yuan looked at her and asked, "Were you the one managing this place before? How should I address you?"

"Reporting to the Mountain Master, I was indeed managing Cloud Mist Mountain on an interim basis. I am Li Xinyi," the woman replied.

Li Xinyi quietly sized up Fang Yuan, secretly wondering if this new Mountain Master would immediately try to assert his authority with 'three fires' upon taking office.

Fang Yuan nodded. "Since that's the case, you continue managing things. The rest of you may disperse. You, lead me to my residence."

"Uh, yes!"

Li Xinyi immediately nodded.

The hundred-odd Disciples had only caught a glimpse of Fang Yuan before being dismissed again.

Qi Pinghu went back to guarding the mountain gate.

Li Xinyi led Fang Yuan to the tallest building among the many structures in the courtyard.

"Mountain Master, this is your residence. You can use the mountain lord token to open the Formation Restriction here."

Fang Yuan took out the mountain lord token and pressed it against the door.

The Formation emitted a burst of light, and then the main door opened automatically.

Fang Yuan walked in and said to Li Xinyi, "Come in."

"Yes!"

Fang Yuan arrived at the meeting hall and casually sat in the main seat.

"Sit!"

Li Xinyi also sat down composedly.

Fang Yuan asked calmly, "How long has it been since the previous Mountain Master left?"

Li Xinyi said, "When the previous Mountain Master left, it was already seven years ago."

Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "What is the annual income?"

Li Xinyi gave a helpless, bitter smile. "About seventeen thousand Spirit Stones."

Fang Yuan was surprised. "I saw some data saying Cloud Mist Mountain has an annual income of thirty thousand and a profit of eight thousand."

"Those are all figures from seven years ago," Li Xinyi complained. "After the previous Mountain Master left, his Medicinal Pill business also stopped immediately, and the revenue dropped drastically. The previous Mountain Master was an Alchemist who could refine Spiritual Plants into Medicinal Pills, which is how there was thirty thousand in income. Now there's only seventeen thousand Spirit Stones in income. After deducting the contribution to the Sect, only seven thousand Spirit Stones are left. It's simply not enough; we can't even afford to eat Spiritual Rice anymore."

"In recent years, everyone's cultivation resources have been tight, and cultivation progress has been slow. If it weren't for the Sect rules, these Disciples would have wanted to leave this property and go to others long ago. In fact, those with connections have already left," Li Xinyi said.

She took out an account book and handed it to Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan flipped through it and gained a general understanding of Cloud Mist Mountain's situation.

Herbs could harvest twelve thousand Spirit Stones annually, and Yao Beast rearing could earn five thousand Spirit Stones.

These were all Low Grade Tier 1 low-quality industries.

This place should actually be classified as a lower-middle Tier 1 industry.

"Don't worry about the Spirit Stones," Fang Yuan reassured Li Xinyi, then asked, "Besides that, does Cloud Mist Mountain have any other troubles or problems?"

Li Xinyi's expression became serious as she said, "Cloud Mist Mountain is connected to a branch of Wanzhang Mountain. Every so often, Yao Beasts migrate from there and launch a miniature beast tide. At that time, High Grade Tier 1 Yao Beasts might come to attack the Sect because this is one of the few places with a Spiritual Vein."

Fang Yuan frowned and asked, "Every so often? How long? How have you all survived these seven years?"

"About once every ten years!" Li Xinyi said. "Before the previous Mountain Master left, we had just passed a beast tide, so in the next year or two, another beast tide is likely to appear."

Fang Yuan nodded. "What else?"

"The other thing is the matter of recruiting Disciples!"

Li Xinyi said seriously, "The area within three hundred miles has five large cities, which are the entry points for recruiting Spiritual Root talents. The Immortal Ascension Assembly is held at a fixed time every year. Previously, because the Mountain Master was absent, the Spiritual Root talents we could recruit were very few; most were snatched away by other forces."

She added helplessly, "The Sect has already issued a warning, telling us to be more diligent, but without a master overseeing things, we really have no way! Now that you've arrived, the Sect will likely issue quotas requiring us to recruit a certain number of Disciples."

"How much time is left?" Fang Yuan asked.

"There are only about two months left," Li Xinyi said.

Fang Yuan stroked his chin and said, "What else?"

Li Xinyi thought for a moment and said, "The rest is the issue of tempering. Because the Mountain Master was absent, the Disciples lost their Aura when they went out for experience. When they encountered other forces, they were at a disadvantage. After seven years, there aren't many places left where we can go for tempering."

Fang Yuan nodded, having gained a general understanding of the situation.

"I understand. I can solve all these matters. For now, just pacify the Disciples. Don't cause trouble during this time; just keep doing what you're supposed to do."

Fang Yuan said calmly.

"Alright." Li Xinyi hesitated for a moment before saying awkwardly, "Mountain Master, Cloud Mist Mountain hasn't paid the Disciples' stipends for a long time. Could you..."

Fang Yuan understood. Even an emperor doesn't use hungry soldiers. These Disciples would be his subordinates from now on. As long as he was at Cloud Mist Mountain, these people would have to listen to him. In that case, it was necessary to distribute some Spirit Stones to win them over.