My construction materials are weird

The reason for not upgrading is simple.

Currently, due to the innate spiritual energy, cultivators from the Four Great Sects and Eight Medium Sects can barely survive long-term in their main peak headquarters.

If the height and essence of these mountains are increased, it would be another round of strengthening.

Having just barely adapted, another round of strengthening would drive the cultivators of the Four Great Sects and Eight Medium Sects off the main peak headquarters.

“After this fusion ends, Qingyun Mountain will truly become a sacred ground, and even within Qingyun Mountain, those with weaker cultivation levels will face distance issues,” Sun Tong said.

With an area of three thousand miles in radius, some with weaker cultivation levels will indeed feel lost; it's too vast.

Simply traveling will take a lot of time.

“You can have Jianmu create more small hills and spiritual lands suitable for rogue cultivators to survive. This way, rogue cultivators can also have decent cave dwellings, after all, the area is large,” Sun Tong added.

This is a way to alleviate the conflict.

After all, the good places are occupied by the major forces, and the living space for rogue cultivators within the previous hundred-mile radius seemed very small.

Now, with a radius of three thousand miles, some treasures can be created for them to establish themselves.

For example, nurturing three thousand smaller hills for the strongest three thousand rogue cultivators to occupy, which can stimulate competition among them.

Who wouldn't want their own independent treasure land?

Moreover, in the long run, these rogue cultivators will all become founders of various sects in the future. Leaving them a cave dwelling treasure land in the sacred ground has great significance for cohesion.

Descendants would come to admire and remember the first generation of holy disciples who followed the Dao Lord to study and seek enlightenment.

“This idea is good, it can be implemented, Jianmu, pay attention to it,” Xuan Huang said to Jianmu.

There was no explicit answer, but Jianmu had already agreed, knowing what to do.

“Master Xuan, what about the others from the Mysterious Association?”

After Master Xuan agreed to her little suggestion, Sun Tong inquired about the aftermath of the Mysterious Association.

“This?” Xuan Huang was stunned.

It seemed he hadn't paid attention to this.

“Wan Ling, are you still in control of the branch associations of the Mysterious Association that were scattered in various places before?” Xuan Huang asked, to Sun Tong's confusion.

“Hua!”

A halo appeared, and a illusory figure of an old man in gray robes emerged.

“Reporting to the Lord, they are still under control, no further actions have been taken, please instruct,” Wan Ling said.

After speaking, he bowed to Sun Tong and said: “Greetings, Daoist Friend Sun Tong.”

Then he stopped speaking, lowered his head, and waited solemnly for Xuan Huang's instructions.

“This is the artifact spirit of the Myriad Spirits Palace. You wouldn't understand the specific reasons even if I told you. In short, just understand that it is different from other supreme treasures, its intelligence is equivalent to normal human beings,” Xuan Huang said to Sun Tong.

“Greetings, Daoist Friend Wan Ling,” Sun Tong quickly returned the greeting upon seeing this.

After all, this was the artifact spirit of a fifth-order magic treasure, equivalent to a fifth-order Venerable.

“These spirit masters have already fallen into evil ways and deserve to die. I won't interfere… You can discuss with Chief Steward Sun what to do later. In addition, you should assimilate the Merit Hall as well. Don't waste the teleportation ability and the branch associations of the Mysterious Association scattered in various places before. Discuss the specifics with Chief Steward Sun, I won't interfere.”

Xuan Huang preferred to be a hands-off shopkeeper, and didn't want to waste his time on such trivial matters.

Those spirit masters deserved to die, that was certain.

But after killing these spirit masters, the worlds previously connected by the Mysterious Association should also be preserved.

Although Xuan Huang had no intention of advancing abroad.

But it was always good to have a passage, it could be unused, but it couldn't be absent.

“Yes, Master Xuan (Lord),” both agreed.

“How many are there specifically?” Xuan Huang still asked.

“Lord, there are twelve branch associations of the Mysterious Association, each with nearly a hundred spirit masters. Moreover, because they recently lost contact with the headquarters, these people are very concentrated, afraid of accidents, so they are hiding in the twelve branch associations and can be wiped out in one fell swoop,” Wan Ling said.

“That's just right, saving a lot of effort. … Also, can only twelve associations be branched out?” Xuan Huang asked again.

“Lord, there can be more, even infinite, it's just a division of my will. The reason there are only twelve is because Qiao Liangyu is ultimately just a contractor, not the true owner of the Mysterious Association. That's all he can do. Even these twelve are not up to him, but the instinctive application of the Mysterious Association itself.”

Hearing this, Xuan Huang understood.

It was possible to infinitely replicate branch associations, the previous twelve were just what Qiao Liangyu could use, not the limit of the Mysterious Association.

“Understood, let's still discuss it with Chief Steward Sun.”

Xuan Huang still didn't interfere, letting them discuss it.

“Yes!” Both continued to respond.

“You can withdraw for now!”

Ending the remaining problems of the Mysterious Association, Xuan Huang let Wan Ling withdraw.

“Master Xuan, I seemed to have heard the word contractor just now…” Sun Tong had listened very carefully just now.

“That's right, contractor. Qiao Liangyu is not a spirit master, strictly speaking, he is a cultivator. The Myriad Spirits Palace has powerful auxiliary abilities…”

Xuan Huang began to describe to Sun Tong.

Doing so was also to save trouble. He planned to hand over the planning of how to utilize the auxiliary abilities of Wan Ling to the Merit Hall.

“… In short, if the contractor is utilized well, it will be a new path. When you and Wan Ling discuss it, also discuss this issue. If you are not sure, you can also expand the meeting and bring in the Four Great Sects to discuss it… The main beneficiaries of the contractor are not the cultivators of Qingyun Mountain, and even those in Nan City are few, but the most common ordinary cultivators…”

As Xuan Huang spoke, Sun Tong's eyes suddenly lit up.

After Xuan Huang finished speaking, she said: “Master Xuan, I came this time to clarify the changes in Qingyun Mountain and to report on the recent situation. I don't know if you know about the discussion involving ordinary cultivators with mediocre aptitude?”

“I know!” Xuan Huang said.

“Then, what do you think?” Sun Tong asked.

“Me? I'm watching while sitting, it doesn't matter!” Xuan Huang said.

“Uh! I knew you would answer like this. After all, to you, everything is creation, insignificant and trivial,” Sun Tong said with a wry smile.

“Yes, that's indeed the case!” Xuan Huang said.

“But in the cultivation world, it has triggered a great ideological trend. It's just that everyone doesn't dare to speak out, for fear of provoking public anger… Just now, your description of the contractor showed me the direction,” Sun Tong said.

“Tell me about it,” Xuan Huang said with a smile, actually, he knew Sun Tong's thoughts, just giving his subordinates a chance to play out.

By the way, verifying his own ideas, he could point out any inappropriate places, and also learn from places he hadn't thought of.

“You must first tell me, can the so-called experience truly achieve equality, regardless of life and death?” Sun Tong asked.

This was very important.

“Naturally, that's the case!”

Sun Tong, having received a definite answer, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good. As long as we treat everyone equally, regardless of life or death, we can describe the Contractors as a new path you've opened up for cultivators with ordinary talent. These cultivators enter it, and if they die, they die; if they live, they'll improve."

"...This way, we can filter out those who defy fate and eliminate those who are destined to fail."

That was Sun Tong's plan. Of course, it was just a rough plan at the moment and hadn't been thoroughly demonstrated.

However, the wording was very grand.

Success is called defying fate, and failure is called destiny.

It's about letting cultivators with ordinary talent see a path of hope, becoming Contractors bound to the Myriad Spirits Palace, entering it, undergoing trials, and completing tasks.

If they fail, they die; if they succeed, they receive rewards from the Myriad Spirits Palace, thereby improving their cultivation.

This is a straightforward and honorable scheme.

Those who are truly unmotivated, afraid of death, and unwilling to make progress will completely lose their defenses and be exposed to everyone!

Before, these slackers could say that their talents were not good enough, and there was no way to improve, gaining everyone's sympathy.

Now, there is no chance for sympathy. If your talent is not good enough, then go risk your life! If you don't even dare to do that, what else is there to say?

Such people will lose their shield, and no one will pity them.

"Aren't you afraid that some people will say this is oppressing them, making them die?" Xuan Huang asked.

"This? How could that be? Who would have this idea?" Sun Tong asked in surprise, "Don't cultivators with good talent have to risk their lives? Everyone is desperately cultivating, who would say this is oppression?"

Sun Tong's words reflected the current situation of Qingyun Mountain.

Cultivators are not afraid of death; they are afraid of not having a chance.

This is the key point. Therefore, who would dare to say that this is oppression and forcing them to die?

Those cultivators who want opportunities but don't have them will be furious.

They would curse loudly: A bunch of useless things, might as well beat them to death. Living is a disgrace to cultivators, it's simply unbearable.

Currently, they are all first-generation entrepreneurs; there are no second-generation cultivators yet.

First-generation cultivators are first-generation entrepreneurs, and their status is earned by risking their lives.

"Not bad, our Qingyun Mountain is still worthy of praise in this regard. The cultivators are all very good," Xuan Huang said, then asked, "What if there are truly those who are afraid of death?"

"Haha, Master Xuan, I can't wait for them to appear. It's good that they appear. When those who are afraid of death appear, it means that the shield of the weak has been broken by them. When that time comes, public opinion will naturally reverse," Sun Tong said with a smile.

Then he added, "Even if they don't admit that they are afraid of death, it doesn't matter. For example, if a cultivator is afraid of death but tells everyone that there are unavoidable reasons, even if they escape like this, it doesn't matter. After a long time, no one will believe them even if they say they are forced to."

"In this way, our goal will be achieved."

"Are you planning to make it mandatory?" Xuan Huang asked the last question.

"No, Master Xuan, how could it be mandatory? Besides, we are not really cutting off the path for those with ordinary talent. Instead, we are imposing a constraint on them, preventing them from relying on the idea that 'I am weak, so I am right,' or 'I have poor talent, so I deserve pity.' What we want is to break this fallacy. If these people dare to bully ordinary people again in the future, then there is nothing to say; follow the rules."

This was Sun Tong's purpose.

It's not that cultivators with ordinary talent are truly prevented from cultivating, but rather a sword is hanging over their heads.

Poor talent is not a reason for you to be self-indulgent, nor is it a reason for you to bully ordinary people.

Break their public opinion kidnapping.

"Well, the plan is acceptable. People always need to be pushed. How can miracles be created without being forced? The Tao cannot be spoken, it is mysterious and profound!"

Xuan Huang agreed with this plan.

"Thank you, Master Xuan, for your praise. This is just a rough idea I came up with in a short time. After I go back, I will hold a large-scale meeting and discuss a more perfect method with the Four Great Families. After all, this is the biggest problem they face, and they are more concerned than I am," Sun Tong said.

"It can both break the golden body and help the Myriad Spirits. Let's do it this way. ...Are there any other matters to report?"

"Yes, it's about Qiao Liangyu's attack on the teleportation array before, which caused a lot of damage. Please punish me, Master Xuan. Your subordinate did not take good care of them and has failed your trust," Sun Tong said solemnly.

"It's not all your fault. I only entrusted you to take care of the home, not to take all the blame on yourself. These mistakes are more the fault of the Four Great Families and the Eight Medium Families. You are exempt," Xuan Huang waved his hand.

"Thank you, Master Xuan," Sun Tong said, somewhat moved.

After taking a deep breath and calming his mind, he added, "In addition, I punished the Four Great Families and warned them not to be greedy. Also, not long ago, Lord Jin Xing killed the conspiracy of the top-level realm, the three major battlefields... Lord Jin Xing also decided on his own to let the realm's saint Lu Dongbin leave a sword monument..."

In short, Sun Tong told Xuan Huang about all the problems that occurred during his seclusion.

He also told him about the solutions he had dealt with, as well as some that had not been completely dealt with, waiting for Xuan Huang's decision.

"The Four Great Families are indeed a bit greedy. Your warning is very correct. Let them discuss it with Tushan. If they don't do it, it means they don't want to be decent. You can help them be decent. The spirit beasts are developing well under the leadership of Tushan, and it's time for them to be tempered..."

"I know about the strange things that Lord Jin Xing killed. I know about the actions of those top-level realms. Hmph, they will have a hard time. You will know in a while. I have a plan."

"As for Lu Dongbin leaving a sword monument, let him leave it. It's not important. On the contrary, it will help the cultivators. At least many sword masters will rise..."

"..."

Xuan Huang said everything, in short, giving Sun Tong affirmation.

Sun Tong stayed for a while before leaving.

After Sun Tong left, Xuan Huang came to the outside of the main hall, admiring the beautiful scenery of the high altitude and the newly born Myriad Spirits Palace.

The spiritual roots and herbs previously planted in the other courtyard were also taken away a lot this time.

For example, that peach tree has already entered the second level.

When Xuan Huang looked at it, it suddenly bloomed like a spring breeze overnight, showing its most beautiful side to Xuan Huang at the moment he saw it.

Peach blossoms filled the branches, like a hymn to life.

"Not bad, not bad!"

Xuan Huang didn't know if he was talking to the peach tree or talking to himself.

After he finished speaking, all things had spirits, especially the spiritual roots and herbs in Xuan Huang's courtyard.

They seemed to have received an instruction, all striving to show their most beautiful appearance: blooming flowers, bearing fruit, and sprouting branches.

The most beautiful and most agile scene was dedicated to Xuan Huang.

"I am not the Azure Emperor, but a hundred flowers bloom in one place, haha!"

Xuan Huang's hearty laughter echoed in the Myriad Spirits Palace, where a hundred flowers were in full bloom.

... (End of chapter)