Chapter 948 - 948 521 The Most Rule-Abiding_2

Chapter 948: Chapter 521 The Most Rule-Abiding_2 Chapter 948: Chapter 521 The Most Rule-Abiding_2 “`

It was precisely because of this that Zhou Wangshen was always brimming with confidence about becoming the Sect Leader of Divine Wood Sect.

So what if Hong He’s cultivation level was higher? His contributions to the Sect were minimal, nothing compared to Zhou Wangshen’s life-and-death struggles in Rock Country.

Although the announcement of Chu Zuoshu stepping down was extremely sudden, the Zhou family still managed to devise a series of plans for Zhou Wangshen’s competition for Sect Leader in record time.

The only variable in this plan was the Nascent Soul Ancestor.

Under the circumstance of Zhou Shengqing’s retreat into seclusion, even if all Three Halls and Twelve Divisions supported Zhou Wangshen, without the approval of Fu Zongjue and Chen Mobai, it would be very difficult for him to rightfully become the Sect Leader.

“Will Elder Fu descend from his position to support his own disciple?”

The Foundation Establishment practitioner Zhou Junzhi from the Zhou family asked somewhat worriedly.

“He won’t. As long as we don’t go overboard and win the election fairly and squarely, Elder Fu will not throw away his dignity for the sake of Hong He.”

Although a Golden Core Cultivator in the Sect possesses power to turn the heavens and the earth, Divine Wood Sect after all has three Golden Cores, and Fu Zongjue cannot command absolute authority. In the grand scheme of things, he most certainly would not forsake his dignity for the mere position of Sect Leader.

The Zhou family’s Great Elder Zhou Junxian had a deep understanding of Fu Zongjue. It was unfortunate that he himself had failed to form his Core, left with only a crippled body, while Fu Zongjue had survived the tribulation.

The two were like the best of sworn brothers, and his analysis of Fu Zongjue was met with nods from everyone present.

“Then what about Elder Chen?”

The Zhou family didn’t know much about this newly emerged Nascent Soul Ancestor of Divine Wood Sect. Although they had heard of his legendary Sword Dao genius, they thought that if he wanted to form his Core, he would at least have to wait his turn until after Chu Zuoshu.

By that time, the Zhou family would have ample time to build a harmonious relationship with him.

Who could have expected that in a short span of just over twenty years, while the Foundation Establishment members of the Zhou family hadn’t even begun to focus on Chen Mobai, he had already successfully formed his Core while abroad.

That was just too fast!

“When I was in Rock Country, I followed Elder Chen many times in life-and-death situations. I have a fair understanding of his character. The thing that Elder Chen values most is rules. When arranging troops and formations, if anyone disobeys his orders, the penalty is always death without mercy. So as long as we act by the rules, he might even support me in becoming the Sect Leader,” Zhou Wangshen said.

As the youngest Foundation Establishment practitioner in the Zhou family and the only direct descendant now showing signs of Core Formation, his words carried weight second only to the Great Elder.

“If that’s the case, it would be for the best,” the other Foundation Establishment practitioners of the Zhou family said, nodding in agreement after hearing this. They felt that it was almost certain Zhou Wangshen would become the new Sect Leader.

The day of the Sect’s grand assembly quickly arrived.

In addition to the upper echelons of the Three Halls and Twelve Divisions, all Foundation Establishment Practitioners who were not in seclusion at Giant Tree Ridge were summoned by the Sect Leader’s decree.

All forty-two Foundation Establishment Practitioners sat solemnly and respectfully behind their desks, waiting.

After Chu Zuoshu, acting as Sect Leader, finished paying his respects in the direction of the three Everlife Woods, everyone rose and followed his lead in shouting.

“We welcome the descent of the Ancestor!”

Two vast streams of Spiritual Light rose from two of the Everlife Woods. In an extremely short period of time, they soared into the sky. Approaching from afar, they descended upon the space above Shenmu Hall before plunging straight into the hall.

As the Spiritual Light dissipated, a handsome young man and a delicate-looking youth emerged.

It was Fu Zongjue and Chen Mobai!

“We pay our respects to the Ancestors!”

In the face of the grand salute from the forty-two Foundation Establishment Practitioners below, Chen Mobai gestured for Fu Zongjue to proceed, who in turn unceremoniously ordered Chu Zuoshu to start the day’s grand assembly.

“The Sect is depleted of Spirit Stones in the treasury after the great battle with Rock Country. The budget for each division needs to be reduced…”

“The Alchemy Department is preparing to refine Demonic beast Foundation Building Pills. Many auxiliary herbs need to be purchased from the major families of the Eastern Wilderness. If the budget is cut, the Elixirs won’t be made. Just cut other divisions, the Alchemy Department cannot be cut…”

“In response to Elder Chen’s call in the past twenty years, the Spirit Plant Division has reclaimed wasteland to grow Spirit Rice. Now we are already severely short-staffed to tend to the medicinal and Spirit Fields. We need a significant amount of Spirit Stones to hire Sect Disciples to look after the Spirit Plants. If the budget is cut, wouldn’t it ruin Elder Chen’s plans for the Spirit Rice? Absolutely not…”

“The Puppet Division is repairing Elder Fu’s Purple Sun Puppet…”

“The Spirit Beast Division…”

“The Body Forging Division…”

“`

The Sect Conference was convened, and Luo Xue’er, the Vice Hall Master of the Reward Virtue Hall and the keeper of the sect’s Spirit Stone Bag, was the first to stand up. She began to propose an internal cost-saving scheme as she had reported to Chen Mobai the previous night.

But no sooner had she finished than her proposal was resisted by virtually all departments.

Moreover, their objections were neither for the sect’s welfare nor did they concern the two elders above.

The implication was clear; the cuts must not affect them.

“We ask the two ancestors to discern that the treasury now has only enough Spirit Stones to last half a year. It is estimated that it will take three and a half years of deficit to recover from the commercial and vein revenues to achieve a balanced budget,” Luo Xue’er persisted doggedly, despite being opposed by all departments.

Normally, a proposal that faced collective opposition would be directly dismissed, but Luo Xue’er refused to give up and brought it to the attention of the two Nascent Soul Ancestors.

In order to check the powers of the Three Halls and Twelve Divisions, rejected proposals could be reported to the elders.

However, since the founding of the Divine Wood Sect, no one had ever done so.

It was an unspoken rule to handle matters without troubling the Nascent Soul Ancestors.

Luo Xue’er’s actions now indicated how desperate the situation was; the Reward Virtue Hall’s supply of Spirit Stones had truly run out, and she had no other options.

“Besides Spirit Stones, what other resources are abundant within the sect?” asked Chen Mobai, seated at the top right.

Luo Xue’er replied, “Thanks to Elder Chen’s efforts in the production of Spirit Rice, the storerooms are now filled with various types of Spirit Rice.”

Chen Mobai added another rule to the sect’s regulations; “If one opts to receive Spirit Rice in place of the annual Spirit Stone stipend, an additional ten percent shall be given as compensation.”

With this suggestion, it was naturally approved by a unanimous vote.

Chu Zuoshu, who had Chen Mobai’s support, took the lead as the Sect Leader and decided to forgo his entire annual stipend for the year to help the sect through its difficulties.

Upon his declaration, everyone stared at him—if looks could kill, Chu Zuoshu would have been riddled with holes by now.

“This disciple is also willing to give up this year’s Spirit Stones,” the second to speak was Zhou Wangshen.

Following him, the Foundation Establishment practitioners of the Zhou family enthusiastically agreed, willing to forego not just one year but the next three years if necessary.

The other Foundation Establishment Practitioners finally understood why they had been called, and though they found themselves in an awkward position, they felt compelled to offer their support as well.

After this round of declarations, six out of the forty-two Foundation Establishment practitioners in the Shenmu Hall remained indifferent, acting as if they hadn’t heard a thing.

Chen Mobai exchanged a look with Fu Zongjue, nodded, and said, “My fellow disciples are willing to risk their lives for the sect; how can we ask you to incur further costs? Let’s issue I.O.U.s for the Spirit Stones, which can be redeemed once the sect’s finances have recovered.”

Upon hearing this, the six Foundation Establishment Practitioners who had not spoken up underwent a subtle change of expression.

But before they had a chance to argue, Chu Zuoshu put forth his intention to step down as Sect Leader.

“This disciple wishes to attempt Core Formation and seeks the blessing of the two ancestors.”

It was for this reason that all Foundation Establishment practitioners who had their eyes on Core Formation aspired to be Sect Leader.

“Agreed!” Fu Zongjue nodded his assent.

“Honored ancestors, with my resignation, the sect cannot remain leaderless for even a day. The Town Guard of Sky Country, Zhou Wangshen, is young and promising, with distinguished achievements, and he is suitable to succeed me as Sect Leader,” Chu Zuoshu stated, attempting to repay the Zhou family for their favors in his final moments and recommending Zhou Wangshen as the new leader.

With these words, more than half of the people in the Shenmu Hall, along with those from the Zhou family and the Alchemy Department, supported Zhou Wangshen.

Seeing this, Quan Shanlin, the Vice Hall Master of Penalty Evil Hall who had hopes of promoting Hong He to compete with Zhou Wangshen, let out a sigh, sensing that the tide had turned.

“Zhou Shizhi is still a bit too young. In my opinion, someone else would be more suitable as Sect Leader under the current circumstances of the sect,” said Chen Mobai abruptly.

Fu Zongjue’s expression shifted subtly upon hearing this, contemplating whether to stop Chen Mobai’s forthright approach. However, Chen Mobai stood up and walked over to the Sect Leader’s designated spot.