“Are Rogue Cultivators truly reliable? If they merely take advantage of the situation without exerting any real effort, we are the ones who will suffer!”

Elder Bai could not help but voice his concerns after hearing the Sect Leader explain the specifics of the Exceptional Promotion Order.

Elder Wen added his own misgivings. “If the sect confiscates ninety percent of the harvest, leaving only ten percent for the disciples, the lives of the Laborer Disciples will become destitute.”

Another elder chimed in. “The requirements for Outer and Inner Disciples… isn’t this far too lenient?”

The Sect Leader’s eyes flashed with golden light, his aura imposing and heavy as he spoke in a deep voice.

“Gentlemen. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We have no choice but to act.”

He looked around the hall, explaining in detail. “When Rogue Cultivators enter the sect, they will first be investigated to ensure they harbor no ill intent. Afterward, they must start as Laborer Disciples. In this way, regardless of whether they are loyal to Wanchun Valley, they must contribute resources and labor to the sect in exchange for cultivation techniques.”

Elder Bai fell silent.

The Sect Leader stroked his beard, continuing his address. “As for the existing Laborer Disciples, if they have the opportunity to become Outer Disciples, they will naturally be exempt from the ninety percent levy. If they cannot seize that opportunity, they must simply contribute more resources.”

His gaze swept over them.

“From the Sect Leader down to the Elders, Deacons, Inner Disciples, and Outer Disciples—everyone must contribute. Everyone faces the threat of death. Laborer Disciples cannot be an exception.”

“If no one contributes, how can we strengthen the Guardian Formation? How can we establish the defensive arrays on the main peak? How will Wanchun Valley survive this calamity?”

Elder Wen nodded slowly. “The Sect Leader’s foresight is profound. I will obey.”

The other elders ceased their objections.

Ultimately, with the crisis imminent, relaxing the promotion assessments and implementing the Exceptional Promotion Order was an act of desperation. They were forced into this corner.

The assembled Elders and Deacons bowed in unison. “We will follow the arrangements of the Sect Leader and the Supreme Elder! We will serve the sect tirelessly! We fear no death!”

Outside the hall, the Inner Disciples echoed the chant. “We will serve the sect tirelessly! We fear no death!”

The Grand Assembly concluded.

While the sect leadership busied themselves with external alliances, peace talks, marriage proposals, and the internal strengthening of arrays, these high-level machinations did not immediately affect the ordinary disciples.

The first thing to impact the Laborer Disciples was the Exceptional Promotion Order.

Early the next morning, Han Yu had just stepped out of his stone hut when he heard a clamor surrounding the Spirit Field Department. It was unusually noisy.

Senior Brother Hong, Senior Brother Ji, and Senior Brother Hua were shouting, ordering all Laborer Disciples to gather and listen to the sect’s latest decree.

Under normal circumstances, the Laborer Disciples at the Spirit Field would have obeyed meekly, not daring to utter a sound. But today was different. Someone had evidently heard the news in advance and spread the word.

Before the disciples had even fully assembled, whispered discussions were breaking out everywhere.

One bold individual, seeing that Senior Brother Hua was generally mild-tempered and easy to talk to, called out directly.

“Senior Brother Hua, is it true the sect is letting Rogue Cultivators in to snatch our jobs?”

“I heard from the Laborer Disciples at the Medicine Garden that the sect is going to take ninety percent of our harvest! Is that true?”

Senior Brother Hua, despite his good nature, frowned at the chaos. He saw that these people only knew half the story and were panicking over rumors.

He hardened his expression. “No more questions! Assemble immediately and await the sect’s command!”

The Laborer Disciples, hearts filled with trepidation, shuffled into formation.

Han Yu, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan stood together. They exchanged a brief glance but said nothing.

The three senior brothers took a headcount. Finally, Senior Brother Hua sighed in exasperation.

“Who is Lu Yun’s neighbor? Go fetch him immediately! He is the only one missing!”

At these words, even the most anxious Laborer Disciples couldn’t help but chuckle. The heavy atmosphere instantly lightened.

Lu Yun, that oddball. He was probably amusing himself in his room again.

However, since Elder Wen had previously expressed favor toward this eccentric disciple, Senior Brother Hong and the others couldn’t easily punish or berate him publicly. They only snapped at him occasionally when his nonsense became unbearable.

A moment later, Lu Yun arrived, lazily wiping his hands.

Senior Brother Hong stepped forward to announce the decree.

“By order of the sect! In these extraordinary times, we must take extraordinary measures. The Exceptional Promotion Order is effective immediately!”

“First: Exceptionally recruit Rogue Cultivators. Those who meet the conditions may enter Wanchun Valley as Laborer Disciples and receive basic Qi Refining cultivation methods!”

The crowd of Laborer Disciples stood in stunned silence.

It was true. Rogue Cultivators were really joining Wanchun Valley to compete for their farming jobs. If the outsiders came, what would happen to them?

“Second: All Laborer Disciples must exceptionally hand over ninety percent of their harvest. The original standards for full confiscation and punishment remain unchanged.”

As Senior Brother Hong read this, a disciple cried out in despair.

“How are we supposed to live? Rogue Cultivators are taking our work, and even if we farm honestly, we have to give up ninety percent! Is there any hope left for us to cultivate?”

Senior Brother Hong cast a cold, indifferent glance at the speaker.

The disciple immediately shrank back, burying his head like a quail, terrified of being punished.

Unexpectedly, Senior Brother Hong did not pursue the matter. He simply continued reading.

“Third: All Laborer Disciples at the third layer of Qi Refining are exceptionally promoted to Outer Disciples starting today. They will enjoy all Outer Disciple privileges: freedom of movement, assigned residences, and the right to accept missions.”

“Fourth: Any Outer Disciple who reaches the sixth layer of Qi Refining may be exceptionally promoted to Inner Disciple. They will enjoy the service of servants, residence on the main peak, and the opportunity to seek a Foundation Establishment master.”

“Furthermore, the Minor Merits required to exchange for sect techniques will be significantly reduced. For example, the Wind Blade Technique, which originally cost ten Minor Merits, now requires only five…”

Senior Brother Hong’s voice was drowned out by over a dozen shouts of pure ecstasy.

Sun Kang raised a trembling hand, his face flushed. “Steward Hong! I… I am at the third layer of Qi Refining… Does that mean I become an Outer Disciple today?”

Another disciple at the third layer shouted, “Is this real?”

“Correct. It is exactly as stated,” Senior Brother Hong said calmly. “Starting today, you are all Outer Disciples.”

“Wait a moment and follow me to register. Once your cultivation is verified, you will be issued Outer Disciple robes and your Merit and Identity Jade Pendants. You will be assigned a private residence. You are no longer forced to labor in the fields. You are free to act as you wish and take on missions to earn sect merit.”

Sun Kang couldn’t hold it back any longer. He roared, “I’m an Outer Disciple!”

Liu Lan was jumping for joy, cheering alongside him.

Looking around, there were easily twenty to thirty people in the crowd who had reached the third layer of Qi Refining. They were all qualified for this exceptional promotion.

Han Yu felt a wave of astonishment. First, he felt happy for Sun Kang and Liu Lan. Then, a thought flashed through his mind.

According to these standards, if I revealed my cultivation at the third layer of Qi Refining, wouldn’t I also become an Outer Disciple right now?

The thought vanished as quickly as it appeared.

There was no plausible reason for his sudden jump in power. Revealing it would only bring disaster.

Wanchun Valley’s massive recruitment and promotion drive was clearly a desperate attempt to bolster the sect’s combat power against the grim situation ahead.

The jubilation of the promoted disciples completely overshadowed the earlier complaints about the tax hike.

Senior Brother Hua and Senior Brother Ji smiled, turning to their colleague. “Senior Brother Hong, congratulations are in order for you as well! You are about to become an Inner Disciple!”

The older Senior Brother Hong maintained his usual stoic expression. He merely chuckled and waved his hand.

“It is merely a stroke of luck that I happened upon this timing. No need for congratulations.”