(To revitalize the Ling Yuan family from its current state, there must be a central figure that everyone can fall under. Either it's the Ling Yuan Ancestor himself, or someone who can take their place.)
Thinking of this, Su Qian Mang looks to the spirit tablet that is on the throne.
Initially, the spirit tablet was placed there for the symbolic purpose of reminding everyone that everything they do, or say within the ancestral hall—all of it is being watched over by the Ling Yuan Ancestor, Ling Yuan Zi.
However, at this point in time—
"If I recall, didn't your bloodline branch possess one of the greatest gains during the previous harvest?"
"What about it? Resources are always welcomed."
Everyone has long chosen to pay no heed to the spirit tablet's purpose.
"Tch."
Annoyed by the arguments that are going around, Lin Jing Yun says—
"Every bloodline branch's head is voting for themselves, right? We're getting nowhere like this; hence, I agree to let Lie Yang Zi deal with the supposed deity."
"…"
"…"
Simultaneously, all eyes turned to Lin Jing Yun.
As Lin Han's stand-in, Lin Jing Yun's approval represents the former's approval, and with the former being another Quasi-Heaven Manifestation realm practitioner like Su Qian Mang, their approval possesses greater weight.
Ignoring the other elders' stares, and directing his eyes at Su Qian Mang, Lin Jing Yun asks—
"Elder Su, what say you?"
Turning to Lin Jing Yun, Su Qian Mang nods with a smile, and replies—
"I approve as well."
"…"
"…"
With two votes in favor of Xia Lie Yang being the elder to lead this venture, this matter is seemingly settled.
"…"
Pouring himself a cup of tea, Qing Wufeng brings up the next topic—
"Lie Yang Zi's Dao oath can be performed later. How many clansmen of each bloodline branch are we allowed to send in? Also, what realm of cultivation should they be?"
Answering the question, Xia Lie Yang says—
"My clone back then was in the Nascent Soul realm. The weapon spirits that I was dealing with then, they were completely at my mercy. I do not expect this to have changed much. Also, our destination is in the outer domain—keep in mind, the spirit Qi there is very scarce."
Taking this into account, one of the elders asks—
"Is it possible to temporarily let the spirit Qi of the inner domain flow into the outer domain?"
"Even if we did, what's the point? This isn't the genuine harvest season. What we should be focusing on is trying to strengthen those weapon spirits by pressuring them with something that they can barely handle."
"Core Formation realm is the limit then?"
"Will we be using Incarnation Scrolls for this?"
Setting his teacup down, Qing Wufeng remarks—
"The juniors need tempering before the necropolis' opening. I say, we do just that using this venture. Let them experience life and death to stimulate their potential."
"…Isn't that too risky?"
"Risky?"
A sharp gleam emanates from Qing Wufeng's blue eyes, as he says—
"Have you seen the future generation? Most of them are literal good-for-nothings—who just eat, sleep, breed, and shit!"
Having heard of the valor displayed by Qing Ming Yang and Lin Yu Heng, Qing Wufeng can't help but point out all the flaws that most of the juniors in their organization possessed.
"The boys would either spend much of their time in brothels—drowning themselves in women or wine. Similarly, the girls would spend their time on the market—knowing only how to spend monetary resources to look pretty. How many within the younger generation spend much of their time focused on cultivation?"
And as more of these flaws were pointed out, the more in agreement the other elders became.
"Ai. Tempering is indeed necessary."
"Those who survive this experience would definitely be promising seedlings, so long as they do not slack off."
Heaving a sigh, Su Qian Mang suggests—
"How about this then? At most, 50 practitioners from each bloodline branch? Anyone that is below the Core Formation realm would qualify."
Not every bloodline branch has more than 50 Core Formation realm practitioners to spare, so this seems fair enough for everyone who is present.
"Un, I can accept this suggestion."
"I second it."
"…"
As the others nod in agreement, Lin Jing Yun turns to Hou Chang Feng, and using his rights as the stand-in for the disciplinary hall chief, the former says—
"Elder Hou, over 200 practitioners entered the Leng Bing Realm under your orders to perform an investigation. Most of these practitioners are dead, punishment is unavoidable."
Even if most of the deceased aren't individuals of great importance, an explanation must still be given to their peers of the various bloodline branches.
Otherwise, it's fairly common for the heads of those bloodline branches to ask for compensation—using the dead as an excuse.
"…"
Understanding this, Hou Chang Feng emerges from the crowd.
Clasping his hands together, Hou Chang Feng bows; straightening his back, the former says—
"I accept any punishment deemed appropriate."
Knowing that his punishment would only be limited to house arrest, Hou Chang Feng is more than willing to comply with Lin Jing Yun's demands.
(If I sentenced this old fogey to 50 years of house arrest… I would only be doing him a damn favor.)
Knowing what Hou Chang Feng's hobby is, Lin Jing Yun frowns, as he thought of this.
Eventually, Lin Jing Yun states—
"20 years of house arrest."
"Understo-"
"During that time, you're only allowed to grow clear mint herbs—effective right after this meeting. I'll have someone come by to your courtyard later to make sure that you've gotten rid of any herbs that are still growing in the plot. Inspection would also be performed at random intervals."
"Ah?"
Hearing this, Hou Chang Feng widens his eyes with a dumbfounding expression on his face.
Clear mint herb is a very common plant, so common to the point that one can literally find it anywhere on the premise of the estate. It's basically the same as a weed plant, and its growth could cause permanent damage to the soil—if left unchecked.
Raising an eye, Lin Jing Yun asks—
"Do you have any objections?"
"…None."
Seeing the look on Hou Chang Feng's face, many individuals can't help but snicker.
Among these individuals, even the Hou family's bloodline branch's head, Hóu Xù Héng had to suppress the urge to laugh aloud.
"In any case…"
Clearing his throat, Su Qian Mang gestures for Hou Chang Feng to return to the crowd, and says—
"Regarding Qing Ming Yang and Lin Yu Heng's rewards… Let's hear everyone's opinions on the matter."
The reward for their valor cannot be light, for if it were light, it would make it incredibly difficult for others to acquire resources in the future.
"…"
Taking a few steps back, Hou Chang Feng looks at the grey-robed Hou Xu Heng, and says—
"Head…"
Shaking his head, Hou Xu Heng replies—
"Ai, I can't help you here. Who knows? Maybe, you'll get addicted to growing clear mint herbs in the next 20 years?"
"…"