Daily life of a cultivation judge

The 10,000 Mountain Mortar Manor and the Spirit Fire Wellforging Pavilion may not be as infamous as the Silver Rains Spear Sect when it comes to battle prowess, or be as mysterious as the Three Wardens Mirrors Sect that was expected to join rank 2 organizations sometime in the future provided nothing changed, but these two organizations were much more terrifying than the two combined.

They had connections all over the continent, countless organizations from merchant organizations to sects, empires, and cultivation clans, down to even renowned rogue cultivators, and even some underworld organizations owed them favors.

Because of the nature of their dealings which was vital to almost any cultivator, and the quality of their products, the announcement they made had effectively cut off the Striding Falcon Sect from the alchemy and artifact community within the sphere of operation of these two organizations.

No organization would risk falling out with either the 10,000 Mountain Mortar Manor or the Spirit Fire Wellforging Pavilion for the Striding Falcon Sect, which didn't have anything that would make those organizations think twice about dealing with them.

The ones who could maybe ignore the hidden threat made by the two organizations were those who were of a similar rank to them or more powerful or had an antagonistic relationship with them. Even then, the Striding Falcon Sect was sure they would be charged exorbitantly by those organizations because they had no other option.

The statement made by the two organizations had effectively stuck them between a rock and a hard place. They either pay through their teeth which was unlikely to be sustainable in the long run as they would have to pinch their resources just to stay in the red, which would cause a lot of unrest and dissent among the members of the sect as some would have to be prioritized over the sect, or the sect finds a way to be self-sustainable.

But there was one problem with that, the sect wasn't exactly known for alchemy, herbology, artifact production, and the like. They would have to find and recruit those skilled in those areas, which would not be cheap considering their situation has been aired out far and wide. Then they will have to retrofit their sect to suit those needs and buy resources inclusive of cultivation techniques, and recipes, so the experts who decide to come in can have something to work with.

Just the preliminary costs alone would put a sizeable dent in the sect's coffers. This was why Sect Master Pan Xue and Chief Elder Wei Shen who were able to do the math couldn't help but have grimm looks in their eyes.

"Is this how the Order does things?!" roared Chief Elder Wei Shen.

"What Manor Master Mu Shin and Pavilion Master Gu Bing have decided on was entirely of their volition. We have no influence whatsoever on how they do their business. Who they want to deal with is entirely up to them.

The only thing the Order requested of them was their honest unbiased opinion on the matter as per the guidelines of the Organizations Coordination Accord.

As the leading figures of the sect, you should be both familiar with it.." Yang Qing calmly said.

"Your predecessor was one of the many sect masters and leading figures who put their name to the accord along with the Cultivation Ethics Charter that you all grossly violated..." he added.

"While what we did may have been a tad bit harsh, how is what you and the rest have done no different than destroying us? It is no different than the extermination sentence passed on to the Ice Emerald Sect passed recently.

We do not deserve this, and when it comes to our disciples, everything that has happened was within the bounds of our sect regulation and conduct..." 

Sect Master Pan Xue who seemed passive all this time letting Chief Elder Wei Shen run the show, finally spoke up.

"Even now you can't admit your failures. You have shamed your title as the sect master. I know sect masters in sects that have less history or prestige than yours but they did everything in their power to protect and help those below them no matter the cost. Some even went as far as spending countless resources to weave a lie so their disciples could have a path to life, while others went as far as dragging the Order to the mud knowing full well there would be dire consequences.

But they did not hesitate, to them, the well-being of those under their care mattered above everything else even their own lives.

But what have you done? Just because you weren't involved in the happenings of your outer sect disciples, bearing silent witness as the sect master, you're just as guilty as them.

As the sect master, everything the sect is and should be rests with you. Look at those who stood in the seat before you, how did they act?" asked Yang Qing which prompted sect master Pan Xue to slightly avert his gaze in shame and guilt.

"You have destroyed the reputation and bedrock that they gave their lives to protect. Everything they did has been undone by you and those around you.

It's not too late for you to don the hat with honor, to try and undo all that you have let happen. Admit it to yourself and to them, that what happened here isn't right, and let them go.." Yang Qing softly said as he pointed towards Ma Qi behind him.

"Pan Xue don't let him muddle your thoughts..." Chief Elder Wei Shen coldly said with his demeanor hiding other implications behind his words.

Sect Master Pan Xue had a complicated expression that appeared on his face before he let out an exasperated sigh as he said,

"My opinion and that of Chief Elder Wei Shen are the same. What has happened was to help our young disciples grow.."

Yang Qing couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment.

"Have you thought what will happen if the retired supreme elder doesn't come out of his seclusion?" Yang Qing meaningfully asked.

Sect Master Pan Xue's stupefied expression was all the answer he needed to confirm the sect master's thoughts.

Yang Qing guessed that as long as the retired supreme elder came out of seclusion, he could borrow the retired elder's influence to set things right in the sect and overturn everything. But it was an erroneous plan from the start. Counting aside whether the retired supreme elder could emerge from the death seclusion or not, the damage had already been done.

The sect was already fractured, and as for the outer sect disciples, the damage done to them may have permanently ruined the futures of some, and those who had some semblance of a chance to survive it, would never feel a connection to the sect, and Yang Qing had no doubt that if some of them grew powerful enough to contend with the sect they would either turn on it or leave.

The sect's foundation was already cracked but both sides whether it was the chief elder's side or the sect master, they were too delusional to see it or too stubborn. 

Yang Qing had hoped the sect master would choose to let them go. The announcement coming from him would help save a bit of the sect's reputation and may very well help the outer sect disciples in some part, to move on.