The Sims: I Open the Immortal Path for All Beings

Chapter 575: Chapter 523: Ensure Fairness as Much as Possible

“I wonder how many people the dean is prepared to select from these individuals, and if there are any he particularly favors?” Qingyang Zi asked as he and Pei Xuanjing strolled leisurely around the Taoist Academy.

As the deputy dean of the Taoist Academy, Qingyang Zi was actually the person in charge of managing the institution. Pei Xuanjing hardly concerned himself with these affairs, leaving many decisions and responsibilities to Qingyang Zi.

For example, the construction of numerous branches of the Taoist Academy was a monumentally complex task. Given the vast territory of the Great Ming Dynasty, brimming with numerous prefectures and counties, and the addition of territories outside the border, the infrastructure needed to be set up in many more areas.

Currently, the Taoist Academy was short-staffed, making it practically impossible to build outposts in every town and city in one go.

So, according to his reasoning, they should start constructing branches in populous cities within various prefectures, and create an overall framework, then proceed with other matters.

Regardless, he did require from Pei Xuanjing an estimate of the number of potential candidates, a number that would allow him to make necessary adjustments and ensure the completeness of the plan, minimizing unexpected occurrences.

In terms of favored individuals among the potential candidates, he needed to establish some connections early on, investigate their backgrounds, and consider their suitability.

Pei Xuanjing responded with a smile: “The number of successful candidates depends not on me, but on them. As for favoring anyone, it’s still too early to say.”

He didn’t particularly care how many individuals were selected this time, believing that it depended on the insights these people had gained.

Pei Xuanjing always thought that waste was just a resource in the wrong place. This was certainly true for the martial artists and cultivators who came to hear him speak; they might have flaws in character, but for sure they were not incompetent people.

Therefore, as long as these individuals could show sufficient ability, he might not need to eliminate anyone. After all, there were many instructors and deans needed for the branches of the Taoist Academy he intended to build. Even if he took all the current candidates, it wouldn’t feel excessive.

As for whom he favored, given the huge number of people, gaining a deep understanding of everyone in a short period of time could be challenging for others, but not for Pei Xuanjing with his immense spiritual power. Even a cursory glance would give him some basic understanding of these candidates.

He didn’t give a direct answer for a simple reason: it was still early, and his opinions might strongly influence Qingyang Zi, potentially introducing bias into the selection – something he wanted to avoid.

Based on his status and influence, even if he did not express his preference explicitly, a slight change in his demeanor could spark many reactions. While Qingyang Zi might be able to remain impartial, the same could not be guaranteed for the people involved in the selection. They might veer off fair practices in an attempt to cater to his perceived preferences.

“The Dean’s magnanimity is our luck,” said Qingyang Zi with a sigh once he comprehended Pei Xuanjing’s intention.

While many people often demand fairness, most only desire to be the recipients of special preference. It is only when they cannot enjoy such privileges that they yearn for fairness.

Such a stance adopted by Pei Xuanjing was highly beneficial for the selectors as well as Qingyang Zi.

After all, if Pei Xuanjing were to break this impartiality, how then could Qingyang Zi, as the administrator, face his subordinates and demand them to maintain fairness?

Pei Xuanjing chuckled, “You make it sound more grandiose than it is. You’re flattering me.”

In his former life, he was an ordinary person who had missed out on opportunities because the selectors favored the competitors. Now, as a selector himself, he strived to maintain a semblance of fairness, even if it might never be absolute.

Qingyang Zi laughed but did not refute, still believing that Pei Xuanjing’s action was exemplary.

During their stroll, they suddenly noticed Pei Xuanjing’s cheerful expression becoming somber, a touch of anger creeping onto his face.

“Dean, what happened?” Qingyang Zi inquired.

Pei Xuanjing had looked happy during their conversation, and the sudden shift in his mood suggested something had upset him.

Given Pei Xuanjing’s current status and disposition, he would normally shrug off many issues. So, it was apparent that whatever had upset him this time was no small matter, especially when he did not even bother to veil his anger.

However, the frown that had appeared on Pei Xuanjing’s face disappeared after a moment. He resumed his bright smile, commenting nonchalantly: “Pang Hong encountered some trouble. A disruption occurred that required my spiritual consciousness to intervene.”

As Pei Xuanjing’s direct disciple and having a matchless master, Pang Hong might not be the best in this world, but he was quite safe since nobody dared to harm him easily.

Nevertheless, Pei Xuanjing still cared a great deal about this disciple. He left some life-saving objects with Pang Hong, which could be triggered when he faced danger and it would summon Pei Xuanjing’s spiritual consciousness.

Hisss!

On hearing this, Qingyang Zi took a sharp intake of breath. Witnessing Pei Xuanjing’s tranquil demeanor did not ease his anxiety, but instead aroused a sense of alarm within him.

He knew what Pang Hong had been up to lately, and the fact that the latter faced danger that required Pei Xuanjing’s intervention indicated a serious matter. Surely, it would cause a shockwave once the news broke out.

It seemed like someone was in deep trouble!

That was the first thought that crossed Qingyang Zi’s mind.

After all, Pei Xuanjing, an unmatched cultivator of the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm, had not intervened in any matter for many years. Now that he had, it was bound to cause a sensation.

……

Pang Hong stared coldly at the person standing in front of him. At this moment, he looked nothing like the cooly composed deputy chief of the Shenxiao Sect. His clothes were tattered, his hair disheveled, he clutched a divine sword in his hand, and a trickle of blood dripped down from the corner of his mouth.

Master is busy; the disciple bears the burden.

With Pei Xuanjing’s current status, he rarely interfered directly. Mostly, he left it to his disciples and subordinates to execute his decisions.

When Pei Xuanjing announced the rule forbidding spiritual beings from harming commoners and martial artists, the Shenxiao Sect and the strong organizations of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty were tasked with overseeing the enforcement of this rule.

Not long ago, Pang Hong received news that some strong beings from the Sky Wasteland had slaughtered martial artists in a forbidden, blessed place in an attempt to seize treasures. So, he led a team to investigate.