This time it was young heir of the clan that took the stage as Gu Zhi recognized her from her voice.
"I propose a 200 year confinement on Gu Zhi to the sect. With tensions running high, and an active bounty on his head. I think it's best to shelter this amazing young talent and wait for it to blow over. With the cultivation world as a whole, 200 years will be a sufficient time for most if not all people to forget about him. As this was an isolated incident most people will not have a memorable impression on him" Gu Bing said as she sat down.
'200 years is crazy' he thought to himself. Just counting the time, even with his previous life and this one added up it didn't even amount to 150 years, spending 200 years cooped up in a sect.... He could only imagine that he would have to cultivate like crazy just to pass the time.
This time elder Ming came up to the stage. "I believe we should ask Gu Zhi himself and his thoughts on the matter. As we are making decisions that could affect 200 years of his life I believe this is only just and fair" he said as many people nodded their heads.
The speaker came up to the stage "would Gu Zhi like to make a case for himself" the speaker said.
Gu Zhi nodded and made his way down to the stage, careful not to fall and injure himself. He couldn't really hide his disability but he wanted it to be as less obvious and known as possible, once he was on the stage he made the best case for himself as he could.
"I believe I can concede 200 years of my life to confinement but I ask for a few conditions. Currently with my achievements in the palace of love I believe I have a track record of achievements already in the sect. I just ask for the most basic and common supply of cultivation resources that may help me out. Currently with the grading band, it has come to my attention that I can already enter core formation" he took a long pause to gauge the crowds reaction. As he expected he heard murmurs and whispers about the feat. "With my current talent and progress, I believe that just a little bit of help can go a long way, so I humbly ask for some of the clan assistance in this 200 year proposed confinement" he said as he made his way back to his seat.
In truth although he was worried about the 200 year period, it was also an unprecedent opportunity. In the cultivation novels he read in his previous life, the main characters advanced rapidly with the help of combat, treasures and divine luck. Gu Zhi had most of that to, but the difference was in probability. How many times did the characters almost face death. How many times did they waste their time on fruitless endeavors. The answers were many and then none. Their whole stories were a series of unbelievable odds. He honestly didn't really care "that" much how much time some actions cost. While others would constantly purse quick progress once they achieved it once. Gu Zhi much preferred the slow and steady progress. That didn't mean he wouldn't try to achieve quick results, it was just more of a difference of mindset. He imagined if a main character was in his situation they would cry, complain, and try every maneuver to purse more quick gains. While he himself tried to use the opportunity to his best advantage. Ultimately though he was debating over pure fiction, what really mattered is how much the clan would indulge his requests.
There were murmurs in the crowd until someone new that he hadn't heard before took the stage.
"I believe we should acquiesce to half of his demands. A period of 50 years where we check up on Gu Zhi each time to determine if he spent the resources well. If the clan believes he spent the resources wisely in the first 50 years, we continue. If we believe that he spent them poorly we stop. In this way we can nurture a talent of the clan and put the minds of elders at peace, knowing we aren't wasting resources" the man said and then proceeded to sit down.
More discussions occurred in the hall as people discussed with others the viability of the plan.
With Gu Zhi's hearing he was able to pick up on a few conversations.
"I think that's just, its just a matter of what type of resources."
"Should we provide the same amount as the young heir has, or the amount that a single guard would receive. It's important to be specific on these matters".
"I believe those are two extremes, we should just nurture him as a talent. Nothing more nothing less. We already have records on what kind of resources young talents would receive. Just give him the same resources or something equivalent".
"I think that's fair, let's propose a vote" another said.
The man then walked onto the stage and cleared his throat before proposing the vote.
"*Ahem* I propose a vote that aligns with what elder Mo said. We shall give Gu Zhi the resources of a young talent for 50 years, and then proceed if his results are good. For the results, I believe a 2 grade increase in his foundation, or a advance in his cultivation realm is appropriate. We will now begin the voting".
'Humans are exceptionally adept at adapting, as soon as the grading band was released they already used it for such occasions, truly fast' Gu Zhi pondered to himself.
A majority of people raised their hands, making the vote go through.
"Then the issue on Gu Zhi's matter is decided" the man said as he sat back down.
"the next topic of todays meeting has to deal with the divination results we last received from the matriarch" the speaker said.