Beggar Sect Headquarters, Dao City, Haiso Province,

The Beggar Sect, nestled in the bustling heart of Dao City, was a place where power and poverty coexisted in a strange harmony. The sect's headquarters was an ancient, sprawling complex, its corridors worn down by years of use, yet still echoing with the weight of authority. Despite the sect's lowly appearance, it held considerable influence within the city and beyond, with its members spread far and wide across the Central Plains.

A man clad in simple, brown robes of rough-spun fabric walked through the dimly lit corridors of the sect, his head held high. The worn hem of his robe brushed the ground as he strode forward with purpose. The sound of his heavy wooden shoes striking the stone floor echoed with each step, a stark contrast to the soft murmur of the wind that whispered through the old wooden beams overhead. His bearing and confidence belied the humble appearance of his clothing, marking him as someone of significant status within the sect.

After passing through several narrow passageways, the man finally arrived at the entrance of a cave situated in the secluded backyard of the sect's headquarters. The entrance was framed by rugged stone, with moss and ivy creeping along its edges, giving it an air of ancient mystery. The man paused, bowing slightly as he respectfully called out, "May I enter, Sect Leader?"

His voice echoed within the depths of the cave, mingling with the flickering shadows cast by the lanterns inside. After a brief moment, a calm, resonant voice responded from within, "Yes."

With a nod, the man stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the cave. The interior was surprisingly spacious, its walls lined with glowing fire lanterns that cast a warm, flickering light across the space. The air inside was cool and still, carrying the scent of burning incense mixed with the earthy smell of stone.

In the center of the cave was a low, rectangular table, crafted from dark wood and polished to a smooth finish. It was positioned on a slightly raised platform, symbolizing the importance of the meetings that took place there. Surrounding the table on either side were intricately woven carpets, where the most important members of the Beggar Sect were seated.

On one side sat the sect's elders, venerable figures who had dedicated their lives to the sect. Their faces were lined with age and experience, and their eyes gleamed with the wisdom of years. Beside each elder sat their chosen disciples, young men and women who had proven themselves worthy of carrying on their masters' legacies. They sat with their knees folded beneath them, their posture straight and attentive.

On the opposite side of the table sat the Fei Gao family, the sect's ruling family. At the head of this group was Deng Fei Gao, the eldest son, a man of strong build and sharp features, exuding an air of authority. Flanking him were his two younger sisters, Bai and Du Fei Gao, both dressed in elegant robes that reflected their noble status within the sect. Their expressions were composed, yet their eyes held a quiet intensity, indicating their keen interest in the proceedings.

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Further down the line, seated with the dignity befitting their station, were the direct disciples of the Sect Leader, young but formidable individuals who had earned their place through rigorous training and unwavering loyalty.

At the far end of the cave, seated on a stone platform in the classic meditative pose, was the Sect Leader himself, Wang Fei Gao. His eyes were closed in deep concentration, his aura calm and serene, yet radiating a subtle but undeniable power. The Sect Leader was a man of great renown, known for his wisdom and strength, and his presence commanded the respect of all who were gathered there.

The man who had entered the cave, Elder Jie Fei Han, was one of the sect's most trusted elders. He carried himself with the quiet confidence of a man who had seen much in his life. As he approached the table, he gave a respectful nod to the Sect Leader before taking his place beside the other elders.

The atmosphere in the cave was one of solemnity and anticipation, the gathered members of the sect waiting in silence for the meeting to begin. The air was thick with unspoken tension, each person acutely aware that the decisions made here could shape the future of the Beggar Sect and its influence in the world beyond.

Finally, Sect Leader Wang Fei Gao opened his eyes, breaking the silence with a calm but authoritative voice. "Let us proceed with the meeting, as everyone is present." His gaze shifted to Elder Jie Fei Han. "Elder Jie, please begin, as it was you who called for this assembly."

Elder Jie nodded, his eyes gleaming with the confidence of someone who believed he had uncovered something significant. "Yes, Sect Leader Wang. The reason I have called this meeting is the sudden influx of lower-ranking beggars gathering in Dao City over the past few weeks. This unusual surge in numbers feels suspicious to me, and I can't shake the feeling that there is some sort of scheme at play."

Sect Leader Wang listened intently, his expression thoughtful. He began to nod slowly, considering the elder’s words, but before he could respond, his eldest son, Deng Fei Gao, spoke up. "Why is this an issue, Elder Jie? Weren’t you the one who was urging Father just a few months ago about the shortage of lower-ranking workers in the city? Now that we have an abundance of them and the potential to earn substantial commissions, why view this as a problem?"

Deng’s words carried a sharp edge, and they held a certain truth. Elder Jie had indeed raised concerns about the lack of lower-ranking members in the city before. However, the current influx of people did not sit well with him, and his instincts warned him that something was amiss.

Elder Jie frowned slightly, choosing his words carefully. "It is true that I raised concerns about the shortage, but this sudden and overwhelming influx is unnatural. It feels orchestrated, as if someone is deliberately flooding the city with these beggars for reasons unknown. If we are not cautious, we may find ourselves entangled in a situation that could spiral out of control."

Deng Fei Gao, however, remained unconvinced. "Elder Jie, you worry too much. The city is flourishing with opportunities, and an increase in lower-ranking beggars means more labor and more profits. We should focus on how to capitalize on this, not create problems where there are none."

The other elders murmured in agreement, though some remained silent, caught between the two perspectives.

Sect Leader Wang, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke, his voice steady and authoritative. "Elder Jie, your concerns are noted, and I understand your unease. However, as Deng has pointed out, the increase in numbers does present us with an opportunity. Unless we see concrete evidence of a threat, I see no reason to intervene at this time."

Elder Jie looked as though he wanted to protest, but he knew better than to argue further. He bowed his head respectfully. "As you wish, Sect Leader."

Wang Fei Gao looked around the room, ensuring that everyone understood his decision. "We will remain vigilant, but we will not take any immediate action regarding this influx. Let us focus on making the most of the opportunities it brings. If this situation escalates, we will reassess."

The sect members nodded in agreement, the tension in the room easing slightly as the meeting drew to a close. The decision was made: they would watch and wait, letting the situation unfold as it may.

With that, the Sect Leader dismissed the gathering, and the members began to file out of the cave, their minds already turning to the tasks ahead. Elder Jie, however, remained uneasy, a nagging doubt lingering in the back of his mind as he too left the chamber, pondering the potential consequences of the sect's decision.