Sixty years ago, at the peak of the Chen family's power, they managed to claim nearly 30% of the tax revenue from Yuyang Market, with annual dividends exceeding 1,500 spirit stones.
An annual income of 1,500 spirit stones translates to 15,000 over a decade, an amount that allowed the Chen family to grow wealthy and extravagant. This wealth enabled them to cultivate multiple top-tier first-grade spiritual veins and even purchase treasures like the Ziyang Jade.
However, as the Chen family declined, they lost the strength to station Foundation Establishment cultivators in Yuyang Market, and their share of the revenue was gradually divided among the six major families.
"The six families took a large portion of our share back then," Third Elder remarked, frowning.
"It won't be easy to make them return what they've taken."
"If they won't give it back, then let's settle it with a sword duel."
The old patriarch waved his sleeve, exuding confidence.
"According to the old rules, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from each family compete to determine the tax revenue distribution for Yuyang Market."
"We'll host a duel right here on Qingyuan Mountain," he continued.
"That way, they won't even have to make an extra trip since we're already inviting them to the banquet."
Elian nodded. The tax revenue distribution for Yuyang Market had long been established by tradition. According to the rules, shares were initially allocated based on the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators each family had. If the numbers were equal, the distribution was determined by cultivation level.
Additionally, if a family was dissatisfied with their share, they could challenge another family to a sword duel. Each side would send three cultivators, and the outcome of the best-of-three matches would decide who claimed the share.
With the old patriarch's strength being the best in Yu County and his confidence in Elian's capabilities, he decided it was time to fight for the family's interests.
Having made up his mind, the patriarch turned to Elian.
"Qingwan and Qinghao have only just broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm; they still need time to stabilize their cultivation."
"So, it'll be up to you to deliver the invitations to the five major families."
Elian nodded with a slight smile.
"That's not a problem; I'll make the trip to the six families tomorrow."
Since the invitations were for Foundation Establishment cultivators and the event involved a sword duel on Qingyuan Mountain, sending a Qi Condensation cultivator would appear disrespectful.
Having Elian, a new-generation Foundation Establishment cultivator, deliver the invitations struck the right balance between humility and respect.
The group discussed further and decided to hold the banquet in three months.
Early the next morning, Elian departed Qingyuan Mountain with the invitations.
Yu County spanned tens of thousands of miles, and the distances between the six families often exceeded ten thousand miles. If a Qi Condensation cultivator were to deliver the messages, each letter might take over half a month to arrive.
Fortunately, Elian, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, could fly on his three-zhang sword light. In just three days, he covered over 15,000 miles and arrived at the Lin family estate.
As the leading family among Yu County's six major clans, the Lin family's strength and heritage were unmatched.
A hundred years ago, they were an ordinary Foundation Establishment clan. Today, the Lin family boasted seven Foundation Establishment cultivators, with their patriarch, Lin Mocheng, at the pinnacle of the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment—making him the most powerful cultivator in Yu County.
This transformation was largely due to the Lin family's exceptional fortune a century ago when a Unique Wind Spirit Root cultivator named Lin Mohe was born into their lineage.
Unique Spirit Root cultivators were one-in-a-million prodigies, and the Qingyang Sect itself had only two or three of them. Recognizing his potential, the Lin family sent Lin Mohe to Qingyang Sect, trading his admission for three Foundation Establishment pills.
With these pills, the Lin family gained two more Foundation Establishment cultivators, dramatically enhancing their strength. Years later, when Lin Mohe broke through to the Purple Mansion stage, he personally repaid the Lin family by providing another three Foundation Establishment pills to settle their karma.
However, having been raised on sect resources, Lin Mohe was no longer considered part of the Lin family. After repaying the clan, Qingyang Sect strictly prohibited him from maintaining any further ties with his family.
By trading Lin Mohe, the Lin family forfeited their potential to ascend to a Golden Core-level clan but gained significant short-term strength. Whether this was a loss or gain remains debatable.
"The Lin family is ultimately too shortsighted," Elian thought as he approached the Lin family estate.
Selling off the potential to become a Golden Core family for a few Foundation Establishment pills seemed like a poor decision. Even if Lin Mohe hadn't reached Purple Mansion, his chances of achieving the Purple Mansion stage were far higher than average, given his rare Unique Spirit Root.
Trading this potential for Foundation Establishment pills only benefited the immediate clan leaders, providing them with a chance to break through while depleting the family's long-term prospects.
"Yu County is the only county in this region without a Purple Mansion family," Elian mused, suppressing a sigh.
As his sword light streaked through the sky, he soon arrived at the Lin family's mountain gate. Landing outside, he called out, "Elian of Qingyuan Mountain seeks an audience with Patriarch Lin."
Moments later, a sword light approached from afar.
From a distance of several miles, a voice rang out, accompanied by hearty laughter.
"I've long heard that the Chen family has a young prodigy. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation."
The speaker, a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator, landed gracefully.
"I am Lin Baiqi. Greetings, Daoist friend."
Elian clasped his hands in return.
"A pleasure to meet you, Daoist friend."
"Indeed, a talented young man," Lin Baiqi said as he scrutinized Elian, his expression turning slightly more serious.
"Our patriarch has invited you to join him. Please, follow me."
The two flew to the Lin family's main peak, where the patriarch, Lin Mocheng, awaited in the reception hall.
Dressed in flowing robes, Lin Mocheng wore a faint smile as he regarded Elian.
"I've heard much about the young prodigy of the Chen family. I had intended to offer my congratulations, but who would've thought you'd grace our Lin family today?"
"Such an esteemed young friend truly brings honor to our humble estate."
As Lin Mocheng spoke, a glint of light flashed in Elian's eyes.
The term "young friend" was typically reserved for addressing juniors of lower cultivation. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Elian should have been addressed as "Daoist friend" in proper courtesy, especially since he and Lin Mocheng weren't related.
By using "young friend," Lin Mocheng was either deliberately undermining Elian or subtly asserting dominance.
Elian, however, maintained his composure and responded smoothly, "You flatter me, Daoist Lin. I come today on official business."
...
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