dkrc Chapter 154 - 134: A Visit from the She Family
Chapter 154 - 134: A Visit from the She Family
Fang Qingyuan stood before the main gate of Yuanling Mountain, silently gazing at the trees he, Jiang Kui, and Zhang Yuan had planted together years ago. A gust of wind rustled by, and a few withered yellow leaves slowly drifted to the ground.
A bitter autumn wind rustled, sending withered leaves fluttering down, much like Fang Qingyuan’s current state of mind. Jiang Kui had left yesterday, accompanied by Zhang Yuan. Fang Qingyuan hadn’t escorted them far on their journey.
Jiang Kui and Zhang Yuan had boarded a Tier Three Flying Boat bound for the Qi Yun Territory. If the journey went smoothly, Zhang Yuan would be back in half a month.
Before her departure, Jiang Kui had gathered everyone on Yuanling Mountain, young and old, to announce that in her absence, Fang Qingyuan would be in charge of all its affairs.
It was uncertain when Jiang Kui would return from this journey. The Spiritual Power and poison within her were now intertwined; any exertion would only aggravate her condition. Remaining on Yuanling Mountain would do nothing to help her recover.
When Jiang Kui left, she took fifty thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones with her. This was the income Yuanling Mountain had generated over the years, with the Crimson Iron Ore alone contributing over twenty thousand annually.
Yuanling Mountain belonged to Jiang Kui, so even if she had taken every last Spirit Stone, no one could have said a word against it.
Now, there were still over thirty thousand Spirit Stones in Yuanling Mountain’s coffers. This money belonged to everyone on the mountain, and Fang Qingyuan could not misappropriate it for personal use.
Jinbao was now using its size-altering Divine Technique to remain at half its usual size, no longer as colossal as before. This was mainly to avoid drawing attention. It was currently rolling around at Fang Qingyuan’s feet, its black-and-white fur getting caked with dirt.
After waiting for a long time before the Yuanling Mountain gate, Fang Qingyuan’s invited guests finally arrived.
"Fellow Daoist Fang, it’s been seven or eight years. I never expected you to have already reached Late-stage Qi Cultivation. Your progress is astonishingly fast."
The speaker was none other than the She Family Patriarch, She Xi Yu. The stern-faced, middle-aged Cultivator looked just as he had years ago. For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a lifespan of two hundred and fifty years, a mere seven or eight years had little effect on his appearance.
However, She Xi Yu had not been completely unchanged over the years. His cultivation had now reached Foundation Establishment Early-Stage Perfection, and he was just one opportunity away from breaking through to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
"Patriarch She, you are as impressive as ever. Over the years, I’ve heard much about the She Family’s accomplishments. Your family’s military contributions are truly renowned."
Fang Qingyuan and She Xi Yu greeted each other warmly at the gate of Yuanling Mountain. Although Fang Qingyuan’s cultivation was a whole realm lower, his status was enough to compensate, and She Xi Yu even treated him with a hint of respect.
She Xi Yu had brought a dozen or so She Family disciples with him this time. As Fang Qingyuan’s gaze swept over their faces, he spotted an acquaintance.
It was She Xuanyan, the lead disciple of the She Family who had once come to Fang Qingyuan to pull some strings. He had come along as well, and Fang Qingyuan could sense that She Xuanyan’s cultivation had already reached Qi Cultivation Perfection. He was just a single step away from Foundation Establishment.
If She Xuanyan successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, the She Family would become a clan with two Foundation Establishment Cultivators. This would allow them to stand out among the other Cultivation Clans and earn the favor of Lechuan.
Of course, what She Xi Yu, the man in charge, truly thought was another matter entirely. After chatting for a moment at the mountain gate, Fang Qingyuan welcomed the group into Yuanling Mountain.
After years of repairs and improvements, the Yuanling Mountain of today was no longer the shabby, run-down peak it had once been.
From the foot of the mountain to the summit, the sides of the wide, newly constructed stone staircase were lined with Spirit Plants. The calls of Spiritual Cranes echoed in the air, creating a truly celestial atmosphere.
Although the Spirit Plants were merely the lowest-tier flowers and herbs, and there were only seven or eight Spiritual Cranes, the impressive display was necessary.
Once the group had passed along the mountain path and entered the grand hall at the summit, the Spiritual Cranes retracted their necks and flocked to the back, looking for Liu Xun to get their food.
The newly built reception hall covered a considerable area, with eighteen towering pillars. Each pillar was crafted from Yellow Tier Middle Grade Zhe Wood Spiritual Material, and they alone had cost two thousand Spirit Stones.
This hall was the public face of Yuanling Mountain. After receiving the first dividend from the Crimson Iron Ore, Jiang Kui took the initiative to have it built. Construction took half a year, with every detail meticulously perfected, and the final cost exceeded five thousand Spirit Stones.
Jiang Kui had named the great hall Yuanhe Hall. It was situated just below the Tier Two Spiritual Land at the summit, offering a wide, open vista. From inside, one could look down upon the lands beyond Yuanling Mountain, and the scenery was absolutely stunning.
Inside Yuanhe Hall, Fang Qingyuan took the host’s seat, sitting alongside She Xi Yu. The She Family disciples were arranged in two rows, each seated at their own place.
The etiquette of the Great Zhou dictated that meals be served individually. At a clap from Fang Qingyuan, mortal Servants brought out fine wine and delicacies, placing a portion before each person to give the members of the She Family a warm reception.
After a few cups of wine, Fang Qingyuan turned to She Xi Yu beside him and said:
"Patriarch She, regarding the matter I mentioned in my letter, I was wondering what you have decided?"
Fang Qingyuan had previously written to She Xi Yu, briefly outlining his plan to open Yuanling Square. He had promised the She Family a ten percent share in exchange for them sending personnel to garrison the marketplace.
Now that She Xi Yu had come at his invitation, it was time for a definitive answer, regardless of his decision. Fang Qingyuan didn’t want to delay the matter any longer.
She Xi Yu set down his wine cup and said with a serious expression:
"Fellow Daoist Fang, your generous invitation shows that you hold our She Family in high regard. As for this matter, our entire family is in unanimous agreement to support you."
At She Xi Yu’s words, Fang Qingyuan burst out laughing. He raised his wine cup and said:
"In that case, we are now all in the same boat! Come, let us drink to this together."
At once, the dozen or so Qi Cultivation Cultivators seated below all rose to their feet, raised their cups, and drained them in a single gulp.
After they finished their drinks, Fang Qingyuan announced that the banquet would continue. He then led She Xi Yu into a private room and began to lay out his entire blueprint for the Yuanling Mountain Marketplace.