The Pan family would need to spend 400,000 spirit stones to upgrade the spiritual vein. After the fall of Jiaoyang County, Pan Boyuan had to abandon fixed assets and carry away 90% of the Pan Immortal Clan's wealth.
Even so, to gather 400,000 spirit stones, Pan Boyuan would have to empty the family's coffers, sell off brought assets at reduced prices, and even part with several valuable third-rank treasures.
Despite these sacrifices, gaining the Chen family's approval was essential. Otherwise, even if the Pan family moved into Yu County, they would risk completely offending the Chen Immortal Clan. Sharing a region meant their competition for resources could escalate into a full-blown conflict, with one side eventually falling.
For the Pan family, already on the verge of annihilation, provoking such a promising clan was unwise. Thus, Pan Boyuan decided to use the family's treasured Enlightenment Tea Tree as a peace offering to smooth relations with the Chen Immortal Clan.
Noticing some reluctance from the Foundation Establishment cultivator beside him, Pan Boyuan shook his head and said, "There's no need to feel regret. Losing the Enlightenment Tea Tree is a small price to pay for securing a foothold in Yu County. That outcome alone is invaluable."
Hearing this, the cultivator's expression calmed slightly.
The Pan family had once been a powerful Purple Mansion clan with a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator, their foundation far surpassing most other Purple Mansion families. Although the clan had suffered devastating losses, reducing its cultivators by 90%, the reduction in annual stipends required for its members had also dropped by 70-80%.
With the wealth they managed to preserve, reestablishing themselves would allow them to draw ample tax revenues from Yuyang Market in a few years, ensuring their cultivation needs. Eventually, they could develop spiritual fields and nurture a second third-rank spiritual vein, enabling their eventual resurgence.
…
Meanwhile, Elian and the Patriarch examined the Enlightenment Tea Tree in their possession, their expressions bright with joy.
The Patriarch studied the tree closely, his voice trembling slightly.
"This Enlightenment Tea Tree is incredibly valuable. It's said that only Purple Mansion cultivators can afford such treasures. I never imagined our Chen family would obtain one."
"It truly is a rare treasure," Elian agreed. High-grade spiritual trees were assets of immense value, often far surpassing treasures of the same rank. A second-rank high-grade spiritual tree could serve as a legacy treasure for hundreds of years for many Purple Mansion clans.
Once their excitement subsided, Elian spoke seriously.
"Let's plant this Enlightenment Tea Tree in Pingyang City."
He went on to inform the Patriarch of his plan to use Primordial Purple Qi to upgrade the Enlightenment Tea Tree and the spiritual apricot tree on Qingyuan Mountain into natural Spiritual Roots.
The Patriarch furrowed his brow, pacing in contemplation before voicing his concern.
"Neither of us has broken through to the Purple Mansion stage. Isn't this too risky?"
Elian shook his head, analyzing the situation.
"Qingyang Sect has alienated most of its allies and likely lacks the resources to focus on us. The other Purple Mansion families have been severely weakened by the demon beast chaos, and the four Purple Mansion cultivators from the Xu and Yang families have fought alongside us. I believe this is the perfect time to upgrade to natural Spiritual Roots."
With a resolute expression, Elian added, "We are no longer at the mercy of others. You guard Pingyang City, while Qinghao and Aunt Qingwan alternate guarding Qingyuan Mountain. This should conceal the upgrade for decades. By then, when we break through to the Purple Mansion stage, anyone with designs on us will have to contend with my Fiery Void Sword."
Hearing this, the Patriarch breathed a little easier. After some pacing, he agreed.
"Upgrading to natural Spiritual Roots is indeed crucial. Without a third-rank spiritual vein, the family will face deficits in stipends once we break through. I'll set up formations to conceal the natural Spiritual Roots and the spike in spiritual energy after their upgrade. That should prevent any obvious discrepancies."
With their decision made, Elian used two breaths of Primordial Purple Qi to upgrade the spiritual apricot tree and the Enlightenment Tea Tree into natural Spiritual Roots. The Patriarch spent considerable materials setting up two concealment arrays to shield the natural Spiritual Roots.
When the task was complete, both sighed in relief.
"With this tree, our family's cultivators may live longer," Elian said with a smile as he gazed at the spiritual apricot tree.
After absorbing Primordial Purple Qi, the first-rank high-grade spiritual apricot tree advanced to the second-rank low grade. It now produced three Heavenly Spiritual Apricots every three years. Each apricot was brimming with vitality, granting a cultivator an additional ten years of lifespan upon consumption.
However, treasures that extended lifespan had a strict limit imposed by the heavens. Regardless of type or grade, a being could only consume three such treasures in a lifetime. Only legendary Nascent Soul Grandmasters could gain an additional chance, while the opportunities for Soul Formation Dao Lords were beyond Elian's understanding.
Despite these limitations, lifespan-extending treasures were immensely valuable. Decades ago, it was said that the Yang Patriarch of Ling County spent 100,000 spirit stones to purchase a third-rank Longevity Pill that granted 30 extra years of life.
Although the Heavenly Spiritual Apricot was only second-rank low grade and granted only ten years of life, each apricot was still worth over 5,000 spirit stones, making it a treasure sought after by many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
"When do you plan to leave for Yan Kingdom?" the Patriarch asked after completing the upgrade.
Elian thought for a moment before replying, "I'll leave after handling the Pan family's matters."
…
The next morning, Elian convened the other Foundation Establishment clans in Yu County to inform them about the Pan family and seven other Yang Region Foundation Establishment families relocating to Yu County.
Hearing that the Yang Region families would bear most of the cost of upgrading Yuyang Market's spiritual vein, the local clans readily agreed. The influx of more Qi Refinement families made them even happier, as more low-level cultivators would bring greater prosperity and profits to Yu County.
Seeing the unanimous agreement, Elian smiled and said, "Upgrading Yuyang Market's spiritual vein will be costly. Yu County must contribute 80,000 spirit stones. The Chen family will cover half, leaving the other four families to share the remaining half. Is that acceptable?"
Mu Xuanming and the others exchanged glances and quickly agreed.
Once the spiritual vein was upgraded, Yuyang Market's future revenue would see significant growth. The Chen and Pan families would claim 70% of the profits, while the remaining 30% would be divided among the eleven Foundation Establishment families.
This 30%, though seemingly small, would yield significant returns. Yuyang Market's current annual tax revenue was only 5,000 spirit stones, but with its rise as a central hub for the two regions, annual tax revenues could eventually reach tens of thousands of spirit stones, providing substantial benefits to the clans involved.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D