"Here are the remaining three," Xu Meng said, pushing the case toward Li Shen and Li Jun with a flourish. "The deal is complete. You two have given my son a future, and for that, the Zhao family owes you a debt of gratitude beyond mere stones."
Li Shen smiled, closing the box containing the veins. "We are all friends here, Brother Zhao. Besides, I have a feeling that with Youqian's new talent, the name of your family is about to echo much louder in the coming years."
Youqian stood to the side, still staring at his hands. He could feel the fire burning within—not as a flickering candle, but as a pressurized sun, waiting for the moment to be unleashed.
"Now that the business is concluded," Xu Meng said, his voice dropping to a more serious register as he looked at his son, "Youqian, you must understand the gravity of this day. Most mages spend their lives struggling for a drop of what you have just been handed. Do not waste this talent."
Youqian bowed deeply, his face flushed from both the heat of his new fire and the weight of his father's expectations. "I understand, Father. I will begin my meditation immediately. I won't let the your gift go to waste."
Li Shen waved his hand dismissively, though a sharp glint remained in his eyes. "Hard work is a given, but remember, Youqian—the High-Temperature Compression isn't just about power. It's about control. If you cannot contain that density, you'll burn yourself before you ever burn an enemy. Focus on your spiritual control before you try to manifest a full scale Exploding Flare."
'Will Youqian and Manyan relations improve after this.' I thought.
As Youqian was led out by Manyan to begin his first session of stardust cultivation, Xu Meng turned back to the two brothers. The air in the vault felt slightly cooler now that the fire was gone, but the tension of high-level politics remained.
"You two have provided me with a miracle," Xu Meng began, pouring a fresh round of tea. "But I know men like you. You don't give up a treasure that can force an awakening just for Star Sea Veins, no matter how many I offer. There is something else on your minds, isn't there?"
Li Shen exchanged a look with Li Jun and me. He leaned forward, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table.
Li Shen set his cup down, a small, confident smile playing on his lips. "We're ready to take the next step, Xu Meng. We're establishing the Li family force. We've got the backing and the resources settled, but we're missing the most critical piece: the architects and engineers who can actually bring the infrastructure to life. That's where you come in."
Xu Meng leaned back in his chair, looking intrigued. "Building from the ground up? That's a massive undertaking. I assume you've already scouted a location?"
"We have a few prime spots on the radar," Brother Jun added with a casual shrug, keeping the tone light. "We'll have the final site locked in within the next month. We wanted to get you involved now, though. It's better to have the plans ready so we can hit the ground running the moment we claim the land."
Xu Meng's expression shifted from one of a grateful father to that of a calculating businessman. He took a slow sip of his tea, the steam curling around his sharp features as he processed the scale of the request. Building a family force from scratch wasn't just about brick and mortar; it was about creating a fortress capable of withstanding both magical and political storms.
"Establishing a new power base is a bold move," Xu Meng said, his eyes scanning the three of them. "You're asking for the Zhao family's inner circle of builders—the ones who understand how to weave magic-conducting materials into the very foundations of a city. That's more than a favor; that's a strategic partnership."
He tapped the table, his mind clearly running through the logistics.
"I can provide the lead architects and a specialized construction crew familiar with high-tier defensive arrays. However," he paused, leaning in, "infrastructure on that level attracts attention. If the Zhao family is seen moving that much resource to an undisclosed location, people will start asking who the Li family is and why they deserve such a stronghold." After all many major forces don't want more forces to appear, one more force that emerged, one less bread for them in their plates.
Li Shen didn't blink. "Let them ask. By the time they realize the scale of the project, the walls will already be enchanted. Besides, having the Zhao family as the primary contractor gives us a layer of legitimate cover. It looks like a standard business expansion for you."
Li Jun added, "And in return, once the base is functional, the Zhao family will have a permanent trade envoy seat within our territory. Priority purchase access to any resources we secure—be it soul seeds or beast materials—at a twenty percent discount."
Xu Meng's eyes flickered with interest. A guaranteed trade discount from a rising power was worth its weight in Star Sea Veins.
"Twenty percent is a generous offer," Xu Meng conceded with a nod. "Fine. I will put my lead engineer, Zhao Dezhu, in contact with you. He's the one who designed the reinforcement for this very auction house. He'll help you draft the blueprints for your 'Li Family Estate'."
As the meeting began to wind down, Xu Meng stood up, his gaze lingering on the empty space where the Star Sea Veins had been.
"One more thing," Xu Meng said, his tone turning grave. "Building the walls is the easy part. Holding them is where the blood is spilled. Make sure your own cultivation stays ahead of your ambitions. A palace is just a tomb if the masters aren't strong enough to defend the gates. I suffer a lot because I am lacking in strength."
I looked at my brothers and then at Xu Meng. "Don't worry, Brother Zhao. We didn't collect eleven Star Sea Veins just to look at them. By the time the first stone is laid, we'll be more than ready to defend what's ours."
With the alliance solidified and the future of the Li family beginning to take physical shape, we prepared to leave the vault. The path ahead was clear: secure the land, break ground, and transform the Li name from a group of talented brothers into a Aristocrat Family.
To Be Continue.....
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