In less than half a month, such drastic changes had occurred. A calamity not seen in over a century had re-emerged, and the Purple Mansion clan, with a legacy spanning hundreds of years, was reduced to ashes overnight.
"Sigh, rise."
With a flick of his sleeve, Elian helped the three survivors up and said calmly, "If the opportunity arises in the future, once I step into the Golden Core realm, I will personally kill Yan Mingxu and destroy the Demon Lair."
This was not only to revenge the Yang Clan, but also to protect the Chen Family from such threats.
"Thank you, Ancestor Chen! Thank you!"
The three knelt down again. Yang Yanxing, overcome with gratitude and sorrow, repeatedly kowtowed, his tears flowing freely.
After the three calmed down somewhat, Elian continued, "I have taken over the Yang Clan's ancestral grounds and inherited some of your karma. Naturally, I will not treat you unfairly."
"I will cultivate two upper-grade second-rank spiritual veins for you to rebuild your family and provide you with fifty thousand spirit stones as compensation."
"Additionally, if the Yang Clan ever faces another existential crisis, the Chen Clan will act on your behalf up to three times."
Cultivating an upper-grade second-rank spiritual vein required tens of thousands of spirit stones. Two such veins would cost one hundred thousand, and the fifty thousand spirit stones in compensation made the gesture extremely generous.
After all, the Yang Clan no longer had the strength to retain its previous assets. Even if the three Purple Mansion clans refrained from action, numerous Foundation Establishment clans would secretly vie for them. Historically, these spiritual and earth veins had also been taken by the Yang Clan from previous Purple Mansion clans.
Elian paused to reflect and recalled the Violet Essence Pills gifted by Yang Ancestor. Those pills had been immensely helpful to both him and the Patriarch during the beast uprising.
"Now that Yang Ancestor has passed, this favor should be repaid to the Yang Clan," Elian thought.
After some consideration, he decided to grant the Yang Clan another opportunity. Raising his hand, he produced a golden decree, inscribed a line of text, and handed it to Yang Yanxing.
"This is my decree. Keep it safe."
"If any member of the Yang Clan achieves Foundation Establishment perfection in the future, they may present this decree to the Chen Clan to exchange for a Five Element Crystal."
The three Yang members accepted the decree with trembling hands, overwhelmed with gratitude, and once again prostrated themselves.
The Five Element Crystal was exceedingly rare and highly coveted, even among Purple Mansion clans, which were reluctant to part with it. For Foundation Establishment clans, acquiring a single crystal often required centuries of accumulation, underscoring its immense value.
Although verbal promises could be revoked, Elian's personally signed decree was a clear testament to his sincerity and goodwill. His actions toward the Yang Clan were nothing short of magnanimous.
After the three left, Elian and the Patriarch remained at the spiritual pool.
The Patriarch glanced at the pool and the underground veins, looking both pleased and concerned.
"It took us so long to save up enough spirit stones to set up the Seven-Star Demon Refining Array in Pingyang City. It seems this plan will have to be postponed again."
"No matter," Elian said with a smile.
"Although the initial expenses are high, this will yield long-term benefits."
By acquiring the spiritual vein and the underground fire vein of Lingyuan Mountain, the Chen Clan's annual revenue would increase significantly. The underground fire vein alone produced first- and second-rank materials worth five thousand spirit stones annually.
Additionally, Lingyuan Mountain's fire vein was the only one in Bianzhou, and leasing its dozens of fire chambers could generate three thousand spirit stones annually in taxes.
"An annual income of eight thousand spirit stones is reasonable," the Patriarch agreed, doing the math.
"But the destruction of Lingyuan Mountain's spiritual herb fields is troublesome. Replanting and restoring them will take over a century, so the short-term benefits to the Chen Clan are limited."
"With so many spiritual fields under our control now, our manpower is insufficient to develop this vein properly."
Elian frowned at the thought but suddenly brightened.
"I have an idea that might activate this vein's potential."
"We could convert Lingyuan Mountain into a series of spiritual spring caves and rent them out to itinerant cultivators and members of other clans."
The Patriarch's eyes lit up.
Since the beast uprising, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in Bianzhou had surged. Combined with those migrating from Yang Region, the region now had over 180 Foundation Establishment cultivators—nearly double the number from sixty years ago. The spiritual veins in Bianzhou were already stretched thin.
Opening Lingyuan Mountain to itinerant cultivators and Foundation Establishment cultivators from other clans would attract many long-term tenants for the spiritual spring caves.
With an influx of cultivators, a cultivation market could also be established on Lingyuan Mountain.
Ling County originally had a cultivation market, Lingyang Market, jointly operated by the Yang Clan and eight Foundation Establishment clans, with the Yang Clan holding the largest share. After the Yang Clan's fall, Lingyang Market's influence was bound to decline without its resources.
Under normal circumstances, most of its customers would shift to Yuyang Market or Fengyang Market. However, opening a market on Lingyuan Mountain could retain those customers in Ling County.
"That's an excellent idea."
After hours of discussion, the two decided on this plan and agreed to establish a cultivation market on Lingyuan Mountain, naming it Lingyuan Market.
After finalizing the plan, the Patriarch frowned.
"But who will guard this place?"
Elian's eyes flickered. Lingyuan Mountain, with its third-rank spiritual vein, mid-grade third-rank earth vein, and the planned cultivation market, was expected to generate over twenty thousand spirit stones annually once fully operational.
Such valuable assets required a Purple Mansion cultivator to guard them.
However, the Chen Clan only had two Purple Mansion cultivators. In two years, after Qingyuan Mountain's advancement, the Chen Clan would control four third-rank spiritual veins in Yu County.
Permanent guardianship of these assets was essential. The Patriarch needed to oversee Pingyang City and Yu County, while Elian could not remain confined to one location for long.
"Sigh. Our Chen Clan controls too many resources now," the Patriarch lamented.
"With just the two of us, we don't have enough manpower."
He wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. The Chen Clan's holdings now surpassed most Purple Mansion clans, but the lack of personnel was a pressing issue.
This latest acquisition added a new spiritual vein and a mid-grade third-rank underground fire vein. In the future, the Chen Clan would receive a Crystal of Blazing Flame every sixty years, and its supply of first- and second-rank fire-attribute materials would be self-sufficient.
With the acquisition of this vein, the Chen Clan now solely controlled both the Metal Element Earth Vein and the Underground Fire Vein, along with 25% shares in the Gold Earth Vein and the Wood Earth Vein.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D