Chapter 211 Guest Elder of the Huang Family! Another 500,000 Thunder Spirit Crystals!

Fairy Liu Lan departed with a trace of displeasure.

The crowd in the courtyard was still speculating and discussing.

Old Man Huang Mu entered the hall, leaning on his vine cane and wearing his eternal, benevolent smile.

"Elder Dong Xuan, this old man offers his greetings."

Old Man Huang Mu bowed slightly, his attitude polite and natural. Compared to Fairy Liu Lan's cold aloofness, he displayed more of an Elder's warmth and smoothness.

"Senior Huang, please have a seat."

Jiang Yun stood up to return the gesture, though he remained secretly vigilant.

None of these old monsters from the Hidden Families were easy to deal with. Elder Liu Lan was cold with thorns, but this smiling one was likely even harder to handle.

The two of them took their seats.

Old Man Huang Mu did not speak as boldly and directly as Shi Potian, nor did he get straight to the point of a transaction like Elder Liu Lan; instead, he began speaking as if they were just having a casual chat.

"Elder Dong Xuan's elegance today truly makes even an old man like me, with one foot in the grave, feel a surge of excitement. A sixteen-year-old Grand Tutor, who also holds the status of a Grand Elder—truly, the younger generation is to be feared."

"Senior, you overpraise me."

Jiang Yun responded politely.

He did not take the initiative to press.

He waited for the other party to reveal their true intentions.

Old Man Huang Mu gently stroked the vine cane in his hand.

As if weighing his words, he slowly said, "To be honest with you, Elder, my Huang Family has lived in seclusion for several generations. Although we have some modest assets in beast taming and breeding, we have a dearth of talent in the path of appraisal. We have never been able to cultivate a Grand Tutor Level figure. This has always been a great regret for my Huang Family."

He raised his eyes.

He looked at Jiang Yun with a sincere gaze.

"Seeing the Elder's miraculous skills today, an idea sprouted in my mind. I wonder if the Elder... would be willing to condescend to serve as a Guest Elder for my Huang Family?"

"Guest Elder?"

Jiang Yun's eyes shifted slightly.

This was yet another form of cooperation. It sounded more detached than a Hall Master but closer than a nominal consultant, but what were the specific constraints and rights?

"Exactly."

Old Man Huang Mu nodded.

The smile on his face became even more genial.

"The position of Guest Elder holds a transcendent status in the Huang Family, equal to that of the Family's own Elders. You would enjoy many conveniences and respect, yet your freedom would not be restricted at all. You may come and go as you please, without needing to handle any daily affairs."

He paused and began to lay out the terms.

"As a Guest Elder offering, my Huang Family is willing to provide the Elder with five hundred thousand Attribute Spirit Crystals every month, the types of which can be adjusted according to your needs. At the same time, the Huang Family is willing to become one of the Elder's solid backers in S Province. Although we live in seclusion, we still possess some connections and influence, which can resolve some unnecessary troubles for the Elder."

Finally.

He stated his core request.

"My Huang Family only hopes that in the future, if the Family encounters appraisal difficulties concerning our Legacy or ancient species, the Elder could lend a hand when convenient. Naturally, we would never let the Elder work for nothing; for every assistance, a generous gift will be presented."

Five hundred thousand Attribute Spirit Crystals a month, the Huang Family's protection, a transcendent status, and only needing to help out when convenient in the future... and even getting extra gifts for helping!

These terms... sounded even more generous than those of the War Beast Sect!

Moreover, his attitude was extremely sincere, clearly aimed at long-term friendship, without making any urgent or specific difficult demands.

Jiang Yun thought to himself that the Huang Family was very smooth in their dealings.

They were very thorough!

He was also calculating rapidly in his mind.

The Huang Family and the Liu Family were both Hidden Families; their foundations should be roughly equal.

The other party had clearly seen the bets placed by the Qian Family and the War Beast Sect and had decisively followed suit. Furthermore, they lowered their posture and offered more relaxed terms, with the pure goal of investment and friendship.

For Jiang Yun, this was likewise all benefit and no harm.

Why not have one more Hidden Family as a friend and resource provider?

After all, appraisal was too easy for him.

What seemed extremely difficult to others.

Was very simple in his eyes.

A perfect smile appeared on his face, and his tone took on a hint of delight.

"With Senior Huang being so hospitable, how could this Junior possibly refuse? It is my honor to be valued by the Huang Family. I shall brazenly accept this position of Guest Elder."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Old Man Huang Mu clapped and laughed, a flash of triumph in his eyes, clearly very satisfied with this result.

He didn't think five hundred thousand spirit crystals a month was much of a price. Being able to befriend this infinitely promising, youngest-ever Grand Tutor at a relatively reasonable cost could bring immeasurable benefits to the Huang Family's future.

He immediately took out a jade-green token that looked as if it were carved from living ancient wood, along with a Storage Ring that also emitted the fresh scent of vegetation, and handed them to Jiang Yun.

"This is the Guest Elder Token and this month's offering. The Guest Elder Token proves your identity. With it, you can mobilize certain resources within the Huang Family's sphere of influence and sense some of our emergency signals. If you encounter danger, our Huang Family will also receive the message. Inside this ring are five hundred thousand thunder-attribute Spirit Crystals. I heard the Elder seems to need these? If they aren't suitable, we can switch to another attribute next time."

Another five hundred thousand thunder-attribute Spirit Crystals!

Jiang Yun was secretly delighted.

This Huang Family was indeed wealthy and powerful, and their intelligence seemed very keen—they actually knew he needed thunder spirit crystals?

It seemed the power of these Hidden Families truly could not be underestimated.

He took the token and the ring.

Sweeping his Divine Sense over it, he saw the brilliant purple lightning within the ring; the quantity was exactly right.

"Thank you, Senior Huang. The thunder attribute is exactly what I need."

Jiang Yun thanked him sincerely.

"Since you are a Guest Elder of our Huang Family, there is no need for thanks."

Old Man Huang Mu stood up with a smile.

"There are still many people waiting outside, so I won't disturb you any longer. If the Elder has leisure time in the future, you are welcome to visit our Huang Family's estate at any time. I can't speak for other things, but we do have some collections of Rare Spiritual Plants and exotic flowers. Farewell."

"Take care, Senior."

Jiang Yun rose to see him off.

He watched as Old Man Huang Mu, leaning on his vine cane, walked out of the hall with a brisk pace and a face full of joy.

Jiang Yun toyed with the warm Guest Elder Token and the storage ring filled with thunder spirit crystals, his heart filled with emotions.

He had accumulated another large sum of resources for Little Skylark!

Jiang Yun was secretly pleased.

Liu Mei was right back then—becoming a high-level Appraiser truly is the fastest and easiest way to obtain resources!

Only half a day had passed.

He hadn't done anything.

Simply because he passed the Grand Tutor assessment and demonstrated his ability, he had obtained 100 billion in shares of the Qian Family and 10 billion federal currency per month, a monthly salary of 500,000 spirit crystals as a Hall Master of the War Beast Sect with an advance of 2.5 million, a choice of three items from the Liu Family's treasury plus a 500,000 thunder spirit crystal commission, and a monthly salary of 500,000 spirit crystals as a Guest Elder of the Huang Family... plus that crowd outside waiting to give gifts!

People wanting to befriend him!

At the very least, they were all second-rate forces!

This could no longer be described as resource freedom; it was practically sitting on a mountain of gold, with resources pouring in even while lying down!

...Meanwhile.

Outside the hall.

Everyone saw Old Man Huang Mu walk out with an undisguised, satisfied smile—like a farmer after a bumper harvest—and they understood immediately.

It happened again!

This Grand Elder Dong Xuan.

He practically didn't refuse anyone, but the threshold had clearly been raised to the heavens by the previous parties!

The Hidden Family, the Huang Family, had successfully secured him; it seemed the price paid was definitely not small.

Some anxious second-rate families and chamber of commerce leaders were scratching their heads, unable to wait.

But since the big shot, the Head of the Feng Family, hadn't gone in yet, they could only suppress their impulses.

Seeing Huang Mu come out, Feng Xiao received a slight nod of greeting from him and returned it with a smile.

Immediately after.

Feng Xiao straightened his robes.

He walked toward the hall with a steady bearing.

Entering the hall.

Feng Xiao did not urgently discuss cooperation like the others. Instead, he first expressed his sincere congratulations on Jiang Yun's achievements today, his words earnest and his manner elegant.

"Elder Dong Xuan's heaven-sent talent and his achievement of the Grand Tutor status in one fell swoop is truly a grand event for our provincial capital. I, Feng, have come today with no other request than to establish a good relationship with the Elder."

As Feng Xiao spoke, he took out a warm jade box and presented it with both hands.

"This is a Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Life-Sustaining Pill specially made by my Feng Family. Although its grade only barely touches the eclipsing moon, its effects on healing and sustaining life are quite unique. As long as a war beast's soul has not completely scattered, no matter how severe the physical damage, it can keep them alive and buy time for treatment. A small token of my regard as a congratulatory gift; I hope the Elder will accept it."

A pure congratulatory gift!

Without any conditions attached!

This was the bearing and investment of a top-tier noble Family.

They didn't need to urgently bind Jiang Yun with a contract; they only needed to leave a good impression and establish a bond, and there would naturally be opportunities for cooperation in the future.

This pill was worth a fortune and could save a war beast's life at a critical moment. As a gift, it was both precious and practical, without appearing cliché.

Jiang Yun understood clearly.

His impression of Feng Xiao improved quite a bit.

He solemnly accepted the jade box.

"Head of the Feng Family, I shall keep this generous gift in mind. In the future, if the Feng Family needs my assistance, I will certainly not refuse as long as it is within my power."

This was also a form of promise.

But it was more flexible than a formal contract.

This sentence was exactly what Feng Xiao wanted.

A smile appeared on his face.

"The Elder is too polite. If you have free time in the future, you are welcome to visit our Feng Family. I won't take up any more of Elder Dong Xuan's time! I'll take my leave now."

Having said that.

The two rose and exchanged pleasantries.

Then Feng Xiao left!

After Feng Xiao departed.

The numerous representatives of second-rate forces, who had been waiting for a long time, finally couldn't hold back and began to file in according to the vaguely pre-arranged order.

Most of these leaders of families and chambers of commerce had strengths around the Falling Star Rank. While they were considered figures of importance elsewhere, they seemed to lack confidence here at Tian Jian Peak.

They didn't dare mention things like cooperation or nominal titles, let alone Guest Elder or Hall Master.

Their purpose was very clear.

To make themselves known!

To present generous gifts!

To express the purest respect and intent for friendship!

"Elder Dong Xuan, I am Lei Yatong, the Clan Chief of the Lei Family. I have come specifically to congratulate the Elder on advancing to Grand Tutor! This small gift is a mere token of my respect; I hope the Elder will accept it!"

After saying this, the Lei Clan Chief presented a storage ring containing tens of thousands of spirit crystals and several billion federal currency.

Next.

"Great Master Dong Xuan! I am Zhao Wu, the President of the Tianhe Chamber of Commerce. I have long admired the Great Master! This small token is to wish the Great Master a bright future!"

With that, he presented many rare Materials or high-level potions.

Though useless to him, it was still a gesture of goodwill.

Next.

"Elder... I am so-and-so..."

...For a time.

Jiang Yun seemed to have become a mascot whose hands were getting tired from receiving gifts.

The gifts sent by these forces might not have matched the shocking generosity of the previous big shots, but there were so many of them!

Spirit crystals, federal currency, rare Ores, precious medicinal herbs, high-level beast Materials... a vast variety of items, all of significant value.

In just over an hour.

Representatives from over a dozen forces had entered.

Jiang Yun made a rough estimate.

He had received nearly a million spirit crystals from them alone.

Of all different attributes.

The federal currency added up to several billion as well.

Other various healing pills and miscellaneous Spiritual Plant resources were piled up like a mountain!

Even with Jiang Yun's firm resolve.

He couldn't help but feel a bit dazed and amazed at this moment.

The power of a Grand Tutor Level Appraiser!

Was actually this terrifying!

Fortunately, he had attained the Grand Tutor Level. If he had only stopped at the High Grade, it would have been absolutely impossible to cause such a massive sensation, let alone receive such a vast amount of resource investment!

At the same time.

He also deeply felt the profound foundations of these families in the provincial capital.

These forces, which could only be considered second-rate in the provincial capital, had a generosity and accumulated wealth that far exceeded the so-called first-rate families in C City!

No wonder people from the provincial capital always carried a faint sense of superiority when mentioning C City; the gap between the two was truly like the difference between clouds and mud.

Just as Jiang Yun sent off another wave of gift-givers.

He rubbed his somewhat throbbing temples.

He prepared to take a sip of tea and rest while thinking about how to digest this sudden, overwhelming wealth.

The hall door was pushed open once again.

A middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes, with a refined face that carried an inescapable anxiety and urgency, walked in quickly.

When Jiang Yun saw the person's face clearly.

His brow under the mask.

Twitched almost imperceptibly.

It was actually him?

Head of the Su Family, Su Yuntian?