64: Liu Family

In the southwest corner of Southeast Market Town, sixty-nine miles away, lies the Liu Family territory.

It's only about ten miles from the Lin Family settlement; in the Immortal Realm, this distance is like a neighborly visit.

A hundred years ago, the two families joined forces to resist a Yao Beast tide from the depths of Black Mountain, forging a life-and-death bond.

But thirty years ago, the Liu Family struck it rich, discovering and monopolizing a Medium Grade First Stage Spiritual Land, which soured the relationship.

Not only did the Liu Family gain better Cultivation land, but they also acquired a unique skill for raising Spiritual Fish!

Those fish are in high demand in Southeast Market Town, with several inner circle restaurants placing orders.

Spirit Stones flow into their coffers like a river.

With Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, and Magical Artifacts are easily obtained.

The Family's foundation has soared.

In recent years, the Liu Family has produced three Late Stage Qi Refining powerhouses! They are the undisputed leaders in these parts, with unmatched prestige.

The entire Liu Family territory is now protected by a High Grade First Stage Formation called 'Hundred Waters Flow Sand Array'.

This Formation is no joke; once fully activated, it connects over a hundred lakes in the Liu Family territory, harnessing the power of heaven and earth.

Even a Late Stage Qi Refining powerhouse would be helpless against it!

Entry is impossible unless you're an honored guest of the Liu Family or possess a special pass.

Attempting to force your way in is a death wish.

At this moment, within the Liu Family's grand and dazzling gate, a figure detested by the Lin Family's younger generation is putting on a 'face-changing' act.

The once domineering Lin Family Great Elder, who ruled his clan with an iron fist, now wears a fawning smile, his mouth stretched wide like a royal eunuch.

He follows closely behind a Cultivator in his early twenties, bowing and scraping like a 'lickspittle'.

This young Cultivator is Liu Chengcai, the legitimate son of the Liu Family!

With Three Spiritual Root Aptitude, he is a strong contender for the future Family head!

He will surely reach Late Stage Qi Refining.

His status far surpasses that of the Lin Family Great Elder.

Liu Chengcai's face is expressionless, but his eyes hold a hint of disdain and arrogance.

He glances at the Lin Family's 'spokesperson' beside him, his tone indifferent as if discussing today's vegetable prices:

"Our Liu Family has nearly two hundred Cultivators, with more high-level experts at Qi Refining Sixth Layer than you can count on two hands. We're willing to ally with your Lin Family..."

He pauses deliberately, drawing out his words: "... purely out of respect for our ancestors' shared history of fighting Yao Beasts together, and our unwillingness to see your Lin Family fall."

He tilts his chin, his tone condescending: "With our Liu Family's 'support', your Lin Family might just pull through. Who knows, one day you might even be able to stand beside us... barely."

He emphasizes the word 'support', his tone superior.

The Grand Elder nods eagerly, his face beaming with joy:

"Absolutely, absolutely! If the Liu Family lends us a hand, it's our Lin Family's ancestors blessing us from their graves!

Your great kindness will never be forgotten! Our Lin Family will follow the Liu Family's lead; if you point east, we won't go west!"

He fawns like a dog wagging its tail, desperate for a bone from its master.

Liu Chengcai's eyes flash with satisfaction. He then points to a field shrouded in Spiritual Qi, where a mysterious deep purple Spiritual Plant grows.

"See that?" Liu Chengcai says with a hint of pride, "That's our Liu Family's new Spiritual Plant—Purple Su Grass.

It's a Medium Grade First Stage Spiritual Plant; without our Disciple in the Qinglan Sect, we wouldn't have it here!"

He pauses, seeming to enjoy the Grand Elder's longing gaze: "This plant is hardy, easy to grow, and not picky about soil. Even in a Low Grade First Stage Spiritual Field, it thrives, yielding plenty."

He gestures grandly: "Once this Purple Su Grass can be transplanted, all of your Lin Family's Spiritual Fields will be planted with it!"

"Don't worry," Liu Chengcai says with a meaningful smile, "Our Liu Family will send experienced Spiritual Plant Cultivators to 'guide' you. Once harvested, the Spirit Stones from sales..."

He holds up two fingers, waving them in front of the Grand Elder: "...we'll give your Lin Family two-tenths! How's that? Isn't our generosity overwhelming?"

His words are honeyed, but his heart is filled with cold laughter.

Though the Purple Su Grass is a Medium Grade First Stage Spiritual Plant, its extensive root system absorbs all nutrients, allowing it to thrive even in Low Grade First Stage Spiritual Fields.

However, this depletes the field's Spiritual Qi and fertility. After two or three harvests, the field will be barren, devoid of Spiritual Qi.

Spiritual Fields are a Family's lifeline!

No matter how decayed a Family becomes, as long as each household has a few acres of Spiritual Fields, they can endure.

But if a Family resorts to selling Spiritual Fields, their end is near.

What is a Loose Cultivator?

Simply put, a Cultivator without Spiritual Fields.

With a few acres of Spiritual Plants, one can always obtain some Spirit Stones and have hope.

Just like how the Liu Family demanded Lin Family women marry into their Family for an Alliance, such a humiliating act was accepted by the Grand Elder and carried out.

But if the demand was to hand over all Lin Family Spiritual Fields for an Alliance, not only would the Grand Elder likely refuse, but the ordinary Lin Family Cultivators would also resist with their lives.

This Spiritual Plant cultivation is a guise to deplete the Lin Family's Spiritual Fields, converting them into Spirit Stone resources for the Liu Family.

As for killing the goose that lays the golden eggs?

They aren't the Liu Family's Spiritual Fields, so who cares?

The Lin Family Great Elder's eyes light up with greed! This is a perfect opportunity to deeply bind with the Liu Family and show loyalty! He's been eager for such a chance!

His voice trembles with excitement: "Rest assured, rest completely assured! Once this crop of Spiritual Rice is harvested, I'll order all Spiritual Fields to be planted with Purple Su Grass!"

This is a tremendous blessing, a win-win! If the Liu Family feasts, we're content with the broth!"

He wrings his hands, his face overflowing with gratitude: "The Lin Family will forever remember the Liu Family's great kindness. Learning from your Spiritual Plant Cultivators is a blessing for generations!"

Behind the Grand Elder stands a young man with a hint of youthful pride in his eyes—his great-grandson, Lin Jing Hong, with Four Spiritual Root Aptitude and Qi Refining Third Layer Cultivation.

Seeing his great-grandfather's fawning, Lin Jing Hong feels a burning shame, wishing he could disappear.

A hundred and twenty Spirit Stones, with eight-tenths taken away, leaves the Lin Family with only twenty-four or twenty-five Spirit Stones.

It seems like a lot, but cultivating Spiritual Rice earns no less annually.

Why accept this 'charity'? He feels stifled and humiliated.