293: Men are also OK

The short middle-aged man nodded in satisfaction and praised, “You did well.”

Old Master Chang smiled, “It is our honor to share the Master’s worries.”

Then he took out a Storage Pouch from his sleeve and discreetly handed it to him, “You have been working hard along the way, please accept this small token of my appreciation.”

“Hmm, you’re thoughtful.”

The short middle-aged man opened it and glanced inside, seeing a small pile of Spirit Stones, roughly several thousand, which made him even more satisfied, and a smile finally appeared on his face.

“You all did very well this time, you deserve credit. After I report to the Family Head, your Chang family’s tribute can be appropriately reduced next year.”

Old Master Chang was overjoyed and repeatedly bowed, “Thank you, Brother Wang.”

The so-called tribute could also be called protection fees.

Within the Wang Family’s sphere of influence, there were more than a dozen large and small Family forces, and they had to pay a considerable fee every year to survive there.

Taking the Chang family as an example, there were no mineral deposits within the Chang family’s territory, so they could only plant Spirit Medicine, Spirit Plants, and other Spirit items, and trade them in Qianqiu City, where the Wang Family was located.

Fortunately, his Chang family also had a Second Mistress who was skilled at making various Spirit Incenses, which was also a considerable income.

However, two-tenths of this income had to be handed over to the Wang Family to obtain their protection.

This was very important; their Chang family was relatively weak, and if it weren't for the Wang Family’s protection, they would have probably been swallowed by other Families long ago.

It was precisely because of the rules set by the Wang Family that a superficial stability could be maintained here.

As for leaving Luan Yun Mountain…

Old Master Chang secretly shook his head and sighed, this was very unrealistic. With the Chang family’s reputation, they would probably be annihilated by Righteous Path Cultivators not long after leaving.

The short middle-aged man gently waved his hand, and the four attendants behind him stepped forward and cast spells. A hundred young girls suddenly stood up straight, lined up, and walked out the door.

Rows of pale bodies passed before his eyes. Chang Fangmu stared intently, unconsciously swallowing his saliva, wishing all these women were his…

Though he was lustful, he knew what was important. These women belonged to the Wang Family, and he couldn't touch them.

The short middle-aged man suddenly turned his head and asked, “Gan Country has sent people to Luan Yun Mountain recently, do you know about this?”

Old Master Chang was startled upon hearing this, and pointing to the hundred girls, he hesitated, “Is it because of them?”

Although their abduction of commoners this time was taboo, it shouldn’t warrant a pursuit into Luan Yun Mountain to kill them.

The short middle-aged man shook his head, “It shouldn’t be. I heard that the Hundred Saints Secret Realm opened some time ago, and someone obtained a treasure from it. They then escaped with the treasure into Luan Yun Mountain and haven’t been found yet. Gan Country should be here for this matter.”

Old Master Chang nodded, not thinking of Xu Sanyan for a moment, only asking, “Who did the Gan Country royal Family send?”

“I heard Princess Princeess Zheyun is leading the team, and it’s not just Gan Country; the Central Continent Five Great Sects have probably also sent people. The mountain has been very unstable recently, so if you encounter people from outside the mountain, be as careful as possible. It’s best not to provoke them if you can avoid it.”

Because Luan Yun Mountain had a notorious reputation, anyone who dared to enter it considered themselves capable, and not easily provoked.

The short middle-aged man knew the nature of the Chang family even better, saying that they were a Family composed of perverts and lechers was not an exaggeration.

Old Master Chang nodded, “Brother Wang, rest assured.”

The short middle-aged man pouted. The Chang family was the one he worried about the most. While other Families weren't good either, none of them played as wildly as the Chang family.

Having said his piece, he said no more, gave a slight bow to bid farewell, and led the human dragon out of the village.

Old Master Chang followed behind to see them off, watching them disappear into the darkness.

“Father, how are they taking so many people back?” Chang Linmu asked curiously.

They couldn't just walk back, could they?

Old Master Chang shook his head, “I don’t know, maybe they have small flying boats. This isn’t something we need to worry about.”

Then he turned and instructed, “You all heard what I just said, right? The mountain isn’t peaceful recently, so go out less and don’t cause trouble for me, understood?”

“Father, don’t worry, as long as there are women, I can stay indoors for a year.” Chang Fangmu said with a smile, then added, “Men are fine too.”

Chang Linmu ignored his unreliable younger brother and frowned slightly, “Father, if that’s the case, then Lin Fan likely came for this.”

He had mistaken Xu Sanyan as someone who entered the mountain to seek treasure, never realizing that the treasure was on him.

Old Master Chang pondered, “No matter what, this matter is definitely not something our Chang family can get involved in. Even the Central Continent Five Great Sects covet this treasure, so its value is probably extraordinary.”

Old Master Chang saw clearly. He knew that the Chang family was weak and fragile. Stepping into such a vortex would only lead to utter destruction.

“Yes, Father, rest assured, we know our limits.” Chang Linmu nodded.

“Send messages to your second uncle and third aunt, tell them to come back as soon as possible. The mountain isn’t peaceful recently, don’t wander around outside.”

“Yes.”

...

The next day, with the sun high in the sky, Xu Sanyan finally opened his eyes. The Soul Crystal in his hand had already turned into a pile of shattered fragments on the ground, its Soul Power completely absorbed.

“Ha…”

Xu Sanyan exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi, feeling a lightness in his Divine Soul.

After using two Soul Crystals consecutively, he felt his Divine Soul had become a few times denser.

Initially, in Ghost City, his Divine Soul weighed a little over two catties and six taels. After multiple enhancements, he estimated it should now be seven or eight catties.

As his Divine Soul strengthened, the power of the Lu Family Refining Spirit Strength was also gradually increasing.

Just then, a knock came from outside the door, “Young Master Lin, are you awake?”

Xu Sanyan opened the door. Standing outside was an unfamiliar young maid, who said cautiously, “Young Master Lin, the Master requests your presence.”

“What does Uncle want with me?” Xu Sanyan asked.

“This servant does not know.”

“Lead the way.”

The two walked one after another to the main hall, where Old Master Chang was waiting for him.

“Greetings, Uncle.” Xu Sanyan bowed.

“Hehe, Nephew, no need for formalities, please have a seat quickly.” Old Master Chang’s face was amiable.

“Uncle, are you looking for me for something?”

Old Master Chang nodded, his gaze sweeping over the sphere that Xu Sanyan always kept with him, and slowly spoke, “Hmm, Nephew, have you decided where you want to go?”

Xu Sanyan smiled, “I was just about to tell Uncle that I plan to leave for Qianqiu City tomorrow. Thank you, Uncle, for your hospitality during this time.”

Old Master Chang breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. The purpose of calling Xu Sanyan today was to hope he would leave soon. Since he already had a plan, it would be easy to handle.

According to what the person from the Wang Family said yesterday, Luan Yun Mountain was currently in a period of turmoil, and harboring people of unknown origins in the village could easily lead to disaster.

And Chang Family Village was fragile and could not withstand any storms. As the head of the Family, he had to consider everything thoroughly.

“Nephew, why not stay a few more days?”

Although Old Master Chang wished he would leave immediately, he still feigned politeness.