3: Chapter 3 The Su Family of Qingyuan

Inside the main hall of the estate, the air seemed frozen solid, and a heavy silence pressed down, making it hard to breathe.

Fortunately, County Magistrate Wang broke the atmosphere at this moment: "Immortal Master Su, you may not know, but the Imperial Court requires that this piece of land be paid for in a single lump sum, not rented or bought on credit..."

"My Li Family has already taken a fancy to this plot of land."

Before County Magistrate Wang could finish speaking, the man from the Li Family interrupted him on the spot, fixing Su Yang with an icy gaze.

Su Yang merely swept him a faint glance before turning back to County Magistrate Wang.

"I came prepared, naturally bringing sufficient funds."

His voice paused slightly, and he said calmly, "If the Li Family had taken an interest earlier, according to the rule of first come, first served, I would naturally be willing to yield. It's just that..."

"The principle of payment for a transaction, the Li Family should understand, right? If the previous buyer could not afford it, it naturally falls to the next buyer. What do you think, County Magistrate Wang?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the man's Face turned as dark as water.

County Magistrate Wang immediately burst into loud laughter, cupping his hands: "Immortal Master Su is absolutely right. Transactions indeed follow first come, first served, but the prerequisite is having the money to transact. One cannot force a sale, can they?"

The two exchanged sarcastic barbs, stopping just short of pointing at the Li Family's Face and saying: You're broke, so what are you talking about?

"Good, good, good! A fine County Magistrate Wang, and a fine Immortal Master Su! Everything you said today, I will report faithfully to the Family Head."

The man trembled with anger, pointing at the two before leaving with a ferocious expression after issuing the threat.

"Tch, a running dog relying on the tiger's might."

County Magistrate Wang shook his head dismissively.

He utterly despised the Li Family man's behavior, constantly threatening to inform the Family Head, as if the Li Family Head were the Emperor of the Imperial Court.

This Li Family was also in decline; unable to control the character of their subordinates, they would eventually bring ruin upon the entire Family.

"Immortal Master Su, these Li Family members are petty. Since you have offended them this time, you must be cautious."

County Magistrate Wang retracted his gaze and reminded him kindly.

"No matter.", Su Yang waved his hand calmly, "I had heard before coming that the Li Family was interested in this land. Since I am here, I am not afraid of offending the Li Family."

The matter of buying the land could not be hidden, nor could it be completed secretly.

The Li Family was a hurdle that could not be bypassed; if the Family was to develop, they needed a Family residence.

The subsequent transaction proceeded very smoothly.

Su Yang took out more than half of his wealth, and his heart still ached a little.

This was his savings accumulated over more than a decade: wealth earned by hunting demons at the risk of his life in the early stages, and later by cultivating spirit plant. Now, it was all handed over at once.

However, thinking of the returns that three hundred acres of farmland could bring him, the heartache in his chest lessened.

The newly purchased three hundred acres were located on the northern outskirts of Qingyuan County. Some sections had been reclaimed as rice paddies, while the rest was forest.

Su Yang inspected the site and was quite satisfied.

Upon returning home, he informed Qin Jiangmei of the news.

Qin Jiangmei was very happy and expressed her unconditional support. The two immediately began planning the division of the land and matters concerning recruiting guards and farmers.

...

Qingyuan County, Li Residence.

Family Head Li Xiao sat in the main seat, his expression quite unpleasant after listening to his subordinate's report.

"Family Head, this Su Yang is truly audacious, daring to snatch the land our Li Family had set its sights on! If this spreads, how will the Li Family establish itself in Qingyuan County in the future?"

The man acted like a sycophantic advisor, expressing righteous indignation before Li Xiao.

Li Xiao's mouth twitched slightly as he irritably stroked his fingertips.

According to the rules, Su Yang's actions were faultless, as their Li Family indeed could not produce that much money.

But Su Yang's behavior showed a complete lack of respect for the Li Family. If it had been anyone else, even if they could afford the land, they would have given the Li Family some Face.

"Set this matter aside for now. Focus primarily on acquiring farmland. Mortal gold and silver are worthless. If the Li Family wishes to prosper eternally, they must have cultivation industries."

After achieving the Innate Martial Artist realm, Li Xiao realized the ceiling of the Martial Dao. Even achieving the Martial Arts Grandmaster realm could not match a powerful Cultivator.

For the Li Family to truly rise, they had to engage with cultivation industries to earn Spirit Stones, cultivate their own Cultivators, and transition into a cultivation Family.

What Li Xiao was targeting was the spirit plant industry, which was the cultivation resource most easily accessible to Mortals.

"But Family Head, are we just going to let Su Yang off the hook like that?"

The man's Face was stiff, filled with unwillingness.

Li Xiao narrowed his eyes, rubbing his index finger and thumb together: "Su Yang is a spirit plant farmer. Buying the land is likely to increase his spirit plant yield. He is a competitor to us, so of course, we cannot let it go just like that."

"But there is no rush for this matter. We will settle the score with him later. He is only at the Qi Refining Second Layer."

After disrespecting the Li Family's Face, how could they possibly let it go just like that?

...

Time flew by, and two years passed in the blink of an eye.

Su Yang had anticipated that the Li Family would resort to covert schemes, but he never expected that after two years, everything would remain peaceful.

The Su Family compound had been built on the purchased land.

Su Yang's entire Family had moved in a year ago, after selling their previous old house.

During this period, they recruited over thirty guards for patrol and residence protection, and a hundred farmers to help tend the spirit plant.

Su Yang practiced Spells daily. Except for releasing the Spirit Rain Spell once a week to irrigate the spirit plant, all other matters were handed over to the farmers.

The income from the spirit plant over two years had already recouped the wealth spent purchasing the land.

Qin Jiangmei had also given birth to Su Yang's second child.

It was another boy, named Su Xuanming, with the hope that he would be intelligent and sensible.

Two-year-old Su Xuanheng ran around the courtyard, while the maid Xiaomei held the babbling Su Xuanming, following behind sweating profusely, terrified that the young master might fall.

At this moment, Su Yang and Qin Jiangmei were sitting cross-legged in meditation in the side courtyard.

Mysterious Formation patterns were carved onto the ground, and Five Elements Materials were placed at the five cardinal points of the Formation.

Qin Jiangmei did not know the purpose of this Dao method. Every month, Su Yang would lead her through a Dao Method baptism. After two years of this ritual, she had gradually become accustomed to it.

She vaguely sensed that this method was not simple. Being intelligent since childhood, she did not proactively ask. Su Yang would tell her when he wanted her to know.

After refining the Primordial Qi, Su Yang mobilized his Spiritual Energy to help Qin Jiangmei refine it. He wished for Qin Jiangmei to also step onto the path of Cultivation, to accompany him all the way forward.

Only when the Primordial Qi was completely refined did the two return to the inner courtyard.

"Xiaomei, give Ming'er to me. Don't tire yourself out.", Qin Jiangmei's voice was gentle as she took her younger son from Xiaomei's arms.

"It's fine, Madam, I'm not tired."

Xiaomei was sweating profusely but still insisted she was fine.

She had been Qin Jiangmei's maid since childhood and followed her as part of her dowry after her marriage. Being able to accompany a Cultivator was something she had never dreamed of, so she dared not slack off or complain of tiredness while working for the Su Family.

Su Yang was very satisfied with this young maid and considered helping the girl extend her lifespan in the future.

"Family Head, this is bad! Fifty acres of spirit plant have suddenly withered!"

Just then, a guard on duty rushed in with an anxious expression, reporting the information while cold sweat streamed down his Face.

Su Yang frowned upon hearing this, suddenly having a bad premonition.

The farmers tending the spirit plant all possessed rich cultivation experience, making the possibility of wilting due to operational errors extremely low.

If it wasn't an operational issue, then it could only be sabotage!