65: Chapter 65 Grand Offering Ceremony

The Jiang Family of Qingyuan widely invited the influential families and nobles of Qingyuan County to attend the Foundation Establishment Ceremony.

The entire Qingyuan County was shaken; facing the majesty of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, no one dared to decline the invitation.

For a time, the Jiang Family estate was bustling and crowded.

High-ranking officials and nobles arrived in succession; Clan Chiefs and leaders of various forces, who were rarely seen on ordinary days, all gathered at the Jiang Family today.

The banquet was divided into five levels of terraces according to rank, situated near a small lake with many clear lotuses and green lily pads near the shore.

The members of the Jiang Family sat on the highest terrace, each with glowing faces and brilliant smiles.

The Qingyuan Cultivators and nobles were positioned on the second terrace, where they could see singing and dancing performances on the central terrace, with musicians playing on both sides.

The other terraces were also filled with distinguished guests, with not a single seat empty.

Su Yang's Family arrived and took their seats on the second terrace; looking up, they could see the Jiang Family Head sitting on the first terrace.

Jiang Wuyu looked young and handsome, wearing a flamboyant light purple Daoist robe that was loosely fitted, exposing his chest; at such a solemn banquet, he lay sideways on a soft couch in a nonchalant manner, with two maidservants standing beside him, massaging his legs and shoulders.

Those who didn't know better would think he was some Family's profligate Young Master, but no one present dared to raise any objection.

Half an hour later.

The gift-giving segment began.

"The Xie Family presents two Seven-Colored Treasure Fish!"

"Shopkeeper Cui of the Immortal Treasure Tower presents one High Grade first-tier Magical Artifact!"

"Immortal Official Lord Zhang of Qingyuan presents one Crimson Flame Bead!"

"..."

Various forces took turns coming forward to present gifts, and the first terrace was soon piled high with presents.

When it was announced that the Su Family had sent a High Grade youth-preserving pill, Jiang Wuyu's interested gaze followed.

Su Yang immediately cupped his hands in a respectful salute.

"So you are the Head of the Su Family?" Jiang Wuyu said with a faint smile. "Truly a man of talent. No wonder the Su Family could develop into a top Family in Qingyuan in just twenty years."

"Senior Jiang overpraises me; it was merely a stroke of luck."

Su Yang's expression was calm; the other party's initiative to strike up a conversation seemed friendly but was actually ill-intentioned.

Seeing the gift-giving segment conclude, Jiang Wuyu smiled and continued:

"The Head of the Su Family is too modest. The Su Family's businesses are spread throughout Qingyuan County; even the local Immortal Treasure Tower cannot rival the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce. How could it be just luck?"

Not far away, Shopkeeper Cui smiled awkwardly upon hearing this, not knowing how to respond.

These words were clearly meant to incite resentment, but he wouldn't be so foolish as to actually hold a grudge against Su Yang.

The Immortal Treasure Tower was spread across the Great Wei; how could the Su Family possibly compare?

It was just that the Immortal Treasure Tower in Qingyuan couldn't compete with the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce.

The Su Family mastered the four major arts of cultivation; they could take Pill Formulas provided by Cultivators to perform Alchemy, and perform Artifact Refining according to their requirements.

Whereas Shopkeeper Cui was just a salesperson for the Immortal Treasure Tower and could not fulfill such requests from Cultivators.

Therefore, Cultivators had developed the habit of patronizing the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce, and over time, the business of the Qingyuan Immortal Treasure Tower became inferior to that of the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce.

Su Yang also just gave a dry laugh and did not reply; seeing this, Jiang Wuyu suddenly felt bored.

"This seat has been in seclusion these years, and the Jiang Family's industries have stagnated, leading to a lack of capital flow."

Jiang Wuyu spoke again, his voice spreading in all directions: "The Jiang Family is in need of a batch of cultivation resources, among which the demand for spirit plant is enormous. I heard the Su Family is the largest supplier of spirit plant in Qingyuan County. I wonder if you could lend the Jiang Family a hand?"

The corner of Su Yang's mouth twitched slightly.

This didn't sound right; if it was business cooperation, it should be cooperation, so why say it loudly for everyone to hear?

"The Su Family is naturally willing to do its best."

"Good!"

Jiang Wuyu sat up from the soft couch and threw out a list of spirit plant with an arrogant smile: "On here are the spirit plant my Jiang Family needs. I ask the Su Family to prioritize supplying my Jiang Family. If this delays the business orders of other Fellow Daoists, I hope everyone will not blame us."

He scanned everyone present with a beaming smile.

Those Clan Chiefs and leaders who had spirit plant partnerships with the Su Family hurriedly cupped their hands, generously claiming it was no problem, while inwardly cursing.

Interfering with others' business orders right from the start would have a significant impact on their businesses.

Su Yang glanced at the list; the required spirit plant were quite numerous indeed, enough to take away the spirit plant from several thousand acres of the Su Family's land!

Before he could respond, Jiang Wuyu lightly raised his hand, releasing spiritual energy to draw in two Seven-Colored Treasure Fish that were still swimming in the lake.

"These two Seven-Colored Treasure Fish are of great value. Consuming them can increase one's cultivation, comparable to the effect of a Second-tier Spirit Gathering Pill, and their effect can be stacked with those of Medicinal Pills."

Jiang Wuyu grinned and said: "Consider them a deposit for the Head of the Su Family. The remaining funds will be paid to the Su Family once the Jiang Family's industries are revitalized."

As soon as these words were spoken, the smart people had already realized.

Jiang Wuyu was simply committing robbery!

What "remaining funds would be paid later"—they had no intention of paying at all; the so-called deposit was actually the full payment.

The most ridiculous thing was that the two Seven-Colored Treasure Fish given to the Su Family were actually the congratulatory gifts the Xie Family had given to the Jiang Family.

In other words, the Jiang Family didn't spend a single cent and was directly getting something for nothing!

Su Yang's face couldn't help but darken; he had a premonition that Jiang Wuyu would target the Su Family's industries, but he didn't expect the other party to directly resort to robbery.

What business competition? None was needed!

If you lack something, just steal it; who would dare disobey the majesty of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?

As long as such tyrannical behavior wasn't too excessive, the Great Wei would turn a blind eye.

After all, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was more valuable to the Great Wei, especially in a county like Qingyuan where no Foundation Establishment expert presided; their value was even higher.

Since a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was willing to preside over a county and protect a region, wouldn't it be fair to give them some benefits?

"Why is the Head of the Su Family not speaking? Do you think Jiang's proposal is inappropriate?"

Jiang Wuyu looked at Su Yang with a light smile.

Invisible pressure slammed down like a heavy hammer.

The expected expression of anger or resentment did not appear on Su Yang's face.

He remained as expressionless as ever, his voice calm: "Senior misunderstands. Junior was merely considering if there were any spirit plant on the list that were missing. The Su Family has received your deposit, and the required spirit plant will definitely be delivered in full."

"Hahahaha!"

Jiang Wuyu was greatly surprised and laughed loudly: "What 'delivered in full'? This is a business cooperation between our two families; we should say 'it's a pleasure cooperating'."

"Senior is right. It was a slip of the tongue; please forgive me."

Su Yang smiled and cupped his hands.

This level of composure amazed all the Cultivators present; if it were them having most of their spirit plant industry forcibly taken by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, they wouldn't be able to remain as calm as he was.

It seemed the Jiang Family only took the Su Family's spirit plant, but the impact was more than just that.

With the Su Family's industrial chain disrupted, other industries would be affected as well; for example, for the annual trade with the families of the Yunmeng Ruins, this year's spirit plant and Medicinal Pills would certainly be insufficient.

Furthermore, the business of the Jiang Family's industries would grow explosively from now on, and other people's industries would be forced to shrink, including the Su Family's.

After plundering the Su Family, Jiang Wuyu then turned his target toward other forces.

It could be said that he shared the burden equally; no one could escape this exploitation.

Everyone was helpless; they not only had to be robbed but also had to welcome it with a smile.

This Foundation Establishment Ceremony suddenly turned into a Tribute Ceremony for the Qingyuan Cultivators to the Jiang Family.

When the banquet ended and they left the Jiang Family, the expressions on everyone's faces varied.

Some had faces as dark as charcoal, while others were gloating over the misfortunes of others.