31: New City Owner and Family Planning

The messengers from the prefectural city came and went in a hurry.

Five days later, an official appointment document from the Baiyue Prefecture Prefectural Governor's Mansion arrived in Linjiang City.

The contents of the document caused a huge stir in the city.

First, the Prefectural Governor's Mansion expressed condolences regarding the former City Lord Zhao Wuji's 'unfortunate Qi Deviation during cultivation, which resulted in the complete loss of his cultivation base.'

At the same time, they highly praised the Shen Family for remaining calm in the face of crisis, stabilizing the overall situation, and protecting the property of the Immortal Dynasty.

Second, to commend the Shen Family's merits, the Prefectural Governor's Mansion decided to officially transfer the Grade 2 High Grade Spiritual Vein originally under the Lin Family's name, as well as several businesses like the Hundred Herbs Hall in the south of the city, to the Shen Family. Furthermore, they exempted the Shen Family from thirty percent of their taxes for the next ten years.

Third, after careful consideration and adopting 'various opinions' from Linjiang City, the Prefectural Governor's Mansion officially appointed Liu Xuande, an Elder of the Loose Cultivator Alliance and an Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, as the new City Lord of Linjiang City.

These three pieces of news were each more shocking than the last.

The Cultivators of Linjiang City now understood everything perfectly.

What Qi Deviation? What stabilizing the overall situation?

This was clearly the Prefectural Governor's Mansion standing up for the Shen Family and providing official endorsement!

The Shen Family had crippled the former City Lord, and instead of being punished, they had gained immense benefits!

The newly appointed City Lord Liu was a well-known 'nice guy' in the city.

This man's cultivation was not high, his temperament was mild, and he had no ambition whatsoever.

Making him the City Lord?

How was that any different from directly handing Linjiang City over to the Shen Family?

In an instant, the Shen Family's prestige in Linjiang City reached its peak.

All families and factions abandoned any other thoughts and prepared generous gifts, heading to the Shen Family to pay their respects and show their submission.

The Shen Family had become the veritable uncrowned king of Linjiang City.

Shen Yuanmo did not pay much attention to the outside world's turmoil.

After resolving all external threats, he immediately devoted all his energy to the internal construction of the Family.

On this day, in the Shen Family's discussion hall, all the core clan members of the Qi and Yuan Generations gathered together.

This was a meeting that would determine the future direction of the Shen Family.

Shen Yuanmo sat high in the main seat, calmly scanning the excited, reverent, or expectant faces below.

“Everyone.”

He spoke, his voice steady and naturally authoritative.

“The external threats have been pacified, and our Shen Family has welcomed a golden Opportunity for development. However, opportunities are only for those who are prepared. From today onwards, we must forget about comfort and face the challenges with a brand-new posture.”

“I announce that the Family will undergo a comprehensive reform in four aspects.”

Everyone held their breath and pricked up their ears.

“First, cultivation!”

Shen Yuanmo's voice was powerful and resonant.

“Cultivation Techniques are the Foundation of a Family. You must have already experienced the power of the Crimson Sun Glazed Scripture. Effective immediately, all core clan members must abolish their old techniques and switch to the new method! The Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones in the Family treasury will be supplied with priority to those who Cultivate diligently and make the fastest progress!”

“I don't care about your past; I only look at your present and future! Whoever can make a greater contribution to the Family will receive more resources! The Shen Family does not support idle people, and certainly not useless ones!”

These words made the blood of the younger generation boil with excitement.

While some older Elders felt the pressure, they also understood that this was the only path for the Family's rise.

“Second, industries!”

Shen Yuanmo turned to Shen Qifa Shen Qifa.

“Shen Qifa.”

“This old man is here!”

Shen Qifa hurriedly stood up, his expression excited.

Shen Yuanmo flicked his finger, and a Jade Slip flew in front of him.

“In here are over a dozen Tier 1 and Tier 2 Pill Formulas I have improved. They include qi gathering powder, Rejuvenation Pills, and Fasting Pills. By refining them according to the new formulas, the success rate will increase by thirty percent, and the medicinal effects will be double the original. Moreover, the cost can be reduced by twenty percent.”

“What?!”

Shen Qifa took the Jade Slip and scanned it with his Divine Sense. He froze on the spot, then his whole body began to tremble with excitement.

“Heavens... Oh my! This... this is simply a stroke of divine genius! Exquisite craftsmanship! Grand Elder, you...”

He no longer knew what words to use to describe his feelings.

The hall broke into an uproar.

Costs reduced, effects doubled?

What kind of concept was that?

It meant that the Shen Family's Medicinal Pills would crush all similar products on the market with an absolute advantage!

This item alone could bring a continuous stream of profit to the Family!

Shen Yuanmo ignored everyone's shock and continued.

“In addition to Medicinal Pills, I will subsequently provide brand-new techniques and plans for the Family's Artifact Refining Workshop, Talisman Hall, and Spirit Plant Garden.”

“I want the words 'Shen Family Produced' to become synonymous with high quality throughout the entire Baiyue Prefecture!”

“Third, defense!”

His voice became solemn.

“Having suffered once, we cannot suffer a second time. I have personally designed the brand-new Family protection array, the Glazed Profound Light Formation, which has consumed seventy percent of the Family's resources and is now basically complete. This array integrates offense and defense, and is sufficient to withstand the full-force strike of a Golden Core True Person!”

“Hiss—”

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath echoed in the hall.

Withstanding a Golden Core True Person?!

This gave all the Shen Family clansmen an immense sense of security!

“Fourth, and finally, expansion!”

Shen Yuanmo stood up and looked toward the distant prefectural city.

“Linjiang City is too small. Our vision cannot be limited to this corner of the world.”

“I have decided to form a Family merchant caravan, led personally by my father, to head to Baiyue Prefecture City and open up trade routes. We will sell our Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts to even further places! We will also bring back the resources and information we need most from the prefectural city!”

At this moment, all the Shen Family clansmen felt their blood burning.

A heroic spirit they had never felt before rose in their hearts.

“We respectfully obey the Grand Elder's decree!”

Everyone stood up together and bowed deeply toward Shen Yuanmo, their voices almost lifting the roof.

Looking at this scene, a gratified smile appeared on Shen Yuanmo's face.

A powerful Family needs not only a strong leader but also all clan members to be proactive and upward-striving.

He had successfully ignited this fire.

Just then, Shen Zongdao, who had been silent, walked to Shen Yuanmo's side.

His face was a mixture of gratification and solemnity, and his lips moved slightly.

“Yuan Mo, come here for a moment. Old Ancestor has something he wants to say to you in private.”

Shen Yuanmo's heart stirred, and he nodded.

The two of them went to a quiet corner of the discussion hall.

“Yuan Mo.”

Shen Zongdao looked at his grandson, who had now completely matured, with a face full of emotion.

“Seeing the Family as it is now, I could die today and rest in peace.”

“Old Ancestor is joking; your Lifespan is still long,” Shen Yuanmo smiled.

“No.”

Shen Zongdao shook his head, the smile on his face fading as he became serious.

“I know my own body. Although you used medicinal baths and Cultivation Techniques to remove the old ailments in my body and restore my vitality... when I failed to break through to Foundation Establishment back then, the most severely damaged part was the Foundation of my Dao Platform.”

“These days, I have been diligently practicing the Crimson Sun Glazed Scripture, and although my cultivation has improved, whenever I try to break through the Bottleneck of the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, that cracked Dao Platform sends waves of tearing pain, unable to withstand any more pressure from my magic power.”

“To repair the Foundation of the Dao Platform, ordinary Spirit Pills and medicines are no longer useful.”

Shen Zongdao sighed deeply, his words hiding an uncontainable longing and deep helplessness.

“Unless...”

“Unless I can find the legendary Grade 3 High Grade Spirit Medicine, nine-aperture stone milk.”