25: Development, draw lots!

As for the method,

it was what Long Yuan had said back then:

either have children or take wives!

For every child born,

the Family would provide generous rewards!

And the fastest way to increase numbers,

was naturally to marry wives and concubines!

If a man could marry several wives and concubines,

the goal of a ten-thousand strong population would be achieved in no time.

So the Chu Family began posting marriage proposals widely throughout Qingyang Town.

Of course,

they didn't force anyone,

this matter was voluntary.

As the only large Family in Qingyang Town, countless women wanted to marry into this 'prestigious Family' or men sought to marry into wealth.

Moreover, even a small betrothal gift from the Chu Family,

was considered a huge fortune in the eyes of others.

Therefore, for a period afterward, the Chu Family was filled with joyous occasions,

with women constantly marrying into the Chu Family,

and occasionally men marrying in as well.

Sometimes, several couples would even tie the knot on the same day, making it exceptionally lively.

Firecrackers boomed simultaneously,

drums echoed to the heavens,

and banquets were almost continuous, which allowed the common folk of Qingyang Town to enjoy many feasts.

They rarely got to eat such good food normally!

Not only that,

Chu Hongtu and Chu Hongxiao also discussed,

that they shouldn't limit their goals to Qingyang Town, as it was too small. Even Wuan Town, which had just been completely taken over by the Family, became their target.

Wuan Town was larger than Qingyang Town, with a greater population, numbering as many as seventy to eighty thousand people!

However, only the Chen Family was dominant there,

and after the Chu Family exterminated the Chen Family,

Wuan Town naturally became a subsidiary town of the Chu Family.

Not only that,

but also some surrounding villages and towns.

"First, we must let them know the strength of our Chu Family, and the benefits of marrying their daughters into our Chu Family!"

Chu Hongxiao stroked the beard on his chin with his thumb and forefinger.

Beast God said,

there's no need to fear revealing their strength!

However, to deal with those small villages and towns,

the cultivation of the Old Ancestor and Clan Chief would be enough to suppress them!

"Perhaps, our ambitions can be set even further!"

Chu Jingyue said.

"The Clan Chief means?"

"Yan Yang City!"

"Yan Yang City?"

Chu Hongtu and the other were slightly startled,

they had occasionally heard of this place from passing Martial Artists,

it was said to be a very large city!

There were 5th-Order Martial King experts there!

They had sent people there before,

but they all vanished without a trace.

Because to reach there,

one had to pass through Fallen Eagle Valley, where powerful Yao Beasts resided, and it was impassable for anyone below a Third-Order Martial Warrior.

But now, the Chu Family's strength should allow them to pass safely!

"It's just, would women from those big cities be willing to marry into a small town like our Qingyang Town?"

"Hmph! A mountain doesn't need to be tall to be spiritual if it has immortals!"

"Our Chu Family's current strength is evident. Not to mention the Beast God, even the Old Ancestor will soon Breakthrough to 5th-Order Martial King!"

"At that time, who would dare to look down on our Chu Family?"

"Moreover, although Qingyang Town's population is not yet large, with the growth of our Chu Family, I believe it won't be long before Qingyang Town might become Qingyang City!"

Chu Hongtu and Chu Hongxiao exchanged glances,

both seeing the ambitious aspirations in each other's eyes!

Finally, they discussed and decided,

to expand the Family's influence to Yan Yang City!

"However, the most important thing right now is the grand ceremony in a few days. This will be the Beast God's first public appearance before our entire clan, and also to let everyone know and acknowledge the Beast God's existence!"

"This matter must not be taken lightly in the slightest!"

Now the Family had resumed normal operations,

the main thing was that day was the auspicious day they had chosen. If it weren't for this reason, the grand ceremony could have been held much earlier!

"However, there's one more matter now that requires the participation of all you Elders!"

Chu Jingyue suddenly said with a smile.

"What is it?"

"Drawing lots!"

"What? Drawing lots?"

"That's right, drawing lots! This involves a Heaven-Defying Opportunity that the Beast God is about to bestow upon you, but the Opportunities are limited, and I cannot show favoritism, so we can only use the most primitive method of 'drawing lots.' Everything depends on your individual luck!"

"Oh! Second Elder, you don't need to participate!"

"Why?"

Chu Hongxiao was puzzled,

had he done something wrong?

"You have already been internally selected by the Beast God!"

"The Beast God should have mentioned before that he would give you an Opportunity, so you don't need to participate in this drawing of lots!"

Chu Jingyue said calmly.

"This... when I went with the Beast God to search for the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Vein last time, the Beast God indeed said so!"

Chu Hongxiao had thought the Divine Beast had forgotten,

but he hadn't expected it to be waiting for him here!

Not long after,

the eight Elders gathered together,

and Chu Jingyue reiterated the matter,

"Everything depends on your individual luck!"

Except for Second Elder Chu Hongxiao,

there were seven Elders participating in the drawing of lots, and there were only three Opportunities!

"Clan Chief, can you reveal what kind of Opportunity it is?"

The Grand Elder asked curiously.

"I promised the Beast God not to say. I can only tell you that this Opportunity will not only greatly increase your strength but also change your destiny against the heavens!"

"The Old Ancestor and I both greatly increased our strength because we received Opportunities bestowed by the Beast God!"

These words immediately made all the Elders' breathing quicken.

So the rapid advancement in strength of the Old Ancestor and Clan Chief was actually due to the Opportunity bestowed by the Beast God?

Instantly, everyone felt apprehensive in their hearts,

even the internally selected Second Elder Chu Hongxiao clenched his fists nervously,

he grew even more eager to know what that Opportunity was,

that it could be so Heaven-Defying!

"Let's begin!"

Chu Jingyue took out a box,

"Everyone take a paper ball from inside. If it has the Divine Beast's pattern drawn on it, then congratulations, you've won!"

Then, several people simultaneously reached their hands into the box.

Subsequently, seven paper balls appeared in their hands!

"Open them!"

At this moment,

the hands of several people were trembling.

"Everything depends on fate!"

Chu Hongtu took a deep breath and opened his paper, "Haha, I won, I won!"

Indeed, the paper ball in his hand had the Divine Beast's pattern drawn on it.

Then the others also opened their paper balls,

and it turned out that only the paper balls in the hands of Seventh Elder Chu Jianchen and Eighth Elder Chu Yunfei had the Beast God's pattern drawn on them.

Seeing this,

the others could only sigh with regret.

"First, congratulations to the three of you who will receive the Beast God's bestowal!"

"Also, the others should not be disheartened. With the Divine Beast present, there will definitely be various Opportunities in the future, and you will have chances then. It's just a matter of sooner or later!"

Due to time constraints,

only these few people had obtained this qualification for now,

and they would only be able to receive the Opportunity from the Beast God after the grand ceremony concluded!

...A few days later,

the grand ceremony began.

On this day, the Chu Family ceased all activities,

and everyone returned to the Family,

from the Old Ancestor down to three-year-old children, all participated in this grand ceremony.

Even almost everyone in Qingyang Town gathered to watch,

wanting to witness the Chu familys Guardian Beast's presence!

But everyone was puzzled,

wasn't the Chu familys Guardian Beast deep within the Chu Family compound?

Why was it facing Qingyang Lake in the center of Qingyang Town?

Rumble!

Accompanied by rumbling thunder,

Long Yuan's enormous head extended down from the thunderclouds above Qingyang Lake!