Chapter 61 Lin Immortal Clan (Organization)

6 decades ago, at the peak of the Chen family's power, they had secured nearly 30 percent of the tax revenue share in Yuyang Fang, with annual dividend spirit stones exceeding 1,500.

An annual allocation of 1,500 spirit stones amounted to 15,000 over a decade. Such immense resources had once empowered the Chen Family to flourish extravagantly. They not only invested heavily in cultivating multiple top-grade rank-1 spirit veins but also acquired treasures as rare as the Purple Sun Jade.

However, ever since the Chen Clan declined and lost the capability to station Foundation Establishment cultivators in Yuyang Market, their designated share was divided among the 6 great families.

"The 6 great clans each took a significant portion of our share back then." The Third Elder frowned as he spoke. "Now, getting them to fully relinquish what they've devoured won't be easy."

"If they refuse to give it, then we cross swords."

The old clan leader waved his sleeve and declared with soaring spirits, "As per tradition, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from each major immortal clan shall compete. The tax share of Yuyang Market will be determined by strength."

"Since we happen to be hosting a banquet for the various great families, there's no need for them to make an extra trip. We shall settle this with a duel right upon Verdant Chariot Mountain."

Eldrin nodded. The major Foundation Establishment immortal families jointly managed the Yuyang Market, and had long established a mature distribution method for the tax shares of Yuyang Market.

According to the established rules, the distribution shares of Yuyang Market were allocated based on the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators each clan possessed. If 2 clans had an equal number of Foundation Establishment experts, the allocation would then be determined by their respective cultivation levels.

Beyond this, if any clan was dissatisfied with their allotted share, they could challenge another clan to a Sword Duel.

Each side shall dispatch 3 cultivators for the sword duel, following a best-of-3 format where the victor claims the defeated party's allotted share.

The old clan leader's power had reached a level where he could contend for the title of Yu County's foremost expert. With full confidence in Eldrin (Person Name), he resolved to secure greater advantages for their clan.

Once resolved, his gaze fell upon Eldrin. "Qingwan and Lior have only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment. They still need to consolidate their cultivation."

"I must trouble you to make a trip and deliver the invitations to the 5 Great Immortal Clans."

Eldrin nodded slightly and smiled. "That's easily settled. I'll make a trip to the 6 Great Families tomorrow."

After all, this involved inviting Foundation Establishment cultivators from various major clans, and it was also connected to the dueling swords of Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location). Sending a mere Qi Refining cultivator would undoubtedly come across as discourteous.

Sending a newly ascended Foundation Establishment cultivator from the younger generation like him to deliver the invitations demonstrated both dignified humility and respect toward the great clans.

After further deliberation, the assembly ultimately decided to schedule the banquet 3 months later.

“…”

Early the next morning, Eldrin took the invitation and departed from Verdant Chariot Mountain.

The Yu Prefecture spanned tens of thousands of miles in all directions, with distances between its major clans often exceeding 10 1000 li. If a Qi Refining cultivator were tasked with delivering a message, a single letter could easily take over half a month to arrive.

Fortunately, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Eldrin could soar through the skies on a 30-foot sword gleam, covering over 15,000 li in just 3 days before arriving at the Lin Immortal Clan.

As the foremost of the 6 great immortal clans in Yu Province, the Lin Immortal Clan (Organization) possesses strength and heritage that rank first in the region.

As early as 1 100 years ago, the Lin Immortal Clan (Organization) was still a relatively ordinary Foundation Establishment clan in Yu County. Yet today, the Lin Clan unexpectedly boasts 7 Foundation Establishment cultivators, with their clan leader, Lin Mocheng (Person Name), having reached the ninth level of Foundation Establishment—making him the most powerful cultivator in all of Yu County.

All of this was thanks to the Lin family's extraordinary luck. Nearly a 100 years ago, they had actually produced a cultivator with a Wind Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) named Mordecai (Person Name).

Cultivators with Heterogeneous Spirit Roots are top-tier talents found in only 1 in 10 1000. The entire Verdant Sun Sect had merely 2 or 3 such individuals. Thus, long before Mordecai (Person Name) reached adolescence, the Lin Family sent him to the sect in exchange for 3 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object).

With these 3 Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object), the Lin family produced 2 Foundation Establishment cultivators in 1 fell swoop, greatly enhancing their clan's strength from that point onward.

Moreover, over a dozen years ago, when Mordecai (Person Name) broke through to the Violet Mansion realm, he personally funded 3 additional Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) for the Lin family to resolve karmic debts. From then on, the Lin family’s fortunes began to flourish.

However, after being sent to the sect, Mordecai (Person Name) grew up consuming the sect's resources and could no longer be considered a member of the family.

After all, the Verdant Sun Sect had painstakingly invested resources in nurturing him—not to cultivate a Purple Mansion cultivator for someone else. Once his karmic ties with the Lin Family were severed, Mordecai (Person Name) was forbidden from any further contact with the Lin Family.

The Lin family sold off Mordecai (Person Name), losing a pillar of their clan who had the potential to break through to the Golden Core realm. Yet from then on, the family flourished and expanded. Whether this transaction ultimately proved to be a gain or a loss remains an enigma.

"The Lin Family is ultimately far too self-serving."

Eldrin gazed upon the Lin Family's encampment before him, a fleeting thought crossing his mind.

To sell off the possibility of becoming a Golden Core immortal clan for a few Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) was, in his view, a devastatingly poor trade.

Even if Mordecai (Person Name) fails to break through to the Golden Core realm, with his unique spiritual root aptitude, he has at least a 50 to 60 percent chance of reaching the Violet Mansion stage. How could the interests controlled by a Violet Mansion immortal clan be measured by mere handful of Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object)?

Selling several Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) brought the greatest benefit to the clan by enabling those former leaders to successfully break through to Foundation Establishment.

While this appeared to strengthen the family in the short term, it only truly benefited those few individuals from back then, while greatly depleting the family's potential.

Zifu Immortal Clan.

"Among the 3 prefectures of Bianzhou, only our Yu Prefecture lacks a Purple Mansion immortal clan."

The flying sword soared onward and in the blink of an eye arrived before the Lin Family's mountain gate. Eldrin suppressed his wandering thoughts and descended on a streak of sword-light.

He stood before the mountain gate and called out in a clear, carrying voice, "I am Eldrin of Verdant Chariot Mountain, here specifically to seek an audience with Clan Leader Lin."

Moments later, Eldrin saw a streak of sword light flying toward him from the distance.

From several miles away, before the figure even arrived, a hearty laughter rang out: "I've long heard the Chen family produced a young prodigy. Seeing you today, the rumors truly don't do you justice."

The newcomer was a young man at Foundation Establishment, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm). He descended in a flash of sword light and greeted with a smile, "I am Lin Baixi (Person Name). Well met, fellow Daoist."

Eldrin (Person Name) cupped his hands in salute. "My respects."

"Truly a remarkable young talent." Chen Baixi carefully examined Eldrin, his expression turning solemn. "Our clan leader has requested your presence. Please follow me."

The 2 soared up to the main peak of the Lin family, where the clan leader, Lin Mocheng (Person Name), was already waiting in the reception hall.

The man, clad in a long robe, cast a smiling glance at Eldrin and said, "I had long heard of your breakthrough into Foundation Establishment, young friend. I intended to offer my congratulations, yet never imagined you would now grace the Lin Family with your presence."

"What an unexpected honor to have such a distinguished guest grace our Lin family's humble abode."

As soon as his words faded, a glimmer flashed in Eldrin’s eyes.

"Young friend" is generally an address used for juniors of lower cultivation realms. Now that he had established his foundation, and they were not clan relatives, by all rights Lin Mocheng ought to address him as "fellow Daoist".

To think he would address him as "young friend" at this moment—was this an attempt to assert superiority, a deliberate provocation, or simply a dismissal of his presence?

Eldrin was no easy mark either. Without batting an eye, he countered, "You flatter me, fellow cultivator. I, too, have pressing matters that brought me here."