Chapter 160. Dao Comprehension Tea Tree

Now that Scorched Sun Mountain (Location) had fallen into the hands of Earth Lion Ridge, the importance of Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) would skyrocket. The rogue cultivators who used to hunt demonic beasts at Scorched Sun Mountain (Location) would have no choice but to head for Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).

Yuyang Market was situated between the Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location) and the 2 border provinces of Bianyang. This location had serendipitously allowed it to replace the former Jiaoyang Market, and held the potential to eventually become the central hub connecting both Bianyang provinces with the Celestial Ruins Mountain (Location).

It was evident that the revenue of Yuyang Market would also rise accordingly, bringing a substantial increase in dividends for the major clans of Yujun County.

"This matter indeed has both advantages and disadvantages."

Eldrin nodded and said, "But if the Pan family wishes to settle in Yu County and take a share of the profits from our major clans, they can't expect to get something for nothing."

"Let us meet this Patriarch Pan and gauge their sincerity."

Half a month later, Percival arrived at Pingyang City as invited.

This time, Percival brought only 1 Foundation Establishment cultivator with him. Upon arriving in Pingyang City, he received an enthusiastic reception from the Chen Family cultivators.

Eldrin poured a cup of tea for Percival and said with a smile, "Your esteemed presence gracing our Chen Clan is truly an honor for our family."

"You flatter me. We are destined to be peers sooner or later, so let us interact as equals."

Although Percival was at the Purple Palace, Mid Stage, he carried no air of arrogance and instead spoke with remarkable courtesy.

Now, Eldrin's formidable reputation had spread throughout the entire Chu Kingdom. It was widely rumored that he possessed the makings of a Golden Core cultivator. Whether in terms of combat prowess or latent potential, it was enough to make Percival set aside his pride.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Percival took a sip of tea and said with a faint smile, "Fellow Daoists, to be perfectly honest, the reason for my visit is to seek your assistance."

"I understand what you have in mind, esteemed sir."

Chen Changxuan nodded, his expression grave as he said, "But you must understand, if your clan settles in Yu County, the revenues of every major immortal family in the entire county will be substantially diluted."

"I had long foreseen this moment."

Percival nodded and said, "To be perfectly frank, our Pan Clan has also come with sincere intentions this time."

"This time, aside from our Pan Clan, 7 Foundation Establishment clans and nearly a 100 Qi Refining clans seek to relocate to Yu County."

"When the time comes, we immortals will join forces with your Yu County to pool a sum of 120,000 spirit stones and elevate the spiritual vein of Yuyang Market to the lower third grade."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin's expression shifted slightly. To nurture a second-grade, high-tier spirit vein into a third-grade, low-tier 1 would require a full 300,000 spirit stones—a sum substantial enough to purchase a third-grade, high-tier immortal sword.

These immortal clans pooled their resources to raise the sum, and though the Pan Clan contributed the lion's share, each Foundation Establishment clan still had to expend tens of thousands of spirit stones on average—a truly staggering expenditure.

Once the spiritual vein of Yuyang Market is upgraded to the third rank, it will create a siphon effect, attracting an increasing number of cultivators to purchase resources. Additionally, a number of spirit fields can be cultivated, and cave dwellings can be established to lease to cultivators for their cultivation practices.

Taking all factors into account, the revenue from Yuyang Market was projected to increase by at least 4 to fivefold. Consequently, the annual tax dividends from Yuyang Market would exceed 20,000 spirit stones, and the Chen Family’s share of the profits would far surpass their current annual earnings of 2,000 spirit stones. At this thought, the 2 exchanged a glance, a flicker of restlessness stirring within their hearts.

However, Eldrin thought for a moment before saying, "That is indeed a fine suggestion, but the Heaven-Severing Demon-Slaying Array of Sunrest Market was purchased by our Riverbend County all those years ago for 100,000 spirit stones."

"Moreover, as outsiders, you should bear the lion's share of the spirit stones required for the promotion."

"I understand that." Percival nodded, then declared, "For the 300,000 spirit stones required to upgrade the spirit vein, my Pan family alone will contribute 100,000."

"The Foundation Establishment immortal clan from Yangzhou has offered 120,000 spirit stones. The remaining amount shall be covered by your Yu County. What say you?"

Eldrin’s brow relaxed slightly as he pondered for a moment before speaking, “I can agree to this matter. However, your entry into Yu County will affect my Chen Clan the most—do you understand?”

Percival nodded. It wouldn’t be long before the Chen family ascended to become a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan. By all reasoning, the interests of the entire Yu County would soon be a feast laid out on the Chen family’s plate.

Even if the major families of Yangzhou refused to contribute the funds, once the 2 members of the Chen family broke through to the Purple Mansion realm, they would upgrade the spirit vein of Yuyang Market to third-tier and monopolize this enormous annual revenue.

At this moment, the Pan family's arrival in Yu County, though having contributed 10,000 spirit stones to advance the promotion of Yuyang Market's spiritual veins, had consequently diluted the Chen family's future gains.

In response to Eldrin's words, Percival had long been prepared. He retrieved a 3-foot sapling and placed it before the crowd.

"If you allow our Pan Clan to integrate into Yu County, I am willing to offer this as an exchange. What say you?"

Enlightenment Tea Tree!

The old clan leader, a man of vast experience, felt his pupils contract sharply at the sight of the sapling. He couldn't suppress a startled cry.

The Tree of Enlightenment is an exceedingly rare treasure tree. Within the radius of its fragrance, it possesses the wondrous ability to enlighten the mind and enhance the comprehension of young children.

If a cultivator brewed tea with these leaves and drank it, they could enter a state of enlightenment, temporarily boosting their comprehension by a significant margin. Most high-level practitioners favored consuming this tea while meditating on divine abilities and cultivation techniques.

Thus, the price of Enlightenment Tea is often exceedingly precious. Generally speaking, 1 tael of second-grade Enlightenment Tea costs around 200 spirit stones.

Before them stood the Pan Clan's prized treasure—the Enlightenment Tea Tree. Reaching the peak of second-grade, it yielded 3 jin of second-grade Enlightenment Tea every 3 years, generating an income of over 6,000 spirit stones.

Eldrin never expected Percival would be willing to exchange such a precious item, and immediately agreed.

"Since you are willing to offer this Enlightenment Tea Tree,"

"In that case, our Chen Clan naturally welcomes you to join Yu County."

"Then from this day forth, we shall be fellow cultivators of Yu County." Seeing him agree, Percival revealed a smile and said, "May we support each other in the days to come."

After settling the matter, Percival (Person Name) departed Bo Yang City alongside the Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Pan Clan.

Before they had flown far, the Foundation Establishment elder of the Pan family beside him couldn't help but speak up, "Fourth Uncle, the Chen family is merely a Foundation Establishment clan. Aren't we losing too much by offering the Enlightenment Tea Tree in exchange?"

"I am also helpless in this matter."

Percival (Person Name) shook his head and sighed. "After the deaths of 2 Zifu (Cultivation Stage) experts and dozens of our clan's cultivators, our foundation has been diminished by 70 to 80 percent."

"Now that the Qingyang Sect has completely torn off all pretense of cordiality and will no longer provide us with compensation, if we wish to revive our family legacy, we have no choice but to offer the Enlightenment Tea Tree in exchange."

As his words fell, a trace of resentment and helplessness toward the Azure Sun Sect flickered between his brows.

The Pan Immortal Clan now sought to establish their foothold in Yu County. Not only did they need to upgrade the spiritual vein of Yuyang Market, but they also had to elevate Verdant Ink Mountain (Location) to the third tier—otherwise, even the spiritual energy required for their own cultivation would become a critical issue.