Chapter 194 Summary Meeting

With this matter now concluded, Eldrin turned his gaze toward Lior and spoke with a faint smile.

"Uncle Lior, it's been 3 years since we've held the annual review assembly."

"Since everyone is gathered today, let's take this opportunity to hold our annual sect assembly."

As the old patriarch and Eldrin (Person Name) steadily advanced in their cultivation, the clan's annual assembly had now shifted to being held once every 3 years.

At each year-end assembly, it was sufficient for either Eldrin or the old clan leader to be present, as both prioritized their cultivation above all else and often could not spare the time to attend the annual gathering.

Lior nodded. In truth, the Old Patriarch had intended to convene an annual assembly shortly after emerging from seclusion, but various matters had delayed it.

Finally finding time today, he took out a prepared ledger and handed it to Eldrin (Person Name), then began to speak.

"I wish to address the fiscal matters of the past 3 years."

Over the past 3 years, the clan's revenue...

As Eldrin took the account ledger, reviewing it while listening to Lior's explanation, he swiftly gained a clear understanding of the family's developmental progress.

Long before securing the Golden Metal Earth Vein, the Chen Clan's annual total revenue hovered around 9,000 spirit stones, while their expenditure on stipends amounted to 8,000 spirit stones.

After the beast tide, the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the clan had increased by over a dozen, leading to a significant rise in the distributed stipends.

At that time, with the old clan leader and Eldrin included, the annual stipends for Foundation Establishment cultivators alone amounted to over 4,000 spirit stones. Combined with the stipends for over 5 100 Qi Refining cultivators, the yearly expenditure on salaries alone exceeded 8,000 spirit stones.

Following the breakthroughs of Eldrin and the Old Clan Leader into the Violet Mansion realm, the family's revenues surged dramatically.

First was the Eldrin Vein. This vein brought the family a 1-time income of 200,000 spirit stones, and would continue to generate an annual revenue of 7,000 spirit stones for the family thereafter.

This did not even account for the Geng Metal Crystal (Spiritual Object) that materialized once every 60 years, nor the third-grade treasure crystals that took decades to gestate, emerging 1 by 1 over the years.

Moreover, after the spiritual vein of Spirit Isle Lake (Location) advanced to the third-tier lower grade, the number of Azure Spirit Fish in the lake had multiplied to over 10 1000, and from now on, it would yield 1 1000 spirit fish annually.

The Azure Spirit Fish can enhance cultivation when consumed, and its flavor is exceptionally exquisite. Not only will it sell well in Bianzhou, but it can also be distributed as stipends to the clan’s cultivators. With an annual yield of just 1,000 fish, it may not even suffice for the clan’s internal consumption.

1 1000 spirit fish could already bring the family an income of 5,000 spirit stones.

However, Spirit Isle Lake (Location) no longer cultivates spirit rice these days. The 100 acres of spiritual fields that have been cleared are all of high grade, so they have been sown with seeds of high-grade spiritual herbs. These include Purple Marrow Fruit used to refine Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), Cloud Pattern Fruit for crafting Cloud Pattern Creation Pills, and other premium medicinal plants.

Even so, in a few years when the Cyan-Scale Spirit Fish multiply to over 10 1000, the annual yield of 5,000 spirit stones would still be a considerable fortune.

Upon careful calculation, the Spirit Isle Lake (Location) and the Aurum Metal Vein have brought the family an additional income of 12,000 spirit stones.

Combined with the other spiritual veins and miscellaneous income, even excluding the taxes from Yuyang Market, it had already reached 15,000 spirit stones.

In recent years, the tax revenue of Yuyang Market has been rapidly increasing. It will only begin to gradually slow down in approximately 10 years. By that time, it is expected to generate an annual tax income of 5,000 spirit stones for the family, which translates to a total annual revenue of 20,000 spirit stones.

The Cangkun Mountain (Location) earth vein can also generate an additional 3,000 spirit stones in revenue for the family, while the combined output from the Bianzhou spirit stone mine and the underground Xin Metal Vein (Earth Vein) will contribute an extra 5,000 spirit stones to the annual income.

All things considered, in approximately 10 years, the clan's annual income would reach 28,000 spirit stones.

Meanwhile, the expenditures had also increased significantly. After Eldrin and the old clan leader broke through to the Purple Mansion realm, their annual stipends were raised to 5,000 spirit stones.

The annual stipend for just the 2 of them alone exceeded the combined salaries of all other cultivators in the clan.

After all, the family was limited in scale. Practitioners at the Qi Refinement, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm) received an annual stipend of merely a few spirit stones, while those at the Qi Refinement, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm) received only a dozen or so spirit stones. Only those who had reached the ninth layer of Qi Refinement could receive an annual stipend exceeding 45 spirit stones.

Including Ethan (Person Name), the clan only had a dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators and several 100 Qi Refining cultivators. Their combined stipends wouldn't exceed 8,000 spirit stones.

Eldrin calculated the figures and found that the clan's financial surplus would reach as high as 10,000 spirit stones. Even with the increasing number of cultivators in the clan due to the loosened birth policies, there would be no risk of a fiscal deficit.

Moreover, the spiritual veins of the Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) and Pingyang City would also advance to the third rank within 20 to 30 years.

In particular, the Enlightenment Tea Tree in Pingyang City was originally a second-grade, high-quality specimen. After evolving into a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root), its growth accelerated dramatically, and it is expected to reach the third grade within a few years.

When the time comes, the clan will also establish spirit fields and cultivate a large quantity of high-grade medicinal herbs, accumulating foundational resources for the future of the family.

An annual surplus of 10,000 spirit stones.

A faint smile graced Eldrin's (Person Name) lips as he swept his gaze over the assembly. "The family's flourishing prosperity rests entirely upon your diligent management and steadfast guardianship," he remarked warmly. "Our esteemed elders have contributed immeasurably to these achievements."

Hearing this, everyone broke into smiles. With this annual surplus of 32,000 spirit stones, they would have ample means—whether to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills (Spiritual Object) or 5 Elements Crystals in the future, or even to acquire magic treasures for the 2 Patriarchs.

With savings accumulated over a century, they might even afford treasures like the Golden Core Formation Pill (Spiritual Object) or 5 Elements Spirit Fruit (Spiritual Object), potentially aiding both ancestors in their breakthrough to the Golden Core realm.

Seeing everyone in high spirits, Eldrin took out some of the cultivation techniques they had obtained this time.

"Aunt Qingwan, this Verdant Wood True Fire Art is a Purple Mansion cultivation method, and here is the refinement technique for the Verdant Wood Core Lamp. Please make a copy of them first."

Purple Mansion cultivation technique?

Chen Qingwan took the Verdant Wood True Fire Art, her face lighting up with ecstasy.

Although she had long known her family possessed this treasure, holding it in her hands now still filled her with a surge of delight.

Seeing her immersed in the profound mysteries of the Violet Mansion Art, Eldrin smiled and withdrew his gaze. He retrieved several scrolls of cultivation techniques and handed them to Lior.

"These are the Foundation Establishment cultivation manuals seized from this battle. Place them in the Scripture Repository."

Lior took the cultivation manual and glanced at it, a smile spreading across his face. "The Earth Sovereign Art of Ji Soil," he said. "I never expected to find a ninth-level Foundation Establishment technique with an earth attribute. Now the Chen Clan's collection of Foundation Establishment techniques is finally complete."

Hearing this, everyone turned their gazes in surprise, their faces lighting up with joy 1 after another.

The Chen Clan had developed too rapidly in recent years. Although they had already ascended to become a Violet Mansion Immortal Clan, their cultivation techniques still had some gaps.

The Chen Clan now possessed a total of 3 Zi Mansion cultivation methods, 2 of which were the Green Lotus Ren Water Sutra and the Ice Soul Chilling Radiance Sutra.

The Glacial Soul Radiance Sutra was profoundly mystical, capable of cultivation up to the 9th level of the Purple Mansion. It contained methods for mastering the divine ability Frost Jade Condensed Light Curse and refining the life-bound magical treasure, the Glacial Soul Radiance Sword. However, only those with an Ice Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root) could practice it.

The Azure Lotus Ren Water Scripture possessed an extraordinary origin. Since Lyra (Person Name) had delivered this legacy to Eldrin (Person Name) on behalf of her close friend, it clearly entailed a karmic bond. Thus, Eldrin (Person Name) found it inappropriate to pass it on to the members of the Chen family.

The final volume was the Sunfire Sutra pioneered by Eldrin (Person Name). This method integrated the essence of the Solar Nirvana Art and the Emberflame Dao Ruins Art, forming what could be described as an overwhelmingly potent pure-yang cultivation technique.

However, although this cultivation technique was powerful, it was not easy to master. Within the clan, only the old patriarch had managed to grasp its fundamentals thus far.

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Sovereign The sky thundered, crimson clouds swirling like dragons across the firmament. At the peak of Mount Kunlun, Lei Yu's body trembled as golden lightning snaked across his skin. He had failed. "9 Revolutions of the Heavenly Tribulation... I, Lei Yu, have cultivated for 3 1000 years, yet still fell at the final hurdle." Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as his spiritual power rapidly dissipated. Just as his consciousness began to fade, the jade pendant at his chest—a relic from his deceased mother—suddenly glowed with an ethereal light. Space twisted and distorted around him. When Lei Yu reopened his eyes, the searing pain of heavenly lightning had vanished. Instead, he found himself in a simple room, lying on a wooden bed. "Have I... returned?" He examined his pale, slender hands—the hands of a 15-year-old youth. Memories flooded his mind like tidal waves. He was indeed back, returned to 3 100 years ago when he was still an outer sect disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. This was before his family's destruction, before his meridians were crippled, before he embarked on that arduous path of cultivation against all odds. "Since heaven has granted me a second chance, I, Lei Yu, swear to rectify all regrets! Those who betrayed me shall pay, and I shall ascend beyond the Heavenly Tribulation!" Knock, knock. A impatient voice sounded from outside the door: "Lei Yu, stop pretending to be dead! The sect's monthly distribution is today. If you don't claim your 3 spirit stones soon, don't blame me for taking them for myself!" Lei Yu's eyes sharpened. He remembered this day clearly. In his previous life, he had been severely injured during training and missed the distribution, allowing this scoundrel to steal his spirit stones. Now... He pushed the door open and saw a pock-faced youth standing outside with a contemptuous expression. "What? Still alive?" The pock-faced youth sneered, "Since you're up, hand over your spirit stones. Consider it protection fee." Lei Yu smiled coldly. In his past life, as the Thunder Emperor respected throughout the realms, who dared speak to him like this? "Protection fee? You think you're worthy?" The pock-faced youth was stunned, never expecting the usually timid Lei Yu to talk back. Enraged, he reached out to grab Lei Yu's collar: "You seeking death?" But before his hand could touch Lei Yu, Lei Yu's fingers had already pinched his wrist. A subtle energy flowed, and the pock-faced youth felt his entire arm go numb. "How is this possible? You're clearly just a first-level Qi Refining novice..." The pock-faced youth stared in disbelief. Lei Yu released his hand and said coldly, "Scram. If I see you again next time, I'll break your arm." The pock-faced youth stumbled backward several steps, his face alternating between green and white, but ultimately didn't dare say another word and fled in panic. Lei Yu shook his head. Such petty characters weren't worth his attention. His current priority was to quickly improve his strength. According to his memories, in 3 months, the Azure Cloud Sect would hold its outer sect disciple competition. The top 3 would receive Foundation Establishment Pills and even the chance to become an inner sect disciple. This was his opportunity. But with his current qualifications and resources, breaking through to Foundation Establishment in 3 months was nearly impossible. Fortunately, he possessed cultivation techniques and experiences from his previous life. "The Heavenly Thunder Scripture I practiced in my past life required absorbing heavenly lightning, which is unsuitable for now. But I still remember many middle-level techniques. The '9 Transformations Demon Art' should suit my current needs." Having made his decision, Lei Yu didn't hesitate. He left the dormitory and headed toward the Assignment Hall. Along the way, many outer sect disciples cast strange glances at him, some pointing and whispering. "Look, it's that waste Lei Yu." "I heard he failed his cultivation attempt yesterday and nearly died." "Tch, with his poor qualifications, yet he overestimates himself trying to practice advanced techniques." Lei Yu completely ignored these discussions. In his eyes, these people were merely ants not worth his attention. Arriving at the Assignment Hall, he directly walked toward the mission bulletin board. Most of the tasks posted were for gathering herbs or hunting demon beasts, with meager rewards. Just as Lei Yu was considering which task to take, a commotion came from outside the hall. "It's Senior Sister Mu Qingxue!" "The number 1 beauty of our outer sect! Why would she come here?" A woman in white walked in, her features exquisite as if carved from jade, her temperament cold and detached. Her mere presence seemed to brighten the entire Assignment Hall. Lei Yu's heart stirred. Mu Qingxue—in his previous life, this woman had left him with extremely complex feelings. She was the daughter of the sect leader, a cultivation genius who had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining at just 16. In his past life, Lei Yu had held secret feelings for her, but their status difference was like that of clouds and mud. Later, after Lei Yu's rise to power, he learned Mu Qingxue had been forced into a political marriage and ultimately died young. But now, seeing her again, Lei Yu's heart remained surprisingly calm. 3 100 years of cultivation had long tempered his mind beyond such fleeting affections. Mu Qingxue seemed to sense something, her gaze sweeping over and briefly pausing on Lei Yu, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes. She felt this outer sect disciple was somewhat different from the others, but couldn't pinpoint exactly why. Shaking her head slightly, she no longer paid attention and walked toward the high-difficulty mission area. Lei Yu withdrew his gaze and finally settled on a suitable task: gathering 10 stalks of 100 Year Snow Lotus in the back mountains. Although the back mountains were dangerous, they were precisely where he could quickly improve his strength. Moreover, he remembered that besides Snow Lotuses, there was also an opportunity there. After accepting the mission, Lei Yu didn't delay and immediately set off for the back mountains. The Azure Cloud Sect's back mountains stretched for hundreds of miles, deep within which even Foundation Establishment experts wouldn't dare venture lightly. Lei Yu only planned to operate in the periphery. Along the way, he encountered several demon beasts, but they were all low-level creatures easily dealt with using the combat skills from his previous life. Suddenly, his expression shifted as he sensed something. He quickly hid behind a large tree. Not far away, 2 figures were locked in intense battle. 1 was a beautiful young woman, the other a burly man with a scarred face. "Zhao Tian, you dare attack a fellow disciple? Aren't you afraid of the sect's punishment?" the young woman shouted angrily. The scarred man laughed darkly, "Su Wan, as long as I kill you, who will know it was me? Hand over the Mysterious Spirit Herb obediently, and I might spare your life." Lei Yu recognized them—both were outer sect disciples, with Zhao Tian being notoriously vicious. He originally had no intention of interfering, but when he heard "Mysterious Spirit Herb," his heart stirred. This herb could significantly aid his cultivation. Just as he was hesitating, the situation suddenly changed. Zhao Tian unleashed a secret technique, his power instantly soaring. With a palm strike, he sent Su Wan flying. "Since you refuse a toast only to drink a penalty, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Zhao Tian approached fiercely, killing intent overflowing. Su Wan's eyes filled with despair. Just as she thought she was doomed, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her. "Who's there?" Zhao Tian halted, frowning. Lei Yu stood with his hands behind his back, his tone indifferent: "Fellow disciple, killing within the sect is a capital offense." Zhao Tian saw it was Lei Yu and immediately laughed contemptuously: "I thought it was some expert, but it's just a waste. Scram if you don't want to die!" Lei Yu's eyes turned cold: "Is that so?" In that instant, an overwhelming aura burst from him. Though his cultivation was only at the first level of Qi Refining, the presence he exuded was that of a supreme expert who had stood atop the world for 3 100 years. Zhao Tian felt as if he faced not a outer sect disciple, but a sovereign overlooking all living beings. His legs went weak, and he nearly knelt. "What... what kind of demonic art are you using?" Zhao Tian stammered, face pale. Lei Yu didn't answer, taking a step forward: "Leave the Mysterious Spirit Herb, and I'll spare your life." Zhao Tian wanted to refuse, but when he met Lei Yu's gaze, all resistance crumbled. He tremblingly took out the Mysterious Spirit Herb and placed it on the ground, then turned and fled as if his life depended on it. Su Wan stared blankly at this scene, barely able to believe her eyes. The notoriously fierce Zhao Tian had actually been scared off by a first-level Qi Refining disciple? "Thank you for your rescue, fellow disciple..." She struggled to stand and bow. Lei Yu waved his hand, picking up the Mysterious Spirit Herb: "No need. I didn't save you for free—consider this herb my payment." Su Wan was momentarily speechless. She had never seen someone so blunt. "May I ask your name, fellow disciple?" "No need. We're just passing ships in the night." After saying this, Lei Yu turned and left, disappearing into the forest. Su Wan gazed at his retreating figure, a strange light flickering in her eyes. She had a feeling this mysterious disciple was anything but simple. Meanwhile, Lei Yu found a hidden cave. Holding the Mysterious Spirit Herb, a faint smile finally appeared on his lips. With this herb, he could attempt to break through to the second level of Qi Refining. More importantly, he remembered that not far from here was a cave abode left by a senior, containing something that could change his destiny. But before that, he needed to improve his strength. The back mountains were fraught with danger, and with his current abilities, carelessness could still be fatal. Sitting cross-legged, he began operating the 9 Transformations Demon Art. Spiritual energy from heaven and earth continuously gathered, forming faint visible streams that flowed into his body. This scene, had anyone seen it, would have shocked them—such a method of absorbing spiritual energy was something even Foundation Establishment experts might not achieve. Lei Yu, however, found it completely normal. With his cultivation experience, even practicing a middle-level technique was enough to create astonishing phenomena. As spiritual energy continuously poured in, he felt the barriers at the first level of Qi Refining slowly loosening. Just then, a deafening roar came from outside the cave, shaking the entire mountain.