Chapter 231: Chapter 162: Human Heart_1
Translator: 549690339
“The arrival of the Immortal Envoy graces us with splendor and glory!”
Xu Yang welcomed a person into Fish and Dragon Island.
It was none other than the Green Jade Immortal Envoy—Bai Yunzi.
Looking at Fish and Dragon Island, which seemed unremarkable and changed only slightly, and at the young man standing tall and proud before him, Bai Yunzi felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him.
Twenty years ago, a battle for life and death at Dongting determined the ownership of this “Fish and Dragon” Spirit Land.
For this reason, the head of the Li Family, Li Jianchen, fought three consecutive battles in the arena, risking his life in the last one, employing the incomplete version of the Golden Core Sword Jue, clashing mightily against the old ancestor of the Zhou Family, Zhou Mingyu, leaving both parties severely injured.
The battle was tragic indeed.
Afterward, although Fish and Dragon Island came into possession of the Li Family, just a decade later came the tragic news that “Li Jianchen,” the head of the family, had passed away in meditation. His son “Li Liuxian” succeeded him as head of the family, taking control of the Li Family and guarding Fish and Dragon Island.
Comparatively, the Zhou and Wang families suffered even greater tragedies. The late-stage Foundation Establishment ancestor of the Zhou Family, Zhou Mingyu, suffered from the sword wounds, was ambushed and killed on his journey home, not only resulting in his own demise but also leading to the enemy seizing the family’s accumulated resources and potentiality.
The pillar of the Zhou Family thus collapsed. The second-tier mid-grade Spirit Vein of Qingfeng Mountain, as well as the Cultivation Market painstakingly managed by the Zhou Family, became targets for all. Various Foundation Establishment forces fought openly and in the shadows, causing the deaths of numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and the annihilation of two Foundation Establishment powers, turning everything into a bloodbath.
In the end, it was the Green Jade Sect that intervened and took over the Qingfeng Mountain Market, and only then did the turmoil come to a halt.
Having suffered heavy casualties and even losing their Spirit Land, the foundations of the Zhou and Wang families took a significant blow.
In contrast, the Li Family, despite losing their head Li Jianchen, intimidated all sides with the mighty reputation of their Sword Cultivators and the unyielding spirit shown when fighting for the Spirit Land, securing twenty years of peaceful development.
Now, twenty years have passed, and although Li Jianchen is no longer alive, his son Li Liuxian has raised his Cultivation to mid-stage Foundation Establishment. As a Sword Cultivator with extraordinary combat prowess, he has inherited his father’s mantle. Guarding Fish and Dragon Island, he is more than adequate.
By all means, it should have been so.
But…
Bai Yunzi let out a sigh, yet his expression remained unchanged.
Xu Yang saw this but also did not show any reaction.
The two thus toured Fish and Dragon Island and then returned to the reception hall.
“This is Red Leaf Immortal Tea, I invite the Immortal Envoy to appreciate it.”
“You flatter me, young nephew!”
After a round of pleasantries, Bai Yunzi set down his teacup and said to Xu Yang, “Although Brother Li has departed early, with a worthy nephew succeeding him, the Li Family is bound to thrive.”
“The Immortal Envoy is too kind,”
Xu Yang shook his head, “Liuxian is dull-witted, not comparable to my father. It is already my great fortune to keep the family business going, I dare not aspire to more.”
“Ha!”
Bai Yunzi laughed, neither confirming nor denying any point, but looked around and then said, “Your Spirit Land has become a first-tier mid-grade. If cultivated for another two or three decades, it should be able to advance to a first-tier upper-grade.”
After speaking, he looked at Xu Yang, “According to the rules of our Green Jade Sect, once a Spirit Land reaches first-tier upper-grade, it must open a market. Moreover, Brother Li had an agreement with me—to excuse the Li Family from twenty years of labor. Now that the twenty years have passed, this arrangement cannot be continued. You should be prepared, the Sect’s assignment could arrive at any time.”
Xu Yang nodded, saying calmly, “Liuxian understands.”
“Good that you understand, good that you understand,”
Seeing his calm acceptance, Bai Yunzi inwardly nodded in approval.
In the territory of Liang Country, the Three Sects hold sway, and while various Foundation Establishment powers may survive, they must obey the Upper Sects, join their systems, and serve them.
Without delving into other matters, just take the Spirit Land—for all intents and purposes, the Spirit Land is under your name, but the actual ownership still lies with the Green Jade Sect. You are but a tenant, and if you cannot pay the rent or complete the labor, the Green Jade Sect has the right to take it back.
Not only that, once your Spirit Land is cultivated to a certain extent, it must also follow the commands of the Green Jade Sect, open a Cultivation Market, and allow the Green Jade Sect to establish a “Green Jade Tower” within to sell various items from the Green Jade Sect.
After opening the market, the taxes and labor owed by the Spirit Land will increase, and you must ensure the market is running smoothly to earn Spirit Stones while bearing the tax burden.
If the market is mismanaged, resulting in insufficient income and leading to its closure, then the Green Jade Sect will reclaim the Spirit Land just the same.
The exploitation is quite severe.
But this is the way of the Cultivation World, where the strong prey on the weak, a hierarchical extortion, big fish eating little fish, and little fish eating shrimp.
No one can escape this; either join this chariot and exist within this system, or become an enemy of it.
Grow secretly and expand in the shadows?
Such wishful thinking is absolutely impossible.
Xu Yang, back in the day, established his reputation with a battle and staged a formidable performance, expending quite a number of Spirit Stones to waive twenty years of labor.
But now, times have changed, and circumstances have shifted—this “agreement” could no longer be extended.
Seeing Xu Yang’s understanding, Bai Yunzi no longer hesitated, “Young nephew, to tell you the truth, my term as the Green Jade Immortal Envoy is nearly over.”
“Oh?”
Xu Yang’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, “May I ask where the Immortal Envoy intends to ascend?”
“What ascent.”
Bai Yunzi shook his head, “After reporting back to the Sect, I’ll serve as an elder and enjoy my remaining years in peace.”
Then looking at Xu Yang again, “Your father and I were also friends, so there is something…”
His words trailed off, not continuing.
Xu Yang, seeing his intent, said, “Please do not hesitate to impart any advice, Immortal Envoy.”
With that, he handed over a Storage Bag.
“Ah, how could I accept this!”
Bai Yunzi shook his head but still accepted the Storage Bag, “After I leave, my successor will be a Golden Core seed of our Green Jade Sect and the favored disciple of the Law Enforcement Elder, named Lin Juefeng!”