The Dominance of a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan!

"Why have people from the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, the Liu Family, suddenly come?"

Clan Leader Li Guangao instinctively glanced at Li Qingyuan, then looked toward the newcomers. A trace of concern flickered in his eyes.

"Whew..." After taking a deep breath, he instructed, "Wait here. I'll go take a look."

Whoosh!

Li Guangao leaped into the air, flying on his sword for a hundred zhang before drifting gracefully to the ground. He cupped his fists in salute. "Li Clan Leader Li Guangao welcomes the Liu Clan Envoy."

"May I ask what instructions you have for coming here, Envoy?"

On the Immortal Crane's back, the middle-aged man made no effort to conceal his cultivation. The Spiritual Pressure of Qi Condensation Level 7 spread outward as he wore an arrogant expression.

Great Elder Li Guangyao said in surprise, "The visitor is actually a Late Qi Condensation expert at Qi Condensation Level 7?"

Li Qingyuan asked, "Great Elder Grandfather, is this man a Liu Family cultivator from our Willow Crane Island's only Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan?"

Cloud Mist Town, the Li Clan's territory, covered an area of more than thirty li in every direction.

Yet Cloud Mist Town was merely one of the many small towns and cities on Willow Crane Island.

Willow Crane Island spanned more than three thousand li in every direction, with its length and width stretching roughly seven thousand li. The entire island was firmly controlled by the Liu Family.

Beneath the Liu Family were countless Vassal Forces: three First-rate Qi Condensation Families, six second-rate Qi Condensation Families, and twelve Third-rate Qi Condensation Families.

The Li Family of Cloud Mist Town was one of those twelve Third-rate Qi Condensation Families.

It could be said that the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, the Liu Family, was the true emperor of Willow Crane Island and its three-thousand-li domain.

The twenty-one Qi Condensation Families of Willow Crane Island, the various powers, merchant associations, and Rogue Cultivators all had to live by their favor and obey their commands.

On Willow Crane Island, as long as the Liu Family set its eyes on something, then... every spirit vein, Spirit Medicine, Spirit Beast, mine, and all resources belonged to the Liu Family.

The twenty-one Qi Condensation Families had been able to settle down on Willow Crane Island and grow stronger only because they enjoyed the Liu Family's protection.

Therefore, Clan Leader Li Guangao was exceedingly respectful toward the Liu Family cultivator.

Not only did the other party come from a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, he was also a Qi Condensation Level 7 expert.

The Liu Family envoy produced a token. It hovered in the air, radiating an oppressive might. The character "Liu" upon it represented absolute authority. He said indifferently, "I convey the Patriarch's Order."

"Starting this year, the Tribute Resources offered by every Qi Condensation Family will increase by another ten percent."

"Ah?" Li Guangao abruptly raised his head and said in disbelief, "The Tribute Resources will increase by another ten percent?"

"Lord Envoy, another ten percent... how is our Li Clan supposed to survive?"

The visitor's cold gaze narrowed as he replied lightly, "What, does your Li Clan intend to defy the order?"

"Hmph. If not for the generosity and mercy of our Liu Family, how could your Li Clan have settled in Cloud Mist Town for several centuries?"

"You should remember this: without the Liu Clan's protection on Willow Crane Island, you Qi Condensation Families would have long been slaughtered to the last by demon beasts."

The effeminate man said mildly, "Li Guangao, one must know gratitude."

Li Guangao cursed inwardly: Your Liu Clan is the greatest bandit on Willow Crane Island.

Whenever there was a demon beast tide, were it not always our dozen or so Qi Condensation Families taking the lead, while your Liu Family sat in the rear and reaped the benefits without lifting a finger?

And now they were increasing the Tribute Resources by another ten percent. Their greed was truly bottomless.

But, but...

He could not refuse. The Li Clan was far too weak.

On Willow Crane Island, disobedient Qi Condensation Families had disappeared batch after batch, only for new batches to be supported in their place.

Many Rogue Cultivators wanted nothing more than to be dogs for the Liu Family. All they lacked was an opportunity.

Li Guangao respectfully saluted. "The Li Clan shall obey the Liu Clan Patriarch's Immortal Decree."

"You have worked hard, Lord Envoy." Li Guangao returned to his usual self, smiling without the slightest trace of anger as he presented several sheets of Tier 1 Mid-grade Talisman Paper and twenty Spirit Stones.

His heart was bleeding, but he knew that if he gave nothing, it would be easy for someone to trip him up and speak ill of him behind his back.

If this man went back and wagged his tongue, claiming that the Li Clan harbored rebellious intentions, would that not bring disaster upon the entire clan?

After accepting the gifts, the middle-aged man revealed a smile. "I knew it. Your Li Clan has always known how to behave."

Li Guangao said respectfully, "Please stay and rest, Lord Envoy. This old man would like to offer you some hospitality."

"There is no need for hospitality. This envoy still has orders to deliver." The Liu Clan Cultivator patted the Immortal Crane, which cried out and soared into the sky.

Before long, the Liu Family envoy departed.

On the Immortal Crane's back, the middle-aged man weighed the Spirit Stones in his hand, put away the sheets of Tier 1 Mid-grade Talisman Paper, and curled his lips into a smile. "Third Uncle was right. Delivering the Immortal Decree really is a Lucrative Task."

"Unfortunately, such a lucrative task cannot be enjoyed alone. They actually sent three people to carry it out."

"I need to pick up the pace and seize more benefits."

Within the Li Clan, Li Guangao waved his hand. "All right, everyone, disperse."

"Also, inform all clan cultivators at Qi Condensation Fourth Layer and above that there will be a Family Meeting tomorrow morning."

Everyone cupped their fists and accepted the order. "Yes."

Li Guangao returned to the Small Courtyard and looked at Li Qingyuan. "Xiao Qingyuan, how do you feel?"

Li Qingyuan felt stifled in his heart. "Not good."

"The people of the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan are very domineering."

"And it is unsettling to feel that the life and death of the entire clan rests entirely in another's hands."

Li Guangao said, "Remember this feeling. Do not forget it."

"It will become the driving force that pushes you to cultivate diligently and become stronger."

"In the Cultivation World, strength is supreme. Without strength, even survival depends on living by another's favor."

Li Qingyuan nodded. "Grandpa Clan Leader, rest assured. Qingyuan will certainly cultivate diligently."

Li Guangao laughed freely, his old heart greatly comforted. "Go on, return home."

Li Qingyuan respectfully saluted. "Grandpa Clan Leader, Great Elder Grandfather, Qingyuan takes his leave."

The Great Elder watched Li Qingyuan walk away and said, "Clan Leader, won't saying that put too much pressure on the child?"

Clan Leader Li Guangao chuckled. "Don't worry. Qingyuan is far more outstanding than you think."

After a pause, the Clan Leader added, "Whether in cultivation talent or strength of mind."

Before long, Li Qingyuan returned home.

"Father is still in seclusion?" Li Qingyuan glanced at the room where his father was cultivating in seclusion, then walked toward his own room.

As for Mother, although she was a mortal, she also had to work.

For instance, she went to the Seaside Beach to gather Spirit Shells and pan for Spirit Sand, made artificial Spirit Fertilizer, fertilized the Hundred Mu Spirit Field, weeded it by hand, tended to the Spirit Rice, and so on.

The Li Clan had a population of three thousand, yet only around sixty cultivators. Some of them were Immortal Seedlings who had only recently Stepped Into cultivation.

Thus, much of the physical labor and time-consuming work was assigned to the clan's mortals.

The Li Clan's mortals, as well as the mortals of Cloud Mist Town, worked for the Li Clan in exchange for worldly monetary rewards, so there was no shortage of labor.

"Can Spirit Stones that have already been copied still be copied?" Holding two Spirit Stones, Li Qingyuan silently said, "Collect."

This time, the two Spirit Stones did not budge. They could not be taken into the Mysterious Feminine Space.

"It seems that Spirit Stones cannot be copied again after being copied once." Li Qingyuan pondered. "Or perhaps they can only be copied once per day?"

"Let's try Spirit Rice."

Li Qingyuan still had a sack of Spirit Rice in his small room, a full ten jin.

His father had already told him about the treatment provided by the clan.

Each month, he would receive one Spirit Stone and ten jin of Spirit Rice.

On the market, one jin of Spirit Rice was worth five Spirit Coins.

Ten jin of Spirit Rice was worth fifty Spirit Coins.

A Spirit Stone was about the size of a mahjong tile and could be made into one hundred thin, semi-transparent Spirit Coins, thin as cicada wings.

Thus, one hundred Spirit Coins equaled one Spirit Stone.

Ten jin of Spirit Rice was worth fifty Spirit Coins, equivalent to half a Spirit Stone.

"Collect!" Li Qingyuan held the Spirit Rice and silently called out in his heart.

The next second, with a whoosh, the Spirit Rice vanished.

The ten jin of Spirit Rice inside the sack disappeared.

Within the Mysterious Feminine Space, ten jin of Spirit Rice appeared, then duplicated and doubled into twenty jin.

Twenty jin of Spirit Rice was worth one Spirit Stone.

Li Qingyuan said joyfully, "It worked. The Spirit Rice doubled."