Li Immortal Clan, United as One!

"What? Another ten percent added to the tribute?"

"Wouldn't that mean the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan, the Liu Family, takes sixty percent of our family's total annual income?"

"Isn't that 600 Spirit Stones!?"

"..."

The Second Elder burned with rage. "That Liu Family is far too overbearing."

"They want to bleed us dry completely, leaving us with no strength to develop our family's power."

For a time, every cultivator of the Li Immortal Clan was filled with righteous indignation.

Li Dingzhou gritted his teeth as well. Like everyone else, he cursed the Liu Immortal Clan viciously.

Li Ding'an asked, "Eldest Uncle, did you agree?"

Li Guangao countered, "Could this old man refuse?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Within a radius of over three thousand li around Willow Crane Island, the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan—the Liu Family—were the unquestioned overlords.

With a casual wave of their hand, they could send two or three Late Qi Condensation Cultivators. In less than a day, they could bathe Cloud Mist Mountain in blood and slaughter the entire Li Clan.

Seated in the place of honor, Li Guangao said, "Year's end is approaching. There is less than a month until the tribute is due."

"Everyone, report the earnings from each of the family's businesses this year."

"Great Elder, you start."

After clearing his throat, the Great Elder took out an account book and said, "This year, the spirit plants I cultivated reached maturity. After deducting costs, the profit from their sale amounted to 300 Spirit Stones."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's spirits lifted.

Li Guangao took the account book and flipped through it. Smiling in satisfaction, he said, "The Great Elder has worked tirelessly and rendered great service for the family's livelihood."

The Li Immortal Clan's total annual income was around one thousand Spirit Stones, with slight fluctuations.

The Great Elder alone had contributed nearly one-third of that income.

At this moment, the Second Elder said, "This year, the family Hunting Team's earnings were basically on par with last year's, for a profit of 200 Spirit Stones."

With that, he handed over his account book as well.

Li Ding'an said, "Eldest Uncle, Origin Iron Stone production has remained at roughly one thousand jin per year these past years. After selling it, we earned 100 Spirit Stones."

Origin Iron Stone was an auxiliary material for refining First-Tier magical artifacts. It sold for ten Spirit Coins per jin, and one Spirit Stone could purchase ten jin.

One thousand jin of Origin Iron Stone was worth 100 Spirit Stones.

It was Li Dingzhou's first time attending a Family Meeting. Listening to the reports on each source of income gave him a more concrete understanding of the family's businesses and revenues.

At that moment, Li Dingzhou saw the Great Elder's third niece step forward. She was the only member of the Great Elder's branch among the second generation to possess a spirit root.

Li Dingfang respectfully presented an account book. "Reporting to the Clan Leader, this year's Spirit Rice harvest was abundant, with a yield of over five thousand jin."

"According to the usual arrangement, five thousand jin of Spirit Rice has been sold, while the remaining several hundred jin has been stored in the Family Treasury."

"After selling the Spirit Rice, we obtained 250 Spirit Stones."

Naturally, Li Dingzhou knew about the spirit fields.

The Hundred Mu Spirit Field was divided in two, with fifty mu cultivated in rotation each time.

This so-called rotational farming was a measure taken to preserve the fertility and spirituality of the spirit fields, ensuring sustainable cultivation.

Of the Hundred Mu Spirit Field, only fifty mu were planted each year. The other fifty mu lay fallow for a year, replenishing their fertility before they could be cultivated the following year.

Spirit Rice ripened once a year, yielding around one hundred jin per mu. Fifty mu produced roughly five thousand jin, though the amount varied. Some years brought bumper harvests, while in others, the yield barely exceeded four thousand jin.

This year had been a bumper harvest, producing several hundred extra jin of Spirit Rice.

Li Guangao was greatly gratified and said with a smile, "The Spirit Rice had a bountiful harvest. Dingfang, you have worked hard."

Li Dingfang modestly withdrew. "I dare not claim the credit. It was the strength of the whole family."

Finally, Li Dingqian gave a slight bow and said, "Clan Leader, not many of the Black Tooth Fragrant Pig and Unicorn Zebra young bred by the family this year survived."

"The Black Tooth Fragrant Pigs were sold to restaurants, and the Unicorn Zebras to trading firms. The total income barely reached 50 Spirit Stones, only half of the usual earnings."

Li Dingzhou knew that Black Tooth Fragrant Pigs were First-Tier Early Stage demon beasts with exceptionally delicious meat, and most Qi Refining Cultivators enjoyed eating them.

As for Unicorn Zebras, they too were First-Tier Early Stage demon beasts. Once grown, they were plump and sturdy, possessed abundant endurance, and had gentle temperaments. Traveling three hundred li a day was no challenge for them, making them excellent mounts.

Li Guangao stroked his beard. "No matter. If this year's profit falls short, we shall work harder next year."

Li Dingqian lowered her voice as she withdrew. "Yes."

Li Guangao said, "Lastly, there is this old man's side."

"This year, aside from the talisman paper I made for the family Hunting Team and distributed to the family cultivators as Cultivation Resources, the remaining talisman paper was sold for 200 Spirit Stones."

The Great Elder said, "Clan Leader, you have worked hard."

"Not only must you labor tirelessly for the family's development, you also provide the family cultivators with talisman paper as a means to kill enemies and ward them off."

"Otherwise, the talisman paper drawn by the Clan Leader would surely be the family's most profitable source of income."

The Second Elder nodded. "Yes. If not for the talisman papers provided by the Clan Leader, the casualties and losses among our Hunting Team and the clan's cultivators would have been beyond measure."

Everyone spoke up in turn. "In order to the clan, Clan Leader, you have worked hard."

"..."

Li Guangao raised a hand to quiet them. "Everything is for the clan."

"I have done the calculations. The clan's income this year is approximately 1,100 Spirit Stones."

Li Guangao also took out the account book. "These are the clan's expenditures for this year. You should all look them over as well."

"The clan currently has barely 550 Spirit Stones in reserve."

Li Guangao sighed. "I truly did not expect the Liu Family to open its jaws like a lion and raise the tax by another ten percent."

"Thus, we are still fifty Spirit Stones short of what we need for the tribute."

"With less than a month to make up a deficit of fifty Spirit Stones, time is pressing."

From within the crowd, Li Dingzhou took out three Spirit Stones. His face flushed red as he said awkwardly, "Clan Leader, I... this disciple is short on funds. I only have these three Spirit Stones."

"Xiao Qingyuan was tested this year and found to have a Four-Element Spirit Root. As his father, I must nurture him."

Li Ding'an gritted his teeth and took out ten Spirit Stones. "Eldest Uncle, now that the clan is in need, I am willing to lend a hand as well."

The Great Elder and Second Elder Looked at Each Other, then each took out fifteen Spirit Stones.

Li Dingfang and Li Dingqian did the same, each taking out around ten Spirit Stones.

Seeing this, Li Guangao was greatly comforted. He laughed. "Hahaha, good. Very good, all of you."

"As long as the Li Clan works together as one, united in heart, why should we fear that the clan will not prosper?"

Very quickly, the fifty Spirit Stones were gathered. Six hundred Spirit Stones—enough.

Li Guangao instructed, "Everyone, return home."

"Dingzhou, stay behind."

The others respectfully withdrew. "Yes, Clan Leader."

Soon, only the Clan Leader, the Great Elder, the Second Elder, and Li Dingzhou remained in the main hall.

The Clan Leader asked, "Dingzhou, have you heard about Xiao Qingyuan entering Qi Condensation?"

Li Dingzhou smiled. "I have."

"That child Yuan'er has truly given the clan an enormous surprise."

"In just ten days, he successfully cultivated his first thread of spiritual qi and entered Qi Condensation."

Li Guangao said, "Not only that, I have discovered that Xiao Qingyuan was born with an exceptionally powerful soul. In the future, when he condenses Spiritual Sense and Stepped Into Mid Qi Condensation, it will be much easier for him."

"When his Spiritual Sense transforms into divine sense in the future, he will hold an even greater advantage."

"His chances of Foundation Establishment are even higher than we had imagined."

Li Dingzhou said joyfully, "An innately powerful soul!"

The Second Elder was also overjoyed, his expectations soaring. "The future of our Li Immortal Clan rests entirely upon Xiao Qingyuan."

"If he can successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, our Li Immortal Clan will become a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan."

Li Guangao said, "That is why I asked you to stay behind. I have something to announce."

He gritted his teeth. "No matter how difficult things become for the clan, Xiao Qingyuan must never lack Cultivation Resources."

"At worst, I will draw a few more talismans every day and make more trips to the Market to sell talisman papers for Spirit Stones."

The Second Elder immediately said, "Right. At worst, I will work a little harder and kill a few more First-Tier Demonic Beasts."

"I can also cultivate more spirit plants." The Great Elder felt the same, brimming with drive, his blood boiling with fervor.

Whenever they thought of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator appearing in the clan someday, of the Li Clan becoming a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan and ruling a territory spanning a thousand li, they were filled with motivation and fighting spirit.

Li Guangao said approvingly, "Exactly. Seventy is the prime age for striving."

"The three of us old bones can still give off the last of our heat for the clan."

Li Dingzhou's blood boiled as he said, "Second Elder, this disciple has now Stepped Into the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer. When it comes to hunting demonic beasts, I can contribute even more."

"For Yuan'er, I, as his father, must give it everything I have."