Moo!
In Xinghua Village, an old water buffalo in the distant mountain fields let out a bellow.
The villagers, too, toiled day after day.
At the entrance of Xinghua Village, Meng Haoran was walking alongside more than a dozen younger members of the Meng Family.
Today was the Meng Family's second time selling Spirit Beasts in West Market, half a month after the previous sale.
Upon reaching the Meng Family residence, Clan Leader Jingshan personally emerged from the Spirit Spring to welcome Meng Haoran and the others back.
Half a month ago, the Meng Family had sold a total of thirty-one Spirit Beasts in West Market, earning twenty-four thousand eight hundred and fifty Spirit Stones in all.
That sale of Spirit Beasts had let the Meng Family taste the sweetness of success.
Even Clan Leader Jingshan had never imagined that selling Spirit Beasts could be so profitable. At this rate and on this cycle, the profits from the Spirit Beasts sold by the Meng Family were nearly catching up to those brought in by the Second-Tier Spirit Plant, Six-Pattern Wheat, in the Spirit Plant Field.
When he saw Meng Haoran enter, Meng Jingshan hurried forward, took his hand, and asked, "Hao Ran, how was today's income?"
Meng Haoran cupped his fists and replied, "We sold a total of forty-three Spirit Beasts today, with a total income of thirty-four thousand four hundred Spirit Stones."
Hearing such an enormous income in Spirit Stones, Meng Jingshan grinned from ear to ear and repeatedly praised, "Good, good, good! Today, I'll have the kitchen prepare an extra meal for you juniors!"
All the younger members answered in agreement.
Meng Haoran helped Meng Jingshan back into the room and said, "Clan Leader Jingshan, the area where our Meng Family can operate in Xinghua Village is extremely limited. The five mu of Spirit Plant Field in the rear courtyard are already under cultivation. If we wish to further expand the Spirit Beast business, we will certainly need to increase the size of the Spirit Beast grounds. But the Meng Family only has so much space. This has become a restriction on our development in Spirit Beasts."
Meng Jingshan nodded. "Hao Ran, how could I not understand what you are saying? Although the income from selling Spirit Beasts is nearly no less than the income from the Spirit Plant Field, once we settle the costs, the Spirit Beast income is still inferior. Therefore, once the Six-Pattern Wheat in the Spirit Plant Field ripens next time, I intend to use the Spirit Stones from its sale to first expand the Meng Family's operating range in Xinghua Village."
Hearing this, Meng Haoran pondered briefly before asking, "Clan Leader Jingshan, using Spirit Stones to expand the Meng Family's operating range in Xinghua Village is not impossible. But Hao Ran wonders whether this might draw the attention of the Lin and Chen Families?"
After pouring Meng Jingshan a cup of cold tea, Meng Haoran continued, "The Meng Family has already been far too conspicuous because of the Spirit Taming Talismans and the sale of Spirit Beasts in West Market. The Lin and Chen Families are watching every move we make at all times. If expanding our operating range in Xinghua Village exposes the five mu of Spirit Plant Field in our rear courtyard, that would truly be a case of gaining a sesame seed only to lose a watermelon!"
The Meng Family had finally gotten onto the right track, and nearly all of it was because of the Second-Tier Spirit Plant, Six-Pattern Wheat, in those five mu of Spirit Plant Field in the rear courtyard.
This Six-Pattern Wheat could not only earn the Meng Family a great number of Spirit Stones, but also raise the Meng Family's overall strength.
Even if they were not allowed to sell Spirit Beasts in Qingyang County Town, or to sell Spirit Taming Talismans there, Meng Jingshan would never expose the secret of the Spirit Plant Field in the rear courtyard.
Hearing this, Meng Jingshan could not help but laugh. "Hahaha, this old fellow was muddleheaded. I did not think as far ahead as you did!"
Meng Haoran smiled. "Clan Leader Jingshan flatters me."
As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Bohai's voice came from outside the door.
"What did Hao Ran say that made Clan Leader Jingshan laugh so heartily?"
As he spoke, Meng Bohai's broad figure stepped in through the doorway.
Meng Jingshan nodded. "Bohai, you came at just the right time. I have something to discuss with you."
Hearing this, Meng Haoran cupped his fists. "Then I shall take my leave first."
Meng Jingshan waved his hand. "Hao Ran, do not leave. Stay here and listen."
Meng Haoran was somewhat doubtful, but since Meng Jingshan had said so, he could only stand quietly to one side.
Meng Bohai sat beside Meng Jingshan and asked, "What is it, Clan Leader Jingshan?"
Meng Jingshan smiled. "It is nothing major. The Meng Family has recently gained some Spirit Stones, and you are already at the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining. So I was thinking of using the Lineage's resources, along with my cultivation realm to protect you, to help you advance into the Half-step Foundation Establishment Realm!"
Meng Bohai was slightly stunned upon hearing this.
Meng Haoran, standing to the side, cupped his fists and smiled. "Congratulations, Clan Uncle Bohai!"
Meng Bohai replied calmly, "Clan Leader Jingshan, I fear this is inappropriate. The Meng Family's most urgent task is to swiftly yet steadily accumulate all Foundation Establishment resources, so that you may successfully advance from the Half-step Foundation Establishment Realm to the Foundation Establishment Realm. Would this not be putting the cart before the horse?"
"Though I am now in the Half-step Foundation Establishment Realm, I am already old. Even after the Lineage accumulates sufficient Foundation Establishment Level cultivation resources, my chance of success would only be fifty-fifty."
Meng Jingshan explained, "That is why I think that rather than let such an uncertain matter happen, it would be better to help you advance to the Half-step Foundation Establishment Realm first. Even if the Meng Family later gathers enough resources for me to attempt a breakthrough, I would bear no burden in my heart then."
After hearing Meng Jingshan's words, Meng Haoran finally understood the elder's painstaking intentions.
At present, Meng Bohai's breakthrough from the Tenth Layer of Qi Refining to the Half-step Foundation Establishment Realm was merely a matter of how many resources they had.
He was only one final step away from the Half-step Foundation Establishment Realm. In Meng Jingshan's eyes, it was something as certain as ten out of ten.
Since Meng Jingshan himself had only a fifty-percent chance of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, if his advancement failed, at best it would waste the cultivation resources the Meng Family had painstakingly accumulated over this period; at worst, he himself might perish during the breakthrough.
If Meng Jingshan were to die unexpectedly, and the Meng Family had no Half-step Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator within it, they would truly become fish on the chopping block, at the mercy of others.
Moreover, Song Zhiyi, the county magistrate of the county yamen, had already extended an intention to cooperate with the Meng Family. The Meng Family absolutely could not make any mistakes at such a critical moment.
Meng Bohai had fought for the Meng Family for many years, and he understood Meng Jingshan's words the moment they were spoken.
Seeing Meng Bohai nod slightly, Meng Jingshan rose and said, "Bohai, there are enough Spirit Stones on the table for you to absorb and refine. Hao Ran and I will wait outside for your good news."
After saying this, Meng Haoran helped Meng Jingshan walk outside.
Meng Bohai cupped his fists. "Bohai will never disappoint Clan Leader Jingshan's expectations!"
Meng Haoran closed the door. He and Meng Jingshan then sat on the stone steps outside, waiting quietly.
Before long, a powerful suction force appeared inside the room. Streams of visible heaven and earth spiritual energy formed a massive vortex and surged rapidly into the room.
Seeing this, Meng Jingshan swept out his hand, and an invisible formation covered the area, concealing the disturbance.
He lowered his head to look at Meng Haoran and asked, "Hao Ran, do you think Bohai will succeed?"
Meng Haoran nodded solemnly and smiled. "Clan Leader Jingshan, rest assured. Clan Uncle Bohai will certainly succeed!"
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