Relocation

The Yang Family produced another Qi Gathering cultivator, an event that directly sent shockwaves throughout Willow Leaf Town.

"Another cultivator? And a child? Really?"

"Sigh... two Qi Gathering Mid-stage cultivators already have us struggling to breathe, and now another young Qi Gathering cultivator..."

"Willow Leaf Town is only so big. If the Yang Family keeps developing like this, how will the rest of us survive?"

The other powers within the town couldn't bring themselves to be happy upon hearing this news.

They worried in their hearts, but since the other party had come to invite them, they still had to attend.

That evening, at a grand banquet, Yang Guanfeng and the Town Chief chatted amicably.

Later, in front of all the families in Willow Leaf Town, he handed over the tax amount for the year, which accounted for the addition of one more Qi Gathering cultivator, to the Town Chief.

When the other forces saw this, their hearts sank.

"Good heavens, they've already paid the money? They're absolutely determined to stay in Willow Leaf Town!"

Some of them were even contemplating their escape routes in their minds.

But just then, to their complete surprise, Yang Guanfeng publicly announced the Yang Family's upcoming relocation.

"Huh?"

"The Yang Family is leaving?"

"Did I hear that right?"

They found it hard to believe.

But upon closer thought, if they switched their positions with Yang Guanfeng, relocating seemed like the most logical move for the Yang Family.

Staying in Willow Leaf Town and being the sole dominant power was good, but the town only had so much space. Supporting a large family, providing for three cultivators to train, and paying high taxes...

When calculated this way, the Yang Family wouldn't have much surplus left each year.

Once everyone understood, they began to rise and offer their congratulations to the Yang Family.

With the Yang Family relocating, they no longer had to worry about their town's interests being encroached upon. From their perspective, it was a good thing.

After the banquet, Yang Guanfeng invited the Town Chief to the assembly hall.

Seated with them were his two younger brothers, Elder Yu, and Yang Lingrui, who had just successfully reached Qi Gathering.

The Town Chief of Willow Leaf Town was named Xu Guang. His main family was a collateral branch of a prominent clan in the northern region of the Tiger Chasing Dynasty.

Because he was not valued in his family and realized he was being marginalized, coupled with his mediocre talent, he voluntarily pledged allegiance to the Dynasty and became the town chief of this small town.

"I see the Yang Family Head's aura has grown even stronger. You must be close to the Sixth Level of Qi Gathering, wouldn't you say?" Xu Guang remarked.

Yang Guanfeng chuckled, "It's not that easy. Town Chief, as you know, the further one progresses, the more formidable the bottlenecks become. Without the right inspiration or opportunity, breaking through is truly difficult."

Xu Guang nodded upon hearing this. He and Yang Guanfeng were both at the peak of the Fifth Level of Qi Gathering, having not yet broken through to the Sixth Level.

However, his situation differed from Yang Guanfeng's.

Xu Guang had reached the peak of the Fifth Level of Qi Gathering several years ago and had made all the necessary preparations for a breakthrough.

But unfortunately, the Dynasty had not issued a "Promotion Order," leaving him stuck at this level.

This was due to an agreement reached between the Dynasty below and the mountain sects above.

Cultivators from the sects were forbidden from attacking towns under the Dynasty's jurisdiction, nor were they allowed to engage in combat within the towns.

The Dynasty had to strictly control the number and cultivation levels of cultivators, not allowing them to advance their cultivation arbitrarily.

This agreement had been in place for several hundred years, with many intricate details that would not be elaborated upon here.

However, rules were always rigid, while people were flexible.

When faced with certain emergencies, such as the appearance of powerful demonic beasts, Dynasty cultivators were permitted to break through to defend the city and repel the enemy.

Alternatively, if Dynasty cultivators colluded with demonic cultivators to harm and slaughter the populace, the sects could intervene and eliminate them.

Of course, there was another scenario.

If you had an extraordinary background or immense cultivation, you could disregard all these convoluted agreements.

But for the current Xu Guang and the Yang Family, these rules were absolute.

Upon entering the assembly hall, Xu Guang's gaze was immediately drawn to Yang Lingrui, who was seated beside Elder Yu.

"What a clear and ethereal demeanor! This young man's future achievements will undoubtedly be significant!"

As someone as astute as Xu Guang, he made a judgment about Yang Lingrui with just one glance.

Simultaneously, the Yang Family's standing in his heart shifted.

Yang Guanfeng had invited Xu Guang here to discuss the Yang Family's relocation and the matters pertaining to it afterward.

The Dynasty's regulations stipulated that families within towns were to be taxed based on their population.

If the Yang Family moved out, but still retained shops on three streets within the town, how would that be calculated?

In response to this question, Xu Guang stated, "In principle, no exemptions can be made. Taxes must still be paid as before."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guanfeng broke into a smile.

In principle, no, but that means yes.

Xu Guang's statement implied that the matter was negotiable.

After some haggling, they settled on a four-six split.

The Yang Family's shops within the city would be taxed like ordinary businesses, paying per household. However, Xu Guang would receive forty percent of the shop's revenue.

This price slightly exceeded Yang Guanfeng's expectations, but it was not unacceptable.

Even after giving up forty percent of the profits, as long as the high taxes were eliminated, the Yang Family would still earn more than before.

From Xu Guang's perspective, the taxes the Yang Family paid to the dynasty yielded him no benefit.

Now that he could get forty percent of the revenue for free, he was naturally very willing to facilitate this win-win situation.

As for the Yang Family's mines outside the city, when they were in Willow Leaf Town, the town would provide guards.

But if they moved out, they would have to pay to hire guards.

Yang Guanfeng could also accept this. Finally, they discussed the specifics of the relocation.

At this point, Xu Guang generously stated that the Yang Family had already paid the remaining taxes for the year, and he would have his subordinate army assist with the relocation.

With all matters settled, everyone dispersed happily.

After Xu Guang left, Yang Guanfeng asked Yang Lingrui, "What do you think of this person?"

Yang Lingrui fell into thought upon hearing this.

As a cultivator already in the Qi Gathering stage, his body had been cleansed by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making his thoughts more agile and his perspective more thorough.

After a brief period of contemplation, he gave his conclusion in just four words.

"Beneficial for now."

Yang Guanfeng nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.

"Good. The Yang Family is on the rise now, and he's helping us. When we eventually decline, this person will wash his hands of the matter and leave us to our fate."

"So, we must rely on ourselves; strength is the foundation of everything, right, Old Ancestor?"

"That's the way it is."

Three days later, construction began on the Yang Family's new estate outside the city.

In addition to Yang Guang sending his army to help, other powers also contributed money and effort to show their support.

With their assistance, the new Yang Family mansion was completed in less than half a month.

Chen Yang's work hours were also reduced during this period. Most of the time, he stayed in Old Yang's sleeve, freeloading spiritual power.

After some time, Chen Yang's address for Yang Guanfeng changed to "Old Yang," and for Elder Yu, it became "Old Man."

"Old Yang chose a really good location; it's by the mountains and water, with a nice environment."

Chen Yang had visited the new Yang Family site with Yang Guanfeng a few times.

The scenery here was indeed beautiful, and there were large, flat plots of land that could be used for cultivation in the future.

This place was called Little Pine Mountain, situated right between Willow Leaf Town and White Stone Town to the west.

This meant that in the future, the Yang Family would no longer be confined to Willow Leaf Town and could open up a larger market.

"The family members and servants have all moved. So, tonight, it's time for the main guest, right?"

The "main guest" Chen Yang referred to was the Four-leaf Spirit-Nesting Grass in the forbidden area.

Currently, only Yang Guanfeng and Elder Yu knew about the existence of this spirit plant, making it the Yang Family's top secret.

As Chen Yang had guessed, that very night, Yang Guanfeng returned to the Yang Family's forbidden area alone, boxed up the Four-leaf Spirit-Nesting Grass, and took it away.

At the same time, he also destroyed the spirit field, completely erasing all traces of the spirit plant's cultivation.

From that day on, the Yang Residence in Willow Leaf Town ceased to exist, replaced by the new Yang Family at Little Pine Mountain.