Chapter 868 - 680: Tiger Whale Demon Emperor
Likewise at the Late Stage of True Pill, Qin Zhicheng’s complexion was much rosier than that Zheng Mantang’s, and there was a natural authority in his words—clearly, he could command obedience.
The surrounding Clan Elders also treated his orders as absolute, carried out without the slightest delay.
It seemed that within the Qin Family of Purple Maple Mountain, things were far more united and orderly than in the Zheng Family of Gold Ripple Mountain.
In addition to these Fake Pill Clan Elders, a Qin Family cultivator at the Early Stage of True Pill stood attending at Qin Zhicheng’s side, named Qin Baohua.
It was said that there was another True Pill True Master in the clan who, because he held an important position within the Profound Celestial Sect, was unable to get away for the moment and thus had not rushed back.
Everyone filed into the hall in turn and took their seats according to rank.
Very soon, Qin Family female cultivators entered in a continuous stream, presenting Spirit Wine, fragrant tea, all kinds of Spirit Fruit, and many carefully prepared delicacies, filling the long table.
The hall was instantly suffused with rich aromas, and the atmosphere grew all the more harmonious.
With many people present, proper business was actually harder to discuss.
This banquet of a dozen or so people was, after all, meant mainly for building rapport and setting the tone.
Shen Xuan accompanied Qin Yuehan, going up to each seated Qin Clan Elder to offer wine and exchange polite words.
Wherever they went, there was praise all around.
Everyone praised Qin Yuehan’s extraordinary beauty and gentle temperament.
Words of flattery flowed without end, to the point that Qin Yuehan’s ears turned slightly red from listening, and she felt rather ill at ease.
Shen Xuan found it amusing in his heart, yet could only keep a look of deep agreement and pride on his face, nodding repeatedly.
After that, the atmosphere at the banquet gradually loosened.
Everyone enjoyed the Spirit Wine and fine dishes while chatting casually; the mood was indeed warm and amicable.
Over the course of the meal, Shen Xuan gained a clearer understanding of the Qin Family’s current situation.
At present, the Qin Family of Purple Maple Mountain had four True Pill True Masters and thirteen Fake Pill True Masters.
Aside from lacking a Golden Core True Master to preside, their overall strength still counted as that of a top-tier clan within the Profound Celestial Sect.
In the clan there stood a Purple Essence Divine Tree of several tens of thousands of years, which served as their foundation, producing Purple Maple Swords, Purple Maple Shields, Purple Maple Spirit Wine and the like; the clan’s economic state could be considered quite ample.
After three rounds of wine, Qin Zhixing seemed suddenly to recall something and casually asked, "True Master Shen, I heard that on Starlight Island there is also a Purple Essence Divine Tree, which has a similar miraculous function to our Qin Family’s Purple Maple Divine Tree?"
Shen Xuan set down his cup and replied with a smile, "To answer Seventh Grandfather, there is indeed a Purple Essence Divine Tree. However, it was formed from a branch segment of the Purple Yunting Tree Emperor of the Wilderness, and in terms of foundation and depth, it is far from comparable to your esteemed clan’s Purple Maple Divine Tree."
"Oh."
Qin Zhixing nodded, then asked again in an apparently offhand manner, "I’ve heard that this Purple Essence Spirit Realm has quite a marvelous effect on cultivators of wood-attribute Cultivation Techniques?"
"The Purple Essence Spirit Realm is indeed good, but it is not all-powerful. In the end, everything depends on the cultivator’s own aptitude and fate."
Shen Xuan said with a smile.
At this moment, Qin Zhigang interjected, his tone probing, "True Master Shen, it seems that to enter that Purple Essence Spirit Realm, one must purchase a quota?"
Shen Xuan’s gaze swept across the banquet; he saw that many Qin Clan Elders were casting him faintly expectant looks.
He smiled slightly and said forthrightly, "For outsiders, naturally they must purchase quotas. But if Qin Family juniors wish to go and broaden their horizons, they need only register in advance; no payment is required."
One Clan Elder immediately clapped his hands and laughed, "That’s excellent! To be frank with True Master, my good-for-nothing boy has long been talking about going up to Starlight Island to open his eyes."
The others also laughed and chimed in one after another.
Seeing this, Shen Xuan pondered briefly, then said in a clear voice, "Honored elders of the Qin Family, please hear me out. I have always been indolent and averse to mundane affairs. These days, the various matters on Starlight Island are in fact mostly handled and overseen by my wife Yuehan."
With these words, the hall fell abruptly silent.
The eyes of the Clan Elders suddenly lit up as they exchanged meaningful glances.
What sort of status did Shen Xuan hold?
In front of so many people, he personally stated that affairs on Starlight Island were under Qin Yuehan’s management.
The meaning within these words went without saying.
There were many matters they might find inconvenient to raise directly with Shen Xuan.
But if it were with Qin Yuehan, that would be a different story.
She was a junior of the clan.
Everyone present was of the generation of her uncles and granduncles.
With the same "Qin" in their names, what issue would be hard to discuss?
When one person attains the Dao, the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven with him.
They had long heard that the Ding Clan Members, kin of Shen Xuan’s late Dao companion, enjoyed considerable care and were thriving on Starlight Island.
The Qin Family had many descendants, and naturally hoped that some of them could go there as well.
While earning Cultivation Resources and seeking prospects for the future, they could also bolster Qin Yuehan’s presence and prestige.
All these subtle emotional currents and calculations flowing around the table were as clear as a mirror in Shen Xuan’s heart.
As Starlight Island continued to develop, Qin Yuehan indeed needed more trustworthy people at her side to assist her.
Arranging for some Qin Family juniors to go there would not only ease her burdens but also resolve these people’s livelihood in cultivation—a gain on several fronts.
These were, in truth, minor matters.
What he and Qin Zhicheng truly intended to discuss was cooperation far deeper and more tightly bound than this.
That was the main event of this visit.
...
After the banquet dispersed, Shen Xuan and Qin Yuehan, together with Qin Zhicheng, Qin Baohua, Qin Zhixing, and Qin Zhigang, went alone into a secluded quiet chamber for detailed talks.
In fact, it was mainly Shen Xuan and Qin Zhicheng speaking, while the other three listened silently at the side.
"Patriarch Qin intends for Seventh Grandfather to lead the younger disciples of the clan to Starlight Island for tempering—that is certainly an excellent matter."
Shen Xuan, hearing the tune, understood the elegance within, and laid bare Qin Zhicheng’s plan.
This was to seek a stable path for the younger generation of the clan.
After all, not every Qin Family descendant could secure a post within the Profound Celestial Sect.
Especially the numerous juniors at the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Born to a prestigious clan, most of them could not bring themselves to lower their faces to do ordinary jobs.
If they did not possess some special skill, they would find it hard even to earn enough Spirit Stones to sustain their cultivation.
And if they formed Dao-companionships and started families, the pressure would be even greater.