bookbashuk Chapter 130 Conditions
Chapter 130 Conditions
"They actually want so much, and they want our family to serve the Li family for twenty years. Isn't this blatant bullying?"
Zhang Xingyao was enraged upon hearing this, and he crushed the teacup in his hand, shouting:
"The tribute we pay to the sect each year accounts for 10% of the family's income, and he still dares to ask for another 20%. He's really asking for the moon."
As vassals of the sect, Foundation Establishment families like them pay tribute every year in exchange for protection. However, over the years, their struggle with the Yun and Ming families has intensified, and they have not intervened at all.
The only time they intervened was during the mining war a few years ago, and the reason they stopped it at that time was because it concerned the century-old beast tide.
And weren't the compensations distributed after the beast tide ended made from the offerings that the noble families had paid year after year?
To put it bluntly, the Zhang family's spirit stones were used to compensate the Zhang family. The six sects suffered no loss, but gained a good reputation.
But you can't not depend on them, otherwise they can find any excuse to kill you.
"Clan leader, you're mistaken. What True Immortal Xuanhao wants is definitely not the current 20%, but the 20% after we unify Yingchuan County!"
Zhang Lingyu sneered from the side, "People really don't care about the Zhang family's current wealth, but the revenue of an entire prefecture is something we have to pay attention to."
"They only dared to make such an exorbitant demand because they saw that we were in a hurry."
Now is the best opportunity in hundreds of years. If the Zhang family wants to unify Yingchuan County, they must rely on a Golden Core cultivator.
Only the Golden Core stage can withstand the accusations from the Azure Wave Sect and the Green Serpent Fortress.
To put it bluntly, we're basically being forced to act like dogs for others.
After all, you have to consider the owner before you beat a dog.
However, this kind of thing cannot be discussed openly. After all, if the sect finds out about it, they will definitely increase the punishment, and in the end, they may have to pay more each year.
"There's nothing we can do. Our Zhang family's influence in the sect is too weak. We're not even close to those Golden Core cultivators. I've asked Lingxiao to inquire, and there are a few Golden Core cultivators who are willing to help us, but unfortunately, they're asking for too much, even more than Xuanhao Zhenren's price."
Zhang Yuanhua sighed and continued:
"If I could achieve the Golden Core stage and become a guest elder of the sect, the sect would definitely help me with this matter. Unfortunately... unfortunately."
"Big brother and third sister?" Zhang Lingyu asked, a sudden thought flashing through her mind.
"By the way, Elder, how are those two doing? Have they successfully established their foundations?"
Mentioning this, the old man finally cheered up a bit and replied, "They were very lucky this time. The beast tide happened just in time for their breakthrough in seclusion. News came half a month ago that they had successfully broken through."
"Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Although Zhang Lingxiao and the other two had achieved Foundation Establishment, they were only at the Foundation Establishment stage and did not hold much weight in the Nascent Soul sect. Only if they achieved Golden Core would they have a place in the sect.
In response to the old man's question, Zhang Lingyu smiled and said:
"Actually, Master Xuanhao's conditions are not necessarily unacceptable, but there is one condition to add: that is, the Master must accept them as nominal disciples."
Since they've decided to rely on the other party, they should first establish a strong connection. As long as Zhang Lingxiao and the other person successfully become disciples, even if they are only nominal disciples, their status within the sect will rise significantly.
Only in this way can we secure more benefits for the family.
"But would he agree to this? After all, we are the ones who need his help." A Golden Core cultivator is still a Golden Core cultivator. In their eyes, Zhang Yuanhua and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators are nothing but ants. Ants are not worthy of negotiating terms.
"Well, I don't think the real person would refuse."
Zhang Lingyu explained with a smile, "What the Master meant was that he would serve the Li family for twenty years, not for the Jade Light Pavilion. What he meant was that he needs our Zhang family."
"Our Zhang family currently has four Foundation Establishment cultivators, and there will be more in the future. In addition, we control the entire Yingchuan County. Even if we become their vassal, we will still be among the top-ranking members. As such a vassal, they will definitely try to stabilize us."
Since they've decided to show their loyalty temporarily, the master should at least offer some kind of response.
Besides, he couldn't directly ask Master Xuanhao to take him as a disciple; he could only hint at it indirectly. The other party was a smart person and would definitely understand.
They are merely nominal disciples. As long as the Zhang family can be made to completely submit to the Li family, the other party will likely agree.
"So what should we do?"
"I'll send a message to Brother Lingxiao and the others to come back. I'll go see Master Xuanhao soon to tell them about my decision, and then subtly inquire about their future."
Zhang Lingyu thought for a moment and explained:
"Let's prepare some gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony. If it's successful, we can become apprentices directly. If not, we can keep them at home for now."
"As for the apprenticeship gift, I think it's enough to choose two fourth-tier spiritual plants from Qingfeng Mountain."
"Alright then, we'll do as you say."
Seeing that the old man had agreed, Zhang Xingyao had nothing more to say. However, he still wanted to consider things thoroughly and worriedly asked, "They say they'll be at the Li family's beck and call for twenty years. What will happen after that?"
After all, it's easy to get on this ship but hard to get off.
"That depends on whether the Grand Elder can achieve the Golden Core stage."
Zhang Lingyu said softly:
"Once we achieve this, our two families will be on equal footing, and my family will have a place in the sect. At that time, the vassal relationship will naturally be gone, and the 30% that we have to hand over will no longer exist."
"Perhaps the Li family will become friendly with us then."
The Jade Light Pavilion has more than a dozen Golden Core cultivators who appear to live in peace, but in reality, they are secretly fighting each other.
All this fighting and arguing is just about resource allocation.
If a Golden Core cultivator were to appear in the Zhang family at this time, he would be a natural ally for Xuan Hao.
"It seems that the hopes of the entire clan are pinned on me."
Zhang Yuanhua gave a wry smile after hearing this and continued:
"I've also learned a lot about Golden Core spiritual items during this time. It's said that Linhai County is rich in fire-attribute spiritual items. I'll go there after this is over."
"I'll find a safe breach there, and come right back once I succeed."
The old man initially devoted himself to the pursuit of Tao, but after wasting half his life, his cultivation did not progress at all. However, in his later years, he reached his peak again. He took a longevity pill and, together with the golden elixir he obtained, he was ready to take the final step.
He originally intended to leave it to his descendants, but the family's current situation desperately needs a Golden Core cultivator.
As the eldest elder of the family, I must take a bold step to lead the family to better development.
"In that case, let's launch a full-scale attack on the Yun and Ming families in a month!" Time was of the essence, Zhang Lingyu immediately suggested.
"The sooner it ends, the more time our Zhang family will have to develop."
"The Grand Elder also has ample time to go out and prepare the Golden Elixir."
Zhang Xingyao and the other man exchanged a glance and agreed, "Alright, let's do as Lingyu says!"
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