Vol. 1 - Ch. 317 - Intimidation

The reason needed little explanation.

Although the Chen family displayed a considerable amount of Blood Rice, once it was divided among more than ten families, each clan's share would be meager.

For weaker families with limited strength and wealth, this arrangement was acceptable.

However, for those who considered themselves powerful and had many clan members to support, such a small portion was far from enough.

They wanted more Blood Rice!

From within the crowd, the young man of the Yu family was the first to speak.

“Clan Leader Chen, your Blood Rice should go to those capable of claiming it. Instead of selling it to others, why not sell it all to my Yu family? If the price is not suitable, we are willing to add ten jade coins per pound to the original price.”

Before Chen Tianjing could respond, the other families could no longer contain themselves.

Even idols have tempers—this Yu family brat clearly does not respect us!

“Youngster, you’ve gone too far!”

"Arrogant fool!"

As accusations flew, the Yu family youth merely sneered. Yet, beside him, an elder slowly rose to his feet.

The aura of a late Innate Realm martial artist surged forth, pressing down on the crowd.

Those who had been ready to rebuke him instantly fell silent, their words swallowed by the oppressive force.

Several others in the crowd refused to stay silent, releasing their auras in defiance.

In an instant, the atmosphere grew razor-sharp, the tension thickening like drawn blades, ready to strike.

Not far away, Zhao Qimeng’s lips curved into a faint smile. He had anticipated this outcome all along. Yet he made no move, choosing instead to sit back and watch with leisurely composure.

He truly wanted to see how the Chen family would handle this situation.

But just as Zhao Qimeng basked in his calm detachment, his gaze fell once again upon the man seated nearby—the same mysterious figure he had noticed earlier.

This time, the man’s expression carried a trace of solemnity. His head tilted slightly upward and his eyes were fixed on the high platform above. He seemed utterly unaware of Zhao Qimeng’s scrutiny, wholly absorbed in his observation.

Zhao Qimeng's heart stirred with unease. He quickly followed the man’s line of sight.

There, in the shadows above the platform, a vague silhouette appeared—unnoticed until now.

The discovery shocked Zhao Qimeng. As a martial artist at the Innate Realm Great Completion, his senses were keen. Yet he had not detected when that figure had arrived!

Zhao Qimeng’s heart tightened. To evade my perception, this man must be at the Qi Manipulation Realm.

As he looked on, several figures suddenly appeared above the high platform, seemingly out of thin air. Clad in black armor, they each radiated the aura of the Innate Realm. They had already encircled the crowd without anyone noticing.

Below, the families were still in an uproar, Qi and Blood flaring as tempers threatened to erupt into violence.

At that moment, Chen Tianjing, who had remained silent until then, spoke with solemn authority:

"Everyone, please restrain yourselves. You are all guests of the Chen family, and you are currently standing within our Hidden Mountain Pavilion. As Clan Leader, I do not wish for any unpleasantness to occur here."

Several powerful presences flare from the surrounding darkness, pressing down upon the crowd. The families who had been shouting fell silent, their boiling Qi and Blood quickly subsiding.

It was clear that they had also noticed the armored figures above, whose strength was extraordinary.

As the crowd watched in uneasy silence, an aged, raspy voice drifted down from above Chen Tianjing’s head.

"It is the Chen family’s honor to have you all come to Hidden Mountain Pavilion. Let us not allow trivial matters to sour this gathering."

The elder spoke calmly, yet his words carried undeniable weight.

The gathered families below immediately nodded in agreement.

"Senior speaks the truth!"

"Indeed, indeed—merely trivial matters."

"Hahaha! In the end, all sales should be decided by Clan Leader Chen!"

The crowd, once embroiled in heated quarrels, quickly unified their stance. They acknowledged that the sale of Blood Rice rested entirely in the hands of the Chen family.

Seeing that no one dared to speak further, Chen Tianjing allowed a faint smile to surface.

"Since none of you object to the Chen family's distribution, please step forward one by one to purchase your share of Blood Rice."

The faces of the other families darkened slightly.

Now that the Chen family had revealed the presence of a Qi Manipulation Realm expert, how could they voice their dissatisfaction?

Most of those present were from nearby minor clans. Having several Innate Realm martial artists was considered strong. If a clan had even a single Qi Manipulation Realm expert, it could claim the status of a mid-tier family and expand its influence.

Yet the seemingly obscure and unremarkable Chen family had silently nurtured a Qi Manipulation Realm powerhouse, never revealing a hint of this strength in recent years.

Upon reflection, it was not surprising. The Chen family had concealed their strength for years. It was precisely because an expert in the Qi Manipulation Realm had emerged within their ranks that they were able to seize control of Yong’an City.

With the disputes quelled, each family quickly purchased the Blood Rice on the high platform.

This time, the Chen family sold two hundred jin of Blood Rice to each clan. Though many were dissatisfied with the limited amount, none dared to voice an objection.

After securing their shares, the families did not immediately leave. They noticed that, even after the allotted portions were sold, some Blood Rice remained on the platform.

Perhaps they could purchase more.

"Clan Elder, should we...?"

Zhao Si asked cautiously from below.

Zhao Qimeng pondered briefly, then nodded. "Go. Buy two hundred jin."

Now that their family controlled most of Yunmeng City, their expansion had accelerated. However, the Zhou Clan's resources had not fallen into their hands.

Two hundred jin of Blood Rice was not much, but it was better than nothing.

As for the jade coins, they hardly mattered. Ordinary jade coins are of little consequence.

Even after all the families had purchased their allotted shares, roughly a thousand jin of Blood Rice remained on the high platform.

The sight caused many eyes to gleam with renewed desire.

Before Chen Tianjing could speak, someone from below called out,

"Clan Leader Chen, will the remaining Blood Rice be sold?"

"Of course it will be sold," replied Chen Tianjing calmly. "However, this portion will not be exchanged for jade coins. Instead, it must be traded for resources of equal value."

Several families were already preparing to bid by the time he finished the first half of his statement. Yet his last words silenced them instantly.

Cultivation resources could not easily be purchased with jade coins. One could acquire a small amount, but buying in bulk was nearly impossible.

Exchanging such resources for Blood Rice did not seem worthwhile.

On the platform, Chen Tianjing remained unhurried and waited quietly.

Blood Rice was considered one of the finest cultivation resources, and in terms of quantity, it had an overwhelming advantage. He did not believe the families present could resist the temptation.

Below the high platform, many families were busy calculating the value of the exchange. As they felt the surging Qi and Blood emanating from the sacks, some made quick decisions.

"Clan Leader Chen, the Lai family is willing to trade a portion of the Stalactite Spirit Spring for some Blood Rice!"

With that declaration, the speaker produced a jade vial from his robes.

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