Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1457 - 917: Tenderness Like Water

After the distribution of the Spirit Stones was completed, a cultivator, unfurling a folding fan, approached Fang Shou and inquired in a low voice, "Brother Fang, perhaps we should go into hiding for a period next?"

"Hiding? What reason would we have to hide?" Fang Shou regarded him with a perplexed expression.

The cultivator with the folding fan elaborated, "The Yang family hailing from the Sea of Spirit is not a force to be trifled with. It is rumored they possess more than two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Should we manage to provoke the Yang family's ire, we might find ourselves unable to depart the Sea of Spirit!"

As the sole Immortal Cultivation Family established within the Sea of Spirit, the Yang family commands considerable renown. Numerous factions situated in the western expanse of the Yunxiao Mountain Range, the Qingli Dynasty, and across the Wanlin Mountain Range are well aware of the Yang family's influence.

"Heh, what is there to truly fear? The Yang family is currently preoccupied with their internal matters; they hardly have the capacity to concern themselves with insignificant Martial Arts Families," Fang Shou responded casually, a slight chuckle escaping him.

The folding fan cultivator's brow furrowed slightly. "Indeed, the Yang family likely directs their attention towards those more significant powers, but we ought to exercise prudence, just to be safe."

"Brother Li, are you perhaps being overly cautious?" Fang Shou voiced a hint of displeasure upon perceiving the other's excessive deliberation.

Fang Shou himself originates from the Fang family of Cui Lake, an Immortal Cultivation Family situated in the southeastern region of the Wanlin Mountain Range, a considerable distance of over five thousand miles from the Sea of Spirit.

That particular area no longer falls under the jurisdiction of the Yunxiao Mountain Range but rather constitutes a part of the Southern Wilderness.

While the Southern Wilderness does host numerous Immortal Cultivation Forces and several workshop cities, the overall power of these Immortal Cultivation Forces pales in comparison to those found nearer the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

Across the entirety of the Southern Wilderness, there are merely seven Immortal Cultivation Families, and the Fang family of Cui Lake stands as one of them.

In contrast to the abundant resources readily available around the Yunxiao Mountain Range, the Southern Wilderness is undeniably far more impoverished. This expansive territory struggles to adequately fulfill the resource demands of the seven Immortal Cultivation Families, let alone meet the cultivation needs of the multitude of loose cultivators, consequently intensifying the competition amongst Immortal Cultivators within the Southern Wilderness.

Consequently, a steady stream of bandit cultivators emerges, and conflicts between Immortal Cultivation Families erupt with persistent regularity.

For a considerable duration, the Cui Lake Fang family has harbored aspirations of integrating into the Sea of Spirit and ascending to the ranks of its established families.

In recent years, they have diligently sought out various methods to infiltrate the Sea of Spirit, even going so far as to accumulate a substantial presence and influence within that region.

Particularly during the preceding conflict between the Sea of Spirit and the Nether Prison Sect, they shrewdly seized the opportune moment to gain favor with a considerable number of factions within the Sea of Spirit.

Now that the circumstances within the Sea of Spirit have undergone significant shifts, it presents the most opportune period for the Cui Lake Fang family to make their entry.

They have capitalized on this opportunity, dispatching certain clan members to the Sea of Spirit ahead of time, with the explicit intention of gauging the true strength of the various sects and families residing there.

As the sole Immortal Cultivation Family holding sway in the Sea of Spirit, the Yang family naturally becomes the primary focus of their scrutiny.

Therefore, Fang Shou's objective extends beyond merely seizing resources; rather, he aims to lure the snake out of its dwelling, compelling the Yang family to unwillingly reveal the extent of their capabilities.

His four companions have been assembled on a temporary basis, comprising all brigands who have assimilated into the various workshop cities of the Southern Wilderness.

While the other three are mere simpletons, whom Fang Shou largely disregards, Li Shangyuan, in contrast, demonstrates a far greater degree of perceptiveness.

"Brother Fang, given the sheer vastness of the Sea of Spirit, populated by countless unranked Martial Arts Families, what compels us to provoke the Yang family specifically?" Li Shangyuan lightly fanned himself, his tone steady and composed.

"However, those Martial Arts Families do not possess the same level of wealth as the families affiliated with the Yang family. The Yang family has historically been quite generous, and their subordinate families have amassed considerable fortunes over the years!"

"The four families we plundered previously serve as direct proof of this very assertion!"

"Brother Li, fortune invariably favors the daring. If you are unwilling to embrace even this moderate degree of risk, why did we embark on this venture at all? We might as well have remained in comfort at home," Fang Shou offered counsel.

"Indeed, Brother Fang articulates a valid perspective!" The tall, slender cultivator chimed in his agreement.

The remaining two cultivators also expressed their concurrence with repeated nods.

Li Shangyuan regarded Fang Shou with a look of profound consideration. "Brother Fang's point is well-taken. In that case, I shall align myself with Brother Fang!"

Witnessing his cessation of hesitation, Fang Shou felt a significant uplift in his spirits.

"Haha, Brother Li, rest assured, I have not embarked on this unprepared!"

"I have already extended invitations to several Daoist friends with whom I am acquainted, and their arrival is imminent. Consequently, our combined strength will be substantially augmented. Even should the Yang family harbor intentions of apprehending us, we shall possess the capacity to mount a formidable resistance!"

The initial reconnaissance had concluded, and with no immediate response from the Yang family, Fang Shou resolved to dispatch more personnel. His intent was to further gauge the Yang family's strength and their disposition.

"Oh? When can we expect their arrival?" Li Shangyuan inquired, his voice laced with anticipation.

"Tomorrow!" Fang Shou declared, a sinister grin stretching across his face. "Once they set foot here, we'll unleash a grand plan, hahaha!"

"Indeed, a grand plan! Haha!" the tall, gaunt cultivator echoed in agreement.

"That's right, with Brother Fang leading the way, there's always an exciting opportunity for us!"

"This venture alone promises to yield rewards surpassing more than a decade's worth of our previous spoils!"

"Without a doubt! With Brother Fang by our side, what reason would we have to fear missing out on Spirit Stones?"

The other three cultivators vibrated with excitement, their faces reflecting unadulterated greed.

In such a short span, they had already divvied up tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. The prospect of repeating this feat several more times painted a vision of each of them amassing over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

Picturing mountains of Spirit Stones flowing into their Storage Bags, the eyes of the trio gleamed with avarice.

Observing their overtly greedy expressions, a flicker of cunning danced within Li Shangyuan's gaze.

He gently unfurled his folding fan, his gaze turning northward.

"The Yang family from the Sea of Spirit? Could they be referring to that particular Yang family?"

...

Within the hallowed halls of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store in White Cloud Immortal City.

On the third floor, amidst the serene ambiance of the teahouse, Yang Zhenshan and Zhongli Xiayi sat opposite each other.

Dressed in exquisite finery, Zhongli Xiayi exuded grace as she presided over the tea ceremony, her movements elegant as she prepared, steeped, and poured the tea.

"I've heard whispers that the Sea of Spirit has been experiencing some unrest lately."

She then presented a cup of green porcelain tea to Yang Zhenshan, placing it gently before him.