Chapter 65: Province-level Starcom Consortium

"That is a strong statement." Wu Yuan smiled and replied, "Including the Southdream Wu Clan, our seven bloodlines are one family. This is an important teaching of our ancestors, a lesson ingrained in me from a tender age. I, Wu Yuan, shall never forget it."

The fact that Wu Mao, the chieftain of a large clan, was taking the initiative to lower his head, he was already giving Wu Yuan a tremendous amount of face. If Wu Yuan did not reciprocate, not only would the members of the Wu Clan misunderstand, but even Gu Ji, Wu Xiong, and the high-ranking members of the Cloudstride Sect would misconstrue Wu Yuan's intentions.

But although Wu Yuan acknowledged that Wu Mao's statement was strong, he didn't contradict his proposal. After all, there was no guarantee that the Wu clan would change its main family. Who could foresee the future?

"Haha, Wu Yuan, the worshipping of ancestors concludes here. Let us visit the family school and the rear courtyard. As a clan elder, it’s important for you to understand the hierarchy of the Wu Clan." Wu Mao chuckled.

With such an enthusiastic invitation, Wu Yuan couldn't refuse him. And so, Wu Mao and Wu Yuan walked in front, followed by a few clan elders, then Wu Xiong's group, as they embarked on a second tour of the Wu Clan's great ancestral mansion, even visiting several alleys inhabited by the Wu clansmen.

But unlike the first tour, they did not merely take cursory looks at each location. Wu Mao took it upon himself to introduce each and every member of the Wu Clan to Wu Yuan, acquainting him with their backgrounds in meticulous detail. He even summoned the stewards from every corner of the residence to pay their respects to Wu Yuan, thereby affirming and solidifying his status as a true clan elder.

This scene surprised the entourage trailing behind the two. They were beginning to realize that Wu Mao was not joking. He treated Wu Yuan as a true clan elder. By putting on such a grand display of openly acknowledging Wu Yuan's identity and authority, Wu Yuan would truly be able to mobilize the resources of the Wu Clan. At the very least, no one would dare to question his identity within the Wu Clan.

After introducing Wu Yuan to the entirety of the clan, Wu Mao graciously welcomed him and his companions to the family-owned tavern, treating them with great hospitality.

...

As the afternoon sun reached its apex, Wu Yuan politely turned down Wu Mao's offer to stay the night and the group departed in their carriage.

Standing at the entrance of the Wu Clan's great ancestral mansion, they watched as the carriage retreated into the distance. Wu Mao turned his head, addressing the grand elder and the other clan elders. "I can imagine the frustration and doubts that must plague your minds. Go to the meeting hall. I’ll explain everything there," he uttered in a soft tone. "I believe that once you hear my reasoning, you’ll comprehend the actions I’ve taken."

With that, Wu Mao took the lead and entered the ancestral mansion. The clan elders exchanged astounded glances, but ultimately it was the grand elder who followed suit, with the rest of the elders trailing behind.

...

In the carriage on the road back.

"Young Master, in the end, you still accepted the status of clan elder and the silver notes," Gu Ji said lightly.

"What other choice did I have?" Wu Yuan replied, playing with the stack of gold notes in his hand. One tael of gold was worth ten taels of silver. This stack of gold notes seemed small, but each had a value of 100 gold taels, worth a total of 20,000 taels of silver.

"I assume today's outcome did not align with your initial intentions, Young Master," Gu Ji commented nonchalantly.

"You're quite observant, Uncle Ji." Wu Yuan smiled, "However, I am a member of the Wu Clan after all. I can't go too far."

"Since Chieftain Wu Mao is a reasonable man, let us observe for now. There is ample time." Wu Yuan leaned back into the narrow carriage seat, closing his eyes to rest his mind. A barely perceptible grin crept onto Gu Ji's face as he refrained from probing any further.

...

In the Wu Clan’s meeting hall.

Entry into the meeting hall was only permitted to a select few. At the moment, only Chieftain Wu Mao, the grand elder, and another eight clan elders were gathered here. Some of the clan elders had hurried over upon hearing the news.

Inside the hall, all eyes were on Chieftain Wu Mao.

"Chieftain, we trust you, hence we did not question you in front of the clansmen. But now, it's time for an explanation," the grand elder urged.

"Grand Elder, please be patient," Wu Mao's gaze swept across the hall, "I am sure that all of you clan elders are full of questions, eager to know the truth."

"I'll cut to the chase. I have received the following news from the upper echelons of the sect: Wu Yuan is not an ordinary special recruitment disciple," said Wu Mao, "As you all know, special recruitment disciples typically possess remarkable talent, but usually amount to no more than second-rate Adepts."

The group of clan elders nodded. Special recruitment disciples all possessed exceptional talent. The Cloudstride Sect usually only recruited one or two each year, and four or five at most. It was quite a rare occurrence.

But becoming a first-rate Adept was equally difficult!

Over the past few decades, dozens of disciples were specially recruited throughout the entire Southdream County. And the number of first-rate Adepts that emerged from Southdream County over the same few decades was also only in the dozens. How could all the first-rate Adepts also be special recruitment disciples? That was illogical!

In fact, according to the Cloudstride Sect's statistics, less than one-fifth of special recruitment disciples eventually became first-rate Adepts. Within the Cloudstride Sect, the vast majority of first-rate Adepts emerged from the numerous disciples of the tertiary martial academies and the Cloud Martial Hall.

Of course, the probability that a special recruit would go on to become a powerhouse was disproportionately high. As long as their progress did not stagnate midway and they remained alive, they could at least become second-rate Adepts. The first-rate Adepts that emerged from the Cloud Martial Hall only accounted for one-tenth of all first-rate Adepts that emerged from the Cloudstride Sect.

"According to the higher echelons of the sect, Wu Yuan has a great chance of becoming a Savant expert." Wu Mao solemnly said, "And if fate permits, he may become a Land Ranker."

A wave of astonishment swept through the meeting hall. A Land Ranker? The clan elders could hardly believe it. Such a legendary figure was too far-fetched, almost mythological to them.

It was no exaggeration that a Grandmaster was capable of founding a sect and claiming dominion over vast territories. Yuanhu Villa, for instance, was single-handedly established by Old Yuanhu, a Land Ranker. He dominated a region for decades, his name resounding throughout the world.

Even if Wu Yuan only became a Savant expert, it was a terrifying enough prospect. A single one could face a thousand ordinary soldiers, and a regular army could hardly trap such an expert. Even the powerful Cloudstride Sect only stationed one Savant expert in Southdream Province all year round.

The grand elder couldn't help but ask, "Chieftain, forgive my skepticism, but who is this higher echelon? Is the information reliable?"

"Rest assured, this is most definitely reliable." Wu Mao's gaze swept over the crowd, solemnly emphasizing, "This is a matter of utmost secrecy within the sect. Remember not to leak what I've said today. Should the Inspection Hall conduct an investigation, you should know the consequences."

"Understood."

"We will not divulge a word." The clan elders in the hall echoed in unison, finally understanding why the chieftain didn't explain himself publicly. One could never be too careful where the Inspection Hall was concerned.

"Chieftain, while I understand where you are coming from, aren't you promising a bit too much?" A purple-clad clan elder couldn't help but voice his concerns, "Changing the clan's main family is a significant matter. Shouldn’t you have consulted with us beforehand?"

"Yes, indeed!"

"Offering silver is one thing, but how can we surrender the main clan?" Other clan elders nodded in agreement. That was their greatest concern. The grand elder sat silently to one side, his thoughts obscured behind a mask of deep contemplation.

"Such foolishness." A glint of disappointment flashed through Wu Mao's eyes. "Do you not see? Just now, Wu Yuan was trying to provoke a conflict with our main clan."

The clan elders were taken aback by his words.

"A change in the clan's main family?" Wu Mao shook his head, sighing. "The title of 'main clan' of a family that hardly stands out in Southdream may be something you regard as a treasure, yet to Wu Yuan, it's merely a burden."

"I've gathered some information and examined Wu Yuan's profile last night. He is not one to disrespect traditions, and from his past actions, he values his clan greatly. Why would he act this way towards the main clan? It was a deliberate choice," Wu Mao stated. "If we miss out on Wu Yuan, our Southdream Wu Clan would lose a genuine opportunity to rise."

"What's so important about the title of main clan? If Wu Yuan becomes a Savant expert in the future and desires power, do we have the ability to retain him? If he does not become a Savant expert, he won't be able to seize power even if he wants to," Wu Mao said nonchalantly.

Many clan elders fell into deep thought.

"Whatever Wu Yuan wants, we will provide. Whatever he doesn't want, we must also provide, willingly and proactively," Wu Mao slowly stated. "Our aim is to tie him to our Wu Clan's chariot, making it impossible for him to escape."

The hall fell into silence.

"As for your concerns about the Li City Wu Clan swallowing us? Utter foolishness!"

"Once Wu Yuan holds a high position in the sect and the Li City Wu Clan begins expanding, they would inevitably have to relocate, and Southdream City will be their first choice," Wu Mao explained. "How many clansmen does the Wu Clan of Li City have? How many does our main clan have?"

"In the future, Wu Yuan will need people, and he will not only rely on people from the Li City Wu Clan. In two or three generations, will we still be able to differentiate who is from which family?"

"One brush stroke cannot write two ‘Wu’s, these words were not just meant for Wu Yuan, but also for all of you," Wu Mao said softly.

"But right now..." some clan elders still hesitated.

"At present, we remain the main clan. Even with Wu Yuan's rapid progress, he won't become a Savant expert for another ten to twenty years." Wu Mao shook his head. "Moreover, even if we become a branch, being a branch of a noble family is far more powerful than being a so-called 'main clan' of a small family."

Silence prevailed, with not a sound of opposition.

"Grand Elder, what is your stance?" Wu Mao's eyes landed on the grand elder.

"Chieftain," the grand elder began slowly, "your words hold truth. Our vision was myopic. We shall follow your direction, but I have one proposal."

A proposal? Wu Mao frowned slightly.

"Let's increase the silver notes allocated to Wu Yuan each year by an additional 10,000 taels," suggested the grand elder. "20,000 taels is somewhat insufficient."

"Excellent!" Wu Mao sighed in relief.

...

Twilight descended upon the Radiant Hall of Southdream Martial Academy.

Within the courtyard house where Wu Yuan resided.

"Another 10,000 silver taels were delivered? And from now on, I will receive 30,000 taels each year?" Wu Yuan's astonishment was palpable as he took in the stack of silver notes Gu Ji handed him.

The 20 gold notes had already exceeded his expectations. The main Wu Clan, although much more powerful than the Li City Wu Clan, had more clan members and therefore greater expenses. 30,000 taels a year? That was not a small sum!

"This chieftain Wu Mao may not be well-known, but it seems he has unified the opinion within the clan," said Gu Ji. "He possesses decent skills and considerable charisma. When you rise to prominence, they will likely reap ten or even hundredfold returns."

"Then let them wait," Wu Yuan shook his head. "Uncle Ji, I'm going upstairs to train."

Gu Ji nodded. This was one aspect that he greatly admired about Wu Yuan. Regardless of the amount of flattery he received, Wu Yuan displayed no trace of complacency and would retreat into solitary training whenever he had spare time. In terms of diligence, Gu Ji admitted that he was inferior.

Time ebbed away and the night deepened.

Gu Ji remained on the first floor of the house, his eyes closed as if at rest. Yet his awareness reached every corner of the building. Even within the martial academy, he never let his guard down, always prepared for any potential assassination attempts.

Little did he know that a shadowy figure was silently descending from the side of the building, slipping into the darkness without a trace.

...

There were no curfews in Southdream City. As a large city with a population of millions, it was naturally bustling with activity at night.

At this moment, a burly man walked down the thriving main street.

Assassin? Only those who reach the Environmental Mastery level can truly be considered excellent assassins.

The burly man cracked a smile, his gaze drifting towards the towering nine-story building.

Tsk, tsk, I hope this province-level Starcom Consortium doesn't disappoint me.