Chapter 595: Concession
Chapter 595: Concession
"I can choose myself?" Lin Yuan asked, surprised.
In a sense, the Imperial City was also a treasure trove. It was home to the largest Yang Vein of the Ancient Country of Lieyang, making it a sacred site for cultivation for all Yang attribute cultivators.
"You can choose three from the resources that have not yet been bestowed," the Emperor said, shaking his head as he looked at Lin Yuan. "Take a close look."
"Alright," Lin Yuan nodded, his eyes scanning the map of the Ancient Country of Lieyang.
The territory of the Ancient Country of Lieyang was vast and expansive, spanning beyond a single layer of space. Any area within the temporal boundaries was considered part of the Ancient Country of Lieyang.
"I can choose any three from all the unclaimed treasure lands?" Red Treasure King asked, slightly startled.
The resource treasure lands of the Ancient Country of Lieyang were ranked from first to ninth grade, with first-grade being the most valuable and ninth-grade being the least.
Typically, when a royal family member was granted a title, they would receive one or two fifth or sixth-grade treasure lands.
If one wished to preside over a more precious resource treasure land, they could do so by exchanging it for merit.
But what about Lin Yuan?
The Emperor's intention was to let Lin Yuan choose any three from all the unclaimed treasure lands. Didn't that mean he could just pick three first-grade treasure lands?
Presiding over a first-grade treasure land would not only bring merit from the ancient country but also provide incredibly valuable resources produced by the land itself—enough to make an Exalted-level cultivator envious, even after surrendering ninety percent to the ancient country and keeping only ten percent.
The resources produced by the treasure lands were not a one-time affair; they were a continuous source of wealth.
Some special resources were so rare that they were always snapped up as soon as they appeared on the market, making them virtually impossible to obtain ordinarily.
"Choose carefully. The most precious treasure lands are not always the best," the Emperor advised.
"Understood," Lin Yuan nodded.
Why was it necessary for powerful cultivators to preside over these treasure lands? It was because they had to bear certain risks.
These risks arose from various reasons. Some treasure lands were located on the borders of the two ancient countries and faced potential incursions from their rival. Others connected to certain dangerous areas, like the 'Star Sand River,' a first-grade treasure land of the Ancient Country of Lieyang.
The Star Sand River was abundant in the rare resource of star sand, a precious refinement material for the body. Even Exalted-level cultivators valued it for its effects. Thus, it was sought after by powerful cultivators from all the ancient countries.
However, at the bottom of the Star Sand River was a connection to a mysterious world. Occasionally, powerful beings from that world would invade through the river.
The guardian of the Star Sand River was responsible for ensuring the river's safety and maintaining a steady supply of star sand to the ancient country.
Of course, generally speaking, the more valuable the treasure land, the greater the benefits. As for the dangers, if a treasure land was too risky, even if it were extremely valuable, no cultivator would choose to preside over it.
Those who presided over these treasure lands would face punishment if they failed to meet the resource requirements set by the ancient country, which was why the Emperor wanted Lin Yuan to choose carefully.
Lin Yuan had already studied the various treasure lands of the Ancient Country of Lieyang before his arrival, as any core royal family member would typically be granted one or two such lands. He had expected the same for himself but was surprised by the Emperor's offer to let him choose freely.
"The essence of the constant wars between my Ancient Country of Lieyang and the other ancient countries is the competition for these more valuable treasure lands," the Emperor said with a smile. "Galaxy, have you made your decision? Which three treasure lands will you choose?"
Lin Yuan looked at the map before him, the many lights flickering across it indicating the treasure lands he could choose from. After a moment's thought, he circled three of them.
"Black Jade Nest?" The Emperor and Red Treasure King glanced at each other.
Two of Lin Yuan's choices were first-grade treasure lands, and one was second-grade.
The Black Jade Nest was one of the first-grade treasure lands he had selected.
It was abundant in the special resource of black jade, which could temper the spirit and will of a cultivator.
A cultivator's spirit and will were critical to their strength, even if the improvement was not as noticeable as that of the physical body or soul.
It was for this reason that the Black Jade Nest was classified as a first-grade treasure land.
Lin Yuan's choice of the Black Jade Nest was a calculated one.
The strength of one's spirit and will was akin to their understanding of the rules, allowing them to synchronize their true self in the Chaotic Void with their physical body in the Source World.
By presiding over the Black Jade Nest, Lin Yuan would gain access to ten percent of the black jade produced there. He could then use it to temper his spirit and will, benefiting both his physical body in the Source World and his true self in the Chaotic Void.
"The Black Jade Nest is located on the border between the Ancient Country of Lieyang and the Ancient Country of Xuanyin. It's not a safe place," the Emperor said, regarding Lin Yuan thoughtfully.
The black jade produced in the Black Jade Nest was also valuable to the cultivators of the Ancient Country of Xuanyin, which meant that Lin Yuan would have to constantly defend the treasure land against their incursions.
"I understand," Lin Yuan nodded.
He had already planned to station one of his avatars there permanently.
Usually, conflicts between the two ancient countries would not involve Exalted-level cultivators unless it escalated into a large-scale or all-out war.
While the Black Jade Nest was a precious first-grade treasure land, its benefits could only be fully realized if it were occupied for an extended period, allowing for the steady accumulation of black jade.
Sending an Exalted-level cultivator to occupy the Black Jade Nest for a short while would not yield significant advantages, as the enemy could easily retake it soon after.
One of Lin Yuan's avatars, though not as powerful as his true self, was still stronger than a typical core royal family member, making it more than capable of presiding over the Black Jade Nest.
In addition to the Black Jade Nest, Lin Yuan intended to station another avatar at another dangerous first-grade treasure land.
As for the last second-grade treasure land, although the resources it produced couldn't compare to the black jade, it was relatively low-risk, located deep within the Ancient Country of Lieyang. Lin Yuan only needed to station one of his avatars there to safeguard it.
"Since you've made your decision, here are the imperial edicts for those three treasure lands."
The Emperor spoke, and with a flip of his hand, three crystal stones appeared.
These three crystal stones resonated subtly with the three chosen treasure lands, representing the official decrees of the Ancient Country of Lieyang.
Leaving the Imperial City...
Red Treasure King expressed his concern, "Galaxy, do you know who is currently suppressing the Black Jade Nest on behalf of the ancient country?"
The Black Jade Nest was located on the border between the Ancient Country of Lieyang and the Ancient Country of Xuanyin, and even without anyone being sent to oversee it, the ancient country would still dispatch someone to suppress it.
Of course, the powerful cultivator suppressing it in place of the ancient country would not be able to obtain the merits that came with overseeing a normal resource treasure land, and they could only take away ten percent of the resources produced.
Even so, with the rarity of black jade, even a ten percent share was enough to make many powerful cultivators envious.
"It's Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate," Red Treasure King said.
Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate, although not a member of the imperial family, possessed incredible strength. Even among the Heavenly Venerates, he was exceptionally powerful.
"Would Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate dare to go against the Emperor's decree?" Lin Yuan asked, slightly surprised.
He had received the ancient country's decree to take over the Black Jade Nest, would Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate dare to refuse?
"He wouldn't dare go directly against it, but there are many ways to delay without outright defiance," Red Treasure King said, shaking his head. "Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate has a great need for black jade, which is why he volunteered to oversee the Black Jade Nest in the first place."
"He wouldn't dare go against the decree to have you take over the Black Jade Nest, but he can delay it by using the incursion of the Ancient Country of Xuanyin as an excuse. He can drag out the handover for as long as he wants under that pretext."
"The longer he delays, the more black jade he can harvest, and it's a profitable deal for him without any apparent disobedience of the Emperor's decree." Red Treasure King explained.
"Very well," Lin Yuan said. "I've had a few dealings with Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate, and I appreciate your help, Brother Red Treasure." He understood Red Treasure King's goodwill.
Having been in the ancient country for so long, Red Treasure King was well-informed about many behind-the-scenes matters. With him present, Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate would have to come up with a very convincing reason if he wanted to delay the handover.
Black Jade Nest...
As a first-grade treasure land of the Ancient Country of Lieyang, this place naturally had a spatial array connecting it to the capital.
Whoosh!
A spatial passage opened, and a red-bearded old man and a young man stepped out.
"The Black Jade Nest produces a hundred kilograms of black jade every million years at its core, with ninety kilograms going to the ancient country and ten kilograms left for the overseer."
Red Treasure King introduced, "But according to my intelligence, the Black Jade Nest produces more than a hundred kilograms every million years, usually around a hundred and ten to a hundred and twenty kilograms."
A hundred kilograms of black jade per million years was the minimum output of the Black Jade Nest.
In reality, it often produced much more.
And the overseer would naturally receive the excess.
On the surface, it was said that the overseer could keep ten percent of the black jade produced, but in truth, they would end up with almost twenty percent.
Lin Yuan and Red Treasure King arrived shortly after.
From the depths of the Black Jade Nest, a man in red robes appeared.
A flickering flame burned at the red-robed man's brow, indicating that he was an avatar of Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate left here.
"Red Treasure."
Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate regarded Red Treasure King indifferently, his gaze also falling on Lin Yuan, who stood beside him.
"Blazing Sun, I am here under the Emperor's decree, along with Brother Galaxy, to take over this Black Jade Nest," Red Treasure King stated, invoking the authority of the Emperor of the ancient country.
"Take over the Black Jade Nest?"
Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate fell silent, unsurprised by the decree to relinquish control of the Black Jade Nest.
"Indeed."
"I've brought Brother Galaxy here now."
Red Treasure King looked at Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate and secretly sent a message to Lin Yuan:
"Brother Galaxy, no matter what reason Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate gives for delaying, don't say anything. Leave everything to me. I won't let him get away with openly defying the Emperor's decree."
Red Treasure King was prepared to offend Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate thoroughly, and he was determined to help Lin Yuan take over the Black Jade Nest smoothly.
If this dragged on, who knew how long it would take, and most importantly, they would become a laughingstock among the other Heavenly Venerates.
"Are you Galaxy?"
Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate ignored Red Treasure King and fixed his gaze on Lin Yuan.
"What dense Lieyang energy." Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate was secretly astonished. As a Heavenly Venerate, his perception far surpassed Red Treasure King's, and he vaguely sensed the terrifying foundation and depth of Lin Yuan's power.
"Never mind, the effects of black jade on me aren't as significant anymore. This Galaxy's strength is formidable, and he will surely receive the full support of the ancient country. There might be opportunities to interact with him in the future, so there's no need to offend him completely."
Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate thought to himself. If it were an ordinary royal family member with the King title, he would definitely drag things out and even sell the black jade if he couldn't use it himself.
As for offending someone?
Offending an ordinary royal family member with the King title was of little consequence.
But this Galaxy?
Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate weighed the pros and cons and knew how to make the right decision.
With that in mind, Blazing Sun Heavenly Venerate said, "Since the Emperor has issued a decree, I shall leave now. Brother Galaxy, be cautious of incursions from the Ancient Country of Xuanyin after you take over this treasure land."
(End of Chapter)
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