Clan Cultivation: From Ninth Rank to Immortal Clan

Chapter 14: The Battle of Wealth at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion Shakes the Zhao Family

A crowd gradually gathered in front of Zuixianlou.

Qingyun County is small, but news travels extremely fast.

The news that the young patriarch of the Li family had booked the Zuixianlou restaurant with more than a dozen carts of goods attracted a crowd of people from half the street within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"The Li family is that rich now?"

"You just made a profit from yesterday's auction, and today you've booked the entire Zuixianlou restaurant?"

"I heard that the head of the Wang family is also upstairs."

"This is going to be interesting."

The sounds of discussion rose and fell along the street.

⸻

Inside a private room on the second floor of Zuixianlou.

Zhao Yuancheng held his teacup, his smile still amiable, but a hint of contemplation appeared in his eyes.

He has been in business for many years and is very good at reading trends.

If the Li family only makes quick money from a single mu of spiritual land, then there is nothing to fear.

But if someone dares to spend money ostentatiously as soon as they make it, it means two things:

First, we have the confidence.

Secondly, there's a hidden agenda.

This kind of person is not to be trifled with.

⸻

Wang Tonghai's face was extremely grim.

He had just said, "The Li family won't last long," when Li Xuan put up this show of force in the street.

It was like a silent slap in the face.

Zhao Yuancheng smiled and said:

"Brother Wang, it's normal for young people to be hot-blooded."

Wang Tonghai said coldly:

"It's just putting on a brave face."

"They've made a little money and they dare to show off at Zuixianlou."

Zhao Yuancheng neither agreed nor disagreed, but simply nodded slightly.

But that's not what I really think.

What businessmen fear most is not others showing off their wealth.

It's because after others show off their wealth, they actually have money in their accounts.

⸻

downstairs.

Li Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, watching the crowd grow larger and larger, his expression calm.

Li Yuanshan stood aside, his face twitching with heartache.

"Young clan leader..."

"Renting the entire building for half a day costs eighty spirit coins."

"If this banquet continues, it will cost several hundred more."

"We're throwing spirit stones down the drain!"

Li Yuanlie, holding his sword, sneered.

"Is there anything else in your eyes besides money?"

Li Yuanshan angrily said:

"have!"

"There's even more money!"

⸻

Li Xuan said calmly:

"What you spend today, you'll earn back tonight."

Li Yuanshan was taken aback.

"How do you make money?"

Li Xuan glanced at him.

"We'll see."

⸻

After a while.

The manager of Zuixianlou personally came forward, his face beaming with smiles.

"Young Master Li, the private room upstairs is ready."

"As you instructed, the finest wine and the best spirit beast meat have all been served."

Li Yuanshan's legs went weak upon hearing this.

The best?

He could almost see plates of spirit coins being served.

⸻

Li Xuan did not go upstairs, but instead turned to look at the crowd on the street.

"Since you are all here today, it is fate that brings you here."

"All cultivators present may enter the building to sample a serving of Azure Jade Spirit Rice Feast."

These words caused a sensation throughout the room.

"free?!"

"Really?!"

"Young Master Li is so magnanimous!"

The crowd erupted instantly.

Li Yuanshan's vision went black, and he almost fainted on the spot.

"Young Clan Leader—!"

Li Yuanlie caught him and laughed heartily.

"Promising."

⸻

Private room on the second floor.

Zhao Yuancheng's eyelids twitched violently.

Are all the monks on the street invited to try it?

This is not wasteful spending.

This is a publicity stunt.

Wang Tonghai's face grew even darker.

"To attract attention and gain popularity."

Zhao Yuancheng put down his teacup, his smile fading slightly.

"Brother Wang."

"I think this young clan chief Li is quite good at business."

Wang Tonghai snorted coldly and remained silent.

⸻

Soon, the first floor of Zuixianlou was full.

Dozens of tables were set up for the banquet at the same time.

Steaming hot spirit beast meat and spirit vegetable side dishes filled the table, while in the very center were bowls of crystal-clear jade spirit rice.

The aroma of rice mingled with the fragrance of vegetables, permeating the entire restaurant.

As soon as the diners took a bite, exclamations of praise rose and fell.

"Good rice!"

"It tastes delicious, and my spiritual energy flows smoothly!"

"Compared to this, the Wang family's rice looks like pig feed!"

"Be careful what you say... but you're right."

The entire restaurant was bustling with activity, like a marketplace.

⸻

Li Xuan then stepped upstairs.

The innkeeper led the way, arriving directly at the door of the private room where Zhao Yuancheng and Wang Tonghai were.

"Young Master Li has arrived."

The door is pushed open.

The three locked eyes.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

⸻

Li Xuan remained calm and bowed respectfully.

"Patriarch Wang, Patriarch Zhao."

"It's quite a coincidence that the two of you are discussing matters here."

Zhao Yuancheng laughed heartily and stood up first.

"Young clan chief Li is a remarkable young man, please have a seat."

Wang Tonghai remained expressionless, only coldly staring at Li Xuan.

"What are you doing here?"

Li Xuan said calmly:

"I'd like to invite you two to dinner."

After saying that, he waved his hand in acknowledgment.

The shopkeeper immediately served three bowls of jade-green rice and a plate of second-tier spirit beast meat.

Zhao Yuancheng's eyes brightened slightly.

Are you even willing to part with the flesh of a second-tier spirit beast?

The Li family is even richer than rumored.

⸻

Wang Tonghai remained motionless.

"Do you think a few bowls of rice will make me think more highly of the Li family?"

Li Xuan picked up his teacup, his tone calm.

"Of course not."

"But it can make money for my Li family."

"It can also make the Wang family pay money."

In short, it hits right where it hurts.

Zhao Yuancheng almost burst out laughing, but quickly lowered his head to drink tea to cover it up.

Wang Tonghai's face turned ashen.

⸻

Li Xuan turned to look at Zhao Yuancheng.

"Master Zhao has been in business for many years and should understand one principle."

"Everyone wants a ride on a favorable wind."

"But if the bottom of the ship is already leaking, those who still jump on it are called 'those who are buried alive'."

Zhao Yuancheng paused slightly in his teacup.

These words were said to him.

A murderous intent surged in Wang Tonghai's eyes.

"Li Xuan, are you threatening the Zhao family?"

Li Xuan shook his head.

"I'm reminding the Zhao family."

"The Wang family has suppressed other families all these years by relying on grain routes and financial power."

"Now the grain supply route is broken, and wealth and power are being lost."

"If we continue to hold on, we will only drag our allies down with us."

The room fell silent for a moment.

⸻

Zhao Yuancheng slowly put down his teacup, his smile still on his face, but his eyes became serious.

He realized that he had underestimated the boy.

Li Xuan did not come to demonstrate.

They've come to negotiate.

Moreover, they poached people right in front of Wang Tonghai.

Bold, steady-minded, and ruthless.

⸻

Wang Tonghai suddenly stood up and flicked his sleeves.

"Brother Zhao, it seems there's nothing to discuss today."

"You'd better watch yourself."

After saying that, he strode away.

As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and stared at Li Xuan.

"Young people who are too sharp and ambitious die quickly."

Li Xuan sat upright, his expression calm.

"The old man has held on for too long; it's time for him to step down."

Wang Tonghai clenched his fists until they turned white, then finally snorted coldly and left.

⸻

Only Li Xuan and Zhao Yuancheng remained in the room.

Zhao Yuancheng was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed:

"Young Master Li, do you want me to side with the Li family?"

Li Xuan shook his head.

"I just want the Zhao family to make sure they don't take the wrong side."

Zhao Yuancheng stared at him for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"interesting."

"That's really interesting."

He stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

"I will remember this meal."

As for which side to stand on—

"I will seriously consider it."

After saying that, he turned and left.

⸻

When Li Yuanshan rushed into the private room, he was covered in sweat.

"Young Clan Chief!"

"After the tasting downstairs, dozens of tables of people are asking if we can pre-order Tomorrow's Spirit Rice!"

"Several shops also want to resell our goods!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke.

This restaurant's extravagant spending actually boosted its business!

⸻

Li Xuan's lips curled up slightly.

"The Wang family wants to block the road."

"Then I'll have the entire county clear the way for the Li family."

A system notification sounded in my mind:

[The Zhao family's attitude: significantly wavering]

[Mission Progress: Disintegration of the King Zhao Alliance (85%)]

[Current Luck: 118]

[Reward Preview: Opportunity to upgrade the fourth acre of spirit field]

Li Xuan looked out the window.

The Wang family is starting to panic.

People who panic are most likely to make mistakes.

End of Chapter Fourteen