Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion-Chapter 43: Selecting the Reward

Inside the Quiet Chamber, Fang Qingyuan put down the Magical Artifact Token used for testing Spirit Roots, a pleased expression on his face.

After three months of continuously consuming spirit materials and Spirit Wood, Fang Qingyuan’s Wood Spirit Root aptitude had risen by another point, from twenty-four to twenty-five. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

A Spirit Root aptitude of twenty-five allowed for slightly faster cultivation than an aptitude of twenty-four. He reckoned this would save him about a month of arduous effort when he eventually advanced to the Fifth-Layer Qi Refining.

’It really hasn’t been easy,’ Fang Qingyuan thought. ’As my Spirit Root aptitude increases, the amount of resources needed to improve it further will probably grow as well. Based on the current rate of progress, it will take at least another six months to raise my Wood Spirit Root by one more point.’

’But that’s fine. I don’t expect to instantly obtain a Top-grade Spirit Root. As long as there’s hope, I don’t mind if it takes time. How many Cultivators can only dream of such an opportunity? What do I have to complain about?’

Setting down the Magical Artifact Token, Fang Qingyuan walked out of the Quiet Chamber and into the courtyard.

When Silver Treasure saw Fang Qingyuan come out, it nudged its head toward him, begging for food.

Ever since Silver Treasure advanced to a Tier One Middle Grade Spirit Beast, its appetite had grown along with its size. Where three Pig Fish used to be enough, it now needed no less than five.

Silver Treasure had advanced not long ago, and its cultivation was still slowly increasing. Once it grew to a certain point, its growth would stop completely unless it advanced again.

’A Tier One Middle Grade Silver Treasure is already such a glutton. If it reaches Tier One Upper Grade, just how many Pig Fish will it eat in a day?’

’Good thing I came into a windfall recently; otherwise, I’d never be able to afford this guy with the earnings from my ferrying gig alone.’

Seeing how greedy Silver Treasure was, Fang Qingyuan took out a few pieces of dried fish from his storage pouch and placed them in its mouth, coaxing a few contented snorts from the beast.

Once Silver Treasure finished its snack, Fang Qingyuan stepped onto its back. In an instant, they shot into the sky, flying toward the distant Celestial Gate Mountain.

....

Fang Qingyuan had come to Celestial Gate Mountain this time for two reasons. First, he wanted to visit the Inheritance Hall to see if there were any books or Cultivation Techniques on nurturing Spirit Plants. Second, he was here to collect his reward.

More than half a month had passed since the Liu Family’s infant abduction case, and the Great Zhou Academy had closed the investigation. Lechuan, grateful to Fang Qingyuan for eliminating a hidden threat, would not be stingy with his reward. As a Sect Leader, he knew that doing so would dishearten the other disciples.

The reward was divided into two parts: one part consisted of physical goods like Spirit Stones, and the other was a property.

The Spirit Stones were one thing—just fifty Middle-grade Spirit Stones. While this was a huge fortune for any Qi Refining Cultivator, it was a trivial amount to Lechuan.

The Spirit Stones were just a bonus. The truly valuable part of the reward was the property granted by Lechuan.

The Liu Family had been relocated by the Great Zhou Academy, so they couldn’t take their properties with them. The new families moving in couldn’t just inherit the Liu Family’s assets without doing anything, so most of the properties were sold off by the Great Zhou Academy.

As the Liu Family’s suzerain, Tianshan Villa naturally had priority rights to their properties. Lechuan had spent some Spirit Stones to purchase several of the Liu Family’s properties to serve as communal assets for Tianshan Villa.

Tianshan Villa had many other similar assets. For a sect to operate normally, it needed to have numerous properties that could generate Spirit Stone revenue.

When Lechuan decided to reward Fang Qingyuan, he wasn’t paying out of his own pocket; he was putting it on Tianshan Villa’s account.

As for what this property would be, Fang Qingyuan would have to discuss it with the Steward of the Miscellaneous Affairs Peak. In any case, Lechuan had already made the promise, so all Fang Qingyuan had to do was go and choose.

Upon arriving at Celestial Gate Mountain, Fang Qingyuan went directly to the new Grand Miscellaneous Affairs Hall. Inside, after asking a senior disciple acting as a steward, he learned that a head had already been chosen for the Miscellaneous Affairs Peak.

....

"Inner Sect Disciple Fang Qingyuan pays his respects to Uncle Zhao."

Inside a Quiet Chamber off the main hall, Fang Qingyuan was bowing to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. This Cultivator wore a lake-blue long robe, had a fair complexion, and appeared to be in his fifties or sixties.

This man was Zhao Liangde, a Direct Disciple of Lechuan. Zhao Liangde was a bit portly and not very tall, with small, bright eyes. At this moment, he was seated calmly in the main seat, and only after Fang Qingyuan completed his bow did he speak with a smile:

"So you’re the Fang Qingyuan who cracked the Liu Family’s infant abduction case?"

Hearing Zhao Liangde’s question, Fang Qingyuan quickly replied:

"I wouldn’t dare take the credit. Yes, that’s me, but I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time."

Zhao Liangde chuckled and praised Fang Qingyuan a few more times before getting down to business. He took out a large scroll and presented it to Fang Qingyuan, explaining:

"Since my honored Master has decreed that you are to receive a property as your reward, I, as his disciple, naturally have no reason to disobey.

"However, the Wei Family has only just left, and our Tianshan Villa has only recently taken over this area, so we don’t have many properties available yet. I’ve given it some thought. You can choose one of the properties circled on this map."

After speaking, Zhao Liangde’s small eyes watched Fang Qingyuan intently. Feeling his gaze, Fang Qingyuan thought to himself, ’It seems Zhao Liangde doesn’t want to give me a very good property. He’s only following through because of Lechuan’s orders.’

’It makes sense. Zhao Liangde is now the head of the Miscellaneous Affairs Peak, and all of Tianshan Villa’s assets will be under his management. Aren’t I basically taking food right out of his bowl?’

Looking again at the circled properties on the scroll, Fang Qingyuan naturally understood what was going on. After a moment’s hesitation, he returned the scroll to Zhao Liangde and said:

"I have made my choice. I would like the ten-acre Tea Garden on Qingfeng Mountain."

Seeing Fang Qingyuan make his choice, a pleased look flashed across Zhao Liangde’s face, and he quickly asked:

"Are you sure? Once you’ve chosen, you can’t go back on your word."

Fang Qingyuan nodded, confirming his choice. In truth, Zhao Liangde hadn’t offered many options to begin with, and even fewer were suitable for him.

First, Qingfeng Mountain was close to the original Tianshan Villa and not far from Fang Qingyuan’s own courtyard, so he could go check on it from time to time.

Second, the Tea Garden was already an established business. Unlike other properties, it wouldn’t require an initial investment. As soon as Fang Qingyuan took over, it would start generating income.

Furthermore, among the choices Zhao Liangde had offered, the Tea Garden was a mid-tier option. By choosing it, he wouldn’t antagonize Zhao Liangde, nor would he be taking too great a loss.

It was with these considerations in mind that Fang Qingyuan had chosen the Tea Garden. And sure enough, seeing that he hadn’t picked one of the best properties, Zhao Liangde’s attitude softened considerably.

He took out a storage pouch and handed it to Fang Qingyuan, saying:

"Here are fifty Middle-grade Spirit Stones. Take them. As for the Qingfeng Mountain Tea Garden, this is the deed. Take this as well."

After Zhao Liangde handed these two items to Fang Qingyuan, they exchanged a few more words before Fang Qingyuan tactfully took his leave.

There was a line of people waiting for an audience with Zhao Liangde. After his arrival, Lechuan had handed over most of the miscellaneous affairs to him, leaving himself in peace and quiet.

Zhao Liangde could now be considered the most powerful person in the vicinity of Celestial Gate Mountain. Fang Qingyuan himself had waited a long time to see him.

After leaving the Grand Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, Fang Qingyuan felt the storage pouch in his robes, and a joyful expression lit up his face. A reward like this made the dangers he had faced recently worthwhile.

’I’ve received all these benefits... but did Lao Bai get any part of it?’

At this thought, Fang Qingyuan hesitated for a moment, then turned and headed toward the Beast Cage.