Affiliated Family

The eight towns under the jurisdiction of Wangyue are split north to south, divided by the eastern mountain range and Wangyue City as they run diagonally from northeast to southwest.

The four northern towns are Liuyun, Cuixi, Beiwu, and Xiting.

The four southern towns are the more familiar names: Liuye, Baishi, Qinghe, and Fengling.

The Yang Family is closest to Baishi Town, followed by Liuye Town to the west.

Qinghe is located to the northeast, while the farthest, Fengling, lies in the deep south.

While the Yang Family's position within the three southern towns has become quite stable, their influence across the broader Wangyue region is still far from reaching the level the Li Family once held.

This is partly because the family lacks a Perfection-stage cultivator at the helm, and partly due to their smaller scale and lack of affiliated families.

At the Li Family's peak, they had as many as twelve affiliated families scattered throughout Wangyue.

As for the Yang Family, they have only absorbed individual non-surname clans thus far and have yet to gain any family as a formal affiliate.

Elder Yu had discussed this matter with Yang Lingqing some time ago.

At that time, the Yang Family had just obtained the Talisman Art Inheritance, and Chen Yang had refined their first batch of talismans.

The ability to supply talismans would have been highly attractive to many Qi Gathering families.

However, limited by the family's relative weakness at the time and the absence of strong backing, Yang Lingqing judged that the timing was not yet ripe.

She worried that such a move would make them a target for various forces, and she feared exposing the existence of their complete Talisman Art Inheritance. Thus, she set the matter aside.

But now, the Yang Family's situation is no longer what it once was.

In just a few years, they have seized opportunities amid the great game between the Dynasty and the Sects, rising to prominence in one fell swoop.

Liu Zihao's joining is like fitting the final piece of the puzzle.

For any force, protective formations are an indispensable part of development.

With the Yang Family's current strength, backed by He Shenglai's support, and now possessing the genius Formation Master Liu Zihao, all the objective conditions for absorbing affiliated families are in place.

With a new batch of Dynasty secret edicts issued, many rising Qi Gathering forces find themselves facing a critical shortage of family elites.

This creates favorable external conditions for the Yang Family's actions.

In truth, upon receiving that letter from the bamboo grove cultivator, Yang Lingqing had already made up her mind.

She reached out to take the storage bag from Huang Yan's hand and said, "So it is regarding this matter. Family Head Huang, please take a seat and speak slowly."

"Ah! Certainly!"

Huang Yan sat back down, his heart anxious yet filled with anticipation.

Since Yang Lingqing had not flatly refused, it meant there was hope.

"Zhao Qi, invite Formation Master Liu here."

"Yes."

Hearing that Formation Master Liu was coming, Huang Yan was overjoyed.

"They say the Yang Family is poised to become the 'new Li Family.' I was skeptical at first, but seeing them provide two thousand Spirit Crystals so readily and retain a resident Formation Master, they truly are incomparable to the past!" Huang Yan thought to himself.

Before long, Liu Zihao knocked and entered.

"Greetings, Family Head."

"Please sit, Master."

"Yes."

Liu Zihao bowed respectfully before taking his seat. This simple display of order once again reshaped Huang Yan's perception.

Outsiders claimed that Liu Zihao valued the Yang Family's potential and chose to humble himself to join them.

Seeing this today, that did not seem to be the case at all.

Yang Lingqing briefly explained the situation, and Liu Zihao nodded in understanding. He turned to Huang Yan and asked, "Five hundred Spirit Crystals. Has Family Head Huang already selected a formation?"

"Yes, I have! Here is the formation diagram. Master, please take a look."

Huang Yan hurriedly handed over the diagram. Liu Zihao glanced at it twice and set it aside.

"You bought this from the Formation Pavilion, did you not?"

"Indeed, Formation Master Liu."

"And it cost you a hundred Spirit Crystals?"

"It did."

Liu Zihao shook his head with a laugh, his tone full of disdain. "The Formation Pavilion is regressing. Instead of seeking innovation in formation techniques, they delve deeper into cheating and swindling. To dare sell such garbage for a hundred Spirit Crystals-it is utterly shameless."

Huang Yan sat frozen, not daring to respond.

He had no nerve to comment on the Formation Pavilion's affairs; only the man before him could speak with such lack of restraint.

"How about this: since your family has ties to ours, I shall redraw a diagram for you. It may not be particularly exquisite, but it will be far superior to this piece of trash."

Liu Zihao remarked.

The diagram Huang Yan had brought was of such low quality it was unreadable, containing multiple amateurish techniques that could fool ordinary cultivators, but not him.

"Thank you! Thank you, Formation Master Liu!" Huang Yan exclaimed.

In his view, simply having Liu Zihao set up the formation was a stroke of luck; having him redraw the diagram was an unexpected bonus.

Yet, Huang Yan did not realize this was only the beginning.

"Master, the Huang Family has brought five hundred Spirit Crystals. Would that be sufficient for a large late-stage formation?"

Yang Lingqing's words made Huang Yan pause, as the diagram he had just presented was clearly for a medium-sized late-stage formation.

A large late-stage formation would typically cost two hundred Spirit Crystals more.

"It is enough."

"Oh... and I see the Huang Family still has many mortals under its rule. What do you think..."

"Referencing the Hundred-Forms Returning-Origin Formation of Songshan, I can imitate a medium early-stage formation. The effect and range will be reduced, but it should suffice for the Huang Family."

The two discussed the matter casually, leaving Huang Yan completely bewildered.

He unconsciously rubbed his ears, wondering if he had misheard.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

Could he be getting forced into a deal he could not afford?

He stood up nervously and spoke, "Family Head Yang, Formation Master Liu, my family truly has no more funds! These five hundred were scraped together from everything we had! What you are proposing-my Huang Family simply cannot afford such blessings."

Yang Lingqing turned to him with a smile. "Family Head Huang, do not worry. My family does not engage in taking advantage of others in distress. For what I have proposed, your five hundred Spirit Crystals are sufficient."

Huang Yan was stunned, a glimmer of hope appearing in his eyes.

He was about to express his gratitude when Yang Lingqing added, "However, there is one condition."

Huang Yan's heart sank. He knew it would not be that simple.

The Yang Family certainly wanted something else to make up the difference.

What could it be?

"Tribute? That is expected."

"Mortal labor? That I can accept."

"Gifted juniors? That is also fine. As long as the family line continues, it is better than being wiped out!"

In an instant, many possibilities flashed through his mind as he prepared for the worst.

Yang Lingqing then asked, "Family Head Huang, when you arrived at the foot of the mountain, did you see the Chengyang Hall and the Chengyang Stele in the village?"

Huang Yan looked puzzled but replied in a low voice, "I did. The hall and the stele were built quite impressively. One can see them at a glance upon arrival."

"Very well. Master Liu can set up the formations I mentioned for the Huang Family. The condition is that the Huang Family must also build these two structures. Everyone under your rule, whether cultivator or commoner, must offer daily worship and keep the incense burning without cease."

When Yang Lingqing's words reached him, Huang Yan could hardly believe his ears. He cautiously probed, "Family Head Yang, does this mean... my Huang Family has become an affiliate of the Yang Family?"

"Indeed. So, Family Head Huang, what is your decision?"

"Excellent! This is the best possible outcome!"

Huang Yan beamed with joy. "To become an affiliate of the Yang Family is my family's honor! If we can receive the Yang Family's protection, let alone building one Chengyang Hall, we would happily build ten or a hundred!"

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