“Ethan, the Chen Clan is just a small, remote family. I’ve examined the Blood Rice closely; while it can temper the body, it’s not very effective for Blood Condensation Realm Warriors. Such a trivial matter, why did you have to come personally?”
On the way back, a young man with a puzzled expression asked Gabriel Zhou, who was beside him, as they flew on the back of a bird.
Despite flying against the wind, the two men on the bird’s back appeared at ease, unaffected by the wind.
Upon closer inspection, one could see an invisible layer of protective energy enveloping them, allowing them to converse easily without being disturbed by the wind.
Hearing the young man’s question, Gabriel Zhou shook his head slightly and said:
“Anthony, tell me, what is the current situation within the clan?”
The young man pondered for a moment before replying:
“Uncle, the Clan Chief is about to step down, and many clan members are still observing the situation. The only ones capable of competing for the position are Uncle Isaac and Uncle Andrew.”
Anthony Zhou was even more puzzled as he spoke. Given the current transition within the clan, the position of Clan Chief was particularly important. Shouldn’t his uncle be in the clan, garnering support from other members?
Thinking about the support of the clan members, Anthony Zhou became thoughtful, while Gabriel Zhou spoke calmly:
“Indeed, the situation within the clan is unclear. The position of Clan Chief has always been for the capable. To secure external support, we must first stabilize internally. But to gain the support of the clan members, words alone are not enough.”
“Although the Blood Rice may not be very effective for Blood Condensation Realm Warriors, many of the clan’s younger members are still in the Body Tempering Realm. Moreover, the Blood Rice can be harvested every three months. Over time, it will undoubtedly become a significant asset to the clan, worth my personal visit.”
Hearing that the Blood Rice could be harvested every three months, Anthony Zhou was slightly surprised. Even the Wind Fairy Flowers in the clan, with the help of the clan totem, could not produce much in a year.
Compared to the Blood Rice, the quantity of Wind Fairy Flowers was even more scarce, although their effects were different.
But with enough quantity, the quality requirements could be somewhat relaxed.
“Uncle, since the Blood Rice is so abundant, why don’t we just take over the Chen Clan? That way, all the Blood Rice would belong to our clan.”
Gabriel Zhou chuckled softly:
“Alright, then we’ll send you over to plant the Blood Rice. Would you be willing?”
Anthony Zhou thought for a moment and quickly understood the reason.
This place was too remote. Even with the Wind Chaser Falcon, it would take seven days to travel.
Moreover, this place was so isolated that it would be difficult to buy anything to advance one’s realm. Sending him here would be akin to exile.
Besides, planting Blood Rice required a lot of manpower, and not many clan members would be willing to come.
Understanding this, Anthony Zhou remained silent.
Seeing this, Gabriel Zhou continued:
“Although the Blood Rice has a decent yield, its upper limit is not high. Destroying the Chen Clan would be easy, but our Zhou Family doesn’t just have one Chen Clan to deal with; there are other small families as well.”
“The strength of a clan is determined by its warriors, but the clan’s reputation is equally important.”
“If we send clan members here to plant Blood Rice, it would inevitably disperse the clan’s strength. One Chen Clan is manageable, but if there are two more Chen Clans and several other types of Blood Rice, how would the clan members continue their cultivation?”
Hearing Gabriel Zhou’s analysis, Anthony Zhou nodded slightly:
“Uncle is right.”
“Are you close to breaking through to the Innate Realm?”
Gabriel Zhou suddenly asked.
Anthony Zhou looked ashamed:
“Uncle, I am still struggling and may need more time to break through.”
“If you can’t excel in your realm, you should consider developing in other directions.”
“You will handle the next Blood Rice collection.”
Anthony Zhou nodded in agreement.
The clan nurtures its members, focusing on their strengths. If someone has a talent for martial arts, the clan will prioritize their training. If their martial arts talent is average, the clan provides other paths.
Although he wanted to pursue the former path, talent varied from person to person and couldn’t be forced.
Anthony Zhou glanced around and noticed Oliver Chen on the Wind Chaser Falcon behind them.
Oliver seemed to be around his age and came from an obscure small family, yet he had already reached the Innate Realm.
This made Anthony Zhou lament the unfairness of fate.
But there were many unfair things in the world, and he wasn’t angry. The clan had members with talents not inferior to Oliver Chen.
Anthony Zhou, still puzzled, asked Gabriel Zhou again:
“Uncle, why did we bring him along?”
Gabriel Zhou replied indifferently:
“The Chen Clan is remote and has little contact with the outside world. He is the highest-ranking member of his clan, but he’s still a frog in a well, bound to have other thoughts in the future.”
“Bringing him to our clan is to show him our strength.”
“Fear comes from ignorance. Once he understands the power and status of our Zhou Family, he won’t have any other thoughts.”
Anthony Zhou suddenly understood, feeling a sense of pride.
Although his realm wasn’t as high as Oliver Chen’s, he had the backing of his clan.
The Innate Realm might be Oliver Chen’s limit, but it certainly wouldn’t be Anthony Zhou’s!
The advantage was his!
Behind them, Oliver Chen sat on the Wind Chaser Falcon, silently observing the unique scenery below.
Although it was his first time experiencing such a flight, his expression remained calm.
In his mind, he recalled Ethan Chen’s instructions before he left.
He wasn’t out here for leisure; he had a mission from his clan.
The first task was to assess the strength of the Zhou Family.
The second task was to memorize the route he took, preferably creating a map. This would help the clan analyze the situation and choose the best route to connect with the world outside the Disordered Burial Mountain.
The tasks were heavy, and he needed to be meticulous.
…
Back in the clan, after Gabriel Zhou and the others left, the clan members were already preparing for the second planting of Blood Rice.
Although there was a natural Blood Spring flowing beneath the fertile fields, after each harvest, the land needed to be renewed and the rice stalks burned to make the fields more suitable for Blood Rice growth.
Additionally, the clan’s domesticated beasts were running low, requiring members to venture into the Disordered Burial Mountain to capture more for breeding. The Sacred Tree of the clan also needed to be sacrificed to every seven days without delay.
Besides these essential clan duties, Ethan Chen mobilized the clan members to carve out a new path through the northern forests of the Disordered Burial Mountain.
Ethan Chen didn’t know the endpoint of this path, but it was being carved in the direction Gabriel Zhou and the others had left.
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