Steward

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By calculation, another five-year period was approaching. Each time this came around, the Zhao clan convened a cultivation family meeting, gathering all the Golden Core elders, clan leaders, and officials.

Jin Ming had broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage a month ago. At eighteen years old, he was still uncoronated and not considered an adult within the clan. Previously, he had no eligibility to attend these meetings, but now, having reached the late Foundation Establishment, Jin Ming received an invitation letter. In two days, he would attend the clan meeting hall.

At the family meeting, data was compiled and presented by his aunt. Discussions would cover population changes; clan member casualties and illness rates; spiritual root rates; the growth of medicinal plants; the refinement and storage of elixirs; the talents of the main and collateral branches; assessments of newly appointed officials; the situation in Qingning City and surrounding towns—high-level matters to jointly deliberate development strategies.

Curious, Jin Ming asked his parents, and his father was somewhat pleased, telling him to prepare for the official assessment.

Two days passed quickly.

On that day, the meeting began early. The clan meeting hall could accommodate several hundred, but only a few dozen were qualified to attend: the clan leader, six elders, twenty-one officials, and Zhao Jin Ming himself. Each had one seat at a long table, which curved up at both ends. The seats and tables were made from Huangfeng tree trunks from Maple Leaf Town.

Many seats in the grand hall remained empty; it was spacious.

Looking around out of curiosity, Jin Ming noticed a relaxed atmosphere inside. Indeed, the uncles, aunts, and clan brothers present were all elite figures managing their respective enterprises meticulously. Being constantly pressured would only damage one’s cultivation spirit, so the mood was naturally light.

The clan leader sat at the center of the inner hall, although the meetings were usually convened and managed by the Third Elder.

Just as Jin Ming was about to look further, he was drawn by the clan leader’s voice.

The clan leader, Zhao Manxing, the eldest son of Zhao Jinshang, was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, about a hundred years old, with sharp sword-like eyes and deep blue robes.

“All present, then let this session begin.” He glanced at the elders beside him, all calm and composed. “Fei Yin, you may begin with the report.”

“Clan leader, elders, and officials,” Fei Yin greeted respectfully.

“According to Fei Yin’s statistics, the clan’s territory still holds about 700,000 mortals. After redistribution, each of the four towns now contains about 150,000 mortals, with over 100,000 within the clan lands of the city itself. Over the past five years, the birth rate has gradually declined yearly, approaching 1.1%. Mortal death rates remain nearly unchanged at about 1%. Thanks to Elder Jinshang’s administration of spiritual medicines and Elder Tiangang’s deployment of formations, the rate of mortals with spiritual roots increased from 1.1% to 1.2%, with a rise in quality spiritual roots as well.”

“Hm, that is good news. However, the declining growth rate means we must supply more resources, including further expanding the new town. We cannot move against the other four families yet,” said the Third Elder, Zhao Wanjiang, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator.

“Continue, Fei Yin,” Zhao Manxing instructed.

“In these five years, no major infectious diseases have occurred, nor have any powerful demons disturbed the four towns. At Spirit Beast Town this year, a twelve-year-old girl was tested and found to possess a 7.5-inch Water Spiritual Root. She is the daughter of a mortal cart driver. After informing them of the situation, I voluntarily gave the driver thirty spirit stones and took the girl under my wing for cultivation. When the clan meeting opens, I will report this to the elders and clan leader.”

“Good, 7.5 inches, a decent talent. We must not waste the gifts of these children. Second brother, you should still have some Water Spiritual Pills. Begin by tempering her simply, then pass them to her,” said the First Elder.

“Very well. It’s been many years since we’ve seen a mortal child of such talent,” Zhao Jinshang remarked. “Zhao Fei Yin, please return to your seat. The old man will now report on the clan’s spiritual medicines and elixirs. Over the past five years, the elixir reserves have reached my expectations, but the cultivation of medicinal herbs remains insufficient due to a lack of spiritual soil. Moreover, the Zuo family in Wenfeng City is a renowned elixir family. They control most of the elixir market in the surrounding cities and even seek to block our spirit medicine imports. Such thoughts anger me.”

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Jinshang looked toward Zhao Tianzhong. “Fourth brother, when will your matter proceed?”

“Second brother, it will take some time.”

“That won’t do. Fourth brother, you should know it’s best to resolve matters regarding spirit medicines early. If tens of thousands of herbs are delayed a year or two, do you realize how much resource waste that entails?”

“Very well, I will handle it as soon as possible.”

After a brief pause, Zhao Tiangang spoke. “Regarding spiritual instruments or formations over the past five years, all treasures have been used by you yourselves. I assume everyone knows, so I shall say no more.”

Several officials followed with their reports.

After an incense stick’s time passed,

“The situation is acceptable, within expectations.”

“Then let us begin the assessment of Zhao Jinming,” Zhao Manxing said.

Upon hearing this, Jin Ming immediately stepped to the center of the hall.

“Respectfully inviting the clan leader, elders, and officials to assess your nephew. I am prepared.”

Of course, as a nephew often seen around, familiar with many, with a good reputation for character, the assessment would be lenient.

“Hm, humble attitude. You just heard our discussion here. Tell me, what is your purpose in cultivation?” the Third Elder stood and asked.

“Entering cultivation, everyone aspires to become immortal. Whether immortals truly exist or not, I follow my own path. I cultivate to continually ascend to the next realm.”

“Though I lack much experience and don’t fully understand what the elders mean by ‘the Dao,’ I know the hardship of cultivation and enlightenment. My efforts are to prepare for the future.”

“Through years of cultivation, I have realized my talent is indeed somewhat superior to many brothers and sisters in the clan, yet I also see my own limitations more clearly. My cultivation is also to enrich myself.”

Jin Ming paused.

“But to speak frankly, being confined within the clan for eighteen years and arriving at such understanding is commendable,” Jinshang nodded.

“When testing my spiritual blood, I first realized that the world values talent greatly. Although there are certain rules and reasons, I also sense the world’s unfairness. My second granduncle taught me that life in heaven and earth follows natural laws. Does that mean those with lesser talent are destined to become the weak and devoured?”

“Should people...”

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“Do not speak recklessly,” the grandfather interrupted Jin Ming.

The Second Elder pondered for two breaths.

“Hm, that answer will suffice.”

“What do you all think?”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“In that case, you shall be the clan’s twenty-second official. After the meeting, this will be announced to the entire clan.”

“Having been appointed an official, I hereby assign you to guard Maple Leaf Town,” Manxing glanced at Zhao Tianzhong.

“Jin Ming, thank you, clan leader, elders, and officials.”

“Please be seated.”

After Jin Ming took his seat,

“Any other clan business?”

“No, then this meeting is adjourned. Fei Yin, you and the Third Elder will spread the news.”

The clan meeting ended with a cup of spiritual tea; it was already afternoon.

Tomorrow, Jin Ming would head to Maple Leaf Town, one of the clan’s four towns.

The four towns: South Town, Spirit Beast Town, Maple Leaf Town, and New Town. The New Town was newly built at great expense by the clan over a century, now nearly equal in scale to the other towns.

After the meeting, the clan leader handed Jin Ming a storage pouch, a customary gift for newly appointed officials, who formed the clan’s backbone.

Meanwhile, the Fourth Elder had already reached the Yang family’s gate.