Everyone looked up and saw a flag hanging from the small boat, bearing a single character—the Lin Clan.
“The Star Lake Lin Clan.”
Ye Linyuan’s gaze shifted slightly as he quickly recalled the situation in the Star Lake Archipelago.
In the nearby Sea Region, there were seven interconnected sea islands known as the Star Lake Seven Islands.
The Star Lake Seven Islands gathered the spiritual energy of the Mountains and Rivers, nurturing a First-Order High-Grade Spirit Vein.
The spiritual energy gathered by the Spirit Vein had formed seven Spirit Eyes among the seven islands, which had consequently been occupied by various Cultivation Families.
Ye Family Island, where the Ye Clan was located, was one of the Star Lake Seven Islands and occupied one of the Spirit Eyes.
Of course, the Ye Clan Immortal Clan had a shallow foundation. It occupied only the smallest Low-grade Spirit Eye, which was insufficient even to Impact Mid Qi Refining with its spiritual energy; it could only ensure that its Clan Members broke through to Qi Refining.
In contrast, the Lin Clan lineage occupied the largest of the Star Lake Seven Islands, Red Star Island. It possessed a High-grade Spirit Eye that continuously produced and nurtured spiritual energy. It was said that the spiritual energy it produced was more than ten times that of the Ye Family’s.
According to Ye Linyuan’s memories, the Lin Clan lineage had more than thirty Cultivators, including three Mid Qi Refining cultivators and even an Old Ancestor at Late Qi Refining.
Moreover, several members of the Lin Clan Immortal Clan were skilled in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation. They even possessed a First-Order Mid-Grade sea vessel capable of entering the sea to hunt Demonic Beasts and obtain Resources.
It could be said that the overall Strength and Foundation of the Lin Clan Immortal Clan far surpassed that of the Ye Family by Several Times.
At this moment, Ye Linyuan was somewhat puzzled and could not help Spoke to ask, “Why have the Lin Family’s people come here?”
“Judging by the Time, they should be here to collect Taxes again.”
Old Man Ye spoke with an awkward expression, then let out a Sigh. “Forget it. We should still meet them.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Linyuan’s heart sank slightly.
In the Cultivation World, Strength is Paramount. It was only natural for Powerful forces to collect Taxes from Weak Strength forces.
As long as they continued to establish themselves on Ye Family Island, the Ye Clan Immortal Clan would ultimately have to pay Taxes.
In truth, the force that truly ruled this Territory was the Foundation Establishment force Azure Crane Immortal Sect, located beyond the Star Lake Seven Islands. The Lin Clan was merely a pawn acting on its behalf to collect Taxes.
Of course, after paying Taxes, the Ye Clan Immortal Clan was at least nominally a Subsidiary of the Azure Crane Immortal Sect. Ordinary Low-level Cultivators and Local Cultivators could not attack them without reason.
After all, for the Azure Crane Immortal Sect, allowing the forces Under its command to possess a relatively stable environment in which to Cultivate also enabled these Low-level Cultivators below to continuously generate Tax revenue.
“Foundation Establishment Immortal Sect.”
Ye Linyuan Murmured in heart, and his Brow furrowed slightly.
In his Previous Life, he had also been an Old Ancestor of a Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core force, receiving tributes and Taxes from Large Quantities of forces Under his command every year.
In his Previous Life, his breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm had been closely related to the Taxes accumulated by his Clan over Many Years.
But in this present life, the Ye Clan still had to pay Taxes, which was Not good News to him.
After all, the Ye Clan Immortal Clan had Weak Strength. If it encountered a Foundation Establishment force that exploited them too harshly, it likely would not have much wealth left to support his Cultivation.
“Hopefully, they won’t squeeze us too harshly.”
Ye Linyuan’s Brow furrowed slightly, after which he followed the others as they strolled down the mountain.
They reached the Dock, where the Small boat had just docked. Several figures emerged from it.
There were five people in total. Four were at Qi Refining Initial Stage, while the leader was a tall Middle-aged Man whose Cultivation Level had already reached the Mid Qi Refining Realm.
“This person is named Lin Shengyang. His Cultivation Level is Fifth Level Qi Refining, and he is the Second Elder of the Lin Family.”
Beside him, Second Uncle Ye Qinyang quietly used Telepathic Transmission to introduce the origins of the group to Ye Linyuan.
Ye Linyuan’s eyes shifted slightly. He gave a faint nod and committed all the information about their identities to memory.
Just then, Lin Shengyang walked over and said with a smile, “Brother Ye, it’s been a long time.”
“So it’s Brother Lin. What brings you here today?”
Old Man Ye Spoke calmly, maintaining a trace of cordiality on his face.
Upon hearing this, Ye Linyuan’s Gaze shifted slightly.
The Path of Cultivation placed Strength above all else.
Old Man Ye was already over eighty years old, while Lin Shengyang was only in his forties. Yet, despite both being at Mid Qi Refining, Old Man Ye still did not dare to act presumptuously in the slightest.
“Sigh, it’s all because of the Taxes.”
Lin Shengyang Spoke and handed Old Man Ye a bill. “Your Taxes this year are ten Broken Spirit Stones, plus three hundred catties of Spirit Ear Rice. How is your preparation coming along?”
“Ten Broken Spirit Stones, and three hundred catties of Spirit Ear Rice?”
Upon hearing this, the Ye Clan members’ expressions suddenly changed.
Third Uncle Ye Qin Chu could not help but darken his expression and immediately asked, “Last year, it was only three hundred catties of Spirit Ear Rice. Why have ten Broken Spirit Stones been added this year?”
Upon hearing this, Ye Linyuan’s heart sank slightly.
Ten Broken Spirit Stones, together with three hundred catties of Spirit Ear Rice, was Not a small sum for the Ye Clan.
Generally speaking, the spiritual energy contained in one hundred Broken Spirit Stones was roughly equivalent to that of one Complete Spirit Stone.
In this world, Spirit Stones had an astonishing Value. A First-Order Low-Grade Magic Tool had a market price of only around one Spirit Stone, while the First-Order High-Grade Magic Tools possessed by those at Late Qi Refining were worth only around ten Spirit Stones.
Leaving aside the Low-grade Spirit Eye, the Ye Clan Immortal Clan’s various annual incomes added up to only a little over thirty Broken Spirit Stones.
Even If they saved as much as possible, after deducting their daily consumption and the Purchase of various Supplies, they could save at most a dozen or so Broken Spirit Stones each year.
Spirit Ear Rice was also a type of Miscellaneous Spirit Rice with an Extremely Low Value. It contained extremely thin spiritual energy, and its Quality did not even qualify as Low-grade Spirit Rice, which was why it was called Miscellaneous Spirit Rice.
Fortunately, Spirit Ear Rice was easy to cultivate. It could Absorb the thin spiritual energy between Heaven and Earth to Grow, and could be planted without a Spirit Field. Eating it could slightly increase the Cultivation Level of Qi Refining cultivators.
Because of its low price, Spirit Ear Rice was the favorite of Menial Disciples in Foundation Establishment Immortal Sects, and was also the Cultivation sustenance of many Low-level Cultivators and Small Qi Refining Clans.
After all, for the vast majority of Small Qi Refining Clans, cheap Spirit Rice like Spirit Ear Rice was likely the only Cultivation sustenance they could afford.
Even so, three hundred catties of Spirit Ear Rice was Not a small sum. Its market price would not be lower than ten Broken Spirit Stones.
“Ten Broken Spirit Stones, plus three hundred catties of Spirit Ear Rice.”
“By that calculation, with just a few words, Lin Shengyang has doubled the Ye Clan’s Taxes.”
Ye Linyuan Pondered silently, and a Grave Expression appeared in his eyes.
Just then, Lin Shengyang Suddenly let out a Cold Smile. “This isn’t a Tax I set myself. It was ordered by the Azure Crane Immortal Sect.”
“The Shellfish Farm was troubled by the Demon Race again this year. Since the Azure Crane Immortal Sect shelters your safety, it is only right to increase the Taxes a little.”
“Of course, if you are unwilling to pay, then wait until the Seniors from the Azure Crane Immortal Sect arrive and explain it to them Personally.”