Being in the Qi Cultivation Second Layer, he naturally sensed spiritual objects. His gaze fell on the basket to the right, and with a hand gesture, he channeled spiritual power into a pile of apples. Soon, a fruit resembling an apple but slightly different floated up:
"It's indeed a Cloud Mulberry Fruit!"
Fu Changsheng was overjoyed.
Having been at the Qi Cultivation Second Layer for several months, with this spirit fruit's aid, breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer would not be a problem. He restrained his urge to consume it immediately, carefully placed the Cloud Mulberry Fruit into a box, and after putting it into his sleeve, said toward the door:
"Fu Tai, come in!"
Fu Tai, waiting outside, had already been informed that the young man before him was the new clan leader.
Therefore.
Upon entering.
He immediately knelt down and bowed:
"Clan Leader, sir, my family has tended fruit for generations with diligence, and has never committed any wrongdoings. Please judge wisely, Clan Leader."
"You needn't be afraid. I've called you here just to ask you a few questions. Answer them truthfully: were all the apples you picked today from your family's orchard? Think carefully before answering."
"Clan Leader, in all of Nanyang Town, only my family's orchard has apples ripening first, so I can swear on my life that these two baskets of apples were indeed picked from my family's orchard."
"Alright, I understand. Your apples are grown well. Take me to your orchard for a tour."
Since the Cloud Mulberry Fruit grows in the orchard.
The Spiritual Mulberry Tree should be there as well. If it can be found and transplanted to their clan's land and tended well, dozens of spirit fruits could ripen every year.
Converting the gains.
That would be an income of several hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones.
Fu Changsheng certainly wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
This would be his first wealth as the clan leader!
He immediately had Mayor Fu arrange a carriage. The three of them traveled from the town back to Maple Leaf Village, where Fu Tai was located. Maple Leaf Village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with fruit trees all over the mountains, and the villagers make a living by selling fruit.
Arriving at Fu Tai's orchard.
It was indeed dozens of acres in size.
If he were to search each tree by foot, it would take several days. Fu Changsheng took the Cloud Mulberry Fruit from his sleeve and handed it to Fu Tai, saying:
"Do you recognize this apple?!"
Seeing the Cloud Mulberry Fruit, Fu Tai began stammering nervously:
"Reporting to the Clan Leader, this... this apple, I do recognize."
According to Fu Tai's explanation.
This Cloud Mulberry Fruit had hung on the tree for years before growing this large, and no matter the fertilizer, only one fruit ever formed per tree. When he picked it, he thought its appearance was poor and was going to throw it away, but later his wife insisted on keeping it because the family had cared for it for years, so he grudgingly tossed it in:
"Clan Leader, I had pulled up that tree by its roots upon returning from town, but... it wasn't to mix in poor quality."
"Where is that tree? Lead the way!"
Fu Changsheng felt relieved.
Luckily, he discovered it early.
Otherwise, a Tier One Middle-Grade Spirit Fruit Tree would have been wasted.
Fu Tai, filled with apprehension, led the way.
Fu Changsheng sensed faint spiritual energy from a distance. Upon approaching, he saw among the apple trees a Spiritual Mulberry Tree, as tall as a person, coming into view.
It resembled an apple tree.
But upon closer inspection.
Its leaf veins bore butterfly-shaped imprints.
This was the mark of the Spiritual Mulberry Tree.
Fu Changsheng immediately turned to Mayor Fu and said:
"Mayor Fu, from this year's town taxes, reward Fu Tai with three hundred silver!"
What?
Both Fu Tai and Mayor Fu were stunned.
Especially Fu Tai.
He thought the clan leader was here to reprimand him for selling poor-quality apples. Never had he imagined such immense fortune would fall upon him; three hundred silver was enough to ensure a lifetime of comfort.
He immediately let out a cry of joy, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot.
Fu Changsheng cautiously transplanted the Spiritual Mulberry Tree. With such a large tree, it could only be transported back to Luofeng Mountain by carriage:
"Without a storage bag, it really is troublesome."
If not.
Simply tossing the Spiritual Mulberry Tree into a storage bag would have resolved it:
"It seems I must find a way to acquire one."
A storage bag is worth several hundred Spirit Stones.
The Spirit Stones Meizhen gave him were only enough to buy Red Marrow Rice Seeds, the Spiritual Hoe, and the Spiritual Scythe, with no surplus.
In contemplation.
A familiar voice sounded within his Sea of Divine Sense:
"Ding"
"You have transplanted a Tier One Middle-Grade Spiritual Mulberry Tree for the clan, earning five Clan Contribution Points."
Fu Changsheng glanced at the panel.
Unknowingly, the Clan Contribution Points had accumulated to twenty.
He immediately decided without hesitation:
"Exchange for information"
Buzz!
The panel trembled.
A burst of yellow light surged.
Subsequent lines of text appeared:
[1: After receiving substantial tax silver, Fu Tai no longer worried about making a living. He immediately sought many wives, hoping one of his many children would have the cultivation talent of a cultivator.]
[2: In half a month, a batch of spirit pets will arrive in the Spirit Pet Shop at Nanyang Marketplace, including a seriously injured Little Cyan Snake with Flood Dragon Bloodline.]
[3: Shangguan Feng has issued a warning to the other four Qi Cultivation Clans in Anyang County, declaring that as long as he is around, anyone daring to lay a finger on you is an enemy of his Shangguan Family.]
[4: Liuu Clan Leader is desperately trying to arrange a marriage between Liuu Meizhen and the second son of the Shangguan Family. Liuu Meizhen refuses at all costs, vowing she will marry no one but you, Fu Changsheng.]
"Stop the exchange!"
Fu Changsheng was delighted with the bits of information earlier, but the last one made him furrow his brow:
"It seems I must hasten the development of myself and the family, or else Meizhen would face too much pressure from her family!"
However.
For the current Fu Family.
To become wealthy overnight seems as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Unless....
Fu Changsheng had a vague idea in mind.
However.
To implement it required favorable timing, geographical advantage, and harmonious people:
"Meizhen, hold on just a bit longer!"
Upon returning to the clan's land.
His elder brother Fu Changren, seeing the Spiritual Mulberry Tree Fu Changsheng brought back, his eyes lit up. He immediately took it with delight and transplanted it at once. With proper cultivation, it could bring the family hundreds of Spirit Stones in income next year.
Fu Changsheng instructed everyone with a few words.
He then chose to enter seclusion.
He planned to break through to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer before departing for the Nanyang Marketplace.
The timing should be just right.
That Little Cyan Snake with Flood Dragon Blood would surely be his.
After bathing and lighting incense.
Bringing his body and mind to optimal condition.
Fu Changsheng immediately swallowed the Spiritual Mulberry Fruit.
The Spiritual Mulberry Fruit's medicinal power was gentle, melting upon entry, its waves of medicinal power flowing into the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Fu Changsheng circulated his cultivation technique to channel them to the Heaven and Earth Bridge. After five Grand Circulations.
The mist-like True Qi in his Dantian had expanded by a third:
"Qi Cultivation Third Layer!"
Fu Changsheng opened his eyes with joy.