it was exactly what Long Yuan had proposed before—
either have more children or take in wives!
For every child born,
the family would provide generous rewards!
But the fastest approach
was naturally taking multiple wives and concubines!
If one man could marry several women,
the goal of ten thousand people could be achieved in no time.
they weren't forcing anyone,
as this was entirely voluntary. The rightful source is novęlfire.net
Being the only prominent family in Qingyang Town, countless women dreamed of entering this "noble household," as did men seeking comfortable lives through marriage.
Even the modest dowries offered by the Chu family
were considered enormous wealth in others' eyes.
In the following days, the Chu family celebrated wedding after wedding,
with women continuously marrying into the family,
and occasionally men joining through matrilocal marriages.
Sometimes multiple couples tied the knot on the same day, creating a lively atmosphere.
Firecrackers boomed incessantly,
drums and gongs filled the air,
and feasts were held almost daily—much to the delight of Qingyang Town's commoners,
who rarely had chances to enjoy such lavish meals otherwise!
Chu Hongtu and Chu Hongxiao discussed expanding their targets beyond Qingyang Town,
which was too small anyway.
Even Wu'an Town, recently conquered by the family, became part of their plan.
Wu'an Town was larger than Qingyang, with a population of seventy to eighty thousand!
However, only the Chen family had dominated there.
After the Chu family exterminated the Chens,
Wu'an Town naturally became their subsidiary territory.
They also set their sights on surrounding villages.
"First, we must make them aware of our family's might and the benefits of marrying into the Chu family!"
Chu Hongxiao stroked his mustache with thumb and forefinger.
The Beast God had said
there was no need to hide their strength!
But dealing with small villages and towns
only required the cultivation levels of their ancestor and clan leader to suppress them!
"Perhaps we should aim even farther,"
Chu Jingyue suggested.
"Clan Leader means...?"
Chu Hongtu and Chu Hongxiao were slightly startled.
They'd occasionally heard travelers mention this place—
with fifth-tier Martial King experts!
They'd sent people there before,
The journey required passing through Eagle Fall Valley,
where powerful demonic beasts lurked—only third-tier Martial Masters could cross safely.
But now, with their family's strength, they could make it!
"Still, would women from such cities marry into a small town like Qingyang?"
"Hmph! No mountain is too tall if immortals dwell there!"
"Our current strength speaks for itself. Forget the Beast God—even our ancestor will soon break through to fifth-tier Martial King!"
"Who would dare look down on the Chu family then?"
"Besides, though Qingyang's population remains modest now, our growth will surely transform it into Qingyang City soon!"
Chu Hongtu and Chu Hongxiao exchanged glances,
their eyes burning with ambition!
They resolved to expand their influence to Flame Sun City.
"But the immediate priority is the upcoming ceremony—the Beast God's first public appearance before our entire clan, ensuring all acknowledge his existence!"
"We cannot afford any negligence!"
With normal family operations restored,
the ceremony awaited only an auspicious date—otherwise it could have been held earlier.
"However, there's one more matter requiring all elders' participation,"
Chu Jingyue suddenly said with a smile.
"Indeed. This concerns an immense opportunity the Beast God will bestow upon you. But with limited blessings available, fairness demands we use this ancient method—leaving it to fate!"
"Oh, Second Elder, you're exempt."
Chu Hongxiao was puzzled.
Had he done something wrong?
"You've already been selected by the Beast God!"
"He previously mentioned granting you an opportunity, so you needn't participate."
Chu Jingyue explained calmly.
"This... when I accompanied the Beast God to find the Heaven-Earth Essence Vein, he did mention that!"
Chu Hongxiao had thought the Beast God forgot,
never expecting this arrangement!
all eight elders gathered.
Chu Jingyue reiterated the rules:
"Everything depends on luck!"
Excluding Second Elder Chu Hongxiao,
seven elders participated for three available opportunities.
"Clan Leader, can you hint at what this opportunity entails?"
The First Elder asked curiously.
"I promised the Beast God not to reveal details. Just know it will greatly enhance your strength and alter your destinies!"
"Both our ancestor and I achieved breakthroughs through the Beast God's blessings!"
This revelation made all elders breathe heavily—
so their ancestor and clan leader's rapid progress came from the Beast God's gifts?
Nervousness gripped everyone,
even the pre-selected Chu Hongxiao clenched his fists anxiously,
wondering what miraculous opportunity awaited.
Chu Jingyue produced a box.
"Each draw one paper ball. Those with the Beast God's image win!"
Hands plunged into the box simultaneously,
retrieving seven paper balls.
everyone's hands trembled.
Chu Hongtu took a deep breath and unfolded his paper. "Haha! I got it! I got it!"
His ball bore the Beast God's image.
Others opened theirs—
only Seventh Elder Chu Jianchen and Eighth Elder Chu Yunfei held winning papers.
The rest could only sigh in disappointment.
"Congratulations to you three for receiving the Beast God's blessing!"
"Others needn't despair. With the Beast God present, more opportunities will arise—it's merely a matter of time!"
Due to timing constraints,
the actual blessings would occur after the ceremony.
the ceremony commenced.
The Chu family suspended all activities,
with every member returning—
from the ancestor down to three-year-olds, all attended.
Nearly all Qingyang Town residents gathered to witness
the appearance of the Chu family's Guardian Beast!
Yet everyone wondered—
wasn't the Guardian Beast supposed to reside deep within the Chu estate?
Why face Qingyang Lake at the town center?
Amidst rolling thunder,
Long Yuan's massive head emerged from the thunderclouds above Qingyang Lake!