Chapter 548: Chapter 253: Auspicious Grand Opening, Killing Intent Arises, Shadow Sect_3

The Gongsun Family auctioned three Foundation Establishment Pills in total.

Only one person succeeded in Foundation Establishment.

These three individuals were chosen by the Gongsun Clan Leader against the majority’s opinions in order to cultivate his own trusted aides.

Among them, two failed in Foundation Establishment.

The Gongsun Clan Leader gritted his teeth and stayed in the Cloud Dragon Marketplace for a few more years, exhausting nearly all his resources, before exchanging for another Foundation Establishment Pill through various channels within the marketplace.

Otherwise, on his return trip,

he would certainly face criticism from the clan members.

After all,

the people were chosen by him, and if only one succeeded in Foundation Establishment, it would be unjustifiable.

Unexpectedly,

a clan member with previous Foundation Establishment experience failed again, seemingly due to excessive pressure.

As a result,

it effectively took four Foundation Establishment Pills for the Gongsun Family to produce one Foundation Establishment clan member.

Traveling thousands of miles to Jingzhou,

upon returning,

there would not only be no merit, but the Clan Leader’s authority would certainly diminish significantly.

The Gongsun Clan Leader, deeply worried, was too dispirited to even be angry, and waved his hand to dismiss the two clan members for mental peace.

After the door closed,

the newly established Foundation cultivator, Gongsun Qing, hesitated for a moment and spoke:

"Patriarch, perhaps we still have a chance to recover our losses."

"How?"

The Gongsun Clan Leader rubbed his forehead.

He only asked casually.

After all, acquiring three Foundation Establishment Pills isn’t easy.

Gongsun Qing quickly responded:

"Patriarch, during your seclusion in the past few days, I went out and heard news that the Fu Family is opening a store on West Street?!"

"What?"

The Gongsun Clan Leader furrowed his brows.

What qualifies the Fu Family to acquire property in this highly coveted Cloud Dragon Marketplace?

Gongsun Qing said:

"Patriarch, initially, I couldn’t believe it either. Then I specifically inquired at the Master of All Things and found out that the Fu Family has conducted some unknown transaction with the Tang Family, which not only gave the Fu Family a storefront but also bestowed upon them the control of the Ninth-Grade Yum Family’s fifth, seventh, and ninth households."

"The Fu Family has leased a Treasure Ship from the Shangguan Family and departed Jingzhou with tens of thousands of people from the Yum Family’s third household."

Upon hearing this,

the Gongsun Clan Leader was startled.

In a lightning moment,

he vaguely understood the purpose of the Fu Family’s move, and suddenly stood up:

"The Fu Family is on the brink of rising to an Eighth-Grade Noble Family; they only need one more Ninth-Grade Noble Family. If they succeed in bringing the Yum Family people back to South Huai, the Fu Family may immediately rival our Gongsun Family."

Gongsun Qing was quite puzzled:

"Patriarch, the fifth, seventh, and ninth households of the Yum Family do not have Foundation Establishment cultivators, so they’re not qualified to upgrade to a Ninth-Grade Noble Family."

"Do you think the Fu Family would undertake such a thankless task?"

The Gongsun Clan Leader narrowed his eyes slightly and said coldly:

"In any case, we can’t let the Fu Family’s Treasure Ship return safely to Jingzhou!"

Gongsun Qing intended to convey just that.

Once they successfully ambush the Fu Family, they would not only redeem their position, but the Patriarch’s authority within the clan would also be reaffirmed.

After all,

The Fu Family had slain quite a few of our Foundation Establishment Elders:

"Patriarch, the Fu Family’s Treasure Ship has already departed for several days, if we want to eliminate them within Jingzhou’s territory, we must act swiftly; otherwise, once in Jingzhou, there won’t be the opportunity to act openly."

Within their own domain.

A High-Grade Noble Family cannot attack a Low-Grade Noble Family.

But once out of the protected region, the World Suppression Bureau won’t intervene.

The Gongsun Clan Leader smiled at Gongsun Qing:

"Seventh, your news came just in time, well done."

It proved his insight in choosing people was alright.

The Gongsun Clan Leader then called the other two clan members and carefully instructed them:

"In the future, you two will remain in Jingzhou, remember to closely monitor the Fu Family’s Treasure Pavilion movements, additionally, if opportunity arises, seek Foundation Establishment chances yourselves."

The clan had already given opportunities.

Especially Gongsun Tang, who failed twice in Foundation Establishment.

Even though he’s the Clan Leader, no future Foundation Establishment Pills would be allocated to them.

Seeing the Patriarch not utter a word of blame, Gongsun Tang felt troubled, and being allowed to stay in Jingzhou undoubtedly opened another path for them, as returning to the clan meant dedicating the rest of their lives to it.

In Jingzhou,

resources are abundant.

Perhaps there are still opportunities for Foundation Establishment:

"Patriarch, rest assured, the disciple will definitely supervise the Fu Family’s Treasure Pavilion well, additionally... One day, I hope to repay the favor of the Patriarch’s support."

"Mm, without elders around you two in the future, be extremely cautious."

With that,

The Gongsun Clan Leader handed each a Hundred Treasures Pouch:

"This is the little wealth I have left, take it for emergencies."

"Patriarch..."

Gongsun Tang’s eyes reddened, deeply ashamed.

After the two of them disguised themselves, they left the inn and looked at the bustling West Street Treasure Pavilion from a distance.

Gongsun Qing cast a glance.

Feeling truly envious due to the thriving business of the storefront, the Fu Family must be making immense profits.

Yet the Gongsun Clan Leader’s eyes darkened.

If the Fu Family’s fortune isn’t suppressed soon, and they ascend to an Eighth-Grade Noble Family, then their Gongsun Family might not even think about revenge and may have to restrain this Fu Family’s actions.

The Gongsun Clan Leader instinctively touched his storage bag.

Inside the storage bag lies the clan treasure of their Gongsun Family, with it, he certainly won’t let the Fu Family’s Treasure Ship return to Jingzhou successfully.

Once they seize the Treasure Ship.