I Accumulate Spirit Roots for My Next Life

Chapter 395 - 245: The Calamity of Bandits

Shooting a peculiar glance at the two, Immortal Daoist Venerable pursed his lips and walked away cursing under his breath.

Fang Qingwei exhaled deeply, nodded to Li Jizhou, and proceeded with the shopkeeper to make preparations.

"Elder Qu, can you discern the origins of that young gentleman?" Fang Qingwei approached a small courtyard at the back hall, bowing to an old man in the courtyard.

Elder Qu shook his head, "The woman beside him is a Tier Four half-demon, with an abnormal Divine Soul. The Storage Ring on his hand is Top-Grade, capable of preventing any peeping below the Refining Void level, but he himself has just entered Foundation Establishment. His family background is unfathomable; among the whole Jiuli Dynasty, there aren’t more than ten such families!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Qingwei was secretly amazed, feeling that everything made sense.

However, there were still some aspects of his personality she couldn’t quite agree with.

"Elder Qu, are there any accompanying guardians around?"

"A Tier Four late-stage half-demon is secretly accompanying, excelling in concealment; I almost didn’t notice."

"If Immortal Daoist Venerable had instantly acted to kill him just now, would he have any means of resistance?" Fang Qingwei asked again.

Elder Qu pondered slightly and shook his head, "That old fellow is at the Middle Stage of Divinity Transformation. If he acted instantly, given the current cultivation level the young gentleman can exhibit... Unless he possesses a Celestial Venerable Level treasure for protection, even the protective methods given by Refining Void family elders might not be able to withstand it."

"Does he indeed have a Celestial Venerable Level treasure for protection? Otherwise, how could he be so confident and calm?" Fang Qingwei asked in surprise.

"Hehe~ Celestial Venerable Level treasure? Girl, you should know, in today’s Jiuli Dynasty, not even a single Harmonization Dao Divine Venerable can be found, and it’s been many years since a Celestial Venerable has appeared. Furthermore, Celestial Venerable Level treasures are treasures of the clan; how could they allow a young generation member to use it for protection?" Elder Qu chuckled.

Hearing this, Fang Qingwei nodded slightly: "So that’s why I wasn’t mistaken. That guy is completely overprotected by his family and hasn’t seen much of the world’s dangers and treachery!"

"Elder Qu, I’m entrusting the Qi Stone Pavilion to you!" Saying this, Fang Qingwei took her leave.

That night, Fang Qingwei led a group from her clan to the northern mining district.

On the flying sedan, Fang Qingwei respectfully poured tea for Li Jizhou personally.

"Young master, our Qi Stone Pavilion’s mining area is near the Spiritual Sea Barrier, one of Yunzhou’s five major mines. Recently, the area hasn’t been mined on a large scale due to bandit harassments, but there should be a small quantity of Wood Attribute Spirit Stones within the mine."

"What about the bandits in the mining area? Doesn’t Governor Han Zhen of Yunzhou manage them?" Li Jizhou inquired with interest.

Fang Qingwei sighed wryly, shaking her head, "He manages, of course he manages, but how can he handle everything?

The mining districts stretch over hundreds of thousands of miles, with over a hundred larger or smaller mine areas. If Governor Han of Yunzhou wanted to protect all these areas completely, it would require at least three hundred thousand troops.

Moreover, the bandits are powerful. If Governor Han truly went all out against them, he might not gain any advantage.

The reason the bandits retreat upon seeing government forces and even sometimes abandon a few lackeys is not because they fear defeat, but simply to deny Governor Han the chance to report to the court and request additional reinforcements."

"Tell me more about the circumstances of the bandits," Li Jizhou said, frowning slightly.

He was quite concerned about his own gold mine.

Especially upon hearing that these bandits played a cat-and-mouse game with Governor Han.

Fang Qingwei paused for a moment, noticing Li Jizhou’s interest in the bandits.

Indeed, having never experienced the harsh realities of the cultivation world, he was now curious hearing about bandits and the like.

After some thought, Fang Qingwei smiled lightly and patiently explained: "Spirit Stones are essential resources for cultivators, naturally everyone desires to have them.

And under all Central State Dynasties, all lands belong to the royal family, the mining areas are no exception.

We, families and merchants who have accumulated some resources through generations of effort, can only get a share of the pie from the government, getting to sip some soup, while many others can’t even get a whiff of it, coupled with their unwillingness and discontent, naturally, they set their sights on the mining areas.

After thousands of years of development, the Yunzhou mining area formed eight main bandit groups, besides the five major bandits there are hundreds of minor bandits..."

Moments later, Fang Qingwei detailed the bandit situation in the Yunzhou mining area.

Li Jizhou frowned deeply as he realized that his gold mine had been steadily gnawed away by countless bandits.

Although on the surface, the bandits are only robbing the Spirit Stones from the Spirit Ore owners, the tribute provided to the court by the Spirit Ore owners remains unchanged.

It appeared as though the bandits were merely competing with the mine owners for resources.

But in reality, it wasn’t like that.

"You mentioned earlier that the bandits harassing your mine area are connected to Prince Yun’s Mansion?"

"Correct! Although outsiders aren’t clear about it, we know it very well. One of the five major bandits, the Gold-Devouring Gang, is supported by Prince Yun’s Mansion.

It might even be established by Prince Yun’s Mansion." Fang Qingwei’s face showed slight anger.

"Why does Prince Yun’s Mansion do this? Isn’t the Black Stone Ore area they occupy enough?" Li Jizhou’s expression also wasn’t pleasant.

"Heh~ Not to mention the extra rich Black Stone Ore area, even for the mining areas where we are, would suffice for ordinary families, but for Prince Yun’s Mansion, it’s never enough. Moreover, in five thousand years, no Celestial Spirit Root or above has appeared within their family, and they haven’t produced a single Divinity Transformation expert. Yet, their consumption of Spirit Stones is astonishing, always saying that the current Prince Yun is in seclusion for thirty years, attempting to reach Divinity Transformation, but even if ten Prince Yuns were attempting Divinity Transformation together, ten million Middle Grade Spirit Stones a year should be enough.

And the Black Stone Ore area alone yields at least fifteen million Middle Grade Spirit Stones a year!" Fang Qingwei stated with some confusion.

Hearing this, Li Jizhou was taken aback.

The Black Stone Ore produces fifteen million Middle Grade Spirit Stones a year?

This isn’t enough, and they go to the extent of forming bandits to plunder?

"What is the strength of this Gold-Devouring Gang? Is Qi Stone Pavilion unable to fend them off?" Li Jizhou pressed down the shock in his heart regarding Prince Yun’s Mansion and continued asking.

"The Gold-Devouring Gang has fewer than fifty members, but all are elites. None accepted below the Middle Stage of Core Formation, around twenty in the middle-to-late stage of Core Formation, fifteen in the Early Stage of Nascent Soul, about ten in the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul, three in the Late Stage of Nascent Soul, one in the Early Stage of Divinity Transformation, and one in the Middle Stage of Divinity Transformation, who is also their leader."

Li Jizhou was indifferent; such strength in Eastern Desolation could make one a master of a mid-sized Sacred Land.

However, in Central State, especially within the six states of the Imperial City, it was nothing.

Fang Qingwei noticed Li Jizhou’s disdainful expression, understanding the vision of such powerful families within the inner six states.

It must surely be very high.

Perhaps his clan even has a Refining Void Divine Monarch.

"Though I understand that the young master comes from an extraordinary lineage with significant background, since you have come here alone, you should still be extremely cautious, and in case of an encounter, avoid being overly arrogant." Fang Qingwei couldn’t help but remind.

Flying from Yunzhou City to their family’s mining district, the journey passed through several areas occupied by major bandits, and typically one would be intercepted.

However, these two major bandits’ places had long had relations smoothed out by their family, so they typically shouldn’t pose a problem.

She was just afraid that Li Jizhou could be too arrogant then, inviting trouble.

"Heh~ Just bandits, no need to worry, Miss Fang." How could Li Jizhou have a good attitude toward those bandits feasting on his gold mines?