Cloud Mist Mountain Range, Zone D, at the foot of Mountain No. 007.

There stood an antique courtyard with exterior walls and an inner yard, showing traces of time on its mottled walls.

The courtyard was very clean inside and out, clearly maintained regularly by someone.

Outside the courtyard, there were numerous types of flowers planted, with over a hundred small black bees diligently collecting nectar.

This courtyard was naturally built by Old Man Zhou himself when he was younger, and it's been over fifty years now.

At this moment, inside the courtyard, next to the purple sandalwood table, Old Man Zhou was drinking tea with a slightly plump, affluent man dressed in a golden magical robe.

When Qi Ping entered the courtyard, he discovered that this person was none other than Steward Zhu, who was responsible for rent collection in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

Steward Zhu was a member of the Zhu Family, one of the three major families in Qingshi County, and he was in charge of some areas in Zone D of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range.

He had been collecting rent here for decades, and since his status in the family was not high, coupled with his affable nature, he got along well with loose cultivators like Old Man Zhou.

Every time Steward Zhu visited Old Man Zhou, they would chat for a while.

"Steward Zhu! Old Man Zhou!"

As Qi Ping entered, he cupped his fists at Steward Zhu.

As a small figure, Qi Ping dared not neglect anyone from the three major families. At least, the basic courtesy had to be shown, otherwise, even a small whim of someone with power could bring him many troubles.

This is a survival philosophy that low-level cultivators must follow.

Fortunately, this Steward Zhu was amiable and did not possess the usual arrogance typical of many from large families, who often looked down upon loose cultivators naturally.

"I was just about to ask for you, Steward Zhu came to collect the rent..." Old Man Zhou said with a hearty laugh.

"You've certainly grown taller each year!" Steward Zhu remarked with a hint of emotion, noticing how much Qi Ping had grown taller.

Time flies indeed!

Young people surely grow fast!

"Hmm, I've already prepared the rent..."

After speaking, Qi Ping handed over one hundred and ten Spirit Stones he had prepared in advance; a hundred for rent and ten for the tea fee, which was an industry norm.

Even though Steward Zhu and Old Man Zhou got along, this fee could not be exempted.

However, facing the Spirit Stones Qi Ping handed over, Steward Zhu did not accept them. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh, wrapped a jade token with spiritual power, and handed it to Qi Ping.

A sense of unease arose in Qi Ping's heart; what is going on here?

Simultaneously, there was a vague bad feeling looming over him.

Upon accepting the jade token and inspecting the information within it with his Divine Sense, Qi Ping's expression instantly changed to an unpleasant one.

The jade token clearly recorded one piece of information:

[The overall rent for Cloud Mist Mountain Range is increased by 30%]

The jade token carried the sect contract mark of Cyan Origin Sect, making fake claims virtually impossible.

"What's wrong? Let me see!" Old Man Zhou, noticing Qi Ping's expression, found it odd as well.

When he and Qi Ping both looked at the jade token, Old Man Zhou's smile froze.

"Steward Zhu, why the sudden rent increase?" Old Man Zhou asked in confusion.

He had been here for decades without a change in rent, so why suddenly increase by 30% now? Had some changes occurred?

"Ah... believe it or not, when I received the instruction not long ago, my expression was just like yours..."

"I have expressed to the higher-ups that increasing the rent by 30% could lead to several people being unable to pay, causing a lot of trouble, but they remained firm. If they couldn't pay, they have to use their possessions as collateral, pay up the rent for the previous term, and then pay half the rent as moving costs to move out... if they can't pay... sigh..."

Steward Zhu didn't continue, but Qi Ping naturally knew what the outcome would be.

Steward Zhu himself was quite helpless. The rent wasn't originally his, yet there were so many troubles along with the meager tea fee.

"Steward Zhu, do you know what has happened within the Cyan Origin Sect? They've tolerated Tribulation Cultivators running amok for years, and now suddenly raised the rent..."

Faced with Old Man Zhou's inquiry, Steward Zhu helplessly shook his head and said:

"Not even I know; our Patriarch might not know either. The rampant Tribulation Cultivators and the increase in rent have negatively affected our family's income, and the Patriarch always wanted to solve this, but the higher-ups at Cyan Origin Sect suppressed any attempts."

"We are regarded as friends, and my only advice is to plan your exit strategy and protect yourselves as best as you can during the upcoming time!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Ping and Old Man Zhou fell silent.

Old Man Zhou did not care much about his life, but this situation negatively affected both Qi Ping and the beekeeping industry, which made him uncomfortable since beekeeping and Qi Ping were among the few things he still cared about...

After thinking for a while, Qi Ping made a "clenching teeth" + "struggling" expression and gathered one hundred and forty-three Spirit Stones to hand over to Steward Zhu, requesting a receipt in return.

After handling everything, Qi Ping didn't linger to chat with Old Man Zhou and Steward Zhu but bid farewell and returned to the forest.

...

Back in the forest, Qi Ping furrows his brows tightly.

What in the world happened to Cyan Origin Sect?

From managing security, spiritual medicine, spirit beast industry, and trade development all in a neat order to suddenly becoming like this.

It was already a problem for Tribulation Cultivators to disrupt industries and trade environment, but now even the rent is increasing.

The key issue is that this doesn't seem to benefit anyone! A short-term rent increase of 30% is barely anything compared to the direct and indirect losses caused.

"Perhaps knowing who ultimately benefits from all this may reveal the reason, but unfortunately, my capabilities and status are too low to access that level…"

"Maybe Steward Zhu knows something, otherwise, he wouldn't have advised planning an exit..."

"Also, is it possible that this is related to that mysterious Beast Taming Sect or Insect Taming Sect?"

"Next time when meeting Sister Nan, I could ask where the Demon Insect Cultivation Manual came from to help judge..."

...

The situation is too complex, and the information is extremely incomplete. Despite thinking for a long time, Qi Ping couldn't unravel the complex causes and effects.

Ultimately, he could only summarize it in four words: chaos is about to begin…

As one at the bottom, all he could do was enhance his strength and prepare his means to deal with the chaos as much as possible.

"Better focus on enhancing strength…"

"As long as the Golden Marrow Bees evolve a powerful bloodline, once the bee colony forms, it would at least withstand late-stage Qi Refining strength, and possibly even stronger..."

"Once the Golden Marrow Bees completely evolve, I can fully devote myself to improving my own cultivation realm..."

"If the second contracted animal companion is strong enough, it will be even more excellent!"

Thinking of these, the anxiety in Qi Ping's heart and the sense of powerlessness facing chaos was considerably reduced.

After closing his eyes to regulate his breath for a while, Qi Ping learned from the Golden Marrow Bee that Steward Zhu had already left.

Thus, Qi Ping immediately took the five portions of the Bloodline Mutation Potion to the hive of the Golden Marrow Bees.

The Bloodline Mutation Potion can finally be administered!

The extent to which the Golden Marrow Bees can evolve will be determined at this moment…

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