Chapter 1991: Gold Star Family

Xuanji City, like Badu, has short-range teleportation arrays that can reach all directions within the city.

He Pingsheng first found the short-range teleportation station near the teleportation plaza, then inquired at the station and directly teleported in one step to the vicinity of the largest chamber of commerce in Xuanji City.

Xuanji Chamber of Commerce!

A few years ago, He Pingsheng had Old Cao go to the Yaoguang Divine Kingdom first to investigate Yu Si's whereabouts; later the two agreed to meet at the largest chamber of commerce in Xuanji City.

He Pingsheng came here to leave a secret signal.

"Young Master, welcome!"

"What would you like to purchase?"

The moment He Pingsheng stepped into the chamber of commerce, he ran into a woman wearing a blue Daoist robe; one look and she was clearly a female demon.

This female demon had a decent appearance, a smile on her face, and her cultivation had reached the eighth layer of the Divine Spirit Realm, higher than He Pingsheng's.

He Pingsheng smiled: "Fellow Daoist... I want to find the shopkeeper on the first floor."

"Alright..." The female demon said: "Please follow me!"

She led He Pingsheng before the shopkeeper.

He Pingsheng opened his Void-Piercing True Eye divine ability to take a look and discovered the other party's cultivation had actually reached the terrifying peak of the God Venerable Realm.

About the same as the Lu Family's Old Ancestor.

Good heavens!

This is merely a first-floor shopkeeper.

"Senior..." He Pingsheng cupped his hands with a humble expression: "This junior agreed to meet someone at the Xuanji Chamber of Commerce, but due to some reasons cannot determine the exact time; this visit is to leave a secret code with the chamber of commerce."

He knew many chambers of commerce offered this service.

"Possible..." The shopkeeper nodded, then took out a token bearing a serial number: 37746!

"Leave your secret code!"

"Also, choose a type of Transmission Divine Talisman; we have three kinds here — the low-grade transmission distance is only within one prefecture!"

"The ultimate transmission distance is within one Divine Domain!"

"The high-grade transmission distance can cover approximately one Divine Kingdom's distance!"

He Pingsheng asked: "May I ask Senior, what are the prices?"

The shopkeeper said: "None are expensive — low-grade costs one piece of low-grade Divine Gold, mid-grade one hundred pieces of low-grade Divine Gold, high-grade ten thousand pieces of low-grade Divine Gold!"

"Additionally there is a ten-piece Divine Gold service fee; of course this applies to low-grade — if you choose mid-grade or high-grade talismans, we can waive this ten-piece service fee!"

He Pingsheng took out one mid-grade Divine Gold: "Senior, I'll choose the high-grade!"

"Good!" The shopkeeper took out a pair of Communication Divine Talismans, high-grade, gave one to He Pingsheng, and kept the other at the chamber of commerce.

This way, when Old Cao comes to Xuanji City in the future, he can get the other talisman and send a message to He Pingsheng immediately.

He Pingsheng incidentally left his secret code — his own name.

"Does Fellow Daoist still want to browse the chamber of commerce?" After completing the business, the female demon asked He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng said: "I need to... I've just arrived here and want to establish a clan in this place, but currently need to purchase a territory as the clan's foundation."

"Wonder if Fellow Daoist has any suggestions?"

Hearing He Pingsheng say this, the woman realized a big order had arrived; her eyes brightened: "Fellow Daoist... come with me, I'll call a specialized clerk to discuss with you in detail!"

Subsequently, He Pingsheng was invited into a VIP reception room.

After a few breaths, a female Daoist wearing a deep-red Daoist robe walked in.

This woman had disguised herself as a middle-aged matron; her cultivation was the seventh layer of the Divine Lord Realm.

He Pingsheng hurriedly stood and cupped his hands: "Greetings, Senior!"

"No need for formalities, all who come are our guests!" The matron smiled: "Sit... you want to purchase a family estate?"

"I see your Divine Spirit Realm cultivation — are you looking to buy a Three-Star Family?"

He Pingsheng said: "No... our clan has a Divine Lord Realm expert; I want to purchase a Four-Star Family!"

"A Divine Lord Realm... expert?" The matron smiled, as if finding the word 'expert' particularly amusing: "Very well, a Four-Star Family!"

He Pingsheng's old face reddened.

Indeed!

In a remote small city, a Divine Lord Realm cultivator is after all a Middle God and can indeed be called an expert.

But in a Divine Capital like this, a Divine Lord Realm cultivator only counts as a slightly larger ant.

"Little friend..." The matron looked at He Pingsheng: "There are two types of families in Xuanji City!"

"One type is subordinate to a higher family... for example, a Four-Star Family managed under a Five-Star Family!"

"This is the ordinary common family!"

"The second type is not subordinate to any family, but is under the unified management of the City Lord's Mansion!"

"This type is called a 【Gold Star Family】!"

He Pingsheng's heart stirred!

Previously his family was subordinate to a higher-level family's management.

This easily leads to many problems, such as exploitation by the higher family — and the unreasonable kind, arbitrarily demanding whatever tribute they want!

Like the Zhonghang Family back then!

But if it's unified management by the City Lord's Mansion, it's comparatively more regulated.

Although still exploited and squeezed, the benefit is it won't be so arbitrary — demanding however much tax they want — there are standards.

Won't see a situation like the Zhonghang Family where how much I make you hand over depends entirely on my say-so.

Obviously, the second option is better for a Gold Star Family.

But the problem is, if Gold Star Families are all in the city, then this old man would be right under a Titled God Emperor's eyelids — how would I use my Treasure Bowl?

He Pingsheng asked: "That... senior, does that mean all the Gold Star families have their territories inside the city of Xuanji?"

"Not at all!" the woman smiled and said: "This has nothing to do with territory; it's purely a matter of title and taxation!"

He Pingsheng was overjoyed: as long as I'm not under the God Emperor's nose, that's fine!

"The difference is that the taxation for Gold Star families is double that of ordinary families!"

"Also, you must craft a statue to pray for blessings for a certain disciple of the God Emperor's family, offering a fixed amount of incense power each year!"

"However, you will receive the protection of the City Lord's Manor; if anyone attacks your family without cause, the City Lord's Manor can provide certain assistance and mediation!"

"Of course, the City Lord's Manor will not directly participate in your wars!"

"But the City Lord's Manor can guarantee that you will not be bullied or exploited by ordinary families!"

"Furthermore, the City Lord's Manor can allocate some resources to you, allowing you to engage in business!"

"Anyway, whoever gets this, it's fine to give it to you—there's no problem at all!"

He Pingsheng thought it over briefly and said: "Alright... we agree to take on the title of Gold Star family!"

Anything comes at a cost, as long as the price is clear and upfront!

"Senior, I'd like to choose a location outside the city for our family."

He Pingsheng stated his request.

The woman said: "Certainly... we have... you can look, all of these are available for you to choose from!"