Spirit Jade appears to be similar to ordinary jade, but it can greatly accelerate the cultivation speed of Martial Cultivators.
The Pater family tightly sealed the news and prepared to mine the vein.
However, the news still leaked out, and just as Nicola’s father arrived at the site to personally oversee the mining, members of the Iron Sword Sect appeared.
During the dispute over the mining rights, Nicola’s father was injured by an elder from the Iron Sword Sect.
In the end, the vein was snatched by the Iron Sword Sect.
In reality, the Pater family is also a powerful force in the Ron State.
The Pater family is a second-rate martial arts family, and Nicola’s father is a Martial Cultivator at the lower Warrior Sect Realm.
The Pater family has been involved in the jade business for over 200 years, and they have accumulated a considerable amount of wealth.
However, no matter how much wealth they have, a second-rate martial arts family is still insufficient when facing a first-rate Martial Arts Sect.
After learning the ins and outs of the situation, Leo was also astonished.
Spirit Jade is actually a type of Spirit Stone, but its material form is slightly different.
Spirit Jade contains abundant spiritual energy from heaven and earth. It can be used not only to assist in cultivation but also for formation arrangements.
Additionally, Spirit Jade can be used to create Jade Talismans.
Jade Talismans are a special type of talisman that have greater power than paper talismans.
Furthermore, Spirit Jade can also be used as fertilizer for cultivating Spirit Medicine.
While Martial Cultivators know that Spirit Jade has a great impact on cultivation, they are unaware of its other uses.
There have been calculations done by Martial Arts Sects that show using Spirit Jade to assist in cultivation can increase the speed by three times the normal rate.
In other words, using Spirit Jade for one year of cultivation is equivalent to three years of cultivation under normal circumstances.
Human life is limited, so if one cannot extend their lifespan, they can only accelerate their cultivation speed. That’s why Spirit Jade drives Martial Cultivators crazy.
Once news of the Pater family obtaining a Spirit Jade Vein leaked out, even if the Iron Sword Sect didn’t covet it, other Martial Arts Sects would.
This is the so-called “The innocent are guilty by association”.
Nicola continued, “The vein under the foot of the Grand Mountain was discovered by my family by chance. If the vein wasn’t snatched away, my family’s strength would have skyrocketed.”
“Now that the vein is occupied by the Iron Sword Sect, although my family is unwilling, we can do nothing about it.”
Nicola’s expression was filled with distress. After all, not only were their family’s belongings stolen, but her father was also seriously injured.
“Is your family really planning to give up on the vein?”
“What choice do we have other than giving up?” Nicola exclaimed with frustration. “In Spring City, the Iron Sword Sect controls the largest jade market in the secular world. After seizing our vein, they are also suppressing our jade business. If the Iron Sword Sect doesn’t relent, my family will likely be unable to survive in Spring City.”
Towards the end, worry filled Nicola’s face.
Leo’s expression turned solemn. “This Iron Sword Sect is truly going too far!”
“The situation is even worse than Miss described. In Spring City, the three major families in competition with the Pater family, led by the Mclean family, took advantage of the conflict between the family and the Iron Sword Sect to join forces and target the family.”
“The family’s jewelry industry, stone gambling industry, antique business, jade carving industry, and even the hotel business have all been severely affected.”
“The high-end customer network that was established over several generations has been greatly impacted upon learning of the friction between the family and the Iron Sword Sect. As a result, high-end jade and gemstone sales have stagnated.”
Rowan, who was driving the car, let out a long sigh after providing these details.
The main headquarters of the Pater family was located in Ulbyley Bay, a suburb.
There, a large estate covering two to three hundred acres was situated, with lush greenery resembling a massive park.
It was already dusk, and the entire estate appeared exceptionally tranquil.
Rowan drove into the estate and passed through a secluded internal road hidden by green bamboo before finally parking the car in a parking lot outside a villa.
“Miss, Mr. Bloomer, we have arrived,” Rowan turned off the engine and said.
Leo and Nicola opened the rear doors and got out of the car.
Surrounding them was an immaculate and refreshing lawn, adorned with numerous plants and flowers.
In front of the villa, there was a large fountain pool, and the fountain, illuminated by decorative lights, presented a splendid sight.
Leo also noticed that there were uniformed Martial Cultivators patrolling around the villa.
Following Nicola and Rowan, Leo walked straight towards the central villa.
Inside the villa’s hall, seven people were seated.
At the main seat was an elderly man with graying hair, a thin figure, a troubled expression, and deeply furrowed brows.
On either side of him sat three individuals, with three middle-aged men on the right and three elderly men of similar age to the main seat occupant on the left.
From this scene, it was evident that the high-ranking members of the Pater family were discussing matters.
“The family head’s injuries not only show no signs of improvement but have worsened,” one person said.
“Looking at the current situation, the family head’s condition is not optimistic. The Mclean family is taking advantage of the opportunity to make trouble. The situation is difficult,” another person remarked.
“Master Miller is currently treating the family head. We hope that the family head’s condition improves; otherwise, it will be nearly impossible for the Pater family to overcome this crisis,” someone added.
From the discussion among the individuals, it was clear that they had lost much confidence in dealing with the current situation.
On the left side of the hall, there was a closed room.
At this moment, the Pater family’s head, Jason, was inside the room, receiving treatment from Master Miller.
Rowan pushed open the door, and Nicola and Leo entered the room.
“Winston,” Nicola walked up to the elderly man seated at the head and respectfully greeted him.
The elderly man’s name was Winston Pater, the elder patriarch of the Pater family and second only to Jason in cultivation strength.
Winston was currently at the pinnacle of the Warrior Venerable realm, one step away from breaking through to the Warrior Sect Realm.
“Miss, you have returned,” Winston looked at Nicola and responded before shifting his gaze towards the closed door on the left.
Nicola pointed at Leo and introduced, “Winston, this is my friend, his name is…”
Nicola didn’t finish her sentence because she noticed that Winston, the elder patriarch, wasn’t paying attention to her at all.
Winston glanced disinterestedly at Leo and then wearily waved his hand, saying, “Miss, take your friend outside. Master Miller is currently treating your father.”
“Winston, Leo came to…” Nicola’s words were interrupted.
“Nicola, don’t worry, let’s wait for a moment,” Leo interrupted her. There was no point in continuing if the other person wasn’t focused on them.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and an old man wearing a white robe with golden trim walked out of the room.
The old man had a round face, a ruddy complexion, a slightly overweight figure, and long white hair and beard. If he were a bit slimmer, the impression of an otherworldly expert would be even stronger.
Although the expression on the old man’s face was calm, a hint of pride could still be discerned in his eyes.