The System Arrives: Leading My Clan to Become the Strongest

127: Zhang Jiangjia expands enrollmentAt the Qingyun Mountain Jiang Family, inside the Council Hall, the glazed tiles on the roof reflected a steady luster under the sunlight.

Jiang Chen, in a long robe, sat upright like a pine tree in the main seat.

The large and heavy sandalwood chair made his features appear even more refined. Although the Nascent Soul Stage pressure surrounding him had mostly receded, it still caused everyone in the hall to unconsciously hold their breath.

Several Elders were seated on both sides, their expressions solemn.

Grand Elder Jiang Suhai, with white hair and beard, sat in the first seat on the left. His gaze fell upon his grandson, his eyes filled with both relief and unconcealed pride.

Jiang Chen’s parents, Jiang Chenghe and his wife, also sat in the back of the hall. Since Jiang Chen returned to the Family, he discovered that his parents, as expected of Heavenly Grade Aptitude, had already reached the Peak Foundation Establishment Realm in a short period, surpassing all the Elders present.

The hall was silent, save for the faint whisper of the mountain wind outside the hall.

Jiang Chen gently tapped the tabletop with his fingertips, the crisp sound breaking the silence. He raised his eyes, sweeping over the crowd, his voice calm but imbued with undeniable power.

”I have gathered you all today to discuss the future development of our Jiang Family.”

”Now that I am a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, this matter is likely known throughout the Yuan Kingdom. Since that is the case, let’s state it directly; continuing to hide our strength would only cause us to miss a good opportunity.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Grand Elder on the right cupped his hands in agreement.

”The Clan Chief is absolutely right! The might of a Nascent Soul will awe all directions. Our Jiang Family no longer needs to be confined to a corner of Qingyun Mountain.”

Jiang Chen nodded and continued:

”My decision is made. From today onwards, the Jiang Family will formally expand its recruitment—widely recruiting Cultivators within the Yuan Kingdom as peripheral members, and absorbing those with special skills or cultivation above the Golden Core Stage as Guest Elders. They will receive preferential treatment and resource allocation.”

As soon as these words were uttered, a slight commotion immediately arose in the hall.

The six Elders exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock and excitement.

The Grand Elder stroked his beard and declared loudly:

”Chener’s move shows grand vision! Within the Yuan Kingdom, Golden Core Cultivators are extremely rare. As for Nascent Soul Ancestors, the Imperial Family only has three Ancestors in charge. With Chener in our Jiang Family, the Imperial Family will not dare to make overly aggressive moves. This expansion of recruitment will surely attract a multitude of respondents!”

”But rules must be established.”

Jiang Chen’s tone shifted, adding a hint of sharpness.

”All who join the Clan must swear a Heart Demon Oath to be loyal to the Jiang Family and never betray it. Peripheral members and core Clan Members will be treated equally, gaining resources based on merit. Rewards for contributions, punishments for transgressions, with no favoritism.”

”Father, Mother, I’ll leave this matter to you.”

Jiang Chen turned to his parents and said. The Grand Elder already handled too many matters, and though he was in the Foundation Establishment Realm, aging and physical decline are natural.

Now that Jiang Chenghe and his wife have caught up, they are the most suitable to handle matters of reward and punishment.

Jiang Chenghe and Qin Xiangwan heard this and replied to Jiang Chen:

”We will oversee it.”

Jiang Chen nodded in agreement:

”Thank you, Father and Mother. All Elders, fulfill your respective duties, responsible for integrating Clan resources, dividing Cultivation areas, and storage vaults. Ensure that those who come to pledge allegiance feel the sincerity of the Jiang Family.”

”Understood!”

Everyone responded in unison, their voices resonant and powerful, filling the hall with surging morale.

With the discussion settled, Jiang Chen immediately ordered people to draft a notice, imprint thousands of copies with spiritual power, and dispatch Clan Cultivators on fast horses to send them to various parts of the Yuan Kingdom, to Markets in major cities, and to Sect strongholds.

On the notice, Jiang Chen’s identity as a Nascent Soul Cultivator was prominently displayed, with the recruitment conditions and benefits clearly listed, and at the end, the Jiang Family’s crimson Clan seal was affixed.

In just a few days, the news of the Jiang Family’s expanded recruitment exploded like a thunderclap across the Yuan Kingdom, instantly stirring up enormous waves.

In the Imperial Study deep within the Imperial City of the Yuan Kingdom’s capital, three white-haired Imperial Family Old Ancestors stood side by side, their expressions solemn as they looked at the Jiang Family’s notice in their hands.

Huangfu Canglan stroked his long beard and said in a deep voice, ”Jiang Chen actually dares to do this.”

Huangfu Xuance frowned slightly:

”His expansion of recruitment at this moment is clearly to strengthen his power and contend with our Imperial Family.”

Huangfu Jinghong, however, shook his head:

”That may not be the case. The Jiang Family’s Foundation is on Qingyun Mountain, on the front line in the Deep part of the Great Wilderness. Now with a Nascent Soul Cultivator in charge, it can instead curb some restless Desolate Beast Tides within the territory. Our Yuan Kingdom’s defensive forces in that direction can then be deployed elsewhere.”

The three Old Ancestors discussed in low voices, finally reaching a consensus: they would tacitly approve the Jiang Family’s recruitment expansion and not interfere for now.

The news spread to various regions, causing an unprecedented sensation.

In Qingzhou City Market, a group of Loose Cultivators gathered before the Notice Board, their eyes red.

”A Family with a Nascent Soul Ancestor is expanding recruitment! Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators can become peripheral Elders. This treatment is much better than being an Outer Sect Disciple in those large Sects!”

A dark-skinned Golden Core Cultivator’s voice trembled with excitement. He had wandered for years, lacking resources, and the Jiang Family’s notice was undoubtedly a godsend.

”And there’s the position of Guest Elder! If a Golden Core Cultivator joins, resources will be prioritized! This Jiang Family is going to rise!”

An old Cultivator next to him exclaimed, his eyes full of anticipation.

On the same day, on the border of Fengyan City, a group of Impoverished Cultivators, long plagued by Yao Beasts, heard the news, immediately packed their bags, and set off together towards Qingyun Mountain.

They were originally Cultivators from Fengyan City, but because their strongest Family member was absent, they were all driven out of Fengyan City. Eventually, these people gathered together, surviving in the cracks between Fengyan City and the Desolate Beasts of the Great Wilderness.

”The Jiang Family has a Nascent Soul mighty figure, who will surely protect us. Rather than waiting here to die, it’s better to join the Jiang Family!”

For a time, a craze of ”rushing to Qingyun Mountain” swept across the Yuan Kingdom.

On the roads, carriages and horses were endless, and Cultivators on foot formed groups, all with hopeful expressions, heading towards Qingyun Mountain.

Some sought protection, some sought more abundant Cultivation resources, and others valued the Jiang Family’s potential, wanting to pledge allegiance early.

However, not everyone was eager to act.

In a hidden valley in the Great Wilderness, several Nascent Soul Loose Cultivators gathered, their expressions hesitant.

”The Jiang Family’s sudden expansion of recruitment, could it be that their Foundation is unstable and they want to forcefully expand their power?”

One person worried. Another retorted:

”The deterrent power of a Nascent Soul Cultivator is there. Even if the Foundation is unstable, no one would dare to easily provoke them. It’s just that we don’t know Jiang Chen’s character, or if the benefits are truly as stated in the notice.”

They decided to wait and see, awaiting news from the first batch of adherents.

The main reason was that the Jiang Family offered too much. Although it didn’t state what Nascent Soul Cultivators would receive, the Golden Core benefits alone made their hearts pound. As for Yuan Kingdom, the Yuan Kingdom’s Old Ancestors had also tried to recruit them, but what they offered wasn’t enough to sway them. With their Nascent Soul strength, as long as they didn’t delve too deep, they could roam freely in the Great Wilderness.

There were also some Cultivators affiliated with other large Sects, who, though deeply moved, were constrained by Sect rules and dared not act rashly. They could only secretly monitor the situation, hoping that the Jiang Family could reach a cooperation agreement with their own Sect.

At the foot of Qingyun Mountain, within just five days, thousands of Cultivators had gathered, coming to pledge allegiance.

They formed a long queue, extending from the foot of the mountain all the way to the mountainside, everyone eagerly looking towards the direction of the Jiang Family’s Mountain Gate.

Jiang Chenghe and his wife, along with several Elders, systematically screened and registered according to the established rules. All those who met the conditions were led into the mountain for settlement. For a time, Qingyun Mountain was bustling with activity, its former tranquility replaced by liveliness.

Inside the Council Hall, Jiang Chen listened to the reports, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He knew this was just the beginning. As the Jiang Family’s power continued to grow, it would eventually carve out a place for itself in the Great Wilderness and even broader heavens and earth.

And he, this Nascent Soul Cultivator, was the Jiang Family’s most solid backing.

As for the Yuan Kingdom, he truly didn’t think much of it. After more than a thousand years of development, even with the strength of the entire nation, their strongest was merely a Nascent Soul.

The mountain wind swept through the hall. Jiang Chen looked out at the vast forest sea of Qingyun Mountain, his eyes gleaming with firm resolve. The era belonging to the Jiang Family had already begun.