Ran Yue noticed Li Feng's confusion and spoke: "Although there is no clear standard, privately, there is indeed a division line among the families."

"In Ancestor Dragon City, there is even a Fengyun Pavilion dedicated to collecting intelligence on various families and making rankings."

"The Fengyun Pavilion has listed five major rankings: firstly, the Family Rankings; secondly, the Individual Combat Strength Rankings; thirdly, the Family Wealth Rankings; fourthly, the Dao Principle Cultivation Techniques Rankings; and fifthly, the Talent Rankings."

"Among them, the Family Wealth Rankings predict the approximate assets of each family. The Fengyun Pavilion has set standards ranging from First Rank to Ninth Rank."

"The lowest rank is a thousand Golden Spirit Stones, Eighth Rank is fifty thousand, Seventh Rank is ten thousand; these three ranks are considered low and are set for some prestigious families in the Lower Three Rings."

"As mentioned before, Ancestor Dragon City is divided into classes based on strength. Although the Sixth Ring is considered a family, it's not really prestigious. According to Fengyun Pavilion, these three ranks - Four, Five, and Six - are considered middle ranks, and only above that are the high ranks."

"In the middle rank, Sixth Rank ranges from ten thousand to a hundred thousand wealth; Fifth Rank is from a hundred thousand to three hundred thousand; Fourth Rank is between three hundred thousand and one million Golden Spirit Stones. For Third Rank families, the base asset is one million, the Second Rank is five million, and the First Rank even boasts tens of millions."

"However, Fengyun Pavilion did not list the rankings of the eight King Level families, so details above that are unknown."

"Hmm, you mentioned Fourth Rank requires between three hundred thousand and a million. Did the Zeng Family say they hope to rise to Third Rank? Giving us half equals only two hundred and twenty thousand Golden Spirit Stones, counting the other half is just under five hundred thousand; they might be hiding something."

Zi Yan frowned upon hearing this.

Ran Yue nodded slightly: "The standard is correct, but in practice, it isn't static. If some families spend large sums on acquiring cultivation resources to boost strength, these resources are consumables."

"In the inventory the Zeng Family presented earlier, there were ten thousand cultivation resources; they gave an estimated price, but according to market value, it could increase by thirty percent."

"Moreover, no family saves up so much wealth without maintaining a steady line of revenue and expenses. Even if there's a surplus, it wouldn't be much; accumulating such wealth results from years of accumulation."

"Another point is, if the Zeng Family wishes to become a Third Rank family, they must absorb another Third Rank family. Once successful, the opponent's assets directly become the Zeng Family's, making it easy to surpass the million-standard threshold."

As one prospers, another declines; this is akin to bigger fish eating smaller fish. Relying solely on gradual accumulation undoubtedly takes a long time, while swallowing up another's assets is the only way to get rich quickly.

So, the Zeng family accumulating tens of thousands in wealth is considered a result of effective management and a century of accumulation.

After all, the Zeng Family could produce eight Golden Core experts in three generations, which requires a massive amount of resources.

"We've made a fortune; now there's no need to worry about not having enough money."

Xiao Luobing suddenly ran in enthusiastically from outside, shouting success upon seeing Li Feng and the others.

"Oh?"

"Go check outside too; there are more than thirty carts carrying wealth, and I'm estimating our backyard might not be able to hold it all."

"There's so much?"

Zi Yan exclaimed in surprise.

"I didn't expect it either, but after doing the math, it's about right. There are two or three hundred boxes filled with Spirit Stones alone."

Xiao Luobing said: "The goods went through a side gate and were sent directly to the backyard; if you don't believe me, go have a look."

Zi Yan and Ran Yue were somewhat tempted.

"Let's go check it out."

Following the momentum, Li Feng and the others went directly toward the backyard. The side gate of the backyard was open; the carts didn't enter. Instead, Zeng Family servants carried one box after another into the courtyard, supervised by Li Batian on the side.

"Family Head."

Li Batian noticed Li Feng approaching: "Here are boxes filled with Spirit Stones; each box holds ten thousand."

"Open them and see."

"Yes."

Li Batian immediately instructed the Zeng Family servants to open the boxes brought to the courtyard, and suddenly, a golden purple gleam appeared.

Golden Spirit Stones shimmered brightly, while Purple Spirit Stones dazzled like droplets; even a non-materialistic person would be moved upon seeing them.

Compared to money outside, Spirit Stones are far more precious, akin to gems. Each is about the size of a thumb-cover, containing abundant Spiritual Energy within, with deeper colors indicating denser Spiritual Energy.

These boxes aren't small in volume; with each holding ten thousand, according to Zeng You, fifty thousand Golden Spirit Stones would be five boxes, and four hundred thousand Purple Spirit Stones would make forty boxes, maintaining a one-to-ten ratio.

Finally, there are one million Green Spirit Stones, equivalent to ten thousand Golden Spirit Stones, distributed over a hundred large wooden boxes.

Speaking of it without seeing it is one thing, but when spread out and piled up, it truly resembles a small mountain.

No wonder Xiao Luobing's eyes are all glittering; they've truly struck it rich this time, and just this much from a Zeng Family makes one wonder how much wealth half of the Fang Family's Third Rank would hold?

"Li Batian, check and confirm these, then send them to the storeroom."

"Yes, Family Head."

Meanwhile, at the Fifth Ring's Fang Family.

"What, Lady, you want to contribute half of the family's assets as a master's appreciation gift? That's too much, isn't it?"

After returning to the Fang Family, the Lady summoned the housekeeper of the inner mansion. This housekeeper, an elegant and graceful lady, was brought over as part of the dowry.

After the Lady took charge of the Fang Family's power, she left the management of the estate to the housekeeper and never concealed the accumulation in the inner treasury from her.

The Zeng Family has only risen in the past century, but the Fang Family has stood in Ancestor Dragon City for over five hundred years, having undergone two wars; in terms of heritage, the Zeng Family can't compare to the Fang Family.

Were it not for the Fang Family experiencing incidents, with accompanying internal strife, leading to a weak family, it wouldn't be pressured by a Fourth Rate family.

"Hong Ling, you should know the situation of the Fang Family. A man without guilt may bear the guilt of possessing a treasure, and the Fang Family now resembles a child holding a golden egg, seen as a delectable piece by many. Though half of the Fang Family's property is indeed significant, the Fang Family has no choice now."

"Lady, why not seek help from your maiden family?"

"In matters of family interest, there's no such thing as a maiden family. My father is likely waiting for me to ask for help, so he can take a big bite from the Fang Family."

"If that's the case, I'm willing to accept it. But with the Fang Family's voice spreading around, I'm also worried Zhoushan might develop a rift with me over this; he is now the head of the Fang Family, no longer just a child."

Hong Ling frowned: "The young master wouldn't think like that, would he?"

"Regardless if he would or not, I won't take the risk, and even if I beg my father for help, I'm afraid he won't be able to protect the Fang Family."

"Then can Li Feng protect it?"

Hong Ling asked hesitantly.

The Lady thought of the duel platform earlier where Li Feng challenged the Zeng Family alone. Everyone thought he was surely doomed, but the result was surprising.

Despite claiming unfamiliarity with the Ji Family, possibly gaining their favor is no small feat, regarding his bloodline; whether he has any connection to the Sikong family is unknown, but at least before Sikong family says anything, no one dares to ignore him.

The main point is the Fang Family can satisfy his appetite; since he just established his family with numerous needs, the Fang Family can comfortably cooperate with him.

Collaborating with other families, not even my maiden family, I fear they might swallow the Fang Family whole without leaving even residue; that would be truly tear-stained.

"I believe he can."