Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Anthony and Linda
"Commander, your teacher called," Lisa's voice interrupted Ethan's thoughts.
Ethan then remembered the call from the school.
He had been busy with battles and had temporarily blocked his teacher.
"If you don't go back to school, your teacher is going to be worried," Lisa said with a smile.
"The California Hundred Schools Alliance competition is just a week away, and the school's strongest Transcendent Seed stage expert has already been defeated outside the competition. I heard the opponent is a dark horse from the Second Academy, with a Mutant Thunder Psychic Constitution, truly a favored child of heaven."
"So what if he lost?"
Ethan shrugged indifferently. "Besides, what good does it do me to help them win the competition? There's nothing the school can offer that I care about, let him have his fun."
Noticing Lisa's hesitant expression, Ethan chuckled, "Don't worry about the Energy Stone, Alan owes the family a debt, he'll send it over. Alright, I'm off to play my game."
Lisa finally breathed a sigh of relief, watching Ethan's retreating back, she murmured softly.
"As long as the Commander doesn't starve, it's all good."
...
[Blackwood, Year 37.]
[Mary carried for ten months and gave birth to twins, named Anthony and Linda!]
[Earned Spiritual Tribute +20!]
"Forebearer, my daughter-in-law has given birth again, hahaha, to twins!"
No sooner had he sat down, Ethan's eyes were wide with excitement.
In the shrine hall, young Julian was holding one baby in each arm, both of considerable size.
"May the Forebearer bless us, Nathan's family is flourishing, this life is truly blessed. Forebearer, just look at these kids, aren't they sturdy? They'll surely be great hunters one day."
"Head of the family, look at what you're saying, our family has prospered, no need for hunting anymore."
"Hunting, we must go hunting! My Blackwood offspring can't lose my craftsmanship!"
Above each family member's head floated tiny words.
Ethan could see the joy in his family, and he shared in their happiness.
Unknowingly, what was once just Nathan's family had now grown into a large clan!
He also sent out a collective 'Forebearer's Love' to the members.
Amidst the joy,
Ethan looked at the increasingly prosperous Gratitude Village.
"First, let's check the dinner time, see what Blackwood has become."
He quickly scrolled through the member list.
Lucas was still in seclusion, seeking a breakthrough in the Emerging Ability phase. Ethan even hoped Lucas's seclusion would last a bit longer, as the longer the Emerging Ability phase, the better the transformation might be.
Of course, there were also some naturally gifted individuals who achieved Emerging Ability instantly, and their transformations were impressive, but those were rare cases.
Amelia and Julian had both reached the ninth level of Foundational Energy, but they planned to teach the disciples they had gathered over the years before going into seclusion again.
Meanwhile,
In this member list, Ethan also noticed some new additions, their personal information now included a position!
[Your family, under Olivia's planning over the years, has developed a unique family power.]
Nathan, family head.
Luna, head of the Psychic Beast Institute, with 30 caretakers.
Lucas, head of the Black Blood Hall, with 150 family guards.
Amelia, head of the Psychic Medicine Garden, with 15 apprentices.
Julian, head of the Forge, with 20 apprentices.
Olivia, head of Internal Affairs, with 3 deputies, maids... coachmen... drivers...
"Things are getting more organized."
In the real world, these family members, some small traders, had no specific positions. When a family has a specific plan, it also means that the family has moved up a level.
Pleased that Blackwood was on the right track,
He then saw Olivia in the shrine hall, reporting on the family's progress.
"Forebearer, in the year you did not show your psychic abilities, Olivia has taken full control of Forest Town under your trust!"
Ethan tapped his head.
Time accelerated to the fastest, one hour in reality is one year in the game world, his descendants had gotten used to his occasional disappearances and displays of psychic abilities.
"They must think I'm quite mysterious, huh?"
Ethan thought mischievously.
Then he patiently listened to Olivia's report.
It turned out that after that time, Ethan had a long talk with Olivia, who had shown great wisdom, and Nathan had essentially handed over the management of family affairs to her.
In the years that followed, after taking over the heritage of the two major families in Forest Town, Olivia began to plan in the town.
Blackwood did not take over the dozen or so mines in Forest Town.
Ethan's plan was to settle in Gratitude Village quietly, developing through Forest Town, mainly staying behind the scenes.
These mines were entirely managed by the Martinez and Rodriguez families, who developed them, while Blackwood received 50% of the output.
And with the families of Forest Town, Blackwood had also become secret allies, supporting each other.
But in reality,
Both the Rodriguez and Martinez families knew that Blackwood was the true ruler of Forest Town.
Now, Blackwood was able to earn between 20,000 to 50,000 primary Energy Stones each year, enough for internal consumption.
"Forebearer, we have also recruited a rune master and an alchemist."
Olivia said this without a smile, instead frowning, "Both are ninth grade, but seeing our family's recent rise, they demanded a high price, which the children agreed to. I planned to arrange for apprentices to learn under them, but these two old foxes didn't teach our apprentices any skills!"
"The children are prepared to capture them, and if they do not train alchemists and rune masters for us, we will have them killed!"
"..."
Watching the text above Olivia's head, Ethan held his forehead in exasperation.
"If we really go down this route, what will become of Blackwood? If word gets out, we can forget about attracting any new members."
Eventually, he let the Purple Thunder Sun Python speak on his behalf.
"Forebearer has finally responded to his child!"
As the Purple Thunder Sun Python, which had healed from its injuries over the years, opened its eyes and hissed, Olivia joyfully said, "Forebearer is indeed far-sighted. I'll go find the disciples they brought. Not all of them can be old foxes; surely some will be tempted to pledge their loyalty to us!"
Ethan nodded slightly.
Nowadays in Blackwood, as long as one doesn't lack a Psychic Constitution, and with the help of beast blood fruits and medicines concocted by Amelia, one could cultivate an Iron Will master in just three to five years.