Chapter 126: Slender and graceful, pure as snow
As Arius arrived, Goat Child and the army of Blood Wolf Hall cultivators, along with the
numerous members of the De Molinos clan, all lowered their heads in unison and respectfully
greeted him.
“Greetings, Ancestor.”
Amidst the chorus of reverence, Arius stepped into the Pavilion.
Inside, a young couple stood anxiously, their faces tense with anticipation. In the mother’s arms
lay a three-month-old baby girl, peacefully sleeping, her tiny face resting in contentment against
her mother’s warmth.
The moment Arius approached, he immediately sensed strands of spiritual energy from the
heavens and earth faintly gathering around the infant’s body.
“Ancestor…”
The baby’s mother, full of reverence, carefully presented her child to Arius.
Even now, she found it difficult to fully accept the truth of her daughter’s extraordinary talent, as
if it were an impossible dream.
She had merely hoped that her daughter might possess a True Spiritual Root or even a False
Spiritual Root—either would have been enough to satisfy her beyond measure.
Even the common folk of the De Molinos clan understood the ranking of spiritual roots to some
degree. After all, in both the mortal world and the cultivation world, it was no great secret.
But a Heaven-grade Spiritual Root…
Even in Pyrenees Mountain County, or perhaps throughout the entire Aargon Kingdom, such a
talent would be considered nothing short of a peerless genius.
“No need to be nervous.”
Seeing the anxiety written across the mother’s face, Arius gave a reassuring nod and spoke
gently before accepting the baby into his arms.
His divine sense swept over the infant, thoroughly confirming her aptitude.
Indeed—her talent was exactly as had been reported: Heaven-grade Spiritual Root.
As he gazed down at the child, her porcelain-like skin as flawless as fresh snow, Arius fell into
brief contemplation before turning toward her parents.
“I heard from Simon that this child has yet to be named.”
He paused slightly, then continued, his voice carrying quiet authority.
“I shall make an exception this time and bestow a name upon her. Do you consent?”
Though the child’s parents had been hoping for exactly this, Arius still chose to ask.
Hearing his words, the baby’s father was visibly overjoyed and immediately nodded in response.
“Ancestor’s grace is an honor beyond measure! This is our child’s greatest fortune!”
As his voice fell, murmurs spread among the gathered members of the De Molinos clan. Some
gazed enviously at the couple, while others smiled in congratulations. A few even began
considering whether they should try for another child—who knew? Perhaps their own offspring
might also be blessed with spiritual roots.
Arius paid no heed to their private thoughts. Instead, he allowed himself to sink into
contemplation once more.
For cultivators, a name was something that followed them for life.
A name could symbolize hope, a name could carry blessings, and as the founding ancestor of
the De Molinos clan, Arius would not choose lightly.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
“Since she is a girl…”
“Let her stand tall and graceful, pure and flawless as snow.”
“Her name shall be Isabella.”
“De Molinos Isabella.”
His voice was calm and steady.
From now on, the De Molinos clan would adopt a new generational hierarchy for its cultivators.
As for those like Carl, who had ventured out into the world and carved their own
destinies—mortals who defied their fates to walk the path of immortality—they would naturally
be the elders of the next generation of cultivators, second only to himself.
In at most thirty years, the elders of the De Molinos clan’s previous generation would fade into
dust.
When the likes of Noah and Isabella matured, the De Molinos clan would truly rise as a great
immortal family.
“Isabella… Little Isabella…”
“A fine name.”
An elder of the De Molinos clan beamed with joy, his voice filled with admiration.
“With the Ancestor bestowing her name, little Isabella will surely have a smooth path ahead,
reaching the pinnacle of the immortal way!”
“You two—why haven’t you thanked the Ancestor yet?”
The De Molinos clan members all spoke at once, their voices overlapping. Hearing this, the
infant’s parents hurriedly knelt before Arius, their faces filled with gratitude.
“Thank you, Ancestor, for bestowing our daughter’s name.”
“We offer our deepest thanks, Ancestor…”
Amidst the flurry of reverent voices, Arius calmly retrieved a wooden box from his storage ring
and placed it into the mother’s hands, then gently returned the baby to her arms.
“Inside are two elixirs. They will restore your vitality and extend your lifespan.”
“Take good care of this little one. When she turns three, I will personally begin teaching her the
path of cultivation.”
With that, Arius did not linger in the Testing Pavilion. His figure drifted away, heading straight
toward the De Molinos clan’s Grand Hall.
Moments ago, Simon had clearly held back certain matters. With so many people in the
Pavilion, it was not the right place for further discussion.
Once Arius departed, Simon remained to handle the necessary arrangements—ensuring
secrecy about the infant’s talent and improving the standing of her parents within the clan.
Only after settling these affairs did he finally return to the Grand Hall.
To his surprise, the Ancestor was already seated inside, waiting.
Simon hesitated for a moment, feeling slightly taken aback.
Originally, he had planned to handle some more matters before seeking an audience with the
Ancestor later that evening. Yet, the Ancestor had already anticipated his arrival.
“Ancestor…”
Simon bowed respectfully, never once forgetting his manners.
Arius regarded him with a hint of exasperation.
This junior was exceptional in every way—except for his stubbornness.
Even now, when his lifespan was running thin, he still clung to all these formalities.
“Sit.”
Arius’s tone was calm but carried undeniable authority.
Without such a command, Simon would likely insist on standing, leaning on his cane, while
delivering his report.
“Yes, Ancestor.”
Simon dared not disobey. He carefully took a seat on a wooden chair, his posture still cautious.
Wasting no time, he immediately began his report.
“Ancestor, Pyrenees Mountain County has descended into chaos.”
“The entire PyreneesPalace has mobilized, launching an all-out assault deep into Murrican
King’s territory…”
“And that Murrican King—he has chosen this very moment to proclaim himself Emperor!”
At this, Simon paused, his voice carrying a grave note.
“Whether this means he has gone mad or that he truly possesses the strength to back his claim,
one thing is clear—this is a signal.”
“Now that the first has declared himself Emperor, others will surely follow. Soon, more feudal
lords, ambitious noble houses, and power-hungry warlords will begin proclaiming themselves
kings and emperors.”
Simon’s voice faded momentarily.
For now, the De Molinos clan had only been passively reacting to these external upheavals.
As for actively participating in the struggle for power? That would be no different from courting
death.
Fortunately, the vast lands controlled by the De Molinos clan were impoverished and remote,
and Pyrenees Mountain County remained relatively stable. Otherwise, they would have already
been swept into the chaos.
Still…
Simon could sense that this fragile peace would not last much longer.
“Ancestor, the repairs on the small flying ship have been completed.”
“Not long ago, Carl led a group of our clan members and a contingent of cultivators toward the
Corvalis Kingdom.”
He hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“If Aragon Kingdom falls deeper into turmoil… what do you think of—”
At this, Simon turned toward Arius, his expression serious.
He was proposing a full-scale migration of the De Molinos clan.
The turbulence in the Aragon Kingdom would inevitably spread to the De Molinos clan. If they
remained in Pyrenees Mountain County, the threats they faced would only continue to mount.
Would the De Molinos clan stay… or leave?
Arius’s decision would determine the fate of the entire family.