Chapter 151: Life is not meant to end

Ye Xiaolin and Lin Tiansheng refrained from making any rash moves against the Seven Clans’ heirs. Although Lu Shanglin appeared eager to fight, he dared not act without the support of the other two families.

“Step aside. Let the Seven Clans pass,” Ye Xiaolin finally ordered, after carefully weighing the situation.

“Many thanks, Brother Xiaolin,” Xia Changqing said with a faint, insincere smile as he cupped his hands.

Under the cold, watchful gazes of the Three Great Families, Wang Liyuan and the Seven Clans’ heirs strode out of the Dan Ding Sect ruins without hindrance.

“Why, Brother Xiaolin?”

Lu Shanglin’s frustration was palpable. He had expected Ye Xiaolin to lead them into battle against the Seven Clans, seizing the opportunity to kill Wang Liyuan. Instead, Ye Xiaolin had let them leave unchallenged.

“If the Three Great Families were to fight the Seven Clans, we could win—but it would be a narrow victory. Do you understand?” Ye Xiaolin replied evenly.

Lu Shanglin paused, falling silent.

“Our goal was always to kill Wang Liyuan, not to wage war against the Seven Clans. I had hoped that the other six clans would turn against Wang Liyuan, giving us the chance to strike from the shadows.

But Wang Liyuan must have used some trick to make them willingly escort him to safety. This shows how cunning he is—perhaps his fate isn’t meant to end here,” Ye Xiaolin said gravely.

“To obtain a treasure as rare as the Myriad Pill Furnace is proof enough of Wang Liyuan’s extraordinary fortune. Killing him won’t be easy,” Lin Tiansheng added with a nod.

“To think we spent all these days hunting him, only to watch the Six Clans escort him out of here. It’s infuriating!” Lu Shanglin growled, clenching his fists.

“Killing Wang Liyuan isn’t something that must be rushed. There will be opportunities later,” Ye Xiaolin said, patting Lu Shanglin on the shoulder, knowing his frustration.

“I understand, Brother Xiaolin,” Lu Shanglin replied grudgingly.

“Let’s go. The formation will soon close,” Ye Xiaolin ordered, leading the Three Great Families’ heirs and rogue cultivators away from the ruins.

Outside the Dan Ding Sect ruins, Xia Changqing suddenly stopped, turning to face Wang Liyuan.

“We’ve fulfilled our part of the bargain and escorted you out of the ruins safely. Now, isn’t it time to hand over the Myriad Pill Furnace?”

“If I hand it over now, the Six Clans will undoubtedly kill the three of us,” Wang Liyuan replied coolly.

“Do you think you can trick us?” Xia Changqing’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within them.

“Not at all. I’m merely asking you to escort us to a safer location—specifically, my family’s territory,” Wang Liyuan said with a faint smile.

“Hah! Wang Liyuan, do you take us for fools? If we go to your family’s territory, our lives would be at your mercy,” Xia Changqing said coldly.

The heirs of the other clans, including Wen Ruli, wore equally stern expressions, their eyes filled with distrust.

“The choice is yours. As long as I hold the Myriad Pill Furnace, its fate is mine to decide,” Wang Liyuan said, his tone casual but firm.

After a moment of tense silence, Xia Changqing and the other heirs exchanged glances, finally nodding in agreement.

“Very well. We’ll escort you to the Wang family’s territory. I doubt your family’s ancestors would dare harm us. Doing so would mean severing ties with the Six Clans entirely, and that would bring no benefit to your family,” Xia Changqing said.

Several days later:

“Master!”

Yun Yanshuang hopped down from a carriage and walked toward a large willow tree outside a manor, where an old blind Daoist sat serenely. She bowed respectfully.

“Haha! Where have you been?” the old Daoist asked with a chuckle.

“We went to the Dan Ding Sect ruins,” she replied sweetly.

“Did you find anything?”

“Of course! We made a modest gain,” Yun Yanshuang said, smiling brightly.

While she and Yun Yantian hadn’t obtained any monumental fortune, they had collected enough treasures to support their family’s current needs.

“As long as you’ve gained something, that’s good. Where’s Yantian?”

“Master, I’m here.”

Yun Yantian stepped forward quickly, bowing with cupped hands.

“It’s a blessing that both of you returned safely.”

“Master, while we were in the ruins, we came across some treasures. We brought a gift for you,” Yun Yanshuang said, smiling as she took several jars of spiritual wine from her storage pouch and set them on the table before the old Daoist.

“These wines were brewed by the Dan Ding Sect long ago. They’re well-preserved and still drinkable. I thought you might like them, Master.”

“Haha! You’re so thoughtful, Shuang’er,” the old Daoist said, his face lighting up with joy.

The blind Daoist chuckled heartily and, with a wave of his sleeve, collected the jars of spiritual wine.

Although the wine had little practical use for him, it was a heartfelt gift from his beloved disciples—one they had obtained through their hard work in the Dan Ding Sect ruins. That alone made it precious.

“Master, Shuang’er and I will return to the family first to report to Uncle and the elders. Afterward, we’ll come back to continue our cultivation with you,” Yun Yanshuang said with a respectful bow.

“Go on, go on! I was just about to take a nice afternoon nap. This heat is getting worse by the day,” the blind Daoist replied, waving his hand with a smile.

Bidding their master farewell, Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian returned to their family’s estate, where they were warmly greeted by their uncle and the other elders.

“Uncle, Brother Yantian and I have returned,” Yun Yanshuang announced as they entered the ancestral hall, her voice cheerful.

Inside, Yun Yunyang, along with the other family elders, was in the middle of discussing clan affairs. He looked up and smiled warmly at his niece.

“Good, good! Your father, your uncles, and I have been worried about you two,” Yun Yunyang said with a hearty laugh.

“Now that you’ve returned safely, it must be thanks to the blessings of our ancestors!”

The other elders—Yun Yunyue, Yun Yunfeng, and Yun Yunshan—stood to greet them, visibly relieved. For days, they had been deeply concerned about the siblings’ safety.

“Shuang’er, did you gain anything from your trip to the Dan Ding Sect ruins?” Yun Yunshan asked, his tone hopeful.

“Yes, Father!” Yun Yanshuang replied with a bright smile, removing several storage pouches from her belt.

Yun Yantian followed suit, taking out his own storage pouches.

“I have to say, the Dan Ding Sect truly lived up to its reputation as a great sect of centuries past. Brother Yantian and I only explored the outskirts of the ruins, yet we found many valuable items,” Yun Yanshuang said, her tone tinged with pride.

She began unpacking the contents of the pouches, listing the treasures as she went.

“Here we have spirit talismans. Although their spiritual energy has faded somewhat, they’re still usable and can be sold to rogue cultivators in the market through Sister Ling’er and her team.

We also found some spiritual pills and a decent amount of fragmented spirit stones.

As for spiritual seeds, I’ve handed them over to Brother Yantian. He’ll oversee planting them with Wen Yu, Wen Run, and the others to cultivate spiritual plants for the family.

Additionally, we found several incomplete cultivation techniques and Daoist arts. Uncle Yunrui can store these in the family’s library.

Lastly, there are some spiritual weapons ranging from the first to the third rank of the Yellow Grade. Although they’ve lost some of their potency, Uncle Yunrui can either add them to the family’s treasure vault or give them to Sister Ling’er to sell for spirit stones.”

As she spoke, Yun Yanshuang carefully sorted the items, her tone light and playful.

The elders, watching the bounty pile up, couldn’t hide their delight.

Though these items weren’t considered rare or valuable by the standards of the Three Great Families or the Seven Clans, they were treasures for the Yun family. Anything that could be sold for spirit stones was a boon.

“Shuang’er, you’ve done me proud—and you too, Yantian!” Yun Yunshan said, laughing heartily.

The praise from her elders made Yun Yanshuang beam with happiness, her confidence soaring.

Her bright eyes turned to Yun Yunxun. “Uncle Yunxun, Brother Yantian and I also found some alchemical recipes in the ruins. Among them, the recipe for Gu Yuan Pills is fully intact, though the others are incomplete. Could you see if your expertise can help restore them?

As for the Gu Yuan Pills, I plan to see if the family has the necessary ingredients to try making them.”

“Wonderful!” Yun Yunxun’s eyes lit up as he eagerly accepted the recipes.

“Speaking of alchemy,” Yun Yunyang interjected with a smile, “I’ll need you to guide Wen Xuan as well, Shuang’er.”

“Oh? Why is that?” Yun Yanshuang asked curiously.

“You may not know this, but Wen Xuan has been dabbling in alchemy and crafting in secret. He’s shown some promise, so I hope you can help cultivate his skills and make him into a proper alchemist and craftsman for our family.”

“Of course, Uncle. I’ll teach him everything I can,” Yun Yanshuang replied, grinning.

“And Yantian, I’ll also need you to look after Wen Yu and Wen Run,” Yun Yunyang added.

“Understood, Uncle,” Yun Yantian replied firmly.

“You two have worked hard. Go and rest for now. The family’s spiritual fields, crafting, and alchemy will need your attention soon enough,” Yun Yunyang said warmly.

“Thank you, Uncle,” the siblings said in unison, bowing respectfully before taking their leave.

 

Chapter 152 It Has Nothing to Do with You

“Brother!”

Yun Yanshuang called out as she entered the family courtyard, spotting her elder brother reclining leisurely under the shade of a willow tree.

Beside him lay the golden-eyed beast, resting peacefully.

“You’re back so late?” Yun Yanshui said with a faint smile.

“Hmph! You didn’t even wait for me,” she pouted.

“I told you we couldn’t travel together,” he replied, sitting up and pouring himself a cup of tea.

“So, what did you find in the ruins?”

Sitting obediently beside her brother, Yun Yanshuang stroked the golden-eyed beast’s head while gazing at him with a smile.

“Take a look.”

Yun Yanshui tossed a storage pouch onto the table. “I gathered some spirit stones, pills, herbs, low-grade spiritual weapons, talismans, and a few techniques and Daoist arts.”

“Wow! So much?”

Opening the storage pouch, Yun Yanshuang exclaimed in amazement. Her brother’s haul rivaled what she and Yun Yantian had collected together.

“Nothing particularly valuable, though some of the spirit ores are high quality. I plan to incorporate them into my Wuqing War Bow,” Yun Yanshui said casually.

“You’re amazing, Brother,” Yun Yanshuang said with a sweet smile.

The better items could be added to the family’s treasure vault for future use by their heirs, while the lower-quality ones could be handed over to Ling’er and her team to sell, earning the family more spirit stones.

“There’s one thing I need to give you personally. Let’s go inside,” Yun Yanshui said, standing up and leading his sister into the house.

“What is it, Brother?”

“Take a look.”

From within his robes, Yun Yanshui produced the Myriad Pill Furnace, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“What kind of alchemy furnace is this? Its quality far surpasses anything I’ve ever used!”

Her eyes widened as she examined the furnace in her brother’s hands, her expression filled with astonishment.

“Of course it’s better—it’s the Myriad Pill Furnace, taken directly from Wang Liyuan,” Yun Yanshui said with a smirk.

“The Myriad Pill Furnace?!”

Yun Yanshuang’s jaw dropped as she gasped in shock.

“Keep your voice down,” Yun Yanshui said sternly. “We can’t let anyone outside the family know about this. Otherwise, it’ll bring us nothing but disaster.”

“Oh! I understand,” Yun Yanshuang quickly nodded, covering her mouth as she stared at the furnace, her delight growing with each passing moment.

She had dreamed of having the Myriad Pill Furnace in her possession. With it, she could refine superior-quality pills for the family’s store, generating a steady stream of spirit stones.

And now, her brother had already made it happen.

“Brother, you took the furnace from Wang Liyuan. Are you sure he won’t recognize you?”

“Tch! That boy doesn’t know a thing!” Yun Yanshui chuckled. He handed the furnace to his sister.

“I’ve erased the blood-bound imprint Wang Liyuan left on it. This furnace is ours now, but you must keep it a secret. Not even Father and Mother can know. The fewer people aware of this, the better.”

“Yes, Brother!”

Yun Yanshuang nodded earnestly, quickly tucking the Myriad Pill Furnace into her storage pouch.

She knew all too well the weight of the furnace’s karma.

Wang Liyuan had nearly lost his life to the combined pursuit of the Three Great Families and the Six Clans, all because he possessed the furnace.

If word got out that she now owned it, the Yun family would undoubtedly face the same fate—or worse.

“Hmm… I’m getting hungry. I’ll go ask Mother to make some pig’s foot noodles,” Yun Yanshui said, standing and stretching.

“Me too! I want a bowl!” Yun Yanshuang giggled as she followed him.

Meanwhile, at the Yulin Wang Clan:

With the help of Xia Changqing, Wen Ruli, and the other heirs of the Six Clans, Wang Liyuan and his siblings had returned safely to their family’s territory.

“Brother Liyuan, we’ve fulfilled our end of the bargain and escorted you to your clan’s land. Now, where’s the furnace?”

Xia Changqing came to an abrupt stop, turning to face Wang Liyuan, his tone calm but firm.

“Here it is,” Wang Liyuan said with a faint smile, pulling out the storage pouch containing the so-called Myriad Pill Furnace.

The moment the pouch appeared, Xia Changqing, Wen Ruli, and the other heirs fixed their gazes on it, their eyes burning with desire.

“As for who will receive the furnace… I’m afraid that’s a tough decision,” Wang Liyuan said, his voice tinged with mock hesitation.

“Brother Liyuan, just hand it over. Whatever happens afterward is a matter for us Six Clans to resolve. It has nothing to do with you,” Xia Changqing said bluntly, trying to cut off any further games.

“Nothing to do with me?” Wang Liyuan murmured under his breath.

Before anyone could react, he channeled his spiritual energy into the storage pouch.

Boom!

The pouch exploded into pieces, its contents scattering across the ground in front of the stunned heirs of the Six Clans.

“Wang Liyuan, are you insane?!” Wen Ruli shouted, his voice trembling with fury.

“Calm down, everyone. I did this for your sake,” Wang Liyuan said evenly, unfazed by their murderous glares.

“We fulfilled our agreement, escorting the three of you back to your clan’s territory. Yet you destroyed the Myriad Pill Furnace right before our eyes and still have the audacity to claim it was for our benefit?”

Xia Changqing’s face darkened with fury, his hands clenched as if ready to strike down Wang Liyuan on the spot. Yet, being so close to the Wang clan’s territory, he knew that any action taken here would undoubtedly alert the Wang clan’s patriarch.

“Brother Changqing, you all saw it for yourselves in the Dan Ding Sect ruins. The furnace brought nothing but relentless pursuit and danger upon me.

The Myriad Pill Furnace is unique—there’s only one. If it were to fall into the hands of any one of you, that person would become the next target.

When that happens, the Seven Clans will undoubtedly turn on each other, and the only ones who would benefit would be the Three Great Families,” Wang Liyuan said evenly, his tone calculated.

He paused, letting his words sink in, before continuing.

“Moreover, don’t forget that the Three Great Families aren’t the only ones coveting the furnace. Cultivators from Wu Nation are equally eager to claim it.

No matter which clan among you ends up with the furnace, do you truly have the strength to protect it?”

Wang Liyuan’s voice carried a calm authority that silenced the group.

Wen Ruli and the other heirs exchanged uneasy glances, their brows furrowed in thought. Though they loathed to admit it, there was a ring of truth to Wang Liyuan’s words.

“I told you to hand over the furnace, and the Six Clans would decide its fate. Destroying it without consulting us was an affront to our dignity!

Wang Liyuan, do you take us for fools?” Xia Changqing snarled, his voice brimming with anger.

To him, the Myriad Pill Furnace represented an opportunity for the Tongshan Xia family to rise above the rest. With the furnace, they could dominate the Seven Clans and perhaps even challenge the Three Great Families.

But Wang Liyuan’s actions had shattered those ambitions, and Xia Changqing’s fury was barely contained.

“Think what you will. I’ve said my piece.

The furnace is gone. If you still want it, you’re chasing a dream,” Wang Liyuan replied coldly, his expression impassive.

Without sparing them another glance, he turned and walked away, leading Wang Lizhu and Wang Lilong toward the safety of their family’s estate.

“Wang Liyuan!!!”

Xia Changqing’s roar echoed through the air as his spiritual energy surged, his rage threatening to boil over.

He prepared to charge after Wang Liyuan, but a tiger-eyed, bearded rogue cultivator grabbed his arm, holding him back.

“Master Changqing, you mustn’t act rashly. If you attack here, the Wang clan’s patriarch will surely retaliate.”

The rogue cultivator’s words snapped Xia Changqing out of his fury, and he reluctantly suppressed his rage.

“Fine! We’ll report this to the patriarch,” he growled, his face still clouded with anger.

With that, Xia Changqing led the heirs and rogue cultivators of the Tongshan Xia family away.

The other heirs followed suit, each returning to their respective clans to report the incident to their elders.

Wang Liyuan knelt before the patriarch, Wang Qingshan, recounting the events of their journey to the Dan Ding Sect ruins in detail.

“Disciple deliberately concealed the existence of the Myriad Pill Furnace and failed to report it. I humbly ask for the patriarch’s punishment,” Wang Liyuan said, his tone filled with remorse.

“Enough. What’s done is done, and dwelling on it serves no purpose,” Wang Qingshan said, his voice calm yet firm.

“Your decision to destroy the furnace was, in hindsight, a wise one. It spares our family from becoming the target of countless factions and rogue cultivators.”

Wang Qingshan’s words carried a note of approval, though his expression remained stoic.

“Though you claimed to have destroyed the furnace before the Six Clans, I doubt they will take your word at face value. They will likely use this as an excuse to visit us and investigate further,” Wang Liyuan said, his tone cautious.

“Let them come. I would welcome the chance to have them search. After all, the Myriad Pill Furnace truly isn’t in our possession.

Their efforts will only make the truth known to other factions, sparing our family from further suspicion,” Wang Qingshan said with a cold laugh.

“As for the Tongshan Xia family…”

“When the time comes, I will deal with them myself,” Wang Qingshan said, his eyes glinting with resolve.

“Meanwhile, you must secretly investigate the rogue cultivator who took the furnace. If he’s still within Wu Nation, we’ll find him,” he added.

“Your grandson will see to it,” Wang Liyuan said, bowing deeply.

 

Chapter 153: Joining the Yun Family

“Brother Yunyang, Sun Fenglin and his younger brother Sun Fengxuan have requested an audience.”

Yun Yunrui announced as he stepped into Yun Yunyang’s study, where the latter was overseeing Yun Wenxuan’s lessons.

“Oh? Why would those two suddenly pay us a visit?”

Yun Yunyang raised an eyebrow, his expression laced with mild surprise.

Ever since the Blue Scaled Sun clan fell into chaos and ultimately collapsed due to internal strife, the Sun brothers had embarked on a path of vengeance, wreaking havoc within their own clan before leaving for good.

He hadn’t heard anything about them since and had assumed their paths would never cross again.

“I’m not sure,” Yun Yunrui replied. “I’ve arranged for them to wait in the reception hall. They’re waiting for you there.”

“Let’s go meet them. After all, they are family to Fengyu,” Yun Yunyang said with a sigh.

He turned to Yun Wenxuan, instructing him to complete the assignments given by his tutor before heading out with Yun Yunrui toward the family’s reception hall.

Inside the hall, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan sat quietly, their expressions calm.

After the Sun clan’s collapse, the two brothers had sought refuge in the imperial capital under the care of their uncle. Recently, in their pursuit of resources for cultivation, they had braved the dangers of the Dan Ding Sect ruins, managing to gather some small fortunes from the outer regions.

Their visit to the Yun family now carried a specific purpose.

“The Yun family is truly flourishing,” Sun Fenglin remarked, his voice tinged with bittersweet emotion as he observed the vibrant prosperity of the Yun estate.

Memories of the Sun clan’s downfall flashed through his mind, a stark contrast to the thriving Yun family. His lips curled into a faint, bitter smile.

“Brother, are we really going to follow Father’s instructions from the letter?”

Sun Fengxuan’s tone was somber, his expression tense.

Not long ago, they had stumbled upon a hidden letter left by their father, Sun Tianming, before his death.

The letter revealed that their father had foreseen the clan’s decline and had prepared an alternative path for them: seek refuge with the Yun family if the Sun clan were to fall.

Reading their father’s final words had filled Sun Fengxuan with both sorrow and hesitation.

“We should follow Father’s wishes,” Sun Fenglin replied after a moment.

“For us to continue cultivating, we’ll need substantial resources. Our uncle in the capital may hold an official position, but he’s still a mortal. He can only support us for so long.

Fengyu married into the Yun family, and our families have maintained friendly relations. The Yun family has also treated Fengyu and our aunt and uncle well.

Joining the Yun family may not be a bad choice.”

Having endured the loss of their father and the collapse of their clan, Sun Fenglin had grown more composed and cautious. His decisions were now guided by careful deliberation and a keen sense of the bigger picture, traits that rivaled those of his late father.

“You’re probably right,” Sun Fengxuan conceded with a nod. “Perhaps Father anticipated all this when he left those instructions.”

He hesitated, then voiced his lingering concern.

“But will the Yun family even take us in? We’re outsiders, after all.”

Sun Fenglin sighed, his lips curling into a wry smile.

“I’ve thought about that too. But since Father entrusted us with this path, we owe it to him—and ourselves—to try.”

“Fenglin, Fengxuan! How have you been?”

A hearty voice rang out from the doorway, interrupting their thoughts.

The brothers turned to see Yun Yunyang and Yun Yunrui entering the hall.

Quickly rising to their feet, they bowed deeply.

“Your nephews, Fenglin and Fengxuan, greet Uncle Yunyang!”

“There’s no need for such formalities here in the Yun family,” Yun Yunyang said warmly, a kind smile on his face as he gestured for them to sit.

Yun Yunyang sighed deeply and welcomed the brothers warmly.

Soon after, members of the Yun clan arrived with tea and refreshments, placing them before Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan.

Seated at the head of the hall, Yun Yunyang sipped his tea thoughtfully, his gaze settling on the two brothers.

“I’ve heard about your father and the fall of the Sun clan. It’s a tragedy I still lament. When chaos broke out in your family, I regret that I couldn’t make it to see your father, Tianming, one last time or pay my respects,” he said, his tone heavy with emotion.

“Uncle Yunyang, you’re too kind,” Sun Fenglin replied, bowing his head respectfully.

“The family was in turmoil back then. My brother and I were caught up in the infighting, and after Father’s passing, we hastily buried his remains before leaving the clan. We didn’t have the chance to invite or inform you.”

Sun Fenglin’s voice carried a mixture of regret and bitterness.

“Ah! I never would have imagined such a thing could happen within your family. Tianming was a man of vision, tirelessly working to make your clan flourish. Such a loss…”

Yun Yunyang sighed heavily, his expression sorrowful.

Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan lowered their heads, the memories of their father’s death and the Sun clan’s collapse stabbing at their hearts like daggers.

“Uncle Yunyang, how is my sister Fengyu? And my aunt and uncle—are they well?”

“They’re all well. Would you like to visit them?”

“No need. It’s enough to know they’re safe and happy. Fengyu marrying into the Yun family was a blessing for her,” Sun Fenglin said with a faint smile.

“Don’t say that! My nephew Yansong is the one who’s blessed to have married such a wonderful girl,” Yun Yunyang replied with a chuckle.

Hearing this, the brothers exchanged a small, relieved smile, their heavy hearts lightening a little.

“Uncle Yunyang, to be honest, my brother and I are here to seek refuge,” Sun Fenglin said after a moment of hesitation, breaking the silence.

“Refuge?”

Yun Yunyang’s brows arched in surprise, and Yun Yunrui, seated nearby, appeared equally taken aback.

“Yes.

With our father gone and the Sun clan dissolved, my brother and I went to the imperial capital to live under our uncle’s care. However, his duties as a court official leave him little time to provide for us.

We’ve come here because we have nowhere else to turn.”

“Tianming was a dear friend of mine, and you two call me ‘Uncle.’ Not to mention, our families are connected by marriage—Fengyu is my daughter-in-law.

If you wish to stay and serve the Yun family, you’re more than welcome,” Yun Yunyang said after a moment of consideration, a smile spreading across his face.

“Thank you, Uncle Yunyang! My brother and I swear to serve the Yun family with utmost loyalty. We’ll go through fire and water if needed!”

Relief and gratitude shone in Sun Fenglin’s eyes as he bowed deeply, his brother following suit.

“Haha! Good, good! It just so happens that our family recently established a new cultivators’ marketplace in Yuncang County.

If you two don’t mind, I’d like you to oversee the marketplace and ensure its smooth operation,” Yun Yunyang said with a nod.

“We would be honored,” the brothers replied in unison.

“Yunrui, inform Yunlin to accompany Fenglin and Fengxuan to the marketplace and help them get familiar with the operations.”

“Yes, Brother Yunyang,” Yun Yunrui said, rising to escort the brothers from the hall.

After arranging everything, Yun Yunrui returned to the hall, his expression contemplative.

“Brother Yunyang, why take in the Sun brothers? It’s clear they’re here to use our resources for cultivation. Once they grow stronger, they might become a destabilizing force within the family.”

“Our family lacks enough heirs with spiritual roots,” Yun Yunyang replied.

“By having the Sun brothers serve us, they can contribute while remaining under our control. The resources they receive will be determined by us, and we will prioritize our own heirs.

So long as the Yun family’s heirs grow strong, the Sun brothers will pose no threat.

Moreover, neither of them is married. In time, we can arrange for women from our extended family to marry them, ensuring their loyalty and expanding our lineage.

With their talent and spiritual roots, their descendants are bound to benefit the Yun family greatly.

Once their children are part of our family, they’ll have no reason to betray us,” Yun Yunyang said, his eyes gleaming with calculated wisdom.

Hearing this, Yun Yunrui’s eyes lit up with admiration.

“Brother Yunyang, you’ve thought of everything,” he said with a laugh.

“I suspected their purpose the moment I heard they were coming,” Yun Yunyang said with a wry smile.

“Now I’m considering helping them rebuild the Blue Scaled Sun clan under our banner. With the right guidance, they could become a valuable vassal to the Yun family.”

 

Chapter 154 Miraculous Eloquent

“Brother Yantian!”

Yun Yanshuang arrived at the spiritual fields in the back hills, where she found Yun Yantian diligently tending to the Purple Jade Bamboo. He was instructing Yun Wenyu and Yun Wenrun on the proper methods to cultivate and care for the plants.

“Shuang’er? What brings you here?”

Noticing her approach, Yun Yantian greeted her with a faint smile.

“The family’s affairs are quiet for now, so I thought I’d come take a look at how the spiritual fields are doing,” Yun Yanshuang replied with a laugh, casually finding a spot to sit.

Yun Wenyu and Yun Wenrun hurried over, greeting her warmly as “Aunt Shuang’er.”

“Hmm, isn’t there work waiting for you in the alchemy or artifact refinement halls?”

As he spoke, Yun Yantian continued sprinkling spiritual spring water onto the base of the Purple Jade Bamboo, his movements careful and practiced.

“I’ve already completed a new batch of spiritual tools and pills, and the family has sent them to Sister Ling’er’s shop.

For now, I’ll wait until the shop needs restocking before starting another round of production,” Yun Yanshuang explained with a grin.

She sipped the spiritual tea Yun Wenyu had brought her, adding, “Besides, I’ve been teaching Wenxuan how to refine tools and concoct pills. The boy’s talent is greater than mine! He’s already capable of working independently.

Though the quality of his work isn’t perfect yet, it’s good enough to lighten my load considerably.”

“Didn’t the family also assign you to oversee the market? Shouldn’t you be checking on that?” Yun Yantian asked, glancing up from his work.

“Oh, so you don’t know yet?”

“Know what?”

“Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan have already joined our family. They’ve taken over the task of managing the market.”

“Is that so?”

Yun Yantian was momentarily stunned.

He had been so focused on cultivating the Purple Jade Bamboo—working tirelessly to produce enough Purple Jade Rice for the family’s needs—that he hadn’t paid much attention to other affairs.

Purple Jade Spirit Wine, made from the rice, was a bestseller in the market and highly sought after by rogue cultivators. Yun Yantian was determined to cultivate more bamboo quickly, ensuring an ample supply of rice for brewing.

“I see. They joined just a few days ago?”

“Exactly! It’s already been handled,” Yun Yanshuang replied lightly.

“I wonder what made Uncle Yunyang agree to that,” Yun Yantian mused, shaking his head.

“Uncle Yunyang must have his reasons,” she said with a shrug, watching her brother return to his work. “We juniors don’t need to concern ourselves with these matters. We just need to focus on our own responsibilities.”

“Speaking of responsibilities, how’s your progress with the talisman techniques Master taught you?”

At her question, Yun Yantian paused, straightening slightly.

“I’ve made some progress. For now, I can create simple talismans ranging from the first to the third rank of the Yellow Grade.

The quality isn’t exceptional, and my output is limited, but it’s enough to supply the family’s shop and earn some spirit stones,” he said.

“Limited output? Are you short on materials for talisman paper?”

“Exactly. The only material we have for talisman paper is the Purple Jade Bamboo, and we’ve only cultivated five stalks so far—not nearly enough.”

“No wonder you’ve practically moved into the spiritual fields! It’s like you’re married to the Purple Jade Bamboo!” Yun Yanshuang teased with a laugh.

Her comment made Yun Yantian flush slightly, though he chuckled and shook his head.

“Thankfully, the bamboo is thriving. With the spiritual liquid we brought back from the Dan Ding Sect ruins, I believe we can double the number of stalks in a short time.”

“That liquid effective?” Yun Yanshuang asked, her interest piqued.

She recalled her brother discovering a special spiritual liquid in the ruins, likely something the Dan Ding Sect had developed for cultivating spiritual plants. While she had assumed the liquid’s effectiveness would be limited due to its diminished energy, she was surprised to hear otherwise.

“It is. At first, I wasn’t sure if it would work. But after seeing how rapidly the bamboo grew after absorbing the liquid, I realized its incredible potential,” Yun Yantian said, his tone tinged with awe.

“The Dan Ding Sect was truly remarkable. For their disciples to create such a substance to enhance plant cultivation speaks volumes about their ingenuity,” he added, his respect for the ancient sect evident.

“How much of that liquid do we have left?”

“Not much remains—only two bottles. They’ll last about five days at most. If only our family had a way to produce this kind of spiritual liquid, we could rely on it to cultivate an entire Purple Jade Forest.

With enough of it, the spiritual rice and other plants in our fields would flourish, yielding far greater harvests,” Yun Yantian said, his tone filled with longing.

“I think I might have the recipe for that spiritual liquid. Let me look for it,” Yun Yanshuang said, suddenly remembering the pouch her elder brother, Yun Yanshui, had given her.

Among the various scrolls and recipes she had found inside, one seemed to detail a method for creating spiritual liquid.

“Really?”

Yun Yantian’s eyes lit up as he quickly sat down beside her. Watching her retrieve a scroll from her storage pouch, he eagerly took it from her hands.

After reading through the recipe, he laughed heartily, slapping his knee.

“Hahaha! Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! With this recipe, we can make more spiritual liquid.

Most of the materials listed here are things the family can easily acquire from the marketplace, but… where on earth are we going to find demonic beast dung?”

“Brother Yantian, did you forget about my elder brother’s Gold-Eyed Beast?”

“Ah! Of course! How could I forget? It seems we’ll need Yanshui to pamper that beast a little more. The more it eats, the more it can ‘produce’ for us,” Yun Yantian said with a wry smile, rubbing his forehead.

“Brother Wang, I deeply apologize. My visit today is to offer a formal apology to your esteemed family,” an elderly woman said, bowing her head respectfully.

Her hair was adorned with golden hairpins, and she leaned on an ornate dragon-headed cane. Behind her, several servants stepped forward, presenting trays piled with spiritual treasures as gifts.

This woman was none other than the matriarch of the Tongshan Xia Clan, a cultivator at the peak of the Qi Refining stage.

She had come to make amends after the Six Clans’ joint visit to the Wang family.

Previously, the Six Clans had pressured the Wang family under the guise of investigating the Myriad Pill Furnace. Their veiled threats and intrusive search had yielded nothing, convincing them that the furnace had indeed been destroyed.

Upon returning to their clans, they had berated Wang Liyuan for his “wasteful destruction of a priceless treasure.” However, they eventually acknowledged that its destruction had spared the Wang family from becoming the target of endless schemes.

Even so, the Tongshan Xia matriarch feared the possibility of retaliation from the Wang family.

Thus, she had brought her grandson Xia Changqing and other family members, along with generous gifts, to personally apologize and smooth over relations.

Seated at the head of the hall, Wang Qingshan sipped his tea in silence, his expression unreadable as he regarded the array of treasures brought by the Xia clan.

After a long pause, he spoke.

“I’ve heard from my grandson that one of our loyal retainers, Li Xianchang, met his end at the hands of a rogue cultivator from your Xia clan.”

“Brother Wang, rest assured, justice will be served,” the elderly matriarch replied with a faint smile.

She turned her gaze toward a tiger-eyed, bearded middle-aged cultivator standing nearby.

“Huang Xianchang, step forward and apologize!”

The man stepped forward reluctantly, bowing his head in shame.

Before he could utter a word, the matriarch’s dragon-headed cane lashed out like a viper, striking him squarely on the forehead.

With a sickening crunch, his skull shattered, and blood splattered across the hall.

The lifeless body collapsed to the floor with a dull thud, pooling blood staining the ornate tiles beneath it.

“Brother Wang, does this satisfy you?”

“Your Xia clan has ties of marriage to our family. Since you’ve personally come to apologize, bringing Changqing as well, I will not pursue this further.

In the end, this was a matter between the younger generation. We old ones shouldn’t interfere unnecessarily,” Wang Qingshan said, his tone calm but firm.

“Let us hope our two families can put this behind us and return to good relations. Only by standing united can we resist the pressure from the Three Great Families,” the matriarch said, inclining her head.

“Indeed. Your words are wise,” Wang Qingshan replied with a nod.

 

Chapter 155: The Secret to Breaking Through

“How is the construction of our family’s marketplace coming along?”

After exchanging pleasantries with the Xia clan’s matriarch and seeing her off, Wang Qingshan stood at the entrance of the ancestral hall. His hands clasped behind his back, he gazed at the overcast sky. It looked like rain was coming again—a type of weather he loathed.

“Reporting to the patriarch, the marketplace should be completed in another half a month,” Wang Chongtian replied respectfully.

“I hear the Yun clan’s marketplace has been getting livelier lately?”

“Yes. The Yun family has implemented a policy of waiving rent for shopkeepers for five years, which has drawn significant interest from numerous cultivation families and rogue cultivators.

Currently, the Yun family’s marketplace is thriving. Many of the families and cultivators who used to frequent our Wang family’s marketplace have now shifted their focus there.”

“If this continues, even after our marketplace is repaired, it might fail to attract many rogue cultivators or families.

We might have no choice but to emulate the Yun family’s strategy and offer rent-free terms. However, such a move would severely impact the family’s income,” Wang Chongtian said with a grave expression.

As someone tasked with managing one of the Wang family’s shops in the Yun clan’s marketplace, he had first-hand knowledge of its success. This knowledge left him increasingly uneasy about the Yun clan’s rapid rise.

“In the struggle for profit, one side inevitably suffers losses.

Were it not for the interference of the Three Great Families, who sabotaged our marketplace, how would the Yun family have seized this opportunity?”

Wang Qingshan’s gaze grew colder, his tone calm but firm.

“Pass down the order: once our family’s marketplace is restored, we will also implement a five-year rent-free policy.

The Wang family still has some reserves to lean on. Sacrificing a bit of profit is a small price to pay,” he declared.

“Understood, Patriarch,” Wang Chongtian responded with a bow.

“I’ve also heard of a cultivation family in Blue Scale County called the Sun Clan?”

“Reporting to the patriarch, the Blue Scale Sun Clan no longer exists.”

“Oh?”

“It’s true. About half a year ago, the Sun Clan fell apart due to internal strife.

Many of their members either perished or scattered.

Of their four spiritual root cultivators, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan have sought refuge with the Yun family, now aiding them in managing their marketplace.

Another, Sun Fengli, perished last year in the Dan Ding Sect ruins. His death was the spark that ignited the clan’s internal chaos.

The last remaining spiritual root cultivator was taken in by the Su family, a prominent household in Blue Scale County. He adopted their surname and was added to the Su clan’s lineage as a direct descendant,” Wang Chongtian explained thoroughly.

As the family head, he made it a priority to stay informed of events and developments in the region. The fall of the Sun Clan was a matter he had investigated meticulously.

“The Su family… I recall hearing of them before,” Wang Qingshan mused.

“Yes, Patriarch. Two years ago, your nephew Wang Chongfang, who serves in the imperial court, brought Su Yingsheng—a fellow official from the Su family—as a guest to our household.

Chongfang introduced him to you personally.”

Wang Chongtian offered a faint smile.

“Now that you mention it, I do recall something about it. Su Yingsheng struck me as an ambitious man. And his elder brother, Su Yingwen, seemed to be quite resourceful, with aspirations to elevate their family into a cultivation clan,” Wang Qingshan said thoughtfully.

“Exactly,” Wang Chongtian affirmed.

“In that case, let’s lend the Su family some support,” Wang Qingshan said decisively.

“Patriarch, may I ask why you’ve suddenly decided this?” Wang Chongtian asked, visibly surprised.

Two years ago, Su Yingsheng had approached the Wang family in hopes of gaining their support to transform his family into a cultivation clan. He had come bearing generous gifts, hoping to curry favor.

At the time, however, Wang Qingshan had shown little interest in the Su family, leaving the matter unresolved.

“Blue Scale County borders Yuncang County. Back then, the Sun and Yun clans were natural rivals.

Now that the Sun Clan has crumbled, if we don’t act quickly to foster a new cultivation family in Blue Scale County to serve as a counterbalance, the Yun family will inevitably dominate the region.

Given the Yun family’s current trajectory, it’s only a matter of time before they surpass us, especially if they gain control of Blue Scale County’s resources.”

“Since the Su family wants to become a cultivation clan, let the Wang family secretly support them, turning their family into our vassal.

First, this benefits our family by allowing us to extract cultivation resources through them.

Second, they can act as our proxy to covertly target the Yun Cang Yun Clan, hindering their development,” Wang Qingshan said, his voice cold and measured.

With the mysterious elder supporting the Yun family, the Wang family couldn’t risk taking overt action. However, by fostering a puppet family to act on their behalf, the Wang family could remain in the shadows, focusing on its own growth.

Moreover, the Wang family was already dealing with pressure from the Three Great Families, the internal rivalry among the Seven Clans, and the ever-present threat of the imperial court. They couldn’t afford to be distracted by direct confrontations with the rising Yun Clan.

“I understand, Patriarch,” Wang Chongtian said with a bow.

“In a few days, I’ll discreetly send the Su family some cultivation techniques, spells, and other resources.”

“Good. Make sure the materials aren’t of high quality. Provide incomplete or damaged manuals for techniques and spells.

Within three years, I expect the Su family to be fully established.

Additionally, arrange for a few rogue cultivators to infiltrate their family and act as overseers for us.

I don’t want to see the Wang family raising a tiger that could turn on us in the future.”

“Yes, Patriarch. I will see it done,” Wang Chongtian affirmed.

Under the pouring rain…

Under the eaves of the house, Yun Yanshui sat crouched on the doorstep, savoring a steaming bowl of pig’s trotter noodles prepared by his mother.

Every now and then, he tossed a bone toward the Gold-Eyed Beast lounging nearby. The creature lazily opened one eye, glanced at the offering, and let out a huff of disdain. It turned away as if to say, I may look like a dog, but I’m not one. Throw me spirit stones if you dare!

“Brother! Eating alone again?”

Yun Yanshuang returned from outside, pouting as she saw her elder brother enjoying his meal alone.

Rain poured down in heavy sheets, but an invisible shield of spiritual energy deflected the water, leaving her dry as she approached.

“I thought you were training with the old Daoist.”

“Hmph! That doesn’t mean you can’t save me a bowl!”

“Check the kitchen. I told Mother to leave you some.”

“Hehe! Now that’s my good brother!”

She darted into the kitchen, returning moments later with her own bowl of pig’s trotter noodles. Without any care for decorum, she plopped down beside her brother, happily slurping her meal.

“By the way, I spoke to our master about how to absorb the Solar Essence and Lunar Rising energies,” she said between bites, knowing her brother had been stuck at the peak of the Qi Refining stage, unable to break through due to a lack of understanding of these principles.

“Oh? Let’s hear it,” Yun Yanshui said, sipping his broth and casually tossing another bone to the Gold-Eyed Beast.

“Our cultivation manual, the Three Purities Meditation Sutra, has detailed instructions on how to transition from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment by harnessing these energies.”

“It does?!”

Yun Yanshui blinked in surprise. He had barely paid attention to the sutra since he hadn’t needed to actively cultivate.

“Master explained that to advance to Foundation Establishment, a cultivator must refine the ambient spiritual energy they’ve absorbed.

Qi Refining practitioners take in all kinds of spiritual energy indiscriminately—like Lake’s Water, Autumn’s Breeze, or Thunder’s Fury.

However, when progressing to Foundation Establishment, it’s crucial to expel these ‘impurities’ and retain only the energy that aligns with one’s cultivation method.

Failure to do so not only limits future growth but could even lead to self-inflicted harm, damaging one’s foundation.”

“And for us, that means focusing on Solar Essence and Lunar Rising?”

“Exactly. These two energies—one drawn during daylight hours and the other under the full moon—are what the Three Purities Meditation Sutra is designed to harmonize with.”

“Sounds troublesome,” Yun Yanshui muttered, frowning.

“It is,” Yun Yanshuang admitted, her tone serious.

“Master said that the further one advances, the harder cultivation becomes. Gathering compatible energies during Foundation Establishment is already a daunting task.

If you’re impatient and choose to absorb impurities, you might progress faster, but the long-term consequences… well, I already mentioned those.”

 

Chapter 156 Royal Ancestor

“Discard the dross, preserve the essence, huh?”

“Cultivation truly isn’t easy,” Yun Yanshui muttered as he drained the last of the rich broth from his bowl, letting out a satisfied burp.

“I heard Wang Liyuan managed to return to the Wang family alive from the Dan Ding Sect ruins?”

Placing the empty bowl aside, Yun Yanshui asked casually.

“Yes. Somehow, he persuaded the six clans that originally wanted to deal with him to escort him safely back to the Wang family’s ancestral land.

Even the spiritual root heirs of the Three Great Families—Ye Xiaolin, Lin Tiansheng, and Lu Shanglin—didn’t dare make a move against him,” Yun Yanshuang explained.

“Hmph, he got off easy,” Yun Yanshui snorted coldly.

“Why are you suddenly asking about him, Brother?”

“It’s nothing. I overheard some elders mentioning that the six clans recently paid a visit to the Wang family, likely to investigate whether Wang Liyuan really destroyed the Dan Ding Sect’s treasure, the Wan Dan Furnace.”

Yun Yanshui replied, his tone calm but sharp.

“Wait… but the Wan Dan Furnace isn’t…”

Yun Yanshuang froze mid-sentence, catching herself before revealing too much.

“It seems Wang Liyuan used some cunning tactics to force the six clans’ spiritual heirs to escort him home.

That guy is crafty—definitely not someone to be underestimated.”

Narrowing his eyes, Yun Yanshui felt a growing sense of unease. Wang Liyuan’s talent, luck, and resourcefulness made him a formidable potential threat to the Yun family’s ambitions.

“A person like Wang Liyuan—talented, strategic, and capable—is bound to achieve greatness wherever he goes.

He’s undoubtedly spread the story of destroying the Wan Dan Furnace to avoid being targeted.

However, I’m certain he knows the furnace wasn’t destroyed.

If the Wang family discovers the truth and traces it back to us, they’ll try to eliminate me and take the furnace for themselves.

This way, only the Wang family will know the secret of the Wan Dan Furnace’s whereabouts,” Yun Yanshui said, his tone grave.

What was meant to be a trap to turn Wang Liyuan and the Wang family into targets had instead been masterfully deflected. Wang Liyuan’s clever ploy had transformed the situation, shielding his family from harm.

“What should we do then?”

Yun Yanshuang’s face grew pale. If the Wang family uncovered her brother’s involvement, it would spell disaster for the Yun family.

“Relax. I didn’t leave any loose ends. Wang Liyuan could spend his entire life trying to find me and still fail.

As long as we keep the Wan Dan Furnace’s existence a secret, the family will remain safe,” Yun Yanshui reassured her with a faint smile.

“Alright,” Yun Yanshuang nodded solemnly, though the thought of the furnace in her storage bag made her feel increasingly uneasy.

“By the way, I’ve noticed Yan Tian visiting lately to ask for Golden-Eyed Beast droppings. What’s that about?”

Breaking the tense silence, Yun Yanshui changed the subject, glancing at the overcast sky.

“Yan Tian plans to use the beast’s droppings to make a spiritual liquid that promotes the growth of Purple Jade Bamboo and other spiritual plants,” she explained.

“Ah, I see.”

Yun Yanshui nodded in understanding. “That’s actually a good thing. With Yan Tian handling it, I can finally stop dealing with this mutt’s droppings. It’s been making me reek of filth!”

“Ew, Brother! That’s disgusting—I’m still eating!”

“Whoops, my bad!”

Lying on the ground nearby, the Golden-Eyed Beast cracked one eye open and shot Yun Yanshui a scornful look. Were it not for the difference in strength, it would have swiped at him a few times to vent its frustration.

Filthy? it seemed to grumble. I handle my business in the designated spot. Who asked you to interfere?

“Your Majesty, the Grand Patriarch requests your presence.”

An elderly eunuch, clutching a duster, scurried toward a middle-aged man dressed in dragon robes, who was leisurely fishing by a tranquil lake.

The man, Bai Li Xi, was the current emperor of Yue Country—and a Qi Refining cultivator.

“I understand. You may leave,” Bai Li Xi said with a wave of his hand, dismissing the eunuch.

As the eunuch retreated, the emperor’s line tugged. With a practiced motion, he reeled in a vibrant dragon carp.

Standing nearby, Li Qing, a royal advisor and cultivator, stepped forward to unhook the fish and place it into a gilded basket.

“The Grand Patriarch loves fish, and this dragon carp looks splendid. Let’s bring it along as a gift for him,” Bai Li Xi remarked with a light chuckle.

Rising to his feet, he dusted off his robes before handing his jade fishing rod to a young eunuch.

“Li Immortal, join me in meeting the Grand Patriarch.”

“The Grand Patriarch summoned Your Majesty for an important matter. For me to accompany you… would that not be inappropriate?” Li Qing hesitated.

“Don’t worry. Among all the court’s cultivators, you are the one both the Grand Patriarch and I trust most.”

“If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have invited them—but you are an exception,” Bai Li Xi said with a warm smile, his tone revealing his deep trust and admiration for Li Qing.

Over the years, Li Qing had served diligently, managing countless tasks with precision and care. Recently, he had worked tirelessly to mediate between the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans, averting the outbreak of a devastating war. Without his efforts, Yue Country would have faced untold chaos, leaving the nation vulnerable to external threats and internal strife.

“In that case, I shall accompany Your Majesty to meet the Grand Patriarch,” Li Qing replied, deeply honored by the emperor’s confidence.

Taihe Palace stood at the heart of the imperial capital, an imposing structure surrounded by an aura of solitude.

No guards patrolled its vicinity, yet everyone in the palace knew it was a forbidden zone. Those who dared trespass would face swift retribution from the royal enforcers stationed in the shadows—powerful cultivators loyal only to the throne.

Bai Li Xi, accompanied by Li Qing, arrived at the hall and pushed open its heavy wooden doors.

Inside the vast and empty space, a white-haired elder sat cross-legged on a cushion in the center, meditating in silence. Dressed in simple robes, his face bore a striking resemblance to Bai Li Xi, though time had left it heavily wrinkled, like weathered bark. His aura was faint, a clear sign that his life force was nearing its end.

This was Bai Li Qingsun, the Grand Patriarch of Yue’s royal family, who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage over a century ago. Revered as the strongest cultivator in Yue, his presence alone had kept the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans at bay for decades.

“Grandson greets the Grand Patriarch,” Bai Li Xi said, bowing respectfully as he approached.

Looking at the frail figure of his ancestor, Bai Li Xi felt a pang of sorrow. He owed his stability on the throne to this man. Without the Grand Patriarch, the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans would have torn the empire apart in their power struggles, plunging Yue into chaos.

“Sit,” Bai Li Qingsun said with a faint smile, gesturing for his grandson and Li Qing to take their seats.

Seeing no proper chairs or cushions in the vast hall, Bai Li Xi and Li Qing simply sat on the cold marble floor without complaint.

“Grandson caught a fine dragon carp today in the imperial garden. Knowing how much you love fish, I’ll have the royal kitchen prepare a steamed dish for you later,” Bai Li Xi said, his tone warm.

“Haha! You’re thoughtful as ever,” Bai Li Qingsun replied, visibly pleased.

“Now, the reason I summoned you here,” he continued, “is to inform you that my time is running out. It’s time you prepared for what lies ahead.”

“Grand Patriarch, please rest assured,” Bai Li Xi said, his voice steady. “In recent years, thanks to Li Immortal’s efforts, we’ve identified a promising family that could safeguard Yue’s future. With their support, the empire will stand strong for generations to come.”

“Oh? Which family?” Bai Li Qingsun asked, his interest piqued.

“Yuncang Yun Clan,” Bai Li Xi replied with a faint smile.

“Tell me more.”

Bai Li Qingsun’s curiosity deepened. Confined to Taihe Palace for years, he relied on his grandson for updates on the world beyond the capital.

“According to Li Immortal’s observations, the Yuncang Yun Clan is blessed with great fortune. In just a few short years, they have risen to prominence, establishing themselves as a powerhouse.

Moreover, there is reportedly a mysterious figure backing the Yun Clan—a high master whose abilities surpass even yours, Grand Patriarch,” Bai Li Xi explained, his tone measured.

“Such a person exists?”

Bai Li Qingsun’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

For over a century, he had been revered as the strongest cultivator in Yue. It was his presence that deterred the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans from challenging the royal family’s authority.

But his failed attempt to break through had left his foundation damaged, his vitality waning with each passing day. This had emboldened the clans to defy the throne.

If the Yun Clan truly had the support of such a powerful figure, aligning with them could restore balance and safeguard the royal family’s legacy.

Still…

“What of the Yun Clan’s character? How do they compare to the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans in their conduct?”

 

Chapter 157 Leaving the Palace incognito

For over a century, the Kingdom of Yue had stood steadfast, with its royal family fostering loyal cultivation clans to bolster its defense against neighboring nations and the lurking threats of demons and malevolent forces in the shadows.

In their ambition to consolidate power, the royal family had elevated once-obscure clans—the Canglan Ye Clan, the Wangyue Lin Clan, and the Chuanyin Lu Clan. Yet, as these clans grew stronger, they developed the ambitions of wolves and tigers.

To balance the scales, the royal family secretly supported seven additional clans, including the Yulin Wang Clan and the Rizhao Lou Clan. But as time passed, these new allies also grew too powerful, gradually slipping beyond the royal family’s grasp.

The Yulin Wang Clan, in particular, exhibited an unmistakable hunger to become the kingdom’s “fourth great clan,” and perhaps even posed the next threat to the royal throne itself.

Over the years, the three major clans and the seven rising clans had infiltrated the royal court and bureaucracy, reducing them to sieves riddled with spies. Many of their members held critical positions in the court, with dual aims: to erode the emperor’s authority and to monitor the health and actions of Bai Li Qingsun, the royal ancestor.

Fear gripped him.

Bai Li Qingsun, the venerable patriarch, now trembled at the thought of further empowering another family, such as the Yun Cang Yun Clan, lest it too rise as a ferocious tiger.

“Rest assured, Ancestor,” Li Qing interjected with a bow. “I have dealt with the Yun Cang Yun Clan on many occasions. Compared to the three great clans and the seven rising clans, they harbor far less ambition. Their recent pursuit of celestial opportunities is solely to ensure their survival in this fiercely competitive landscape.”

“Furthermore,” Li Qing added, “with that senior expert standing behind the Yun Cang Yun Clan, if they harbored any designs on the royal family, they would have already acted. Surely, their restraint speaks of their lack of dangerous ambitions.”

Bai Li Qingsun nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed. With such a formidable figure backing them, the Yun Cang Yun Clan could seize the throne with ease. That they have refrained for so long suggests their aspirations are modest, as you say.”

“In that case, my grandson,” Bai Li Qingsun continued, “you may discreetly visit the Yun Cang Yun Clan and establish closer ties. If suitable, arrange for Xue’er to marry one of their direct descendants, making them kin to the royal family.”

“Ancestor,” Bai Li Xi protested with a troubled expression. “You know Xue’er’s temperament—she doesn’t listen to me at all, and her heart is set on cultivation. Persuading her to marry into the Yun Cang Yun Clan will be no easy task.”

Bai Li Qingsun chuckled. “A little persuasion never hurts. Besides, why not take her along on your journey? Consider it an opportunity for her to relax. Perhaps she might find someone in the Yun Cang Yun Clan who catches her eye. In that case, why would we need to worry?”

Bai Li Xi managed a sheepish grin. “Ancestor, your wisdom is unmatched. Very well, I will heed your advice. Once I have settled matters in the court, I will take Master Li along and discreetly visit the Yun Cang Yun Clan with Xue’er.”

“Good,” Bai Li Qingsun said with satisfaction. Then, his tone grew serious. “Speaking of court matters, have you handled the issue of granting the Yulin Wang Clan recognition as the kingdom’s fourth great clan?”

Bai Li Xi sighed deeply, his expression bitter. “Ancestor, the matter is giving me endless headaches. The three great clans would never allow the Yulin Wang Clan to stand on equal footing with them and have been pressuring me in secret. Meanwhile, the Wang Clan has also been applying pressure, urging me to finalize their recognition as the fourth great clan.

“If not for Master Li’s mediation and my strategy of delay, the cultivators from the three great clans and the Yulin Wang Clan would have stormed the court by now to demand action.”

At the mention of the matter, Bai Li Xi’s face grew even more distressed. To be emperor in Yue was to rule in constant frustration and humiliation.

“Such matters cannot be delayed indefinitely,” Bai Li Qingsun warned. “Any further delay may lead to unrest.”

“I understand, Ancestor,” Bai Li Xi replied, his tone weary. “But at the moment, I see no clear solution.”

Observing his grandson’s graying temples and troubled demeanor, Bai Li Qingsun fell silent for a moment. After a pause, he asked, “The Hundred Clans Assembly—held once every decade—should be approaching soon, correct?”

“Yes,” Bai Li Xi replied. “Preparations are already underway. It is set to take place in two months.”

“Two months… That will bring together cultivators from all the clans, will it not?”

“Indeed.”

Bai Li Qingsun’s gaze grew sharp and thoughtful. He had little time left in this world, his vitality nearly depleted. The fate of his grandson, and of the royal family’s hold on the kingdom, weighed heavily on his mind.

He feared that after his death, the three great clans and the seven rising clans would divide the royal court and the kingdom among themselves with impunity.

Since that was the case, Bai Li Qingsun resolved that before his death, he would send the three great clans and the seven rising clans a “gift” they would never forget.

“Ancestor, why do you suddenly ask about this matter?” Bai Li Xi inquired curiously.

“Nothing of consequence,” the elder replied, his tone dismissive. “Just something to consider. You may leave now.”

“Understood. Your grandson takes his leave.”

Realizing his ancestor did not wish to elaborate, Bai Li Xi refrained from pressing further. Bowing, he departed with Li Qing in tow.

“Your Majesty, the imperial kitchen has sent fresh fish,” a stooped eunuch announced from outside the hall.

“I see,” Bai Li Xi replied with a nod.

Li Qing stepped forward to inspect the delivery, carefully ensuring that the steamed dragon carp was free of poison before personally presenting it to Bai Li Qingsun within the hall.

Days later, after attending to the majority of the memorials submitted by court officials, Bai Li Xi quietly departed the palace in disguise. Accompanying him were his youngest daughter, Bai Li Moxue, and Li Qing. Traveling in a modest carriage, they kept their departure strictly clandestine.

The preparations for this secret journey were meticulous. Bai Li Xi took great care to avoid the watchful eyes of the spies and agents planted by the three great clans and seven rising clans within the palace. He could not afford to let these factions discover his plans to meet with the Yun Cang Yun Clan in private, lest they retaliate against the family and disrupt his greater schemes.

Inside the carriage, Bai Li Xi, disguised as an elderly man, regarded his daughter with a steady gaze. “Moxue, did you inform your mother or your siblings about this trip?”

“Everything has been carried out as per your instructions, Father. No one has been informed,” Moxue replied.

Her mother, a direct descendant of the Tongshan Xia Clan—one of the seven rising clans—was often excluded from her father’s affairs. Moxue understood that her father preferred to shield such matters from her mother and, by extension, her maternal relatives. Similarly, her elder siblings, whose mothers also hailed from the three great clans and seven rising clans, were kept in the dark.

Though she was uncertain of her father’s destination or the purpose of this mysterious journey, Moxue chose to trust him. Over the years, she had grown to admire and respect him deeply, aware of the burdens he bore as emperor. This trust and affection set her apart, earning her his favor above her other siblings.

“Good,” Bai Li Xi said with a nod.

“Father, where are we going?”

“You’ll find out when we get there,” he replied with a cryptic smile.

At the Yun Clan estate in Yuncang County, a detailed discussion was underway.

“After testing with the spirit root stone, it’s confirmed that Yan Bai’s qilin child possesses a Grade Four spirit root,” reported Yun Yunrui, addressing Yun Yunyang, who sat at the head of the gathering.

“Additionally,” Yunrui continued, “Brother Yunxun mentioned that Yan Dong’s child is nearly seven months along and expected to be born around the winter solstice.

“As for the rest of the clan’s collateral descendants, while many children have been born, none have exhibited spirit roots.

“In total, the clan now has over six hundred members, including both direct and collateral lines.

“Our textile and tea businesses are thriving under Yan Ying’s management. He has a talent for commerce, and recent profits have been promising.”

Yun Yunrui handed a ledger to Yun Yunyang. “This contains the latest accounts for the clan’s shops, as well as reports on profits from crafting, alchemy, spirit wine, mining, and the purple jade bamboo and spirit rice cultivated in the mountain fields.

“Furthermore, Brother Yunfeng mentioned that the purple jade bamboo, spirit herbs, and medicines in the clan’s spirit fields are flourishing under the care of Yan Tian, Wen Yu, Wen Run, and other clansmen. However, our existing spirit fields may soon be insufficient. We’ll need to identify and clear a new area for cultivation and divert the purple mist spirit spring from Yuncang Mountain for irrigation.

“The clan must prepare for this expansion without delay.”

Yun Yunyang nodded thoughtfully. “As for the five thousand deaf-mute laborers recruited five years ago, leave the arrangements to Third Brother.”

“Understood. I will speak to Brother Yunfeng about this matter shortly,” Yun Yunrui replied with a slight bow.

 

Chapter 158 Envy

“Is this the Yun Cang Yun Clan?”

Disguised as an elderly man, Bai Li Xi slowly stepped down from the carriage, his daughter Bai Li Mo Xue following closely behind.

Standing outside the Yun family estate, they observed the peaceful scene within. Groups of Yun clansmen gathered in threes and fives, chatting and sharing drinks. Some played chess under the shade of the trees, while children ran about, laughing and playing games with crickets.

The entire place exuded an air of harmony and prosperity.

“Indeed.”

“To govern a country is akin to governing a household. The ease and simplicity with which the Yun Cang Yun Clan lives, with its children growing carefree and innocent, speaks volumes about the unity within the clan and the wisdom of its leadership.”

Bai Li Xi couldn’t help but marvel. He found himself developing a certain fondness for the Yun Clan.

Compared to the endless infighting of the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans, where many disciples were notorious for idle indulgences and debauchery, the thriving harmony of the Yun Cang Yun Clan was unexpectedly comforting.

Perhaps Li Qing’s recommendation was correct.

This clan was worth the support of the royal family. They could even become a dependable ally for the throne.

“Who would have thought you would hold the Yun Cang Yun Clan in such high regard, my lord?”

Li Qing was surprised. He knew his sovereign to have a discerning eye and rarely spoke favorably of any cultivation family within the Yue Kingdom.

After all, in Bai Li Xi’s view, any family of cultivators within the realm could pose a threat to the stability of the royal rule.

“Nothing more than a passing thought, reminded of my own Bai Li family in its prime. A touch of sentiment, that’s all.”

“Sadly, the internal state of my Bai Li clan now fares no better than other cultivation families.”

“One can only wonder if the Yun Cang Yun Clan will continue to thrive and maintain such unity within its ranks as they grow stronger.”

Bai Li Xi spoke slowly, his gaze shifting to a large willow tree at the edge of the estate. Beneath its vast shade, an old blind Daoist lay lazily, snoring softly. Occasionally, he let out a yawn.

“My lord, that is the reclusive master I mentioned before,” Li Qing said with a smile, noticing Bai Li Xi’s gaze.

He then led Bai Li Xi and Bai Li Mo Xue toward the old Daoist under the tree.

“Junior Li Qing greets the venerable Daoist.”

Under the tree, Li Qing cupped his hands in a respectful bow, his tone full of reverence.

“Heh! Little Li, you’ve come again?”

The blind Daoist had already sensed their approach. A faint smile spread across his weathered and dirty face.

“I’ve brought a friend to visit the Yun Clan,” Li Qing replied humbly.

“Ah, so that’s the case. Go on, then. Pay me no mind.”

“Once my business is done, I will return to speak with you, revered elder,” Li Qing promised with a bow before leading Bai Li Xi and Bai Li Mo Xue into the Yun Clan estate.

“Ah! Master Li!”

“Greetings, Master Li!”

“Master Li, care to join us for a drink?”

Inside the estate, several Yun clansmen, lounging and chatting over wine or playing chess, greeted Li Qing warmly upon seeing him enter with the Bai Li father and daughter.

This was not the first time Li Qing had visited the Yun Clan, and many clansmen recognized him.

They knew Li Qing as a benefactor of the family, someone whose assistance had been instrumental in their present prosperity.

Thus, their respect for him ran deep.

“Haha! The pleasure is mine!”

“Yes, I’ve brought friends to meet Brother Yun Yang and to greet everyone.”

“Another time, perhaps. Once I’ve finished my business, I will gladly join you all for a drink.”

Li Qing returned each greeting with polite warmth, his demeanor approachable despite his status as a court-appointed Immortal Master.

It was this humility that endeared him to Yun Yun Yang and many others in the clan.

“Master Li, let me take you to meet Brother Yun Yang.”

Yun Yun Lin, on his way to the ancestral shrine, noticed Li Qing’s arrival and quickly stepped forward with a smile.

“Haha! I leave it to you then, Brother Yun Lin.”

Li Qing clasped his hands in thanks.

“Master Li, you are too kind.”

“This way, please.”

Yun Yun Lin laughed heartily and gestured for them to follow as he led the way.

“Who would have thought you’d become so familiar with the Yun Cang Yun Clan?” Bai Li Xi remarked with a chuckle, glancing at Li Qing.

“My lord, you jest. The Yun Clan is warm and hospitable. They know I have aided them over the years, and so they treat me kindly.”

“How you treat others determines how they treat you. Over the years, you’ve quietly helped the Yun Clan, earning the admiration of its people.

Perhaps this is why our ancestors entrusted you with bringing me here personally to assess the Yun Clan’s situation,” Bai Li Xi said with a faint smile.

Li Qing’s character and way of handling matters were precisely why Bai Li Xi trusted him and was willing to assign him important responsibilities.

Among the many royal advisors in court, none could compare to Li Qing’s talents.

“My lord, if you continue to praise me like this, I truly won’t know how to bear it!” Li Qing replied with a humble chuckle.

“Father, why don’t you and Master Li visit the Yun Clan’s elders? I’d like to take a walk and explore the estate myself,” Bai Li Mo Xue interjected from the side.

“Very well. Just don’t cause any trouble.”

“Of course, Father,” Bai Li Mo Xue replied with a gentle smile before strolling off toward another part of the Yun Clan estate.

She wanted to see for herself what made this Yun Cang Yun Clan so extraordinary—extraordinary enough to draw her father, the Emperor, out of the palace incognito just to pay them a visit.

As she wandered aimlessly, Bai Li Mo Xue found herself outside the courtyard of Yun Yan Bai. From a distance, she could hear bursts of laughter coming from within.

“Haha! Wen Yuan, this little nephew of mine, looks just like his mother, Qin Yue!”

“Indeed, indeed! Lucky he didn’t take after Yan Bai’s looks. This kid is bound to grow up stunningly handsome, breaking the hearts of noble ladies everywhere.”

“Yan Shui, Shuang’er, could you two stop teasing me?”

“Yan Dong, aren’t you supposed to be on duty at the yamen?”

“Ah, I’m on leave to take care of my wife! My father-in-law personally approved it so I could return to the clan.”

“And how much longer now?”

“By my calculations, it should be around the winter solstice.”

“Then we’ll have to celebrate properly and have a drink when the time comes.”

“Of course, of course.”

“Hey, big brother, careful with the baby! Don’t drop him!”

“Pfft! I wasn’t this nervous when I was holding my Wen Long and Wen Feng. What are you so worried about?”

Yun Yan Song’s voice rang out, followed by a chorus of hearty laughter.

Standing at the partially open gate, Bai Li Mo Xue caught a glimpse of the scene within. The younger generation of the Yun Clan had gathered to celebrate the arrival of a newborn, their faces bright with smiles and camaraderie.

For a moment, she was reminded of her own royal siblings—every one of them calculating and scheming, each with a mind full of hidden agendas.

Even during family banquets hosted by her father, the atmosphere was tense, the siblings engaging in veiled verbal duels, making the entire affair exhausting.

Now, watching the Yun Clan’s younger generation laughing and chatting together without a hint of animosity or pretense, Bai Li Mo Xue felt a pang of envy.

“Gentle miss, may I ask who you are?”

Yun Yan Tian, returning from tending to the spiritual fields in the back mountain, approached with his two nieces, Yun Wen Yu and Yun Wen Run, intending to visit his newborn nephew.

Noticing Bai Li Mo Xue standing silently at the gate, lost in thought as she observed the lively scene within, he couldn’t help but be curious.

“Oh, I’m here with Master Li,” Bai Li Mo Xue replied, snapping out of her reverie. She quickly offered a polite bow to Yun Yan Tian and explained her presence.

“Ah, I see. And where is Master Li now?”

“He went with my father to meet your clan elders.”

“So, you’re here alone?”

“Yes. I felt a bit stifled and decided to take a walk. I happened upon this courtyard and was drawn in by the sight of your younger generation gathered together, welcoming new life. It was so warm and lively that I couldn’t help but stop and watch,” Bai Li Mo Xue replied with a soft smile, her radiance momentarily rivaling that of a blooming flower.

“Haha! If the young miss doesn’t mind, why not join us? Since you’re a guest of Master Li, you’re a friend of the Yun Clan, and we must treat you with proper hospitality,” Yun Yan Tian said with a hearty laugh, inviting her to join the gathering.

“Well…”

Bai Li Mo Xue hesitated, feeling shy at the thought of mingling with so many unfamiliar faces.

“Don’t worry. My younger siblings are all easygoing,” Yun Yan Tian reassured her, noticing her unease.

“Big sister, come join us!”

Yun Wen Yu and Yun Wen Run, the two girls at Yun Yan Tian’s side, exchanged a glance before running up to Bai Li Mo Xue, each taking one of her hands.

In their hearts, they silently admired the beautiful young woman before them, noting her graceful demeanor and the powerful cultivation aura she exuded. They even began to wonder if she might make a perfect match for their capable Uncle Yan Tian.

 

Chapter 159: Hundred Races Conference

“Yun Yang greets Immortal Master Li.”

In the ancestral hall, where clan matters were being discussed, Yun Yun Yang and the others noticed Yun Yun Lin entering with Li Qing and an elderly man in tow. They quickly rose to their feet, stepped forward, and cupped their hands in greeting.

“Brother Yun Yang and everyone else, there’s no need for such formality!”

Li Qing hurriedly helped Yun Yun Yang to his feet and gestured for the other Yun clan members to do the same.

“Brother Yun Yang, allow me to introduce my lord—Bai Li Yu.”

“Yun Yun Yang greets Senior Bai Li,” Yun Yang said, bowing deeply.

As he observed the elderly man before him, with his demeanor resembling that of a wealthy but mundane elder, Yun Yun Yang’s mind stirred with speculation. Li Qing’s words had hinted at the truth—this man was likely none other than the one spoken of in courtly whispers.

After all, for Li Qing, an Imperial Immortal Master, to address someone as “my lord” spoke volumes about their status.

Still, since this elder had chosen not to reveal his true identity, Yun Yun Yang decided to feign ignorance and play along.

“As I entered your estate earlier, I was struck by the prosperity and harmony of your clan. Seeing how your people live peacefully, with a sense of purpose and contentment, fills this old man with admiration.

You and your kin are truly capable leaders. Under your guidance, the Yun Clan has flourished admirably.

Immortal Master Li has often spoken of your clan to me, and though I had long intended to visit, time never permitted it. Now that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I must say it exceeds even the high praise I’ve heard!”

Bai Li Xi’s gaze swept across Yun Yun Yang and the other clan leaders, his words brimming with genuine admiration.

“Senior Bai Li, you flatter us. My siblings and I have only done what we could. The growth of our clan owes much to the collective efforts of every family member,” Yun Yun Yang replied humbly.

“Haha! That is true indeed. Without unity, without mutual support and shared responsibility, it would be impossible to build a thriving family like yours,” Bai Li Xi said, nodding in agreement.

As he spoke, a faint shadow passed over his expression. Thoughts of his own royal court emerged—his sons and the harem, rife with intrigue and betrayal. It was a nest of vipers, a constant source of frustration and weariness.

If only his princes could work together as harmoniously as the Yun Clan. How different his empire might be…

“Immortal Master Li, Senior Bai Li, please, take the honored seats.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Yun Yun Yang personally escorted Li Qing and Bai Li Xi to the seats of honor. At the same time, he instructed the younger members of the clan to bring spirit tea and fruits as a gesture of hospitality.

“This visit serves two purposes,” Li Qing began after taking a sip of the spirit tea. He could feel its faint trace of spiritual energy coursing through him, a testament to the Yun Clan’s recent progress.

Reflecting on his first meeting with the Yun Cang Yun Clan five years prior, Li Qing recalled a family struggling to scrape together even low-grade spirit stones and spirit rice. Now, they were hosting guests with spirit tea and fruits—a transformation that spoke volumes about their resilience and determination.

“First, I wished to bring my lord here to see the Yun Clan’s current state, to meet with you all, and to forge a bond of goodwill.

Second, there is a matter I must discuss with you, Brother Yun Yang,” Li Qing said, his tone turning more serious.

“What matter, Immortal Master Li?” Yun Yun Yang asked.

“A month and a half from now, the royal court will host the Hundred Clans Assembly.”

“The Hundred Clans Assembly?” Yun Yun Yang and the others exchanged puzzled looks. It was the first they had heard of such an event.

“The Hundred Clans Assembly will bring together all cultivation families within the Yue Kingdom. Representatives from every clan are expected to attend—it is a grand event held once every decade.

At the assembly, His Majesty will preside personally, accompanied by the court ministers.

Furthermore, there will be trials for the spiritual root descendants of each family. The victors will receive generous cultivation resources and treasures personally bestowed by the Emperor.”

“The court has already sent word to other cultivation families in the kingdom. I wished to inform you in person to ensure you could prepare,” Li Qing explained.

“Thank you, Immortal Master Li, for notifying us. I will discuss the matter with Shuang’er and Tian’er to see if they are willing to participate in the assembly,” Yun Yun Yang said with a small smile.

“Good. I hope your clan’s spiritual root descendants will shine brightly at the assembly, so the world of cultivators will know the name of Yun Cang Yun !”

Li Qing laughed heartily. In his heart, he harbored high expectations for the Yun Clan’s two spiritual root descendants.

After all, they had been personally trained by that reclusive master. With such a teacher, how could they not excel?

Moreover, Yun Yan Shuang had comprehended sword intent, and her cultivation level was exceptionally high.

Among the younger generation of cultivators in Yue Kingdom’s various families, few could rival such a remarkable prodigy.

“Our Yun Clan will give it our all and ensure we do not disappoint Immortal Master Li,” Yun Yun Yang responded with a solemn expression.

“Brother Yun Yang, would you mind showing this old man around your estate? I’d like to see more of it,” Bai Li Xi interjected with a faint smile.

“If Senior Bai Li wishes to explore, it would be my honor to guide you and show you around our humble estate,” Yun Yun Yang replied warmly, accepting without hesitation.

“Then I’ll trouble you,” Bai Li Xi said politely.

“Senior Bai Li, you’re far too kind,” Yun Yun Yang said with a laugh.

He rose, gathering the Yun Clan’s core members, and led Bai Li Xi and Li Qing on a tour of the estate. Before departing, he gave instructions for a banquet to be prepared in advance.

“Back then, your estate was much smaller, with far fewer clansmen. Most of the buildings were simple thatched cottages.

I never expected that in just five years, the roads would be paved with blue bricks, and the walls adorned with green tiles and red eaves. The transformation is truly remarkable,” Li Qing remarked casually as they walked.

Yun Yun Yang, walking alongside him, smiled humbly, attributing the changes to the collective efforts of the clansmen.

“Come on, Yan Bai, congratulations on becoming a father! You must drink a few extra cups today!”

“And Yan Tian, make sure to take good care of Sister Bai Li. She’s an esteemed guest brought by Immortal Master Li himself. If you neglect her, don’t be surprised if the Immortal Master smacks you!”

“Wen Yu, Wen Run, come here and give your Uncle Yan Shui a shoulder massage. I’ve been working at the weaponry shop all day and am utterly exhausted.”

“Don’t listen to him, Wen Yu, Wen Run. Leave your cheeky uncle alone and come to Aunt Shuang for a hug.”

“By the way, isn’t Sister Ling’er and Brother-in-law Qin Zhan coming back?”

“They’re busy managing the family shop in the market. Business has been so good recently that they can’t get away. They’ve already sent their congratulations ahead of time, though.”

“And that chatterbox Wen Xuan didn’t show up either, did he?”

“Don’t bring him up! That rascal fell asleep during class and got punished by Teacher Yu to copy scriptures! He’ll be tied up for the next few days, no doubt!”

“Serves him right, honestly. He’s a funny one, though.

I bet Uncle found out and gave him a good thrashing, didn’t he?”

“Exactly. I heard Uncle smacked him so hard that his backside is still swollen!”

The courtyard erupted in laughter.

Standing outside, Bai Li Xi watched as the younger generation of the Yun Clan gathered, chatting and laughing heartily. The lively and joyful atmosphere starkly contrasted with the stifling family banquets in the royal palace.

Those events, filled with scheming and veiled barbs among his children and concubines, were exhausting and disheartening.

As he looked closer, Bai Li Xi noticed his own daughter, Bai Li Mo Xue, among the Yun Clan youths. She held two little girls in her arms, her expression relaxed and a genuine smile lighting her face.

A glimmer of relief and comfort flickered in his eyes.

“Senior Bai Li, I hope this doesn’t seem too unseemly to you,” Yun Yun Yang said awkwardly, noticing Bai Li Xi’s thoughtful gaze.

“Not at all, not at all. Gatherings like this, with such lively and joyful camaraderie, are exactly how the young should interact. This old man envies it greatly,” Bai Li Xi replied warmly.

“Senior Bai Li, this way, please. I’ll take you and Immortal Master Li to see the spiritual fields in the back mountains,” Yun Yun Yang said, gesturing respectfully.

“Very well, lead the way,” Bai Li Xi said, his mood noticeably lifted.

As he thought of his daughter mingling naturally with the Yun Clan’s younger generation, her genuine smile unburdened by palace intrigue, his steps grew lighter, and his pace quickened.

The Yun Cang Yun Clan truly possessed a special charm—an allure that inspired heartfelt admiration.

“Did I just see Uncle and the others pass by?”

In the courtyard, Yun Yan Shui downed a cup of wine and caught a glimpse of figures walking along the stone path outside.

“Probably. Uncle is likely taking Immortal Master Li to tour the family estate and unwind,” Yun Yan Tian replied with a laugh.

“Looks like we’ll have good wine and meat tonight again. What if we can’t eat anymore after all this food?”

“No problem, Yan Shui. If you can’t eat it, I’ll help!”

Yun Yan Dong, munching on a pork leg, replied with a muffled voice.

“Eat, eat, eat! You’re already round as a ball. Watch out—your wife might kick you off the bed tonight!”

The courtyard erupted into another round of hearty laughter.

 

Chapter 160 Yin and Yang Qi

At the banquet, Bai Li Mo Xue watched as Yun Yan Shui and Yun Yan Dong playfully bickered. Their brotherly banter amused her, and she couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle her laughter.

“Bai Li Sister, your smile is so beautiful!”

Sitting in Bai Li Mo Xue’s lap, little Yun Wen Yu tilted her head up, her large, sparkling eyes fixed on Mo Xue as she spoke in earnest admiration.

“Is that so?”

Bai Li Mo Xue looked at the young girl in her arms, who couldn’t have been more than a few years old. Overcome by the child’s cuteness, she gently pinched her round cheeks.

“Mhm! It’s really beautiful, isn’t it, Sister?”

Wen Yu nodded seriously, then turned to her younger sister, Yun Wen Run, who was perched in their Uncle Yan Tian’s lap, clutching a chicken leg in one hand and a duck leg in the other.

“Mhm, mhm! Very beautiful!”

Wen Run, a little foodie who was entirely focused on her meal, barely looked up. Still, when her elder sister prompted her, she quickly nodded in agreement, her mouth still full of food.

“Apologies, children speak without filter,” Yun Yan Tian said with a light chuckle, glancing at Bai Li Mo Xue.

“It’s no trouble at all. I find the two of them absolutely adorable,” Bai Li Mo Xue replied with a shake of her head. Spending time with these siblings felt refreshingly lighthearted.

“By the way, Sister Bai Li, do you have someone special in your life?”

At the table, Yun Yan Shui’s eyes gleamed with mischief. Noticing the lively conversation between his elder brother Yan Tian and Bai Li Mo Xue, he couldn’t resist teasing.

The moment he spoke, the other Yun siblings—Yan Shuang, Yan Song, Yan Bai, Yan Dong, Qin Yue, and Lu Qing Rong—turned their gazes to Bai Li Mo Xue, their expressions full of playful curiosity.

Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Bai Li Mo Xue felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. When Yan Shui’s question hit her ears, her cheeks flushed bright red, resembling ripe apples. She wished she could disappear into the ground.

“Yan Shui, don’t speak nonsense! Bai Li Miss is an esteemed guest!”

Yun Yan Tian, his expression deliberately stern, scolded his younger brother with feigned irritation.

“Hehe! I wasn’t speaking nonsense! I was just curious! Isn’t that right, Shuang’er?” Yan Shui chuckled, nudging his younger sister Yan Shuang, who had been quietly enjoying her meal.

“Mm, mm! Yan Tian Brother, Yan Shui isn’t wrong. I’m curious too—does Sister Bai Li have someone special?” Yan Shuang said with a sly smile, setting down her chopsticks.

“You two are far too mischievous. Do you want me, your elder brother, to teach you a proper lesson?” Yan Tian said, laughing in exasperation at their antics.

“N-no, I don’t,” Bai Li Mo Xue finally replied in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, her head lowered in embarrassment.

“Hehe! Well, our Yan Tian Brother doesn’t have someone special either, and he’s nearly twenty! Sister Bai Li, what do you think of him?”

Seizing the opportunity, Yan Shui grinned and leaned forward, his words drawing everyone’s attention to Yan Tian.

“Yan Shui, if you don’t stop, do you believe I won’t beat you right here?”

Yan Tian, unable to endure his brother’s teasing any longer, pretended to rise, his expression fierce, though his eyes betrayed his amusement.

Meanwhile, Bai Li Mo Xue grew even more flustered. She stole a quick glance at Yan Tian but immediately averted her gaze, looking anywhere but at him to avoid direct eye contact. She remained silent, her response—or lack thereof—leaving everything to interpretation.

“Please don’t mind them. My brother Yan Shui has a mischievous streak, and his words often lack restraint,” Yan Tian said, turning to Bai Li Mo Xue in an attempt to ease her embarrassment.

“It’s fine,” Bai Li Mo Xue replied softly, a small smile tugging at her lips as the tension in her heart began to ease.

Across the table, Yan Shui, Yan Shuang, and the others exchanged knowing glances, each suppressing a grin.

There’s potential here, they all thought silently.

Finally, the heavens had smiled upon them. Perhaps this radiant Bai Li Mo Xue could be the one to capture their stoic elder brother’s heart.

“Right, right! I’m terrible with words. My apologies, Sister-in-law—I mean, Sister Bai Li. Forgive my earlier rudeness!” Yan Shui exclaimed, lifting his cup in mock solemnity.

With a playful grin, he drained the strong liquor in one gulp, his antics sparking another round of laughter at the table.

Whether intentional or not, Yan Shui’s slip of the word “sister-in-law” once again made Bai Li Mo Xue’s cheeks flush with embarrassment. It also earned him a sharp glare from Yan Tian.

“Bai Li Sister, I, Yan Song, toast to you. Welcome to our Yun Clan.”

“I, Yan Bai, also toast to you, and thank you for visiting us and meeting my son, Wen Yuan.”

“Hehe! Don’t forget me! Bai Li Sister, I, Yan Dong, raise my cup to you as well!”

At the table, the Yun siblings raised their cups one by one. Bai Li Mo Xue, flattered and feeling slightly overwhelmed, quickly picked up her own cup to return the gesture, smiling warmly in response.

The evening carried on in joyful revelry.

Unbeknownst to them, the night deepened, and a bright full moon ascended into the heavens, bathing the Yun Clan estate in a soft, silver glow. Lanterns hung high, casting a festive radiance over the lively scene.

The Yun Clan had spared no effort in hosting this grand banquet to honor the arrival of Li Qing and Bai Li Xi.

“Yan Shui Brother, are you heading to the central square for more festivities?”

Leaving Yan Bai’s courtyard, Yan Dong patted his now-rounded belly and turned to his elder brother with a grin.

“You’re not full yet?”

“Stuffed! Absolutely stuffed!”

“Then go home and take care of your wife. She’s still expecting and accompanied you all this time. If Master Lu finds out you’ve been neglecting his daughter, you might find yourself out of a job—and in the dungeon!”

“Ah, my father-in-law wouldn’t go that far!”

Yan Dong, already a little tipsy, waved the comment off. Beside him, his wife Lu Qing Rong gently supported him as they walked.

“This glutton doesn’t even know how much he’s had to drink. Sister-in-law, my apologies for the trouble. Please make sure he gets a good rest,” Yan Shui said, shaking his head with a smirk as he glanced at Lu Qing Rong.

“Don’t worry, Yan Shui Brother,” she replied with a gentle smile, helping her husband back to their home.

“Uncle Yan Shui, Aunt Shuang, my sister and I are heading back too. Will you be going to the family square to join the fun?”

Yun Wen Yu and Yun Wen Run, who had been following Yan Song, spoke up sweetly.

“No, you two go home and rest. When you see your mother and father, pass along my regards,” Yan Shui replied warmly.

“Heehee! Will do!”

“Yan Song Brother, what about Yan Tian Brother and Bai Li Sister?”

“Yan Tian Brother escorted Bai Li Sister to the family square.”

“Ah, I see. Take care of your wife, Feng Yu Sister-in-law, and check on Wen Long and Wen Feng. She’s had a hard time managing the two children these past few days.”

“Haha, of course,” Yan Song said with a nod, taking the hands of his nieces and heading home.

“Yan Bai Brother, make sure Wen Yuan gets the spirit fruits I gave him. They’re great for improving a cultivator’s constitution. It wasn’t easy for me to fetch those fruits from the mountains with my dog,” Yan Shui said, turning to Yan Bai and Qin Yue, who had come to see him off.

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget. You and Shuang’er take care on your way back,” Yan Bai replied with a smile.

“Got it. Make sure Qin Yue Sister-in-law gets plenty of rest. Her health hasn’t fully recovered yet,” Yan Shui said, waving as he and Yan Shuang left for home.

The moonlight poured over them, casting a serene glow as the siblings walked together.

Bathed in the ethereal radiance, Yan Shui suddenly felt a subtle shift within his dantian. A mysterious energy began to purge faint traces of “impurities” from his body.

He hadn’t activated any technique; it all unfolded naturally, like water flowing downhill.

When the last of the impurities had been expelled, only pure, pristine spiritual energy remained in his dantian—Moon Ascendence.

“Unbelievable,” Yan Shui murmured, his voice tinged with awe as he sensed the transformation within.

“What’s wrong, Brother?”

“I’ve broken through. Somehow, a mysterious force helped purge the impurities within me, allowing me to absorb the essence of moonlight and leaving behind only this ‘Moon Ascendence’ spiritual energy.

No… there’s something else…”

As Yan Shui focused on the energy within him, he discovered another strand intertwined with the Moon Ascendence. It shone like a radiant golden thread—Solar Essence Wheel.

The two energies, seamlessly connected, formed a perfect yin-yang pattern that resonated with the fundamental truths of heaven and earth.

“Who would have thought… I was worried about how to merge the Solar Essence Wheel with Moon Ascendence, and now it has happened on its own,” Yan Shui mused, a smile forming on his lips.

“It must be the effect of the ancient bronze mirror,” Yan Shuang suggested.

“Yes! When I first found that thing, I thought it was just a worthless antique and considered selling it for some extra money.

But the deeper I delve into the path of cultivation, the more I realize that this so-called trinket holds an incredible secret!”