Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Another Year

Having imparted the method for cultivating spiritual plants, He Shenglai achieved his purpose for this visit.

From his conversation with Yang Lingqing, he recognized her as clever enough to grasp his underlying intentions without further explanation.

After He Shenglai departed, the Yang Family members began examining this spiritual plant cultivation method.

The "Cultivating Spiritual Power for Rain-Taking Technique" fundamentally enhanced environmental spiritual energy through three steps: spirit accumulation, rain summoning, and energy transformation. Each full cycle required four days, totaling twelve days monthly when performed thrice.

Following discussions, the Yang Family assigned this technique to Liang Yi. Given their current resources, he fit best. His cultivation level placed him mid-tier – competent for support roles but not leadership. As a relocated clan member, he lacked the main family’s trust that Zhao Qi enjoyed, disqualifying him from messenger tasks. Beyond cultivation practice, his routine involved patrol duties along both riverbanks.

Liang Yi had long sought greater contributions to the main family. This desire intensified after his breakthrough using a subpar cleansing elixir. Yang Lingqing, aware of his aspirations, entrusted him with the spiritual plant cultivation task when the rain technique emerged as suitable work.

The day after He Shenglai’s departure, another group arrived at Song Mountain’s foot. Led by a cultivator, they prostrated themselves while praising the main family’s benevolence. Zhao Qi arrived to find Xie Chuan, head of the Xie Family, seeking refuge with his surviving members.

The Xie Family’s original compound had been obliterated in recent conflicts – reconstruction would equal building anew. With many members dead and reorganization impractical, Xie Chuan chose to pledge allegiance to the Yang Family against future dangers.

After Zhao Qi escorted Xie Chuan up the mountain, Yang Lingqing and Yang Lingrui received him. Their private discussion concluded with the Yang Family gaining a fourth-level Gathering Qi mid-stage cultivator. Xie Chuan swore a blood oath to follow them, establishing the Xie Family as a northern bank clan.

Yang Lingqing delegated Xie Family settlement tasks to Zhao Dapeng and Liang Min. Under Master’s orders, they completed land selection, housing construction, and property arrangements within a month.

The northern bank’s population now approached four thousand, boosted by the Xie Family’s relocation and southern bank families sending children for adoption under the "Ten Years Offspring Plan". Rows of riverside houses stretched endlessly, bridges multiplying from three to seven. Shops and restaurants dotted the village, while three towering structures marked major clans with mountain cultivators. Building heights quietly signaled clan strengths.

Due to the Yang Family’s prosperity, the clans and villages under their rule flourished, gradually developing unique local customs centered around them.

After suffering heavy losses during their recent descent, Solitary Moon Mountain finally awakened to the changing tides. The sect enforced a strict ban forbidding disciples from leaving the mountain freely.

Rumors claimed even their Mountain Master – still in secluded cultivation – had been compelled to emerge and personally visit Moon Watching City. Though none knew what was discussed, the descent ban remained even after his return.

Within the Yang Family, a major event occurred during the following months. Yang Linghu married Wu Tong.

On the wedding day, families from three towns converged at Song Mountain for truly spectacular festivities. Wu San and Old Yu sat trembling on the ceremonial platform, so emotional they choked up – an unimaginable scene a decade prior.

The marriage followed Wu Tong’s pregnancy. Within ten months, the Yang Family would welcome its first child born to two cultivators. Such children typically had higher chances of complete Qi meridians and greater innate talents.

This double celebration even drew congratulatory gifts from He Shenglai, delivered through Gao Hui. The couple settled in Sanglu Valley, whose mild climate and stable spiritual energy made it ideal for pregnancy.

"Young Master Shu, the time has come."

Outside a secluded pavilion in Sanglu Valley, Lv Fangxuan bowed slightly, keeping his gaze lowered as he addressed the occupant.

"Understood."

Yang Shu set down his brush after finishing the final character. As he exited, Lv Fangxuan deftly draped an outer robe over his shoulders.

A companion cultivator served similarly to a scholar’s study partner. Beyond cultivation duties, Lv Fangxuan managed Yang Shu’s daily affairs and chores. Initially resistant due to pride – particularly after seeing Yang Shu’s plump physique and vacant stare – he’d schemed to embarrass Yang Shu before elders through "accidental" mishaps.

Yet none of his clever ploys succeeded. When Lv Fangxuan realized Yang Shu had quietly thwarted each attempt without complaint, cold dread washed over him. The young master dismantled tricks as casually as breathing, never mentioning them afterward.

Understanding their difference in capability, Lv Fangxuan prostrated himself in apology. He offered a blood oath, but Yang Shu refused: "Trust needs no chains. Keep testing me until you’re truly convinced."

Trembling with sweat-soaked robes, Lv Fangxuan abandoned defiance. After half a year together, Yang Shu’s influence tempered the younger man’s restless nature.

Both talents had now condensed their Qi Palaces under Old Yu’s tutelage, reaching Gathering Qi’s first tier. Yang Shu achieved this in a month using superior cultivation methods, while Lv Fangxuan required four.

They arrived at a valley-floor courtyard, Lv Fangxuan halting at the slate path to remove Yang Shu’s robe before retreating around the bend. Yang Shu ascended stone steps and saluted at the gate:

"Yang Shu pays respects to Elder Brother and Sister-in-Law."