“Li Jing Village has 229 households, Lichuan Pass has 101 households, Jingyang Village has 297 households, and Li Dao Pass has 158 households. That totals 785 households and 4,280 people.” <br><br>Thomas Li and several others sat upright in the main courtyard of the Li Family. Standing in the center of the courtyard, Leo Ye read loudly from a cloth inscribed with carbon ink. <br><br>“4,280 people. With three able-bodied youngsters per household, there should at least be one or two individuals possessing a Spiritual Nexus.” <br><br>Paul Xiang leaned against the wooden table, speaking in a low tone. <br><br>“The elders of the Ye Clan visited last night, hoping to revert to the family name of the ancestors,” Leo Ye said with a bitter smile as he glanced at the few people seated above. <br><br>“Family name of the ancestors?” <br><br>Thomas Li raised his head, puzzled. <br><br>Seeing the confusion on Thomas Li and the others’ faces, Matthew Lee coughed lightly and explained, <br><br>“The Ye Clan was originally a branch of our Li Family. However, after committing a mistake, the entire branch was expelled and had to change their surname to Ye. <br><br>“Initially, neither family spoke of this matter. Now that the Li Family has acquired an immortal fate, the Ye Clan naturally seeks to reconnect, hoping to revert to the family name of the ancestors.” <br><br>Hearing this, Leo Ye nodded. He had only learned of this long-hidden story the previous night, when an elder from the Ye Clan tearfully recounted their tale. If not for the Li Family’s newfound immortal fate, Leo Ye might have believed the elder’s emotional plea to be genuine loyalty to the main family. <br><br>“If the Ye Clan produces someone possessing a Spiritual Nexus, then allow that branch to revert to the surname Li and rejoin as a branch of the Li Family,” Paul Xiang said after listening to Matthew Lee’s explanation. He instructed Leo Ye to relay the message to the elder before turning to Matthew Lee to inquire, <br><br>“Father, regarding the leaders of these villages...” <br><br>“Chen Erniu is shrewd and capable, and he came to Lichuan Pass as a refugee. Assign him to oversee Lichuan Pass. Jingyang Village has the largest and wealthiest population; send someone reliable there. Let your Uncle Ren take care of it,” Matthew Lee said slowly, sipping his tea before continuing, <br><br>“Li Dao Pass is near the Gu Li Path, with many refugees coming through and a complex situation. That Xu Wenshan has a cunning nature; let him take his refugee brothers to manage the place.” <br><br>“Father, your arrangements are thorough,” Paul Xiang responded, nodding as he held a scroll containing the method for cultivating spiritual plants. <br><br>“The immediate priority is to use the Seeking Spirit Technique recorded in this scroll to examine the earthly veins of the villages. Once we locate the Mystical Fields, we should plant the Mystical Grain and White Origin Fruit as soon as possible.” <br><br>——— <br><br>Chi Jing stood on the flying shuttle, watching the vast land below, where houses appeared like ants and majestic cities gradually vanished into the distance. His homesickness was instantly swept away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of excitement. <br><br>“As a man, I should ride the wind, grasp the moon, and wield my sword across the world!” <br><br>After flying for over two hours, Chi Jing saw an enormous mountain range emerge before him. The mountains were adorned with pavilions and halls, stretching endlessly, exuding an immortal aura. <br><br>Flocks of white cranes and birds weaved through the mountain range. The man in front of him, Yuanbai Si, no longer meditated with closed eyes but instead threw out a token, waiting silently. <br><br>“So, Uncle Yuanbai has returned.” <br><br>A white crane descended slowly in front of Chi Jing, holding the token in its beak. It spoke curiously, <br><br>“And who is this boy?” <br><br>It was the first time Chi Jing had seen a talking immortal beast. He was so nervous he couldn’t speak. Yuanbai Si chuckled and said, <br><br>“He’s the new disciple of Emerald Crest.” <br><br>“Congratulations, Uncle,” the crane said, its wings gently flapping. A transparent light barrier before them slowly opened a gap. <br><br>Chi Jing finally realized there was a nearly invisible giant dome that tightly enveloped the entrance to the Qingchi Immortal Sect, isolating the spiritual energy inside from the outside world. <br><br>As soon as he entered the Qingchi Immortal Sect, Chi Jing felt a wave of comfort wash over him. <br><br>“What a high concentration of spiritual energy!” <br><br>Seeing Chi Jing’s astonished expression, Yuanbai Si chuckled lightly, <br><br>“This is the Heaven's Prime Spiritual Array of the Qingchi Immortal Sect. Its mysteries are unparalleled. It isolates the spiritual veins of Qingchi Mountain for the exclusive use of the sect. With the power of the array, even if a cultivator in The Foundational Realm is present, not even a Violet Mansion cultivator could break through.” <br><br>“Incredible,” Chi Jing exclaimed, thinking to himself, “I wonder if I could learn this array and set one up on the mountain behind my home.” <br><br>Seeing Chi Jing lost in thought, Yuanbai Si assumed he was overwhelmed by the sight. He continued, <br><br>“The Hundred Crafts of Immortality include arrays, pills, artifacts, magical charms, beast taming, vein exploration, and much more. Each is profound and worth dedicating oneself to.” <br><br>“Master, which craft of The Hundred Crafts of Immortality do you pursue?” Chi Jing asked curiously. <br><br>“Emerald Crest is renowned among the thirty-six peaks of the Qingchi Sect for its swordsmanship...” Yuanbai Si responded proudly, lifting his head. <br><br>“Oh, I see,” Chi Jing nodded in realization, glancing at the treasured sword on Yuanbai Si’s waist. <br><br>“Therefore... I pursue the path of magical charms,” Yuanbai Si said, somewhat awkwardly when he noticed Chi Jing’s blank stare. <br><br>“Because your master passed away early, I never had the chance to master the way of the Sword Immortal. Emerald Crest often has to support the household. I began studying magical charms to help, but the more I learned, the more proficient I became...” Yuanbai Si admitted. <br><br>“Oh, I understand,” Chi Jing nodded repeatedly, indicating his comprehension. <br><br>“Let me introduce you to your senior brothers and sisters,” Yuanbai Si said as he led Chi Jing through the many peaks until they arrived at the lowly Emerald Crest. Upon landing at the summit, they were greeted by a man and a woman. <br><br>“You are ranked seventh among my disciples. This is your third senior brother, Xiao Yuansi, at the seventh stage of Qi Refining. And this is your fourth senior sister, Yuan Tuan, at the third stage of Qi Refining,” Yuanbai Si introduced. <br><br>Chi Jing respectfully bowed to the man and woman. Xiao Yuansi, with his thick eyebrows and bright eyes, appeared confident and generous. He handed Chi Jing a jade scroll and said, <br><br>“This is a sword technique I stumbled upon during my travels. Consider it my gift to you.” <br><br>Yuan Tuan smiled slightly and gave Chi Jing a jade pendant. <br><br>“This pendant calms the mind and aids in meditation. It’s especially useful in the Foetal Breathing Realm. I hope it serves you well,” she said. <br><br>Chi Jing expressed his gratitude for each gift and curiously asked, <br><br>“Are the other senior brothers and sisters in seclusion?” <br><br>Yuanbai Si chuckled lightly, <br><br>“Your eldest senior brother was extraordinarily talented. Last year, he completed Qi Refining and entered seclusion to break through to The Foundational Realm. However, he failed, and his body shattered and path vanished.” <br><br>Chi Jing was taken aback, letting out a low “ah” as he looked at Yuanbai Si with a mix of emotions. <br><br>“As for your other senior brothers and sisters, some fell to beasts, others in treasure disputes or duels, and others to inner demons. All were buried on this peak. Come with me to pay your respects,” Yuanbai Si said coldly, noticing Chi Jing’s sorrowful expression. <br><br>“Cultivating immortality is a path of great contention!” Yuanbai Si declared firmly. “If you contend, you must win. If you don’t, you perish. There’s no pity in it. <br><br>“You, Chi Jing, must contend. If you fail, you’ll die. Your Li Family must contend; failure means extinction. And Emerald Crest must contend; failure means the path ends. The world is survival of the fittest. What’s there to hide?”)
