Chapter 13: Do Not Let Him See When You Eat |
The second floor of the Fortune Source Residence had a room permanently reserved for the upper echelon of the Wang Clan.
Here, Yulou met the patriarch of the Wang Clan, Wang Xianmao, for the second time.
Wang Xianmao was one of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Xian generation, and the patriarch of the Wang Clan.
The last time Yulou had seen him was five years ago, and even then, he had only caught a glimpse of his back from afar.
Now, meeting the patriarch face-to-face, Yulou felt an irrepressible sense of astonishment.
Wang Xianmao possessed a burly physique, but his skin was a deep, sickly green, and his lips were faintly pale.
Despite his naturally handsome features, he was pitiably gaunt.
Yet, the powerful aura of a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator was so prominent that one could not help but be drawn to it.
Combining the two, the man appeared both haggard and imposing.
'Could it be that cultivating the Dao methods of this world to a high level causes a backlash?'
Yulou could not figure it out.
He obediently led Yu'an forward, bowing together to the patriarch and clan elder Wang Rongwen before lowering his eyes and standing still.
Seeing that his son's condition was much the same as when he left home, Wang Rongwen's hanging heart settled slightly.
However, standing together, the contrast between Yulou and Yu'an was simply too great.
It was not a difference of innate talent like comparing a bright moon to mud—the gap in their potential was virtually zero. It was a difference in temperament.
As any elder understood, some children simply looked mischievous and unruly, while others were exceptionally well-behaved, naturally evoking affection.
This was precisely that kind of difference.
Yu'an stood there, unable to resist looking around, while Yulou waited obediently for the elders to ask their questions.
This difference seemed small, but to Wang Rongwen, it was actually quite significant.
It brought about a sense of shame—the kind of feeling where comparing goods just makes you want to throw yours away.
"What are you looking at? Stand straight!" Wang Rongwen reprimanded.
Wang Xianmao waved his hand and asked gently.
"Hahaha, it is fine. Yu'an, how do you feel about your time in Clear Stream Market?"
'This Foundation Establishment Ancestor, who looks like he is plagued by a severe illness, has a voice just like a normal person,' Yulou thought.
"Everything is great, except I cannot see the Patriarch or my father, so I miss you a bit."
Having hung around Yulou for so long, Yu'an thought he had learned the essence of socializing and bravely offered a completely nonsensical piece of flattery.
Unfortunately, the young Yu'an did not understand certain things.
For instance, if you dare to be brave, life dares to slap you in the face.
"The immortal path is vast and boundless. Children of the Wang Clan should have a stable Dao heart and be self-reliant. You are already thirteen, why do you still act like a toddler?"
It was obvious why Wang Rongwen was Yu'an's biological father; he truly wished his son would live up to expectations.
Patriarch Wang Xianmao did not comment. Instead, he observed Yulou and nodded inwardly.
As expected, just as Rongyuan had stated in his letter, this child could become a pillar of the clan!
"Yulou, what have you both learned from Householder Redbrow?"
Wang Xianmao asked, rolling a spiritual wooden bead in his hand as he looked at Yulou.
"Uncle Rongyuan instructed us previously..."
"There is also the melting of metal and dissecting of stone. Yu'an is progressing very quickly in this aspect; I am far inferior to him."
Yulou detailed the entire process of their apprenticeship over the past few days, missing nothing, and even managed to put in a good word for Yu'an at the end.
The patriarch nodded slightly and said.
"It seems that sending you to Clear Stream Market was the right move. Hongmei does possess a true inheritance.
"But from what you have said, his true inheritance does not seem to align with Hidden Dragon Abbey."
"Hidden Dragon Abbey?" Neither Yulou nor Yu'an understood the patriarch's words.
They naturally knew of Hidden Dragon Abbey. Like the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, Hidden Dragon Abbey was ranked among the Ten Sects of Wunan.
But why would Wang Xianmao mention Hidden Dragon Abbey?
"A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator from Hidden Dragon Abbey passed away in the Red Lantern Illumination Sect's territory. To be precise, near Clear Stream Market.
"Hongmei's fire methods are profound, and Hidden Dragon Abbey cultivates both fire and earth methods. At first, we suspected he was connected to Hidden Dragon Abbey."
Wang Rongwen spoke up from the side, explaining softly to the two youngsters.
Both Yulou and Yu'an were members of the Wang Clan. Naturally, they could be told of these minor matters.
The two youths exchanged glances, and the patriarch raised a hand to point at Wang Rongwen.
"You father and son rarely get to see each other. Go and have a good chat."
Clan elder Rongwen naturally understood the underlying intention. He grabbed Wang Yu'an by the collar and dragged him away.
"Yulou, this is the first time I am meeting you. The clan has never mentioned the matter of your parents to you. Do you blame us?"
"Yulou would not dare, nor would I ever. The Wang Clan has treated me well, and Uncle Rongyuan has treated me like his own son."
"For a family to develop, or even to maintain its current state, someone needs to step up and bear the responsibility. Your parents were the pride of the Wang Clan.
"Cultivate diligently. We have long since avenged them for you, so you do not need to worry about such things."
This was the difference between having a background and not having one. Yulou felt very fortunate to have transmigrated into a major clan.
He did not need to be like the transmigrators in those stories he used to read, burdened with blood feuds and a need for revenge against enemies where beating the young ones would inevitably draw out the old monsters.
If the sky fell, the Ancestor was there to hold it up!
Wang Xianmao had successfully reached Foundation Establishment and possessed a profound cultivation base; his lifespan still had at least over a hundred years remaining. Yulou did not have to worry about the family declining after the Ancestor passed away.
"Yulou understands. I will definitely study the auxiliary Dao arts seriously, achieve Qi Refining as soon as possible, and return to the family!"
"Hahaha, good child. Are there any difficulties cultivating in Clear Stream Market?"
Yulou hesitated for a moment. Wang Xianmao noticed his hesitation, and his expression turned solemn.
Did someone dare to bully a child of the Wang Clan?
"With Uncle Nianqiu taking care of us, there are no difficulties. It is just that, Patriarch, my master does have some strange quirks."
Yulou originally did not want to mention Householder Redbrow's strange points; after all, Hongmei was his master.
But the Wang Clan's family teachings had told him how cruel this cultivation world was.
You can know a person's face but not their heart. Trusting someone too easily was not actually a good thing.
If Hongmei might be problematic, reporting it to the patriarch in time was the right thing to do.
"Speak!"
"First, his daughter is responsible for teaching us the fire methods of the artificing path.
"She once unintentionally told me that the fire method my master cultivates can be used for more than just the artificing path.
"First, control fire with spirit, originating from oneself; then, harness external fire, corresponding to Qi Refining.
"Finally, draw fire into the body, borrowing fire to forge the Dao foundation.
"Borrowing fire to forge the Dao foundation... is this a Foundation Establishment method?"
Wang Xianmao nodded and said.
"Yes, he might have obtained a Foundation Establishment inheritance from somewhere, but his inheritance obviously has problems. Any method of borrowing external forces to forge the Dao foundation is a divergent path. Tell me the rest."
"Second, Hongmei's daughter is clearly at the fifth layer of Qi Induction, yet she can cultivate the Qi Refining stage's external fire harnessing method.
"When she practices this method, she wears a special magical artifact to avoid being injured by the flames.
"That magical artifact is absolutely extraordinary. It takes effect without her actively triggering it, and despite being a fabric magical artifact, it can repel fire.
"I do not understand the artificing path very well. Patriarch, what do you think?"
Wang Xianmao pondered for a long time before saying with a sigh.
"If nothing goes wrong, Hongmei should already be preparing for Foundation Establishment.
"Taking you two in as disciples was, on one hand, to save on rent and prepare his foundation for attempting Foundation Establishment.
"On the other hand, the Dao method inheritance he obtained is not good enough; perhaps he wants to borrow our Wang Clan's strength to give him a push.
"By the way, how old is his daughter?"
As he finished speaking, Wang Xianmao sized up Yulou, suddenly calculating the possibility of a marriage alliance in his heart.
A marriage alliance would be good.
Hongmei was making eyes and sending secret signals, wanting to use the Wang Clan as a backup plan.
The Wang Clan naturally had to seize the opportunity to see if they could make it official and absorb Hongmei to serve as a guest elder.
"Fifteen," Yulou said.
He naturally understood what Wang Xianmao was thinking, and considerately added a sentence.
"Yu'an really likes this senior martial sister of his."
The patriarch was amused by Yulou acting like a little adult.
Child, you are truly smart.
"Hahaha, alright. These observations you made today are very important.
"Come, this is a reward for you."
"Spirit wine?"
"Eighth-grade Monkey Spiritual Wine. With your cultivation base, drinking a quarter of a cup at a time is enough.
"This cup is also a reward for you. Later, have your master help you modify it and refine it into a bell to use."
Despite having lived two lives, this was the first time Yulou had experienced the treatment of a noble clan disciple.
An eighth-grade spirit wine was given just like that.
A gold cup at the level of a low-grade magical artifact was gifted without hesitation.
Was this a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan?
It was simply too overbearing!
"Yulou will definitely cultivate well and not disappoint the clan's high regard and encouragement!"
Hearing this, Wang Xianmao nodded in satisfaction.
Only when a family produces excellent talents generation after generation can it remain prosperous.
In Yulou, he saw steadiness and meticulousness, profoundness and wisdom, and moreover, a fraternal love for his clan brother.
Thinking of this, he urged him on.
"You must cultivate well. Right now, I am the patriarch of the Wang Clan, but in the future, the Wang Clan will eventually end up in your hands.
"If your cultivation base and strength are insufficient, you will not be able to bear the heavy responsibilities of the family.
"En... how about this. The day after tomorrow, I will take you out to broaden your horizons. Oh, right, and Yu'an too.
"When the time comes, just stick close to Rongwen."
"I will respectfully follow the patriarch's teachings. Yulou will definitely not forget!"
Wang Xianmao beamed from ear to ear, but his expression tightened just as quickly. The sheer speed at which a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator could change their expression was so fast that Yulou could not perceive it at all.
"Alright, alright. I still have some of the clan's secretly prepared braised donkey meat here. Take it and eat."
"This..."
'Patriarch, you really are treating me like a little kid...'
"And these spiritual fruits—Nianqiu gave them to me. Do not let him see when you eat them."
He did not need to act like the transmigrators in the novels he used to read—burdened with blood feuds and deep-seated vendettas, constantly seeking revenge against enemies who, upon being beaten, would invariably summon some older expert to fight for them.
If the sky fell, the Ancestor would hold it up!
Wang Xianmao had succeeded in Foundation Establishment and possessed a profound cultivation base. His lifespan spanned at least another hundred years. Yulou did not need to worry about the family declining after the Ancestor passed away.
"Yulou understands. I will definitely study the auxiliary Dao arts earnestly, step into Qi Induction as soon as possible, and return to the family!"
"Hahaha, good child. Have you encountered any difficulties studying in Clear Stream Market?"
Yulou hesitated for a moment. Wang Xianmao noticed this, and his expression turned grave.
Did someone dare to bully a child of the Wang Clan?
"With Uncle Nianqiu looking after us, there are no real difficulties. It is just, Patriarch, my master does have some peculiar aspects."
Yulou had not intended to mention the strange things about Householder Redbrow, considering the man was his master.
However, the Wang Clan's teachings had also reminded him just how cruel the cultivation world could be.
Knowing a person's face did not mean knowing their heart. Trusting someone too easily was never a good thing.
If there was any chance that Hongmei was problematic, reporting it to the Patriarch promptly was the right course of action.
"Speak!"
"First, his daughter is in charge of teaching us the spells of the fire artificing path.
"She accidentally revealed to me once that the fire method my master cultivates is not strictly for the artificing path.
"First, one controls fire with spiritual energy originating from oneself; then, one manipulates external fire, which corresponds to Qi Refining.
"Finally, one draws fire into the body and uses it to forge a Dao foundation.
"Using fire to forge a Dao foundation—is this a Foundation Establishment method?"
Wang Xianmao nodded.
"Yes. He may have obtained a Foundation Establishment inheritance from somewhere, but his inheritance clearly has flaws. Any method that borrows external forces to forge a Dao foundation is a divergent path. Tell me the rest."
"Second, Hongmei's daughter is clearly only at the fifth layer of Qi Induction, yet she can practice the external fire manipulation method of the Qi Refining stage.
"When she practices this method, she wears a special magical artifact to prevent being harmed by the flames.
"That magical artifact is definitely not ordinary. It does not require her active stimulation to take effect. Furthermore, it is a fabric magical artifact, yet it can repel fire.
"I do not know much about the artificing path. Patriarch, what do you think?"
Wang Xianmao pondered for a long time before sighing with emotion.
"If nothing unexpected happens, Hongmei should already be preparing for Foundation Establishment.
"Taking you two in as disciples was, on one hand, to save on rent and build up a foundation for his attempt at Foundation Establishment.
"On the other hand, the Dao method inheritance he obtained is lacking. Perhaps he wants to use our Wang Clan to give him a push.
"By the way, how old is his daughter?"
As Wang Xianmao finished speaking, he sized Yulou up, suddenly calculating the possibility of a marriage alliance.
A marriage alliance would be good.
Hongmei was secretly making overtures, hoping to use the Wang Clan as a backup plan.
The Wang Clan naturally had to seize the opportunity and see if they could officially rope Hongmei in to become a guest elder.
"Fifteen," Yulou replied.
He naturally understood what Wang Xianmao was thinking and thoughtfully added,
"Yu'an likes his senior martial sister very much."
The Patriarch was amused by Yulou, who was acting like a little adult.
"Child, you truly are clever.
"Hahaha, alright. The observations you shared today are very important.
"Here, this is a reward for you."
"Spirit wine?"
"Eighth-grade Monkey Spiritual Wine. With your cultivation base, drinking a quarter of a cup at a time is enough.
"This cup is also a reward for you. Have your master modify it for you later and refine it into a bell to use."
Having lived two lives, this was the first time Yulou had experienced the treatment of a noble clan's scion.
Eighth-grade spirit wine given away just like that.
A low-grade magical artifact-level golden cup handed over directly.
Was this a Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan?
Too overbearing!
"Yulou will definitely cultivate well and live up to the clan's high expectations!"
Hearing this, Wang Xianmao nodded in satisfaction.
Only with generations of talented individuals emerging could a family continue to prosper.
In Yulou, he saw steadiness and meticulousness, depth and wisdom, and above all, brotherly affection for his kin.
Thinking of this, he offered some encouragement.
"You must cultivate diligently. I am the Patriarch of the Wang Clan now, but the future of the clan will eventually fall into your hands.
"Without a sufficient cultivation base and strength, you will not be able to bear the heavy responsibilities of the family.
"Mhm... How about this? The day after tomorrow, I will take you out to broaden your horizons. Right, bring Yu'an as well.
"Just follow Rongwen when the time comes."
"I will strictly follow the Patriarch's teachings. Yulou will never forget!"
Wang Xianmao grinned from ear to ear, but his expression soon tightened again. The speed at which a Foundation Establishment cultivator could change expressions was so fast that Yulou could hardly perceive it.
"Alright, alright. I have some of the clan's secretly-braised donkey meat here. Take it to eat."
"This..."
'Patriarch, you really treat me like a child...'
"And these spiritual fruits were given to me by Nianqiu. Do not let him see when you eat them."
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