Chapter 26 : Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Spirit Planting Art, Zheng Lingjun’s Fiftieth Birthday
A few days later,
Huang Gou’er, the mine’s steward, suddenly died of a vicious illness.
His death did not stir even the slightest ripple.
..........
【The system detects that the system mission progress has reached 100%. The system mission is complete. Distributing system rewards......】
【Congratulations, Host. You have obtained 3 mu of high-grade spirit fields.】
【Congratulations, Host. You have obtained one manual of introductory Spirit Planting Art.】
【A family member with Seventh Grade talent will be born into the Host’s bound family.】
The System’s cool voice sounded in the depths of Li Xingge’s mind, and a faint smile rose at the corners of his lips.
Of the three rewards, the most important was naturally that manual of introductory Spirit Planting Art.
If the family could use it to raise a spirit planter of their own, it would be an enormous enhancement to the Li Clan’s foundation.
After all, spirit planters were beings who could stand shoulder to shoulder with alchemists.
As far as he knew, not a single truly ranked spirit planter existed in all of Baihe County.
Thinking of this...
“Go and invite the Grand Elder here,” Li Xingge instructed toward the doorway.
“Yes, Family Head.”
Li Xingge did not wait long before the Grand Elder arrived.
“Family Head.”
At the sight of Li Xingge, the Grand Elder greeted him with a smile.
Li Xingge nodded and returned the smile.
“I invited you here today because there is something I wish to ask.”
Hearing this, the Grand Elder put away the smile on his face.
With a solemn expression, he said, “Please speak, Family Head. This old man will tell you everything he knows.”
Li Xingge rubbed his chin and asked, “Grand Elder, you have helped govern the family for many years, so you should understand our situation well. Do you know whether our Li Clan has anyone who is deeply accomplished in the Dao of spirit planting?”
“The Dao of spirit planting?”
The Grand Elder’s pupils contracted, then he shook his head and let out a bitter laugh.
“Family Head, the Dao of spirit planting is profound beyond measure and wondrous beyond compare. Without a legacy, it is nearly impossible to enter. Leave aside our Li Clan—even in all of Baihe County, there is not a single true spirit planter. Such people are like alchemists: lofty in status and treasured guests of great clans and powerful families.”
“I naturally know that.”
“Then what does the Family Head mean?”
Confusion appeared in the Grand Elder’s expression.
“I wish to cultivate a spirit planter for the family, so as to strengthen our foundation.”
Li Xingge spoke calmly.
At those words, however, the Grand Elder shook his head.
“Difficult. Very difficult, Family Head. To nurture a spirit planter, one must either have a master to lead the way, or possess a legacy. As for the former, spirit planters do not take disciples lightly, and such skills are usually passed down through bloodlines. As for the latter, a spirit planter’s legacy is incomparably precious—far beyond what our Li Clan could ever hope to obtain.”
“What if I already have a spirit planter’s legacy in my hands?”
“That still wouldn’t—what? Family Head, you have a spirit planter’s legacy?”
The Grand Elder nearly failed to catch his breath. His eyes widened as he stared at Li Xingge in utter disbelief.
Li Xingge did not keep him in suspense. From within his robes, he took out the introductory Spirit Planting Art rewarded by the System and handed it over.
The Grand Elder extended his somewhat trembling hands and received it quiveringly, then began to flip through it with the utmost care.
After a long while......
The Grand Elder suddenly burst into unrestrained laughter.
“That’s right, Family Head! This is indeed a genuine spirit planter’s legacy. With this legacy in hand, our Li Clan will finally have a spirit planter of its own!”
At this moment, the Grand Elder’s heart was filled with incomparable excitement.
A spirit planter!
A spirit planter who could stand on equal footing with an alchemist!
If the Li Clan could produce even one ranked spirit planter, and that person could continuously cultivate spirit plants for the family, then the Li Clan’s future would be beyond measure.
But very quickly, as though he had thought of something, the Grand Elder forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart.
With a grave expression, he said to Li Xingge, “Family Head, a spirit planter’s legacy is of tremendous importance. If word of it leaks out, our Li Clan may face the danger of complete destruction.”
The preciousness of a spirit planter’s legacy was such that even the great families of the commandery seat would find it hard to resist making a move.
Li Xingge naturally understood the principle that though a man may be innocent, the treasure he carries can still bring disaster upon him.
“I understand the Grand Elder’s concerns. Our Li Clan does not yet possess sufficient strength. If we are to cultivate a spirit planter, then we must naturally proceed with the utmost caution. There are 3 mu of spirit fields on the back mountain. I intend to designate that place as forbidden ground, then select from among the clansmen those who have talent in spirit planting and raise them in secret. What does the Grand Elder think?”
“The Family Head’s plan is excellent. This old man has no objections.”
The Grand Elder answered seriously.
“In that case, I shall leave this matter entirely in the Grand Elder’s hands. I will have to trouble you to take great care with it.”
Li Xingge gave his instructions.
“Please rest assured, Family Head. This old man will certainly not disappoint you.”
As for the origin of the spirit planter’s legacy, the Grand Elder did not ask.
So long as he knew that Li Xingge would never harm the Li Clan, that was enough.
“Oh, right, Family Head. Three days from now is the fiftieth birthday celebration of Zheng Lingjun, the Family Head of the Zheng Clan. How should we arrange things?”
As if suddenly remembering, the Grand Elder slapped his forehead and said this.
“Zheng Lingjun? His fiftieth birthday?”
At once, Li Xingge recalled that middle-aged man with the ever-present smile and refined bearing.
Then he nodded and said with a smile, “The Dongjiang Zheng Clan is the foremost great clan in Baihe County. Last time, Zheng Lingjun also showed goodwill toward our Li Clan, and even gifted me a divine weapon. In both public and private matters, our Li Clan cannot possibly be absent. Since that is so, Grand Elder, please prepare a generous gift. In three days, I will personally go and offer him birthday congratulations.”
.......
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
At chen hour, Li Xingge set out from Qingfeng Valley with the Third Elder and more than ten elite Li Clan cultivators, heading for the Dongjiang Zheng Clan.
By si hour, they had finally arrived at Dongjiang Town.
Dongjiang Town was the clan seat of the Dongjiang Zheng Clan.
At this moment, the entire town was decked in lanterns and festive colors. Laughter and merriment filled the air, and people came and went in an endless stream.
The main road leading straight to the Zheng Clan grounds had already been cleared in advance, with commoners forbidden to enter. Along both sides of the road, every few dozen paces, stood sturdy and capable warriors.
Those traveling upon this avenue now were all the officials and nobles of Baihe County, along with the great aristocratic clans.
Li Xingge and his party had not come by carriage, but on horseback instead.
Quite a few people looked at this young yet imposing and noble youth, secretly speculating about his identity.
Very soon,
they arrived outside the ceremonial archway of the Dongjiang Zheng Clan.
At this time, outside the Zheng Clan’s archway, guests were gathered like clouds and the atmosphere was lively beyond compare. Beneath the archway stood an old man in purple robes, smiling as he busily received the guests who had come to offer birthday congratulations.
Li Xingge gave him a brief sweep with his senses and was shocked to discover that this purple-robed elder overseeing the reception was actually a powerful expert at the Perfection stage of the Physical Body Realm.
“This Dongjiang Zheng Clan is truly extraordinary.”
Li Xingge could not help sighing in admiration.
At his side, the accompanying Third Elder, Li Xuanyong, was equally astonished.
“As expected of a great clan with a heritage of more than five hundred years. Their foundation surpasses our Li Clan by far.”
After sighing, Li Xuanyong shot a glance at the attendant beside him. The latter immediately understood, turned over and dismounted, then strode forward and handed the invitation over to the purple-robed elder.
The purple-robed elder opened the invitation, and his pupils shrank slightly.
After quickly casting a glance in Li Xingge’s direction, he gave an instruction to a servant at his side. Then, under the astonished gazes of the assembled guests, he personally came forward to receive them.
Li Xingge and the others all dismounted. Behind them, Zheng Clan servants naturally led away the horses and tended to them carefully.
With a smile at the corners of his mouth, the purple-robed elder cupped his hands toward Li Xingge and saluted.
“I am Zheng Lingtan, the Thirteenth Elder of the Zheng family. I did not know that Family Head Li would be honoring us with his presence. My apologies for failing to welcome you from afar.”
Though he was an Elder of the Zheng family, the person before him was someone who could stand on equal footing with his own Family Head, so naturally his attitude was courteous and respectful.
“You are too polite, Elder,” Li Xingge replied with a smile.
As the two were speaking,
a burst of noisy commotion suddenly rose from behind them, and a resonant voice rang out from within the crowd.
“Younger Brother, you have finally come. I have been waiting for quite some time.”
The crowd parted to open a path, and Zheng Lingjun, Family Head of the Zheng Clan, strode over with a hearty laugh.
“Greetings, Elder Brother. I had meant to come earlier to pay my respects, but clan affairs kept me tied down. I hope Elder Brother will forgive me.”
Li Xingge cupped his hands.
“Younger Brother, you are too courteous. At your age, you already command such a vast family enterprise. When I was your age, I was still just a wastrel of the Zheng family.”
After exchanging a round of pleasantries and flattering one another a little, the two of them entered the Zheng Clan together under Zheng Lingjun’s guidance.
Only after their group had gone far away did the crowd begin to chatter all at once.
........
“Who exactly is that young man, to make the Zheng Clan’s Family Head personally come out to receive him?”
One guest exclaimed in shock.
“Brother, one look is enough to tell you’re not from Baihe County. That person just now is no ordinary figure. He is the Family Head of the Qingfeng Li Clan—a young heaven’s favored!”
someone answered.
“The Qingfeng Li Clan—I have heard a little of them. But he is so young. Can someone like him truly command an entire clan?”
“Do not be fooled by his youth. He is genuinely extraordinary! Not yet twenty years of age, and he already broke through the Qi-Blood barrier, led the Li Clan in destroying a century-old mortal enemy, and even used the strength of someone at the Initial Entry stage of the Qi-Blood Realm to slay an expert at the Minor Accomplishment stage of the Qi-Blood Realm.”
“Hiss—”
Those unfamiliar with Li Xingge all sucked in a cold breath after hearing this.
Baihe County actually had such a monstrous genius?
With talent like this, even in the prefectural city he would surely shine with dazzling brilliance.