I Cultivate in a Government Office

Yang Wenqing listened quietly. He finally understood why his master always told him to be at ease. With a background like this, as long as he didn't betray them, he truly had little to fear within the Wanxuan Realm.

After outlining the situation with his peers, Qin Huaiming paused to sip his tea before continuing, "As for the disciples of your generation, there are currently twenty-seven officially registered within the lineage. However, you don't need to remember them all. For now, you only need to focus on three."

He held up three fingers. "The first is your Third Uncle Lu Song's eldest disciple, Shen Chongshan. He is exceptionally talented and successfully reached the Entry realm three years ago. He now holds a position within the Chaodong Province Government Army System."

"The second is your Sixth Uncle Fei Ji's third disciple, Zhao Haichuan. He has reached Foundation Establishment Perfection and could break through to the Entry realm at any moment. He works in the technical department at headquarters and excels in Arrays and Artifact Refining. He's a key technical talent being nurtured by the lineage."

Qin Huaiming set down his teacup and looked at Yang Wenqing. "The third is a grand-disciple of your Grand-Uncle Qianxin, named Sun Chen. This man is thirty-five years old, with a cultivation at the Third Transformation of the Marrow Cleansing Realm. In the internal grand competition three years from now, he will, barring any surprises, be one of your strongest competitors. You should pay close attention to him."

Yang Wenqing committed the three names to memory.

"Alright, that's all for now about sect matters." Qin Huaiming's tone shifted. "The ceremony is in two days. You should stay here and focus on adjusting your condition. For these two days, you will sit in meditation with me, guiding your qi and regulating your breath to further solidify your foundation."

"Yes, Master," Yang Wenqing replied solemnly.

For the next two days, master and disciple sat facing each other in the small hall dedicated to the ancestral masters, immersed in their breathing and cultivation.

The Spiritual Qi in the hall was already exceptionally pure, thanks to the Gathering Spirit Array and years of worship. With Qin Huaiming's deliberate guidance, the gathered Five Yang Qi became even more abundant and gentle. It flowed like a babbling, warm current, continuously nourishing Yang Wenqing's limbs, bones, and internal organs.

At first, Lan Ying found it novel, flying back and forth inside the hall, curiously examining the murals and memorial tablets.

But soon, the quiet cultivation atmosphere bored her. She would occasionally fly out silently, follow a scent to the kitchen, or find the servant in charge of her care to order some food.

After eating and drinking her fill, she would fly back, utterly bored. Seeing Yang Wenqing still immersed in his cultivation, she would land lightly on his crossed knees, curl up into a little blue furball, and fall fast asleep, letting out soft snores.

Time slipped by quietly amidst the tranquil breathing exercises, the little one's mischief, and her peaceful sleep. In the blink of an eye, it was the afternoon of the seventh day of the fourth month.

Inside the hall, the master and disciple, who had been meditating for two days, ceased their cultivation at almost the same moment. Yang Wenqing felt refreshed and clear-headed. The Five Yang Qi coiled within his organs was more than twice as strong as it had been two days prior. In other words, under his master's guidance and with the boost from this special environment, these two days of meditation were as effective as several months of normal, arduous training.

"How do you feel?" Qin Huaiming asked with a smile.

"Very good. Thank you, Master!" Yang Wenqing rose and bowed respectfully.

Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the hall, followed by Qin Feng's voice from beyond the door: "Sixth Grandpa, the disciples sent by the other three Grand-Uncles and the Ancestor have arrived. They are being served tea in the front hall. Additionally, the representatives from the Beixuan and Yunji Sects have also just arrived, one after the other."

Qin Huaiming nodded. "Understood. We'll head over now."

Master and disciple walked out of the small hall. On Yang Wenqing's shoulder, the just-awakened Lan Ying was lazily preening her feathers. She perked up the moment Yang Wenqing left the room; she had long wanted to leave that boring place.

Upon arriving at the front hall, they saw several people already seated. Three of them were slightly older, appearing to be in their fifties, though in reality they were likely much older. They all wore the standard moon-white robes of the Xuanyue Lineage. Their cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment Realm, but their expressions lacked the sharp edge of ambition, replaced by a sense of gravity and worldliness.

These were the disciples sent by Qin Huaiming's three senior brothers and his Uncle Qianxin to help with the ceremony preparations. They were also there to represent their respective masters at the event. Although their cultivation potential might have been exhausted, their strengths lay in handling worldly affairs and maintaining relationships within the lineage.

The other two guests, however, were much younger and had completely different auras.

One of them was a female cultivator with a tall, straight posture. It was Wu Qing, who had once sparred with Yang Wenqing. When she saw him enter, her gaze swept over him. Upon seeing the vibrant Blue-feathered Night Owl on his shoulder, an unconcealable trace of envy, and even a faint hint of regret, flickered in her cool eyes.

A major reason for her trip to the East Sea this time had been to try and form a bond with a Blue-feathered Night Owl. Unfortunately, she had failed. Seeing that another had succeeded where she had not, her feelings were inevitably complicated.

The other was a young male cultivator wearing the signature azure, cloud-patterned robes of the Yunji Sect. He had a handsome face and a gentle, quiet temperament, exuding a sense of tranquility as deep as still water just by sitting there.

His cultivation was also, impressively, at the Marrow Cleansing Realm. His aura was reserved and profound. Seeing Yang Wenqing, he gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his gaze calm and without much of a ripple.

Qin Huaiming began to introduce everyone. When he got to the young man, he said to Yang Wenqing with emphasis, "This is Lin Xiyun of the Yunji Lineage, a standout of the younger generation."

'This was a hint that this person would also be a heavyweight opponent for him in the grand competition three years from now.'

Yang Wenqing understood. He stepped forward to greet his senior brothers and the two guests. The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew lively, filled with both the pleasantries of fellow disciples and a warm welcome for the guests.