Chapter 38 Iron Pillar Bows His Head

The news Zhao Shuyao brought was both startling and exhilarating for the group. After some discussion, they found no perfect solution, for their current status was too low; even a third-rate clan like the Yan family was beyond their reach, let alone the five great families.

Now, only Zhao Shuyao, backed by her employer, had a chance to learn more, while Li Ji’an and his two companions had no opportunity at all.

Of course, if Zhu Linxian had truly joined the Biyun Sect, matters would be much easier.

Ultimately, they decided to remain vigilant in this regard, not to take anything lightly, and to wait for the right chance.

During the discussion, Dong Jiangling proposed stirring the waters—discreetly spreading rumors and directing suspicion toward the five great families, exposing their cultivation of blood slaves for the Immortal Dynasty, and letting time ferment the consequences.

Any force would surely have enemies; perhaps they wouldn’t need to act themselves, and others would strike at one another, eventually bringing the truth to light—requiring nothing more from them.

This idea had actually occurred to the group eleven years ago when they fled the Storm Desert, but it was ultimately dismissed.

First, they still could not truly confirm the purpose of these so-called blood slaves, nor how seriously their methods conflicted with local rules, or whether such a blow would be fatal.

Second, the web of power in this region was tangled and deep, especially among the upper echelons, about whom they knew nothing. What if the family in question was acting for the greatest sect, Biyun Sect?

Third, if the matter were exposed, the five of them would surely become targets, and it wouldn’t be long before they were discovered, at which point they would lose all control over their fates.

The root issue was that their strength was still too feeble; if events took a turn, they had no means of self-preservation.

Li Ji’an was most opposed to this course. As things stood, their opponents were wary of forcing them into a corner, giving him time to quietly develop within the Yan family. If he exposed himself, the uncertainties would multiply.

They could only choose the lesser of two evils.

The four then parted ways again: Zhao Shuyao and Dong Jiangling returned home, Li Ji’an went to find Chen Zhaohu, and Zhang Tiezhu planned to wait a few more days.

Li Ji’an arrived at Chen Zhaohu’s residence just as he and his teammates were returning.

“Haha, I wondered why today was so fruitful—turns out Brother Li is here! Come, come!” Chen Zhaohu greeted him from afar.

“Brother Li!”

“Long time no see!”

He also spotted two old acquaintances—scattered cultivators who had sincerely advised him ten years ago when he left for the market. Ten years had passed, and one was still stuck at the early stage of Qi Refining.

Five years ago, when Li Ji’an followed Master Mo into the Yan family, Chen Zhaohu met Yan Hongsheng, but their negotiations failed.

Two years later, after heavy casualties between the families, the Yan clan invited Chen Zhaohu again to help, but he no longer wished to wade into such muddy waters.

Three years ago, he ventured deep into the Fallen Dragon Ridge and unexpectedly caught a golden-furred mouse rumored to possess a treasure-seeking bloodline. With this mouse, he found a stroke of immortal fate for Chen Qingling.

The renowned Redstone Wanderer of the Fallen Dragon Ridge took Chen Qingling as a personal disciple.

His fame was not solely due to being the only scattered cultivator in twenty years to successfully form a foundation in the area, but also for his unparalleled talent in treasure hunting.

Yet his reputation was not all glory—half of it was infamy.

He had been hunted for nearly ten years by the Zheng family, the foremost of the eight great families, until somehow reconciliation was achieved.

The reason for the pursuit was well known—he had dug up the Zheng family’s ancestral tomb.

Now, few dared insult him openly, and even the patriarchs of the eight families treated him with respect.

“Brother Li, speak freely if you need anything!” Chen Zhaohu said generously, bringing Li Ji’an into the inner room.

With Chen Qingling settled well, Chen Zhaohu finally relaxed and invested more in himself, further improving his physical cultivation.

“Brother Chen, I’d like to ask you to keep an eye out for a spirit insect called the Soul-hosting Ant.” After two years of studying beast taming, Li Ji’an had devised an idea for his next rejuvenation, requiring this insect for experimentation.

This spirit insect could temporarily store spiritual consciousness.

“Soul-hosting Ant? What do you need that for? That creature hides deep and is rare to encounter.” Chen Zhaohu was puzzled.

Aside from its ability to store spiritual consciousness for a short time, it had no other use, and its nest was deeply hidden.

“No matter, it’s not urgent. If you spot any signs during your patrols, just let me know.”

“Alright, it’s a small matter. I’ll keep an eye out in the future.” Chen Zhaohu promised, pounding his chest.

That night, Chen Zhaohu hosted him warmly, and the two talked for a long time.

The next day, Li Ji’an prepared to return to his clan, but Zhang Tiezhu still refused to leave, insisting on waiting longer.

Li Ji’an understood his intentions and did not persuade further, agreeing to help him request leave from the clan.

Upon his return, Yan Qingwan immediately sent someone to urgently summon him to the pill room.

Seeing Yan Qingwan disheveled, exhausted, and covered in ashes, Li Ji’an sighed inwardly.

She must have blown up the furnace again.

In his view, Yan Qingwan had good comprehension and wasn’t careless, possessing talent for alchemy—but she was simply too impatient, pressured by the clan.

“Calm yourself. Failure is the mother of success. Let’s try again.” Without another word, Li Ji’an helped Yan Qingwan collect herself and pressed her to persist.

As soon as Li Ji’an entered, Yan Qingwan felt her stress ease and her mood improve. “But you once said, what if ‘success’ means turning your back on your kin?”

“Then let the golden staff produce filial children!”

“Pfft~”

Occasional banter helped greatly to adjust her mood.

Yan Qingwan quickly recovered, and under Li Ji’an’s guidance, focused and tried again.

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With consensus reached on cooperation over the contested medicinal field, both clans began actively developing it.

Two years later, the field began to yield spirit herbs.

This meant Yan Qingwan would have to step onto the stage.

The joint market’s pill shop reopened, with Yan Qingwan replacing Master Mo as the resident alchemist, and Li Ji’an naturally needed to accompany her.

Two years ago, he might have been reluctant to leave the Yan clan’s spiritual veins.

But after two years of rigorous cultivation, his plan to accumulate enough mana for a breakthrough to the middle stage of Qi Refining by slow and steady effort failed, and now his requirements for spiritual veins were much reduced.

First-stage, second-stage—both were the same at his current level.

Besides, following Yan Qingwan to the pill shop now meant he’d receive a stipend.

The clan promised Yan Qingwan forty percent of the pill shop’s profits, and she requested to split this evenly with Li Ji’an.

Thus, he no longer had to rely solely on Yan Qingwan’s ability to refine breakthrough or nourishing pills.

As long as the shop’s business prospered, his annual stipend should be enough to buy a Flying Cloud Pill.

This year, Li Ji’an turned forty. Facing the looming “rejuvenation,” it was time to plan carefully.

But before setting out for the pill shop, Li Ji’an attended Zhang Tiezhu’s wedding banquet.

It had nothing to do with love—only with the faint hope.

Two years ago, Zhang Tiezhu waited half a month before returning disappointed.

In the past two years, the Wei and Yan clans cooperated profitably, with no more conflict.

Everyone in the Yan clan was busy with the medicinal field, and the expansion plan was temporarily shelved, meaning outsiders like him had fewer chances to earn merit. With the loss of previously generous resources, his cultivation slowed.

In the end, he bowed to life.

Given the current situation, his best hope was to bear children with strong spiritual roots for the Yan clan, in exchange for better resources.