Chapter 47 The One Who Blocks the Way

When Zhang Tiezhu underwent his spiritual root assessment at the age of eighteen, he reached a maximum of six strands of earth spiritual root. His Dao companion possessed merely three strands of fire spiritual root. Now, their child was growing up normally within the Yan family’s territory, and had achieved a mid-grade spiritual root.

Analyzing this based on the prevailing theories of spiritual roots in this world, it could be deduced that Zhang Tiezhu’s potential at birth was most likely around a mid-grade spiritual root; it was only his eighteen years spent in a spiritless land that stunted the development of his roots. In fact, six years ago, Dong Jiangling had already written to say that since childhood, he had supported his daughter to live in a nearby market, and at the age of fifteen, she was found to have eleven strands of metal spiritual root—also mid-grade.

However, the inheritance of spiritual roots in the cultivation world was subject to variation and mutation, so at that time, Li Ji’an could not be certain of his judgment. Now, with Tiezhu’s son’s spiritual root fully formed, his confidence grew a little. Perhaps his own innate spiritual root potential could also reach mid-grade.

His only concern was that the first eight years of his life had still been spent in the spiritless land; this would inevitably have affected his original potential. If, in his next life, he relied only on the nourishment of spirit veins and basic techniques to increase affinity, he still might not reach his true limit.

“I must find a way to obtain a Source-Nourishing Pill for my next life!”

At present, he had managed to save only a hundred and eighty spirit stones, yet the Source-Nourishing Pill—a rare elixir capable of stimulating the growth of spiritual roots—was not only expensive but also hard to come by. The Yan family did possess the main ingredient, the Earth-Origin Fruit, but after Yan Qingwan became a senior alchemist, he and she had tried many times to refine the pill, only to prove that the so-called ancestral recipe demonstrated by Master Mo was undoubtedly a fake.

Such recipes were closely guarded secrets, nearly impossible to acquire. Thus, the hope of Yan Qingwan refining the Source-Nourishing Pill in this life had all but vanished. The Yan family might have a reserve, set aside for children born with extraordinary spiritual root potential, but it was nearly impossible for ordinary people to obtain one.

While Li Ji’an was strategizing about the Source-Nourishing Pill in his mind, his gaze fell upon the last bit of news in Zhang Tiezhu’s letter.

“Brother Li, what on earth did you say to the Great Elder? How did you manage to offend all the female cultivators in the clan at once? They’re all saying none of them would ever want to become your Dao companion now, and they’re holding a grudge, vowing to bear children with greater talent than yours...”

Li Ji’an felt a bit puzzled at this, then quickly realized that Yan Kongyi, that sly old fox, must have reported things incorrectly. He did not mind this, however, as it meant he had achieved his goal—there would be no more talk of forced marriage from now on.

---

Yan Family Territory, Assembly Hall.

After the core elders had finalized plans for Yan Qingwan’s Foundation Establishment, and as the meeting was about to adjourn, Yan Hongsheng teased Yan Kongyi, “Was it really necessary to offer up your granddaughter? With such poor spiritual roots, what excellence could her child possibly attain? All for a bit of perception? And who can say if perception is even hereditary?”

Yan Kongyi had only just recovered his composure these last few days, but at the mention, he was immediately riled again. “Hmph! I never had any expectations for his spiritual roots. I simply value the contributions he’s made to our pill shop.”

“Unlike some people, shamelessly trying to have their concubines seek seed elsewhere.”

Yan Hongsheng was unfazed. “I’ve never hidden my intentions. I simply admire his physique. If our clan could produce a batch of body cultivators, we wouldn’t need to hire outsiders to open up new lands in the future.”

The bickering between the eldest and seventh elders was a familiar sight in the clan. Normally, no one paid them any mind, but today, their discussion caught the attention of others.

Yan Zongsheng tapped the table. “Great Elder, what exactly did young Li say that day? Does he really look down on all the female cultivators in the clan?”

Yan Zongsheng had always held a favorable impression of Li Ji’an. For nearly thirty years in the clan, he had never shown any ambition, never asked for anything, and had even been willing to remain unsung for the sake of Yan Qingwan’s alchemical reputation. He had once saved Yan Qingwan’s life and once salvaged the medicinal garden from disaster—his contributions were many.

“Hmph! The lad is bewitched, there’s already someone in his heart. Utterly besotted, hopelessly devoted,” Yan Kongyi snapped, still simmering, especially recalling Li Ji’an’s accusation that he did not understand love. That remark had stirred old memories, unsettling even his Dao heart.

“He has someone in his heart?” This was the first time Yan Kongyi had spoken the truth since his return; last time, out of anger, he had claimed Li Ji’an simply looked down on the clan’s female cultivators.

“He’s been in the clan for nearly thirty years and never had any dealings with any of the women here.”

“We checked before he joined the pill shop—he lived alone in the east wing, had no Dao companion.”

...

The elders speculated among themselves, some even wondering if he had some unspoken secret. Yan Hongsheng even suggested sending a handsome young man to test the waters.

Suddenly—

“Ah, that old fellow... could he possibly have feelings for Qingwan?”

The assembly fell instantly silent.

“Preposterous! How dare he!” Yan Zongsheng slammed the table. “A mere ant with inferior spiritual roots, doomed to never advance beyond mid-stage Qi Refinement, dares to covet the likes of Qingwan, a peerless genius? Who gave him such courage?”

“Impossible. Absolutely impossible. I believe he knows his place. It must be a misunderstanding.”

In the next instant, outrage swept the room.

After all, Yan Qingwan was the clan’s hope, its pride and prodigy. Once she became a Foundation Establishment ancestor and entered training, she would almost certainly never leave the clan, and would have little chance to form a Dao partnership, not to mention that even if she did, her partner would have to possess at least a mid-grade spiritual root.

For female cultivators, childbirth consumed their very life essence and greatly affected their cultivation potential. The higher their level, the harder it was to bear children.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. Based on what I know of the lad, he wouldn’t dare be so reckless. That Tiezhu is from his hometown—let’s summon him and ask,” Yan Hongsheng interjected, anxious to calm the crowd as tempers rose.

This suggestion helped the others regain their composure. Not long after, Zhang Tiezhu—who had just received a clan reward for his son’s mid-grade spiritual root—entered the core grounds, visibly anxious.

The elders resumed their usual stern demeanor.

Worried that Yan Zongsheng might lose his temper, Yan Hongsheng volunteered to question Tiezhu. “Tiezhu, you and Chang’an have been with the clan for thirty years now. Do you have anything you’d like to say about the clan?”

“Grateful for the clan’s kindness, for the patriarch’s and elders’ care, for the clan’s generosity...” Zhang Tiezhu began with a string of thanks.

Yan Hongsheng quickly cut him off. “Alright, enough, your gratitude does you credit. Now, tell me—do you know who Chang’an’s beloved is?”

As soon as he spoke, Zhang Tiezhu felt several oppressive spiritual pressures bearing down on him.

“Brother Li’s beloved? I... I’ve never heard him mention anyone,” Zhang Tiezhu’s mind flashed back to a scene he had witnessed years ago, but unsure of the elders’ intentions, he hesitated.

“What? Speak the truth!” But where could his wavering spirit escape the late-stage Qi Refinement elders’ scrutiny? He was immediately seen through.

“Yes, yes, Brother Li never confided in me, but... twenty years ago, I saw...” Unable to withstand the pressure and realizing it might not harm Li Ji’an, he finally recounted what he had seen.

At this, the elders’ expressions shifted dramatically. Whereas before they thought Li Ji’an might harbor delusions about the young lady, it now seemed, from Tiezhu’s words, that perhaps the young lady herself had feelings for Li Ji’an.

“Nonsense! Utter nonsense! Qingwan was only...” Yan Zongsheng exploded with rage.

The elders hurriedly calmed him and waved Tiezhu away. “That will do. You may leave, but breathe not a word of this to anyone.”

Zhang Tiezhu, bewildered and thoroughly frightened, hurried out.

“He’s talking nonsense. I know all about that time Qingwan borrowed his spirit steed. It was only because her alchemy skills were lacking, and she didn’t want him to get into trouble—not because she had any feelings for that boy,” Yan Zongsheng explained hastily.

The elders fell silent.

This matter was grave.

If Yan Qingwan and that boy truly had entanglements of the heart, her training and cultivation would need to be handled with even greater caution.

“Zongsheng, I fear there may be some truth to this. Think about it—Qingwan and that fellow have spent thirty years in close company, and though he’s nearly sixty now, his appearance is by no means plain. It’s not impossible.”

“Thirty years together—anyone would develop feelings, even a dog, let alone after all he’s done.”

“No wonder Qingwan often interceded for him, awarded him advancement pills, even gave him a share of profits in secret...”

...

In that instant, the elders’ eyes were opened; they finally understood why, as Yan Zongsheng had once said, the young man never asked for anything, never competed, and had toiled without complaint all these years.

“No! I cannot let him ruin Qingwan’s path!” Even Yan Zongsheng himself sounded unsure at the end.

“Zongsheng, think carefully. Chang’an has done much for the clan; we cannot chill the hearts of our people.”

“Do not act rashly, lest you tarnish the clan’s reputation—who would join us then?”

“But we cannot sit idly by, either. How could he ever be worthy of Qingwan?”

...

After a long moment, Yan Zongsheng regained his composure, the rationality of a patriarch returning to his face. He let out a long sigh. “Rest assured, everyone. I know what must be done. I will persuade him to leave the clan. No matter what terms he asks, I will agree. But I cannot allow anything to hinder Qingwan’s future or jeopardize the family’s destiny.”