After dealing with these trivial matters, the investigation for demonic cultivators resumed in an orderly manner.
There were no further incidents during the inspections. By the time the process was completed, more than half a month later, no additional demonic cultivators were found in Pingyang City. However, during inspections in five nearby towns, three demonic cultivators at the early and mid-stages of Qi Refining were discovered.
These three demonic cultivators posed no real threat. The Chen family's Qi Refining cultivators took action and eliminated them without much effort.
With this operation, the demonic cultivators in Pingyang City and its six surrounding towns were thoroughly eradicated. The Chen family also used this opportunity to conduct a complete census of the population within their territory, effectively eliminating hidden threats to the clan.
Once everything was settled, the group didn't linger in Pingyang City. They returned to Qingyuan Mountain the next day.
A few days later, as they arrived back at Qingyuan Mountain, they noticed that the Third Elder, who had come to greet them, looked troubled.
Noticing the group's confusion, Chen Qinghao gave a bitter smile and spoke with a pained expression. "It's Qingmeng..."
Soon, the news hit everyone like a bolt of lightning, leaving them stricken with grief.
The Sixth Elder, Chen Qingmeng, had entered a life-or-death closed cultivation session in an attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment. After a month of seclusion, he had ultimately passed away in his cave dwelling.
"When I noticed something amiss, Qingmeng had already been dead for some time," the Third Elder said sorrowfully. "His meridians were shattered, his energy and blood completely drained, and his appearance was... harrowing."
Chen Qinghao's voice was filled with pain as he recounted the scene. Chen Qingmeng had fought with all his might to seize that slim chance at survival, but in the end, he couldn't defy fate and change his destiny.
Elian listened quietly, his heart aching.
Reborn into this life, he had been watched over by the elders of the Chen family, who had treated him with genuine kindness. Yet in just a few years, he had witnessed the passing of elders like the aging Seventh Great-Uncle Chen Changqing and the vigorous Sixth Elder Chen Qingmeng, who had succumbed to the harsh realities of the cultivation path.
"The road to immortality is long and fraught with obstacles. We can only walk it step by step," he remembered Chen Qingmeng saying during their parting.
"If I fall, and you have the ability, please see what lies at the end of that path for me."
Perhaps Chen Qingmeng had already foreseen his fate that day, yet he had still risked it all for a slim chance of success.
After a long silence, Elian murmured, "Sixth Elder, I will see it for you."
The operation to eliminate the demonic cultivators had rid the clan of a significant threat, and the elders had originally planned to celebrate. However, the news of Chen Qingmeng's death left them disheartened.
The deceased were gone, and the living had to move forward.
After holding a funeral for Chen Qingmeng, the elders convened a short meeting with the clan's senior Qi Refining members.
"Though the demonic cultivators have been eradicated this time, we must remain vigilant in the future," the Third Elder said during the meeting in the family hall. "We have decided to establish regular inspections."
The elders decreed that from now on, every three years, the Chen family would conduct thorough inspections to root out any demonic cultivators hidden among the mortals, ensuring the clan's foundation remained secure.
With this, the matter was temporarily resolved, and Elian decided to return to Linghu Isle to avoid missing the spring farming season.
Before he could leave, however, the Third Elder, Chen Qinghao, stopped him.
"The clan is short-handed everywhere, including at Linghu Isle. This time, the family has brought in five new juniors. I'm assigning two of them to you."
"Xianling, Xianyan, come here."
From a distance, two six- or seven-year-old children cautiously approached, their eyes filled with nervousness as they looked at Elian.
The Third Elder smiled with a hint of satisfaction as he introduced them. "You two siblings will follow the Eighth Elder from now on. He will guide you in your cultivation."
"Go on."
The children were Chen Yan and Chen Ling, a pair of twins rescued from Pingyuan Town. After their spiritual roots were discovered, they were brought to Qingyuan Mountain and added to the clan's genealogy. They were renamed Chen Xianyan and Chen Xianling.
Though they belonged to Elian's generation in theory, the elders had assigned them to the "Xian" generation instead of the "Nian" generation to elevate Elian's status and authority within the family. This way, if Elian ever assumed leadership, it would be easier for him to command younger members of the clan. (Remember Mc's full name is Chen Nian Elian)
Elian immediately understood the Third Elder's intentions. The twins, though young, were dual spiritual root talents. They were expected to reach at least the ninth level of Qi Refining and even had some potential to break through to Foundation Establishment.
By placing the siblings under Elian's guidance, the family aimed to nurture two talented juniors while also bolstering Elian's future influence within the clan.
Influence was crucial—while a Foundation Establishment cultivator naturally commanded respect, someone who fell short of that level needed strong backing to maintain their authority.
Understanding this, Elian did not refuse. Confident in his ability to reach Foundation Establishment, he also saw mentoring the clan's younger generation as a meaningful experience.
Early the next morning, he set off with the twins for Linghu Isle.
By the time they returned to Linghu Isle, two months had passed since his departure.
As soon as Elian stepped onto the central island, he heard the calls of the purple-striped geese. These spiritual geese had been raised for over two years. Though not yet fully mature, they had already reached the early stage of Qi Refining and were showing signs of intelligence.
Looking at the dozen brightly feathered young geese, Elian couldn't help but smile.
"Purple-striped geese mature around five or six years of age, at which point they can begin reproducing," he said.
"In another three or four years, they'll start laying spiritual eggs and nurturing the next generation."
The geese had been left to roam freely for two months without feeding, but instead of losing weight, they had grown slightly by foraging for water plants. However, they had devoured nearly 70-80% of the unprotected spiritual vegetables in the fields.
Fortunately, spiritual vegetables weren't valuable. Rather than being upset, Elian harvested the remaining vegetables. He set some aside for personal use and fed the majority to the geese.
Spring farming season had arrived, and since the spiritual fields had been left untended for two months, Elian had to spend extra effort preparing them. After casting multiple Spirit Rain Techniques, he finally planted the spiritual rice.
With the planting done, life grew more leisurely. Each day, Elian cultivated diligently, refining his Qi Refining ninth-layer foundation in preparation for his future breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.
In his free time, he taught Xianling and Xianyan how to read and recognize their body's meridians and acupuncture points—essential foundational knowledge required before beginning cultivation. Without this understanding, attempting to cultivate could lead to serious mistakes.
Fortunately, both siblings were intelligent and quick learners. Elian estimated that, barring any surprises, they could grasp the basics by the time they turned eight or nine, at which point they could begin their journey into cultivation.
...
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