Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: The Yun Clan Ancestor's Final Effort
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Ruan Tieniu's Foundation Establishment celebration, though not as grand as Gao Peiyao's, was incredibly lively.
Most of the cultivators who came to offer their congratulations were demon hunters, along with some rogue Talisman Masters and heads of smaller clans.
The atmosphere was relaxed, free of the oppressive feeling that comes with the presence of high-level cultivators.
At Gao Peiyao's celebration, even the patriarchs of Qinghe's two major clans had attended, which naturally made people feel constrained and uneasy.
The time reached a quarter past noon.
With a few opening remarks from Ruan Tieniu, the banquet officially began.
During the banquet, Ruan Tieniu found Chen Jianghe, wanting to introduce him to a few Foundation Establishment cultivators who had started as demon hunters.
However, Chen Jianghe politely declined.
As for Foundation Establishment cultivators from a demon hunter background, knowing Ruan Tieniu alone was enough.
Ruan Tieniu was inwardly pleased by Chen Jianghe's refusal, because it meant he was the only one well-acquainted with him.
Chen Jianghe was a close friend of Alchemist Zhuang.
This meant he could obtain second-tier spirit pills refined by Alchemist Zhuang through Chen Jianghe, a channel other Foundation Establishment cultivators from demon hunter backgrounds didn't have.
This undoubtedly elevated his status within the circle of demon hunter Foundation Establishment cultivators.
An hour later.
The celebration ended. Ruan Tieniu saw off his guests but asked Chen Jianghe to stay behind.
"Brother Chen, I'm moving to Longevity Lane, Number 36, Fu Residence, in the southeast district. If you're looking for me in the future, you can come here."
Ruan Tieniu said with a chuckle.
"I originally didn't want to move. The southeast district is too expensive in spirit stones, and cultivation is cultivation no matter where you do it."
"What? Does Qinghe Market City offer a discount on rent for Foundation Establishment cultivators?" Chen Jianghe asked, puzzled.
He knew a bit about Ruan Tieniu's character.
He was by no means generous, perhaps even a bit stingy.
A private courtyard in the southeast district cost thirty spirit stones a year. Ruan Tieniu would definitely be unwilling to spend that.
"No rent needed."
Ruan Tieniu grinned. "I only found out after I succeeded in Foundation Establishment. Foundation Establishment cultivators can live in the private courtyards on Longevity Lane for free."
"Oh? That's great. You can save quite a few spirit stones."
Chen Jianghe was a little surprised.
But upon further thought, he understood Qinghe Market City's objective. They clearly wanted to retain Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The size of a cultivation market city is judged by many factors.
But the more Foundation Establishment cultivators there are, the larger and more stable the market city becomes. This was common knowledge in the cultivation world.
Therefore, for a rogue cultivator like Ruan Tieniu who had reached Foundation Establishment, Qinghe Market City would naturally do everything it could to keep him.
Otherwise, a Foundation Establishment cultivator would be an honored guest elder in any top-tier immortal clan.
Hearing Chen Jianghe mention saving spirit stones, Ruan Tieniu nodded in strong agreement.
He had just become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but he didn't have a single magical artifact that matched his new level.
Ah!
The senior in his home had passed down a top-tier magical artifact to him, but he couldn't use it openly.
"Brother Ruan, I have a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
Ruan Tieniu's face lit up, and he quickly asked, "Brother Chen, whatever you need help with, just say the word."
"I'd like to ask Brother Ruan to make a trip to Mirror Moon Lake."
"What? Mirror Moon Lake!"
Ruan Tieniu was stunned. He subconsciously thought of the origin of the senior in his home, and a jolt of alarm and resistance went through him.
"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient, Brother Ruan?" Seeing Ruan Tieniu's strong reaction, Chen Jianghe thought he was unwilling to go.
"No, no, no. What does Brother Chen want me to do at Mirror Moon Lake?"
The reason Ruan Tieniu didn't want to go to Mirror Moon Lake was because Lan Tianxiang had been severely injured there before he rescued him.
In his eyes, Mirror Moon Lake was a bit dangerous.
But then again, so many years had passed. The cultivators from the Tiannan Sect were long gone.
Besides, what did the demonic cultivator Lan Tianxiang have to do with him?
He was just an honest demon hunter.
"To bring a few people from the Yun Clan for me."
"Who?"
"My brother, Yu Daniu, and his family."
"Alright, I'll head to Mirror Moon Lake tomorrow. I can bring the people you need back within ten days at most."
Ruan Tieniu said with conviction.
Afterward, Chen Jianghe discussed some more details with Ruan Tieniu before leaving Qinghe Restaurant.
Ruan Tieniu was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a demon hunter.
With a demon hunter's caution, Ruan Tieniu certainly wouldn't go alone. As for who he would bring along?
That wasn't for him to worry about.
All he had to do now was go home, cultivate the Tidal Body Tempering Art, draw spirit talismans, and wait for Yu Daniu's family to arrive.
Ruan Tieniu returned to Number 36, Fu Residence.
He walked over to the large urn and patted it lightly. "Senior, I'm going to Mirror Moon Lake... ah, Senior is already gone."
Only then did Ruan Tieniu remember that the person in the urn had passed away half a month ago.
Having inherited Lan Tianxiang's entire legacy, Ruan Tieniu was very grateful to him.
So, he had decided not to let Senior Lan Tianxiang live on as a mindless fool. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, that was a disgrace. To repay the kindness, he had to help Senior Lan Tianxiang.
The next moment, Ruan Tieniu walked out of the courtyard.
He went to Longevity Lane, Number 35, Fu Residence, and found the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from a demon hunter background he had sought help from last time.
"Fellow Daoist Ruan, have you made up your mind about that matter?"
Xu Feng asked, cupping his hands.
Xu Feng and Xu Hong were two brothers, both former demon hunters, known for their ruthlessness. They had been at the Foundation Establishment stage for thirty years, making them veteran cultivators.
However, Ruan Tieniu wasn't afraid of the two brothers. Although he had just reached Foundation Establishment, he had many tricks up his sleeve.
This was also why he had sought them out.
The other few Foundation Establishment cultivators from demon hunter backgrounds had been at that stage for at least fifty years, and Ruan Tieniu wasn't confident he could handle them.
"I can agree to go four hundred miles deep into the Wandering Immortal Mountain Range with you to retrieve the Ice Heart Grass, but I have one condition."
"You must first accompany me to the Mirror Moon Lake Yun Clan to pick up a few people."
Ruan Tieniu said with a serious expression.
"The Mirror Moon Lake Yun Clan? Two Foundation Establishment cultivators, one second-tier spirit beast..."
The two brothers, Xu Feng and Xu Hong, exchanged a glance, then nodded and said, "Alright, we'll go with you. When do we leave?"
"We set out tomorrow morning."
"Deal!"
---
Mirror Moon Lake, Lakeheart Island.
In the main hall of Yu Daniu's home within the Yun Clan estate, an old man sat in the seat of honor, with Yu Daniu and Yun Huizhen seated below him.
Yun Xiaoniu, Yun Siniu, and Madam Zhou, holding Yun Qirui, stood to the side.
As for Yun Youniu, he had already been sent to a smaller cultivation town below. His Sea of Qi and Dantian were shattered, and repairing them would require an enormous price.
A price even greater than that of a Foundation Establishment Pill. There was basically no hope of recovery.
He could only live out the rest of his life as an ordinary person.
Of course, though his cultivation was gone, his authority remained. In the smaller cultivation town, he was still the town master, with Qi Refining seventh-layer cultivators at his command.
"Ancestor, my husband and I know your difficulties. Our family is deeply grateful to you and the entire Yun Clan."
"That's right. I, Yu Daniu, owe everything I have today to the Yun Clan's support. Without the Yun Clan's kindness, I would probably still be a lowly fishery farmer."
Both Yun Huizhen and Yu Daniu looked at the kind-faced old man in the seat of honor with sincere eyes.
This old man was none other than the Yun Clan Ancestor.
The same Foundation Establishment Ancestor who had once bought three Life Extension Pills at the Qinghe Market City auction.
"But I cannot accept how Yun Xiaotian is shielding Yun Yifeng."
Yun Huizhen gave Yu Daniu a look, indicating that she would do the talking.
"Youniu and Sanniu were surrounded only because they were trying to save that beast, Yun Yifeng. Yet, when Yun Yifeng got a chance, he ordered the other clan disciples to flee with him, abandoning Youniu and Sanniu."
"If such a degenerate is not brought to justice, how can our Yun Clan prosper? Are we to let a wretch like him become the head of our clan?"
Hearing Yun Huizhen's well-reasoned and articulate words, the Yun Clan Ancestor closed his eyes and sighed.
"If Yun Xiaotian brings Yun Yifeng to justice, I can promise you, Ancestor, that our family will remain disciples of the Yun Clan. Even if Xiaoniu reaches Foundation Establishment in the future, our branch will not vie for the position of clan head."
Yun Huizhen stated her bottom line.
Yun Xiaoniu's gaze flickered. He subconsciously glanced at Yu Daniu, then stood respectfully in his place, tacitly agreeing with Yun Huizhen's words.
He knew his father's character.
He valued gratitude and repaid kindness.
He would never do anything to betray the Yun Clan.
"Huizhen, I know the bitterness in your heart, and I know the contributions your family has made to the clan over the years."
The Yun Clan Ancestor opened his eyes, his murky gaze filled with helplessness.
"The Yun Clan's current prosperity is in large part due to your planning behind the scenes. It's a pity you are a woman; otherwise, I would have certainly made you the clan head."
At this, the Yun Clan Ancestor let out a heavy breath.
"It is I who am useless. My lifespan is nearing its end, and I cannot protect Xiaoniu until his Foundation Establishment. Otherwise, Xiaotian wouldn't dare to be so brazen."
"However, if Xiaoniu swears an oath not to harm Yun Yifeng's lineage after reaching Foundation Establishment, I can also secure an opportunity for Siniu to attempt it."
The Yun Clan Ancestor said solemnly.
His meaning was simple: he wanted Yu Daniu's family to give up their hatred in exchange for the promise of a Foundation Establishment Pill for Yun Siniu.
"Ancestor, please forgive your grandson's impertinence. I will not seek my own Foundation Establishment opportunity at the cost of my second brother being crippled and my third brother being killed."
"I would rather never reach Foundation Establishment in my life."
Before Yun Huizhen could speak, Yun Siniu stepped forward, knelt respectfully before the Yun Clan Ancestor, and spoke with determination.
"Huizhen, what are your thoughts?"
The Yun Clan Ancestor looked at Yun Huizhen, his heart also filled with helplessness.
Yun Xiaotian wanted to protect Yun Yifeng because Yun Yifeng's own son had also been killed due to his incompetence.
Killed not by others, but by his own father, Yun Yifeng.
Because of his cowardice and fear, he led his men to flee, not only causing Sanniu's death and Youniu's crippling but also leading to the deaths of his own two sons on the Yunmen Mountain battlefield.
Now, in the direct line of Yun Xiaotian's branch, only three people remained: Yun Yifeng, Yun Bufan, and Yun Boxu.
Yun Boxu was Yun Yifeng's grandson, but he was only six years old and had just been tested to have a four-element pseudo-spiritual root.
If Yun Yifeng died, the position of Yun Boxu, the sole heir, would become precarious.
Yun Xiaotian's time was also running out.
Yun Bufan was solely focused on the path to Core Formation. Once Yun Xiaotian died, he probably wouldn't bother with clan affairs.
To prevent the clan's core authority from falling into other hands.
Even if Yun Xiaotian wanted to flay Yun Yifeng alive with his own hands, he could only suppress the urge and protect this beast.
"How does Ancestor want me to choose? What choice do I have left?"
Yun Huizhen stood up, walked before the Yun Clan Ancestor, and knelt.
Her bloodshot eyes met the Yun Clan Ancestor's, and in that brief exchange, he felt a pang of pity.
He could see that Yun Huizhen's condition was even worse than his.
He had taken three Life Extension Pills and could still hang on for another ten-odd years, but Yun Huizhen's eyes, filled with the aura of death, told him she only had three to five years left.
This wasn't entirely due to childbirth in her early years; managing the Yun Clan's affairs all this time had also taken a heavy toll on her mind and spirit.
At that moment, the Yun Clan Ancestor stood and helped Yun Huizhen to her feet.
"I understand."
"Rest assured, I will protect your family and ensure Xiaoniu succeeds in his Foundation Establishment, but... I'm afraid you will have to leave this home."
"I wonder if you will still acknowledge me as your ancestor in the future?"
The Yun Clan Ancestor caressed Yun Huizhen's cheek, which looked even older than his own. A mist formed in his eyes, and he seemed to recall a scene from long ago, playing with her when she was just a little girl.
The little child from back then was now going to pass away before him.
"Ancestor~"
"Ancestor..."
Yu Daniu also knelt at this moment.
Yun Xiaoniu, Madam Zhou, and the barely five-year-old Yun Qirui all knelt as well.
They all knew what the Yun Clan Ancestor's words meant.
Just then.
A voice boomed throughout the Yun Clan estate, so loud that even the cultivators in Mirror Moon Market City could hear it, causing them to turn their gazes over.
"I am Ruan Tieniu. At the request of Talisman Master Chen, I have come to escort Fellow Daoist Yu Daniu and his family to Qinghe Market City. I hope the fellow daoists of the Yun Clan will grant us passage."
Boom!
Instantly, three terrifying auras erupted, each carrying the presence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
This caused Yun Bufan to fly directly out of the ancestral hall. He looked at Ruan Tieniu's group of three with a dark expression, but upon sensing the dense killing intent emanating from them, his brows furrowed in caution.
Ruan Tieniu, Xu Feng, and Xu Hong were all former demon hunters who had slain countless beasts. The baleful aura on them was naturally intense.
Furthermore, demon hunters lived on the edge, risking their lives for a living. The ferocious aura they exuded was enough to make other Foundation Establishment cultivators feel intimidated and unwilling to fight.
Roar~
Suddenly, a two-zhang-tall long-armed ape leaped behind Yun Bufan, holding a specially made staff-like magical artifact, glaring viciously at the three men.
To ensure the continuation of the clan's legacy, the Yun Clan Ancestor had already entrusted his second-tier spirit pet to Yun Bufan.
"Yu Daniu's family are disciples of my Yun Clan. Have you three fellow daoists come here intending to snatch people from us?" Yun Bufan said coldly.
Hearing Ruan Tieniu mention 'Talisman Master Chen', an image surfaced in Yun Bufan's mind.
It was a scene from over forty years ago.
Back then, he was only at the sixth layer of Qi Refining and had served as a deacon in the outer waters, where he had collected the great green fish raised by Chen Jianghe.
At that time, he had even praised Chen Jianghe's talent for raising fish.
Later, he had even made an exception and promoted Chen Jianghe to a high-grade fishery farmer.
In the blink of an eye, more than forty years had passed.
He never imagined that the young fishery farmer from back then would have grown to such an extent, capable of summoning three Foundation Establishment cultivators to the Yun Clan to help a former friend out of a predicament.
"People of the Yun Clan?"
Ruan Tieniu glanced at the second-tier spirit beast, his eyes instantly turning cold, a savage glint exposed.
As a demon hunter, he had only ever slain beasts from the deep mountains.
He had plenty of ways to deal with a spirit beast raised in a greenhouse like this one.
What's more, all three of them were former demon hunters; they had no fear of the long-armed ape before them.
Stared down by Ruan Tieniu's group, the long-armed ape felt a chill shoot up from the soles of its feet straight to the top of its head.
The long staff in its hands trembled, and it couldn't help but take a step back.
"Hmph."
Ruan Tieniu sneered. "Talisman Master Chen didn't say whether they are Yun Clan members or not, but his intention was for us to take Yu Daniu's family to Qinghe Market City."
With that, Ruan Tieniu took a step forward.
Xu Feng and Xu Hong followed suit, their terrifying auras pressing down on Yun Bufan.
This scene left the onlooking Yun Clan cultivators below stunned.
They never expected someone would dare to cause trouble at the Yun Clan's doorstep.
And they certainly didn't expect it would be three Foundation Establishment seniors.
In Mirror Moon Market City, a crowd of cultivators watched the spectacle, gossiping amongst themselves.
In the crowd, Zhou Miaoyun's expression changed.
She guessed who the 'Talisman Master Chen' mentioned by Ruan Tieniu was.
A Talisman Master on good terms with Yu Daniu, with the surname Chen—it could only be Chen Jianghe.
"Did he invite these three Foundation Establishment seniors? He can actually command Foundation Establishment seniors!"
Meanwhile.
Talisman Master Chu stood on the balcony of the Mirror Moon Restaurant, watching Ruan Tieniu's group face off against Yun Bufan, his heart filled with shock.
"The Talisman Master Chen they're talking about... is it Fellow Daoist Chen?"
"It seems the only Talisman Master connected to Yu Daniu is Fellow Daoist Chen Jianghe!"
"It's been nearly twenty years since we last met, and he's grown to this extent? With a wave of his hand, he sends three Foundation Establishment seniors to pick up Yu Daniu."
The Yun Clan's affairs couldn't be kept secret; their internal conflicts had long since spread throughout Mirror Moon Market City.
But these cultivators didn't care about the details; they were all more than happy to watch the Yun Clan make a fool of themselves.
It was just a bit of a pity for the legendary live-in son-in-law of Mirror Moon Lake.
But they never would have thought that this legendary son-in-law had such powerful backing.
A Talisman Master who could dispatch three Foundation Establishment seniors... that Talisman Master Chen must be a second-tier Talisman Grandmaster, right?
Looking up at the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, Yun Xiaotian's expression grew even darker.
What a favorable situation it had been!
All ruined by that wretched son of his.
Once Yun Xiaoniu succeeded in his Foundation Establishment, the Yun Clan could have maintained its position with two Foundation Establishment cultivators and one second-tier spirit beast.
And with Yu Daniu's connections, they might have even been able to acquire more Foundation Establishment Pills in the future.
But now, all of it had been destroyed by his own rebellious son.
At this moment, a trace of doubt appeared in Yun Xiaotian's heart.
Was preventing the clan's core authority from falling into other hands more important, or was the clan's prosperity more important?
"I really want to tear this beast apart with my bare hands!"
Yun Xiaotian cursed aloud, drawing glances from the surrounding clan members.
"Yu Daniu is indeed a disciple of my Yun Clan. Why don't you three fellow daoists go back and ask Talisman Master Chen first?"
Seeing the long-armed ape show fear, Yun Bufan knew he was no match for Ruan Tieniu's group.
As for the Yun Clan Ancestor, his lifespan was nearly at its end.
Yun Bufan didn't want to disturb the ancestor, as it would only accelerate the drain on his remaining life.
Ruan Tieniu's group exchanged glances, inwardly delighted. They knew Yun Bufan was backing down.
If Yun Bufan hadn't backed down.
The three of them would have turned and left immediately.
After all, they were acting on someone else's request; they couldn't possibly start a real fight.
Besides, their opponent was a Foundation Establishment Ancestor of an immortal clan, who surely had many trump cards, not to mention a second-tier spirit pet. A fight was out of the question.
Since Yun Bufan had lost his nerve.
Ruan Tieniu decided to press his advantage.
"Do you think we three brothers have nothing better to do?" Ruan Tieniu said coldly.
Yun Bufan watched the three men cautiously. He remained silent, knowing they hadn't come all this way just for fun.
Just at that moment.
The voice of the Yun Clan Ancestor rang out.
"Then I must trouble you three fellow daoists to escort Huizhen's family to Qinghe Market City. Please send my regards to Talisman Master Chen."
The Yun Clan Ancestor emerged with Yu Daniu's family.
Seeing three Foundation Establishment seniors come to pick up his family, Yu Daniu was shocked. He never imagined his sworn brother had become so capable.
Yun Xiaoniu also found it incredible.
Yun Huizhen, however, bowed to the Yun Clan Ancestor.
"Once I leave, I will no longer be a person of the Yun Clan, but a wife of the Yu family. Please take care of yourself, Ancestor."
"Ancestor, take care."
Yu Daniu, along with his children, bid farewell to the Yun Clan Ancestor.
The Yun Clan Ancestor looked at Yun Huizhen with a benevolent gaze and said gently, "Silly child, even if you become a wife of the Yu family, you are still of the Yun Clan, still my descendant."
With that, the Yun Clan Ancestor walked over to Yun Xiaoniu, took out a storage pouch, and instructed, "Living under someone else's roof, you can't always ask for help. This should be enough for your Foundation Establishment."
"Ancestor~"
"Go on now. Don't keep the three fellow daoists waiting."
The Yun Clan Ancestor cupped his hands toward Ruan Tieniu's group. "I must trouble you three to look after my descendants on the journey. This is a small gift, a token of my respect."
Three balls of spiritual light appeared before Ruan Tieniu and the others.
Each ball of light contained one hundred spirit stones.
This delighted the three of them, especially Xu Feng and Xu Hong, who felt this trip was more than worth it.
Just by coming to back Ruan Tieniu up, they had received a hundred spirit stones.
Immediately, the three of them accepted the spirit stones and cupped their hands toward the Yun Clan Ancestor, saying, "Please rest assured, fellow daoist."
Their tone was amiable, and the ferocious, baleful aura around them had vanished, replaced by the simple honesty of common men.
This was a drastic change in attitude from how they had treated Yun Bufan.
"Fellow Daoist Yu, let's go!"
With that, Ruan Tieniu and his companions led Yu Daniu's family of six away from Lakeheart Island, flying toward Qinghe Market City.
Watching their figures disappear into the horizon, the Yun Clan Ancestor flew down and landed in front of Yun Xiaotian.
Thud.
Yun Xiaotian fell to his knees, saying with self-reproach, "Ancestor, it was my selfishness that has jeopardized the clan's future."
Yun Bufan also walked over at this time, simply watching in silence. He said nothing.
But the events of today had further ignited his desire for Core Formation.
If he were a great Core Formation expert, the Yun Clan would not be facing this situation, would not have lost face to a former clan fishery farmer.
"You had your reasons for doing what you did. I don't blame you."
The Yun Clan Ancestor helped Yun Xiaotian up, but his eyes were filled with helplessness and disappointment.
He patted Yun Xiaotian's shoulder heavily.
"Is the position of clan head really that important?"