Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 865 - 10: Slaughtering the Mountain and Destroying the Sect (Part 1)

(Anti-/theft chapter, if you mistakenly subscribed you can check again after 6 AM) In the Land of the Far West, within the Boundless Desert Sea.

The Boundless Desert Sea, true to its name, is an endless sea of sand.

The environment in the Desert Sea is harsh, with very few places suitable for human habitation, only a few desert oases can support human life.

Yuquan Lake is one of the few desert oases where humans can live within the Boundless Desert Sea.

The oasis stretches more than a hundred miles east to west, and over seventy miles north to south. It is higher in the east and lower in the west, with a mountain named Jade Spring Peak in the east, standing several hundred meters high, densely forested, and shrouded in mist. At the foot of the mountain lies the source of life for the entire oasis — Yuquan Lake.

Yuquan Lake covers an area of over ten square kilometers, its water sourced from a subterranean dark river, abundant in volume, clear and sweet, suitable for direct consumption.

Over a thousand square kilometers of land on the Yuquan Lake oasis, supporting tens of thousands of humans and countless birds and beasts, all rely on this lake of clear water.

The Yuquan Zhou Clan are the rulers of the Yuquan Lake oasis.

The first person to discover the Yuquan Lake oasis was Zhou Yuquan, the ancestor of the Yuquan Zhou Clan, and now the tens of thousands of people living on this oasis are all Zhou Clan members related to the Yuquan Zhou Clan.

The Yuquan Zhou Clan is a cultivation family, with its ancestor Zhou Yuquan having studied under the cultivation sect "Yellow Sand Sect". Over two hundred years ago, he left the sect and established the Yuquan Zhou Clan at the Yuquan Lake oasis, now it has passed down for seven generations.

By now, the ancestor Zhou Yuquan has long passed, yet after more than two hundred years of development, the Yuquan Zhou Clan is now a powerful cultivation family with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, dozens of Qi Cultivation Cultivators, and over a hundred thousand mortal vassals.

Ordinary members of the Zhou Clan mainly live in three small towns on the Yuquan Lake oasis, farming the land or herding cattle and sheep, leading a self-sufficient and carefree life.

The cultivators of the Zhou Clan, however, all reside on the Jade Spring Peak, where the spiritual energy is dense.

Jade Spring Peak itself is a Tier Two Top-grade natural spirit vein, and after over two hundred years of cultivation by the Zhou Clan, it has now been upgraded to a Tier Three Middle Grade, capable of supporting a few Foundation Establishment cultivators and hundreds of Qi Cultivation cultivators.

Zhouyang is a sixth-generation "Yuan" generation cultivator of the Yuquan Zhou Clan.

The names of the sixteen generations, including Yueming Radiance, Profound Origin Communication, Blessed and Flourishing, and Evergreen, were personally chosen by the founder of the Yuquan Zhou Clan, Zhou Yuquan.

Zhou Clan members can only be listed in the clan's genealogy and have their spiritual tablets placed in the ancestral hall to receive offerings from future generations if they possess a spiritual root and cultivation aptitude.

There are fifteen members in the "Yuan" generation of the Yuquan Zhou Clan, with Zhouyang ranking ninth, but in terms of cultivation, he is the foremost among the fifteen.

At this moment, the "Little Genius" who is quite famous within the Zhou Clan is sitting cross-legged with eyes closed in a natural cave on the waist of Jade Spring Peak, forming a spell with his hands and focusing all his efforts on cultivating and refining the milky white Earth Vein Spiritual Qi steaming in the cave.

The Earth Vein Spiritual Qi is a precious essence formed by the fusion of spirit veins and earth veins, and it has miraculous effects for Low-Tier Cultivators trying to break through.

However, Earth Vein Spiritual Qi is difficult to nurture and can only form in specific places where earth veins and spirit veins converge; throughout Jade Spring Peak, only the "Jade Sun Cave" where Zhouyang currently resides can nurture it.

The amount of Earth Vein Spiritual Qi nurtured in "Jade Sun Cave" every ten years is enough for one Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator to make a breakthrough, but it's only effective for cultivators below the Seventh-Layer Qi Cultivation.

Therefore, among dozens of Qi Cultivation stage members of the Zhou Clan, only a few particularly outstanding members can use Earth Vein Spiritual Qi for breakthroughs during their Qi Cultivation stage.

The fact that Zhouyang can use "Jade Sun Cave" for a breakthrough is undoubtedly related to his status as the first of the "Yuan" generation, otherwise, even though his father is the Sixth Elder of the Yuquan Zhou Clan, this "Jade Sun Cave" that opens once every ten years would not be for a seventeen-year-old youth's use.

It's known that among those dozens of Qi Cultivation Stage clan members, many have waited for this opportunity for ten to twenty years!

At this moment, Zhouyang is sitting cross-legged, forming a spell with hands and breathing evenly, each inhalation drawing two misty spirit serpents of milky Earth Vein Spiritual Qi into his nostrils, refining them into his own magical power.

Just when the amount of milky Earth Vein Spiritual Qi in the cave decreases to less than thirty percent, Zhouyang suddenly opens his tightly closed eyes, and his shoulder-length hair begins to flutter without wind, his aura nearly doubling.

He rises to his feet, a face full of joy, and murmurs to himself, "Finally broke through, Sixth-Layer Qi Cultivation, the Earth Vein Spiritual Qi truly lives up to its name, this breakthrough at least saved me three years of time!"

Seventeen years old, Sixth-Layer Qi Cultivation, this level of age and cultivation is something only a few elite disciples with top-grade spiritual roots can achieve, even in a cultivation sect like Yellow Sand Sect.

However, Zhouyang's spiritual root talent is actually of medium quality.

"The clan leader said I might have some kind of special Treasure Body, that's why my cultivation speed far exceeds those with similar talents, but unfortunately, detecting a Treasure Body is difficult, only a large sect like Yellow Sand Sect can use secret techniques to detect it."

"Although our Zhou Clan is a vassal of the Yellow Sand Sect, it's impossible to ask them to help detect a Treasure Body, unless I am willing to join Yellow Sand Sect!"

"But once I join Yellow Sand Sect, I would have to abide by their sect rules, and there would suddenly be countless sect elders who could command me at will, how could that be more comfortable than my current life within the clan?"

"Hmph, as the saying goes, 'Better to be a chicken head than a phoenix tail', the Yellow Sand Sect is vast and prosperous with no shortage of geniuses with top-grade spiritual roots in every generation. Even if I possess a Treasure Body, I would only be an elite disciple in Yellow Sand Sect, and the benefits I receive there may not be as good as what I get within the Zhou Clan. At least here, all the elders hope for my future success in Foundation Establishment, for the glory of the clan, and they truly have my best interests at heart."

"Moreover, as long as I succeed in Foundation Establishment, the Treasure Body will naturally awaken and manifest Treasure Body Divine Techniques, and then I'll naturally know what kind of Treasure Body I possess."

Zhouyang is not an ordinary person; he is a reincarnator with a soul originating from the Earth world, possessing memories of a previous life spanning twenty to thirty years.

Although most of his twenty to thirty years of past-life memories can't be applied in this fantastical world due to the vastly different world environment, some of the methods, experiences, and principles in dealing with people are universally applicable across all worlds.

Others only see the Yellow Sand Sect's impressive prestige, with Golden Core Ancestors holding the fort inside and dozens of desert oasis vassals offering support outside, never lacking in cultivation techniques or treasures, eager to join and become one of them.

Yet they do not realize, while the sect offers excellent benefits, the rules are equally stringent. Upon entering a sect, one loses freedom. Ordinary Qi Cultivation disciples must complete mandatory sect-assigned tasks every year, and if tasks are unmet, benefits are withheld at best, or one could have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect at worst!

Moreover, sect factions are extremely serious, and for the low-tier disciples, whether to show off in front of the sect's higher-ups or compete for the use of certain spiritual lands, they are all striving to suppress their competitors, and the competition is exceedingly fierce.

The Zhou Clan ancestor was initially a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Yellow Sand Sect. Information about Yellow Sand Sect is documented in the clan's records; hence, unless they have inferior spiritual root talent and want to gamble, no Zhou Clan members are willing to become disciples of Yellow Sand Sect.

Zhouyang became very weary of office intrigues in his past life. In this lifetime, he finally has the chance to escape such disputes and certainly won't let himself fall back into it.

Therefore, he long made up his mind that even if the great way is hopeless, immortality is impossible, he will absolutely not live a life of constant schemes and plots again.

Innate, Qi Cultivation, Foundation Establishment, Purple Mansion, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Crossing the Tribulation, Returning to Void, Harmonization Dao -- these are the nine realms of cultivation. To truly achieve immortality, one must become a Harmonious Celestial Immortal who merges with the Dao.

However, according to Zhouyang's knowledge, since cultivators exist in this world, there is no known record of anyone achieving true immortality. The division of the nine realms of cultivation is merely transmitted by the legendary Celestial Immortals, yet unverified.

Thus, for ninety-nine percent of cultivators, having a thousand years of lifespan at the Golden Core Stage is the pinnacle of their cultivation pursuit.

Therefore, it's no wonder he chooses not to suffer those intrigues for a tale of elusive immortality.

Cultivation is also cultivation of the heart. Since his heart doesn't wish to involve in those plots, Zhouyang, of course, chooses to follow his heart.

Having just broken through the realm, overwhelmed by excitement and thoughts, Zhouyang steadied his mind after a while, looking at the lingering milky Earth Vein Spiritual Qi inside the cave.

"Although every time Jade Sun Cave opens, the Earth Vein Spiritual Qi inside can be absorbed limitlessly, since I have successfully broken through, further absorbing this Earth Vein Spiritual Qi will just stabilize my realm and won't serve much purpose."

"Thus, it is better to preserve this Earth Vein Spiritual Qi and advance the opening of Jade Sun Cave by a few years to benefit other clan members."

Draining the lake to catch fish is not advisable; Earth Vein Spiritual Qi is hard to generate, and simply using it to enhance magical cultivation is too wasteful. With Zhouyang's decision to stay and develop within the clan, he naturally won't commit such selfish acts at the clan's expense.

Having decided, he immediately opened the cave door and walked out, explaining the situation to the family elder guarding outside.

"Jade Sun Cave" is a crucial place in the Zhou family, guarded by family elders all year round. The guardian outside now is "Xuan" generation cultivator Zhou Xuanhe, Zhouyang's fourteenth uncle.

Seeing Zhouyang successfully break through and walk out from within, and hearing him speak of the situation inside, Zhou Xuanhe, wearing a green robe embroidered with white cranes and cloud patterns, was immensely gratified and nodded with continuous smiles: "Not bad, not bad, Yang'Er, you are indeed the most promising 'Yuan' generation in our Zhou family. To have such a broad perspective at such a young age, both the old Clan Leader and eldest brother will surely be very pleased!"

The old Clan Leader in his words is Zhou Minghan, the only Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator in the Zhou family currently and the last surviving member of the "Ming" generation, while the eldest brother refers to Zhouyang's father Zhou Xuanhao, one of Zhou family's eight Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation elders, sixth elder of the "Xuan" generation.

A Zhou family cultivator, amongst same generation, call each other brothers, and between different generations, they address each other as uncles and nephews.

At this moment, facing compliments from Zhou Xuanhe, Zhouyang very humbly expressed that it was his duty as a Zhou Clan member, without a hint of pride due to his identity and cultivation.

This behavior made Zhou Xuanhe see this junior again in a higher light.

To have Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation at such age is already rare, even rarer to not be proud and to see the big picture. The hope of the next generation of the Zhou family might indeed rest with this child.

Thinking of this, he recalled something and quickly said: "Since you have successfully broken through, go to the cave mansion at the mountain peak to see the old Clan Leader. He previously instructed that if you managed to break through, you should go to him."

"There is such thing? Then I won't disturb Fourteenth Uncle, thank you for guarding me, Fourteenth Uncle."

With a change in expression, Zhouyang expressed his gratitude to Zhou Xuanhe and hurried towards the old Clan Leader's cave mansion at Jade Spring Peak.

Standing several hundred meters high, Jade Spring Peak's spiritual energy becomes denser the higher one ascends. Generally, the Zhou Clan practitioners at the Qi Cultivation Stage cultivate at the mountain waist where palaces and pavilions are built for living, with mundane clan members attending to their daily needs.

Only Foundation Establishment cultivators reside in cave mansions at the mountain peak, using the dense spiritual energy there for cultivation.

The whole Jade Spring Peak is covered by a Tier Three Middle Grade Array known as "Array of Ten Thousand Trees Holding Up the Heavens," which draws the spiritual energy of vegetation to augment its power within, so from the foot to the summit of Jade Spring Peak, besides cleared spirit fields and medicine gardens, the rest is planted with tall trees, some over hundreds or thousands of years old.

The crowns of these towering trees form a continuous canopy, blocking sunlight, making the mountain temperature a few degrees lower than outside, with cool mountain winds blowing through the forest, giving one an indescribable refreshment.

In flowing white attire, Zhouyang employed the Light Body Technique to ascend from the mountain waist along the stone path amidst the woods, swiftly reaching the summit.

The summit of Jade Spring Peak was artificially leveled, small in size at mere tens of acres. Apart from three spots where three cave mansions stand, the rest has been opened into medicine fields planted with various grades of spirit elixirs due to the concentrated spiritual energy.

Arriving here, a mixture of various spirit elixir scents invigorates the spirit, even boosting magical power circulation significantly.

One can imagine cultivating here year-round would unquestionably accelerate cultivation more than in the mountain waist.

But that's simply impossible.

The Spirit Medicine Garden is critical to the Zhou family, with many spirit elixirs cultivated over centuries a precious variety, loss of any would cause the old Clan Leader Zhou Minghan heartache for decades.

Thus, except for the clan's two Tier Two Spirit Plant Cultivators, even Zhouyang, valued so much as the family's genius disciple, cannot step onto the summit without Clan Leader's summons.

Moreover, entering the summit isn't a random whim; it's the core area of the "Array of Ten Thousand Trees Holding Up the Heavens," encompassing robust array power. Without the guardian inside manipulating the array to grant passage, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator can only assault the array by force.

"Junior Zhouyang, ordered to meet the old Clan Leader, may I request the elder to grant passage."

He stood outside the summit's array, respectfully bowing towards the area covered by the array's white mist and said.

"Oh, it's Xiao Jiu, the Clan Leader has instructed before, you may enter."

An elderly voice emerged from the white mist, and then the dense white fog before Zhouyang surged, revealing a safe passage wide enough for one person to walk through.

Upon seeing this, Zhouyang quickly clasped his hands and expressed his thanks, "Nephew thanks Grandpa Qi."

He then followed the narrow path all the way, eventually arriving beside an elderly man with white hair sitting cross-legged underneath a tree over ten meters high.

The white-haired elderly man sitting under the tree was named Zhou Yun, possessing the cultivation of Ninth-Layer Qi Cultivation. He was the Fourth Elder of the Zhou Family, ranked seventh among the "Guang" generation, and also one of the only two Tier Two Spirit Plant Cultivators in the Zhou Family.

The youngest among the Zhou Family "Guang" generation cultivators were all over eighty years old, and this Fourth Elder Zhou Yun was close to one hundred years old, nearing the lifespan limit of one hundred and twenty years for a Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator.

Although a cultivator's ability in combat does not decrease much with age, generally speaking, elderly cultivators in the Qi Cultivation Stage close to one hundred years old in major cultivation clans usually retire to the family ancestral grounds to quietly spend the rest of their lives. Unless faced with a clan-devastating crisis, they are not to be disturbed, for they have served the family for most of their lives.

Especially considering Zhou Yun is a Tier Two Spirit Plant Cultivator, allowing him to live on the mountain top to care for the spiritual herbs in the dozens of acres of medicinal garden.

Seeing Zhouyang approaching, the elder promptly waved his wide sleeve, conjuring a tea table, a tea set, and a cushion before him, gesturing towards the vacant cushion without further ado and saying, "The Clan Leader is finishing up cultivation, Xiao Jiu, sit here and have tea with the old man, share some stories."

Family juniors rarely get to visit the mountain top, and the Clan Leader, whose seniority surpasses his own, often closes himself off for cultivation, leaving the elder with no one to talk to, often feeling lonely.

Now seeing Zhouyang, one of the most outstanding juniors of the family's younger generation, come by, naturally brought him great joy.

Ordinary young people may not understand the elderly's mindset, but Zhouyang, living with the wisdom of two lifetimes, understood well and was willing to chat with these elders, listening to stories about the wonders and tales of the cultivation realm, whenever it did not interrupt important matters.

"It's rare to savor Grandpa Qi's homemade medicinal tea, today this nephew must drink to his fill,"

He smiled as he sat down on the cushion, eagerly picking up the tea set to prepare the tea.

The way cultivators brew tea certainly differs from mortals; the flame used comes from magical power, quick to bring water to boil without a hint of smoke or fire.

Once the tea was boiled, Zhouyang poured tea for both of them, hurriedly took up his cup, rich with aroma, and drank it all in one go.

For mortals to drink tea like this, boiling tea would likely scorch the throat, but for cultivators whose bodies have been tempered by magical power, this temperature was akin to drinking warm water for ordinary people, not a problem at all.

The elder, observing his ravenous tea-drinking, felt not the slightest displeasure; instead, he laughed heartily, asking, "How is it? Does this new brew of medicinal tea satisfy you?"

Not waiting for Zhouyang to respond, he too lightly took up his teacup to sip, closing his eyes in enjoyment, and spoke with a proud tone, "This is a novel tea I crafted from the dried leaves of the Tier Two Spirit Herb [Immortal Cloud Grass], twenty-year-old [White Jade Ginseng] root, and five other spirit herbs including the Tier One [Fragrant Leaf Chrysanthemum], altogether just three taels made. Even the tea water was collected as spirit dew from the spiritual herbs in the medicinal garden this morning."

"Indeed excellent tea, whether in taste or effect, Grandpa Qi's medicinal tea is comparable to any spirit teas I've enjoyed before. If it could be mass-produced, it would certainly create a new stream of income for our Zhou Family!"

Placing his cup down, Zhouyang quietly felt the change of magical power within him, then savored the lingering medicinal fragrance between his lips, his face full of admiration.

Hearing his praise, the elder couldn't suppress the joy on his face, but then shook his head in frustration and helplessness, "I share the same thought, but alas, [Immortal Cloud Grass] is the main ingredient for refining the Tier Two Spirit Pill [Immortal Cloud Pill]. We can't indiscriminately waste this spirit herb just to make tea, right? Relying only on naturally withered leaves, the amount scarcely suffices for even my own consumption!"

"Um..."

Zhouyang lowered his head awkwardly, wisely dodging the elder's remarks.

The family only has one Tier Two Alchemist, and that is his father Zhou Xuanhao. Once [Immortal Cloud Grass] matures, it is allocated for his father's alchemy purposes. If he dared suggest using the spirit herb for tea making, his father might use a slap to end him.

"Heh heh, you cunning little rascal, worry not, the old man isn't one to ignore the bigger picture. What I said was merely jest!"

The elder chuckled knowingly, well aware of Zhouyang's concerns, offering a few words of comfort before reminiscing about some amusing anecdotes from his youth, smoothing over the earlier discomfort.

Their conversation flowed like this for about a quarter of an hour before the door to the clan leader's cave mansion on the mountain peak suddenly opened, and an authoritative voice from the clan leader echoed within, "Is it Xiao Jiu? Come inside."

Upon hearing the voice, the two chatting paused in unison, whereupon Zhouyang promptly stood up, clasping his hands toward Zhou Yun, saying, "Grandpa Qi, this nephew must go visit the Clan Leader now."

"Go on, don't keep the Clan Leader waiting too long."

After bidding farewell to Zhou Yun, Zhouyang walked directly through the open door of the cave mansion and soon arrived in the cultivation chamber deep within, where he met the current clan leader of the Zhou Clan, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator Zhou Minghan.

Zhou Minghan, a man over one hundred and fifty years old, appeared remarkably youthful compared to Zhou Yun. His hair was not entirely grey, and his complexion was as radiant as a baby's.

This was not unusual, for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's lifespan exceeds two hundred years, with Zhou Minghan likely having forty or fifty years still ahead. His profound cultivation naturally makes him appear younger than Zhou Yun.

When Zhouyang met Zhou Minghan, the clan leader of the Zhou Clan was sitting cross-legged on the Cold Jade Bed meditating. Zhouyang dared not linger, and upon entering, solemnly bowed deeply to pay his respects, saying, "Grandson greets Great-Grandfather."

Being the only remaining cultivator of the "Ming" generation and possessing Foundation Establishment cultivation, Zhou Minghan is naturally the Great-grandfather to all "Yuan" generation cultivators.

"Xuan Hao has informed me of your performance in [Jade Sun Cave], Xiao Jiu, you have managed this quite well. Even old me at your age wouldn't measure up to your comprehension of the big picture!"

Zhou Minghan on the Cold Jade Bed parted his eyes slightly, revealing a look of unhidden admiration towards Zhouyang, showering him with praise and showing unreserved joy.

In hearing these words, Zhouyang was undoubtedly pleased, being the first among the "Yuan" generation to receive such commendations from the clan leader Zhou Minghan, a fact that if spread, would surely elevate his standing among the family elders and seniors even higher.

However, his delight did not lead him to arrogance; he promptly replied respectfully, "Great-Grandfather praises too highly, grandson merely did what was required and does not merit such commendation from Great-Grandfather."

"Such a notion of required duty! If all our Zhou Family offspring were as insightful as Xiao Jiu, how could the Zhou Family not flourish?"

Zhou Minghan couldn't help but reveal a wide smile on his face, clearly extremely satisfied with Zhouyang's answer.

With a smile, he raised his hand slightly, and an invisible force lifted Zhouyang's bent body upright.

"Come, stand straight so the old man can take a good look at the Qilin'Er of our Zhou Family!"

The old clan leader was so pleased that he even cried out the word "Qilin'Er," showcasing his deep affection and high regard for this younger generation, Zhouyang.

Zhou Minghan held great expectations for Zhouyang.

Ever since the Yuquan Zhou Clan was founded by Zhou Yuquan, they have always had Foundation Establishment Cultivators holding the fort, which allowed them to develop to their current scale in just over two hundred years.

However, as the Zhou Clan developed, it seemed they have run out of luck. For over a hundred years since Zhou Minghan, no new Foundation Establishment Cultivators have emerged.

This is dangerous.

What a cultivation clan fears most is suddenly losing high-tier cultivators.

If the Zhou Clan loses the protection of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they would struggle to not only expand but even retain the ancestral grounds of Yuquan Lake Oasis and Jade Spring Peak.

Thus, under Zhou Minghan's secret directive, the clan's development has discreetly halted in recent years. The fear is that further expansion would provoke outside covetousness, leading to the clan's downfall upon his passing.

However, this isn't a fundamental solution. The best approach is for the Zhou Clan to establish new Foundation Establishment Cultivators before his passing to maintain stability.

As long as Foundation Establishment Cultivators are present, coupled with the Tier Three Array, the Array of Ten Thousand Trees Holding Up the Heavens on Jade Spring Peak, and assistance from numerous Qi Cultivation Clan Members, even a siege by multiple Foundation Establishment Cultivators wouldn't shake the Zhou Clan's foundation.

Initially, Zhou Minghan placed his hopes on the "Xuan" Generation's younger members, even resolving that if no one in the Zhou Clan reached Foundation Establishment Stage before his passing, he'd rather relinquish Yuquan Lake Oasis and much of the clan's resources for the Yellow Sand Sect's protection than let the clan be destroyed out of envy.

But now, Zhou Minghan realizes he should reconsider his plans.

With the potential Zhouyang of the "Yuan" Generation showcased, if given twenty or thirty years, his hope of reaching Foundation Establishment Stage might be even greater than those of the "Xuan" Generation.

He looked closely at the young man standing before him, whose handsome and graceful appearance was not the focus. What he valued was the young man's composed demeanor displayed before him, maintaining calm even under scrutiny.

After this observation, he had one thought.

This child is a great asset!

Of course, as an elder, even if he felt extremely satisfied and pleased, he wouldn't show it excessively on his face, lest he encourage arrogance in the youth.

Therefore, while inwardly jubilant, his expression returned to a calm demeanor as he asked Zhouyang, "Do you know why the old man called you here?"

"Grandson does not know," Zhouyang replied honestly.

"Originally, according to clan rules, young cultivators must venture down the mountain and serve the clan for a period after turning twenty before returning to cultivate in peace."

"However, your circumstances are unique. Although only seventeen, you have attained the Sixth-Layer Qi Cultivation, a feat unseen in the clan for over a century by anyone descending at twenty."

"Having just leveraged Earth Vein Spiritual Qi for your breakthrough, you'll need at least five years to temper your magical power, and letting you remain on the mountain would be a waste of manpower."

"Therefore, I've decided on a special arrangement, letting you descend earlier to serve the clan. This will also serve as your experience and greatly benefit your future cultivation."

Watching Zhouyang's attentive listening, Zhou Minghan's lips curled slightly as he explained his arrangement in a deep voice.

As anticipated, upon hearing his words, Zhouyang's expression changed, evidently not expecting this outcome of being summoned.

However, whether pleased or dismayed, Zhouyang's expression only subtly changed before returning to calm, then respectfully bowed and said, "Grandson understands and is willing to follow the clan's arrangement."

Seeing this, Zhou Minghan asked in an odd tone, "Don't you wish to know where I plan to send you?"

"Grandson believes whatever arrangement Great Grandfather makes will ultimately be for Grandson's benefit."

With a smile in his heart, Zhouyang replied with words that left Zhou Minghan speechless momentarily.

After a long pause, he laughed warmly and scolded, "Indeed a clever one. How could Xuan Hao and his wife, both upright individuals, give birth to such a clever child!"

Before Zhouyang could retort, Zhou Minghan proactively revealed his plans for him.

"Your Spirit Root Attribute leans towards Metal and Fire, and your cultivation technique is the aggressively dominant Golden Sun Fiery Flame Technique. Besides lacking combat experience, your magical duel ability is not inferior to any cultivator of the same level."

"Coincidentally, the cultivator stationed at Cyan Ping Mountain has reached their guard term; you'll be sent to replace them for five years. Afterward, I'll have someone else take your place."

"Additionally, I hope you use this time to learn Artifact Refining Skill from the Hundred Skills of Cultivation. The clan lacks promising candidates in artifact refining to take over my responsibilities. Should you make progress here, it will greatly benefit the clan."

After outlining his arrangements, Zhou Minghan waved his hand, tossing a gray Storage Bag and a Small Silver Shield to Zhouyang.