The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 36: There is always someone better

"Father and Second Uncle have been in the mountains for quite a while, haven’t they?" Yun

Yanshui asked absentmindedly, sitting on a stool after eating his fill at the feast. His thoughts drifted to his father and uncle, who had led a group into Yunzhang Mountain several days ago. Their prolonged absence weighed on him, filling his heart with unease.

"It’s been almost four days," Yun Qin, his mother, replied with a trace of worry in her voice. While she often reassured herself that her husband and brother-in-law were battle-hardened men who had survived countless life-or-death situations during their military service, their delayed return still gnawed at her nerves.

"Mother, how about I sneak into the mountains tomorrow to look for them?" Yanshui suggested. "It’s been so many days, and I’m worried something might have happened to them."

Yun Qin hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright, but you must be extremely careful if you go alone."

"Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll be fine," Yanshui said, his resolve firm.

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Yun Yunyang entered with Sun Tianming and his son Sun Fenglin. He began introducing them to the key figures at the feast.

"Lord Lu, allow me to introduce the head of the Blue Lin Sun Clan—Brother Sun Tianming," Yun Yunyang said warmly.

Lu Zizai, the magistrate of Yunzhang County, was no stranger to the existence of cultivation families within Yue Kingdom. The Blue Lin Sun Clan was one of the prominent ones, having established their reputation many years ago. He had heard that Sun Tianming’s eldest son, Sun Fenglin, was the first in their family to be discovered with spiritual root potential.

The Sun family’s rise began when Sun Tianming’s second brother, who held an official post at the imperial court, had borrowed a spiritual root-detecting stone from an imperial cultivator. Upon testing their family members, they discovered not only Sun Fenglin but also two other children with spiritual roots. Overjoyed, they reported this to the emperor, and the Sun family was officially recognized as a cultivation clan. They now governed Blue Lin County, home to tens of thousands.

"It’s an honor to meet you, Patriarch Sun," Lu Zizai greeted with a respectful bow.

"The honor is mine, Lord Lu," Sun Tianming replied humbly, returning the gesture.

Yun Yunyang continued the introductions. "Brother Sun, this is Chang Yuan, the county captain who commands three thousand soldiers in Yunzhang County. And this is Qin Yang, the wealthiest man in our county."

As Yun Yunyang introduced the other guests—merchants and dignitaries from Yunzhang County—Sun Tianming greeted each of them with politeness and respect, leaving them visibly flattered.

Finally, Yun Yunyang introduced the core members of the Yun family. "This is my Second Uncle Yun Lidi, my Third Uncle Yun Liguan, and my Fourth Uncle Yun Lihuang. These are my cousins Yun Yunrui and Yun Yunxun…"

Sun Tianming greeted each member graciously, making a favorable impression on the Yun clan.

"Brother Sun, please, have a seat. You and your son are guests—there’s no need to stand on ceremony," Yun Yunyang said, ushering them to the table. "Our fare is simple, but I hope you won’t find it lacking."

As they dined, Yun Yunyang and Sun Tianming spoke with the ease of old friends, their lively conversation punctuated by laughter. It was as if they were reuniting after years apart, sharing a deep camaraderie that belied their first meeting.

When the banquet began to wind down, Sun Tianming produced a simple yet elegant box from his robes. "Brother Yunyang, this evening’s conversation has been a delight. As you know, the Blue Lin Sun Clan is still in its early stages of development and has little to offer in terms of treasures. However, to commemorate your Yun clan’s recognition as the fifty-second cultivation family in Yue Kingdom, I have brought a small gift. I hope you’ll accept it."

Yun Yunyang accepted the box with a polite smile and opened it carefully. Inside lay a radiant orb the size of a goose egg, its surface shimmering with five colors, like a luminous pearl.

"Brother Sun, what is this remarkable object?" Yun Yunyang asked, his curiosity piqued.

"This is a Spiritual Root Stone," Sun Tianming explained with a smile.

"A Spiritual Root Stone?" Yun Yunyang repeated, puzzled.

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"It’s an artifact my second brother obtained from an imperial cultivator at court. It can be used to test whether someone has spiritual roots. When placed near a person, the stone’s glow will reveal their potential. Six colors indicate fifth-grade roots, five colors indicate fourth-grade roots, and so on."

Sun Tianming’s tone was light, but the significance of the artifact was undeniable.

"Incredible… Such a wondrous object is far too precious. I can’t possibly accept it," Yun Yunyang said, startled by the generous gift.

"Brother Yunyang, please don’t refuse. This is not some priceless immortal treasure—it simply reveals whether someone has spiritual roots. Our Sun family already has another, so this spare one was merely sitting unused. I thought it would make a fitting gift," Sun Tianming reassured him.

"In that case, I gratefully accept. Thank you, Brother Sun!" Yun Yunyang said, bowing deeply in gratitude.

Though the Spiritual Root Stone was not an invaluable artifact, its usefulness to a growing family like the Yun clan was immense. With it, they could test every child born into the clan, uncovering potential cultivators and securing a brighter future for their lineage.

"Haha! Brother Yunyang, you’re too kind!" Sun Tianming said with a hearty laugh. "It’s already late, and I should return to attend to some matters in the clan. Brother Yunyang, I hope you’ll visit the Sun family someday when you have the time."

"You’re leaving so soon? Brother Tianming, why don’t you and your son stay the night here? You can head back tomorrow," Yun Yunyang suggested warmly.

"No, the clan’s affairs are pressing. I’ve only managed to steal away for a brief visit," Sun Tianming declined politely.

"In that case, let me see you off," Yun Yunyang insisted.

He led a group of family members to personally escort Sun Tianming and his son out of the Yun family estate.

"Take care on the road, Brother Tianming," Yun Yunyang said as he clasped his hands in a farewell gesture.

"Until next time, Brother Yunyang," Sun Tianming replied, returning the gesture. He and Sun Fenglin climbed into their carriage, which disappeared into the night.

Inside the carriage, Sun Fenglin’s expression was unusually serious. "Father, you were right. The Yun family must not be underestimated."

"Oh? What did you notice?" Sun Tianming asked with a curious smile.

"Earlier, I observed the Yun family’s two spiritual root descendants. Both are at the Breath Embryo Second Level, equal to me in cultivation. However, their spiritual energy is far more refined and stable than mine.

"That little girl in particular—she’s on the verge of breaking through to the Breath Embryo Third Layer!" Sun Fenglin’s voice carried a mix of disbelief and frustration. "The Yun family has only recently discovered their spiritual root descendants, yet their progress is astonishing. I fear the fortuitous opportunities they’ve encountered far surpass those of our Sun family."

As he recounted his observations, Sun Fenglin felt a growing sense of unease.

Sun Tianming fell silent for a moment before nodding thoughtfully. "It seems your Second Uncle’s warnings were well-founded. I’m glad I made the effort to visit the Yun Cang Yun Clan despite my busy schedule. Building good relations with them will undoubtedly benefit our Sun family in the future."

"I must admit, Father," Sun Fenglin said, his tone resigned, "I was puzzled on the way here. The Yun family is a newly anointed cultivation clan, with only two spiritual root descendants. Why would the imperial court grant them an annual supply of twenty lower-grade spirit stones and thirty catties of spirit rice?

"After seeing the abilities of their spiritual root descendants, I now understand—there is always someone stronger, someone more extraordinary."

"I’m glad you’ve come to that realization," Sun Tianming said with approval. "To be honest, I was worried you might let your dissatisfaction show and offend the Yun family."

The question of the court’s favor had also lingered in Sun Tianming’s mind. Among Yue Kingdom’s fifty-one existing cultivation clans, only a select few received regular support in the form of spirit stones and rice. Even his own Sun family, with three spiritual root descendants, had not earned such recognition.

The court was notoriously judicious in allocating its limited cultivation resources, reserving them for families it deemed especially promising. The Yun family, as the fifty-second cultivation clan, had secured this rare privilege, marking them as a family of exceptional potential.

"Now, I truly envy the Yun family," Sun Fenglin admitted with a sigh.

"Don’t worry," Sun Tianming said reassuringly. "Our Sun family is quietly working on its own growth. In time, everything will improve."

"I’ll remember your words, Father," Sun Fenglin said, nodding solemnly.

The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Yun Yanshui rose early. After quickly washing up and informing his mother, he set out toward Yunzhang Mountain to search for his father and uncle, who had not yet returned.

However, as he reached the foot of the mountain, he spotted a group emerging from the dense forest. It was his father, Yun Yunshan, and Second Uncle Yun Yunyue, leading their party back after days in the wilderness.

"Father! Second Uncle!" Yun Yanshui called out joyfully. Relief washed over him as he saw them safe and sound.

"Yanshui? What are you doing here so early?" Yun Yunshan asked, surprised to see his son waiting for them.

"I was worried about you. I thought something might have happened in the mountains," Yanshui admitted.

"You shouldn’t have acted so recklessly," Yun Yunyue said sternly, frowning. "The depths of Yun zhang Mountain are full of dangerous beasts. A child like you could’ve been walking into your own death!"

What Yun Yunyue didn’t realize was that his seemingly ordinary nephew was, in fact, a cultivator at the Breath Embryo Third Layer. No beast in the mountain could withstand a single punch from Yanshui.

"Hehe! You’re right, Second Uncle," Yanshui said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I was too worried and didn’t think it through."

"If you’re ever planning to enter the mountains again, at least take your cousin Yantian with you!" Yun Yunyue scolded. "That rascal doesn’t care about his father’s safety at all, unlike you!"

Yanshui chuckled, showing a row of gleaming white teeth. "Yes, Second Uncle, I’ll make sure to bring Yantian next time!"