The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Where did you get this purple rice?"

In the medical hall, Yun Yunxun looked at the sack of purple rice with a mix of excitement and curiosity.

"We found it in Yun Cang Mountain," Yun Yanshui replied.

"Uncle Yunxun, do you recognize this purple rice?" Yanshui asked, noting his uncle's barely-contained excitement. Clearly, Yunxun was familiar with its origins.

"This is Purple Jade Bamboo, a Grade Five Yellow-tier spiritual plant," Yunxun explained, his tone reverent. "According to my master's writings, the purple rice produced by this plant can effectively enhance the physique of cultivators, improving their bones, muscles, and blood.

"However, its effects are only beneficial to those in the Breathing Realm. Beyond that, it has limited impact.

"In addition, the purple rice can be fermented into a unique bamboo wine, naturally infused with its distinctive aroma. This wine can further improve the physique of Breathing Realm cultivators and is also highly effective in treating internal and external injuries, comparable to a Grade Two or Grade Three Yellow-tier healing pill."

"That's incredible!" Yun Yansong exclaimed, eyeing the sack of purple rice with newfound awe.

"Uncle Yunxun, does this rice have any benefits for ordinary people?" Yanshui asked with a smile.

"Of course it does," Yunxun replied. "Its effects are even better than spiritual rice. If consumed by the villagers, it can strengthen their bodies and extend their lifespans."

"Do you know how to cultivate Purple Jade Bamboo?" Yanshui asked eagerly.

"Not at the moment," Yunxun admitted.

"What a pity," Yanshui said with a sigh. "If only you knew, we could transplant the Purple Jade Bamboo to our spiritual fields in the back mountains. Imagine cultivating a whole grove of it—producing more purple rice to benefit the family.

"Not only could it generate wealth, but the extra purple rice could nourish our clansmen, strengthening their bodies. Who knows? Over time, it might even increase the chances of our clan producing more Spirit Root cultivators."

As Yanshui spoke, Yunxun fell into deep thought.

For the past five years, the family's spiritual rice harvest had steadily increased, but it was still far from sufficient to feed every clansman daily. Most of the harvest was either sold for spirit stones or reserved for the five Spirit Root cultivators in the family.

Yanshui's suggestion struck a chord. Could consistent consumption of spiritual rice and purple rice by ordinary clansmen improve their physiques and lead to a higher likelihood of producing Spirit Root offspring?

"Water, your idea isn't without merit," Yunxun said, patting Yanshui on the shoulder with a smile. "It seems we elders have been too short-sighted.

"We've focused so much on selling spiritual rice for profit or reserving it for our Spirit Root cultivators that we overlooked the potential benefits for the rest of the clan. Allowing all our clansmen access to such nourishment could indeed benefit the family in the long run, perhaps even resulting in more Spirit Root descendants."

After a moment of excitement, Yunxun calmed himself. "But there's a problem. Our spiritual rice harvest is still limited, and we don't yet know how to cultivate Purple Jade Bamboo. Acquiring more purple rice won't be easy."

"Don't worry, I'll bring this idea to your eldest uncle. I'm sure he'll be just as excited and will do whatever it takes to make it happen," Yunxun said reassuringly.

"Uncle Yunxun, the branches of the Purple Jade Bamboo are incredibly sturdy," Yansong added.

"Ah, I nearly forgot," Yunxun said with a chuckle. "The branches and stalks of the Purple Jade Bamboo aren't just sturdy—they're excellent materials for crafting artifacts."

"Artifacts?" Yanshui asked, surprised.

"Exactly. The branches and stalks are prized for refining tools and weapons. Don't throw away any of the branches you brought back. Once Yanshuang returns, have her store them safely for future use."

"Understood," Yanshui and Yansong said in unison.

"Yansong, are you here?"

A Yun clansman hurried into the medical hall, his expression urgent.

"What's wrong?" Yansong asked.

"Your wife just gave birth!"

"Really?" Yansong exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy.

"Yes, a boy and a girl," the clansman replied.

"Do they have Spirit Roots?"

"The elder child has a Grade Three Spirit Root, and the younger one has a Grade Four Spirit Root."

"That's amazing!" Yansong said, his excitement overflowing.

"Congratulations! You've truly brought honor to your family," Yunxun said with a laugh.

"Uncle Yunxun, Yanshui, I need to head home. If anything comes up, send someone to find me!" Yansong said as he hurriedly excused himself.

In his haste, he nearly tripped over the threshold of the medical hall.@@novelbin@@

Yulin Mountain, Wang Family Estate.

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"Brother Yunyang!"

Wang Zhongtian stood at the gates with a group of clan members, smiling broadly as Yun Yunyang and his entourage approached.

In the past, Zhongtian would have made Yunyang wait outside for at least half an hour before greeting him. But now, such arrogance was no longer an option.

"The Yun Cang Yun family is no ordinary clan," Wang Zhongtian thought to himself as he greeted the Yun delegation. The presence of the enigmatic elder behind them was enough to make even his own ancestor tread carefully.

"Brother Wang," Yun Yunyang said, returning the greeting with a polite bow.

"Your visit truly honors our Wang family," Zhongtian said with a warm smile. His eyes shifted to Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian. "Are these the Spirit Root cultivators of your esteemed family?"

"Indeed," Yunyang replied, gesturing toward them. "Yanshuang, Yantian, greet your Uncle Wang."

"Yanshuang greets Uncle Wang."

"Yantian greets Uncle Wang," the two said politely.

"Haha! Such outstanding young talents! Truly extraordinary. Please, treat the Wang family as your own during your stay," Zhongtian said enthusiastically, determined to make a good impression. He knew full well that these two were the disciples of the blind Daoist elder and understood the importance of maintaining cordial relations.

Yanshuang and Yantian exchanged polite smiles, acknowledging Zhongtian's goodwill.

"This time, we've come to congratulate your esteemed ancestor on achieving Foundation Establishment. While our gifts are modest—some spirit stones, spiritual rice, obsidian, and a few Breathing Pills—I hope they convey our sincerity," Yunyang said.

"Not modest at all! How could I think such gifts are unworthy? Your presence alone is a great honor to us," Zhongtian said with a hearty laugh, signaling his attendants to receive the gifts.

"Li Yuan, escort our esteemed guests to the ancestral grounds and ensure they are well cared for," Zhongtian instructed his son, Wang Liyuan.

"Uncle Yun, Miss Yanshuang, Brother Yantian, please follow me," Liyuan said, stepping forward and gesturing for them to proceed.

Yunyang, Yanshuang, and Yantian followed him toward the Wang family's ancestral grounds on Yulin Mountain, where the upcoming ceremony was to take place. Meanwhile, the rest of the Yun delegation, led by Yun Yunlin, was arranged to stay in the Wang family's village.

As they walked along the mountain path, Yunyang asked with a smile, "Have the representatives from the Three Great Families and Seven Clans arrived for the ceremony?"

"Most of them are already here," Liyuan replied. "Even the Imperial Court's attendant cultivators have arrived."

"Has Master Li arrived?" Yunyang inquired.

"Yes, Master Li has been here for some time. My ancestor is personally hosting him," Liyuan said.

"Wonderful. I must share a drink with Master Li later," Yunyang said with a gentle smile.

"Miss Yanshuang, Brother Yantian," Liyuan said, turning to them, "once we reach the grounds, I'll introduce you to the young elites of the Three Great Families and Seven Clans."

"That might not be appropriate," Yantian said humbly. "The Yun Cang Yun family is a small, humble clan and may not be worthy of associating with such distinguished figures."

"There's no need for such modesty," Liyuan said, smiling. "The two of you possess remarkable talent and strength—enough to rank among the top of the younger generation in the Three Great Families and Seven Clans.

"They value individual ability over familial prestige. Besides, your Yun Cang Yun family is far from weak. In the future, your family will undoubtedly hold a prominent position in Yue Country."

Liyuan's comment about the Yun family's "hidden strength" was a veiled reference to the blind Daoist elder, whose mere presence commanded respect and deference.

"Thank you for the encouragement," Yanshuang said.

"It's my pleasure. Soon, the younger generation from the Three Great Families, Seven Clans, and other cultivation families in Yue Country will journey to the Immortal Mansion Secret Realm to seek their fortunes. Forming connections now will help you understand your peers better," Liyuan explained.

"Speaking of the Immortal Mansion Secret Realm," Yunyang interjected, "what does your family know about it?"

He wanted to gauge whether it was worth sending Yanshuang and Yantian to such a potentially dangerous place.

"Our Wang family's scouts and hired cultivators have determined that the Immortal Mansion Secret Realm was once the site of a cultivation sect from centuries ago—the Pill Cauldron Sect," Liyuan said.

"The sect specialized in alchemy and was renowned for producing over a hundred alchemists during its peak. However, internal strife led to its downfall, and it eventually vanished into history.

"Interestingly, the founder of the Tongshan Xia clan was once a lowly servant in the Pill Cauldron Sect," Liyuan added with a smile.