The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

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Yun Yunyang froze upon hearing the blind Daoist's explanation. He stared blankly at the fist-sized chunk of obsidian resting in the black wooden box.

He had not expected that his visit to Lu Zizai—merely to request assistance in recruiting laborers—would result in such an extraordinary stroke of fortune.

To the esteemed families of Yue Kingdom—the Three Houses and Seven Clans—a second-tier Yellow Grade spiritual ore was not considered rare, but rather commonplace.

However, for the newly risen Yun clan of Yun Cang, this piece of obsidian was nothing short of a treasure.

"Thank you, venerable Daoist, for enlightening me. I am truly grateful!"

Closing the box with care, Yun Yunyang stood and bowed deeply to the blind Daoist in respect.

"A trifling matter, hardly worth mentioning," the Daoist replied dismissively, waving his hand as he resumed eating and drinking with leisurely abandon.

Yun Yunyang took his leave, making his way toward a clearing in the distance. From afar, he spotted Yun Yanshuang wielding a peachwood sword, sparring against Yun Yantian, who brandished a short black spear.

The air was alive with a storm of sword shadows and spear phantoms, a dazzling display that blurred the line between reality and illusion.

The powerful gusts of wind generated by their strikes ripped the grass from the clearing, sending blades of greenery swirling in a wild dance through the air.

The ringing clash of the peachwood sword and the black spear echoed relentlessly, sharp and piercing enough to make any onlooker's ears ache.

Both combatants moved with such speed that their forms became spectral blurs, impossible for the mortal eyes of Yun Yunyang to track.

It was only after a long while that the clearing settled into a tranquil calm.

Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian finally appeared, their foreheads glistening with sweat from their intense duel.

"Brother Yantian, your Silver Dragon Spear Technique is getting more and more formidable!"

"And your Thousandfold Sword Shadows is nothing to scoff at, Sister Shuang'er!"

The siblings stood facing each other, exchanging mutual praise.

For the past few months, they had been training under the blind Daoist. Each had been taught a unique Daoist art by their master.

Yun Yanshuang's technique, Thousandfold Sword Shadows, was a third-tier Yellow Grade Daoist art, perfectly suited to her current level of cultivation.

Yun Yantian's Silver Dragon Spear Technique was also a third-tier Yellow Grade Daoist art.

In addition, the two had mastered a shared movement art—Footsteps on Snow, Without a Trace, another third-tier Yellow Grade technique.

Clap, clap, clap!@@novelbin@@

Applause broke the silence, drawing the attention of both Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian. They turned to see their uncle standing at the edge of the clearing.

"Uncle!" Yun Yanshuang called out cheerfully, skipping over to him with a bright smile.

Yun Yantian followed, bowing respectfully.

"Both of you are growing stronger and more skilled with each passing day," Yun Yunyang said, his face beaming with pride. "That sparring session just now—it truly left me in awe!"

Seeing his niece and nephew advancing so rapidly in their cultivation filled Yun Yunyang's heart with unrestrained joy.

"Hehe! It's all thanks to our master's excellent teaching. Without him, Brother Yantian and I wouldn't have such skills," Yun Yanshuang replied with a grin.

"Indeed, the old Daoist is a true sage, worthy of our utmost respect," Yun Yunyang said with a solemn nod.

"By the way, what techniques were you two using during your sparring?"

"Uncle," Yun Yanshuang replied sweetly, "I was using Thousandfold Sword Shadows, a third-tier Yellow Grade Daoist art taught by our master."

"And I was using the Silver Dragon Spear Technique, also a third-tier Yellow Grade Daoist art," Yun Yantian added.

"Both techniques are designed for combat," he explained further. "In addition, our master also taught us Footsteps on Snow, Without a Trace, a movement art of the same grade."

"Marvelous! Truly marvelous!" Yun Yunyang exclaimed, his admiration evident.

"Would you both be willing to transcribe these arts and store them in the clan's library?" he asked with a smile.

"No need to worry, Uncle. Brother Yantian and I have already transcribed them," Yun Yanshuang replied cheerfully. "We handed them to Uncle Yunrui to safeguard in the library. That way, any clan members with spiritual roots can study them in the future."

"Haha! Well done!" Yun Yunyang laughed heartily, his hand reaching out to gently ruffle his niece's hair. His eyes shone with gratitude and pride.

"By the way, Shuang'er, are you still planning to learn artifact forging?"

"Yes, I am."

"Your father has already gone to Yulin County. I've asked the Wang family there to look after him and guide him to the marketplace to procure some low-grade spiritual ores for you."

"Hehe! Father already told me, Uncle. I know all about it!" Yun Yanshuang replied with a giggle.

"Good," Yun Yunyang said, nodding with satisfaction.

"Also, your uncle came across a spiritual ore in town today. Here, take it," Yun Yunyang said, handing the black wooden box to Yun Yanshuang.

"Uncle, what is this?"

Yanshuang's wide, curious eyes sparkled as she gazed at the black stone inside the box.

"Obsidian—a second-tier spiritual ore of the Yellow Grade. It's a key material for crafting spiritual artifacts of the same rank," Yun Yunyang explained with a gentle smile.

"Uncle, where did you get this?" Yanshuang asked, clearly astonished.

A second-tier Yellow Grade spiritual ore was a rare treasure for their family. After all, the Yun clan had no spiritual ore of its own, and her father had to travel to Yulin County's cultivation markets to purchase some.

"Lord Lu gave it to me," Yun Yunyang replied warmly.

"Uncle, didn't you ask where Lord Lu got it from?"

"According to him, an old farmer found it. Lord Lu liked it so much that he took it," Yun Yunyang said casually.

"Uncle," Yun Yantian interjected, stepping forward, "perhaps you should send someone to find that old farmer and ask where he found this spiritual ore. Based on his description, there might be more to discover."

"Oh? What do you mean?" Yun Yunyang asked, intrigued.

"Uncle, our master once spoke of the existence of spiritual veins—hidden underground conduits of energy. The spiritual stones we cultivate with all come from these veins.

The higher the grade of the vein, the more abundant and pure the spiritual stones it produces.

Similarly, ores like this obsidian, used for artifact forging, also originate from spiritual veins.

If this obsidian was indeed stumbled upon by the farmer, it's highly likely that there's a spiritual vein where he found it—one that might contain more spiritual ores, spiritual stones, or other treasures," Yantian explained earnestly.

Yun Yunyang listened intently, recalling that the blind Daoist had once mentioned the existence of a spiritual vein beneath Yunzhang Mountain, where the Yun clan resided.

"Yantian, you make a good point," Yun Yunyang said, nodding thoughtfully.

"I'll arrange for someone to locate that farmer and get the details. If this leads us to a spiritual vein filled with ores and stones, it would alleviate the emptiness of our family's stores."

Patting Yantian on the shoulder, Yun Yunyang wasted no time. He hurried off to put the plan into motion.

Back at the estate, Yun Yunyang immediately sought out Yun Yunrui.

"Yunyang, what is it?" Yunrui asked, noticing his cousin's urgency.

"Gather some men to find an old farmer and ask where he found this piece of obsidian," Yun Yunyang instructed, explaining the situation in detail.

Yunrui nodded, bowing before turning to leave.

"Also, inform Yun Yue. Have him assemble some clan soldiers to accompany the investigation. Report back immediately if there's any development."

"Understood," Yunrui replied before departing to carry out the orders.

Deep within Yunzhang Mountain.

Yun Yanshui moved like a phantom through the dense forest, his form almost imperceptible as he employed Footsteps on Snow, Without a Trace. Carrying a dark green war bow on his back, he navigated the terrain with effortless grace.

Ever since his sister and Brother Yantian had learned Thousandfold Sword Shadows, Silver Dragon Spear Technique, and Footsteps on Snow, Without a Trace from the blind Daoist, their soul imprints had automatically transferred the knowledge of these arts to Yanshui.

Without the need for arduous practice, he could perform all three third-tier Yellow Grade Daoist arts with ease.

In fact, due to his higher cultivation level, Yanshui's mastery surpassed that of his siblings.

Extending his divine sense, Yanshui spotted a wild boar racing through the underbrush. With practiced efficiency, he slung the war bow from his back, channeled his spiritual energy, and drew the string taut.

Whoosh!

An arrow of pure spiritual energy shot out like a bolt of lightning, piercing the boar's skull mid-leap. The beast dropped dead on the spot.

Descending swiftly, Yanshui retrieved a small knife from his storage pouch. Squatting next to the carcass, he began humming a cheerful tune as he carved out the most tender portions of meat. He intended to bring it home for his mother to make soup and to offer some as tribute to the bronze mirror.

As he worked, faint whimpers drifted from a thicket in the distance. The sound was faint but unmistakable—like the cries of a young animal.

Curiosity piqued, Yanshui packed the boar meat and headed toward the source of the noise.