The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"The irrigation project for the spirit spring has already begun," Yun Yunrui reported to Yun Yunyang, his tone measured.

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"Everything is under Yunfeng's supervision. He's leading a team of clan members to oversee the progress. According to our plan, it will take at least two to three years to complete the project."

Yun Yunyang, seated comfortably with his precious grandson cradled in his arms, smiled warmly as he played with the baby.

"After the spirit spring irrigates the fields behind the mountain, turning them into spiritual farmlands capable of cultivating spirit rice and spirit plants will also take some time, won't it?" Yunyang asked, glancing at Yunrui.

"Yes," Yunrui nodded. "By our estimates, even after the irrigation project is completed and the spirit spring reaches the barren fields, it will take another year or two to transform the land into spiritual farmland."

"In that case, we're looking at a minimum of five years before the family's spiritual farmland plan is fully realized," Yunyang remarked, his expression becoming serious.

"Indeed," Yunrui agreed.

"Let's hope everything goes smoothly," Yunyang said with a laugh. "Once the spiritual farmland is established, our Yun family will finally be able to cultivate our own spirit rice and plants. This will not only provide resources for the family but also support Shuang'er, Tian'er, and Xuan'er in their cultivation."

Yunrui smiled at his optimism but quickly raised another concern. "However, Yunyang, there's another issue we may face."

"What is it?" Yunyang asked, his brows furrowing slightly.

"The family doesn't have a spiritual botanist," Yunrui explained.

Yunyang's expression grew even more serious.

A spiritual botanist—someone skilled in cultivating spirit plants—was essential for the success of their farming plans. Growing spirit rice and plants wasn't as simple as farming ordinary crops; it required specialized knowledge and techniques. Without such expertise, even if the farmland was prepared, they'd struggle to yield a bountiful harvest.

"You've made a good point," Yunyang said after a moment of thought.

"I've already instructed our family members who manage our external industries to see if they can find any methods or techniques related to cultivating and managing spirit plants," Yunrui offered.

"I doubt they'll have much luck," Yunyang replied with a sigh.

"Why do you say that?" Yunrui asked, concerned.

"Crafts like alchemy, formation setting, artifact forging, talisman making, and spirit planting are all part of the Hundred Arts of Immortality. These are the lifeblood of major sects and noble families.

"Our external managers are mere mortals. How could they have the means to access such closely guarded secrets?" Yunyang explained.

"Then… what should we do?" Yunrui asked, his tone tinged with worry. "If we can't obtain the knowledge needed to cultivate spirit plants, even if we successfully prepare the farmland, it will be useless."

"Let's take it one step at a time," Yunyang said with a heavy sigh.

His mind turned to the Yulin Wang family. With their resources and heritage, they likely had access to the knowledge of spirit plant cultivation. However, seeking their help would come with a steep price, and even then, they might only provide incomplete methods.

Despite the daunting challenges, Yunyang soon shifted the conversation to brighter prospects.

"Actually, we don't need to rush this," Yunyang said, his tone lightening.

"Shuang'er is progressing well with her artifact forging studies. I've heard she's even crafted a first-grade spiritual sword. With her talent, she could one day provide the family with resources through her craft."

"Meanwhile, Shui'er is raising the Golden-Eyed Beast. Once it matures, it will help the family locate spiritual veins and valuable minerals—a treasure in its own right."

"And don't forget, the old Daoist plans to teach Tian'er the art of talisman making. In the future, this could become another livelihood for our family."

"With these three potential sources of income, we don't need to be overly anxious about finding methods for cultivating spirit plants right now."

Yunrui couldn't help but laugh at his elder cousin's reasoning. "Well said, Yunyang. I was too caught up in my worries to see the bigger picture."

He relaxed, his earlier anxiety melting away.

Indeed, with three promising avenues for earning cultivation resources, why rush into a solution for a problem that could be tackled later?

"All we can do is let things take their natural course," Yun Yunyang said after a moment of contemplation, gently dismissing Yun Yunrui with a wave of his hand.

"Understood, cousin. I'll take my leave," Yunrui replied, bowing respectfully before turning to depart.

Left alone with his precious grandson, Yun Yunyang lifted the baby high above his head, his face brimming with affection.

"Xuan'er, my dear grandson, grow strong for your grandpa! One day, you'll be the pillar of our Yun family!"

The three-month-old Yun Wenxuan, sensing the joy in his grandfather's voice, broke into a toothless grin.

But his excitement got the better of him—before anyone could react, he let loose a stream of urine straight onto Yunyang's face.

"You little rascal…!" Yunyang exclaimed, half-laughing, half-crying, as the baby giggled innocently in his arms.

At the break of dawn, Chuyun Mountain lay shrouded in a thick veil of mist. The air was cold and biting, akin to the depths of winter, even though the season had long since changed.

"Achoo!"

Sun Tianli sneezed loudly, pulling his thin jacket tighter around himself. His group of a dozen Sun clan members trudged through the dense forest, their breaths visible in the frosty air.

"Who's badmouthing me behind my back?" Tianli grumbled, rubbing his itchy nose.

"Tianli, we've been searching this mountain for months now. Are you sure the black obsidian vein even exists?" one of the men behind him asked, his voice heavy with exhaustion.@@novelbin@@

For months, they'd been combing through the rugged terrain under orders from the clan, their lives reduced to an endless cycle of early mornings and grueling searches. Yet despite the Sun clan deploying hundreds of people, they had found no trace of the rumored vein.

"Of course, it exists! My brother said it does, so it must be there!" Tianli snapped, his tone brooking no argument.

"But the family has sent so many people, spent months combing the area, and still found nothing…"

"Months mean nothing!" Tianli barked. "If we don't find it this year, we'll search next year. If we don't find it in two years, we'll search for three. Even if we have to turn this entire mountain upside down, we will find that vein."

"The Sun clan is at a critical juncture. The Yun family of Yuncang is growing stronger by the day. If we don't secure a source of cultivation resources soon, it's only a matter of time before they surpass us!"

"Do you all want to see the Yun family ride over us one day?"

"Of course not," another clan member muttered, though his tone was tinged with frustration.

"But blindly searching like this isn't going to get us anywhere. Chuyun Mountain is vast—our current numbers wouldn't be able to search the whole thing even in a decade."

"I know that," Tianli admitted, his voice softer. "But the family has no better options right now. This is the only plan we have."

"Alright, enough complaining," Tianli continued, his tone brightening. "Today's search will end soon. Once we're back in the village, I'll take you all to the county to enjoy some wine and… other pleasures."

"Really?"

The group's mood shifted instantly, fatigue melting away as smiles lit up their faces.

"Of course! Have I ever lied to you?" Tianli grinned, leading them deeper into the forest.

"Stop."

Tianli suddenly raised his hand, his sharp ears catching an unusual noise ahead.

The group froze, their breaths held as they strained to listen.

From beyond the dense thicket came the low growl of a beast, punctuated by the distinct sound of something being chewed.

Tianli's hand instinctively went to the blade at his waist, drawing it silently as his eyes narrowed. The others followed suit, their steps light and cautious as they prepared to skirt around the source of the sound.

But something about the noise unsettled Tianli.

"This chewing… it doesn't sound like an animal," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

"It sounds like… a person eating. And those growls… they almost sound human, too. What in the world could it be?"

The group exchanged uneasy glances, their curiosity and caution warning as they edged closer to the sound.