The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"You're the one slacking off! Don't you have to take care of the spirit fields in the back mountain?"

Yun Yanshui retorted with annoyance.

Over the past five years, Yun Yunfeng had successfully led the effort to channel the Purple Mist Spirit Spring from the depths of Yunzhan to the Yun family's back mountain.

With years of nourishment, the barren fields that had been cultivated there had transformed into fertile spirit fields.

The clan had entrusted the management of these fields entirely to Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian, assigning them the responsibility of cultivating spirit rice and spirit plants.

Other clansmen in the village helped with tasks like weeding the spirit fields and harvesting spirit rice during the harvest season.

"Yan Tian is taking care of it!"

Yun Yanshuang pouted playfully.

"You've really got it easy, leaving everything for Yan Tian to handle," Yun Yanshui teased.

"Hmph! I just finished refining tools!"

Yun Yanshuang crossed her arms and huffed indignantly before turning her attention away from her bickering brother. She began gently stroking the head of the golden-eyed beast, which was lying on the ground, full from its meal of spirit stones, and dozing off.

"Yanshui Uncle, Shuang'er Auntie!"

A childish voice echoed from outside the courtyard.

They looked up to see a group of young children, around four or five years old, playing at the entrance.

Leading the group was a chubby little boy in a bright red robe and cloud-patterned boots. His round face was adorable, and his sparkling black eyes shone like gemstones.

"Wenxuan, you're back! Weren't you staying in the county with your parents?"

Yun Yanshuang's face lit up with joy when she saw the boy. She scooped him up into her arms with a wide smile.

"Father and Mother are busy with the business in the county, so they don't have time for me. I visited my grandparents, my second uncle, and third aunt, played for a few days, and then came back.

Oh, and I bought lots of candies and pastries in the county! Shuang'er Auntie, try some!"

Yun Wenxuan pulled out a package of sweets and handed it to Yun Yanshuang.

"Did you share with the other kids?"

Yun Yanshuang accepted the candy with a smile, her gaze shifting to the children playing around the courtyard. Some had even gathered around the sleeping golden-eyed beast, curiously tugging at its ears.

The beast initially bared its teeth, ready to snap, but with Yun Yanshui and Yun Yanshuang nearby, it dared not act out. After all, it knew the difference between one good meal and regular, satisfying meals.

"Yes, I gave some to everyone," Yun Wenxuan replied obediently with a nod.

Then he tilted his head and looked at Yun Yanshui, who was lounging on a chair and pretending to nap. "Yanshui Uncle, when are you getting married and giving me a little nephew or niece? Uncle Yansong's child is about to be born, Uncle Yanbai is getting married soon, and Uncle Yandong is working at the county office now. I heard he's courting someone—apparently, the magistrate's daughter! She's supposed to be really beautiful!"

"You little rascal, mind your own business," Yun Yanshui muttered, yawning and turning over to continue pretending to nap.

"You're almost fifteen already. If you wait a few more years, no one will want you!"

Yun Wenxuan's small face was serious as he spoke.

Lying on the chair, Yun Yanshui's temple throbbed with irritation. But after considering that this was his young nephew, he let it slide.

Kids say the darnedest things—why get worked up about it?

Listening to Yun Wenxuan talk like a little grown-up and lecture her brother with "life lessons" left Yun Yanshuang laughing uncontrollably.

"By the way, Shuang'er Auntie, I think I'm about to break through to the next stage!"

Seeing that Yun Yanshui wasn't responding, Yun Wenxuan shook his head in exasperation and turned to Yun Yanshuang with a serious expression.

"Wenxuan, that's amazing! Aren't you just about to turn five?"@@novelbin@@

"Yep! In two months, I'll be exactly five years old."

"To break through to the second level of Breath Embryo at five—that's incredibly fast!"

"Hehe! Even Wenyu and Wenrun are progressing well. Even though they have fourth-grade spirit roots, they've been cultivating diligently.

I just visited them at Grandpa Yunlin's house earlier!"

"Speaking of Wenyu and Wenrun, why didn't they come over to play with you?"

"They're still busy cultivating. Grandpa Yunlin watches over them strictly and always reminds them to train hard.

After their daily cultivation, they also go to the back mountain with Uncle Yantian to learn how to grow spirit rice. They hardly have any time to play."

"Poor kids," Yun Yanshuang sighed.

"Shuang'er Auntie, I'm heading to the back mountain to check on Uncle Yantian."

"Alright, go on!"

"Yanshui Uncle, I'm leaving now!"

Here is the second part of Chapter 99 translated into English:

"You little rascal, hurry up and scram! Stop disturbing my nap," Yun Yanshui waved his hand dismissively, urging the chatterbox to leave quickly.

At the Yun Clan's ancestral hall, Yun Yunrui provided an update to Yun Yunyang about the clan's spirit-root cultivators.

"The clan's five spirit-root cultivators are progressing well. Shuang'er has reached the peak of the sixth level of the Breath Embryo stage, and Yantian has reached the sixth level.

Wenxuan is at the peak of the first level of Breath Embryo and is said to be close to breaking through.

Wenyu and Wenrun are at the first level of Breath Embryo as well. Both sisters are diligent in their cultivation and often accompany Yantian to learn spiritual plant cultivation techniques, preparing for the future tasks of growing spirit rice and spirit plants for the family."

Five years had passed, and Yun Yunrui had matured considerably from the young man he once was. Working closely with Yun Yunyang, he had learned much about leadership and family governance.

"How much spirit rice will the family harvest this year?" Yun Yunyang asked.

Years of tireless effort for the family had left Yun Yunyang's temples graying, and his face bore signs of aging.

"Approximately 135 pounds," Yun Yunrui replied.

"135 pounds? Not bad at all."

"And the condition of the spirit plants?" Yun Yunyang inquired further.

Over the past five years, with the spirit stones earned from mining obsidian, Yun Yunyang had purchased various spirit plants to cultivate in the family's back mountain fields. This was part of a long-term plan to prepare for Yun Yunxun's research into alchemy.

"The spirit plants are thriving and in excellent condition," Yun Yunrui reported.

"What about Shuang'er's tool refining? How much has she produced this month?"

"This month, she has crafted 15 first-grade Yellow-tier spirit tools and 10 second-grade Yellow-tier spirit tools."

"As usual, store some of the tools in the family's treasure hall and send the rest to the Yulin County cultivation market for sale," Yun Yunyang instructed.

"Speaking of the Yulin market, Brother Yunyang, there's something I'd like to discuss," Yun Yunrui interjected.

"What is it?"

"I believe our Yun Clan should consider renting a shop in the cultivation market. This would simplify the process of selling our spirit rice, spirit plants, obsidian, and spirit tools.

Over the years, we've relied heavily on the Wang family in Yulin to assist with these sales. But the portion they take has increased year after year. We can't keep letting them exploit us like this."

Yun Yunrui voiced his thoughts.

As the one responsible for managing the family's finances, he had a deep understanding of how much the family relied on the Wang family for selling their goods. He had also seen firsthand how the Wang family's demands grew larger each year, siphoning away much of the Yun Clan's profits.

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If this continued, the Yun Clan would risk becoming a subordinate to the Wang family, with most of the benefits going to them.

Yun Yunrui had long been considering ways to bypass the Wang family, such as renting their own shop and managing the sales directly. This would ensure more profits remained within the Yun Clan.

"You've made a valid point. I'll take note of this and make sure we address it," Yun Yunyang said with a nod.

For the family to grow stronger and achieve greater independence, they could no longer allow the Wang family to tighten its grip on their operations. It was time for the Yun Clan to take steps toward change.

"Brother Yunyang! Haha! I've done it! I've finally succeeded!"

Laughter rang out from outside the ancestral hall as Yun Yunxun walked in, his eyes bloodshot and wild with excitement.

"Brother Yunxun, what have you succeeded in?" Yun Yunyang quickly stepped forward and supported Yun Yunxun.

"I've finally discovered the method for refining Breath Embryo Pills!" Yun Yunxun exclaimed, trembling with excitement.

Six years—it had taken him six long years of relentless research. He had poured his heart and soul into this, working tirelessly day and night to uncover the formula.

Now, having achieved his goal, how could he not be overjoyed?

"Haha! That's wonderful news! You've finally accomplished what you set out to do!" Yun Yunyang's face lit up with joy and admiration for his cousin's perseverance and success.

He had witnessed Yun Yunxun's dedication over the years, locking himself away in his study, never marrying or having children. To ensure his branch of the family line continued, he had even adopted Yun Yandong to carry on his legacy.

Now that Yun Yunxun had succeeded in developing the Breath Embryo Pill, Yun Yunyang couldn't be happier for him.