Chapter 286: Chapter 258: Another Tree Seed
WHOOSH~
Looking up toward the source of the rising aura, a figure ascended into the air without using a shred of True Essence, as if she had become one with the heavens and earth. However, she only flew a few dozen yards into the sky before wobbling and plummeting back down.
’She just reached Foundation Establishment and already wants to fly?’
Chen Che chuckled and raised his hand, making a catching gesture in the air.
Instantly, the falling figure was caught by a large, invisible hand and gently lowered to the ground.
"Although flight is one of the Talent Divine Abilities of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, mastering it is by no means an overnight task." Chen Che smiled, then solemnly clasped his fist in congratulation. "Congratulations on reaching Foundation Establishment, Fellow Daoist Meng. Longevity is now within your grasp."
Wasn’t this figure in green who had just fallen from the sky none other than Meng Qingxuan?
Meng Qingxuan patted her chest, her heart still pounding with fear. Her face flushed as she said, "Mr. Che, I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you."
"Everything is a process."
Chen Che offered a comforting word before calling out softly, "Jingfeng."
SCREE~
From within the valley, an eagle’s cry answered.
Then, dozens of figures flew out from the forest, following Xuan Peng in unison.
In recent days, the number of Demon Beasts in the valley had doubled again, though most were only in the Qi Refining Realm. Despite the significant increase in their numbers, only Zhao Changping, with Xing Lin’s help, had managed to win the favor of a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
Many disciples had also begun to gather around him, and for a time, the fledgling form of Jinyun Valley’s ’second powerhouse’ was beginning to emerge.
This was inevitable.
Wherever there are Cultivators, there is conflict. Forming factions is just a part of social dynamics. Cultivators are living beings, after all, and they instinctively favor those they know. It’s impossible to forbid it completely.
As for why it was the second?
Because as long as Chen Che was around, no matter how many factions formed in the valley, they would all have to submit to him.
"Profound Cyan Sparrow, you stay. The rest of you can go back."
Seeing the dark flock of birds flying toward them, Chen Che didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He waved his hand, dispersing the flock and leaving only the Profound Cyan Sparrow.
These Great Demons were extremely intelligent and naturally knew who they would benefit most from following. Moreover, Meng Qingxuan had been feeding them plenty of supplies during this time, which was why so many Great Demons were now vying to acknowledge her as their master.
Of course, this was only because they had been raised in Jinyun Valley for some time. In the wild, such a situation would be impossible.
With Chen Che’s help, Meng Qingxuan signed a ’Mutual Contract’ with the Profound Cyan Sparrow with almost no difficulty. As the name implied, this contract was not binding. It was based on mutual giving and mutual benefit, the type of contract most Beast Masters signed.
...
"What? Meng Qingxuan... no, Elder Meng has reached Foundation Establishment?"
"That makes her the seventh Foundation Establishment Cultivator in Jinyun Valley! How many years has it been? Back when Ye Jingzhou was here, he was the only Major Cultivator within a thousand-li radius. Now, including the vassal families, there are eleven Major Cultivators!"
’I hear the Valley Master hasn’t taken any concubines yet. I wonder if I have a chance...’
The news spread almost that very day.
In recent years, Foundation Establishment breakthroughs had become frequent in Jinyun Valley, so this normally wouldn’t have attracted much attention.
But the crucial point was Meng Qingxuan’s identity:
The legitimate daughter of the Meng Family!
Although the two had no official title for their relationship, everyone already considered her the Valley Master’s cultivation partner. Furthermore, Jinyun Valley and the Meng Family had always been close, and on many matters, they acted as one, advancing and retreating together.
Many even speculated privately that if the two families joined forces, it was only a matter of time before another Golden Core Race appeared in Yunzhou.
Fuyun Mountain, the Meng Family estate.
A falcon landed, and Meng Changtu untied the letter it carried. A hint of joy appeared in his eyes as he read it. In no time, dozens of Foundation Establishment Cultivators had gathered in the main hall.
Compared to the last internal family meeting, there were a few new faces this time.
From the trip to Ten Thousand Fire Mountain and the Marsh Forest, Meng Changtu had obtained almost the complete inheritance of True Master Chilong.
Relying on this, he had won the old master’s support in one fell swoop and pushed through a series of reforms within the family. He directly relegated some of the stagnant old-timers to secondary roles and began promoting new blood within the family.
"Qingxuan has reached Foundation Establishment."
Meng Changtu sat in the head seat and said lightly, "Aside from your individual gifts, we must also prepare a grand gift in the Meng Family’s name, with a total value of no less than one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. After all, this is a major matter concerning our family’s honor."
A son-in-law reaching Foundation Establishment and a daughter reaching Foundation Establishment carried vastly different meanings!
Although Meng Qingxuan held no substantial position in Jinyun Valley, she had long since begun managing its account books. This meant Chen Che had no intention of letting her be a mere trophy wife. If nothing unexpected happened, she was destined to be the matriarch of Jinyun Valley. As her natal family, they naturally couldn’t hold their daughter back.
Otherwise, even if outsiders said nothing, they would still look down on the Meng Family.
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
"Seconded!"
As his voice fell, everyone responded in unison.
Some of the elders seemed to have reservations about Meng Changtu sending such a lavish gift all at once. But seeing so many people speak up, they pondered for a moment and chose to remain silent.
"But Jinyun Valley doesn’t lack Pills, Magical Artifacts, or Demon Beasts. What should we give?"
Meng Changhong spoke up calmly.
The only thing the Meng Family could really offer was Demon Beasts, but thanks to Jingfeng’s presence, dozens of Great Demons were already stationed in the valley.
As for Magical Artifacts, the other party had just Forged a Red Dragon Lock Chain a few months ago...
"Give him a Tree Seed."
Just as Meng Changtu was about to speak, a majestic voice descended from the void. In the blink of an eye, a burly, white-haired elder with a youthful complexion stepped into the hall. His aura was incomparably deep; even the auras of all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present combined could not match the depth of his alone.
"Father!"
"Ancestor!"
Meng Changtu hurriedly rose to his feet, and all the clan members rushed forward to pay their respects.
The Meng Family Ancestor, Meng Qianxun.
"Thirty years ago, that great tree happened to bear a Tree Seed. You can give it as a congratulatory gift."
Meng Qianxun raised his hand slightly, and a White Jade Gourd flew up slowly, landing in Meng Changtu’s hand.
"Thank you, Father."
Meng Changtu accepted the White Jade Gourd.
Five hundred years ago, the Meng Family Ancestor had accidentally found a Jade Bottle with a restriction on it near the Dragon Cave. He spent half his life trying to open it. He had expected to find some earth-shattering treasure inside, but the Jade Bottle only contained a dark, unremarkable wooden core.
He planted it, and it did take root and sprout. Five hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, yet it never displayed any particularly miraculous properties. Its only function was Gathering Spirit energy.
However, even a Qi Refining Minor Race would set up their own Spirit Gathering Array.
It was a perfect example of the saying, "One generation plants the trees, and another gets the shade." As the great tree aged, the range of its Spirit Gathering ability grew larger and larger. It was only then that the Meng Clan Members realized this tree had an extraordinary origin. Who would have thought that thirty years ago, it would actually bear a Tree Seed?
"By the way, I will also attend Qingxuan’s small Foundation Establishment celebration. I’ll take the opportunity to meet my grandson-in-law."
With that said, his figure receded.
Meng Qianxun had quietly vanished from the hall.
...
It wasn’t just the Meng Family.
Many of the vassal families were also busy preparing gifts with great fanfare.
Originally, Chen Che had only planned to hold a small Foundation Establishment celebration, inviting three or five friends for a private gathering. He never expected that as the news spread, it would eventually evolve into a grand ’Foundation Establishment Ceremony’.
But considering Jinyun Valley’s current status, combined with Meng Qingxuan’s identity, it would have been more surprising if the event had been shabby and perfunctory.
So for the next half a month, Ding Fei was so busy preparing for the ceremony that his feet never touched the ground.
And through this, he could clearly feel Jinyun Valley’s growing power.
He knew that when Chen Che first took over Jinyun Valley, the surrounding families had seemed respectful but maintained a distant, noncommittal attitude. When they interacted with him, they were polite but still carried a faint air of detachment.
But things were different now.
Even the Foundation Establishment Ancestors of those families were utterly respectful when they saw him, their words even laced with a hint of flattery and eagerness to please. One must remember, he was still only at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, an existence that a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could snuff out with a wave of their hand.
’If only I had married and had children earlier, my son might already be in the valley cultivating by now.’
Looking at Zhao Changping’s situation, Ding Fei grew increasingly envious.
If nothing unexpected happened, Zhao Changping was certain to become one of the valley’s high-ranking members in the future.
It is said that the grace of a gentleman is cut off after five generations.
’While I still have the ability, I should pass down my legacy as soon as possible. Otherwise, wouldn’t this opportunity be wasted?’
...
「Several days later.」
Meng Changtu had already led his people to the front of Jinyun Valley.
Chen Che personally went forward to greet them.
They were her natal family, after all. Having heard how grand the ceremony would be, they worried that Jinyun Valley might not handle everything comprehensively and would commit a breach of etiquette.
For those in high positions, it wasn’t just their every word and action—even something as simple as seating arrangements was enough to make their subordinates speculate for a long time. That was why they had made a special trip to arrive a few days early, partly to lend a hand.
"Che’er, this is the Meng Family’s congratulatory gift. It’s from my father."
Meng Changtu handed over a White Jade Gourd.
Chen Che was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. ’The Meng Family’s old ancestor?’ As he thought this, his Divine Sense was already sweeping over the White Jade Gourd.
"A Tree Seed?"
His first reaction was to wonder if it was the one True Master Chilong had stolen from overseas all those years ago.
"What is its origin?"
"Its origin is unknown. Several hundred years ago, my family’s ancestor chanced upon a Jade Bottle. He spent half his life opening it, only to find a Tree Seed inside. It has been over five hundred years since he planted it, and it has now become my family’s great feng shui tree."
"It has the ability of Gathering Spirit energy, and its effect is even better than a Spirit Gathering Array. It only bore this one Tree Seed thirty years ago."
Meng Changtu pondered for a moment before adding, "I don’t know its specific grade, but it’s guaranteed to be at least Tier Three High Grade."
’I wonder if it’s the same Tree Seed as True Master Chilong’s.’
Chen Che couldn’t be sure either.
After all, there were far too many similar Spiritual Objects in the world, and the sealed treasure didn’t match the description. He couldn’t have such heaven-defying luck that the very Tree Seed stolen by True Master Chilong would just happen to fall into his hands.
Nevertheless, Chen Che was still extremely grateful.
He knew that what Jinyun Valley currently lacked compared to those old, established Foundation Establishment Influences was precisely this kind of heritage. The accumulation of generations, over hundreds or even thousands of years, was not something that could be matched overnight.
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