Lineage Meeting, First Succession Rank

Was this unfair of the Lineage?

Of course not. Those who enjoyed the corresponding privileges naturally had to shoulder the corresponding obligations.

Although Lineage cultivators with two or three spirit roots could devote themselves to cultivation and never lacked resources, when the Lineage had to fight its enemies, it was their turn to prove their worth.

That was why only cultivators with three or more spirit roots could join the Purple Moon Wolf Pool.

Those with good aptitude cultivated, fought, and protected the Lineage!

Those with poor aptitude began working for the Lineage early, rushing about and toiling. Once they came of age, they also had to marry as soon as possible and produce offspring to strengthen the Lineage.

Each had their own duties, and together they had enabled the Lineage to flourish.

Lying in a bamboo chair he had made himself, Yang Tianyou rocked back and forth, his eyes half-closed and his expression serene and content.

That evening, Duan Hongyu pushed open the door and came bustling in.

Mother and son naturally had endless things to talk about, but since Yang Tianyou would be transferred back to Purple Moon Mountain in the next few years, there was no need to cram it all into this short time.

An hour later, Duan Hongyu went to busy herself in the kitchen, and Yang Qiongchu finally came home.

He was a steward of the Yang Household's Internal Affairs Hall and was even busier than Duan Hongyu, usually returning home only once every few days.

But his son had returned today, so Yang Qiongchu hurried back as soon as he finished the work at hand.

"Huh? Your cultivation—you've reached Late Qi Refinement?"

Yang Qiongchu's first concern was still Yang Tianyou's cultivation. When he found he could not discern his son's cultivation, his immediate thought was that Yang Tianyou had broken through.

"Mm!"

Yang Tianyou nodded modestly, a gentle smile on his face.

"Good, good, good! In our branch of the family, your grandfather had Five Spirit Roots and little aptitude. Though I'm somewhat better off, with Four Spirit Roots, it's unlikely I'll break through to Foundation Establishment.

"Now you've reached Late Qi Refinement at only eighteen. In the future, you'll surely reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refining before you turn forty.

"When the time comes, we'll use the Contribution Points saved up by the three generations of our family and borrow a few Spirit Stones from Fifth Uncle to scrape together enough to buy you a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"With luck, I'll live to see the day you break through to Foundation Establishment. Then, even if I die, I can close my eyes in peace."

The more Yang Qiongchu spoke, the more excited he became, until his face flushed red.

Yang Tianyou did not interrupt, letting his father indulge in his visions of a bright future. The warmth and gratitude in his own eyes only grew deeper.

The hearts of parents everywhere were forever selfless and great. Even for cultivators who had purified their hearts and cast aside worldly desires, that would never change in the slightest.

After a while, when Yang Qiongchu had calmed down, Yang Tianyou told him he was going to be transferred back to Purple Moon Mountain.

Yang Qiongchu was naturally delighted all over again, but did not give it much thought. After all, Yang Tianyou had already spent three years at Yellowstone Market, and by the Lineage's rules, it was indeed time for him to be reassigned.

Father and son then chatted about everything under the sun. Yang Tianyou also brought out a jug of Spirit Wine Jinge had given him, and the two drank together.

But the Spirit Wine really packed a punch. Yang Qiongchu had only taken a few sips before he grew dizzy with drunkenness. He hurriedly used his Spiritual Power to suppress the effects, and only then did he feel better.

At that moment, Duan Hongyu brought out the food. Yang Tianyou hurried to help, and soon eight dishes, two soups, and a large bowl of golden, gleaming gold-patterned rice filled the table.

His mother was naturally an excellent cook; otherwise, she could never have been the chef at a restaurant in Purple Moon Town.

Yang Tianyou had eaten her cooking since he was little and had never grown tired of it. Or rather, he could never grow tired of the food his mother made.

The meal ended amid the family's laughter and cheerful conversation. Fengling had also come running back not long after they began eating; he had gone to play with his Purple Moon Wolf friends.

At night, countless stars hung high in the sky, adorning the otherwise pitch-black curtain with a lively sparkle.

A crescent moon hung cold and hauntingly beautiful, strands of moonlight flowing like water across the vast land. Who knew how many Spirit Items they would bring into being?

"Fengling, I heard your wolf ancestors could swallow the whole moon. When will you be able to do that?"

With his head pillowed on Fengling's soft belly and his legs crossed, Yang Tianyou spoke lazily.

"Awoo..."

"When you're strong enough? You said it. You'll have to show me someday."

"Awoo..."

Early the next morning, a Communication Talisman woke Yang Tianyou from a deep sleep.

He had drunk a great deal of Spirit Wine the previous day, and for once, instead of meditating to restore his spirits as he always did, Yang Tianyou had lain down in bed and slept soundly. If not for the Communication Talisman, there was no telling how long he would have slept.

"A Lineage Meeting?"

Yang Tianyou rose to his feet, doubt in his eyes. What did that have to do with him?

After quickly getting ready, Yang Tianyou flew toward the Lineage's Discussion Hall on his Twin Blades.

The Yang Household's Discussion Hall was a building of purple and gold throughout, constructed primarily of metal and wood. Simple yet touched with a certain grandeur, it had two towering statues of Purple Moon Wolves before it, their heads raised in long howls at the sky, an imposing sight.

Inside the hall were two neat rows of seats. Seated in order were Yang Dangkai, head of the Yang Household; Yang Dangmo, elder of the Wolf Pool; Yang Qiongqing, elder of the Hundred Crafts Pavilion; Yang Qiongye, elder of the External Affairs Hall; Yang Qiongqi, elder of the Commerce Hall; and Yang Dangxu, elder of the Scripture Repository.

At the head of the hall, Old Ancestor Yang Haoyu sat upright in the seat of honor, her expression dignified.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn, and Yang Tianyou could not help but grow serious himself.

"Your descendant pays his respects to the Old Ancestor and all the elders!"

After bowing to each of them, Yang Tianyou stood respectfully, waiting for the Old Ancestor's instructions. After all, she must have called him here for a reason.

"Tianyou, I intend to place you first in the Lineage's succession ranks. Do you have any objections?"

Yang Haoyu went straight to the point. The other elders wore varying expressions at her words, but none spoke against it, for they already knew how great a contribution Yang Tianyou had made this time.

The Lineage held to fair rewards and punishments. Yang Tianyou's contribution to the Lineage had to be matched by a corresponding reward.

"First Succession Rank?"

Yang Tianyou was startled, then overjoyed.

The so-called Lineage succession ranks were, plainly speaking, ranks for those the Lineage nurtured.

The higher one ranked, the more support the Lineage would provide. The First Succession Rank meant that from now on, the Yang Household would spare no effort in nurturing Yang Tianyou, and that support would not diminish in the slightest before he reached Foundation Establishment.

"What, are you unwilling?"

Yang Haoyu glanced at him, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Willing, willing! I'm willing!"

Yang Tianyou hurriedly answered, making a deep bow as he spoke.

"Your descendant thanks the Lineage for its support. From this day on, I will keep a heart set on advancing with courage and vigor, act as though treading on thin ice, and work diligently to bring glory to the Lineage. I will never disappoint the expectations of my elders."

"In that case, give him a seat!"

As Yang Haoyu's voice fell, a brand-new chair appeared. This was Yang Tianyou's place.

The Yang Household's First Succession Rank stood equal to the Clan Chief, with the right to attend Lineage Meetings and take part in decisions. It was a position of great eminence.