Family Mission

Time passes without notice in the mountains, years blurring into an unremembered span; three months is but the blink of an eye.

During this period, Chen Heng diligently cultivated and refined artifacts to earn Spirit Stones, living a fulfilling life.

However, this peace was soon shattered.

As the saying goes: the tree may wish for calm, but the wind will not cease.

Inside the family's general affairs hall on the mountainside of Jade Spring Mountain, Chen Heng and over a dozen clansmen of similar age gathered.

Everyone, without exception, wore a look of confusion, unsure why the clan had summoned them.

All present were under eighteen, and according to the Chen Family's rules, they were not yet required to undertake clan affairs.

Furthermore, there was only a little over a year until the Azure Profound Sect opened its gates to disciples.

Many, like Chen Heng, were engrossed in cultivation, hoping to pass the Azure Profound Sect's assessment.

In this regard, the Chen Family was quite open-minded; they generally wouldn't obstruct anyone who wished to try.

However, the Chen Family had always had very few successful applicants, and the vast majority possessed spiritual roots of fifth grade or higher.

In other words, if Chen Heng hadn't received the Azure Profound Golden Token, his chances of passing the Azure Profound Sect's entrance examination wouldn't be high.

As for Chen Minghao and Chen Mingyue, they were not present. Not long ago, they had returned to the Azure Profound Sect with Elder Xingyun, whose leave had ended.

"Hey, Chen Heng, do you know why we've been summoned?"

"Is it good news or bad news?"

A somewhat scrawny young man with sharp eyes nudged Chen Heng with his elbow.

The surrounding people immediately turned their gaze to Chen Heng.

After all, everyone knew that Chen Heng had received the Azure Profound Golden Token from Elder Xingyun, and before long, he would be able to directly join the Azure Profound Sect.

The family valued him so highly; they must have some inside information, right?

Chen Heng's expression remained calm as he shook his head and said plainly, "Like all of you, I came here after receiving the summons and don't know the specific reason."

As soon as he said this, everyone's curiosity intensified, and they began to discuss animatedly.

Chen Heng listened for a bit. It started normally, but then it gradually became more outlandish.

Before even more absurd speculations could arise, he quickly retreated to the side.

Just then, someone suddenly shouted, "The Great Elder has arrived!"

The hall, which had been extremely noisy moments before, fell silent. All eyes turned towards the entrance of the hall.

A tall, burly, bald middle-aged man, dressed in a black robe with white trim and Jade Spring water patterns, strode in with imposing presence.

The arrival was none other than Great Elder Chen Xingzhou, who managed all the family's affairs.

He was usually very busy, so his appearance meant that whatever this was, it wouldn't be simple.

Just like the conflict between the Chen Family and the Luo Family.

For a moment, everyone felt a bit nervous.

However, Chen Heng and the others didn't forget to cup their hands in greeting and say in unison, "Greetings, Great Elder!"

"No need for formalities!"

Chen Xingzhou's voice was somewhat aged but filled with authority.

As soon as he finished speaking, he scanned everyone in the hall, his gaze lingering on Chen Heng for a moment, before getting straight to the point:

"Originally, according to clan rules, this group of you should have been able to cultivate peacefully on the mountain for a while longer. However, the family is currently short-handed, and there are many vacant positions in our businesses outside."

"Therefore, after deliberation by our Elder Council and the Family Head, we have decided to have you descend the mountain early to undertake family affairs."

"Rest assured, if any of you still intend to participate in the Azure Profound Sect's entrance trial, the family will not obstruct you at that time."

"As for your monthly allowance, it will naturally increase. The family will additionally provide ten jin of Spirit Rice and five jin of demonic beast meat each month, along with two Jade Spirit Pills."

The Jade Spirit Pill was a mid-grade first-tier pill produced by the Chen Family itself. It could enhance the efficiency of refining spiritual energy, making it a rare elixir for everyone present.

Great Elder Chen Xingzhou's words had essentially addressed everyone's concerns.

The people present did not show any signs of dissatisfaction.

Many even had joyful expressions. Most of them had average or even poor aptitude.

For them, reaching Foundation Establishment was a distant dream, and even breaking through to late Qi Refining might be a luxury. It was better to descend the mountain sooner to serve the family.

Cultivators also needed to accumulate resources for marriage.

Moreover, if they were fortunate enough to have children with good aptitude in the future, resources would be needed for their upbringing.

Chen Heng, however, was contemplating what kind of clan duties would not interfere with his own cultivation.

Chen Xingzhou took in everyone's expressions, and he was quite satisfied. No one present showed any displeasure.

This indicated that the Chen Family's educational efforts in daily life were quite effective.

However, his facial expression remained unchanged, still stern.

A moment later.

After the people present had digested this piece of information, Chen Xingzhou said in a deep voice, "To show fairness, everyone's family duties will be exchanged by drawing lots. Whatever you draw is what you get."

"If you want to switch with someone else, you can negotiate amongst yourselves."

"Mingheng, you draw the first lot!"

Chen Heng pouted, inexplicably thinking of the competition, but he didn't hesitate, walking straight up to the tall and sturdy Chen Xingzhou.

He drew a bamboo slip from the lot container. It clearly read: Market Town Artifact Refining.

Huh!?

Chen Heng raised an eyebrow. This family duty suited him quite well. Market town artifact refining meant going to Southern Foothills Market to serve as an artifact refiner or refining apprentice in a shop under the family's banner.

Southern Foothills Market was a market town jointly established by the three Foundation Establishment families (Chen, Wu, and Luo) of the Moon Gazing Mountain Range, along with several Qi Refining families. It was located by the Li River.

Under normal circumstances, at least three Foundation Establishment true cultivators were stationed there, so safety was not a concern.

Furthermore, the market town was located on a mid-grade second-tier spirit vein cultivated by the various families, so the spiritual energy was abundant, and there was no need to worry about it affecting cultivation.

A short while later, Chen Heng directly handed the bamboo slip in his hand to the Great Elder, Chen Xingzhou. For him, this family duty did not need to be changed with anyone else, nor did he need to wait for others to draw lots and exchange them.

Chen Xingzhou didn't say much, directly took the bamboo slip, and said warmly, "In three days, you will descend the mountain with Elder Xingjiang. He also happens to be going to the market town."

Chen Heng nodded slightly and then retreated to the side.

He did not leave immediately but waited until everyone had drawn their lots and finished reporting to the Great Elder, Chen Xingzhou, before returning to the Green Bamboo Lodge.

This action made Chen Xingzhou feel quite relieved and satisfied.

After all, the previous Chen Heng had many complaints about the family. Now that the family had provided him with substantial resources, he valued the family more and more.

After returning to the Green Bamboo Lodge, Chen Heng informed the old servant. Neither of them had much to pack.

However, down the mountain was different from up the mountain; all sorts of accidents could happen, and some things needed to be prepared in advance.

Thus.

Chen Heng had the old servant, Uncle Fu, take his identity token to the Contribution Hall at the mountain peak and exchange his remaining three hundred merit points for spiritual resources.

These included several precious materials with water and fire attributes, several bottles of pills to restore true essence, promote cultivation, and even detoxify, as well as three high-grade first-tier talismans for self-defense.

The water and fire attribute precious materials were to be used to refine a special magical artifact.

After all, Chen Heng currently only had one magical artifact for protection, which was still too unsafe.

He used to cultivate on the mountain, but now he was going to the market town below the mountain, so naturally, things were different.

Three days was enough time for him to refine another mid-grade first-tier magical artifact.