Formal Identity, Immortal Seedlings Amazed

After breaking through, Qi Chuan reported it directly.

"Qi Chuan, having advanced to Qi Refining First Layer, you are now formally granted an identity. You will also receive one Token, one Standard Magic Robe, and two Spirit Stones."

The next day, on a level patch of ground atop Red Dust Peak, a middle-aged man dressed as a Steward spoke with a smile.

He had been sent by the Lineage.

Any Immortal Seedling who advanced to Qi Refining First Layer received this treatment.

"Thank you, Steward."

Qi Chuan cupped his hands, then stepped forward and accepted the bestowed items with both hands.

One Token was crimson throughout, like jade, its surface bearing natural grain patterns resembling tree rings.

It was fashioned from Red Maple Wood, a famous spiritual timber from Red Maple Valley.

The front was carved with the rolling outline of Red Maple Valley. Clouds and Mist drifted above the valley, clustered around the character "Qi."

The back bore the two characters "Qi Chuan," along with a line of small print stating that Qi Chuan was a member of the Qi Family. Should he suffer open injury or secret scheming, the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

It was precisely the Qi Family's Identity Token.

Only with this item could one truly be considered a member of the Qi Family's Main Vein, receiving the Qi Family's protection and a fixed yearly stipend of two Low-grade Spirit Stones.

The Standard Magic Robe somewhat resembled the Daoist robes from his Previous Life. Several red maple leaves were embroidered on its sleeves, natural and exquisite. Empowered by formations, it could adjust its size to a certain extent, repel dust and water, drive away insects, and protect its wearer.

The two Low-grade Spirit Stones were square and the size of fingernails. The moment they touched his hand, he could sense the Spiritual Qi within them. They were the universal currency of the entire Cultivation World.

Clothes made the man. Once Qi Chuan had properly donned the Magic Robe and looked ahead, his bearing immediately changed. Only now did he truly resemble a disciple of a Cultivation Family, utterly different from when he wore brocade robes before.

Not far away, the Immortal Seedlings emerged from their Tiled Houses and looked over, unable to keep a trace of envy from appearing in their eyes.

"I really didn't expect Qi Chuan to reach Qi Refining First Layer so quickly."

"It's only been a month, hasn't it?"

"As expected of an Eighth-grade Spiritual Root. We Ninth-grade Spiritual Roots simply can't compare."

The Immortal Seedlings sighed inwardly.

Like Qi Chuan, they had all tested their Spiritual Roots on the same day, entered the Main Vein, and received cultivation arts.

Yet while they were still cultivating bitterly, Qi Chuan had already broken through and obtained a formal identity.

Could the gap between them really be so obvious with only one grade of difference?

"No need to thank me. Qi Chuan, even the Transmission Elder was somewhat surprised that you broke through so quickly. But within the Qi Refining Realm, each layer is harder than the last. There are also several bottleneck barriers that have locked down many Clan Cultivators. Work hard. Perhaps you may achieve something in the future."

After bestowing the items, the Steward smiled and offered Qi Chuan a few words of encouragement before finally leaving.

Qi Chuan pressed a hand against the Magic Robe over his chest, sensing the Token and Spirit Stones within. He felt rather satisfied and reassured.

Having a formal identity meant gaining another layer of protection.

He could also begin accessing some of the Lineage's resources and accelerate his own cultivation.

Just as he was pondering this, another figure came up from the foot of the mountain.

"The Steward only just left. Why has someone else come?"

While Qi Chuan was still surprised, the newcomer had already reached the peak. He was a Handsome Old Man with gray-white hair. His face was weathered, giving him an air of twilight years, yet expectation shone through his tired eyes.

"Which one of you is Qi Chuan?"

The old man arrived on the peak, breathing slightly hard as his gaze swept over everyone before he called out loudly.

"I am."

Hearing this, Qi Chuan stepped forward. This man had come looking for him—could he be...

"You're Qi Chuan? I'm your grandfather!"

The old man's gaze landed on Qi Chuan, his eyes lighting up as he declared loudly.

The Immortal Seedlings in the distance all stared at the scene in surprise.

Qi Chuan's mouth twitched. He stepped forward and performed a Junior's Salutation. "Qi Chuan greets Second Master. Have you already received Uncle's letter?"

"That's right, A Chuan. I am your Second Grandfather!"

"I had only just returned from carrying out a task when I received the letter, so I came to find you."

Qi Baicang accepted Qi Chuan's salute and patted his shoulder with satisfaction, looking thoroughly delighted. "I, Qi Baicang, entered the Main Vein to cultivate at the age of ten. More than fifty years have passed since then, and I have always been lonely and alone. Now, at last, I have a Junior. Is that not a joy?"

Only after speaking did his gaze belatedly fall upon Qi Chuan's clothing. His expression froze, and astonishment filled his eyes. "This is a Magic Robe bestowed by the Lineage. A Chuan, you've already reached Qi Refining First Layer?"

"Yes, Second Master. I only just broke through." Qi Chuan nodded.

"So fast? It has only been a month since the Spiritual Root Assessment Ceremony, hasn't it? Good... good! Hahaha!"

Qi Baicang calculated the time and became even happier. "What Spiritual Root do you have?"

To break through so quickly, his Spiritual Root had to be quite good.

"Lower Eighth-grade," Qi Chuan replied.

"An Eighth-grade Spiritual Root..." Qi Baicang was somewhat surprised. He had not expected this.

"Then it seems that you, A Chuan, are exceptionally compatible with the Evergreen Art. That is why you could break through so quickly."

"Besides, an Eighth-grade Spiritual Root is already quite good. Your Second Grandfather only has a Lower Ninth-grade Spiritual Root."

After chatting for a while and learning the situation, Qi Baicang looked around Red Dust Peak and suggested, "Come with me. Since you've reached Qi Refining First Layer and obtained a formal identity, there is no need for you to remain on Red Dust Peak. Though your Second Grandfather's Cultivation Base isn't much, I still have an Independent Peak."

"Alright." Qi Chuan naturally agreed. An Independent Peak was certainly better than Red Dust Peak.

Thus, Qi Chuan bid farewell to the Immortal Seedlings and left Red Dust Peak with his Second Grandfather beneath their watching gazes.

Before long, the two arrived at an utterly unremarkable mountain peak, one that exuded a sense of disorder from top to bottom.

Several Simple Houses sat scattered across the peak, while a number of Spirit Fields had been opened around them, planted with unknown Crops.

"These houses were all built by your Second Grandfather himself. I'll clear out a room, and from now on, the two of us, grandfather and grandson, will live here. No one will come disturb us."

Qi Baicang smiled broadly at Qi Chuan.

Looking at the peak's wild and messy state, Qi Chuan was speechless for a moment. If he had not sensed that this peak's Spiritual Qi was indeed a little better than Red Dust Peak's, he would not have wanted to move here at all.

Still, an Independent Peak was indeed somewhat better than Red Dust Peak. Most importantly, it was quiet, free from the constraints of others.

Very soon, Qi Baicang cleared out a room and had Qi Chuan settle in.

Not long after, he prepared a Sumptuous Dinner and invited Qi Chuan to eat with him.

"A Chuan, eat to your heart's content. Quite a few of these ingredients contain a trace of Spiritual Qi. Your Second Grandfather has just returned from transporting a batch of supplies from the Murong Family, and I made a modest gain. I can still afford this little bit."

Qi Baicang waved a hand.

"The Murong Family?" Qi Chuan could not help looking up.

Qi Baicang nodded. "They're also a Cultivation Family, and their relationship with our Qi Family is fairly good. They aren't nearby. My strength is weak, so I only took part in the transport this time."

"Second Master, are there many Cultivation Families like our Qi Family?" Qi Chuan asked curiously.

"There are indeed quite a few. The Murong Family, the Ye Family, the Xiao Family... including our Qi Family, all are powerful families with Foundation Establishment Ancestors overseeing them. Beyond that, there are some smaller families and fallen families, supported only by Late Qi Refining Stage cultivators, or even merely Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivators."

"However, all the families in the surrounding region fall under the rule of the Wind Moon Sect, living at its mercy!"