Patriarch

Donghu City was built along the lake, its towering city walls imposing and grand. Within the city, voices clamored, traffic flowed like a river of carriages and horses—a scene of bustling prosperity.

The moment he stepped through the city gate, his keen senses caught several probing glances.

A few lean, sharp-eyed men immediately surrounded him, faces plastered with warm smiles.

They were the city's brokers, specializing in all kinds of intermediary business. With their shrewd eyes, they could tell at a glance that Yun Long's attire and unfamiliar face hid the scent of a "fat sheep."

Whenever such a wealthy stranger appeared, it was their chance for a big score.

"Milord, you look new here! First time in Donghu City?"

"Looking for lodging? Or need some information? I've got connections everywhere—you'll be satisfied!"

Before coming, Yun Long had specifically consulted Yun Ji.

Yun Ji told him that anywhere he went, the broker trade was often the best source of news.

Especially those who'd been around a long time, with a fierce look about them—they mingled with all sorts of people and knew the most secrets.

Yun Long's gaze swept calmly over the men, finally settling on the oldest broker, a middle-aged man with a vicious scar across his face, whose eyes were the sharpest and most steady.

"You. Lead the way." Yun Long's voice was flat. "Find me a viewing room in the highest, most scenic spot in the city."

The scar-faced broker's eyes flashed with shrewd light, and he immediately bowed in response: "Right away, milord! This way, please—I'll find you the brightest spot there is!"

The scar-faced man hadn't exaggerated. Soon, he led Yun Long to a top-floor private room in a lakeside high-rise.

Pushing open the window, the vast expanse of Wanfang Lake lay fully in view. The lake breeze, carrying moisture, swept in, refreshing the mind and heart.

The scar-faced man smiled broadly, waiting for Yun Long to tip him.

He thought this "wealthy merchant" just wanted a nice place to rest and enjoy the view.

But Yun Long didn't immediately pay. He stood silently by the window for a moment, feeling the city's pulse, then turned, his gaze landing on the scar-faced man.

"Do you know what cultivation forces are around Wanfang Lake?" Yun Long spoke slowly, his voice low, but it made the scar-faced man's heart jump.

The smile on the scar-faced man's face stiffened slightly. His expression turned serious as he re-evaluated the "wealthy merchant" before him.

He'd spent years in Donghu City, and his skill at reading people was refined to perfection.

This man looked like an ordinary merchant, but the way he'd asked that question—the tone, the gaze—carried an unusual flavor.

This was no concern of a common trader!

The scar-faced man steadied himself, not daring to be careless, and answered respectfully: "To answer you, milord, the entire Wanfang Lake area, even our Sanshui County, falls under the Qingyun Sect's domain. Every year, the Qingyun Sect recruits disciples with immortal affinity here."

"As for the local cultivation families around Wanfang Lake..." The scar-faced man lowered his voice slightly. "As far as I know, there are four."

"First, the Li Family, who've fished Wanfang Lake for generations and control many of the lake's resources."

"Second, the Mo Family, entrenched in Donghu City with deep influence."

"Third, the Lu Family, who run martial arts halls and pill shops, with substantial wealth."

"Last is the Ning Family, appointed by the imperial court to guard the peace of Wanfang Lake."

At this point, the scar-faced man seemed to recall something and added: "However, I've heard some rumors lately that the Mo Family of Donghu City is running low on luck. In the last two generations, none of their young seem to have produced anyone with immortal affinity."

Yun Long then asked the scar-faced man more detailed questions about local matters in Donghu City.

Finally, he took out a hefty silver ingot and rewarded him.

The scar-faced man thanked him profusely and withdrew.

Yun Long stood alone by the window, thoughts churning in his mind.

This Great Xia Dynasty truly deserved its reputation as a top-tier dynasty on the Eastern Ancestral Divine Continent—its foundations unfathomably deep.

Even a force as strong as the Qingyun Sect was merely one powerful sect within the Great Xia Dynasty's territory.

This was completely different from the Changqing Kingdom's pattern, where a single sect dominated and even claimed the title of "Immortal Sect."

In just the small area of Wanfang Lake, four cultivation families were entrenched.

Now, their Yun Family had also arrived here.

Yun Long understood that conflict in the future was likely inevitable.

He lingered in Donghu City for two days, trying to gather more information about the cultivation world.

But the results were disappointing, and he eventually had to leave in frustration.

The city's mortal markets had nowhere to buy cultivation-related classics.

To get more detailed intelligence or real cultivation resources, the best way seemed to be having clan members join the Qingyun Sect.

Yet Yun Long knew that among the Yun Family, only Li Lingyue and Shi Chen had spiritual roots and a hope of entering the Qingyun Sect.

The three Yun siblings, himself included, had no spiritual roots.

For now, this matter had to be set aside, to await future opportunities.

Back in Evergreen Valley, the clan members were all satisfied with their new home.

The spiritual energy density at Wanfang Lake far surpassed that of the former Nanshan Town, making it better for breathing and cultivation.

The scenery here was also extremely beautiful, refreshing the heart and mind.

Moreover, the vast and fertile lands of Evergreen Valley now belonged entirely to the Yun family.

Everyone quickly grew to love life here, gradually leaving behind the old affairs of Nanshan Town.

As for that deep-seated hatred?

Yun Long saw it as clearly as a mirror.

One must clearly assess one's own strength before taking corresponding action.

For now, the Yun family's foundation was unsteady, far from the time to stir up trouble.

The urgent task was development and accumulation.

With the investment of substantial funds, all construction projects within Evergreen Valley progressed at lightning speed.

In just four days, the entire valley was transformed, taking on a preliminary shape.

Along the way, Yun Long gained a deeper understanding of the immense chasm between the Cultivation World and the mortal realm.

Once one set foot on the path of cultivation, it meant a complete severance from past mortal life, existing on an entirely different level.

The funds he had borrowed along the way, which mortals would consider a colossal fortune, were in true value far inferior to even that Qingxuan Gengjin Qi technique and those three low-grade spirit stones.

In the rear mountain area of Evergreen Valley, Yun Long personally selected the site and oversaw the construction of a solemn and dignified Ancestral Hall.

This place was accessible only to Yun Clan Members.

On the day the Ancestral Hall was completed, Yun Long bathed, changed clothes, and wore a solemn expression.

He personally placed the Family Genealogy, which carried the clan's history, reverently before the Ancestor Tablet of Yun Jiang.

Three sticks of incense were lit, and blue smoke curled upward.

Yun Long bowed and kowtowed with respect.

Just as he finished his bow and straightened up, the still Family Genealogy suddenly began to flutter without any wind.

The pages rustled as they turned, emitting a faint, soft glow.

Yun Long focused his gaze, his eyes narrowing.

He noticed that the words "Jingyang Mountain Yun Family," originally engraved on the first page of the genealogy, had now quietly changed.

In their place were four brand-new characters—Wanfang Lake Yun Family!

Below them, a line of small text clearly emerged: Third Generation Patriarch of Wanfang Lake Yun Family, Yun Long!

The genealogy had recognized him as the new patriarch of the Yun family.

What shook Yun Long's spirit even more was that, with the final turn of the page, a card as thin as a cicada's wing, shimmering with a pale golden light, slowly floated out from between the pages.

The card seemed to possess a life of its own, drifting lightly and landing precisely in Yun Long's open palm.

A warm, smooth sensation came through.

Yun Long's breath caught for a moment.

He instantly recalled the mysterious golden card phantom that had flashed through his mind when his cultivation broke through to Body Tempering Realm Layer Seven.

So it hadn't been an illusion.

This must be the true legacy method left by the Yun ancestors!

"The ancestor has acknowledged me..."

"So, is this bestowing upon me the deeper foundation and heritage of the Yun family?" Yun Long gripped the golden card tightly in his hand, his heart surging with emotion.

He took a deep breath and bowed once more solemnly before the Ancestor Tablet.

"Ancestor above, Yun Long will not fail your trust. I will bring glory to our clan!"

His voice was not loud, but it was filled with unwavering conviction.