It Is the Meng Family

Upon hearing this, Meng Haoran and Meng Luohai were both startled.

The seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families in Qingyang County had existed for far longer than the Meng Family of Xinghua Village.

Not to mention the current County Magistrate, Song Zhiyi.

For many years, Qingyang County's County Office had seen one official after another, but those seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families remained steadfast, still perched above Qingyang County like gods, looking down upon the common folk.

Meng Haoran looked up at Meng Luohai, who pondered in silence for a moment before asking, "County Magistrate, what do you mean by that?"

"Among the officials in Qinghe Commandery, I am the youngest County Magistrate, and I have ambitions."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi suddenly descended from his official desk and walked to the center of the hall. He looked up at the sky and said, "Qingyang County's geographical location is far inferior to its surrounding counties. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, it has a very isolated environment, with only one waterway leading outside the county. This has caused our Qingyang County to be at a natural disadvantage."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi suddenly turned around and looked at Meng Luohai. "For the past seven years, I have repeatedly wanted to realize my ambitions in this region, but those seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families have always paid lip service to the orders issued by the County Office. They only do things that bring them benefits, which has prevented me from fully exerting myself in Qingyang County."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi's eyes shone brightly, and he said in a deep voice, "I have served as the County Magistrate of Qingyang County for seven years. If I do not achieve significant accomplishments in the remaining two years of my term, then once my time is up, the Prefect of Qinghe Commandery will surely reassign me to another county to continue my duties as County Magistrate."

"Water flows downhill, and people seek higher ground; this is an eternal truth."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi chuckled. "If I have significant accomplishments in the remaining two years of my term, the Prefect will consider allowing me to train in the commandery city for a few years. After the Prefect steps down, I might even be able to try for the position of Prefect myself."

"Your Excellency's ambitious aspirations are truly admirable!"

Meng Luohai's tone shifted. "However, the Meng Family behind me is merely a low-tier family residing in Xinghua Village. Even if we wished to assist Your Excellency, we are powerless to do so!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi extended his hand and gently patted Meng Luohai's shoulder. "This is what I said earlier. I wish to add another Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family to Qingyang County. What do you think?"

"So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"

Although Meng Luohai said this, he thought to himself, "To be promoted from a low-tier family to a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family has been the goal of our Meng Family for hundreds of years. Hearing Song Zhiyi say this now feels like a dream."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi turned back and asked, "Brother Luohai, I know this is no small matter. If you have any questions, please feel free to voice them."

Meng Luohai replied, "Although Qingyang County is a lower-tier county, there are over ten villages surrounding it, and each village has three or four low-tier families. With so many low-tier families, why has Your Excellency chosen our Meng Family?"

"First, this idea has been in my mind for more than just a day or two; it began to sprout three years ago. Afterward, I realized that to achieve my ambitions, relying on those seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families was impossible. I could only achieve my goal by focusing on you low-tier families. Thus, I began to search among you low-tier families for those capable of undertaking my ambitions. After years of searching, I have finally found this family: the Meng Family of Xinghua Village!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi continued, "Second, I also learned of the deeds of Meng Liuhai from your Meng Family in the county annals of the previous County Magistrate. From these deeds, I also understood your Meng Family's determination and perseverance to become a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family. Therefore, I took this opportune moment to tell you about this matter, Brother Luohai."

As County Magistrate Song Zhiyi finished speaking, Meng Haoran trembled slightly upon hearing the name "Meng Liuhai."

He hadn't expected that his father, Meng Liuhai, who had left him and the Meng Family ten years ago, would still be protecting their family from afar.

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi, not noticing Meng Haoran's subtle reaction, stared intently into Meng Luohai's eyes.

Meng Luohai thought for a moment, his face flushed with excitement, and said, "Since Your Excellency has such aspirations and has spoken so candidly to our Meng Family, if Your Excellency wishes to add another Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family to Qingyang County, I, on behalf of the Meng Family, agree!"

During this period, the Meng Family had produced the Second-Tier Spirit Plant "Six-Pattern Wheat" and was further bolstered by the "Spirit Taming Talisman." The chances of the Meng Family becoming a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family in the county town were higher than at any other time in the past several hundred years.

Now, with Qingyang County Magistrate Song Zhiyi harboring the idea of adding another Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family to Qingyang County, Meng Luohai felt he absolutely had to seize this opportunity for his Meng Family!

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi clasped Meng Luohai's hand firmly. "Brother Luohai, although you and I agree on this matter, it will not be accomplished overnight. Therefore, we must plan this carefully!"

Meng Luohai also gripped County Magistrate Song Zhiyi's hand and replied, "Your Excellency, I understand. If there is anything the County Office requires, I and the Meng Family will offer our full support!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi chuckled. "No need for full support. There are still two whole years, so we are not in a hurry. Let your Meng Family be promoted to a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family first!"

Hearing this, not only Meng Luohai but also Meng Haoran beside him was filled with excitement.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingbai returned to the Lin Family with the Lin Family Patriarch, Lin Yuan Kui.

Before Lin Qingbai could even steady himself, an incredibly violent surge of heaven and earth spiritual energy struck him, sending him flying several feet away.

Looking at Lin Qingbai, who was lying on the ground gritting his teeth in pain, Lin Yuan Kui angrily exclaimed, "Lin Qingbai, this is the good deed you've done!"

The commotion happening at this location instantly attracted numerous Lin Family members to stop and watch.

"One hundred and forty thousand Spirit Stones! Even if the Lin and Chen Families were to split it, that's still a considerable sum!"

Lin Yuan Kui cursed, "You useless spendthrift! Starting today, you are confined! As for when you will be released, that will be decided later!"

With that, Lin Yuan Kui, enraged, flicked his sleeve and left.

Lin Qingbai, kneeling on the ground, wore a bitter smile. His mind, however, conjured the image of Meng Haoran, and he muttered hatefully, "Meng Haoran!"