The Meng Family

At these words, both Meng Haoran and Meng Luohai were greatly startled.

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

Not to mention someone like Song Zhiyi, the current County Magistrate.

Over the years, Qingyang County's yamen had seen one local official after another come and go, yet those seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families remained as immovable as mountains, still seated high above the clouds of Qingyang County Town, looking down upon the multitude of living beings.

Meng Haoran raised his head to look at Meng Luohai. Meng Luohai fell silent in thought for a moment before asking, "County Magistrate, why do you say that?"

"Among the county magistrates of Qinghe Commandery, I am considered the youngest, and I too have ambitions in my heart."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi suddenly stepped down from behind his desk and walked to the center of the hall. Raising his eyes toward the horizon, he said, "Qingyang County's location is far inferior to those of the surrounding counties. Mountains encircle it on three sides, creating an exceedingly isolated environment. Only a single waterway leads beyond the county, and this has left Qingyang County at an innate disadvantage."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi abruptly turned around and looked at Meng Luohai. "Over these past seven years, I have repeatedly sought to put my ambitions into practice in this land. Yet the seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families have always paid lip service while acting otherwise toward the yamen's orders. They will only do things that bring benefits to their seven families. This has made it impossible for me to truly spread my wings in Qingyang County."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi's eyes shone brightly as he said in a low voice, "I have served as Qingyang County's County Magistrate for seven years already. If I fail to produce any notable achievements in the final two years of my term, then once the time comes, the Commandery Governor of Qinghe Commandery will surely transfer me laterally to another county to continue serving as County Magistrate."

"Water flows downward, while people climb upward. This is a truth that has never changed since ancient times."

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi smiled. "If I hold notable achievements in my hands during the final two years of this term, then the Commandery Governor may consider sending me to the commandery city for a few years of training. Once the Commandery Governor leaves office, I may even have the chance to try for the position of Commandery Governor myself."

"County Magistrate, your earnest ambitions are truly something this commoner agrees with!"

Meng Luohai changed the subject. "But the Meng Family behind me is merely a lowly family living in Xinghua Village. Even if we wished to lend the County Magistrate a hand, our hearts may be willing, but our strength is lacking!"

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

"So that was it! So that was it!"

Though Meng Luohai spoke thus, he thought to himself, For our Meng Family to rise from a lowly family to a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family has always been our goal for hundreds of years. Now that Song Zhiyi has said this, it all 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, simply speak them."

Meng Luohai replied, "Though Qingyang County is a lower-ranked county, there are more than a dozen villages around it, and every village has three or four lowly families. With so many lowly families, why has the County Magistrate chosen our Meng Family?"

"First, this idea did not arise in my heart merely a day or two ago. It first took root three years ago. Later, I realized that if I wished to fulfill my ambitions, relying on those seven Ninth-Rank Cultivation Families was utterly impossible. Only by turning my attention to lowly families like yours could I achieve my goal. Thus, I began searching among you, seeking a family capable of bearing my ambitions. After several years, I finally found that family—it is the Xinghua Village Meng Family!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi continued, "Second, I learned of Meng Liuhai of your Meng Family from the county records left by the previous County Magistrate. From that account, I learned of your Meng Family's resolve and perseverance in seeking to become a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family. Thus, taking advantage of today's chance encounter, I told Brother Luohai of this matter."

When County Magistrate Song Zhiyi's words fell, Meng Haoran's body trembled slightly upon hearing the name "Meng Liuhai."

He had never expected that his father, Meng Liuhai, who had left him and the Meng Family for ten years, could still protect their Lineage in the unseen depths of fate.

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi did not notice Meng Haoran's subtle change. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Meng Luohai's eyes.

After thinking for a while, Meng Luohai's face flushed slightly as he said excitedly, "Since the County Magistrate possesses such ambitions and has spoken to our Meng Family so sincerely, and since the County Magistrate wishes to add another Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family to Qingyang County, this commoner agrees on behalf of the Meng Family!"

During this period, the Meng Family had produced the Second-Tier Spirit Plant, Six-Pattern Wheat, and also received the support of the Spirit Taming Talisman. Their chances of becoming a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family in the county town were higher than at any point in the past several centuries.

Now that Song Zhiyi, Qingyang County's County Magistrate, also wished to add another Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family to Qingyang County, Meng Luohai felt that he absolutely had to seize this opportunity for the Meng Family!

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi grasped Meng Luohai's large hand and said, "Brother Luohai, though you and I have agreed to this matter, making it a reality cannot be accomplished overnight. We must deliberate carefully and plan for the long term!"

Meng Luohai tightly clasped County Magistrate Song Zhiyi's hand as well. "County Magistrate, this commoner understands. Should the yamen require anything, this commoner and the Meng Family will certainly give our full support!"

County Magistrate Song Zhiyi smiled. "There is no need for your full support just yet. There are still two full years. We are not in a hurry. Let us first get your Meng Family promoted to a Ninth-Rank Cultivation Family!"

Upon hearing this, not only Meng Luohai but even Meng Haoran beside him was thrilled beyond measure.

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

Before Lin Qingbai could even steady himself, a violent burst of heaven-and-earth spiritual energy crashed into his body, instantly sending him flying several yards away.

Seeing Lin Qingbai lying on the ground, gritting his teeth in pain, Lin Yuan Kui roared, "Lin Qingbai, is this the good deed you have done?!"

The commotion here instantly drew numerous members of the Lin Family to stop and watch.

"One hundred and forty thousand Spirit Stones—even if the Lin and Chen Families split it equally, that would still be no small income!"

Lin Yuan Kui cursed furiously, "You useless, prodigal waste! From today onward, you are confined! As for when you may come out, we shall speak of it later!"

With that, Lin Yuan Kui angrily flicked his sleeve and departed.

Lin Qingbai, kneeling on the ground, wore a miserable smile. Meng Haoran's face surfaced in his mind, and he muttered through clenched teeth, "Meng Haoran!"