Several days later.
Huang Gou'er, the mine manager, suddenly died of a severe illness.
His death did not stir up the slightest ripple.
[The system task progress has reached 100%. The system task is complete. System rewards are being issued...]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained three acres of superior Spiritual Fields.]
[Congratulations, Host has obtained one beginner-level Spiritual Plant Technique manual.]
[A member with Seventh-grade talent will be born into the Host's bound Lineage.]
The system's cool voice rang out deep within Li Xinge's mind, and a smile curled at the corners of his lips.
Of these three rewards, the most important was the beginner-level Spiritual Plant Technique.
If he could use the Spiritual Plant Technique to nurture a Spiritual Plant Master for the Lineage, it would greatly strengthen the Lineage's foundations.
That was because Spiritual Plant Masters were existences on par with Refining Alchemists.
As far as he knew, the entire Baihe County did not have a single Spiritual Plant Master who had entered the ranks.
At this thought...
"Go and invite the First Elder here."
Li Xinge instructed the people outside the door.
"Yes, Family Head."
Li Xinge did not have to wait long before the First Elder arrived.
"Family Head."
Upon seeing Li Xinge, the First Elder greeted him with a smile.
Li Xinge nodded, a smile appearing on his face.
"I invited the First Elder here this time because I have something to ask."
Hearing this, the First Elder put away the smile on his face.
With a solemn expression, he said, "Family Head, please ask. This old man will certainly tell you everything he knows."
Li Xinge stroked his chin and asked, "First Elder, you have governed the Family for so many years and should know its circumstances well. Do you know if our Li Family has anyone deeply accomplished in the Spiritual Plant path?"
"The Spiritual Plant path?"
The First Elder's pupils contracted. He then shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Family Head, the Spiritual Plant path is profound and unfathomable, mysterious beyond compare. Without an inheritance, it is difficult to even enter its gates. Let alone the Li Family—even throughout the entire Baihe County, there is not a single true Spiritual Plant Master. Such existences, like Refining Alchemists, possess exalted status and are honored guests of the great clans and noble families."
"I naturally understand that."
"Then what does the Family Head mean?"
Confusion appeared in the First Elder's expression.
"I want to cultivate a Spiritual Plant Master for the Family, to strengthen the clan's foundations."
Li Xinge spoke calmly.
Hearing this, the First Elder shook his head. "Difficult. Very difficult. Family Head, to cultivate a Spiritual Plant Master, one must either have a master lead one through the door, or possess an inheritance. As for the former, Spiritual Plant Masters do not readily take disciples and usually pass their knowledge down through their bloodlines. As for the latter, Spiritual Plant Master inheritances are exceedingly precious—not something our Li Family can hope to obtain."
"What if I already possess a Spiritual Plant Master inheritance?"
"Even then, it wouldn't... What? Family Head, you possess a Spiritual Plant Master inheritance?"
The First Elder nearly choked on his breath. He widened his eyes and stared at Li Xinge in utter disbelief.
Li Xinge did not keep him guessing. He took the beginner-level Spiritual Plant Technique rewarded by the system from his robes and handed it to the First Elder.
The First Elder extended his slightly trembling hands and shakily accepted it, flipping through it with great care.
After a long while...
The First Elder threw his head back and laughed, completely losing his composure. "That's right, Family Head! This is indeed a genuine Spiritual Plant Master inheritance. With this inheritance, our Li Family will possess a Spiritual Plant Master of our own!"
At that moment, the First Elder was incomparably excited.
A Spiritual Plant Master—one who could stand shoulder to shoulder with a Refining Alchemist!
If the Li Family could have a Spiritual Plant Master who had entered the ranks, and that master could continuously cultivate spiritual treasures for the Li Family, then the Li Family's future would be immeasurable.
But soon, as if he had thought of something, the First Elder forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart.
With a grave expression, he said to Li Xinge, "Family Head, the Spiritual Plant Master inheritance is of tremendous importance. If word gets out, our Li Family may face the danger of being toppled."
The preciousness of a Spiritual Plant Master inheritance was such that even the great families of the County Prefecture would likely be unable to resist making a move if they learned of it.
Li Xinge naturally understood the principle that an innocent man suffered because of his jade.
"First Elder, I understand your concerns. Our Li Family does not yet possess enough strength. To cultivate a Spiritual Plant Master, we must naturally proceed with the utmost caution. There are three acres of Spiritual Fields in the rear mountain. I intend to designate them as a restricted area, then select those among the clansmen with Spiritual Plant talent and cultivate them in secret. What do you think?"
"The Family Head's plan is excellent. This old man has no objections."
The First Elder spoke solemnly.
"Since that is settled, I will entrust this matter entirely to the First Elder. I'll trouble you to put in more effort."
Li Xinge reminded him.
"Rest assured, Family Head. This old man certainly will not disappoint you."
As for the origin of the Spiritual Plant Master inheritance, the First Elder did not ask.
He only needed to know that Li Xinge would not harm the Li Family.
"By the way, Family Head, three days from now is the fiftieth birthday of Zheng Lingjun, the Zheng Clan Patriarch. How should we make arrangements?"
The First Elder seemed to have thought of something and suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Zheng Lingjun? His fiftieth birthday?"
Li Xinge immediately recalled that smiling, refined middle-aged man.
He then nodded and said with a smile, "The Dongjiang Zheng Clan is the foremost great clan in Baihe County. Zheng Lingjun also showed goodwill toward our Li Family last time and even gifted me a divine weapon. Publicly and privately, our Li Family naturally cannot be absent. In that case, First Elder, prepare a generous gift. Three days from now, I will personally visit him and offer my birthday congratulations."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
At the hour of Chen, Li Xinge led the Third Elder and more than a dozen elite cultivators of the Li Family out from Green Maple Valley and headed for the Dongjiang Zheng Clan.
At the hour of Si, they finally arrived at East River Town.
East River Town was where the Dongjiang Zheng Clan's ancestral land was located.
At that moment, all of East River Town was decorated with lanterns and banners, filled with laughter and chatter, with a constant stream of visitors coming and going.
The main road leading directly to the Zheng Clan's ancestral land had already been cleared in advance, with commoners forbidden from entering. Along both sides of the road, every few dozen paces stood a group of sturdy warriors.
The people traveling along the main road were all dignitaries and nobles, as well as members of great clans and influential families from Baihe County.
Li Xinge and his party did not come by carriage. Instead, they rode horses.
Some people looked at this young yet imposing and noble-looking youth, secretly guessing at his identity.
Soon.
They arrived outside the archway of the Dongjiang Zheng Clan.
At that moment, guests gathered outside the Dongjiang Zheng Clan's archway, creating a scene of extraordinary bustle. Beneath the archway, an old man in purple robes, a smile on his face, was busily receiving guests who had come to offer birthday congratulations.
Li Xinge sensed him briefly and was astonished to discover that the purple-robed old man receiving the guests was actually a powerhouse at the Great Perfection of Body Realm.
"The Dongjiang Zheng Clan is truly extraordinary."
Li Xinge could not help sighing.
Beside him, the accompanying Third Elder, Li Xuanyong, also wore a look of amazement. "It is, after all, a great clan that has been passed down for more than five hundred years. Its foundations are far stronger than our Li Family's."
After sighing, Li Xuanyong gave the attendant beside him a meaningful glance. The attendant understood at once, dismounted, and hurried forward to present the invitation to the purple-robed old man.
The purple-robed old man opened the invitation, and his pupils contracted slightly.
After swiftly glancing toward where Li Xinge stood, he gave an instruction to a servant beside him. Amid the astonished gazes of the gathered guests, he immediately came forward to greet them.
Li Xinge and the others dismounted one after another. Behind them, Zheng Clan servants took the horses away and carefully tended to them.
The corners of the purple-robed old man's lips held a smile. Upon seeing Li Xinge, he clasped his hands and bowed respectfully. "I am Zheng Lingtan, the Zheng Family's Thirteenth Elder. I did not know the Li Family Head would honor us with his presence. Please forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar."
Though he was an elder of the Zheng Family, the person before him was an existence capable of standing on equal footing with his Family Head, so his attitude was naturally respectful.
"Elder, you are too courteous."
Li Xinge smiled.
As the two conversed,
a sudden burst of noisy commotion came from behind them. A booming voice rang out from within the crowd: "Little brother, you've finally arrived! Your elder brother has been waiting for you for quite some time."
The crowd parted, and the Zheng Family Head, Zheng Lingjun, came forward with a hearty laugh.
"Greetings, elder brother. I originally intended to come pay my respects sooner, but clan affairs kept me occupied. Please forgive me."
Li Xinge cupped his fists.
"Little brother, you are too courteous. At such a young age, you already govern this vast family enterprise. Unlike me—at your age, I was still a good-for-nothing young master of the Zheng Family."
After exchanging greetings and flattering each other, the two entered the Zheng Family under Zheng Lingjun's guidance.
Only after the group had gone far away
did everyone begin discussing among themselves.
"Who is that young man? For the Zheng Family Head to personally come out and welcome him?"
A guest asked in shock.
"My friend, you clearly aren't from Baihe County. The one just now was no ordinary person. He was the Family Head of the Green Maple Li Clan—a young prodigy!"
Someone answered.
"I've heard of the Green Maple Li Clan, but that man is so young. He can actually govern a family?"
"Don't be fooled by his young age. He's truly extraordinary! Before turning twenty, he broke through the Qi and Blood Heavenly Pass, led the Li Family in wiping out a century-old enemy, and even slew a powerhouse at Qi and Blood Minor Accomplishment while possessing only the strength of someone who had just entered the Qi and Blood Realm."
"Hiss."
Those unfamiliar with Li Xinge all drew in sharp breaths after hearing this.
There was actually such a monster in Baihe County?
With such talent, he would likely shine brilliantly even in the prefectural capital.
Before you continue