Han Changming (Family Cultivation, Seeking Support)

East Sea, Red Algae Archipelago.

Red Shrimp Island. Many red cedar trees grow on the island. Seen from high above, it looks like a giant cooked shrimp lying across the sea, hence the name.

The island's terrain is high in the south and low in the north. The southern part is a range of mountains of varying heights, covered in a vast number of trees. The central part is a plain, where a small town is located. Over ten thousand people live there, making a living through farming and fishing, self-sufficient.

There is a small pier in the southeast. Few people are on the pier; only a dozen or so people who look like fishermen are sitting on small boats by the pier, resting.

Deep in the mountains, at the foot of a high peak shrouded in mist and clouds, dozens of mortals have gathered.

They set out offerings and, led by the town mayor Han Dong, kowtow toward the mountain.

"I, Han Dong, lead the residents of the town to pay respects to the Immortal Masters, praying for the Immortal Masters to bless us with favorable weather for the coming year."

After the worship was finished, they left, not even taking the offerings with them.

"Grandpa, you always say there are immortals on the mountain, so why have I never seen one?" a four-year-old boy asked curiously.

Han Dong smiled slightly and said kindly, "Immortals and mortals are different. Without major events, we must not disturb the Immortal Masters' cultivation. You will be able to see the Immortal Masters next year. If you possess a spiritual root, you will be able to receive a generation name, go to HLD to study immortal arts, fly through the sky and burrow into the earth, and be capable of anything."

Speaking to the end, Han Dong's expression was somewhat excited.

"Spiritual root? Generation name?"

"We all come from the HLD Han Clan. Our ancestors were all immortals. It is a pity that I do not have a spiritual root and cannot practice immortal arts. Alright, you will understand next year. That will be the once-every-five-years Spirit Testing Assembly. Mortals who possess spiritual roots can receive a generation name, go to HLD to study immortal arts, overturn rivers and seas, and live forever."

Hearing this, the young boy's innocent face revealed a look of longing.

On the high peak shrouded by mist and clouds, there is a courtyard covering several acres at the summit.

Inside the courtyard is a three-story green bamboo building. To the left and right are golden rice fields. Behind the bamboo building is a spirit well, next to which are planted more than twenty stalks of green spirit bamboo. As a breeze blows, the bamboo leaves make a rustling sound.

A path paved with pebbles leads from the pavilion to the entrance.

A yellow-robed youth in his twenties stands in front of the rice fields, watering the spirit grain.

The rice fields are filled with half-a-zhang-tall golden rice ears. Each ear is hung with dozens of golden grains the size of soybeans. The husks are bright and golden, as if crafted from red gold, and an alluring fragrance permeates the air.

The youth is tall, with handsome features and a pair of bright, piercing eyes.

The youth's surname is Han, given name Changming. He comes from the HLD Han Clan. The Han Clan is a cultivation family with over two hundred cultivators, including three Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.

More than six hundred years ago, the Han Clan moved their entire clan to the Red Algae Archipelago. At that time, the Han Clan had fewer than fifty cultivators and tens of thousands of mortals. After more than six hundred years of reproduction and growth, the Han Clan now has over two hundred cultivators, controlling twenty-two small islands and governing over four hundred thousand mortals.

According to the genealogy, the Han Clan has forty generations. They are ordered by: Zheng, Da, Guang, Ming, Yuan, Wen, Zhang, Dao, De, Chang, Ben, Duan, Zhong, Yong, Mao, Zi, Li, Shi, Yan, Fang, Yi, Long, Ren, Sheng, Xian, Guo, Xing, Zhen, Jia, Bang, Guang, Xin, Zhao, Hong, Da, Si, Xu, Qi, Yuan, Chang. Currently, the highest generation in the Han Clan is the Zhang generation, and the one with the highest cultivation is Han Zhangxiang, at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

According to the ancestral records of the Han Clan, the realms of cultivation are divided into five stages: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Spirit Transformation. The Qi Refining stage is divided into nine levels. After Foundation Establishment, each major stage is divided into four minor stages: early, middle, late, and great perfection. Before the Qi Refining stage, there is also a Body Refining stage.

The Body Refining stage involves practicing martial arts and tempering essence and blood. Upon reaching the ninth level of Body Refining, one has the chance to convert one's essence and blood into vital energy and step into the ranks of cultivators. Because the Body Refining stage has no trace of magic power, it is not ranked among the cultivation stages.

Han Changming is twenty years old this year. His spiritual root is water, earth, and fire, and he is at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

Han Changming's parents were mortals. When he was five years old, Han Changming was tested and found to have a spiritual root. He was sent back to HLD to study literature, practice martial arts, and learn immortal arts.

He entered the first level of Body Refining at seven and broke through to the ninth level of Body Refining at eleven, entering the Qi Refining stage. This cultivation speed is considered average in the Han Clan.

Crossing from the Body Refining stage to the Qi Refining stage is both easy and simple, depending on how you look at it. Some lucky ones find it natural and enter the Qi Refining stage as a matter of course. Some unlucky ones still haven't entered the Qi Refining stage by thirty, and those with particularly bad luck can never enter the Qi Refining stage in their entire lives.

According to clan rules, clan members in the Body Refining stage can receive one jin of first-grade low-tier spirit grain every month. If they have not entered the Qi Refining stage by the age of twenty, the clan will no longer provide spirit grain, and it must be provided by their relatives. This is also to encourage clan members to cultivate.

Han Changming currently receives two spirit stones and twenty jin of first-grade low-tier spirit grain every month. He cultivates the earth-attribute technique Thick Earth Art. This technique is simple to practice; one only needs to follow the steps, and reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining is only a matter of time. The drawback is that the cultivation speed is relatively slow.

He and his clan uncle Han Deyun are stationed on Red Shrimp Island, protecting the people on the island from the harassment of sea demons.

What is planted in the spirit fields is Golden Sprout Spirit Rice. Golden Sprout Spirit Rice is a first-grade low-tier spirit grain that matures once a year. Qi Refining cultivators have not yet reached the stage of fasting and usually rely on spirit grain to fill their stomachs. Spirit grain contains spiritual energy, and regular consumption is beneficial to cultivation.

After finishing watering the rice fields, Han Changming walks toward the bamboo building.

There is an open space under the bamboo building where dozens of stalks of Black Cloud Grass are planted. Ten-year-old Black Cloud Grass is one of the main ingredients for refining Qi Refining Pills. Black Cloud Grass likes shade and cannot be exposed to sunlight.

The interior of the bamboo building is simply furnished. Currently, Han Changming and Han Deyun live in this bamboo building.

Han Deyun is eighteenth in the De generation. He is thirty-five years old this year and has a cultivation level of the sixth level of Qi Refining.

The old leading the young is a tradition of the Han Clan. Han Deyun occasionally has insights and is currently in closed-door cultivation, so the heavy responsibility of looking after the spirit grain and spirit herbs has been handed over to Han Changming.

Han Changming comes to the stove. He pours one liang of Golden Sprout Spirit Rice into a porcelain jar, adds clear water, washes the rice, adds clear water again, and holds the porcelain jar with one hand.

With a "poof" sound, a ball of red flame appears in his palm, enveloping the porcelain jar.

Not long after, an alluring fragrance wafts out, making one's appetite soar. The rice grains are crystal clear and look very appetizing.

One liang of spirit grain can cook a bowl of spirit rice, plus a dish of White Jade Tofu. White Jade Tofu is made from spirit beans and also contains spiritual energy.

Breakfast is soon ready. Han Changming eats it clean, not even leaving any juice behind.

After breakfast, he sits cross-legged and performs exercises to refine the spiritual energy contained in the food.

Not long after, a layer of yellow glow appears on his body, and a patch of yellow mist emerges from thin air. As he inhales and exhales, the yellow mist flows into his body.

Half an hour later, Han Changming finishes his exercise, and the yellow glow on his body dissipates.

Family cultivation, seeking investment, favorites, and recommendation tickets.