Thirteen, Qi Cultivation Layer Eight!

[Muye Hall, the Mu Family's meeting place]

[This is your first time entering Muye Hall, and you're a bit nervous.]

[Fourth Elder Mu Shenghuan struck the Mu Ming Bell of Muye Hall.]

["Clang, clang, clang..." The sound of the Mu Ming Bell spread like ripples.]

[It is said that this Mu Ming Bell is one of the three magical artifacts left by the Mu Ye Mountain ancestor. You guess its grade must be Spirit Tier or above.]

[Soon, a group of elders arrived at the front of Muye Hall.]

[Your parents spotted you at a glance, came to your side, and asked what had happened.]

[You informed your parents of your participation in the clan competition and winning first place.]

[Your father laughed heartily, his face seemingly written with "My son, I'm proud of you!", he was proud of you.]

[A moment later, all six great elders were present, along with your father, the clan leader, making a total of seven elders.]

[They are: the First Elder, Mu Shengquan, in charge of the Elder Hall.]

[The Second Elder, Mu Shengfa, presiding over the Punishment Hall.]

[The Third Elder, Mu Shengda, guarding the Scripture Pavilion.]

[The Fourth Elder, Mu Shenghuan, managing the Internal Affairs Hall.]

[Your father, Mu Shengtian, ranked fifth, holding the position of clan leader.]

[The Sixth Elder, Mu Shengshi, head of the External Affairs Hall.]

[The Seventh Elder, Mu Shengli, head of the Finance Hall.]

[And the only elder not of the Mu family, your mother, the head of the Pill Hall.]

[For your sake, the elders of the five halls and one pavilion, six in total, have all gathered!]

[First Elder Mu Shengquan asked first, "Fourth Brother, what is the matter that required you to ring the Mu Ming Bell to summon us?"]

[The Fourth Elder didn't play coy and said with emotion, "Our clan is about to prosper!"]

[Such an ambiguous answer left the other elders bewildered, only your parents and the Third Elder understood.]

[The Third Elder had known about your cultivation a year ago in the Scripture Pavilion, which had greatly startled him.]

[He even thought some old monster had possessed you and specifically observed you in secret for over a month.]

"What? The Third Elder secretly observed me for a month?" Mu Xingqi felt a chill run down his spine and subconsciously glanced out the window.

Perhaps, that old geezer Third Elder was hiding somewhere right now, watching him!

It seemed he had been too careless. Fortunately, this time it was just his own clan elders. If it had been some ill-intentioned individual, he would have been in dire straits.

"I need to be more careful from now on..." Mu Xingqi muttered to himself.

[However, the Third Elder eventually confirmed you were fine and returned at ease.]

[Of course, the elders weren't foolish. They naturally saw you, who had been standing beside the Fourth Elder, and all turned their gazes towards you.]

[Their eyes held confusion and bewilderment, as well as excitement and relief.]

[The Fourth Elder continued, "That's right! It's this child."]

[Turning to look at you, "Child, state your cultivation!"]

[You were startled by the Fourth Elder's exaggerated performance, thinking, "Why is this old man so chuunibyou, more like a transmigrator than me."]

[Seeing the gazes from all around, you could only brace yourself and say, "This junior is Mu Xingqi, cultivation level Qi Cultivation level eight..."]

[At this moment, you were like a primary school student forced onto the stage to perform, feeling both ashamed and helpless.]

"Qi Cultivation level eight!" All the elders were shocked. To know that among the seven of them, only five were at Qi Cultivation level nine.

"Good... this child has hope of establishing a foundation in the future." The First Elder stroked his beard with a smile, praising you.

[The Fourth Elder looked at you triumphantly and said, "Child, tell them again how old you are?"]

[You noticed that this Fourth Elder seemed to particularly enjoy this kind of suspenseful buildup, followed by a grand reveal, and you found it quite speechless.]

[You, like a primary school student, looked up and said, "This junior is thirteen this year..."]

["Thirteen... keep up the good work, establishing a foundation in the future..." The First Elder was initially calm, but upon realizing, he immediately exclaimed, "What!? Thirteen years old?"]

["Child, look me in the eyes! You weren't fooled by that old scoundrel, the Fourth Elder, were you?" The First Elder asked suspiciously.]

[The Fourth Elder immediately responded, "Big brother, that's unfair. Would I use a major clan matter to trick you? Am I that kind of person?"]

[The First Elder used his spiritual energy to probe, and could easily ascertain your bone age.]

["He really is only thirteen!" The First Elder's face was filled with disbelief.]

["Thirteen years old at Qi Cultivation level eight!?" "This is truly heaven blessing our clan!" The elders discussed amongst themselves.]

[After the elders learned that your parents were the clan leader and the head of the Pill Hall, they all cast envious glances at the couple.]

[After deliberation, the elders all made a Heavenly Dao Oath and decided to inform the ancestor of your matter.]

[Actually, it's your grandfather.]

[You were brought by a group of elders to your grandfather's secluded cave dwelling.]

[You've been here before in your past life, so you're familiar with it.]

[Your grandfather was startled by the commotion, thinking their mountain gate had been attacked.]

[Upon learning about your situation, he became even more unsettled.]

[Level eight Qi Cultivation at thirteen years old; your grandfather had only heard of such astonishing talent belonging to the heirs of major powers.]

[Your grandfather was even more overjoyed upon learning you were his biological grandson.]

[You received a Yellow Grade High Rank Spirit Replenishing Pill from your grandfather!]

[Your grandfather directly appointed you Young Clan Leader!]

[The elders naturally had no objections.]

[Of course, your grandfather said that the matter of you being the Young Clan Leader could not be announced yet.]

[At least not until you break through to Foundation Establishment and hold the investiture ceremony.]

[You happily accepted your grandfather's proposal.]

[You understood the principle that "the tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind."]

[Your grandfather was even more satisfied with you.]

[Your grandfather granted you the authority of Young Clan Leader, allowing you free access to any floor of the Scripture Pavilion. He also gave you a bottle of Yellow Grade High Rank Qi Gathering Pills annually and allowed you to seek his guidance on cultivation issues anytime...]

[This treatment was even better than that of the elders!]

[One month later, you consumed the Yellow Grade High Rank Spirit Replenishing Pill.]

[The still-violent spiritual energy raged within your body, but with your experience, you quickly suppressed it.]

[With the help of the medicinal power, you touched the bottleneck of level nine Qi Cultivation!]

[You attempted to break through, but unfortunately, your momentum was insufficient, and the breakthrough ultimately ended in failure.]

[You felt deep regret.]

[In June of the second year, you attempted to break through again, but it still ended in failure.]

[You were a bit dejected, but the unyielding courage in your heart reignited your motivation.]

[In August of the second year, you successfully cultivated the Water Flowing Steps and Fire Snake Technique to Major Accomplishment!]

[In the same month, you went to the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion and chose the Spirit Tier Low Rank offensive technique, Water Dragon Fist, to cultivate.]

[Since your realm could not be improved, you spent more time honing your techniques.]

[In October of the second year, you learned that your grandfather and the Wang Family's Old Ancestor had discovered a Secret Realm. Knowing this was a conspiracy by the Wang Family, you found your grandfather.]

[You informed your grandfather that you could not go to the Secret Realm, also claiming you had a nightmare about the future.]

[Your grandfather chose to believe you and abandoned the plan to go to the Secret Realm.]

[Upon learning this, the Wang Family's Old Ancestor specifically sought out your grandfather and finally issued a threat: "I hope the Mu Family will not regret your decision today!"]

[Your life returned to peace once more, until someone found you...]