Spring passed and autumn came, and time turned its wheel.
Supreme White Island remained blanketed in snow, while a thick layer of dust had gathered outside the cave dwelling where Fang Qing was in seclusion.
Before anyone knew it, ten years of summer heat and winter cold had passed.
Ancient Shu, Xituo Commandery.
Fang Yixin now looked middle-aged and wore two small mustaches. His cultivation had reached the fifth layer of Qi Ingestion. Gazing at his family's spirit fields, he let out a long breath. "This year... things have finally settled down a little. We should have a decent harvest."
Beside him, Hu Quan'an's hair and beard had turned white, and age showed on his face. He lowered his voice. "Alas... after the Zeng Clan ancestor returned, we had a few peaceful years. Then word spread that Ancestor Green Leaf had long since passed away, and his death had merely been kept secret... Next came the rogue cultivator at Dao Foundation, Black Crow Hermit, attacking a Zeng Clan caravan... That was clearly a probe."
In recent years, the Zeng Clan had repeatedly clashed with several neighboring Dao Foundation powers. Though their Dao Foundation Great Cultivators had yet to fight, the Qi Ingestion cultivators beneath them had engaged in several bloody battles. Not a year passed without war.
It had left Fang Yixin exhausted in body and mind. If his two children had not turned out so well, growing old enough to offer more and more help, he would practically have been coughing up blood.
"Alas... this was my fault too. Before, I only thought of the Zeng Clan's strength and the favor they owed us, believing that would be enough to shelter us... I never considered that this clan cultivated [Turtle Beak Fire]. [Turtle Beak Fire] governs drifting and scattering...