Spirit Isle Lake

"We're still short more than fourteen hundred Spirit Stones. The younger members of the Lineage will have to contribute as well."

"Those at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining will contribute fifteen Spirit Stones, while those at the early stage will contribute six. There are still over eighty cultivators in the Lineage, so we should be able to gather another four hundred or so Spirit Stones."

"That leaves a gap of one thousand Spirit Stones that we need to find a way to make up." Fifth Elder Chen Qingwan was a Tier 1 High-grade artifact refiner. She added, "I'll take on some artifact-refining commissions. I should be able to earn several dozen Spirit Stones each year and put them toward the shortfall."

Chen Nianzhi felt somewhat moved. Setting aside the Lineage stipend, earning several dozen Spirit Stones a year was no easy task. If Chen Qingwan did this, she would likely have to give up cultivation and spend most of her time refining artifacts.

Fourth Elder Chen Qingyuan nodded as well. "I can help others transplant spirit herbs and contribute a little too."

One of the granduncles from the Chang Generation also nodded. "Qing Meng failed his Foundation Establishment breakthrough, so he cannot remain idle either. Once he recovers from his injuries, he can refine some pills each year and make up part of the deficit."

With a few words from everyone, they came up with quite a few ways to earn Spirit Stones. They could probably fill this thousand-Spirit-Stone hole within a few years.

It was only that, for the next few years, everyone would have to tighten their belts, and the Lineage stipends would have to be withheld for the time being.

Seeing that the matter had more or less been resolved, the Third Elder let out a breath of relief before continuing.

"To resolve the Lineage's deficit, we must also find ways to open new sources of income and increase the Lineage's revenue."

"I think Spirit Lake Isle is well situated. We can try opening several mu of Spirit Fields on Lakeheart Island. With a few more fields growing Spirit Rice, our income will increase considerably."

"That's a good idea."

Everyone present brightened and could not help nodding.

Spirit Lake Isle was remote and possessed a Tier 1 High-grade Spirit Vein, but there were not many cultivators there to consume its spiritual qi. The surplus spiritual qi could fully support several mu of Spirit Fields.

Moreover, the water in Spirit Isle Lake was of exceptional quality. It could even sustain Spirit Fish. It should be excellent for growing spirit herbs and Spirit Rice as well.

Thinking of this, Fifth Elder Chen Qingwan said, "Fourteenth Uncle died in battle, and Spirit Lake Isle no longer has a Late Stage of Qi Refining cultivator overseeing it. We need to send one to guard the formation."

"Opening Spirit Fields also requires a spirit plant cultivator, while the Fourth Elder must tend to the seventeen mu of Spirit Fields on Qingyuan Mountain."

As she spoke, her gaze could not help drifting toward Chen Nianzhi. Wasn't he the perfect candidate?

Within the Chen Clan, aside from the Fourth Elder, who was a Tier 1 High-grade spirit plant cultivator, Chen Nianzhi could barely be considered the second spirit plant cultivator.

Among the hundred arts of cultivation, alchemists were the most sought-after profession, followed by artifact refiners, formation masters, and talisman masters. Spirit plant cultivators were not nearly as popular, but they were exceedingly rare.

To transplant high-grade spiritual roots, one had to have a high-grade spirit plant cultivator. Otherwise, it would be difficult for them to survive.

Chen Nianzhi naturally knew the importance of the hundred arts of cultivation. What he most wanted to learn was the Alchemy Art.

Unfortunately, alchemy required vast resources to cultivate. Without spirit herbs to practice on, no matter how solid one's theoretical foundation was, it would be difficult to improve one's Alchemy Art.

The Chen Clan's spirit herbs were scarce to begin with, so they naturally could not bear to let him use them for practice. Basically, whenever spirit herbs were harvested, the Sixth Elder personally opened the furnace.

With no opportunity to learn alchemy, Chen Nianzhi had no choice but to study the Spirit Plant Art under the Fourth Elder over the past few years, hoping to understand the properties of medicinal herbs and lay a foundation for switching to alchemy in the future.

Unexpectedly, he seemed to possess some talent for tending spirit herbs. He had now become a Tier 1 Mid-grade spirit plant cultivator, which was considered exceptionally gifted at his age.

With cultivation at the Late Stage of Qi Refining and being a spirit plant cultivator as well, Chen Nianzhi naturally became the best candidate to open Spirit Fields on Spirit Lake Isle.

Sure enough, the Third Elder looked at Chen Nianzhi and asked directly.

"Nianzhi, I should not have let you leave the mountain."

"But the Lineage is short on manpower now, and you can stand on your own. Are you willing to go to Spirit Lake Isle?"

"Spirit Lake Isle."

Chen Nianzhi pondered for a moment. Spirit Lake Isle had a Tier 1 High-grade Spirit Vein, more than enough to support his cultivation.

Furthermore, it was secluded and tranquil, with scarcely any people around. Protected by a formation, it was highly suitable for cultivating Hongmeng Purple Qi. It was indeed an excellent place to go.

With that thought, he nodded. "I can."

"..."

After deciding that Chen Nianzhi would oversee Spirit Lake Isle, the family meeting gradually drew to a close.

That night, Chen Nianzhi went to Seventh Granduncle's residence to visit the old man.

By then, Seventh Granduncle had awakened from his coma, but his breath was weak and his face withered and pale. He was clearly at death's door.

Seeing him, Seventh Granduncle no longer had the strength to rise, yet he still hurriedly waved him over.

Chen Nianzhi quickly approached and took Seventh Granduncle's hand, finding it somewhat cold.

Seventh Granduncle gripped his hand tightly. There seemed to be lingering attachment to the mortal world in his expression, as well as hope.

"Little Nianzhi, I'm not going to make it."

"I've saved one hundred and twenty-three Spirit Stones over the years. I gave one hundred of them to the Lineage, leaving twenty-three."

"And two spirit talismans, along with a Green Leaf Sword. I'll leave all of them to you."

Chen Changqing had actually possessed remarkable talent. He was a cultivator with a Two Element Spiritual Root and had reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining at the age of thirty-two. Among the Chang Generation, only Clan Head Chen Changxuan could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Unfortunately, his fortune had not been enough. During the Beast Turmoil more than sixty years ago, the Lineage had lost even two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Chen Changqing had also suffered severe injuries, missing his chance at Foundation Establishment. His cultivation had even fallen to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.

Afterward, he simply gave up cultivation and spent his life drawing spirit talismans for the Lineage, accumulating quite a bit of profit.

When the Lineage purchased a Foundation Establishment Pill last year, Chen Changqing had lent the Lineage five hundred Spirit Stones, making no small contribution.

Now that he was at death's door, none of his descendants possessed Spirit Roots, so he intended to give his remaining Spirit Stones to Chen Nianzhi.

"This... how can your grandson accept this..."

Chen Nianzhi wanted to refuse, but Chen Changqing stopped him and continued.

"Nianzhi, you were wise from childhood and possessed extraordinary talent."

"Perhaps one day, you may achieve immortality and attain the Dao. Perhaps even as a Rogue Cultivator, you could travel farther."

"But I hope you can remain in the Lineage and do your part for it."

"If the Lineage cannot hold on..." The withered old man's voice trembled. "The hundreds of thousands of Chen Clan mortals in Peaceful Sun County will become blood food for Demonic Cultivators and demon beasts. They are our fellow clansmen."

"Seventh Granduncle."

Chen Nianzhi took the jade box Chen Changqing handed him, unable to stop tears from welling in his eyes.

The old man truly cared deeply for the Chen Clan. He regarded Chen Nianzhi as the Chen Clan's hope, hoping that he could continue on in his stead, protect the Chen Clan's inheritance so it remained undying, and leave blessings for countless generations.

Although Chen Nianzhi had lived two lives, he had truly been reborn into this world. He could deeply relate to Chen Changqing's feelings. It was a bond of blood and a sense of responsibility that could not be severed.

Seeing Chen Nianzhi accept the jade box, Seventh Granduncle passed from the world with a smile on his lips.

"Nianzhi, remember the Chen Clan genealogy."

"Pursue the Dao and endure forever; cherish the worthy and honor the ancestors; support one another and strengthen the clan; ascend to immortality and remain undying."