I Want a Home

"You must be Jiang Yun. Just now, I seemed to sense you cultivating?"

Elder Jiang looked Jiang Yun over and asked with slight confusion.

"Yes, Elder Jiang. After Elder Ma Yun taught me the Dao Scripture, I gained some insight and began trying to cultivate. I have now opened my Sea of Bitterness."

As Jiang Yun spoke, he circulated the incomplete Dao Scripture technique Elder Ma Yun had left behind and activated his Sea of Bitterness. By now, Jiang Yun's Sea of Bitterness had reached the size of a coin.

"This..."

Elder Jiang was somewhat shocked, but her background was far from ordinary. She quickly regained her calm expression.

"Ye Fan, return to your room first. I need to discuss something with Jiang Yun."

Elder Jiang instructed Ye Fan.

"Alright, I'll head back to my room first."

After facing a freak like Jiang Yun these past few days, Ye Fan had assumed all cultivators were like this.

It was only because of his Ancient Sacred Body that he had difficulty setting foot on the path of cultivation. He had long prepared himself for such unequal treatment and was not upset.

"Were your ancestors members of the Eastern Wasteland Jiang Family? Did anyone in your clan ever teach you cultivation?"

Elder Jiang stared intently at Jiang Yun and asked in a deep voice.

Jiang Yun pondered for a moment.

"I have heard Elder Ma and Little Dingdang mention the Eastern Wasteland Jiang Family, but I do not know much about it. The elders in my family are all ordinary people and have never come into contact with cultivation. As for whether my ancestors belonged to the Eastern Wasteland Jiang Family, I seem to recall the clan elders mentioning that our Jiang Family was once a great clan as well. But whenever the past was brought up, they would become regretful and remorseful, so they never said much."

This vague impression was just right. He neither admitted it outright nor denied it.

Even if he was exposed as being from Earth in the future, there was nothing to fear. After all, what family had not once been a great clan?

Elder Jiang was clearly stunned by Jiang Yun's comprehension. Without ever encountering cultivation, he had comprehended a cultivation technique overnight. Perhaps Jiang Yun truly carried Jiang Family blood, and perhaps its concentration was not low.

"Perhaps your branch was once a collateral branch of the Jiang Family. At your cultivation speed, it will not take long to complete the Wheel and Sea Realm. Then you may have a chance to go to the Ancestral Vein and make a breakthrough. At that time, you will learn everything. You may truly be a Jiang Family prodigy left behind outside the clan!"

Looking at Jiang Yun before her, Elder Jiang thought of many things. Perhaps the current state of Jiang Yun's branch was the future awaiting her own Jiang Family branch in Jade Cauldron Paradise.

When there were no longer any cultivators to succeed them, they would gradually return to mediocrity.

Then the Jiang Family Ancestral Lineage would send over another knight with no potential to guard the place and live out his old age in peace.

Thus the cycle would continue. The only clansmen who could return to the Ancestral Vein through their own efforts were those like Jiang Yun, whose bloodline had suddenly reverted to that of their ancestors.

"Elder Jiang, I will cultivate diligently. Being able to go to the Jiang Family Ancestral Lineage is also my dream!"

Jiang Yun instantly put on a resolute expression and assured Elder Jiang.

He had only begun cultivating five days ago, yet without anyone's guidance, he had comprehended the Dao Scripture. His comprehension was truly astonishing.

His Sea of Bitterness had already been opened to such an extent. If he could maintain this pace, then upon returning to the Ancestral Vein in the future, he might even become an esteemed elder. Elder Jiang began considering investing in Jiang Yun.

"Good. With your talent, you can become an Immortal Seedling of Jade Cauldron Paradise. Take these ten bottles of Hundred-Grass Liquid. They can help you open your Sea of Bitterness. You will receive another ten bottles every month from now on. I hope you reach the Life Spring Realm soon."

As Elder Jiang spoke, she took out ten bottles of Hundred-Grass Liquid and handed them to Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun accepted the Hundred-Grass Liquid and understood that his purpose in displaying his talent had been achieved. He had successfully gained Jade Cauldron Paradise's attention.

An Immortal Seedling's status within a Heavenly Cave was anything but ordinary. There might not even be several of them in an entire Heavenly Cave. Their standing surpassed all disciples and was no less than that of elders.

With the status of an Immortal Seedling, finding a Dao companion would become easy. He would no longer have to fear some inexplicable petty villain causing trouble.

"Thank you, Elder Jiang. I will certainly not disappoint Jade Cauldron Paradise's cultivation or your regard."

Jiang Yun expressed his loyalty repeatedly.

"Alright. Although you have already embarked upon the path of cultivation, I will be coming here for some time to come. If there is anything you do not understand about cultivation, you may ask me."

Seeing that Jiang Yun was rather sensible, Elder Jiang was quite satisfied. No one wanted to raise an ungrateful wretch.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jiang Yun asked Elder Jiang several questions about cultivation, and she answered them one by one.

It was not that Jiang Yun did not understand, but asking nothing at all would make him seem ignorant of proper conduct.

Elder Jiang discovered that Jiang Yun's questions were all quite profound. She might still have underestimated his comprehension. She decided to report back to the ancestor and see how they could win Jiang Yun over.

While Jiang Yun was asking questions, Elder Jiang had Ye Fan come out.

After finishing his questions, Jiang Yun returned to his room and continued cultivating.

Elder Jiang began guiding Ye Fan. Ye Fan possessed the Ancient Sacred Body, and she was very interested in whether the Ancient Sacred Body could cultivate.

Back in his room, Jiang Yun examined the ten bottles of Hundred-Grass Liquid. The jade bottles were roughly two fingers thick, with pale green liquid flowing within. It looked slightly viscous.

He just did not know whether one bottle of Hundred-Grass Liquid could match the effect of a drop of Divine Spring Fluid.

With that thought in mind, Jiang Yun drank a bottle to test it out.

He discovered that the rate at which Hundred-Grass Liquid refined life essence was far too slow. It was nowhere near as fast as Divine Spring Fluid, and its quality was inferior as well.

One bottle of Hundred-Grass Liquid was probably equivalent to half a drop of Divine Spring Fluid, and that was only in terms of its ability to open the Sea of Bitterness.

Divine Spring Fluid could also nourish the body and increase divine power.

Opening the Source Space, Jiang Yun consumed some Divine Spring Fluid and mobilized life essence to open his Sea of Bitterness.

Two days passed like this. Jiang Yun's Sea of Bitterness expanded once more, and Elder Jiang witnessed his cultivation speed with her own eyes.

After returning to discuss it with the ancestor, she became even more kindly toward Jiang Yun, as though she were looking at one of her own juniors.

When Jiang Yun saw Elder Jiang's attitude toward him improving day by day, he understood that the timing was ripe.

That afternoon, Jiang Yun stopped Elder Jiang as she was about to leave and revealed his desire to find a Dao companion.

"You are still young and in the prime of life. At a time like this, you should cultivate properly. Romance between men and women will only become an obstacle on your path to the Dao."

"Fame, fortune, rank, and wealth are all dust. Beautiful women are ultimately withered bones. The great Dao has countless paths, yet only the Dao is eternal. You are being foolish!"

Elder Jiang could not understand Jiang Yun's thoughts and hurriedly tried to persuade him.

"Elder Jiang, this disciple understands all that. My parents died when I was young. I have drifted through life like duckweed without roots, muddled and directionless. After coming to Jade Cauldron Paradise, I have finally found my footing. I simply want a home, to experience the warmth of family, to have somewhere I can miss."

"Lately, while cultivating, I seem to have heard my parents' wishes as well. This disciple wishes to start a family so as not to disappoint their expectations."

"This..."

Elder Jiang did not know what to say. Jiang Yun had even brought up his deceased parents.

Elder Jiang's family was rather happy and complete, so she could not understand the mindset of an orphan like this.

"After taking a wife, this disciple will still focus on cultivation. I will not let romance delay my cultivation. I simply want a home. I hope Elder Jiang will permit it."

As Jiang Yun spoke, tears of loneliness, emptiness, and desolation even rolled down his face.

"Alas! Very well. I should not interfere in such matters. So long as you know what you are doing."

Elder Jiang had no choice. What had Jiang Yun done wrong? He merely wanted a home. Elder Jiang prepared to leave.

"Please wait, Elder Jiang. This disciple has only just arrived in the Eastern Wilderness and is unfamiliar with this place. After spending several days with you, I feel very close to you. Could I trouble you to find a suitable woman for this disciple?"

Jiang Yun hurriedly called out to Elder Jiang, who was about to leave.

Elder Jiang was somewhat stunned.

She had thought Jiang Yun had someone he loved and therefore wanted to start a family. She had not expected him to want to marry simply because he wanted a home.

She could not help trusting Jiang Yun's earlier words a little more. As for his request that she find him a suitable woman, some thoughts also arose in her heart.

"Very well. Wait a few days." With that, Elder Jiang left.

The moment Elder Jiang departed, Jiang Yun turned and returned to the small courtyard. Ye Fan looked at his cousin with a strange expression.

Ye Fan had witnessed everything that had just happened. He was curious why his cousin had spouted so many lies. Fooling Elder Jiang was one thing, but did he think such words could fool his younger cousin?

He had been nearly thirty on Earth without starting a family, yet he had only just arrived in the Big Dipper and returned to eighteen. Was he already so impatient?

"The Wheel of Life allows ordinary people to produce children and cultivators to produce themselves. It is the foundation of all cultivators. Before your cultivation has succeeded, Cousin, why are you thinking of starting a family so soon?"

Jiang Yun looked Ye Fan up and down. The boy was only thirteen or fourteen, and Jiang Yun smiled.

"Adults' business is none of a child's concern. How could a little brat like you understand the pleasures involved?"

Ye Fan's face immediately darkened. Being turned back into a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old still felt deeply awkward. He looked only two years older than Little Dingdang.

Ye Fan turned around, returned to his room, and shut the door in one smooth motion.

Jiang Yun found Ye Fan's angry retreating figure rather amusing. Still, he went over and knocked on Ye Fan's door, giving him the remaining nine bottles of Hundred-Grass Liquid.

"Cousin, this is...?"

Ye Fan looked at Jiang Yun in surprise.

"The Ancient Sacred Body is not unable to cultivate. It simply consumes more resources. Use these for now. Could I, your cousin, just watch as Little Ye fails to cultivate?"

Jiang Yun spoke casually to Ye Fan.

Ye Fan was somewhat moved. He knew about Hundred-Grass Liquid. It was extremely precious within the Heavenly Cave; even Little Dingdang could receive only one bottle every three months, yet his cousin had given him nine at once.

He did not intend to accept them. His cousin needed them for cultivation too.

"Cousin, I can't take these. You need them for cultivation too!"

"Cut it out. Just take them when I tell you to. Once you open your Sea of Bitterness, I won't provide you with resources anymore."

Jiang Yun waved his hand and left for his room.

Looking at Jiang Yun's departing back, Ye Fan's emotions surged. His cousin treated him far too well. He truly needed these now to open his Sea of Bitterness, and he silently engraved this kindness in his heart.

Jiang Yun returned to his room and saw Ye Fan still standing at the doorway in a daze. He said nothing more and prepared to cultivate. He wanted to become a Life Spring cultivator sooner, so that he could fly through the skies and travel underground.

He had not given Ye Fan Divine Spring Fluid because, although it also assisted cultivation, its life essence would strengthen the body as well.

Who knew how much essence Ye Fan's Sacred Physique body could absorb? Giving it to Ye Fan would be far too wasteful. Better to let him slowly grind away with Hundred-Grass Liquid instead. The key was practicality.