Returning to the clan grounds inevitably meant a lively reunion.
But Si Chen was concerned about the situation in the upper realm. After a few brief greetings, he left Li Tiezhu, Wang Yan, Xie Changsheng, and the others in the courtyard to keep the clansmen company, then hurried into the tea room in the rear hall with Second Uncle Si Che and Third Uncle Granduncle.
Third Uncle Granduncle had not actually fainted. He had merely been stunned by Black Mountain's dazzlingly literary "robbery poem." After a few cups of tea, he recovered.
Qing Li served them freshly brewed spirit tea once more, then tactfully withdrew.
Several senior clan elders sat in a circle inside, and silence settled over the room.
Si Chen concealed nothing. He gave them a concise account of the Ascension Passage's construction and his plan to take the entire Si Household, along with the Eastern Region's elites, to the Immortal Realm in one batch.
"That's roughly the situation."
"Ascending to the upper realm..."
Third Uncle Granduncle held his hot tea and took a small sip, seemingly less eager than one might have expected.
After a moment's consideration, he shook his head slightly and sighed. "Chen'er."
"You've made something of yourself now. That you can establish yourself in the Immortal Realm is a blessing for the Si Household."
Third Uncle Granduncle stroked his beard, looking like a detached sage beyond worldly concerns. "But these old bones have lived more than enough years. Eternal life, the great immortal Dao... hehe, I've long since ceased to care about such things."
"Ascend or don't ascend. You youngsters can busy yourselves with that."
"As for this old man, I probably don't have many years left. Tending flowers and basking in the sun in this Small World suits me just fine."
"Once