Autumn Waters and Boundless Sky

The host's father, Ye Zhanqiu, has been detected breaking through the Purple Mansion realm and reaching the Golden Core realm.

The conditions for activating the system have been met.

[The Heavenly Mandate Immortal Cultivation System has been activated]

[Host: Ye Jinyu]

[Realm: Has not entered immortal cultivation (a healthy mortal)]

[Spirit roots: Wind, fire]

[Cultivation Method: None]

[Items: Beginner's gift pack x1]

[Faction status: Hostage, young master of the Cloud Mist Ye Clan (locked)]

[This system classifies factions according to their fortune. Heavenly Mandate Points are calculated proportionally based on the power the host controls within their faction (Lineage or dynasty), the faith of the mortals under them, and the fortune of their subordinates.]

[Beginner's quest: Independently take control of or seize a Ruin Realm and develop it.]

[Heavenly Mandate Points can be used to make purchases in the shop.]

"Is this my system?"

"Hahahaha!"

Looking at the lines of text, Ye Jinyu felt that all the suffering of this life was already behind him.

Whether from the lingering effects of drunkenness or from excitement, his face was flushed red.

His future was more than bright!

The reclusive Nascent Soul Heavenly Lords mostly remained in secluded cultivation in their grotto-heavens, seeking insight into the Principles of origin in the hope of breaking through.

Golden Core True Lords were already the strongest figures in the mortal world, with lifespans of three thousand years.

The Golden Core was hard to attain, but once attained,

one could enjoy the blessing of the world's fortune and the reverence of cultivators everywhere.

True Lord, True Lord: a lord of a Dao. What more was there to say?

But once one attained that station, one had to labor for it.

To elevate one's plane, one had to seek beyond it, exploring worlds and waging war on Ruin Realms (worlds formed from fragments of other worlds, deficient or incomplete).

One took their origins, expanded one's Dao tradition, and raised one's fortune to nourish one's own world in return, contending for attributes and the fortune of Dao Fruits.

All who reached the Golden Core transcended the mortal world. Even the current emperor of Great Jin had to treat them with respect, granting them titles and fiefs. So exalted was their status that countless commoners ran about in their service, willingly becoming their hounds and beasts of burden.

They could establish sects and found Lineages, proclaiming them immortal clans that would flourish for a thousand years.

Even the mighty Xiao Clan relied on its Golden Core True Lord, Xiao Chengyi, to become the most prominent clan in Guanxi and one of the Seven Great Houses Under Heaven.

Boom!

As Ye Jinyu pondered, the heavens above the Xiaqi Mountain Range suddenly trembled, and the clouds filling the sky receded like a tide.

Qixia Mountain lay in Great Jin's northern frontier and was one of the Seven Great Houses Under Heaven.

At this moment, across the northern frontier's sky, a vast expanse of limpid autumn water descended from the nine heavens. Its surface was smooth as a mirror, its clear radiance like a silken sash. It swept over Xiaqi's golden veins and overlapping ridges of spirit firs, over the upturned eaves and interlocking brackets of the Xiao Clan's ancestral hall, over its jade towers and jeweled palaces, until nothing remained between heaven and earth but an immense expanse of water.

A vast azure sword shot straight toward the heavens, its edge so sharp it seemed to tear a gash in the sky.

The sky changed abruptly, and a gentle rain fell, filling the air with moisture. A closer look revealed that it was actually a pure essence of power. Heaven and earth were cheering and bestowing a blessed grace.

At the boundary between reality and illusion, within the Great Void Space, lights of every color shimmered, and countless figures hidden amid the spiritual currents and mist appeared.

"Golden Core! A True Lord..."

Someone murmured to himself.

"A heavenly-grade immortal foundation, Autumn Waters and Boundless Sky. Heaven and earth are one color-terrifying indeed."

"Heaven and earth are clad in autumn, desolate for ten thousand miles."

"A True Lord... actually a True Lord, with an attribute of the four seasons."

"How bitter."

Others felt bitterness in their hearts. Swaying figures in the mist paused, their spiritual presence fluctuating.

Of course, some Purple Mansion cultivators laughed excitedly.

"Now that [Autumn] has been attained, another of the four seasonal Dao Fruits has appeared. With Lesser Yin here, my Dao has a path forward!"

"I wonder whether my lord still needs someone to run errands and serve him."

"I cultivate the fire element. I can surely brave fire and boiling water for the True Lord!"

"You fool, autumn belongs to Lesser Yin and is closer to Greater Yin. Are you going there with your fire element to provoke him?"

"Two True Lords in the Ye Clan. Its rise to greatness is unstoppable... we must befriend them."

Deep within the Xiaqi Mountain Range, in a forbidden area, stood a cave abode from which spiritual currents surged forth, sharp and eager to emerge.

A gaunt old man whose whole body radiated golden and rainbow light suddenly opened his eyes. In an instant, he broke out of seclusion.

In a flash, Xiaqi Red Dust filled the entire cave abode.

Inside, golden and red spiritual currents flashed in interwoven streaks, then erupted outward with heaven-shaking force.

With Lesser Yin's emergence, his cultivation had advanced further and grown ever deeper. Clearly, he was not far from its peak.

He was none other than the Xiao Clan's Golden Core ancestor, Xiao Chengyi.

"He came to this old man's turf without even saying hello. Oh well, he's a son-in-law of the Xiao Household, after all. Truly remarkable."

"Only two hundred and twenty years of cultivation, and he's already caught up with this old man."

Xiao Chengyi sighed with feeling for a moment, unable to keep the smile off his face. Then he seemed to remember something.

He casually formed several message talismans of light and sent them into the Great Void.

"That old thing from the Ye family can finally set his mind at ease."

"That old bastard of the Ye family swallowed his anger and poured so much effort into his schemes and calculations. If anything had happened to this boy, it would probably have driven the old bastard mad with rage! He might even have turned Jiangnan upside down..."

At the same time, a strand of chill Gang wind came tearing through the Great Void.

The Gang wind was neither swift nor fierce, yet it carried a sharp force that could rend a sea of clouds. As it brushed across the autumn water, it raised not the slightest billow, instead gathering layer upon layer of flowing ripples like water sleeves, like robes unfurling and curling as clouds.

Wind and water entwined, becoming a ribbon of water and wind stretching across the horizon, dyeing the mountains and land a crystalline azure.

Sky and water were one color, a long wind swept ten thousand miles, blue waves lay unmarked, and a cool breeze brushed the face.

A blue Daoist robe concealed countless vast, sharp forces within.

A man gentle as jade and as handsome as an immortal descended to the mortal world stood outside Xiaqi Red Dust, as still as a deep pool and as steadfast as a mountain.

"I am Ye Zhanqiu, Daoist name Qiuran. Today I have attained [Autumn], one of the four seasons. Today I hold sway over Lesser Yin. The autumn wind is cold and killing, and withering and flourishing follow their Dao.

"Let autumn rain descend upon the world, let the earth's veins bear autumn fruit, let mountains and rivers be dyed throughout with golden blossoms, let frost gather on plants without their withering, and let Spiritual Qi circulate with the course of autumn."

As Ye Zhanqiu's voice rang out and his Dao Fruit was achieved, heaven and earth resonated. Boundless might carried his words throughout the ancient world, and in the Great Void, the figures of numerous Purple Mansion True Persons bent in unison to bow.

"We pay our respects to the True Lord!"

"Congratulations to True Lord Qiuran on attaining the Dao!"

"I am Qiuran. I have come especially to pay my respects to the Xiao Household."

"Come in. We're all family."

Xiao Chengyi's voice emerged from the abode and lingered in the wind.

Xiaqi Red Dust opened wide.

Ye Zhanqiu cupped his hands in salute and bowed toward the depths of Xiaqi.

Turning into a cool breeze, he headed straight for Xiaqi Green Peak.

"I am Qiuran..."

Ye Zhanqiu's gentle, resounding Daoist voice spread throughout the Xiaqi Mountain Range like a spring breeze turning to rain.

Having finished the day's Spirit Root testing, the Second Elder was beside himself with joy as he led Xiao Wan-no, Xiao Xianwan-

to the clan residence to register her and enter her in the records.

Suddenly, he heard the clamor and cheers from the mountains, along with that resounding voice.

His body jolted. He immediately raised a Divine Ability to protect Xiao Xianwan and sped into the depths of the Xiaqi Mountain Range.

"Quick, report to the ancestor! Then hurry and see my dear little sister. This is wonderful news, wonderful news!"

"And my good nephew too. His uncle hasn't shown him enough care these past years, not enough!"

"I must prepare some gifts!"

A hint of urgency appeared on the Second Elder's kindly, honest face, along with a look of pain at the expense.

His gaze flicked toward his Storage Bag from time to time.

Xiao Xianwan wore a smile on her little face, her beautiful eyes like a rippling pool, brimming with delight.

By the time the Second Elder reached Azure Peak,

a large number of clan stewards, elders, and guest elders had already gathered there.

Before he could go over, he heard laughter.

The Second Elder felt his head swim at once.

The First Elder?! That old bastard, that fence-sitter, how did he get here so fast?

Look at him, just look at him! How is that the behavior of a Purple Mansion senior? He's practically an old lapdog.

How did the old man choose this fellow as First Elder? How can this fellow govern the Lineage properly!

The First Elder, Xiao Chengyan, who was usually solemn and dignified, a man who rarely smiled,

was smiling today like a flower in full bloom.

(Cheng, Xian, Fu, Yi; Wan, Zai, Chang, Qing; Jin, Se, Ming, Yin; Qi, Xia, Xi, Ming: generation characters.)

He was chatting and laughing with the Eighth Elder of the Azure Peak branch.

The Eighth Elder maintained his composure, nodding with restrained grace from time to time.

"What a downpour, what a good omen! A single drop of rain is worth a spirit shard! Hahaha. In a while, all twelve of our generation branches should go together and give the old man the good news."

"Eighth Brother, we must have a good talk and get together then."

"Since Qingyao came back all those years ago, I've been so busy I haven't had time to see my niece."

As he spoke, the First Elder produced a token and a packed Storage Bag of his own accord and pressed them into the Eighth Elder's hands.

The Eighth Elder was somewhat reserved and aloof.

He wanted to refuse a little.

The First Elder patted him on the shoulder.

He said warmly:

"These are my congratulatory gifts: four Purple Mansion spiritual treasures, and a few odds and ends offered by those below. They're just right for that girl Qingyao. And this token is for five hundred mu of high-grade spirit fields allocated to the Azure Peak branch."

"Oh, it was only decided a few days ago, and I hadn't gotten around to telling you, Eighth Brother. Look at my memory."

The Eighth Elder was flattered and rather pleased with himself. He thought, He really is a good son-in-law. A Golden Core True Lord! Even if we spent our whole lives striving, we would scarcely glimpse his back, yet now... ah, who would have thought I'd get to bask in his light in my old age?

The First Elder's smile never faded, but inwardly he too was relieved.

That man is back, he's back.

Fortunately, my Xiao Household has fine family traditions, and no good-for-nothing dandies who look down on people and mock them.

We of the Xiao Clan never treated mother and son harshly. At most, we gave them the cold shoulder, but that is normal. Such is the fickleness of the world.

Alas, I can't help but sigh. I've governed the clan for a hundred years, treading on thin ice and working diligently. Why didn't I have such a good daughter back then?

Seeing Eighth Brother's face glowing with pride, the First Elder couldn't help grumbling.

"Eighth Brother, here's my gift!"

"Eighth Elder, mine too."

"Ahem, ahem, ahem. Eighth Brother, this is my..."

The Second Elder pushed his way forward, but he had barely opened his mouth when he was interrupted.

"Second Brother, weren't you presiding over the Spirit Root testing ceremony? How dare you neglect your duties?"

The First Elder asked sternly.

That old bastard...

The Second Elder cursed inwardly.

It was also at this moment

that a blue-robed figure appeared silently before the residence on Azure Peak.

He held a broken-off peach branch bearing a few blossoms.

The flowers were in full bloom, bright and brilliant.

"We pay our respects to True Lord Qiuran!"

The many Xiao Clan elders stopped their noisy chatter and bowed.

The blue-robed figure cupped his hands and bowed to the Xiao Clan elders in thanks.

Then Ye Zhanqiu waited there quietly, a faint light in his eyes.

The elders did the same.

All the clamor and commotion fell silent at that moment.

"Open the beginner's gift pack."

Ye Jinyu silently recited the command.

[Congratulations, host. You have obtained the Twelve Aspects of the Destiny Dao Fruit-Calamity and Blessing Aspect (incomplete, can be upgraded)]

[Endless calamities: Bifeng Yin Fire and heavenly lightning. Bifeng is especially potent at destroying a cultivator's soul. Bifeng, one of the Three Calamities of ascending to immortality, is a uniquely violent wind of nature. It scours the soul, blowing in through the crown of the head, entering the six viscera, passing through the Dantian, and piercing the nine orifices. Bone and flesh waste away, and the body comes apart of its own accord.]

[Obtained a Qi Cultivation method formula and a Qi-gathering method: Bifeng Qi, Bifeng Dao Calamity Scripture]

[Bifeng Qi x1]

"Bifeng?"

"Good stuff. No need to rush. Once I set foot on the immortal path, my mighty name will surely be known in this world."

In his room, Ye Jinyu hurriedly closed the system.

He had to cling to his father's thigh.

From then on, the path of cultivation would no longer be shrouded in confusion.

Should I be a good-for-nothing, a tyrant, or a wicked young master? So hard to guess.

Quick, quick, quick! Ye Jinyu suddenly seemed to think of something.

He hurriedly made himself filthy and disheveled, tugged his clothes into a mess, and put on a pitiful expression.

I'm a genius. When Father sees me like this, he'll surely feel even guiltier. Then I can get some benefits out of him.

Just then.

A fair hand tore through the void and pulled Ye Jinyu inside.

"I..."

The scene shifted.

Ye Jinyu found himself in the pavilion.

The woman in palace robes stood there, her gaze tinged with resentment and joy, but brighter still with radiance.

As she looked at her son, she felt even more gratified.

"I haven't seen Mother smile so happily in a long time."

"Mother, you're a Purple Mansion True Person. You should smile more and be more carefree."

I don't think I should be here. Why does it feel like my father is the protagonist?

Exalted in status, born to a distinguished family, with a lovely wife and an exceptional son.

Heh heh heh.

Ye Jinyu gathered his thoughts, smiled sheepishly, and stepped forward to curry favor.

The woman in palace robes, however, studied Ye Jinyu's pitiful, bedraggled appearance carefully, looking him over again and again.

She found it somewhat amusing, but did not expose him. A hint of mischief glimmered in her beautiful eyes.

"On this very day last year, on this very mountain, a face and peach blossoms reflected each other's rosy glow."

She still remembered that time.

Carriages flowed like water, horses streamed like dragons, and the golden-veined spirit garments where rosy clouds rested had been moved aside. Thousands of miles of green trees and peach blossoms had been laid out especially for the occasion, blooming in clusters and carpeting the ground in red.

Ten years, life and death divided, both boundless.

"When I first met you."

"It was as though heaven had made it so."

Back then, his brows and eyes were like distant mountains, and with one sword in hand, he gave himself over entirely to unbridled freedom.

She was in the prime of her youth, dazzlingly beautiful, a favored daughter of heaven.

"One man, one sword, a hundred years; heaven ordained that he give himself over to unbridled freedom."

"Yet they were a match made in heaven, with longing beyond all count."

Ye Zhanqiu murmured to himself, his eyes full of longing.

A branch of peach blossoms from a green tree, broken off by hand.

"The world says Autumn Waters and Boundless Sky sends Sword Qi sweeping in all directions. Who would have thought he could be so devoted in love?"

The second elder sighed with emotion from among the crowd.