A PROGENITOR'S SEED

Laying the Foundations

The exhilaration of breaking through to the Body Building Stage resonated within the Mo Clan like a sustained chord. Each of the quadruplets, now 14 years old, radiated a newfound solidity, their Essence denser, their physical forms inherently more resilient. Mo Feng's movements were sharper, almost imperceptible. Mo Lei's presence was heavier, a grounded force. Mo Yue's touch pulsed with stronger vitality, and Mo Xuan's gaze seemed to pierce through reality itself. Mo Li, now a robust Body Building 5th Stage cultivator at 45-46 years old, watched his children with immense, quiet pride. They had achieved what few could even dream of at their age.

But with this new power came a renewed sense of purpose, a burning ambition that Mo Li had nurtured since their desperate days in the Beast Forest. Being a valued asset of the Han Clan was good, but it wasn't the ultimate goal. A true clan, the strongest clan in the world, needed its own foundation, its own land.

A Foothold in Pinecreek

Mo Li began discreet inquiries with Han Ling, sounding him out on the possibility of acquiring land. Han Ling, ever the shrewd diplomat, understood the implicit request. The Han Clan benefited from the Mo Clan's unique capabilities, but having them as truly independent, yet allied, partners rather than mere "assets" would strengthen their position in Pinecreek Town. More importantly, the Swiftwind Clan's subtle observations of the quadruplets' breakthroughs had undoubtedly reached their ears, making the Mo Clan a more significant entity.

A few months after their breakthroughs, a proposition materialized. Not a gift, but an opportunity. The Han Clan facilitated the purchase of a modest tract of land on the eastern outskirts of Pinecreek Town. It wasn't vast, nor did it boast a major spiritual vein, but it had potential. It was situated near a less-traveled section of the Beast Forest, allowing them to continue their expertise in procurement, and more crucially, it possessed a small, nascent Earth-elemental spiritual node.

The acquisition was a delicate affair. Other minor clans, wary of any power shift, watched with keen eyes. But the Han Clan's influence, subtly backed by the unspoken shadow of the Swiftwind Clan, smoothed over any overt objections. The Mo Clan now had a physical address, a place they could truly call their own.

Their first priority was to establish a secure base. Under Mo Li's pragmatic direction, and with the quadruplets' newly enhanced Body Building 1st Stage strength, they began constructing a small, sturdy compound. Mo Lei, with his powerful Earth-Fire Essence, became the primary architect, shaping stone and earth with surprising precision. Mo Feng acted as their rapid scout and protector, while Mo Yue aided with structural integrity using her Wood Essence. Mo Xuan, with his uncanny Void Sense Barrier, mapped out the most secure defensive positions, even helping to lay rudimentary detection arrays using basic inscription techniques learned from Han Clan manuals.

With their land secured and basic structures in place, Mo Li turned his attention to increasing their clan's income. Reliance solely on the Han Clan's missions, while profitable, tied them too closely. True independence required diversified income streams.

Mo Yue became the cornerstone of their first venture. With her profound connection to Wood Essence and her Essence Siphon innate ability, she spearheaded the cultivation of spiritual herbs.

The small Earth-elemental spiritual node on their land, while minor, could be coaxed to support several types of low to mid-grade spiritual herbs. Mo Yue, using her Verdant Lifebloom Martial Soul, carefully cultivated a variety of herbs in newly tilled plots, her touch accelerating their growth and enhancing their quality. These herbs, such as Spiritgrass and Sunroot, could be sold directly at the market or supplied to the Han Clan for a fair price. This provided a slow but steady stream of Spirit Stones.

Mo Li also leveraged his and the quadruplets' Beast Forest expertise. Instead of just "sensitive procurement" for the Han Clan, they began taking on specialized hunting contracts directly from other merchants in Pinecreek Town. They focused on rarer, more valuable Martial Beasts whose parts fetched higher prices. Mo Feng's scouting, Mo Xuan's threat detection, Mo Lei's direct combat, and Mo Yue's healing made them an exceptionally effective hunting team. Their reputation for efficiency and discretion grew, attracting more lucrative contracts.

Mo Lei, in particular, began experimenting with rudimentary Earth-Fire refining. While not yet a true alchemist, his precise control over earth and fire allowed him to refine low-grade ores and beast bones into purer forms, which were valuable as raw materials for artisans or minor alchemists in town. This was a fledgling venture, but it showed promise.

Mo Xuan, with his unique perception, even found a niche. He offered a discreet service, using his Void Sense Barrier to detect hidden flaws in newly constructed buildings, or to confirm the authenticity of rare artifacts for wary merchants, for a small fee. His unnerving accuracy made him surprisingly sought after for such tasks, adding another small, but significant, trickle of income.

One year passed on their own land.

The Mo Clan compound, though still modest, had gained a lived-in feel. The spiritual herb plots flourished under Mo Yue's care. The steady stream of income allowed them to acquire better cultivation resources, further strengthening their Body Building 1st Stage foundations. Mo Lei, in particular, with his intense physical training, was already feeling the subtle stirrings of a breakthrough to Body Building 2nd Stage. Mo Li too had advanced, reaching Body Building 6th Stage.

On a night marked by a full moon, Mo Li gathered his children in their main hall for their very first formal clan meeting. The quadruplets, now 15 years old, sat before him, their expressions serious, their young faces hardened by cultivation and experience, yet still reflecting their core personalities.

"We have achieved much this past year," Mo Li began, his voice filled with quiet pride. "We have our own land, a home. We have established several income streams, ensuring our clan's self-sufficiency. Your cultivation has progressed admirably. Mo Lei, I sense your upcoming breakthrough."

Mo Lei nodded, a fierce glint in his eye. "The Earth-Fire Essence within me is restless, Father."

"Excellent," Mo Li affirmed. "Our immediate goals are clear: Mo Lei's breakthrough, and continued consolidation of your Body Building 1st Stage. But we must also look further." He spread a rough map of Pinecreek Town and the surrounding Beast Forest on the table.

"Our relationship with the Han Clan remains vital, and the Swiftwind Clan continues to observe us. We are no longer mere hidden hunters. We are the Mo Clan. But to become the strongest, we cannot remain confined to Pinecreek."

Mo Feng spoke, his voice clear and concise.

"Father, our current land, while a good start, has limited spiritual density. To truly cultivate to higher stages, we will eventually need land with a more potent spiritual vein, perhaps even a ley line."

"Precisely," Mo Li agreed. "Our current income supports our growth now, but higher-grade resources require greater wealth. We must consider expanding our specialized hunting operations, perhaps venturing into territories known for rarer beasts, or even seeking out more lucrative cultivation-related services for other clans."

Mo Yue, ever practical, added, "My spiritual herb cultivation can be expanded, Father, but only if we acquire more land with suitable spiritual conditions. Perhaps we can research more effective cultivation techniques."

Mo Xuan, quiet as ever, finally spoke, his eyes distant as if perceiving unseen currents. "Father, my Void Sense Barrier and Void Step abilities are growing. I've detected subtle fluctuations near the Western mountains—faint traces of ancient formations, hinting at something powerful, something hidden. It might be dangerous, but it could also hold resources beyond our current imagining."

Mo Li's eyes lit up. This was the kind of ambition he wanted to foster. His children were thinking beyond immediate survival, looking towards true power.

"These are excellent points," Mo Li concluded, sweeping his gaze across their determined faces. "Our goal remains unchanged: to become the strongest clan in the world. This land, this year of growth, is merely the first step. Our next phase must involve seeking greater opportunities, higher-grade resources, and perhaps, eventually, a true, potent spiritual land that can sustain cultivators at Soul Transformation Stage".

The meeting ended, but the unspoken message resonated: the Mo Clan had anchored itself, but it was far from stagnant. They were a fledgling hawk, its wings rapidly strengthening, gazing towards the vast, open sky. Their journey to true power had just truly begun.