The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"So this is the spirit field your Yun Clan has cultivated?"

Under Yun Yunyang's guidance, Li Qing arrived at the Yun Clan's spirit fields in the back mountain.

Looking at the thriving spirit rice growing in the fields, he couldn't help but quietly admire the development of the Yun Cang Yun Clan over the years. They had far surpassed many other cultivation families within Yue Kingdom.

"Indeed," Yun Yunyang replied with a smile.

"Self-reliance to provide your spirit-root cultivators with more cultivation resources—admirable, truly admirable," Li Qing said with an approving nod.

"Yantian, come over and greet Master Li," Yun Yunyang called out with a glance toward Yun Yantian, who was busy working in the spirit fields.

Nearby, other Yun clansmen were diligently weeding the fields.

"Yantian greets Master Li," Yun Yantian said respectfully, walking over.

"It's been years, and your cultivation has advanced significantly!"

Looking at Yun Yantian, Li Qing noted that his cultivation had reached the sixth level of the Breath Embryo stage. Such rapid progress outpaced many spirit-root cultivators from the Three Families and Seven Sects—a truly remarkable achievement.

Even Li Qing himself hadn't progressed as quickly in his youth. If Yun Yantian had a capable mentor to guide him, he had a good chance of reaching Foundation Establishment, possibly even the Golden Core stage.

Once he reached Foundation Establishment, the Yun Cang Yun Clan could solidify its place among the Three Families and Seven Sects within Yue Kingdom and might even surpass them in the future.

Recalling the enigmatic yet powerful blind elder Daoist, Li Qing felt it was only natural for Yun Yantian to achieve great heights under his guidance.

"Master Li, you flatter me," Yun Yantian said humbly, bowing slightly.

"And these two children..."

Li Qing's gaze shifted to two little girls standing beside Yun Yantian. They looked around four or five years old, as delicate as porcelain dolls.

"They are the beloved granddaughters of my cousin Yunlin—Yun Wenyu and Yun Wenrun. Both have fourth-grade spirit roots," Yun Yunyang explained.

"Haha! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Li Qing squatted down, gently stroking the girls' heads with a doting smile. "Their aptitude may be average, but with the elder Daoist's guidance, they too have a chance at Foundation Establishment."

"Thank you, Master Li! My sister and I will work hard!"

Yun Wenyu responded sweetly in her childish voice, smiling brightly.

Though young, she was intelligent and well-mannered, unlike the more mischievous children in the clan.

"I'll be waiting for the day you and your sister achieve greatness," Li Qing said with a smile.

"Brother Yunyang, I've said all I needed to. It's time I returned to make my report," Li Qing said, preparing to leave.

"Master Li, I have one more matter to discuss," Yun Yunyang interjected.

"Oh? What is it?"

"For years, my clan has been selling spirit rice and tools through intermediaries, specifically the Wang family of Yulin. However, their demands have grown increasingly unreasonable, and I was hoping you might..."

Yun Yunyang explained the situation candidly, hoping Li Qing, as a court retainer, could leverage his influence to mediate with the Wang family.

"You want me to speak on your behalf and ask the Wang family to be less excessive?"

Yun Yunyang nodded slightly, choosing not to say more.

"Sigh..."

Li Qing sighed heavily.

"It's not that I don't want to help, but I can't."

"Why not?"

"The court has rules. Matters between cultivation families within Yue Kingdom are not to be interfered with by court officials, especially when they involve financial interests.

You may not realize this, but the Three Families and Seven Sects wield immense influence in Yue Kingdom. Even the court has difficulty controlling them.

Years ago, when one of your spirit-root cultivators killed a rogue cultivator employed by the Wang family, I was able to mediate and resolve the animosity.

But when it comes to matters of profit between two families, even my intervention wouldn't carry weight with the Wang family," Li Qing explained.

Yun Yunyang listened intently, his expression growing heavier.

He hadn't realized the extent of the power held by the Three Families and Seven Sects, even beyond the court's reach.

"I apologize for troubling you, Master Li," Yun Yunyang said sincerely.

"No need to apologize. If anything, I feel guilty for not being able to assist," Li Qing replied with a wry smile.

"Master Li, please don't feel that way. If you cannot help, then it's up to me to find another solution," Yun Yunyang said resolutely.

"Remember, for now, it's best not to confront the Wang family directly. They are among the strongest of the Seven Sects, second only to the Three Families.

The Wang family patriarch is rumored to be at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refinement, on the verge of Foundation Establishment.

Three years ago, the patriarchs of the Three Families all achieved Foundation Establishment.
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If the Wang family patriarch succeeds, Yue Kingdom will no longer have Three Families and Seven Sects—it will be Four Families and Six Sects," Li Qing warned.

"I'll keep your words in mind, Master Li," Yun Yunyang said sincerely.

"Good. Brother Yunyang, I'll take my leave now."

Li Qing cupped his hands, gave a faint smile, and with a swift leap, turned into a streak of light, vanishing into the distant sky.

Yulin County, Cultivation Market

"Why have you suddenly decided to visit the cultivation market, Brother Liyuan?"

Two finely dressed young men strolled down the bustling street, their conversation light and amiable.

One of them wore a robe adorned with cloud patterns, a jade token engraved with a dragon and phoenix hung from his waist, and a fine Qingfeng sword was slung across his back.

With sword-like brows, bright eyes, and a strikingly handsome face, his demeanor exuded the spirit of youth.

This youth, named Wang Lijiao, was seventeen years old and a collateral descendant of the Yulin Wang family's main branch. With a cultivation level at the sixth stage of the Breath Embryo realm, he specialized in swordsmanship.

Typically, he was stationed at the cultivation market to oversee and manage the family's various shops and enterprises. Upon learning that his cousin, Wang Liyuan, was arriving, he had personally gone to the dock to welcome him.

The other youth walking beside him also wore a robe with cloud patterns and a pair of black-and-gold boots. He carried himself with a calm and restrained demeanor, reminiscent of a sheathed treasure sword.

This was Wang Liyuan, a direct descendant of the Yulin Wang family. At just sixteen years old, he was the most gifted of his generation, with his cultivation already at the peak of the seventh stage of the Breath Embryo realm.

His esteemed status within the family meant that even Wang Lijiao, known for his pride, had to lower his posture in front of him.

"I've encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation. Since the family doesn't currently have the elixirs I need to break through, I decided to come to the cultivation market to see if I can find something useful—and to take a little breather," Wang Liyuan replied.

"How have the family's businesses in the cultivation market been doing lately?"

"Quite well, naturally," Wang Lijiao answered with a smile.

"If you're looking for an elixir to aid your breakthrough, I heard that the Chuan Yin Lu family is hosting an auction today. If you're interested, I can arrange for a private booth," he offered.

"I'll leave it to you, Brother Lijiao," Wang Liyuan responded courteously.

"We're family; no need for such formality," Wang Lijiao said, waving his hand with a grin.

"By the way, I heard the patriarch has gone into a life-or-death seclusion?"

"Yes, it started three months ago," Wang Liyuan confirmed.

"I'm afraid the Canglan Ye family, the Wangyue Lin family, and the Chuanyin Lu family might try to interfere," Wang Lijiao said quietly, a trace of cold light flickering in his eyes, mixed with concern.

Three years ago, the patriarchs of these three families had successfully broken through the Qi Refinement stage and entered the Foundation Establishment stage. Their newfound strength had dramatically elevated their status within Yue Kingdom, making life difficult for other cultivation families.

As the leading family among the Seven Sects, the Yulin Wang family frequently found itself targeted by these three families.

For example, this cultivation market, which should have belonged to the Yulin Wang family, was now under the control of the three families. The profits were divided among them, leaving the Wang family forced to pay hefty rent and taxes to secure a few shops to sell their spirit rice, spirit plants, and refined elixirs.

If their patriarch could successfully break through during this seclusion and achieve Foundation Establishment, the Wang family would no longer have to endure such humiliation and suppression.

However, the three families wouldn't stand idly by. They would undoubtedly attempt to disrupt the patriarch's breakthrough, sabotaging his efforts to reach Foundation Establishment.

If he failed, not only would the Wang family lose the chance to rise above the oppression, but they might also fall from their position as the leading family among the Seven Sects.

"The family has already made thorough preparations to protect the patriarch. No disturbance will go unnoticed by our cultivators," Wang Liyuan said firmly.

"We've also summoned some of the family's rogue cultivator retainers to enforce strict security around the estate and prevent any interference from the three families."

"Good. As long as the Foundation Establishment patriarchs of the three families don't intervene, no one can break through the defense formed by our elders and retainers," Wang Lijiao said confidently.