From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 248 Reunion of Old Friends, Fan Kongye's Suspicion

"An elixir!"

The Yang family was overjoyed to learn that Yang Zhen had brought back the legendary "elixir of immortality".

Yang Zhen's father carefully put away the elixirs, intending to distribute some to everyone and keep the rest as family heirlooms.

His mother, unable to contain her curiosity, asked, "This elixir must be very expensive. How much silver does it cost to buy one?"

silver?

Yang Zhen smiled without saying a word; the question was too funny.

That single elixir is worth several to tens of spirit stones, which cannot be measured by ordinary gold and silver.

His father chimed in from the side, "You woman are so ignorant. What silver? Immortals use spirit stones. One spirit stone can be exchanged for all our family's wealth."

Upon learning that the elixir was very valuable, amounting to an astronomical sum in silver, his mother couldn't help but grin foolishly.

His grandfather, Yang Hui, said, "Zhen'er, we don't spend much money. You should save your money for when you get married and raise children."

"..."

Yang Zhen was speechless and could only agree casually.

Afterwards, the Yang family members surrounded Yang Zhen and recounted the various events that had occurred over the past three years.

From relatives' weddings and funerals to buying farmland and building houses, they talked about all sorts of trivial matters, leaving no stone unturned.

Given the Yang family's circumstances, it was impossible for them to contact Yang Zhen using communication talismans under normal circumstances, so they always wrote letters.

Ancient Nancheng and Yuanli County are far apart. It takes a month to send a letter one way, and two months to go back and forth.

The Yang family frequently wrote to Yang Zhen, but he rarely replied, only writing one letter every three to five months.

Yang Zhen has no feelings for the Yang family. If it weren't for needing this identity, he would have broken off contact with the Yang family long ago.

Half a day later, Yang Zhen's older brother returned from the county town.

His elder brother got married early; he had just gotten married before he became a celestial official.

His family was poor at the time. The whole family helped him get married and it took a lot of effort for his older brother to finally get married. At that time, his wife didn't like him very much.

After Yang Zhen became a celestial official, his elder brother's "family status" rose accordingly, and his wife listened to him obediently.

When his elder brother learned that Yang Zhen had returned home to visit his family, he immediately took his wife and son from the county town and rushed home.

Yang Zhen's family has all gathered.

Yang Zhen's third brother is not yet married. He is seventeen years old this year, which is the age for marriage. Many wealthy families are vying to come to the door to propose marriage, wanting to marry their daughters to the Yang family.

Before long, the news of Yang Zhen's return home spread, and acquaintances from the village came to see what was going on, as well as relatives of the Yang family.

The Yang family is large and has many relatives, but most of them are farmers with average means, and those who are better off are just small business owners in the county town.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

three days later.

"Zhen'er, if you can help with Uncle Luo's matter, please do so."

Seeing Yang Zhen's expression, Yang Zhen's father forced himself to bring it up again.

At this moment, Yang Zhen's brows furrowed with barely suppressed irritation.

He was visiting his family, and he didn't mind the trivialities and mundane details of rural life. He had never experienced this kind of rural life before, so he treated it as an experience of ordinary life.

But what he couldn't stand was that too many people were coming to see him.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he held a very high status among mortals. However, mortals only knew the difference between immortals and mortals, unaware that the gap between cultivators was even greater.

These farmers didn't understand the difference between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, and they only regarded him as an ordinary cultivator. When they came to him for favors, they only asked him for trivial matters.

For example, if two families have a trivial dispute over a few taels of silver, they might ask him to mediate.

When someone's child goes to a martial arts school to become an apprentice, or when someone in the family is sick and needs to find a doctor, they all ask him for help.

As a Foundation Establishment Immortal Official in the government office, why would he do such a thing?

"Who am I? What is the head of the martial arts school? Why would you ask me for this favor?"

Yang Zhen frowned and said impatiently.

One of his distant cousins ​​wanted his child to train at the best martial arts school in the county. However, his child's martial arts talent was average, and the school wouldn't accept him.

So they went to find Yang Zhen's father, hoping to ask Yang Zhen to intervene.

"You're a high-ranking immortal, so your words carry weight. The head of that sect is a martial arts grandmaster; we can't even get a meeting with him if we wanted to."

"..."

Yang Zhen was speechless. He was a Foundation Establishment Immortal, and he was going to find a martial arts grandmaster?
If he goes, it will definitely work; the martial arts master will probably have to kneel down and agree.

But he felt it was too embarrassing; he, a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator, shouldn't use his reputation like that.

"Fine, give him a spirit stone, it'll definitely work."

As he spoke, Yang Zhen took out a spirit stone and placed it on the table.

His father looked at the precious spirit stones and was reluctant to part with them: "These are too valuable. You can save the spirit stones by just showing your face. Why waste them?"

In his father's eyes, spirit stones were more valuable than face.

“I don’t need to get involved. As long as the museum owner knows that the child is related to me, the matter will be settled.”

Yang Zhen said helplessly.

He gave away spirit stones because he didn't want to use his personal connections; his reputation was worth far more than a spirit stone. Why waste such favors when spirit stones could solve the problem?

"Okay, as long as you speak, that's fine."

His father nodded in satisfaction.

As long as Yang Zhen agrees, he can use Yang Zhen's name to do things outside.

"besides……"

His father was about to say something when Yang Zhen waved his hand to interrupt him: "No need to tell me. You can decide what to do. Use silver if you can, spirit stones if not, or just bring up my name."

His title as a celestial official in the government office carries great weight.

After saying that, he took out a bag of fifty spirit stones and placed it on the table: "Keep these for yourselves, but don't flaunt your wealth. Although I am powerful enough to deter robbery, I am still afraid of some vicious and ruthless individuals..."

"I see."

His father carefully stored away the spirit stones. As he came into contact with more cultivators, he gradually came to understand how valuable the spirit stones were.

"Zhen'er, it's truly a blessing that our Yang family has produced someone like you!"

His father couldn't help but sigh. A celestial official with a local spiritual root had transformed his family from ordinary farmers in the village into a clan that no one in the entire county dared to provoke.

"Call everyone over, I have something to say. It's time to go back, I still have business to attend to at the government office."

Yang Zhen had been at home for three days and was preparing to leave. He and Fan Tianlin had also made plans to have a gathering and banquet with those people in Yuanli City.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When the Yang family learned that Yang Zhen was leaving, they came to say goodbye, reluctant to part.

"You only come home once every three years, stay a few more days."

"Yes, let's stay a few more days."

"When you get to the prefectural city, remember to write home often."

"..."

Yang Zhen shook his head: "No, the government office is busy, and I have already made an appointment with you. Before I leave, there is something else I need to say."

While I was serving as a celestial official in the ancient southern city, a family of Golden Core cultivators contacted me, wanting me to marry into their family.

Golden Core Clan?

Ordinary people cannot comprehend the differences between Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core families; they only know that the Golden Core family is very powerful.

Bringing in a wife?

Upon hearing his words, the expressions of everyone in the Yang family changed, especially his father and grandfather.

"No, no, you're the face of our family business, how can you marry into our family?"

His father didn't even consider it and shook his head repeatedly.

His family has very traditional views, believing that only men who are incompetent and unable to find wives do the kind of thing that men do.

His grandfather, Yang Hui, said, “Zhen’er, you’ve made something of yourself now. We’re counting on you to build up the Yang family. How can you marry into the family? Our relatives in the Yang family all look to you as their leader now.”

What will they think if you marry into their family?

Although the others did not speak, their expressions and demeanor clearly showed that they did not support Yang Zhen's marriage into the family.

Yang Zhen had been considering "marrying into" his wife's family for a long time: "Listen to me, the resources of those Golden Core families are something I could never earn on my own."

As long as I marry into the family, I can have anything I want, my cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds, and my future achievements will be even greater!
"With connections from a Jin Dan family, I'll have a smooth and successful career in the government." "That still won't work. We'll earn what we need ourselves; we don't need to be beholden to others. Isn't that how a man should be?"

"Yes, what's wrong with working hard on your own? Why do you have to marry into the family?"

"Second brother, aren't you satisfied with your abilities? What higher achievements do you want?"

"..."

The people's refusal was more resolute than Yang Zhen had imagined.

This was beyond his expectations.

Given his current status in the family, he basically gets what he says, and no one would refuse him. Unexpectedly, the idea of ​​him "marrying into the family" was met with strong opposition from everyone.

It's important to know that it's impossible for an ordinary person to marry into a Golden Core family; Golden Core families don't accept just any son-in-law.

"I'm just marrying into your family, not severing ties with us. The better I develop, the more you'll benefit. You'll enjoy endless wealth and luxury, and the Yang family you desire—all of that will come true!"

Yang Zhen thought to himself, "These people are really blockheaded. They can't even seize the opportunity to move up. They deserve to be low-level farmers."

"Zhen'er, anything else is fine, but marrying into the family is absolutely out of the question."

His father shook his head.

In their minds, marrying into the Yang family means no longer being a member of the Yang family.

His grandfather, Yang Hui, remained silent but kept breathing heavily, clearly unable to accept Yang Zhen marrying into the family.

"You must be careful. Marrying into a family isn't as good as you think..."

Others also tried to persuade him.

"You can't talk about ice with a summer insect!"

Yang Zhen was furious. He left a sentence, turned around, and rode his qi into the air, disappearing from everyone's sight in an instant.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The towering Ling Mountain.

Fan Tianlin bid farewell to the Fan family.

"Tianlin, take these communication talismans and use them to send messages to the clan every two months."

Fan Kongye handed a thick stack of communication talismans that could travel thousands of miles to Fan Tianlin.

These long-distance communication talismans cost twenty or thirty spirit stones each. Even with the Fan family's wealth, they couldn't possibly use such expensive talismans like paper.

"Tianlin, as an official in the government office, you must make good friends with your colleagues; necessary social interactions are indispensable. You also need to maintain a good relationship with your superiors..."

"Don't take sides too easily."

"Merit is important, but saving your life is even more important. Don't rush into things whenever you encounter a crisis."

"..."

Everyone offered their advice and suggestions.

Fan Tianlin agreed to each of their responses, bid farewell to everyone, and then turned and flew away.

The Fan family couldn't help but say, "Tianlin is growing up too fast. I wonder what his strength and appearance will be when we meet again."

"Yes, in three years, he has become much more mature."

"Our Fan family's future Golden Core cultivator!"

"..."

Fan Kongye watched Fan Tianlin's departing figure and fell into deep thought.

After a long while, he sighed, "Maybe I'm overthinking it."

Many years ago, when he was just an ordinary demon-slaying guard in the Demon-Slaying Division, he overheard a rumor.

Rumor has it that the selection of immortal officials by the government and the imperial court is actually a selection of geniuses with earth spirit roots from the mortal world, to be provided to the top Golden Core families in Ancient South City who control power.

Earthly spiritual roots, a rare and naturally occurring talent for cultivation, cannot be produced by Golden Core families on their own.

So they stripped the other people of their earth elemental roots.

As for the specific method of deprivation, Fan Kongye was unaware of the details.

Not long after he heard this rumor, Yuanli County discovered and killed several Foundation Establishment Realm demonic cultivators.

He never heard similar rumors again after that.

He thought it was nonsense, something the demonic cultivators made up to smear the imperial court because they hated the government.

But this time, for some reason, he felt that Fan Tianlin was not quite the same as before. He could understand the changes in personality during growth, but not this sense of unfamiliarity and alienation.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yuanli City.

Fan Tianlin and Yang Zhen arrived at a restaurant at the agreed time.

Xu Yiqing had arranged a banquet for everyone here.

Yang Zhen originally didn't want to come, but Fan Tianlin was worried that he would be exposed, so the two of them came together so they could cover for each other.

Three years ago, during the selection of celestial officials, about twenty people who were selected as celestial officials of Yuanli County gathered here.

Not everyone was present. A few people with low cultivation levels and humble backgrounds were embarrassed to join everyone and made excuses to decline.

It's not necessarily vanity at play; it could also be that they feel they're not in the same social circle as these people.

Among these people, apart from Xu Yiqing, only one has broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, and he also broke through not long ago, currently at the first level of Foundation Establishment.

For them, the Foundation Establishment Realm is a threshold.

Fan Tianlin and Yang Zhen, who became immortal officials in Ancient South City, were at the third and second levels of Foundation Establishment, respectively, and the gap between them and the others had already widened.

The key figures at this banquet were undoubtedly Fan Tianlin and Yang Zhen.

The two who became celestial officials in the government office have a promising future.

Even if things don't go well for either of them, they'll still be at the late Foundation Establishment stage, and there's a possibility they'll advance to the Golden Core stage.

Most of the people who came were there to befriend the two and to curry favor with them.

Pushing cups and changing cups, drinking and drinking together.

"Lord Yang Zhen, do you remember when you stayed at my family's ancestral land for a while after the selection at the county government? I was amazed at the time. In just one month, you went from the second level of Qi Refining to the fifth level of Qi Refining..."

"Of course I remember, it was a timely act of kindness."

Yang Zhen nodded.

He doesn't remember at all; he just agrees with whatever others say, pretending to know everything. In fact, he can't even remember the names of many people.

After the selection process at the prefectural government office that year, more than twenty people were chosen, but only twenty went to the prefectural city because some people knew they had no hope and did not go to the ancient southern city.

Among those attending the banquet today are those who did not go to the prefectural city.

There were too many people, and Yang Zhen had only gathered intelligence; he had never met these people before, so he couldn't tell them apart.

"..."

Xu Yiqing was slightly puzzled.

He thought Yang was a forgetful person who didn't remember him, someone with whom he had only a casual acquaintance.

But he found that he couldn't remember many of the people who were familiar with Yang Zhen.

Is this person forgetful, or simply doesn't want others to try and curry favor with them?

Xu Yiqing had no idea.

In three years, Yang Zhen's personality has changed drastically.

Previously, Yang Zhen was low-key and cautious. Even though he had an earth spirit root, he was very polite to people, and his every move always had a sense of restraint.

At this moment, Yang Zhen is cheerful and generous, but whether intentionally or unintentionally, she has a faint arrogance towards these people from the past.

Upon reflection, Xu Yiqing realized that Fan Tianlin was also quite strange.

Like Yang Zhen, Fan Tianlin also mistook someone else for someone else.

"These two are celestial officials in the government office; they don't remember us?"

Xu Yiqing thought to himself.

The others didn't care; they were only concerned with currying favor with the two. They hadn't known each other much three years ago; they were just selected as celestial officials in the same batch, forming a circle.

A lively banquet came to an end.

After saying goodbye, Fan Tianlin and Yang Zhen flew towards Gu Nan City.

(End of this chapter)