Dongting Immortal Clan

Chen Changhe was discussing crop rotation in the spiritual fields with Chen Baiye in the front yard of the old house when he suddenly heard a whooshing sound from the sky.

A thought struck him, and he turned to look at the sky.

A long, blue rainbow stretched across from the north at an astonishing speed, reaching the sky above the White Fish Mouth in the blink of an eye.

After circling briefly, the azure rainbow plummeted towards the Chen family's old residence.

As the light faded, two figures standing side by side were revealed.

The crowd in the courtyard fell silent for a moment, then burst into uncontrollable cheers of surprise.

"It's Dalang!"

"Little Lake has brought Big Brother back!"

Old Zhang was the first to see clearly, and his loud laughter was deafening.

Chen Chuansheng's hunched body suddenly trembled. He tried his best to straighten his back and stared ahead with his cloudy old eyes. There stood his eldest son and youngest son, whom he had missed for a long time.

For a moment, he stood there dumbfounded, his lips trembling and unable to utter a sound.

Upon seeing his family, Chen Dajiang wept with joy. He knelt down before Chen Chuansheng with a thud, kowtowed three times, and choked out:

"father!"

"Your unfilial son has been gone for several years, unable to serve you at your side, causing you great worry. Please punish me, Father!"

Chen Chuansheng shakily reached out his hands and grabbed his eldest son's arm, trying to pull him up, but what he touched was a strong and powerful arm.

The old man's eyes instantly reddened, and he said repeatedly:

"Get up, get up quickly!"

"What punishment? It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

"Uncle!"

Zhang Nianci skipped over to Chen Dajiang like a happy little deer, tugged at his sleeve and called out in a clear voice, then turned to Chen Xiaohu, who was standing there with a smile, and made a playful face, grinning as she said:

"Third Uncle!"

The two brothers, Chen Xuanji and Chen Xuanze, were also led forward somewhat timidly by their mother, Wang Guifang, and Zhang Xiulan.

Wang Guifang gently pushed the chubby-faced Chen Xuanji forward, her voice trembling with excitement and a sob:

"Ji'er, you've been talking about your father all the time. Now that your father is back, why don't you go and pay your respects?"

Chen Xuanji looked up at the tall, unfamiliar yet kind man before him, hesitated for a moment, then took his short legs and walked to Chen Dajiang. He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and called out in his childish voice:

"Ji'er greets Father!"

Chen Dajiang's body trembled violently. Looking at the child in front of him who bore a striking resemblance to himself, the longing and guilt of three years of separation instantly surged into his heart.

He suddenly bent down and hugged his son tightly in his arms.

"Ouch, Daddy's beard is prickly!"

Chen Xuanji felt ticklish from the prickles and giggled, reaching out his little hand to push his father's face.

"Ze'er greets Uncle."

Chen Xuanze, who was standing to the side, also stepped forward obediently to bow.

"Good, good boy!"

Chen Dajiang released his son, rubbed his little head, and then smiled and nodded at Chen Xuanze.

Upon seeing this, Chen Chuansheng burst into tears.

It's been so many years since our house has been this lively.

Leaning on his cane, he gave instructions to his two daughters-in-law:

"Good, good! Everyone's back! Xiulan, Guifang, hurry up and get ready. Tonight, our family will have a proper reunion dinner!"

After speaking, he turned to look at his three sons standing side by side, his gaze lingering briefly on Chen Xiaohu, his eyes filled with complex emotions:

"Now that you're all back, the three of you, come with me to the backyard to offer incense to your mother and let her know you're safe."

The three brothers straightened up, nodded in unison, and silently followed their father's steps.

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.

Chen Chuansheng walked at the front, leaning on his cane, his steps faltering, yet he insisted on not being helped.

The three brothers, Chen Dajiang, Chen Changhe, and Chen Xiaohu, followed closely behind, passing through the main hall, around the smooth blue brick path worn smooth by time, and arriving at the backyard.

The backyard wasn't large, but it was kept extremely tidy.

An old locust tree stands against the wall, its branches and leaves flourishing, casting a canopy of green shade over half the courtyard.

Under the tree was the Chen family's ancestral hall, which wasn't spacious but was always filled with the smoke of incense.

On the offering table, the memorial tablet stood quietly.

At the top are the memorial tablets of Chen Chuansheng's deceased parents, and below are the memorial tablets of his wife, who accompanied him for half his life but died young due to illness.

The inscription on it is somewhat faded, but the platform itself is spotless.

Chen Chuansheng stood before his wife's memorial tablet, trembling as he took out a tinderbox from his pocket, struggled to blow it on, and lit three sticks of incense.

The wisps of smoke rose straight up, only to be dispersed by a gentle breeze.

"Dajiang and Xiaohu are both back."

The old man faced the memorial tablet and slowly began to speak, as if he were telling a story that had been bottled up in his heart for a long time.

"When you left, your biggest worry was Hu'er, fearing that he was too young and would suffer... Now, he has grown up, become successful, and become a Qi Refiner, a true disciple of the Immortal Sect."

"You... can rest assured now."

"mother!"

Chen Xiaohu knelt down before the memorial tablet with a thud, kowtowed three times, tears streaming down his face, and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Mother! Your son is unfilial! Ten years have passed since I left, and I haven't returned to offer you even a stick of incense... Your son is so unfilial!"

Chen Dajiang and Chen Changhe also knelt down and kowtowed.

Chen Changhe said in a low voice, his voice choked with emotion:

"Mother, my eldest brother is back, and Xiaohu is back too. Our family is finally all together again."

Chen Dajiang lowered his head, silently lit three incense sticks, held them in both hands, raised them above his head, and respectfully placed them in the incense burner.

Wisps of smoke curled and rose into the air, only to be gently dispersed by a breeze from who-knows-where, merging into the dim light of the ancestral hall, as if carrying away the endless sorrow of the living.

a long time.

Chen Chuansheng reached out and patted Chen Xiaohu on the shoulder, his voice aged as he said:

"Don't cry..."

"If your mother were alive, she would feel sorry for you if she saw you like this."

Chen Xiaohu wiped his face hard with his sleeve and stood up.

Chen Xiaohu wiped away his tears. At this moment, he was no longer the majestic disciple of the Immortal Sect outside, but the child who had watched his mother lying ill in bed, powerless to help.

Chen Chuansheng's gaze lingered on him for a moment, hesitating to speak, but in the end he simply nodded:

"Everyone, stand up and speak."

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.

Inside the ancestral hall in the backyard of the Chen family's residence in Bishui.

Chen Chuansheng stood in front of the altar, with his three sons standing side by side.

Chen Changhe broke the silence first, looking at Chen Dajiang and asking:

"Brother, in these past few years of practicing the 'Golden Stone Tempering Bone Technique,' have you noticed anything amiss?"

Chen Dajiang was taken aback. He carefully sensed the surging blood and qi and the solid bones within his body, then shook his head and said:

"There is nothing wrong with it."

"That technique is indeed difficult to cultivate. Each tempering is like peeling off skin and dismembering bones, but the progress has always been smooth."

"My magic power has now reached the peak of Jade Spring, and I am only one step away from Golden Marrow. My physique is also extremely strong. I believe that ordinary magic weapons can hardly harm me. With the Dark Cloud Spear, I can even fight against a cultivator in the early stage of Qi Refining."

"Second brother, you don't need to worry about me."

Chen Changhe nodded slightly.

Chen Xiaohu took over the conversation and said in a deep voice:

"The Chen family of Shimen must have something in mind."

"I haven't heard of this 'Golden Stone Bone Tempering Technique,' but it enabled my elder brother, with his Jade Spring Body, to rival a Qi Refiner within three years. This technique must be at least a fifth-grade or higher body tempering method."

He turned his gaze to Chen Dajiang, his expression filled with doubt:

"What puzzles me is that such a precious body-refining method is not practiced by any of the disciples of the Chen family of Shimen, but you, an outsider, have cultivated it so smoothly and rapidly?"

"This matter... may be related to my constitution."

Chen Dajiang paused for a moment and then said:

"My spiritual apertures have opened up quite a bit, and my Crimson Palace has also been opened thanks to the 'Dragon Serpent and Elephant Pill,' with surging blood and energy, making me incredibly powerful."

"I've heard Senior Yunlu say before that it's not that no one in his clan has tried this technique, but due to the limitations of their bloodline, they couldn't withstand the potent medicinal power of the pills and the torment of the Dragon Transformation Pool. At most, they could only cultivate up to the second level of 'Mysterious Tiger Fiend' before they could make any further progress, and some even damaged their foundation."

"And I... seem to be born with this method."

"What's so special about that Dragon Transformation Pool?"

Chen Xiaohu pressed for an answer.

"It is a hot spring."

Chen Dajiang recalled:

"The pool contains the essence of dozens of rare demonic beasts, along with many potent spiritual herbs. When one enters the pool for tempering, it is as if one has been thrown into a furnace, with thousands of ants gnawing at one's bones and raging flames burning one's body. The pain is indescribable, but the effects are also extremely amazing."

"Without the help of this Dragon Transformation Pool, I'm afraid it would have taken me many more years to cultivate the 'Dragon Elephant Body'."

Chen Xiaohu nodded thoughtfully:

"It seems that the Dragon Transformation Pool and the 'Golden Stone Tempering Bone Technique' are a complementary inheritance system, and neither can be missing."

"The ancestor of the Chen family of Shimen must be no ordinary person to be able to set up such a spiritual pool."

"No wonder that Bottle Pot Mountain has the appearance of a dragon rising. The Chen family of Shimen has inherited this ancient method and has the support of a suitable spiritual pool. Their future is sure to be prosperous..."

Chen Dajiang nodded upon hearing this and remarked with emotion:

"Although I have not been in Pinghu Mountain for long, I have observed that most of the clan members are quite talented and diligent."

"From what I've observed, there are at least a dozen Qi Refining cultivators in the clan, and at least two Foundation Establishment seed cultivators."

"Moreover, most of their clansmen are virtuous and kind, with few arrogant and domineering individuals. If they can obtain one or two more opportunities, their prosperity is only to be expected."

Chen Xiaohu glanced at his elder brother, as if he had something to say, but hesitated to speak.

……

A few moments of silence followed in the hall.

Chen Chuansheng, who had been facing away from the three people and quietly gazing at his wife's memorial tablet, suddenly turned around.

His gaze fell on Chen Xiaohu's face, and he asked:

"Lake".

"What brings you back this time?"

When Chen Dajiang saw his father ask the question, he quickly replied:

"Father, Xiao Hu is now a true disciple of the Immortal Sect. By order of the sect, he has taken over Wulong Fort and replaced Wu Que, the former commander of the Demon Catching Division, as the person in charge there."

"A true disciple of the Immortal Sect? Taking over Wulong Fortress?"

Chen Changhe and Chen Chuansheng both frowned. The former's eyes flashed with surprise and doubt as he repeated in a low voice, his tone filled with disbelief.

It should be noted that Yuan Hecheng, the former head of the Immortal Sect in Wulong Gorge, was a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

Chen Xiaohu has probably only recently begun cultivating his Qi, how could he possibly be in charge of this responsibility?

Chen Xiaohu took a deep breath, stepped forward, bowed solemnly to his father, and said earnestly:

"I have indeed returned with an important matter to discuss with my father and elder brother."

"explain."

Chen Chuansheng straightened his posture a bit, leaning on his cane.

Meeting the gazes of his father and two older brothers, Chen Xiaohu whispered:

"Although I can now wield flying swords and control magical artifacts, to outsiders I appear no different from ordinary Qi cultivators, but in reality... I have not yet cultivated Qi."

These words shocked everyone in the room.

"What? You haven't cultivated your Qi yet? Then how come you..."

Chen Dajiang suddenly stood up, somewhat incredulous.

Chen Xiaohu took over the conversation with a wry smile and explained:

"Brother, please listen to me."

"My cultivation and magical power are not my own. They were lent to me by three senior brothers and sisters who were true disciples of the sect before I left the mountain. They used a secret method to seal them in several major acupoints in my body."

"When facing an enemy, I can activate these sealed magical powers and temporarily possess the power of Qi Refining."

"My own cultivation level is only at the peak of the Life Palace. In the end, all the skills I have now are actually borrowed."

Upon hearing this, the group looked surprised. Chen Changhe asked, puzzled:

"Cultivation and magical power are fundamental to cultivators, intimately connected to their soul and physical body. How can they be lent to others like objects?"

"Furthermore, wouldn't the infusion of another's magic power into your body conflict with your own?"

Chen Xiaohu raised his hand to signal his elder brother to calm down, and slowly said:

"It's a long story... Is that small tripod still in the house?"

……

Upon hearing Chen Xiaohu mention the small tripod, Chen Changhe immediately said:

"It's on me."

As he spoke, he took out a small, three-legged cauldron, no bigger than the palm of his hand, covered in rust and greenish-blue, from his storage bag at his waist and held it in his palm.

The small cauldron lay quietly, without the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy, no different from any ordinary ancient object.

Chen Xiaohu stepped forward, took the small cauldron, and after a moment of contemplation, said:

"This small cauldron... is an ancient treasure!"

"Ancient treasure?"

Upon hearing this, the group was taken aback, puzzled by the unfamiliar title.

Chen Xiaohu, holding the small tripod, began to explain:

"Now that you two elder brothers have begun your cultivation, you should have some understanding of the cultivation world today."

"The methods of cultivation are divided into ancient and modern, and the dividing point is from the time when the Lord of Immortal Qin unified the nine continents."

"Before the Immortal Qin Dynasty, and even in more distant times, the paths of cultivation were vastly different, and the methods of crafting treasures were also very different. Those originating from ancient artifacts and methods were collectively referred to as 'ancient artifacts' and 'ancient methods'."

"Ancient artifacts that can reach the level of 'magical treasures' are called...ancient treasures."

His gaze swept over his father and brothers' shocked faces, and he continued:

"Legend has it that in order to establish his rule over the world, the ruler of the Immortal Qin Dynasty gathered gold from the nine provinces to cast nine towering 'Mountains and Rivers Cauldrons,' which would forever guard the nine provinces and bear the fate of the nation."

"Those nine tripods are the most renowned and supreme treasures throughout history, and can also be called 'national treasures' or 'important treasures'."

"You mean... this small cauldron is one of the Nine Cauldrons?!"

Chen Dajiang gasped, his voice tightening.

"That's certainly not the case."

Chen Xiaohu shook his head and chuckled:

"What kind of existence are the Nine Continents Cauldrons? Each one is as large as a mountain, capable of bearing the fortune of an entire continent, possessing unfathomable power, unattainable by anyone other than a Great Power above the Purple Mansion Golden Core stage, and guarded by Immortal Dynasties and numerous ancient traditions, how could they have fallen into this state?"

"And this small tripod?"

Chen Changhe looked at the small cauldron in his hand, his heart filled with curiosity.

"This small cauldron... must be a replica made by a master craftsman of extraordinary talent in later generations, modeled after the Nine Provinces Cauldron. Although it is not as good as the real Nine Provinces Cauldron, it still has the profound power to protect the home and clan, gather spiritual energy, and assist in cultivation. It is far superior to ordinary magic treasures."

As he spoke, Chen Xiaohu, dressed in pure white, channeled his Yin energy into the small cauldron.

The small cauldron immediately changed; beneath the mottled rust on its body, ancient runes flashed by.

The magical power that Chen Xiaohu injected was swallowed up by the small cauldron. Immediately, a cool moonlight emanated from the mouth of the cauldron, its radiance flowing as if it were spontaneously absorbing and refining the magical power.

"Although this cauldron is not one of the Nine Provinces Cauldrons, its creator must have been an extraordinary person with great ambitions."

Chen Xiaohu withdrew his magic, and the radiance of the small cauldron gradually faded, returning to its ancient simplicity.

He said in a solemn tone:

"The 'Taiyin Refining and Response Manual' that I obtained from the cauldron back then is not a popular Qi-refining method today, but the opening chapter of an ancient foundation-building method. The resources required for cultivation are extremely large, and it is extremely difficult for anyone other than a powerful family to bear such consumption."

"This method is different from others; it does not involve cultivating step by step to reach the Qi Refining stage before seeking the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Instead, during the Spiritual Treasury Realm, one must use a unique method to draw upon the essence of the moon to temper the body and refine the soul, undergoing nine transformations before finally becoming a 'Moon Immortal Embryo'!"

A look of reminiscence flashed in his eyes:

"Once the Nine Revolutions Immortal Embryo is formed, the cultivator's innate talent and aptitude will undergo earth-shattering changes, and it can be regarded as the prototype of the 'Immortal Body'."

"No matter what attribute of cultivation technique you switch to in the future, you will be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort, and your potential will far exceed that of your peers."

His tone shifted, tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"However, while this method can forge an unparalleled foundation for the Dao, it also has strict limitations."

"When in the Spirit Treasury stage, one is shaping the 'Immortal Embryo'; when refining Qi, one must condense the 'Immortal Qi'... and when one reaches Foundation Establishment, one must forge the 'Immortal Foundation'."

"Ordinary innate Qi of the Five Elements may not be enough to meet the needs of cultivation. Only rare and special innate spiritual Qi can possibly condense into 'immortal Qi'."

"If one forcibly cultivates Qi using ordinary methods, at best the foundation of one's cultivation will be damaged and all previous efforts will be wasted; at worst, the immortal embryo will collapse, resulting in death and the dissipation of one's cultivation!"

Chen Changhe's face darkened:

"So that's why you've been putting off practicing your qi until now?"

"Exactly."

Chen Xiaohu readily admitted it and handed the small tripod back to Chen Changhe.

"My primary purpose upon returning is to further examine this small cauldron and see if I can find the subsequent methods of Qi refining within it."

"If we can obtain the complete ancient method from the cauldron, that would be the best."

He paused, then continued:

"If there is no further cultivation method in the small cauldron, then I can only seek other ancient Qi refining methods in order to reach the innate level... The water mansion under Wulong Gorge is ancient and may contain the legacy of ancient Qi refiners, and perhaps there is an opportunity for me there."

In this way, everything became smooth.

Chen Changhe was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked with concern:

"Does the Taixu Immortal Sect know the details of this matter?"

"Don't worry, Second Brother."

Chen Xiaohu remained calm.

"Although I have been in the Immortal Sect for a long time, I also know the principle that possessing a treasure is a crime."

"It's just that my Taiyin magic power is of a special nature and cannot be hidden. It's not a secret within the sect, but I have never fought anyone directly since I came up the mountain. Apart from my master and a few elders, no one else knows what kind of skill I cultivate or what mysteries it holds."

"However, I did not hide the fact that I had cultivated the 'Immortal Embryo'. It was not a top secret among the sect's higher-ups. They believed that I had great potential, which is why they made an exception and promoted me to the position of True Disciple, bestowing upon me many resources and treasures to help me seek an opportunity to break through to the Innate Realm."

"The other three true disciples you mentioned earlier?"

Chen Changhe asked cautiously:

Where are they now?

Chen Xiaohu shook his head and said:

"Those three senior brothers and sisters who are true disciples also had their own experiences and did not know the origin of my cultivation method. We went down the mountain separately, and I don't know where they are now."

"Only my senior sister."

Chen Xiaohu smiled, took out the small white jade pagoda again, and held it in his palm.

"She is undergoing a crucial transformation due to the cultivation of a secret technique, requiring a long period of slumber in which her senses are extinguished and she is unable to perceive the outside world."

"My master was worried about leaving her alone in the sect, and knowing that I needed to go down the mountain, he temporarily lent me the 'Thousand Cloud Pagoda' and asked me to take her with me so that I could look after her."

Looking into his father's and brothers' concerned eyes, he felt comforted.

"Second brother, there's no need to worry. Senior sister's cultivation has reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage, and she's only one step away from Foundation Establishment."

"Once she awakens, her strength will be even greater, and she will be able to put up a fight even against someone at the Foundation Establishment stage."

"If it weren't for my senior sister sleeping in the tower, my master wouldn't have felt comfortable letting me go down the mountain alone to take over the mess in Wulong Gorge."

"This time, I am ordered by the sect to stay in Wulong Fortress and handle the affairs of the Water Mansion. I will not leave home for at least a year."

Hearing this, Chen Chuansheng let out a long breath, his wrinkles smoothing out slightly, and said three times:

"Okay, okay, okay!"

"Go ahead, everyone go to the front hall and sit down to talk."

"You three brothers haven't been together for so many years, have a good talk."

The old man waved his hand, his voice weary yet filled with satisfaction.

Chen Dajiang quickly stepped forward and supported his father's arm.

Chen Changhe and Chen Xiaohu followed.

Suddenly, a voice rang in Chen Changhe's mind; it was Chen Xiaohu transmitting her thoughts through spiritual sense.

"Second brother, there's probably a big problem with the 'Golden Stone Tempering Bone Technique' that eldest brother is practicing."

"Observing his blood circulation and physical appearance, I find that it is unlike any orthodox body-refining method passed down among our human race. Instead, it faintly resembles the body-tempering aura of the ancient demon race..."

Upon hearing the sound, Chen Changhe's body stiffened instantly, his pupils contracted sharply, and a chill suddenly rose from his tailbone, rushing straight to the top of his head!

But he was a man who had weathered many storms and was in charge of the household. His expression remained unchanged, as if nothing had happened, and he walked towards the main hall in the front courtyard.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaohu sighed softly, the gentleness in his eyes gradually disappearing, replaced by a hint of ruthlessness.

-

Here's a 10,000-word update. More tomorrow.

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I'm off to write some drafts~