Chapter 51: Mother

On this day, at the edge of the great city wall of the largest city in the southern province of Jian, the scene was breathtaking. The towering city wall sprawled across the rugged mountains like a mighty dragon, leaping and undulating with the contours of the peaks. Built over three centuries ago, the wall had been refurbished by successive rulers of the Yue Kingdom. It stood twelve meters high, with a base width of sixteen to eighteen meters and a top width of twelve to fourteen meters. Watchtowers dotted its circumference, and ramps for horses ascended to the battlements on all sides.

Within the city, three cultivators from the Yellow Maple Valley were stationed—one at the Foundation Establishment stage and two at the Qi Refining stage. Those assigned to this outpost were generally of little importance, for the spiritual energy here was exceedingly sparse. Unless absolutely necessary, few cultivators would be sent to guard such a place.

On this particular day, a man arrived outside the city walls, making inquiries everywhere about Lin Yang and offering a handsome reward for any information. Eventually, word of this spread to a disciple who, upon obtaining a portrait—clearly depicting Lin Yang at eight years old, yet bearing a striking resemblance to his present features—noted that the man seeking Lin Yang looked remarkably like him. The man was summoned.

Upon closer comparison, it seemed likely that this man was indeed Lin Yang’s brother. The disciple decided to escort him personally.

Meanwhile, Lin Yang dispatched many disciples to contact alchemists among the itinerant cultivators, inviting them to Yellow Maple Valley. Before their departure, Lin Yang instructed these disciples to persuade the alchemists with clear accounts of the benefits and opportunities awaiting them in the valley.

At the same time, word was quietly spread throughout the sects of the Yue Kingdom, aiming to attract additional alchemists. Open recruitment was out of the question, but with a wealth of alchemists and ample opportunities, Yellow Maple Valley could become a beacon for more practitioners.

This move created a great stir among the itinerant cultivators. The number of alchemists in the Alchemy Pavilion swelled from two hundred to seven hundred, including one at the Foundation Establishment stage, along with many outer members.

The other six great sects saw a sharp decline in their own alchemists. In just two months, the already scarce number of freelance alchemists in the land dwindled to virtually none. The price of pills rose by twenty percent, driving even more free cultivators away from the other sects.

Within the next two months, five thousand people settled in the vicinity of Yellow Maple Valley. The Moonshade Sect was the first to notice, hastily forming their own medicine halls in imitation of Lin Yang, though they were a step behind.

If not for the fact that Yellow Maple Valley had only one Nascent Soul cultivator, they might have ascended to the status of the foremost sect. However, true power was indispensable; without it, any achievement was but a castle in the air, bound to collapse at the slightest touch.

At this time, the disciple stationed in Jian Province arrived at Purple Gold Town, accompanied by the man seeking Lin Yang.

As he beheld the cultivators flying through the sky and the ethereal scenery, the man’s heart surged with longing for immortality. Yet, he soon realized he lacked a spiritual root. This man was Lin Yang’s seventh brother, Lin Bei.

When he was tested for spiritual roots long ago, he did not understand what immortal destiny truly meant. If not for Lady Yang, Lin Yang’s mother, whose health was failing, he might not have come to seek Lin Yang at all.

Initially, it had not been his task to search, but the lure of immortal fate drove him to come in person. Only after speaking with the disciples did he fully grasp the significance of spiritual roots.

Now, disappointment, complexity, and a sense of release filled his heart. For years, he had yearned for the impossible dream of cultivation without a spiritual root. After twenty years of hope, it had all been in vain.

Nevertheless, he was determined to find Lin Yang. After all, Lady Yang was also his third aunt, and she had taken care of him over the years. He could at least repay her kindness.

Moyang led the disciple and Lin Bei to Lin Yang’s residence, guiding them to the border of the Spirit Gathering Array.

“May I ask if Uncle Lin is present?” the disciple called out from outside the formation.

After a moment, the array shimmered open, and out stepped Jiang Chen, with little Mo Lin following behind. The boy had been living comfortably in Jiang Chen’s home, well-fed and carefree, with no parents to discipline him, and was in no hurry to return home.

“Father, are you going to take me back? I don’t want to go yet, let me play a little longer,” Mo Lin said, feigning great grievance, nearly on the verge of tears.

“Stop pulling a long face. I am indeed here to take you back,” Moyang scolded, then turned to speak with Jiang Chen.

“Father-in-law, what brings you here?” Jiang Chen was puzzled by Moyang’s unexpected visit.

Moyang explained the situation in detail, and Jiang Chen soon understood the whole story.

Jiang Chen approached the disciple and Lin Bei. “Thank you, friend, for your time and trouble. Please, come in.” He led everyone to Lin Yang’s courtyard and summoned his mother. After briefing her on the situation, Wang Ling’er learned that Lin Yang’s family from the mortal world had come in search of him on an important matter, and she immediately sent Jiang Chen to find Lin Yang.

Jiang Chen excused himself and set off to locate Lin Yang.

Wang Ling’er received the guests, instructing the steward to prepare a feast and chatting with them. She grew concerned upon learning of Lady Yang’s illness, and when she realized that Lin Bei was Lin Yang’s seventh brother, she rose and bowed in respect.

After understanding the circumstances of the disciple and Lin Bei, she asked the steward to take the disciple away and find him a good position.

“My husband will return in a short while. Uncle, please rest here for a moment,” Wang Ling’er said, instructing a maid to attend to Lin Bei while she went to pack some things for the journey to the mortal world.

Suddenly, Moyang spoke up. “In-law, may I ask a favor of you?”

“What is it? There’s no need for such formality—we are all family,” Wang Ling’er responded, surprised that Moyang would have a request, as his daughter Moyu’er had not suffered any grievances during her stay.

Moyang explained, “I lost my parents at a young age, and now I plan to take my son to the mortal world. But I have no one I can trust there. I’d like to leave Ling’er in your family’s care, if that’s agreeable to Brother Lin.” Seeing this opportunity, he decided to place Mo Lin in Lin Yang’s mortal household, ensuring his well-being and perhaps strengthening their bond.

“Of course, that’s no problem,” Lin Bei replied, quickly understanding the proposal thanks to his business acumen.

“Thank you, Brother Lin.”

As they were conversing, Lin Yang returned to the courtyard.

…