CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: THE ANCESTOR PLANS TO TRAVEL

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Facing Ancestor Longyan feels completely different from seeing Ancestor Ming Sheng. Although Ancestor Ming Sheng appears somewhat old, he exudes the energy of a man in his prime.

But Ancestor Longyan is not only gaunt, she also seems to carry a hint of desolation. No wonder, Ancestor Longyan’s condition has been deteriorating in recent years; she’s significantly reduced her consumption of spiritual food to save and supply the younger members of the family.

As a Spirit Platform Realm cultivator, her physical functions are far superior to those of Qi Refining Realm cultivators. However, according to the law of conservation of cosmic energy, the source of energy does not arise out of thin air; the more powerful the body, the greater the consumption.

For Ancestors in the Spirit Platform Realm, ordinary food has a very low efficiency in converting to vital energy. Therefore, Spirit Platform Realm Ancestors typically need to supplement with spiritual food for a long time to maintain strong physical functions, even to strengthen themselves.

However, with Wang Xiaohan’s failure to break through to the Spirit Platform Realm, the family’s resources have become increasingly strained, prompting Ancestor Longyan to gradually reduce her spiritual food consumption. Now, she consumes only 80 pounds of spirit rice, 100 pounds of spirit fish and spirit meat, and 2 Solid Essence Pills a year.

In total, the spiritual food costs only 36 Qian Gold, and the 2 Solid Essence Pills merely 60 Qian Gold.

A dignified Spirit Platform Realm Ancestor consumes less than 100 Qian Gold worth of resources per year! This is probably just enough to maintain her meditative state...

In fact, she’s not the only one doing this.

The clan elders in the family also receive only enough spiritual food and resources to maintain their bodies, and their cultivation has stagnated for many years. They’ve given up their chance for younger, more promising members of the family.

"Shouzhe, are you feeling sad?" Ancestor Longyan did not look back, her voice carried a touch of ethereality and grace, without the hoarse quality typical of aged women.

"I’m just feeling a bit sad for Ancestor." Wang Shouzhe spoke honestly.

In truth, Ancestor Longyan is only a hundred and fifteen years old, a few years older than Lua Family’s Ancestor Ming Sheng, and far from reaching the Spirit Platform Realm’s limit.

Back then, Ancestor Longyan ascended to the Spirit Platform Realm at thirty and reached the mid-stage Spirit Platform Realm at sixty, maintaining her youthful and peak physical condition.

She was so spirited and her life’s goal was aimed at reaching the higher Celestial Human Realm!

But unfortunately.

The beast disaster in the Changlong Calendar year 3095 brutally pulled the Ping’an Wang Family from its heights to the mud and broke Ancestor Longyan’s wings.

"The rising and falling tides, the blooming and wilting flowers, are the most common things in the world." Ancestor Longyan spoke calmly, slowly turning around, "I’ve already heard from Hui about your recent experiences, well done."

Though she appeared somewhat gaunt, dressed in simple cotton clothes and cloth shoes, there was a kind of ethereal immortal aura, her star eyes were like a hundred-foot cold pond, completely inscrutable.

The only regret Wang Shouzhe had was that Ancestor Longyan wore a veil on her face, obscuring her appearance.

But the veil was not new today; ever since Wang Shouzhe could remember, she had always been dressed like this, never having seen Ancestor Longyan’s true face.

"Thank you for the praise, Ancestor." Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands in respect, "As long as Ancestor doesn’t blame my rashness, that’s enough." After a pause, he asked with slight curiosity, "Did Ancestor summon Shouzhe for any instructions?"

He felt a bit uneasy inside, fearing that Ancestor Longyan might disagree with his implementation of the competitive ranking system, given that the older generation emphasizes family unity and love. They might be concerned that competition could lead to conflicts between siblings and affect familial relationships.

"Shouzhe, you are the Clan Leader." Ancestor Longyan stated serenely, "I wouldn’t presume to direct you."

"So this time, Ancestor..." Wang Shouzhe felt puzzled, as Ancestor Longyan wasn’t one to call him over for idle chat or casual compliments.

"I need you to arrange, and accompany me on a trip to the Hundred Islands Guard." Ancestor Longyan said.

Hundred Islands City?

Wang Shouzhe was taken aback, only recalling after a while that it was a Guardian City near the East Sea. His slow reaction was understandable, as he’d never left the Changning Guard since childhood, let alone thought of traveling so far.

Moreover, since that great disaster, Ancestor Longyan hadn’t left the vicinity of Changning Guard.

Suppressing his curiosity, Wang Shouzhe cupped his hands, saying: "Shouzhe will take your orders. Please, Ancestor, wait a couple of days while I make the arrangements." Regardless of Ancestor Longyan’s intentions, Wang Shouzhe could not refuse her request.

Receiving orders from Ancestor Longyan, Wang Shouzhe returned to his courtyard, took out a county map to study, planning the travel route.

For Ancestor Longyan’s journey, the first priority was secrecy.

Now is the time when the insect disaster is at its most severe, with the Liu Family and Zhao Family overwhelmed, but even so, vigilance cannot be relaxed.

Secondly, it was crucial to consider Ancestor Longyan’s physical condition. Avoiding discomfort and ensuring her comfort was a priority, and someone would need to accompany her throughout the journey. The choice of who would personally attend to her required careful deliberation.

In a short while, he had devised the route and plan for this journey.

"Wang Gui." Wang Shouzhe summoned the servant inside, "Go invite my fourth aunt from the Xu Family and Wang Lici over."

Wang Gui was puzzled: "Fourth aunt from the Xu Family? Which Xu Family?"

"You rascal, of course, it’s from my fourth uncle’s family. Can’t you remember even the few dozen members of our household and relatives?" Wang Shouzhe frowned, nearly kicking him.

"Perhaps the Patriarch wishes to see Lady Rou." Wang Gui hurriedly nodded and bowed out, "I’ll go right away."

But it’s no wonder Wang Gui was confused. For one, there were more than one Xu Family member in the house. Secondly, Wang Shouzhe’s fourth aunt Xu Zhirou was always quiet, and after Uncle Wang Dingbang passed away five years ago, she became even more secluded.

However, Wang Shouzhe held a deep impression of fourth aunt Xu Zhirou. She hailed from the direct vein of the Golden Sand Xu Family, and during the time when Wang Shouzhe’s mother passed away, it was Xu Zhirou who took care of him.

Even after aunt Gongsun Hui remarried into the family, Xu Zhirou continued to help care for him for quite some time. After all, Gongsun Hui was a delicate young lady back then, and it was fourth aunt Xu Zhirou who taught her step by step.

In his memories, Xu Zhirou was gentle and meticulous, yet very skillful. She excelled in cooking and making little trinkets that amused him.

In those bewildered and saddened days, it was fourth aunt who helped him through the most difficult times. Unfortunately, later fourth aunt became pregnant with his fifth sister Wang Luojing, and went back to nurture her pregnancy six months later.

After that, Wang Shouzhe lived under aunt Gongsun Hui’s care until he moved into the Young Clan Leader’s courtyard to live independently at fourteen.

Choosing fourth aunt from the Xu Family, Wang Shouzhe valued her gentle meticulousness; an elder needed an experienced woman to tend to them during travels, and after consideration, fourth aunt was very suitable.

Putting aside distractions for now, Wang Shouzhe continued to refine the travel plan.

Before long, fourth aunt Xu Zhirou and Wang Lici were brought to his side hall by the servant Wang Gui.

The last time Wang Shouzhe saw fourth aunt was during his father’s funeral, where she was naturally busy managing various tasks as one of the household’s female relatives. However, Wang Shouzhe was too dazed then to speak much with her.

Looking more closely now, he saw Xu Zhirou was dressed in a simply colored fine-grain cotton dress, without any extra ornaments, plain and clean. The only difference from his memory was that she had slightly aged into a middle-aged woman.

No wonder, having borne three children and with her fourth uncle passing away five years ago, managing those children’s affairs surely kept her busy.

"Xu Family greets the Patriarch." Xu Zhirou bowed slightly.

Beside her, Wang Lici also hurriedly bowed and said, "Lici greets fourth uncle."

"Fourth aunt, no need for formality, you can still call me Shouzhe as before." Wang Shouzhe quickly returned the bow to Xu Zhirou, "Come, let’s sit and chat." He then smiled and gestured to Wang Lici to sit as well, "Big girl, you too, have a seat."

After thanking him, both sat down.

Wang Gui bustled around, serving tea and fruit before withdrawing.

Wang Shouzhe first chatted causally with Xu Zhirou before shifting his attention to Wang Lici, seeing her nibbling at a piece of candied fruit, he laughed and said, "Big girl, what have you been busy with lately?"

Wang Lici quickly swallowed the half piece of candied fruit and replied nervously, "Replying to fourth uncle, I haven’t been busy with much, just reading and cultivating daily."

This girl was the daughter of elder brother Wang Shouxin, sixteen years old, and the eldest among the eighth-generation girls of the Lizi lineage, hence the Shouzhe generation likes to call her big girl.

"Hmm, sounds like hard work. Good, very good." Wang Shouzhe was pleased inside; at least among the girls in the family, one knows to work hard in studies. He smiled and said, "Then fourth uncle will test your studies, and if you pass, there’ll be a reward."

"What?"

Wang Lici’s pretty, slightly plump face turned pale, and her legs began to tremble. Fourth uncle was ten times scarier than her father Wang Shouxin—just look at her older brother Wang Zongwei’s terribly miserable outcome.

Her heart was filled with regret, eyes moistening. If she’d known she’d be summoned by fourth uncle for a test today, she would have frantically studied hard the past few days.

But who could have foreseen this happening?

Her mind was buzzing...

Indeed.

Disaster from the sky!

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