Chapter 163

“Greetings to the Master, greetings to Sister Liu…”

Yang Yuanhong bowed properly to the two individuals before approaching Chen Yang.

“Disciple of the Yang Family, Yang Yuanhong, pays respects to the Immortal Master!

The Yang Family thrives under your protection! During today’s Grand Ceremony, I’m honored to meet you and express my gratitude for your blessings—these feelings of debt and admiration will never fade…”

He’d rehearsed these words since childhood and knew them by heart.

Yang Yuanhong understood he wasn’t like other Yang Family disciples.

His father, the Master, Second Uncle, younger Uncle, and Sister Liu all received their names after starting cultivation or achieving success.

But the Immortal Master had named him at birth.

Born in the family’s forbidden grounds, raised by the Master himself, cherished by elders—all this showed Yang Yuanhong his unique importance to the Yang Family.

It gave him a deep sense of duty from his earliest memories.

After finishing his speech, Yang Yuanhong kowtowed three times to Chen Yang, then glanced at Yang Lingqing.

When the Master nodded, he grinned brightly and blurted, “Immortal Master! The Master checked me earlier and said my Qi meridians are forming! How long until I can start cultivating?”

His chest tightened slightly after asking.

This was his first proper meeting with the Immortal Master—he’d only peeked from the ancestral hall’s doorway before.

Would such a direct question anger the immortal?

A soft *whoosh* sounded as light burst from Chen Yang’s body.

Warm radiance washed over Yang Yuanhong, carrying an unseen pressure.

He quickly sat on the meditation mat as Yang Lingqing had taught him, closing his eyes.

Chen Yang’s awareness flowed through the boy’s body, inspecting every inch.

The findings matched Yang Yuanhong’s claim—connected Qi meridians, Twelve Qi Nodes taking shape.

Natural physical gifts combined with the spirit pearl refined in his heart made Yang Yuanhong’s cultivation foundation develop shockingly fast!

At just four years old, his Qi network already matched Lingqing and Lingrui’s at age eight.

At this rate, two more years would let him begin the Path of Cultivation—four years earlier than others.

With the Yang Family’s resources, he’d likely reach the third level within four years, leaping ahead of peers to rank among the dynasty’s top talents!

This meant tremendous promise for both boy and clan.

But one problem remained—hiding such monstrous talent.

The Yang Family already showcased Yang Lingrui and Yang Lingshu as prodigies.

Adding an even more extraordinary Yang Yuanhong would draw dangerous attention.

Top officials weren’t fools—how could a Gathering Qi family in backwater Song Mountain keep producing geniuses?

Remembering the Li Family’s Elder Li Yuande’s schemes, Chen Yang weighed his next steps carefully.

After much consideration, he conveyed a message to Yang Lingqing.

"In three years, Yuanhong will enter the Path of Cultivation."

Yang Lingqing smiled and patted Yuanhong’s head upon receiving the decree.

"Stop worrying. The Immortal Master’s decree states you’ll begin cultivation in three years."

"Really?!"

"Of course! The Immortal Master’s decree can’t be false."

"Hooray!"

Yang Yuanhong bounced excitedly before bowing to Chen Yang. "Thank you, Immortal Master! I’ll prepare diligently and honor my family’s trust!"

Chen Yang felt certain he’d reach the Condensing Essence stage within three years. This breakthrough would let him protect Yang Yuanhong’s future cultivation, ensuring the boy wouldn’t end up as a Dao Stone or resource for powerful figures like Li Yuande.

Yang Lingqing had already planned Yuanhong’s next steps. Since formal cultivation wasn’t yet possible, he’d strengthen his physique. The boy’s natural toughness combined with Chen Yang’s healing arts would maximize his physical potential during these three years, building an unshakable foundation.

After the Grand Ceremony, activity buzzed around Song Mountain again. This year’s event drew attention beyond the usual two towns – representatives came from across the southern region, even Cuixi Town near the northern border. Most sought either Yang Family affiliation or Liu Zihao’s formation expertise.

Two years had passed since the Huang Family became affiliated. Yang Lingqing had sent Xie Chuan multiple times to secretly assess their territory – checking civilian welfare and loyalty to the Yang Family. Satisfied, they’d given Huang Lei an elixir boosting him to the second level of Gathering Qi. Distance required affiliated families to maintain basic strength alongside formation protections. With Wangyue Sect weakened and only minor cultivators remaining, second-level cultivation sufficed. The Huang Family’s ties to the bamboo forest cultivator also ensured security in Fengling.

This Grand Ceremony tested the Huang Family experiment’s success. Expanding affiliations depended on the Immortal Master’s approval. His mass blessing at the ceremony’s end suggested satisfaction.

After days of meetings, Yang Lingqing presented Chen Yang with a dossier in the ancestral hall:

"Willow Leaf Lin Family, Qinghe Chu Family, Baishi Wei Family."

Detailed reports covered each family’s status, sponsors, and selection reasons.

Lin Yu of the Lin Family had explored Fengling Ancient Tomb with Yang Lingrui. Rampaging evil beings in the tomb’s second layer left him severely injured. Though his cultivation later declined, this ironically spared him from dynasty conscription after examiners deemed him unfit for border duty. With one second-level cultivator, the Lin Family could manage independently.

Qinghe Town’s mayor Pan Baolu personally recommended the Chu Family, which had two first-level cultivators. True to Gao Hui’s description, Pan proved reliable – he’d returned half the 2,000 spiritual crystals borrowed two years prior, supplementing repayment with Dynasty merit gifts. His endorsement gave the Chu Family credibility.

The Wei Family of Baishi had been Gao Hui’s persistent recommendation since the Huang affiliation. Beyond their second-level peak cultivator with solid combat skills, a key factor stood out: two years earlier, they’d produced a talented female Potential Cultivator.