Legacy of the Spirit Stone-Chapter 36 – Peaceful days never last long

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After completing the circulation of Qi, Wu Tong was stunned, unable to believe that she had successfully drawn Qi into her body.
Elder Yu appeared immediately, telling her that her hard work had finally paid off, opening the path of cultivation for her.
Knowing that Elder Yu had been watching over her, Wu Tong was deeply moved and immediately bowed in gratitude.
"If not for the Yang Clan, Wu Tong would have been a corpse in the woods. Now, not only have I preserved my life, but I have also had the fortune to embark on the path of immortality. Such great kindness will never be forgotten!"
"I will do my utmost in this life to serve the Yang Clan, even if it means going through fire and water!"
Elder Yu gently helped her up and encouraged her softly, "Having such a heart is good. Your journey is long, take it slow. Now, go back and rest."
"Yes, Elder Ancestor!"
Wu Tong replied, flashing a bright smile, and skipped back to her room.
From that day on, her cultivation was still challenging, but it was no longer stagnant as before.
Every small progress was enough to bring her joy.
With these two children’s cultivation on track, the Yang Clan ushered in another year of stable growth.
During this period, White Stone Town was rebuilt, and with the help of the Yang Clan, some of the Southern Shore residents returned to the town, adding vitality.
The Yang Clan's shops on three streets opened, business was booming, and revenue was impressive.
The four mines they managed were producing steadily, and the people at the foot of the mountain lived and worked in peace, presenting a thriving scene.
Now, looking at Misty Mountain.
Zhao Qi made steady progress, breaking through twelve Qi Nodes and successfully condensing his Qi Palace.
He became the first non-Yang Clan cultivator in the Yang Clan's history, apprenticed under Elder Yu, and learned a Five Elements Technique, the "Golden Light Technique."
Wu Tong also broke through four Qi Nodes, estimating that in another two years, she could condense her Qi Palace.
Yang Lingrui, with Chen Yang's full support, reached the peak of the Qi Condensation Third Layer, just a step away from Mid Qi Condensation.
He had been in seclusion for over a month, and although the difference between the third and fourth layers seemed small, it was actually a significant transformation, not to be taken lightly.
Yang Lingqing's shoulder meridian injury had long healed, increasing her cultivation efficiency by half, and she easily broke through to the Qi Condensation Third Layer.
Yang Clan, Council Hall.
Yang Lingqing sat at the head, as usual, presiding over the family council, listening to the sorting of various matters below.
Everyone in the Yang Clan had already guessed that she would be the future head of the Yang Clan.
"News from White Stone Town indicates that due to the war in the Dynasty, bandits are rampant within the borders, requiring increased vigilance."
Yang Xiaolei said, "A few days ago, a hunter discovered suspected bandit traces in the western forest and ed it back home."
Hearing about the bandits, everyone below showed some concern.
Recently, they had heard various rumors about the bandits, saying they were like mad dogs, committing all sorts of atrocities.
"The situation with the bandits in the west has already been checked by the clan's immortal master, so there's no need to worry. In the coming days, unless necessary, everyone should avoid traveling far."
After reassuring everyone, Yang Lingqing turned to Yang Feiyun and said, "Father, pass my decree: from today, the clan soldiers on the Northern Shore must keep vigilant patrols day and night, remind passing caravans to avoid night travel, inform all inns and taverns not to raise prices during the bandit crisis, as the Yang Clan does not need to profit from others' misfortunes, and send weapons to the Southern Shore so they can protect themselves."
"Yes, as Immortal Master Lingqing decrees!"
"There are no more matters for discussion today, everyone may disperse."
After everyone left, Yang Feiyun sighed, "Sigh... it's only been a year of peace, and now there's trouble again."
"You know how the world is, Father. Peaceful days never last long."
Yang Lingqing said, "Our family's situation is still okay. We have enough people and cultivators, so ordinary bandit troubles are not much of a concern."
"Lingqing is right."
Yang Feiyun agreed, knowing that the Yang Clan's current strength was sufficient for self-defense, as long as it wasn't a disaster like a Beast Tide.
"Dark Heaven and our Tiger-Chasing have always kept to themselves, for so many years, why are they fighting now?" Yang Xiaolei wondered.
"The world is bustling for profit, and all the commotion is for gain."
Yang Lingqing stood up and said, "There are no conflicts without reason in the world. This war between the two countries is just a scramble for a share of the Eastern Wasteland Dynasty's disintegration."
The Dark Heaven Dynasty is in the north, the Tiger-Chasing Dynasty in the south, both bordering the Eastern Wasteland Dynasty to the east.
Not long ago, the Eastern Wasteland Dynasty split into several small countries due to internal strife.
In this chaotic situation, both Tiger-Chasing and Dark Heaven wanted to gain some benefits, leading to friction and eventually war.
Both sides wanted to disrupt each other as much as possible to gain more advantages.
This led to a loosening of control over the eastern frontier by both countries, allowing bandits to enter the dynasty.
The Yang Clan, located in the east of the dynasty, faced a more severe bandit problem.
"Sigh... is the great Eastern Wasteland really gone?"
"A hundred years ago, before our Tiger-Chasing became a dynasty, we were just a vassal of theirs. Who would have thought that the Eastern Wasteland would fall first? It's truly the work of fate."
The two brothers of the Yang Clan sighed.
After the meeting, Yang Lingqing returned to the Forbidden Zone on the cliff and happened to meet Zhao Qi returning.
He was the "clan's immortal master" mentioned earlier.
Zhao Qi, having successfully condensed Qi and practiced metal-based techniques, had become an important mobile force for the Yang Clan.
Recently, he had followed Elder Yu into the mountains to temper his character, and now his demeanor was much more mature than before.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Lingqing," Zhao Qi saluted.
Having apprenticed under Elder Yu, he addressed the Yang Clan cultivators as fellow disciples.
"Thank you for your hard work, Junior Brother Zhao. Who are these two?"
Yang Lingqing looked at the two half-dead bandits he was carrying.
"There were twenty-six bandits in total, all killed."
He placed the two men on the ground, "These are the two leaders. I noticed they were different from the others, so I brought them back."
"Oh?"
Yang Lingqing reached out, released her divine sense to check, and frowned slightly.
The Qi Nodes at the top of these two men's heads were already awakened, meaning they had at least broken through eight Qi Nodes.
"These bandits actually have cultivation methods?"
Upon discovering this, Yang Lingqing immediately became more vigilant.
If they were just ordinary mountain bandits, they wouldn't pose any real threat to the Yang Clan.
But if they included cultivators, the situation would be more complicated.
"Junior Brother Zhao, I'll have to trouble you to make another trip to White Stone Town and this to the Ancestor."
"Yes, Senior Sister Lingqing, I'll go right away."
Zhao Qi didn't dare delay and set off immediately.
Yang Lingqing entered the main courtyard of the Forbidden Zone, where one of the stone chambers was faintly emitting spiritual power fluctuations.
This was Yang Lingrui's place of seclusion, crafted by Yang Guanfeng and Elder Yu.
"The situation here is like this, I wonder how Linghu is doing over there."
Yang Lingqing sat on a meditation mat, feeling a bit worried.
The distant mine in the north, far from the Yang Clan and located at the border of two towns, was likely to have a more severe bandit problem.
Now, Elder Yu was guarding the family's mines, Yang Guanfeng had gone to White Stone Town due to the dynasty's orders, Lingrui was at a critical point in his breakthrough, and she had to stay at home to protect him, unable to leave.
Otherwise, she would definitely go there herself.
In her worry, a thought came to her, informing her that Yang Linghu was fine.
Yang Lingqing's eyes flickered, and she turned to the ancestral hall to give thanks, "Thank you, Spirit Stone Immortal, for your protection."
Chen Yang now had the soul fire of five members of the Yang Clan within him, allowing him to know their status.
"Linghu is temporarily safe, and judging by Lingrui's momentum, he should be close to breaking through, which will be a great boost."
Chen Yang muttered to himself.
His own cultivation progress had not fallen behind, and now he was only a quarter away from filling his spiritual power space again. With the feedback from Lingrui's breakthrough, he would be even closer.
Barring any surprises, he would reach the Late Qi Condensation stage before anyone else in the Yang Clan.
But that's a good thing, as the stronger he is, the better he can protect the Yang Clan members.