Chapter 34: Returning to the Old Land

Li Ji'an finished packing and, together with Zhang Tiezhu, made his way to the clan's main hall.

At present, both of them belonged to the clan as foreign-surnamed members, requiring registration and reporting whenever they entered or exited the clan grounds.

To be precise, Zhang Tiezhu had earned his place through merit; he started as a laborer opening up new land, gained the Yan family's approval, became an external hire, and then, after achieving great feats during clan wars, was promoted to a foreign-surnamed member.

Compared to those granted the Yan surname, his status was a tier lower. He enjoyed a peripheral cultivation ground equivalent to a first-grade inferior spiritual vein, received a monthly supply of ten catties of spiritual rice, and had the right to marry a clan woman. If he did marry within the clan, his status would rise, granting him equal rights to those with the Yan surname.

Moreover, should he father a child of exceptional talent, he would be handsomely rewarded. Naturally, the child must bear the Yan surname.

As for Li Ji'an, his situation was rather special. To those unaware, he seemed merely a menial who had managed to sneak in with Master Mo, a stroke of luck owed to ancestral blessings.

Later, when Master Mo betrayed the clan, Li Ji'an was not expelled; on the contrary, he was rewarded.

A foreign-surnamed individual who had never shed blood for the clan on the frontlines became the personal assistant of the young lady in her alchemical pursuits.

He not only enjoyed a cultivation ground adjacent to the core spiritual vein—something reserved for high-ranking clan members—but also mingled freely with several elders and the young lady herself.

Most crucially, he was nearing forty, yet remained a mere novice at the early stage of Qi Refining, with no apparent potential.

Of course, the reason for this was that the Yan family’s leadership wished to push Yan Qingwan to the forefront as the clan’s hope and spiritual pillar, to inspire and pave the way for her future.

In the eyes of the lower and middle ranks, Yan Qingwan was meant to be an alchemical prodigy; in just nine years, she had mastered all of Master Mo’s skills, relying solely on her own talent and diligence.

As for the secrets of the medicinal garden, such matters were kept strictly hidden.

“Brother Li, you’re returning to your hometown?”

Just as they finished their registration, a familiar gentle voice arrived.

“Greetings, Young Lady,” Zhang Tiezhu quickly stepped back and bowed respectfully.

“Yes, it’s been ten years since I left. I made a promise to an old friend,” Li Ji'an replied with a smile.

Yan Qingwan’s eyes quivered slightly. “When will you return?”

“If things go smoothly, I’ll be back the same day. Otherwise, two or three days at most.”

“Very well. Take my Winter Snow, make haste and return quickly.” Yan Qingwan handed Li Ji'an a beast control token.

It was the soul token of her exclusive spirit steed.

Behind Li Ji'an, Zhang Tiezhu’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Having spent ten years in the Yan family, he had long heard tales of Yan Qingwan and her Winter Snow. The steed was extraordinarily important to her.

It was said to be connected to her late mother.

Even the clan members responsible for beast taming were forbidden to touch it.

Staring intently at Li Ji'an’s back, Zhang Tiezhu’s heart was in turmoil.

“Brother Li is at least ten years older than the young lady, isn’t he?”

“And the young lady has a mid-grade spiritual root, exceptional talent in alchemy, and is likely the future clan head, perhaps even the ancestral protector…”

“Brother Li has yet to break through the early stage of Qi Refining. He’s unlikely to ever advance. Why… why him?”

It wasn’t jealousy, nor resentment—he was simply bewildered.

It was far beyond his understanding.

He admitted Li Ji'an was a prodigy in the Immortal Dynasty, but… even the emperor of the Immortal Dynasty was as insignificant as an ant before the Yan family’s young lady.

Two years ago, Li Ji'an had clashed with the Seventh Elder, all because of Master Mo.

But now, with Master Mo gone, what was Li Ji'an relying on?

“Is it just because of his handsome appearance?”

While Zhang Tiezhu pondered in surprise, Li Ji'an waved his hand. “I appreciate the young lady’s kindness, but a common spirit steed will suffice.”

As the saying goes, one may afford a fine horse, but not its saddle.

Yan Qingwan’s spirit steed was indeed swift, but it consumed at least one beast essence pill per hundred kilometers, which made Li Ji'an reluctant.

Although his status within the Yan family was unique, with a cultivation ground and meals shared with the young lady, his treatment was excellent, but… he received no salary.

Having already gained so many coveted resources, he had no reason to demand wages.

Originally, he had little need to spend spirit stones, but with the addition of a frog, his expenses increased.

Despite maintaining the minimum feeding over the past two years, his savings of spirit stones were nearly depleted.

Ordinary low-grade spirit steeds in the clan required no beast essence pills—just some wild grass.

“Brother Li, what troubles you? Speak plainly,” Yan Qingwan asked candidly. She was not thinking as Zhang Tiezhu did; she simply worried Li Ji'an might leave and never return.

If that happened, her progress in alchemy would stall, perhaps even halt completely.

After eight years of working together, others might not know, but she herself had gradually realized Li Ji'an’s innate talent in alchemy.

Before Master Mo’s betrayal, Li Ji'an’s meticulous guidance had not been mere imitation; much of it was his own insight.

Sadly, his magical power was weak and his spiritual root poor. Otherwise, if he could advance to late-stage Qi Refining, he would surely become a first-grade senior alchemist.

Yet, for that very reason, she trusted and depended on Li Ji'an even more.

Were he to possess good spiritual roots and such talent, she would worry about his intentions.

Now, entrusted with high hopes from the clan elders, she was under great pressure and truly could not do without Li Ji'an.

Li Ji'an smiled, “It’s not far, so there’s no need for such a fine steed.”

“I know it’s not far, but… you’re still at the early stage of Qi Refining and must traverse vast wilds. I worry you’ll encounter bandits or monsters. My Winter Snow is fast enough to rival a peak Qi Refiner using a flying artifact and will keep you safe,” Yan Qingwan explained anxiously.

Zhang Tiezhu was utterly stunned.

“I worry for your safety… goodness.” The young lady was so direct? And I’m right here.

His head drooped lower, his face flushed deeper.

In the next moment, his brows furrowed. If he and Brother Li traveled together, Brother Li on the fast steed and himself on the inferior one, if trouble arose, Brother Li could escape, but what about him?

“Oh, Brother Li’s cultivation is weak and he’s older—it makes sense for him to run first.” His brow relaxed.

Hearing this, Li Ji'an no longer refused. Safety was paramount; what was a mere beast essence pill?

He had just recalled the tale of “Fighting Qi Turns to Horse”—as long as my steed is fast enough, even a Battle Emperor cannot touch me.

“Be careful! Protect your Brother Li,” Yan Qingwan called after them as they departed, the first directed at Li Ji'an, the second at Zhang Tiezhu.

“I’ll be cautious!”

“Rest assured, young lady! Unless they step over my corpse, no one will harm Brother Li!” Zhang Tiezhu declared fervently.

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Across the vast wilderness, two spirit steeds raced at full speed.

Before the sun had set, the pair arrived at the settlement where they had parted ways ten years ago. Their journey had been smooth and uneventful.

A decade had passed in a flash, yet everything here seemed unchanged.

Some hurried along, others strolled leisurely, some were joyful, some were troubled…

The biggest difference, perhaps, was the people themselves.

Just as Zhang Tiezhu prepared to voice his nostalgia, a steady voice sounded.

“Brother Li! Tiezhu!”