Chapter 3: Cultivation Plan

The letter Li Ji'an had sent to the Yan family had already taken everything into careful account. He asked only that the Yan family keep their promise and look after his young son; as for himself, his path had reached an end, and he would go far away, never to return in this life.

When Yan Qingwan first saw eight-year-old Li Ji'an today, she had in fact already believed the child mentioned in the letter, for the familiarity in his brows and eyes could not be faked.

She had asked that question only to deceive herself.

And even now, after asking it, she was not sure what she herself was thinking.

“In answer to Auntie, Father said that when I was born, Mother had already ascended to the immortal realm. I have never seen her either, but I think Mother must be just as beautiful as Auntie.”

“……”

Yan Qingwan froze at once. Only after a moment did she recover, her eyes growing gradually moist, and she drew Li Ji'an tightly into her arms once more. “Poor little Fan’er. Auntie will be good to you from now on, I promise.”

Then she said no more. With a surge of spiritual power, she wrapped Li Ji'an around him and rose slowly into the air, looking out in all directions. “Big Brother Li, rest assured. Qingwan will treat Fan’er well.”

-------

After nine years apart, when Li Ji'an returned to the Yan family, he actually felt a faint sense of belonging.

Cultivators had long lifespans and strong souls, with good memories; nine years could change neither people nor things all that much.

Yan Qingwan brought Li Ji'an directly to the clan council hall.

“So this is Longan’s child... yes, it is, truly.” The clan head, Yan Zongsheng, crouched down and gently stroked Li Ji'an’s head, a trace of relief in his eyes.

That scene from nine years ago was still vivid in his memory. Li Ji'an had not only harbored no resentment at being expelled from the family, but had instead repaid grievance with virtue, presenting him with a painstakingly compiled inheritance of first-tier alchemy learned over twenty years.

Especially after Yan Qingwan’s explanation and proof four years later, he realized that he had truly been wrong.

“Come, let Grandfather hold you. From now on, settle down in the Yan family. This is your home.” Yan Zongsheng had, at last, a chance to make amends, and his eyes toward Li Ji'an were full of kindness.

As he spoke, he had already taken out the prepared Li Family Alchemical Record and placed it into Li Ji'an’s hands. “This is the alchemical inheritance your father spent his whole life pursuing. Today, it can finally return to its rightful owner. Your father had considerable talent in alchemy, only a pity his spiritual roots were lacking, and he never amounted to much. Before your roots have fully developed, study it well. If you later awaken fire-type roots, perhaps you can help fulfill your father’s long-held wish.”

“Ha! I say forget alchemy. That boy Longan’s roots were too poor; how good could his son’s be? But I just checked him. This kid has a sturdy frame and is excellent material for body refinement. From now on, he’ll train with me.” Yan Hongsheng immediately cut in.

Yan Kongyi shot Yan Hongsheng a glare. “Body refinement, body refinement. Always thinking of those brainless things. A brute! This brat has a broad brow, a prominent rear cranial slope, and light in his eyes. His comprehension is probably not bad. From now on, he’ll study talismans with me. I guarantee that old bastard Longan will be shocked then.”

Yan Zongsheng coughed lightly. “Enough, all of you stop fighting. Qingwan, first test little Fan’s potential.”

Yan Qingwan shook her head. “Big Brother Li already had him take a Nurturing Origin Pill. I can sense that his dantian has been nourished, so I cannot infer his potential from its source.”

“Oh.” Yan Zongsheng nodded.

Then his face broke into a smile. “Very well. Whether he’s good or not doesn’t matter. We’ll wait seven years and see. If his fire affinity is decent, let him inherit his father’s legacy, and you can teach him alchemy.”

“If his fire root is poor but his comprehension is not bad, let the First Elder teach him talisman-making.”

“If that still doesn’t work, let the Seventh Elder guide him in body refinement.”

“Even if... body refinement also fails, it doesn’t matter. He can stay by my side, and I’ll teach him the household affairs of the clan.”

In an instant, he had almost planned out Li Ji'an’s entire future.

Even Li Ji'an, who in his previous life had already known them and knew they were not the sort to forget favors and repay kindness with ingratitude, felt a stir in his heart at this moment.

Not only in the world of cultivation; even in the mortal world before that, even in the modern era he once knew, the most crucial and important thing in a person’s life was, in truth, their life plan. Children and adolescents had seen little and experienced little; their horizons were narrow, and they could not correctly understand how society worked. Often, they had an unclear grasp of their own resources and abilities, which led them either to reach too high or sink into unwarranted pessimism, taking many unnecessary detours or even the wrong road for an entire lifetime.

Though this was the most common state of affairs, after all, there were not many elders who truly had vision and ability and could convince a child. So there was no shortage of comforting platitudes. But however beautifully one spoke, what people truly hoped for was to find the right path as early as possible and set life onto the right track as soon as possible. Taking the wrong road or a long detour would only bring regret and suffering.

Li Ji'an possessed the ability to relive life and return young again; even if he went astray or took a winding path, he could correct it in his next life, begin anew, and accumulate experience and understanding for himself, guiding his own way. Ordinary people, however, had no such chance.

Thus he understood all the more deeply what those few words from Yan Zongsheng meant to an ordinary person.

The only slight flaw was that his plan had, by chance, omitted the path Li Ji'an himself had charted for this life.

This was not only because in his previous life Li Ji'an’s roots and talent had been poor, so nobody thought highly of him, but also because of the clan head’s identity and perspective.

Afterward, Li Ji'an was brought by Yan Qingwan, despite the opposition of many, to live in her new residence.

Since he had advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, his daily cultivation demanded even greater spiritual energy, and the previous courtyard could no longer satisfy his needs.

The new residence was now located at the very core of the Yan family’s spirit vein land.

This place had once been the dao ground of that Foundation Establishment ancestor. Now, for the sake of the clan’s rising talents, that ancestor had willingly given it up and moved to a slightly less central area.

Feeling the abundant spiritual energy of a true second-tier spirit-vein dao ground, Li Ji'an was pleasantly surprised.

“In that case, perhaps in this life I can come infinitely close to the innate upper limit of my original spiritual-root aptitude!”

Within a few days, the news spread through the clan that the child of the former guest elder Li had entered the family.

Li Ji'an was also assigned to the clan school.

Besides teaching reading and writing, the clan school also offered guidance on meridian nurturing, explanations of cultivation, the customs and conditions of this world, and various matters requiring attention in the cultivation world. Of course, ideological education was also a top priority, mostly aimed at fostering family cohesion and loyalty.

On this day, Li Ji'an came to the clan hall for his first lesson.

The old man on the platform was a longtime member of the clan, already advanced in years, his eyes somewhat clouded. He was lecturing on matters that future cultivators should heed.

“The world of cultivation is ever-changing, mysterious and treacherous, and human hearts are complicated. On the road, do not covet shortcuts; when making acquaintances, do not give your heart away. When you encounter an injustice, first ask what your own cultivation is. When out in the world, you must conceal your abilities; if you possess ten parts, reveal only seven. When danger arises among companions, step back and let those with advantage go first...”

“Li Fan?” Suddenly, Li Ji'an felt someone kick the stool behind him.

“Hm?” Li Ji'an turned around and looked at him calmly.

“My father said he and your father are brothers.”

Li Ji'an understood at once, and once again examined the thin, monkey-like youth before him.

When he left the clan nine years ago, Zhang Tiezhu’s third son, Yan Qing, had only just turned one. Now, he was exactly ten.

Back then, Li Ji'an had also given Yan Qing a premium marrow-cleansing pill.

“My name is Yan Qing. We can be brothers too in the future.”

“Smack—”

Suddenly, the sound of a ruler striking rang out from the platform, and Yan Qing’s expression changed instantly.

“How many times has this old man said it? No noise in class. Both of you, stand up and hold out your hands. No one will speak up for you this time.” The old gentleman strode over.

Yan Qing’s face turned ashen. Gritting his teeth, he stretched out his hand, clearly terrified of the ruler.

Li Ji'an gave a wry smile, stood up calmly, and also held out his hand, though he did not feel much at all. At most, it would just strike the palm.

“You...” Yet when the old gentleman reached Li Ji'an’s side and was about to strike, he took a careful look at him and then withdrew the ruler.

“This time I’ll spare you. In the future, do not make noise in class. Do you understand?”

“Thank you, Teacher. I will remember.” Li Ji'an thanked him respectfully.

“Smack!”

Yan Qing had just begun to feel secretly pleased, thinking he might escape as well, when the ruler came down heavily on his palm.

“Ah! I... why can he get away with it and I can’t?” Yan Qing cried out in pain, tears nearly spilling, and instinctively blurted out the question.

The old gentleman rolled his eyes at him.

The Old Ancestor Qingwan had personally instructed it. Who would dare strike him?