Three Years Have Passed

Work in the spirit herb garden was thereafter managed in rotation by Liang Yi, Zhao Qi, and Wu Tong.

With everyone's encouragement, Liang Yi's heart-knot gradually loosened. Half a month later, he successfully entered meditative cultivation once again.

With the Purple-Core Stamen in hand, Yang Lingrui soon announced his Secluded Cultivation, preparing to use this treasure to make another breakthrough within the next seven months.

During this time, Yang Lingshu resided within the Songshan Restricted Grounds, quietly focusing on her cultivation under Chen Yang's guidance. She no longer traveled between the mountain and the valley, making final preparations for entering the Myriad Transformations Sect.

After accepting the Huang Family as an Affiliated Family, the Yang Family took no further action.

As this was their first time handling such an arrangement, Yang Lingqing did not intend to be rash. She wished to observe the reactions of the Huang Family and other forces before deciding on any subsequent steps.

The Huang Family acted quickly. Once the three Chengyang Halls were completed, they immediately held their first grand sacrifice.

For the first time, Chen Yang received Power of Prayer from outside the Yang Family, and the amount was significant-over eighty strands in total.

"If one family can provide this much, then if a few more join, the time required to break through could be shortened considerably," Chen Yang thought to himself. "However, such things cannot be rushed. Lingqing's concerns are valid. Let us use the Huang Family as a trial to observe the results. After a few more years, once Yang Lingrui enters the Perfection realm, it will not be too late to expand."

In the following month, those cultivators who had received secret edicts began to depart for the eastern and northern borders of the dynasty.

Once they left, the Wangyue territory was left with only a handful of minor cultivators.

Many independent families returned to the dynasty's cities, and numerous small sects simply disbanded on the spot.

Those that managed to endure were left with only one or two Qi Gathering initial-stage cultivators; even mid-stage practitioners became extremely rare.

As a result, the existing power structure in the region was dismantled, giving emerging forces an opportunity to rise.

The dynasty's actions essentially completed a major reshuffling of the various Qi Gathering forces under Wangyue's jurisdiction, allowing many small families and sects that were previously insignificant to step onto the stage and gain hope for advancement.

Soon after, news arrived from the border.

The intensity of this campaign far exceeded any before it.

Among the various forces that had been dispatched, any cultivator below the Condensed Origin realm who reached the front lines was almost entirely wiped out.

Only a very small number of lucky survivors remained.

A few months later, even Condensed Origin cultivators began to suffer severe injuries, with some even falling back in their cultivation realm.

Because the Yang Family was protected by the dynasty's decree, they managed to avoid this disaster.

However, through these events, Yang Lingqing gradually discerned the true intentions of Zhu Hu.

The dynasty's grand scheme appeared to be aimed at the Sects.

But judging from the various clues and the final outcome of the contest, it seemed the dynasty's goal was not merely that.

Under the moonlight, Yang Lingqing paced alone in the forest.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her, and her eyes brightened.

The dynasty's move was clearly intended to cleanse and consolidate the forces within its borders.

When a dynasty begins such mobilization, and considering the current situation in the surrounding regions, its true purpose becomes obvious.

"It seems the higher-ups in the dynasty are already confident in this matter."

Facing the moonlight, Yang Lingqing walked to the edge of the cliff and gazed at the dark sky to the east.

"After years of preparation and forbearance, Zhu Hu has finally decided to bare his fangs at the leaderless Eastern Wasteland!"

...

In early spring, Songshan was covered in fresh green.

Stepping across the new grass, Yang Lingrui, Yang Lingshu, and Lü Fangxuan arrived at the eastern foot of the mountain.

Guided by the spirit pearl, and possessing a steady and solid temperament, Yang Lingshu's cultivation had advanced at a measured pace, reaching the third realm.

Lü Fangxuan, who was naturally talented, had become even more diligent in his practice following the death of Lü Lianshun, breaking through to the second realm.

As for Yang Lingrui, there was no need to speak of him. Since the day he entered the Dao, cultivation had never been a struggle.

After seven months of Secluded Cultivation, he had forcefully stepped into the eighth realm.

Following the three of them were the Yang Family members who had come to see them off.

Except for Elder Yu, who remained stationed at Sanglu Valley, everyone was present.

Yang Lingqing stepped forward to speak, but a lively figure suddenly rushed out and beat her to it.

"Second Uncle! Third Uncle!"

Yang Yuanhong's voice was bright and clear. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"The journey is long. Yuanhong sees off my two uncles, wishing you both good fortune and flourishing Martial Fortune!"

After speaking, he proudly tilted his head, straightened his tiger-head hat, placed his hands on his hips, and looked smugly at Yang Lingqing.

"Aunt! I recited it all perfectly, not a single word wrong!"

"Hahaha..."

"Little Yuanhong is truly impressive."

Everyone was amused by his adorable demeanor, and the sadness of parting was somewhat dispelled.

"Ouch, ouch!"

Just as Yang Yuanhong was feeling proud, his ear was pinched by Yang Lingqing.

Yang Yuanhong pouted, feeling aggrieved. "I didn't do anything wrong!"

Yang Lingqing let go and tapped his little head, chuckling softly. "You were not wrong, but you forgot to include Immortal Lü."

Yang Yuanhong slapped his forehead, let out a cry, and quickly trotted over to Lü Fangxuan.

"Immortal Lü, please do not mind! Yuanhong also wishes you a smooth journey ahead and a boundless Dao path!"

"Very good, very good."

Lü Fangxuan bent down and patted Yang Yuanhong's head. "I have noted all of Yuanhong's good wishes."

Wu Tong led Yang Yuanhong back to her side. Yang Lingqing stepped forward and said only one thing to the three of them-"Be careful in everything"-before the farewell concluded.

On this journey, Yang Lingrui was headed to the imperial capital, Chongtian City, to participate in the highly anticipated Qi-Fall Condensed Origin Dharma Demonstration.

Meanwhile, Yang Lingshu and Lü Fangxuan were about to become Sect disciples and travel to the Myriad Transformations Sect to cultivate.

With three cultivators suddenly absent from the family, Yang Lingqing's state of mind was no longer as anxious as it had been in the past.

After everyone dispersed, she walked alone to the gate of the Restricted Grounds' courtyard; the gate was already open.

Yang Lingqing restrained her aura and stepped inside, where she saw a small figure holding a shovel, carefully adding soil to a grave mound.

"Father! Today, both uncles and Immortal Lü set out on a long journey, and I recited all the good words Aunt taught me correctly!"

Yang Yuanhong spoke to himself as he dug.

"Mother told me that after my two uncles leave, I am the pillar of the main family and must shoulder the responsibility! I understand!"

"Father, Hong'er will surely listen to Aunt and Mother. From now on, the family has me-you need not worry!"

After speaking, Yang Yuanhong stuck the shovel into the ground, took a cloth from his waist, and began wiping the tombstone of Yang Linghu.

Watching the busy child, Yang Lingqing quietly withdrew from the courtyard.

"Family Head," Wu Tong said with a gentle nod.

"Sister-in-law, Yuanhong has truly become quite mature."

A smile appeared on Yang Lingqing's face.

Over the past three years, she and Wu Tong had poured tremendous effort into raising Yang Yuanhong.

From his daily life and education to the construction of his character, they had not dared to be the slightest bit careless, fearing that the child might be led astray by his inherent bloodline instincts.

Now, seeing the child grow up healthy both in body and mind, the two of them felt greatly relieved.

"Sister-in-law, let us take a walk down the mountain."

"That is a good idea. I can buy some more sugar cakes for Hong'er."

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