Spirit-Nurturing Rain-Seeking Art

The Yang family had used a total of three Vajra Talismans and two Mountain-Splitting Talismans in this deployment.

Two of the slightly inferior Mountain-Splitting Talismans had been obtained from the Wangchao Treasury through Gao Hui, using the merit commendations earned during the previous campaign against the evil cultivators.

The remaining three Vajra Talismans were claimed to have been bought by the Yang family at their own expense from the Yuling River Market to serve as protective treasures for Yang Lingrui.

Even if someone were to investigate, they would find no flaws. Half a year ago, Yang Lingqing had indeed dispatched Yang Linghu to that very market, where he spent over a thousand Spirit Crystals to procure three Vajra Talismans and three Mountain-Splitting Talismans of varying quality.

Thus, the origins of all five talismans could be traced perfectly. It prevented any outside suspicion while demonstrating to the Wangchao how heavily the Yang family invested in this strategic layout.

They had not only efficiently completed the assignment handed down by the Wangchao, but had also willingly spent their own reserves to prepare for unforeseen emergencies.

More importantly, these advance preparations had played a critical role in handling the recent incident with the Lone Moon Mountain disciples descending the mountain.

"Since Lord He personally designated Yang Lingrui, the Yang family naturally treated the matter with the utmost gravity."

Gao Hui stepped forward, adding a few smooth words of praise on behalf of the family.

"I have been acquainted with the Yang family for many years. Unlike many of the self-established families within the Wangchao, they have always recognized the changing tides, understood the rules, and kept the grander picture in mind. Since the Wangchao made these arrangements, they were bound to treat it as their highest priority."

He Shenglai toyed with the Storage Bag that had been repaired by the Wangchao's master craftsmen, nodding with satisfaction.

"I prefer dealing with families that possess such understanding. It saves one from wasting words or resorting to force to ensure matters are handled flawlessly."

As the two conversed, the command token at He Shenglai's waist suddenly flickered with a bright luminescence.

This was an internal communication Spiritual Treasure used by the Wangchao. By simply sweeping one's Divine Sense into it, the transmitted information would be revealed.

He Shenglai narrowed his eyes for a brief moment, and the smile on his face grew even wider.

"Hahaha! The disciples who descended from Lone Moon Mountain this time have truly met with wretched luck. They have hit walls and suffered bitter losses everywhere. In the Baishi region, they even suffered severe casualties. Their losses are substantial."

He turned his gaze toward Gao Hui. "Does the Yang family bear some deep grudge against Lone Moon Mountain? Yang Lingrui struck with incredible decisiveness."

"A grudge? As far as I know, there is none. In truth, the Yang family has never had any interactions with Lone Moon Mountain."

Gao Hui reflected for a moment before answering, "However... Yang Lingrui shared a profound bond with the Li family's late second young master, Li Cheng."

"So that is how it is."

Hearing the name of Li Cheng, He Shenglai understood completely.

The rupture of the Li family could be attributed entirely to Lone Moon Mountain's machinations, and even Li Cheng's assassination bore their hidden shadow.

Viewed in this light, Yang Lingrui's visceral loathing for Lone Moon Mountain became perfectly logical.

From the perspective of the He family, the tragic end of the Li family was an outcome they, too, had been loath to see.

In his youth, Li Yuande possessed exceptional talent, and he subsequently raised two descendants of equally brilliant aptitude, Li Qingwan and Li Cheng. Had they been allowed to develop for another twenty or thirty years, they would have successfully established themselves as a new native aristocratic family within the Wangchao.

With these thoughts drifting through his mind, the name of the Yang family naturally surfaced.

The attempt to foster the Li family had ended in failure, but the current Yang family presented an excellent alternative for cultivation.

The Yang family's own growth over recent years had been remarkably swift. Now backed by their Talisman Art Inheritance, they already stood above the vast majority of self-established families. Furthermore, Yang Lingrui had consumed a Marrow-Washing Pill, granting him the foundation required to break through to the Condensed Origin realm.

If the Wangchao extended its backing at this critical juncture and brought them into its faction early, the title of a true aristocratic family would be well within their reach over time.

On a personal level, fostering the Yang family would allow He Shenglai to secure a loyal and capable force under his direct command, which would be highly beneficial for his future path through the official ranks.

Having reached this conclusion, He Shenglai made his decision.

"Gao Hui, accompany me on a trip."

"Lord He, where are we heading?"

"The Yang family."

He Shenglai continued, "The official rewards from the Wangchao will take some time to be processed. I shall go ahead to offer an initial gesture of appreciation."

Songshan Yang Family, Mountain Cliff Restricted Grounds.

When Zhao Qi spotted Gao Hui and He Shenglai approaching the defensive formation together, he rushed inside to report the news.

Yang Lingqing immediately led all the Yang family cultivators residing on Songshan out of the formation to receive them.

"Yang Lingqing greets Lord He."

"Oh? So you are the one currently managing the affairs of the Yang family?"

Though He Shenglai had interacted with the Yang family twice before, he had never personally met Yang Lingqing until today.

He showed no particular surprise at a woman leading the household. While rare among major families, it was by no means unprecedented.

"Since your ancestor left, has it been you directing all of the Yang family's preparations and schemes these past years?"

"Replying to my Lord, that is correct."

"Mm, excellent! It appears the Yang family is indeed blessed with consecutive generations of talent. Your future is highly promising," He Shenglai praised with a nod and a smile.

"Lord He overpraises us. Talent is merely a minor factor. For the Yang family to achieve what it has today, we rely entirely on the benevolent backing of the Wangchao and your personal favor, Lord He."

Yang Lingqing had already discerned He Shenglai's character and alignment. Her words specifically highlighted the "Wangchao" and "Lord He," deliberately omitting any mention of the "He family."

The underlying implication was self-evident. He Shenglai's brows arched slightly upon hearing it, a look of distinct appreciation appearing on his face.

"Good! Today can be considered a return to familiar grounds. Lead the way and show me around."

"Understood. Lord He, please follow me."

Yang Lingqing guided He Shenglai into the Restricted Grounds. Compared to his last visit, the area had undergone immense transformation.

As Yang Lingqing introduced the changes one by one, the group eventually arrived before the Spirit Plant Garden.

Upon stepping inside, He Shenglai observed the cultivation environment of the Yang family's three spirit plants and immediately frowned.

"Is this truly how you cultivate spirit plants?" He pointed toward the three Spirit Fields before him.

The Yang family currently possessed three spirit plants: the Four-Leaf Spirit-Holding Grass, the Yang-Returning Grass, and the Purple Firmament Flower.

To prevent the three distinct plants from competing for the local Spiritual Qi, the Yang family had specifically cleared three separate patches of soil to keep them isolated from one another.

Faced with He Shenglai's sudden questioning, Yang Lingqing and the other cultivators looked thoroughly embarrassed.

To be perfectly frank, none of them possessed true experience in nurturing spiritual flora. The current arrangement had been set up entirely by Elder Yu based on his basic practical observations.

In the Yang family's estimation, the Spirit Plant Garden was already equipped with a dedicated formation to stabilize the spiritual flow, the spatial area was generous, and family cultivators regularly arrived to manually infuse the earth with spiritual power. They believed these conditions were reasonably good.

However, to He Shenglai, who hailed from the prestigious Ten Thousand Forests, such an environment and method of cultivation could only be described as primitive and crude.

Within the He family, if any elder caught a younger disciple raising precious spiritual specimens in this manner, it would result in swift punishment.

Gao Hui stepped forward at this juncture to smooth things over. "Lord He, it is not merely the Yang family. Most self-established clans cultivate their spirit plants in this exact manner."

"Mm..."

He Shenglai gazed thoughtfully at the three spirit plants. Suddenly, his eyes kindled as an idea struck him.

"Spiritual plants possess their own finite lifespans. Cultivating them in this fashion is far too wasteful; you merely harvest their basic yields without ever allowing them to break through their innate restrictions to advance in grade and quality."

As he spoke, He Shenglai tapped his storage pouch and retrieved a jade slip. "My family possesses extensive insights into the Dao of spiritual cultivation. While those core heritage methods cannot be shared with outsiders, this standard technique known as the Spirit-Nurturing Rain-Seeking Art is something I can bestow upon you."

"By mastering this art and employing it to nourish the plants three times a month, you can stimulate their inherent growth and slowly elevate their overall grade."

Hearing this, Yang Lingqing lost no time in leading the gathered Yang family cultivators in a respectful bow. She raised both hands high to receive the jade slip from He Shenglai's fingers.

"Our deepest thanks to Lord He for bestowing this profound art!" Yang Lingqing expressed her gratitude.

He Shenglai then gestured toward the center of the garden. "Your family's Four-Leaf Spirit-Holding Grass is developing remarkably well. It must have encountered some unique karmic fortune during its initial growth phase. If your family suffers from a shortage of available hands, you should prioritize this plant when casting the art. I estimate that within a few months, it will successfully advance to the mid-stage of the Qi Gathering realm."

"Understood! We thank you for your invaluable guidance, Lord He!"

Though she was well aware that such a technique did not come without implicit expectations of future loyalty, Yang Lingqing's words of appreciation carried genuine sincerity.

Without He Shenglai's intervention, the Yang family would have remained entirely in the dark regarding these cultivation secrets. Continuing down their old path would have done nothing but squander the lifespan of their precious spirit plants.

The fact that an official of his standing was willing to personally visit their estate to identify what the Yang family lacked proved he was far superior to those lofty figures who merely sat aloof on their high daises.

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