Not long after, more than a dozen of the Chen Clan's late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators gathered within the family's great hall.
It was year's end, and aside from the Great Elder—who remained stationed in Pingyang City—most of the clan's cultivators had returned home.Even the Second Elder, who usually managed the family's business in Yuyang Market, had come back to Qingyuan Mountain for this important clan assembly.
Presiding over the meeting was the Third Elder, Chen Qinghao, the one responsible for internal affairs and finances.He knew the clan's condition better than anyone.
Today, however, his expression was lighter than usual—for the first time in years, there was a trace of genuine relief on his face.
"Let's begin," he said, his voice carrying clearly through the hall."There are a few matters we must discuss today."
He paused, allowing the murmurs to fade before continuing.
"First of all, after years of effort… our external debts have finally been paid off.""In addition, this year's Qi-Gathering Pill refinement went very well. We expect sales to bring in over 1,600 spirit stones."
At that, an audible ripple of joy swept through the room.
The clan treasury had been barren for decades—1,600 spirit stones meant breathing room, meant that back wages could finally begin to be repaid,meant that the family's cultivators could once again afford spirit food and supplies.
But before the room could grow too jubilant, the Third Elder's tone turned solemn.
"There is another matter," he said."The patriarch's injuries have shown no sign of improvement. If this continues, his condition may deteriorate further.""I have heard that a certain Daoist from Tianshu Mountain, Master Jiang, recently refined a batch of Meridian-Nourishing Pills. Three remain unsold.""Thus, I propose that we set aside this income, and once the sum is sufficient, we'll send an envoy to purchase one pill for the patriarch's recovery."
A moment of silence followed.
No one objected.
A Meridian-Nourishing Pill was a high-grade second-rank elixir, capable of healing the internal meridian damage of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.For the Chen Clan, the patriarch's recovery meant stability for decades to come.
Chen Nianzhi sat quietly, his expression thoughtful.
He understood the Third Elder's reasoning—but he also knew the risk.If the clan continually withheld stipends and delayed repayment of debts,even the most loyal kin would begin to grow discontent.Worse yet, without proper resources, many cultivators' progress would stagnate, weakening the clan's strength from within.
After a moment's thought, he spoke.
"In these years, our treasury has indeed been strained, and many of us lack sufficient contribution points.""How about this—starting next year, I'll offer thirty Spirit Peaches annually to the clan treasury in exchange for contribution credits."
The words struck the hall like a thunderclap.
For a heartbeat, silence reigned.
Though the clan's internal merit points could be exchanged one-for-one with spirit stones,they were currently near worthless—since the treasury had no resources to back them.
But Spirit Peaches were another matter entirely.Each one was rich in essence, worth five spirit stones on the market, and directly boosted cultivation.
Thirty peaches equaled one hundred and fifty spirit stones of value.And more importantly, by donating them to the clan treasury, he would revitalize the clan's internal economy,providing both morale and cultivation aid to struggling clansmen.
This was not a simple donation—it was self-sacrifice.
The hall fell into murmured astonishment.
"No," said the Third Elder immediately, shaking his head. "If you hand over so many, how will you cultivate?"
Chen Nianzhi smiled faintly.
"It's fine. I've already reached the ninth layer of Qi Refinement. The next few years will be steady tempering anyway.""Besides, the Spirit Peach Tree still yields plenty."
He spoke firmly, leaving no room for persuasion.
The Third Elder sighed helplessly and patted his shoulder.
"You… truly carry the Chen Clan's spirit."
Then, turning back to the others, he continued.
"The second matter we must address—is the appointment of our eighth clan elder."
He glanced toward Chen Nianzhi with a smile.
"Since Nianzhi has now reached the ninth layer of Qi Refinement,according to the clan's ancestral rules, he is hereby promoted to Elder of the Chen Clan.""Does anyone object?"
The Second Elder, Chen Qinghe, chuckled softly.
"Object? Of course not.The clan has been short-handed for years—having another capable elder is a blessing."
At his words, the others all nodded in agreement.
And so, at the mere age of eighteen, Chen Nianzhi became the first of his generation to reach the ninth layer—and the youngest in Chen history to ascend to the council of elders.
The Council's Conclusion
The meeting continued for three full hours, addressing the coming year's plans—taxation, spirit field allocation, pill trade, and the recruitment of outer disciples among the mortal branch families.
When it finally adjourned, most elders departed content.
But before Chen Nianzhi could leave, the Third Elder called him back.
"Nianzhi," he said kindly, "after the New Year, don't return to Linghu Isle just yet."
"Oh?"
"It will soon be time for our annual spirit root testing among the mortal clansmen.""I can't spare the time this year, so I'd like you to handle it."
Chen Nianzhi nodded in understanding.
Testing for spirit roots was no easy task.
The most accurate way was to use a Spirit-Testing Disc—a high-grade second-rank artifact worth thousands of spirit stones.But the Chen Clan could not afford such extravagance.
Instead, they relied on a manual sensing method, using the spiritual perception of a ninth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator.It was less precise—accurate perhaps eighty to ninety percent of the time—but still sufficient to detect promising talents and their elemental affinities.
Since the clan now had few high-level cultivators,and Chen Nianzhi had recently reached the required realm, the duty naturally fell to him.
"Very well," he said at last. "I'll see to it personally."
The Elder's Farewell
As he stepped out of the hall, a quiet voice called after him.
"Nianzhi."
He turned to see Sixth Elder Chen Qingmeng waiting nearby.The old alchemist's expression was hesitant, his shoulders heavy with fatigue.
Chen Nianzhi approached and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Twenty-Sixth Uncle."
The elder waved a hand weakly.
"You're an elder now," he said, voice low. "No need for so much formality."
His eyes lingered on the young man's steady gaze—bright with vitality and potential—and a deep sigh escaped him.
Once, Chen Qingmeng too had been such a youth.A dual spiritual root cultivator, he'd entered Qi Refinement at twelve and reached the ninth layer by thirty-seven.By forty, he stood at the pinnacle of the stage, full of dreams and ambition.
Within the "Qing" generation, his talent had been second only to Chen Qingyuan, the one who joined the Qingyang Sect.
But now—barely past fifty—his hair was gray, his aura dimmed, and a weary stillness hung about him.Though his cultivation remained, the spark of life had faded.
The failed Foundation attempt had cost him more than just progress.The crushing debt of thirty thousand spirit stones—owed to the very family he'd served—had become a weight too heavy to bear.
And so, even while his body lived, his spirit had withered.
He looked at Chen Nianzhi and, for a moment, saw in him the reflection of the youth he had once been.
"Nianzhi…" he began softly, voice hoarse with emotion.
But the words caught in his throat.