Chapter 142: Staying Out of It
At one hundred and ten years old, for those long-lived people, it's merely a journey neither too short nor too long. However, most Qi-Refining stage cultivators don't live to see that age.
To surpass a hundred years is to die a natural death.
In fact, in Li Erqing's letter, he described Mu Xiuyun's passing as a "joyful funeral," a celebration of life at one hundred and ten years old.
It wasn't treated as a calamity or bad news.
Lan Chang'an understood that, under normal circumstances, Mu Xiuyun would not have lived to be one hundred and ten. It must have been the Life Extension Pill Mu Bingyun brought back a few years ago that prolonged her life for a few more years.
Lan Chang'an then opened Mu Bingyun's letter, which was tinged with faint sorrow and reluctance.
Mu Bingyun, having lost her parents in battle when she was young, was adopted by Mu Xiuyun as the successor to her mantle. To her, Mu Xiuyun was akin to her closest kin.
"Uncle Lan, if Master had left the family to follow you back then, would the outcome have been different?"
Mu Bingyun asked this in her letter.
Lan Chang'an silently put the letter away, choosing not to reveal the harsh truth to her.
Firstly, he had a tacit understanding with Mu Xiuyun, agreeing to part on good terms; otherwise, they wouldn't have shared that time together. At the Qi-Refining stage, his ability to protect others was limited, especially while striving for Foundation Establishment, where he could barely look out for himself.
Secondly, when Mu Xiuyun was at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining and aiming for Foundation Establishment, Lan Chang'an was only at the seventh layer, lagging behind by more than twenty years in cultivation progress.
In the cultivation world, it has always been the case that higher-level cultivators would guide those below them, not the other way around.
After achieving Foundation Establishment, out of old affection, Lan Chang'an supported Mu Bingyun, helping her smoothly establish her foundation. This natural progression did not impede his own cultivation.
...
When Lan Chang'an arrived at Feiyue Lake, Mu Xiuyun's funeral had already concluded. As per her wishes, the funeral was kept simple.
Apart from the Mu Family, some surrounding forces either did not know about it or did not pay much attention to the event. Her funeral was overshadowed by the news of Mu Congren's Foundation Establishment, garnering little attention.
"Big brother."
"Grandfather Lan."
Li Erqing and Mu Congren came forward to greet him first.
At his centennial birthday, Li Erqing's appearance had changed little, no longer showing the fatigue of ten years ago, looking more relaxed and enjoying life.
Mu Congren, with an above-average appearance and the demeanor of a young man, seemed more composed and reserved compared to when they first met.
He smiled modestly, neither arrogant nor humble, and greeted him alongside his father.
"Congren, achieving Foundation Establishment at your age, your achievements will surely surpass your grandfather," praised Lan Chang'an.
Lan Chang'an hadn't seen much of Mu Congren, but Li Erqing often mentioned his grandson in letters, praising him highly. In his youth, Mu Congren had been somewhat rebellious and carefree, but after reaching adulthood, he became more stable, helping his grandfather manage the family's people and businesses. After reaching the seventh layer of Qi-Refining, he ventured out to gain experience. His capabilities undoubtedly surpassed Li Erqing.
"Grandfather Lan, your praise is too generous. My Foundation Establishment is thanks to the blessings of my father. It is not as good as when you had no one to rely on and went out alone to build your foundation." Mu Congren humbly replied.
On the way to Moonheart Island, Li Erqing narrated the details of Mu Congren's Foundation Establishment. After reaching the ninth layer of Qi-Refining, Mu Congren stayed in Liaoyuan Immortal City for nearly ten years, building connections and amassing a modest fortune.
His own effort in plotting for the Foundation Establishment wasn't insignificant, showing his competence. In the end, with his father's support, he eventually purchased an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill through a black market channel he tapped into.
...
Moonheart Island, in the cemetery area.
In front of the tombstone, Mu Bingyun, dressed in mourning attire, looked slightly haggard, with a touch more solitude than usual. Her simple white mourning clothes could not hide her elegant appearance and slender figure. Apart from a colder demeanor, she seemed like the gentle young lady of the past.
"Uncle Lan," Mu Bingyun greeted, her voice low and her eyes slightly red.
Lan Chang'an nodded but did not speak any words of comfort, such as "my condolences. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, with a lifespan of over two hundred years, seeing the passing of friends and family one by one would be the norm.
Lan Chang'an paid his respects at Mu Xiuyun's grave and stayed for a while.
The first woman with whom he had a bond in this life had reached the end of her journey. He had never seen Mu Xiuyun's aged appearance; in his memory, she was always the gentle and elegant young lady.
His impression of her remained as beautiful as their first meeting.
Mu Bingyun who was kneeling nearby and burning yellow paper, watched Lan Chang'an's expression. He seemed only slightly downcast, showing no signs of sorrow, regret, or reluctance. More than anything, he displayed a calmness and acceptance born of experience.
At that moment, Mu Bingyun felt a slight discomfort. In this eternally youthful man's heart, perhaps her master did not hold as much weight as she had imagined.
Rationally, she was not surprised. Uncle Lan, now one hundred and ten years old, had only shared a few years of private affection with the young lady of the past.
A few years of love seemed insignificant compared to one hundred and ten years of experience. Many couples who have loved each other for over a decade may find a new love within a couple of years, replacing and quickly diminishing the old feelings.
Little did Mu Bingyun know, Lan Chang'an had experienced two lifetimes. Especially in his second life, where he had many wives and concubines. Not just wives and concubines, even as a white-haired man burying his own black-haired children, he had sent off batch after batch of his own offspring.
Fortunately, the reincarnation memories from the Nine Seal Stele felt more like an immersive life movie. Once detached, they left only experiences and insights, without changing his original essence.
...
"Aunt Xiuyun dedicated her life to the family. Her accomplishments in talismans reached the second rank. Before her death, she left a comprehensive inheritance for the family's talisman masters," Mu Congren praised while paying respects.
Currently, the Mu Family at Feiyue Lake occasionally produced talented talisman masters and the talisman-related industries became one of the family's major income sources.
After reaching Foundation Establishment, Mu Bingyun successfully advanced to a second-rank talisman master, becoming the pinnacle of the family's talisman achievements.
With the enhancement from her talisman skills, her potential and talent were even greater. In the family, her status subtly surpassed that of Li Erqing, an outsider who had achieved Foundation Establishment.
After paying respects at Mu Xiuyun's grave, Lan Chang'an also visited Mu Yunfei's grave. Mu Yunfei had passed a few years earlier during the beast tide. Due to the fact that he was only a Qi-Refining cultivator, and given the circumstances of the beast tide, the Mu Family did not alert Lan Chang'an, who was in the Foundation Establishment Realm.
"Mu Maode... Mu Renlong... Mu Xiuyun... Mu Yunfei..." Names of past members of the Mu Family flashed through Lan Chang'an's mind. Ninety years ago, when he first arrived at Feiyue Lake, the two generations of Mu Family elders he knew had all passed away.
...
That evening, the Mu Family elders held a banquet to welcome Lan Chang'an. Li Erqing, Mu Congren, and a few senior members of the Mu Family at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining accompanied him.
The previous family head, Mu Chengji, who was nearly a century old, had resigned before the beast tide. The new head, "Mu Jing," was Mu Xiuyun's grandnephew, under forty years old, and was appointed by the elder lineage to manage the family.
"Big brother, why not stay on Moonheart Island for a few days? In a few days, it will be Congren's Foundation Establishment ceremony," Li Erqing warmly invited.
Lan Chang'an did not refuse. Since he had come, staying a few more days wouldn't matter.
That night, Lan Chang'an stayed in a guest courtyard on Moonheart Island. Li Erqing came to chat, and they talked late into the night.
During their conversation, Lan Chang'an intentionally mentioned "Mu Jiuan," Li Erqing's most talented ninth son.
Because of the war in the neighboring cultivation world, Lan Chang'an recalled Mu Jiuan. Mu Jiuan had become an apprentice to a Core Formation master in the Feng Kingdom and joined a Nascent Soul-level force there, and this kingdom was facing a joint invasion from the Yan and Chen Kingdoms.
Talking about Mu Jiuan, Li Erqing seemed slightly conflicted and showed little interest in his son who had moved to another country.
Due to the long distance, father and son had had little contact for decades. When Mu Jiuan was young, Li Erqing did not particularly like him. Mu Jiuan had later secured a Foundation Establishment Pill for his father and visited with many resources, repaying for his upbringing. After that, Mu Jiuan almost cut off all contact and settled down in the sect of Feng Kingdom.
"The 'Golden Sun Sect' where Jiuan resides has a nearly ten-thousand-year history and is the strongest Nascent Soul force in Feng Kingdom, with two Nascent Soul True Monarchs. With their precautions, he should be safe," Li Erqing was optimistic, not too worried about Mu Jiuan in Feng Kingdom.
Previously, the Nascent Soul sect that was destroyed in Feng Kingdom was "Blood Sword Valley," which was closer to Yan Kingdom and was caught off guard. The Nascent Soul True Monarch of Blood Sword Valley, heavily injured, escaped with his nascent soul.
...
The next morning, after his routine cultivation, the spirit stones in front of Lan Chang'an turned to powder. Moonheart Island was a second-rank spiritual vein site, theoretically sufficient for his daily cultivation without additional spirit stones or pills.
"The spiritual vein of Moonheart Island, supplying the cultivation of several Foundation Establishment cultivators along with some late-stage Qi-Refining cultivators, has already reached its limit," sighed Lan Chang'an, collecting the spirit stone powder.
To be exact, the Mu Family had three Foundation Establishment cultivators simultaneously cultivating on Moonheart Island, which was somewhat straining.
Unlike Wuqi Mountain, where the population was sparse, the Mu Family had numerous Qi-Refining clansmen, some of whom were on Moonheart Island, while others cultivated at branch locations of the second-rank spiritual vein or the first-rank spiritual vein of Feiyue Manor.
Lan Chang'an realized that this issue might become a hidden threat to Feiyue Lake's future. As the cultivation of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators progressed, this situation would become increasingly apparent unless they could expand outward or acquire new spiritual vein sites.
...
Seven days later, two sect Foundation Establishment cultivators flew to Moonheart Island to attend Mu Congren's Foundation Establishment ceremony.
The esteemed guests were Lin Lu and Zhao Tan'er. Zhao Tan'er came on behalf of her master, Zhao Siyao. She still looked like a young girl, with eyebrows like green feathers and skin like white snow, exuding a lively and charming aura. Zhao Tan'er was vivacious and enjoyed lively company.
Mu Congren personally welcomed them and arranged for them to stay in a private room with Lan Chang'an.
"Uncle Lan, you are here too," Zhao Tan'er greeted, her bright eyes sparkling, her voice sweet, and respectfully performed a courtesy. Though Lan Chang'an found her actions slightly exaggerated, she displayed proper etiquette.
"Tan'er, Little Lu, feel free to sit down, no need to be too formal," Lan Chang'an said, treating them as peers rather than juniors. Zhao Tan'er's talent was comparable to his previous life's, and her starting point was even higher being a sect cultivator.
The three conversed freely, finding few barriers between them. Lan Chang'an may have been older, but his mind remained youthful.
During the conversation, Lin Lu's gaze occasionally lingered upon Zhao Tan'er's charming smile or expressive frown, captivated by her vivacity. Compared to many female cultivators who were dignified, gentle, or charming, Zhao Tan'er's lively and candid nature had its unique charm.
It looked like Zhao Tan'er was only treating Lin Lu as a big brother. Both parties were very familiar with each other, and Zhao Tan'er occasionally teased and flirted with Lin Lu.
Lin Lu was as tolerant as he could be, not getting annoyed or angry, occasionally smiling bitterly and showing helplessness, making Zhao Tan'er feel bored.
Lan Chang'an thought to himself, another case of unrequited love—like falling petals caught by flowing water.
Lin Lu was much older than Zhao Tan'er, and their starting points, not to mention their innate talents, differed greatly. Under these circumstances, it seemed unlikely that Lin Lu possessed the courage to confess to his feelings, let alone pursue Zhao Tan'er romantically.
"Uncle Lan, you must seize the opportunity," Zhao Tan'er playfully teased, her clear eyes twinkling as she spoke: "In recent years, my master has begun laying the groundwork for Core Formation opportunities. If you can win her hand now, perhaps in ten or twenty years, you'll have secured yourself an Immortal dao partner." She giggled softly, her face flushed and radiant.
"Tan'er, don't be rude," Lin Lu scolded with a smile.
Lan Chang'an was dumbfounded and laughed helplessly. He simply did not respond to avoid giving Zhao Tan'er more reason to tease.
Zhao Siyao had reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment several years ago, so it was normal to plan ahead for Core Formation. Achieving Core Formation usually took decades, if not a hundred years, but those who succeeded were few and far between.
Anyway, Lan Chang'an didn't believe Zhao Siyao could succeed in forming a core in one or two decades, even if it was an Inferior-Dan.
If it was an earth spirit root genius with a deep background and excellent opportunities, only then would it be possible.
...
Mu Congren's Foundation Establishment ceremony lasted several days, with guests coming and going.
The night before Lan Chang'an's departure, Mu Bingyun, dressed in mourning clothes, visited his courtyard privately to seek advice. Facing this former Little Turtle Peak maid, a lone man and woman sharing a room, Lan Chang'an maintained an appropriate distance.
After achieving Foundation Establishment, Mu Bingyun dared to look him in the eye. Her gaze contained respect, trust, and some hidden emotions.
Mu Bingyun's questions, if related to family strategy or Li Erqing, received no personal opinion from Lan Chang'an. On matters of personal cultivation or talisman skills, he offered some guidance.
"Uncle Lan, a few years after returning to the family for Foundation Establishment, I suddenly started missing the peaceful days back at Little Turtle Peak," Mu Bingyun said with a slight smile, reminiscing about the past.
"I wonder how Sister Qiaozhi is now; how much the Profound Water Turtle has grown; whether the diligent Earth Burrowing Rat is feeling tired..."
They talked for half an hour, occasionally exchanging glances without avoiding or overstepping boundaries.
Finally, Mu Bingyun bowed gracefully and took her leave. Watching her familiar silhouette depart, Lan Chang'an recalled Mu Bingyun's earlier expression regarding the issues of her family.
With three Foundation Establishment cultivators and numerous Qi-Refining clansmen, their first and second-rank spiritual veins were strained, leading to excessive resource competition.
Mu Bingyun hoped that Li Erqing's lineage could expand outward for the family's long-term development. This was difficult to directly state, as Li Erqing, an outsider who had achieved Foundation Establishment, had protected Feiyue Lake for a time. So Mu Bingyun wanted Lan Chang'an as a mediator to facilitate a fair and acceptable plan for both parties.
This kind of family matters, how could Lan Chang'an, an outsider who had left the family for decades, meddle in them?
The next day, he bid farewell to Li Erqing and his grandson and left swiftly. He had no desire to be caught in the potential split within the Mu Family.
(End of chapter)