Chapter 82: Secrecy, Seclusion

Once Zhu Lingyue emerged from her Alchemy session, she learned of Chen Songmei's Spiritual Root Aptitude.

Inside Concentric Heart Hall, the seven of them gathered.

This matter was of great importance and the news could not be leaked; this was common knowledge for every Qi Refining Immortal Clan. Except for those Golden Core Families, once they were exposed to have a Cultivator with Dual Spiritual Roots, it was easy for 'interested parties' to prevent the Genius from growing up.

Only a Prodigy who has grown up is truly a Prodigy!

Chen Li suggested telling the outside world that Songmei had Four Spiritual Roots. Everyone was in tacit agreement, sharing the same thought.

Chen Songmei asked in confusion, "Father, don't I have Dual Spiritual Roots? Why tell the outside world I have Four Spiritual Roots?"

"At home, you have Dual Spiritual Roots, but outside, you have Four Spiritual Roots. This way, you can grow up safely!"

Chen Songmei nodded vaguely, "Okay, Father."

Since Chen Songmei's Spiritual Root Aptitude was confirmed, the great haze in Zhu Lingyue's heart had lifted. Chen Songli resumed her role as the strict elder sister, telling Songmei to Cultivate the Qi Guiding Art diligently.

A room was specifically opened within Concentric Heart Hall for Chen Songmei to Cultivate the Qi Guiding Art.

However, Chen Songmei was very excited during this period, so she consciously cultivated the Qi Guiding Art. Based on her Dual Spiritual Root Aptitude, it should only take a year. Thus, everyone was very relaxed about her; with this Aptitude, cultivation progress truly came even while sleeping.

At the Dao Seeking Platform, Chen Li continued to practice his spear techniques.

A few months later, it was another chilly early spring. The fish pond at the foot of the mountain had been dug, and Chen Li went to the market to buy many spiritual fish to release into it.

The Spring Festival was still lively, and everyone was very happy. Chen Songmei's Dual Spiritual Root Aptitude invigorated everyone even more. Chen Songxuan cooked many delicious dishes again, and there were Formation fireworks for another year.

Brother Ox was still in seclusion, but he likely knew what day it was.

Meng Chong was overwhelmed by the favor of celebrating this festival for the first time. Li Chun was very polite to him, and everyone was harmonious. Watching the Formation fireworks for the first time made him feel like he was truly a member of Black Magpie Mountain.

It was time for the annual toasts again. Meng Chong sincerely toasted toward Morning Sun Hall. Over the past few months, he had no worries about food or drink and didn't have to work; he only needed to Cultivate the Qi Guiding Art. This made him feel that all immortal families in the world were like this, so he was full of gratitude and awe.

Li Chun told him that only after successfully guiding Qi could he work for the Clan Head, so he shouldn't be anxious and should Cultivate patiently!

Meng Chong regarded Li Chun as an older brother and respected him greatly, remembering Li Chun's kindness in his heart.

...

After the festival, Chen Li had cultivated the Four Illusions Spear Soul Art to Perfection. Chen Li prepared to enter seclusion to break through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, and Zhu Lingyue prepared to enter seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment!

At this time, inside Morning Sun Hall, they discussed the goals for the next stage together.

Everyone sat around a round table. Chen Li saw that all seven people had arrived. Chen Songmei, the little kid just over six years old, also sat on a stool, looking at him.

Chen Li first spoke about the current state of the cultivation environment.

"I've mentioned the recent matter of the demonic Cultivators in the East Sea to you before. Although no demonic Cultivators have appeared in the Nanwu Kingdom yet, everyone must remain vigilant. As long as you stay within the mountains, if anything seems wrong, immediately teleport back to Black Magpie Mountain and go to my Immortal Cave to call me out of seclusion!"

Chen Li added, "Your mother is going to advance to Foundation Establishment. This is a Breakthrough of a major Realm. Unless Black Magpie Mountain can no longer be defended, do not disturb your mother first!"

Zhu Lingyue thought for a moment and said, "Husband's Realm is the most important matter. I think the children should call me first. At worst, I can just attempt Foundation Establishment again next time."

Chen Songmei suddenly chimed in, "I'll call both of you together."

Chen Li smiled and said, "Madam, advancing to Foundation Establishment is the difference between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment. It's much more important than mine!"

Chen Songli echoed at this time, "Mother, I think so too. You should focus on Foundation Establishment with peace of mind. If there's something else we can't solve, we'll find Father first."

Following Chen Songli's stance, the three male members of the song generation also expressed their agreement.

Zhu Lingyue nodded, "Alright, but only this once!"

Second was the rotation of the song generation managing the household.

Chen Songli had already prepared a list and said, "Father, Songxiao and I will be one group, and Song Xuan and Songyan will be another. We can consult each other if anything happens."

Chen Li nodded, "Very good. Songli and Song Xuan will be the leads; you can make decisions on small matters yourselves."

Third was their subsequent cultivation goals.

Chen Songxiao was the first to speak: Seventh Level of Qi Refining, researching the refining of Fourth Grade Magical Artifacts with Third Brother, and daily study of the Pulse Seeking Art.

Chen Songxuan: Qi Refining Sixth Layer, researching Late Stage Qi Refining Puppets, and researching the refining of Fourth Grade Magical Artifacts with Fourth Brother.

Chen Songyan: Seventh Level of Qi Refining, raising Iron Fire Ants to the level of third-grade insects.

Chen Songli: Daily maintenance and upgrading of Formation arrays, Seventh Level of Qi Refining, researching more Advanced Formation arrays, and researching Artifact Refining.

The third point was the care and cultivation of Chen Songmei.

Chen Songyan stepped forward and said, "Father, I'll take care of Songmei. I will personally teach Songmei the Qi Guiding Art."

Chen Li nodded, but Chen Songmei said, "Father, I want Third Brother."

Chen Songxuan also laughed and said, "Haha, Songmei, I'll also cook delicious food for you."

Chen Songyan jokingly scolded, "Songmei, Second Brother is going to take care of you, you can't escape!"

Chen Li finally analyzed, "The relatively stable cultivation environment should last for a few more years, so there shouldn't be any major problems!"

Zhu Lingyue finally said, "If you need qi overflowing pills, just go to the Alchemy Pavilion's warehouse to get them. If it's not enough, take a few more bottles. There are plenty of Medicinal Pills in the Pill Mansion!"

The members of the song generation nodded one after another. Chen Li was gratified to see this and said, "If you encounter cultivation problems you don't understand, brothers and sisters should help each other. You are each other's support!"

Chen Songli also said, "If younger brothers or sisters have any Formation or Artifact Refining questions they don't understand, we can discuss them more. You can all come and ask me."

Chen Songli confidently added, "Especially Songyan, we can also discuss your Insect Rearing Technique together!"

Chen Songyan replied, "Haha, don't worry, Eldest Sister. I know my limits; if there's something I don't understand, I definitely won't keep it to myself."

The group chatted for a while longer. Chen Li then asked Chen Songxuan about the Non-Clan Cultivators. Chen Songxuan said they were all minor matters and there were no major issues.

Chen Li felt at ease, and the meeting ended.

A few days later, Zhu Lingyue entered her own Immortal Cave and began her seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment.

Inside the Immortal Cave, Zhu Lingyue felt that time passed very quickly, and she had finally reached Foundation Establishment.

Chen Li had shared his insights and experiences regarding Foundation Establishment with her, and Zhu Lingyue had learned a lot.

She took out a High Grade foundation establishment pill and began to swallow the medicine.

...

Another month passed. Chen Li had finished adjusting his mind and body. At Zizai Pavilion, Chen Songli had asked many things about Fourth Grade Formation Arrays over the past month.

"Father, I won't disturb you anymore. Go into seclusion. These Fourth Grade Formation Arrays are indeed a major hurdle! They're quite difficult!"

These past few days, she heard her father say that he had comprehended a Fourth Grade Formation Array in ten days without sleep or rest. She was completely stunned. What kind of Genius was this!

She felt that she wouldn't be able to grasp it without several months. How could he comprehend it so quickly?

Father said she was a once-in-a-millennium Formation Genius, so what kind of Genius was her father?

The higher the level, the more talent in the path of Formations is revealed!

Chen Li returned to the Great Sun Seed Cultivation Cave Mansion. After harvesting a crop of Spiritual Plants and planting a new batch, he prepared to swallow medicine to increase his cultivation.

Among the one hundred and sixty breakthrough pills refined last time, twenty-nine High Grade breakthrough pills were used to break through to the Middle Stage, and three Low Grade ones were sold. The remaining ones were enough to break through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!