1: Family revitalization, without spiritual roots

Inside the secret chamber, the oil lamp flickered like a bean, casting the shadow of the old man sitting cross-legged on the stone wall, distorted and enlarged, like a trapped beast on the verge of death.

The old man was over sixty, with white hair and beard, but his frame was broad, his muscles bulged, and beneath his old clothes was the physique of a martial artist honed by long years of training.

He was Li Yinglong, the chief escort and Clan Chief of the awe-inspiring Li Family Escort Agency in Linhai City.

At this moment, his face was reddish-gold, veins bulged on his forehead, and hot steam emanated from his body, with wisps of white vapor escaping from the Baihui acupoint on the top of his head.

A violent and chaotic Qi surged wildly within his body, tearing through his already well-tempered Meridians.

“Ugh… Pfft!”

Suddenly, Li Yinglong’s body shook violently, and he spat out a mouthful of scalding, rebellious blood.

The light in his eyes rapidly dimmed, his calloused hands fell limply, and his last shred of vitality, like a burnt-out wick, quietly extinguished.

"Evergreen Art"!

The ancestral teachings stated that this secret Cultivation Technique must not be practiced unless the Family faced the danger of annihilation!

Now, to counter the challenge of annihilation from Lin Bei, a junior of the Lin Family, he had ultimately gambled his life, only to end in failure...

Darkness, coldness, suffocation.

The deceased body of Li Yinglong suddenly tilted its head back, taking a deep, sharp breath, like a drowning person surfacing, greedily and urgently inhaling fresh air.

Countless fragments of unfamiliar memories surged into his mind like a breaking dam.

Sixty years of Jianghu turmoil, the rise and fall of the Escort Agency, Family affairs, faces of children and grandchildren... and the heavy sense of powerlessness against the relentless pressure from Lin Bei, the Genius youth of the Lin Family, and finally, the terrifying, bone-scorching pain of Cultivating the "Evergreen Art"...

A Soul from another world, a marketing director of a multinational company, also named Li Yinglong, Transmigrated at this moment, taking over this old yet robust body.

He also took over everything this body carried—a Martial Cultivation Family plagued by internal strife and external enemies.

“I… didn’t die?”

Li Yinglong (new) laboriously raised his hand, looking at the hands covered with calluses and old scars, feeling the weakness of his body from numerous injuries and illnesses, and the tearing sensation from the slow Fusion of two sets of memories in his mind.

In his previous life, he was an orphan, all alone, exhausting his energy in the ups and downs of the business world, eventually collapsing at his office desk late one night, with no one to care.

But in this life, this old man, also named Li Yinglong, until the moment of his death, still thought of the Family's survival and the safety of his children and grandchildren.

That "kinship" and "responsibility" he had never experienced stirred a complex ripple in his heart, which had long been hardened by the struggles of the business world.

Ding—host's strong will to survive and protect has been detected, meeting the binding conditions.

Family Revitalization is activating... Binding successful.

Initial Family building—Family Ancestral Hall (LV1) established.

Current bound Family: Linhai City Li Family.

Clan Chief: Li Yinglong.

Family Status: Endangered (internal worries, external powerful enemies).

Family Members: 37 people (21 direct Bloodline members, 16 servants of different surnames, all considered Family members).

Family Reputation: 10 (Family in decline, surrounded by powerful enemies).

Warning: Annihilation Challenge detected (from Lin Bei of the Lin Family), remaining time to respond: 27 days (upon expiry, defeat means death).

A cold, mechanical voice sounded directly in the depths of his consciousness.

Immediately after, a faint golden semi-transparent light screen, visible only to him, unfolded before his eyes, listing the aforementioned information.

“System? Golden Finger?”

His experience from his previous life allowed him to quickly understand the current situation.

He endured the severe pain, focused his mind, and carefully browsed the information on the light screen.

The System's functions were concise and clear, with an ancient Family Ancestral Hall building appearing on the light screen:

Family Ancestral Hall LV1, functions as follows:

Status Insight LV1: Can view Family members' talents, loyalty, and status; Taboo: Insight content cannot be directly told to Family members, or it will incur backlash, ranging from memory loss to death.

Aptitude Sharing LV1: Can permanently share the talent/Spiritual Root/Cultivation Body of 1 Family member.

Aptitude Improvement LV1: For every minor Realm advancement, gain 1 opportunity to bestow a random Low Grade Spiritual Root or Cultivation Body upon any Family member.

Collective Family Strength LV1: Exhaust the strength of the entire Family to forcibly advance the host by 1 minor Realm, lasting for half an hour, cooldown: 30 days. Side effects: 3 days of weakness afterward, 1 day of fatigue for the entire Family.

Perpetual Incense LV1: If the number of Family Bloodline members falls below 3, the System will unbind and erase the host.

(Other functions are not yet unlocked.)

“What? Erase?!”

Having navigated the business world for many years, he always saw information detrimental to himself first.

That "Perpetual Incense" function sent shivers down his spine.

This was cutting off his retreat route to lie flat and escape!

Once this annihilation challenge was issued, the Lin Family and their allies had already set up secret sentries throughout Linhai City.

If he failed, even if he could escape, his Family members would undoubtedly not escape slaughter.

Once the number of Family members fell below 3, the System would directly erase him!

Li Yinglong forced himself to calm down.

His gaze sharpened, quickly catching another crucial piece of information—"Growth Engine, Sharing Ability"!

He immediately reviewed his original body's memories regarding the "Evergreen Art."

This Cultivation Technique was left by an ancestor who, hundreds of years ago, was expelled from his Sect and sent back to his hometown because he couldn't achieve Foundation Establishment. It explicitly stated that one must possess a Spiritual Root to draw Qi into the body and Cultivate Evergreen True Qi.

This ancestor settled in Linhai City, founded the Li Clan, and only the Clan Chief knew about the "Evergreen Art."

The original body, without a Spiritual Root, forcibly circulated the cultivation method for the Family's fate, which was akin to playing with fire and courting disaster.

The original body never knew this until his death, because Mortals have no perception, and without a visible Spiritual Root, they are no different from ordinary people.

“Spiritual Root… sharing a Spiritual Root…”

He muttered to himself, a glint flashing in his eyes:

“Since the System has this function, there must be someone in the Clan with a Spiritual Root. As long as I find that person, share their Spiritual Root, and use these 27 days, I might be able to draw Qi into my body and Cultivate Evergreen True Qi. This way, I will surely win!”

“Moreover, this is a chain reaction. As long as I can advance my Realm, I can also perform Aptitude Improvement for any Family member. With such a virtuous cycle, Family revitalization is hopeful!”

His experience in the cutthroat business world of his previous life instantly calmed him down.

The prospects were beautiful, but the first step was the most crucial; otherwise, it was all empty talk.

Emotions were useless; only by utilizing all available resources could he find that path to survival.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his internal injuries, and shakily stood up.

Since he had inherited this body and taken on this Karma, he would protect this heavy kinship!

This was both a solace to the original body and a way to fill the void of kinship he lacked in his previous life.

“Someone!”

He pushed open the stone door of the secret chamber, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

His eldest son, Li Qingshan (38 years old), who was guarding the door, immediately stepped forward. Seeing his father's pale face and bloodstains on his lips, he was greatly alarmed:

“Father! You…”

“It’s nothing. I got a little off during Cultivation; a few days of adjustment will fix it.”

Li Yinglong waved his hand, interrupting him, his gaze calm:

“Ring the bronze bell and gather all Family members, including servants, to assemble in the front hall immediately! No delays!”

Li Qingshan, seeing his father's unprecedentedly grave expression, dared not ask further and immediately bowed and complied.

Soon, the low, urgent sound of the bell echoed over the Li Family compound.

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all thirty-seven members of the Li Family, men, women, old, and young, gathered in the somewhat simple front hall, their faces filled with doubt and unease.

His two sons, the eldest Li Qingshan and the second Li Qingchuan (35 years old), stood at the very front, followed by his grandchildren Li Changyun (16 years old), Li Changyu (14 years old), and others, and then by collateral disciples and old Family servants like Uncle Zhong.

Li Yinglong had changed into a clean black robe and sat at the head of the table. Although his face was still pale, his back was straight, and his gaze was sharp as he scanned every Family member below.

No one spoke, the atmosphere was terribly oppressive, and everyone felt the unusual solemnity emanating from the Clan Chief.

Li Yinglong silently chanted:

“System, Insight!”

Instantly, faint tags, visible only to him, appeared above each person's head.

Li Qingshan (Eldest Son)

Status: Worried, fatigued.

Bone Structure (Mortal Grade Medium), Comprehension Ability (Mortal Grade Low).

Talent: Talent for Family Governance (Mortal Grade High): Skilled in handling internal Family affairs, effectively allocating resources, appeasing people, and maintaining stable Family operations.

Loyalty: 98 (Loyal).

Spiritual Root: None.

Li Qingchuan (Second Son)

Status: Doubtful, calculating.

Bone Structure (Mortal Grade Low), Comprehension Ability (Mortal Grade Medium).

Talent: Merchant's Heart (Mortal Grade Medium): Sensitive to numbers, skilled in calculation and weighing pros and cons, possesses unique insight in managing Family businesses and external transactions.

Loyalty: 75 (Self-interested).

Spiritual Root: None.

Li Changyun (Eldest Grandson)

Status: Nervous, eager to try.

Bone Structure (Mortal Grade High), Comprehension Ability (Mortal Grade Medium).

Talent: Indomitable Spirit: Deeply bound to the holder's willpower and blood Qi. When sustaining damage and facing immense pressure, it can unleash combat power far exceeding normal. The heavier the injury, the fiercer the Battle Intent, and under boiling blood Qi, reactions, strength, defense, and resistance will temporarily skyrocket, especially when driven by the belief of protecting others, the effect is even more significant.

Loyalty: 99 (Reverent and Trusting).

Spiritual Root: None.

...He looked from his sons at the very front to the servants in the back row.

Name after name, status after status flashed before his eyes.

None! Absolutely none!

Out of thirty-seven people, not a single one possessed a Spiritual Root!

Not even a secondary special Cultivation Body!

His two sons' talents were suitable for managing the Family and starting businesses during peaceful times, but these were of no help to his current difficulties.

Li Yinglong's heart sank.

On the first day of his Transmigration, was he to wait for his Family to be annihilated?

Wasn't he the protagonist? Would he not even survive one episode?

He was unwilling!

“Everyone… is everyone here?”

Li Qingshan bowed and replied:

“Reporting to Father, all Family members and servants are here.”

Li Qingchuan also added:

“Even the dog in the backyard has been brought in, Father, what exactly happened?”

His tone carried a hint of subtle complaint, feeling that his father was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Li Yinglong closed his eyes, not answering him. Answering would be useless, only adding to the panic.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

A dead end? In the business world, finding life in desperation is the norm! There must be something he missed!

Just as the atmosphere in the hall dropped to freezing point, Old Zhou, the doorman, suddenly stumbled in, panting as he reported:

“Old… Old Master! Outside, outside, a little girl has come, all dirty, saying she… she says she is Master Yinghu’s daughter, here to recognize her relatives!”

“What?!”

Li Yinglong suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing.

Li Yinghu!

His Clan brother, who had the highest Aptitude, was as ambitious as the sky, and had left home to wander the Jianghu for over ten years without a word!

Li Yinghu was the son of the second branch, about thirty years younger than him, and his parents had died young.

Since Li Yinglong took over as Clan Chief, though they were nominally brothers, he had raised Li Yinghu himself, and their relationship was like father and son!

His previously dead heart suddenly rippled.

Li Yinghu's Martial Arts talent far surpassed his own. If he returned, he might not be unable to contend with Lin Bei!

Moreover, it was not impossible that he might possess a Spiritual Root!

“Quick! Please invite her in!”

Li Yinglong urgently called out.

A moment later, a small figure was led in.

She was about ten years old, wearing an ill-fitting, dust-covered coarse cloth dress.

Her face was pale, her lips chapped, but her eyes were large and bright, showing the fatigue of a long journey and deep fear, yet she tried hard to keep her small spine straight.

Her facial features and contours indeed bore a five or six-point resemblance to the spirited and unruly Li Yinghu in his memory.

The little girl stood timidly in the center of the hall, enduring the curious gazes of all the Li Family members, nervously clutching the corner of her clothes.

She was alone.

Li Yinglong suppressed his excitement, trying to keep his tone gentle:

“Child, don’t be afraid. I am the Family Head, Li Yinglong. You said you are Yinghu’s daughter? And your father… where is he now?”

Hearing her father mentioned, the little girl’s eyes instantly reddened, but she stubbornly did not let the tears fall.

“This… Uncle… I, my name is Li Qingzhu. My father… my father and mother, they… they were harmed by enemies…”

Before she finished speaking, tears had already burst forth.

She sobbed intermittently:

Her parents had taken her out, and somehow provoked a powerful enemy, being chased all the way.

Half a month ago, to protect her escape, her parents pushed her onto a passing merchant ship, telling her to come to the Li Family in Linhai City to seek refuge with her Uncle Li Yinglong.

As for her parents, to draw away the pursuers, their fate was unknown, likely dire.

She drifted with the ship to this place and, after much inquiry, finally found her way here.

Everyone in the hall sighed with sorrow upon hearing this.

Li Yinglong felt as if he had been struck a heavy blow. The flicker of hope that had just risen suddenly extinguished, leaving only a heart full of sorrow and anger.

Yinghu! His outstanding younger brother, had actually met such an end!

Amidst his grief and indignation, a huge sense of powerlessness swept over him again.

His last hope was also gone.

Was it truly Heaven's will to destroy his Li Family?

Just as his emotions surged, almost beyond his control—

Ding! Unawakened Spiritual Root seedling detected (latent Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Root), potential: excellent. Distance: 3 meters.

The System's prompt sounded cold and abrupt!

Li Yinglong was stunned, his pupils suddenly constricting.

Unawakened Spiritual Root seedling? Three meters away?

He slowly raised his head in disbelief, his gaze falling upon the small girl quietly sobbing in the center of the hall—Li Qingzhu.

The distance between them was exactly three meters!