104: A storm is brewing; Xuantong returns home.

Green Cloud Mountain, halfway up the slope, a meticulously tended spirit field courtyard.

Qi Xuanjin rolled up his sleeves, focused on casting the "Spirit Rain Art."

Fine, dense threads of Spiritual Qi rain fell evenly onto a patch of thriving "Green Jade Ears."

This was a supplementary herb for refining the first-tier Medium Grade Medicinal Pill, the "Qi Harmonizing Pill," and it had a high demand for Spiritual Qi.

He had been in the Mid-Stage Qi Refining for many years, and his cultivation had been stuck at the Peak of the fifth layer for some time.

However, his skill in nurturing spirit plants had become increasingly proficient; he could now stably Cultivate first-tier Medium Grade spirit plants.

The Family was growing daily; there were already six nephews and nieces of the "Qing" generation who had begun to Cultivate one after another.

The rules for various expenses were also much more formal than when he and his brothers were young.

He had a steady and practical temperament and disliked conflict; managing these trivial matters actually gave him peace of mind.

"Husband."

A soft call came.

Qi Xuanjin ceased his technique and turned to look, seeing his wife, Zhao Qingwan, walking gracefully along the field ridge.

Now over thirty, Zhao Qingwan had shed her youthful greenness, gaining a bit more gentle charm.

Due to her cultivation, her appearance remained beautiful.

She was the only daughter-in-law of the Qi Family who possessed cultivation.

With Qi Xuanjin's help, she had already entered the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Combined with her intelligent and reasonable nature, the various aunts liked and looked after her very much.

"Wan'er, why have you come?"

Qi Xuanjin wiped his hands and went to meet her.

As Zhao Qingwan approached, a hint of worry touched her brow, and she lowered her voice:

"Just now, I went to give the Third Aunt some newly made Soothing Incense. I saw her alone in her room, her eyes a bit red as if she had been crying.

Husband, has something happened at home? Could it be Eighth Brother at the market..."

Hearing this, Qi Xuanjin sighed inwardly.

Regarding the Secret Realm, although their father hadn't explicitly forbidden telling the female Family members, everyone tacitly avoided mentioning it to prevent unnecessary worry.

Now that the date was approaching, it was clear they couldn't hide it anymore, and since his wife was not an outsider and was quite perceptive.

After a moment of deliberation, he led Zhao Qingwan to a secluded spot and briefly explained that the three brothers would all be heading to the Earth Spirit Secret Realm.

After hearing this, Zhao Qingwan's pretty face instantly lost its color. She grabbed Qi Xuanjin's arm, her voice trembling:

"What?! All three going together?

Husband, you... how can you all take such a risk!

The Qi Family has been established for barely half a jiazi; its Foundation is still shallow. Currently, it relies entirely on father and you brothers to uphold the household.

Since that Secret Realm is a Foundation Establishment Opportunity, it must be extremely perilous!

If... if something goes wrong, losing even one person would be an unbearable pain for the Family. If it's all three... how could the Qi Family survive?

Father... why would he agree to such an arrangement?!"

She usually enjoyed reading miscellaneous cultivation records and accounts of local customs, so she wasn't entirely ignorant of the dangers of Secret Realm exploration.

Because of this, she was even more terrified.

Qi Xuanjin took his wife's slightly cool hand in his and sighed, his face also full of helplessness and confusion:

"I can't quite fathom Father's thoughts either.

Perhaps... it's precisely because the Secret Realm is too dangerous that he's letting the three go together, so they can look out for each other and have a better chance."

He could only comfort his wife this way, and comfort himself... Cloud Dream County, Cuiyun Town.

A somewhat unfamiliar sword light descended. As the light faded, it revealed the travel-worn yet excitedly beaming figure of Qi Xuantong.

He hadn't returned home for nearly ten years, ever since his father visited him at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion a decade ago, instructing him to focus on his cultivation and not wander outside.

Since then, he had devoted himself to Artifact Refining and cultivation, rarely even visiting the markets.

He had only occasionally heard vague news of his father's "old injuries resurfacing" or "declining health" from the idle talk of passing merchants and Cultivators.

Although worried, he didn't dare disobey his father's command to return home without permission.

Now that the Secret Realm was about to open, he was finally able to return.

Walking through the streets of Cuiyun Town after many years of absence, looking at the scenes that were both familiar and somewhat strange, his heart was filled with emotion.

The town seemed more prosperous than he remembered, and the presence of Cultivators was noticeably more frequent.

He was about to head straight up the mountain when he saw seven or eight Cultivators in various styles of dress gathered before the mountain path entrance to Green Cloud Mountain.

Most were at the Late Stage Qi Refining, peering toward the mountain path and discussing something with expressions of anxiety and reluctance.

Qi Xuantong was puzzled and couldn't help but slow his pace.

Just then, a green-robed figure appeared on the mountain path; it was his sixth brother, Qi Xuanlin.

He was now the Family Head, dressed in a simple green robe with a long sword at his waist. His face was handsome, and there was a sharp, authoritative air about his brow.

As soon as Qi Xuanlin appeared, those Cultivators below the mountain immediately swarmed forward, shouting all at once:

"Family Head Qi! Family Head Qi, please wait! Let's discuss this further!

I am willing to pay eight hundred Spirit Stones, just for one Guest Elder slot!"

"That's right, Family Head Qi!

Your esteemed Old Ancestor is in seclusion. Right now, aren't you the only one who meets the criteria to enter the Secret Realm?

Since the slots are empty anyway, why not do us a favor? The price is negotiable!"

"Family Head Qi, I am a disciple of the Liu Clan of Linchuan Prefecture. I am willing to exchange a first-tier Peak-grade secret technique of my Family..."

Everyone's words were earnest, even carrying a hint of pleading, as their fervent gazes focused on Qi Xuanlin.

Qi Xuanlin's expression was cold, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, his voice distant:

"Everyone, my Qi Family's slots are already arranged; we have no intention of exchanging them externally.

If you wish to stay at the foot of Green Cloud Mountain, you may do so, but I will not entertain you further."

Having said that, he turned to return to the mountain.

"Sixth Brother!"

Seeing this, Qi Xuantong quickly called out and stepped forward.

Qi Xuanlin turned and saw him, a genuine smile appearing on his stern face:

"Eighth Brother? You're back."

He then ignored the crowd below and pulled Qi Xuantong up the mountain.

Qi Xuantong followed, unable to resist looking back at the Cultivators who still refused to disperse, asking in a low voice:

"Sixth Brother, they are...?"

Qi Xuanlin sneered:

"What else? They've gone mad wanting a chance to enter the Secret Realm.

The rules set by the Southern Yue Zhao Family—how could the loopholes be so easy to exploit?

Do they really think they can just hang a Guest Elder title and safely get a piece of the pie? Naive!

If they want to take advantage of the Zhao Family, they should consider if they have enough lives to spare."

Qi Xuantong understood, but was also a bit concerned:

"Are we just going to let them block the foot of the mountain? If someone feels resentful and harbors ill intent..."

Qi Xuanlin didn't stop, a grim look appearing at the corner of his mouth as a cold light flashed in his eyes:

"Don't worry.

Enshrined Expert Nie and Fifth Brother have been waiting at the foot of the mountain for a long time.

If these people just leave honestly, then so be it.

But if anyone dares to make a move... well, my Qi Family has been low-key for too long. Some people have likely forgotten their place.

Using them to establish our prestige wouldn't be a bad thing."

Ever since his father "withdrew" due to heavy injuries, every time he represented the Family to pay tributes or handle affairs, he had suffered no small amount of secret exclusion and slighting.

Seeing the cold sternness on his sixth brother's profile, Qi Xuantong felt a chill, followed by a surge of heroic spirit.

His Family seemed to be more prepared than he had imagined.