53: A rough gem needs polishing; profound plans are hidden within.

The morning mist had fully dissipated, and sunlight spilled over the spirit fields and the verdant mountains in the distance; the view was vast, and the Spiritual Qi was fresh.

As the eldest brother, Qi Xuanjin naturally took on the responsibility of hosting the guest. With a warm smile on his face, he said to Tao Zhiwei:

"Sister Tao has come from afar, so you must be somewhat tired."

"If you don't mind, I can accompany you for a walk nearby. Although Green Cloud Mountain has no extraordinary sights..."

"...its scenery is quiet and elegant, and its spirit plants are lush, making it well worth a look."

Tao Zhiwei was just thinking of observing more of the Qi Family's spirit plant operations. Hearing this, she gave a slight nod, her cool voice polite:

"Then I shall trouble you... Junior Brother Qi."

She hesitated for a moment before choosing the term "Junior Brother," which showed closeness without losing a sense of propriety.

As soon as Qi Xuanlin heard about "taking a walk," he immediately perked up and rushed ahead of his elder brother, saying:

"Yes, yes, yes! Sister Tao, I know where the best views are!"

"There's a small patch of 'Star Mist Orchids' in the back mountain that Father transplanted from outside. They're so beautiful when they bloom!"

"And also, there are several clumps of 'Cold Smoke Grass' growing by the spirit spring. Frost crystals form on the edges of the leaves; it's quite fun!"

His tone was exuberant, as if he couldn't wait to show off every corner of the mountain he found novel and interesting.

Qi Xuanjin looked at his brother's impatient manner and felt helpless, but he could only let him be. He gave an apologetic smile to Tao Zhiwei:

"My younger brother has a lively personality; please don't take offense, Sister Tao."

"It's fine. Xuan Lin's nature is straightforward and sincere; it is quite good."

Tao Zhiwei said indifferently, but her gaze had already followed the direction of Qi Xuanlin's finger, looking deep into the mountain forests.

Star Mist Orchids and Cold Smoke Grass were both first-grade low-rank spirit plants that were somewhat picky about their growing environment.

While not considered rare, the fact that they could be successfully transplanted and propagate here spoke to the Qi Family's understanding of spirit plant habits.

The three of them strolled along the small path by the fields.

Qi Xuanjin introduced the general layout of the mountain, his speaking pace steady and his logic clear.

Qi Xuanlin was like a cheerful little sparrow, occasionally adding details... It wasn't until the sun began to sink in the west that the stone door of the Immortal Cave opened once again.

Tao Mingqian and Qi Yuan walked out side by side, both with smiles on their faces. They had clearly enjoyed their conversation and reached certain consensuses.

The Tao father and daughter bid their farewells and departed, riding their Magical Artifacts as they transformed into streaks of light, flying toward the west of the county.

During the flight, Tao Mingqian glanced at his daughter's calm expression and spoke:

"Zhiwei, what do you think of this Qi Family?"

Tao Zhiwei pondered for a moment, a strange look appearing on her beautiful face.

Recalling what she had seen and heard today, she slowly said:

"Father, rumors say Family Head Qi has nine children, and today I saw two of them."

"The eldest son, Xuan Jin, is steady and composed, knowing when to advance or retreat; he has the air of a Family head. However, that sixth son, Xuan Lin..."

She paused, seemingly weighing her words:

"This boy's talent and spirituality are indeed top-notch, and his cultivation progress is fast."

"But... his Heart-Nature is flighty, and he is loose-lipped."

"In just two hours today, he revealed quite a bit of Family information through his words."

She shook her head slightly:

"One can see the man in the child, and though this saying isn't absolute, he is already thirteen, yet his conduct is still so... careless, lacking in depth."

"If such a disciple were to take charge of affairs in the future, I fear it would not be a blessing for the Qi Family. However,"

She changed her tone, her voice returning to its usual calm,

"The Qi Family has managed their spirit plants so solidly in just a few years, and their Formation arrangements also show great skill. Their foundation is indeed deep, and they should not be underestimated in the future."

"Collaborating with them seems to be a mutually beneficial matter for now."

Hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Tao Mingqian's eyes. He nodded and said no more, though he did not agree with her evaluation of Qi Xuanlin.

A young talent should naturally be different; seeing that he showed no arrogance toward his elder brother, whose cultivation was far inferior to his own, was already enough... At Green Cloud Mountain, after seeing off the guests, the smile on Qi Yuan's face gradually faded.

Qi Xuanjin took a step forward, his face carrying a hint of heaviness as he whispered:

"Father, the Tao Family... I fear they have already guessed from Sixth Brother's words that our Qi Family possesses other talisman-making skills."

"That batch of green silk vine and Ironwire Mulberry has long been transplanted elsewhere, so the Tao Family does not know..."

Beside them, Qi Xuanlin also hung his head, his small face full of regret and unease.

At that time, he only felt that Tao Zhiwei was listening intently, and her occasional questions were all to the point, giving him a sense of having found a "kindred spirit."

Coupled with the other party's repeated praise for the Qi Family's spirit plant management, he had become momentarily boastful and lost his filter, even ignoring several hinting glances from his elder brother.

Looking back now, he realized with a shock that he had likely said many things he shouldn't have.

Qi Yuan looked at his two sons, especially the dejected Qi Xuanlin. He had long expected this, but his face still darkened appropriately.

He didn't speak immediately, his gaze merely sweeping over the two before finally landing on Qi Xuanlin, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority:

"Since you know you've made a mistake, you must be punished."

"From this day forward, you will go to the Reflection Cave in the back mountain and remain in seclusion for one month."

"You are to calmly transcribe the 'Basics of Spirit Plants' ten times."

Qi Xuanlin's face turned pale.

The Reflection Cave was a place of hardship, and transcribing texts was even more tedious. With his flighty nature, he could least endure such restraint, let alone for an entire month!

But he knew he had caused trouble and didn't dare to argue, much less go to his mother to plead for mercy—his mother would never interfere with a punishment set by his father; instead, she might even add more lectures.

He could only respond weakly, "Yes, Father."

Then, he headed toward the back mountain with his head hanging low.

Watching his Sixth Brother's departing back, the worry in Qi Xuanjin's eyes had not faded. He turned to his father and asked hesitantly:

"Father, since you already knew Sixth Brother's nature, why did you still let him join in receiving the Tao Family today?"

"Fifth Brother has a resolute character and is also a Medium Grade Spiritual Root; wouldn't he... be more suitable?"

Qi Yuan looked at the sincere confusion in his eldest son's eyes and nodded inwardly.

That Xuan Jin could think of this and ask directly showed that he was indeed thinking.

The solemnity on his face softened slightly, and he signaled for his eldest son to follow him into the Immortal Cave before slowly speaking:

"Firstly, our Qi Family is newly established, and we need to show a certain grandeur to others."

"Xuan Lin has the best talent and the fastest progress."

"It was most suitable for him to make an appearance."

"Secondly,"

Qi Yuan lowered his voice a bit, "Xuan Qing's personality is reserved, and he acts steadily."

"It is enough for outsiders to know that our Qi Family's next generation has a Genius with a Medium Grade Spiritual Root like Xuan Lin."

"Hiding the blade in the scabbard allows its sharpness to be preserved. Letting Xuan Qing stay steadily behind the scenes and grow in silence is the long-term plan."

Having said this, he paused, his gaze casting toward the deepening twilight outside the Immortal Cave, becoming profound and complex.

It seemed that his next considerations were difficult to fully explain to his eldest son.

Qi Yuan was silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping the cold bluestone tabletop.

"Thirdly..."

He thought to himself, his mind churning with ideas.

"Xuan Lin's extraordinary talent is a blessing for the Qi Family, but it could also be a hidden worry."

"His Heart-Nature is flighty and sincere, completely lacking in guile. In this cultivation world, he is like someone carrying fine jade through a crowded market."

He had some reservations about the 'Evergreen Soul Tracing Seal' judging a person's temperament before they were even born, but after years of teaching, he had come to believe it somewhat.

Xuan Lin's lapse in words and conduct this time was exactly the right opportunity.

Seclusion for reflection is the public punishment, while quietly laying down a Restriction is the hidden arrangement.

In this way, it happens naturally and won't seem like I, as a father, am intentionally treating him differently or being harsh.

It also allows me to nip trouble in the bud and add a layer of steady protection for his future path.