10: Chapter 10 A Father's Status Rises Through His Son

Qingmu Su Clan, main branch council hall.

Sandalwood incense curled in the air, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Those seated here participating in the council were all high-ranking family members whose cultivation had reached the Qi Refining 7th Layer or higher.

Seated at the head was the Patriarch, Patriarch Su Changhe. His hair and beard were completely white, and the spiritual pressure emanating from him was steady; he had already reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining.

In the vicinity of Qingmu Market, where no Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator sat in command, this was the Su Family's greatest foundation for survival.

Yet, beneath this majesty, there was a faint, lingering air of decline, like a setting sun.

Patriarch Su Changhe possessed a Seventh-grade Spirit Root. This aptitude had carried him to the end of the Qi Refining Stage, but it had also become an insurmountable wall he could not cross in this lifetime.

Now over ninety years of age, his life force was fading, and he had long ceased to fantasize about the ethereal path to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

His daily seclusion was merely a strenuous effort to maintain his cultivation realm and keep the Su Family's reputation alive.

Yet today, at the end of the seating for this group of aged high-ranking members, sat a young man dressed in purple-gold robes.

It was the Young Clan Leader, Su Hao.

At this moment, Su Hao's aura was sharper and more overbearing than it had been three years ago. As his eyes opened and closed, a sharp light was restrained within, revealing that he had remarkably reached the Qi Refining Stage 8!

At twenty-four years old, reaching the Qi Refining Stage 8—this speed of cultivation might not be considered earth-shattering among those prestigious, large sects.

But in a low-level cultivation family like the one in Qingmu Market, he was definitely a prodigy encountered once in a century, enough to be regarded as the family's only hope for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the future.

Precisely because of this, Su Hao had naturally obtained the qualification to participate in the family's highest-level meetings.

"The recent profit distribution for the market has been decided. Next, let's discuss matters regarding the side branch."

Patriarch Su Changhe, seated at the head, spoke slowly, his gaze turning toward the Deacon Elder of the Internal Affairs Hall.

"I heard that a few days ago, a side branch member named Su Tian fathered an offspring with a Seventh-grade Spirit Root?"

"Reporting to the Patriarch, it is indeed true. This child is not only a Seventh-grade Spirit Root, but during testing, the spiritual light was clear and devoid of any impurities; he is a good seedling."

The Deacon Elder replied respectfully.

Patriarch Su Changhe nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his aged face.

"Our Su Family has a shallow foundation and our population is not thriving. In recent years, we have had side branch members marry commoner women to reproduce, but with little effect. Now that we finally have a Seventh-grade Spirit Root, this matter should be heavily rewarded to serve as an example."

"The Patriarch's words are absolutely correct."

Another elder stroked his beard and echoed, "This is like 'paying a thousand gold for a horse's bones.' If we heavily reward this Su Tian, the other side branch members who harbor resentment and do the bare minimum will see it and naturally put their full effort into expanding the family line."

"However, besides the magic artifacts and medicinal pills already bestowed by the Internal Affairs Hall, how else can we promote him?"

Just as the elders were deliberating, Su Hao, who was sitting at the end of the table, timely set down his teacup and spoke slowly.

"Father, honorable elders, this Su Tian has always been working under me."

Seeing everyone's gaze converge on him, Su Hao's tone was steady, yet carried an unquestionable sense of control.

"For these past six years, he has served as a patrol for the outer spiritual fields. He is extremely reliable in his actions; whenever I have ordered tasks to be carried out, he has never made a single mistake."

At this point, a slightly cold smile curled the corner of Su Hao's mouth.

Over these six years, in order to break through to the Qi Refining Stage 8, he had privately skimmed plenty of spiritual stones from the lower levels and even swindled and plundered the cultivation resources of side branch members.

All the dirty work that offended clansmen and the exploitation that invited curses were handled by Su Tian, who stood in front to block all the saliva and resentment for him.

In Su Hao's heart, Su Tian was just a Ninth-Grade Poor Talent piece of trash with aptitude so low it was extreme.

It was precisely because of this innate contempt that he found Su Tian so useful.

For a piece of trash who might not even see the end of the late Qi Refining Stage, besides clinging to him, what other path to survival could there be?

In Su Hao's view, Su Tian was the perfect lackey—with low aptitude, absolutely no threat, and loyal to him.

"Su Tian is loyal to me and handles matters with discretion. What is most rare is that he is a 'smart person' who knows his place."

"Now that he has rendered service to the family, it is only right that he be honored by his offspring."

Su Hao met the elders' gazes and took the opportunity to propose his own arrangements.

"The family's Spirit Herb Pavilion on the south street of the market is currently lacking a deputy manager. Why not entrust this task to him?"

"Firstly, it demonstrates that the family is clear in its rewards and punishments. Secondly, I can have someone of my own that I trust to keep a close eye on the income from the market for the family."

Hearing Su Hao's words, the Patriarch and elders present exchanged a satisfied look discreetly.

What they were satisfied with was naturally not Su Tian, this insignificant Ninth-Grade Poor Talent.

It was the competence and schemes Su Hao had displayed.

Knowing how to cultivate one's own confidants, knowing how to bestow favors upon subordinates at the right time.

This was the method a future successor of the family should have!

"Since he is a capable person under Hao'er's command, it is most appropriate for you to recommend him."

Patriarch Su Changhe made the final decision, his tone filled with undisguised relief.

"We shall follow your words: promote Su Tian to Deputy Manager of the Spirit Herb Pavilion, and he shall enjoy the treatment of a main branch outer sect deacon."

Half a day later.

On the outskirts of Qingmu Market, inside Su Yu's independent small courtyard.

The messenger disciple from the Internal Affairs Hall had just left, and on the stone table sat a brand-new manager's robe, along with a cyan jade token representing his identity.

His wife, Song Qingwan, stood to the side, looking at the robe that represented power and status, her eyes filled with disbelief and joy.

"Husband... is, is this really letting you go to the Spirit Herb Pavilion to be a deputy manager?"

Having struggled and crawled at the bottom for several years, Song Qingwan knew all too well the weight of this position.

Patrolling the outer spiritual fields was, in the end, just a bitter job watching the bottom rung.

But the Spirit Herb Pavilion in the market was the true core area for cultivator transactions!

Just a little bit of profit leaking through the fingers would be worth several years of hard work for a side branch member.

"Yes. The second son tested with a Seventh-grade Spirit Root, so the family naturally has to give a little sweetness."

Su Yu sat on the stone stool, casually picking up the jade token to examine it for a moment, his face devoid of any excitement from the sudden promotion.

Everything was within expectations.

For these six years, he had done countless dirty jobs for Su Hao, not just for those few spiritual stones, but more importantly, to firmly stick the label of "loyal dog" onto himself.

He knew very well that a genius like Su Hao, who was extremely selfish and arrogant, was most at ease with a Ninth-Grade Poor Talent piece of trash like him who was 'completely without threat.'

Now that Su Hao had taken the opportunity to promote his most reliable lackey to a lucrative position, it was simply a logical move of political maneuvering.

"Congratulations to Manager Master for your advancement."

Beside him, Qing'er also offered her congratulations in a soft voice.

At this moment, she stood to the side, her hands subconsciously gently stroking her flat lower abdomen, her eyes revealing a hint of hard-to-conceal anticipation.

Because the mistress, Song Qingwan, had given birth to a second son with a Spirit Root, she had not only received all the family's rewards but also firmly secured her position as the mistress of this courtyard.

Qing'er naturally longed immensely to one day give birth to an offspring with a Spirit Root for her husband.

Su Yu put away the jade token, his gaze looking toward the direction of the market center where the spiritual energy was more dense, a glimmer flashing in the depths of his profound eyes.

Being the Deputy Manager of the Spirit Herb Pavilion meant that he could finally, rightfully, leave the outer spiritual fields and come into contact with the family's deeper cultivation resources.

"Go prepare some wine and food."

Su Yu stood up and ordered in a calm tone.

"Starting tomorrow, we will move to the manager's residence inside the market."