"There is a room on the second floor of Fuyuanju that has been reserved for high-level Wang family members for long-term use."
Here, Yu Lou met the clan leader of the Wang family, Wang Xianmao, for the second time.
Wang Xianmao, one of the three Zhuben (an honorary title) of the family, is the clan chief of the Wang family.
The last time I saw him was five years ago. At that time, Yu Lou only saw his back from a distance.
Now, facing the clan chief, Yu Lou felt a kind of suppressed terror in his heart.
Wang Xianmao was a towering figure, yet his complexion was dark blue, and his lips were faintly pale.
Although he had a dashing appearance, he was emaciated and pitiful.
However, the powerful spiritual aura of the foundation-level cultivator was so prominent that it could not help but attract people's attention.
The combination of the two gave him an appearance of both being withered and majestic.
Is this what a foundation-level cultivator looks like?
Could it be that when the Dao cultivation reaches high levels in this world, it will have a counteraction?
Yu Lou couldn't make sense of it.
He led Yu An obediently, first bowing in respect to the clan leader and the old man of the Rongwen family, and then stood with a lowered head.
Seeing his son's condition was much the same as when he left home, Wang Rongwen's heart slightly calmed down.
But the difference between Yu Lou and Yu An standing together was too great.
It's not the difference between bright moonstones and muddy pearls, or the difference between sky-blue eyes and earth-colored eyes. The difference between the two brothers is close to zero in terms of natural talent, but there is a special kind of demeanor.
All elders understand this. Some children look restless and unruly, while others are particularly obedient and likable.
That's the difference.
Yu An couldn't help but keep looking around, while Yu Lou stood there obediently waiting for the elders to ask questions.
This difference may seem small, but for Wang Rongwen, it was actually quite significant.
There's a sense of embarrassment that feels like wanting to throw away one item for another.
"What are you looking at? Stand straight!" Wang Rongwen scolded.
Wang Xianmao waved his hand and asked in a mild tone.
"Hahaha, no problem. Yu An, how did you find your time in Qingxi Lane?"
Yu Lou thought, "This elderly cultivator who looks like he's been bedridden with serious illness has a voice that's identical to a normal person."
"Everything's good, except I miss the clan leader and father a bit."
Having hung out with Yu Lou for a long time, Yu An thought he had learned the essence and boldly flattered, but without any substance.
Unfortunately, young Yu An doesn't understand some things.
For example, as long as you dare to be brave, life can give you a big nose.
"The path to cultivation is vast. The Wang family's descendants should have a stable and strong heart, be self-reliant. You are already thirteen years old, why still act like a child?"
It's no wonder that Wang Rongwen is Yu An's biological father. He really hopes his son can do better.
Clan leader Wang Xianmao did not express his opinion but instead observed Yu Lou, nodding to himself silently.
Indeed, as described in the letter from Rong Yuan, this child is indeed a good candidate for supporting the family.
"Yu Lou, what have you learned from Hongmei Zishi?"
Wang Xianmao, with his hands cupping the spherical spiritual wood bead, looked at Yu Lou and asked.
"Rong Yuan uncle said at the time......"
"......as well as melting gold and breaking stone. Yu An has made remarkable progress in this area, and I am far behind him."
Yu Lou recounted the process of learning his craft over the past few days in detail, and at the end, he also gave Yu An a pat on the back.
"Clan leader nodded lightly and said."
"It seems that we made the right decision in arranging you to Qingxi Lane. Hongmei truly has profound knowledge."
"It seems from what you've said that his true teachings are not aligned with the Fulong Temple."
"Fulong Temple?" Yu Lou and Yu An both didn't understand the clan leader's words.
Fulong Temple, of course, they were familiar with, just like the Red Light School, Fulong Temple was also one of the Ten Schools in Wuning.
But why would Wang Xianmao mention Fulong Temple?
"Fulong Temple has a foundation-level cultivator who achieved enlightenment on the territory of the Red Light School. More specifically, it is around Qingxi Lane."
"Fengmei's fire arts are profound, Fulong Temple practices fire and earth arts, we even speculated that he might have some connection to Fulong Temple."
Wang Rongwen, beside him, spoke up and quietly explained to the two teenagers.
Yu Lou and Yu An are both Wang family members, so these small matters can naturally be told to them.
The two young men looked at each other, and the clan leader lifted his hand and pointed at Wang Rongwen.
"You two haven't seen each other for a long time. Take this opportunity to chat properly."
The old man of the Rongwen family naturally understood and pulled down Wang Yuanan with his sleeve.
"Yu Lou, this is the first time I have seen you, and we haven't mentioned anything about your parents to the clan. Will you blame us?"
"Yu Lou dares not, nor would I. The Wang family has treated me well, and Uncle Rong Yuan treats me like his own child."
"The family wants to develop, even just maintaining the current status, requires people to take responsibility. Your parents are the pride of the Wang family."
Focus on your cultivation, we have already avenged their grievances for you, you don't need to worry about these."
The difference between having a position and not having one lies in this, and Yu Lou was grateful that he had crossed over to a great clan.
Don't have to bear the burden of needing to avenge family and country, with a rival who will definitely come back after defeating the smaller one.
The sky falls with the ancestral elders!
With Wang Xianmao's successful foundation cultivation and profound skills, he still has at least a hundred years of life span, so Yu Lou doesn't have to worry about the decline of the family after the ancestral elder passes away.
"Yu Lou understands, I will definitely study diligently and improve my cultivation to practice Daoism, return to the family, and help the family prosper!"
"Hahaha, good kid. Did you encounter any difficulties while practicing in Qingxi Lane?"
Yu Lou hesitated for a moment, and Wang Xianmao noticed his hesitation, his expression grew serious.
Could there be someone daring to bully the Wang family's disciples?
"With the help of Uncle Nanqiu, there are no difficulties. It's just that...... Clan chief, my master does have some peculiar characteristics."
Yu Lou didn't want to mention the oddities about his master, Hongmei, after all, he was his teacher.
But the Wang family's family rules had told him how cruel this Daoist world was.
It's a matter of knowing a person's face but not their heart. Trusting someone too easily is actually not a good thing.
If Hongmei may have issues, it's better to report them to the clan chief in a timely manner.
"Speak up!"
"The first point is that his daughter is responsible for teaching us the techniques of fire arts and cultivation."
She once casually told me that the fire arts my master practices are not only used for refining Daoist paths.
Firstly, the fire is controlled internally, emanating from oneself; then it is harnessed externally, corresponding to the stage of practicing Qi.
Finally, it is to lead the fire into the body and use it to forge the foundation of Daoist cultivation.
Using fire to forge the foundation of Daoist cultivation, is this the doorway for foundation-level cultivation?"
Wang Xianmao nodded and said.
"Yes, he may not have obtained the inheritance of foundation-level cultivation from anywhere, but his inheritance is clearly problematic. Any method that relies on external forces to forge the foundation of Daoist cultivation is a wrong path. Tell me about some other methods."
"The second point is that Hongmei's daughter, who should be at the stage of five layers of Qi refinement, can practice the techniques of mastering external fire in the gas period."
When she practices this art, she wears special talismans to protect herself from the harm of the flames.
The talismans are certainly not ordinary. They don't need her to actively activate them, and they are originally cotton talismans that can resist fire.
"I'm not very familiar with refining Daoist paths. Clan chief, what do you think?"
Wang Xianmao pondered for a long time and said with a hint of sentiment.
"If there are no accidents, Hongmei should have already been preparing for the foundation-level cultivation."
Taking you as his disciples is partly because he wants to save on rent and accumulate a foundation for your advancement to the foundation-level cultivation.
On the other hand, the Daoist inheritance he has obtained is not very good, and perhaps he wants to borrow our Wang family's support to get him through.
"Right, how old is his daughter?"
By the end of the conversation, Wang Xianmao sized up Yu Lou and suddenly began to contemplate the possibility of a marriage alliance.
Marriage alliance is good.
Hongmei is casting seductive glances, hoping to use the Wang family as a backup.
The Wang family naturally wants to seize the opportunity to see if they can directly transition, absorbing Hongmei as a client of the clan.
"Fifteen," Yu Lou replied.
He naturally understood what Wang Xianmao was thinking and added a thoughtful supplement.
"Yu An is fond of his sister-in-law."
Clan Chief Wang was amused by the mature demeanor of Yu Lou.
"Child, you are truly smart."
"Haha, that's enough. All the observations you've mentioned today are important."
"Come on, here's a reward for you."
"Spirit alcohol?"
"It's eight-grade Monkey Alcohol. With your cultivation level, drinking a quarter cup at a time would be sufficient."
"This cup is also a reward for you. Later, have your master modify it, and refine it into a bell."
This is the first time Yu Lou, who has been born twice, has experienced the treatment of a second-generation scholar's offspring.
The eight-grade spirit alcohol was given without hesitation.
Lower-grade spiritual instruments can be given directly as well.
Is this what it's like to be a foundation-level Daoist practitioner?
That's too domineering!
"Yu Lou will definitely cultivate well and not disappoint the clan's trust and encouragement!"
Hearing this, Wang Xianmao nodded in satisfaction.
With talented individuals emerging from generation to generation in the family, it will remain prosperous.
Wang Xianmao saw in Yu Lou the ability to remain calm and meticulous, the ability to be profound and wise, and even the love and care for his own clan members.
Thinking about this, he encouraged.
"You must cultivate well. I am the clan chief of the Wang family now, but eventually, the Wang family will fall into your hands."
If your cultivation and strength are not enough, you cannot bear the responsibility of the family.
Alright... Let me take you to broaden your horizons the day after tomorrow. Oh, and don't forget about Yu An.
You can just follow Rongwen then."
"I will definitely follow the clan chief's teachings. Yu Lou will not forget!"
Wang Xianmao was smiling from ear to ear, but quickly sobered up, with his foundation-level cultivator's ability to change expressions at such a fast pace that Yu Lou didn't even notice.
"Alright, alright. I have some secret family sauce-drenched donkey meat, take it and eat."
"..."
Clan Chief Wang, you really treat me like a child…
And there are these spiritual fruits, they were given to me by Nanqiu. Don't let him see you eating them."
