The guest room had settled into something calmer by now as the excited emotions slowly died down and were replaced by quiet conversation. His mother chatting about this or that girl back in the clan that he might be interested in. While his father occasionally chimed in from the side, giving him tidbits about the clan and clan members.

  Every so often, they would ask questions regarding his time at the sect and he would give carefully crafted answers that would give them no cause to worry over him.

  Eventually, the door to the room swung open, and the Magistrate entered, a warm smile plastered on his face. Behind him came the Snow Peak elder, her face still half-covered by the veil. Rou Lin followed half a step behind her, posture straight and gaze composed, looking every bit like a proper Inner Sect disciple from the Nine Peak Sect.

  His parents rose immediately cupping their hands toward the Snow Peak Elder in respect, and Li Yuan rose with them.

  "Daoist Li. Madam Li," the Magistrate said warmly, hands clasped behind his back. "Redleaf Prefecture is truly fortunate. To raise such a dragon among men… young master Li's achievements have brought honor not only to your clan, but to this entire prefecture."

  He blinked in confusion, wondering what this guy was talking about. His gaze then slid over to Rou Lin. She gave him an amused smile, and his eyes twitched as he wondered what she had told the Magistrate about him.

  then, Li Yuan watched the Magistrate's eyes flick briefly toward the elder before returning to his parents.

  "As for the matter of the Ashen Ridge Mountain Range," the Magistrate continued, voice smooth, "I have reconsidered. In hard times like these, unity is paramount. I am prepared to dispatch forces to assist the Li Clan and join the battle myself… for only 10% of its mineral resources for the next 10 years."

  He tilted his head at those words. Compared to the price the Magistrate had been asking before, this was almost negligible.

  Li Yuan did not miss the irony. Barely an hour ago, that 'assistance' had come with a price so steep it bordered on humiliation. Where was this so called unity then?

  His father cleared his throat. "We are grateful for Your Excellency's generosity," he said, tone respectful but steady. "However, word has just reached us from the clan. The matter has already been resolved."

  The Magistrate's smile thinned, though only for a fraction of a second. "Resolved?"

  "My son has assured us that appropriate support will be provided," his father replied. "The Ashen Ridge territory was granted to the Li Clan. It is only proper that we shoulder our own responsibilities. We apologise for troubling Your Excellency earlier."

  For a brief moment, something ugly flickered across the Magistrate's face before he smoothed it away. "Of course, of course. Self-reliance is admirable."

  This time the Magistrate's gaze settled directly on Li Yuan. And Li Yuan met it calmly, offering neither confirmation nor denial. A brief but heavy silence followed as the two of them looked at each other before his father finally stepped in.

  "We will return to the clan shortly," his father added. "Preparations must begin at once. I hope Your Excellency doesn't mind."

  "Naturally," the Magistrate replied.

  Li Yuan turned slightly toward the Snow Peak elder. "Senior, would it be acceptable for my parents to accompany us aboard the flying ship?"

  The elder regarded him for a heartbeat before giving a small nod.

  She then turned and walked toward the courtyard without waiting for anyone else. The Magistrate hurried after her, speaking quickly in low tones, attempting to recover some measure of control over the situation.

  Li Yuan followed with his parents and Rou Lin close behind.

  When they stepped outside, he noticed that the courtyard had remained crowded. Officials stood in clusters talking to each other in low voices, guards lined the perimeter, and servants pretended to busy themselves while stealing glances at the Flying Ship landed at the courtyard.

  As the Snow Peak Elder returned to the courtyard, most gazes shifted toward her. But not all. He noticed a few gazes looking at him with hostile intent and turned to see a small group standing at the very back of the crowd.

  Their expressions were tight, and displeased. With some difficulty he was able to notice the embroidery on the robes and his eyes narrowed.

  Qin family. Bitter rivals of his Li family.

  From what he remembered, the Qin family had a total of 7 Foundation Establishment cultivators, with their strongest being at the Late stage of Foundation Establishment Realm.

  Due to that power disparity, the Qin family often suppressed Li family in many matters. Whether it be regarding the land that lay in between their clan, or the yearly Family gatherings.

  It was also said that, out of all the 9th grade families in the Redleaf Prefectures, the Qin family had the greatest likelihood of becoming a next 8th Grade family. After all, they already had 7 of the 10 Foundation Establishment cultivators, and 3 of the 5 Mid-grade Spirit Lakes required for that promotion.

  If that happened, then the Li family would truly be done for.

  Then, he watched as a voluptuous woman wearing sensual clothes that showed off her shapely thighs joined that group. And his eyes widened as he noticed the Purple halo atop her head.

  "Father." He said quietly. "Who is she?"

  His father followed his line of sight and his expression cooled. "That's the Qin family members. They're here to interfere with our rise."

  "What do you mean by that?" He asked.

  "The Qin family members arrived here earlier." His mother added from the side. "We don't have any proof but we suspect that the main reason the Magistrate charged us such an exorbitant fee for his help was due to Qin family's interference."

  "I see." He said, his eyes narrowing toward those men before his gaze fell upon the purple halo once again. "Who's that woman with them?" He asked.

  "Oh that. She's the concubine of the Qin family clan head." His father said. "It is said that she has even greater influence in the family than the primary wife because of her cultivation as a Mid-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator."

  "There are rumours saying that she's a demonic cultivator." His mother whispered from the side. "If that woman ever approaches you, don't engage with her. Understood, Yuan'er?"

  "Yes, mother." He said as he noticed that the woman had noticed his gaze and was now looking right at him, a seductive smile on her face as she threw him an amused wink.

  He ignored her and focused on her purple halo. And soon, a vision unfolded.

  It was night time, and a group of masked figure wearing black robes rushed through a forested terrain under the moonlight. There were five of them, and all five were at Foundation Establishment Realm.

  The five figures descended into a Hidden valley where a Mid-grade Spirit Lake shimmer softly at the bottom. A Foundation Establishment cultivator standing guard beside it.

  The insignia upon the robe of that Foundation Establishment cultivator showed him to be of the Yu family. A close ally of the Li family. A family that had two Foundation Establishment cultivators, and one Mid-grade Spirit Lake.

  Their arrival did not go unnoticed as the shouts went off in the valley. Various Qi Condensation Realm cultivators launched attacks against the 5 figures, but against Foundation Establishment experts, they stood no chance and were swiftly cut down.

  Eventually, they arrived at the front of the spirit lake, which now had its Defensive formation activated, with the Foundation Establishment elder of the Yu family powering the Defensive Formation.

  The five figures quickly started attacking the Defensive Formation with all their might. Taking out various artefacts and talismans to aid in their attacks.

  What was surprising was that even though four of the figures quickly grew tired and started to run low on Qi reserves, the sole female figure in the group continued attacking, launching Qi attacks after Qi attacks without stopping, as if she had an endless reserve of Qi.

  The Defensive Formation lasted for ten minutes before it finally started to buckle under her relentless attacks and started showing cracks on its surface. Not five minutes after that, the Formation finally shattered.

  The five figures rushed in and slaughtered the Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Yu family.

  Finally, silence returned in the valley. And then, the masked woman stepped forward and pressed a hand to her abdomen. Her dantian opened, and something emerged.

  A Gu.

  It resembled a translucent leech the size of a fist, its body lined with faint golden veins. Its mouth was ringed with crystalline teeth.

  Having already read multiple books on Gu, Li Yuan recognised this legendary Gu in an instant.

  The Heaven-Devouring Lakeheart Gu.

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  The Gu jumped down her hand and dropped into the Spirit Lake. It quickly swam to the bottom of the lake and burrowed underground. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, the water of the Spirit Lake started to churn violently.

  The spiritual essence of the lake soon started to spiral downward as through someone had opened a plug in a sink. The lake started to shrink visibly, its luminous water draining into the earth until the entire lake had vanished. Leaving behind only dried and cracked mud in its wake.

  A Mid-grade Spirit Lake—gone.

  With this, and the loss of one of their Foundation Establishment cultivator, the Yu clan would no longer have the right to remain a 9th Grade family, losing Li clan one of their strongest ally.

  Moments later, the Gu resurfaced, its belly faintly swollen with light, and slithered back into the woman's dantian where it fell dormant.

  The woman studied the Gu within her dantian quietly for a moment, then, she laughed.

  "Is it done, my love?" One of the masked figures asked and the woman gave a nod.

  "It is. The Heaven Devouring Lakeheart Gu has finally been upgraded once again. After fifty years of hard work, it is now finally equivalent to a Top-grade Spirit Lake."

  Then, the vision ended and it was all Li Yuan could do to force his expression into neutrality. Thankfully, no one around him seemed to notice the storm that had just passed through his mind.

  To think the Qin family had concealed such a monstrous secret for half a century.

  A Heaven Devouring Lakeheart Gu was a miraculous Gu and could replicate the effects of a Spirit Lake. A spirit that lived in your dantian and could be taken anywhere with you.

  Aside from that, the Gu had two other great benefits. One being that its energy could directly be absorbed by the Gu user, improving their cultivation speed by a few times.

  The other benefit was equally as impressive, in that the energy released by the Spirit Lake could be directly absorbed and turned into the personal Qi of the cultivator without any delay. Essentially giving the cultivator an endless reserve of Qi.

  Of course, not everything about this Gu was beneficial. In this world, where there are positives, there would also be negatives.

  In the case of this Gu, the Gu was not very efficient in digesting a Spirit Lake. So, if a Spirit lake produces 900 spirit stone a year, after consuming it, the Gu would only be able to produce 300 spirit stones a year. Losing 2/3rd of the Spirit Lake's effectiveness.

  For this reason, it also required far more Spirit Lakes to be upgraded. Meaning that if 10 Mid-grade Spirit Lakes were comparable to 1 Top-grade Spirit Lake, then this Gu would've had to consume a total of 30 Mid-grade Spirit Lakes in order to upgrade to the point where it could rival a Top-grade Spirit Lake.

  Li Yuan had no idea how that woman got her hands on 30 Mid-grade Spirit Lakes. Maybe when she got her hands on that Gu, it was already mostly upgraded. Or maybe she had another Gu that let her search for Spirit Lakes and used it to find Spirit Lakes in the wild.

  In the end, how that woman got her hands on that Gu didn't really matter. What mattered was that he needed to interfere with this attack on the Yu clan.

  Doing so would not only allow him to eliminate bitter enemies of his clan, and save a closely allied clan, it would also allow him to get his hands on a Heaven-Devouring Lakeheart Gu. One that's about to upgrade to a Top-grade Spirit Lake's equivalent.

  As soon as he thought that, his Halo suddenly turned light grey and he chuckled to himself. Of course it would not be that easy. It seems like he'll have to postpone the matter of the Ashen Ridge Mountain Range in order to give his full attention to this issue.

  'For now though.' He thought as the flying ship took off into the sky once again. 'It is time to return home.'

  —————

  By the time the flying ship reached the Li family estate, the sun had already dipped below the horizon, and stars had started to emerge high up in the sky.

  The estate itself glowed brightly in celebration. Lanterns hung from the eaves of every hall, from tree branches in the courtyards, and along the stone paths across the compound.

  the entire clan seemed to be in a festive atmosphere.

  From above, Li Yuan could see movement everywhere—servants rushing with trays, younger disciples gathered in clusters whispering excitedly, while elders wearing formal robes stood near the central courtyard, where a large open space had been cleared for the Flying Ship.

  He guessed that his father must've used a Communication Jade token to inform the clan in advance of their arrival.

  The ship lowered slowly, its formation lights dimming as it gently landed into the courtyard. A moment later, a set of stairs emerged from the side of the ship and fell on the ground with a heavy thud.

  "Senior Zi Mo." His father said as he cupped his hands and gestured for the Snow Peak Elder to descend first.

  And yes, the woman's name was Zi Mo. He felt a bit ashamed for not even knowing that despite making this entire journey so quickly only thanks to her.

  Elder Zi Mo nodded and descended from the Ship with a grace that made him watch her every step in a trance until Rou Lin pinched his waist and broke him out of it.

  By the time the rest of them started to climb down the Flying ship, he noticed that three figures in immaculate robes had arrived at the front and were now bowing to Elder Zi Mo in respect, the rest of the clan following their lead to do the same.

  He recognised the three in an instant. They were his uncle (the Li family's clan head), his grandfather, and his granduncle. The three Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators of the Li family aside from his own father.

  The fact that even his grandfather had emerged from his retirement to greet Elder Zi Mo went to show just how big of a deal this was for their clan.

  Elder Zi Mo inclined her head slightly at the respectful gesture, acknowledging the greeting without unnecessary flourish. Li Yuan took this moment to study the clan compound.

  It had remained mostly unchanged from half a year ago when he had left this place to join the Nine Peak Sect. For a moment, he was overcome by nostalgia.

  Yes, this was technically the first time he has ever stepped into this place. But the memories he had inherited from the body made him feel like he had spent an entire childhood here.

  Yet, even as a part of him felt nostalgic at being back here, another, more rational side of him couldn't help but study the place with critical eyes.

  The ambient Qi here was… thin. So thin that even the broken-down outer disciple courtyard he occupied back in the sect had ten times more ambient Qi than the main estate of his family.

  Noticing this made him realise just how much his clan relied on the Spirit Lakes for cultivation progress. Otherwise, if they remained dependent on the ambient Qi of this place, then they would make no progress whatsoever.

  He also understood why the Li clan had spent so much wealth to send Li Yuan to the Nine Peak sect. The difference between these two places was indeed like Heaven and Earth.

  Elder Zi Mo was soon escorted toward the main hall. Li Yuan and Rou Lin walked slightly behind her, and his parents followed close behind. The rest of the clan members parted to form a path, heads lowered in respect.

  Inside the main hall, a grand feast had already been prepared. Long tables were arranged in neat, orderly rows, and covered in fine clothe. Platters of roasted spirit beasts, fragrant rice, and rare herbs filled the air with rich aroma. Clay jars of aged wine stood ready beside polished cups.

  Just one look, and he could tell that his clan had gone all out for this feast. Understandable, as it's not every day that a Golden Core cultivator comes to stay in your clan.

  At the head of the central table, a seat that was usually reserved for the clan head, an even more prominent seat had been prepared. His uncle, the clan head bowed to Elder Zi Mo and offered her that seat.

  For a moment, Li Yuan wondered if Elder Zi Mo would refuse the hospitality. She had the demeanour of someone who preferred isolation over banquets. But she simply gave a nod and accepted the seat without any fuss.

  His uncle took the seat beside her, his posture straight, his face composed but eyes bright with restrained excitement.

  Li Yuan and Rou Lin where themselves guided to the seats to Elder Zi Mo's right.

  Those seats that were usually reserved for the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the family, were now being given to them.

  With his own cultivation at 7th stage of Qi Condensation, he technically had no right to sit in that place. But his action of bringing a Golden Core Cultivator home had clearly shifted the entire hierarchy of the clan.

  It wasn't long after that the feast finally began. Wines were poured and cups were raised as the clan elders continued to offer toast one after another.

  "To the Nine Peak Sect!"

  "To Snow Peak!"

  "To Senior Zi Mo!"

  One of the elders, the one in charge of their Spirit Herb farming, then turned his cup toward Rou Lin. "To Fairy Rou Lin." He said with a huge smile. "So young, yet already at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Your future is truly boundless."

  Rou Lin inclined her head gracefully, accepting the praise with a practiced composure.

  'Damn. She's really good at acting like a proper cultivator.' He thought with some envy. Wondering if he looked the same to others. Eh. Probably not.

  Finally, after having toasted Rou Lin a dozen times with various compliments, the attention of the elders finally shifted toward him.

  Uncle Li Tian, the clan head, leaned forward slightly and studied him.

  "Yuan'er," he said slowly, "why can I not sense your cultivation?"

  The hall quieted subtly at his enquiry and Li Yuan blinked.

  Ah.

  He had grown accustomed to maintaining a low-level activation of the Veil of Borrowed Heaven in the sect, enough to mask his true cultivation. And it had become second nature to him. Except, he was now back in his family and didn't need to hide it. So he slowly stopped using the technique.

  Qi rippled outward from him in a controlled wave and the effect was immediate.

  Several elders sitting opposite to him stiffened. Even the Foundation Establishment realm cultivators of the family looked at him in shock.

  "Seven… seventh Stage…?" one of them whispered.

  "Qi Condensation, Seventh Stage!"

  A murmur spread across the hall.

  After all, only half a year ago, he had left this estate at the Third Stage of Qi Condensation. Now, in such a little time, he had advanced four minor realms.

  Even his parents' eyes widened slightly.

  Uncle Li Tian stared openly. "Yuan'er, half a year ago when you left for the Nine Peak Sect… weren't you only at the Third Stage?"

  Across the table, Elder Zi Mo's eyes sharpened faintly above her veil. She did not speak, but he could feel her attention settle more heavily upon him.

  'Hmm. Had she not known about that?' Li Yuan wondered.

  He guessed that she must've only known about his Mastery over Formations and not his rapid cultivation speed.

  Li Yuan nodded calmly. "I was. But I had a few fortuitous encounters during my time at the sect and managed to advance rapidly through the Qi Condensation minor realms."

  As soon as he confirmed that, the clan elders began raising their cups again, this time toward him.

  "To the future of the Li Clan!"

  "To Yuan'er!"

  "To the one who will lead us higher!"

  He accepted their toasts and joy and laughter filled the hall.

  —————

  By the time the feast ended, Li Yuan felt a warmth pooling into his limbs and faint haze clouding the edges of his thoughts.

  He wasn't drunk. He wasn't foolish enough to get drunk with all the secrets he held. But he was closer to being drunk than he should've been.

  Beside him, Rou Lin sat perfectly straight, showing no signs of being drunk despite having drunk far more wine than him. Elder Zi Mo appeared even less affected. And she had accepted every cup offered to her without any resistance, giving great face to his family.

  The difference in all of their cultivation realms was mercilessly obvious. Yes, in a fight, he could still defeat Rou Lin. But due to the difference in their cultivation, his physique lagged far behind hers. And while she showed no sign of being drunk, his head was already swaying.

  Elder Zi Mo excused herself not long afterward, and from there, the feast slowly started to dwindle.

  When the feast came to an end and the hall finally began to empty, his parents moved to either side of him as if he were still a child who might trip on his own robes.

  His mother insisted on supporting him despite the fact that he could walk perfectly fine. His father walked slightly ahead, dismissing lingering elders and instructing servants to see to the guests.

  The cool night air outside the hall sobered him slightly as his parents escorted him back to his old room.

  The door slid open with a familiar wooden scrape. And the familiar scent of his room greeted him. He noticed that the bed remained in the same position. And the desk by the window still bore faint scratches from careless brush strokes of years past.

  It seemed that they hadn't given his room to anyone else in the family after he left. And for a moment, he simply stood there, taking it all in.

  But then, an unwanted thought entered his mind. 'This room belonged to Li Yuan. The real Li Yuan. Not you.'

  The thought hit harder than the wine and for a moment, he swayed in place.

  His mother fussed with the bedding while his father poured a small cup of water and handed it to him. "You've grown Yuan'er," his father said lightly. "Even your tolerance seems better than before."

  Li Yuan attempted a smile, but it faltered as guilt rose unexpectedly in his heart.

  These two people looked at him with so much love and pride. But they did not know that the soul standing before them was not the one they had raised. That their son, their real son, had already died back in the Nine Peak Sect.

  His vision blurred. And he lowered his head quickly, but it was too late.

  "Yuan'er?" his mother asked immediately, stepping closer. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

  He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. What could he even say? 'I'm not your son.'

  Instead, his chest tightened, and before he could stop himself, tears welled in his eyes.

  His mother's expression shifted instantly to alarm. She cupped his face. "What happened? Did someone bully you in the sect? Tell Mother."

  He shook his head as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her.

  "I just… missed you," he managed to say in a rough voice.

  Her body relaxed immediately and she returned the embrace without hesitation, one hand rubbing his back the way she had done countless times when he was small.

  "Oh, you foolish child," she murmured. "You act so mature outside, and yet you're still the same inside."

  They remained like that for a while. His father stood slightly to the side, watching quietly, saying nothing. Eventually, Li Yuan pulled back and wiped his face with his sleeve, forcing himself to steady his breathing.

  "I brought you something," he said suddenly, intending to change the subject before he could get any more sentimental.

  His mother smiled indulgently. "Yuan'er, you didn't need to bring me anything. Your safe return is more than enough for me."

  His father cleared his throat. "Well, I wouldn't mind a gift."

  His mother turned and smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "Shameless man."

  The brief laughter helped steady him, and Li Yuan reached into his spatial ring, taking out two items from within. A crystal bottle filled with Heavy Spirit Water. And a smaller jade box containing a Foundation Establishment Pill.

  The air in the room changed instantly as his father straightened and his mother's smile faded into stunned silence. Even without opening the box or the bottle, they could sense the potency radiating from the items.

  "Yuan'er…" his mother whispered. "This is—"

  "A Foundation Establishment Pill," he said calmly. "And Heavy Spirit Water. Both are yours, mom."

  She shook her head immediately. "No. That is far too precious. You need these for your own breakthrough."

  "I've already made preparations for my own breakthrough," he replied firmly. "I won't be lacking."

  He stepped forward and gently pressed the items into her hands. "With these two, breaking through shouldn't be difficult." He said. "Just… don't rush. Wait for the right opportunity, okay?"

  Her fingers trembled as they closed around the two items.

  "You're still so young," she said softly, tears gathering in her eyes. "And already you're thinking about your parents' future."

  She pulled him into another embrace, this one even tighter than before. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered.

  His father placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing once in silent acknowledgment. And emotions swelled again in his chest, dangerously close to making him tear up.

  He nodded, unable to trust his voice as he broke the hug and looked away.

  "I'm tired," he said finally. "I'd like to sleep."

  "Of course," his mother said quickly. "Rest well, son."

  They left quietly after that, sliding the door shut behind them. And the room fell silent.

  Li Yuan stood there for a long moment before turning his gaze to the wall opposite his bed. A hand-drawn portrait hung there on the wall.

  It depicted a younger version of Li Yuan, standing between his parents. The child in the drawing smiled brightly, clutching both their hands.

  He stepped closer to look at the Li Yuan in the picture. The boy's innocent smile felt like a dagger to his heart. He reached out and lightly touched the frame.

  "I'm sorry," he murmured quietly.

  Sorry for taking your place. Sorry for living your life. Sorry for wearing your face.

  "I'll take care of them," he promised. "And the clan. I won't let everything you had disappear."

  The lantern outside flickered faintly. And he turned away, removed his outer robe, and lay down on the bed.

  The mattress creaked the same way it always had in the memories he'd inherited.

  For a brief moment, he stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling toward Qin clan, the Yu clan's impending destruction in the upcoming days, and the spirit beasts occupying Ashen Ridge Mountains.

  'I'll help Li family go past all these obstacles.' He promised to the original Li Yuan before his breathing slowed.

  And before the weight of everything could press down on him again, Li Yuan drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.