Protect Our Patriarch

When facing Ancestor Longyan, one couldn't help but feel a sense of difference compared to when seeing Ming Sheng Old Ancestor. Although Ming Sheng Old Ancestor appeared somewhat aged, he exuded a vigorous and majestic aura, like a strong and healthy middle-aged man.

In contrast, Ancestor Longyan not only looked frail but also seemed to carry a hint of melancholy. This was understandable, given her recent circumstances. She had significantly reduced her consumption of spirit food to conserve resources for the younger generation in the family. 𝐟𝐫eewe𝗯𝐧𝚘ve𝐥.c𝚘𝚖

As a Spirit Realm cultivator, one's physical strength far surpassed that of Qi Refining Realm cultivators. However, according to the law of conservation of cosmic energy, energy sources did not emerge out of thin air, and the stronger one's body, the greater the energy consumption.

Ordinary food was insufficient for Spirit Realm ancestors, with a low efficiency in converting energy. Therefore, Spirit Realm ancestors usually required long-term supplementation with spirit food to maintain their physical strength, and even to enhance themselves.

However, after Sixth Elder Wang Xiaohan's failed attempt to break through to the Spirit Realm, the family's resources had become increasingly strained. Ancestor Longyan had gradually reduced her consumption of spirit food, now only taking in 80 pounds of Spirit Rice, 100 pounds of Spirit Fish and Spirit Meat, and two Second-Grade Spirit Medicine Solid Core Pills per year.

The total value of these spirit foods was only 36 gold, and the two Solid Core Pills were worth no more than 60 gold.

A Spirit Realm ancestor, with an annual resource consumption of less than 100 gold, was barely enough to maintain her current state...

In fact, it wasn't just her. The other elderly members of the family were also only receiving enough spirit food to maintain their physical strength, and their cultivation had stagnated for many years. They had given up their opportunities to the younger and more talented generations.

"Are you worried, Shoujie?" Ancestor Longyan asked without turning her head, her voice carrying a hint of ethereal lightness, devoid of the huskiness typical of older women.

"I'm just a bit concerned about you, Ancestor," Wang Shoujie replied truthfully.

In reality, Ancestor Longyan was only 115 years old, not much older than Ming Sheng Old Ancestor of the Lu Clan, and still far from the limit of the Spirit Realm.

It was said that Ancestor Longyan had reached the Spirit Realm at the age of 30 and had attained mid-Spirit Realm by 60, maintaining her physical strength at its peak.

At that time, she was full of vigor and ambition, aiming for the higher realms of the Heaven-Human Realm!

Unfortunately, the Beast Calamity in the year 3095 of the Changlong Calendar had severely impacted the Ping'an Wang Clan, crushing their hopes and also breaking Ancestor Longyan's wings.

"Rise and fall, bloom and wither, these are the most ordinary things in the world," Ancestor Longyan said calmly, slowly turning around. "I've heard about your recent experiences from Hui'er, and you've done well."

Although her figure appeared slightly frail, her ordinary cotton clothing and cloth shoes gave her an otherworldly aura, and her star-like eyes seemed like a bottomless icy lake, impossible to fathom.

The only thing that made Wang Shoujie regretful was that Ancestor Longyan wore a veil, concealing her face.

However, Ancestor Longyan's veil was not a recent addition; Wang Shoujie had never seen her without it since he could remember.

"Thank you, Ancestor, for your praise," Wang Shoujie said with a bow. "As long as you don't blame me for being reckless, I'm fine."

After a pause, he asked with some curiosity, "Ancestor, is there any instruction you'd like to give me, since you've summoned me?"

He had some trepidation in his heart, fearing that Ancestor Longyan might not agree with his plan to implement a competitive ranking system, as the older generation emphasized family unity and might suspect that competing for rankings would lead to infighting among siblings.

"You're the clan leader, Shoujie," Ancestor Longyan said calmly. "I won't interfere with your decisions."

"Then, Ancestor, what's the purpose of the visit this time?" Wang Shoujie asked, puzzled, as Ancestor Longyan was not one to idle chat or offer casual praise.

"I need you to make arrangements and accompany me to the Hundred Island Guard," Ancestor Longyan said.

The Hundred Island Guard?

Wang Shoujie was taken aback, taking a while to recall that it was a guard station near the East Sea. His slow reaction was normal, as he had never left Changning Guard since childhood, and his mind didn't usually wander that far.

Moreover, Ancestor Longyan had not left the Changning Guard area since the great disaster.

He suppressed his curiosity and bowed, saying, "I'll arrange it, Ancestor. Please wait for two days, and I'll make the necessary preparations." Regardless of Ancestor Longyan's intentions, Wang Shoujie couldn't refuse her request.

After receiving the order from Ancestor Longyan, Wang Shoujie returned to his courtyard, took out a map of the prefecture, and began to plan their journey.

The first priority for Ancestor Longyan's trip was secrecy.

Currently, it was the most critical period of the insect plague, and the Liu and Zhao Clans were struggling to cope. Despite this, they couldn't afford to let their guard down.

Next, consideration must be given to Ancestor Longyan's physical condition, to minimize any jolting or discomfort, and someone must accompany her throughout the journey. The selection of a personal attendant for her is also a matter that requires careful consideration.

Before long, he had finalized the itinerary and plan for the trip.

"Wang Gui," Wang Shoujie called out to his servant, "go and invite my Fourth Aunt from the Xu Clan, as well as Wang Lici, to come here."

Wang Gui was taken aback: "Fourth Aunt from the Xu Clan? Which one from the Xu Clan?"

"You foolish boy," Wang Shoujie scowled, "of course, I'm referring to my fourth uncle's family, where there are dozens of people, and you can't even remember them?"

Wang Gui hastily nodded and bowed, then rushed out to deliver the message. "I'll go right away, I'll go right away."

It was understandable that Wang Gui was confused, given that there were many members of the Xu Clan in the household. Moreover, Wang Shoujie's Fourth Aunt, Xu Zhirou, had always been low-key, and after Fourth Uncle Wang Dingbang's passing five years ago, she had become even more reclusive.

However, Wang Shoujie's impression of Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou was quite vivid. She came from the direct line of Jinsha's Xu Clan and had taken care of him during his difficult times after his mother's passing. Even after his stepmother, Gong Sunhui, married into the family, Xu Zhirou had continued to care for him for a while. In his memory, Xu Zhirou was a gentle and meticulous person, skilled in cooking and crafting small toys that brought him joy.

It was Fourth Aunt who had helped him through the most difficult period of his life. Unfortunately, she had later become pregnant with his fifth sister, Wang Luojing, and had returned to her family to rest.

After that, Wang Shoujie had lived with his stepmother, Gong Sunhui, until he was fourteen, when he moved to his current residence as the young master of the household.

Wang Shoujie chose Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou because he valued her gentle and meticulous nature. For Ancestor Longyan's trip, a mature and experienced woman was needed to care for her, and Fourth Aunt was the perfect candidate.

Putting aside his distractions, Wang Shoujie continued to refine his travel plans.

Before long, Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou and Wang Lici were escorted into his study by Wang Gui.

Wang Shoujie had last seen Fourth Aunt during his father's funeral, when she was busy with various tasks as a member of the family. At the time, Wang Shoujie was still in a daze and hadn't had a chance to talk to her.

Now, as he looked at her, he saw that Xu Zhirou was wearing a simple, unadorned cotton dress, with no excessive jewelry, exuding a sense of simplicity and cleanliness. The only difference from his memory was that she had a slightly worn, middle-aged woman's appearance.

It was no wonder, given that she had given birth to three children and her husband had passed away five years ago, leaving her to care for the children on her own.

"Xu Zhirou pays her respects to the master," she said, bowing slightly.

Wang Lici, standing beside her, also hastened to pay her respects: "Lici pays her respects to Fourth Uncle."

"Fourth Aunt, please, you can still call me Shoujie as before," Wang Shoujie replied, returning the bow. "Please, take a seat and let's talk." He then smiled and beckoned to Wang Lici, saying, "You too, big girl, take a seat."

The two women thanked him and sat down.

Wang Gui busied himself serving tea and fruit before withdrawing.

Wang Shoujie chatted with Xu Zhirou for a while before turning his attention to Wang Lici, who was nibbling on a piece of candied fruit. He smiled and asked, "What have you been busy with lately, big girl?"

Wang Lici hastily swallowed the fruit and stood up, looking terrified, to reply: "Nothing, Fourth Uncle, just reading and practicing every day."

This girl was the daughter of Eldest Brother Wang Shouxin and was sixteen years old, the eldest of the eighth generation of girls in the family with the character "Li" in their names. Therefore, everyone in the Shoujie generation liked to call her "big girl."

"Ah, it sounds like you're working hard," Wang Shoujie said, beaming with approval. "Good, very good. I'll test your knowledge and if you pass, there will be a reward."

Wang Lici's face, which was plump and childish, turned pale with fear, and her legs began to tremble. Fourth Uncle was a formidable figure, even more intimidating than her father, Wang Shouxin. She thought of her eldest brother, Wang Zongwei, who had suffered a terrible fate, and her heart was filled with regret.

She should have worked harder and studied more diligently these past few days, but who could have predicted this?

Her mind was a jumble of thoughts...

It was indeed...

Disaster From Heaven Descending!

...

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