Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1315: 851: Seven Years Later, Annual Report_2

In the pavilion atop the mountain plateau, Yang Zhenshan conferred with Xue Fuyang, the envoy dispatched to Wuzhen Taoist Palace.

Xue Fuyang, Xue Ping's son and now beyond sixty years, had formerly held a government post on Divine Wood Island. Just recently, he advanced to the Earth Evil Stage, securing his role as one of Yu Heng Tower's Three Gates Stewards, handling all contacts with the Da’an Dynasty.

“How is the situation at Wuzhen Taoist Palace?” Yang Zhenshan inquired.

Xue Fuyang responded, “Ever since Xuanzhen Taoist left, Wuzhen Taoist Palace has withered considerably through the years, without producing a single Innate Martial Artist.”

Yang Zhenshan gave a faint nod, showing no astonishment at the news.

In the Sea of Spirit, Innate Martial Artists abound like common cabbages; fling a stone in any martial cultivators’ workshop, and there's a solid fifty percent shot at striking one.

Yet in the Da’an Dynasty, Innate Martial Artists stay scarce. Even though Da’an now vastly outstrips the old Da Rong in power, its Innate Martial Artists still number under three digits.

“Does Wuzhen Taoist Palace harbor any promising talents?” Yang Zhenshan probed.

“Right now, two Half-step Innate Martial Artists grace Wuzhen Taoist Palace. I've supplied ample elixirs to guarantee their advance into the Innate Realm! Still, both exceed sixty years and lack exceptional gifts!”

“Is anyone cultivating the Myriad Phenomena Skill?”

“No one!”

“Got it, you're dismissed!”

Clearly, Wuzhen Taoist Palace wants for another figure like Xuanzhen Taoist, which comes as no shock. Spiritual Acupoints prove exceedingly scarce, rendering even an Immortal Cultivation Technique in their possession largely futile.

Lacking Spiritual Acupoints turns an Immortal Cultivation Technique into little more than useless parchment.

Xuanzhen's fortune ran deep: joining Wuzhen Taoist Palace, mastering the Myriad Phenomena Skill, and ultimately reaching the Sea of Spirit as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Wuzhen Taoist Palace's absence of a Spiritual Acupoint presents an inescapable reality, one Yang Zhenshan couldn't simply resolve by conjuring one for them.

Let Xuanzhen fret over this once he escapes Mo Xuanyu's grasp.

Yang Zhenshan swiftly dismissed the issue from his thoughts and returned to his cultivation.

…

Seven years afterward.

Lingyuan Year Sixty-Three, Early Year.

Inside the study on Spiritual Spring Mountain Plateau.

Yang Zhenshan examined the annual report delivered from Ziwei Tower.

By this timeline, thirty-five years have elapsed since the mass migration into Spirit Source Land commenced.

Those thirty-five years span two full generations of growth.

Spirit Source Land's population has now crossed the 200,000 threshold, boasting more than 80,000 Innate Martial Artists by itself.

From this year onward, offspring born within Spirit Source Land will attain the Innate Realm upon reaching cultivation age.

This heralds a surge of youthful Innate Martial Artists rising in Spirit Source Land in the years ahead.

Having been born and raised entirely in Spirit Source Land, feasting on Spirit Fruits and sipping Spiritual Spring Water, they eclipse their parents in talent and promise.

Gazing upon the figures in the annual report, Yang Zhenshan displayed a pleased grin.

Spirit Source Land currently counts 83,241 Innate Martial Artists in total, surpassing 23,200 at the Earth Evil Stage and 3,462 at the Heavenly Gang Stage.

Solely by Innate Martial Artists, Spirit Source Land could already dominate the Sea of Spirit's Three Sects, though it yet lacks the might to crush the entire Sea of Spirit.

Regarding Golden Body Realm Martial Artists, Spirit Source Land now fields six: Yu Qingyi, An Yuxing, Liang Shengze, Qu Changkong, Ding Qiu, and Yang Mingcheng.

Only last year, after four years of secluded cultivation, Yang Mingcheng forged his Spirit Base, molded his Golden Body, and ascended to the Golden Body Realm.

Moreover, eight others remain in seclusion attempting breakthroughs: Yang Minghao, Yang Mingwu, Yang Chengze, Song Dashan, Yang Mingzhen, Wu Zheng, Wu Zhan.

These eight boast solid foundations and have all passed a century in age, hitting the prime moment for breakthrough. Yang Zhenshan holds little doubt of their low failure risk.

As Golden Body Realm Martial Artists multiply in Spirit Source Land, the insights into Golden Body breakthroughs accumulate, with every success enriching the collective wisdom.

At present, Spirit Source Land brims with knowledge on Spirit Base Casting and Golden Body forging.

With top-tier spiritual items, plentiful elixirs, and diverse aids for breakthroughs, the perils have diminished compared to earlier times.

Zhou Tianci's breakthrough stemmed from sheer urgency, as did Liang Shengze's, owing mainly to scant preparation.

In those days, Spirit Source Land offered scant precedents for reference.

Conditions have transformed utterly, furnishing breakthroughs with plentiful experience and resources.

Hence, Yang Minghao, Yang Mingwu, and their peers face far safer attempts.

While these eight seclude for breakthroughs, others line up to follow suit.

Figures like Yang Mingzhi, Yang Chengxu, Yang Chengche, Yang Qinwu, Luo Jingsong, Luo Feiyu, Yu Tonghai, Wang Lei, Li Chang, and more.

Eyeing the roster of those set for seclusion this year, Yang Zhenshan's face flickered briefly.

Should this pace hold, Spirit Source Land could witness a flood of Golden Body Realm Martial Artists within the next decade.

Only time will tell how many might falter!

Regardless of preparations, Spirit Base Casting and Golden Body shaping carry unavoidable risks.

A failed breakthrough equates nearly to certain death.

Yang Zhenshan harbors no desire to witness these dear kin fall to such failure.

Yet he cannot deter them—only lend his full support.

As Yang Zhenshan pondered these concerns, two enchanting young maidens arrived at the study's entrance.

“Master!” Li Janning peeked her head inside the study and called out.

Over these seven years, Li Janning and Li Jian’an have blossomed into elegant young ladies.

Clad in goose-yellow scholar robes paired with flowing long skirts, their hair tied in double buns, their faces retained a youthful roundness and plumpness, radiating the unique allure and vigor of budding maidens.

“Hmm, enter!” Yang Zhenshan stowed the annual report and smiled warmly.

Li Janning tugged Li Jian’an along, dashing noisily into the study, “Master, do you see anything new about us?”

Yang Zhenshan eyed them thoroughly from head to toe, his lips curving upward, “Hmm, you appear even lovelier today than yesterday!”

Li Janning hesitated, her cheeks tinting pink, “Master teases me once more!”

“Am I wrong?” Yang Zhenshan teased deliberately, chuckling.

“Hmph, Master, we achieved a breakthrough!” Li Janning flashed a mischievous look, as Li Jian’an offered a calm smile, emanating an aura of serene composure.

Though their looks stayed the same, their demeanors had shifted markedly.

Li Janning grew more spirited, peppering questions relentlessly and often leaving Yang Zhenshan at a loss for words.

Li Jian’an, by contrast, turned even more reserved, her features serene like mountain orchids undisturbed, wafting a subtle, refined grace.

“Haha, I spotted it already!” Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily.

How could he miss his two disciples' progress? Even before they stepped in, he had detected the little ones' joint breakthrough to the Qi Refining Third Layer.

And evidently, they had advanced together.

“Master, any rewards?” Li Janning eyed Yang Zhenshan eagerly, while Li Jian’an regarded him with dewy, crystalline eyes.

“Of course, your teacher’s wife has something ready for you!” Yang Zhenshan answered.

“Ah, from teacher’s wife? We crave a gift from Master!” Li Janning expressed mild disappointment.

Yang Zhenshan felt a touch awkward; he seldom bothered with such small things, viewing breakthroughs as routine, and never bothered with rewards.

Yu Qingyi customarily stitched garments and fashioned trinkets for the youngsters.

Their magic artifacts came from senior siblings' hands, while he supplied merely elixirs and such.

After a brief thought, he produced two Jade Scrolls, “Fine, if rewards you seek, your master shall provide!”

“Use these for your cultivation!”

Li Janning took the Jade Scroll and inquired curiously, “What are these?”

“Heart Sword Scripture and Heart Hand!” Yang Zhenshan grinned.