Longevity Clan Starts with the Patriarch's Marriage Chapter 1 - 1 The Ancestor Took Another Concubine_1
Lingjun City, along its main thoroughfare.
Eight individuals bore a grand palanquin, trailed by an expansive wedding entourage. The resounding beats of drums and gongs permeated the air, projecting an imposing presence as the procession journeyed towards The Li Manor.
Soon enough, after successfully escorting the bride, the wedding entourage commenced its return journey to the Han Mansion.
Stretching for ten miles, the bridal procession radiated auspicious joy; resembling a majestic dragon draped in crimson, it extended all the way to the gates of the Han Mansion.
“It appears Elder Han of the Han Family has indeed welcomed another concubine!”
“I heard this time the chosen one is the third daughter of The Li Manor, a peerless beauty, hailed as the foremost beauty in our Lingjun City.”
“Elder Han truly possesses great fortune to secure such a breathtaking bride at his advanced age of nearly two hundred years; it’s enough to make us all envious.”
“Elder Han is a figure of immense power; a mere stamp of his foot is said to send tremors through Lingjun City. He is not someone common folk like us can hope to rival.”
Numerous onlookers lining the streets began to murmur amongst themselves upon witnessing the magnificent spectacle.
At this very moment, both within and without the Han Mansion, an atmosphere of sheer jubilation prevailed; guests were immersed in delight, completely caught up in the festive spirit.
The Han Mansion had transformed into the most vibrant hub in the entire city.
While ordinary citizens remained unaware, those possessing keen insight within Lingjun City knew this marked Elder Han’s inaugural concubine acquisition following his breakthrough into the Pihai Realm!
The Pihai Realm, the domain of those who wield true power!
Even in larger metropolises, one could command vast territories, let alone in the modest setting of Lingjun City.
Previously, the pinnacle of power in Lingjun City resided only at the Ninth Grade of the Innate Realm. However, with Elder Han’s breakthrough, he instantly ascended to become the undisputed strongest in Lingjun City.
Despite Elder Han nearing the twilight of his natural lifespan when he achieved this breakthrough, any advancement was a monumental feat, and the chasm between the Pihai Realm and those below is simply vast.
Elder Han, by himself, could effortlessly subjugate the entire Lingjun City.
Consequently, for this significant event of Elder Han taking a concubine, all the prominent factions of Lingjun City dispatched representatives to convey their felicitations, presenting a variety of valuable gifts, all with the intent of forging a favorable alliance with the Han Family.
The common populace of Lingjun City also rejoiced, for invariably, whenever Elder Han took a concubine, he would host a grand banquet lasting three days and nights, permitting the citizens of Lingjun City to partake in food and drink without cost.
This often represented the most substantial and satisfying meal many impoverished individuals would experience throughout the entire year, thus their happiness was palpable, and their praise for Elder Han knew no bounds.
Certain households even began to revere Elder Han, offering prayers for him to take more concubines annually.
The Han Mansion, sprawling across an impressive area of three to four square miles, was now overflowing with people, and every individual present commanded a distinguished standing.
They were either high-ranking officials from various influential powers, direct descendants of prominent clans, or prosperous merchants and esteemed figures of Lingjun City; even the City Lord himself graced the occasion with his presence to offer congratulations.
It could be said that the assembly was a gathering of profound intellects, devoid of any ordinary individuals among the attendees.
The youthful and lovely maidens of Lingjun City were also largely present, accompanying the guests in the periphery.
“Father, the Li Family is one of the three paramount clans in our Lingjun City; is it truly necessary to offer our most precious daughter as a concubine to Elder Han?”
Tucked away in a secluded corner of the mansion, a young man adorned in fine attire quietly posed his question to a middle-aged man, a hint of displeasure coloring his features.
The middle-aged man cast a cold glance at him, retorting, “Cast aside those trivial notions of yours; the Han Family is a power we simply cannot afford to antagonize.”
The third daughter of the Li Family, Li Mingmeng, was renowned as Lingjun City’s number one beauty and possessed numerous admirers, including his own eldest son.
After bestowing a stern glare upon his son, he then turned his attention to a young maiden standing beside him, addressing her in a gentle tone, “Xiaowen, you must conduct yourself admirably later; should Elder Han bestow his attention upon you, our Zhang Family shall ascend to unprecedented heights.”
“You need not harbor any anxieties; though Elder Han approaches his second century, his lifespan has been significantly extended upon his ascension to the Pihai Realm, and his appearance has even regressed to the vigor of youth, rendering him as handsome as ever—a man of exceptional allure.”
Similar conversations, laden with underlying motivations, could be overheard echoing from every corner of the Han Mansion.
This strategic presence of beautiful young women was precisely the reason they had accompanied the entourage to the Han Family’s estate.
The recent advancement of the Han Family's patriarch to the Pihai Realm signifies a hundred-year dominance for Lingjun City under their leadership. Establishing favorable connections, or even marital alliances, with the Han Family promises immense prosperity.
After all, possessing a powerhouse in the Pihai Realm guarantees a future of considerably increased prosperity and immense benefits for Lingjun City.
The city’s future would undoubtedly shine brighter with such a formidable presence.
Within the grand main hall of the Han Mansion,
Han Li, occupying the seat of honor, received the felicitations from his kin and invited guests with a subtle smile.
His current emotional state was exceptionally buoyant, bordering on exhilaration.
After nearly forty arduous years of unyielding perseverance, his breakthrough to the Pihai Realm brought an immense sense of relief and assurance of extended longevity.
The prospect of marrying the most beautiful woman in Lingjun City as a concubine was merely a delightful added bonus.
“I have finally seen this through,” Han Li mused, a profound sense of satisfaction washing over him.
Over a century ago, upon his arrival in this world, he was but a youth of fifteen or sixteen years.
His family faced financial hardship, and his sole distinguishing attribute was his innate talent.
In this world, talent is an absolute prerequisite for cultivation, an inherent quality that remains exceptionally difficult to enhance later in life.
Without this talent, one is destined to live their days as an ordinary, mundane individual.
However, those possessing talent are granted the opportunity to embark on the path of cultivation, progressively growing in power and ultimately attaining longevity, freedom, and a life of ease.
Talent, naturally, is categorized into various grades, spanning from unranked to Ninth Grade, Eighth Grade, and ascending to First Grade.
An unranked talent typically limits one's cultivation to the True Qi Realm, the third major stage. From Ninth Grade talent onwards, individuals gain the potential to break through to the Innate Realm, with superior talent facilitating a smoother progression.
It is only upon reaching the Innate Realm that one truly transcends the mundane, experiencing a significant extension of lifespan, potentially up to two hundred years.
The Body Forging Realm, Rebirth Realm, and True Qi Realm do not confer any lifespan increase; individuals in these stages maintain the same lifespan as ordinary mortals, differing only in their combat prowess.
Greater talent translates to accelerated cultivation speed and a higher probability of reaching more profound realms. Conversely, those with lesser talent cultivate at a slower pace, with the progression becoming increasingly arduous in higher stages. Attaining elevated realms necessitates either abundant cultivation resources or a continuous stream of fortunate encounters.
Han Li's talent registered as Eighth Grade, a considerable distinction within his county.
Unwilling to accept mediocrity and disinclined to join any insignificant sects, he departed from Lingjun City and even Fengyang Manor, venturing into the expansive Leizhou in pursuit of cultivation opportunities.
Ultimately, after enduring considerable hardships, he narrowly succeeded in the entrance examination of a prominent sect in Leizhou, thereby earning his acceptance.
Initially a registered disciple, Han Li dedicated himself to diligent cultivation, achieving complete mastery of Body Forging within three years, advancing to the Rebirth Realm in nine, and reaching the pinnacle of the True Qi Realm in twenty years.
Following this, he devoted an additional three years to comprehending the fundamental principles of the world and successfully condensing an Innate True Qi seed, finally achieving his breakthrough into the Innate Realm.
This means he commenced his cultivation journey at sixteen and required a total of thirty-five years to reach the Innate Realm.
This accomplishment was made possible by his Eighth Grade talent, allowing him to break through just as he reached the midpoint of his natural lifespan. Individuals with Ninth Grade talent would require at least sixty years to achieve a similar possibility.
Had he possessed First Grade talent, the advancement to the Innate Realm from the outset of his cultivation could have been accomplished in a mere year.
Upon attaining the Innate Realm, one sheds the limitations of mortality and becomes revered as an “Immortal” in the eyes of common folk, with a lifespan extending to two hundred years.
The Innate Realm commands a position of considerable prestige within the mortal realm. In a county city, an Innate Realm cultivator could be considered a local powerhouse, and even within a manor city, they would thrive with ease.
Reaching the Innate Realm automatically elevated one to the status of a Foreign Disciple.
With enhanced access to cultivation resources, Han Li continued his rigorous practice, reaching the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Innate Realm by the age of one hundred and twenty.
Given Han Li's inherent talent, it was anticipated that he would achieve the Pihai Realm around the age of one hundred and fifty. Regrettably, his path was not without unforeseen obstacles.