Chương 52: Green Bamboo Mountain

"Brother Jianmo speaks truly. This was just a squabble among the younger generation. It won't affect the relationship between our two families. Rest easy, Brother. I'll be sure to tell my people." Zhang Lixian's expression didn't change at all. He smoothly picked up where Tian Jianmo had left off.

"Ha ha! Excellent! The next beast tide is still over five years away! We need to grow closer and prepare ourselves to defend Langya County!" The two cultivators from the Gao and Yan families nodded in agreement. Behind Zhang Lixian, his son Zhang Huaijin sank into his own thoughts. These beast tides erupt in a small wave every twenty years. But the one in five years will be the first large scale outbreak in a century. Back when he first started cultivating, the last major beast tide had just ended.

And now with him turning nearly twenty five years old. Fifteen years have passed, and a whole new generation of cultivators has grown up. Every beast tide was a trial for the cultivation forces of the Tang Kingdom. The spirit beasts simply bred too fast. They needed to launch wave after wave of attacks to whittle down humanity's strength and, in the process, temper their own strongest members.

"Our Zhang family has only just become a Foundation Establishment Realm family," Zhang Lixian said, wearing a perfectly polished, affable smile.

"We have no experience, very few members, and meager resources. When the time comes, I'll be counting on all of you for your guidance and support." He handled the conversation with Tian Jianmo with ease.

"Of course, of course!" Tian Jianmo laughed heartily. But everyone present was a wily old fox at heart. The conflict between their families wouldn't simply vanish because of one Blood Ink Fruit. Zhang Huaijin knew this well. If Zhang Lixian hadn't broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, given the Zhang family's current momentum, the Tian family would definitely have resumed their relentless suppression. And to this day, he still couldn't figure out why the Tian family is so set on crushing them.

Is it just because of the artifact forging business? The Foundation Establishment cultivators clinked glasses and chatted pleasantly. Down below, the Qi Refining Realm guests also felt at ease. Zhang Lixian's Foundation Establishment Ceremony was a success. Just from the congratulatory gifts alone, the family received resources worth over two thousand spirit stones. That was the privilege of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. After the celebration ended, the members of the three families left.

Wu Pingting sat down across from Lixian. Looking at him, Wu Pingting felt a wave of nostalgia for how different things used to be. Back when Wu Anhe wanted to marry Zhang Lixue, the Wu family's elders had been strongly opposed. But they'd finally given in. Now, over twenty years later, the Zhang family has produced a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator of their own and become a true Foundation Establishment Realm family.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Destiny. That's the power of destiny, he thought. The appearance of one prodigy with a wind spirit root gave the Zhangs their chance at ascension.

"Why didn't Anhe come?" Zhang Lixian asked Wu Pingting.

"We got lucky," Wu Pingting said, a smile appearing on his face.

"We acquired a Foundation Establishment Pill. Anhe is in seclusion right now, preparing to try for the breakthrough himself."

"Ha ha! Wonderful! With Anhe's talent, I'm sure he'll succeed," Zhang Lixian said, his mood brightening further.

"Now that you've reached the Foundation Establishment Realm, the Zhang family's foundation is still very weak," Wu Pingting said, his tone unhurried and calm.

"For the next five years, don't get into conflicts with any other families. Put everything aside until after the beast tide is over. And when problems arise, talk things over with the Wu family. We're connected by marriage. Our families should stick together more closely."

"I understand." Zhang Lixian felt a quiet satisfaction. Now, the Zhang family is finally qualified to be considered a true ally of the Wu family. Even though the Zhang and Wu families were in-laws, only the branch descended from Wu Anhe himself had ever had close ties with them. Now, with Zhang Lixian's promotion to the Foundation Establishment Realm, the entire Wu family was beginning to take this marital connection seriously. Wu Pingting left. Peace returned to Green Bamboo Mountain.

The Zhang family members returned to their duties. The family's operations resumed their orderly rhythm. And, without anyone really noticing, over a dozen new cultivation manuals and a complete alchemy legacy had appeared in the family treasury. Zhang Lixian stared, a little stunned, at the Foundation Establishment Realm manuals for the various elemental affinities. Zhang Chongwen had already organized them all. The early stage Qi Refining Realm manuals were free to cultivate among the clan members.

Starting from the mid stage, however, cultivators needed to spend a certain number of merit points to access the advanced techniques. And everyone had to swear a Heart Demon Oath. The Foundation Establishment sections of these manuals were known only to Zhang Lixian, Zhang Chongwen, and Zhang Huaijin.

"Huaijin found these cultivation manuals and this alchemy legacy," Zhang Chongwen said slowly.

"It covers everything from Tier 1, low Grade to Tier 2, Upper Grade alchemy." Now that Zhang Lixian had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Zhang Chongwen felt that even if he were to pass away right now, he would die without regrets. Especially since they also had Zhang Huaijin, that monstrous prodigy who could kill a Foundation Establishment Realm spirit beast while still at the Qi Refining Realm. The Zhang family's rise was truly within reach.

Zhang Lixian looked at Zhang Huaijin, who was standing quietly to one side. He said nothing. Having a son who was such a monstrous talent… Well, it wasn't easy for a father, either.

"Right now, the family needs to build up its strength," Zhang Lixian said.

"We have to prepare for the beast tide in five years. Now that we're a Foundation Establishment Realm family, we'll have greater responsibilities during the tide. But our actual strength…" He paused.

"This family has you. That is our great fortune. On behalf of everyone in the Zhang family, I thank you." Zhang Huaijin quickly waved his hands.

"Father, what are you saying? Without the family, I wouldn't have the strength I have now. And besides, the family credited me merit points for these manuals and the alchemy legacy."

"That must have been a huge pile of spirit stones," Zhang Huaijin added, half jokingly. Right now, the merit points on Zhang Huaijin's jade tablet numbered in the tens of thousands. If he tried to exchange them all for spirit stones, the Zhang family simply couldn't afford to pay him.

"The Zhang family can't really help you with much," Zhang Lixian continued, a hint of melancholy in his voice.

"It seems, instead, that the family is holding you back." Zhang Chongwen felt the same way. If Zhang Huaijin had been born into a Foundation Establishment family, or even a Purple Mansion family, he probably would have reached the Foundation Establishment Realm by now. And the same went for Zhang Renan. If the Zhang family had been a Purple Mansion Realm family, they wouldn't have had to give their best talent away to another sect.

"Father, Grandfather," Zhang Huaijin said, his voice firm and resolute.

"In my view, leading our family to rise is the duty and responsibility of being a member of it. No one gets to choose where they're born. What I can do is lead this family to become stronger. Believe in me. The Foundation Establishment Realm won't be our final destination." Zhang Chongwen's eyes filled with tears of profound satisfaction.

'This life was not in vain. Truly not in vain.' Even if he were to die this instant, he could go to his grave smiling. Zhang Huaijin possessed an Earth Fiend Spirit Body. Zhang Chongwen and Zhang Lixian would never doubt his words. A spirit body gave someone the right to speak like that. The family was weak, yes, but it had still spared no effort in training its members. Human will can overcome fate, Zhang Chongwen thought.

If, generation after generation, the family members endure hardship and break through every bramble and thorn in their path, then the family will surely know prosperity. Zhang Lixian took a deep breath. He placed his hand on Zhang Huaijin's shoulder and said in a deep, resonant voice,"From now on, We walk the same path son. One day, this family will be proud of us." Zhang Lixian's eyes blazed with intensity.

No matter how far the Zhang family might go in the future, as its very first Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, his name would be forever engraved in the family annals.