Chương 84: No Regrets, No Regrets At All

Zhang Liliang spent ten thousand merit points to exchange for the single Foundation Establishment Pill from the clan's treasury. Then, he went into seclusion. On Green Bamboo Mountain, the clan members prayed ceaselessly, hoping with all their hearts that Zhang Liliang would successfully break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. If he succeeded, the Zhang family would grow even stronger.

While Zhang Liliang remained in seclusion, the family's high ranking cultivators gathered in the main hall to discuss their future plans.

"Our family has now become a Foundation Establishment Realm power. Our clan rules need to change accordingly. I have decided that from today onward, we will establish the position of Elder. Only those who reach the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm may hold this title." Zhang Lixian was the first to speak, breaking the silence. The others nodded in agreement. The Zhang family currently had four cultivators at the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm.

By limiting clan authority to elders alone, they would cement their standing and command the respect their rank deserved.

"Within the next two years, the clan will obtain another Foundation Establishment Pill."

"But in addition to spending ten thousand merit points, a member's contributions to the clan must also be weighed." Zhang Lixian's words made the eyes of every high ranking cultivator present light up.

"Among those with equal merit points, whoever has rendered the greatest service to the clan will receive this Foundation Establishment Pill. This rule applies not only now but for all future generations." Zhang Lixian's voice rang out with resolute clarity. Before the meeting even began, he had already discussed this matter with Zhang Huaijin and Zhang Chongwen. In the current Zhang family, Zhang Lixian's word carried immense weight. The Foundation Establishment Pill was far too precious to the family.

Deciding who should take it was a delicate and difficult issue. By establishing clear rules ahead of time, even those who did not receive the pill would have no grounds for complaint.

"Of course, nothing is absolute. Natural talent is also a crucial factor in deciding who receives the Pill. The more outstanding one's talent, the greater the clan's support will be." Zhang Lixian continued. The assembled members agreed readily. This was how all factions in the cultivation world operated. No matter the organization, if you showed exceptional talent, you received support. Others began offering suggestions, helping to shape the family's new rules.

As the number of clan members grew, their quality became increasingly uneven. Internal reorganization and discipline was needed. The clan's resources also had to be consolidated and properly accounted for. Now that the family had become a Foundation Establishment Realm power, its operations were expanding rapidly. They needed more cultivators, and expenses were climbing higher by the day. All of this required careful discussion. Zhang Lixian proved himself an exceptionally capable clan leader.

Zhang Chongwen was satisfied with him. Every member of the Zhang family held him in high regard. The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Zhang Lixian was fair. He treated everyone equally. He enjoyed immense prestige among the clan. Huaijin stood quietly to the side. In his eyes, his father had already done more than enough.

His own duty was simple, to continuously increase his personal strength, to shield the Zhang family from the storms ahead, and to make it even stronger. Zhang Chongwen became the clan's Grand Elder, continuing to contribute however he could. He took responsibility for the family's wine brewing and spiritual herb cultivation. At the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm, his lifetime goal was to complete every last one of the Tier 2 wine brewing inheritance he had acquired.

If he succeeded, he would have no regrets in this life. Even if he failed, he could leave behind his experience for future generations, sparing them the trouble of repeating his mistakes. This was the true meaning of family heritage, passing the torch across generations, one flame lighting the next. Zhang Linyi became the Second Elder, responsible for the family's spirit beast garden. Zhang Hong became the Third Elder, responsible for the family's spiritual fields.

Zhang Liliang became the Fourth Elder, with his specific duties to be assigned later. If he succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, he would become the clan's Supreme Elder. At that very moment, Zhang Liwei was striving to reach the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm. If he succeeded, he too could become an elder. Beyond them, the third generation of the clan, the same generation as Zhang Huaijin, had also begun advancing toward the late stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

Zhang Yunli and Zhang Wujian had both reached the sixth level of the Qi Refining Realm and were seeking breakthroughs. Before long, the family would have more and more late stage Qi Refining Realm cultivators. Though Zhang Yunli and Zhang Wujian possessed only Four Spirit Root talent, they had the good fortune to come of age during the family's rapid rise. Lacking nothing in terms of resources, their cultivation speed was naturally decent. Unknowingly, two months slipped by.

Zhang Liliang remained completely silent. Zhang Wujian, anxious and gloomy, sought out his cousin Zhang Huaijin. Their bond was the closest in the family. Even though Zhang Huaijin had already become a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, Zhang Wujian did not act distant or formal around him. Huaijin was quietly pleased by this. But hearing Zhang Wujian's question, he hesitated. He did not know how to answer.

Generally speaking, a cultivator at the Perfection Stage of the Qi Refining Realm, when charging toward the Foundation Establishment Realm it would take no more than three months. If there was still no news by the third month, it almost certainly meant failure… or death. Two months had already passed. No wonder Zhang Wujian was worried. Zhang Huaijin's heart sank deep into despair.

"Wujian," he said carefully, "Second Uncle has a firm Dao heart. He will surely succeed." Even as the words left his mouth, Zhang Huaijin felt hope slipping away. He had already begun imagining the worst possible outcome, wondering how Zhang Wujian would ever cope with such a loss. Zhang Wujian nodded, but the sorrow in his eyes could not be hidden. Another half month crawled by. Zhang Wujian's face was now a mask of desolation. All hope had drained out of him. He had given up entirely.

With permission from Zhang Lixian and Zhang Huaijin, Zhang Linyi accompanied Zhang Wujian to open the cave dwelling where Zhang Liliang had secluded himself. Zhang Liliang sat cross legged on the ground. His face was dark and sunken, a trail of fresh blood dried at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were bloodshot, and black baleful energy surged out from him like smoke from dying embers. His aura was frighteningly weak. He was barely clinging to life. Zhang Huaijin sighed inwardly.

He stepped forward quickly and slipped a Tier 1 healing pill into Zhang Liliang's mouth. The truth was undeniable. Zhang Liliang had failed in his attempt to reach the Foundation Establishment. But at least his life had been spared. His meridians were now incredibly fragile, too weak to withstand any strong medicine. Even his lifespan had been reduced. It was uncertain whether he would live to see a hundred. Zhang Wujian stared at his father's ravaged face.

His eyes turned red, and tears rolled slowly down his cheeks. Failure. The path to the Foundation Establishment Realm was truly as difficult as climbing to the heavens. The pill's medicine dissolved slowly, temporarily stabilizing Zhang Liliang's injuries. He forced a painful, trembling smile onto his face. With the smeared blood and the swirling baleful energy clinging to his features, the expression looked extraordinarily ghastly, almost inhuman.

"Huaijin… big brother…" His voice was a thread.

"I failed." A flash of unwillingness crossed Zhang Liliang's bloodshot eyes. Zhang Huaijin's own eyes showed a flicker of deep pity.

"Second Uncle," he said gently, "stabilize your injuries first. As long as you're alive… there is still a chance." Zhang Lixian nodded in agreement. He bent down and gently lifted Zhang Liliang, preparing to carry him home.

"Big brother…" Zhang Liliang's voice cracked.

"I'm nearly sixty years old… and you still have to carry me. I'm so useless…" A choked tremor ran through his words.

"But I have no regrets…" His voice grew fainter still.

"No regrets at all…" His words trailed away into nothing. His head slumped forward onto Zhang Lixian's shoulder. Only a long, heavy sigh lingered in the silence of the cave.