"Grandpa Ji, Dad, I'm back."
Qin Feng thought the two elders, the Old Family Master and his own father, had co out to welco him specially, and his heart swelled with joy.
"Feng'er, you… you…"
Qin Long was visibly moved, especially after sensing the aura of the Foundation Establishnt Realm emanating from his son, which left him so overwheld that he found it hard to speak.
He had not expected that in just three years of being away, his son had grown so powerful, even surpassing him.
Although his own progression in cultivation had been slow over the years, having been in Foundation Establishnt for many years granted him a degree of insight. With just a glance, he could tell that his son had reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishnt Realm.
This filled him with both relief and a pinch of sourness.
It wasn't jealousy towards his own son, but rather a sadness for his many years of stagnated cultivation.
Soon, however, he snapped back to reality, forcefully suppressing his overwhelming joy at seeing his son return so accomplished, and sternly warned, "Foolishness, what are you doing back at this ti? If word of your return to the clan gets out, you might be hunted by disciples from the Taiyi Mountain."
"Don't worry, Dad. I already inford my master before coming, and given his temperant, he will definitely have made arrangents."
"That's good."
Hearing this, both Qin Long and the Old Family Master breathed a sigh of relief.
After last year's Outer Sect competition, Qin Xi had sent a letter ho to inform the family that Qin Feng had been accepted into the Inner Sect, and had been taken in by the Great Elder of the Spiritual Snake Lineage. When this letter was received, the entire Qin Family celebrated joyously.
After hundreds of years, the Qin Family had produced another Inner Sect Disciple, a fact that was not only a matter of glory but also a pivotal opportunity for the family's growth and strength.
The ancestor of the Qin Family had not stayed long in the Inner Sect, but even with such a brief tenure, he managed to leave behind a family business for the clan which had endured for so long. Now Qin Feng had not only been accepted into the Inner Sect but had also beco a disciple of the Great Elder of the Spiritual Snake Lineage. This signified that the Qin Family's future prospects could be even brighter than in the tis of the ancestors!
Because they saw Qin Feng as the hope for the rise of the clan, they were even less willing to see him return ho at such a ti. They considered this extrely dangerous, as Qin Xi had ntioned in her letter that Qin Feng had killed the daughter of Jiang Dongliu, an Elder of the Taiyi Mountain Punishnt Sword Hall. She had advised the family to be cautious to avoid being caught by surprise in case of revenge.
Since the Great Elder was aware of Qin Feng's return to the family, he would surely not let disciples from Taiyi Mountain push him around. Soon, their worries eased, but they still reminded him to return to the Sect quickly, lest spending too much ti outside give others the opportunity to find him.
After nodding in agreent, Qin Feng cheerfully coaxed the Spiritual Vulture to his father's side and caressed the smooth body of the Green-Eyed Spirit Snake that his father was sitting on.
Though he had only been away from the family for roughly three years, this was his first ti away from his father. Coupled with the nurous experiences he had gone through since joining the Sect, it felt as if many years had passed. Seeing his father again stirred feelings of closeness, and even the sight of his father's Green-Eyed Spirit Snake felt sowhat comforting.
Next to him, Qin Long also reached out and gently stroked his son's head, looking at his son's face that had matured a bit more since his departure, he felt as if he were dreaming, while also beaming with pride.
His son had achieved such heights in just a few short years, truly a prodigious talent, and indeed his own son.
From behind, Qin Xi quickly caught up, "I pay my respects to Grandpa, the Family Head, and greetings to Seventh Uncle."
"Mm, good, Xi has also returned."
Qin Guanbao nodded satisfactorily upon seeing Qin Xi.
Unexpectedly, this child had also reached the Ninth Level of Qi Refinent, which greatly surpassed his expectations.
Could it be that the Qin Family had produced only geniuses this generation?
He himself had once been admitted to the Beast Taming Sect; even after three years, he was still circling around the Qi Refining Middle Stage, nowhere near Qin Xi's current cultivation realm.
Given Qin Xi's current pace, he was already on a speedy path of cultivation for the Outer Sect Disciples of the Beast Taming Sect. Aside from those few geniuses and the disciples with strong family backing, ordinary disciples who managed to reach Foundation Establishnt within ten years were considered quite exceptional, and they even had a chance to be admitted to the Inner Sect.
The Old Family Master felt that if Qin Xi continued to cultivate at his current pace, he would undoubtedly achieve Foundation Establishnt within a year or two. With the remaining years, if he focused on his cultivation, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance that he too could enter the Inner Sect.
If that were to happen, the family would have two Inner Sect Disciples within the Sect!
At that thought, even with the Old Family Master's composure, he felt his mouth going dry, his heart pounding.
Could it be that under his leadership, the Qin Family was poised to rise completely?
If so, even in death, he would have no sha in facing his ancestors.
"Co, co, co, let's go back quickly."
Caught up in excitent, the Old Family Master grabbed Qin Feng's hand, saying, "You two follow back. I want to gather everyone to worship our ancestors. Our Qin Family has now produced two talented disciples; we need to let the ancestors know."
Qin Feng, his hand firmly grasped, knew the old man was profoundly moved, so he did not struggle but allowed himself to be led back to the residence.
Very soon, all mbers of the Qin Clan were aware that Qin Feng, who had been accepted into the Inner Sect, had returned ho with Qin Xi. There was no need for the Old Clan Chief to summon them specifically as everyone spontaneously converged.
They all wanted to see last year's youth of the family, the Qin Feng who had now been accepted into the Inner Sect of the Beast Taming Sect, and what he had beco.
Even the third uncle, who had never been very fond of Qin Long and Qin Feng, was no exception.
Although the third uncle had harbored resentnt toward Qin Feng for a long ti for robbing his own grandson of the chance to join the Beast Taming Sect, his grievances dissipated after hearing that Qin Feng had been accepted into the Inner Sect last year.
He was acutely aware of his grandson's abilities; had he sent his own grandson to the Beast Taming Sect, he would most likely be languishing in the Outer Sect at this point, and it would have been uncertain if he would have even entered the Qi Refining Middle Stage, let alone beco a disciple under an Inner Sect Grand Elder.
Compared to his own petty wishes, the developnt and strengthening of the family were far more important.
Besides, with the family progressing, being an Elder, he would benefit greatly. There would be more resources to cultivate the next generation, eliminating worries about the clan's offspring missing opportunities to enter the Sect.
Thus, at this mont, the third uncle's wrinkled face bead with joy, as bright as a daisy about to bloom in September.
After a grand ancestral worship ceremony, the Old Family Master led Qin Feng, Qin Xi, and the rest of the clan out of the ancestral hall, all smiles.
The clan mbers looked at Qin Feng and Qin Xi eagerly, especially Qin Feng, who bore the brunt of most of those eager gazes, making him feel as if those who had lived together for many years were about to strip him of his clothes.
If it weren't for the presence of the clan leader, Qin Feng had no doubt that in the next mont he would be surrounded by a crowd of clan mbers. Perhaps so would even reach out to touch him a few tis.
Even now, nurous clan mbers kept asking questions, eager to learn about the affairs of the Inner Sect of the Beast Taming Sect because these clan mbers rarely left Kun City, let alone understand the magic of the Inner Sect.
The situation for Qin Xi was a bit better, as she was surrounded by more female clan mbers. Moreover, her parents were by her side, with several brothers and sisters in tow, so the clan mbers consciously let her family speak first. Despite the occasional question from an aunt or cousin, most of the ti they just watched the family converse.
Qin Xi looked at her parents, who had gained a bit of weight, with a happy smile on her face.
Compared to their impoverished life when she was younger, her parents were evidently doing quite well now.
From her mother's words, she learned that the Qin Family's Clan Leader had taken very good care of their family. Her siblings had cultivation techniques as well, but with their lesser talents, even if they managed to open their minds, they probably could only practice so common cultivation thods within the clan.
Despite this, Qin Xi was quite content.
With her broader horizons and insights, she naturally didn't expect all of her family to embark on the path of cultivation. All she wanted was for her parents not to have to toil and to enjoy their old age, and for her brothers and sisters, who didn't have great talent, not to end up working as laborers in the Outer Sect but rather to stay happily with the clan.
anwhile, Qin Feng, who was surrounded by all the male clan mbers, casually shared so permissible tales, causing the clan mbers to listen in amazent and excitent.
"If I had known how accomplished Afeng would beco, I would not have co back so early," Qin Ying said with a face full of regret. "I ca back not long before the Outer Disciple competition. I should've waited a few more months, then I could have watched Afeng show his prowess on the stage and take the first place in the competition."
Upon hearing this, Qin Xi couldn't help but smile. "Uncle Ying probably doesn't know yet, but Afeng is not just an Inner Sect Disciple, he has also beco a true disciple of the Sect! If you stayed another year, you could have seen Afeng's glory as a true disciple."
"Ah?"
When these words ca out, not only was Qin Ying's face filled with astonishnt, but even Old Clan Chief Qin Guanbao and Qin Long both felt a shock in their hearts.
"What did you say? Feng has beco an Inner Sect true disciple?"
The Old Clan Chief stood up abruptly, his face filled with disbelief, "You... you're not lying to ?"
"Who would dare deceive Grandfather Clan Leader with words?"
Qin Xi glanced at Qin Feng and smiled, "If you don't believe it, you should ask him yourself."
Then, the crowd turned their gazes towards Qin Feng.
Especially the Old Clan Chief and Qin Long, whose eager eyes shone like the sun.
Qin Feng inwardly smiled wryly; he knew that once the news was out, this would be the scene. However, he had never intended to hide such a matter from the clan. And even if he wanted to, he couldn't keep it secret. Even if he said nothing, the manager of the Ten Thousand Demons Pavilion's Tieling County branch would get the news and inform the Old Family Master.
After all, in the future, the Ten Thousand Demons Pavilion would surely take care of the clan, whether it was the clan's property business or safety and protection issues.
"This, this, this…"
The Old Family Master trembled slightly, overwheld with emotion, tears glistening in his eyes, "Our ancestors have shown their grace!"
The ordinary clan mbers had an incomplete understanding of what it ant to be a true disciple, but as a forr Outer Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, how could he not know the significance of an Inner Sect true disciple?
Every true disciple, if they grew up, would beco a high-ranking mber of the Sect. Whether it was the position of Sect Master or so other exceptionally important roles, such as Hall Master of the Preaching Hall or Hall Master of the Law Enforcent Hall, were all selected among the true disciples.
Now that Qin Feng had beco an Inner Sect true disciple, he couldn't think of any other words to express his feelings at this mont other than the ancestors showing their grace.
Although the highest cultivation among the ancestors was only Golden Core Realm, and the rest only made it to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishnt, even a true manifestation wouldn't likely influence the Beast Taming Sect's selection of true disciples.
But still, he was extrely excited, jumping three feet high, then he turned and went to offer sacrifices to the ancestors in the ancestral hall.
Once Qin Ying briefly described the benefits of being a true disciple to the clan mbers, they were imdiately engulfed in fervor.
Subsequently, the Qin Family slaughtered pigs and sheep, and even took out a few Demon Beasts hunted during the recent autumn hunt, preparing a sumptuous banquet of several dozen tables to welco back the accomplished Qin Feng and Qin Xi.
The lively scene lasted until late into the night, and only then did the clan mbers, reluctant to end the festivities, slowly disperse.
It was only at this ti that Qin Feng finally had the opportunity to speak privately with his father and Old Family Master.
Qin Xi had already gone back. She had been busy dealing with the clan mbers all day and hadn't had much ti to talk with her parents and siblings. She was now heading to her family's ho, planning to spend so quality ti with her mother and the family.
"You've done well; you're much more accomplished than us."
The Old Family Master, after all, had lived a long ti and had gradually cald down after a day's excitent. He looked at Qin Feng's still sowhat immature face and couldn't help but pat his shoulder with pride and encouraged him to sit down.
"Ninth Grandfather is too kind, " Qin Feng humbly replied. "I just happened to make so contributions, and that's why the elders of the Sect valued ."
He did not share the details of these contributions as they were secrets of the Sect, not suitable to be revealed to the clan.
"This trip back to the clan was mainly to get a spiritual dicine for treating divine soul injuries for my father, and since I will be traveling with my master soon and may not return for many years, I hurried to bring it back."
As he spoke, Qin Feng took out a delicate jade bottle from his Storage Bag and handed it to Qin Long, saying, "Father, this is a Spirit Pill specially for treating the divine soul. I asked my master to help request it from the Sect. Try it; the effects should be good."
"I..."
Upon hearing this, Qin Long's hands trembled as he took the Spirit Pill.
He didn't expect his son to obtain such a precious dicine so quickly.
With this pill, the pain that had troubled him for years was about to be dispelled, and what was more crucial was that he could resu normal cultivation again.
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