Longevity with a Turtle

Chapter 30: Chapter 29: Internal and External Separation

Including Chen Jianghe, nineteen Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers owed their start on the Immortal Path to the Yun Family’s benevolence.

Yun Bufan gazed at the remaining nineteen people, his eyes filled with a mixture of resentment and helplessness.

He turned and retreated behind Yun Zhonghou.

”Whether you are orphans or sons of farmers, it is only by the grace of the Yun Family and the Immortal Fate they bestowed that you were fortunate enough to step onto the Immortal Path.”

Yun Zhonghou stepped down from the platform and walked among the Fishermen and Farmers, his voice growing gentle.

”In my eyes, you are just like the children of the Yun Family—you are the future of our clan, our mainstays.”

”Perhaps you think my words are mere pleasantries. Very well. Today, I will give you a chance to truly become members of the Yun Family.”

Huh?!

All the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers, including Chen Jianghe, were jolted. They stared at Yun Zhonghou in astonishment, eager to hear what this so-called opportunity was.

”As long as you are willing, the Yun Family will arrange a marriage for you. The brides will all be women of the Yun Family who possess Spirit Roots.

After marrying, you will be considered members of the Yun Family. Based on your contributions, you can enjoy the same treatment as the Direct Descendants.”

Having said this, Yun Zhonghou returned to the platform and looked down at the crowd of stunned Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers.

Yun Zhonghou said no more, giving them time to process the information.

’Marrying in!’

The minds of the Fishermen and Farmers were reeling. They couldn’t help but think of the legend from a century ago—the one with the greatest talent for raising fish.

But then they all shook their heads.

’This is different from that legend’s case. The promised Yun Family women all have Spirit Roots, not like ordinary mortal women. What’s more, Yun Zhonghou promised treatment equal to Direct Descendants based on contribution. These terms for marrying in are far better than what the fish-raising legend got. It’s not like we’d become unpaid laborers just by marrying in.’

Chen Jianghe lowered his head and glanced around at the others’ expressions. Some were excited, some were worried, but most were watching and waiting to see what others would choose.

”Excuse me, Elder, but will the children born take their father’s surname or their mother’s?” a Fisherman and Farmer asked respectfully.

This was the Fisherman and Farmer to Chen Jianghe’s left. He had met the requirements to go to the Inner Waters and had also embarked on the Immortal Path through the Yun Family’s grace.

”They will take the Yun surname,” Yun Zhonghou stated bluntly.

As soon as he said this, many of the observing Fishermen and Farmers lost interest, clearly opposed to the idea.

Among these Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers who owed their chance to the Yun Family, most were sons of farmers; orphans like Chen Jianghe were few.

One could see the resistance in the eyes of those from farming families.

The orphans, in contrast, looked unconcerned, their minds filled with longing for the treatment afforded to Direct Descendants.

”Those willing to marry into the Yun Family, take one step forward.” Yun Zhonghou didn’t give the Fishermen and Farmers much time to think.

In the eyes of the Yun Family, if it weren’t for the heavy casualties among the younger generation of Direct Descendants, these low-level Fishermen and Farmers would have had no chance to marry in, let alone be matched with a Yun Family woman possessing a Spirit Root.

In the blink of an eye, seven Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers stepped forward, indicating their desire to marry into the Yun Family.

The remaining twelve Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers stood their ground.

Chen Jianghe saw Yu Daniu step forward. He didn’t try to stop him; the situation didn’t allow for any interference.

’To displease a Yun Family Elder is to invite a death sentence.’

’Becoming a live-in son-in-law of the Yun Family, paired with a Yun woman who has a Spirit Root... the Yun Family’s intentions are obvious. They plan to use the Fishermen and Farmers who marry in as studs to quickly produce more descendants for the Yun Family. The Yun Family has lost too many of its younger Direct Descendants in the past two years, shaking the very foundation of the clan. If they don’t replenish their numbers quickly, they will face a future crisis with a gap in their generations. As for enjoying the treatment of Direct Descendants based on contribution, that surely means the more children you sire, the higher your contribution. Of course, there is one condition: the children born have to possess a Spirit Root. On the path of Cultivation, Leaking Primordial Yang too early, or depleting it without restraint, leads to a weakened body, which is extremely detrimental to one’s Cultivation. So, while one receives exceptional treatment, one also has to sacrifice some of their own interests. Yu Daniu’s Spirit Root Talent isn’t good, his farming talent isn’t high, and he has no aptitude for the Talisman Dao. Perhaps marrying into the Yun Family is a good choice for him.’

”Alright. The seven of you, stay. The rest may leave,” Yun Zhonghou’s authoritative voice rang out.

Immediately, the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers who had not chosen to marry in quickly left the venue.

Chen Jianghe gave Yu Daniu a nod and left with the crowd.

He just felt it was a bit of a shame.

It wasn’t because of the offer to marry in.

’Although my Spirit Root Talent is poor, my lifespan is long. If I operate steadily and cultivate methodically, I can reach Late-Stage Qi Refining sooner or later. There is absolutely no need to marry in and squander my Primordial Yang.’

What he found regrettable was not becoming a Senior Fisherman and Farmer ahead of schedule.

’That would have been an opportunity to advance without being conspicuous or drawing attention.’

’Becoming a Senior Fisherman and Farmer a year earlier means collecting a Senior Fisherman and Farmer’s salary a year earlier, which is likely several times that of a Basic-Level Fisherman and Farmer.’

’I could also have enjoyed the dense Spiritual Qi of the Inner Waters sooner.’

’Oh well, what’s missed is missed.’

Instead of steering his boat away, Chen Jianghe headed for the Yuelai Inn. Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun were still waiting for him there.

’They surely want to know what the great opportunity for the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers was.’

After arriving at the Yuelai Inn, Chen Jianghe went straight to the private room on the second floor.

”Brother Jianghe.”

Gao Peiyao rose to greet him, her lovely eyes sparkling with curiosity. ”Why don’t I see Brother Daniu?” she asked, confused.

Chen Jianghe smiled and said, ”Daniu is still at the venue.”

”Hm?”

Both Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun looked astonished. They stared intently at Chen Jianghe, waiting for an explanation.

Chen Jianghe didn’t hide anything and recounted everything that had happened after the two women had left.

Upon hearing what the so-called opportunity was, both Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun breathed a sigh of relief.

They had thought it was some incredible opportunity, but it turned out to be just marrying into the Yun Family and letting some Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers with decent Talent enter the Inner Waters early to fill the vacancies for Senior Fishermen and Farmers.

This didn’t affect them much, so it was easy to accept.

”Fellow Daoist Yu is going to marry into the Yun Family?”

Zhou Miaoyun mused for a moment before saying, ”Well, perhaps it’s a good choice.”

”Since Brother Daniu chose to marry into the Yun Family, we should respect his decision.

Let’s wish him many children and many blessings in the Yun Family,” Gao Peiyao said.

When a Cultivator married into a family, nine out of ten ended up miserable.

They would either deplete their Primordial Yang too early, becoming cripples unable to advance their Cultivation due to a weakened body.

Or, they would sire a few children with Spirit Roots and, with the family’s rewards, quickly reach Mid-Stage Qi Refining.

As for Late-Stage Qi Refining?

It was basically a pipe dream. A person with a Five-Element Mixed Spirit Root needed a Tribulation Pill to break through to Late-Stage Qi Refining, and why would the family provide such a valuable Tribulation Pill to a live-in son-in-law?

Thus, for a man who married in, his future was laid out before him, clear as day.

As the two women were sighing over the matter, a waiter from the Yuelai Inn came in and spoke respectfully to Chen Jianghe.

”Someone from the Yun Family came with a message. They ask Immortal Chen to travel with them to the Inner Waters in three days.”