The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Master said that in the cultivation world, aside from spirit stones used for trade, there are also various spirit ores.

These ores are essential materials for crafting spirit weapons.

The higher the grade of the ore, the tougher it is. Weapons forged from high-grade ores not only boast superior quality but also exhibit greater power.

However, the higher the grade of the spirit ore, the harder it is to smelt and forge into a spirit weapon. It requires a skilled refiner with exceptional cultivation levels," Yun Yanshuang explained.

"Brother, if you want a bow capable of channeling your spiritual power, you'll need to find spirit ore suitable for crafting it. And then, you'll need to find a cultivator who specializes in artifact forging," she added.

"It's that complicated?" Yun Yanshui groaned, dropping his head onto the table with a look of frustration.

Recently, during a hunting trip, he had tried infusing his spiritual power into a regular bow and arrow to see the results. Unfortunately, the ordinary weapon couldn't withstand his spiritual energy and broke instantly.

Disappointed, he had shared his desire for a proper spirit weapon with his sister, hoping her master could provide a solution. Now, hearing her explanation, it seemed like his dream of a custom spirit bow was a distant reality.

The Yun family had just begun its journey as a cultivation family, and they had neither the resources nor the expertise for such an endeavor.

"It is a bit tricky," Yun Yanshuang admitted. "We'll have to wait and see how the family develops.

Or perhaps, you could try your luck in the future. Master mentioned that many independent cultivators, known as 'wandering cultivators,' often leave behind treasure-filled abodes when they pass away.

There are also ruins of ancient sects and fallen cultivation families scattered throughout the land. If you're lucky enough to discover one of these places while traveling, you might find something useful."

"Wandering cultivators? Artifact forgers? What are those?" Yun Yanshui tilted his head in curiosity.

"Master explained that cultivation encompasses many arts—alchemy, artifact forging, formations, talisman crafting, beast taming, and spirit plant cultivation.

Practitioners of these arts are called alchemists, artifact forgers, formation masters, talisman makers, beast tamers, and spirit plant cultivators, respectively.

Alchemists refine spiritual pills.

Artifact forgers specialize in crafting spiritual tools and weapons.

Formation masters create powerful arrays.

Talisman makers inscribe runes with various effects.

Spirit plant cultivators tend to spirit herbs and oversee their growth.

As for wandering cultivators, they are independent practitioners of cultivation who lack the support of a formal sect or family. They rely entirely on their own efforts to gather resources. Many became cultivators through serendipitous encounters, like stumbling upon the remnants of an ancient sect's teachings."

"So that's how it is," Yun Yanshui muttered, nodding as he quickly grabbed a brush and paper to jot down everything his sister had explained.

In the Yun family study,

Wearing a fox-fur cloak, Yun Yanling sat under the flickering light of an oil lamp, meticulously reviewing the accounts for the family's textile and dye workshops.

Since her father had taken over managing the family's overall finances, Yun Yanling had shouldered the responsibility of overseeing these businesses.

Under her diligent management, the quality of their fabrics and garments had improved significantly, boosting sales across Yunzhang County. The profits they had amassed would soon be reinvested into the family's growth and development.

The faint creak of the study door broke the silence.

Yun Yunyang entered quietly, careful not to disturb his daughter as she worked. He settled into a nearby chair, observing her with a gentle smile.

Time passed, and finally, Yun Yanling straightened up, stretching her sore shoulders. Spotting her father sitting silently nearby, she smiled warmly.

"Father, when did you come in?"

"I've been here for a while. I didn't want to interrupt you while you were focused," Yun Yunyang said with a chuckle.

"How are the accounts? All settled?"

"Yes, everything is in order now."

"How's business been lately?"

"The aunts in the family have been working hard. The fabrics they've woven are of excellent quality and selling well in Yunzhang County," Yun Yanling replied with pride.

"You've done so much, managing both the textile and dye workshops all on your own. It's been hard on you," Yun Yunyang said, his voice filled with affection.

"Compared to everything you've been doing for the family, Father, my efforts are nothing," she replied modestly.

"By the way, Father, there's something I wanted to discuss with you," Yun Yanling added, her tone becoming serious.

"Go ahead and say what's on your mind," Yun Yunyang encouraged, sensing his daughter had more to share.

"Father, I've been thinking about establishing a weapons workshop within the family estate," Yun Yanling began, her tone thoughtful and deliberate.

"The workshop would primarily focus on forging weapons for sale. Now that the court has formally recognized our family as a cultivation clan, we can freely craft and sell weapons without fear of interference from local officials.

Weapon workshops are known to be highly profitable. If everything goes well, the income generated could fund the renovation and expansion of our family estate."

She paused for a moment, her gaze steady.

"Moreover, there's another reason for my suggestion. Second Uncle is training our family's soldiers, and their daily drills consume a significant amount of weapons.

Instead of constantly purchasing weapons from Yunzhang County, it would be far more cost-effective to forge them ourselves. This would save our family a considerable amount of money."

Yun Yanling finished, her voice steady, awaiting her father's response.

Yun Yunyang's expression softened, a smile breaking across his face.

"This is an excellent idea, Ling'er. As our family grows and expands its influence, we'll need a strong military force to safeguard our territories and maintain order.

Building a weapons workshop is indeed a step in the right direction.

Your Fourth Uncle is skilled in blacksmithing. Once the workshop is operational, you can enlist his help to oversee the forging process."

"Thank you, Father," Yun Yanling said, her smile lighting up the room.

"Ling'er," Yun Yunyang began, his tone shifting, "there's another matter I need to discuss with you."

"What is it, Father?"

"For the past few days, I've been tirelessly working on matters concerning our family's status. It was all to secure the court's recognition of our family as a cultivation clan.

Now that the recognition and rewards have been granted, it's time to address another crucial issue—finding you a worthy husband.

Someone who can help you produce heirs with spiritual roots."

Yun Yanling's smile froze.

"As you know," Yun Yunyang continued, "both your Second and Fourth Uncles' families have children with spiritual roots, while our branch of the family has none.

If we don't act quickly, our branch will fade into obscurity within a few generations.

I've decided to hold a formal match-making event in a few days, after the court officially proclaims our family's status to the world."

His voice was heavy with emotion as he added, "I hope you understand the burden and responsibilities you bear as my daughter."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling between them.

"Father, I trust your judgment. You may decide what's best," Yun Yanling said softly, her voice devoid of any discernible emotion.

"Good," Yun Yunyang said with a nod, though a pang of guilt tugged at his heart.

"Rest well, Ling'er. You've been working hard. Take care of your health," he said as he rose to leave the study.

As he stepped out into the corridor, Yun Yanling's composed expression crumbled.

Turning to the copper mirror on her desk, she stared at her own reflection—an exquisite face marked by a hint of sadness.

"If only I had spiritual roots…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, and soon the room plunged into darkness as the candlelight was extinguished.

Outside, bathed in the pale glow of the moon, Yun Yunyang paused, hearing the faint sigh from within.

His heart clenched.

He knew his daughter's pride, her yearning for what seemed forever out of reach.

Watching her younger siblings awaken their spiritual roots and step onto the path of cultivation, while she remained tethered to mortality, was a burden he couldn't lift for her.

Deep within Yunzhang Mountain.

A group of 25 people, their path illuminated by flickering torches, trudged steadily along the stream of Li Village Gorge.

At the forefront were Yun Yunshan, carrying his ebony war bow, and Yun Yunyu, wielding his gleaming silver spear.

For two days and nights, they had traversed the rugged terrain, following the stream deeper into the mountain.

The air was thick with humidity, the foliage heavy with dew that clung to their clothes and soaked through their shoes.

Even their hair was damp, plastered against their foreheads and temples.

Despite the hardships, their determination was unwavering.

"The stream's flow is getting weaker," Yun Yunshan observed, his voice steady. "We must be nearing the source."

The group pressed onward, their spirits lifted by the prospect of discovery despite the relentless challenges of the journey.