The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

The next morning, Yun Yun Shan arrived as promised, bringing his daughter Yun Yan Shuang, who was dressed in a green vine-patterned dress.

"Daoist, this is my daughter, Yun Yan Shuang," Yun Yun Shan said respectfully, bowing slightly.

Yun Yan Shuang, having learned from her father the previous day that the blind Daoist was a cultivator from the Temple of the Three Purities, quickly followed her father's example and greeted him politely.

"Come closer," the blind Daoist beckoned, gesturing for Yun Yan Shuang to approach.

The moment his spiritual sense extended, the Daoist immediately noticed an extraordinary quality about her.

Trembling slightly with nervousness, Yun Yan Shuang stepped forward, allowing the Daoist to place his coarse, calloused hand on her forehead and the crown of her head.

Strangely enough, instead of feeling uncomfortable, Yun Yan Shuang felt a warm, soothing energy seep into her body through her crown. It flowed through her entire being, leaving her feeling refreshed and at ease.

After a long while, the Daoist withdrew his hand and "looked" toward Yun Yun Shan. Bowing slightly, he said, "Congratulations, Brother Yun. Your daughter is exceptionally gifted—she has spiritual roots and quite a good aptitude at that. She possesses a third-grade spiritual root."

"Truly?!"

Yun Yun Shan's face lit up with a mixture of joy and astonishment.

"This old Daoist never lies," the blind Daoist affirmed. "I just channeled my spiritual energy into her body to examine her aptitude, and it's confirmed that she possesses spiritual roots."

"Thank you, Daoist!" Yun Yun Shan suppressed his overwhelming excitement and bowed deeply.

However, his curiosity quickly got the better of him. "Daoist, may I ask, what does a third-grade spiritual root signify?"

The Daoist smiled faintly and began explaining. "Cultivators differ greatly in innate talent, and this difference is determined by their spiritual root aptitude.

Spiritual roots are the foundation of cultivation, and they are graded from the strongest to the weakest: supreme-grade, first-grade, second-grade, third-grade, fourth-grade, and fifth-grade.

Supreme-grade spiritual roots are the most powerful, but they are exceedingly rare. Throughout the history of the cultivation world, only a handful of individuals have possessed them.

Fifth-grade spiritual roots are the weakest. While they can still cultivate, their progress is slow, and their achievements are limited. Such individuals typically remain in the Qi Refining stage for their entire lives.

Your daughter's third-grade spiritual root, though not the most exceptional, is still better than many. With proper guidance and training, she could achieve significant success in the future."

As he spoke, the Daoist took a hearty swig from the jar of fine wine Yun Yun Shan had brought, savoring its taste.

"I see," Yun Yun Shan murmured, nodding thoughtfully. He committed the Daoist's words to memory.

"Daoist, may I ask, what exactly is the Qi Refining stage?"

"Qi Refining is one of the cultivation realms. Those who reach this stage can sustain themselves on the energy of heaven and earth, no longer needing to eat mortal food," the Daoist explained.

"Are there other realms beyond Qi Refining?"

"Of course," the Daoist replied with a chuckle. "Below Qi Refining is the Breath Embryo stage. Above it lie several major realms."

"Could you explain further? If you do, I'll bring you two jars of aged Nu'er Hong tomorrow," Yun Yun Shan said earnestly, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.

The Daoist's smile widened. "Very well. The cultivation path consists of nine major realms: Breath Embryo, Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Purple Mansion, Void Refinement, Body Integration, and Great Ascension.

Each major realm is divided into nine minor levels.

As for what lies beyond Great Ascension, no definitive information has been recorded in the cultivation world.

However, many speculate that Great Ascension leads to the realm of ascension, where one leaves this mortal plane to enter the celestial realm, attaining immortality and eternal life.

But these are merely speculations—rumors passed down by various sects. They are not confirmed."

"Thank you, Daoist, for enlightening me," Yun Yun Shan said gratefully, bowing deeply once more.

"Daoist, would you be willing to teach my daughter the path of cultivation?"

Now that it was confirmed Yun Yan Shuang had spiritual roots, Yun Yun Shan earnestly hoped the blind Daoist would take her as a disciple. If she could succeed in cultivation, the bronze mirror in their cellar might finally serve its purpose.

"Very well. Have her come here daily, and I will teach her," the Daoist agreed after a moment of consideration.

Initially, he had intended to avoid forming any connections with the Yun Family to prevent potential calamities.

However, upon further reflection, he realized that the legacy of the Temple of the Three Purities could not end with him.

Now, with the chance to train a disciple with a third-grade spiritual root, he decided to pass on the sect's teachings through her.

"Thank you, Daoist!" Yun Yun Shan's face lit up with joy as he turned to his daughter. "Yan Shuang, hurry and pay your respects to your master!"

"Disciple Yan Shuang greets Master," she said, bowing deeply to the Daoist.

"No need for formalities," the Daoist said with a smile. Reaching into his robe, he produced an old, yellowed copper coin strung on a red thread.

"As your first gift from your master, take this copper coin. It is a talisman to ward off evil, protecting you from illness and harm."

The copper coin shimmered faintly with a golden hue under the sunlight, exuding a mysterious aura.

"Thank you, Master," Yan Shuang said, accepting the talisman gratefully.

Yun Yan Shuang took the copper coin, tied it securely to herself, and bowed deeply to the blind Daoist once more.

"Daoist, why don't you move into my house from now on?" Yun Yun Shan suggested.

With Yun Yan Shuang now officially apprenticed, Yun Yun Shan thought it would be more respectful and convenient to host the Daoist in his home. After all, this man was no ordinary person—he was a cultivator, and such a guest deserved proper hospitality.

"No need," the blind Daoist said with a chuckle. "The spiritual energy under this willow tree is the densest in all of Yun Family Village. I'm quite comfortable here.

All I ask is that you bring me some wine daily. That will suffice."

The Daoist grinned, clearly unwilling to leave his spot under the tree.

"In that case, I shall take my leave for now," Yun Yun Shan said, bowing respectfully before departing.

Meanwhile, in the cellar of the Yun family home, Yun Yan Shui was sound asleep near the old offering table.

He was completely unaware that the green sapling on the surface of the ancient bronze mirror had grown slightly larger.

The sapling, no bigger than a pinky finger, had absorbed the offerings Yun Yun Shan had placed that morning—apples, pears, bananas, and more.

As it grew, tiny, colorful flower buds began to appear among its branches, radiating a dazzling light brimming with vitality.

The sapling's life essence filled the cellar, wrapping around the sleeping Yun Yan Shui. Bit by bit, the energy seeped into his body, purifying his limbs, bones, and meridians. Impurities were expelled through his pores, leaving faint traces of black residue on his skin.

Creak—

The cellar door opened suddenly, jolting Yun Yan Shui awake.

Startled, he grabbed the iron pitchfork resting by his bed and glared toward the door, his expression wary.

"It's me," Yun Yun Shan's voice called out, instantly putting him at ease.

Setting the pitchfork back down, Yun Yan Shui grinned. "Dad, you're here!"

"You've been working hard, guarding the bronze mirror alone in this cellar," Yun Yun Shan said, patting his son's head gently.

"It's no trouble. I'm perfectly happy here. I've got food and drink, and I don't have to go to school. What could be better?" Yun Yan Shui replied with a carefree laugh.

Yun Yun Shan shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. Stroking his son's hair, he said softly, "Your sister has spiritual roots and will begin learning the path of cultivation from the Daoist.

As for you..."

"I know, Dad. I don't have spiritual roots. The Daoist already told me," Yun Yan Shui said, his tone lighthearted, though a hint of wistfulness lingered in his eyes.

"When you come of age, I'll arrange a marriage for you," Yun Yun Shan continued. "Hopefully, your children will inherit spiritual roots.

If your sister becomes a cultivator, she will personally guide your descendants if they possess spiritual roots."

"Understood. I'll leave everything to you, Father," Yun Yan Shui said, bowing respectfully.

Though he longed to cultivate, he had accepted the harsh reality. Without spiritual roots, his only path was that of a mortal. His role was to guard the bronze mirror and ensure its safety.

In the future, he planned to marry and have several children. If any of them were born with spiritual roots, it would elevate their family's standing within Yun Family Village.

Perhaps, one day, his branch of the family would hold significant influence over the entire village.

"Did you eat the offerings?"

Yun Yun Shan's gaze shifted to the offering table, where the fruits he had placed earlier that morning were now missing.

"Huh? No, I didn't touch them!" Yun Yan Shui replied, equally puzzled as he stared at the empty table.

Frowning, Yun Yun Shan approached the table. His eyes fell on the sapling growing on the surface of the bronze mirror—it had noticeably grown larger.

"It seems the bronze mirror absorbed the offerings," Yun Yun Shan murmured, studying the sapling intently.

"And this sapling... I wonder what it is and what purpose it serves?"