Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 563: Chapter 296: Setting up an Array, Generating Spiritual Qi

When some of the villagers saw Cheng Zongyang return, they were overjoyed and ran to spread the word.

It had been a long time since they’d last seen Cheng Zongyang, so those who heard the news all hurried over.

When Cheng Guanghai and the other elders heard Cheng Zongyang was back, they too came over, delighted by the news.

Just then, surrounded by a crowd of villagers, Cheng Zongyang crossed the stone bridge and entered the inner river district.

The inner river district had since been transformed, its environment now resembling the landscape gardens of a grand estate.

"Father, Second Uncle, Eldest Uncle, Youngest Uncle. Cousin."

Seeing his familiar family members, Cheng Zongyang greeted each of them in turn.

"It’s good to have you back safely." Seeing his son had returned unharmed, Cheng Guanghai happily patted his shoulder. Then, the group made their way to the meeting villa.

The other villagers happily dispersed to get back to their own tasks.

"Zongwen came back once before and said you were taking someone to the Cultivation Immortality Realm. Is everything taken care of now?"

Once they were inside the meeting villa, Cheng Guanghai posed the question. The others all listened intently.

Cheng Zongyang gave a slight nod. "It’s taken care of. I have to make another trip in half a year. Has there been any trouble in the village?"

Cheng Guanghai chuckled. "With the protection of your Soul Gathering Stele, the village is perfectly safe. Don’t you worry. This time you’re back, besides just visiting, is there anything else you need the family to help with?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "Yes, there is. I came back this time for matters related to Cultivation Immortality. I have to return to the city for a meeting tonight. Elders, please bring all our younger family members, as well as the people from the Earth Branch Lineage. I’m going to test their Spirit Root and Spirit Bone."

"Alright!"

The matter was urgent; there would be time for pleasantries later.

And so, the men hurried out to make the arrangements, leaving only Cheng Guanghai behind to continue speaking with Cheng Zongyang.

"Father, how many people are in the Earth Branch Lineage now?" Cheng Zongyang asked.

Cheng Guanghai replied, "The plan you left behind is still underway. Last time he was back, Zongwen brought us thirty qualifying orphans, all under the age of ten. We’re now on our fifth batch of candidates for the Earth Branch Lineage, which means we have over sixty people in total."

After a moment of thought, Cheng Zongyang asked, "Aside from the ten or so who were assigned elsewhere, are the rest of them still in the village?"

Cheng Guanghai nodded. "That’s right. After joining the Earth Branch Lineage, they’re all currently undergoing training, which includes medicinal baths and literacy lessons. All expenses are covered by the Cheng Clan Public Property. The plan has remained essentially unchanged and is being strictly enforced."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "Good. Once everyone is gathered, I’ll propose a few changes."

"Alright." Cheng Guanghai had no objections. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, right. Your cousin got married."

At this, Cheng Zongyang paused. "What was the marriage settlement? Was the bride that Cheng Shou’Er from before?"

Cheng Guanghai nodded. "That’s right. It was ten days ago."

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "That’s wonderful news. It’s been a long time coming. I should probably get them a gift, shouldn’t I?"

Cheng Guanghai nodded. "That’s for you to decide. She’s currently training at the Household Affairs Hall."

Cheng Zongyang nodded, a plan already forming in his mind.

A quarter of an hour later, about seventy youths were assembled in the villa’s courtyard, arranged in seven neat rows.

The elders and Cheng Zongyang watched them from the steps of the villa.

The first row was made up of children from the Cheng and Zhou Families.

Behind them were the members of the Earth Branch Lineage.

As for the other villagers, Cheng Zongyang currently had no intention of training them to become Cultivators.

"Zongyang, everyone’s here. You can give your instructions now," his eldest uncle, Zhou Hansong, said from the side.

With the aid of Martial Arts Elixirs, the Cultivation of these elders had all reached the Sixth Grade. In a place like Jade Peak Immortal City, that put them firmly in the middle ranks among Martial Artists.

But their role was still to properly nurture the younger generation and protect the family’s foundation.