Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 498 - 267: The Mu Family’s Foundation, A Troubled Mind

"Very well."

A calm voice drifted out from the depths of Red Leaf Valley.

And with that, the battle was finally over.

The Ou Family elder didn’t linger, taking Ou Lingshan with him as he departed.

Before leaving, Ou Lingshan called out, "Mu Yuanchen, you’d better come to the Ou Family for a rematch soon! If you take too long, I’ll have already reached Core Formation!"

"Of course. Take care, Daoist Ou."

Li Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands in a farewell gesture.

In the blink of an eye, the two from the Ou Family vanished over the horizon.

The moment Li Chang’an turned around, he was met by the sight of the beaming Patriarch, Mu Chengsong.

Mu Chengsong laughed heartily. "Yuanchen, well done! I see I’ve underestimated you!"

He strode forward and clapped Li Chang’an firmly on the shoulder, his aged eyes filled with relief and satisfaction.

He had watched the entire battle unfold.

At first, he had been somewhat worried.

But now, all he felt was joy and relief.

In the years since Mu Xiaoxiao’s disappearance, the Mu Family had been without a Golden Core Seed, and a sense of oppression had hung over the entire clan.

The pressure Mu Chengsong had endured as Patriarch was unimaginable.

"Yuanchen, with you here for the Mu Family, I can finally rest easy," he said with a smile.

The other Mu Clan Members also gathered around, nearly all of them looking thrilled and excited as they congratulated Li Chang’an on his victory.

At a time like this, Mu Han didn’t dare say anything inappropriate. He had no choice but to force a particularly ugly smile and offer a few words of congratulations.

After a long while, Li Chang’an finally managed to escape the crowd of enthusiastic Mu Clan Members and return to his residence.

He hadn’t even had a moment to enjoy the peace and quiet when his little sister, Mu Yuanru, rushed over to him, asking with a grin, "Brother, I heard you beat someone really strong today, and that the Ancestor is going to make you the Mu Family’s Golden Core Seed! Is it true?"

"Golden Core Seed? The Ancestor hasn’t announced anything yet. Nothing is set in stone, so let’s just wait and see."

Li Chang’an replied with a smile and a slight shake of his head.

In her childish voice, Mu Yuanru asked again, "Brother, does this mean you’re going to become a Golden Core Ancestor someday?"

"That’s also hard to say."

"Brother, if you become a Golden Core Ancestor, then I’ll be a Golden Core Ancestor’s little sister..."

Mu Yuanru blinked her wide eyes and hugged his arm, lost in daydreams about the future.

Li Chang’an said no more, his mind replaying the battle with Ou Lingshan.

’He had, of course, held back during that fight. If he had used his full strength, he could have defeated Ou Lingshan in an instant. But such a display of power would have been too sensational, and he feared it would attract countless covetous gazes. The level of strength he had shown was perfect—enough to secure his position as the Golden Core Seed without drawing too much unwanted attention.’

...

「That evening.」

Mu Chengsong found him, his old face wreathed in smiles.

"Yuanchen, come with me to the clan’s core territory to see the Ancestor. The Ancestor has decided to make you our Mu Family’s Golden Core Seed!"

"Yes."

Li Chang’an wasn’t surprised.

He immediately followed Mu Chengsong to a secluded courtyard deep within the clan’s territory.

The Mu Family’s sole remaining Ancestor, Mu Song, was seated at a stone table in the courtyard. He exuded no Fake Pill aura, only a faint air of twilight, as if he were an ordinary mortal elder.

Li Chang’an cupped his hands and bowed. "Greetings, Ancestor."

"There’s no need for formalities. Sit."

With a casual wave of his hand, two stone stools and a pot of Spirit Tea appeared in the courtyard.

"Yes, Ancestor."

Li Chang’an sat down respectfully at one side of the stone table.

Mu Chengsong sat on the other side and immediately began to lavish praise on Li Chang’an, recounting all his deeds from childhood to the present day.

He said with a laugh, "Ancestor, this child has been exceptionally capable since he was young. I always knew he would become a pillar of our Mu Family!"

"Mm."

Mu Song nodded slightly.

He looked at Li Chang’an with a faint smile and asked, "Yuanchen, what is the purpose of your life’s cultivation?"

Li Chang’an thought for a moment before quickly answering.

"For the Mu Family, and for long life."

"Good."

Mu Song seemed quite satisfied.

Next, he began to impart some of his Cultivation Insights.

Although he was only at the Fake Pill realm, he still had several hundred years of experience and cultivation knowledge, and the insights he shared were of considerable help to Li Chang’an.

Before they knew it, the night had deepened into its latter half.

Mu Song asked him, "Is there anything you didn’t understand from what I’ve said?"

"Ancestor, I do have a few questions."

Li Chang’an immediately spoke up, voicing the points he found confusing.

Mu Song was very patient, answering each question in turn. Finally, he said, "Alright, that is all for today. You may go back for now."

"Yes, Ancestor."

Li Chang’an promptly stood and left the courtyard.

He replayed the cultivation knowledge he had just gained in his mind, feeling a hint of joy.

’It seems I’ll be able to come here often in the future to listen to Mu Song’s Cultivation Insights. My disguise is truly remarkable. Even at such a close distance, the Mu Family Ancestor, Mu Song, didn’t see through it and is grooming me as a true member of the Mu Clan.’

A slight smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips. It was as if he had just gained a Fake Pill master who was extremely close to him.

He planned to maintain this identity for a long time to come.

「After he left.」

Only Mu Song and Mu Chengsong remained in the courtyard.

Mu Chengsong asked nervously, "Ancestor, what do you think of the boy?"

"He’s excellent. His comprehension is outstanding and he is naturally gifted. He has a promising chance of reaching the Golden Core realm in the future."

"Then... shall we formally announce him as our Mu Family’s Golden Core Seed?"

"Yes. Announce it tomorrow."

Hearing this, Mu Chengsong’s face immediately lit up with joy.

He quickly took his leave and hurried to the clan’s assembly hall to draft the official announcement.

This matter was far too important to be handled carelessly.

「After he was gone.」

Only Mu Song remained in the courtyard.

He sat for a long time under the night sky, until the tea had gone cold. Only then did he slowly rise, gaze in the direction Li Chang’an had left, and let out a deep sigh.

"Alas... if only that child were truly a member of the Mu Clan."