The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Fourth Uncle? Yanshui? You're here!"

Opening the door, Yun Yantian was greeted by the sight of Yun Yunshan and his son, their unexpected visit lighting up his face with a wide smile. He quickly stepped aside to welcome them in.

"Where's your father?" Yun Yunshan asked with a chuckle.

"He's in the backyard, practicing his spear techniques. I'll take you to him!" Yantian replied enthusiastically, leading them toward the rear courtyard.

The backyard was a martial paradise, lined with rows of neatly arranged weapon racks. Swords, spears, sabers, halberds—every conceivable weapon gleamed under the light.

These were treasures Yun Yunyue had acquired after selling his martial arts school in town and transporting the weapons back in carts.

At the center of the yard, Yun Yunyue wielded a long spear, his movements vigorous and commanding.

At times, the spear darted forward like a dragon piercing the heavens.

At others, it coiled and danced like a dragon navigating shallow waters.

In his hands, the spear seemed alive, weaving intricate patterns and leaving behind dazzling shadows that blurred the eyes of onlookers.

"Father! Fourth Uncle and Yanshui are here to see you!" Yantian called out, his voice cutting through the rhythmic swish of the spear.

Hearing this, Yun Yunyue halted mid-movement. With a practiced flick, he sent the spear sailing back into its slot on the weapon rack behind him. Turning to the courtyard entrance, he saw Yun Yunshan and Yanshui.

Wiping the sweat from his brow with a cloth, he made his way to the stone table in the yard and waved them over with a hearty laugh. "Fourth Brother, Yanshui! Come, sit!"

"Second Uncle, your spear techniques are amazing!" Yanshui exclaimed, his admiration spilling over as he sat beside his father.

He had arrived just in time to witness a brief display of his uncle's skill, leaving him in awe.

"Haha! Just some tricks I picked up during my years in the military. Compared to your father's archery, my spear work is nothing to brag about!" Yun Yunyue said modestly, his laughter warm and unrestrained.

Then, turning to Yantian, he added, "Go prepare some dishes and bring some wine. Your uncle and I will have a proper drink tonight!"

"Second Brother, you jest. My archery skills were taught by none other than you," Yun Yunshan said with a smile, shaking his head.

"But now, you've surpassed your teacher!" Yun Yunyue replied, grinning.

"Second Uncle, are all these weapons from the martial arts school in town?" Yanshui asked, his gaze fixed on the gleaming arsenal around them.

"Indeed. Do you fancy any of them? Pick one, and it's yours!" Yun Yunyue said generously.

"No need, Second Uncle. I don't use blades or spears—I've only trained in archery with Father," Yanshui replied with a polite shake of his head.

"Ah, that's right! You've been practicing your archery in Yuncang Mountain recently, haven't you? I heard you injured over a dozen of Zhou Kuang's men with unerring accuracy.

At your age, to have such precision… it seems your talent even surpasses your father's!" Yun Yunyue said with a smile, clearly impressed.

"Second Brother, don't flatter the boy too much, or he'll become insufferable!" Yun Yunshan laughed.

"Haha! The men of the Yun family should excel in something, whether it's spear work, swordsmanship, or archery. And when they do, they deserve to be praised!" Yun Yunyue declared, dismissing his brother's concerns with a wave of his hand.

"Second Uncle," Yanshui interjected suddenly, "I brought something for Brother Yantian."

"Oh? What is it?" Yun Yunyue asked curiously.

Without a word, Yanshui reached into his pouch and produced the tiny, purple-red immortal fruit.

As soon as it emerged, a strange and delightful fragrance filled the courtyard, captivating everyone present.

"What's this?" Yun Yunyue asked, a trace of astonishment flashing across his face as he gazed at the fruit in Yanshui's hand.

"Second Brother," Yun Yunshan said, speaking up before his son could answer, "this is an immortal fruit Yanshui found by chance while hunting in the mountains. It has miraculous properties."

He deliberately avoided revealing the fruit's true origin, deciding it was best to keep the secret of the bronze mirror confined to his immediate family. Too many people knowing about it could invite trouble.

"Miraculous properties?" Yun Yunyue echoed.

"Indeed! My sister, Shuang'er, ate one of these fruits, and it significantly improved her constitution," Yanshui added with enthusiasm.

"Shuang'er has had one already?"

"Yes, and it's made a noticeable difference! If I'm lucky, I'll try to find more of these fruits next time I go hunting," Yanshui said eagerly.

"This is a precious gift. How could I accept it for Yantian? You should save it for Shuang'er," Yun Yunyue said with a faint smile, unwilling to take something so valuable. To him, the fruit belonged to Yanshui's family, and it was only right to prioritize Shuang'er's well-being.

"Second Uncle, the fruit only works once. Taking it a second time would be a waste.

Since Shuang'er has already benefited from it, it's only fair to give this one to Brother Yantian. It could help improve his constitution, which would be invaluable for his cultivation," Yanshui explained, his expression earnest.

Yun Yunshan remained silent, observing the exchange between his son and his second brother. For all his son's usual mischief, he noticed that when it came to serious matters, Yanshui approached them with surprising maturity.

Yun Yunshan observed his son's composed demeanor, his actions and words seamless and precise, and couldn't help but feel a swell of pride.

"In that case, Second Uncle will accept this. On behalf of your brother Yantian, I thank you for this precious gift of fortune," Yun Yunyue said, his tone sincere.

"Haha! We're all family, Second Uncle. If Brother Yantian grows stronger, I can rely on him even more in the future!" Yun Yanshui replied with a bright grin.

He wasn't lying—if Yantian consumed the immortal fruit and his cultivation advanced, the benefits would eventually flow back to Yanshui himself.

"Haha! You clever boy. Fine, when Yantian gets here, I'll tell him that no matter how far his cultivation progresses, he must take care of you. If he dares disobey, I'll spank him for you!" Yun Yunyue laughed heartily, clearly delighted.

At that moment, Yun Yantian returned from the kitchen, carrying an array of dishes.

Even from a distance, the enticing aroma of carp soup and spirit rice shrimp porridge wafted through the air. Accompanying the meal were a plate of mapo tofu, a dish of beef, a bowl of roasted peanuts, and a jar of fine wine.

"Fourth Uncle, Yanshui, we didn't prepare much—please make do with this simple meal," Yun Yantian said as he set the dishes on the table, smiling warmly at his uncle and cousin.

"This is plenty! You've gone to so much trouble," Yun Yunshan replied, his smile full of gratitude.

"It's no trouble at all."

"Brother Yantian, your cooking is amazing!" Yun Yanshui said, already helping himself to the food with chopsticks in hand.

Before he could take another bite, Yun Yunshan gave him a playful knock on the head. "Your Second Uncle and Brother Yantian haven't started yet. How dare you?"

"Fourth Brother, let the boy be. He's a guest in my home—no need to fuss over formalities," Yun Yunyue said quickly, coming to his nephew's defense. He poured a full bowl of wine for Yun Yunshan as a gesture of goodwill.

"You spoil him too much, Second Brother," Yun Yunshan said with a helpless chuckle.

"How could I not? He's my nephew, after all!" Yun Yunyue replied, feigning sternness before bursting into laughter.

Yun Yunshan shook his head in resignation and joined his brother in a drink, their camaraderie warming the atmosphere.

After the meal, once Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshui had cleared the table, Yun Yunyue called his son over and handed him the immortal fruit.

"This is an immortal fruit your brother found while hunting in the mountains. Your cousin Shuang'er has already benefited from one like it—it should help improve your constitution as a cultivator. Go ahead and eat it and see what it does for you."

Hearing his father's words, Yun Yantian glanced at Yun Yanshui, who smiled back at him, encouragingly.

Yun Yantian felt a deep sense of gratitude welling up in his heart.

The family had almost no resources for cultivation. He and Shuang'er had been training under their master, relying primarily on the natural spiritual energy under the shade of the willow trees outside the estate. Their progress was slow, built painstakingly through the accumulation of spiritual power over time.

He knew that with resources like this fruit, their cultivation would have advanced far more quickly.

Now, Yanshui had found such a rare treasure and chose to give it to him. How could he not be moved?

"Yanshui, thank you. I'll never forget this kindness," Yun Yantian said sincerely.

"It's nothing. We're family," Yanshui replied nonchalantly, though his excitement was evident. He could barely wait to see what changes Yantian's use of the fruit would bring to himself.

Steeling himself, Yun Yantian popped the small purple-red fruit into his mouth.

The moment it entered, the fruit dissolved into a surge of pure spiritual energy. The power spread rapidly through his body, refining his meridians and enhancing his bloodline and bones.

Seeing that the fruit was working, Yun Yunshan decided it was time to leave. He gathered Yanshui and bid farewell to his brother and nephew, not wanting to interrupt Yantian's cultivation.

On the way home, a sudden burst of energy flooded Yun Yanshui's mind.

A scripture appeared within his consciousness—it was the "Three Purity Scripture."

Along with the scripture came an imprint, a fragment of Yun Yantian's soul essence, embedded in his own mind.

Most astonishingly, his dantian felt fuller, his spiritual energy denser and more refined than ever before, brimming to the point of overflow.

Feeling the changes in his body, Yun Yanshui's heart soared with joy. His theory had proven correct.

As long as Shuang'er and Yantian continued their cultivation, the spiritual energy they fed back to him would accelerate his own progress.

At this rate, it wouldn't be long before he broke through to the third stage of the Embryonic Breath Realm!