NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43 - Tianhai
“You draw spirit talismans very well. Thanks to your talismans, the Tian family was able to escape unscathed. I heard from Feiyang that your maternal family is a renowned talisman-making family? I wonder where your family is located. Perhaps I might know something about it. By the way, I am a cultivator from Tianhai Sect,” Tian Ru said, standing with her hands behind her, appraising Chi Changye.
Upon hearing this, Chi Changye understood her intentions clearly—she was trying to probe into his background, and perhaps there was an attempt to recruit him. He replied calmly, “I draw spirit talismans, and second master Tian paid me a sufficient amount for my work. We each got what we needed. Senior, you’re too kind. I take my mother’s surname, and my maternal family is the Chi family. Saying that we’re a talisman-making family is a bit of an exaggeration on my part. The Chi family doesn’t have much of a reputation outside.”
From what he knew so far, Chi Changye deduced that the place he was currently in was not the same cultivation continent as the one he came from. He wasn’t sure if there was a connection between the two or how one could travel between them, so he needed to leave Yuanyang Town and gather more information.
Therefore, he felt confident mentioning the Chi family, as he believed that no cultivator here would have heard of it, let alone of their talisman-making heritage.
Tian Ru frowned slightly and ransacked her memories of the cultivation families she knew, but she couldn’t find any family related to talisman-making called the Chi family. So, either Chi Changye was lying, or the Chi family itself was not well-known, much like the three cultivation families in Yuanyang Town, which had little reputation outside.
“I see. From what I can tell, Young Master Chi, you’re young but already skilled in drawing spirit talismans. Your future looks promising. The Ascension Conference will be held soon. I wonder if you’d be interested in joining my Tianhai Sect?”
“This… I need to think it over and discuss it with Gu Yao,” Chi Changye hesitated before answering.
“Of course. I will be staying at my family’s residence for a while. If Young Master Chi has any matters to discuss, you can come to the Tian family to find me.” Tian Ru nodded slightly and then turned to leave. Tian Feiyang apologized and quickly followed her.
When the door closed and the formation activated, Chi Changye noticed Gu Yao’s eyes shining brightly and smiled, saying, “Don’t worry, there will be no problem. After all, that’s a Foundation Establishment senior, not someone who uses power to pressure others.”
Given that Tian Ru was only a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would be hard for her to see through his situation. If he had just arrived here and his injuries hadn’t improved at all, perhaps she might have sensed something.
“That’s a relief. But still, Brother Ye is quite popular. I originally thought she was trying to recruit Brother Ye into the Tian family, but it turns out she wants to recruit him into the Tianhai Sect. I didn’t realize that second master Tian’s aunt is from the Tianhai Sect. I heard it’s a rather distant sect.” Perhaps that’s why the news about her was delayed in Yuanyang Town, and the Gu and Lu families were unaware of her Foundation Establishment status.
“My situation isn’t suitable for joining a sect, let’s talk about it after we leave here.” Chi Changye replied. He already had a sect; how could he join another sect that was far less powerful than his original one?
Tian Ru returned to the Tian family to meet with her father. When questioned by the family head, she shook her head and said, “It seems it will be hard to recruit him, but I can’t fully see through Young Master Chi. On the surface, he seems like a high-level Qi Refining cultivator, but there’s something about him that suggests he’s not just that.”
“Already a high-level cultivator?” The family head was shocked.
“Yes, he’s a Qi Refining cultivator at the seventh level,” Tian Ru confirmed. “From what I see, his bone age doesn’t seem very old—he’s probably not over twenty. His talent isn’t bad, but it seems that the Tianhai Sect doesn’t appeal to him.”
The family head was taken aback. A Qi Refining cultivator at the seventh level before twenty—such talent was certainly impressive. He would surely be able to advance to Foundation Establishment in the future. Even the Tian family head couldn’t help but feel a hint of jealousy. “It seems our approach back then was correct—it’s better to try to recruit him rather than suppress him. As for the Tianhai Sect, maybe he just doesn’t know much about external sects. There’s still some time before the Ascension Conference. I’ll have Feiyang bring up the Tianhai Sect to him from time to time.”
“That works. It’s always good to bring in talent for the sect,” Tian Ru said. Being in the Tianhai Sect, her perspective and vision were naturally broader than the Gu and Lu families, who had always been in the town. Cultivation sects weren’t lacking in alchemists and talisman makers, so there was no need to compete with others for those talents.
The Tianhai Sect is located by the sea, so its resources are relatively more abundant compared to other forces. However, because it is situated in a remote area, it does not have much of a reputation here. Still, the environment there is more dangerous.
“This time, I’m definitely taking Feiyang with me. Let him focus on his cultivation for the remaining time. As for the others in the family, they should use the pills we brought back to quickly improve their strength,” Tian Ru said. The alchemist’s inheritance indeed had some valuable items, and with what Tian Ru herself brought back, it would be enough to boost the Tian family’s power. She couldn’t stay in the family forever, and the environment and resources here weren’t conducive to her cultivation, so she would still need to return to her sect.
“I understand, but Feirong…”
“That brat should stay here!” Tian Ru snapped, her voice stern. “He’s still only at the third level of Qi Refining, just an outer disciple of the sect. After such a long time of cultivation, he should have progressed more than this. Look at how lazy he’s become, it’s only because his sister-in-law spoils him.”
The Tian family head had no choice but to give in. Although he was her father, his cultivation was now inferior to his daughter’s, and he could no longer force her to do anything.