Family Cultivation: My Ancestral Home Gets Infinite Upgrades

Chapter 130 Becoming a Small Cultivation Family

As dusk fell, the setting sun cast its rays, bathing Qinglu Mountain in a warm, orange-gold glow.

Jiang Fu'an carried a ceramic medicine jar and walked down the winding mountain path.

Halfway up the mountain, a cluster of houses lies quietly among the bamboo groves.

This courtyard was originally left by the Wang family.

The Wang family had a large population, and after they moved away, a large area of ​​houses was left empty on Qinglu Mountain, scattered among the forest.

Jiang Fu'an chose one of the courtyards and settled Zhao Lintang, who had come seeking medical treatment, there.

He had just reached the wooden door when he heard light footsteps coming from the side path.

Turning around, I saw Zhao Lintang walking towards me from the other end, her skirt swaying slightly, as if she had just returned from outside.

When Zhao Lintang saw him, his eyes curved slightly, and he spoke first: "Fellow Daoist Jiang, I just went over there to take a look at the workshop that makes talisman paper."

"I never expected that you, fellow Daoist, would not only be so skilled in medicine, but also manage your family business so well."

As she spoke, her gaze fell on the medicine jar in Jiang Fu'an's hand.

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and his tone became lighter: "Fellow Daoist's efficiency is truly remarkable. The medicine is ready in just one hour?"

Jiang Fu'an reached out and pushed open the courtyard gate, stepping aside to let her go in first, while explaining, "I've been trying to improve this herbal soup for the past two years, and I usually keep some of the necessary ingredients on hand, so it'll be faster."

Zhao Lintang didn't seem to care much about his words. As soon as he entered the room, he took out a palm-sized iron box from the storage bag at his waist.

She opened the box, which was half-filled with candied fruit, each one coated with glistening icing.

Jiang Fu'an was placing the medicine pot on the table when he noticed the box of candied fruit and asked curiously, "Does Fairy Zhao also like to eat this?"

"The herbal medicine is too bitter, so we need to prepare some sweets to balance it out."

Zhao Lintang spoke naturally, already picking up a pearl with his fingertips and putting it into his mouth.

Over the past two years, she has indeed developed a fondness for candied fruit.

Back then, a piece of candied fruit was the only bit of sweetness in the long, arduous days.

From then on, she always kept a small box in her storage bag, and would take one and suck on it whenever she felt emotional.

Upon hearing this, a strange expression appeared on Jiang Fu'an's face.

How deep a shadow that medicine from the past must have left behind!

Scenes from several years ago flashed before his eyes:

Zhao Lintang's pale lips were pressed tightly together, and he refused to open his mouth no matter how much he tried to persuade him.

Finally, he would always pinch her chin and pour the medicine in, spoonful by spoonful.

"You're not allowed to think about those things!"

A sharp shout suddenly rang out.

Jiang Fu'an suddenly came to his senses and saw Zhao Lintang staring at him, her cheeks flushed.

She bit her lip, embarrassed and annoyed, and said, "The way you looked just now, you must have been thinking about how you used to force-feed me medicine!"

"You've misunderstood, fairy. I was thinking about something else."

Jiang Fu'an coughed lightly, but his gaze lingered on her face for a few more moments.

In the past, when I saw her, she was either haggard and frail from illness, or elegant and otherworldly like a fairy.

Such a girlish demeanor, with her eyebrows raised and her eyes filled with reproach, is quite rare these days.

He quickly reached out and lifted the ceramic lid of the medicine pot, using the action to change the subject: "I've improved this medicine, and now it's not only not bitter, but it's actually quite delicious."

"It tastes good?"

Zhao Lintang's attention was indeed diverted.

Her nose twitched slightly.

The aroma emanating from the jar was indeed quite different from usual.

The nauseating fishy smell had completely disappeared, replaced by a rich and mellow meaty aroma.

A few wisps of refreshing herbal scent linger in the air, which subtly stimulates one's appetite.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, her surprise deepening: "Fellow Daoist Jiang, is this truly an improved prescription, rather than a different one?"

Jiang Fu'an said with certainty, "It's still the same prescription for removing the poison from Su Xin Han Shi."

"I have put in a lot of effort over the past two years. I have not only used up a lot of medicinal herbs, but I have also spent thousands of spirit stones to purchase a copy of the pharmacist's inheritance for reference."

This statement is seven parts false and three parts true.

To put it more solemnly, I simply wanted the other party to understand that this jar of stuff was not something that could be made casually; it had taken a lot of effort and cost.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lintang's eyes shimmered slightly.

She hadn't expected that the other person would still be pondering the recipe after she left.

Could it be that he had anticipated his return?

The thought flashed through her mind, but she didn't ask any further questions. Right now, she was more interested in tasting what this medicinal cuisine was like.

She picked up a white porcelain bowl, scooped out a small half-bowl of dark brown soup from the jar, brought it to her lips, and took a very light sip.

Their attitude remained cautious, clearly indicating that they still harbored doubts about the "delicious herbal medicine".

However, the moment the soup entered her mouth, her eyes widened suddenly, and a bright light shone in her pupils.

Seemingly unable to believe it, she lowered her head and took another small sip, savoring it carefully.

The broth is mild and smooth, with a rich and savory meat flavor that is followed by a subtle, refreshing herbal sweetness.

The slight bitterness is not unpleasant at all; on the contrary, it perfectly balances the richness of the meat, making the overall taste distinct and leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Without further hesitation, she picked up the bowl and drank the remaining soup in a few gulps.

Setting down the bowl, she looked at Jiang Fu'an with disbelief in her eyes: "Fellow Daoist Jiang, are you sure this medicinal soup is as effective as the bitter soup from before?"

"no the same."

Jiang Fu'an explained, "This medicine should be more effective than before."

The main ingredient he used this time was the meat of spirit beasts raised on Qinglu Mountain.

These kinds of spirit beasts are nourished by the spiritual energy of the mountains every day, and the blood and spiritual energy contained in their flesh are richer than those of the spirit fish in the pond.

Based on this, medicinal cuisine can be prepared with even greater "food therapy" effects.

Now that the number of spirit beasts on the mountain has increased, he and Stone and the others simply cannot consume them all, so he is willing to take them out.

"It can actually get stronger?"

Zhao Lintang was genuinely surprised this time and blurted out, "But didn't you used to say that good medicine tastes bitter, and the more bitter it is, the more effective it is?"

Jiang Fu'an was speechless, not expecting that she would remember even the casual remark she made a few years ago so well.

He paused, but his expression remained unchanged. He calmly replied, "Times have changed. Good medicine tastes bitter, that's what medicine is all about."

"Now this is no longer considered a soup, but a medicinal diet, a combination of spiritual food and spiritual medicine."

"It can be both therapeutic and flavorful; the two are not mutually exclusive."

"Combining spiritual food and spiritual medicine —"

Although Zhao Lintang couldn't understand the intricacies of it, he inexplicably found it very impressive.

Her gaze toward Jiang Fu'an held a newfound respect: "Fellow Daoist Jiang's medical skills are truly profound and unfathomable. Given time, I imagine your medicinal cuisine will become renowned throughout the Song Kingdom."

"Haha, then I'll accept your kind words, Fairy!"

Jiang Fu'an smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, then took his leave without saying anything more: "I have other matters to attend to, please enjoy your meal, Fairy."

He turned and left the courtyard, walking up the stone steps toward the top of the mountain.

They had only walked a short distance when a figure suddenly appeared from the side and quickly caught up with them; it was Ning Zhiyuan.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, please wait!"

Ning Zhiyuan rushed forward and bowed, saying, "I have something I'd like to discuss with you, fellow Daoist."

Jiang Fu'an stopped and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Ning, please speak."

In recent years, Ning Zhiyuan has been relatively well-behaved in Qinglu Mountain, mainly managing the medicinal herb garden affairs diligently.

Aside from occasionally trying to curry favor with Yue'er, he never did anything out of line.

Ning Zhiyuan said expectantly, "That's right, the Moonlight Grass and Spirit Gathering Flower in the herb garden are almost ripe."

"I wonder if you would allow me to borrow some so I can practice refining Qi-Nourishing Pills?"

To be honest, Jiang Fu'an never felt that Ning Zhiyuan had much of a sense of belonging to Qinglu Mountain.

He wouldn't be surprised if he left without saying goodbye one day.

Honestly, he was unwilling to invest resources in such an unpredictable person.

But then I thought about it again. Over the past few years, the herb garden has been managed entirely by Ning Zhiyuan, and he has indeed successfully grown the Moonlight Grass and the Spirit Gathering Flower.

This credit should be acknowledged.

After a moment's hesitation, Jiang Fu'an spoke: "I can give you ten percent to refine Qi-Nourishing Pills. However, 7..."

He then changed the subject: "In a few days, I will arrange for two cultivators to come to the herb garden to help."

"At that time, I hope Fellow Daoist Ning will be generous in giving me guidance and sharing his experience in cultivating spiritual herbs."

"7

Over the past few years, he has recruited six more promising talents.

It's always good to make some preparations in advance in case Ning Zhiyuan suddenly leaves and the herb garden is left unattended.

"no problem!"

Upon hearing this, Ning Zhiyuan's face lit up with joy, and he immediately patted his chest and guaranteed, "I will certainly teach you wholeheartedly and without holding anything back!"

As night falls, the moonlight, like a ribbon, flows quietly between the rooftops and courtyards of Qinglu Mountain.

Jiang Fu'an led Er Ya and Xuan'er through the corridor to a detached house in the backyard.

The bright moonlight illuminated the houses, making their outlines clearly visible.

The entire house was enveloped in a pale blue light, reflecting the moonlight and emitting a cold, faint glow.

This is the Jiang family's storeroom, where many of the family's precious items are stored.

To this end, Jiang Fu'an specially purchased a set of first-tier low-grade array artifacts called "Water Condensation Array" to protect the warehouse.

This formation isn't particularly strong defensively; even a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator could break through it with a full-force attack.

However, its advantage lies in its comprehensive protection, covering all four sides of the house.

Furthermore, once it encounters an external impact, it will emit a clear and melodious sound to warn those inside the house.

There are always cultivators in the house, and there is a "golden light array" outside the mansion as the first line of defense.

Therefore, the warning function of this "water-condensing array" is far more important than its defensive effect.

Jiang Fu'an took out a dark blue wooden token from his storage bag and waved it gently at the light screen in front of him.

The light curtain seemed to be parted by an invisible hand, silently revealing a gap that people could pass through.

He went in first, followed closely by Er Ya and Xuan Er.

Five weapon racks stood neatly in the warehouse.

The shelves were filled with a dazzling array of weapons of various kinds:

Needless to say, common weapons such as knives, swords, spears, and halberds also include weapons for attacking within a wide area, such as feather fans and banners.

Protective magical artifacts include shields, small bells, and leather armor.

Some of these magical artifacts were obtained in previous years from killing those rogue cultivators who came to cause trouble.

The other part consisted of "items of unknown origin" that were purchased at a low price from the Rebirth Society through Bai Lan.

Jiang Fu'an pointed to the shelves full of weapons and said to the two girls behind him, "Er Ya, Xuan'er. You are both now at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and you should have suitable magical artifacts to protect yourselves."

"Today, let's each choose two items. In my opinion, it would be best to have one offensive and one defensive item, to complement each other."

Upon hearing this, Xuan'er immediately cheered and flew lightly to the shelf like a sparrow, her eyes sparkling as she looked left and right.

Because of her young age, she has never owned a magical artifact since she began cultivating.

The joy they feel at this moment is unimaginable.

Er Ya stood still, her face showing hesitation.

She walked to Jiang Fu'an's side and whispered, "Master, you gave me a Spirit Gathering Pill a few days ago to help me break through. I don't need this magic artifact."

Jiang Fu'an gently patted the top of her head and said softly, "The Spirit Gathering Pill wasn't given to you by me. It was earned through the contributions you've accumulated over the years by drawing talismans. It's what you deserve."

Er Ya was taken aback upon hearing this, her eyes showing confusion: "Contribution? Isn't that a rule only for the immortal seedlings recruited to the mountain?"

"I was bought by the Jiang family. Drawing talismans is just my job. How could I be making a contribution?"

She always remembered that many years ago, her father sold her into the Wang family as a slave.

After arriving at Qinglu Mountain with Jiang Fu'an, she always regarded herself as a maid and even addressed him as "Master".

Jiang Fu'an was taken aback upon hearing this.

He didn't expect that Er Ya had always felt that she didn't deserve to make a contribution.

What's even more remarkable is that, despite all this, she has remained diligent and hardworking over the years, actively drawing talismans and becoming the first immortal seedling to receive the Spirit Gathering Pill based on her contributions.

His heart softened suddenly, and he corrected her, "You're only half right. You are indeed a member of the Jiang family, but you've never been a maid."

"In the Jiang family, you and Xuan'er have the same status."

"Moreover, as long as you have done something for the Jiang family, no matter how small, you have made a contribution."

"Although I haven't told you this explicitly, I've kept it all in mind."

In Jiang Fu'an's view, if a family wants to go far, rules and rewards and punishments must be clearly defined.

With fewer people and simpler matters at present, no complicated rules have been drawn up, but he has his own plan in mind.

For example, Yue'er has devoted herself to protecting Qinglu Mountain for many years.

No matter how many spirit stones it costs in the future, I will definitely buy her a longevity pill.

Seeing that Er Ya was still hesitant, Jiang Fu'an deliberately put on a stern face: "As long as you are a member of the Jiang family, you will receive two magic artifacts as a gift once you advance to the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

"These are the rules of our Jiang family. Do you intend to set an example by breaking them?"

Upon hearing the words "breaking the rules," Er Ya's expression immediately changed, and she quickly shook her head: "I wouldn't dare!"

After saying that, he quickly turned around and walked towards the weapons rack.

Jiang Fu'an watched the two people carefully selecting items in front of the shelf, and a feeling of emotion quietly welled up in his heart.

Unbeknownst to many, the Jiang family now has one person at the late stage of Qi Refining, five people at the middle stage of Qi Refining, and ten people at the early stage of Qi Refining.

In the world of cultivation, they can be considered a small, well-known cultivation family.