Ordinary People: Starting with the Chen Clan

Half an incense stick's time passed quickly.

"Hmm, it's been a long time since I've had such a comfortable sleep." Chen Shangyu yawned, and a smell of alcohol followed.

"Your mastery of the Wine Immortal Technique is becoming increasingly superb!"

Chen Xuanzhou, who was originally leaning against the bench, suddenly took out a wine pot and poured a cup for the other person.

"You little rascal, I still prefer your stubbornness!"

Chen Shangyu took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Good grief, is it really that serious?! You're still holding onto that old grudge? Who were you trying to impress with that calm and collected look on your face back then?

Chen Xuanzhou was utterly speechless.

Although he was secretly cursing in his heart, he didn't slow down at all and filled Chen Shangyu's cup again.

"I remember the elder's kind heart day and night, but I am ashamed to think that I have nothing of value and nothing to offer that would please him."

Recalling the selfless cultivation of the elders for the younger generation, I understand that the elders were wholeheartedly devoted to the public good and to the prosperity of our Xizhou Chen clan. Although the younger generation has limited abilities, we also want to do our part.

As the saying goes, even a fool may have a stroke of genius. These are some of my humble thoughts from the past few years, and I have come here today to seek the guidance and corrections of the elders.

As he spoke, Chen Xuanzhou took out a jade slip that he had prepared beforehand.

Chen Shangyu narrowed his eyes and took the jade slip to read it.

"Hmm, I have some ideas, but they don't seem to suit your personality at all!"

"what?"

"When did you become so timid? All you did was create this little thing?"

The old man's reaction was somewhat unexpected by Chen Xuanzhou. He had been too narrow-minded. As expected of a Qi Refining Perfection Grand Cultivator, he had seen a lot.

"In front of the clan elders, this junior's small suggestion is naturally nothing."

"Alright, you can go back now. I'll talk to the other two old men about this. Your idea is good, but you still need to go back and think about how to persuade those stubborn old men to give in."

"yes!"

Chen Xuanzhou offered no explanation, bowed, and withdrew.

Watching the departing figure of the young man, Chen Shangyu closed his eyes and slowly sipped his wine. Before long, a blush appeared on his face.

Five days later, the twelve people were still seated in their respective places in the blue stone hall, but this time there was an additional young man.

"Xuanzhou, please explain your idea in detail."

"Yes, esteemed elders and senior members of each branch of the clan. My thoughts are actually quite simple; I just want to give some ordinary disciples a chance."

Nowadays, the training of disciples within the clan is still basically based on the elite route, with each branch selecting those with outstanding aptitude and providing them with intensive training.

That's not entirely wrong, but it will somewhat limit the expansion of our lineage.

"Xuanzhou, you're not in charge of the household, so you don't know how hard it is to earn spirit stones. Over the years, the family has only been able to keep less than a thousand spirit stones a year."

This is still an optimistic situation. If there are any fluctuations, we might even have to fill the gaps. In such a situation, how can we cultivate those children with poor aptitude?

Moreover, what determines the strength of a family is whether it has high-level cultivators. How could all of us combined be worth a single Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Before Chen Xuanzhou could finish speaking, Chen Zhongyan immediately interrupted him.

"Second Grandfather is right. Xuanzhou also believes that we should invest more resources in our talented children."

Chen Xuanzhou was not annoyed at the sudden interruption; instead, he smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Hmph! If you already know that, why even offer those suggestions?"

This actually caught Chen Zhongyan off guard, and the words he had prepared were suddenly stuck in his throat.

"It's because the younger generation didn't explain clearly. The family's investment in its members is naturally tiered. The better the spiritual root, the more resources are provided."

But this is just the most basic benefit. I believe that every member of the family is an indispensable resource.

Their cultivation level determines their upper limit of value. What we need to do is give them an opportunity to increase their own value.

Seeing that everyone was captivated by his words, Chen Xuanzhou smiled.

"What do you mean? You didn't mention any of this in the jade slip!"

"This is also because I lack experience and do not understand the specific situation within the family. It was only after the three elders gave me some pointers a few days ago that I gained some understanding, so I did not write it into the jade slip."

Actually, the younger generation's idea is very simple. The spiritual root aptitude in the family is mainly pseudo-spiritual root. If they were to cultivate on their own, they might not have the opportunity to cultivate to the middle and late stages of Qi Refining until they are thirty or forty years old.

Only when they reach this level can they contribute something to the family, but this greatly wastes the prime of their lives.

However, if we provide resource support first and sign a contract with them, the spirit stones initially provided will be returned double later.

Alas, I have become the person I hated most in my past life.

Chen Xuanzhou thought helplessly. This was the only way to break the deadlock he could think of after being enlightened by Chen Shangyu. Nothing special, just a copy of the American student loan system.

"This will also alleviate some of the resentment among the clan members, and make it easier for me to train them in a unified manner later, so that the training effect will be more obvious."

After hearing Chen Xuanzhou's explanation, the room fell silent.

"Xuanzhou, you should go back first. This matter needs to be discussed further."

Seeing that no one spoke for a long time, Chen Shangyu's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery, so he let Chen Xuanzhou leave first.

Chen Xuanzhou exchanged a glance with him, but ultimately suppressed his words. He bowed to everyone present and then left the main hall.

"Alright, now that there are no outsiders, everyone can speak!"

"Xuanzhou's method is not bad, but who should set the rules?"

Chen Zhongyuan, the eldest son of the family, was the first to speak, and only he could say such a thing.

As Chen Zhongyuan finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the room.

"The spirit stones remaining in the clan should be enough for the first ten years. I think we should try it out for ten years first?"

Chen Shangyu spoke again.

"That won't do. The family's spirit stones are for emergencies." As soon as Chen Shangyu finished speaking, the other two elders beside him immediately objected.

"Oh, so you two want to each contribute your own spirit stones?"

"Hehehe!" Chen Shangyu sneered repeatedly as he looked at the two of them who remained silent.

"Sure, if you have something on your mind, just say it directly. Why hide it like this? If any of you families are capable, then raise a few more."

Chen Shanghan frowned slightly: "Third brother, you've gone too far!"

"Don't put on this act of selflessness for us. We've all been around for so many years, we all know each other."

To compete with the two of us...

"Elders, we from several branches believe that signing a contract with the younger generation of the family is a way to give them a choice. If the entire amount is provided by the family reserves, there are indeed some risks involved."

Therefore, it would be better to add resources from each branch of the family, since each branch has its own strengths and weaknesses, allowing the children to choose one that suits them best.

With a beaming smile, Chen Zhongbo quickly chimed in.