Chapter 794 - 395: An Unexpected Gain from Little Sister (2)

Chapter 794: Chapter 395: An Unexpected Gain from Little Sister (2)

This sudden change was like a stone tossed into a calm lake, sending ripples spreading out and filling Cheng Zongyang’s heart with confusion.

’How are Five Spirit Roots produced?’

Although one’s Spirit Root aptitude could be gradually improved by practicing special Cultivation Techniques, you had to have a Spirit Root to begin with.

As he walked, the scenes in the village were lively yet orderly.

In the fields, the villagers toiled diligently, their sweat glistening in the sun. Though the village had long since had no shortage of food, for people accustomed to a life of farming, they simply couldn’t bear to see empty land go untended.

But they were planting vegetables, Medicinal Materials, and the like.

In the open spaces along the road, group after group of children played and frolicked, their laughter echoing through the air like silver bells. Some of the elderly sat by their doors, basking in the sun and chatting leisurely.

When the villagers saw Cheng Zongyang, they all stopped what they were doing to greet him, their eyes filled with respect.

Cheng Zongyang, in turn, offered a gentle smile and a nod in response to each person.

His figure moved through the familiar scenery, every step filled with a deep affection for this land.

Before long, he arrived at the riverbank on the west side.

The river channel had been widened to about six or seven meters. The mountain river water was clear, and one could see fish swimming and weaving among the aquatic plants.

Weeping willows lined the bank, their tender green branches dipping down to the water’s surface. They swayed gently in the breeze, like a landscape meticulously painted by nature itself.

Cheng Zongyang found a flat spot on the bank and sat down. He skillfully baited his hook with an earthworm, then cast his line with a gentle flick. The hook carved a graceful arc through the air before dropping into the water, creating a series of small, expanding ripples.

Chumming the water? Not a chance.

A true angler never complains about his spot, much less tries to change it.

He quieted his mind and, while waiting for a fish to bite, began to communicate with the Ring Spirit.

’Ring Spirit, did you notice what happened with my little sister just now?’ Cheng Zongyang called out silently in his mind.

A moment later, a slightly lazy voice echoed in his mind, "What is it?"

Cheng Zongyang was taken aback. "What were you doing?"

This was the first time he had heard the Ring Spirit sound like this.

"I was just advancing my Realm." The Ring Spirit’s energy returned to its usual state.

"As long as you’re fine." Cheng Zongyang didn’t ask which Realm.

He then recounted in detail the change in Cheng Zongyun’s aptitude.

The Ring Spirit fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly, "Strictly speaking, everyone possesses Spirit Roots and Spirit Bones. There’s no such thing as someone having absolutely no Spirit Root or Spirit Bone. It’s just a matter of the aptitude’s quality.

To put it in the data-driven terms you prefer, let’s use percentages as an analogy. Your sister’s full-aptitude Five Spirit Bones would be five hundred points of Spirit Bone aptitude. Each Spirit Root is a full 100 points.

If a Spirit Root can’t be detected, it means her data for any single Spirit Root is extremely low, and her total Spirit Root data doesn’t exceed 10 points. With an aptitude that isn’t even one-tenth of the total potential, it can naturally be considered negligible and called ’no Spirit Root.’ Can you understand this explanation?"

After hearing this, Cheng Zongyang’s brow furrowed even deeper. He stared at the motionless float on the river’s surface and nodded slightly.

"This is the accepted convention in the Cultivation Immortality Realm. A Spirit Testing Stone only measures a vague approximation; it’s not precise.

It’s like taking a feather to a pharmacy scale. If it doesn’t register, can you say it has no Weight? A pharmacy scale can only measure Weight within a certain range; it can’t measure anything more precise below that. Spirit Roots and Spirit Bones are the same."

Cheng Zongyang nodded again. He understood what the Ring Spirit was saying.

’This means everyone has Spirit Bones and Spirit Roots. They just lack a method to improve them. The little girl just happened to practice a Cultivation Technique that could improve her Spirit Root aptitude, allowing it to manifest.’

He remained seated quietly on the riverbank, his eyes fixed on the float, but his thoughts were still on the Cultivation Technique and his sister.

Sunlight scattered across the shimmering river. A breeze whispered by, and the willows on the bank swayed gently, making a soft RUSTLING sound as if accompanying his thoughts.

After a while, Cheng Zongyang felt a slight tug on his line. He knew a fish had taken the bait.

He expertly gripped the rod and gave it a gentle lift, pulling a fish out of the water.

The fish struggled in mid-air, splashing droplets of water that refracted the sunlight like a string of brilliant pearls.

He smiled, unhooked the fish, and placed it in his bucket. The water in the bucket rippled as the fish swam around.

Just as he had re-baited his hook and was preparing to cast again, a familiar voice called out from the distance, "Big Brother, we’re here!"

Cheng Zongyang turned to see Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong walking toward him. They were also carrying fishing gear, their faces beaming with relaxed smiles.

"What are you two doing here? Where’s Zongwen?" Cheng Zongyang asked with a smile.

"We heard Big Brother was fishing here, so we came to join in on the fun," Cheng Zongliang replied, smiling. He and Zhou Zhendong found a suitable spot next to Cheng Zongyang and sat down. "Zongwen is handling some matters for the Commerce Association."

After settling down, the two cast their hooks into the water, and a leisurely time of fishing began.

For a time, the riverbank grew quiet, with only the occasional chirp of a bird and the sound of the wind rustling the willow branches.

After a moment, Cheng Zongliang broke the silence. "Big Brother, the Immortal Realm is really so different from our home. In the Immortal Realm, there was an endless stream of things to deal with every day. It was exciting, but also exhausting. It’s still more comfortable at home."

Zhou Zhendong added, "That’s right. After coming back this time and seeing the prosperity of the Immortal Realm, looking at our home gives me a new perspective. We can bring back some things from the Immortal City to benefit the family."

Cheng Zongyang chuckled. "You two are newlyweds. Where are all these sentimental feelings coming from?"

Cheng Zongliang laughed. "We’re newly married, but we’re used to it. The marriage was to give them a formal status and to settle my own heart, but there’s still no shortage of work to do. Big Brother, we understood the gift you gave us. We really can send Zhaodi and Laidi inside.

But I’m thinking of setting up a Teleportation Array between the city and the village. That way, if they want to be at home, they can be at home, and if they want to go to the city, they can go to the city. Same for Mom and Dad."

Cheng Zongyang gazed at the river’s surface and said with a faint smile, "You two are now leaders in your own right. You don’t need to ask me about many things. As long as you think it’s feasible, just do it. The only prerequisite is to ensure the family’s safety. Of course, with my current Ability, I can solve any problem that arises, no matter how big. Just go for it."

Cheng Zongliang and Zhou Zhendong exchanged a glance and smiled happily. "Yes, Big Brother."

Cheng Zongyang then changed the subject. "I’m planning to have you family members switch to a new Cultivation Technique."

As soon as he said this, the two men on either side of him were stunned.

"Why change Cultivation Techniques?" Zhou Zhendong asked.

"Don’t worry. It will be good for you. In the final stages of Cultivation, you inevitably have to make up for deficiencies in your Five Elements Spirit Root or Spirit Root aptitude. Only when the Five Elements are complete can the Nascent Soul be whole. Only with a whole Nascent Soul can Divinity Transformation be complete. Otherwise, you’ll be flawed and won’t be able to go far."

"Later, I’ll give you a few Cultivation Techniques. You’ll Dissipate your Skill and start your Cultivation over. These techniques will gradually improve your Spirit Root or Spirit Bone aptitude as your Realm increases, making your aptitude better and more complete. You won’t have to waste time making up for aptitude deficiencies later on."

"Okay, I’ll listen to you," Cheng Zongliang agreed without hesitation.

"I have no problem with it either. Who else needs to practice it?" Zhou Zhendong added.

"Just the Cheng Family’s Main House, the Earth Branch Lineage, and the Zhou Family. No one else," Cheng Zongyang said. "But you must ensure it isn’t leaked. This kind of Cultivation Technique isn’t some run-of-the-mill stuff you find on the street."

"Understood," Zhou Zhendong replied.

The three of them chatted about the Immortal Realm and the Martial Arts Realm while they fished. Cheng Zongyang also asked about and listened to matters concerning the Martial Arts Realm and the various nations.

Before they knew it, the fish in their three buckets were piling up, and Cheng Zongyang’s understanding of the Martial Arts Realm had grown much clearer.

In particular, after hearing about the development of the Divine Temples in the Martial Arts Realm, Cheng Zongyang finally understood the specifics of what the Ring Spirit had said about new followers.

In this regard, Cheng Zongyang was naturally satisfied with Luo Dingran’s arrangements and Zhou Zhendong’s meticulous work.

But there were many things Cheng Zongyang didn’t tell them. It would only add to their worries.

’Their growth takes time. For now, the best way they can help me is to develop more followers and encourage population growth.’

The sun gradually sank in the west, painting the horizon in shades of orange-red. Its lingering rays fell upon them, outlining three figures filled with hope.

The three of them returned home with their buckets full of fish.

Although they were not short on fish to eat, Cheng Zongyang personally cooked. The four families set up several large tables in the meeting hall and held an all-fish banquet.

Braised fish, steamed fish, poached fish in chili oil, grilled fish, pan-fried fish, sweet and sour fish, fish with pickled vegetables, fish soup, and sashimi.

Everyone savored the feast, each finding their own unique enjoyment in it.