Bloodline Tree – [Clan Building]

“Alright. It seems like a good plan. We’ll focus on taking over nearby properties as our first priority,” Shu Yang said, nodding as he looked over a few documents.

A week had passed since Jiyang’s birth, and Shu Yang was meeting with Tianhu and Xiaoshi to discuss the next step for their Shu Sword Hall.

“We’ll make sure we have enough space to house 2,000 students. If we somehow reach capacity, we’ll just have to accept it. We don’t have enough people in the family who can teach them yet. That will obviously change in a few years, but we’ll think about what to do about it then.

“I’ll also rent a smaller property closer to the inner city with access to a high-grade 1st-tier spiritual vein. If anyone actually manages to reach the Innate stage, they can be sent there and receive the continuation of the Shu Sword Art.”

“Who will be in charge of that branch?” Tianhu asked.

“The two of you, of course,” Shu Yang. “I really doubt it will get busy for quite some time. If it ever gets too much, we’ll have Tianren step in to take over the old branch.”

“Alright,” Tianhu said, nodding.

‘Let’s hope that word keeps spreading, and there are enough interested people in the city to fill up all 2,000 slots.’

Either way, it would probably take a while. It was true that students had been pouring in lately, but it was bound to slow down eventually.

‘If we can get there, though, the family will finally be making a profit.’

It wasn’t enough to make Shu Yang satisfied, though. Breaking even was just a small goal. Resources at the 2nd stage were incredibly expensive, and he needed to make a significant profit if he wanted to be able to buy those with any regularity.

Not to mention how expensive knowledge was. He wanted to buy legacies for his family to study. He wanted more spells and cultivation manuals.

But that was very difficult to get his hands on. Shu Yang would have to offer a ridiculous price if he wanted to have any hope of convincing anyone to share that knowledge with him.

What enticed him the most at the moment was a body cultivation manual at the Foundation stage. Shu Yang had deduced his own method, but it lacked any reference, and was bound to be a bit weak.

Unfortunately, anything concerning the 2nd stage of cultivation and above was strictly controlled. Shu Yang could just imagine how many spirit stones he would need to make a behemoth like the Sword Sect make an exception and let him study such a technique. The few techniques he had heard about cost an absolute fortune to buy.

‘I’m getting too far ahead of myself again. These things will be dealt with in the future.’

“Mom, I’m done,” Xinying said quietly, pulling Xiaoshi’s sleeve. She had been sitting to the side, working on the Hundred Shu Characters while they were discussing business.

“Then why don’t you go next door and play with your cousins for a while?” Xiaoshi suggested with a smile, patting her on the head.

Xinying pouted slightly and then nodded. “Okay.”

‘So cute.’

Shu Yang had developed a special fondness for Xinying. Perhaps it was because of her Founding bloodline, perhaps it was because of her shy and endearing personality, or maybe because she looked like a little doll. Shu Yang often had to hold himself back from pinching her soft cheeks, or he might rub them sore.

“It’s been a while since we visited Xinmo and the twins. Are the two of you planning on going over any time soon?” Shu Yang asked.

“I’ve sent a letter to Xinmo, asking him to look at the possibility of seeing Xinjiang and Xinxi. If they are free any time soon, we’ll schedule our visit for then,” Xiaoshi answered.

“Those people are really a bit too much,” Shu Yang said, shaking his head. Was it really necessary to make it difficult for a disciple to see their parents?

They had only seen the twins one time since they entered the sect, and that was three years ago. Xinying probably didn’t even remember meeting her sisters.

Luckily, Xinmo wasn’t under as many restrictions, and could easily get out of the sect to visit the nearby Bian Immortal City to meet them. Tianhu and Xiaoshi usually went over there every six months to see him.

“Apparently, it will get better once they’re older,” Tianhu said, sighing.

“At least they are being treated well,” Xiaoshi said. “And the training seems really effective. Can you believe they have already grasped sword intent at the 3rd tier? Surely that has to be rare even in the Sword Sect.”

Shu Yang had to admit the twins were growing stronger at a very fast rate. Still, he was a bit dissatisfied. If any of his other descendants had what it took to enter the Sword Sect in the future, he would make sure they left when they were 14, which was the cut-off for ordinary disciples to enter the sect.

Even that was just temporary. Eventually, Shu Yang would make sure that the Shu Clan was the best place to be for all his descendants.

‘Xinmo isn’t doing too badly either.’

He hadn’t comprehended sword intent yet, as far as Shu Yang could tell, but he had advanced to the Master stage a few months ago.

Shu Yang really didn’t understand how he kept advancing so fast. He was talented, but not that talented. He was still only 16 years old, after all.

‘I guess he has access to many resources over there, and he has the spirit stones to pay for them.’

“Dad,” Tianxu stuck his head inside and called out, “Tianyue is in labor.”

Shu Yang paused for a moment, then nodded. “Let’s go then.”

He wasn’t very surprised. The fact that his daughter might give birth was the reason he had stayed home at the estate for the meeting instead of going to the Shu Sword Hall.

‘To think that girl is going to be a mother.’

Shu Yang felt a bit strange. A bit uncomfortable. Even if two of his sons were grandfathers already, he still felt that Tianyue had grown up too suddenly.

He made his way over to the courtyard that had been given to Tianyue after she got married. She really shouldn’t have been given it, considering she had married out of the family. Those were the rules of basically all clans, the Shu Clan included.

But how could Shu Yang not make an exception for his daughter?

He really couldn’t force her out. It would have been too much for him to handle.

Not to mention that he still needed her to take charge of administration within the family.

So while she had married out of the family, not much would be different from if her husband had married into their family instead. Shu Yang had just given Qu Luzei a position as a ‘Guest Elder’ and worked things out with him on how the relationship between the two families would be in the future.

Basically, the only difference was that Qu Luzei wouldn’t receive any spirit stones, like the other partners of his children did.

But Shu Yang would make an exception for their children and allow them to receive monthly stipends like his other grandchildren.

Since they would be living together, there was no reason to alienate them for such a small sum of spirit stones.

Besides, Shu Yang received the same amount of feedback whether they carried his last name or not, so he would just be punishing himself if he made things difficult for them.

As for how things would work in the future, when the next generation of Qu were born, Shu Yang hadn’t quite decided yet. But he knew he couldn’t keep them in the family forever. This was the Shu Clan, after all.

“This is insane.”

Shu Yang stepped into Tianyue’s home and immediately heard Qu Luzei complain as Tianren handed him a glass of whiskey.

“What’s going on?” Shu Yang asked.

“Mom isn’t letting Qu Luzei enter the bedroom,” Tianren explained, smiling helplessly.

Shu Yang nodded in understanding. It was a curse cast upon the family since the beginning, and he had no power to lift it.

“I just don’t understand why,” Qu Luzei said, looking at Shu Yang as he paced around anxiously. “I feel like I’m going insane out here.”

“It somehow became a tradition,” Shu Yang said with a shrug. “I’ve tried to change things, but it’s out of my control.”

“Insanity,” Qu Luzei said, shaking his head.

Shu Yang had to admit that his son-in-law looked a little more pleasing to the eye all of a sudden. He now knew the pain of the Shu men.

Shu Yang wasn’t that anxious anymore, though. Childbirth wasn’t as dangerous as in the past, back in Baishu Village. The medicine Qianyue had on hand could save someone on the verge of death; she even had a Healing Pill at the 2nd stage if something truly unexpected were to occur.

Shu Yang poured a glass of whiskey for himself and took a seat, waiting patiently for his new grandchild.

He didn’t have to wait for long, though. Just half an hour later, he felt a rush of power course through his blood.

‘Oh?’

Shu Yang was surprised; he actually felt a bit different.

“The child is born!” Qu Luzei shouted as the baby’s cries were heard through the wall, and he ran to the bedroom as fast as he could.

Shu Yang rose to his feet, and, at the same time, connected to the child through his Bloodline Tree to examine the girl’s talent.

[ Bloodline Power: 1.14 (Mortal - Middle) ]

[ Traits: Vast Mind, 9th-grade spirit roots ]

‘Vast Mind? Such a strong trait!’

Shu Yang could tell that while it wasn’t at the Founding level, it was very close.

‘And she has spirit roots!’

Shu Yang had hoped the child would have spirit roots, of course, but he knew that it was far from certain despite Qu Luzei having 9th-grade ones.

Shu Yang looked toward the bedroom and smiled. He never expected Tianyue’s child to be so talented. Tianyue only had the trait Clear Mind, Shu Yang would have been happy if just that managed to be passed along.

‘Could that guy actually have some kind of trait as well?’

Qu Luzei had never mentioned anything, but perhaps he was unaware himself.

‘Vast Mind, huh. I feel like that girl will comprehend things quite easily in the future. I should make sure she studies the Immortal Arts well.’

The door to the bedroom opened, and Tianyue was actually on her feet already, carrying the child in her arms while Qu Luzei was hovering around her.

‘Here it comes…Should I just tell her?’

Tianyue had pressed Shu Yang while she was pregnant that he had to tell her about the child’s talent when it was born. Shu Yang had acted stupid, saying he couldn’t possibly tell the child’s talent so early.

But Tianyue obviously didn’t believe him.

“Look, Dad. It’s a girl,” Tianyue said, smiling brightly. She stumbled slightly as she made her way forward, and Qu Luzei hurriedly supported her.

“She is beautiful,” Shu Yang said, poking the baby’s soft cheek.

“Her eyes are so clear, aren’t they? Do you think she’s very smart?” Tianyue asked.

Shu Yang opened his mouth, but before he had a chance to respond, Tianyue answered her own question. “I’m sure she will be. Both Luzei and I are smart; she’s bound to be at least twice as smart as we are.”

Shu Yang just smiled and asked, “What will you call her?

“Xinyue,” Tianyue answered with a grin.

“Qu Xinyue,” Qu Luzei emphasised, giving Shu Yang a wary look.

Shu Yang just rolled his eyes. He knew that all too well.

“It’s a good name,” Shu Yang said.

“Teacher, have you seen?” Tianyue spotted Lady Jiangxi and ran over to show off her daughter. Completely ignoring her brothers who were standing right behind Shu Yang.

Watching his daughter with a child in her arms, Shu Yang smiled. He didn’t feel as strange anymore. It felt natural.

‘I’m glad she found someone. I feel like being a mother suits her.’

After another half hour or so, Shu Yang left along with the others who had come to offer their congratulations, leaving the couple with some alone time.

Tianyue never seemed to remember to ask about the child’s talent, perhaps not seeing the necessity any longer.

As he was walking, Shu Yang connected to the Bloodline Tree again, curious how his own bloodline had changed.