[Your descendant, Li Chuyuan, in his pursuit of the Immortal Path, has joined the Eternal Immortal Sect and become a Legacy Disciple of Sect Master He Hao.
Taking pride in his natural talent, status, and strength, he has gradually estranged himself from the clansmen of the Immortal Martial Lineage.]
[Humens strive for dignity just as the Buddha strives for a stick of incense.
You and your clansmen have decided to gift the "Primordial Blood Fruit," as well as the opportunities to cultivate using the family's foundations—such as the Dao-Pattern Heavy Water and the Myriad Dao Pagoda—which were originally intended for Li Chuyuan, to his grandfather, Li Jianning.]
"Great-Grandfather... this is too precious."
The members of the Immortal Martial Lineage were mostly ascetics devoted to pure cultivation.
Li Jianning wore a set of worn-out, plain robes. He was already seventy-six years old.
Perhaps due to the worry caused by the early loss of his son and the matters regarding his grandson, his hair was streaked with gray, making him appear like a mortal man in his forties.
Now, holding a golden fruit suffused with flowing crimson light in his hand, Li Jianning felt his cultivation inch forward just by taking a deep breath.
His meridians strengthened, and his breathing became unusually smooth.
Anyone who glanced at it would know this object was extraordinary, and Li Jianning felt as though he were holding the weight of a heavy mountain.
"This item originally belonged to Old Ancestor Yunlin. A few years ago, the Old Ancestor no longer had need of it, so he had me harvest it to gift to Chuyuan."
Li Xinnian continued,
"Given his current temperament, it would be improper for us to disturb his 'Immortal Path.'
Since you are his elder, then you shall use it.
Even though you are at the Foundation Establishment realm with a Three Spirit Root, you must not belittle yourself.
While cultivation is indeed more arduous for those with Three Spirit Roots, they are not necessarily weaker than others."
"I know you are seventy-six years of age.
Zhiheng tells me that you have not slackened in your diligence regarding cultivation and that your foundation is solidly built.
This in itself is a fine achievement.
The Blood Fruit can develop your bloodline and even supplement your Spirit Roots.
You must make the most of it; ultimately, the outcome depends entirely on your own fortune."
Having said this, Li Xinnian clasped his hands behind his back and gazed up at the sky.
He still could not accept that an unfilial descendant like Li Chuyuan had appeared during his tenure as Clan Head—and from his own bloodline, no less.
Since his trip to the Eternal Immortal Sect, he felt none of the joy that should have come from sealing the blood oath alliance.
For several days, his mind had been so agitated that he could not even sit still.
Li Jianning hurriedly bowed. "This child shall bear it in mind!"
After his Great-Grandfather departed.
Li Jianning held the Primordial Blood Fruit in his hands.
After a brief internal struggle visible on his brow, he hurried toward a towering structure.
That high tower was a Dharma Treasure.
Rumor had it that it was obtained during a great war between the clan and a powerful existence known as the "Immortal Domain."
At present, his father, Li Yuanwu, was cultivating inside it.
Upon reaching a distance of one hundred meters from the tower, Li Jianning's steps suddenly sank.
He felt as though he had stepped into a quagmire, his body feeling many times heavier than usual.
The further inward he walked, the heavier his steps became.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of fists and wind whistled from within the tower.
Through the iron-barred window, he could see Li Yuanwu, looking like a fierce lion, stripped to the waist and sweating profusely.
He was drilling his martial arts, counting aloud: "Eight hundred and ninety-one, eight hundred and ninety-two..."
"What kind of crushing pressure exists inside that tower? It must be tens of thousands of kg, surely?"
Li Jianning muttered to himself.
Upon reaching the seventy-meter mark, he dared not approach any closer.
Holding the Primordial Blood Fruit high, he shouted:
"Father! Great-Grandfather has gifted this child a divine object; I beg you, Father, please deign to accept it!"
Inside the tower.
Li Yuanwu's movements paused for a brief moment; through his blurred vision, he caught a glimpse of his son, Jianning.
He had fathered four sons and two daughters, yet only Jianshu and Jianning remained constantly by his side.
He was aware of the matter regarding Chuyuan, of course.
But descendants create their own destinies; the Eternal Immortal Sect is powerful, so if Chuyuan wanted to cast his lot with them, then let him go.
As for why the family was so furious about it, Li Yuanwu did not quite understand.
Seeing Li Jianning offering up the treasure the family had sent, Li Yuanwu let out a cold snort.
"Since it was gifted to you by an elder, what logic is there in you giving it away? Do not try to decline; the elders have their own plans."
"Father, this child... this child possesses dull aptitude." Li Jianning lowered his head.
He was seventy-six years old.
He had cultivated diligently all his life, and the family had supplied him with no small amount of resources every year.
Yet, he always fell short of others—and especially short of his older brother, Jianshu, whom outsiders regarded as a god-like figure.
Li Yuanwu ceased his movements and walked to the window.
Gripping the iron bars with both hands, he pressed his face against the opening—sweaty, disheveled, and grimy—looking for all the world like a vicious criminal thrown behind bars.
"Foolish son, what is this nonsense about dull aptitude?
Back in the day, your father was even duller than you!
All paths lead to the Dao, and each has its own heights.
If cultivating the Dao doesn't work, then practice martial arts for me!
If martial arts don't work, go refine pills.
And if even that fails, go learn from Yuanshang—engaging in commerce is a path of its own."
"You are seventy-six.
It is not your cultivation that is lacking; it is your spirit that has diminished.
The family has opened the door for you, but when it comes time to actually journey forth, the path must be walked by your own feet.
You underestimate yourself too much, and you lack the courage to forge ahead.
If you don't try, how will you ever know you can't do it?"
The child stood stunned outside.
Li Yuanwu waved his hand dismissively.
"Take that fruit of yours and go. If you yourself do not dare to forge ahead, how can you expect to manage a child who is out there forging his own way?"
"Yes, this child understands!"
Watching Li Jianning depart with a brightened gaze, Li Yuanwu grinned broadly.
"Go and find your enlightenment. That is a profound truth your father realized only after being duped by a wretched old man."