Chapter 20 Demon(Class) Eradicated, A Bolt from the Blue

After dealing with these trivial matters, the subsequent screening of demonic cultivators resumed in an orderly manner.

The subsequent inspections proceeded without further incident. It wasn't until over 20 days later, when the screening concluded, that Pingyang City had failed to uncover another demonic cultivator.

However, in the surveillance of the 5 surrounding towns, they managed to uncover 3 Qi Refining stage demonic cultivators at early to mid-level proficiency.

The 3 demonic cultivators naturally failed to cause even a ripple. The Chen family's Qi Refining cultivators took action, completely eradicating them without expending much effort.

After this campaign, the demonic cultivators in Pingyang City and its 6 towns were completely eradicated. Simultaneously, a full population census was conducted throughout the Chen Clan's territory, effectively eliminating hidden threats within the family.

After everything had settled, the group did not linger in Pingyang City and returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location) the very next day.

In just a few days' time, the moment the group returned to Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), they noticed the Third Elder who had come to greet them wore an unusually grim expression.

As if sensing the crowd's bewilderment, Lior (Person Name) let out a bitter chuckle, his face clouded with distress.

"Qing Meng, he..."

Soon, everyone’s faces twisted in agony as if struck by a bolt from the blue.

Elder 6, Chen Qingmeng, entered closed-door cultivation to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm. After a full month in seclusion, he ultimately achieved his final nirvana within the cavern abode.

"I sensed something amiss, but Qing Meng had already fallen long before."

His meridians were shattered throughout his body, with all his vital energy and blood completely drained, presenting a rather... ghastly sight.

The Third Elder spoke with a pained expression. Chen Qingmeng had staked everything on 1 final attempt to defy the heavens and change his fate, yet in the end, he failed to seize that sliver of vitality.

Eldrin listened in silence, a sudden, heart-wrenching ache blooming within his chest.

He had been reborn into this world, and every elder of the Chen family had watched him grow up, treating him with genuine kindness.

In just a few short years, the aged Seventh Elder Chen Changqing and the robust Sixth Elder Chen Qingmeng—1 elder after another—met their end on the path of cultivation, embodying the brutal nature of the journey toward immortality.

The path to immortality is long and arduous, with trials and tribulations at every turn. We can only trudge forward, solitary and unyielding.

"If I fall, and if you have the strength, then see that scenery at the end on my behalf."

Chen Qingmeng’s words from the day of their parting still echoed in his ears as if spoken beside him. Perhaps even then, Chen Qingmeng had foreseen his own fate, yet he resolutely chose to gamble on that 1-in-10 chance of survival.

Eldrin remained silent for a long time before finally murmuring to himself, "20-sixth Uncle, I will see it for you."

“…”

This campaign to eradicate the demonic cultivators had eliminated a hidden danger for the clan. Though the elders had initially planned to hold a celebration, the news of Chen Qingmeng's demise left them in no mood for festivities.

The departed are gone, and the living must always look ahead.

After the funeral arrangements were concluded, several elders convened a brief meeting with the high-level members of the clan at the Qi Refinement, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm).

"Although the threat of the demonic cultivators has been eradicated this time, we must remain vigilant in the days to come."

"We have decided that the detection of demonic cultivators can henceforth be established as a permanent practice."

In the Clan Affairs Hall, the Third Elder announced the Council of Elders' intentions to the assembly.

They resolved to establish the regular inspection of demonic cultivators as a permanent institution. According to the new regulations, the Chen Clan would mobilize its members every 3 years to conduct systematic investigations aimed at rooting out demonic practitioners hiding among mortals—thus ensuring the foundation of the Chen Immortal Clan (Organization) remained unshakable.

With matters settled for the time being, Eldrin decided to return to Spirit Isle Lake so as not to miss the spring planting season.

However, just before his departure, Third Elder Lior (Person Name) stopped him.

"The clan is currently short-handed everywhere, and your Spirit Isle Lake (Location) is no exception. With 5 new juniors joining the family this time, I'll assign them to you."

"Caleb, Silas, come here."

Not far away, 2 6- or 7-year-old children cautiously approached, their gazes fixed on him with visible tension.

The Third Elder looked at the 2 children, a trace of relief coloring his expression as he said, "From now on, you 2 siblings shall follow the Eighth Elder and let him guide you in your cultivation."

"Go."

These 2 were none other than the twins Chen Yan and Chen Ling, whom he had rescued from Pingyuan Town. After their spiritual roots were discovered and they arrived at Verdant Chariot Mountain (Location), they were officially recorded in the family registry and renamed Chen Silas (Person Name) and Chen Caleb (Person Name).

Originally, their generation should have been included in the "Nian" character generation. However, considering that Eldrin had already become an elder of the family, to highlight his status and prestige, the 2 were instead placed in the "Xian" character generation.

In that case, should Eldrin ever take the helm of the family in the future, a group of younger clansmen would prove far more pliable than peers or elders.

Eldrin’s eyes flickered, and in an instant, he understood the Third Elder’s intention.

Although this pair of dragon-phoenix twins was young, they were both dual-spiritual-root prodigies. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they would reach at least the ninth level of Qi Refining in the future, with even a slight possibility of breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

Sending these 2 to his side served a dual purpose: to allow him to mentor 2 prodigious juniors of the clan, while also bolstering his future influence within the family.

Don’t underestimate the weight of his words. If he could successfully build his foundation, he would naturally command absolute authority like the clan leader. But if he failed, this very influence would become critically important.

With this thought in mind, Eldrin did not decline. Although he was fully confident in his ability to build his foundation, nurturing the younger generation of his clan in his spare time would be a worthwhile cultivation experience.

Early that morning, he set off toward Spirit Isle Lake (Location) with the 2 siblings in tow.

By the time he returned to Spirit Isle Lake (Location), 2 months had already passed since his departure.

After 2 months away, he had just stepped onto the lakeside isle when he heard the cries of Purple-Striped Wild Goose (Demon Beast). Having been raised for over 2 years, these spirit geese—though not yet fully mature—had already reached Qi Refinement, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm), and could be considered faintly sentient.

Observing a dozen or so vibrantly plumed juvenile Purple-Striped Wild Geese (Demon Beast), Eldrin (Person Name) couldn’t suppress a faint smile.

The Purple-Striped Wild Goose (Demon Beast) reaches maturity at approximately 5 to 6 years of age, at which point it becomes capable of reproduction.

"In just 3 or 4 more years, this will be able to produce spirit eggs and nurture the next generation."

After being left to roam freely for 2 months, the Purple-Striped Wild Goose (Demon Beast) had no 1 to feed it, yet it did not grow thin. Instead, by following water sources and grazing on grass, it had grown somewhat larger.

However, the spirit vegetables left unprotected by any formation had been ravaged nearly beyond recognition, with 70 to 80 percent completely devoured.

Fortunately, spirit vegetables weren’t worth much, and Eldrin didn’t get angry. Instead, he harvested the remaining spirit vegetables, keeping a portion for his own consumption while feeding most of them to the Purple-Striped Wild Goose.

Then came the spring plowing season. Having neglected to nourish the spirit fields for 2 months, Eldrin had to expend several extra days, continuously casting the Art of Spiritual Rain multiple times before finally succeeding in planting the spirit rice.

In the days that followed, life settled into a tranquil rhythm once more. Each day, he drew in the Primordial Purple Qi, honing his Qi Refining Stage, Level 9 cultivation as he prepared to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage in the future.

In his spare time, he taught Caleb and Silas to read and write, helping them understand their own meridians and acupoints. These were essential lessons to master before embarking on cultivation, as attempting to practice without this foundation would inevitably lead to grave errors.

好在两兄妹都是比较聪慧之人，学起这些来很快，Eldrin (Person Name)估计不出意外的话，大约八九岁左右就能学个大概，从而开始懵懵懂懂的踏上修行之路。