Qingzhou, home to the Gu Clan, was remote but rich in cultivation resources and bordered demon beast territory. Many rogue cultivators came to risk their lives in pursuit of wealth. If the news leaked, a powerful rogue cultivator might well try to seize Gu Changhuan's body.

Even if humans did not target him, the demon race would never allow someone with a Spiritual Body to grow right under their noses.

After all, those born with a Spiritual Body, even the most mediocre ones, could smoothly reach the Golden Core stage.

Yet across Qingzhou, there were only two Nascent Soul ancestors.

Golden Core experts formed the mainstay against the demon race. If Gu Changhuan's Spiritual Body granted combat advantages as well, it would pose a serious threat to the demons.

Thus, by any reckoning, the fewer who knew about Gu Changhuan's Spiritual Body, the better. Keeping the news tightly sealed was the only long-term strategy.

While Gu Wanchang and Gu Wanhao conversed, Gu Changhuan stood quietly to the side, entirely free of the restlessness common to ordinary children.

Gu Wanchang nodded inwardly. For cultivators, natural aptitude mattered greatly, but temperament was just as crucial.

That Gu Changhuan could maintain such composure at his age was truly commendable.

"The next Spirit Root Testing Assembly is half a year away. Cultivators should never squander time.

"In the meantime, why not send Changhuan to the Scripture Pavilion for Twenty-First Uncle to teach him?"

The Twenty-First Uncle whom Gu Wanchang mentioned was the senior of the highest generation and cultivation rank within the Gu Clan. Named Gu Xuanzhan, he possessed Foundation Establishment ninth-layer cultivation and stood as the pillar holding up the Gu Clan.

"That is indeed a fitting place."

Gu Wanhao nodded. He was the clan's only second-tier, middle-grade alchemist. Apart from cultivating, he spent his days refining pills, often shutting himself away for several days at a time. Teaching Gu Changhuan himself was hardly possible.

Listening from the side, Gu Changhuan wondered silently whether this great-grandfather would sport a long, white beard just like his grandfather.

"Then I shall bring Changhuan to see Twenty-First Uncle directly. I imagine the old senior will not mind."

Gu Wanhao said.

Gu Wanchang called Gu Changhuan forward and retrieved a Soul Lamp glowing with an orange flame from his Storage Bag.

He snipped off a lock of Gu Changhuan's hair and burned it on the Soul Lamp. Its light turned a luminous blue.

The Soul Lamp reflected a cultivator's vital state; while the person lived, the lamp burned, and should they perish, the flame died.

After storing the Soul Lamp away, Gu Wanchang produced a bound volume.

"This is the Azure Cloud Qi Condensation Art. Keep it safe, Changhuan."

Gu Changhuan raised both hands above his head to receive the cultivation manual from Gu Wanchang.

A phrase suddenly arose in his mind: An immortal touched my head and bound my hair, granting me longevity.

After leaving Gu Wanchang, Gu Wanhao took Gu Changhuan to the General Affairs Hall to collect some essentials.

These included a low-grade Storage Bag, an Identity Jade Token, a First-Tier Middle Grade spirit sword, a bottle of Inedia Pills, a bottle of Qi-Nourishing Pills, and twenty low-grade Spirit Stones.

Gu Changhuan cradled the items in his arms, having no idea yet how to operate a Storage Bag.

"Grandfather..." Gu Changhuan held the heap of spiritual items, seeking help.

Gu Wanhao chuckled as he helped sweep everything into the Storage Bag.

"There is no need to rush, Huan'er. Before long, you will be just like your grandfather and become a cultivator.

"Once you become a cultivator, you'll be able to use a storage bag yourself."

Gu Wanhao looked down at the boy; here lay the future prosperity of the Gu Clan.

With Gu Changhuan here, restoring the clan to the glory of their ancestors' era was merely a matter of time.

"Grandfather is taking you to meet our clan's oldest ancestor. He belongs to a generation above mine, making him your great-grandfather.

"He has the highest cultivation in our clan. Be sure to greet him properly when we meet. Do you understand, Huan'er?"

Gu Wanhao instructed gently. Gu Xuanzhan was advanced in years and favored obedient, well-mannered descendants.

Fortunately, Gu Changhuan was not a mischievous child, merely quick-witted on occasion.

"Huan'er understands. I will show great-grandfather all due respect."

It was dark now, but night pearls lined every road on Emerald Maple Mountain, and a kind of luminous tree grew there too. Even Gu Changhuan, who had yet to begin cultivating, could see his way without tripping.

They reached Gu Xuanzhan's cave dwelling. There was plenty of spiritual qi here, but less than at the patriarch's residence, which occupied one of the richest spots on Emerald Maple Mountain.

This did not imply that Gu Xuanzhan's standing was inferior to Gu Wanchang's; quite the contrary, Gu Xuanzhan at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment was the true anchor of the clan. It was simply that his current realm could no longer be advanced through mere density of Spiritual Qi.

Before Gu Wanhao could announce their arrival, the dwelling's Formation parted.

"The twelfth brat has arrived. Come inside and speak."

Ranked twelfth among his generation, Gu Wanhao was naturally the "twelfth brat" to whom Gu Xuanzhan referred.

Gu Wanhao stroked his beard to mask his embarrassment. He was over a hundred years old, yet his Twenty-First Uncle still addressed him thus with his own grandson standing right beside them!

Gu Changhuan stood slightly behind and to the side of Gu Wanhao, keeping his gaze lowered while amusement danced in his eyes.

Gu Xuanzhan wore scholar's robes, resembling a middle-aged mortal scholar. His bearing was that of a village teacher, save for an ethereal aura that set him apart from the mundane world.

"Greetings, Twenty-First Uncle."

Gu Wanhao paid his respects carefully. For all his scholarly appearance, Gu Xuanzhan was the strongest Foundation Establishment cultivator in the Nine Perches Mountains.

Soon after reaching late Foundation Establishment, he had single-handedly killed one late Foundation Establishment demon beast and two at the middle stage of that realm. That battle had made his name.

Though both were in the Foundation Establishment realm, Gu Wanhao knew his own combat strength fell far short of this senior.

"Changhuan pays respects to great-grandfather."

Gu Changhuan bowed to the scholar, his expression reverent and his eyes steady.

Gu Xuanzhan raised a hand slightly. Gu Changhuan felt an irresistible force lift him upright. Stunned, he kept his expression unchanged and adopted an even more deferential posture.

"No need for formalities. Is this child your descendant?

"Not bad. Modest, patient, and polite—a good child."

Gu Xuanzhan offered his praise. It was rare for a child so young to face his presence without fear—or rather, to control that fear and keep it from showing.

A truly promising seedling.

"Thank you, Great-grandfather. You are too kind."

Gu Changhuan relaxed inwardly.

"You flatter him, Twenty-First Uncle, though the boy is indeed sensible.

"I was hoping you could teach him until the next Spirit Root Testing Assembly. Would you have time?"

Gu Wanhao asked with a smile.

The testing assembly he referred to was held by the Gu Clan every three years across their mortal territories to examine all children of appropriate age. With nearly half a year remaining until the next one, Gu Wanhao sought proper tutelage.

Gu Xuanzhan had not managed clan affairs for a long time and did not know when the next assembly would be held. Still, he had no objection to teaching a young clan member.

Guarding the clan's Scripture Pavilion left him with ample leisure.

Moreover, the child did not appear troublesome, and guiding juniors was a familiar task requiring little effort.

For Gu Changhuan, beginning his cultivation journey under Gu Xuanzhan's direct instruction was an exceptional opportunity.

After all, a formidable master allowed a disciple to avoid countless detours.

"Very well. Have someone send Changhuan to the Scripture Pavilion tomorrow, and arrange for him to be fetched back at noon."

"Thank you, great-grandfather." Gu Changhuan smiled until his eyes crinkled into crescents. He was far from foolish; he understood full well the immense advantage of studying under such an expert.

Finding the boy's delighted smile rather endearing, Gu Xuanzhan reached into his Storage Bag and produced an Azure Cicada Jade Pendant.

"Take this as a welcoming gift from your great-grandfather. It can shield you from a full-strength blow by a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Gu Changhuan glanced toward Gu Wanhao.

Gu Wanhao made a half-hearted gesture of refusal, though his trembling beard entirely betrayed his delight.

Even as a second-tier, middle-grade alchemist, Gu Wanhao could not have offered anything like this.

"Changhuan, you cannot accept this!

"Twenty-First Uncle, this is too precious. Changhuan is still little; he has no need of such a thing just yet."