The formal atmosphere of the private chambers grew heavy with unspoken tension as Imperial Aunt Feng Mei's gaze settled on the Wei Clan's ancestor. Her next words carried the weight of imperial authority, but also a personal familiarity that surprised the assembled family members.
"So Uncle Wei, other than yourself, no one from your Wei clan has entered the House Sanguisv's service for quite some time."
The casual use of 'Uncle' sent ripples of shock through Wei Tianlong and even Wei Jian, who had never fully understood the depth of their ancestor's connections to the imperial nobility.
This was the Imperial Aunt was acknowledging a family connection that elevated the Wei Clan's status far beyond what even they had fully realized.
Ancestor Wei Tianshan slowly opened one of his squinty eyes to regard his former student. His voice, when it came, carried the weariness of old wounds never fully healed.
"Young Feng Mei, your uncle and I had some irreconcilable differences over a certain situation. His political schemes were the direct cause of my beloved wife's death."
The words fell into the silence like stones into still water, each syllable heavy with decades of pain and regret.
"When I sought justice from the Empress, she chose to protect her brother over doing what was right. That betrayal was what truly broke my loyalty to House Sanguisv."
His weathered hand tightened on his walking stick, the spiritual wood creaking under the pressure of his controlled emotions. "Hence, I left after serving House Sanguisv for centuries. With my son grown up, the grief and my dislike for the political machinations led me to take my accumulated rewards for my long service and depart. I settled down here, cleared the beasts, and built this city."
The ancestor's eyes flashed with old fury. "Even after all that time, your uncle still made moves against my family out of pettiness. His schemes nearly crippled my grandson Wei Jian, damaging his cultivation path and almost cutting off his advancement to Nascent Soul realm. The boy is was stuck in Golden Core for years, his vitality severely injured. he was an inch from death Your uncle is fortunate i just removed a hidden faction from his hands."
Princess Feng Yue's eyes widened in shock at this revelation. She had heard whispers of a powerful figure who had crippled one of House Sanguisv's branches, but she had never imagined it was connected to her own family's history.
A profound silence descended over the room like a heavy blanket. The tension in the atmosphere was palpable, spiritual pressure fluctuating as every person present held their breath. Wei Tianlong felt sweat beading on his forehead as he realized the full extent of what his father had never told him about their family's separation from House Sanguisv.
Imperial Aunt Feng Mei's expression remained carefully neutral, though those with sufficient cultivation could sense the subtle shift in her spiritual aura. When she spoke, her voice carried the measured tone of someone choosing her words with extreme care.
"Uncle Wei, my imperial uncle passed away after a failed breakthrough to the Void Refining realm three years ago."
"Good," Ancestor Wei Tianshan replied without hesitation, his voice carrying a satisfaction that made Princess Feng Yue visibly flinch. "Though I suppose the heavens have their own justice for those who scheme against innocent."
A wry smile appeared on Feng Mei's face as she processed this blunt response. She had expected nothing less from the stubborn old man who had been her teacher and her uncle's greatest enemy. The falling out between Wei Tianshan and the Empress over her brother's actions had been a wound that never healed, costing House Sanguisv one of its most valuable assets.
"Uncle Wei, all that's in the past now," Imperial Aunt Feng Mei said, her tone becoming more conciliatory. "I am here now because your direct bloodline has produced a great genius, and perhaps it's time to heal old wounds."
The ancestor replied with a noncommittal "Hmph," but his posture suggested he was willing to listen.
"My great-grandson's decision to join any house is up to him. Even if he should change his mind now or reject offers, I would support him completely. He owes nothing to anyone for the circumstances of his birth or our family's past."
"I am Feng Mei, the current head of House Sanguisv's external affairs and the Empress's trusted advisor." She turned toward Wei Chen, her expression softening as she gave him a warm smile. "You can call me Imperial Aunt, or Aunty Feng, whichever you feel most comfortable with."
Wei Chen, recognizing the tremendous honor being offered, cupped his hands and gave a respectful bow. "This junior greets Aunty Feng."
Hearing his address, she gave a blooming smile that transformed her entire demeanor from imperial authority to familial warmth.
"Now, young man, I have heard of the harsh life you have been living up until now, only to turn around suddenly and awaken great talent. That's quite the turnaround, and it speaks to the resilience of your bloodline."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she continued, "Now, in the report, your talents were compared to the Empress herself. Even though I trust the assessment, seeing is believing."
As if on cue, Wei Jian stepped forward with a talent testing stone, its surface gleaming with embedded spiritual formations. The artifact was clearly of the highest quality, its mere presence causing the ambient spiritual energy in the chambers to fluctuate responsively.
"Son, please place your hand on the stone," Wei Jian instructed, his voice carrying both pride and nervousness.
Wei Chen approached the testing stone with measured steps, aware that every eye in the chamber was focused on him. The weight of expectation pressed down like a physical force, but his great-grandfather's presence behind him gave him courage.
As his palm made contact with the cool surface of the testing stone, spiritual energy began to flow through the artifact's formations. The illumination started as a faint glow and began progressing through the standard stages of spiritual root classification.
White light... yellow light... orange light... red light...
The assembled family members watched with growing amazement as the colors continued to intensify and shift. Even Imperial Aunt Feng Mei, despite her high expectations, found herself leaning forward with interest.
Blue light... violet light... silver light...
Finally, the stone blazed with a deep golden color that seemed to pulse with inner fire, casting dancing shadows across the walls of the chamber.
"Mid-Stage Heaven rank spiritual roots," Imperial Aunt Feng Mei softly exclaimed, her voice carrying genuine surprise despite her high expectations.
But the testing was not complete. Wei Jian produced a second stone, this one designed to reveal physique characteristics through spiritual imaging. As Wei Chen placed his hand on this artifact, the formation activated with even greater intensity.
Soon, a small figure materialized above the stone a spiritual projection showing Wei Chen's essence. Surrounding the figure were nine golden orbs, each one pulsing with radiant yang energy that seemed to warm the entire chamber.
"It is the Nine Yang Heavenly Body," Imperial Aunt Feng Mei identified, her cultivator's knowledge allowing her to recognize the rare physique immediately. "And with Mid-Grade Heaven rank yang attributes. Perhaps one in ten million possess this physique. Combined with Heaven rank spiritual roots, your cousin here represents a talent that emerges perhaps once in a generation across the entire empire."
She studied the projection with the keen interest of someone who understood the true rarity of what she was witnessing. "I wonder what caused the awakening," she spoke aloud, her voice carrying both curiosity and a hint of suspicion.
Wei Tianshan's walking stick tapped against the floor once, drawing attention. "The boy suffered greatly, nearly died from his previous constitution. Sometimes the heavens provide compensation for extreme suffering."
The question hung in the air, but before anyone could delve deeper, Feng Mei shifted the conversation toward practical matters.
"So, young man, have you thought of entering House Sanguisv's service?"
Wei Chen straightened, recognizing that this moment would determine his future path. But before he could respond, his great-grandfather's voice cut through the air.
"Speak your mind, boy. With me here, you need fear no consequences for honesty."
Emboldened by his ancestor's support, Wei Chen replied, "Aunty Feng, I had not considered such possibilities until recently, but I am willing to serve if my talents can be of use and the terms are favorable." after all this was the plan, wasn't it.
"Excellent," she replied with satisfaction. "House Sanguisv offers several paths for someone of your capabilities."
She began outlining the options with the practiced efficiency of someone who had guided many talented individuals toward appropriate positions.
"The most common entrance would be through our Joint military academy, where you would train alongside other noble scions but advance based on merit and ability. Your family's military background would serve you well there. If you choose this path, your great-grandfather's previous achievements would give you a massive head start you would graduate directly as a company commander, leading 500 Foundation Establishment soldiers from the very beginning."
Wei Chen's eyes lit up with interest at this prospect. The idea of commanding troops, of proving himself on the battlefield, held a certain appeal. It was straightforward, honorable, and would allow him to build his reputation through his own actions. He continued to listen to the options.
"Then there is direct service as a House Guardian, which offers the prestige and access to superior cultivation resources, but requires absolute loyalty to House Sanguisv's interests."
This option made Wei Chen pause. While the resources were tempting, the emphasis on 'absolute loyalty' gave him pause. He had just awakened to his new life, and the thought of binding himself so completely to another's will felt restrictive. Still, the cultivation resources could be invaluable for someone with his unique constitution.
"Or you could pursue specialized training as an alchemist, artificer, weapon forger, formation specialist, or inscriptionist under our House's master craftsmen. These paths offer different challenges but can lead to tremendous influence within the empire's infrastructure."
At the mention of formations and inscriptions, Wei Chen's attention was drawn instinctively to the black ring on his finger. The complex formations and inscriptions etched into its surface had fascinated him since his awakening, their patterns seeming to shift and pulse with an energy he couldn't quite understand. The distant feeling they gave him suggested depths of knowledge and power that called to something deep within his soul.
His thoughts also turned to alchemy. With his unique Celestial Nine Yang Body constitution, there would likely be times when he'd need specialized pills or treatments that only a skilled alchemist could provide. Learning to create his own solutions rather than depending on others held significant appeal it would grant him a form of independence that the other paths might not offer.
"There is also the possibility of a marriage alliance with one of our junior members, which would provide direct ties to the House and substantial cultivation resources."
At this suggestion, Wei Chen's great-grandfather stepped in before he could respond.
"An ordinary arrangement with house members might not be enough," he paused as if considering his next words carefully. "My great-grandson's physique is inherently extremely masculine with his attributes leaning in the same direction, forcing him to cultivate techniques of similar attributes. As cultivators, a natural Yin/Yang balance is necessary. With his talent, 99% of cultivators would not be able to keep up with him. Older cultivators possibly Nascent Soul and stronger would be a good start."
Princess Feng Yue's eyebrows shot up in surprise at his directness, while Aunt Feng Mei considered the question seriously.
"It may be possible," she replied thoughtfully. "Like uncle said, most women not of the direct bloodline would take at least 200 years to cultivate to such a level. Regardless of the talent you showed, they would consider him a child and beneath themselves to even consider such an option."
The ancestor chuckled dryly. "Old cultivators are like that. If he chose that option, I'll beat them up first that would change their worldview."
The entire room went silent. His son and grandson both looked at the ancestor at the same time, beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads.
The princess's eye twitched slightly. Feng Mei gave a wry smile the only absurd thing was that it might actually work, especially with the house's silent acknowledgment that such things were minor matters.
Wei Chen found himself caught between amusement and embarrassment at his great-grandfather's blunt approach. While he appreciated the man's directness, he wasn't sure if marriage alliances any should be his immediate concern as anything of substance would be more trouble than it's worth.
His focus remained on cultivation and personal growth relationships could develop naturally as he progressed.
As he considered all the options, his gaze kept returning to his ring. The formations seemed to pulse more intensely when he thought about the inscriptionist and alchemist paths, as if responding to his interest.
There was something about those disciplines.... promising not just power but a way to utilized mysteries and untapped potential that seemed to surround his new existence.
The path of formation specialist and inscriptionist particularly intrigued him. If he could understand the principles behind the formations on his ring, perhaps he could unlock its secrets.
And alchemy... with his unique constitution, he would undoubtedly need specialized treatments and enhancements that only a master alchemist could provide. Learning to create these himself would ensure he never had to depend on others for his most basic needs.
"These would be offered as a joint package regardless of which path he chooses," Imperial Aunt Feng Mei continued, her voice carrying the weight of careful consideration. "I'm setting the mandatory service requirement at 50 years after all, cultivators live a long time. The appropriate cultivation resources and techniques will be provided whether he chooses the auxiliary profession or the military academy, as access would be based on Their House. I've decided to be more flexible, though fifty years is the minimum I would be willing to accept."
Fifty years. The number hung in the air like a weight.
For a mortal, it would represent the majority of a lifetime, but for a cultivator, it was merely a stepping stone.
Still, Wei Chen found himself wondering what he might become in those fifty years, and whether such a long commitment would help or hinder his growth.
"So young Wei how would you like to enter the service of House Sanguisv's ?" Feng me Asked