Does seal script possess great power? My poetry is invincible!

Chapter 126 The Zhu, Qian, and Yuan Families

On the river, the number of boats bearing this mark is at least more than half that of the Zhu family's boats. There are only three-story and two-story boats, and no single-story boats.

There was another "Yuan" family, but the number was reduced by half again. There were only one-story and two-story ships, but no three-story ships.

These three companies' boats account for at least 70% of the total number of boats on the river, with the rest being scattered one- or two-story boats.

"That's the Qian family." Zhu Long's eyes showed a hint of seriousness. "The Qian family is also a prominent family in Jiangling City, having risen to prominence several hundred years later than the Zhu family. Speaking of which, the Yuan family is an even older family in Jiangling City than the Zhu family. A thousand years ago, they produced a grandmaster who reached the Solid Foundation Realm and entered the Pill Cauldron Peak. Unfortunately, he passed away later, and his descendants were powerless. The Yuan family hasn't produced a descendant who has opened the Sea of ​​Consciousness for over three hundred years, and the Yuan family has declined as a result."

Wang Yan suddenly realized, and then asked, "Then, is the Zhu family also facing the problem of a lack of successors? It seems that there are no people of my age in the Zhu family within our clan."

Zhao Mingtong and Jiang Linyue are both considered to have the best aptitude among the third generation of cultivators, while the Zhu family has never been heard of having one.

The follow-up is a bit lacking!

Zhu Long recounted the details with great familiarity: "Elder Zhu is doing alright. His third son, Zhu Jianhua, born out of wedlock, is a prefecture-level expert in the Sea of ​​Consciousness realm. He's only a little over 200 years old now. He was sent to support Flying Eagle Mountain this time, so you didn't get to see him."

"If Zhu Jianhua returns safely from Flying Eagle Mountain, he should be able to break through to the peak of Condensation Realm. If he has the opportunity in the future, he should be able to enter the Solidification Realm and take over Elder Zhu's position to shoulder the responsibility of the family."

"Our sect stipulates that all elders and descendants of guardian families must have opened their sea of ​​consciousness at the town level or above to be eligible to join the sect. As for descendants of ordinary people, as long as they can open their sea of ​​consciousness before the age of sixteen, they can join the sect as first-level spiritual sprouts and learn some self-defense techniques to deal with mystical beasts. This is also the compassion of our sect's founding ancestor for the people."

"The Zhu family's youths of your age have only reached the village-level Sea of ​​Consciousness at most, so they can only cultivate within the family and are not qualified to join the main sect."

Wang Yan understood: "With Zhu Jianhua here, Peak Master Zhu is not afraid of the younger generation's poor aptitude. He can wait another ten years or so. Moreover, if I were Elder Zhu, I would sell everything I own and gamble the future of my family to help Zhu Jianhua reach the Solidification Realm."

Zhu Long looked at him curiously: "Sell everything you own? I understand what that means, it means using up all the family's resources, right?"

Wang Yan declared confidently, "Yes, for us poor people, selling everything we own means selling all the valuables we have!"

Zhu Long nodded knowingly: "Elder Zhu doesn't need to sell everything he owns. If you're willing to share the cultivation technique you used when you broke through that day, he'll definitely come to ask for it generously."

Wang Yan immediately rubbed his hands together excitedly: "Then I'll have to think carefully about how to give Elder Zhu a good beating!"

Zhu Long chuckled: "Alright, think it over carefully!"

He then pointed to each of the prominent buildings in the city.

"The prefectural government office is that cluster of houses with golden glazed tiles. Yes, that's the only one of its kind in the city. Although the Zhu family is very influential here, they didn't use gold to show their respect for the Qin court."

"The Zhu family ancestral home occupies the northern part of the city, facing the prefectural government office across the water. It is covered with bright red glazed tiles, which is fitting for the character 'Zhu' in their name."

"The area with earthen yellow glazed tiles is the residence of officials, while the silver-white and light blue areas are the residence of merchants. Our Yunding Sect's headquarters is located right across from the state government office."

Following his directions, Wang Yan identified each family member, then asked, "What about the Yuan family and the Qian family?"

When Dulong pointed it out again, Wang Yan focused his attention and examined it closely.

The Yuan family's house wasn't large, only three courtyards. The family was quite large, and people came and went in an orderly manner. The clothes of the master and servants were clearly distinct. There were almost no men to be seen in the inner courtyard, while the women were practicing martial arts.

And the Qian family...etc.

Wang Yan suddenly frowned slightly, looked at the Zhu family and the Qian family again, and then compared the Qian family.

The Qian family's residence was similar to that of the Zhu and Yuan families, but the relationship between the master and the servants seemed somewhat disrespectful.

Moreover, the Qian family likes to close the door; they will always close it whenever someone enters the house.

How insecure is this?

Just then, Wang Yan suddenly heard Du Long ask, "You stayed in Xia Rao Prefecture for about half a month. Did you go out and explore?"

Wang Yan composed himself, recalling the original owner's experiences, and nodded: "You could say yes or no! Before we joined the sect, the stewards took us around Xia Rao Prefecture for half a day, so we knew where the prefectural government was, what the gates of wealthy families looked like, and which families owned them, so that we would try our best not to offend them after joining the sect."

From this perspective, Wang Yan felt that the inspector stationed at the sect's residence in Xia Rao Prefecture was quite humane.

Du Long suddenly realized, then joked, "Don't you think Jiangling Prefecture is more lively and has more people than Xia Rao Prefecture?"

Wang Yan readily agreed: "There are more houses here, and the main residence in Xia Rao Prefecture is smaller than this one."

"Yes, the closer we get to the sect's main gate, the more bustling and crowded the prefecture cities become. So, fewer people will recognize us." Du Long had a strange smile on his face. "Alright, let's go to our camp first. Remember, I am Du Ersheng, and you are Wang Erhuo, the junior disciple whom Peak Master Du has taken a liking to, but who is still under evaluation."

"Yes!" Wang Yan replied with a forced smile.

……

After a short while, Wang Yan, along with Du Long, passed through the protective array outside the Yunding Pavilion, the residence of the Yunding Sect, using the mysterious light on his identity badge. He was greeted by Qiu Jun, the supervisor of the residence, and jumped off the airship, where he was warmly welcomed into the reception hall.

"Uncle-Master Du, it's been several years since you last visited!" Qiu Jun, with his black beard, looked at Wang Yan in surprise. "A while ago, Steward Bai came to make some purchases and said that you, Uncle-Master Du, had been in seclusion? Now that you've emerged, have you made another breakthrough?"

This white-clad butler is Du Cheng's subordinate.

"I have indeed broken through a minor realm. My cousin asked me to bring my nephew out for a stroll." Du Long sat down in the seat of honor on the right, with Wang Yan standing behind him. He smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "Hmm, this Spiritual Mist Tea is at least first-class."

Wang Yan raised an eyebrow in surprise, then picked up the teacup again, took a light sniff, and smelled the refreshing fragrance with a hint of woody vibrancy.

His hand habitually twirled the teacup slightly, savoring the refreshing aroma of the tea.

Wang Yan didn't pay any attention to Qiu Jun and Du Long's unexpected scrutiny.

After observing him for a few moments, Qiu Jun smiled warmly at Du Long and said, "Uncle Du, since you've arrived, you must serve me the finest Spiritual Mist Tea. If I could get my hands on the top-grade Spiritual Mist Tea from Shenwen Peak, I would definitely serve you the top grade!"

Wang Yan's hand, which was holding a teacup, paused slightly.

I didn't expect that Uncle Du's pseudonym was so valuable, that it could make Qiu Jun, the inspector, so eager to please him.

Dulong waved his hand magnanimously: "That kind of premium tea isn't sold to outsiders. Even asking favors won't help. Old Fang of Shenwen Peak won't be producing Lingyun tea anytime soon; he doesn't have the time. You don't need to put in the effort. If someone tells you they can get it, they're definitely lying!"