Journey of True Cultivation-Chapter 98: Foundation of the Longwei Family

Yuan knocked three times on the door. After a few moments, a response came from within, Old Man Longwei Feng, who was currently seated on his couch, holding a cup of tea in his hands.

"Come in," Longwei Feng called.

Yuan opened the door and stepped inside. The office looked just the same as it had a few days ago during his first visit, quiet, simple, and orderly.

His eyes scanned the room briefly before settling on the old man. He gave a respectful salute and said with a faint smile, "Greetings, Old Man Feng. Or should I call you Elder Longwei Feng now? Elder Feng? Something else?"

Longwei Feng chuckled softly and glanced at him. "When we're alone, just call me Old Man Feng. If others are around, then 'Elder Feng' will do. Now, with you asking me that, I take it you've finished reading all the books that were in your room?"

Yuan nodded in response.

The old man nodded as well, clearly pleased. "Good. It's rare for children your age to have the patience for reading. Most find it boring or a waste of time. But being able to sit and read on your own shows dedication, something you'll need as a cultivator."

As he spoke, Longwei Feng lifted his cup and took a small sip of tea. A satisfied smile appeared on his face before he turned his eyes back to Yuan.

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

"A cup of tea? Sure," Yuan replied, not hesitating. He had always enjoyed tea in the past, and part of him was curious, was the tea in this world as good as the tea from Truth's illusion?

Yuan slowly walked toward the chair across from Old Man Longwei Feng and sat down. In front of him, a stone cup of tea had already been placed.

He reached for the cup, lifting it beneath his nose and inhaling gently. The scent was mild and earthy, not nearly as refined as the tea he had once drunk from Ming Ze, let alone any kind of spiritual tea. Still, the aroma was clean and refreshing.

He took a small sip.

Warmth spread through his throat and into his stomach, bringing a subtle comfort. "Good," Yuan murmured after swallowing.

"Hehe," Old Man Longwei Feng chuckled. "If it's good, then I'm happy."

He took another sip of his own tea, then set the cup down on the wooden table. His gaze shifted toward Yuan, more serious now.

Seeing this, Yuan also placed his cup down and met the old man's eyes.

"Alright, Little Yuan," Longwei Feng began. "As you should have read already, you're now officially a Trainee. And because I personally brought you into the family, you automatically became a Supreme Commander Candidate. Do you understand that?"

Yuan nodded without hesitation.

"Good," Longwei Feng said. "Now, what the books don't explain is the benefit of being a Supreme Commander Candidate. First and foremost, your authority is considered one rank higher than your actual cultivation rank. For example, though you're a Trainee in cultivation stage, you already have the authority of a Soldier."

He paused, giving Yuan a moment to process that. Yuan nodded again, listening carefully.

Satisfied, Old Man Longwei Feng continued.

"That isn't the only benefit you receive," Old Man Longwei Feng continued. "You're now officially supported by the Longwei Faction of the Loose Tail Family. You won't be treated as royalty, but your status will be equal to that of an Inner Family member."

He raised his chin slightly, clearly proud of what he was about to say.

"This means you'll receive three low grade spiritual essence stones every year, gain access to the family's cultivation techniques, and, of course, you'll have my personal guidance."

He smiled with satisfaction, as if the benefits he listed were grand enough to shake the heavens. But Yuan remained silent. His black eyes held only a faint trace of excitement, more hollow than genuine. On the surface, his childlike face displayed a polite smile, but inwardly, he was unmoved

Still, Longwei Feng wasn't finished.

"But the greatest benefit," he said, his voice lifting with pride, "is that once a year, you'll be allowed to spend an entire week in the Dragon Turning Cultivation Room. That chamber contains the most concentrated spiritual essence within the family. It's at least ten times better than cultivating here... and a hundred times better compared to anywhere outside the families main mountain!"

Now Old Man Feng's pride was unmistakable. He spoke as if this privilege was the pinnacle of fortune.

Yuan, however, thought otherwise.

"Eating a mosquito is still eating," he mused bitterly. Compared to his old cultivation cave in the Howling Wind Sect, this so called sacred room was hardly impressive.

Still, he showed a look of amazement and quickly leaned forward with eager questions.

"When can I enter the Dragon Turning Cultivation Room? When will I receive the low grade spirit stones? When do I start receiving resources for cultivation?"

"Hehe," Old Man Feng chuckled, waving his hand. "Slow down. One question at a time!" But his tone was warm, and he soon began answering Yuan's many questions one by one.

Entering the so called Dragon Turning Cultivation Room wasn't difficult. Every prince or princess was allowed to enter the room four times a year, once for each season. This meant that whenever they entered, Yuan would join them and cultivate alongside them.

As for the cultivation resources, he would receive them in about a week. Until then, he would simply cultivate in silence.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Old Man Longwei Feng inquired, glancing at Yuan. His cup of tea was already empty and so was Yuan's.

Yuan nodded and looked at him seriously."Yes, there's something I've been wondering. Is there anything I'm required to do? Any tasks or duties?"

"Tasks?" the old man repeated, raising an eyebrow before shaking his head slightly."No, not for now. Since you're treated as an Inner Family member, you won't be given any responsibilities until you reach the age of twelve. After that, you'll officially be recognized as a member of the Longwei Faction and enter the Job Hall, where you'll be assigned your first task, although nothing big, you will do something."

He waved his hand in a casual, dismissive motion."But don't worry about any of that now. Just focus on growing stronger. There's still time."

Hearing this, Yuan smiled brightly and bowed slightly in gratitude."Thank you for the reminder, Old Man Feng! Then, I'll begin my cultivation."

Just as he was about to stand up, a thought crossed his mind. He paused and looked at the old man again.

"But before that... may I ask when the Dragon Turning Cultivation Room will open next? And when I can begin using the Longwei Family's cultivation techniques?"

"Ah! Yes, yes, of course!" Old Man Longwei Feng said, chuckling sheepishly as he coughed a few times in mild embarrassment. "I almost forgot."

He cleared his throat and continued."The Dragon Turning Cultivation Room just closed a few days ago, it had been opened for its seasonal cycle. The next opportunity will be in four months, when the season changes again."

As he finished, the old man reached into his sleeve and pulled out five small books, each with a different title. The covers were plain, but the titles were written in bold, formal script, each one grander and more confident than the last.

"Choose one of these cultivation techniques," he said, setting them on the table before Yuan. "They are beginner methods designed to temper ones body, the younger the better. Mastering one will greatly benefit you when you advance to the Blood Purification Stage."

Yuan nodded and began reading through the titles carefully, his eyes lingering on each one.

The Dragonbone Foundation Manual, Manual of the Coiling Dragon Form, Steady Tail Stance Method, Refined Scale Tempering Routine, and Royal Dragon Breath Discipline, these were the five books Old Man Longwei Feng had laid out before him.

Each one was centered around the theme of dragons, which made perfect sense. After all, the name Long meant dragon.

The Dragonbone Foundation Manual focused on strengthening the bones. The Manual of the Coiling Dragon Form specialized in muscle control and explosive force.

The Steady Tail Stance Method was a foundational technique emphasizing balance, lower body strength, and centered movement. The Refined Scale Tempering Routine trained the skin and external toughness through physical endurance.

And lastly, the Royal Dragon Breath Discipline was a breathing technique centered around stamina, internal pressure, and regulation.

Though all the techniques sounded grand, Yuan couldn't help but feel that something was missing. As he read through them, it seemed as though they weren't the complete or true versions, fragments of a greater whole perhaps. Curious, he looked up at the old man and asked carefully.

"These cultivation techniques... are they the Loose Tail Family's true cultivation techniques?"

Old Man Longwei Feng wasn't offended. Instead, he gave a proud smile and nodded. "Indeed, these five are among the highest ranked techniques given to the family by our ancestor at the time of our founding. However, they aren't the clan's core techniques. Those are reserved for the Main Family alone. These here are used by all Inner Family members and even then, only a select few are allowed to cultivate the true core methods."

Yuan nodded silently, his suspicions confirmed. He had already formed a theory about these techniques. Still, he made his choice without hesitation.

He pointed to the last book on the right.

"I'll choose the Royal Dragon Breath Discipline."

Hearing this, the old man was a little surprised. The Royal Dragon Breath Discipline was not a technique many chose, not because it was difficult or painful to cultivate. In fact, the others were far more demanding. No, the reason lay in its reputation.

Among the five, it was considered the lowest ranking technique, offering little immediate benefit. It was said that only upon reaching the Meridian Awakening Stage would its true effects begin to show.

Though puzzled by the boy's choice, Old Man Longwei Feng still smiled at Yuan.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

Yuan nodded without hesitation.

The old man handed him the book. "Then I wish you the best."

"Thank you, Old Man Feng. I'll begin my cultivation now," Yuan replied. He rose from his chair and quietly left the office.

After Yuan departed, Old Man Longwei Feng let out a soft sigh and shook his head. He picked up Yuan's empty teacup, slipped it away beneath his sleeve, then poured himself a fresh cup of tea.

He raised it to his lips, took a sip, and then chuckled a little.

"What an Strange kid."