Chapter 15: The City of Three Great Clans
In the cultivation world, strength determined how high one could climb.
But wealth, influence, and patience often determined whether one survived long enough to climb at all.
Morning sunlight spilled across the rooftops of Lanyue City.
The streets were already crowded.
Merchants shouted their prices, spiritual beasts pulled carriages through the main avenues, and cultivators hurried between shops carrying storage pouches filled with spirit stones.
Near the eastern marketplace, two Foundation Establishment cultivators argued over the ownership of a medicinal herb.
A group of young disciples gathered outside a weapon shop, debating which sword was worth purchasing.
At the city gates, guards inspected incoming caravans while scribes recorded the names of visiting merchants.
For the people of Lanyue, it was an ordinary morning.
The city had no knowledge of the ancient observatory's activation.
Nor did its residents know that an extraordinary cultivator had spent the previous night examining a message left by a forgotten age.
And Ye Wuchen preferred it that way.
He sat beside a window on the second floor of Moonfall Pavilion, drinking tea.
Across from him, Lin Qingyue studied a small collection of formation diagrams.
She had borrowed them from the pavilion's library.
Every few moments, she frowned, crossed out a line, and began again.
Ye Wuchen watched her struggle with the same calculation for the third time.
"Your third junction is wrong."
Lin Qingyue looked up.
"What?"
"The third junction."
She examined the diagram.
"It's correct."
"Then continue."
She frowned.
A few moments later, the entire calculation collapsed.
Lin Qingyue stared at the paper.
Then slowly looked toward him.
"You knew?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you explain?"
"You said it was correct."
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
After a moment, she sighed.
"You're impossible."
Ye Wuchen took another sip of tea.
"So I've been told."
Lin Qingyue returned to her calculations.
This time, she carefully examined the third junction.
After several minutes, her expression brightened.
"I see it!"
Ye Wuchen nodded.
"Good."
She looked at him suspiciously.
"Was that your intention?"
"What?"
"Making me discover the mistake myself."
Ye Wuchen considered the question.
"Would you have preferred the answer?"
Lin Qingyue hesitated.
Then shook her head.
"No."
She looked down at the corrected diagram.
"I think I understand it better now."
Ye Wuchen returned his attention to the street.
"Then it wasn't a wasted morning."
Elsewhere in the pavilion, Mu Cang and Han Zhen were preparing to visit the House of Quiet Ink.
Shen Yulan had invited them to examine the manuscripts she had collected during her years in Lanyue.
The three scholars had spent much of the previous evening discussing their missing companions.
But after decades of separation, they had discovered that there were also ordinary things they wanted to discuss.
The changes in their hometowns.
Old teachers.
Forgotten acquaintances.
And the remarkable price of paper in the present day.
"Three copper coins for a single sheet?"
Han Zhen stared at the shopkeeper in disbelief.
The elderly merchant nodded.
"Good paper isn't cheap."
"Three copper coins?"
"Yes."
Han Zhen turned toward Mu Cang.
"When we were students, that much money could buy an entire stack!"
Mu Cang chuckled.
"Forty-three years have passed."
"That doesn't mean paper should become a luxury!"
The shopkeeper looked offended.
"Our paper is made from high-quality river reeds."
Han Zhen examined the sheet.
"It looks exactly like ordinary paper."
"Then perhaps you should purchase ordinary paper."
"I would, if I could find any!"
Mu Cang laughed.
For the first time in many years, he found himself enjoying an ordinary argument.
No ancient ruins.
No disappearing memories.
No questions about whether his companions had ever existed.
Just an old friend complaining about prices.
It was a pleasant change.
By midday, Luo Xinyi arrived at Ye Wuchen's table.
She wore a pale violet robe and carried a small wooden box.
"Fellow Daoist Ye."
Ye Wuchen looked up.
"Young Mistress Luo."
"May I sit?"
"Of course."
She sat opposite him.
Lin Qingyue set aside her formation diagrams.
Luo Xinyi placed the box on the table.
"A small token of appreciation from Moonfall Pavilion."
Inside were several neatly arranged spirit stones.
Lin Qingyue blinked.
"These are middle-grade spirit stones."
Luo Xinyi nodded.
"Master Duan completed the repairs yesterday. The pavilion's energy consumption has decreased considerably."
She smiled.
"Your observation saved us a substantial amount of money."
Ye Wuchen glanced at the box.
"Then keep them."
Luo Xinyi paused.
"Excuse me?"
"You'll need them to maintain the formation."
She stared at him.
Then laughed softly.
"Fellow Daoist Ye, you certainly have an unusual attitude toward wealth."
Ye Wuchen looked toward the bustling street.
"Not particularly."
Lin Qingyue gave him a doubtful look.
For an ordinary cultivator, the contents of that box represented a considerable fortune.
Even an established Foundation Establishment cultivator would hesitate before refusing such a gift.
Luo Xinyi closed the box.
"Then perhaps I can offer something more useful."
Ye Wuchen turned back.
"Such as?"
"Information."
That caught Lin Qingyue's attention.
Luo Xinyi smiled.
"Lanyue City can be difficult for visitors unfamiliar with its customs. If you intend to remain here for some time, understanding the local powers may save you considerable trouble."
Ye Wuchen nodded.
"Go on."
Luo Xinyi folded her hands.
"Lanyue is governed by the imperial city administration, but much of its commerce is controlled by three cultivation clans."
She raised a finger.
"The Luo family manages most of the city's inns, trade houses, and formation workshops."
Another finger.
"The Bai family controls medicinal herb cultivation, pill refinement, and several important trade routes."
Then a third.
"The Qin family specializes in spiritual weapons, mineral extraction, and transportation."
Lin Qingyue nodded thoughtfully.
"Do the families cooperate?"
"When it's profitable."
"And when it isn't?"
Luo Xinyi smiled.
"Then we negotiate."
Ye Wuchen glanced at her.
"A diplomatic answer."
"A necessary one."
She continued.
"The three families have competed for generations, but none can easily eliminate the others. Our interests overlap too much."
Lin Qingyue considered the arrangement.
"What about the city lord?"
"City Lord Zhao oversees taxation, public security, and imperial regulations. His authority is separate from the clans."
"Does he intervene in their disputes?"
"When those disputes threaten the city."
Luo Xinyi's smile faded slightly.
"Recently, there have been more disputes than usual."
Ye Wuchen looked at her.
"Over what?"
"Trade."
She sighed.
"The western merchant routes have become increasingly important. Whoever controls their warehouses and transportation contracts stands to earn a fortune."
Lin Qingyue nodded.
That was understandable.
Cultivators required resources.
Resources required merchants.
And merchants required safe roads.
Even powerful sects depended upon such arrangements.
Luo Xinyi looked toward Ye Wuchen.
"There's also an auction taking place in three days."
Lin Qingyue's eyes brightened.
"An auction?"
"The largest one this season."
"What will they sell?"
"Spiritual herbs, cultivation techniques, formation materials, and several unusual items recovered from the western territories."
Ye Wuchen remained silent.
Luo Xinyi continued.
"Our family has reserved a few private seats. If you're interested, I can arrange one."
Lin Qingyue immediately looked toward him.
Ye Wuchen noticed.
"Do you want to attend?"
She hesitated.
"I've never been to a major auction."
"Then we'll go."
Luo Xinyi smiled.
She rose.
"I'll have the invitations delivered tomorrow."
Before leaving, she paused.
"One more thing."
Ye Wuchen looked at her.
"Master Duan would like to speak with you again."
"Why?"
"He wishes to discuss formations."
Lin Qingyue looked amused.
Ye Wuchen considered the request.
"Tell him I'm not accepting disciples."
Luo Xinyi froze.
Then burst out laughing.
"I'll be sure to convey that."
That afternoon, Lin Qingyue visited the city's formation market.
Ye Wuchen accompanied her.
The market occupied several narrow streets near the eastern district.
Shops displayed formation flags, inscribed jade plates, spiritual ink, and various tools used by cultivators specializing in arrays.
Some merchants advertised defensive formations capable of resisting Foundation Establishment attacks.
Others sold simple household formations for heating rooms or preserving food.
Lin Qingyue stopped before a shop displaying several sets of formation flags.
"These are expensive."
The shopkeeper smiled.
"Young lady, quality formation flags aren't cheap."
She examined one.
The material was decent.
But the inscriptions were uneven.
"These won't last very long."
The shopkeeper's smile stiffened.
"They're perfectly suitable for ordinary use."
Lin Qingyue pointed toward the base.
"The inscription here is too shallow. After repeated activation, the spiritual energy will damage the material."
The merchant stared at her.
Ye Wuchen stood nearby, quietly examining a collection of ordinary wooden rulers.
The shopkeeper cleared his throat.
"Perhaps you'd prefer our higher-grade products."
Lin Qingyue shook her head.
"I'd rather purchase the materials and make my own."
She turned toward Ye Wuchen.
"Do you think that's better?"
"Usually."
"Usually?"
"If you know what you're doing."
She frowned.
"I do."
"Then you have your answer."
The shopkeeper watched them leave.
After a moment, he examined the formation flag.
Then looked at its base.
His expression changed slightly.
Near the center of the market stood a small public practice courtyard.
Several young cultivators were gathered around a stone platform.
A wooden sign announced:
LANYUE FORMATION ASSOCIATION
PUBLIC FORMATION EXAMINATION
OPEN TO CULTIVATORS BELOW THE GOLDEN CORE REALM
Lin Qingyue stopped.
An elderly attendant approached.
"Young lady, are you interested in the examination?"
She looked toward the platform.
"What does it involve?"
"Participants must construct a functioning formation using materials provided by the association."
"Is there a fee?"
"Ten low-grade spirit stones."
Lin Qingyue hesitated.
That was not an insignificant amount.
The attendant continued.
"Those who pass receive an official certificate. Outstanding participants may also receive recommendations to local formation workshops."
Ye Wuchen looked toward her.
"Interested?"
She nodded.
"A little."
"Then try."
Lin Qingyue looked surprised.
"You think I should?"
"Why not?"
"What if I fail?"
Ye Wuchen considered the question.
"Then you'll know what you need to improve."
She stared at him.
Then smiled.
"Fine."
She approached the registration desk.
"I'd like to participate."
The examination courtyard was simple.
A dozen stone tables stood beneath a covered pavilion.
Each table contained identical materials.
Formation flags.
Spirit stones.
Inscription brushes.
And a small jade plate.
An elderly examiner addressed the participants.
"Your task is to construct a first-grade defensive formation."
Several cultivators nodded confidently.
The examiner continued.
"The formation must withstand three attacks from a standard testing puppet."
He raised a hand.
"Begin."
Immediately, the courtyard filled with activity.
Participants arranged formation flags, drew inscriptions, and adjusted spiritual channels.
Lin Qingyue examined her materials carefully.
The task itself was not particularly difficult.
She had constructed defensive formations before.
But the examination imposed a strict limit on available resources.
There were only six formation flags.
Two spirit stones.
And a small quantity of spiritual ink.
She considered several possible arrangements.
Then began working.
Ye Wuchen watched from outside the courtyard.
A few nearby cultivators were discussing the examination.
"That fellow from the Bai family will probably win."
"He's been studying formations for years."
"I heard he already passed the preliminary examination."
Ye Wuchen glanced toward the participant they were discussing.
A young man in green robes stood at the third table.
His movements were precise.
He had clearly practiced the required formation many times.
At another table, a nervous girl repeatedly adjusted her flags.
Her hands trembled.
A middle-aged cultivator struggled to draw a stable inscription.
None of them were extraordinary geniuses.
They were ordinary cultivators trying to improve their prospects.
Ye Wuchen found the scene more interesting than he expected.
In the distant past, he had studied formations so complex that their activation could influence entire realms.
Yet the principles used by these young cultivators were fundamentally similar.
Guide energy.
Establish structure.
Maintain stability.
The scale had changed.
The underlying discipline had not.
An hour later, the testing began.
The first participant activated his formation.
A translucent barrier appeared.
The testing puppet raised its wooden sword.
One strike.
The barrier trembled.
A second strike.
Cracks spread across its surface.
A third strike.
The formation shattered.
"Failed," the examiner announced.
The participant lowered his head.
The next candidate stepped forward.
Her formation survived the first two attacks.
But the third broke through.
"Failed."
Several more participants followed.
Some passed.
Others failed.
Then the young man from the Bai family approached.
His formation activated smoothly.
A bright green barrier surrounded the testing area.
The puppet attacked.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The barrier remained intact.
The examiner nodded.
"Passed. Excellent stability."
The young man smiled confidently.
Several spectators applauded.
Finally, Lin Qingyue's turn arrived.
She placed her jade plate upon the testing platform.
The examiner examined it.
His eyebrows rose slightly.
"An unusual arrangement."
Lin Qingyue nodded.
"I modified the standard defensive formation."
"Why?"
"To reduce energy loss between the outer channels."
The examiner frowned.
"That can weaken the central barrier."
"Only if the supporting channels are arranged incorrectly."
He studied her formation.
Then nodded.
"Very well. Activate it."
Lin Qingyue infused the jade plate with spiritual energy.
A pale blue barrier appeared.
It was not particularly bright.
Nor did it produce an impressive display.
The testing puppet raised its sword.
The first strike landed.
The barrier rippled.
The second strike followed.
The third strike struck the center.
For a moment, the barrier dimmed.
Then stabilized.
The examiner nodded.
"Passed."
Lin Qingyue exhaled.
But the examiner was still studying the jade plate.
"Interesting."
He examined the remaining spirit stones.
"Your formation consumed less energy than expected."
Lin Qingyue smiled.
"I adjusted the return channels."
The examiner looked at her.
"Who taught you that?"
She glanced toward Ye Wuchen.
He stood near the courtyard entrance, examining a nearby vendor's display of inexpensive wooden carvings.
Lin Qingyue hesitated.
Then answered.
"Someone pointed out a mistake in my calculations."
The examiner nodded thoughtfully.
"Then you have a good teacher."
Lin Qingyue smiled.
"He's rather difficult to understand sometimes."
"Most good teachers are."
She accepted her examination certificate.
For the first time since leaving the Azure River Sect, she felt she had accomplished something entirely through her own effort.
Ye Wuchen approached.
"Congratulations."
She looked up.
"You watched?"
"Most of it."
"Most?"
"The wooden carvings were interesting."
Lin Qingyue stared at him.
Then laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
Ye Wuchen glanced toward her certificate.
"Are you satisfied?"
She considered the question.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
"Good."
They left the courtyard together.
That evening, the Qin family's main compound was unusually busy.
Several merchants had gathered inside a private hall.
At the head of the table sat Qin Yanshan, the family's current patriarch.
He was a middle-aged man with a stern expression and a cultivation base at the late Golden Core Realm.
Before him lay a collection of shipping contracts.
One merchant bowed.
"Patriarch, the Bai family has secured another medicinal herb shipment from the western provinces."
Qin Yanshan frowned.
"Through whose transport network?"
"The northern road."
"That route belongs to us."
"Not entirely, Patriarch. The imperial administration recently authorized independent caravans to use it."
Qin Yanshan tapped the table.
"Then the Bai family is taking advantage of the new regulations."
Another merchant spoke.
"There's also the matter of the upcoming auction."
"What about it?"
"The Luo family has obtained several unusual items from the western territories."
Qin Yanshan looked up.
"What kind of items?"
"We don't know."
The patriarch's expression darkened.
"Find out."
The merchant bowed.
"Yes, Patriarch."
Qin Yanshan leaned back.
The three great clans had maintained a delicate balance for generations.
But the expansion of western trade threatened to change that balance.
And the upcoming auction might determine which family gained the greatest advantage.
He looked toward the city beyond the windows.
"Lanyue has been peaceful for too long."
No one answered.
At the same time, within the Bai family's medicinal garden, a young woman knelt beside a damaged spiritual herb.
Her name was Bai Ruyan.
She was the eldest daughter of the Bai family's second branch.
Unlike many members of her clan, she had little interest in trade negotiations.
Her passion was alchemy.
Unfortunately, the herb before her had begun withering.
An elderly gardener sighed.
"Young Miss, we should discard it."
Bai Ruyan shook her head.
"Not yet."
"The roots have already weakened."
"I know."
She carefully examined the soil.
Then frowned.
"The problem isn't the herb."
The gardener looked surprised.
"Then what?"
"The irrigation formation."
She pointed toward a small jade plate buried beside the garden.
"The water contains too much accumulated spiritual energy."
The gardener frowned.
"But spiritual energy helps medicinal herbs grow."
"Not all herbs."
Bai Ruyan gently touched the plant's leaves.
"This variety requires balanced nourishment. Too much spiritual energy damages its roots."
The gardener nodded slowly.
"Then should we reduce the formation's output?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"And bring me fresh soil."
The gardener hurried away.
Bai Ruyan looked toward the distant marketplace.
The upcoming auction would attract many alchemists.
She had been hoping to purchase a rare medicinal seed.
But her family's elders were more interested in acquiring profitable trade contracts.
She sighed.
"Spirit stones, spirit stones, spirit stones..."
She returned her attention to the damaged herb.
"Does no one care about the plants anymore?"
Back at Moonfall Pavilion, Lin Qingyue placed her new formation certificate on the table.
Mu Cang examined it.
"An official certificate?"
She nodded proudly.
"Yes."
Han Zhen smiled.
"Congratulations."
Shen Yulan looked interested.
"Would you mind showing me the formation you constructed?"
"Of course."
The two women began discussing the design.
Mu Cang poured tea.
Han Zhen complained about the cost of paper again.
Ye Wuchen sat near the window.
Outside, Lanyue City's lanterns illuminated the streets.
For once, there were no ancient mechanisms activating.
No mysterious voices.
No forgotten records demanding immediate attention.
Just a city filled with people pursuing their own ambitions.
Some wanted wealth.
Some wanted power.
Some wanted recognition.
And some simply wanted to save a damaged medicinal herb.
Ye Wuchen watched the streets quietly.
He had spent an unimaginable amount of time pursuing cultivation.
Eventually, he had reached a height beyond the comprehension of most living beings.
But now, after awakening in an unfamiliar age, he found himself observing things he had once ignored.
The ambitions of ordinary cultivators.
The struggles of small families.
The simple satisfaction of mastering a difficult technique.
Perhaps the world had changed.
Perhaps its history had been altered.
Perhaps ancient secrets still waited beneath forgotten ruins.
But the people living within it remained remarkably familiar.
They struggled.
They hoped.
They failed.
And they tried again.
Ye Wuchen lifted his teacup.
Across the table, Lin Qingyue was explaining her formation to Shen Yulan.
Her eyes shone with enthusiasm.
Mu Cang and Han Zhen were arguing over whether an ancient manuscript had been mistranslated.
Outside, merchants continued shouting their prices.
For the moment, the world was peaceful.
Ye Wuchen found that he didn't mind.
Late that night, Luo Xinyi received a visitor.
A young servant entered her study carrying a sealed letter.
"Young Mistress."
She looked up.
"What is it?"
"A message from the Qin family."
Luo Xinyi accepted the letter.
She broke the seal.
After reading its contents, her expression became thoughtful.
The Qin family had requested a private meeting before the auction.
The stated reason was a discussion concerning transportation contracts.
But Luo Xinyi knew better.
The Qin family rarely requested private meetings without an ulterior motive.
She placed the letter upon her desk.
"Inform the steward that I'll attend."
The servant bowed.
"Yes, Young Mistress."
After he departed, Luo Xinyi looked toward the city.
Three days remained until the auction.
And already, the great clans were beginning to move.
She smiled faintly.
"Let's see what you're planning, Qin Yanshan."
Outside, the night wind stirred the lanterns.
Lanyue City continued sleeping.
Unaware that a struggle over its future was quietly taking shape.
End of Chapter 15