Wu Tianmo looked at the sun hanging high in the sky, he had been cultivating for weeks and the world had kept moving around him.
The passage of time while cultivating was elusive, weeks felt like mere moments.
He crossed his arms and went deep into thought,
"It's time to get the Wu Clan a source of income. The forest is bountiful and I must pave the way for the future generations. I will venture deeper into the forest, every pathway must become my tool. Every creature my bounty."
He looked back towards Heimu,
"I need a place to sell the corpses of the demonic beasts I slay, that can provide funds for the Wu Clan until more clan members are around."
He smiled expectantly while imagining his future,
"My own clan pavilion."
He recalled the different clan businesses within the town, the Liu Clan had an alchemy shop, the Zhang Clan ran a few Inns and the Chen Clan maintained an artifact shop. Covering most of the town's needs.
"Heimu Village will be one of the main hubs of the Blackwood Forest in the future, down the road there will be more towns opening up further within. Right now I need to scout the forest, find the best routes throughout. Once more towns open up I will open an escort agency to provide safe passage between them."
He tapped his chin pondering the many issues that would come with this decision,
"Though.. the Wu Clan is in dire straits right now. Before doing anything I will need to make a large sum of money. I still have some of the corpses of the serpents which will gather a good sum... though I should give them to the Liu Clan for the marriage between Tianfeng and Qinglan."
He sighed deeply,
"Seems I'm once again lacking wealth, completely reliant on the generosity of the Liu Clan."
He felt a tinge of anxiousness at this thought,
"After the meeting of the major clans, I will need to venture into the forest once again. My clan's rise will be completely dependent on what I can find within."
Tianfeng walked to the training ground meeting Tianmo, his own presence had undergone a shift.
His eyes and aura seem, different, full of life.
"It seems you have been cultivating the Blazing Grove Moon Art"
Tianfeng nodded and nervously scratched the back of his head, his patriarch was able to see through him at a glance.
"Brother, this technique is amazing. Even after just a month I feel like my body is overflowing with vitality. My previous technique-"
A painful expression appeared on his face,
"It paled in comparison."
He cupped his fists towards Wu Tianmo,
"With this technique I won't let you down Brother"
Wu Tianfeng was obligated to treat Wu Tianmo differently. Not only was Tianmo in a higher realm of cultivation but he was the new patriarch of the Wu Clan.
Wu Tianmo shook his head and waved his hand dismissively,
"There is no need for this between us. In the future we must be strong and hold up the Wu Clan together."
A gleam could be seen in Wu Tianmo's eye,
"Oh! Have you had the opportunity to meet Qinglan?"
Wu Tianfeng straightened his posture and walked closer to Wu Tianmo,
"I have, she and the Liu Patriarch came by while you were in seclusion so I didn't bother you. She is quite beautiful but---"
He sighed and shook his head,
"She is... suitable."
Wu Tianmo noticed his apprehension,
"What is wrong? I'm not trying to force you into something you don't want. However, the Liu Clan has treated our clan with sincerity from the beginning. The food pellets you eat, are provided by them."
Wu Tianfeng nodded burying the apprehension that he felt,
"I understand brother. We have a week before the wedding, should we go into town?"
Wu Tianmo shook his head,
"You go into town, observe and figure out a future path for yourself. For now you will stay within the town or the estate."
His demeanor was firm yet carried a hint of compassion,
"Do not venture into the Blackwood Forest, with the beast tide getting closer and closer accidents will become more common."
Wu Tianfeng felt a sting.
His fists clenched slightly,
Am I truly such a burden...
He nodded,
"Yes... Patriarch.."
Wu Tianmo sighed,
"It's not that you're weak, you handled yourself well enough at the Slaughter Festival."
He looked towards Blackwood Forest, imagining a field filled with countless beasts, and thousands of dead cultivators and mortals alike.
"A beast tide is different. The elders spoke of one when I was young, major clans were wiped out. Whole cities devoured."
He pointed towards the main gate of the town,
"When you go into Heimu you will see the town's new guards, most of them will die. It will not be a couple hundred like at the festival, it will be in the thousands."
Wu Tianfeng felt the weight of Wu Tianmo's words,
"Can this town even handle such a beast tide?"
Wu Tianmo looked towards the Blackwood Forest,
"We have no choice but to handle it. Our family can't afford to move, and..."
He looked towards the main pavilion of the estate where a bloodline connection could be felt,
"Ling'er isn't in a condition to move. She is carrying my child and it's taking a large toll on her body."
He sighed,
"I had no idea it would be like this, when a mortal carries a child with spirit roots it drains them. Her complexion has turned pale, her breathing uneven. At your wedding I will ask the Liu Patriarch to prepare some tonics to help."
Wu Tianfeng placed a hand on his shoulder, before he could speak Wu Tianmo acknowledged,
"This is why mortals and immortals are supposed to walk different paths."
Though I don't know if this is solely due to the child possessing spiritual roots or because he carries my bloodline.
His expression darkened slightly,
It's as if her life force is being slowly consumed.
Now that Tianfeng was closer Tianmo could easily see that his eyes were even a brighter green. As if there were mini green flames thriving within. The cultivation technique really had him bursting with vitality.
Wu Tianmo cleared his mind, maintaining his previous tranquil demeanor.
"When you go into town, find a good spot with a large space. I plan to open an escort agency and prime land within the city's core will soon be claimed."
Wu Tianfeng's eyebrow raised,
"Aren't we the only town around here? What use is a.."
Wu Tianmo spoke over him,
"Choose a spot close enough to the outer gate of the Blackwood Forest to allow ease of access. With the beast tide approaching, there shouldn't be many people fighting you over land close to the gate."
Wu Tianfeng looked back at him confused,
"An escort agency? To go where? We're the only town around here..."
Wu Tianmo smirked,
"You're correct, but we cultivators live a long time. In 10-20 years that could change. In the meantime I will venture into the Blackwood Forest to slay some demonic beasts. This will provide us enough income to not rely on these food pills."
He crushed a food pill in his hand,
"We must elevate the status of the Wu Clan. The elders would behead me if we were known as a clan of beggars."
He continued,
"The Escort Agency will start off as a hunter's lodge. We will find the best routes and then use them for our agency in the future."
Before Tianfeng could respond, he waved his hand dismissively while speaking quickly,
"Now go, you have your task."
Wu Tianfeng sensed the urgency in his words,
"I will accomplish the task, once I have a few options I will bring them to you. Shall we meet in a week prior to my wedding?"
Wu Tianmo nodded,
"A week it is then, look after Ling'er in your free time. Her sisters are also within the villa taking care of her daily needs."
Wu Tianmo looked at the sky, feeling the bloodline connection strengthening with each passing day between him and his unborn child.
This child... will not be ordinary.