Starting with the creation of the Immortal Clan through the compilation of the family genealogy.

Chapter 19 Ominous Light in the Northeast Position, Spiritual Essence in the Inner Courtyard

Wufeng County Government Office, the head constable's office.

Meng Xihong's fingertips tapped unconsciously on the table, producing a dull thud. Spread out on the table was a secret report recently delivered by Ji Beichuan; the handwriting was messy, but the information was alarming.
"Zhou Maocai secretly met with the newly recruited accountant of Zuixianju last night at three-quarters past 9 PM. This man spoke with a Qingzhou accent and was unfamiliar to the family. They exchanged a brocade pouch, which was later found to contain what appeared to be a tracking powder."

"Zhou Maocai looked terrified, as if he had received a strict order. There were no abnormalities at Li Langzhong's place for the time being, but the medicine boy had seen him grinding a large amount of 'Drunken Heart Grass' powder... In the abandoned house area, the snake carcass had been disposed of as ordered, and the traces had been erased, leaving only a section of the snake's tail with scales and flesh in its original place, as if a wild dog had been gnawing on it."

"Also, a caravan checked into the 'Yunyou Inn' in the west of the city in the afternoon. The leader had a deep and quiet demeanor, and his steps were silent. He was suspected of having profound martial arts skills. After settling in, he stayed inside the inn and did not come out."

“A brocade pouch… Tracking powder… Intoxicating herb… Caravan expert…” A cold glint flashed in Meng Xihong’s eyes as he brought the secret report close to the candlelight. The flame instantly engulfed the paper, leaving only a wisp of smoke.

"The dogs of this branch of the Lin family are getting desperate. But with the death of the Jade Scale Serpent and the recovery of the Bai family, these two events happening at the same time are enough to drive them to desperation."

He closed his eyes and concentrated, his mind sinking into the depths of his consciousness. The ancient "Fortune and Misfortune Divination" panel quietly appeared:
[Daily Divination, Today's Hexagram: Inauspicious. Surrounded by wolves, you are vulnerable to hidden attacks. It is advisable to deploy defenses in the Gen position, maintaining a righteous approach while employing unconventional tactics. Overall fortune is excellent; avoid haste and rash actions.]

"An ominous sign!" Meng Xihong felt a chill run down his spine, but his luck was excellent and the advantage was in his favor.

“Gen position… Northeast? Maintain the orthodox and use the unorthodox…” His gaze swept over the rough map of Wufeng County on the wall. The northeast direction was the area where the county government, Zhou Maocai’s private residence, and… the Meng family’s old residence were located!
"Upholding the right path...preserving the foundation? Employing unconventional tactics...where is the surprise attack?"

He suddenly opened his eyes, all weariness gone. Although his mental energy had been greatly depleted by creating the "Hidden Spirit Seed," his thoughts were exceptionally clear thanks to the blessing of [Literary Spirit and Integrity].

"The Zhou Maocai connection is about to be cut off. The Lin family's final instructions to him are probably a desperate gamble: either investigate my Meng residence at close range, or... directly target Yan Ning or the Bai family!"

"Who is the tracking powder intended for? And who is the intoxicating herb powder intended for?" Meng Xihong's lips curled into a cold smile. "Trying to play dirty tricks? Perfect, I need an 'unexpected' excuse."

Night falls in the inner courtyard of the Meng residence.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating Bai's gentle profile. She was bending down, mending Yan Qing's torn clothes from practicing martial arts, her movements skillful, her fingers flying across the paper.

Meng Xihong sat to the side, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, his spiritual senses were like a net, covering the entire courtyard, alert to any slight movement.

Bai Shi, nicknamed "Xi Hong," suddenly stopped her needlework, her voice tinged with confusion and surprise.

"These past few days... I've felt much lighter and more energetic, and I don't feel tired when I'm putting Yan Ning to bed at night. This afternoon in the kitchen, I accidentally knocked over a water jar, and the water... it seemed to flow around my feet on its own, without wetting my shoes or socks at all. Isn't that strange?"

"They're here!" Meng Xihong's heart skipped a beat, but he remained expressionless, opening his eyes to look at his wife gently.

Thanks to the nourishment of the "Immortal Bone" attribute and the activation of her spiritual roots, Bai Shi's complexion was rosy, her skin had a healthy glow, and her eyes and brows had lost their former fragility, gaining a more resilient and indescribably beautiful vitality.

"Perhaps you were feeling weak a few days ago, but now you've recovered, and even your eyesight and hand strength have improved?" Meng Xihong said with a forced smile, getting up and walking to her side, naturally taking her hand.

Her skin felt warm and smooth to the touch, and a subtle, gentle yet resilient aura flowed slowly within her body. It was the activated potential of her water and earth spiritual roots unconsciously absorbing the sparse spiritual energy of heaven and earth. "She actually has both water and earth spiritual roots. If this were before I transmigrated, I would be a farming prodigy."

“Not only that,” Bai frowned slightly, feeling the warmth of her husband’s palm, and said in a low voice, “When I hold Yan Ning, I always feel that the ground under my feet is particularly solid and secure, and my heart is especially at peace.”

"And that half-withered rose bush in the corner of the yard, I just watered it casually, and this morning it sprouted new buds and looks much more vibrant."

Nourished by the [Immortal Bones], his spiritual roots, rooted in water and soil, resonated with the earth and water, naturally generating a connection. Meng Xihong's heart stirred slightly, seeing that the time had come.

He took Bai's hand, making her face him, his eyes solemn yet gentle: "Yunniang, this matter... is not accidental."

Under Bai's questioning gaze, his spiritual senses quietly returned to the small room, isolating it from the outside world.

He then lowered his voice and simplified the "immortal bone" theory into an extremely rare "innate blessing" that could nourish the mother and benefit offspring, subtly mentioning the unusual phenomena at Yan Ning's birth and the potential for covetousness.

He omitted the details of the golden finger and the transfer, only saying that he had a chance encounter in his early years and possessed a trace of "spiritual intelligence". Seeing that his wife's original essence was greatly damaged due to her pregnancy with Yan Ning, he tried to transfer it into her body in a moment of desperation. Unexpectedly, it not only made up for the deficiency, but also unexpectedly stimulated his wife's own latent "spirituality".

"...This matter concerns Yan Ning's safety, and even more so the survival of our Meng family. It must not be told to outsiders." Meng Xihong's tone was solemn.

"Your current feeling of lightness and health, heightened senses, and even unusual affinity for water and soil is a sign of the initial manifestation of this 'spirituality.' This is both a blessing from heaven and the source of misfortune."

Bai was terrified and her face turned slightly pale, but she gripped her husband's hand even tighter.

She was no ordinary woman; she had been managing things for many years and possessed a resilient spirit.

After a brief moment of panic, Bai looked at her three sleeping children and then at her husband, asking softly, "Xihong, does that mean I can help you with something? What should I do now?"

"Don't panic," Meng Xihong gently patted the back of her hand to comfort her. "This 'spirituality' within you is your destiny. It can strengthen your body, sharpen your hearing and vision, and help you to calm your mind and perceive subtle details."

From today onward, in your spare time, you can try sitting quietly, clearing your mind, and feeling the warm and substantial energy within your body. Try to guide it slowly through your body with your mind, just like... just like when you comb silk threads.

"This is the most basic method of 'cultivating qi,' which can help you control this power, conceal its outward manifestations, and strengthen yourself."

He taught Bai Shi the most basic methods of inducing Qi and entering a state of tranquility in the most accessible way. With her current physique modified by the [Immortal Bone] and her nascent manifestation of the Water and Earth Spiritual Roots, there should be no obstacle in her entry into the practice.

Bai carefully noted it down, her eyes gradually hardening: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

She paused, tucked the corner of the blanket around Meng Yanqing, and looked at Meng Xihong with gentle and trusting eyes: "With you here, my children and I are not afraid."

(End of this chapter)