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

Chapter 35 Bidding farewell to the old year amidst the sound of firecrackers, seeking new opportunities deep in the bewitching forest.

As the north wind gradually subsided, the year-end bells seemed to echo quietly among the mountains of Yunni Township.

In the blink of an eye, Meng Xihong, along with his family and his sworn brothers Ji Beichuan and Zhang Xianghua, settled in this remote place and have already spent a whole year there.

The first Lunar New Year in Yunni Township, carrying the unique crispness of the mountains and the smell of firecrackers, arrived through the snow, adding a touch of lively excitement to this small "family".

The courtyard, inside and out, had been swept clean and fresh. Red paper-cut window decorations, skillfully crafted by Bai Muyun, adorned the window frames. Though not as exquisite and luxurious as the Meng residence of the past, they exuded a simple, warm, and vibrant vitality.

The most gratifying thing is Bai Muyun's complete recovery.

After a year of careful recuperation, the heartbreaking pallor that had lingered between her brows finally faded away, her skin regained its rosy glow, and her eyes regained their former liveliness and brilliance, like a snow lotus blooming anew after the frost, radiating a resilient yet gentle radiance.

The open space in front of the courtyard has become a playground for children.

Meng Yanqing, with the composure of a little adult, carefully lit the firecrackers that Meng Xihong had made for them on the ground, holding a lit incense stick.

With a soft "sizzle," the fuse burned rapidly, and he nimbly pulled his younger brother Meng Yanwei and younger sister Meng Yanning back a few steps.

"Bang-bang!"

Firecrackers shot into the sky, trailing crimson flames, and exploded in mid-air in a dazzling golden light. The deafening sound echoed through the valley, startling the birds roosting in the forest.

"Wow! Big brother is so amazing! One more! The one that spins around!" Meng Yanning clapped her little hands, her round eyes filled with admiration. A smile also appeared on Meng Yanwei's calm face.

Under the eaves, Meng Xihong, Ji Beichuan, and Zhang Xianghua stood side by side, watching this childlike scene with relaxed smiles on their faces.

Ji Beichuan held a swaddled baby, wrapped up tightly with only the baby's face showing, in his arms. The baby was just over a month old. In Zhang Xianghua's arms, there was also a baby sleeping soundly, babbling away.

In this secluded mountain village, besides following Meng Xihong into the mountains to search for "pebbles" and teaching martial arts to the local youths, these two capable assistants were clearly not "idle" either, working tirelessly, and now they each have their own big, chubby sons.

Meng Xihong glanced at the newborns in his two brothers' arms, then looked at his own three lively children, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He teased, "Beichuan, Xianghua, you're quick on your feet. Your ability to take root in the land is even faster than your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Ji Beichuan laughed loudly, patted his son in his arms, and teased, "Brother, you're joking. When it comes to having many children, we two brothers can't even come close to you, the head of the family. You have three 'generals' under your command, while we're just getting started!"

Zhang Xianghua also chimed in with a simple smile, "That's right, Patriarch, you are our role model!"

The laughter and banter between the brothers eased the chill of winter and dispelled the faint sense of melancholy that had quietly surfaced deep in Meng Xihong's eyes.

This noisy celebration, this carefree laughter of children, how similar it is to the New Year celebrations at the Meng family residence in Wufeng County in my memory? Back then, the mansion was deep and secluded, with guests filling the doorway. The county magistrate would send people to deliver exquisite New Year gifts, and we would drink and chat happily together... Now, the mountains are high and the rivers are far, and news of him is lost.

I wonder if that old house, which has witnessed the glory and disgrace of the Meng family for generations, is still intact? Has that mysterious county magistrate already left? All the past events, like smoke and mist, are made even more ethereal by the sound of firecrackers and the laughter of my brothers in this land of clouds and mud, leaving only a lingering homesickness in my heart.

On New Year's Eve, the Meng family courtyard was brightly lit and bustling with unprecedented activity.

Not only did the village head of Yunni Township and several familiar hunters and farmers warmly bring cured meat, rice wine, and mountain delicacies to pay New Year's greetings, but the Ji Beichuan and Zhang Xianghua families also gathered over with their little children.

The small hall was almost full, and the charcoal brazier burned brightly, reflecting the simple yet joyful smiles on everyone's faces.

The cries of babies, the laughter of children, and the greetings and toasts of adults mingled together, filling the air with the rich aroma of the New Year's feast. Meng Xihong set aside the distinction between the mortal and immortal realms, raising his glass to these neighbors and brothers whom he regarded as family.

Listening to the hunters recount the strange tales and beasts of the mountains, watching Ji Beichuan clumsily coaxing the child, and Zhang Xianghua's wife and Bai Muyun whispering their parenting tips, he truly felt the weighty warmth of human life and the connection of blood ties that was so different from the cold immortal path.

This bustling atmosphere, like warm spring water, diluted the homesickness in his heart.

He raised his glass and looked around, a sense of peace washing over him. Where his heart found peace, he was now at peace. Protecting these vibrant, smiling faces before him, safeguarding this newly established family business, was now his most steadfast commitment.

The hustle and bustle of the New Year celebrations flowed by like a stream, eventually returning to the tranquility typical of the mountain village.

Meng Xihong composed himself and gathered all the cultivation materials he had acquired over the past six months at the Old Immortal Mountain. He sat cross-legged in the meditation room, focusing his mind on his dantian, drawing upon the surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.

The barrier of the sixth level of Qi Refining was finally breached with a roar after years of hard work and the mental fortitude gained from protecting his family.

A surge of even purer and more potent spiritual energy instantly filled his limbs and bones, bringing clarity to his mind and officially announcing that he had entered the peak of the mid-stage of Qi Refining!

He was only one step away from the late stage of Qi Refining, which represents the first major watershed on the path of cultivation.

At the same time, he was not lagging behind in martial arts as well.

His muscles and bones resonated, his blood and qi surged like a mighty river, and a powerful force surged and collided within his body, faintly touching the threshold of a higher realm.

Meng Xihong knew that breakthroughs in martial arts required a "breakthrough," often necessitating a fierce and exhilarating battle where one had to give it their all and teeter on the edge of life and death to fully unleash their potential, break free of constraints, and complete their transformation.

Where can we find this opportunity?

His gaze involuntarily fell upon the "Beipo Enchanted Forest," a place the village's old hunters spoke of with utmost reverence and seldom mentioned.

Especially the warning passed down through generations: "Deep in the Bewitching Forest, strangers should not approach; many who enter never return."

This mysterious and dangerous rumor seemed to subtly echo the divination he had received months earlier, which indicated that "it is auspicious to explore watery and marshy areas," as if guided by some unseen force, carrying a kind of fateful attraction.

After much deliberation and considering the scattered clues given by the hunters, Meng Xihong finally focused his attention on the upper reaches of that inconspicuous stream deep within the Bewitching Forest.

That was the perilous place the hunters privately called "Lost Valley".

It is said that the place is shrouded in an eerie fog that is so thick it never dissipates, and the terrain is so complex and varied that it is like a maze. Those who venture deep into it are very likely to lose their way or even disappear inexplicably, with their remains never being found.

More importantly, he had discovered what appeared to be the remains of ancient stone steps downstream in that valley. The moss on them was mottled and the patterns were ancient and crude, indicating that they were not naturally formed. They seemed more like relics leading to some unknown place.

“Mizong Ravine…” Meng Xihong stood by the window, gazing towards the north slope, murmuring the name softly, his eyes sharp as a drawn sword, flashing with inquiry and a hint of excitement for the unknown.

His peak Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation gave him greater confidence, and the opportunity for a breakthrough in martial arts was just around the corner.

This mysterious and unpredictable "Lost Valley," a place where danger and opportunity coexist, may be the key for him to verify his cultivation, hone his martial arts, and even explore future opportunities for his family.

(End of this chapter)