"The stronger one's spiritual sense, the sharper it becomes, giving a significant advantage over opponents.
"Of course, the applications of spiritual sense go far beyond that.
"It can probe everything, including another person's cultivation level and strength. However, when facing a cultivator stronger than oneself, it's impossible to easily discern their capabilities."
The blind Daoist explained in detail.
Under the shade of the willow tree, Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian listened attentively. Even Yun Yunshan silently committed the Daoist's words to memory.
He thought to himself, Cultivators truly have endless methods—no wonder they're revered as deities by the common folk!
"So, according to you, Daoist Master, a powerful cultivator can easily perceive the cultivation level of a weaker cultivator just by probing them?" Yun Yunshan asked.
"Exactly," the blind Daoist affirmed.
Yun Yunshan's heart skipped a beat. It seemed his son should avoid appearing casually before this blind Daoist.
"Master, how does one use spiritual sense to probe the cultivation level of someone weaker?" Yun Yanshuang asked curiously from beneath the tree.
"It's done through the other person's spiritual root, which is located at the crown of the head. A cultivator can connect their spiritual sense to the opponent's spiritual root, allowing them to easily assess their cultivation depth."
"And what about mortals?" she continued.
"Mortals lack spiritual roots, so there's no cultivation to speak of. Cultivators generally disdain probing mortals who don't possess spiritual roots," the blind Daoist replied with a faint smile.
"I see," Yun Yanshuang nodded in understanding.
Yun Yunshan also grasped the concept and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The Daoist's explanation meant that when a cultivator uses spiritual sense to probe another's strength, it's primarily through their spiritual root. If someone doesn't have a spiritual root, even the most powerful cultivator wouldn't detect anything and would simply regard them as an ordinary mortal—not even worth probing.
"Thank you, Daoist Master, for enlightening me. You've broadened my horizons," Yun Yunshan expressed gratefully.
"It's nothing—just basic common knowledge in the cultivation world. It's not particularly significant," the blind Daoist waved his hand dismissively, continuing to enjoy his wine and meat.
"There are still many affairs within the clan that require my attention. I shall take my leave now. Another day, I will bring more wine to visit you," Yun Yunshan said, standing up.
"Very well," the Daoist nodded.
Bidding farewell to the blind Daoist, Yun Yunshan headed straight home. He found his son and recounted the entire conversation he had with the Daoist.
After hearing everything, Yun Yanshui finally felt at ease.
"Thank goodness. Since I don't have a spiritual root, even if I have cultivation, those cultivators won't be able to detect it, no matter how powerful they are," he sighed with relief.
"Father, the bronze mirror is about to bear fruit again. I plan to find an excuse to give it to Brother Yantian. I want to see what changes occur in me after he consumes it," Yanshui suggested.
"Alright," Yun Yunshan agreed with a smile, showing no objection.
With that, he returned to his workshop to continue his iron forging.
Zhou Zhesheng was seething with anger. As the current patriarch of the Zhou clan, he had only two sons: the elder, Zhou Kuang, and the younger, Zhou Ao.
Recently, his eldest son had led some clan hunters to Yunzhang Mountain for hunting but hadn't returned for several days. Worried that something had happened, Zhou Zhesheng sent people to search for them.
The search party found the decomposing bodies of Zhou Kuang and his companions in the mountains.
Now, the corpses of his clansmen were laid out in the main hall, especially that of his eldest son. Initially, Zhou Zhesheng thought they had fallen victim to wild beasts like wolves or tigers.
However, upon closer examination, the clansmen discovered arrow wounds on their bodies and knife slashes across their necks—clear signs that they had been killed by human hands.
"How dare they! Who would be so bold as to kill my son, Zhou Zhesheng!" he roared, gripping a dried blood-stained dagger. He realized that the murderer had intentionally left the weapon behind—a blatant provocation against the Zhou family.
"Who could have done this?" one of the clan elders asked, his face grim as he looked at the decaying bodies.
"There are only two families around Yunzhang Mountain—ours and the Yun family. We've been at odds with the Yun family for years. Who else but them could have done this to Kuang'er and the others?" Zhou Zhesheng replied coldly.
"The Yun family has overstepped their bounds, daring to kill members of our clan!"
"This cannot go unanswered!"
"Indeed! Father, give the order. I am willing to lead our people to the Yun family and avenge my brother and our clansmen," Zhou Ao declared, stepping forward with anger etched on his face.
"And then what? Wait for the authorities to come knocking?" Zhou Zhesheng shot back.
"Father, why fear the authorities? Isn't Second Uncle an official at court? With his protection, even if we eliminate the Yun family, nothing will happen to us," Zhou Ao argued confidently.
"Fool! Your Second Uncle has been in the court for years and hasn't returned home. He likely intends to sever ties with our clan. Do you think that after you lead an attack on the Yun family and the authorities investigate, your Second Uncle will speak up for us? He'd probably distance himself even further to protect his own position!" Zhou Zhesheng reprimanded.
As the patriarch, Zhou Zhesheng was no fool. He understood his younger brother's character all too well—selfish and ambitious, caring only for his own wealth and status, never considering family ties. Especially in the treacherous environment of the imperial court, his brother would be even more cautious.
"Then what should we do? Are we just going to let this go?" Zhou Ao retorted, unwilling to accept inaction.
"Let it go? How could we possibly let it go?" Zhou Zhesheng's eyes flashed with determination. "My son was killed by the Yun family—I will make sure they pay dearly for this."
"Go immediately and send people to the town to report this to the authorities," he ordered. "I will personally lead our men to the Yun family's residence to prevent them from escaping before justice is served."
"Yes, Father. I will go at once," Zhou Ao replied, hurrying to carry out the orders.
Yun Clan Ancestral Hall.
Yun Yunyang had gathered his second and fourth brothers, along with key members of the clan, for a critical meeting. They were deliberating plans for the future transformation of the Yun family, discussing matters such as financial allocations, land distribution, and amendments to family rules and regulations.
"Elder Brother, Zhou Zhesheng has brought the Zhou clan to our gates!"
As the discussions continued, a young man in a simple blue robe with delicate features rushed into the ancestral hall. Bowing respectfully to Yun Yunyang and the others, he delivered the urgent news.
The young man, Yun Yunrui, was the youngest son of Yun Yunyang's fourth uncle. Quiet and studious, he had a reputation for diligence. Together with Mr. Yu, he co-founded the private school in the village.
Recognizing the need for strong leadership in the family's development, Yun Yunrui had been tasked with assisting Yun Yunyang in managing family affairs. This was also a way to prepare him to eventually take over Yun Yunyang's role when the time came.
"Hah! So they've finally come knocking?"
Seated among the council, Yun Yunxun smirked coldly at the news. He had deliberately left the bloodied dagger on Zhou Kuang's corpse, anticipating that the Zhou family would come seeking trouble. He hoped they would involve the authorities.
"Well, since they're here, let's go meet them," Yun Yunyang said from the head of the table, a similar cold smile forming on his lips.
He stood, motioning for his second and fourth brothers, along with several clan members, to follow him as they made their way to the gates of Yun Village.
Outside Yun Village.
Under the blazing midday sun, Zhou Zhesheng stood at the head of over a hundred Zhou clan members, all gathered at the gates of Yun Village.
His expression darkened as his gaze drifted toward the shade of a large willow tree, where a scruffy blind Daoist appeared to be teaching two children. The scene only added to his irritation.
Zhou Zhesheng had expected the Yun family to flee in fear of retaliation, taking their people and leaving the village behind. Yet, upon arriving, he found that not only had the Yun clan remained, but they had also refurbished the main road leading to their gates and even established weaving and dyeing workshops within the village.
They showed no signs of being troubled or anticipating any looming catastrophe.
"The Yun family truly has some nerve. They kill my clansmen and don't even try to escape?"
"Well then, today I'll wipe them out entirely, ensuring they never challenge my Zhou family again!" Zhou Zhesheng muttered darkly to himself.
As he grumbled, a commotion caught his attention. From a distance, he saw Yun Yunyang, Yun Yunyue, and Yun Yunshan leading a large group of Yun clansmen toward the gates with an air of calm authority.
"Yunyang."
"Yunyue."
"Yunshan."
Zhou Zhesheng watched as the three Yun brothers approached, flanked by numerous clansmen. However, they didn't seem to pay much attention to the Zhou family gathered at their gates.
Instead, the Yun brothers stopped under the shade of the willow tree and bowed respectfully to the blind Daoist.
"Greetings, Daoist Master!" they said in unison.
"Trouble at your door?" the Daoist asked with a faint smile. "Do you need my help?"
His spiritual sense had already detected Zhou Zhesheng and the Zhou clan members outside the village.
"There's no need, Daoist Master. It's a small matter, nothing that requires your intervention. We'll handle it ourselves," Yun Yunyang replied calmly.