Ling Luoran had been consumed by guilt over her disappearance, neglecting her cultivation. As a result, even at sixteen, her cultivation was only at the eighth star of the Innate realm, while the weakest among her peers had already reached the first star of the Acquired realm.
Ling Luofu was born without spiritual roots, which are essential for cultivators to practice spiritual energy. Therefore, she had not been able to cultivate until now.
Although many people on the Ancient Spirit Continent could not cultivate, it was a source of mockery for a young lady from a once prominent family to be unable to do so.
Especially when her other siblings could cultivate, and she, as a direct descendant, was the only one in the entire Ling family who couldn't. She always felt a sense of distance when facing her siblings.
Ling Luoxian bore even more burdens. The Ling family had suddenly suffered a great disaster, declining to its current state. Her elder sister was missing, and her younger sisters were not yet adults. Of the two adult sisters, one could not cultivate, and the other's cultivation was stagnant. As the eldest sister, she had to take on the responsibility of protecting her sisters, yet her own talent was not high. To protect her sisters, she could only work desperately.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, let's not talk about this anymore."
"Not talking, not talking."
Ling Luofan watched Ling Luoyi gazing at the training grounds and asked, "Lu'er, what do you think of the Ling family's atmosphere?"
Ling Luoyi thought about what she had seen in the past two days and smiled, saying, "Brotherly affection, sisters in harmony, unity of spirit, and a harmonious atmosphere."
As she spoke, Ling Luoyi turned to look at Ling Luofan and said very seriously, "I really like this atmosphere. It's the family I've always dreamed of."
Ling Luoyu also said, "Except for Eldest Brother and Third Sister, and those under five years old, all the younger generation of the Ling family are here."
Ling Luofan glared at Ling Luoyu, signaling him to stop talking nonsense.
Ling Luoyu knew he had said something wrong and shut his mouth.
How could he have forgotten that Eldest Brother was injured and still lying in his room?
To change the subject, Ling Luofan pointed to the training grounds and began to explain to Ling Luoyi, "Those wearing red training uniforms with gold trim are all direct disciples. Side branch disciples wear plain red training uniforms, while those in white training uniforms are disciples from outside the family. There are a total of nine hundred and eighty-seven disciples in the Ling family's old residence. With your return, there are now nine hundred and eighty-eight."
"Lu'er, including you, there are sixteen direct disciples, three hundred and fifty-seven disciples from outside the family, and the rest are from the side branches," Ling Luoyu added.
"There are quite few people," Ling Luoyi said with a sigh as she listened.
The two brothers nodded in agreement, "Indeed, there are quite few. When you add up the disciples of our generation from the Ling family's old residence and the side branches in various places, there are less than two thousand. For a family, this is a bit meager."
"It's alright, there will be people, and there will be resources," Ling Luoyi slowly raised a point and said, "However, direct disciples can guarantee loyalty, and side branch disciples can barely do so. Can the loyalty of those disciples from outside the family be guaranteed?"
"This..." The two were also unsure.
"Second Brother, Third Brother, the most important thing for a family is unity. It doesn't matter how much they fight within the family, but if enemies attack, they must unite against them. If the family forgets this, then it is not far from decline."
The two brothers exchanged a look. Ling Luofan asked, "Do you have any ideas?"
"There will be ways, no need to rush."
Ling Luoyi gently patted their shoulders and smiled, saying, "As for you two, just cultivate well. There aren't many direct descendants, so don't let the side branches laugh at you."
The two chuckled and stroked Ling Luoyi's head.
An elder who was protecting the children nearby walked over.
Upon seeing the elder, the two bowed and greeted him, "Luofan (Luoyu) pays respects to the Great Elder."
Ling Luoyi also curtsied, "Luoyi pays respects to the Great Elder."
The Great Elder was from the same generation as the Ling family head. Although an elder, he was very approachable and had no airs of seniority.
The Great Elder had been in the Ling family for many years, working diligently and enjoying high prestige.
Ten years ago, while protecting the younger generation during their evacuation, the Great Elder was ambushed by the Great Elder of the Wei family, resulting in the crippling of his left hand. His cultivation also stagnated, remaining at the third-tier Spirit Master realm.
Ling Luoyi greatly admired such a person.
"Greetings, Eldest Miss, greetings, Young Masters," the Great Elder said with a smile.
"Why has the Great Elder come?"
"I saw the two Young Masters talking with the Eldest Miss over there, and I thought it had been ten years since I last saw the Eldest Miss, so I came to take a look," the Great Elder said, looking her over carefully. "With the Eldest Miss safely home, I believe the Master and Madam can rest in peace. Moreover, the Eldest Miss has grown into a graceful young lady and looks so much like Madam. It's a pity they couldn't see the Eldest Miss after she grew up."
As the Great Elder spoke, he began to cry.
Ling Luoyi sighed. Perhaps they had reunited long ago.
"Great Elder, isn't my return a happy occasion? Why are you crying?"
"I am happy," the Great Elder wiped away his tears and said with a smile, "With you back, the Family Head will return, and then Third Master will also return. This family will be complete."
"Yes, once the family is complete, things will be easier to handle."
The Great Elder was a little confused and asked, "Eldest Miss, what matters need to be handled?"
Ling Luoyi looked at the Great Elder and said seriously, "I want revenge! I want those who were responsible back then to pay the price!"
The three were stunned. The Great Elder said blankly, "Eldest Miss, the mastermind back then was the Wei family. The Wei family is now the head of the five great aristocratic families, not someone we can contend with."
Ling Luoyi chuckled and said, "Great Elder, of course, I'm not going now. To seek revenge, the Ling family must become stronger. I'm not foolish. Or, do you not want revenge?"
Ling Luoyi was testing the attitude of the Ling family members towards this matter to decide what to do next.
"Of course, we want revenge!" Ling Luofan and Ling Luoyu said in unison. "It's just that the Ling family is too weak now."
"Since you know you are weak, then become stronger!" Ling Luoyi said, "As long as there is still someone in the Ling family, it will not remain weak forever!"
"What does Eldest Miss intend to do?" the Great Elder asked.
To say they didn't want revenge was false. So many brothers and disciples had died back then, and he remembered every face clearly. He had wanted to take revenge at all costs countless times, but to protect these children, he had suppressed it with all his might. Now that the Eldest Miss spoke of revenge, it rekindled that thought.
Ling Luoyi sighed and said helplessly, "There are too many things to do now. We'll take them one by one."
"Then what should we do first?"
"First, we need to improve the Ling family's strength, starting with..." Ling Luoyi turned her head towards the corner of the wall, and the others followed her gaze.
The swaying hem of a skirt in the corner told them that someone was there.
"Fu'er, let's begin," Ling Luoyi slowly uttered these words.
Ling Luoyu eagerly tried to stop her, "Lu'er, you know Fu'er can't..."
The rest of his words were not spoken, but they all knew what he meant.
"Third Brother doesn't believe me?" Ling Luoyi said nothing else.
"I don't! I just..." Ling Luoyu retorted anxiously.
"You're worried about your sister. I know," Ling Luoyi said with a smile, "But you have to believe me, I won't harm her."
"I know you won't harm her, but even if she can't cultivate, none of us will dislike her."
"But do you know how she feels?"
Ling Luoyu and Ling Luofan shook their heads.
They really didn't know how Fu'er felt. It wasn't that they ignored her, but they were afraid of hurting her.
"Only she knows that."
The few of them looked at the younger generation of the Ling family cultivating under the scorching sun, remaining silent for a long time.