Chapter 41: Blind Xian Tian and the Anomaly of Xian Yan

As the last of the clan members filed out from the Fairy Pool, Xian Yuanshan felt relief. For a month now, each and every member of the family had transitioned nicely into a monk. Most even broke through small realms that came their way while trapped in the pool. It simply was an incredible transformation, and Yuanshan couldn't help but swell with pride.

"Now each of them has an endowment of body built roughly like a god's," he thought to himself, appreciative of the sheer strides. "With all this wealth that we can devote to us today, very soon most among us would surely attain to the Nascent Soul Realm, and maybe even the Soul formation Realm."

Though Yuanshan had been taking care of the Fairy Pool over all these years, he still continued to cultivate in his free time. His own development was simply spectacular; his strength grew by leaps and bounds, and he opened more than 80 spiritual veins. This level of cultivation was beyond the legendary powerhouse Yan Tianshan whom people had considered the strongest person in Feihua City for a very long time.

"Cultivation has never felt this effortless," thought Yuanshan to himself, smiling. "At this rate, I'll soon be reaching the Soul formation Realm."

Meanwhile, at the Xian family estate, it was lively and energetic, especially within the martial arts. Many were excited by the fact that they can now transform from being ordinary mortals to becoming monks. This experience of getting strong was too exciting, and everyone cannot wait to put it to test. The energy crackled in the air as cousins and other family members spar to know how powerful it actually is.

In this list was Xian Tian. Having bested his sparring partner with the powerful Splitting Mountain Palm, he couldn't keep quiet with himself either, "This is the power of a monk!" Still, he could hardly believe the robust strength flowing in him. "No wonder monks pay no attention to ordinary people—they're in a completely different league."

Xian Tian was one power to beat. The towering height, and the black locks falling onto his shoulders in loose, dark drops would have marked him an ordinary figure were it not for the thick black cloth covering his eyes. He had lost his eyesight when he was still just in his mother's womb; yet this fact never stood in his way for greatness.

This was his defeated rival. The latter stared at him, eyes wide with shock, saying, "Xian Tian, how come you know Splitting Mountain Palm so well? I haven't even gotten the basics down yet!"

Mastering such technically advanced techniques as the Splitting Mountain Palm required massive hours of practice. Most of the members in the clan still were recent developers of cultivation and often remained on the path of meditation. Mastering such a complex technique in such a short time bordered on being nothing short of exceptional.

Xian Tian shrugged, a modest smile on his lips. "Honestly, it doesn't feel that difficult to practice."

"You're showing off, aren't you?" another member of the clan taunted. "But seriously, you are amazing!"

Another spoke in a more serious tone, "What's the point of being amazing if you can't even see?

"Don't worry," one of his closer friends reassured him, trying to lift Xian Tian's spirits. "Now that you've started cultivating, the possibilities are endless from here. Who knows? When you get more developed, you might be able to cure your eyes. And even if you cannot, I heard with more advanced cultivations, you could feel everything around you without your eyes. Some even said it is better than seeing!"

"I hope so," Xian Tian murmured, although his voice was almost conspiratorial in skepticism.

"Why don't you ask the clan leader to take a look at your eyes when he's done with his seclusion?" a new voice joined the conversation, making everyone fall to their knees upon hearing it.

But more than any other, it was the third elder, Xian Zhenfei, who was infamous for his rigid adherence to clan code. He patrolled the clan grounds far too often, preventing newly empowered members from misusing their powers.

"Greetings, Elder!" the group said in unison, with a hint of nervousness behind their voice. For anyone in the clan, the third elder represented authority; most citizens feared disciplinary measures.

The elder nodded his head in agreement and looked at Xian Tian. "The clan leader is reclusive now, but when he comes out, he will definitely know what's ailing you."

"Which clan leader?" Xian Tian asked hesitantly. "Xian Yue or Xian Wu?"

Xian Zhenfei narrowed her eyes. "There is only one clan leader in the Xian family, and that is Xian Yue. Xian Wu is deputy clan leader. Better you remember the difference. This mistake is a reason for punishment!"

The group fidgeted uncomfortably under the elder's stern tone. Xian Tian bowed his head hastily. "I know, Elder. I made a mistake."

He nodded to indicate assent but privately harbored his doubts. "Aren't you roughly the same age as Xian Yue? Is he really going to cure my eyes?"

Noticing Xian Zhenfei's uneasiness, she proceeded, "Your cultivation has been phenomenal, and with the resources that family now possesses, you now have a chance to grow stronger. There might come a conflict threatening Feihua City and our family. If that is so, then I hope you would stand with the family in its defense."

The words of the elder carried with them a seriousness and weight of gravity that made the spines shiver of all those who heard the creed. They knew very well that the blood ran so deep in the Xian family, and many were actually more than willing to die for its survival.

"We swear to stand for the family, whatever it takes!" they answered, their voices filled with determined militancy.

With that, Xian Zhenfei nodded and handed them back to their training.

At the Xian estate, urgency surrounded the great elder as he hastily searched for Xian Yue. "Clan leader, something is wrong: after taking a bath at the Fairy Pool, Xian Yan fell into a sleep from which he cannot wake up!" cried the elder with concern in his voice.

A month had gone by since Xian Yan sank into that pool, and his breathing remained steady. However, there was nothing at all to show that he would ever wake up again. Most of them feared the worst.

"A deep sleep?" Xian Yue repeated, furrowing his brow.

"Is it possible?" the elder asked, with a tinge of worry in his voice.

Xian Yue rushed to where Xian Yan was lying. He found the boy looked so peaceful and young, and there sat by his bedside a middle-aged man, obviously worried.

"There is no need to worry," Xian Yue said after a moment, looking concerned. "Xian Yan's physique is waking up."

The elder blinked with amazement. He has a special physique too? First Xian Zhan, then Xian Daoling, and now Xian Yan? It seems like the Xian family is truly blessed!

Xian Yue smiled faintly. "Indeed. One of the reasons Xian Yan could not make any progress in cultivation for these years is because his body needed an enormous amount of energy to awaken his latent potential. The Fairy Pool provided exactly what he needed. Once his physique fully awakens, his path will be smooth, and his progress swift."

The old man's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I knew it! Xian Yan has always been a genius. There was some reason for his stagnation, and here we see it: his physique!"

He paused, a tinge of regret coloring his tone. "It's too bad that the family was so poor before. If we had had the resources back then, Xian Yan wouldn't have had to wait so long."

"Perhaps," Xian Yue agreed. "But this is just one side of the coin. There's another reason for his slow going—a reason that could turn into a wonderful chance for him any day now."

His gaze settled on the ring on Xian Yan's finger, and his eyes shone with eagerness.