The Bai Clan’s Conditions

Lu Chen stood before the Bai Clan's elders once again, but this time, he was no longer a mere outsider. The great hall was dimly lit, the flickering glow of lanterns casting elongated shadows against the carved wooden walls. The scent of incense curled in the air, thick and rich, adding a solemn weight to the atmosphere.

At the center of the hall sat Bai Ren, the head elder, his expression unreadable. His white beard flowed past his chest, his piercing eyes revealing neither kindness nor cruelty, only the measured gaze of a man accustomed to making uncompromising decisions.

'Now that you have joined the Bai Clan,' Bai Ren began, his voice deep and commanding, 'you must understand the expectations placed upon you. We do not take in idle men. Every in-law has a duty to contribute to the future of the Bai Clan.'

Lu Chen remained silent, waiting for the elder to elaborate. He already knew that his position came with strings attached—but just how tight those strings were remained to be seen.

Bai Ren's fingers tapped lightly against the lacquered armrest of his chair before he continued.

'You are required to father at least one child with cultivation talent every five years. Should you fail to meet this requirement, you will be expelled from the Bai Clan and stripped of all benefits you have received.'

The words were spoken without room for negotiation, their finality echoing through the chamber like a judge's verdict.

Lu Chen's fingers curled into a fist. Five years. It seemed reasonable, yet the uncertainty of passing on cultivation talent was what made it daunting.

'However,' Bai Ren's voice carried on, 'should you exceed this quota, you will be rewarded. For every additional child born with cultivation potential, you will receive one hundred and fifty spirit stones.'

Lu Chen's eyes flickered with recognition. That was a substantial sum—one that could allow him to purchase resources, techniques, or even influence within the clan.

But was it worth it?

Before he could dwell too deeply, Bai Xue stepped forward, placing a thick jade tome onto the polished wooden table before him.

'This,' she said, her voice as even as ever, 'is the Bai Clan's proprietary cultivation manual. It has been refined over generations to increase fertility and ensure that our offspring inherit strong spiritual roots.'

Lu Chen picked up the tome, running his fingers across the cool surface before flipping through the delicate pages. The text detailed meridian flow techniques, intricate diagrams outlining specific energy circulation methods meant to strengthen one's lineage.

Yet as he scanned further, his brows knit together. Something was off.

'This technique… it's slow,' he muttered, narrowing his eyes.

'Indeed,' Bai Ren confirmed, unperturbed. 'It is three times slower than the most common cultivation techniques in circulation. However, its effectiveness in producing offspring with strong cultivation talent is undeniable.'

Lu Chen's grip on the manual tightened.

A trade-off.

One that demanded personal sacrifice for the sake of legacy and stability.

'Your current cultivation level is the first stage of Qi Refining,' Bai Ren continued. 'Under normal circumstances, someone of rank nine talent would require three years to advance. However, with this technique, you will require nine years to reach the second level.'

Lu Chen's stomach tensed.

Nine years.

Nine years to progress a single stage—when others would have already soared beyond him.

The frustration was immediate, but he swallowed it down. Complaining wouldn't change reality.

He had to adapt.

Bai Ren leaned back in his chair, his voice steady. 'You will receive a monthly stipend of three spirit stones to cover your basic needs. Should you exceed expectations and produce children with exceptional talent, your earnings will increase accordingly.'

Lu Chen absorbed the information, weighing his options carefully.

On one hand, he had stability—a clan that provided him with resources and purpose in a world where strength dictated everything.

On the other, he had limitations—the slowest possible cultivation path in exchange for securing his place in the clan.

But the Bai Clan wasn't his end goal.

Lu Chen had his own ambitions, ones that stretched far beyond the expectations placed upon him.

This was just the first step.

Bai Ren's gaze bore into him. 'Do you accept these conditions?'

Lu Chen inhaled deeply.

There was no alternative—not now.

If he refused, he would be cast out with nothing. If he accepted, he would have a foundation, a place to start.

For now, that was enough.

'I accept,' he said, his voice calm.

A satisfied murmur passed through the elders, their expressions unreadable. Bai Xue's lips curved slightly—not quite a smile, but perhaps the closest thing to approval she would ever give.

'Then it is settled,' Bai Ren declared, rising to his feet. 'From this day forward, your duty is clear. The Bai Clan will be watching your progress closely.'

Lu Chen nodded, his fingers tightening around the cultivation manual.

He had entered the Bai Clan's game, but he had no intention of playing by their rules forever.