Someone else might have forgotten a small detail from a century ago, but Sage had a facility full of people cataloging his whole life. Even more than that, he had a living computer to access that information almost instantly. The Ancestor’s had previously told him that ‘those who attempt to pass down a heritage related to laws’ would face death. After visiting them again, they didn’t bother to clarify further, only stating that he would know more soon when he went to visit the mysterious place that only rank sevens could head to. He also took this to mean there was a bit of gray area available to him.
“Let’s go with contingency plan B.”
The Research Team member nodded and her fingers flowed over a keyboard with keys that had the strange sheen of chitin. Since Sage had not been informed of ‘the rules’ for someone of his rank, then he theorized that they would be a little more lenient with him if he were to cause minor infractions.
Sage set up a private meeting with his second son, Yating, the current head of the Lang Clan, along with both Ling and Jiao. He should probably only be meeting with Yating for this sensitive matter, but Yating would likely put the interests of the Clan before his own. It was the reason he was a good Clan Head. For this though, he couldn’t take any chances and he could count on his wives to put their children first before the empire, the kingdom, the city, and the many hundreds of other descendants in the Clan.
A large object appeared in front of them as he met the trio in a well shielded building, protected not just physically, but from all the types of observation that they knew of. It was roughly the same size as a Storage Chest, but tipped up onto its side so the lid opened like a door. It was a style known as a Wardrobe Trunk on earth, but this was not just a normal box here. It was actually a Beast Trunk. The upgraded version of a Beast Bag. They were very rare and expensive because they had a true living area within. Lower level bags were limited by the intelligence of the creatures they could hold. Something about the level of intellect made creatures harder to contain. Just like how Sage could only send things to the Inner World after overpowering their mind, Beast Bags and Beast Packs(the larger more expensive bag) were limited in that regard. There was no way to keep a high tier beast inside them.
A Beast Trunk broke that convention, but it also meant that even humans could be kept inside. It also meant they were extremely expensive as many rich Cultivator’s liked to use them to build private rooms or homes they could take with them or hide in a closet. On the inside it was about an acre of space, usually around 200 to 300 feet long and wide within. Sage was not doing that, and instead using it for its intended purpose: to hold a powerful beast. Many beasts in fact, as Sage walked through the room, bringing out dozens of Beast Trunks. Yating, Ling, and Jiao were waiting to see what was inside the first trunk only to be confused by the sudden appearance of many more. It was not a small amount of wealth to have so many Beast Trunks. Sage had far from enough Spirit Stones to pay for so many rare items, but that’s because he didn’t buy them. They were built by those on the Inner World. Most Storage treasures came from another Empire, but after so many years of research, they had learned how to make their own on the Inner World. The only issue was that Storage Treasures required a special space related resource which they didn’t know how to refine. So, they could only make Beast Trunks by breaking down smaller Storage Treasures to salvage the resource they needed. Thankfully, Storage Chests were quite cheap and readily available.
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“This is my contingency plan. Each of these Beast Trunks has a tier six beast inside. I have to leave again in a few years, and I have no idea if or when I can ever return. The Ancestor has assured me it is possible to return, but he could not share any specific details. For all I know it could take thousands of years.”
Sage waved his arm towards the trunks, “If the Clan is in danger, or if I do not return for a thousand years then you will all merge with one of them. There are names on the trunks for all of our children and some of our grandchildren, you will have to decide what to do with the others.”
“Tier six? Doesn’t that violate the rules? Wouldn’t that put the whole Clan at risk?”
Yating now spoke for the whole family, so it was reassuring to hear what he was concerned about. Sage nodded, “It might, but if I cannot return time will be running out for you all. You know it is best to advance before half your lifespan is gone. Otherwise it will take even more time from you in the future. I want you all to still be here when I return. These will help you reach the next rank, either to extend your life or to protect the Clan.”
For someone in the fifth rank, their maximum lifespan would generally hit about five thousand years. In the usual convention the lifespan was roughly doubled and Nascent Souls could live up to ten thousand years. If they were to live on the Inner World they’d be gone in a flash, which is why Sage didn’t want to take them with him. Not the whole family as least. There were some in the Clan that wished to move permanently to the Inner World. Sage was too close to his children and grandchildren for that, but those of later generations were free to choose. There were also those on the Inner World that wished to go to the outside world and as long as they made oaths then they were free to go. Well, the ones from the Lang Clan on the Inner World could leave. Most of them preferred their own life, but there were a few that wanted to explore a more dangerous world or were eager to research for the Clan on the outside. There were still more rare resources available on the outside after all.
Yating still seemed unsure of such a drastic move, “Isn’t that against what the Ancestor said the rules were?”
“No one can pass down a heritage. Merging with these tier six beast and insects does not guarantee forming a Nascent Soul. Nor will it allow you to pass down Laws to anyone else in an easier fashion.”
Ling and Jiao shared a look before Ling stepped forward, “We will make sure that Yating can make the hard decision if such a time comes.”
“Don’t worry, we refuse to let the little runts die before us.”
Jiao made sure to add a predatory smile for Yating. The Clan Head actually turned to look subtly at his mother, the action almost ingrained into him, which made Jiao laugh, “You’ve always been a Momma’s boy. So cute.”
Even now, hundreds of years old, Yating still got scared of his second mother. Each of them had a son first, but Jiao could be quite scary when she wanted to be. Of course, that tiny quiver was only apparent to the three of them. Others probably wouldn’t notice the tiny signs of the powerful Clan Head’s fear, but they knew him too well. They teased Yating a little more, using a bit of humor to lighten the mood from the difficult subject they were discussing. Then they left the Beast Trunks in that secure room, arranging for a very confidential feeding schedule to keep them in good condition. Sage spent the rest of his time with his Family, trying to get in some last bits of quality time.
That is until that day came. Ten years since Guan Zhenyan gave him the jar. The family threw another huge celebration, a going away party for the former Patriarch. Their own ancestor, still living, but now leaving for somewhere unknown. Sage said goodbye to each of his ten children, his two wives, dozens of grandchildren, and hundreds of great grandchildren. Those even younger had to settle for the toast he gave to them all.
The next day, before he could get too melancholic, he brought out the huge jar and set it in front of Guan Zhenyan, “Aged ten thousand years. What happens next?”