Several days later.
Ji Haoyuan carried the resources he had obtained from the family's treasury and entered the secluded meditation chamber, fully activating the sealing array of the chamber.
This meant that Ji Haoyuan's seclusion this time was akin to a death retreat.
Unless he succeeded in his cultivation and opened the sealing array from inside, he could only wait until the array's time limit expired to disperse it.
During this process, it was impossible for outsiders to intervene, much less lift the restriction and open the chamber's door from outside.
This method of seclusion is typically used during attempts to break through to Foundation Establishment.
Undoubtedly, Ji Haoyuan was presently aiming for promotion to Foundation Establishment.
However, aside from his elder brother Ji Haochuan, none else in the clan were aware of his actions at the beginning.
In truth, his presence within the family has been exceedingly low over the years.
Especially in the past twenty years.
Other than a few elder members of the clan who were of the same generation, the younger disciples of the family had rarely seen him.
Merely hearing bits and pieces about him from their elders.
Knowing that there was once an elder in their family who had great hope of successfully advancing to Foundation Establishment.
Thus the days passed, one after another.
In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.
On this day.
Finally, a clan elder discovered the complete activation of the sealing array in the secluded meditation chamber.
This made him startled, and he quickly sought to understand who had silently, yet completely activated the sealing array inside the meditation chamber.
This was not a trivial matter.
Soon, this matter disturbed all the family elders, including the Clan Leader.
Everyone began to inquire and understand.
Not long after, they roughly figured out who was currently in the death retreat.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
As family elders, whether from the older generation or the relatively young, they were evidently part of the family's innermost circle, naturally aware of what the name "Ji Haoyuan" represented.
"Inform the Old Patriarch of this matter,"
Eventually, the contemporary Ji Family Clan Leader Ji Yunfan broke the silence.
He was a man approximately in his fifties.
His features were square, his actions decisive, and his abilities commendable.
And he possessed a complete Qi Refining cultivation.
It was due to his leadership over the years that the family did not fall into utter disarray and still maintained a considerable degree of cohesion.
At this moment, after he spoke, he seemed to think of something and continued to say:
"Notify Fourth Uncle, but about Fifth Uncle's retreat... On second thought, never mind, don't tell Fourth Uncle."
As he spoke to this point, Ji Yunfan quickly realized something and immediately shook his head.
The "Fourth Uncle" and "Fifth Uncle" he referred to were Ji Haochuan and Ji Haoyuan.
Being close brothers, with Ji Haochuan responsible for guarding the family treasury, it was impossible for Ji Haoyuan to enter a death retreat without his brother knowing.
If they brought this matter up to him now, it would merely add to Ji Haochuan's sorrow with no other significance.
After all, those present knew that, at a hundred years old, Ji Haoyuan's success rate in the death retreat seeking Foundation Establishment was almost nonexistent, especially without the assistance of a Foundation Establishment Pill.
If he failed, the result would inevitably be his demise.
Perhaps, he wanted to seek his own release in this manner.
After all these years, while the younger generation might be unaware, those in the family's core circle somewhat understood Ji Haoyuan's situation.
Thinking from his perspective, none of them could fully face everything calmly if they were in his position.
Therefore.
Ji Yunfan and the others understood somewhat Ji Haoyuan's actions at this moment.
A short time later.
Outside a courtyard in the family's rear mountain.
An elderly white-haired man, with hunched back and wrinkled skin, lay on a reclining chair with many age spots on his face, listening to Clan Leader Ji Yunfan talk about the matter, remained silent for a long time.
Until much later, his somewhat murky gaze slowly withdrew from the distance and softly said a sentence.
"I understand."
After a pause, a slight bitter smile appeared on his face, as his murky gaze finally turned to Ji Yunfan before him, with a tone seemingly carrying a few hints of bleakness and sighs.
"That's fine, you've been through quite a lot these years."
Ji Yunfan's expression was stirred, and he quickly bowed respectfully, and said earnestly:
"Old Patriarch, your words are too heavy.
Compared to you, everything I've done is nothing."
Yet the elder, Ji Bochang, shook his head.
"If it weren't for the family holding you back, given your talent, methods, and abilities, if you chose to join the Crimson Sunset Sect, you might have had the chance to succeed in Foundation Establishment.
Ultimately, it's the family binding your hands and feet."
"Old Patriarch, please don't say that."
Ji Yunfan rapidly shook his head.
"Without the family, I wouldn't be who I am today. Born into the Ji Family, I must naturally serve the family.
Besides..."
At this point, Ji Yunfan paused slightly and then resolutely said:
"This is my choice, and I have no regrets."
"Good child."
Ji Bochang looked at Ji Yunfan with some emotion, as if he saw a bit of the young Ji Haoyuan in him.
But ultimately, he lightly shook his head.
"Enough, enough.
You may go for now.
This old sack of bones might still buy you a year or two.
Make arrangements quickly.
Be decisive in what you need to sacrifice or abandon, whether people or things.
I know this may be harsh for you, but this signifies our family's current state.
We don't have much time left, nor do we have much choice."
Listen to Ji Bochang's words, Ji Yunfan's heart was greatly stirred.
He looked up at the Old Patriarch before him, but at this moment Ji Bochang had already closed his eyes.
Leaving Ji Yunfan acutely aware of the elder's intention.
Just as he stated, this matter, for him and the entire family, is extremely harsh.
But this is reality.
In the cultivation realm where the weak are prey to the strong, weakness is a fundamental flaw.
Once Ji Bochang passed away, the current strength of the Ji Family wouldn't be sufficient to support all that they presently possess.
The best approach would be to decisively shed burdens while Ji Bochang was still alive.
This included intentionally arranging to abandon some people and things.
Which were the so-called family industries and certain ordinary family disciples.
Thinking of this, Ji Yunfan's expression gradually took on a determined look.
He solemnly bowed deeply towards Ji Bochang, saying "I understand," before promptly turning and retreating.