During the day, the villagers were busy. Shen Wen’an returned ho and handed the ox horn and scale hide from the Ox-headed Demon Beast to Shen Yuan.
"These are really valuable things!"
Looking at the ox horn resembling wrought iron and the heavy scale hide ahead, Shen Yuan sighed, "It’s a pity none of us know artifact refining, otherwise, these could likely be made into so magical treasures or robes."
Besides the items from the Ox-headed Demon, there were already quite a few valuable items in the storage room in the remodeled backyard.
There were the hardest wolf fang and back scale hide from the Iron-spine Demon Wolf, the poison sac and a complete python hide from the Pan Mountain Python, along with bones from other demon beasts.
Shen Wen’an forced a smile.
"Let’s keep them for now; if we have a chance in the future, we might as well sell them."
He had been to the Qishan Market.
With the complete recovery of spiritual qi, the cultivators in Yangnao Land would also gradually increase.
It’s possible that after so years, a place similar to Qishan Market might erge in Yangnao Land, allowing cultivators to trade resources.
At that ti, bringing out these unused items to exchange for so spirit crystals or elixirs would be quite good.
Shen Yuan nodded, and then said, "Regarding that little pine tree, I’ve been reviewing the books your master gave these days."
"The jade-green airflow you saw on the little pine tree should be innate spiritual qi."
Innate spiritual qi?
Shen Wen’an was a bit surprised.
Although he practiced sword dao and had already refined the dragon soul magical sword into a sword embryo foundation, so he wouldn’t need innate spiritual qi after breaking through fetal breathing, he knew a little about innate spiritual qi.
With his father’s explanation, he also felt that the strangely spiritual airflow might indeed be innate spiritual qi.
Shen Yuan took out a jade scroll and a delicate jade bottle from his robe and handed them to him, "This jade scroll contains the spirit gathering skill. Try to cultivate it and see if you can collect that innate spiritual qi into the jade bottle."
Shen Wen’an received the jade bottle and jade scroll, nodding.
"Father, I’m leaving."
Watching his figure disappear, Shen Yuan contemplated for a mont and decided to visit the Black Water Pavilion to check on his grandson Shen Chongming’s cultivation.
It’s been a year since he chose the Moonlight Pine Mountain Technique.
In the past year, with a plethora of body tempering pills, Shen Chongming reached the Body Tempering Realm, and now began formally cultivating the Moonlight Pine Mountain Technique.
Black Water Pavilion, second floor.
When Shen Yuan arrived, Shen Chongming wasn’t ditating.
He stood by the window, holding a rhino horn bow without an arrow, quietly watching several Tuo Dragons erging from the water a hundred ters away.
Upon hearing so noise, Shen Chongming turned and saluted, "Grandfather."
Shen Yuan nodded, glancing outside, "Have there been any issues with your cultivation lately?"
Shen Chongming shook his head, "Everything has been smooth."
"Grandfather, can I look at the techniques and talismans on the third floor?"
"Just cultivating is a bit dull."
Shen Yuan chuckled upon hearing this.
"Techniques and talismans require spiritual power to perform; you’re not yet in the Qi Cultivation Realm, looking at them now would only hinder your cultivation."
Shen Chongming pouted, contemplating for a mont, "What about the ancient books?"
The third floor of Black Water Pavilion housed many books, most of which were hand-copied and organized by Pei Zhao, presented to Shen Wen’an.
But Shen Wen’an was only engrossed in sword dao and rarely examined them.
"Hmm... you can look at the books when you’re free."
Shen Yuan thought for a mont and nodded.
These books not only contained Pei Zhao’s understanding of the Pill Array Dao but also common knowledge about the cultivation realm.
Shen Family would inevitably venture out in the future; reviewing them in advance to understand the realm of cultivation was beneficial.
"Then I’ll go read the books!"
Shen Chongming saluted and excitedly ran to the third floor of Black Water Pavilion.
"You rascal..." Shen Yuan laughed, shouting after him: "Cultivation should have balance, you can go outside when you have ti."
Like father, like son, Shen Chongming’s ease in cultivation relieved him, bringing comfort.
Nevertheless, as the future leader of Shen Family, Shen Yuan hoped this boy could interact with more people.
After all, whether in the secular world or the cultivation realm, human connections were essential.
"Grandson understands!"
Shen Chongming responded from upstairs.
Listening to the sound of him flipping through the books upstairs, Shen Yuan didn’t disturb him and went to the first floor of Black Water Pavilion to start practicing.
His cultivation had reached the peak of Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer; with diligent effort, he should break through to the Sixth Layer soon.
...
Mountain Foot Academy.
The academy and martial arts hall were established simultaneously, but compared to the bustling martial arts hall, the academy was so quiet that it was deserted.
Over the years, the entire academy had only a dozen true disciples besides the children who ca for enlightennt.
The children’s enlightennt was handled by other teachers, leaving Shen Wenyan and Lu Zhiyuan quite idle daily.
In a corner of the courtyard, a pavilion stood surrounded by rockeries, pines and cypresses vying against bamboo, purple orchids, and peonies competing.
The gentle breeze rang the copper bells at the pavilion’s corners.
In the pavilion, the master and apprentice played chess.
"Sir, there’s sothing I want to discuss with you."
Shen Wenyan laid down a black stone and calmly spoke.
Lu Zhiyuan’s gaze was fixed on the chessboard, with a white stone floating beside the chess box as if waiting for him to continue.
Shen Wenyan spoke, "I want to go out for a walk, but father won’t allow it and even gave a beating for that."
The white stone floated to the chessboard and descended slowly.
Lu Zhiyuan raised his head and looked at him, "Are you asking to persuade him for you?"
Shen Wenyan saluted, "The world is vast; without seeing the grand mountains and rivers and unfamiliar customs, how can one create eternal Chapters and spread the Literary Dao’s prosperity?"
Lu Zhiyuan nodded, pondering for a mont, "By na we are master and apprentice, yet now we are journey companions, without a path to trace; even I cannot ascertain the correctness of our chosen path."
"Following our own paths, later we might learn from each other."
"If you are intent, you should discuss it with your father again."
"He is a reasonable man and should understand your thoughts."
Shen Wenyan, hearing this, showed a peculiar expression.
Thinking of ntioning this to his father, he felt a burning pain from his back and behind.
"Afraid?"
"If afraid, staying in the academy to play chess and read is also fine."
Lu Zhiyuan’s face showed a hint of a smile.
Shen Wenyan smiled awkwardly and didn’t continue to say much as the two continued their ga.
Nightti.
After dinner, Shen Wenyan still found Shen Yuan, who was playing with Shen Chonghong and Shen Chongxuan in the courtyard.
"Ah Die, I have sothing to discuss with you."
Shen Yuan gently petted the head of the big black dog in front of him and said in a deep voice, "Go ahead."
Shen Wenyan squatted down and looked at Shen Chonghong and Shen Chongxuan, saying, "You two go play on the side first."
The two little ones pouted unhappily and left upon hearing this.
Shen Yuan patted the head of the big black dog.
The creature seed to understand his aning, got up, and ran towards the brothers Shen Chonghong and Shen Chongxuan.
"I... still want to go out and take a walk."
"Chongxu is almost one year old, and there isn’t much going on at ho..."
While talking, Shen Wenyan closely observed his father’s expression.
"Okay, go then."
Shen Yuan thought for a mont, and replied calmly.
Hmm?
Shen Wenyan looked at him incredulously and said, "Ah Die... agreed!?"
Shen Yuan sighed and stood up.
"The road is ultimately one you must walk by yourself, I can’t follow you all your life."
"Since your heart isn’t at ho, what’s the use of holding your body here?"
As he spoke, he slowly turned around, staring at Shen Wenyan, "Ah Nu, I hope you keep your own boundaries and steadfastness in your heart."
"Rember your identity."
Shen Wenyan was slightly stunned, then stepped back and bowed, saying, "Father’s teachings, your son will rember in his heart!"
"Ah Die, rest assured, I always rember I am a mber of the Shen Family, your son, and Chongxuan and Chongxu’s father."
"And Zhao Xuan’s husband," Shen Yuan added, continuing, "As a son, you should have the responsibilities of a son."
"As a father, you should have the responsibilities of a father."
"What, once you beco a husband, you don’t ntion it?"
"How has Zhao Xuan wronged you?"
Shen Wenyan lowered his head in sha, and after a mont of reflection, said, "I was wrong."
In these years, he only thought that by giving his wife enough respect and adhering to the courtesies of being a husband, yet he never considered whether Zhao Xuan really liked such "respectful relations".
"Go on then."
Shen Yuan waved his hand.
They were all grown-ups, and in this lifeti alone, he hadn’t read as many books as his son.
He didn’t want to constrain his children with a modern mindset either.
As a parent, you should help to the best extent possible with the debts your children have accrued.
After bowing again, Shen Wenyan walked toward the backyard.
Shen Yuan stood with his hands on his back, gazing at the night sky above, and let out a deep sigh.
"What did Ah Nu say to you?"
Hu Yufen ca out of the room carrying an outer garnt, draped it over his shoulder, and asked softly.
Shen Yuan turned his head, gently patted his wife’s hand, and shook his head, "The little rascal still wants to go out and take a walk."
On hearing this, Hu Yufen’s expression darkened.
"You agreed?"
Shen Yuan snorted coldly through his nose and chuckled, "Keeping him cooped up is a tornt for both him and Zhao Xuan."
"Let him go wander a bit, suffer so hardships, and maybe he’ll co to his senses and live a good life."
With a shake of the garnt on his shoulder, Shen Yuan turned and sighed:
"After that little rascal leaves, make sure to visit his courtyard more often and look after Zhao Xuan and her children."
Hu Yufen nodded and then took his arm, saying: "Over at Brother Shuan’s place... you should pay so attention too."
"Especially to Da Hu and Da Hu’s children."
"Brother Shuan and his sons have been helpfully supporting us all these years without any complaints."
Shen Yuan nodded his head, "I rember."
During the first big hunting competition, he had already given so care to the Zhao Family.
That Immortal Fate, although Zhao Jinhua earned it himself through his skill, at that ti all he gave Liu Fang of the Liu Family was the mantra of the Five Elents Breathing Technique.
For Zhao Jinhua, he had sent over an extra twenty Body Tempering Pills.
"Tomorrow I will speak with Da Hu and his son."
After pondering for a mont, Shen Yuan spoke.
Since they decided to compensate the Zhao Family, they might as well send another Immortal Fate.
Let Zhao Jinhua’s child Zhao Tuan train in the complete Cultivation Technique just like the Shen Family’s direct lineage.
"Sleep now, it’s getting late."
The couple returned to their room, Shen Yuan said.
Late night, the hour is nearing midnight.
Shen Yuan awoke from his cultivation, and his Divine Sense sank into the Sea of Consciousness.
Monts later, the White Jade Turtle Shell in the Sea of Consciousness suddenly lit up with a golden light.
Soon after, a new hexagram slowly erged.
[Hexagram updated!]
[Today’s Hexagram · Unknown]: Destiny is hard to predict, the road ahead is unclear, family mber Shen Wenyan’s fate has changed.
Under the focus of the Divine Sense, an eerie mist slowly rose in the Sea of Consciousness over the turtle shell.
Soon, the entire turtle shell was shrouded in mist.
Seeing this, Shen Yuan was full of doubts.
In over twenty years, except for the last ti regarding the Dragon Tar’s Mansion, when the turtle shell gave a "Purple Star Divination", now there appeared a strange "Unknown" hexagram again.
What does this represent?
Staring at the White Jade Turtle Shell in the Sea of Consciousness, completely obscured by the mist, and thinking of the hexagram’s last line, "family mber Shen Wenyan’s fate has changed", Shen Yuan fell into deep thought.
He also wasn’t sure what the hexagram indicated, whether Shen Wenyan’s trip this ti would be fortunate or ominous.
In the midst of these thoughts, the eerie mist on the White Jade Turtle Shell had already slowly dissipated.
Eventually, after the mist completely vanished, the hexagram on the turtle shell completely disappeared, leaving no trace.
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