Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 220 Punishment
The secret technique, the Soul-Slaying Sword, is one of the core inheritances of Tianjun Mountain.

He was naturally unwilling to give it up for exchange so easily.

However, if we do not agree now, we will not be able to obtain the method for condensing the Wisdom Sword.

The Soul-Slaying Sword, which cannot condense the Wisdom Sword, will soon be completely abandoned by the disciples of the sect, and its inheritance will be severed.

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhang Qingjing still couldn't make a decision.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Fellow Daoist Lingshan, young friend Shen, please wait a moment."

"The matter of the Soul-Slaying Sword is of great importance, and I cannot make the decision on my own. I need to ask a few of my senior brothers and junior brothers to come here."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wen'an frowned slightly.

However, Huang Lingshan said nonchalantly, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, please."

Seeing this, Zhang Qingjing bowed slightly to the two of them, then waved her hand to summon a gentle breeze that flew towards the main peak of Tianjun Mountain.

After she left, Shen Wen'an said in a deep voice, "Senior Sister, you're not planning to forcibly seize Tianjun Mountain, are you?"

To be fair, he felt that Tianjun Mountain would not dare to do such a thing.

However, the method of condensing the Wisdom Sword was clearly very important to them, and Shen Wen'an was still afraid that Zhang Qingjing and the others would not be able to resist their greed.

"It doesn't matter."

Huang Lingshan smiled calmly, strolled in the pavilion in front of her, and gazed at the lush green peaks in the distance.

A moment later, several streaks of light flew in from the main peak of Tianjun Mountain.

After these streams of light landed, they transformed into five figures, each dressed differently, some old and some young.

The five people first glanced at Huang Lingshan, and then all looked at Shen Wenan.

While being watched by five Golden Core cultivators, Shen Wen'an noticed that two of them had a faint sense of pressure in their gazes, clearly indicating that they were using some kind of secret technique.

Before she could react, a clear sword whistle rang out along with Huang Lingshan's voice.

"Is this the sincerity of Tianjun Mountain?"

Huang Lingshan's voice was calm, yet it perfectly shattered the two men's oppressive secret techniques.

Zhang Qingjing, who arrived shortly after, quickly smiled and smoothed things over, cupping her hands and saying, "Fellow Daoist Lingshan, please forgive us. Your two senior brothers are also hearing for the first time that someone has condensed a Wisdom Sword, and they were a little excited for a moment."

"Young friend Shen, I'm sorry."

As Shen Wen'an's expression softened slightly, Huang Lingshan returned to his presence.

The two of them quietly watched the six powerful figures from Tianjun Mountain, including Zhang Qingjing, in front of them.

A moment later, the elderly woman among the six, wearing a square cap and holding a brown wooden cane, smiled gently and bowed to Huang Lingshan and Shen Wen'an.

"I am Miao Qian from Tianjun Mountain."

"Fellow Daoist Lingshan and this young friend, please have a seat."

The old woman clearly sensed that the tense atmosphere was not conducive to the negotiations, so she spoke up to break the deadlock.

"Yes, yes, please have a seat."

The other Golden Core cultivators from Tianjun Mountain nearby also quickly spoke up.

With the situation calming down and everyone seated again, Miao Qian looked at Shen Wen'an and said, "Young friend, would you be so kind as to let us see the splendor of the Wisdom Sword once more?"

They had only heard about the Wisdom Sword from Zhang Qingjing, but since it was a matter of great importance, they wanted to see it for themselves before they could feel at ease.

After a moment's thought, Shen Wen'an did not refuse.

In a buying and selling transaction, if the other party wants to inspect the goods, you certainly cannot refuse.

The sword finger touched the center of his brow, and a milky white light shimmered.

A three-inch white jade sword slowly materialized at the tip of his finger.

The unique aura of the Wisdom Sword filled the air, exciting several Golden Core cultivators from Tianjun Mountain nearby.

"Young friend, this Wisdom Sword seems to be somewhat different from the Wisdom Sword cultivated by the Heavenly Lord Mountain [Soul-Slaying Sword]."

Miao Qian spoke calmly, but Huang Lingshan caught the barely concealed excitement in her eyes.

"There are indeed some differences. I wonder if your Wisdom Sword is compatible with the Soul-Slaying Sword of my Tianjun Mountain."

Everyone present was a shrewd old man.

Upon hearing Miao Qian's words, another short, stout old man in a blue Taoist robe, patting his round belly, spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Huang Lingshan understood that the old men were trying to take the opportunity to lower the price and did not want to exchange the secret technique for the method of condensing the Wisdom Sword.

She sneered inwardly and slowly stood up.

"If that's the case, then let's drop this matter."

"Junior Brother Wen'an, let's go."

As he spoke, he waved his hand to put the Golden Core Flood Dragon corpse not far away into his storage bag, and gave Shen Wen'an a wink.

Shen Wen'an understood immediately, and slowly stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, and then prepared to leave with Huang Lingshan.

But at that moment, two figures flashed and blocked their path.

Seeing this, Huang Lingshan slowly exuded a trace of sword intent, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the two of them.

"how?"

"Does Tianjun Mountain intend to keep me here?"

The two people didn't speak, but the spiritual energy emanating from their bodies said it all.

"Qinghe, Qingyuan".

Just as a major battle was about to break out, Miao Qian suddenly spoke up.

Upon hearing their voices, the two Golden Core cultivators blocking their way slowly withdrew their auras.

Miao Qian stood up and walked to Huang Lingshan and Shen Wen'an. She looked at them with a deep gaze, pondered for a moment, and said:
"The Soul-Slaying Sword is a core secret technique passed down from our ancestors of Tianjun Mountain."

"That's why fellow Daoists should carry on this tradition properly," Huang Lingshan calmly took over the conversation.

Miao Qian frowned slightly: "Can't you two change your request?"

“Spirit crystals, magic treasures, and even anything that doesn’t involve the core inheritance of Tianjun Mountain, we can sit down and talk.”

A smile suddenly appeared on Huang Lingshan's face.

"Fellow Daoist Miao also knows the value of such secret techniques. The Azure Vine Sword Pavilion has no shortage of spirit crystals and magical artifacts."

The two stared at each other, neither showing any intention of backing down.

After a long while, Miao Qian suddenly withdrew her gaze, sighed softly, and said, "It seems that Fellow Daoist Ling Shan is determined to obtain the [Soul-Slaying Sword] secret technique of my Tianjun Mountain."

Huang Lingshan smiled slightly: "Isn't Tianjun Mountain also unwilling to easily give up the method of condensing the Wisdom Sword in Junior Brother's hands?"

He paused slightly, then turned and glanced at Zhang Qingjing and the others, saying calmly, "Throughout history, many immortal techniques and secret arts have been lost and disappeared into the long river of history."

"This is all because each school and sect keeps to itself."

"If the senior who created the Soul-Slaying Sword at Tianjun Mountain were alive, he wouldn't want the secret technique he painstakingly created to be slowly lost, would he?"

Zhang Qingjing and the others exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.

They didn't know what their ancestors were thinking, but the fact was that the Soul-Slaying Sword was about to be lost.

Nowadays, few disciples on Tianjun Mountain are willing to waste a lot of energy cultivating a secret technique whose effort and reward are extremely disproportionate.

If this continues, in two more generations, the secret technique of the Soul-Slaying Sword will likely only gather dust in the library, becoming a core inheritance that no one cares about.

"Sword Immortal Ling Shan's words are truly sharp."

After a moment of silence, Miao Qian suddenly smiled.

"Very well, I agree to this deal."

As she spoke, she turned to Zhang Qingjing and the others behind her and said, "Fellow junior brothers and nephews, please express your opinions."

The group exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Miao Qian looked at Shen Wen'an and Huang Lingshan and said, "Although I agree to this matter, I have one more request."

"Fellow Taoist, please tell me."

When Huang Lingshan spoke slowly, she had already roughly guessed what Miao Qian was going to say.

"The Soul-Slaying Sword is, after all, the core inheritance of Tianjun Mountain. After this transaction, I hope that you two can make a solemn vow never to pass on this secret technique to outsiders."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wen'an frowned slightly. After a moment's thought, he said, "Please forgive me, senior. I can only promise you that I will not pass this secret technique on to anyone outside the direct line of my Shen family."

Throughout his life, aside from the way of the sword, he only cared about his family.

If the secret techniques gained from adventures cannot be passed down to one's family, what is the point of acquiring them?
The fact that Tianjun Mountain values ​​the Soul-Slaying Sword so highly suggests that it must be an extremely powerful secret technique.

The Shen family's acquisition of this asset is enough to serve as a foundation.

Upon hearing this, Miao Qian slowly tightened her grip on the wooden cane.

If the core inheritance of Tianjun Mountain stops at Huang Lingshan and Shen Wen'an, it would still be acceptable.

However, if this information were to spread to a cultivation family, it would put them in a difficult position.

"Never mind, Senior Sister Miao."

There was another long silence.

Zhang Qingjing suddenly sighed and said, "The world is changing drastically right now, so let's consider this a good deed."

"I believe that neither the Qingluo Sword Pavilion nor the family that young friend Shen belongs to will become enemies of Tianjun Mountain in the future."

"Who knows, there might be another chance to fight side by side in the future."

Upon hearing this, Miao Qian turned to look at Zhang Qingjing, pondered for a moment, and then slowly nodded: "Then let's do it that way."

"Junior Brother Qingjing, you should take charge of this matter."

"We will head back first."

As Miao Qian spoke, she bowed slightly to Huang Lingshan and Shen Wen'an and said, "Gentlemen, I'll take my leave."

After saying this, the group transformed into streaks of light and flew towards the main peak of Tianjun Mountain.

After they left, Zhang Qingjing invited the two of them to sit down again.

Perhaps because a deal had been struck, the relationship between the two parties became noticeably more harmonious.

During their casual chat over tea, Shen Wen'an took the opportunity to mention that he was short of money and might not be able to come up with enough auxiliary materials for refining magical artifacts.

Zhang Qingjing was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly and said, "Young friend, you really don't miss any opportunity to take advantage of others."

"so……"

After some thought, Zhang Qingjing said, "I will keep one of the magical artifacts and robes made from the dragon corpse as payment."

"Young friend, you can't expect this old man to lose money and end up paying out of pocket, can you?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Wen'an was overjoyed and immediately cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, senior."

As previously stated, the dragon corpse should be able to forge three robes and two magical artifacts.

If Zhang Qingjing keeps one robe, then she will have two robes and two magical artifacts left.

That's just enough for two sets.

Having finalized the matter, Zhang Qingjing solemnly took out a deep purple jade tablet and handed it to Shen Wen'an, saying, "This contains the core inheritance of my Tianjun Mountain, the Soul-Slaying Sword."

"Back then, Ancestor Yuncheng spent three hundred years creating this secret technique. Later, it was continuously improved by more than ten senior ancestors of Tianjun Mountain before the complete [Soul-Slaying Sword] was finally achieved."

"Unfortunately, Tianjun Mountain suffered a calamity back then, and a traitor emerged."

"That beast not only destroyed the Soul Jade Crystal that contained the original Soul-Slaying Sword, but also almost caused the Tianjun Mountain to lose its lineage."

"Although our grandmaster and several grandmasters spent a lot of effort to rewrite the secret technique of the Soul-Slaying Sword, for some reason, since then, we disciples of Tianjun Mountain have been unable to condense the Wisdom Sword, which has greatly reduced the power of this secret technique."

"Nowadays, apart from a few old folks like us, very few of the younger generation in Tianjun Mountain Sect are willing to practice this secret technique."

Zhang Qingjing's face showed a hint of dejection and loneliness.

Clearly, he was also distressed to see one of the sect's core traditions gradually decline.

Seeing this, Shen Wen'an also took out a blank jade slip and compiled his method of cultivating the Wisdom Sword into some of the contents of the "Guardian Sword Bone" secret technique.

After confirming several times to make sure there were no errors, it was handed to Zhang Qingjing.

"To be honest, senior, this method originated from a sudden enlightenment of mine, as well as some special opportunities."

"Although I can organize it, I cannot guarantee that the disciples of Tianjun Mountain can easily condense the Wisdom Sword."

"Senior, please take a look first."

Zhang Qingjing took the jade slip and immediately immersed her consciousness in it, carefully studying the secret technique.

After a long time, his consciousness slowly withdrew from the jade slip, a hint of joy on his face.

Just as Shen Wen'an was about to ask a question, he saw an extremely pure divine soul power surging between his eyebrows.

Gradually, under its control, these divine soul powers slowly condensed into a small purple sword phantom.

The faint phantom of the small sword was barely visible, its shape only vaguely discernible.

However, the aura emanating from it was indeed somewhat similar to Shen Wen'an's Sword Bone Technique.

The purple sword phantom slowly dissipated, and Zhang Qingjing slowly opened her eyes.

After glancing at Shen Wen'an, he stood up, took a step back, and respectfully bowed deeply to him.

"Thank you, my friend!"

Shen Wen'an quickly stood up and returned the greeting, saying, "Senior, there's no need for that. It was just a transaction."

Zhang Qingjing suppressed her excitement and joy, took a breath, sat down, and began to speak.

"Young friend, your method of condensing the sword of wisdom is quite unique and seems to be simpler than the technique created by Ancestor Yuncheng back then."

"I can foresee that by condensing the Wisdom Sword Technique, the Soul-Slaying Sword of my Tianjun Mountain will soon regain its glory and shine brightly."

Seeing that the deal between the two had been reached, Huang Lingshan took out the dragon corpse again.

"In that case, I'll leave the matter of refining the weapon to Fellow Daoist Zhang."

Zhang Qingjing nodded, put away the dragon's corpse, and then said, "This weapon forging will take at least one year and at most two years."

"Once it is completed, I will personally deliver it to the Azure Vine Sword Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wen'an pondered for a moment and then suddenly spoke up: "Senior Zhang, I have another request."

Zhang Qingjing smiled and said, "Young friend, please don't make things difficult for this old man any further."

He's a little afraid of Shen Wen'an now.

This seemingly honest swordsman is actually quite fond of taking advantage of others.

Shen Wen'an smiled awkwardly and said, "Senior, please don't be afraid. I just wanted to ask if Tianjun Mountain, which is skilled in weapon crafting, has any need for spirit ore?"

"I have some good quality spirit ore here. If Tianjun Mountain needs it, it will save me and my senior sister from having to go to the market to sell it."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qingjing breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"What kind of mineral are you referring to, young friend?"

Shen Wen'an didn't say anything, but instead took out some samples of various spirit ores from his storage bag.

These ores include water smoke stone, green spirit stone, and some spirit gold ore.

Zhang Qingjing examined them carefully and found that they were all low-grade materials, so she nodded and said, "They're all not bad."

"Young friend, please take them all out. I'll have someone carefully count them and buy them for you at the market price."

Shen Wen'an nodded and immediately took out all the spirit ores from his storage bag.

Two children respectfully came forward to count the items.

A moment later, one of the children reported the exact number to Zhang Qingjing.

After Zhang Qingjing nodded, she instructed him to put away the ore and go to the sect's treasury to withdraw seven hundred spirit crystals.

With the money and goods settled, the two happily left Tianjun Mountain.

……

Green Vine Sword Pavilion, a thousand-foot cliff.

Inside the bamboo grove, Shen Wen'an handed two jade slips to Huang Lingshan.

One of the two jade slips replicates the secret technique of the Soul-Slaying Sword from Tianjun Mountain, while the other contains his method for condensing the Wisdom Sword.

"Senior sister, these two secret techniques should be of some use to you, so I will give them to you today."

Upon seeing this, Huang Lingshan hesitated slightly before smiling and putting away the jade slip.

She was indeed very interested in the Soul-Slaying Sword and the so-called "Wisdom Sword".

Once one's cultivation reaches the Golden Core stage, it's often no longer possible to increase one's strength solely by raising one's cultivation level.

More often than not, Golden Core cultivators rely on secret techniques and the application of artistic conception to continuously explore their own potential and power.

After all, it takes more than ten or eight years for someone in the Golden Core Realm to improve their cultivation level purely through cultivation.

With so much free time, you always need to find something to do.

What are your plans for the time ahead?

After putting away the jade slip, Huang Lingshan slowly spoke.

What happens next?

Shen Wen'an was somewhat puzzled.

Huang Lingshan explained, "Zhang Qingjing's weapon forging will take one to two years."

“If you return to Yangnao now, once the magic weapon is forged, with that old man in charge of the barrier, you will no longer be able to set foot in Danzhou.”

Shen Wen'an suddenly realized.

He had completely forgotten about the old man in the straw hat.

With that old man blocking the barrier, once they return to Yangnao, they probably won't be able to come to Danzhou again.

However, the spirit crystals that were just obtained from Tianjun Mountain need to be delivered to my family as soon as possible.

When the demon cave of Mount Wu attacked Yunshui City, the Renshui Concealing Spirit Formation exhausted the family's stored spirit crystals.

Although the raid on Dawushan's stronghold in the Western Wilderness yielded some spirit crystals, these crystals had to be reserved for the Renshui Concealing Spirit Array and could not be used lightly.

“If nothing major happens in Yangnao, I suggest you stay in Danzhou for two years.”

"One reason is to wait for Zhang Qingjing to finish refining the magical artifact."

"Secondly, some changes have occurred in Danzhou in the past two years. If you stay, your senior sister can take you to make connections with some forces in Danzhou."

"If even greater changes occur in Yangnao Land in the future, it would be good to make connections with some forces in Danzhou in advance and learn about the situation in the cultivation world of Danzhou. This would also be a way to leave the Shen family a way out."

Huang Lingshan handed over a cup of flower tea and continued, "I observe that you seem to have already refined your own artistic conception."

"These past two years have also provided you with some detailed guidance on sword intent and the realm of sword immortals."

Shen Wen'an was very tempted upon hearing this.

But after a moment's hesitation, he said, "I need to send the spirit crystals I have home immediately so that Chongming and the others can improve their strength as soon as possible..."

"This is easy to handle."

A strange smile appeared on Huang Lingshan's face.

……

The border between Danzhou and Yangnao.

Shen Wen'an arrived on his sword and, as expected, saw the old man in the bamboo hat sitting cross-legged on the boulder as always.

He bowed slightly with his hands clasped in greeting.

The old man in the straw hat slowly raised his head and chuckled.

"Is everything done?"

"Going back?"

Shen Wen'an cautiously cupped his hands and said, "No, this junior just came to take a look."

have a look?

The old man in the straw hat looked puzzled. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed a figure suddenly appear at the barrier.

The person who came was Shen Chongming.

As soon as he passed through the barrier, Shen Chongming noticed his third uncle, Shen Wen'an, and the old man in the straw hat.

In the previous telepathic communication, Shen Wen'an had already explained the old man's approximate identity to him.

Shen Chongming was visibly nervous during their meeting.

This is a terrifyingly powerful expert who is suspected to be at the Nascent Soul stage.

Let alone a breath, it could probably kill you with just a glance.

"senior."

After respectfully cupping his hands in greeting, Shen Chongming approached Shen Wen'an.

Upon meeting, Shen Wen'an didn't waste any words and directly handed over his storage bag containing seven hundred spirit crystals and the secret technique of the Soul-Slaying Sword.

"Take your things and go back as soon as possible. Tell your grandfather that your third uncle will stay in Danzhou for two years to find a way out for the Shen family."

"I've left everything I needed to say in a jade slip."

After nodding, Shen Chongming didn't dare to linger. He simply said, "Take care, Third Uncle," and then disappeared into the barrier.

This scene left the old man in the straw hat on the nearby boulder completely dumbfounded.

"Hey...hehe..."

After a moment of surprise, the old man couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

"You youngster, you really know how to find loopholes."

Seeing this, Shen Wen'an looked somewhat nervous and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "Senior only said that no cultivator is allowed to pass through the barrier. My actions are not against your wishes, are they?" The old man in the bamboo hat smiled, looked at him quietly for a moment, and then nodded slightly, saying, "Of course not."

"but……"

"I feel I've lost face because you took advantage of me, and you deserve the punishment."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wen'an's heart sank, but he dared not make any move.

He knew very well that with the old man's ability to kill a Golden Core cultivator with a single finger, he had no chance of escaping from him even if he risked everything.

He only said he would be punished, not that he would take his own life.

If you obediently accept the punishment, there won't be any problems. But if you resist and displease him, you might really be doomed.

"Please punish me, senior."

Shen Wen'an respectfully cupped his hands, emphasizing his sincere and obedient attitude.

The old man in the straw hat looked at him with a smile, showing no sign of anger.

"You little rascal..."

"Fine, then I'll punish you by making you play chess with me for the next six months."

After a moment's thought, the old man in the straw hat gently waved his hand.

A chessboard and a futon suddenly appeared on the boulder.

Before Shen Wen'an could react, he felt a force binding everything around him.

Uncontrollably, it flew towards the boulder and landed on the prayer mat.

At this moment, he finally understood how insignificant his pride and joy were in front of this old man in the straw hat.

The opponent didn't even make a move, yet easily imprisoned all of my power.

If someone truly intends to kill, they probably wouldn't even need to lift a finger.

"Senior, this junior does not understand the way of Go."

After landing on the prayer mat, Shen Wen'an regained his ability to move, but he had no intention of escaping.

"If you don't understand, you should learn."

"There are three thousand great paths, and the way of chess is not limited to a small chessboard as it appears on the surface."

"The 361 points represent life and death, fortune and misfortune, cause and effect, and destiny..."

"Each piece represents your own choices, interests, and vision."

"Those who cultivate the Tao must understand gains and losses, know how to choose and give up, and know how to benefit themselves in order to achieve the Great Tao."

"That's too far."

After a slight smile, he picked up a white jade chess piece and placed it on a point on the chessboard.

"Chess is about spirit."

“Life depends on energy. This piece is surrounded by energy, which means it is full of vitality.”

"Like this..."

He waved his hand and took four black pieces from the chess box in front of Shen Wen'an, placing them around the white pieces.

"Once the spirit is gone, the white piece will also lose its vitality, and death awaits it."

"When strategizing, a player must always be mindful of their own survival and escape routes. At crucial moments, they must make choices, stepping back from immediate gains and losses to take a broader view of the overall situation."

……

Whether out of sheer boredom or some other hidden meaning, the old man in the straw hat began to slowly explain the basics of chess to Shen Wen'an, a complete novice.

Shen Wen'an knew that he would probably have to face this monotonous life for the next six months, so he had no choice but to study hard.

……

Yunshui City.

When Shen Chongming returned to the Blackwater Pavilion, he suddenly discovered a long-lost yet familiar figure sitting in front of his grandfather, Shen Yuan.

"father!?"

He was taken aback for a moment, then happily went to greet her.

Shen Wenxing slowly turned around, saw his son, and a broad smile appeared on his face.

"I heard from your grandfather that you went to Danzhou?"

Shen Chongming nodded and sat cross-legged on the futon on the other side of the desk.

"how?"

"You saw that mysterious powerful figure?"

Shen Yuan asked in a deep voice.

Just the day before yesterday, Shen Wen'an, who was far away in Danzhou, suddenly sent a message using a communication stone.

It is said that at the border between Danzhou and Yangnao, a mysterious powerful figure has blocked the only passage between the two places.

That powerful figure was suspected to be a Nascent Soul True Monarch, who once killed a Golden Core cultivator from the Yinhe Sect with a single finger.

The purpose of the message was to get Shen Chongming to make a trip and bring back his gains from Danzhou.

Shen Wenxing looked at his son with some confusion, then at his father, and asked, "Father, what happened?"

Shen Chongming gave a brief explanation and then took out the storage bag.

After taking everything out of the box, he found the jade slip that Shen Wen'an had mentioned.

Through the message inside the jade slip, they also learned the secret of the Soul-Slaying Sword and the other jade slips given by Huang Lingshan.

"Father, how was your seclusion this time?"

After handing everything over to his grandfather Shen Yuan, Shen Chongming couldn't wait to speak.

My father has been in seclusion for more than four years, and now his blood energy is noticeably stronger, so he must have gained a lot.

Shen Wenxing smiled faintly and said, "Your grandfather was just asking, but I hadn't had a chance to answer before you arrived."

Putting away his smile, he said seriously, "During this seclusion, my physical cultivation has reached the peak of the third realm, which should be enough to contend with immortal cultivators in the late stage of the embryonic breathing realm."

The peak of the three realms of body cultivation is roughly equivalent to the mid-to-late stage of the embryonic breathing stage for immortal cultivators.

However, unlike immortal cultivators, the strength gap between body cultivators at the same realm is often enormous.

At the same peak of the three realms, some body cultivators may only be equivalent to the early stage of the embryonic breathing stage of immortal cultivators, or even less.

Some peak-stage body cultivators of the third realm can rival those in the late stage of fetal breathing, or even those who have reached the perfection of fetal breathing.

Although Shen Wenxing had not tried it yet, he vaguely felt that his current strength should not be weaker than some cultivators in the late stage of the embryonic breathing stage.

"In addition to that, I have also mastered a secret technique."

When this secret technique was mentioned, a confident look was clearly visible on Shen Wenxing's face.

"I call this secret technique the True Blood Technique."

Seeing the doubt in his father's and son's eyes, Shen Wenxing smiled and explained, "This secret technique is actually not yet perfect."

"According to my deduction, if this secret technique can reach its complete form, it can temporarily transform itself by using the special bloodline within some demonic beasts, giving it the physique of those powerful demonic beasts, and even allowing it to use some special bloodline abilities."

When talking about his ideas for the "True Blood Technique," Shen Wenxing was visibly excited.

Unfortunately, despite his long deductions, he could only strengthen himself by utilizing the "true blood" contained in the flesh and blood of some demonic beasts.

Unable to transform himself into the true form of a demon beast as envisioned.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Yuan said, "The idea behind this technique should be fine."

"Body cultivation was originally a cultivation method created by the ancient human ancestors in order to imitate the powerful demons and divine beasts in the world."

"If you can do this, it will be considered as promoting the development of the body cultivation tradition."

"Take your time. There's no need to rush."

All beginnings are hard.

Although the physical cultivation tradition has become a systematic entity, the deeper directions of cultivation remain very vague.

Just as Lu Zhiyuan and Shen Wenyan created the "Nine Apertures of the Literary Mind" system in the past.

For nearly a century, many scholars and cultivators under the Shen family, as well as Lu Zhiyuan and Shen Chongxuan, have been continuously improving this system.

From its inception to its mastery, a lineage of knowledge requires countless individuals to dedicate themselves to its study and research in order to approach perfection.

Shen Chongming nodded and said, "The great harvest has just passed. The next ten years will be a good opportunity for the Shen family to develop."

"Do Dad and Grandpa have any good suggestions?"

Looking at the two with great interest, Shen Chongming spoke with anticipation.

However, Shen Wenxing and Shen Yuan exchanged a glance and then chuckled, "Your father and grandfather have nothing to say."

"Don't forget the rules, don't come looking for us unless it's absolutely necessary."

Shen Chongming's face instantly fell.

Shen Yuan chuckled and said, "Go ahead and do it. This is your grandfather and your father's trust in you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming smiled wryly, then cupped his hands and said, "Then I must thank you both."

After saying this, he drank the tea in front of him in one gulp, stood up and said, "Father, Grandpa, you two chat, I'll go and get back to work."

With the two smiling eyes seeing him off, Shen Chongming left Blackwater Pavilion.

As soon as he returned to the manor, he saw Shen Li walking towards him.

“Brother Chongming”.

Upon seeing him, Shen Li, dressed in a moon-white long dress, bowed respectfully, then her expression darkened as she spoke in a low voice:

"Something happened at the clan's main residence."

"Oh?"

Shen Chongming immediately said in a deep voice, "Let's talk in the side room."

The brother and sister sat down in the side room, and Shen Li spoke slowly: "The eldest son and daughter of the young patriarch of the Liu family in Xingyang have gone missing."

The eldest son and daughter of the young patriarch of the Liu family have gone missing?

"Did the Liu family report it?" Shen Chongming asked after a moment's thought.

A cold expression appeared on Shen Li's face.

"If it was reported by them, then I'm not worried."

"It just so happens that it was a disciple of the Clan Courtyard who secretly discovered it."

"Li'er specifically asked the people of the clan's main courtyard to give a heads-up, and to have each affiliated family count the number of missing persons and clansmen under their jurisdiction."

"The Liu family even chose to conceal the truth."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming narrowed his eyes slightly and gently stroked the armrest of the wooden chair.

"If I remember correctly, when Master was in charge of the clan's main hall, he also discovered that two of the Liu family's talented direct descendants had died mysteriously."

"Then the head of the Liu family also chose not to report it."

"What do they want to do?"

After pondering for a moment, Shen Li sneered, "Such tricks are probably meant to secretly preserve some bloodlines for the Liu family."

"The clan head's office is strict, but if people always abide by the clan rules, they have never wronged an innocent person."

"The Liu family's actions suggest they've been doing something behind the scenes that no one knows about."

"Brother Chongming, why don't you take some people over there and thoroughly investigate the Liu family?"

Shen Li spoke in a cold voice.

Because of her personality, she had no feelings for any of the affiliated clans outside the Shen family.

At present, there seems to be nothing seriously wrong with what the Liu family of Xingyang has done.

But in Shen Li's eyes, this strange behavior meant betrayal.

She wouldn't care about that much.

"How long will it take for that Liu family woman in the back mountain to give birth to her child?"

Shen Chongming suddenly asked.

"Chongxu's woman?"

"Li'er will send someone to ask."

Shen Chongming waved his hand and said, "There's no rush."

"In that case, have someone keep an eye on the Liu family."

"It would be best to know where they hid their people."

"If anything is found out in the future, we must deal with them, and we must not leave any future trouble."

Shen Chongming was not one to be easily swayed by sentimentality.

Cutting the weeds and leaving the roots is just asking for trouble.

Before finding out where the Liu family is hiding, it's best not to alert them.

Shen Li nodded slightly.

After leaving the side room, she pondered for a long time before finally arriving at the main courtyard of the clan.

"Go to Xingyang City and find a way to capture two Liu family disciples and feed them this stuff."

"Do not disturb the Liu family."

Inside the clan's main courtyard, Shen Li took out two scarlet pills and handed them to a cultivator from the clan's main courtyard.

After respectfully bowing, the cultivator rode the wind and flew towards Xingyang City.

……

"Girl, push harder!"

"I can see the end!"

"Work harder!"

In a small courtyard on the back hill of the Shen Family Manor, heart-wrenching screams came from inside a room.

In the courtyard, Hu Meier, dressed in a dark red fur coat and with two fluffy ears on her head, stood quietly.

"Auntie."

Shen Chongxuan, dressed in a scholar's robe, slowly walked into the courtyard and respectfully bowed to Hu Meier.

When Hu Meier turned to look at him, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

She should be giving birth soon.

"Let's wait here for now."

Shen Chongxuan nodded and stood respectfully to the side.

The two listened to the heart-wrenching screams and remained silent for a moment. Hu Meier said slowly, "I heard from your brother Ming that you have taken a fancy to a worldly woman?"

Shen Chongxuan was taken aback, and respectfully cupped his hands, saying, "To be honest, Aunt, I don't know if that woman is still alive."

The woman the vixen spoke of was none other than "Zhantai Yujing" from Lincang County.

Before the invasion of southern Xinjiang, Shen Chongming had planned to take him to visit the Zhan family in Lincang.

But before the two brothers could find the time, the King of Fushan, Wu Shi Kui, and the Heavenly Fox Demon King arrived at Yangnao Land.

After the looting, it was unknown whether the Zhan Tai family of Lincang still existed, and he had no idea whether Zhan Tai Yujing was alive or dead.

"Tell your aunt, do you have feelings for that woman?"

"If you are so inclined, go to Lincang to see for yourself. Whether you live or die, you should at least put an end to your longing."

Shen Chongxuan's expression was somewhat complicated, and for a moment he seemed unsure how to answer.

“Your father once said that one’s literary mind must be clear and insightful.”

"Feeling guilty makes it impossible to achieve a clear and insightful understanding of literature."

"It's just a matter of taking a look. Whether it's for personal desire or for cultivation, it's ultimately a good thing."

After a slight hesitation, Shen Chongxuan slowly nodded: "Thank you for your guidance, Aunt."

Hu Meier smiled calmly: "I'm already very happy that you can listen to me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud baby's cry came from inside the house.

Just then, several more figures appeared outside the courtyard.

It was Hu Yufen and Huang Lingxiu, among others.

"Mother, Sister Lingxiu."

Hu Meier bowed slightly.

Having received the "elixir energy" and acquired a wood-attribute spiritual root, and having also cultivated the "Azure Emperor's Longevity Technique," Hu Yufen now looked radiant and had an excellent complexion.

She gave Hu Meier a reproachful look and said, "You, you didn't even let anyone tell your mother and your sister-in-law."

"Although that girl is not our Shen family's legally wedded wife, she is carrying the Shen family's bloodline."

Hu Meier gently took her hand and said, "Meier knows she was wrong, Mother, please don't be angry."

Hu Yufen wasn't really angry. After scolding her, she smiled and said, "Let's go, you sisters-in-law, accompany your mother inside to take a look."

"Chongxuan, go and tell your older brother and grandfather."

Shen Chongxuan cupped his hands in greeting and left the courtyard.

Inside the room, Liu Yiran looked slightly disheveled and weak as she gazed at the child in her arms.

“Miss, it’s a young master.”

The midwife in the mansion spoke with a smile.

Liu Yiran felt a deep bitterness in her heart as she listened to the repeated calls of "girl".

Heeding his brother's urging, he offered himself up to Shen Chongxu while he was drunk, only to end up in this miserable state.

The child was born, but didn't even have a proper status.

Thinking of what she and her brother had experienced in the Liu family over the years, she couldn't help but feel even more sorry for the son in her arms.

She feared that her children, like her siblings in the Liu family, would suffer the same fate in the Shen family, where all their sacrifices would only result in contempt and unfair treatment.

"My poor child..."

As she gently stroked the baby's face in her arms, tears welled up in Liu Yiran's eyes.

"Squeak-"

Just then, the door was slowly pushed open.

Hu Yufen and the others walked in slowly.

Upon seeing this, Liu Yiran quickly stopped crying and tightened her grip on the child.

Although she didn't recognize Hu Yufen and the others, she vaguely guessed that they were there to snatch the child.

When the brother and sister were first summoned to the Shen family, she understood that the Shen family simply did not want their bloodline to flow out of the family. Keeping her confined in this small courtyard was merely to use her as a breeding tool.

Now that the child has been born, it seems that I am no longer of any use.

The more I thought about it, the more frightened I became.

Liu Yiran suddenly disregarded her pain and weakness after giving birth, struggled to get up, knelt on the bed, and pleaded, "Please, please don't take my child away."

"I... I can just be his wet nurse, as long as you let me stay by the child's side!"

This sudden turn of events left Hu Yufen and the others somewhat stunned.

Seeing this, Huang Lingxiu smiled and came over to help her up.

"Girl, you're still weak after giving birth, don't get too excited."

"Come on, lie down."

He helped Liu Yiran lie down, then looked down at the little one next to him, wanting to pick him up and show him to Hu Yufen and the others.

However, Liu Yiran hugged the child tightly, her face showing both pleading and determination.

Seeing this, Huang Lingxiu withdrew her hand, leaving Hu Yufen and the others to come closer and see.

Seeing the little one's rosy and tender appearance, Hu Yufen smiled and then said to Liu Yiran, "Girl, my Shen family will not take the child away."

"You will still live here, and you will personally take care of the child until he/she is three years old."

"However, the child cannot call you mother until you receive a formal title from the Shen family."

"Once the child is over three years old, he will be taught by a teacher or monk designated by the clan. You can visit him at any time."

Do you understand these things?

Having gone through so much, Hu Yufen is no longer the village woman she once was.

The Liu siblings' schemes against Shen Chongxu using such methods would not have been easily forgiven by any other family.

The day the child was born was the day the siblings died.

Hu Yufen simply didn't want to go to such extremes.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yiran was first taken aback, then burst into tears of joy and nodded gratefully.

That's enough for her.

"Madam, the master of the family asked me to tell you that young master Chongxu has named his youngest son Xiubai."

The door was pushed open, and a young girl came respectfully to the room, bringing the little one's name.

(End of this chapter)