Wild cultivation begins with wielding the Taiyin talisman.

When Ning Che arrived at the street, it was just dawn, and a luxurious carriage was parked by the roadside.

The carriages weren't adorned with overly ostentatious decorations, but the wheels, bearings, and even the edges of the curtains clearly indicated their considerable value. Moreover, all three carriages were quite large, and the four horses pulling them were exceptionally huge, with light blue markings on their bodies.

There were four demons!

Ning Che had long known that the Shi family was exceptionally wealthy and had even investigated cases within their compound. However, firstly, he was too busy with the investigation last time to examine the property closely, and secondly, being from the countryside, he didn't know the value of some of the items he saw.

Having seen these six magnificent horses today, the Shi family's wealth finally aligned with his existing understanding.

Just as he stopped to observe, a middle-aged man stepped down from the carriage.

He wore a blue long robe with a jade pendant at his waist, and his features bore a slight resemblance to Shi Xiujuan's. However, while Shi Xiujuan's eyes were often clouded, this man's eyes shone with exceptional shrewdness.

He didn't explain his purpose, but greeted Ning Che with a touch of intimacy: "Shi Xing, I am Shi Cheng'an from the second branch of the Shi family. In a way, I am your great-uncle."

"The patriarch heard that you were injured in your right arm and specifically instructed me to bring you some spiritual medicine. I also brought twenty spirit stones as a token of the family's sincerity."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands, and immediately two equally elegantly dressed young men brought over two trays.

Ning Che couldn't really distinguish between the younger generation and the servants of the Shi family, but those who could come here should be servants.

Although it's unknown what kind of spiritual herb the Shi family brought, its comparison to twenty spirit stones clearly indicates its immense value. The Shi family's willingness to offer so much remains a mystery; what do they seek in return?

Ning Che didn't want to know either.

Even before he began his cultivation, he had already resolved not to be controlled by the Shi family, so he had even less reason to agree now.

Ning Che didn't answer, and said coldly, "You've called the wrong person. There's no Shi Xing here."

The two servants carrying the items both paled upon hearing this; one was angry, and the other was surprised.

But Shi Cheng'an, upon hearing such an embarrassing remark, was not angry. Instead, he cupped his hands in a gesture of humility and said gently:

"Whether it's Ning Che or Shi Xing, your bloodline won't change. You have the blood of the Shi family flowing in your veins, that's a fact."

This is indeed true, but Ning Che doesn't think that a little bloodline can prove anything.

He did not refute it, but simply activated his Six Ears Listening to the Moon slightly.

Shi Cheng'an continued, "There were misunderstandings in the past. Your mother left home to become a shaman as a result of her struggle with the Yan family. The clan also had its own difficulties and enemies. Now that the eldest branch of the family knows about your situation in Feihu City, they specifically sent me to bring you back."

Ning Che asked, "Pick me up?"

"Recognizing one's ancestors and returning to one's roots."

Shi Cheng'an took out a folded piece of paper from his sleeve.

"Look, a place has been made for you in the family tree. As long as you nod, from today onwards, you will be a direct descendant of the Shi family's eldest branch, and have the opportunity to inherit the family's second young master in the future. You will change your surname back to Shi Xing."

Ning Che did not answer.

Zhao He, standing to the side, listened with his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.

The direct descendants of the Shi family.

In many people's eyes, these four words are more valuable than a chest of gold, akin to instant wealth. With this status, one can gain respect in every aspect of life, from entering the city to doing business, becoming an apprentice, buying medicine, and seeking employment.

But Ning Che remained unmoved, instead pressing further: "That's not what you said back then, and besides, where is my mother?"

Shi Cheng settled down for a moment.

"Your mother can naturally return to her clan."

"What are you going back for?"

"The clan will provide her with a courtyard, and she will have no worries about food and clothing."

Ning Che asked, "Who will apologize to her?"

Shi Cheng'an's smile faded slightly.

A guard behind him, who was watching the horse, frowned: "Boy, the Second Master personally came to invite you; he's giving you a lot of face."

Ning Che looked at the guard.

The guard instinctively took a half step back.

After he finished retreating, he was stunned. His face turned red, and he gripped the hilt of the knife tightly, but dared not pull it out.

He sensed a murderous aura, as if he were being watched by some ferocious beast. He wanted to fight back because he had lost face, but he was also afraid that if he did, he would lose more than just face.

Shi Cheng'an raised his hand to stop the guard: "It's normal for a young man to have some grievances. Why are you in such a hurry?"

After stopping the guards, he looked at Ning Che and softened his tone.

"The clan can compensate you for your mother's matter. The clan can also compensate you for the suffering you've endured over the years. The Shi family will find a way to provide medicine, cultivation techniques, money, and even your arm."

Please believe in the Shi family's sincerity. At least, the family head and I do not intend to abandon any member. However, the Shi family is not strong enough yet. If we do not select the best of the best and provide each clansman with the spiritual items needed to embark on their cultivation path, it will be enough to bring the Shi family down.

You're a smart person, and I believe you can understand. These current measures are merely a necessary expedient.

If the Shi family could produce a truly powerful cultivator, everything would change. Every member of the Shi family could have the opportunity to cultivate, leaving no regrets. This is my and the family head's wish.

As he spoke, he took out a stack of silver notes: "Oh right, and these too. Although the mountain guard's treatment isn't bad, you're still young and have many expenses. Having these will make things easier."

The conditions sounded very sincere, and they seemed genuine. At least, with my keen observation skills, I didn't notice any flaws.

But Ning Che still didn't answer. He continued, "What if I don't want to be surnamed Shi, and I don't want to work for the Shi family?"

Shi Cheng'an answered without hesitation: "Then we will give you these things too. Just like I said, it's our sincerity, nothing more."

Ning Che looked at the thick stack of silver notes in Shi Cheng'an's hand, then glanced at the spiritual herbs and spirit stones gleaming on the tray, his face remaining completely calm.

He roughly understood the Shi family's intentions.

Although joining the mountain guards was not his original intention, it did provide him with sufficient protection in the face of local tyrants like the Shi family.

Now that Yu Congrong has openly endorsed him, the Shi family's attempt to suppress him is essentially suicidal. Therefore, as a century-old family that hasn't lost its mind, they made the right choice.

Bow down to him and try your best to repair the relationship.

The reason they're apologizing and sending gifts now isn't because of some sudden pang of conscience. It's because they're desperate and want to buy a reconciliation, to get Ning Che to back down, so as not to become a major enemy of the Shi family in the future.

He learned more and more about the Shi family, but this once-powerful and imposing family seemed shrouded in an even deeper fog. There were scoundrels like Shi Mingxuan, and also...guardians of the mountain like Shi Bingzhu.

Who exactly is this Shi Cheng'an?

Perhaps what once hung over his head, only upon closer inspection, revealed that it was never a whole thing. It was fragmented because of its immense size, yet it was forced to come together, forming a complex and indescribable whole.

After a slightly long pause, Ning Che spoke under everyone's gaze.