Suspended in mid-air above Jiangning Prefecture were two figures, both members of the Shen Clan's Jiangning branch.
One was the branch patriarch, the other his younger brother.
The man who had not spoken was a slender, sharp-featured middle-aged scholar. His eyes gleamed with intelligence beneath his fine brows.
A thin mustache sat above his lips, and his gray-green robes were embroidered with bamboo patterns. His name was Shen Liangcai.
The one clicking his tongue and exclaiming aloud was his younger brother, named Shen Liangce.
He differed starkly in build, rotund like a dumpling, with a face so round and full that his eyes had been squeezed into mere slits. The comical contrast made him seem rather ridiculous at first glance.
Neither of the two could be considered especially powerful in terms of cultivation: Shen Liangcai was at the Sixth Level of the Tower Ascension Realm, and Shen Liangce was only at Innate Virtual Force.
This was not because the Shen Clan's main family neglected Shen Meinan, but because the decision had been made after careful deliberation.
First, if they had sent a high-profile expert from the main branch, it would draw unwanted attention and potentially provoke unnecessary trouble.
Second, the immediate priority was to ensure that Shen Meinan remained under their supervision, and the Jiangning branch was closest and most convenient for acting quickly, there was no need for elaborate arrangements.
In the mortal world, unless something extraordinary occurred, a Sixth-Level Tower Ascension realm cultivator was already a significant deterrent.
Take Fan Hailong, for example, he had tyrannized Jishao Prefecture for years, dominating the local forces, and no one dared challenge him. It was solely due to his peak Tower Ascension Realm strength.
That said, the Jiangning branch held no special status among the various branches of the Shen Clan.
In all of Cangyuan, the Shen Clan ranked among the top five cultivation clans, and especially in recent years, thanks to Shen Xingzhu, their status had soared even further.
Generally speaking, if one encountered someone surnamed Shen, one had to first consider whether they were of this clan before making a move.
Unlike sects, cultivation clans possessed strong internal cohesion and were fiercely united. Offend one member, and you offended the whole hive.
Most cultivators would rather provoke a powerful sect disciple than even a low-ranked member of a great cultivation clan.
The Jiangning branch did not excel in cultivation. Instead, much like the Wanlin Merchant Guild under the Lin family's Second Drunken Sage, they operated a Jiangning Chamber of Commerce, focused on trading in low-intelligence spirit beasts.
Whether as pets or mounts, cultivators preferred beasts with special abilities.
The Jiangning Chamber of Commerce specialized in taming and preparing these beasts for sale.
But this business was highly competitive, and the Jiangning Chamber was not a top-tier player. Naturally, they did not enjoy vast resource support from the main family.
Still, to have reached their current position, it was impossible without assistance from the Shen Clan's main branch.
Now, with a directive from the main house, Shen Liangcai had immediately put aside all business and rushed over.
What he had not expected, however, was that Chen Kuang, whom the main branch's intelligence labeled as merely a newly advanced Tower Ascension Realm cultivator, would be so terrifyingly strong.
Shen Liangce clicked his tongue and muttered:
"It's been years since the main house's intelligence has been wrong about someone."
He shook his head.
"How could this Chen Kuang possibly be at the Tower Ascension Realm..."
What Tower Ascension cultivator in the world could summon snow from thin air?
Even if it were achieved through some special means, this was no longer something one could view with the eyes of a mere Tower Ascension cultivator.
Shen Liangcai's eyes flickered, but his tone remained steady and grave:
"His true terror isn't just his cultivation, it's his mastery of the human heart!"
"Originally, the Firebrand Sect was a thousand miles away. Given Chen Kuang's situation, they were far beyond his reach. Even if he killed some Firebrand Sect disciples now, the sect would certainly seek vengeance later."
"And with such a clear 'sect-extermination grudge' driving them, the Firebrand Sect would become more united than ever before."
"With their unity and deep foundations, Chen Kuang might've created a monstrous future enemy for himself."
"But... look at how he handled it."
Shen Liangcai's eyes gleamed as he continued his analysis:
"In just a few lines, he not only redirected the Firebrand Sect's hatred onto Bai Luoyan, but also sowed discord within their ranks. He planted a seed that would germinate and grow with even the tiniest bit of moisture."
"I've done business for decades and met all kinds, schemers by the dozen, foxes in men's skin, but I've never seen someone who manipulates hearts as naturally as breathing."
"To him, the human mind, the most complicated thing in the world, is like a tamed pet resting in his palm."
"A person like this... even without high cultivation, is utterly terrifying."
"Even if he had nothing but his tongue, he could still stir up a storm in Cangyuan!"
"If I were his enemy, I'd eliminate him while he's still weak, cut the weeds, root and all!"
Shen Liangcai took a deep breath.
"The funny thing is, there are still plenty of people who look down on him, dismissing him as a momentary flash in the pan... just because of his cultivation."
Shen Liangce noticed his older brother's high praise had far surpassed admiration and begun resembling investment interest, and asked warily:
"Brother, didn't the main house instruct us to take the young miss and leave without getting involved? To only observe from a distance?"
Shen Liangcai glanced at him:
"Do you know why they said that?"
Shen Liangce replied:
"Because they didn't want to offend the Martial Saint or the Zhou Dynasty?"
Shen Liangcai shook his head:
"I used to think so too."
"But now I realize... that's the least important reason."
He lowered his voice, pausing at every word:
"The main family is afraid."
Shen Liangce's slit-like eyes actually widened in surprise:
"Afraid?!"
He nearly laughed. When had the mighty Shen Clan ever feared anyone?
Especially not someone who was supposedly just at the Tower Ascension Realm...
But then he caught himself.
Wasn't that the exact kind of prejudice his brother had just condemned?
Even though he had witnessed Chen Kuang's abilities firsthand and was already convinced inwardly, his habits and pride kept pulling him back to that flawed perspective.
He adjusted his expression awkwardly and muttered:
"But what could the main family possibly be afraid of..."
Shen Liangcai said meaningfully:
"There are many things the main family fears. But when it comes to Chen Kuang... they fear only one possibility-"
"That the world might produce another Shen Xingzhu."
At those words, Shen Liangce blurted out:
"Ah?!"
His eyes opened wide, eyelids stretching as he suddenly understood.
Yes, if there was anything the Shen Clan feared, this was it.
If Shen Xingzhu remained one of a kind, then the Shen Clan would become the foremost cultivation clan in the world, able to rival sects, stand at the apex of all families and perhaps even match the prestige of the Mysterious Divine Path Sect.
But if another Shen Xingzhu emerged?
Not only would the Shen Clan's influence be diluted, they would also face a powerful and uncertain variable.
Shen Liangcai continued:
"That is why the main family will not become his enemy..."
"But they won't help him either."
"If he dies now, all the better..."
"When clams fight, the fisherman profits. But sometimes, no gain at all is the biggest gain."
"Tsk..."
Shen Liangce gulped nervously.
He now understood exactly what his brother intended to do.
He whispered:
"But... we're still Shens, after all."
"So what?" Shen Liangcai scoffed. "These last few years, haven't the two of us been running the Jiangning Chamber of Commerce? The main family may have lent some help, but it was always just embellishing brocade, never delivering coal in the snow."
"We're poor kin from five branches removed. Do you think the main family actually gives a damn about us?"
"When trouble comes, we're expected to die for them. When glory arrives, we're never invited."
His eyes glinted coldly:
"But imagine what it means if this world really births a second Shen Xingzhu."
Shen Liangce clenched his fists:
"Of course I understand..."
"And if he ever remembers who delivered him firewood and coal in the snow..."
Shen Liangcai patted his brother's shoulder and smiled:
"Now that's my little brother. So? Shall we bet on this one? Worst case, we get expelled from the family registry."
Shen Liangce gritted his teeth:
"We bet!"
The two locked eyes, then soared down to meet Chen Kuang and the others who were docking.
At that moment, Chen Kuang was also very interested in the Myriad Tribulation Enduring Fire.
But the little flame clearly didn't want to stay with him, likely because of his earlier attempt to destroy it, which caused it to see him as the "bad guy."
Only because the water Wen Si summoned carried his Dao could it contain the flame at all.
But this little thing had quite the temper, ramming around inside the watery prison, trying to escape.
Seeing this, Wen Si flipped his hand and took out a gourd.
"Back in the day, when I was still the Dragon King of the Eastern Court Lake, a passing Daoist gave me this."
He sighed.
"That man was carefree and righteous, a true chivalrous cultivator. But he made too many enemies and was soon slain by scheming foes."
"This gourd was one of his few mystical Spiritual Treasures. It possesses sealing powers."
"Back then, bound by my oath, I refused to go ashore or take human form. He thought I was just a little fish demon who couldn't transform."
"He gave me the gourd so I could trade it for pills and cultivate."
"It wasn't much use to me, but now, I'll give it to you."
"Use it to contain the Myriad Tribulation Enduring Fire, it won't disgrace the gourd."
Chen Kuang received the gourd, it had a curving, graceful shape, it was exceedingly unusual in design.
But what truly shocked him was that a sharp and refined Sword Intent emanated from the gourd!
This intent was pure and transparent, without the slightest hint of killing aura. Rather, it gave off a boundless, unrestrained sensation of freedom.
Now that Chen Kuang had stepped firmly into the path of swordsmanship, and with the passive ability "Sword Heart", his understanding of the sword was no longer what it used to be.
He could clearly perceive the profound mastery embedded within this strand of Sword Intent.
It seemed the previous owner of this gourd was not merely the kind-hearted person Wen Si had described, but also an immensely powerful sword cultivator.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Chen Kuang accepted the gourd. The moment he touched it, he instinctively understood how to use it.
He silently recited:
"Though this gourd be small, it holds the world within; may it accompany me across ten thousand miles.
It hides ghosts and gods from all eyes, yet within contains all of heaven and earth."
As soon as the words left his mind, the gourd trembled, flashed with golden light, and instantly sucked in the entire mass of river water along with the flame inside.
The originally dull yellow gourd instantly turned crimson red, with fire-patterns appearing on its surface. It trembled twice before settling down again, though its outer appearance did not revert.
Chen Kuang clipped the now "reskinned" gourd to his waist and couldn't help sighing internally:
Having powerful backers really is a blessing, when you can hug the thigh of a true powerhouse, even their casual gifts are treasures rare to the world.
It was just a pity that Xi Mengquan's true intentions remained unclear, so his full trust could not yet be granted.
Splash...
Wen Si paddled the small boat toward the shore, and it gradually came to a stop against the burnt earth of the riverbank.
Chen Kuang was the first to step ashore. Then, turning to Shen Meinan, who was peeking out from the cabin, he reached out his hand.
"Come on. Your family's come to pick you up."
He referred, of course, to the two distant figures descending toward them, Shen Liangcai and Shen Liangce, the brothers from the Jiangning Shen Clan branch.
Shen Liangcai stepped forward and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:
"Shen Liangcai, of the Jiangning branch of the Shen Clan, here to escort the young miss home."
"The young miss may rest for two days in Jiangning. We've arranged for a spirit beast caravan to take her safely to the main family estate."
Shen Meinan bit her lip, clearly reluctant, as she walked over while holding Chen Kuang's hand.
She looked warily at the two unfamiliar "brothers" and whispered:
"I don't want to go... I could stay with you."
Chen Kuang sighed helplessly and cast a glance at the Shen brothers. They wisely averted their eyes, stepping back with tact.
And not just a symbolic step back. They physically retreated thirty li, enacting the literal version of the idiom "retreating to avoid conflict."
After all, if they saw something they weren't supposed to, even being Shen Clan members might not be enough to save them...
Chen Kuang extended his pinky finger, grinning:
"Pinky promise. When I have time, I'll come visit you at the Shen estate."
But Shen Meinan had grown wiser. She didn't take the bait that easily,instead, she pouted and asked seriously:
"When will you have time?"
Chen Kuang thought silently: If I survive another five years, I might finally have some time...
By then, even Shen Xingzhu might not be able to stop him.
He coughed lightly and said:
"Three years."
Three years. That was the time he figured it would take to reach the Garan Temple in the Pure Land and assume the fake identity of the Holy Child.
If he failed that, he'd have no hope of challenging the Eastern Emperor five years from now, and he'd be dead..
It wasn't too long, nor too short. Just enough time for a young girl in the first bloom of love to figure out her own heart.
Or... to forget someone entirely.
Shen Meinan frowned at first, it seemed like three years was too long, but quickly relaxed. At least he was still willing to sincerely promise.
Despite being a slick-tongued schemer, he had never truly broken a promise.
The girl raised her pinky, hooked it around Chen Kuang's:
"Then it's settled. Three years!"
Chen Kuang nodded:
"It's settled."
He let go gently and said with warmth:
"Go now."
Just as he turned to call the two Shen Clan brothers over, Shen Meinan suddenly grabbed his hand again, tugging him back.
"Wait!"
The girl's expression turned evasive, she blushed as she mumbled:
"There's one more thing I need to tell you..."
Chen Kuang turned back with a lifted brow:
"What's so important?"
Shen Meinan, visibly nervous, rose onto her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and with eyes shut tight, pushed herself forward..
"Bonk!"
Her forehead smashed directly into his nose.
Logically speaking, it should have been Chen Kuang who got hurt.
But his current physique far surpassed a typical Tower Ascension realm cultivator's, so Instead, Shen Meinan cried out as her forehead turned bright red, tears immediately springing to her eyes.
She stumbled back, clutching her now reddened forehead in pain:
"Owww... Why are you so hard...?"
Chen Kuang was stunned for a moment but then burst into laughter.
Shen Meinan had been trying to pull a sneak attack and steal a kiss, only to botch it herself and now be laughed at by Chen Kuang.
Her heart aching and humiliated, she began to sob, tears falling nonstop.
She scolded herself inwardly for being so useless, how could she even screw up something this simple?
Suddenly, a pair of hands gently cupped her cheeks, wiping away her tears.
And before she could react, the young man leaned down, and a soft, wet touch brushed lightly across her lips.
Far off in the skies above, a woman in black robes and sheer gauze, aloof and distant, suddenly halted mid-flight.
She raised a hand to her lips under the gauze..
Then, her eyes turned ice-cold, sharp enough to kill across a thousand miles with just that murderous glare. At her hip, her longsword gave a shrill, vibrating hum.
A nearby mountain tilted violently to the side.. and was split clean in two with a thunderous crash!
"Chen Kuang... You said you wouldn't.. and yet you went back on your words.. What kind of gentleman are you?!"