"He told me that he had once intended to possess Shi Feng, but changed his mind after observing his potential and character. He also gave me all of his Martial Technique that he failed to pass and urged me to bring it back to the Shi Clan."Xiao Wei explained.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Old Yang's lips trembled slightly.
"That... that truly sounds like Brother Ming. Even as a soul, his heart was loyal to the clan."Old Yang murmured.
Shi Feng's eyes flickered with a strange emotion—a mix of surprise, guilt for not able to see his ancestor and a hint of admiration for Xiao Wei to return the clan Martial Techniques. Shi Lu looked at Xiao Wei with newfound interest, while Shi Long remained still.
Then Old Yang shifted in his seat.
"Xiao Wei, can you show me the bow you used before in th match?"Old Yang asked.
Without hesitation, Xiao Wei reached into his Storage Ring and pulled out the old wooden bow.
Old Yang's hands trembled slightly as he took the bow into his palms. His fingers gently brushed along the worn wood, as if remembering something long buried.
"I miss you, Brother Ming"Old Yang whispered, his voice cracked with emotion.
He stared at the bow for a while before raising his gaze back to Xiao Wei.
"Can you give me this bow?"Old Yang asked gently, almost pleadingly.
Shi Long and Shi Lu exchanged subtle glances, their eyes momentarily flicking toward the old wooden bow now resting in Old Yang's hands.
For a moment, it looked like they were about to speak up, to request that the bow be returned to their clan. However, the chance slipped away when Old Yang, a Martial Ancestor Realm Cultivator, had already spoken for it. Both Shi Lu and Shi Long held their tongues. Though disappointment flickered in their eyes, there was no anger or resentment. Old Yang was respected beyond measure, and if he desired the bow, it was not their place to object.
"I can give you Spiritual Stones for that bow"Old Yang offered, his voice gentle, trying not to pressure the youth before him.
He held the wooden weapon with a wistful reverence, eyes misting over with memories of a friend long gone.
But just as Xiao Wei opened his mouth to respond, Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
'Brat, don't let him get this bow. That bow is like my second partner. If he gets it, he'll smile at it every day thinking about how I died before him. I can't have that'
Shadow Ming snorted inside his mind.
Suppressing a grin at the ghost's curmudgeonly tone, Xiao Wei's gaze turned serious. He folded his hands respectfully toward Old Yang.
"Senior Yang, I apologize, but I cannot give you the bow. Shi Ming told me that if I ever learned archery, I should use that bow myself, as it was his will."Xiao Wei said calmly, his voice steady yet respectful.
Old Yang looked slightly surprised, his brows lifting.
"He said that?"Old Yang asked.
Xiao Wei nodded.
"Yes. He also warned me that a person name Yang Fei would try to take it, but no matter what don't give this to anyone."Xiao Wei said.
A moment of stunned silence fell over the room, and then, to everyone's surprise, Old Yang chuckled softly.
"That sounds like Brother Ming, alright. Always one step ahead, even in death."Old Yang muttered.
Shi Lu and Shi Long no longer had any intentions of claiming the bow. If what Xiao Wei said was true—and judging by Old Yang's reaction, it was—then the weapon had already been entrusted.
Xiao Wei bowed again, this time deeper.
"But I can offer something else to the Shi Clan in return."Xiao Wei said.
The atmosphere shifted. Everyone, including Old Yang, looked at him curiously.
"What is it?"Shi Lu asked.
Xiao Wei didn't respond with words immediately. Instead, he reached into his Storae Ring, concentrating for a moment. A gentle flash of light escaped from the ring, and then, to everyone's astonishment, a body appeared on the ground.
It was Shi Ming body.
His lifeless body, perfectly preserved and still dressed in remnants of battle-worn robes, lay respectfully before them.
Shi Lu and Shi Long fell to there knees without hesitation, followed by Shi Feng. Together, they bowed deeply to the remains of their ancestor, their foreheads touching the cold ground.
Old Yang's eyes glistened. For a few moments, no one spoke. Silence reigned—the silence of reverence, of remembrance.
When Shi Lu finally rose, his voice was hoarse with emotion.
"This... where did you find him?"Shi Lu asked.
"He was buried beneath the stone platform, beneath the very spot where Senior Shi Feng discovered the bow. The soul of Shi Ming led me there."Xiao Wei explained.
Shi Long turned to Xiao Wei, his eyes brimming with gratitude.
"Xiao Wei, thank you. You have done a great service to our clan by returning my father's body. Now, we can finally give him a proper burial, and he can rest in peace."Shi Long said.
Just then, Shadow Ming's grumbling voice echoed again in Xiao Wei's mind.
'Rest in peace, my foot! I'm still alive and stuck serving this brat. Fighting, hiding, and doing everything short of dancing!'
Xiao Wei wanted to laughed but managed to contain it, only allowing a faint smile to surface.
"It was Shi Ming's final wish"Xiao Wei said simply.
Everyone in the room exchanged glances when Xiao Wei referred to Shi Ming by name, rather than with reverence or a title befitting someone of such status. While it may have come off as disrespectful to some, no one voiced any discontent. After all, Xiao Wei had already done more than enough for the Shi Clan. He had returned the remains of their long-lost hero and passed down the Rat Trap Arrow Formation Martial Technique. His actions far outweighed any perceived lack of decorum in his speech.
Xiao Wei, sitting cross-legged with a calm expression, glanced around the quiet room before speaking again.
"Later, give me some empty manuals. I want to write down the Martial Techniques Shi Ming taught me. I'm not an archer, so they're wasted on me right now"Xiao Wei said nonchalantly, as though offering simple guidance.
Though the words were casually spoken, everyone present knew their value. Martial Techniques passed down by someone like Shi Ming were treasures, and Xiao Wei was willingly sharing them. Shi Lu, his face solemn, nodded respectfully.
"We'll prepare the manuals and a room for you to stay in. You've done the Shi Clan a great service"Shi Lu said.
A short time later, they emerged from the secret room. The sky had darkened into early evening, and the lanterns in the Shi Clan estate began to flicker to life.
As they stepped outside, Old Yang turned toward Xiao Wei, his usually stern face showing a trace of warmth.
"If you ever have the desire to join a sect, you may come to Mystic Mountain and look for me"Old Yang said.
With those parting words, he departed from the Shi Clan along with Mo Chen and Chen Xiao, his disciples.
Shi Lu personally led Xiao Wei to a guest courtyard deep within the estate. The room was spacious, filled with everything a Cultivator might need.
"We'll deliver the empty manuals by tonight. Rest well, and if you need anything, just let the servants know"Shi Lu said before leaving.
Xiao Wei gave a small nod and entered the room. That night, under the flickering glow of spirit lamps, he sat down to fulfill his promise. For the next full day, he wrote tirelessly, recording every detail of the Martial Techniques Shadow Ming intended to pass on.
By the end of it, he had completed twelve full manuals. Most of the techniques were archery-related, ranging from foundational High Tier Mortal Grade Techniques to more advanced ones. Among them the highest was a Low Tier Profound Grade Martial Technique. Though Xiao Wei couldn't make use of it, the Shi Clan would treasure it as a legacy from Shi Ming.
Yet among all the techniques, one stood out to Xiao Wei—Serpent Eye's. It was a High Tier Human Grade Martial Technique that allowed the Cultivator to infuse their eyes with Spiritual Energy. It not only granted enhanced vision over great distances but also revealed hidden traps, formations, and even concealed enemies.
"Perfect for scouting"Xiao Wei mused to himself, filing away the thought for the future.
After delivering the twelve manuals to Shi Lu the following morning, he returned to his room. Sitting cross-legged on the mat, he entered a state of Cultivation. His Spiritual Energy was dense, refined, and steady. After the battles, he had finally reached the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Apprentice Realm.
He could feel it—he was right on the edge of stepping into the Martial Master Realm.