"We're picking up Shen Yiren's mother from their friends, then we will cultivate in the Clan Chief's Manor.
"Right?"
Shen Jixian asked, clenching the handle of his bow.
His breath caught, but his resolve held.
His wounds throbbed, but he wouldn't let any pain hold him back.
It was his oath.
Shen Liqian nodded.
"Yes.
"We don't have much time before Shen Junce advances to the Clan Chief's Manor.
"Let's wrap this up and start cultivating!"
Just like Shen Jixian and Shen Yiren, Shen Liqian was excited for the impending cultivation session.
He'd cultivate with his vassals and perhaps turn it into a mini-tournament to see who could absorb more Qi.
Given Shen Yiren's Spiritual Roots, he was the obvious winner, but Shen Liqian's Sword-shaped Spiritual Root could give him a run for his money.
Knowing Shen Jixian's personality, this small tournament wouldn't diminish his confidence; instead, it would give him hope for a better future.
The trio went through the village thoroughfare and stopped by another hut-like house.
An old woman opened the door.
Shen Yiren's lips curved into a slight smile upon seeing her.
The smile felt unfamiliar on his face.
It was rare for him to smile this way, so Shen Liqian knew he held this aunt in high regard.
"I've come for my mother.
"Thank you for taking care of her for this short time.
"I will never forget this favor."
The old woman smiled.
"You don't have to thank us.
"Come in, you three.
"It appears we have to talk a little bit."
Inside, a woman whose eyes were a warmer echo of Shen Yiren's stood and walked to him.
She clutched her robes and blankets as she stared at him.
"Ren'er? Has something happened?"
Her knuckles tightened around the blankets.
Before replying, Shen Yiren took off his fur jacket and draped it over his mother.
"We'll live somewhere else.
Her shoulders eased a fraction.
"I know you're worried I'll recklessly go into the forest alone to hunt for food, so I'm taking us somewhere we can work for food instead of selfishly leaning on others' kindness."
Shen Liqian chuckled.
You wanted to go to the wilderness alone, so she read you right.
He was glad she still knew her son.
Shen Yiren's mother smiled.
"Really?"
She hated that she had little to do in their friends' house and felt she was only imposing on them.
In her current state, she couldn't do much.
So much had worn her down that it was a miracle she hadn't developed a Heart Demon to drive her insane.
Her husband's obsession and his hurting her son could have driven her truly mad.
Shen Yiren nodded.
He then turned to his family's friends and bowed, thanking them from the bottom of his heart.
Shen Liqian stepped forward.
"On behalf of Shen Yiren, I would also like to thank you."
Shen Yiren furtively glanced at Shen Liqian and closed his only eye.
He felt his respect and affection for his Lord deepen.
Shen Jixian felt the same, deepening his bond with Shen Yiren.
The old couple and Shen Yiren's mother still had no idea why Shen Liqian and Shen Jixian were with Shen Yiren.
Still, she believed in her son more than anyone else in this world.
And with that, Shen Yiren took his mother back to the Clan Chief's Manor.
———
"I haven't seen you in such a long time, Wenwan!"
Shen Lexi opened the door to the manor and brightly welcomed the group back.
She then turned to Shen Yiren's mother and took her hand, leading her straight to the place where women could gossip to their hearts' content.
"Yes, Lexi.
"Good to see you doing well."
Shen Wenwan replied.
With that, the two slipped into their own world.
Shen Liqian was left with his two friends and was ready to help them cultivate.
Out of thin air, Zhiyin appeared.
It turned out she could appear and disappear at will.
She didn't have to be the Cultivation Purrse.
That said, Shen Liqian liked to carry her around and would continue doing so until she puffed away.
"Come with me to the Training Hall."
Shen Liqian said.
The eastern-style doors of the Training Hall stood open, revealing the winter vista and the mountains.
Shen Liqian told his friends to wait for him here.
His friends settled into lotus positions and started cultivating to keep themselves warm.
Shen Jixian also applied medicine to his hands, so he needed more Qi to heal faster.
Shen Yiren knew about it and moderated his cultivation so as not to disturb his new friend's healing.
Once Shen Liqian returned, he sat in front of them and placed two books on the floor.
The books were thin, but their fur-bound covers of an unknown black pelt made them seem ancient.
Their pages weren't yellow but silver, with ink that seemed fresh.
They were cultivation manuals passed down for generations, all kept in the Clan Chief's Manor.
He didn't need the books to know which methods his vassals cultivated, but he took a page from Zhiyin and chose not to reveal the extent of his system's abilities.
"Let me confirm.
"Shen Yiren—Spear Fang Cultivation Manual.
"Shen Jixian—Archer Hawk Cultivation Manual."
Both nodded at his words.
At Shen Liqian's side, Zhiyin mewled.
"I'm aware of the flaws within those cultivation manuals and am ready to imprint the corrected versions into their Seas of Consciousness."
Shen Liqian gave her a curt nod.
"I will now imprint proper cultivation methods for you.
"Close your eyes and focus on comprehending them."
Shen Yiren and Shen Jixian closed their eyes and sealed their senses, focusing only on their cultivation.
Zhiyin mewled and looked at Shen Yiren first.
A moment later, Shen Yiren received the proper cultivation method.
He shivered and began comprehending it, his lips unconsciously curving up as he realized how much he had been missing.
The same happened to Shen Jixian.
However, he was smiling from ear to ear, happy to cultivate something that gave him hope.
"Shen Jixian.
"I want you to sever your cultivation and start anew.
"Shape each Spiritual Root into an arrow and pierce your Dantian with each of them.
"As for Shen Yiren, it's too dangerous to sever Fifth Stage of Qi Attunement for now.
"So let's see your true potential and how far you can cultivate with the proper method!"
Shen Yiren and Shen Jixian nodded.
An exciting time began for all three as Qi danced around them in such erratic and abundant waves that Shen Lijian had to peek in at the youngsters to see what they were doing.
Once he saw them sitting properly in cultivation, he grew jealous.
"Qian'er, I want you to enlighten me too!"