The wheel spun.
Hearing the ticking could become addictive.
It could become a Heart Demon if he fixated on it, but Shen Liqian knew he had people around him who would notice if something was wrong with him.
Zhiyin also kept an eye on him.
Various higher-quality item icons rolled past the arrow that determined which item Shen Liqian would obtain.
At last, it stopped on a pouch icon.
It's a resource.
Shen Liqian didn't wait; he immediately took the item out of his system.
It appeared in a ribbon of light and gently landed on his palm.
The pouch didn't weigh much, but he could tell there was something inside.
He looked at the description.
[Seeds of Frostheart Snowcup(Spirit)]
Shen Liqian: (＝⊙＿⊙＝)
He didn't even know what the Frostheart Snowcup was, let alone where and how to cultivate those plants.
His only clue was that "frost" likely meant he could cultivate them in the harsh winter his clan was battling.
"Zhiyin…"
His cat mewled and rose from her nap with proud, measured steps.
She turned around and sat down, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Need a paw?" Zhiyin asked.
Shen Liqian smiled softly.
"Yes, please.
"I have no clue about those seeds."
Zhiyin mewled.
"I'll start at the beginning.
"Those seeds have been nurtured for around a hundred years, hence their grade.
"Frostheart Snowcup is a flower that can grow in winter and in bitterly cold environments.
"With the right root handling, and depending on how harsh the winter is, any cultivator can bring this flower to full bloom in less than a month.
"I am well aware of how to handle them, of course.
"Each part of Frostheart Snowcup is edible and highly beneficial to cultivators."
Shen Liqian stared at his cat as though she were a transcendent angel descended from the heavens.
Zhiyin lifted her chin upon seeing his stare.
"You're so excited about those seeds that you've forgotten about your own reward.
"That's so adorable of you."
Shen Liqian grinned, not feeling ashamed.
"I can help so many of our friends with these seeds, so that's why I'm excited.
"I would like to learn more about them and then start body cultivation.
"Do you mind?"
Zhiyin shook her head.
"It's your decision.
"Even commoners can cultivate these seeds, so you can leave that to your Father, Mother, and Shen Yiren's mother while the three of you focus on honing yourselves."
Shen Liqian clenched his hands.
"That's such a great idea!
"Please, teach me more about them!"
Zhiyin mewled and slipped into full teacher mode, unable to even tease Shen Liqian, whose determination pleased her heart.
———
Shen Liqian gathered his vassals in the Training Hall.
Both stood up straight and looked at Shen Liqian as if they wanted to speak.
He motioned for them to wait.
"First of all, congratulations on your breakthroughs, guys!"
Shen Liqian smiled.
He'd already congratulated Shen Jixian privately, since he was the first to reach a breakthrough, but now that both had come here, he officially congratulated them.
Shen Yiren and Shen Jixian cupped their fists and bowed in respect.
"Thank you, Lord!" both replied in unison.
As they called him Lord, Shen Liqian flinched and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
He'd called them "guys" just now, yet they went ahead and called him Lord.
He'd organized the official meeting, yet he couldn't keep up the formality.
I must learn to handle myself better.
Shen Yiren went a step further and dropped to one knee, his other hand gripping his spear.
"Under the heavens, I will never dare to call myself a talent or prodigy.
"I, however, will never shy away from declaring myself Shen Liqian's vassal and spear!"
He must have felt the vast difference between their cultivation methods and the spear intent that Shen Liqian had mentioned.
Even so, Shen Yiren had already cultivated some of that intent, as he had planned to live and die by the spear from an early age.
He just needed someone to unlock him.
And that someone was Shen Liqian.
Shen Jixian followed suit.
"The same goes for me!
"I want our Lord-and-servant relationship to be mutually beneficial and never leech off your talent, Lord!"
Shen Liqian was once again stunned by these two.
Beside him, Zhiyin mewled happily.
These two turned out to be better vassals than she had imagined.
Once Shen Liqian regained his composure, he raised his hands, mimicking his father from a few days ago.
"I am honored to have you both respect me and go along with my choices.
"I will strive to never betray your trust and opinion of me.
"At the same time, I want to make it clear that we are more than Lord and servants.
"You're also my friends.
"So let's drop this official mood and have an honest talk!"
Shen Liqian grinned, and, slowly, so did Shen Yiren and Shen Jixian.
It was then that Shen Lijian clapped his hands.
He, his wife, and Shen Yiren's mother had been called to the Training Hall as well and arrived in time to hear the vassals' oaths.
"You two have reached breakthroughs in such an astounding time that I wouldn't be surprised to see you acting arrogantly," Shen Lijian said.
"But none of that has crossed your hearts, and instead you paid your respects to your Lord.
"As Shen Liqian's father, I couldn't be more relieved to leave him to you two."
Those words came from the current Clan Chief at the Ninth Stage of the Qi Attunement Realm!
Shen Yiren and Shen Jixian nodded to the Clan Chief.
"You can count on us."
Shen Lijian smiled.
"Now, we can finally drop the pleasantries and official decorum."
Behind him, his wife was all smiles, while Shen Wenwan proudly looked at her son, who had found a great home and future path.
Shen Liqian chuckled.
"Yes.
"Let's sit down."
Everyone made a circle and sat down in lotus positions.
It was quite cold even with the Training Hall's doors closed, but the ladies had warm blankets and the men could endure it well.
Shen Liqian took a small pouch from his pocket and put it in the middle of the circle.
"Those are seeds of Frostheart Snowcup.
"It's a resource that will greatly help us and our clan.
"I would like for Father, Mother, and Senior Wenwan to help me cultivate those flowers.
"The method is simple, but it requires a cultivator to remain near the seeds.
"It means spending hours outside."
Shen Yiren looked at his mother, his gaze telling her that she didn't have to push herself.
Shen Lexi was as excited as her son.
The idea of cultivating flowers and benefiting the entire clan touched her heart.
"There's no need to involve the ladies in this," Shen Lijian said first.
"I alone am enough to cultivate all those seeds.
"Lately I've cultivated so much that my Meridians ache with excess Qi, and I need to spend it.
"I have been patrolling more than cultivating recently."
Shen Wenwan leaned forward and drew everyone's attention.
"I want to help.
"Please, let me help!
"Clan Chief's Meridians hurt in the first place because his Dantian is crippled, and that is the fault of my inconsiderate husband.
"I want to help lift the burden and benefit all of you!"
Shen Lexi took Shen Wenwan's hand and sided with her.
In this case, Shen Lijian and Shen Liqian had nothing to say.
Shen Yiren also couldn't oppose his mother's wish.
"Of course, Senior Wenwan.
"Thank you for helping us.
"I will now imprint a simple method into your seas of consciousness, so please focus for now."
Shen Liqian did as he said.
From that day on, the three adults began tending the flowers, the first addition to the empty, dull grounds of the Clan Chief's Manor.
The first of many more to come!
Zhiyin then mewled.
"Ready to discuss your body cultivation?"
Shen Liqian nodded.
"Of course!"