...
Time passed.
The second year.
Huang Wangyou finally started attempting to break into the Foundation Establishment Realm.
The result was not surprising—she failed!
Her mindset, however, was quite positive.
She never really aspired to Foundation Establishment.
If it weren't for Chen Sheng constantly pushing her, she would have given up long ago.
Now that she failed,
Huang Wangyou lay on the bed, instead showing a sly smile:
"At last, I don't have to cultivate every day!"
Chen Sheng chuckled gently, holding her hand:
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
...
Time fleeted away.
Another cycle of seasons passed by.
The flowering period of the old peach tree in the courtyard seemed slightly shorter.
The withering pink petals also carried a hint of irretrievable twilight.
Huang Yueyang also arrived at the brink of his life's end.
This autumn's end.
He lay on the bed, breathing his last.
He passed at the age of ninety-eight!
He left this world with serenity.
In the final days of his life, his beloved apprentice-grandchild 'Qin Yuan' stayed by his side.
Qin Yuan even demonstrated his mastery of the Fire Control Skill in front of him, showcasing his ability with thousands of fire threads.
This achievement completely surpassed those before him.
The old master laughed heartily.
On his deathbed,
Huang Yueyang handed a Jade Scroll to Chen Sheng, containing all his years of research on incomplete formulas:
"Pass it down."
Chen Sheng looked saddened:
"Father-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely pass these things down."
The mourning hall was set up in the front hall.
White banners hung low, smoke swirling around.
Huang Wangyou knelt before the spirit, weeping silently, her tears soaking through her plain clothes.
Her mother died young.
Her father raised her single-handedly.
Now she was without a father.
Chen Sheng stayed by her side, gently holding her and comforting her.
This blow was quite significant for Huang Wangyou.
She took two months to recover.
...
Time slipped away quietly.
Following Huang Yueyang's passing.
Chen Sheng began to take over the cultivation of the younger generation at home.
In the Martial Arts Arena.
"Watch closely!"
Chen Sheng flicked his finger.
A fire serpent over a yard long suddenly shot out, its scales shimmering with a lava-like crimson glow under the sun.
Wherever it passed, the air twisted with heat, and the ground's blue bricks instantly cracked in a spiderweb pattern.
The fire serpent emitted a deafening hiss, crashing onto the Profound Iron statue ten yards away.
In an instant, a blinding firelight burst out.
Several young ones immediately gasped in awe, clapping their hands together.
"Grandfather is amazing!"
"Truly amazing!"
Seeing he had captured the attention of these little ones, Chen Sheng smiled.
Only then did he begin explaining the most basic 'Fire-igniting Skill.'
And then asked them to give it a try!
"Grandfather, I did it!"
Tang Wenya shouted loudly, a flickering flame manifesting at her fingertips.
Chen Sheng smiled gently, encouraging her:
"Not bad, keep it up!"
All these little ones had Lower Grade Spiritual Roots.
Their innate talents weren't much different!
But in other aspects, the differences were like day and night.
At this moment, Chen Sheng silently noted the strengths of these little ones.
To teach according to their aptitude in the future.
After half an hour.
Everyone had learned this basic magic.
"Begin Qi Cultivation!"
Following the appearance of his father-in-law.
Chen Sheng held the ruler, overseeing them.
A few little ones immediately showed some unwillingness.
Apparently, they also found it hard to sit still.
But for fear of the ruler in Chen Sheng's hand.
They could only sit obediently on their cushions, beginning their Qi Cultivation practice for the day.
An hour later.
Chen Sheng nodded:
"Alright, that's it for today."
"When you return, practice the Fire-igniting Skill I taught you today."
"Got it, Grandfather."
The children's voices echoed in the courtyard.
...
Three more years passed.
Still in the same yard.
The once little ones had grown significantly taller.
Becoming sensible young boys and girls.
Most of the time.
They would cultivate on their own without Chen Sheng's supervision.
"Alright, dismissed!"
Chen Sheng led them through their basic cultivation practice for the day.
And then headed towards the Fire Room.
...
Not long after.
Before the Alchemy Furnace.
Chen Sheng was already seated on a cushion in the center of the Alchemy Room.
He held his breath, forming the Burning River Seal Technique with his hands.
The mana in his Dantian suddenly boiled, drawing in the surrounding fire aura, countless stray flames gradually gathering into two flickering balls of fire.
Like two fire serpents.
They snaked into his nostrils.
The fire aura entered his body!
Chen Sheng introspected his insides.
Under the influence of the fire aura.
The newly opened meridians were expanding inch by inch.
"Hmm~"
In a breath cycle,
two pillars of flame burst forth from his nostrils, stretching out to half a yard.
Then he drew in the fire aura once more...
Alternating like this, no one knew how much time had passed.
Chen Sheng's Dantian suddenly heated up.
Radiating a blinding red light from all over his body.
Countless red Flood Dragon scales surfaced from beneath his skin, layer upon layer, covering his limbs and torso.
In that moment.
He seemed to become a humanoid Flood Dragon.
Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, brushing the searing scales on his arm:
"All eight meridians are open, the First Layer is finally a Great Success!"
Over the years.
He painstakingly forged ahead, continuously opening new meridians, finally completing the Red Scale Armor.
Chen Sheng shook his head:
"This is only the First Layer, truly deserving of the Top Grade Daoist Skill, indeed challenging!"
"However, as long as there's progress, it's good; what I don't lack is time!"
...
In the evening, in the backyard.
Chen Sheng and his wife sipped tea and chatted leisurely.
Suddenly, Huang Wangyou spoke:
"By my count, Chen'Er's letter should have arrived?"
Chen Sheng shook his head:
"Perhaps it got delayed like the first time."
"Tomorrow, I'll ask at the Cyan Wood Commerce Association."
Early the next morning.
Chen Sheng tucked the Passage Jade Token of the Cyan Wood Commerce Association into his sleeve.
Rushing to the head office of the Commerce Association at the east end of the Market.
Outside the vermilion-lacquered gate.
Chen Sheng just gave his name.
The attendant on duty greeted him with a beaming smile, leading him inside.
The title of High Grade Alchemist.
Was indeed useful in the Market!
Passing through the corridor lined with green bamboo.
He ran into a steward:
"Why has Master Tang come in person?"
"Usually, you send someone to pick up the elixir orders, right?"
Chen Sheng waved his hand.
His gaze swept over the trade map hanging on the wall, his fingertip landed on the red dot marking "Thousand Machines Workshop."
"I'm here to inquire if the caravan from Linglong Immortal City has been delayed?"
The steward paused, then shook his head:
"No, it should have passed through here three days ago."
These words were like a pebble thrown into his heart's lake.
Chen Sheng's brow furrowed instantly, unease rising in his heart, many thoughts flashing across his mind.
"What exactly happened?"
"Why was the letter not sent back this time?"
Thinking thus.
Chen Sheng quickly walked to the back hall.
He found Steward Li, responsible for trade route logistics.
Li was cradling a teacup, drowsing, but quickly stood up when he saw him:
"Master Tang, your arrival, excuse my lack of proper welcome!"
"No need for formalities, Steward Li."
Chen Sheng pressed his hand, explaining the situation:
"Could I trouble you to inquire a bit?"
Steward Li thumped his chest in agreement:
"Master Tang's instructions, I dare not refuse."
"Next month, a caravan is setting out for Linglong; I'll have Old Zhou leading check it out."
"Any news will be sent to you immediately!"
Chen Sheng bowed in farewell:
"Thank you very much then."