Chapter 484 - 222: Expanding Territories
"Who are you?"
Shen Wen’an frowned and asked.
It hadn’t even been two years since he left the Shen Family, and he didn’t understand how there could be such a strangely aural body cultivator in the family.
Judging by his realm, he was already at the peak of the Second Realm and couldn’t be a newly emerged person from an outside family.
"Reporting to Third Master, I am Xu Zhan."
The Martial Arts Hall master beside him saw Shen Wen’an’s expression slightly relax, hurriedly explaining, "Third Master, Xu the kid is the new disciple taken in by the Elder Patriarch."
His brother’s disciple?
He scrutinized Xu Zhan once more, pondered for a moment, and said, "Come with me."
Xu Zhan respectfully clasped his hands and immediately followed him toward the Shen Family Manor.
In the side room, Shen Wenxing looked at Shen Wen’an and the sullen Xu Zhan following behind, confusedly asking, "What’s wrong with this kid?"
"Did he make you angry?"
Shen Wen’an turned to look at Xu Zhan and then at his brother, speaking in a deep voice, "Brother, what’s the aura about this kid?"
"It’s a long story..." Shen Wenxing sighed, walked slowly to Xu Zhan, and patted his shoulder, saying, "Go ahead and get busy for now."
"Yes, Master."
After Xu Zhan left with a salute, Shen Wenxing went on to briefly recount the changes at the bottom of the Laishui River and all of Xu Zhan’s experiences.
Having heard all this, Shen Wen’an looked very grave.
He now found it a bit perplexing to understand the relation between the huge city emerging from the bottom of the Laishui River and the eerie Underworld.
Why did this young fellow named Xu Zhan possess such pure Yin Qi?
"Is Father’s intention not to explore the bottom of the Laishui River?"
Shen Wenxing sighed, saying, "Father fears that if something were indeed discovered, it would lead to the disaster of utter destruction for the Shen Family."
The things at the bottom of the Laishui River, whether blessings or curses, could spell disaster for the Shen Family.
If it were truly a world-shattering relic, then other forces would surely be alerted.
It might even make those Golden Core influences from the Southern Border break promises, leading them to scramble for it.
Since Yunshui City was just by the Laishui River, if powerful figures clashed due to the relic, the Shen Family would be the first to be affected.
Naturally, Shen Wen’an thought of this as well.
However, more than worrying about those Golden Core influences from the Southern Border, he dreaded any connection between whatever lay at the bottom of the Laishui River and the Underworld.
If people from the Underworld were lured, the consequences might be even worse.
"Don’t worry, Father has been deducing things all this while, and he should receive some warnings if there’s any sign of trouble."
Shen Wenxing patted his shoulder in comfort.
"By the way, how did you fare in Danzhou this time?"
Hearing his brother’s words, Shen Wen’an could only suppress his inner worries, replying, "Not bad, I came across a considerable stroke of fortune."
"Brother, please go and find Chongming; we need to discuss the upcoming matters with Father."
...
On the second floor of the Black Water Pavilion.
The few family members sat together.
Shen Wen’an laid out all his gains from Danzhou.
Two upper-grade magical robes, two middle-grade magical artifacts, along with spirit crystals and that Separation Fire Flame Lamp.
Finally, before the three of them, he took out the most crucial mysterious metal token.
"This item is crucial for the rise of our Shen Family."
Upon hearing this, the three looked at each other in amazement.
Shen Chongming, slightly excited, asked, "Third Uncle, what is this item?"
Shen Wen’an placed the metal token on the desk before him, saying, "Within it is a True Technique called the ’Li Palace Bing Fire Refining Form Technique.’"
"This isn’t just a cultivation True Technique but also includes an Ancient Refining Technique."
"It hails from the era of the Danzhou Immortal Dynasty."
As he finished speaking, the room fell into an instant silence.
Shen Yuan and the others clearly understood what this so-called ’Li Palace Bing Fire Refining Form Technique’ meant for the Shen Family!
A True Technique directly leading to the Nascent Soul Realm!
Also, including the Ancient Refining Technique!
Once the Shen Family digests it, it would be akin to outright mastering the Artifact Refining Dao among the Hundred Skills of Cultivation.
The Hundred Skills of Cultivation not only signified strength and foundation for a force but also a lucrative avenue.
Take Qiyun Valley among the many Immortal Sects of Qishan, mastering the Pill Array Dao, and in its heyday, renowned throughout Danzhou.
Or the Celestial Talisman Sect, wielding Talismanic Techniques, likewise a power none within the Qishan Range’s major forces dared provoke.
"Third Uncle, what treasure is this lamp?"
Among the first to react, Shen Chongming looked curiously at the bronze lamp on the desk.
Shen Yuan’s gaze, however, fell upon the golden flame floating in the center of the lamp, slightly larger than a soybean.
"This flame doesn’t seem to be a mortal flame..."
Shen Wen’an nodded, saying, "This is a wisp of flame stripped from the Seed of Separation Fire."
"It’s also the key to whether the Shen Family can promote the Artifact Refining Dao in the future."
He explained the entire matter of the Separation Fire Flame in one go.
The three present looked gravely serious.
"You mean to take the initiative against the Great Witch Mountain Demon Cave?"
Shen Wenxing spoke in a deep voice.
"Then let’s fight. Those beasts have continuously crossed Hidden Dragon Mountain recently to raid the villages and towns surrounding the cities under Shen Family’s rule."
"Now would be a good time to strike them hard, maybe even seize the Western Wilderness from them!"
In Shen Chongming’s eyes, a hint of ferocity glinted.
During the last big reaping, the Great Witch Mountain Demon Cave suffered considerable losses. After the big reaping ended, they constantly harassed several cities under the Shen Family’s jurisdiction.
Every few days, they’d cross Hidden Dragon Mountain to plunder villagers and cultivators.
Over the years, with the aid of the main family, the major affiliated families have successfully repelled the attacks, but their losses have also been heavy.
Having expressed his position, Shen Chongming looked at Shen Yuan and the others, wanting to hear their opinions.
"How does Father see it?"
As his son sought opinions with hopeful eyes, Shen Wenxing looked at Shen Yuan instead.
"Tch..."
Shen Yuan scoffed, glancing at Shen Chongming, "What?"
"You father and son are setting me up, huh?"
"You look at him, he looks at me, and in the end, you’re leaving this for the old man to decide?"
Father and son exchanged awkward smiles upon hearing this.
"Fine then, if you want to fight, then fight."
Shen Yuan clapped his hands, eyes deep, "But your focus shouldn’t only be on the Great Witch Mountain Demon Cave."
"The ones eyeing the Shen Family include the Yin Corpse Sect and Fushan Country."
"If the Shen Family’s forces get held up in the Western Wilderness, Yingchuan and Jinghe will undoubtedly be unable to resist making a move."
Shen Chongming nodded, "Rest assured, Grandfather, I’ll send a letter posthaste to Yunzhong County City, requesting Luoxia Mountain’s assistance in keeping an eye on the Yin Corpse Sect."
"As for Fushan Country, I’ve also investigated."
"The Yin Corpse Sect gained nothing in the last big reaping, so they are constantly harassing the villages and towns on the Yingchuan border, trying to plunder the common people under Fushan Country’s rule."
"As long as both sides don’t conclude soon, they won’t have much strength to target us."
Being the head of the Shen Family, Shen Chongming is only often childlike in seeking approval and feedback from his father, Shen Wenxing, and grandfather, Shen Yuan.
In the absence of the two, he has already managed to handle many matters adeptly.
"Alright then, since you’re prepared, then proceed."
"I’ll help you hold down the fort, everything in Yunshui City is something you don’t need to worry about."
Shen Yuan stood up, sweeping a gaze over his son and grandsons, speaking gravely.
This is the Shen Family’s chance; as his descendants go out to venture and conquer, all he could do was ensure they were without worries.