1550 The Old Story of the Shen Family

"I refuse to improve, what are you going to do about it"Master looked at the black mist before him, his voice calm and distant: "...There are calamities in the mortal world, and there are still immor...As I pondered which Du family member I might have met, I continued to glean information from Old Yan.

He harbored a deep resentment towards the Shen family, believing they were responsible for his father's descent into madness. However, despite these enigmatic circumstances, he secretly held a belief in their truth.

"You cultivators, can you eat immortal pills" Lao Yan couldn't help but ask me.

"What century are we living in You dare to eat any so-called elixir just because people talk about it" I rolled my eyes at him. This guy always wanted something for nothing, a shortcut to success, no wonder he was stuck in the gambling pit.

"Well, I saw my old man eat a kind of powder... He said it was given to him by a great person. After eating it, he really felt invigorated." Lao Yan's cloudy eyes looked at me, probingly asked.

"There's no such thing. If you want to be strong and healthy, the only way is to be clear-minded and desireless, practice diligently, and exercise well." I replied.

"Hmph... You're so young! You definitely don't understand! My father spent a lot of money to buy this kind of elixir! His ancient coins, they say, came from the tomb of a local king from ancient times. They can ward off evil—" Old Yan rambled on and on.

It is said to be a false tomb. According to the contents inside the coffin, it belonged to a child, but the child's bones are gone. The expert said that he ascended to immortality...

The bones of a child

"You're talking about the tomb, aren't you The one in the desolate mountains not far to the north" I asked.

Lao Yan was a little surprised, as if wondering how I knew.

"That grave, the front mountain had collapsed. It wasn't a good graveyard at all." I was secretly startled. It turned out that after all the twists and turns, anyone who got involved couldn't escape.

My mom went to look for my dad. Mr. Yan, the old man, chased after her. When my mom was setting up her defenses, he was accidentally trapped in a space crevice. My mom didn't notice him, but he witnessed some things. Over the next twenty or thirty years, he dedicated himself to research and gradually became obsessed with it.

That tomb is the one that the remnants of the Demon Lord's faith desperately guarded. Combining that with the records in the Japanese monk's hands, when the invaders retreated back then, they hoped to take the immortal skeleton away for study. However, they were sealed inside a barrier by the Demon Lord's followers.

At that time, rivers ran red with blood and lives were as cheap as grass. It was likely that many cultivators from the demonic path roamed the world, preaching and practicing. So-called experts existed in both orthodox and unorthodox sects, a motley crew of good and bad.

But, the Dao emphasizes transmission, opportunity, and comprehension. One could even say that all three are indispensable.

If it is only for hobby and research, one must never become obsessed. Heaven bears responsibility, and this "burden" may fall on oneself, or possibly harm family members and future generations.

Lao Yan stared at me blankly, then suddenly asked, "You... how old are you"

"Huh" I was taken aback.

He suddenly shuddered, speaking in a frenzied tone: "Could it be... you... are that woman! You are the woman from over twenty years ago! It was you who led my father into the dark arts!"

"What do you mean" I blurted out. "Have you seen the woman from over twenty years ago"

"Of course not! My dad doesn't know when, he secretly took a picture of it, that woman occasionally comes to school... yeah... yeah... the more I look, the more alike she looks!" He stared at me in horror.

"Photos, where are the photos!" I was a little excited and couldn't help but lean in, asking through the wooden fence.

"It was burned a long time ago! I secretly burned it already! Don't come near me—you—you—" Lao Yan looked at me as I suddenly approached, his face full of terror and distortion. He breathed rapidly, as if he might faint any moment.

I was afraid I'd scare him into trouble, so I hurriedly motioned for the disciples outside to come and comfort him.

Just taking two steps back, he gasped and shouted, “Are you a devil! After so many years, why are you still so young—did the medicine my dad took come from you! Three thousand yuan a set of Wu Shi San! You, you ruined my family——" mumbled...

He suddenly convulsed, frightening the guard disciples who pinched his center and force-fed him medicine.

I took a few steps back. Lao Yan's words just now left me a little dumbfounded.

Suddenly, a pair of cold hands pressed down on his shoulders.

Looking back, Jiang Qiyun gazed at me calmly. Because of his height advantage, I always had to tilt my head up slightly. Looking at him with downcast eyes, he appeared both condescending and compassionate.

“What are you afraid of” he said softly.

"He... he said I look like someone" My head was a bit jumbled.

"What do you think" Jiang Qiyun tightened his grip, pressing me down onto the chair. "I've taught you these scriptures for years, yet you still react like this... Your heart is not clear, your desires are uncontrolled. When will you ever be worthy of ascending to the celestial realm"

I smiled helplessly: "... I cultivate, not for any immortals or mortals, just to follow in your footsteps."

"Is there a difference" Jiang Qiyun's voice was slightly stern: "Without the Xianlu, you cannot enter the mountain gate. Without entering the mountain gate, how can you travel between the three realms Do you think that by relying on your status as a ghost messenger, you can go to the underworld to find me and everything will be fine If one day I go to the upper realm, where will you find me"

I opened my mouth slightly, but I didn't know how to respond.

"...But human life is too short. Perhaps I couldn't even ascend to immortality in my entire lifetime And humans are susceptible to accidents, birth, aging, sickness, and death, all coming so suddenly..." I recalled my deceased mother, a tinge of sadness appearing in my blank mind.

Jiang Qiyun smirked: "Cultivation, just like climbing a mountain or the passage of time, only after you've walked through it, will you see a different landscape and have different realizations."

I couldn't argue with him, so I just smiled helplessly.

Jiang Qiyun's hands are very beautiful, in fact, it's not just his hands, even a single strand of his hair is imbued with an ethereal charm.

Looking at the auspicious clouds embroidered on the hem of his robe, I suddenly felt a sense of vague and ethereal anxiety. I hurriedly reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"... Qiong, if it's due to cause and effect that we keep circling around like this, what will be our final outcome" I asked nervously.

Jiang Qiyun lowered his eyes and looked at me, the other hand gently stroking my head.

"With your little pea-sized brain, you shouldn't think so much...Just listen to me, it's more useful than anything else." Jiang Qiyun sighed.

I also want to listen, but I have some questions, just like planting a seed in my heart.

What kind of person is my mother... Does she resemble me in appearance

Then she passed away so long ago, that I can't even see her image in my dreams.

Over the past three years as the acting head of the Shen family, I've gleaned bits and pieces about my mother's life from various sources.

She was the heir of the Shen family, a beloved and celebrated young lady. However, she had a rather unconventional way of doing things. The treasure pavilion and storerooms in the Shen family were often filled with strange and unusual items, whose origins even the head steward couldn't explain. There were also some peculiar talismans that supposedly came from my mother's time.

She was a once-in-a-century prodigy in the memories of the older generation of the Shen family. She was highly anticipated, but she gave up her status as heir and followed my father, such an "unorthodox" old eccentric.

The feeling... it's just indescribable.

I understand Jiang Qiyun's intentions. He is using his way to give me some reminders and hints. I seem to only be able to reach out and grab the hem of his sleeve, inching forward little by little.

As I stepped out of the courtyard, I glanced at the scorched yard in the distance. I saw some strange little things... flickering and moving faintly

"What's that" Now that the mountain is closed for seclusion, disciples are returning one after another. We can't have any more Demon Realm Lords or Gods appearing and fighting!

"I dragged Jiang Qiyun along to take a look, his face was full of boredom: '...What else could it be Probably Yin Su Bai sent someone over to tidy up the yard.'" he wanted to avoid the celestial tribulation.If the Yinglong and Shenlong were to fight... I've seen the Yinglong attack before, it can easily cause mountains to crumble and earth to shake, that woul...