Free Web NovelChapter 689: Chapter 256: Heart of Desperation (Part 6)
"The tragic deaths of those elders recorded in our clan history were due to the Shen Family’s insufficient strength at that time."
"You carry the legacy of the Array Dao and shoulder the heavy responsibility of our Shen Family’s resurgence in this field; it’s only right that resources are prioritized for you."
Changing the subject, He Zhongyi continued, "As for how the thread of Pill Qi should be allocated, let us follow the family’s arrangements."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiubai pondered for a long time but did not continue speaking.
"By the way, I heard from Brother Ming that you’re planning to refine some item?"
Not wanting to continue discussing the Pill Qi, He Zhongyi hurriedly changed the subject.
At the mention of this matter, Shen Xiubai reacted and quickly took out a pearl the size of a quail egg from his personal Storage Bag and handed it over.
"Uncle Zhongyi, do you think it is possible to use the Ancient Refining Technique to transform this into a Magical Artifact?"
He Zhongyi took the pearl and, after a careful examination, said with some surprise, "Did you inscribe the Array Pattern on this?"
Shen Xiubai nodded.
Seeing this, He Zhongyi’s eyes sparkled with admiration, "Truly worthy of an Array Dao genius, being able to inscribe a complete Array on this pearl is something ordinary Array Dao cultivators can hardly achieve."
"However..."
"To refine this pearl into a Magical Artifact without damaging the Array Pattern on it is beyond my current refining skills."
Hearing this, Shen Xiubai’s expression darkened somewhat, and then he quickly took out another pearl without any Array Pattern and said, "If there is no Array Pattern, can Uncle Zhongyi refine it into a Magical Artifact?"
Taking the blank pearl and inspecting it, He Zhongyi replied, "That shouldn’t be difficult."
"But once this object is refined into a Magical Artifact, inscribing Array Patterns on its surface would also be very challenging."
"A refined Magical Artifact becomes an integrated whole, and any modifications or additions after formation would disrupt its structure."
"Your idea is quite similar to my previous intention to combine Modern and Ancient Refining Techniques."
"It’s a pity..."
He Zhongyi sighed and shook his head.
He wasn’t certain if this idea could work, but he was sure that with his current level of refining, he couldn’t achieve it.
Hearing this, Shen Xiubai furrowed his brow.
If a Magical Artifact takes shape, trying to modify it will destroy its overall structure...
"Then... what if the Magical Artifact hasn’t formed yet?"
He suddenly muttered softly.
Upon hearing this, He Zhongyi’s expression froze.
"Uncle Zhongyi, if the Magical Artifact hasn’t formed, can I inscribe an Array on it?"
Shen Xiubai looked at He Zhongyi with some excitement!
He Zhongyi fell silent.
This was something he indeed hadn’t considered.
"It sounds feasible, but it needs to be tested in practice."
"This will test our ability to cooperate. We can try it later just the two of us."
At this moment, He Zhongyi’s heart was also eager to try.
He understood that if this could be achieved, he could then attempt to combine Ancient and Modern Refining Techniques, learning from both to forge better Magical Artifacts!
"Good!"
"I’ll prepare right away."
"I’ll have to trouble Uncle Zhongyi with the details of the refining."
Shen Xiubai stood up, saluted He Zhongyi, and then hurriedly left the small courtyard.
...
At the Black Water Pavilion, Shen Xiubai arrived and shared the method he had just discussed with He Zhongyi.
After listening, Shen Yuan also thought it feasible, and instructed him to take all the pearls from the third floor.
Before leaving, Shen Xiubai suddenly recalled the matter of the "Pill Qi" and, after some hesitation, decided to mention it.
"Great-grandfather, I wanted to inform you that I no longer need Third Master’s Pill Qi."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan appeared stunned.
Four years ago, he had discussed the matter of the Pill Qi with Shen Wenxing.
Following the third major harvest and with subsequent incidents related to the Dao Source and Spirit, he had forgotten all about it.
"Great-grandfather understands. Go on with your tasks."
Shen Xiubai saluted and quickly left the Black Water Pavilion.
Shen Yuan got to his feet and stood by the second-floor window for a long time, then slowly walked toward the stairs.
In the Martial Arts Arena of the old residence, Shen Chongming was instructing his disciple Wu Yuning and the next candidate for the Shen Family Patriarch, Shen Xiuyan, in cultivation matters.
Although Shen Xiuyan was born with a Literary Heart, he was also very interested in Sword Skill aside from Literary Dao cultivation.
This time, Shen Chongming was teaching Wu Yuning to practice Posture while Shen Xiuyan was practicing swordsmanship nearby.
With hands behind his back, Shen Yuan arrived at the Martial Arts Arena, and Shen Xiuyan was the first to notice him, immediately putting away his long sword and respectfully saluting, "Great-grandfather."
Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming also turned around.
"Grandfather."
Beside him, Wu Yuning graciously and sweetly called out "Ancestor."
Shen Yuan smiled and nodded.
"Let the two youngsters continue practicing by themselves for a while."
"Come with me, grandson."
Shen Chongming nodded, gave some instructions, and then quickly followed Shen Yuan out of the courtyard.
"Grandfather, where are we going..."
"To see your aunt."
Aunt?
Upon hearing this, Shen Chongming felt a tightness in his heart and immediately asked, "Aunt, she..."
"Xiubai just told me about the matter of ’Pill Qi’."
Upon hearing the words "Pill Qi," Shen Chongming immediately felt a sense of regret!
"Oh no, oh no!"
"I can’t believe I forgot about this matter!"
Back when discussing the distribution of Pill Qi, it was agreed to wait two years and observe Shen Xiubai’s cultivation progress before deciding.
Last year, before the ancestral sacrifice, Shen Xiubai successfully set up a Spirit Gathering Array within his Dantian, resolving the initial slow cultivation issue, so the Pill Qi should have gone to Aunt.
However, he himself had been preoccupied with various matters, causing a delay of more than two years.
"Don’t blame yourself just yet, let’s go."
Shen Yuan spoke, and the two of them walked along the winding stone path and soon arrived at the small courtyard of He Zhongyi.
After marrying the Zhang Clan, He Zhongyi moved into this courtyard, and Shen Wenping followed, living here with the family.
When they arrived, He Zhongyi was busy preparing for the refining.
Seeing Shen Yuan and Shen Chongming, a trace of surprise appeared on his face, and he quickly saluted, "Grandfather, Brother Ming."
Shen Yuan nodded with a smile.
"Where’s your mother?"
"She’s inside."
"Grandfather, please take a seat. I’ll call her."
Greeting Shen Yuan to sit in the pavilion, He Zhongyi hurriedly called out Shen Wenping and his wife from inside.
"Grandfather."
The Zhang Clan lady, holding her child, greeted respectfully, while Shen Wenping smiled and called, "Father."
Though they lived in Yunshui City, merely a few miles from the old residence, Shen Yuan often stayed at the Black Water Pavilion, and family women like Shen Wenping didn’t often see him.
"Sit down."
Looking at He Yunran in Zhang Clan’s arms, Shen Yuan said warmly.
After everyone was seated, he spoke, "I came to talk to you about the Pill Qi from Wen’an’s achievement of Golden Core."
"The effectiveness of the Pill Qi, you must be aware by now."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wenping seemed slightly dazed.
"Both Chongming and your elder brother intend for this Pill Qi to be for you, so you can, like your mother, gain a Spirit Root and practice for life extension."
Hearing this, Shen Wenping suddenly laughed.
"Father, over a hundred years, don’t you understand your daughter yet?"
"Though Wen’an and I are twins, our personalities differ greatly; he’s been focused on cultivation since childhood, whereas I have no interest in it."
"Even though I practiced for a while later, it was because you and my brother forced me."
Saying this, Shen Wenping gently took her father’s hand and smiled lightly, "If not for being unable to leave Zhongyi, I would have followed Zishi long ago."
"Now Zhongyi has children, what more would I fuss about?"
Pausing slightly, she cheerily looked at Shen Chongming, "Aunt acknowledges the value of the Pill Qi, so let it be given to the younger generation."
"Whether to Yunran or to You’Er’s Jingzhe, wouldn’t either be better off using it than this old lady?"
"No need to discuss this any further; it’s settled."
As she spoke, Shen Wenping looked toward Shen Yuan, "Father, you must listen to me!"
