"Are you trying to take advantage of my old age, young man?"

Chen An chuckled reprovingly, accepted the ten middle-grade Spirit Stones, and pushed back the remaining ones, along with other items like Elixirs.

"Mengze's message only mentioned this amount."

"Keep the rest. Your own cultivation also requires a lot of resources."

"Moreover, over the past half a year, you've already given me a considerable amount of Spirit Stones, Elixirs, and many other resources."

"Keep those for yourself. Don't give me any more!"

However, Shen Mo didn't put the remaining Spirit Stones and other items back into his Universe Bag.

Instead, his expression turned solemn, and he said seriously, "Uncle Chen, why are you treating me like such an outsider?"

"Since my parents passed away, you've treated me as your own. You were reluctant to use Spirit Stones for yourself, instead buying Elixirs to help my cultivation."

"Now, while I'm not exactly wealthy, I do have some resources to spare."

"Isn't it only right that I show you my filial piety?"

Shen Mo persisted, and Chen An, unable to refuse him, finally accepted the remaining cultivation resources.

"Mo'er has come a long way!"

A gratified expression appeared on Chen An's face.

He still remembered how, a year and a half ago, the young man before him was still contemplating leaving the sect to become a wealthy landowner.

Who would have thought that from that day on, he would cultivate so diligently, his cultivation improving by leaps and bounds.

He had even achieved considerable success!

Originally, he and his daughter had looked after this young man. Now, the tables had turned, and it was Shen Mo who was looking after them both.

"GLUG! GLUG!"

Chen An downed a cup of spiritual wine and slammed the cup heavily on the table. Reeking of alcohol, he said, "Mo'er, give me a straight answer."

"Is there really no chance between you and Mengze?"

Seeing Uncle Chen still preoccupied with this matter, Shen Mo couldn't help but chuckle.

"To be frank, Uncle Chen, I've gotten to know Miss Zhao."

"If all goes well, I intend for us to become Dao companions in the future."

"As for Senior Sister Mengze, never mind my own intentions, she is wholly devoted to her cultivation and doesn't seem to have any thoughts in that direction."

"Uncle Chen, rather than worrying about Mengze's marriage…"

"Why not take a few more concubines while you're still in your prime, to continue the Chen Family bloodline?"

Shen Mo wasn't joking with Uncle Chen.

Those at the Qi Gathering Realm have a Lifespan of two hundred years. Considering Uncle Chen's age, he was indeed still in his prime.

Moreover, Shen Mo could see that Uncle Chen hadn't taken any concubines all these years, likely because his blood feud remained unavenged and he felt guilty towards Chen Mengze's mother.

Now, the Liu and Wu families had been annihilated.

The remaining Body Tempering Realm members of their clans, having lost their families and the support of Qi Gathering Realm cultivators, must be finding life difficult in Dasheng Mountain and Purple Bamboo Valley.

Furthermore, with the jade slips Shen Mo had distributed, even if they were to return to Sishui City, there would likely be no place for them.

Now that this great enmity was avenged, it was time for Uncle Chen to let go of the past and consider his future.

Chen An understood Shen Mo's implication and grumbled, "What now? Are you going to play matchmaker for me too?"

"If Uncle Chen is interested, I'm willing to swallow my pride and find a few suitable candidates for you."

Chen An faltered at these words. He grunted a couple of times, took another drink, and steered the conversation back.

"It's a pity for Mengze; she doesn't have this good fortune!"

"Years ago, when I tried to matchmake you two, wasn't I hoping to find a good husband for Mengze, so you could support each other on the path to immortality and also look after me in my old age and see to my funeral?"

"If you two could have had a child or two, that would have been even better."

"Things would be more lively when I depart!"

Shen Mo dutifully refilled Uncle Chen's cup and replied with a faint smile, "Things are quite good as they are now too."

"Though Mengze and I don't share a marital bond..."

"We can still support and rely on each other on the path of cultivation."

"Besides, when you pass away, Uncle Chen, won't I still have to wear mourning attire and carry your coffin to be buried?"

"..."

After the meal, Shen Mo, slightly tipsy, returned to the sect via the Teleportation Array.

Now that he had some leisure time, he naturally made his way to Lake Heart Cottage to spend some amorous time with Zhao Lingyin.

In the company of the beautiful woman, Shen Mo felt ecstatic and somewhat lost himself.

He had intended to spend the night at the cottage, but Zhao Lingyin, blushing, chased him out.

This left Shen Mo quite dejected.

He grumbled inwardly; he hadn't had any other intentions, merely wanting to spend a little more time with the lovely lady.

Not long after returning to his cave mansion, he was summoned by Elder Huang.

When Shen Mo arrived, Elder Huang first reprimanded him, saying he shouldn't have recklessly engaged in a Magic Duel with Tian Qisheng.

However, this was followed by a torrent of praise.

He said that Peak Master Zhou Shili had also heard the news and greatly appreciated his actions in Hongye City.

Furthermore, the Peak Master had specifically sought out Tian Zhaoquan, the Hall Master of the Affairs Hall, and Yuan Jing, the Peak Master of Bright Moon Peak.

He admonished Tian Zhaoquan for failing to manage his clansmen. This had allowed a Spirit Sea Realm member to bully a Defense Division Commander appointed by the sect.

Yuan Jing received a similar lecture.

After all, Tian Zhaoquan was an Elder of Bright Moon Peak, and Shen Mo was a disciple of Stars Peak; it was only natural for Zhou Shili to intervene on his behalf.

Peak Master Zhou Shili's actions clearly signaled his intention to support Shen Mo!

Shen Mo, at the Qi Gathering Realm, had defeated a Spirit Sea Realm expert...

While it was true that a tall tree catches the wind, it wasn't entirely without its advantages!

In any case, in Zhou Shili's eyes, Shen Mo's standing had risen yet again, perhaps even surpassing that of his own Direct Disciple, Lu Ming.

If Zhou Shili hadn't been away on important business at the Ghost Corpse School in You State, he would undoubtedly have summoned Shen Mo to offer some words of encouragement.

Even Law Master Yuan Qingshi and several Supreme Elders were now paying close attention to him.

His feat of surpassing Fairy Pei Yu's record for advancing through the ranks had already alerted many high-ranking members of the sect to the presence of such a prodigy on Stars Peak.

His victory over Tian Qisheng had led Yuan Qingshi and the others to place even greater hopes on him.

...

"Lad, these treasures are a gift from the sect," Elder Huang said.

"There are life-saving magic treasures, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to enhance your cultivation, and additionally, the Peak Master has gifted you three Jade Talismans."

"In a life-or-death crisis, you need only crush a Jade Talisman, and the Peak Master will come to your aid."

"These talismans are of an extremely high grade. Even if you venture into a Dungeon or the Heavenly Demon Lower Realm, where Sound Transmission Talismans might be suppressed, these will still function."

Elder Huang took out a jade box and handed it to Shen Mo.

"Hm?"

Shen Mo was caught off guard by this sudden reward.

He dazedly accepted the jade box. Upon opening it, he found it filled with four treasures: a wooden puppet, a small vial of precious medicine, a suit of silver-thread inner armor, and three crystalline Jade Talismans.

"This is..."

An immense wave of joy surged through Shen Mo's heart.

Each item was priceless. Beside them lay a jade slip detailing information about these treasures and their uses.

"Good lad, take them!"

"The sect regards you no less highly than a core disciple."

"Cultivate diligently, avoid unnecessary risks in the future, and do not repeat Fairy Pei Yu's tragic mistake!"

"And when you achieve success in your cultivation, do not forget the sect's benevolence," Elder Huang said, patting Shen Mo's shoulder with a smile.

Shen Mo suddenly understood.

So, it wasn't just that the sect valued me highly; the Law Master, Supreme Elders, Peak Master, and the others were also worried that I might suffer the same fate as Fairy Pei Yu, falling midway on my path!

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