Liu Ruyan cast a suspicious glance at Shen Wang, who was still busy tidying up the leftover food.

She tossed the bottle a few times, curious about its contents.

An elixir?

This guy knows she's an Alchemist, so it shouldn't be something so simple.

"Consider it a gift from me to mark our first meeting. You could also think of it as a token of love, but make sure to take a peek secretly at home, and don't let anyone else know. This is our little secret."

Shen Wang said, smiling.

"Show-off! I'll check what surprise you've given me once I get back."

Liu Ruyan smiled at Shen Wang, thinking he was just being polite for the meal he had with her, offering a small gift.

She turned to leave, her black hair tied up, fluttering behind her shapely figure like an unruly tail blown by the wind.

Shen Wang watched Liu Ruyan's retreating figure and smiled: "This woman is quite intriguing; she gives me that first love kind of feeling."

He devoured the remaining food like a whirlwind, gulped down the last sip of fine wine, and sighed: "Ah, refreshing."

He asked the maid, "Miss, where can I buy your meat?"

Shen Wang intended to let his wife and children experience these dishes as well.

"In Hundred Refinements City, honored guest; you'll find it at the market in the east."

The maid replied politely.

Shen Wang noted this down. After meeting Liu Da Rong and announcing his plans to return, he headed to Hundred Refinements City to buy meat and vegetables before leaving.

Meanwhile, Liu Ruyan returned to her cave mansion, flipped her slender hand, and a jade bottle appeared.

"Let's see what it is."

Pop.

She opened the bottle cap.

A faint green radiance appeared, carrying a sort of spiritual essence. Liu Ruyan's eyes shifted as she looked at the contents of the bottle in surprise.

A red substance, resembling a ruby.

"Blood!"

Her red lips moved slightly, murmuring softly.

Her pretty face froze for a moment, then she couldn't help but laugh: "This guy says one thing but does another, giving me his own blood. When did he get it ready? Did he anticipate that I would come looking for him?"

Liu Ruyan pursed her lips, her heart stirring slightly. Holding the bottle with her dainty fingers, she chided softly: "This stuff isn't cheap, just giving it away like this? I should find him and get an explanation?"

She put the blood back and hurried to find Shen Wang, only to learn he had already left, feeling a bit crestfallen.

"I'll find him next time. I'll remember this gift."

With a hint of disappointment, Liu Ruyan returned and started her Alchemy practice, hoping to succeed this time.

After returning home, Shen Wang took out the various Spirit Beast and Spiritual Bird meats he'd bought and started cooking for his family.

This meat, rich in Spiritual Power, was beneficial for cultivators, especially those with lower cultivation levels.

After enjoying a meal with his family, Shen Wang quickly departed, needing to head back to Yu Province.

"Two days is still a bit tight, free and easy is always better."

While on the road, Shen Wang mulled over things.

"In half a month, the next child will be born, and in two months, the child of the eighth woman will also arrive. Then I'll see if there's a chance for freedom."

Shen Wang pondered, opening the system for a quick glance.

...

[Name: Shen Wang]

[Lifespan: 1888]

[Cultivation: First-Layer Golden Core]

[Spirit Root: Top-grade Water Spirit Root, Mid-grade Earth, Wood, Water, Fire Mixed Spirit Root, Top-grade Thunder Spirit Root]

[Cultivation Techniques: Tai Chi Yin Yang Scripture, Longevity Technique, Hundred Refinement Technique, Ghost Shadow Step, Luo God Visualization Method, Heaven-Cutting Finger Qi Gathering Technique, Gathering Essence Technique, Black Death Saber Technique, Dragon-Suppressing Force... ]

[Skills: Array Emperor (12/100), Talisman King (35/100), Grandmaster Level Alchemy (67/100), Sword Intent (78/100), Saber Intent (19/100), Artifact Refining... ]

[Existing Longevity Seeds: Shen Chuxue, Shen Lixia, Shen Jingzhe, Shen Hanlu]

[Status: Longevity Seed 1 in gestation (21/100), Longevity Seed 2 in gestation (90/100)... Longevity Seed 13 in gestation (1/100), 17th Dantian expansion (34/100), Fire Attribute Spiritual Technique Insight (22/100)... ]

...

Looking at the attribute panel, just from the spirit root standpoint, he was already very strong, with a top-grade Thunder Spirit Root yet to be developed.

However, seeing the gestation status of one child, Shen Wang frowned slightly.

"The progress hasn't increased for a long time. What's that woman doing? It seems she didn't abort the child, but could she have sealed it?"

Shen Wang was puzzled.

The child he was concerned about belonged to that mysterious woman from years ago.

Even after reaching the Golden Core Level, he hadn't found any traces of this woman.

There was no way to find someone who left no information amidst a sea of people.

"After the birth, if given a name, I should be able to know."

Shen Wang shook his head, unable to solve this matter, and sped up his return.

He met Chen Xian on the way, collected a Substitute Talisman, and returned to the Dragon Ship. Shen Wang went about his normal business while secretly eyeing the Sixth Prince's treasury.

The Sixth Prince's wealth was significant, especially having stabilized the Eight States of Southwest and gathered many resources. Recently, he had gained much from the Jade Silkworm Valley, rendering his treasury more stocked with medicinal ingredients than many dedicated pharmacies.

Previously, he had only glanced through it briefly, but now he began inspecting bit by bit, paying particular attention to those carefully protected.

Pondering over it, he recognized many rare herbs, while the rest were stored in boxes and such, with seals and prohibitions he couldn't unlock with just his thoughts.

Without the confidence to break into them without leaving traces, Shen Wang resisted the urge for a personal investigation, planning instead to subtly probe through the Four Great Medicine Boys of Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.

He just needed to confirm whether the Sixth Prince had any Concentration Grass. If he did, Shen Wang would think of a way to acquire it, and if not, he'd have to look elsewhere.

Unfortunately, his relationship with the four Medicine Boys wasn't great, and they rarely conversed, so an opportunity didn't present itself easily.

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