The Patriarch Yun's eyes fell on the Piercing Mountain Sacred Bud, faintly shimmering.

"The last time I saw this Piercing Mountain Sacred Bud was five years ago.

This medicinal herb can be added to other Pills in alchemy to enhance their properties.

If inconvenient to refine, consuming it directly also has considerable effects."

The Patriarch Yun seemed quite knowledgeable about it and began explaining its uses to Madam Yun.

Its bud alone can be consumed, and when taken by a Martial Artist, it significantly strengthens the body.

"Shuang'Er, where did you acquire such a Divine Object?

Years ago, I wished to purchase one, but it was unobtainable, no matter the price."

Upon hearing her father's words, Madam Yun lowered her gaze slightly.

"Her generosity towards Han is truly remarkable..."

The seemingly random comment left the Patriarch Yun confused: "Who? Who is generous...?"

Madam Yun did not elaborate further, only telling her father that this Piercing Mountain Sacred Bud was a gift for Shen Han from someone else.

She asked her father to refine it into a Pill for Shen Han's use.

Upon hearing this, the Patriarch Yun readily agreed.

Truth be told, he hoped to assist Shen Han more, to repay some favors.

After finishing dinner, Madam Yun and Cailing returned to the courtyard from the dining hall.

"Cailing'Er..."

Hearing Madam Yun call her, Cailing quickly approached her.

"You might not have guessed wrongly; Han and that Fairy Shi might indeed be involved in something unusual..."

Upon hearing this, Cailing seemed intrigued as well.

"From the moment Young Master Han and Fairy Shi met, I sensed something amiss.

Their gazes clearly were not those of strangers meeting for the first time.

Moreover, I'm quite familiar with Young Master Han. Whenever he meets other ladies, he exercises restraint and is mindful of where he looks.

That was exactly how he behaved when meeting Fairy Xilan."

Cailing paused as if recalling the scene.

"But in the presence of Fairy Shi, Young Master Han couldn't help but sneak glances, with something peculiar hidden in his eyes..."

This time, Madam Yun did not refute Cailing'Er's words.

Already, she felt a tinge of worry, fearing that Shen Han might be deceived by Shi Yuezhu.

A naïve young man isn't immune to a beauty's schemes.

"Tomorrow, I will probe further, to see what intentions she truly harbors towards Han."

Madam Yun's eyes glimmered with light, guessing a few possibilities.

The night grew darker, nearing midnight.

Though having ascended to the Sixth Grade Half-Step Realm, Shen Han wasn't too excited.

Compared to his rapid advancement before reaching the Sixth Grade, his progress had slowed considerably since then.

Rising from his bed, Shen Han pushed open the door.

On this deep winter night, it was remarkably silent outside, not even the sound of insects.

The world seemed somewhat desolate.

With Sixth Grade Half-Step Realm, Shen Han's vision had become exceptionally keen.

Although it was dark, he could still see clearly.

Sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, his thoughts were restless.

Shi Yuezhu turned out to be Su Jinyu's master...

Meeting her again today, Shen Han could feel Shi Yuezhu's goodwill towards him.

But Shen Han was also aware of Shi Yuezhu's difficulties.

Especially the connection between himself and Su Jinyu...

If Su Jinyu were to find out, what had transpired between her master and him in the forests.

How would Shi Yuezhu face it? Perhaps her master's dignity would be completely lost.

These thoughts had already dawned on Shen Han during the day.

Thus, his words and actions were tinged with caution.

In his pondering, the sound of the watchman's clapper echoed outside.

It was already 1:00 AM, yet Shen Han felt little fatigue.

After reaching the Sixth Grade Half-Step Realm, his efficiency in solitary cultivation had seen a stark decline.

In the forest, Shi Yuezhu had once explained it to him.

Before the Sixth Grade, all is the Mortal Realm.

Strive diligently, with hard training.

Then supplement it with a suitable Body Refining Technique, Spiritual Power cultivation, and advancing to Seventh Grade is almost certain.

But from the moment one steps into the Sixth Grade, resources, talent, experience.

These three are all indispensable!

It was thanks to that Gen Mountain Secret Technique and Celestial Dao Sword Momentum that he advanced from the Sixth Grade First Snow Realm to the Half-Step Realm.

However, currently, training within the consciousness seems increasingly ineffective.

Wanting to progress while staying cooped up in the Yun Mansion seems unrealistic.

To seek a place of freedom within this world, to protect those he wished to protect, Sixth Grade strength isn't nearly enough.

Shen Lingsheng's threats against him remained deeply engraved in Shen Han's mind.

The despicable means employed by the Shen Family in the past are also something he intended to retaliate against, one by one.

Aside from this, only by becoming stronger could he prove himself worthy of...

Calculating secretly in his mind, contemplating the next course of action.

Talent he did not lack, and with the support from the Yun Family, resources shouldn't be too scarce.

But where to seek this experience?

In deep thought, dawn was breaking.

Yesterday, Shi Yuezhu had already taken Shen Han's letter of annulment back to the Capital City.

At the Su Family, two letters of annulment were submitted.

Upon receiving them, the Imperial Family even communicated with the local government office to verify with the parties involved.

The Government Office in Anyang City visited at 7:00 AM to confirm with Shen Han the authenticity of the annulment letter.

After Shen Han affirmed, the Government Office in Anyang City promptly reported to the Imperial Family.

The step of confirmation by the government office gave Shen Han some speculations.

Most likely, it was someone in the court wishing to help him.

This letter of annulment obviously offered him an opportunity to seek compensation.

Perhaps it was a reward for having made the Shen and Su Families incur a loss?

After having breakfast, around 7:00 AM.

As promised the day before, Shi Yuezhu visited once more.

Meeting Shi Yuezhu again, Madam Yun's demeanor improved considerably.

She occasionally turned to gaze upon her intently.

With gentle eyebrows and eyes, her appearance was peerlessly beautiful.

Such a Fairy, the number of men who admire her must be many.

Yet, with her strength, perhaps few men dared to pursue her.

"Miss Yun Family, is there something..."

Shi Yuezhu touched her cheek lightly, thinking Madam Yun's gaze indicated a speck of dirt.

"Nothing, nothing..."

Madam Yun smiled, then called for a servant to bring Shen Han over.

The two met, exchanged a glance, then swiftly averted their gazes.

With a tacit understanding, their eyes met for just a fleeting moment.

Only the onlookers, Madam Yun and Cailing, observed them closely.

Upon seeing this, Madam Yun and Cailing exchanged a knowing glance, nodding to each other.

As they had suspected, those eyes revealed something amiss.

In the hall, Shi Yuezhu sat elegantly, awaiting Madam Yun to state her terms.

"Miss Yun Family, have you thought about the compensation I promised yesterday?

If it's within my capability, I will not refuse," Shi Yuezhu expressed.

Upon hearing this, Madam Yun nodded: "Since childhood, Han was not favored in the Shen Family, and as a mother, I lacked the ability to protect him, to let him live as carefree as other Shen Family offspring.

The annulment has passed, but many have been offended.

Although the Yun Family holds some sway in the Alchemy Dao, currently, we lack the ability to continuously protect him."

At Madame Yun's words, Shi Yuezhu had already surmised a bit.

It seemed she wished for her to help protect Shen Han.

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