Seeing this scene, Yao Lin looked utterly defeated.

She knew that, this time, Cliff Mountain Courtyard's reputation was entirely sullied.

As the two recounted the events, everyone present gradually learned what had happened that day.

It turned out that when Shen Wen'an wanted to leave the Mountain Gate, Liu Hong took the lead in making things difficult, demanding the Dean's handwritten order.

Shen Wen'an ignored him, and, feeling displeased, a few of the others attempted to stop him by force.

As a result, Liu Hong, a cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, was brought down in one move by Shen Wen'an, who was at the Fourth Layer, causing him to lose face in front of many junior brothers.

Filled with murderous intent, he struck ruthlessly, intending to cripple Shen Wen'an.

At that time, Shen Wen'an was particularly sensitive to murderous intent due to the influence of the Sword Spirit of the Sword Holder.

Thus, he killed Liu Hong.

As for the others whose arms were severed and severely injured, it was all because they were wounded by a burst of Sword Qi while trying to stop Shen Wen'an.

Once the matter was clarified, Yun Zhongzi remained indifferent.

"Now that things have come to this, the death of Liu Hong, a disciple of Cliff Mountain Courtyard, should be considered self-inflicted," he said.

"The other disciples have also been punished and will self-reflect in the back mountain for three years after they recover from their injuries."

"As for Shen Wen'an..." Yun Zhongzi glanced at Pei Zhao and said, "His murderous intent is too heavy. If not properly guided, he may cause trouble in the future."

"He is also to self-reflect for three years."

Upon hearing this, Pei Zhao frowned deeply.

Standing beside Yun Zhongzi, Li Heshan cupped his hands and spoke, "Master, Junior Brother Shen suffered severe injuries and damage to his Divine Spirit upon discovering the ruins. He is currently recovering at home, and it's uncertain when he will recover fully."

"Should the punishment wait until he's healed?"

Yun Zhongzi nodded slightly and agreed.

Seeing this, Pei Zhao swallowed back the words he was about to say.

"Alright, let's leave this matter behind. Fellow junior brothers, elders, we should now discuss the situation regarding the ruins."

...

Hidden Cloud Courtyard.

Upon returning from the Sect Leader's Hall, Pei Zhao still harbored many grievances.

"Master Pei."

Li Heshan pursued him to Hidden Cloud Courtyard and saluted with his hands cupped.

Seeing him, Pei Zhao complained, "Ah Heshan, you didn't even plead for your junior brother."

"The disciples of Cliff Mountain Courtyard made the mistake; why should Wen'an be punished along with them?"

"If they hadn't provoked first, Wen'an wouldn't have had any issues in Hidden Cloud Courtyard all these years!"

Li Heshan smiled wryly, "Master Pei, calm down. After all, someone from Cliff Mountain Courtyard died."

"Furthermore... the punishment for Junior Brother Shen is rather inconsequential."

Pei Zhao was a bit puzzled by this: "What do you mean by that?"

Li Heshan sighed quietly and said, "Master Pei, do you really think it's necessary for Junior Brother Shen to return to Qiyun Valley?"

Pei Zhao frowned, thought for a while, and then smiled wryly as well.

"That boy doesn't cultivate our Qiyun Valley's Cultivation Technique, so even if he comes back, I can't guide him."

"But... the Spiritual Qi shortage in Yangnao Land will hinder his cultivation if he remains there."

Li Heshan shook his head and smiled, "A few days ago, I visited the Shen Family."

"While Yangnao Land lacks Spiritual Qi, there are some places where it gathers, and the land the Shen Family occupies is a decent Blessed Land."

"Though not comparable to Qiyun Valley, it's still adequate."

"Moreover, if you truly favor Junior Brother Shen, Uncle, I would be willing to help transport some resources to him."

"Once his cultivation reaches the Fetal Breathing Realm and he returns, I believe no uncles or elders will have anything to say."

Pei Zhao was momentarily taken aback, then burst out laughing.

"Good, good, good!"

"Ah Heshan, you're more flexible than Senior Brother Sect Leader."

"This is a good thing!"

The current leaders of Qiyun Valley are too rigid and stubborn. As Dean of a courtyard, Pei Zhao could only be anxious but helpless.

"Master Uncle, you jest."

Li Heshan cupped his hands: "I am heading back to Yangnao Land tomorrow, is there anything you wish to send to Junior Brother Shen?"

Pei Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "Wait here, I'll prepare something."

Li Heshan waited for a while in Hidden Cloud Courtyard before seeing Pei Zhao walk out, holding an exquisite cloth bag.

"Everything is inside, and this storage bag is also a gift for that boy."

Seeing this, Li Heshan was somewhat surprised, "If I remember correctly, Junior Sister Pei doesn't even have a storage bag yet. Aren't you worried she'll get angry for giving one to Junior Brother Shen?"

Pei Zhao waved his hand: "It's nothing, nothing, that girl isn't that petty."

"Go ahead, and tell that boy to visit Danzhou to see me when he has the time."

Li Heshan saluted and then left.

Black Water Pool, Shen Family.

Li Heshan delivered the items and informed Shen Yuan that the matter had been resolved.

Shen Yuan could finally put his mind at ease.

In Black Water Pavilion, he brought the things Pei Zhao sent to Shen Wen'an.

"Wen'an, Dean Pei is quite fond of you. Make sure to visit him more often when you have the time in the future."

Shen Wen'an accepted the storage bag and nodded.

He took out the Elixir and Spirit Crystals from the storage bag and then considered for a moment before handing the storage bag to Shen Yuan.

"Ah Die, you keep the storage bag."

"I won't be going out recently, so I have no use for it."

Shen Yuan originally wanted to refuse, but considering how convenient it is to carry around, saving a lot of trouble in daily use, he took it.

"I'll keep it for you for now, and return it to you when you need it in the future."

After leaving Black Water Pavilion, Shen Yuan returned home, planning to send the eldest to Yunshui Town to invite Huang Qingzhou.

Everything in Jinliu Village was on track.

According to Shen Wenping's plans, every household in the village used the Fermentation Technique for planting crops and fruit trees.

He also passed down the method for brewing rice wine.

Now, a few years later, Jinliu Village's rice wine, fruits, and rice were renowned in Anyang County.

The lives of the common people in the village gradually improved, and the many plans from before should now be put into action.

In the evening, Huang Qingzhou came to the manor.

The two brothers sat facing each other.

"Brother, how many Blood Toad Sheddings have you collected over the past two years?"

Huang Qingzhou pondered for a moment and said, "About two thousand pieces, but most are between ten and fifty years old. The good Blood Toad's Shedding has been targeted by the great noble families at the County Government. Those families that breed Blood Toads simply don't dare to sell them to us privately."

Shen Yuan nodded slightly.

This is inevitable.

The immortals have descended, and the Imperial Family's status is effectively nonexistent. All the noble families and forces have realized the importance of cultivation.

Over the years, the prices of resources helpful for cultivation have already multiplied several times.

"Ah Yuan, I have an idea as your elder brother."

Huang Qingzhou suddenly spoke up, "Should we breed some Blood Toads in the Black Water Pool?"

Breed Blood Toads?

Shen Yuan lightly scratched his tea cup, his mind involuntarily recalling the Hundred-Year Blood Toad's Shedding he obtained years ago.

The presence of Centennial Blood Toads in Black Water Pool proves that it is conducive to their survival.

But the Tuo Dragons in the pool are a problem.

When the Blood Toads are raised, if those Tuo Dragons attack, the losses would be severe.

Would we need to catch all those Tuo Dragons?

This thought arose, and Shen Yuan immediately rejected it.

The water of Black Water Pool is extremely deep, and he isn't sure how many Tuo Dragons there are in the pool.

Not to mention whether they can be caught cleanly, the recent increasing concentration of spiritual energy in the pool makes him reluctant to drive those Tuo Dragons to extinction.

Keeping them in the pool to slowly absorb the spiritual energy from the water, occasionally catching one to eat is a long-term strategy.

"Brother, do you know how Blood Toads are bred?"

Shen Yuan asked.

In his understanding, toads should be amphibians, not needing to stay in the water all the time like fish.

If Blood Toads are like ordinary toads, other methods of breeding can be adopted.

Huang Qingzhou spoke, "It's rather similar to ordinary toads, but I've heard that they prefer shade, needing to be raised in completely shaded places."

Shen Yuan nodded, this problem is quite solvable.

Thus, the two brothers began discussing how to establish a place outside Black Water Pool for breeding Blood Toads.

Huang Qingzhou suggested that they could ask experienced families for advice later.

Given the current reputation of the Shen Family, it should be possible to invite them.

After discussing the matter of breeding Blood Toads, Shen Yuan spoke again, "Brother, I want to build a Martial Arts Hall beside Black Water Pool; please help instruct the eligible villagers of Jinliu Village."

"Brother, now close to forty, is stuck at the Peak of Postnatal for a long time."

"This Black Water Pool is a good place, maybe it can help brother's cultivation advance further."

Huang Qingzhou is like family; he helped the Shen Family many times during difficult times.

Now, both emotionally and logically, it is fitting to extend a helping hand to him.

"Instructing the villagers in martial arts is doable, but advancing further in martial arts realm…" Huang Qingzhou shook his head slightly.

He knows his own aptitude.

Nearing the age of forty, he has passed the peak period of vigor and is not easy to break through.

"Brother, don't underestimate yourself." Shen Yuan said with a smile, "Times have changed; now is an era where the wind of Immortal Dao cultivation prevails."

Saying this, he pulled out a porcelain bottle from his bosom.

"Inside are five Qi Nourishing Pills; brother should keep it first, and try to consume it after moving here."

"Qi Nourishing Pill?"

"Immortal Pill from the immortals?" Huang Qingzhou opened it with a face of surprise and took a smell.

The fragrance was striking, instantly refreshing his spirit and mood!

Shen Yuan nodded.

Shen Wen'an previously brought back three bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills, later Li Heshan donated some.

In recent days, Wei Qiuling also gave twenty pills, this time, Pei Zhao had Li Heshan send over a hundred pills.

With such quantities, it is enough for him to share some with Huang Qingzhou.

After all, the relationship between the two families is there; Huang Qingzhou's empowerment is also beneficial to the Shen Family.

"Ah Yuan, can I give two of these Immortal Pills to my elder brother?"

Replugging the cork, Huang Qingzhou spoke.

In principle, since Shen Yuan gave him this, he now has the authority to dispose of it as he wishes.

But Huang Qingzhou also understands that this is, after all, the stuff given by immortals, so it's better to ask.

"Naturally you can."

"However…" Shen Yuan took out another porcelain bottle: "I have already prepared some for Brother Yunxiao."

"Brother Yunxiao also has!?"

Huang Qingzhou looked at that porcelain bottle incredulously.

Shen Yuan laughed.

"Back then, both you and Brother Yunxiao took care of us a lot, and naturally I can't forget him."

"Moreover, we are all family."

Upon hearing this, Huang Qingzhou felt grateful in his heart, also feeling a bit ashamed.

Recalling the past, when the Huang Family was in power, facing the Shen Family, all they thought about was the value and gain.

Now the situation has reversed, and Shen Yuan is still so generous, inevitably making him feel a touch of shame.

After pondering for a while, he spoke, "Ah Yuan, my two nephews are also idle at home nowadays, and their cultivation has reached the Middle Stage of Postnatal. Once the Martial Arts Hall is built, do you want them to come over to help?"

Instructing villagers in martial arts is something he himself can't handle.

Ultimately, several Postnatal Martial Artists are being recruited as instructors, better to trust family in this.

Shen Yuan hesitated a moment, then nodded: "Brother, do what you see fit."

"Brother has operated the martial arts hall for years, and is familiar with the town's craftsmen, so building the Martial Arts Hall will require your effort."

Huang Qingzhou patted his chest and laughed, "No problem."

"Alright, I shall return first, and have the craftsmen over tomorrow or the day after."

After sending off Huang Qingzhou, Shen Yuan stood at the courtyard door with hands behind his back, falling into contemplation.

In terms of Immortal Dao cultivation, martial arts are merely in the Body Tempering Realm.

To cultivate and strengthen one's own power, some Immortal Dao cultivation techniques are still needed.

The Breathing Technique left by Xu Xiu back then is a good choice.

But elder brother said that Li Heshan once mentioned that the Five Elements Breathing Technique is incomplete.

There isn't a matching Fetal Breathing Technique.

Right now, whether it's personal cultivation or future villagers of Jinliu Village, a complete cultivation technique is necessary.

Chances are very slim to find the complete Breathing Technique here in Yu Country, this matter still requires seeking help from the Immortal Sect.

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