He thought he was experiencing an illusion. After carefully pinching the crystal-clear rice grain and sensing it closely, he discovered that it indeed contained a trace of imperceptible spiritual power!

"What is it?"

"Is there a problem with this rice?"

Seeing his solemn expression, Zhao Shuan quickly asked.

Shen Yuan didn't speak. He bent down to grab a handful of soil and carefully felt it, but his eyes revealed a hint of disappointment.

The soil did not contain spiritual qi.

He then stepped forward a few paces, randomly selected a rice spike, and plucked it to examine the rice grains within.

The weak spiritual power fluctuation appeared again!

"Let's go and see ahead."

The two brothers walked along the ridge. After nearly an hour of screening, Shen Yuan was able to confirm that the rice grown in about fifty acres in front of them all contained spiritual power fluctuations.

"Brother Shuan, store this year's harvest from these hundred acres of land separately, and without my permission, no one is allowed to use it."

"Additionally, after the rice is harvested, do not plant any crops in these hundred acres for the time being."

Seeing his serious demeanor, Zhao Shuan didn't dare to ask more and immediately summoned two trusted villagers to mark the fields Shen Yuan mentioned with special flags and station people to guard them.

The entire process from harvest to storage must be well-supervised.

Though the two did not understand what was special about these hundred acres, since Shen Yuan ordered it, they didn't say much.

Returning home from the fields, Shen Yuan summoned Shen Wenxing.

"Elder brother, take a look at these rice grains."

He handed over the rice grains.

Curious, Shen Wenxing accepted them, glanced at them, and said, "Ah Die, these grains are really beautiful, like carved jade stones."

"Feel them carefully," Shen Yuan instructed.

Shen Wenxing immediately collected his thoughts to sense them closely, surprised moments later: "Is it... spiritual power fluctuation!?"

Shen Yuan nodded in agreement.

"I just went to the field with your Uncle Zhao."

"Judging from this, the spiritual qi will fully revive in no time."

"Where are those Spirit Rice seeds I asked you to prepare earlier now?"

"In the rear courtyard annex," Shen Wenxing replied. "Ah Die, are you planning to start planting Spirit Rice?"

Shen Yuan nodded.

The ordinary rice grown on those hundred acres contained weak spiritual power, proving suitable for planting Spirit Seeds.

According to the Spirit Seed cultivation manual left by Qiyun Valley, Spirit Rice generally matures once every three years after planting.

It's time to give it a try.

"You oversee this matter personally. Discuss with your Uncle Zhao and try planting some first."

"Also, store this year's rice harvest containing spiritual power."

Shen Wenxing nodded and memorized these tasks.

At the end of autumn and beginning of winter, a heavy snow fell, covering the Black Water Pool area in white.

That day, Zhao Shuan and a sturdy villager hurried to Shen Family Manor.

"Ah Yuan, Uncle Fu has passed away."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan felt slightly sad: "When did it happen?"

"Early this morning, Erniu discovered it while patrolling up the mountain."

"Uncle Fu still had a breath left and told Erniu to bring a message."

Shen Yuan looked at Li Erniu.

Li Erniu clasped his hands and said, "Uncle Fu said thank you for your care over these years."

Sadness flashed in Shen Yuan's eyes, and he calmly said, "Is the coffin ready?"

Zhao Shuan nodded: "Ever since you mentioned it last time, I've had it prepared."

"Ah Yuan, do you... want to go take a look?"

Shen Yuan gently shook his head and waved: "Find some people to bury him. Be careful, as the roads are slippery in the snow."

After they left, Shen Yuan stood silently at the door for a long time until a carriage slowly approached from the base of the mountain.

The carriage stopped not far from the manor, and a figure in a long goose-yellow dress, draped with a white mink cape, walked up slowly.

Shen Yuan clasped his hands: "Fairy Pei."

Pei Yuwan returned the gesture with a smile: "Uncle Shen, I'm here to see Junior Brother Wen'an."

Shen Yuan nodded, gesturing to lead her to the annex, and asked someone to summon Shen Wen'an.

Inside the annex, Pei Yuwan glanced at Shen Wen'an. Her hand flashed as she took out an exquisite wooden box, a jade scroll, two porcelain bottles, and a cloth bag.

"These are two thousand Body Tempering Pills."

"This is a cultivation technique awarded by Qiyun Valley."

She placed the jade scroll on the wooden box, then pushed the heavy wooden chest in front of Shen Wen'an.

Shen Wen'an slightly bowed: "Thank you, Senior Sister."

Receiving the title of "Senior Sister," Pei Yuwan seemed very pleased.

"These are Qi Nourishing Pills and Spirit Crystals Ah Die wanted me to bring you."

After distributing Qiyun Valley's items, Pei Yuwan handed over two bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills and Spirit Crystals from the cloth bag.

Previously, Qiyun Valley disciples received spirit crystal fragments as resources, yet this time, Pei Zhao gave him two spirit crystals directly.

"Ah Die always talks about you."

"Find some time to go visit him."

Pei Yuwan requested with a hint of resentment.

She really didn't understand why her usually stubborn and proud father cared so much about this rebellious disciple.

Shen Wen'an's expression slightly shifted, and he nodded.

Seeing this, Pei Yuwan sighed, then turned to Shen Yuan: "Uncle Shen, regarding Cliff Mountain Courtyard... the Sect Leader wants Yuwan to apologize to the Shen Family."

"Now the sect has already punished Cliff Mountain Courtyard."

Once again she retrieved a wooden box from the storage bag and pushed it toward Shen Yuan: "This is the compensation from Cliff Mountain Courtyard, ten spirit crystals."

Shen Yuan glanced at the wooden box and gracefully clasped his hands: "Very kind of Fairy Pei."

Pei Yuwan's eyes flashed with a hint of embarrassment.

These ten spirit crystals were actually privately given by Li Heshan.

He concealed the incident where Cliff Mountain Courtyard attacked the Shen Family, and naturally, Cliff Mountain Courtyard's Dean Yao Lin wasn't going to offer any compensation.

There was even some grumbling behind his back that Li Heshan did not take good care of the disciples of the Cliff Mountain Courtyard on this trip, causing them to suffer heavy losses.

Perhaps feeling guilty, Pei Yuwan didn't stay long and merely said, "Let Steward Shen visit the Ascension Pavilion when he is not busy," before leaving the Shen Family.

At dusk, when Shen Wenxing returned, Shen Yuan told him about Pei Yuwan's visit.

Upon hearing that Qiyun Valley only rewarded a Cultivation Technique and compensated with ten Spirit Crystals, Shen Wenxing shook his head slightly.

"Compared to Luoxia Mountain, Qiyun Valley is indeed quite stingy."

Hearing this, Shen Yuan couldn't help but chide with a smile, "Do not be insatiable."

Shen Wenxing nodded with a smile, "It's not that I am greedy; Qiyun Valley's rewards are certainly worth our gratitude, but now we have a comparison."

"Wen'an is still a disciple of Qiyun Valley, and we have no relation with Luoxia Mountain."

"With such a comparison, the disparity becomes evident."

Shen Yuan shook his head, "Alright, let's not mention Qiyun Valley anymore. We should remember the goodness of Wen'an's master."

Shen Wenxing solemnly nodded, "The same goes for Immortal Li and Fairy Pei."

Three days after Pei Yuwan's departure, Wei Qiuling also arrived at the Shen Family.

Shen Yuan and Shen Wenxing jointly received her.

"Patriarch Shen, Brother Shen."

After exchanging pleasantries, Wei Qiuling, with a smile, took out two Jade Scrolls and a large and small wooden box.

"These are some Talismanic Techniques," she said, picking up one of the Jade Scrolls. "Talismanic Techniques are among the most commonly used methods by Immortal Dao Cultivators."

"Cultivators who master Talismanic Techniques can not only refine various Five Elements Talismans, Thunder Talismans, etc., but also infuse their attack methods into the talismans for juniors to carry for protection."

"High Tier talismans require high-quality Spirit Paper, Spiritual Ink, and a Spiritual Brush, along with skilled drawing techniques. This Jade Scroll contains some simple Talismanic Techniques that can be drawn with a bit of practice."

Saying so, Wei Qiuling opened the small wooden box, revealing a stack of Talisman Paper, a Cyan Jade Talisman Brush, and a piece of Spiritual Ink.

"Here are a hundred sheets of primary Spirit Talisman Paper. Let me know if you run out."

Both Shen Yuan and Shen Wenxing's faces lit up with joy upon hearing this.

Especially Shen Yuan.

He had witnessed the wonders of talismans firsthand.

When Shen Wen'an was being chased by disciples of Hundred Beasts Mountain, he easily killed the disciples using the talisman granted by Pei Zhao.

Since stepping onto the path of cultivation, the Shen Family indeed lacked in Immortal Dao methods.

Even himself, at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, when confronting enemies, still relied on wielding a sword like a martial artist.

After placing the Talismanic Techniques Jade Scroll down, Wei Qiuling picked up the other Jade Scroll and said, "This contains some Five Elements Techniques and a small Secret Skill named 'True Spirit Oath.'"

"This Secret Skill can bind others, preventing them from divulging some Core Techniques, Cultivation Techniques, etc., benefiting the Shen Family greatly."

Handing over the two Jade Scrolls and the wooden box containing Spirit Talisman Paper and Brush, Wei Qiuling said with a light smile, "These are basic means of Immortal Dao Cultivators, not highly valued."

"Qiuling merely thought the Shen Family might need these, so I gathered some and copied them onto the Jade Scrolls."

"I hope Brother Shen and Patriarch Shen do not disdain them."

On hearing this, Shen Wenxing repeatedly waved his hand, "Fairy Wei jests. These are precisely what the Shen Family needs most. Fairy Wei has thought of everything, and the Shen Family can only be grateful, not disdainful."

Wei Qiuling smiled, "As long as the Shen Family needs them, that's good."

Saying so, she opened the wooden box in front of her, revealing the exquisite garments inside.

"This item is called the Rainbow Magical Robe, unique to my Luoxia Mountain."

"Once the Rainbow Magical Robe is refined, it can ward off cold and heat, and resist attacks without injury in the same Realm."

"Qiuling requested two pieces from the sect, one male and one female."

"Is this the Rainbow Magical Robe?" Shen Wenxing looked at the luxurious clothing in the wooden box and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Seeing his reaction, Wei Qiuling asked curiously, "Brother Shen, have you heard of the Rainbow Magical Robe?"

Shen Wenxing was taken aback for a moment and awkwardly laughed, "I heard from Fairy Pei."

Wei Qiuling seemed to ponder, as if she understood something, but didn't continue questioning.

"I delivered the items, and there is one more thing I need Brother Shen's help with."

"Is Fairy Wei referring to the investigation of the murderer?"

Wei Qiuling nodded, "After letting that villain roam free for so long, it's time to resolve it."

Shen Wenxing nodded, then turned to Shen Yuan and said, "Ah Die, I might need to accompany Fairy Wei for a few days; the matters at home..."

Shen Yuan smiled slightly, "Go ahead, it has entered winter, and there aren't many major affairs at home."

After chatting for a while, Wei Qiuling finally stood up to bid farewell, leaving the Shen Family with Shen Wenxing.

On the official road, the two rode side by side, Shen Wenxing spoke, "Should we not inform Immortal Li and Fairy Pei from Qiyun Valley about this matter?"

After leaving the Shen Family, Wei Qiuling directly asked Shen Wenxing to take him to the Xu Family in Chunshui Town.

"No need." Wei Qiuling said with a light smile, "Before coming here, I had already met with Senior Brother Heshan."

"Senior Brother Heshan said Yangnao Land is recovering, and Qiyun Valley needs to make proper arrangements, so the investigation of the murderer should wait a bit."

"Qiuling doesn't like procrastination, and since this matter occurred under the jurisdiction of Luoxia Mountain, if there's no accountability, how can we discuss arrangements in Yunzhong?"

Shen Wenxing showed a thoughtful expression, feeling something was amiss.

The annihilation massacre happened in Yunzhong, but someone from the Xu Family was a disciple of Qiyun Valley after all.

Yet Qiyun Valley isn't anxious at all?

"May I ask what method Fairy Wei intends to use for the investigation?"

Suppressing the doubts in his heart, Shen Wenxing asked.

Although he had a brief encounter with the murderer that day, he indeed had no clues and didn't know how he could be of help.

Wei Qiuling smiled, "Luoxia Mountain has a Technique named 'Dawn Shadow,' which has a certain chance to mirror past events using certain key items."

"We'll first try it at the Xu Family. If we cannot use 'Dawn Shadow' there, we'll need to go to the Huang Family."

"Brother Shen had a confrontation with that Immortal Sect disciple at the Huang Family. Using your memory and the remaining Spiritual Power aura at the scene, it should be easier to find some clues."

Shen Wenxing felt enlightened and couldn't help but silently marvel.

The methods of immortals are indeed wondrous.

The two rode fast horses and arrived at Chunshui Town by noon.

After the massacre of the Xu Family, Anyang City received the news and immediately sent people to seal off the area.

Upon arriving at the Xu Family Mansion, Wei Qiuling looked around and attempted to use the 'Dawn Shadow' Secret Skill a few times but seemed to find no clues.

"The Xu Family members were too weak; I suspect the Immortal Sect disciple did not even make a move, leaving no Spiritual Power aura at the scene."

Wei Qiuling said somewhat disappointed, "Brother Shen, I still need you to accompany me to the Huang Family."

Shen Wenxing cupped his hands, "It's not troublesome at all. If we leave now, we should arrive before nightfall."

The two left the Xu Family and hurried towards the Huang Family without delay.

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