Shen Mansion, Main Hall.

Senior Brother Xiao and Yu Fangliang, having heard the commotion, set down their teacups and abruptly stood up.

The two of them exchanged a glance, each showing fear.

"Senior Brother, such strong spiritual power fluctuations! Someone is engaged in magical combat!"

"It's in the inner quarters of Shen Mansion!"

Senior Brother Xiao's eyes were filled with uncertainty.

The place was only over a hundred feet away from the inner quarters of Shen Mansion.

Such intense spiritual power fluctuations were far beyond what he, a cultivator at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, could withstand.

"Senior Brother, should we go take a look?"

"No!"

Senior Brother Xiao said resolutely.

"Shen Mansion is in no small trouble!"

"If they can't solve it, our going there will be of no help!"

Yu Fangliang asked somewhat unwillingly, "Are we just going to stand by and do nothing?"

"What else can we do?"

Senior Brother Xiao slowly sat down and continued to drink tea.

"Shen Mansion will be fine."

But inside, he thought.

Even if there is trouble, it's none of his concern.

"Alright, I'll listen to Senior Brother Xiao."

Yu Fangliang also sat down to drink tea.

However, no matter what, he couldn't remain as calm as Senior Brother Xiao.

He occasionally glanced toward the inner quarters of Shen Mansion.

Senior Brother Xiao shook his head slightly.

Junior Brother Yu is still too young and lacks composure.

If the trouble is so great that Shen Mansion can't handle it.

Going there would only bring disaster upon themselves.

On the other hand.

If the trouble is something Shen Mansion can resolve, they don't need to intervene.

As they say, stillness is better than action; only then can one advance or retreat effortlessly.

...

In the inner quarters, Qingxin Hall, inside the bedroom.

Ding Yuyao looked at her husband Shen Xuan with delight.

He was almost unchanged from the time he left twenty years ago.

His appearance remained, still looking like a refined gentleman in his forties, gentle, polite, confident, with the unique charm of a mature man.

Shen Xiuyan guarded outside the door.

Shen Xiuxing, Manager Liu, and Ding Yitao all stood outside Qingxin Hall.

"Wife, today is your seventieth birthday, so I've come back to see you."

"Yes, I am already seventy years old!"

Ding Yuyao stretched out her aged hand and gently stroked Shen Xuan's face.

"But husband, you are still the same as when we first met."

Shen Xuan remained silent.

He had thought of many ways for Ding Yuyao.

Practicing the Jade Maiden Scripture, purchasing Youthful Appearance Pills, consuming small amounts of Demon Beast Meat Spirit Rice, and taking various Low-Tier Spirit Pills.

But Ding Yuyao was, after all, an ordinary mortal.

Birth, old age, illness, and death, the cycle of the Heavenly Dao.

He did not yet have the ability to change Ding Yuyao's fate against the heavens.

On the opposite side.

Ding Yuyao's eyes were filled with joy.

Her husband coming to see her was the best birthday present.

All these years, she had never forgotten.

The bits and pieces of their past life always emerged in her mind.

Every time she thought of this.

She would feel genuine pride and joy.

Her husband entered a grand sect and was promoted to a direct disciple of a True Master, with a bright future on the Daoist path.

In her past life, how many good deeds did she have to do to marry her husband!

Even now, she and her family relatives are enjoying the blessings brought by Shen Xuan.

No regrets in this life!

Unfortunately, she didn't have a spirit root and couldn't cultivate.

Otherwise, it would be wonderful to soar together.

The Ding Family in Cyan Dragon Bay, during a moment of crisis, sought her urgent help.

She was well aware that the real help was sought from her successful husband!

She once selfishly wished that her husband had limited talent and would stop at the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation.

That way, they could grow old together.

Now, she had come to terms with it.

Her husband was an immortal descended to the mortal world, a mighty one reborn, here to undergo tribulation in the secular world.

Ultimately, her husband would surely cultivate the Immortal Dao and return to the Immortal Realm.

What virtue and ability did she have to accompany her husband through the initial hardships?

"Alright. At seventy years, don't let the younger generation laugh at you!"

Shen Xuan lovingly wiped away the tears on Ding Yuyao's face.

"Husband, will you attend my birthday banquet?"

Shen Xuan thought for a moment.

And shook his head.

"I will not attend."

"Two juniors from Celestial Skill Sect have arrived and are quite composed."

"There are two Late Stage Qi Cultivators hiding outside Shen Mansion, afraid to come in, they are from Red Rainbow Sect."

Only then did Ding Yuyao come to her senses, finding Ding Yijin's letter.

Shen Xuan glanced over it with his divine sense and smiled slightly.

"Husband, what do you think..."

"It's a small matter, after your birthday banquet, I'll go to Cyan Dragon Bay for a look."

Shen Xuan understood Ding Yuyao's intention.

She still hoped he would assist the Ding Family.

After all, people are not plants; who can be without feeling?

"Alright then, the birthday banquet is about to begin. Let's head out first."

"Yes, husband."

Ding Yuyao tidied her appearance in front of the Copper Mirror.

Quickly, the two of them left the bedroom.

"Come in, everyone!"

Inside Qingxin Hall.

Shen Xiuyan, Shen Xiuxing, Manager Liu, and Ding Yitao all looked towards this legendary cultivator.

"Xiuyan, you've done well."

"Father!"

Shen Xiuyan's face turned red.

Earlier, she had dealt a potentially fatal blow to Shen Xuan.

"Bring the bracelet."

Taking the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet, Shen Xuan re-refined it.

"Xiuyan, you are now at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, I have left nine strands of sword intent anew."

"These nine strands of sword intent are immensely powerful!"

"Do not easily activate them unless absolutely necessary."

Shen Xuan solemnly advised.

Things are different now.

Shen Xuan's strength had greatly increased, and Shen Xiuyan also had the cultivation of the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.

He left nine strands of Water Spirit True Qi Sword Intent within it, infused with the newly comprehended Ice Technique.

Instantly capable of killing an ordinary cultivator at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

"However, if you encounter someone with ill intentions who threatens the lives of family members, you must act decisively!"

"Yes, father."

With anticipation, Shen Xiuyan softly asked, "Father, can you tell me, to what extent is the Purple Bracelet's sword intent, so I can have a sense of it?"

Shen Xuan looked at the people around him.

They were all trustworthy.

Nevertheless.

He still transmitted a message to Shen Xiuyan.

"Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, instant kill."

Shen Xiuyan's small mouth immediately gaped open, with an incredulous expression.

In a blink, she became joyful.

"I understand, thank you, father!"

Although those present did not hear the message between Shen Xuan and Shen Xiuyan.

They all guessed.

The Sword Intent left by Shen Xuan in the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet is immensely powerful.

That's why Shen Xiuyan is so delighted.

As for the jade pendants of Ding Yuyao and Shen Xiuxing, Shen Xuan merely refined them casually.

Neither of them have a Spirit Root; they cultivate the Martial Dao and only possess True Qi.

If the power is too strong, it becomes difficult to trigger.

It's only capable of dealing with cultivators at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation.

"Ding Yitao."

"Grandnephew is here."

"You should go back first. In a few days, I will visit Cyan Dragon Bay."

"Yes."

Ding Yitao knelt down, kowtowed a few times, and retreated while facing backward.

After a few moments of contemplation, Shen Xuan said, "Xiuyan, you and Xiuxing, go meet the two young juniors of the Celestial Skill Sect."

"Father?"

"Don't overthink it, just go through the motions, probe their attitude towards the Ding Family of Qinglong Bay."

Shen Xuan smiled and said, "If you fancy any of them, it's up to you. Your mother and I don't object."

"Father, your daughter doesn't wish to marry!"

"Go now!"

Shen Xuan waved his hand.

After his son and daughter left, Shen Xuan gently patted Manager Liu on the shoulder.

"Old Liu, you're in good shape, lifting a hundred-pound black iron cane—aren't you afraid of straining your old back?"

"Master jests. Master has vast divine power, while this old servant has blurred vision and failed to recognize you for a moment, deserving death!"

"At the madam's birthday banquet, don't say such inauspicious things."

"Old Liu, accompany the madam to attend the birthday banquet."

"Do not tell anyone about my return to the mansion."

After speaking, Shen Xuan's figure vanished into thin air.

As if he had never been there.

...

Outside Hongcheng County.

Ding Yitao left the city gates, riding a fine steed, galloping swiftly with a whip.

Soon, he was over a hundred miles away from Hongcheng County.

At this moment, an old man in red stood ahead, hands behind his back, gazing at the sky.

"Neigh!"

The steed reared its front hooves and abruptly halted.

"Fellow Daoist of Red Rainbow Sect, why do you block my path!"

Ding Yitao asked coldly.

The Ding Family of Qinglong Bay is at odds with the Red Rainbow Sect.

But overtly, they have not gone to war.

The Ding Family's cultivators with good talent all joined the Celestial Skill Sect.

Ding Yitao is also a disciple of the Celestial Skill Sect.

"Get down!"

The red-clad old man slowly turned around, his eyes electric, coldly staring at Ding Yitao.

Late Stage of Qi Cultivation!

Sensing the opponent's strong aura, Ding Yitao turned to look behind.

Behind him, another red-clad old man was looking at him with a teasing expression.

"Are you two fellow Daoists from the Red Rainbow Sect planning to ambush and murder me?"

Ding Yitao said with a cold smile.

The two Red Rainbow Sect cultivators surrounding him were both at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation.

He was certainly no match for them.

There was no necessity to resist.

"You're called Ding Yitao, aren't you."

"A few days ago, a disciple of our Red Rainbow Sect argued with you and was ambushed and killed."

"You'll need to come with us!"

Ding Yitao bluntly refused.

"I'm not going!"

"This is the Celestial Skill Sect's territory."

"If you dare to misbehave, bear the consequences yourself!"

The two red-clad old men laughed heartily.

"You, at Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, dare to boast!"

"Not knowing what's good for you, you refuse the toast only to drink the forfeit!"

As they spoke, they slowly approached Ding Yitao from the front and back.

A murderous aura gradually spread.

Clearly, if Ding Yitao resisted, they wouldn't mind severely injuring him on the spot.

At this moment.

A Dark Ice Fish emerged from the void, vivid and lively, swimming joyfully.

Seeing this, Ding Yitao heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed immediately.

He had seen Shen Xiuxing in action.

The Dark Ice Fish before him was quite similar to what he had seen before.

Only now it was solidified into ice and its aura was even stronger.

The two red-clad old men's faces changed dramatically.

They were cultivators at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation from the sect.

Their experience far surpassed that of clan cultivators and loose cultivators.

With just one look at the Dark Ice Fish,

they knew that the one who controlled it had profound Dao techniques, very likely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

The two exchanged a glance, then cupped their fists towards the Dark Ice Fish in unison.

"We are disciples of Red Rainbow Sect, greetings to Senior!"

"Scram!"

"Should you dare to turn back, you will be slain without mercy!"

A low, imposing voice rang out.

The two were not fools and transformed into a blaze of fire, flying away on their swords.

"Pretty smart! What a pity!"

In the void, Shen Xuan revealed himself, shaking his head.

It wasn't out of softness of heart.

Those two disciples of Red Rainbow Sect were a branch of the Daoist Sect in Song Country.

As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it was inappropriate to act hastily without sufficient reason.

Seeing Ding Yitao still standing dumbfounded.

Shen Xuan waved his hand.

"Return to Cyan Dragon Bay quickly!"

...

The two red-clad old men flew three hundred miles away before stopping to rest.

"Senior Brother, isn't it bad to flee in such a sorry state?"

"If you don't run, are you waiting to die?"

The older red-clad old man wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Junior Brother, count yourself lucky!"

"Do you know who that person is?"

The younger red-clad old man couldn't help thinking of someone.

"No way, it can't be..."

"Hush! Silence!"

Senior Brother looked around cautiously.

"Twenty years ago, I worked in the Law Enforcement Team at Cyan Dragon Bay and saw that person in action!"

"Hiss!"

Junior Brother gasped in shock.

"How unlucky, why has he come back!"

"Hurry back to the sect, report to the Elder immediately."

"Senior Brother, shouldn't we go to Cyan Dragon Bay to report?"

Senior Brother glared at Junior Brother.

"If you're courting death, don't drag me down! Back then, the Market Array was blown up by that person!"

"Didn't you hear what that person said? If we turn back, we're dead. We can only return to the sect!"

"Senior Brother's insight!"

Within just over ten breaths, the two made a decision and immediately headed back to the sect to report the news.

After they left.

Shen Xuan emerged from the void, deep in thought.

The Red Rainbow Sect cultivators acted so openly, there must be a reason behind it.

It seems that the Ding Family of Qinglong Bay is having a very hard time.

Calculating the days, it's been over thirty years, it's about time.

The Celestial Skill Sect, having used up the Ding Family, intended to use the Red Rainbow Sect's hand to completely cleanse them out.

"Such trouble!"

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