The others, upon hearing his mumbling, all looked at Shen Wen'an with peculiar expressions.

The ones with the most complex expressions were Li Heshan and Wei Qiuling.

The former was filled with regret and remorse.

Looking at Shen Wen'an, who had already restrained his sword qi, he was filled with deep regret.

He still remembered how he had brought Shen Wen'an to Qiyun Valley when the boy was only eight years old.

Now, in just a little over a decade, that stubborn and quiet little boy had already grown into a Fetal Breathing Realm expert before him.

More importantly, he was a Sword Cultivator in the Fetal Breathing Realm!

Judging by his control over sword qi, he was clearly no newcomer to the Fetal Breathing Realm.

Li Heshan hated it!

This was supposed to be the genius of Qiyun Valley!

To have broken through to the Fetal Breathing Realm at such a young age, even if he never set foot in the Sword Immortal Realm in the future, having a living Sword Cultivator at the Great Perfection of Fetal Breathing to uphold the sect would be enough to place Qiyun Valley among the forefront of the various immortal sects of Qishan.

It's a pity that such an infinitely potential genius was turned away by Qiyun Valley.

But Wei Qiuling's feelings at the moment were quite the opposite!

Apart from being shocked, Wei Qiuling was extremely excited inside!

She vividly remembered how she had gone against the crowd, persuading her master to ally with the Shen Family, despite the criticism from the elders within the sect.

To the elders of the sect, investing in the Shen Family was a gamble.

Back then, Shen Wen'an was still a disciple of Qiyun Valley, and Lingshan Sword Immortal at the Qishan Market seemed to act on a whim.

Subsequent events proved that the Cyan Ruo Sword House did not provide any news suggesting Lingshan Sword Immortal had deeper expectations for Shen Wen'an.

Later, upon learning that Shen Wen'an was expelled from Qiyun Valley, some elders of the sect secretly wanted her to invite Shen Wen'an to join Luoxia Mountain.

But Wei Qiuling thought it over and declined.

She could tell that Shen Wen'an didn't care much for the sentiments of the sect; he cared most about his family and the Sword Dao.

Luoxia Mountain was not a Sword Cultivator sect and could not offer much help in Sword Dao cultivation.

It was better to approach from what he cared most about—his family—and provide the Shen Family with various benefits and assistance.

Now, this investment was finally paying off.

Such a young and unaffiliated Fetal Breathing Realm Sword Cultivator, once he grows, even just one action from him in the future would make all the years of effort by Luoxia Mountain worthwhile!

"Junior Brother Shen is right."

Suppressing the joy in her heart, Wei Qiuling calmly said, "Yunzhong County belongs to our Luoxia Mountain."

"Qiuling stated years ago that Luoxia Mountain gifted Yunshui Town to the Shen Family, and without the Shen Family's permission, no one can meddle in Yunshui Town's affairs."

"Though Hidden Dragon Mountain spans eight hundred miles, the Shen Family has only dutifully kept to the four hundred-mile boundary without greedily overstepping."

"Is Hundred Beasts Mountain pressing so hard because they think Luoxia Mountain is easy to bully?"

At this moment, she decided to gamble once more!

Though Hundred Beasts Mountain was strong, it wasn't so much that Luoxia Mountain dared not resist.

Among the dozens of immortal sects in Qishan, interests were intertwined and deeply rooted.

Those without connections would have long disappeared into the river of time.

"Fellow Daoist Yang's demand is indeed excessive."

"The disciple has been missing for years, and now suddenly claims they're suspected to be within the Shen Family's territory and wants to search."

"Where was Hundred Beasts Mountain's people when that disciple went missing?"

Jin Sheng added sarcastically.

Among the Qishan Range, there were only a few immortal sects that didn't fear Hundred Beasts Mountain, and the Vajra Sect was one of them.

Hundred Beasts Mountain's strength lay in their Path of Beast Taming, making it like facing two opponents of the same realm when battling other cultivators.

One of which would invariably be a physically formidable demon beast.

The Vajra Sect's Body Cultivators were different.

They were akin to a fusion of demon beasts and cultivators.

If not for the difficulty and dangers of breaking through as Body Cultivators, which created a gap in high-end combat power with Hundred Beasts Mountain, the Vajra Sect would undoubtedly be the leader among the Qishan Range.

"You!"

Yang Xun glared at Jin Sheng, but inadvertently glanced at Shen Wen'an standing beside him, holding his sword.

He knew clearly that with a Sword Cultivator in the Fetal Breathing Realm present, Hundred Beasts Mountain had already lost this time.

To suppress the Shen Family now, Hundred Beasts Mountain would need to dispatch a mid-stage Fetal Breathing Realm expert to Yangnao Land.

But as it stands, both Luoxia Mountain and the Vajra Sect were determined to help the Shen Family.

If Hundred Beasts Mountain could send a mid-stage Fetal Breathing Realm expert, Luoxia Mountain had them too.

The Vajra Sect boasted numerous combat-frenzied Body Cultivators of the Fourth Realm.

Once a conflict involving Fetal Breathing Realm experts broke out, it would escalate into a war between immortal sects.

Several disciples from Cyan Ox Peak had been missing for three or four years and were likely already dead.

To initiate a sect war over a few deceased disciples was simply not worth it.

Various immortal sects had come to Yangnao Land seeking opportunity and gain, and dragging a sect into a battle with others without substantial benefit was irrational behavior.

"Heh... very well."

"We'll accept this loss, Hundred Beasts Mountain does."

"Patriarch Shen, take care in the future."

After taking a deep look at Shen Wenxing, Yang Xun swiftly rode off on the moon-white giant wolf.

With the matter resolved, a few individuals breathed a sigh of relief before offering congratulations to Shen Wen'an.

As the chief disciples of an Immortal Sect, the few present had long reached the Great Perfection of Qi Cultivation.

Except for Jin Sheng, who hadn't fully mastered his control and dared not break through to the Fourth Realm of Body Refining, equivalent to the Fetal Breathing Realm of the Immortal Dao, the others could break through to the Fetal Breathing Realm anytime they wished.

They had delayed, partly to solidify their foundation and mainly because they refused to settle for mediocrity, all seeking superior innate spiritual qi as a foundation to forge an Upper Grade Immortal Embryo.

Even in the least favorable scenario, one must find a trace of middle-level innate spiritual energy to achieve a middle-grade immortal embryo.

The various immortal sects, with their long-standing traditions, have long discovered a fact.

If one wishes to aspire to the Golden Core Dao in the future, the quality of the immortal embryo must be at least mid-upper grade or above.

Throughout countless years, there have rarely been any cultivators with a lower grade ordinary immortal embryo who have succeeded in aspiring to the Golden Core Dao.

Shen Wen'an clearly did not like such occasions. After a few perfunctory sentences, he said to Shen Wenxing, "Wait outside," and then left the pavilion.

"I hope you understand, my younger brother has such a disposition..."

Shen Wenxing quickly explained.

Everyone present had intentions to befriend the Shen Family, and they had naturally inquired about Shen Wen'an's deeds beforehand to understand his character.

"No problem, every strong person has their own temperament."

Jin Sheng laughed and then changed the subject, "Brother Shen, is there anything you don't understand about body refining at present?"

"Although Jin is not exceptionally talented, I have reached the Third Realm, and perhaps I can resolve Brother Shen's doubts."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenxing quickly clasped his hands together, "To be honest, Brother Jin, I do have some perplexities."

Shen Wenxing described the problems he had encountered in his recent cultivation. Jin Sheng, indeed deserving of being the chief disciple of the Vajra Sect, had very high talent in body cultivation. After pondering for a moment, he provided an answer.

At the end, he also smiled and said, "Brother Shen has great talent in body cultivation. If there is an opportunity in the future, I must take Brother Shen to meet my master."

The Profound Robe Daoist from the Profound Water Sect also took the opportunity to inquire about the effects of the Profound Water Pill, stating that although the Profound Water Pill is precious and the Profound Water Sect couldn't give them away, they could sell them at a discounted price if the Shen Family needed them in the future.

The atmosphere was very harmonious.

As dusk approached, Shen Wen'an and Zhao Jinhua arrived at the pavilion.

"Patriarch."

Zhao Jinhua greeted with a respectful bow.

Upon seeing him, Shen Wenxing frowned slightly and asked, "Is there an urgent matter at home?"

He understood that if there were no urgent matters, Zhao Jinhua would not have come to Anyang City to find him at this time.

Zhao Jinhua nodded slightly and took out an envelope from his bosom, handing it to him.

Shen Wenxing took the envelope, drew out a piece of paper, and instantly knitted his brows.

"What is this?"

On the white paper in his hand was drawn a strange animal.

A tiger-headed beast with red hair, antlers on its head, resembling a lion...

Zhao Jinhua shook his head with a wry smile, "Uncle Yuan drew it, claiming he dreamed of it, and upon learning that the Patriarch was meeting with several immortals today, he asked me to bring it."

"He said that since the immortals have extensive knowledge, they might have seen such a creature."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenxing's expression turned strange.

It was somewhat difficult for him to understand what his father was doing.

Dreaming of a monster and going to such lengths to have someone ask the sect's chief disciples present, this...

The key issue was, the drawing was really ugly.

The few present also looked at each other upon hearing Zhao Jinhua's words.

"As cultivators, from the moment we develop divine sense, we somewhat experience celestial-human sympathy."

"The Elder Patriarch is also a cultivator, so if he dreamed of this creature, there might be some omen."

"Patriarch Shen, if it's convenient, could you show us this creature?"

The Profound Robe Daoist slowly spoke.

The others also nodded, wanting to see what the old Patriarch of the Shen Family had dreamed of.

Shen Wenxing hesitated for a moment and reluctantly handed the paper to Wei Qiuling next to him.

Wei Qiuling took the paper, and the others gathered around.

"You've embarrassed us, my father really drew something quite ugly..."

The few did not mind; they merely stared at the drawing on the paper, frowning in thought.

"Neither a tiger nor not a tiger, this beast is quite peculiar."

"It has antlers on its head, yet it's not a deer..."

"However, this beast does seem somewhat familiar, as if I've read about such a description in some ancient texts."

After studying it for a while, Wei Qiuling spoke with a contemplative expression, "Fellow Daoists, has anyone read the 'Guangyuan Chronicles'?"

Upon hearing this, the few seemed taken aback.

The Profound Robe Daoist pondered for a moment and spoke, "Is Fellow Daoist Wei referring to the account of the Nascent Soul Realm expert known as Master Guangyuan, written during his travels in the Qishan Range a thousand years ago?"

Wei Qiuling nodded.

"Luoxia Mountain was fortunate to obtain an excerpt of the 'Guangyuan Chronicles', and Qiuling has perused it."

"The writings document how Master Guangyuan encountered an exotic beast named Bai Ze in the Qishan Range. A tiger-headed creature with red hair, antlers on its head, its body snow-white, resembling a lion, with four legs in a flying stance."

"It's Bai Ze!" The Profound Robe Daoist exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this, "I have indeed heard some legends regarding Bai Ze."

"It is said this beast has a gentle and kind disposition, profoundly knowledgeable, wise like a sage, capable of recognizing all kinds of spirits and monsters in the world."

"Oh?" Jin Sheng was initially surprised, then laughed, "So this creature is a rare auspicious beast?"

Wei Qiuling nodded, "The 'Guangyuan Chronicles' not only described the beast's appearance but also mentioned that there was a Bai Ze in the Qishan Range that had achieved cultivation."

"However, since Master Guangyuan wrote the 'Guangyuan Chronicles' a thousand years ago, unless that Bai Ze Auspicious Beast also possessed the strength of the Nascent Soul Realm, it might have already perished."

"Demonic beasts and spirits differ from us cultivators. Such auspicious beasts should only feed on the essence of the sun and the moon, perhaps their lifespan is a bit longer..." Jin Sheng said with a smile, then turned to Shen Wenxing, "Brother Shen, the fact that the Elder Patriarch dreamed of such an exotic beast should be a good omen, suggesting prosperity might befall the Shen Family."

Shen Wenxing smiled and clasped his hands, "Thanks for Brother Jin's kind words. As it is getting late and there is nothing else, I shall take my leave now."

"When the Jinghe Market is completed in a while, we shall meet there again."

Hearing this, everyone clasped hands, seeing Shen Wenxing off.

On the way back, Shen Wenxing frowned deeply, still pondering over the matter of the Bai Ze Auspicious Beast.

Wei Qiuling mentioned the Bai Ze Auspicious Beast had appeared in the Qishan Range, and his father dreamt of this beast... He vaguely felt this might have something to do with his younger brother Shen Wenyan.

But what connection could there be between the two?

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