The bird coldly snorted, "Your master killed my brother. Naturally, I must kill his disciple to avenge him."

Upon hearing this, Lingshan Sword Immortal smiled faintly.

"I wondered why you did this; turns out you couldn't defeat my master, so you set your sights on me."

"Truly worthy of a thousand-year-old Demon King, knowing when to adapt."

A hint of embarrassment flashed in the bird's eyes, and then it couldn't be bothered to waste more words. It immediately shouted coldly, "Enough of this useless talk. Today, I must keep you here in Qishan!"

The epic battle once again stirred an area thousands of miles around, causing many cultivators and some mountain demon beasts to flee in panic upon sensing the terrifying sword intent and ferocious aura.

Meanwhile, the old ape was flicked a hundred miles away by the bird's wing. Though severely injured, it fortunately managed to cling to life.

At that moment, feeling the great battle behind it, its eyes were filled with hesitation.

For a long time—

"Forget it, forget it!"

"With the strength of that elder, there's no advantage to be gained."

"The Female Essence Wisdom Pearl has yet to be found, and there are too many strong beings in the mountain. It's more important for me, the old ape, to preserve my life."

Severely injured and having repeatedly encountered setbacks with powerful beings, the old ape had fully realized that the opportunity of the Female Essence Wisdom Pearl was beyond its ability to compete for.

After taking a moment to adjust its internal demon essence and assessing its condition, it couldn't wait to ride the wind towards the direction of Hundred Beasts Mountain.

...

At the Shen Family of Black Water Pool.

At night, in the Black Water Pavilion, Shen Yuan and his two sons sat around together.

Shen Wen'an's hand glowed, and a pile of spirit crystals emitting rich spiritual qi appeared on the desk in front of him.

Shen Yuan and Shen Wenxing both looked surprised at the scene.

"Where did so many spirit crystals come from?" Shen Wenxing asked curiously.

"Picked them up in the Black Pine Forest," Shen Wen'an said with a smile. "The owner of that spirit crystal vein must have evacuated rather hastily back then, or perhaps encountered some unforeseen event."

"So much so that they didn't even have time to take away the mined spirit crystals."

"And there's this."

His hand flashed with light again, and from the storage bag, he took out two jade scrolls and a bronze fragment.

Shen Yuan picked up one of the jade scrolls and inserted his divine sense into it.

"Mist Flood Dragon Nourishing Vein Technique?"

Shen Wen'an nodded, "I deduce that the owner of that spirit crystal vein should be from the Dragon Taming Clan based on this."

"This jade scroll also contains some techniques. Ah Die can study them when free."

As he spoke, Shen Wen'an handed the other jade scroll to Shen Yuan.

Beside him, Shen Wenxing picked up the bronze fragment and examined it repeatedly. "What is this?"

Shen Yuan glanced at it, and the memory of a similar bronze fragment that Shen Wen'an had brought back years ago suddenly appeared in his mind.

"Wait a moment."

He brought the two jade scrolls to the third floor and conveniently brought down the previous bronze fragment.

When the two bronze fragments were placed together, the three of them studied them closely and were able to confirm that the materials and inscriptions of both were the same.

However, the two fragments were not continuous and could not be pieced together.

For now, they could only put them away and see if they could find other fragments in the future.

"I heard from your elder brother that you agreed to become Dao companions with Immortal Wei?"

After tidying up the spirit crystals and the bronze fragment, Shen Yuan picked up a tea cup and took a sip.

Shen Wen'an nodded.

Shen Yuan pondered for a moment and added, "For cultivators, Dao companions are akin to spouses in the mundane world. Your second brother's path back then—Father doesn't want you to repeat the same mistake."

"Do you want to reconsider?"

Back then, Shen Wenyan played out "devoting oneself to filial piety and dedicating the spirit to the Literary Dao," marrying Zhao Xuan.

In the end, it led to the current situation.

It wronged himself and caused Zhao Xuan and the Shen Chongxuan brothers much hardship.

He hopes Shen Wen'an won't follow this path.

"Don't worry, Father," Shen Wen'an mustered a slight smile and said, "A Dao companion is just a fellow traveler on the path to Immortality. Senior Sister Wei is not like Second Sister-in-law, so it won't be the same."

Shen Yuan nodded and looked at Shen Wenxing, "Did you tell Immortal Wei about this?"

Shen Wenxing cupped his hands, "When Father decides, I plan to formally inform Immortal Wei."

"As Immortal Wei is the chief of Luoxia Mountain, the matter of becoming Dao companions with Wen'an cannot be taken lightly."

"Some protocols and rules still need to be discussed clearly before proceeding."

Shen Yuan nodded in agreement, "Alright, you take care of it first. The matters at home will be temporarily entrusted to me."

He slowly stood up and walked with his hands behind his back towards the exit of the Black Water Pavilion.

The bright moonlight shone on the pool, and with the gentle breeze, ripples spread across the water's surface.

Shen Yuan halted his steps, gazing at the distant Black Water Pool, and let out a slight sigh.

In his life, he had three sons and a daughter, and the second son Shen Wenyan's marriage was a mess.

The third son Shen Wenping finally found someone he adored, but unexpectedly, the son-in-law met with misfortune, leaving behind just the two of them, mother and child.

This time, he hopes that his youngest son won't encounter any more incidents.

Parents generally hope for their children to be well and, more importantly, for their children to live happily...

The next day, Shen Wenxing headed early towards Yunzhong County City.

In a quaint courtyard, Wei Qiuling sat cross-legged facing the morning sun, stabilizing her realm.

"Senior sister, Patriarch Shen is here."

A disciple from Luoxia Mountain approached and spoke softly.

Wei Qiuling slowly opened her eyes, saw Shen Wenxing in the distance, and rose to greet him.

"Brother Shen."

Shen Wenxing returned the salute and then smiled, "Immortal Wei, yesterday I asked my father about my younger brother Wen'an, and he agreed to become Dao companions with Immortal Wei."

"I've come today to ask Immortal Wei what customs and protocols there are for cultivators becoming Dao companions."

"We must not let Immortal Wei be slighted then."

Wei Qiuling, hearing this, was initially taken aback, then smiled, "For cultivators, becoming Dao companions is not as elaborate as a mundane marriage."

"There's no need for excessive arrangements."

"We only need to select an auspicious day and invite some familiar Daoist friends to witness."

After a brief consideration, Shen Wenxing said, "Since we're inviting cultivators as witnesses, we should prepare some spirit fruits and spirit wine."

"We have some Purple Star Fruit in the Shen Family. I will also check the market later to see if there are other spirit fruits for sale and get some spirit wine."

Wei Qiuling nodded and then smiled, "Since Junior Brother Wen'an has agreed, henceforth, Qiuling will call you 'big brother'."

"Big brother, please do not address me as 'Immortal Wei' anymore."

Shen Wenxing nodded with a smile.

"Big brother will start preparations. Qiuling no longer has parents and will need Master to personally come to discuss this matter with Uncle Shen."

Hearing this, Shen Wenxing cupped his hands and left the courtyard.

After he left, a hint of jealousy flashed in the eyes of the young disciple from Luoxia Mountain who was beside Wei Qiuling. He bowed and asked, "Senior sister truly intends to become Dao companions with that young man?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Qiuling glanced at him slightly and said, "Junior Brother Zhuo has an opinion on my choice of Dao companion?"

The young man quickly bowed with a smile, "I wouldn't dare! It's just that Senior Brother Zhao..."

"Zhao Yan?" A faint smile appeared on Wei Qiuling's face, "If he has any ideas, he can go speak with Junior Brother Wen'an."

After saying this, Wei Qiuling returned to her room and took out a Communication Stone.

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