Among the many Immortal Sects of Qishan, he was unaware of the alliance formed between the Vajra Sect, the Celestial Talisman Sect, and other major Immortal Sects with the Shen Family. He only knew that Luoxia Mountain had a good relationship with the Shen Family, and he didn't know that his younger brother Shen Wen'an had already married Wei Qiuling, the Chief Disciple of Luoxia Mountain.

He planned to find disciples of Luoxia Mountain and ask them to escort Hu Mei'Er and her daughter to Yangnao Land. He would seize an opportunity to invoke the power of the Female Essence Wisdom Pearl and die in front of many cultivators.

In doing so, all the crises would be resolved.

Now, upon seeing the appearance of the Shen Family's seal, he thought it was his brother Shen Wen'an who had come.

He immediately looked around but found no trace of Shen Wen'an.

After some hesitation, he mobilized his Literary Qi, leaving a mark beneath the seal in the hope that Shen Wen'an would return here and discover the signal he left.

After completing all this, Shen Wenyan returned to the tree hollow.

Several days later, a party of Luoxia Mountain disciples returned to Luoxia Mountain in grand fashion.

After everyone passed through the Mountain Gate, Wei Qiuling cupped her hands towards several Peak Masters of Luoxia Mountain: "Thank you, Masters, for your trouble. Qiuling thanks you on behalf of Junior Brother Wen'an."

Upon hearing this, the few individuals before her chuckled and waved their hands, then left.

Only Wei Qiuling and two figures dressed in white cloaks remained in the scene.

"Second Brother, follow me."

Wei Qiuling looked at the two and spoke.

In the Bamboo Forest Hut on Purple Cloud Peak, Le Zhiyi carefully examined Shen Wenyan's body.

After a long time, she shook her head gravely: "The power of this Female Essence Wisdom Pearl is indeed domineering. I am powerless, and moreover..."

"Senior." Seeing Le Zhiyi about to continue, Shen Wenyan suddenly smiled and called out.

Le Zhiyi glanced at Hu Mei'Er in the distance and sighed softly.

"What do you plan to do?"

Shen Wenyan smiled slightly and cupped his hands: "I have an impolite request."

"I would like to trouble Luoxia Mountain to safely escort my wife and daughter back to Yangnao Land."

"As for myself..."

He looked back at Hu Mei'Er and the Shen Li she held, then turned and cupped his hands to Le Zhiyi as he stood:

"The Shen Family, starting from an ordinary farmer, grew step by step to what it is now, all thanks to the efforts of my father, brothers, and other family members."

"In my early years, I was arrogant and stubborn, not only failing to contribute to the family but also repeatedly hurting my father, brothers, and mother's feelings, not fulfilling my filial duties."

"Later, after marrying my humble wife Zhao Xuan and having two sons, I failed in my responsibilities as a husband and father."

"Now that I have finally awakened to my senses, it is already too late."

Upon hearing this, Le Zhiyi sighed and shook her head.

She had already seen that Shen Wenyan had little time left.

Wanting to fulfill his duties and be filial was indeed too late.

Shen Wenyan showed a relieved smile and bowed to Le Zhiyi once more:

"I heard from my sister-in-law that in recent years, Hundred Beasts Mountain has been repeatedly bullying my Shen Family, relying on a Fake Pill Realm Old Ape."

"This time, I wish to see just how strong that Fake Pill Realm Old Ape is."

"I want to use this broken body to contribute to my Shen Family, to my wife, nephews, and nieces. If I could kill that Old Ape, I would remove a great enemy for the Shen Family!"

"You..."

Feeling the aura of determined death emanating from Shen Wenyan, Le Zhiyi was slightly moved.

She wanted to dissuade Shen Wenyan but didn't know how to begin.

After a while—

"The Old Ape of Hundred Beasts Mountain was injured before. I don't know how much it has recovered now."

"Since you have already made your decision, I will help you this once."

As she spoke, a flash of light appeared in her hand, revealing a delicate jade box.

"This is a Celestial Essence Pill, a gift from Qiyun Valley back in the day. I will give it to you now."

"This pill can enhance the Divine Spirit and improve one's state in a short time. It is a rare item taken by some Golden Core Cultivators when breaking through. It should be of some use to you."

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenyan did not refuse and immediately bowed: "Thank you, Senior!"

His current physical condition was very poor. If he ignited the rest of his life and Divine Spirit, he might still have the strength for one last battle.

However, this confrontation with the Old Ape was not a one-on-one duel.

He needed to fight his way to Hundred Beasts Mountain and break through Hundred Beasts Mountain's Mountain Protection Array, during which he would inevitably face the obstruction of other Fetal Breathing Realm powerhouses from Hundred Beasts Mountain.

Without this Celestial Essence Pill, he might not even see the Old Ape before exhausting his strength to death.

After seeing him accept the elixir, Le Zhiyi spoke again: "When do you plan to make your move?"

"Tomorrow." Shen Wenyan smiled slightly and said: "My strength weakens with each passing day, so it's best to act early."

Le Zhiyi nodded: "Luoxia Mountain can't help with anything else but will do its best to send your wife and daughter back to the Shen Family."

Shen Wenyan respectfully bowed.

"That alone is enough."

...

At the Cyan Ruo Sword House, the dim cavern was filled with a dense array of swords of varying styles.

In the center of these swords, a giant stone sword over a dozen feet high was slanted into the ground. Sitting cross-legged in front of the stone sword with eyes closed was Shen Wen'an.

This cavern was the second stage of the sect's three trials, known as the Sword Heart.

The firmness of one's Sword Heart is fundamental for a Sword Cultivator.

Shen Wen'an had been in this Sword Inquiry Cave for several days yet had not exited.

Outside the cave, Chu Yuanfeng and several disciples of the Cyan Ruo Sword House waited with strange expressions.

"Senior Brother Chu, is Shen Wen'an really as powerful as you say?"

The young man next to Chu Yuanfeng asked suspiciously: "I didn't take that long at this Sword Heart trial, yet he hasn't come out. Isn't his Sword Heart problematic?"

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