The father and son both stared intently at the small black dog in front of them.

After roughly a quarter of an hour, the little creature became somewhat restless, and strands of spiritual energy began to seep out of its body!

Under the gaze of the two, the small black dog showed a trace of pain on its face, struggled violently to break free from Shen Wenxing's hand, and darted directly into the courtyard.

The father and son chased outside, watching the little fellow run around frantically, as if venting its energy.

It fussed about for nearly half an hour before slowly coming to a stop.

Shen Wenxing walked up, picked it up, and immediately sensed something unusual.

"Its life force has become a lot more vigorous; it should be fine now."

Shen Yuan used his feeble divine sense to feel the little black dog's condition, confirmed there was no significant issue, and immediately dipped his hand into some spiritual liquid and placed it in his mouth!

Bang!

The moment the spiritual liquid entered, it instantly dissolved!

A surge of extremely pure Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi quickly flowed into his meridians, circulating rapidly within his body!

Shen Yuan's complexion changed slightly, and he hurriedly handed the bowl to Shen Wenxing. Without caring for anything else, he sat cross-legged and guided the energy within his body according to the Five Elements Breathing Technique.

Time ticked by, bit by bit.

Shen Wenxing silently remained by his side.

Not until late at night did Shen Yuan wake up.

"Ah Die, how do you feel?"

Shen Wenxing approached and asked with concern.

Shen Yuan carefully felt himself, a smile emerging on his face: "This is truly a good thing, an excellent item indeed!"

"Shi Tou, quickly bring that Copper Pot, and pour the remaining spiritual liquid back quickly."

Shen Wenxing paused for a moment, hurried inside the house to retrieve the Copper Pot.

The father and son cautiously poured the spiritual liquid from the bowl back into the Copper Pot.

As for the bowl, Shen Yuan added some water to rinse it twice and had Shen Wenxing drink it to avoid any waste.

After drinking the water mixed with spiritual liquid, Shen Wenxing also felt that surging sensation of spiritual power and immediately sat cross-legged in the courtyard to cultivate.

Shen Yuan knew that he wouldn't wake up for a while, so he returned alone to his room, tidying up the items one by one and taking them to the rear courtyard annex.

As for the Copper Pot, he mulled over it for a long while and eventually decided to keep it in the bedroom.

This item was too precious, and only by placing it where he could see it would he feel at ease.

The Copper Pot contained over a dozen drops of spiritual liquid, and he had just consumed about one-fifth of a single drop, almost breaking through from the Qi Cultivation Second Layer to the Third Layer directly.

After securing the Copper Pot, he returned to the courtyard and saw that his eldest son was still cultivating and wouldn't wake up soon, so he simply sat cross-legged beside him.

The spiritual liquid had been out for so long that much spiritual Qi had dissipated into the air.

Not taking the opportunity to cultivate and absorb it would be a waste once this spiritual Qi completely dispersed into the air.

At midnight.

Shen Yuan awakened from his cultivation and habitually glanced at the White Jade Turtle Shell, instantly surprised.

Although the hexagram was a flat one, another light bubble appeared on the White Jade Turtle Shell.

He touched the light bubble with his consciousness and instantly received a wealth of information.

After processing the information, a smile appeared on Shen Yuan's face.

"Wen'an, that kid, finally made a breakthrough as well."

This light bubble was the insight feedback from Shen Wen'an after breaking through to the Innate realm.

Unlike the feedback his eldest son gave during his breakthrough, Shen Wen'an's breakthrough provided much more understanding of Sword Skill.

After absorbing these insights, Shen Yuan suddenly felt like a sword master who had immersed himself in the Sword Dao for many years.

During the early hours.

The father and son practicing in the small courtyard, it was Shen Wenxing who first emitted a wave of spiritual power.

Soon after, Shen Yuan's body also emitted a wave of spiritual power.

"Ah Die, I've reached the Qi Cultivation Second Layer."

When Shen Wenxing spoke, he noticed that the spiritual Qi fluctuations on his father had grown stronger, and he couldn't help but be astonished, asking, "Ah Die, did you break through again?"

Shen Yuan nodded.

After absorbing the spiritual liquid, his cultivation had been pushed to the peak of Qi Cultivation Second Layer.

Adding in the dense surrounding spiritual Qi, after a session of cultivation, he successfully broke through to Qi Cultivation Third Layer as well.

"It's too miraculous!"

Shen Wenxing suppressed the joy in his heart and exclaimed, "What on earth is that Copper Pot?"

"Less than a drop of spiritual liquid allowed both father and son to break through!"

Shen Yuan lightly shook his head.

Now the only question in his mind was whether the spiritual liquid inside the Copper Pot was self-generated over time, or remnants from the Dragon Taming Clan.

If it were the former, that implied the Copper Pot was an extraordinary treasure.

If the latter, then the remaining spiritual liquid had to be used cautiously since there were only a dozen or so drops, and with last night's prolonged activity and both their consumption, at least two or three drops must have dissipated.

"Are you returning to the Ascension Pavilion today?"

Shen Wenxing nodded.

A half-month prior, he should have returned, but with no one at home to oversee, he continuously postponed.

"Go then, pay attention to the other Immortal Sects' movements."

"If there's anything, inform your father promptly."

...

Upon reaching the Ascension Pavilion in Anyang County, Shen Wenxing was immediately met by a flustered Gongyang He.

"Steward, finally you've returned, something has happened!"

Shen Wenxing frowned slightly and asked, "What happened?"

As Gongyang He followed him up to the second floor of the Ascension Pavilion, he explained, "Yesterday, a large number of martial artists suddenly mobilized on Shicang Street and Ankang Lane, forcibly demolishing many houses and shops. It's said they're building another Ascension Pavilion!"

"Hmm?"

Shen Wenxing paused as he walked: "Another one to build an Ascension Pavilion?"

Could it be that other Immortal Sects had extended their reach into Anyang County?

"What did the County Government say?"

Gongyang He shook his head: "I've heard that the Common People and shop owners appealed to the County Magistrate's Office, but no one dared to intervene."

"In recent days, a lot of strangers have appeared in the city, and from their attire and demeanor, it's evident they are descendants of Great Noble Families."

Shen Wenxing contemplated for a moment, then turned to walk downstairs.

"I'll head out for a bit and return shortly."

"You all stay here and don't leave."

Leaving the Ascension Pavilion, Shen Wenxing headed directly to the County Captain's Office.

On the way, he indeed saw many of the "strangers" Gongyang He mentioned, who wore luxurious clothing, carried an imposing presence, and were accompanied by many martial artists guards with weapons.

Upon reaching the County Captain's Office, he was surprised to find that the office, despite it being broad daylight, had its gates tightly shut, and numerous government soldiers stood at the entrance with tense expressions.

"Steward Shen."

Seeing Shen Wenxing arrive, a government soldier came forward.

"What's going on here?"

Shen Wenxing gestured to the heavily guarded soldiers, puzzled.

The soldier smiled wryly and saluted: "Steward Shen, something happened; the Lord is inside. You'll understand once you go in and ask."

The gates opened, and Shen Wenxing walked into the government office, seeing Huang Yunxiao pacing anxiously in the courtyard.

"Uncle."

He saluted, and Huang Yunxiao quickly approached, saying, "Shi Tou, something's happened."

"Yu Country... is finished!"

Supporting him to sit down, Shen Wenxing asked, "Uncle, don't rush, what exactly happened?"

Huang Yunxiao shook his head and sighed: "There's news from the Royal City, that after many Immortal Sects descended, they supported some Noble Families and arrogantly divided up the territories of our Yu Country."

"Now, of the twenty-three commanderies of Yu Country, nine have already been divided, Yunzhong County will... will hardly escape this disaster!"

Immortal Sects... divided Yu Country's lands...

Shen Wenxing's expression turned somewhat heavy.

He had not expected the situation to escalate to this extent.

But thinking about it, these Immortal Sects might not count for much in the world of Immortals, but on this land, they were different.

They were exalted Immortals, unconcerned with the governance of the Secular Dynasty.

Not long ago, Mountain Master He of Hundred Beasts Mountain had arrogantly intervened and killed the late Emperor Wude in the Royal City.

Given the current circumstances, it seemed the entire Yu Country was indeed doomed.

It's uncertain which Immortal Sect Yunzhong County would eventually fall into.

After some thought, Shen Wenxing stood up and said, "Uncle, I must go to the Royal City, don't worry."

He understood that the immediate priority was to first find Li Heshan for answers.

His home and family were in Yunzhong County, besides the Black Water Pool and the relic site, if Yunzhong County were seized by other Immortal Sects, the Shen Family would likely not meet a good end.

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