Chapter 10

The room quickly fell silent, and the father and son sat in mutual silence. Shen Tai seemed to be holding up better, while Shen Shi, still a young boy, though more mature and calm than his peers, found it hard to suppress his agitation at the likely parting that could mean life or death. At twelve years old, he was trembling slightly.

Seeing his son's trembling lips and eyes filled with worry and unshed tears, Shen Tai felt a thousand words welling up in his heart. Words came to his lips, but he didn't know what to say. His mouth opened and closed several times, and in the end, he let out a light sigh, pulled his only bloodline close, and hugged him tightly.

Thinking that after today, they might be separated forever, memories of the years he had spent with his father since childhood flooded his mind. Shen Shi clenched his teeth, trying hard not to cry, but his body began to tremble from the emotional turmoil. Shen Tai felt his son's agitation and silently patted his back, then touched his head and said softly:

"Little Stone, you are a boy, and you must never cry."

Shen Shi clenched his teeth, staring at his father without blinking, his face pale.

Shen Tai was silent for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts, then his face turned serious. He looked at his son and said solemnly, "Stone, I have never hidden anything from you. You should know why things have come to this. Since there's no turning back, and we are about to part, whether we will meet again is... uncertain. I have some words I want to say to you, and you must remember them well."

Shen Shi bowed his head slightly, standing beside his father, and said softly, "Yes."

Shen Tai took a deep breath and said, "If things fail, there's nothing to talk about. But if this succeeds and the Immortal Sect keeps its promise, I will be given a new name and identity and sent to a remote small state to work for the Immortal Sect. As the most important reward for our efforts, the Immortal Sect will arrange for you to receive a place in one of the four great cultivation sects, the Lingxiao Sect."

Shen Shi quietly clenched his fists and nodded.

Shen Tai continued, "The Lingxiao Sect is renowned and famous, one of the 'Four Great Sects.' I don't need to explain more. I have low talent and no experience to guide you in cultivation. At this point, the only thing I can share with you is the wisdom I've gained from living half a lifetime."

Shen Shi looked up at his father, seeing Shen Tai's serious and solemn face, and said, "First, no matter what achievements you make or what opportunities you encounter, never be arrogant. Remember, there are countless talented people in the world, and in the path of cultivation, there will always be someone smarter and stronger than you."

Shen Shi's lips twitched slightly, and he said softly, "Yes, I will remember."

Shen Tai glanced at the open door, where Gu Lingyun and the Butcher had already left, probably to the back hall, leaving some space for the father and son about to part.

Looking at the empty doorway, Shen Tai said calmly, "You've met Gu Lingyun. What do you think of her?"

Shen Shi gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "She is a vicious and cruel woman."

Shen Tai smiled and said, "You underestimate her."

Shen Shi frowned, looking at his father in confusion. Shen Tai was silent for a moment and then said, "Five years ago, in this Xilu City, the Immortal Sect's branch was on the verge of defeat, with its business plummeting. But after she arrived, she quietly turned the tide. Although she couldn't surpass the Tianyilou under my management, she managed to stabilize the situation. Now, the situation for us has taken a sharp turn for the worse, while she has gained multiple advantages and is the biggest winner."

Shen Shi hesitated for a moment and said, "How so?"

Shen Tai sneered and said, "First, the Tianyilou was built and rose to prominence by me. I know the caliber of my subordinates. After I leave, the Tianyilou will surely fall to the Immortal Sect. Second, when I discussed this matter with her, to avoid being hunted by the Xuan Yin Sect, I was forced to agree to serve the Immortal Sect after the plan succeeded. This means she has gained a powerful ally for the Immortal Sect after defeating their major enemy in Xilu City. Third, the Li Laoguai we are plotting against is a great cultivator at the Yuan Dan stage, with profound Daoist powers. The person who dares to oppose such a figure and can command the Immortal Sect's branch to act must be a highly influential and powerful individual. Once the plan succeeds, Gu Lingyun will have the favor of such a great person, greatly benefiting her future."

Shen Shi pressed his lips tightly, clearly not having thought about the many layers behind this seemingly simple plan. Shen Tai continued, "But the most important thing is that in this dangerous plan to plot against a great cultivator at the Yuan Dan stage, Gu Lingyun has taken almost no risks. If the plan succeeds, everything is fine. If it fails, there won't be many loose ends. As she said, at worst, I will be handed over to the Xuan Yin Sect to be tortured and dismembered, and because you are in their hands, I won't be able to reveal the Immortal Sect's involvement."

At this point, his voice paused involuntarily, and Shen Shi's face changed dramatically. Shen Tai took a deep breath, smiled bitterly, and said, "I only realized this clearly just a short while ago."

Shen Shi's face became even paler, but Shen Tai seemed to be more relaxed, saying, "Stone, I'm telling you these things to make you understand that there are too many clever people in the world. Their schemes and methods don't allow for arrogance. If you really enter the Lingxiao Sect in the future, remember this."

Shen Shi nodded slowly and said, "Yes, I will remember."

Shen Tai nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said, "In addition, there is one more thing you need to remember. In the path of cultivation, there are many geniuses and extraordinary people. But you are not one of them. However, if someone sees you, at twelve years old, able to draw ten complex Yin-Yang and Five Elements symbols flawlessly, they will surely be amazed and praise you as a genius. Do you understand the principle behind this?"

Shen Shi frowned, showing a thoughtful expression. Shen Tai gently patted his shoulder and said, "It's the power of persistence. Since you were five, I've made you practice calligraphy and drawing without interruption. Over the years, you've achieved some success. Although talismans are a minor path, and I have low cultivation, the principle is the same."

Shen Shi nodded and said, "Yes, I understand."

Shen Tai looked at his son and smiled, "Son, I'm not a capable father. Other parents give their children great wealth, but all I can give you are a few light words. Don't blame me."

Shen Shi shook his head vigorously.

Shen Tai laughed and, as if unintentionally, rubbed his eyes, then fell silent for a moment. He then said, "You will leave soon. The Butcher will probably take you. Although we have some connection with him, matters of life and death are serious, and you can't trust anyone easily. Cultivators, especially itinerant cultivators, value spirit crystals greatly. To be safe..." Shen Tai paused, reached into his chest, and took out three shiny spirit crystals, handing them to Shen Shi and said softly, "You shouldn't carry too many spirit crystals to avoid attracting trouble."

Shen Shi silently put the spirit crystals away, looked up at his father, and felt a shiver. The tone and words made it seem like Shen Tai was giving his final instructions. In this situation, he could only nod silently, with no other options.

After everything was settled, Shen Tai's expression relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Although a trace of worry still lingered in his brows, after years of relying on each other, it was hard to part. Thinking about the years ahead, even in the best-case scenario, Shen Shi would have to rely on himself, even though he was only twelve.

But he steeled his heart, stood up, and Shen Shi's face turned pale. The parting was imminent, and who knew if they would ever meet again. Shen Tai's eyes were slightly red, and he hesitated, then took something out and put it in Shen Shi's hand.

It was a small jade hourglass, old and worn, but through the clear, white jade, the fine grains of sand could still be seen flowing continuously.

"This is the first gift your mother gave me. I've kept it all these years. Now it's yours. No matter what happens, it will be a keepsake..."

After saying this, he took a deep, final look at his son, then walked to the door and called out loudly:

"Manager Gu, are you still there?"

※※※

Footsteps sounded and faded away, and the two figures, big and small, disappeared from the room. Shen Tai and Gu Lingyun stood at the edge of the courtyard, not looking back.

The Butcher took Shen Shi away, not through the front door but to the back yard, where a secret passage led to another unknown location of the Immortal Sect in Xilu City. From there, they would use a secret method to quietly leave Xilu City.

At this moment, the two most prominent figures in the cultivation world of Xilu City, who had been in fierce competition for the past five years, stood side by side.

After a moment, Gu Lingyun spoke first, her words tinged with rare admiration, sighs, and a hint of mockery, "Speaking of which, I really admire the附属世家 of the Xuan Yin Sect. They may not be good at cultivation, but they are incredibly efficient and decisive when it comes to excluding others."

Shen Tai, who usually gave a first impression of being unremarkable, seemed to understand her words naturally and smiled, "I know they've been looking at me unfavorably for a long time."

Gu Lingyun glanced at him, her eyes filled with meaning, and responded lightly, "Oh?"

Shen Tai said calmly, "For hundreds of years, the Li, Wang, Xu, and Song families, as vassals of the Xuan Yin Sect, have each had their roles. Some collect spirit herbs for the Lingxiao Sect, some explore spirit mines, some prepare medicines and refine pills, and some specialize in mining spirit crystals. They have divided their territories, each doing their part, like a well-defined map. They all benefit from the Xuan Yin Sect, like leeches feeding on its blood."

Gu Lingyun's lips curled, as if she wanted to laugh but held back, adding a touch of charm to her appearance. She looked at Shen Tai and said, "I didn't expect you, Mr. Shen, to be so sharp."

Shen Tai snorted, "Anyone with eyes can see it. But these vassal families have been around for a long time, with deep roots in the sect. Some of the high-ranking elders in the Xuan Yin Sect come from these families, so the sect doesn't bother to interfere. Unfortunately, no one expected someone like me to come along and create the Tianyilou in Xilu City. I did everything they did, and better. I not only provided more spirit materials to the sect but also more spirit crystals, instead of the sect paying them. Isn't that like taking their lives?"

Gu Lingyun, who had been smiling, gradually lost her smile as she listened. After Shen Tai finished, she was silent for a moment, as if deep in thought, then looked at Shen Tai and said slowly:

"It seems the Xuan Yin Sect has truly wronged someone of your talent."

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