Looking at the figures of the two gradually disappearing on the mountain path, Liu Yiran could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes.

"Miss, the master family won’t treat the young master unfairly."

"Someone, quickly close the courtyard gate, don’t let anyone see."

Seeing the teardrops the size of beans sliding down Liu Yiran’s face, the middle-aged woman hurriedly comforted her and supported Liu Yiran into the courtyard.

Beside them, two maidservants quickly closed the courtyard gate, afraid that Shen Xiubai might hear or see.

In the courtyard, Liu Yiran wiped away her face’s tears, staggered to the pavilion, and sat down with a sad expression.

The Liu Family has now been exterminated. Ultimately, the Shen Family spared her brother Liu Qingfeng because of her and Shen Xiubai, sending him to Zhen Nan City in the Western Wilderness to serve as one of the Hundred Generals of the Clan.

Liu Yiran suddenly realized that if they hadn’t been foolish back then and had followed Shen Chongxu obediently, perhaps they wouldn’t have ended up in such a miserable situation now.

...

The phenomenon caused by Shen Wen’an’s breakthrough attracted attention from various forces in Yangnao Land.

He opened the Celestial Gate but did not witness the phenomenon of Celestial Golden Nature, causing the six major Southern Border forces to mistakenly believe he had failed the breakthrough and been killed by Underworld people.

While rumors spread outside, Shen Wen’an was leisurely instructing his son Shen Chongzhen in swordsmanship at their own courtyard.

Shen Chongzhen’s talent in Sword Dao naturally couldn’t be compared to his exceptional father’s.

But with sheer passion and love, he had already achieved some accomplishments in Sword Dao at a young age.

During a break, Shen Chongzhen hung his sword on the pillar of the pavilion, wiped the sweat from his face, and approached Shen Wen’an curiously, saying, "Ah Die, regarding Sword Dao, there’s something I’ve always wondered about."

Shen Wen’an nodded slightly and looked at him with a smile.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Chongzhen continued, "Should a Sword Cultivator enter the path through technique or through Qi?"

Upon hearing this, a faint hint of surprise appeared on Shen Wen’an’s face.

He hadn’t expected his son at such a young age to be pondering such a profound question.

After contemplating for a while, he replied in as simple and understandable a manner as possible, "Most Sword Cultivators in today’s Cultivation Realm follow the path through Qi."

"We Sword Cultivators mainly cultivate the Sword Scripture and other Sword Cultivation Techniques, transforming Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into Sword Essence, condensing it in our bodies into a Sword Pill, and then transforming it into Lifebound Sword Embryo, comprehending Sword Intent."

"As for entering the path through technique, I’ve heard about it."

Shen Chongzhen listened attentively and then added, "I also saw it in some texts of the Black Water Pavilion."

"It says that in ancient times, some swordsmen deeply researched Sword Dao skills and eventually reached the Realm of Swordsmanship God."

Shen Wen’an nodded with a smile.

"That theory does exist, but you must understand that focusing only on technique is deviating from the path."

"Whether a Sword Cultivator or an Immortal Dao Cultivator, the essence is still ’Cultivating True Self,’ enhancing the essence of life."

"In Yangnao Land, before the revival of Spiritual Qi, there were indeed many Sword Dao experts who could use Mortal Sword Skill to an extraordinary level."

"They leveraged the Sword Gang True Essence within their bodies, perhaps comparable to some cultivators of the Qi Cultivation Realm."

"But ultimately, they still couldn’t surpass the simplest Fetal Breathing..."

In thought, Shen Chongzhen murmured, "Ah Die means that even the most exquisite technique is futile in the face of overwhelming power?"

"Then... if one focuses on technique while simultaneously ’Cultivating True Self,’ would the outcome be different?"

Suddenly, he looked at Shen Wen’an excitedly, expressing his thoughts.

Meeting his gaze, Shen Wen’an displayed a peculiar expression.

Over the years, he noticed that his son was passionate about swordsmanship and had his own unique insights into "technique."

The reason for this phenomenon was also that he spent years in closed-door cultivation without enough time to teach.

His mother, Wei Qiuling, as an Immortal Dao Cultivator, didn’t want to mislead his cultivation, so she only let him first practice the Mortal Sword Skill collected by Shen Chongxuan from the clan.

Over time, it made him obsessed with this path.

"Your idea is theoretically achievable."

"However, both technique and cultivation require a significant amount of time; to balance both is not an easy task."

Shen Wen’an did not stop his son’s thoughts.

He also had this idea back then.

But later, due to the difficult situation of the Shen Family, a protector urgently needed to step forward.

He had to enhance his realm as much as possible, quickly boosting his strength to protect his family.

Now, the Shen Family is different from back then; he might as well give it a try.

"What are you two talking about?"

Wei Qiuling walked in from outside the courtyard, seeing the father and son chatting in the pavilion, she spoke with a smile.

"Mother."

Shen Chongzhen stood up and greeted, then picked up the teapot on the stone table to pour a cup of tea for her.

Wei Qiuling accepted the teacup, took a sip, and looked at Shen Wen’an, saying, "I just came back from mother’s place."

"Is there something going on?" Shen Wen’an spoke with a serious tone.

"Good news." Wei Qiuling smiled and said, "Chongxuan previously went to Lincang County specifically and luckily found the girl from the Zhantai Family."

"For the past two years, the two have been getting along quite well. Mother’s and Sister-in-law Lingxiu’s idea is that Chongxuan is not young anymore, so find a day to finalize their marriage."

Shen Wen’an nodded upon hearing this.

"Let elder brother handle this matter; I have no experience in this area."

He was adept at fighting and killing, but for such family trivial matters, he preferred not to concern himself.

Wei Qiuling, listening, gave him a reproachful look and said, "I know you don’t want to worry. If it didn’t need you, I certainly wouldn’t mention it."