Chapter Forty-Five: Changes

As Xiao Feng Xian left, Han Zhong's demeanor immediately became much more natural.

He tidied his clothes slightly, then sat down opposite Shi Yan's table. He poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then said, "Young Master Yan, where are the guards who were with you?"

"They're all dead." Shi Yan's face showed no change. He casually explained, "The demonic beasts in the Gloomy Forest suddenly went mad, chasing Martial Artists everywhere. To protect me, they... all sacrificed themselves."

Han Zhong looked surprised, his gaze odd as he looked at Shi Yan. "I have some understanding of the situation there. Young Master Yan being able to escape with your life is already good fortune."

He had already received news of the Thunder Wing Silver Wolf's rampage. He had initially thought he wouldn't be able to wait for Shi Yan and was planning to return to report in half a month. He never expected Shi Yan to walk out of the Gloomy Forest alive and well.

With the Gloomy Forest in such chaos, even Martial Artists with less refined cultivation had perished. Yet Shi Yan, this bookworm, had managed to survive. It was truly unbelievable, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

Han Zhong didn't have a good impression of the original owner of Shi Yan's body.

That guy didn't cultivate martial arts, was too pedantic, and liked to research in areas the Shi Family wasn't interested in. Within the Shi Family, that guy had always been marginalized, not fitting Han Zhong's taste at all.

If he hadn't happened to be handling business in this area and received orders from Shi Jian, he wouldn't have come to wait for Shi Yan at all.

"Mm, my luck is indeed good." Shi Yan smiled and nodded, appearing composed and calm. "Uncle Han, when are we departing to return to the family?"

"That depends on you, Young Master Yan. I'd like to leave immediately. I still have some matters that require me to report to the Family Head in person. If it weren't for waiting for you, I would have already returned." Han Zhong paused for a moment before replying.

As he spoke, Han Zhong couldn't help but examine Shi Yan seriously. He hadn't paid much attention before, but upon closer inspection, he gradually began to notice something...

Shi Yan's body was thinner than before. His originally round face had become angular and defined, exuding a determined, masculine aura.

Sitting naturally, Shi Yan's back was straight, his body like a sharp sword, giving off an illusion of sharp edges.

-- This was merely an external change.

The old Shi Yan only became somewhat spirited when exploring ancient texts and relics. In daily life, his eyes were unfocused, and he always appeared listless.

But the current Shi Yan's eyes were deep, with occasional glints of light flashing within his pupils, as if he were constantly contemplating something. He gave off a peculiar feeling of being able to see through everything.

"Uncle Han, I have something to ask you." Under Han Zhong's gaze, Shi Yan spoke calmly and unhurriedly. "The Stone Forest seems much more peaceful. Do you know why?"

"Oh, that's because people from the Bei Ming Family have gone there. It's said the Bei Ming Family is going to pick someone up in the Stone Forest. Those fellows who make a living in the Stone Forest heard the Bei Ming Family was coming and all tucked their tails and fled."

"The Bei Ming Family, who is leading them?" Shi Yan had a vague idea.

"It's Bei Ming Ce."

Han Zhong answered, then suddenly cursed, "I heard that kid broke through to the Hundred Tribulations Realm half a year ago. Damn it, he's only twenty-five! And he has Twin Martial Souls. That's truly insane! I'm already forty-five, and I'm only at the Hundred Tribulations Second Heaven realm. Is this fair to others?"

Twenty-five, Hundred Tribulations First Heaven realm, Twin Martial Souls...

Shi Yan's expression turned grim. He suddenly realized that this Bei Ming Ce was likely the "benefactor" Mu Yu Die wanted to introduce him to.

This person was so young, yet possessed such talent and cultivation. Behind him was the Bei Ming Family, the foremost family of the Merchant Alliance. No wonder Mu Yu Die and Di Ya Lan had made that decision.

His eyes glinted with cold light. Shi Yan remained silent, sneering inwardly: Twenty-five years old, Hundred Tribulations Realm, dual martial spirits, is that very impressive?

Not necessarily!

He was the madman who broke through from the Houtian First Heaven Realm to the current Innate Third Heaven Realm in just two months!

Not only did he possess the Stone and Undying martial spirits, but he also had a more sinister, bizarre, and mysterious martial spirit. Compared to that, he suddenly realized he was far more terrifying than Bei Ming Ce.

Time, I just need a little time, and I'll completely surpass Bei Ming Ce! Shi Yan thought to himself.

"Young Master Yan, you, you have Essence within you?"

Han Zhong's eyes suddenly lit up, staring intently at Shi Yan. He said solemnly, "I sensed Essence flowing within your body just now... and it was quite potent! Young Master Yan, what exactly is going on?"

Shi Yan took a deep breath, suppressing a trace of indignation in his heart. "Yes, I do have Essence in my body now. I can be considered a Martial Artist."

"What realm?" Han Zhong asked urgently.

"Innate."

"Ah!"

Merchant Alliance, Skyfall City, Shi Family, training grounds.

The Shi Family's training grounds covered dozens of acres, with many ancient trees transplanted and various peculiar rocks...

Within the training grounds, there were also specially designated areas of mud, sand, and water, as well as wooden huts...

These areas were filled with cover and were intricately laid out, featuring many different scenarios that allowed the Shi Family's younger generation to engage in combat training across various terrains.

Here, the Shi Family's young generation could learn to adapt to different environments and master combat techniques suited for all terrains.

At this moment, in the center of the training grounds, a large, diamond-shaped Trial Jade Crystal was placed. Shi Family members of the third generation lined up, approaching the Trial Jade Crystal. They placed their hands on it and released their Essence to determine their accurate cultivation realm.

"Shi Tianluo, twenty-one years old, Postnatal Second Heaven!"

"Shi Tianxiao, twenty-five years old, Innate First Heaven!"

"Shi Tianling, twenty-seven years old, Postnatal Triple Heaven!"

"Shi Tianke, twenty years old, Innate Second Heaven!"

"Shi Tianyun, nineteen years old, Innate Third Heaven!"

"..."

Han Feng squinted his eyes, standing beside the Trial Jade Crystal. As Shi Family members finished releasing their Essence and moved away, he shouted in a deep voice.

As Han Feng's voice faded, the second and third-generation elders of the Shi Family surrounding them displayed varied expressions, some gratified, others disheartened.

"Second Brother, your boy Tian Yun is truly impressive, breaking through another tier," Shi Kuo said with a hint of dissatisfaction. "That brat Tian Ke has been slacking off lately. Looks like I need to give him a good talking-to!"

"Third Brother, Tian Ke is already working hard. I've seen him training in the gravity room late into the night. Don't put too much pressure on him, or it might backfire," Shi Gang advised.

"Tian Yun, keep up the good work and strive to reach the Human Position Realm soon," Shi Tie boomed, his voice like a thunderclap, a hint of pride in his eyes.

Shi Tie and Shi Jian were brothers. Shi Gang and Shi Kuo were Shi Tie's sons, and Shi Tian Yun was Shi Gang's son, making him Shi Tie's grandson. Seeing Shi Tian Yun excel, he was naturally delighted.

The position of Shi Family Patriarch was determined by cultivation realm. He had lost to his elder brother, Shi Jian, back then and harbored some resentment. He was counting on his grandson, Shi Tian Yun, to excel and keep Shi Jian's son, Shi Tian Xiao, suppressed.

The Shi Family's Petrifying Martial Soul was rather peculiar. For children born to the same parents, the first two usually inherited the martial soul.

The third child almost never inherited it.

Because of this, each Shi Family household typically had only two children.

Even the Patriarch, Shi Jian, only had two children—Shi Dang and Shi Qing.

Shi Dang had a daughter and a son, Shi Tian Ling and Shi Tian Xiao, respectively.

Shi Qing and Yang Hai had a son, Shi Yan.

Therefore, Shi Tian Ling, Shi Tian Xiao, and Shi Yan were considered Shi Jian's direct grandchildren, while Shi Tian Yun, Shi Tian Luo, and Shi Tian Ke were Shi Tie's direct grandchildren.

The brothers and sisters of the Shi Family generally had good relationships, all working together for the family's prosperity.

However, even with good relationships, there was still a sense of competition. For instance, Shi Tie, having lost to his elder brother Shi Jian years ago, always wanted to regain some face through the younger generation.

He had long given up on his own generation, as Shi Dang was too formidable and had consistently suppressed his sons, Shi Gang and Shi Kuo.

Fortunately, his grandchildren were proving capable. Shi Tian Yun and Shi Tian Ke were both slightly stronger than Shi Tian Xiao, so he often enjoyed showing off during the grandchildren's trials, though without any malice.

Yang Hai stood with Shi Dang, quietly discussing the recent situation at the mine. Hearing Shi Tie's exclamation, Shi Dang chuckled, "Uncle Er has found another opportunity to brag." He paused and glanced at Shi Tian Xiao beside him, scolding, "You scoundrel, you're always embarrassing your old man."

"Uh, I'm not the worst..." Shi Tian Xiao shrunk his head, putting on a pitiful expression.

Hearing this, Yang Hai's smile turned bitter. He sighed to Shi Dang, "Compared to my brat, you should be content. Tian Xiao is at least a Martial Artist. But that rascal Shi Yan only knows how to cause trouble outside. He hasn't even returned yet. Who knows how much trouble he'll bring me this time."

"Ha, that's true." Shi Dang felt much better.

The training grounds were filled with the direct descendants of the Shi Family, murmuring amongst themselves, creating a lively atmosphere.

Just then, a goshawk descended from the sky and landed on Patriarch Shi Jian's shoulder.

Shi Jian retrieved a gray brocade pouch tied to the goshawk's leg, took out the letter within, and casually opened it. He frowned as he read the contents.

The people present were not outsiders, so he didn't hold back.

"Huh!"

With just one glance, Shi Jian couldn't help but exclaim, his face filled with disbelief and astonishment.

The crowd in the hall, after a moment of stunned silence, all fell quiet, looking towards the family head, Shi Jian. They all felt a bit strange, wondering why Shi Jian was so flustered.

"Big brother, what's going on?" Shi Tie asked with a frown, shouting, "Could it be that the Mo Family is causing trouble again? Damn it, it seems like they won't learn their lesson unless we hit them hard!"

"No," Shi Jian put down the letter, his eyes shining, his face full of surprise. "Han Zhong found that brat Shi Yan."

"How is that bastard?" Yang Hai asked fiercely, finally relieved upon hearing this, looking as if he wanted to settle accounts with Shi Yan.

"That kid has become a Martial Artist..." Shi Jian said with a strange expression, his mouth twitching, as if suppressing his inner joy.

"Huh?" Shi Tie couldn't help but exclaim, "He's already seventeen, why did he suddenly decide to cultivate?"

After a pause, he sighed softly, genuinely lamenting for Shi Yan, "Alas, it's too late. Cultivating at seventeen, he probably won't have much development in this life. What was this brat doing all this time? If he had cultivated from a young age, even without the Shi Family's martial spirit, he would at least have reached the Xiantian Second Heaven, or even the Innate Third Heaven Realm by now."

"That kid is now in the Innate Third Heaven Realm!" Shi Jian's eyes flashed with brilliance, his voice resounding.