Defying Heaven's Comprehension

At the dinner table, Shen Pingsheng wore a broad smile, showing off the day's gains.

"Today, I took on a major job at the Market. The payment was a full fifty Spirit Stones." Shen Pingsheng lifted his cup and drained it in one gulp, then said with bleary, drunken eyes, "I heard you tested as having a Three-Attribute Spirit Root and that there are two thousand Spirit Stones in your Cosmic Bag. I was going to save them as your marriage fund, but take them and use them for now."

After saying that, he slapped the brand-new Cosmic Bag onto the table. Shen Yun glanced at the Cosmic Bag around his waist, which had already turned yellow with age, and felt a warm current surge through his heart.

"Old Dad, I won't stand on ceremony, then."

He was in need of Spirit Stones right now, so he accepted the Cosmic Bag.

Magic Tools, pills, Cultivation Methods... cultivation was, in a word, a gold-devouring beast. No one would ever complain about having too many Spirit Stones.

Shen Yun asked, "Old Dad, do you know any ways to earn Spirit Stones quickly?"

Shen Pingsheng raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Kid, are you very short of money? Don't tell me spring has stirred in your heart and you want to find a Dao Companion?"

Cough, cough!

Shen Yun choked for a moment. After recovering, he said irritably, "I'm only twelve. Do you think that's possible?"

Shen Pingsheng nodded instinctively and said with absolute certainty, "You've been inseparable from Qingruo since you were little. Who wouldn't like such a wonderful girl? But listen to Old Dad's advice: her conditions are too good. You won't be able to handle her."

Shen Yun pressed one hand to his forehead and said helplessly, "I only want to learn an Immortal Dao Skill. I don't have that many complicated thoughts."

Seeing the seriousness on Shen Yun's face, Shen Pingsheng knew that he had always been his own person. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Of course, it would be a Talisman Master or an Alchemist. That's what you call stuffing Spirit Stones into a sack."

Shen Pingsheng picked up his cup and shook his head with a sigh, muttering, "When will Formation Masters ever rise again?" and "That Year, I should've swallowed my pride and joined the Alchemy Hall."

This was more or less what Shen Yun had expected. Unfortunately, the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion had no Jade Slips for Immortal Dao Skills, so he decided to find time to visit the Market and take a look.

The next day, Shen Yun arrived at the Lecture Hall early in the morning, only to discover that the spacious room was already packed with people.

"Brother Shen Yun, over here!"

A melodious voice rang out. Shen Yun followed the sound and saw Shen Qingruo waving at him.

Shen Yun walked over and sat down beside her. Feeling quite a few "kindly" gazes, he found it somewhat amusing.

The Little girl's charm is truly formidable. I've already become the target of everyone's hostility.

Shen Qingruo's aptitude had spread throughout the clan. Who wouldn't yearn for a girl with such a powerful background and such top-notch aptitude?

Shen Qiu was surrounded by a crowd like the moon encircled by stars. Ever since he had tested as having a Dual Spirit Root, his circumstances had undergone a Heaven Overturning change. Those who had once treated him with utter indifference now all welcomed him with smiling faces.

Quite a few important figures had even extended olive branches, promising him numerous enticing conditions. This caused his confidence to swell more and more.

A thought arose in Shen Qiu's heart: If I can defeat Shen Yun, will Qingruo pay attention to me in the future?

In the past, Shen Yun had been an all-powerful hero in his heart. Yet when that dreamlike illusion shattered, he developed the thought of replacing him.

A Moment Later, an Old Man with hair and beard as white as snow came strolling in. His immense aura instantly pressed down on the clamor in the room.

"Greetings, Fifth Elder."

The many youths of the Shen Family bowed, their eyes filled with respect.

The Fifth Elder's gaze swept around the room, paused on Shen Yun for a moment, and then he said calmly, "Today, I'll be explaining your questions about Cultivation Methods. You should all have visited the Library Pavilion yesterday, so I won't waste time on pleasantries. Ask directly if you have any questions."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Kuangtao stood up and asked loudly, "May I ask, Elder, I spent an entire night before sensing spiritual energy. How long will it take me to break through into the Qi Refining Realm?"

Upon hearing this, quite a few people rolled their eyes. Ever since the other party had awakened a Three-Attribute Spirit Root, he had been twisting every conversation around to show off his talent, annoying everyone to no end. Now, he had found another opportunity.

The Fifth Elder's expression remained calm as he said unhurriedly, "Since you've already sensed spiritual energy, your Cultivation Method should be close to Entry. As long as you absorb the first wisp of spiritual energy, you'll be able to open your Sea of Qi within half a month and formally enter the Qi Refining Realm."

Only one night had passed, and there were very few people who could already sense spiritual energy. The Fifth Elder gave him a couple of perfunctory words of praise.

Shen Kuangtao found the sense of his own existence he had been looking for and pretended to be modest. "Thank you for clearing up my confusion, Elder. I'll definitely break through into the Qi Refining Realm within half a month."

Watching his smug expression, everyone felt displeased, and the atmosphere in the Lecture Hall turned somewhat awkward.

At that moment, Shen Qiu stepped forward and asked, "I've already reached Entry in the Cultivation Method. May I ask, Elder, what comes after that?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Kuangtao immediately fell silent. He felt extremely depressed, as though he had become the brick tossed out to attract jade.

The others, meanwhile, wore astonished expressions and revealed looks of admiration.

"As expected of a genius with a Dual Spirit Root. He reached Entry in the Cultivation Method in one night. Doesn't that mean he can break through into the Qi Refining Realm in three to five days?"

"This is absolute talent. Nothing can make up for its absence."

"At the next Family Grand Competition, Shen Qiu will certainly shine brilliantly and become a core disciple."

"Shen Yun, who once shone so brightly, has already become a foil. Sure enough, aptitude is the true path to greatness."

"..."

Reaching Entry in the Cultivation Method in a single night was a talent that left people convinced. The Fifth Elder also praised him. "Cultivation Methods are divided into four realms: Entry, Minor Achievement, Greater Achievement, and Perfection. Your talent is quite good. In half a year, you should be able to break through to Minor Achievement."

Reaching Entry in one day and Minor Achievement in half a year sounded somewhat exaggerated, but that was simply the truth.

Entry meant only grasping the most superficial principles and being able to operate the Cultivation Method in a crude manner. It was like barely managing to lift a treasured blade, then needing to exert all one's strength just to swing it.

Minor Achievement meant comprehending the mysteries of the Cultivation Method and having entered its halls. One was no longer merely viewing flowers through a fog. It was equivalent to wielding a blade technique at will—Cannot Be Compared.

The Fifth Elder added, "If you can fill your Sea of Qi with spiritual energy within a quarter of an hour, that means your Cultivation Method has reached Minor Achievement."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yun's expression turned strange, and he thought to himself, A quarter of an hour is Minor Achievement, so what does twenty breaths count as?

He realized that his comprehension was somewhat outrageous. If anyone learned that he had cultivated his Cultivation Method to Greater Achievement, or even Perfection, in just a few hours, he would immediately find himself at the eye of the storm.

I can reveal my talent in moderation. As long as I can obtain resources, that's enough.

Shen Yun quickly formed a strategy. He had no intention of coming to lectures in the future. It would be nothing but a waste of time.

His taciturn appearance attracted the attention of some people. It seems Shen Yun has accomplished nothing at all. His earlier brilliance was merely a flash in the pan.

Shen Qiu had the same thought. After class, he crossed the crowd without making a fuss and stopped in front of Shen Yun.

"Brother Shen Yun, if you have any questions about the Cultivation Method, I can offer you a few pointers."

Shen Qiu spoke indifferently, carrying a faint air of an expert, while the corner of his eye measured up Shen Qingruo beside him.

Seeing his appearance, Shen Yun found it amusing and casually said, "Thank you for the offer, but I have something to take care of right now. Next Time, certainly."

Shen Qiu wore a spring breeze across his face, taking it for granted that the other party was merely too embarrassed to admit it. He then said to Shen Qingruo, "There will be a cultivation test next month. Qingruo, would you be willing to discuss the Cultivation Method with me?"

Shen Qingruo's face was expressionless, her calm gaze seeming capable of seeing straight into the depths of his soul. "I have something to do as well. We'll talk about it Next Time."

After saying that, she followed Shen Yun away, her steps exceptionally light.

Shen Qiu's expression finally began to crack. He thought coldly, Even now, you still look down on me? Once the test results are out, I'll prove to the world who the true genius is.