Farewell

The next day, while dawn was still dim, Shen Yun was preparing breakfast.

Shen Qingruo slowly woke up. After washing up, she sat at the table. "Why are we up so early today? Is something happening?"

Shen Yun nodded. "I'm going to the Scripture Pavilion later."

Shen Qingruo immediately said, "I'll go with you."

Shen Yun glanced at her and thought to himself, With Qi Refining Third Layer cultivation, Qingruo shouldn't be wasting her time here anymore. I'll tell her about it when we get back.

Shen Qingruo found his gaze rather strange and could not help taking out a Water Mirror to look at herself. Her fair face looked no different from usual.

After breakfast, the two set out at once and arrived before the Scripture Pavilion half an hour later.

It was still early, and the broad platform looked especially empty. Elder Ming was doing his morning exercises in the square.

His palms faced downward, his body upright and waist relaxed...

A set of Tai Chi Fist flowed with immortal aura, every movement exceptionally loose and graceful, like a white immortal crane spreading its wings into the wind.

Seeing the visitors, Elder Ming slowly finished his form and said naturally, "Mister Fang went for a walk. He'll be back soon."

Shen Yun nodded and found a place to sit as he waited.

A Moment Later, the White-Clad Figure drifted over, his steps light and nimble, as though he had walked here upon the morning light.

Upon seeing Shen Yun, surprise flashed through his eyes. He asked, "How long did it take you to understand it?"

Shen Yun hesitated for a moment before answering slowly, "One day."

Hearing this answer, the White-Clothed Youth closed his eyes and said nothing. Shen Qingruo and Elder Ming were both utterly baffled, unable to understand what riddle the two were speaking in.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the White-Clothed Youth opened his eyes again and said solemnly, "Remember, birth and death are one. Come find me again once you Step Out with your first step."

Then he tossed Shen Yun a Jade Token. Its plain surface bore shallow carvings of two Flying Dragons soaring through the nine heavens. Looking closely, they formed the character Fang.

Elder Ming's expression changed drastically. His gaze locked onto the Jade Token, while stormy waves rose in his heart.

Shen Yun caught the Jade Token and cupped his hands. "One should not accept reward without merit. Does Mister Fang have any other instructions? Please speak plainly."

Shen Yun had always maintained a measure of wariness toward the unfathomable Mister Fang. An outsider guarding the Treasure Pavilion was itself strange enough. He had no wish to become entangled in some whirlpool.

Mister Fang waved a hand and said casually, "What could someone with your little bit of ability possibly do for me? Being so old-fashioned at such a young age will make you lose quite a bit of fun. This little girl is much cuter than you."

Hearing that, Shen Qingruo ground her pearly teeth together, feeling as though she had been looked down upon.

Shen Yun let out a breath of relief. "In that case, this kid will not disturb Mister Fang any longer."

With that, he left with Shen Qingruo. As they walked, the little girl was still muttering, "That guy doesn't look like a good person. Brother Shen Yun, don't let him trick you."

After the two had left, Elder Ming was just about to ask a question when an Old Man with an immortal bearing drifted over.

Seeing the newcomer, Elder Ming immediately bowed. "First Elder."

The newcomer's white hair flowed in the breeze, his Gleam in the Eyes deep and unfathomable, his bearing majestic as the sea. He was the Shen Family's current helmsman, First Elder Shen Linfeng.

That Year, Shen Yun had received a single word of praise from the First Elder and immediately became famous far and wide, hailed as a peerless genius. Such was his authority; it had long since sunk deep into everyone's hearts.

Yet today, the First Elder had swept away his usual majesty. He cupped his hands and said, "Has Mister Fang been well lately?"

Mister Fang yawned and replied lazily, "Say what you came to say. What I hate most is this useless politeness."

Despite such a slighting attitude, the First Elder did not mind. He said earnestly, "To be honest with Mister Fang, the Shen Family has produced a promising seedling with a Water-Wood Dual Spirit Root. She even possesses a Yimu Spirit Body. I beg that you accept her as your disciple."

"A Yimu Spirit Body, with the talent of Water-Wood dual birth as well. That is no worse than a Heavenly Spirit Root."

Elder Ming sighed in admiration. No wonder the First Elder had personally come forth. Such a genius was indeed worth it.

Beyond spirit root aptitude, a tiny number of lucky people received the favor of Heaven and awakened special spirit bodies, possessing all kinds of inconceivable miraculous effects. They were no less extraordinary than Heavenly Spirit Roots and were true favored children of heaven.

The Shen Family's Supreme Elder was now more than seven hundred years old, while the lifespan limit of a Golden Core Venerable was only eight hundred years. If they lost this Sky-Supporting White Jade Pillar, the Shen Family would immediately crumble and fall apart.

Over these years, the Shen Family had constantly worried that there would be no one to carry on their legacy. They had never expected such a genius to emerge. Truly, Heaven Never Seals Off All Paths.

Yet upon hearing the First Elder's words, Mister Fang was completely unmoved. He said calmly, "That little girl you mentioned came here just now."

The First Elder's heart sank. With his vast experience, he instantly understood that Mister Fang had no interest in Shen Qingruo.

Before setting out, the Supreme Elder had told him not to harbor much hope. At first, he had not believed it. With such talent, who would not wish to take her as a successor? Yet the facts had proven the words true.

Mister Fang said no more and returned to his reclining chair to drink tea and bask in the sun.

"Since that is the case, I will not disturb Mister Fang any longer."

The First Elder gave a bitter smile and no longer pressed the matter. After cupping his hands in salute, he left the Scripture Pavilion.

On the way back, Shen Yun and Shen Qingruo chatted and laughed. But when they reached the entrance to their home, they saw a white-haired old man standing there alone, as though he had been waiting for a long time.

Shen Yun's eyes sharpened. He bowed and said, "Greetings, First Elder."

The visitor was Shen Linfeng. He had originally planned to have Shen Qingruo take Mister Fang as her master, but after being refused, he could only choose to teach her personally. He had come to take Shen Qingruo back to the Main Branch.

"So it's you. So much time has passed in the blink of an eye."

The First Elder recognized Shen Yun. Several years ago, the other's steadiness had left a deep impression on him. Unfortunately, his talent had been ordinary, so he had forgotten him afterward.

Shen Yun nodded inwardly. The First Elder himself has come. It seems Qingruo is highly valued by the Wind Vein. Now I can rest assured.

Shen Qingruo lightly bit her red lip, her face somewhat uneasy. The First Elder looked at her kindly. "Come back to the Main Branch with me and cultivate."

Shen Qingruo turned back to look at Shen Yun, her delicate hand tightly clutching the corner of her clothes, her face filled with hesitation.

Seeing this, the First Elder's brows Slightly Furrowed, and his tone darkened slightly. "This is precisely the time to lay your Dao Foundation. You cannot delay any longer."

Shen Yun stepped forward, rubbed Shen Qingruo's head, and said warmly, "I already met Uncle An yesterday. I had planned to persuade you later, but since the chance is here, I'll say it now."

"Everyone has their own path. Even if you linger in hesitation, you will still have to return to that road in the end."

Seeing that Shen Qingruo still had her head lowered, Shen Yun encouraged her, "In my heart, you have always been a strong girl. Go walk your own path."

For a long while, he received no reply. Just as Shen Yun was beginning to find it troublesome—

Shen Qingruo raised her head, determination on her face. "I understand."

Shen Yun let out a long breath. Seeing Shen Qingruo staring intently at him, her beautiful eyes brimming with reluctance, he gave her an encouraging smile.

Only then did the gravity between the First Elder's brows dissipate. With a sweep of his Large Sleeve, he seemed to turn into a clear breeze, carrying Shen Qingruo away in a graceful drift.

Gazing at the vast Cloud Sea in the distance, Shen Yun remained silent for a long time. Only when Shen Pingsheng came looking for him did he come back to his senses.

Patting him on the shoulder, Shen Pingsheng said slowly, "Parting is for the sake of a better reunion. Relax a little."

Shen Yun glanced at him and said calmly, "When did Old Dad come back?"

"Just now. I happened to see the First Elder taking Qingruo away."

Shen Pingsheng studied Shen Yun for a moment and inwardly sighed that he had done something unnecessary. This kid's mind was frighteningly mature. Where would he need comfort?

"If there's nothing else, I'm going to cultivate."

Shen Yun withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Shen Pingsheng hurriedly called out, "Your Cousin Qianluo is coming next month. Don't forget to go down the mountain and pick her up then."

Shen Yun paused, then waved a hand to show that he understood.

"This kid is still as cold as ever."

Shen Pingsheng snorted and muttered to himself, "Qingruo is a fine girl, but unfortunately, she's not someone our family can match."

Thinking of how he had spent so many days running about before finally finding a distant relative who was willing, Shen Pingsheng felt that his efforts deserved great credit and prepared to go have a few drinks with Shen An.

Completely unaware of the enormous pit his Old Dad had dug for him, Shen Yun returned to his room and buried himself in bitter cultivation.