"What's wrong, Yuan'er?"
Looking at Shen Yuan, who was standing in a daze at the door, Madam Zheng asked cautiously, "Are you nervous?"
"A little," Shen Yuan said with a smile. "Having lived in the Shen Family for twenty years, this is the first time I've been qualified to enter the inner hall."
Madam Zheng was taken aback upon hearing this, and then felt a pang of emotion. The inner hall was where elders discussed secret matters or where younger generations were bestowed with magical techniques.
Ordinary people are not qualified to attend the ceremony. Not to mention Shen Yuan, even she, as the matriarch of the family, is not qualified to enter. However, she has heard that daughters of sorcerers from other families can attend the ceremony when they marry into the family. This is because they need to learn the family's techniques and enlighten their own children. At least they need to Chu Household's techniques need to be trained in from a young age in order to have a better chance of inheriting them.
The higher a woman's social standing, the more knowledge she possesses about techniques and methods, and the more likely she is to find ways to educate her own children through observing rituals. This is the advantage of a legitimate mother.
Looking back now, she realized that she had never truly integrated into the Shen Family. Despite bearing the title of matriarch, she had always been an outsider.
"Actually, there's nothing special about it," Madam Zheng suddenly laughed. "Just an ordinary side room, with a few stale old men."
Shen Yuan was taken aback, then laughed heartily, "Mother is right!"
And so the mother and son stepped into the inner hall, while the Elder Council, who had been anxiously waiting, quickly straightened their posture before they entered, leisurely drinking tea in their respective seats, trying their best to hide their anxiety.
Little did they know that everything about everyone in the inner hall had already been seen through by Seventh Master Shen's Thousand Eyes Technique and transmitted to him long ago.
Thinking back to the anxious state of the elders in the previous Thousand Eyes, and then looking at their feigned composure now, Shen Yuan felt extremely complicated. In the past, the inner hall was mysterious and noble to him, and the elders inside were people who could decide their fate. But now it seemed that these elders were no different from ordinary people.
The only difference is that they used to be able to control the younger generation, but now, they can control them.
As the two approached, Shen Qingfeng, who was in the lead, was about to close the inner hall's protective barrier.
Shen Yuan glanced at it and suddenly asked, "Where's my younger brother?"
Everyone was taken aback. Shen Qingfeng said, "You want him to be here?"
"Let him come," Shen Yuan said calmly. "After this, I will take my mother to Jiangnan, and there are some things I need to tell him as soon as possible."
"Going to Jiangnan? When are you leaving?" an elder nearby asked hurriedly.
"Tomorrow!"
Everyone's eyes widened in Laoda, and Shen Qingfeng frowned as well. "You've made such a big fuss, and you think you can just leave tomorrow?"
"This matter will be resolved by tomorrow," Shen Yuan replied calmly.
The task is actually half complete!
Returning to the Shen Family in a high-profile manner and attracting the attention of the sorcerer families went more smoothly than expected. Originally, he thought he would need to create some momentum himself, but unexpectedly, various families had already gathered at the Shen Family under the pretext of his younger brother's victory celebration banquet, saving a lot of time.
The goal is simple: to cooperate with Seventh Master Shen in setting up the Thousand Eyes Spell Formation in the capital!
His role was to draw the attention of all forces, allowing Seventh Master Shen to act covertly.
The battle at noon went very smoothly. While intimidating the aristocratic families, it also bought them time. Under the guise of rest, the elders of the aristocratic families must have already notified the main family. Even if those older generation sorcerers didn't come, they should have focused their attention here. With all the old guys' attention diverted, it was the best time for Seventh Master Shen to set up his formation!
Seventh Master just replied that the formation is almost complete. The next step is the second half of the mission: reaching an agreement with the major families!
This is more complicated than before; firstly, the family's cooperation is required.
"It's over?" one of the elders said impatiently, "You've caused such a huge mess, and you think it's over just like that? You're just a junior with no talent, and after two years in Jiangnan you've already achieved this level of ability. Do you think those powerful families won't investigate thoroughly? You call it over? Ever since you recklessly and arrogantly returned home, this matter has been anything but settled!!"
"Oh," Shen Yuan said lazily, "Does the elder mean that if I return to the capital discreetly, the Shen Family can protect me, right?"
Everyone: "."
How could it be that Shen Yuan didn't make a move from beginning to end? If he dared to come back, he would be captured and interrogated about the secrets of the Nanming Prefecture's grand formation!
"Alright!" Shen Qingfeng smiled slightly as he looked at the elders who were somewhat speechless. This kid's ability to spit things out was quite similar to his own back then.
Go and call Shen Yu in.
"Yes"
Half an hour later, Shen Yu strode into the inner hall. Upon entering, seeing the somber atmosphere, he quickly greeted Shen Yuan, "Greetings, elder brother."
Shen Yuan silently observed the other person; this was the first time the other person had bowed to him since he had learned manners.
Madam Zheng, standing to the side, remained indifferent. From the moment the other man entered, he had been staring at her elder brother and hadn't glanced at her once.
When did things start to become like this over the years?
"Alright, everyone's here. Now you can talk, right?" Shen Qingfeng asked with a smile.
Shen Yu lowered his head, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. He actually needed Shen Yu's permission to enter the inner hall?
"I don't know where to begin. Perhaps you could ask me, sir?" Shen Yuan said with a smile.
"Alright." Shen Qingfeng nodded; "I remember when you left the capital, you were just a Ninth Rank sorcerer. How come you became Fifth Rank in just two years?"
"I'm just not good at inheriting spells," Shen Yuan said calmly. "My talent for meditation isn't bad at all. When I was three years old, the elders of the Shen Family praised me for my meditation efficiency, saying that I was a natural-born sorcerer. It was only later that they confirmed I didn't have the talent to inherit spells, so they stopped providing me with resources. If I had the same resources, I would have been a high-level sorcerer among my peers."
"That's true." Shen Qingfeng nodded. "Unable to inherit spells, only possessing talent for meditation, even if you accumulate enough to become First Rank sorcerer, it would be useless. Family resources are limited, so Time Stop. But even if your meditation talent is not bad, isn't it a bit unreasonable to go from Ninth Rank to Fifth Rank in two years?"
Even in prominent families, children who grow up meditating in high-energy spiritual fields are already exceptionally talented, reaching the Fifth Rank of sorcerer in their early twenties. To rise Fourth Rank in two years is clearly beyond common sense.
" The Jiangnan region is shrouded in an ancient array, and its Earth Spirit energy far surpasses that of the Central Plains, which is why its progress has been faster."
"I see." Shen Qingfeng nodded. "Then, regarding the second question, how could you, a mere Fifth Rank sorcerer, wield such immense power, even to the point of sealing Du Kangnian?"
Upon hearing this, all the elders, including Shen Yu and Shen Yan, perked up their ears. This was the question they were most concerned about. Even if Du Kangnian was sealed away because of carelessness, the abilities he displayed at the time were indeed too exaggerated. Otherwise, a group of First Rank- Fifth Rank sorcerers wouldn't have been quietly enjoying their feast outside.
"At the Jiangnan Academy, I specialized in array formations. An array master learns the skill of using something small to control something large, doesn't that mean?"
"Nonsense!" the impatient elder retorted immediately. "For a spellcaster to use a small force to control a large one, there are many factors involved, such as ensuring the stability of the spell array, the accuracy of the array materials, and the correctness of the driving energy. How can you do this? Void Formation Drawing in the air to trap someone on the spot? If every spellcaster had this ability, who would bother learning any inherited spells?"
"Alright!" Shen Qingfeng immediately stopped him, "Let Yuan'er speak."
The elder retreated in embarrassment.
This time, Shen Yuan didn't speak. Instead, he took out a piece of jade. As he activated the spell, the stone slowly cracked open, and the energy inside poured out instantly.
All the elders watched warily, but not overly nervously. They all recognized the jade as the ice jade that had recently become popular in the capital, used for cooling off in the summer. As soon as it appeared in the capital, it was snatched up by major families to study. The Shen Family had also grabbed several pieces, but so far they hadn't been able to figure anything out.
Shen Yuan crushed the ice jade, and the frozen energy stored inside swirled around it. With a casual stroke, the Shen Yuan blue magical energy unfolded like an ink painting, quickly forming a magic array in mid-air, instantly cooling the entire hall.
Void Formation Drawing
All the elders stared wide-eyed, not daring to miss a single detail. Although they had heard of it many times, seeing it with their own eyes was still incredibly shocking. He actually knew how to Void Formation Drawing!
Shen Qingfeng squinted as he watched, finding it just as magical no matter how many times he saw it.
"The fact is, every single one of us at the Jiangnan Academy can perform magic arrays!"
"This method... Chen Qing made public?" Shen Qingfeng asked incredulously.
"Open only within the academy!"
"Now that you have completed your studies and returned, would you be willing to pass on your teachings to the Shen Family?" Shen Qingfeng asked directly.
Upon hearing this, all the elders were taken aback. They hadn't expected their patriarch to ask so bluntly. However, the next moment, everyone stared intently at Shen Yuan, because this was more important than understanding why Shen Yuan possessed such abilities!
"Can!"
Everyone: "!!!"
"Brother, you are so righteous!!" Shen Yu exclaimed excitedly, her eyes reddening.
If even a good-for-nothing like Shen Yuan could acquire such skills after learning them, wouldn't I be able to sweep aside my peers if I were to master them?
"I have conditions," Shen Yuan said calmly.
"Tell me, tell me!" Shen Yan said excitedly, "As long as you're willing to pass on the teachings, you can name any conditions you want."
Shen Qingfeng frowned slightly. The head of the family had lost his composure, but it was understandable. In such a situation, few people could keep their composure.
"Mother's position as the matriarch of the Shen Family is unshakeable."
"Alright!" Shen Yan quickly said, "From now on, nothing and no one can shake your mother's position as the matriarch."
"After today, Mother will accompany me to Jiangnan."
"This..." Shen Yan frowned immediately. With Madam Zheng here, Shen Yuan could still be controlled. But if Madam Zheng was taken away, she would probably never have any connection with the Shen Family again.
Just as I was about to offer some advice, the old man beside me said directly, "Alright!"
"Grandpa??" Shen Yan and the elders quickly looked over.
"Now that you've taken the position of matriarch of the Shen Family, even if you go to Jiangnan, you'll still be connected to the Shen Family. What are you afraid of?" Shen Qingfeng laughed, "Isn't that the truth?"
Shen Yuan smiled and said, "Grandpa is the most sensible person."
"I'd like to know, how much of what you've learned actually you learned at the academy you mentioned?" Shen Qingfeng asked with a smile.
"A drop in the ocean!"
"Oh?" Shen Qingfeng narrowed his eyes. "Is the academy that powerful? You only know the basics, yet you have this ability?"
Shen Yu behind him immediately became anxious. If that was the case, what use was the inheritance left by Shen Yuan? Just a smattering of knowledge, while he himself could go back to that academy to continue his studies. His grandfather was really senile. He should have kept Madam Zheng here to restrain him and make him keep transmitting the secret techniques of the Jiangnan Academy!
"You'll see how powerful my Jiangnan Yin-Yang Academy is when you have time, Grandpa and the others go and see for yourselves."
"Can Chen Qing allow outsiders to go?" the old man asked, squinting.
"Of course not."
All the elders rolled their eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"But the academy welcomes all qualified array masters," Shen Yuan said with a smile. "If any member of the Shen Family can thoroughly master what I've left behind, they can enter my Jiangnan Academy at any time!"
"Brother, are you serious?" Shen Yu's eyes instantly turned red!
So, Chen Qing is being incredibly generous? If I could go to that academy myself, would I need your teachings?
"That's absolutely true." Shen Yuan looked at Shen Yu, whose eyes were bloodshot, and sneered, "But little brother, did you hear that clearly? The academy welcomes all qualified array masters. If you don't have the qualifications, no matter what your status is, you can't get in."
"Heh," Shen Yu couldn't help but laugh. This good-for-nothing actually dared to talk to him about qualifications?