What was the limit of the ring? Or rather, what was the highest tier of legendary cultivation technique this artifact could summon? Since Ye Wen first considered this, the question would surface from time to time, not for any particular reason, but purely out of curiosity.

After all, curiosity is a major driving force behind human progress, so it wasn't strange for Ye Wen to desire a more detailed understanding of the treasure on his finger.

"Would it summon the supreme arts from the Jin Yong school of Wuxia, like Bei Ming Shen Gong, Nine Yang Manual, or Nine Yin Manual, or perhaps the even more monstrous canons from Huang Yi's novels, which border on the absolute zenith of martial arts?"

Ye Wen’s speculation was confined to the world of Wuxia because the world he currently inhabited was nothing more than that; he hadn't considered thinking beyond those familiar borders.

However, the accidental summoning of something like the 'Lion's Roar Bomb' had undeniably heightened his expectations for the ring, though he refrained from dwelling too deeply on specifics.

Perhaps he was afraid that thinking too much, hoping too much, would lead to crushing disappointment if the ring ultimately failed to meet his soaring expectations. To prevent this scenario, he instinctively employed a form of self-protection.

After incinerating the largely useless Lion's Roar Bomb, Ye Wen glanced at the ring resting on his right index finger and muttered, "Forget it, why think so much? Besides, given my current standing, contemplating the Nine Yang Manual or Nine Yin Manual seems a bit premature. It won't be too late to consider those things when my cultivation truly reaches that level."

He stroked the ring, then walked to the window and threw open the tightly sealed sash. A blast of icy wind laced with snowflakes rushed into the otherwise reasonably warm room, causing Ye Wen to shiver, yet simultaneously sharpening his focus.

He took a deep breath; this time, not only was his body cold, but his lungs felt like ice. Yet, Ye Wen harbored no concern about catching a chill.

One major benefit of achieving minor success in internal energy cultivation was the corresponding enhancement of physical resilience. While the mountain air was a bit cold, it wouldn't be enough to fell him with illness.

Of course, if one cultivated to the profound depths, they could become impervious to frost and heat, rendering them completely unaffected by environmental changes impacting the body.

But such a realm remained a distant dream for the current Ye Wen. Nevertheless, transitioning from initially finding the cold unbearable to gradually adapting, and now even facing it without fear, allowed him to clearly sense the changes within his own body. These changes, in turn, fueled his confidence and anticipation for the future.

He gazed absently into the night sky. Though it was pitch black and nothing was visible, he felt no urge to close the window. Perhaps he simply wished to daydream for a while, or maybe just watch the snow settling on the mountain.

It was at that precise moment that the sound of sharp steel slicing through the air caught his attention. Turning his gaze, he saw a faint, blurry silhouette practicing swordplay not far away.

The slender figure and the sword movements, as graceful as a dance, immediately allowed Ye Wen to deduce the identity of the person practicing in the darkness.

Come to think of it, the only people practicing martial arts on the mountain were him and his junior martial sister, Ning Ruxue. Although there was also a handyman hired to do the cleaning, cooking, and farming, this person possessed not a shred of martial skill. She was a down-on-her-luck peasant woman Ning Ruxue had found in the county town.

This woman was already over forty, long past the age considered suitable for martial arts training, and moreover, she had no intention of learning. She was simply happy to have found a place where she could reliably eat. As for labor? Where else was there work available? Especially in these times, finding employment that could sustain oneself was no simple feat.

Although life on the mountain felt a bit desolate, the peasant woman didn't mind such things, which is why she was willing to ascend the mountain with Ning Ruxue, becoming a menial helper for the Shu Mountain Sect.

This middle-aged woman, whom the two called Aunt Zhao, lived in the annex beside the kitchen. Generally, by nightfall, she would stay in her room mending clothes or simply retiring early.

These three were the sole residents above the middle slopes of Mount Shushan. Thus, when Ye Wen saw someone practicing martial arts in the courtyard, he knew, almost without thinking, that it must be his junior martial sister, Ning Ruxue.

Closing the window, Ye Wen left his room and stepped into the courtyard. Only when he approached slightly closer could he clearly make out Ning Ruxue's features.

While his progress in internal energy had greatly improved his eyesight, the enhancement was limited; he couldn't possibly see distant objects clearly in such deep darkness.

And compared to Ye Wen, Ning Ruxue’s internal energy cultivation was slightly weaker. It wasn't until Ye Wen drew near that Ning Ruxue noticed someone approaching and recognized who it was.

However, perhaps she had already guessed his identity, as she did not pause her movements. She executed the entire set of the Yunu Swordplay three times in succession before stopping.

Sheathing her longsword, Ning Ruxue pulled out her personal handkerchief to wipe the beads of sweat from her brow, then turned toward Ye Wen and greeted him, "Senior Brother, why aren't you asleep?"

Life on the mountain was austere and dull. The martial brother and sister spent their days eating and cultivating, occasionally foraging for wild vegetables or hunting small animals for amusement, which also helped improve their diet.

Besides that, there was simply nothing else to do, so they usually slept very early. At this hour, they would typically already be asleep.

Tonight, because she couldn't sleep and cultivation couldn't be rushed, Ning Ruxue had come out to stretch her limbs and practice her sword forms. She hadn't expected Senior Brother Ye Wen to also be awake and come out to watch her.

Ye Wen didn't answer Ning Ruxue’s question, instead countering with, "Didn't you stay up either, Junior Sister?"

Taken aback by Ye Wen’s question, Ning Ruxue paused momentarily before replying, "I couldn't sleep, so I came out to practice the swordplay." Upon mentioning the Yunu Swordplay, Ning Ruxue cast a rather odd glance at Ye Wen. She still wondered where on earth her Senior Brother had obtained this set of sword techniques so clearly suited for a woman, though the Xiaoyao Heart Method hadn't aroused any suspicion in her.

Ye Wen pretended not to notice Ning Ruxue's look, simply nodding casually, and avoided continuing the topic. Instead, he said, "You’ve just finished practicing, you’re sweating. Don't stand here in the wind."

Saying this, he turned and walked back toward the main house. Although he didn't explicitly ask Ning Ruxue to join him, the meaning was clear: he wanted her to return inside soon to avoid catching a cold.

Ning Ruxue’s internal energy cultivation was far less profound than Ye Wen’s. Besides the fact that her time practicing the Xiaoyao Heart Method was shorter, Ye Wen also had a small cheat item that had gradually widened the gap between their progress.

So, while Ye Wen was no longer greatly afraid of the cold, Ning Ruxue still suffered the harmful effects of the frigid air on the body, much like an ordinary person. Her ability to stand in the wind and snow just now was entirely due to the heat generated by practicing the sword forms. If she remained in the cold under these conditions, she would likely be bedridden with a severe chill tomorrow.

Yet, even knowing Ye Wen was looking out for her, Ning Ruxue grumbled, "None of your business? Of course, I know..." Despite her muttering, her steps quickened only slightly as she followed closely behind Ye Wen back into the main house.

When this large house was constructed, only one main entrance was built. Upon entering, there was a main hall that served for dining, receiving guests, reading, and even practicing martial arts or teaching disciples.

Directly opposite the entrance was a wall designed like a screen, allowing people to pass around either side into a room behind the main hall. This inner room, however, was not used for storing valuables; instead, it was piled high with coal and firewood, along with a large stove. This was the source of heat for the bedrooms on both sides.

As for the two side bedrooms, they shared a standard design: a large heated brick bed for sleeping, a desk for writing and reading, and a substantial bookshelf for holding volumes.

Turning further inward led to an innermost chamber, which contained a large tub specifically for bathing. Hot water could easily be managed on the stove in the room where the heated brick bed was located. And what pleased Ye Wen the most was that just to the rear side of this large house, there was a mountain spring, solving the water supply issue. This was actually why Ye Wen had arranged the main house and kitchen in this specific location.

Returning to the main hall, Ye Wen didn't go directly to his own bedroom but sat down there, telling Ning Ruxue, "Since you can't sleep, let's talk for a bit. I have a few things I need to discuss with you."

Ning Ruxue didn't reply but sat down immediately, waiting quietly for him to continue.

Seeing her compliance, Ye Wen went on, "How much spare money do we have left?"

Ning Ruxue hadn't expected her Senior Brother to call her in for a talk about finances. However, she had been the one managing their meager funds. She had occasionally gone down the mountain over the past six months to purchase daily necessities, and Ye Wen had never inquired about the details, so it was no wonder he was unaware of the exact situation.

"We've spent quite a lot these past six months. Senior Brother kept insisting we must buy enough food to help our bodies grow, so we didn't skimp on meat, eggs, and fish. Now, we are running quite low."

For the past six months, Ye Wen had emphasized nutrition, especially since they were both martial artists; weakness due to poor nutrition could prevent them from ever becoming top-tier experts, no matter how many divine manuals they possessed.

Thus, every time he sent her down the mountain to buy supplies, he instructed her to purchase ample fish, meat, and eggs, while less stress was placed on vegetables because the patch of land they had cultivated on the mountain was already producing enough for the three of them.

But the items Ye Wen specifically requested were all rather expensive. Although he, Ning Ruxue, and Aunt Zhao couldn't eat that much, nor did they eat them daily, the money in hand was rapidly draining away. Originally, Ning Ruxue thought the funds would last at least a year or two, but they were nearly depleted.

Even if Ye Wen hadn't brought it up today, Ning Ruxue had planned to discuss the matter with him in the next few days, otherwise, within half a month, the three of them would have to rely on the meager stores left on the mountain or resort to hunting and foraging to survive.

"Furthermore, the New Year approaches. Although our Shu Mountain Sect is small and weak, this festival must still be observed. I plan to go down the mountain soon to purchase some New Year provisions. However, we have almost no money left..."

Ye Wen nodded, understanding that this was indeed the biggest challenge they currently faced. Without funds, their future life would not only be austere but might even impede the progress of their individual strength. Therefore, somehow, they needed to resolve this urgently.

"Since that is the case, I will go down the mountain tomorrow and see if I can bring back some funds."