After tidying his robes slightly, Han Zhong sat down across the stone table from Shi Yan, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then asked, "Young Master Yan, what about the guards you brought with you?"

"They're all dead," Shi Yan replied casually, his face showing no change. "The demonic beasts in the Gloomy Forest suddenly went mad, chasing and slaughtering martial artists everywhere. To protect me, they... all sacrificed themselves."

Han Zhong looked at him with astonishment and a strange glint in his eyes. "I know a little about the situation over there. It's already fortunate that Young Master Yan managed to escape alive."

He had long since received news of the Rampage of the Thunder-Winged Silver Wolf. He had actually been preparing to return in half a month to report if Shi Yan hadn't shown up, so he was deeply surprised to see Shi Yan walk out of the Gloomy Forest looking completely unconcerned.

Given how chaotic the Gloomy Forest had become, leading to the deaths of even less-skilled martial artists, the fact that this bookworm, Shi Yan, survived was quite unbelievable, forcing Han Zhong’s astonishment.

Han Zhong had never thought highly of the original owner of Shi Yan's body.

That fellow never pursued martial arts, was overly pedantic, and enjoyed delving into fields the Shi family found uninteresting. He was always a marginalized figure within the family, completely unsuited to Han Zhong's taste.

If Han Zhong hadn't coincidentally been handling business nearby and received orders from Shi Jian, he wouldn't have bothered waiting for Shi Yan at all.

"Mmm, I was indeed quite lucky," Shi Yan replied with a faint smile, his expression calm. "Uncle Han, when shall we set off back to the clan?"

"That depends on Young Master Yan. I’m eager to leave immediately; I have matters I need to report to the Patriarch face-to-face. If I weren't waiting for you, I would have been back long ago," Han Zhong paused before replying.

As he spoke, Han Zhong couldn't help but scrutinize Shi Yan carefully. He hadn't paid much attention before, but now, looking closely, he began to notice something different...

Shi Yan’s physique was leaner than before. His once rounded face had become sharp-angled, projecting a distinct aura of unyielding manhood.

Sitting naturally, Shi Yan's back was perfectly straight, his posture suggesting a drawn sword, giving off an illusion of sharp, unbridled edge.

—And this was merely a change in appearance.

The former Shi Yan only seemed spirited when investigating ancient texts and relics; otherwise, his gaze was perpetually unfocused, always appearing listless.

But the current Shi Yan’s eyes were deep, with occasional strange lights flickering in his pupils, as if he were constantly pondering something, giving the strange impression that nothing could escape his notice.

"Uncle Han, I need to ask you something," under Han Zhong’s gaze, Shi Yan remained composed and spoke lightly. "The Stone Forest seems much calmer. Do you know why?"

"Oh, that’s because people from the Beiming family passed through. I heard the Beiming family is receiving someone in the Stone Forest. All those scoundrels making a living there took off with their tails between their legs the moment they heard the Beiming family was coming."

"Beiming family, who was leading them?" Shi Yan already had a suspicion forming in his mind.

"It was Beiming Ce."

Han Zhong answered, then suddenly started cursing, "I heard that brat broke through to the Hundred Calamities Realm six months ago. Damn it, he’s only twenty-five! And he has Twin Martial Souls—that’s completely insane! I’m forty-five and only at the second layer of the Hundred Calamities Realm. Does he expect anyone else to live?"

Twenty-five years old, Hundred Calamities First Layer, Twin Martial Souls...

Shi Yan’s face darkened, and he suddenly realized that this Beiming Ce was likely the 'important figure' Mu Yudie intended to introduce him to.

With such talent and a realm achieved so young, backed by the Beiming family—the foremost noble house in the Merchant Alliance—it was no wonder Mu Yudie and Di Yalan made the decisions they did.

A cold light glittered in his eyes, and Shi Yan remained silent, inwardly sneering relentlessly: Twenty-five years old, Hundred Calamities Realm, Twin Martial Souls—is that really so impressive?

Not necessarily!

He himself had gone from the first layer of the Post-Heaven Realm to the current third layer of the Innate Realm in just two short months—a true madman!

He possessed not only the Petrified and Undying Martial Souls but also a third, more sinister and bizarre mysterious Martial Soul. Compared to Beiming Ce, he suddenly realized he was far more terrifying.

Time. I only need some time, and I can completely surpass Beiming Ce! Shi Yan thought silently.

"Young Master Yan, you... you have Essence Qi within your body?"

Han Zhong’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he stared intently at Shi Yan, saying solemnly, "I can sense Essence Qi flowing within your body just now... and it’s quite abundant! Young Master Yan, what exactly is going on?"

Shi Yan took a deep breath, suppressing a flicker of frustration in his heart. "Yes, there is Essence Qi in my body now. I am considered a martial artist too."

"What level is that?" Han Zhong urgently questioned.

"Innate."

"Ah!"

...

Merchant Alliance, Tianyun City, Shi Family Training Ground.

The Shi family’s training ground spanned several acres, transplanted with many ancient trees and various peculiar rock formations...

Within the grounds, specially designated muddy patches, sandy areas, pools, and rows of wooden huts...

There were cover points everywhere, intricate and complex, featuring numerous different environments allowing the Shi clan’s young men to engage in combat practice across varied terrains.

Here, the Shi youths could learn to adapt to all sorts of environments and master combat techniques suitable for any terrain.

Currently, in the center of the training ground, a massive, diamond-shaped Refining Jade Crystal was set up. Shi family third-generation youths lined up, approaching the crystal to place their hands upon it and release their Essence Qi to confirm their exact cultivation realm.

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

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

"Shi Tianling, twenty-seven years old, Post-Heaven Third Layer!"

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

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

Han Feng narrowed his eyes, standing beside the Refining Jade Crystal. As soon as a Shi youth finished releasing their Essence Qi and moved away, he bellowed sternly.

Following Han Feng’s voice, the surrounding second and third-generation elders of the Shi family displayed expressions ranging from gratification to disappointment.

"Second Brother, your Yun boy is truly promising; he broke through another level," Shi Kuo grumbled somewhat unwillingly. "Tianke has been slackening recently. I guess I need to discipline that little brat!"

"Third Brother, Tianke is working hard enough. I saw him grinding away in the gravity room late into the night recently. Don’t put too much pressure on him; it might backfire," Shi Gang advised comfortingly.

"Tianyun, keep striving hard, strive to break through to the Human Rank Realm as soon as possible," Shi Tie declared with a voice like a booming bell, a hint of pride evident in his eyes.

Shi Tie and Shi Jian were full brothers. Shi Gang and Shi Kuo were Shi Tie's sons, and Shi Tianyun was Shi Gang’s son, making him Shi Tie's direct grandson. Seeing Shi Tianyun perform admirably, Shi Tie was naturally delighted.

The position of the Shi family Patriarch was determined by cultivation realm. Having lost to his elder brother Shi Jian back then, Shi Tie harbored some discontent and pinned his hopes on his grandson Shi Tianyun to consistently suppress Shi Tianxiao, who belonged to Shi Jian's line.

The Shi family’s Petrified Martial Soul was rather unique; among children born to the same parents, the Martial Soul was usually inherited by the first two children.

The third child almost never inherited it.

Because of this, each branch of the Shi family generally only raised two children.

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

Shi Dang had a daughter and a son: Shi Tianling and Shi Tianxiao.

Shi Qing and Yang Hai had one son: Shi Yan.

Therefore, Shi Tianling, Shi Tianxiao, and Shi Yan were Shi Jian’s direct grandsons, while Shi Tianyun, Shi Tianluo, and Shi Tianke were Shi Tie’s direct grandsons.

The Shi brothers and sisters actually maintained very good relationships, all striving for the strengthening of the family.

However, no matter how good the relationship, there was always an element of competition. For instance, Shi Tie, having lost to his elder brother Shi Jian in the past, always sought to regain some prestige in the generation of their descendants.

In the generation of their sons, Shi Dang was too dominant, firmly suppressing Shi Gang and Shi Kuo, so Shi Tie had long given up on that front.

Fortunately, his grandsons were proving capable in this generation, with Shi Tianyun and Shi Tianke both being slightly stronger than Shi Tianxiao, which is why he often enjoyed showing off during the grandsons’ refinement sessions, though it carried no real malice.

Yang Hai stood beside Shi Dang, quietly discussing recent happenings at the mine. Hearing Shi Tie’s loud exclamation, Shi Dang chuckled softly, "Uncle Er found something to boast about again." After a pause, he glanced at Shi Tianxiao beside him and chided, "You damned brat, you only know how to embarrass your old man."

"Uh, I’m not the most embarrassing one..." Shi Tianxiao shrank his head, adopting a pitiful expression.

Hearing this, the smile on Yang Hai's face became strained. He sighed at Shi Dang, "Be content compared to my good-for-nothing son. At least Tianxiao is a martial artist. But that little rascal Shi Yan only knows how to cause trouble outside. He hasn't even returned yet. I don't know how much trouble he’ll bring me this time."

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

...

The training ground was filled with the direct descendants of the Shi family, murmuring amongst themselves in a lively atmosphere.

Just then, a large eagle descended from the sky and landed on Patriarch Shi Jian’s shoulder.

Shi Jian retrieved a bundled gray brocade pouch from beneath the eagle’s claws, opened the enclosed letter casually, and frowned as he read the contents.

Since those present were not outsiders, he made no attempt to conceal anything.

"Eh!"

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

Everyone in the field froze for a moment before falling silent, all turning to look at Patriarch Shi Jian, feeling a strange curiosity about what had caused such a lapse in his composure.

"Elder Brother, what’s going on?" Shi Tie frowned and called out, "It’s not the Mo family causing trouble again, is it? Damn it, it seems they won't learn their lesson unless we hit them hard!"

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

"How is that scoundrel?" Yang Hai finally relaxed upon hearing this, asking with a fierce expression, as if ready to settle accounts with Shi Yan.

"That boy... he has become a martial artist..." Shi Jian’s expression was strange, his mouth twitching slightly as he seemed to be forcefully suppressing his inner joy.

"Huh?" Shi Tie exclaimed involuntarily, "He’s already seventeen, why has he suddenly decided 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 achieve much in his life. What was the brat doing all this time? If he had started cultivating since childhood, even without our Shi family's Martial Soul, he should at least have reached the Innate Second or Third Layer by now."

"That boy is currently at the Innate Third Layer!" Shi Jian’s eyes flashed with sharp light as he spoke emphatically.

...