C5 Shen Lang

A trace of murderous intent was woven into the soul power that enveloped the area. Sensing this, Shen Xuan let out a soft chuckle and stepped forward into the room.

Shen Lang's cultivation level was indeed impressive, but it wasn't sufficient to uncover Shen Xuan's secrets. After an unsuccessful attempt to probe, Shen Lang emerged from the thatched cottage into the courtyard and settled onto a stone chair. He gestured to Shen Xuan, "Take a seat."

Without hesitation, Shen Xuan sat beside him. The memories he had assimilated gave him insight into the Grand Elder of the Shen family, Shen Lang.

Being at the Martial Grandmaster realm, Shen Lang was at the Advanced Rank of Golden Core Cultivation, just a hair's breadth away from the Nascent Infant Stage. Attaining the Nascent Infant Stage could extend one's life by five hundred years, a testament to Shen Lang's exceptional cultivation. Yet, reaching the Nascent Infant Stage was a milestone many spent their lives chasing in vain.

True to his name, Shen Lang had been a wild spirit in his youth, his arrogance attracting enemies who pursued him relentlessly. After thirty years of wandering, he returned to serve as the Shen family's protector, his status within the family even surpassing that of the Patriarch.

"Speak up!" Shen Lang commanded.

"What would you have me say?" Shen Xuan replied, locking eyes with Shen Lang as he sat down.

"Aren't you going to explain this sudden surge in power?" Shen Lang asked, his gaze curious as he scrutinized Shen Xuan.

"A surge in power? Haha, would you believe me if I said I've always possessed this strength?" Shen Xuan responded coolly.

"Hmm?" Shen Lang's puzzled look was tinged with skepticism.

"The Grand Elder must have heard of my childhood talents. They were envied and sabotaged by a vile act, but my grandfather discovered it and chose to conceal my true potential. I've spent the last three years in solitary cultivation in the secluded back mountain, and only today have I made my breakthrough. Is there an issue with that?" Shen Xuan spoke with unwavering confidence, his gaze never straying from Shen Lang, leaving no room to doubt his sincerity.

He couldn't possibly reveal his journey through time, so he crafted a plausible narrative for his origins.

"You're saying your talent was always this remarkable?" Shen Lang mused, closely observing Shen Xuan's demeanor. He had harbored doubts about Shen Xuan's authenticity during the council meeting, given the vast disparity in their strengths.

"Indeed. If Shen Wentao truly desired the role of Patriarch, I would have conceded. But today, he targeted me with Heart-piercing Powder, prompting my visit," Shen Xuan stated, his expression unflinching.

"Heart-piercing Powder! He attempted to poison you?"

...

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Lang rose from the stone chair and bowed slightly to Shen Xuan. "Please accept my apologies, Young Patriarch. I was at fault for the hardships you've endured."

Shen Lang's past grievances with the Shen family, particularly with Shen Xuan's grandfather—the man who had once expelled him—had fostered a lingering resentment. Despite his return to the family fold, Shen Lang had opposed the idea of an ordinary person assuming the role of Patriarch. Shen Wentao had exploited this sentiment to justify his audacity.

Shen Xuan also stood, steadying Shen Lang with a reassuring hand, and said with a smile, "Let bygones be bygones. Now, it's time to show him who the true leader of the Shen family is."

When Shen Lang heard those words, they struck him with a profound impact. His view of Shen Xuan shifted from earlier disdain to one of respect.

The two men took their seats once more. Shen Lang addressed Shen Xuan, "It appears the Young Patriarch is quite assured about the upcoming succession ceremony."

Shen Xuan gave a nod. Though only three days remained, it was ample time for him.

"Don't take Shen Wentao lightly, especially the Han family," Shen Lang cautioned.

"Grand Elder, I'd like to request access to some of the family's medicinal herbs," Shen Xuan said.

Despite Shen Xuan's commendable performance, he was still unproven. The Shen family's vast enterprises, including the medicine shops, were not yet under his control.

"Very well, this is the family's command token. With it, you can requisition medicinal herbs from any Shen family medicine shop," the Grand Elder replied. A flash of light from his Sumeru Ring revealed a dark pentagonal token, which he handed to Shen Xuan.

Shen Lang had chosen to place his trust in Shen Xuan and had no intention of second-guessing him. Shen Xuan exuded a mysterious aura that Shen Lang couldn't penetrate. Perhaps, he mused, Shen Xuan might indeed lead the Shen family to new heights of power.

"Thank you, Grand Elder," Shen Xuan expressed his gratitude. With the token in hand, he could now procure the necessary herbs to craft his pills.

Shen Lang had summoned Shen Xuan to gauge the man and, finding no fault, was prepared to offer his full support. Shen Xuan had earned his trust. Likewise, Shen Xuan sought Shen Lang's trust as a safeguard in this Otherworld.

After conversing for a while longer, Shen Xuan took his leave.

Watching Shen Xuan depart, a figure in black materialized behind Shen Lang, shrouded in a dark mist and cloaked in obscurity.

"He's quite the enigma," the figure remarked.

"It's rare for someone to catch your attention like that. Is there an issue with him?" Shen Lang inquired, his gaze following Shen Xuan's retreating form.

"No, but his energy is peculiar."

"Peculiar?"

"It's not Battle Energy, yet it's purer than any I've encountered," the figure in black disclosed, his tone laced with curiosity.

"Not Battle Energy, but purer? That's intriguing," Shen Lang mused, observing the subtle glow of Battle Energy in his palm before turning his attention back to the direction Shen Xuan had gone, a faint smile playing on his lips.

...

Night had fallen. Returning from Shen Lang's, Shen Xuan glanced at the slumbering Shen Xiaomei and set up a few simple protective formations around the room to alert him to any disturbances.

He then retreated to his own quarters and sat in meditation on his bed.

On his first day in the Otherworld, integrating the memories of his original body had enlightened him to his predicament and the nature of this realm. Here, might made right, an ethos even more pronounced than in the Cultivation World.

His objective was clear: establish a foothold swiftly and enhance his strength to its peak to navigate the uncertainties ahead.

He meditated through the night, channeling his energies toward reaching the Abstention Stage.

As dawn broke the next day, Shen Xuan rose from his night-long meditation and pushed open the door. The old trees in the courtyard were still beaded with morning dew, and the first light of day was breaking in the east, casting a vibrant glow over the scene.

He arrived at the entrance of Emergence City and picked up some breakfast. Using Shen Lang's family crest, he then collected various medicinal herbs from the Shen family's apothecary:

Three Blood Clot Fruits.

Three stalks of Chicken Tail Grass.

A jar of Royal Bee Honey.

Plus, three Dragon Marked Fruits and a standard alchemy cauldron.

Despite being in the Otherworld, the variety of medicinal herbs surpassed those found in the Cultivation World. On Earth, acquiring these herbs would be a lengthy endeavor, yet here, they were readily available in any common apothecary.

Despite a full night of meditation, he had yet to achieve a breakthrough to the Abstention Stage. Now, the power of a pill was necessary. The next pill he intended to concoct was the Spirit Gathering Pill, designed to assist practitioners in reaching the Abstention Stage.

After sharing breakfast with Shen Xiaomei, Shen Xuan secluded himself in his room, dedicating his efforts to the meticulous art of pill refinement.

Meanwhile, Shen Wentao made his way to the secluded courtyard in the back of the mountain.