C6 Abstention

In the Shen family's backyard, Shen Xiaomei sat in her wheelchair, her gaze fixed on the room of Shen Xuan.

He had informed her that he was busy with alchemy and instructed her to wait outside.

She had only heard snippets about alchemists – a profession exceedingly rare across the continent. In all of Emergence City, the Han family boasted the sole alchemist.

The revelation that her brother was practicing alchemy took her by surprise.

It was then that Shen Wentao strolled into the courtyard, hands clasped behind him, exuding an air of casual authority.

"Where's Shen Xuan?"

At the sound of his voice, Shen Xiaomei quickly turned to look.

"What are you doing here? Your presence isn't welcome."

Despite being just eleven, Shen Xiaomei faced Shen Wentao without a trace of fear.

"Hehe, as the Head Butler of the Shen family, there isn't a place here off-limits to me," he said, approaching her with a meter to spare. He bent down, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Your brother has been dead for a while now. The one you see is an imposter. If you testify to that, I assure you vengeance for your brother."

"You're the one who's dead. How can you, the Head Butler, slander the Young Patriarch so?"

Shen Xiaomei's voice rose in anger upon hearing Shen Wentao's words.

"The Young Patriarch is long gone; he's nothing but an impostor. If you testify to that, I can heal your leg. What do you say?"

Shen Wentao's smile persisted as he spoke.

"You can heal my leg? Was it you who did this?"

Shen Xiaomei's mind raced back to Shen Xuan's words. After years of failed attempts by numerous herbalists, Shen Wentao claimed he could cure her!

"Yes, it was me. What are you going to do about it?" he taunted, leaning closer, his eyes gleaming with malice. His intent to kill had been set from the moment he chose to reveal his secret.

After all, they were in Shen Xuan's courtyard – the perfect place to pin the blame and achieve two goals with one deed.

"You!"

...

Before Shen Xiaomei could confront him, a crushing force bore down upon her, silencing her words and making each breath a struggle.

"Without that little nuisance, you might have lived to see adulthood. Now, that's no longer an option."

Shen Wentao's oppressive gaze held Shen Xiaomei immobile as he raised his palm, charged with Battle Energy, ready to strike.

This blow was meant to end her life.

But in that critical moment, an energy point burst into existence before Shen Wentao, striking his shoulder and Yunmen acupoints.

These points, pivotal in channeling the body's energy, were hit, and Shen Wentao was sent reeling back three meters, his palm's energy dissipating.

"Who's there!?"

Startled by the unexpected turn, Shen Wentao scanned the surroundings warily. Was there another formidable presence?

With a "squeak," the previously shut door eased open, revealing Shen Xuan stepping through. His aura intensified with each step.

In a flash, he was beside Shen Xiaomei, placing a palm on her back. A surge of pure energy flowed into her, easing the suffocating pressure.

"Brother! He..."

"I know, you've been watching," Shen Xuan said with a light chuckle to Shen Xiaomei, gently guiding her to one side to clear ample space for himself and Shen Wentao.

"You!"

Shen Wentao eyed Shen Xuan with a mix of suspicion and disbelief. The energy emanating from Shen Xuan was noticeably stronger than the day before—a phenomenon Shen Wentao had never witnessed in all his years of cultivation.

"How dare you, the Head Butler of the Shen family, raise your hand against our own? Who gave you such audacity?" Shen Xuan stood firm, rebuking Shen Wentao.

The third-grade Spirit Gathering Pill, though a lower-tier pill, was no challenge for him to concoct, even at the Embryonic Breathing Stage. Moments ago, upon the pill's completion and ingestion, he had broken through that stage, ascending to the Abstention Stage.

Embryonic Breathing involves harnessing the energy within the Dantian, while the Abstention Stage signifies the opening of the Dantian. Once the Dantian can store the absorbed energy, one can use it to achieve Abstention.

With the Dantian sufficiently developed, one can form a core, marking the transition to the Golden Core Stage.

The Abstention Stage here is on par with the rank of Martial General, and Shen Wentao's own cultivation stands at the peak of that level.

"Hehe, enough with the act. Who are you, really?" Shen Wentao demanded, his gaze fixed on Shen Xuan. Unable to gauge Shen Xuan's true capabilities, he hesitated to make a move.

"Don't you know who I am?" Shen Xuan retorted with a cold laugh.

He had once feared Shen Wentao, but not anymore. Though his cultivation level might be lower, the outcome of a true confrontation remained to be seen.

"Hmph, don't think a few tricks up your sleeve mean you can turn the Shen family upside down. Today, I'll show you who truly rules this house."

Shen Wentao's patience with Shen Xuan had worn thin. The more enigmatic Shen Xuan was, the larger the threat he posed. Killing him now might bring complications, but letting him live would be far worse.

As Shen Wentao readied himself to deliver a lethal strike, a voice interrupted the tension.

"Am I invisible to you?"

Shen Lang, with his hands clasped behind his back, approached the courtyard with a measured stride. Though he appeared to be a man of advanced years, his presence was sharp and commanding, intensifying the pressure Shen Wentao felt.

"Grand Elder," Shen Wentao greeted, bowing with respect while a shadow of resentment flickered in his eyes. With Shen Lang's protection, he knew his chances to act against Shen Xuan within the Shen family were now slim.

"So, you're in a hurry?" Shen Lang inquired.

"No, not at all, Grand Elder. You misunderstand; I was merely checking on my nephew."

"Be clear about your intentions. Remember, anyone who dares to jeopardize the Shen family's interests will find no mercy from me."

"Yes, of course," Shen Wentao replied, nodding vigorously.

"You may leave. Your presence is no longer required here."

"Yes, of course."

With a final, reluctant glance at Shen Xuan, Shen Wentao nodded and departed, his frustration evident. Watching him go, Shen Lang entered the courtyard, turning his attention to Shen Xuan and Shen Xiaomei, who remained seated in her wheelchair.

"If I hadn't shown up, what would you have done?"

"I'd have killed him."

Shen Xuan's voice was calm and detached as he stood there.

"Really? You'd kill him?"

Shen Lang sized up Shen Xuan. Though Shen Xuan appeared stronger than before, the idea of him killing Shen Wentao seemed far-fetched.

In all of Emergence City, only a select few could take down Shen Wentao. Shen Xuan was certainly not among them.

"He shouldn't bother you for the next few days. Focus on your cultivation. If you run into any trouble, come straight to me."

Shen Lang advised Shen Xuan, then glanced at Shen Xiaomei in her wheelchair and shook his head with a sense of resignation before walking away.

Shen Xiaomei's predicament was inextricably linked to him. His inaction had led to her current state, and for that, he bore a heavy burden of guilt.

Once they had departed, the mountain's backyard fell silent once more.

"Brother, you're amazing!"

Shen Xiaomei exclaimed to Shen Xuan, having witnessed Shen Wentao's setback firsthand.

"Hehe, as long as I'm here, no one will dare to bully you. What do you think this is?"

Shen Xuan chuckled nonchalantly, revealing a small porcelain bottle in his hand. Inside was a pill he had concocted for Shen Xiaomei's leg injury while also crafting a third-grade Spirit Gathering Pill. It was essentially a first-grade Body Strengthening Pill.

Her legs had suffered years of damage from harmful medicines, losing their natural function. This pill was designed to purge the toxins and rejuvenate her body's capabilities, ultimately restoring her health.

"What's this?"

"It's the medicine for your legs. Take one daily, and you'll be back on your feet in a hundred days."

"A hundred days to recovery!"

Shen Xiaomei gasped, astonished by Shen Xuan's claim. She had never imagined regaining the use of her legs after they had slowly become numb.

"Here, try one now."

Shen Xuan handed her a rice-yellow pill, which Shen Xiaomei swallowed without a moment's hesitation.

Immediately, a red glow burst forth from within her.

"Is that... the Fire Spirit Body?"

Shen Xuan watched, astounded by the transformation unfolding before him.