Chapter 4: Asking for an Array, Second Brother’s Fury

Upon returning to their residence, Ye Qingxian didn’t say another word. She retreated straight to the bridal chamber and resumed her cultivation.

Shen Xian was quite pleased with this development. He would be more than happy if she spent every single day cultivating, allowing him to achieve true “strengthening through idleness.”

However… perhaps her cultivation speed could be a bit faster.

Standing in the courtyard, he sensed the ambient spiritual energy of heaven and earth and decided to go ask his mother for a Spirit Gathering Array.

At this thought, Shen Xian displayed unprecedented motivation. Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and left his dwelling.

It couldn’t be helped. Before achieving true freedom through idleness, some necessary effort still had to be made. Besides, obtaining a Spirit Gathering Array shouldn’t be too difficult.

After leaving his residence, he wound through the twisting corridors, heading straight for the cluster of resplendent, golden-roofed buildings to the north.

That was the dwelling of the Shen Family Patriarch, situated at a convergence of spiritual veins. The eaves of its pavilions soared upwards like phoenix wings, and the glazed tiles shimmered like scattered gold under the sun.

The courtyard walls were built from Mystic Crystal Stone. The naturally formed cloud patterns on their surfaces seemed to flow faintly under the nourishment of spiritual energy. From a distance, it looked like an immortal’s pavilion shrouded in radiant light.

Shen Xian approached and passed through unimpeded, making his way to one particular compound. From afar, he caught a faint whiff of medicinal fragrance.

Arriving before the alchemy room, he chose not to disturb the occupant and instead waited quietly.

“Xian’er, come in.” However, his mother inside was already aware of his arrival.

Shen Xian pushed open the door and was greeted by his elegant and dignified mother, Nangong Wan. She wore a red and gold gown, her hair elegantly coiled up. Her graceful face wore a gentle smile.

“Xian’er, what brings you to see your mother?” The corners of her eyes crinkled slightly as she gestured for him to sit.

Shen Xian performed a respectful bow instead. His brows relaxed as he revealed a childlike smile. “I just missed you, Mother.”

Hearing this, Nangong Wan first raised an eyebrow slightly, then a flash of understanding amusement passed through her eyes. “Out with it then. What are you here to ask for?”

No one knows a son like his mother!

She had paid close attention to this child since he was young; how could she not know his little schemes?

“I really can’t hide anything from you,” Shen Xian said with a light laugh before getting straight to the point. “Well, your son has just gotten married and thought I shouldn’t continue being so aimless anymore. I came specifically to ask you for a Spirit Gathering Array so I can cultivate diligently.”

He had prepared his excuse beforehand. Though somewhat clumsy, it would serve its purpose.

Nangong Wan was slightly surprised. She had thought her youngest son never intended to cultivate in this lifetime. Today, it seemed he had changed his tune.

Could it really be because of his marriage?

However, a Spirit Gathering Array wasn’t mere gold or silver. Her youngest son’s aptitude was mediocre at best, and that daughter-in-law of hers had lost all her cultivation base. Using it on them would be a complete waste.

Although Nangong Wan doted on him, she wasn’t blindly indulgent. Some things she understood clearly.

Thus, she spoke up. “Xian’er, striving to cultivate is a good thing. It’s just that these Spirit Gathering Arrays have quota restrictions within the family. The next available slot… your mother intended to give it to your second brother.”

“Although your second brother’s aptitude is also only passable, it is slightly better than yours and would allow the array’s effects to be utilized more fully.”

Hearing this, Shen Xian couldn’t help but feel it was a pity, yet he wasn’t willing to truly give up.

After all, this concerned his grand “Idleness Enterprise”!

At that moment, Shen Xian suddenly remembered the second-grade supreme pill he had received as a system rebate earlier… wouldn’t that be perfect for his mother?

A trace of cunning flashed in his eyes as he feigned disappointment with a sigh. “What Mother says is true. Second Brother does indeed need the array more.”

As he spoke, he had already quietly claimed the system-bestowed Ice Skin Jade Bone Pill from his inventory while his right hand subtly moved towards the brocade pouch at his waist. “It’s just that your son genuinely wishes to cultivate this time. What do you think…”

He deliberately drew out his tone while extracting an elixir from the pouch.

The moment the pill appeared, an invigorating medicinal fragrance instantly permeated the entire alchemy room, making even the pill being refined in the furnace seem dull in comparison.

Nangong Wan’s previously composed expression froze instantly.

As a third-grade alchemist, she recognized at a glance that this pill was a second-grade supreme Ice Skin Jade Bone Pill.

“Xian’er, where did you obtain this elixir?” Nangong Wan asked in surprise.

This pill’s greatest effect was preserving youth and stabilizing one’s appearance—a natural temptation for any female cultivator. Moreover, as a second-grade supreme pill, its presented state was nearly perfect and held immense research value.

Seeing his mother’s reaction, Shen Xian knew his goal was achieved and immediately said, “This is part of Qingxian’s dowry. But as you know her current condition… your son thought it would be better to simply gift it to you instead.”

A powerful elixir like this… ordinary people couldn’t digest its medicinal efficacy. By saying this, she definitely wouldn’t suspect anything.

Sure enough, Nangong Wan did not probe further.

Shen Xian spoke up again at just the right moment. “Mother, you work tirelessly all day long. Neither Qingxian nor I have any use for this pill. Please take it.”

With that said, he directly pressed it into his mother’s hand.

“You child…” Nangong Wan shook her head with an amused smile and lightly tapped Shen Xian’s forehead with her fingertip. “Fine then. You may have the Spirit Gathering Array. However…”

Her tone shifted. “You must promise your mother that you will cultivate properly this time.”

If her youngest son could truly apply himself diligently and advance another realm or two… his lifespan might also lengthen somewhat.

Shen Xian immediately straightened his posture, his face brimming with an ingratiating smile. “Don’t worry, Mother! Your son will definitely turn over a new leaf this time! As for this pill…”

Nangong Wan gave a light humph and retrieved an array disk from her sleeve that was entirely jade-green in color. “This is the ‘Nine Cycles Spirit Gathering Array’ your mother used in her younger days. It cannot compare to the one in your father’s courtyard, but it is more than sufficient for use during the Qi Refining Realm.”

She paused before adding, “Three mid-grade spirit stones must be placed at its core formation node and replaced monthly.”

Shen Xian took the array disk; it felt warm and smooth like jade in his hand, with intricate cloud patterns carved on its surface.

“Thank you, Mother! Then your son will take his leave.” He performed another solemn bow.

Nangong Wan smiled dotingly at him. “Go on.”

Only after he had gone far away did a trace of guilt flash across her face.

Her youngest son was fated not to enjoy longevity… if he wanted to stir up trouble, then let him stir up trouble…

…

In the main family area…

Shen Li—who had been planning to teach that waste of a younger brother of his a lesson—received their mother’s message.

Reading its contents, he violently smashed a white jade cup onto the ground, his expression turning extremely ugly.

“Again!” He roared inwardly.

Ever since they were children, if Shen Xian wanted something, their mother would satisfy him completely, disregarding what he or their eldest brother thought!

But that guy is trash!

How could trash receive such favor from their mother? How could trash get so many privileges?!

Shen Li couldn’t understand it!

Before, he could still ignore him since it didn’t affect him personally!

But this time, the other party had encroached upon what belonged to him!

This caused Shen Li—who originally only wanted to show him some color—to change his mind!

At this moment, he decided to intensify his original plan!

He needed to make sure that waste understood clearly… some things were not meant for him!