Shen Xian stood outside the cave dwelling. Before long, the protective formation rippled like water, allowing him entry.

He walked inside slowly, greeted by a wave of crisp, spiritual fragrance.

The interior of the cave dwelling was simple yet elegant. On a low table lay several unrolled jade slips containing cultivation techniques, clearly having been studied by the master just moments before.

“Elder Brother,” Shen Xian said, cupping his hands in salute. “Thank you for the Nine Cycles Azure Spirit Pill.”

Shen Xing was seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion, regulating his breathing. Hearing this, he opened his eyes, a trace of gentle warmth flashing within them.

“Between brothers like us, thanks are unnecessary.”

His spiritual sense imperceptibly swept over Shen Xian’s cultivation level. Seeing it was still at the sixth layer of the Qi Refining Realm, he gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

“Sit.”

Shen Xian took a seat opposite the table. His gaze inadvertently swept over the book titled Supreme Oblivion Record resting nearby, and his heart stirred slightly.

“Has Third Brother come today for a reason?”

Shen Xing poured a cup of spiritual tea and pushed it towards him. Amidst the misty aroma, his face, which bore a seventy percent resemblance to Shen Xian’s, appeared particularly gentle and refined.

Shen Xian took a small sip of tea, choosing his words carefully.

“There is indeed a matter I wish to ask of you. I have recently been studying alchemy and require a Purple Immortal Ganoderma…”

“Purple Immortal Ganoderma?” Shen Xing’s brow furrowed slightly. “That is a primary ingredient for refining Golden Core pills. The sect controls it very strictly.”

He set down his teacup, his tone concerned. “Third Brother is only at the Qi Refining stage now. What do you need it for?”

Shen Xian was prepared for this. Feigning slight embarrassment, he said, “I’ve heard this item is also beneficial for Foundation Establishment. Thinking that with Elder Brother’s capabilities, you should be able to find one, I specifically came to ask… to beg Elder Brother for it.”

He deliberately emphasized ‘begging.’

He knew the other party wanted to ‘nurture sentiment’ and cultivate their brotherhood. If he made the request from a position of humility, it was highly likely to be granted.

“Wanting to establish your foundation is a good thing.” Shen Xing nodded slightly, an approving look in his eyes.

However, his expression soon turned serious. “But this is the sect, after all. The rules are strict; even I cannot casually handle such important items. If we were back in the family, your elder brother would certainly get it for you.”

He paused, considering. “How about this: when you reach Foundation Establishment perfection, your elder brother will personally refine a pill for you to break through to the Golden Core?”

These words were spoken with sincere emotion, full of an elder brother’s care for his younger sibling.

Shen Xian’s face showed regret, but he said no more on the matter. “Elder Brother speaks wisely.”

Just as he was about to rise and take his leave, Shen Xing suddenly raised a hand to signal him to wait.

“Third Brother.” Shen Xing’s expression grew more solemn. “You must have heard about the Godfiend Battlefield opening in two years.”

“You received the blessing of the founding patriarch; your spiritual root transformed into the second grade. In these next two years, you must break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.”

Shen Xian looked puzzled. “Elder Brother means…”

Given Shen Xing’s nature, he shouldn’t be saying such ‘coercive’ things.

“You should know that back then, the founding patriarch split the ancestral treasure into three parts?” Shen Xing’s gaze turned profound. “We brothers each received one piece. And the holder of that third piece, the Void Essence Soul…”

He paused briefly, a touch of regret in his tone. “…fell in the Godfiend Battlefield.”

Shen Xian’s heart jolted.

Void Essence Soul…

That was a key component related to the Immortal Venerable’s Dao artifact, the Void Measuring Ruler.

“Therefore,” Shen Xing’s tone became stern, “you must enter the Godfiend Battlefield. This is not just for the family; it is for yourself as well. Your elder brother… hopes you can obtain that opportunity.”

Here he paused again, his gentle face filled with sincerity. “If you can obtain it, your elder brother will gift this Void Guiding Jade Pendant to you.”

The empowerment of the Void Essence Soul for a cultivator was immense. If his third brother could obtain it and pair it with this Void Guiding Jade Pendant… with all three combined, his future achievements would undoubtedly be extraordinary.

Severing sentiment to prove his Dao was not urgent yet. Before that, he actually hoped even more that this younger brother could go far enough.

Moreover, regardless of anything else, they were both of the Shen Family bloodline; fertile water shouldn’t flow into outsiders’ fields.

A flicker of genuine surprise appeared on Shen Xian’s face.

His elder brother was truly willing to part with it! If he could really gather all three ancestral treasures and obtain the complete Void Measuring Ruler… and then conduct another round of gift returns…

Boundless anticipation instantly arose in Shen Xian’s heart!

Anyway, he planned to go to the Godfiend Battlefield himself; it wouldn’t hurt to look for it while he was there.

“Rest assured, Elder Brother,” Shen Xian looked up with a resolute expression. “This younger brother will definitely give it his all.”

Shen Xing nodded in satisfaction and retrieved a storage pouch from his sleeve. “There are some cultivation resources here, as well as one top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. It should be enough for you.”

He paused before adding, “If you need anything else, come find your elder brother anytime.”

These words were genuinely sincere. Being good to him now and earning his gratitude would yield greater harvests in the future.

“Thank you, Elder Brother.” Shen Xian respectfully accepted it.

Although he hadn’t managed to freeload that Purple Immortal Ganoderma, having so many cultivation resources wasn’t bad either.

“Go on now; cultivate well.” Shen Xing said, unable to resist adding one last reminder as Shen Xian left. “Remember… you are the future Patriarch of the Shen Family!”

By the time Shen Xian left the cave dwelling, dusk had deepened.

He stood on the white jade rainbow bridge, gazing at the churning sea of clouds in the distance.

It seemed he would have to find another way to acquire the Purple Immortal Ganoderma.

He glanced at the talisman plaque Wei Zhaoli had given him before her seclusion and decided he still needed to go find his fiancée.

After all, any treasures he found would ultimately have to be given to her anyway.

Shen Xian headed toward another direction on the main peak.

Core disciples of the sect all had independent cave dwellings located within the main peak; Wei Zhaoli was no exception. Her cave dwelling was nestled amidst a grove of spirit bamboo, where wind chimes hanging from the eaves emitted clear sounds in the night breeze.

“Shen Lang?”

Wei Zhaoli was studying talismans in her courtyard when she saw Shen Xian’s sudden visit. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes before she broke into a smile.

“Is something wrong?”

In front of his fiancée, Shen Xian didn’t stand on ceremony, getting straight to the point. “I need a Purple Immortal Ganoderma.”

Hearing this, Wei Zhaoli’s beautiful eyes widened slightly.

“Does Shen Lang know how important the Purple Immortal Ganoderma is?” she asked, her expression turning serious.

Shen Xian nodded, smiling faintly. “Naturally I know. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come looking for you.”

Wei Zhaoli’s gaze flickered.

This seemed like the first time her fiancé had ever asked her for help.

But…

Wei Zhaoli pursed her lips, a struggle flashing through her eyes.

“If it were any other spirit medicine, it might be easier… but this Purple Immortal Ganoderma…”

She looked at Shen Xian, her face full of apology. “I’m sorry. This time I’m afraid I can’t help.”

As she spoke these words, the young girl felt deeply guilty inside.

After all, she had previously vowed earnestly that if he needed help, she would spare no effort. Yet now, when he truly needed help, she could only watch helplessly.

Shen Xian wasn’t disappointed though; instead, he comforted her. “It’s fine. I’ll think of other ways.”

If he really couldn’t get it, then forget it. At most, he just wouldn’t let the Black Mystic Spirit-Seeking Tortoise go into the Godfiend Battlefield. After all, outside of that place, the tortoise could still seek treasures too.

These words made Wei Zhaoli feel even more guilty.

She remembered how she had sworn to repay his kindness before, yet now…

Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Right!”

“The Purple Immortal Ganoderma takes a hundred years to mature, but there is a ten-year-old seedling called the Purple Cloud Ganoderma. The sect doesn’t control the Purple Cloud Ganoderma.”

Her fingertip lightly traced through the air, outlining the phantom image of a spirit plant.

“If not used for refining a Golden Core breakthrough medicine, its medicinal efficacy isn’t much worse.”

Shen Xian’s eyes brightened. “Then…”

“Coincidentally, you’ve been in the sect almost three months now and need to complete a sect mission.” Wei Zhaoli’s eyes held a sly smile. “I can arrange for you to go to the Spirit Plant Hall to tend the Purple Cloud Ganoderma fields. During that time, if you ‘accidentally’ damage one or two plants…”

New sect disciples must complete contribution tasks within three months of joining or be expelled from the sect. This way, they could kill two birds with one stone.

Shen Xian understood, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Seeing him smile, Wei Zhaoli also couldn’t help but sigh in relief. “Tomorrow, I will go make the arrangements.”