Before the spirit vessel, Ye Mingyuan stood before Shen Xian, clad in a brocade robe. Gone was his previous hostility, replaced instead by a hint of awkwardness.

“The matter of the gift earlier was done by your second brother, not my intention. Please forgive me.” As soon as they met, Ye Mingyuan transmitted his voice, expressing his apology for the previous incident.

He had already discerned that this direct descendant of the Shen Family was deeply favored by the Matriarch. Continuing to antagonize him would bring no benefit to himself.

After struggling internally for a long while, he decided it was better to come and inform the other party, using this as a gesture of goodwill.

A chill ran through Shen Xian’s heart.

So it really was his second brother’s doing!

“Thank you for informing me, Fourth Uncle. This matter is an internal affair of the Shen Family and has nothing to do with you,” Shen Xian responded via voice transmission.

Although there was a rift between him and the other man, the key figure behind it all was still his second brother. Moreover, the other party was a smart man; there was no need to continue the feud.

Perhaps he might even need to borrow the other’s influence in the future.

Ye Mingyuan let out a sigh of relief and said earnestly, “If you ever have need in the future, you can contact me.”

He took out a communication talisman and handed it over.

After Shen Xian stored it away, Ye Mingyuan left.

“Young Master Shen, it is time to depart!” At that moment, the Nascent Soul True Venerable spoke up.

Shen Xian gave a slight nod and boarded the spirit vessel together with Ye Qingxian.

The escort provided by the Ye Family this time was considerably more impressive than before.

In addition to this Nascent Soul True Venerable, several Golden Core Realm cultivators like Ye Tong followed along. It was a display that gave him immense face.

This also showed how much importance the Ye Family placed on him.

The spirit vessel set off, piercing straight through the clouds.

Shen Xian lay on a lounge chair, his eyes half-closed. His fingers tapped idly on the rattan wood edge as if he had little interest in his impending return home.

Xiang’er stood obediently to one side, brewing tea. The fragrant aroma of tea wafted gently through the air.

Ye Qingxian stood at the side of the vessel. Her golden-threaded cloud robes danced lightly in the wind as she gazed into the sea of clouds, lost in thought.

At her feet, the Thunder Pattern Spirit Cat paced back and forth, its eyes closed as it emitted contented purrs of enjoyment.

The spirit vessel cut through clouds and mist. The mountains and rivers below unfolded like a painted scroll.

Watching the occasional bird flitting through gaps in the clouds, Shen Xian suddenly thought that it wouldn’t be so bad to lie here forever watching the clouds roll and drift.

Only…

He rubbed the dragon-shaped jade pendant at his waist, recalling that assassin’s array-breaking technique from before… Once he returned home, would things truly be over?

…

A long time later.

The spirit vessel appeared above a massive city. It descended, heading straight for the main residential area of the Shen Family.

As it landed, Shen Xian saw an elegant figure already standing at the foot of the steps—a nine-phoenix hairpin holding pearls glittered brilliantly in the morning light. A single strand of dark hair fell across her forehead, swaying gently in the dawn breeze.

The Shen Family Matriarch, Nangong Wan, stood with her hands clasped behind her back. The hidden patterns on her deep purple robe flowed like water. Though her expression was calm, her presence caused even the accompanying Ye Family Nascent Soul True Venerable to unconsciously take half a step back, his face showing respect.

This Matriarch’s presence was not one bit weaker than that of the Shen Family Head himself.

“Mother.” Shen Xian stepped off the spirit vessel and greeted her with a cupped fist and a smile.

The corners of Nangong Wan’s eyes instantly curved into crescents. She stepped forward and grasped her son’s wrist. Her spiritual power subtly probed his meridians. Only after confirming he was unharmed did she release him. Turning to look at the Ye Family Nascent Soul True Venerable, she resumed her matriarchal dignity. “You have all had a long journey. Attendants! Take our guests to rest.”

“You are most considerate, Madam. We were merely escorting Young Master Shen home. Since he has arrived safely, it is not appropriate for us to linger,” said that Nascent Soul True Venerable with utmost deference.

“Hmm.” Nangong Wan responded coldly with a single sound.

During this trip to the Ye Family, her son had faced numerous dangers. Being able to utter some polite words was already her limit. Since they wished to leave, there was no need to stop them.

After everyone had dispersed, Nangong Wan took Shen Xian’s hand again. Her voice became as gentle as water once more. “I heard my son caused quite a stir at the Ye Family?”

“That’s not a stir I wanted to make,” Shen Xian replied with a helpless smile.

A strange light flashed deep within Nangong Wan’s eyes as she transmitted her voice. “Your second brother was wrong this time. However, he acted mainly because he saw how outrageously the Ye Family bullied you and acted on impulse. Rest assured; your mother has already reprimanded him for you.”

The source of the gift incident ultimately lay with Shen Li. Worried about brothers turning against each other, Nangong Wan brought up this matter again, hoping Shen Xian would not take it to heart.

Shen Xian sneered inwardly.

His second brother hadn’t acted on impulse!

He had already learned from Ye Mingyuan about the schemes behind it all. If it were truly impulse, there would have been no need for such elaborate measures.

So this was a very obvious targeted plot.

Although somewhat crude in method, it had been highly effective against him.

If not for that ancient spiritual treasure, he probably would have really made quite a “stir”!

“Mother, I understand,” Shen Xian said on the surface with an air of indifference.

Because even if he told her about Ye Mingyuan’s revelation, it wouldn’t change anything. His second brother was, after all, the family’s future heir. Even if their mother doted on him, she wouldn’t completely tear face over this.

From their mother’s words just now… being able to reprimand him was already her limit!

In the end… he himself was still too weak!

Shen Xian sighed inwardly but did not let excessive emotions stir within him.

He could only hope that his second brother would stop here from now on…

…

Elsewhere.

Shen Li was handling clan affairs in his study. The desk was piled high with jade slips and account books. The spiritual brush in his fingertips traced out dark purple talisman patterns on paper.

Suddenly, light footsteps sounded outside the door before a trusted subordinate respectfully reported, “Second Young Master… Third Young Master has returned.”

The spiritual brush in Shen Li’s hand paused slightly.

Ink bloomed into a small shadow on the paper.

He slowly raised his gaze.

A faint glimmer of emerald-green light flashed deep within his eyes—like a serpent stalking its prey at night.

“Oh?” His voice was low-pitched; the tail end rose slightly with an undertone of amusement. “My third brother… has finally deigned to return?”

The subordinate dared not lift his head; he only felt chills running down his spine.

Shen Li gently closed the jade slip he had been reviewing.

Then he retrieved a newly delivered ledger bound in dark-patterned covers.

Its cover was pitch-black like ink; silver serpent patterns embroidered along its edges matched those adorning his sleeves perfectly.

He opened this ledger; his fingertips leisurely traced across pages densely recording every move made by Shen Xian—when exactly did he leave their family home? When did he arrive at theirs? Who did he interact with? Even… every single instance where humiliation or suppression befell him during his stay there…

“Heh…” A soft chuckle escaped from between his lips—its tone gentle yet carrying a bone-chilling coldness. “This younger brother… turns out to be more interesting than I imagined…”

“What a pity…” Slowly curling up the corners of his mouth into an icy smile while emerald glints grew increasingly frigid within his depths. “Do you think… this ends here?”

Closing that ledger once more, his fingertips lightly caressed its cover—as though stroking some venomous blade about to unsheathe itself at any moment.

“I hope you can last longer…” He murmured under his breath so softly it was almost impossible to hear clearly. “After all… ants that are too easily crushed aren’t very interesting…”

That trusted subordinate remained kneeling prostrate upon the floorboards below—not daring to raise his head even once—only feeling the temperature inside the room plummet abruptly, making breathing difficult indeed.