Chapter Thirty-Five: Shen Duoduo

As dawn slowly broke, Liu Junhuai, anxious for Shen Duoduo, had already mounted his flying sword and arrived at Yunluo City.

Shen Duoduo’s elder sister, Shen Qianqian, had married Mei Bingyi, the second son of the Mei family, a minor clan within Yunluo City. The Mei family was that of ordinary martial artists. Though Yunluo City was a significant hub in the cultivation world, mortals were still plentiful, and the Mei family was one among these mundane clans.

At nineteen, Shen Qianqian had been a delicate beauty before her marriage. When the Mei family’s second son, accompanying his elders through Pingdu City, happened upon Shen Qianqian, he was instantly captivated. He broke off his former engagement, risked being cast out of his family, and could not forget her. In the end, he won her hand as he had wished.

After their marriage, he treated Shen Qianqian with great care, and, knowing how she missed her younger sister, did not hesitate to spend several months bringing Shen Duoduo to Yunluo City.

Liu Junhuai had met this second son twice and found him agreeable; Mei Bingyi, for his part, had an excellent impression of Liu Junhuai—perhaps due to the similarities in their family standings. Mei Bingyi had even considered asking his mother to adopt Liu Junhuai as a godson.

By the time Liu Junhuai reached the Mei residence, it was nearly midday. Upon hearing the servant’s report, Shen Duoduo and her sister, along with her brother-in-law, hurried out to greet him. Shen Duoduo even clung to Liu Junhuai’s embrace and refused to let go.

The three of them were amazed at the changes in Liu Junhuai—now taller, more mature, almost unrecognizable. Mei Bingyi, at the peak of the fifth rank among martial artists, could not discern Liu Junhuai’s cultivation, but he could sense the unfathomable aura that now surrounded him.

“Brother Junhuai, you came all this way alone just to see me—how amazing! It took me over three months to get here to my sister’s place,” Shen Duoduo exclaimed, her arms still wrapped around his neck.

Liu Junhuai affectionately stroked her hair. “This time, I’ve come to take you with me. Uncle Huan has asked you to become my disciple. Pingdu City is so far from here; as your master, I can’t always make the trip.”

Shen Duoduo pouted, her voice sweet as honey. “I don’t want to be your disciple. When I grow up, I want to marry you!” Even as she spoke, her eyes brimmed with tears.

Shen Qianqian looked at her little sister, torn between laughter and exasperation, and gently scolded her, “You’re not a child anymore, yet you still act the same as ever. Aren’t you afraid of what people might say?”

“Brother Junhuai isn’t ‘other people,’” Shen Duoduo chastised her sister sternly. “I’ve always slept in brother’s arms since I was little. Brother-in-law holds you at night too—does that make him an outsider?”

Shen Qianqian, flustered, reached to twist her sister’s ear, but Mei Bingyi quickly intervened, just as embarrassed.

Seeing that Shen Duoduo was just as he remembered her, Liu Junhuai was overjoyed and burst into hearty laughter, making Shen Qianqian blush even deeper.

With laughter and warmth, the four of them chatted, the atmosphere thick with familial affection.

After the meal, they gathered in the sitting room to drink tea.

Mei Bingyi asked, “Brother Junhuai, what level have you reached now? I can’t tell at all.”

Liu Junhuai replied, “I’ve just reached the early Foundation Establishment stage, all thanks to a lucky turn of fate.”

Mei Bingyi’s mouth fell open as he stared at him. “Did you say Foundation Establishment? You’ve joined a cultivation sect? I remember you’re only a year older than Duoduo.”

Shen Qianqian also looked at Liu Junhuai in surprise. The letter from Shen Yihuan, sent via a friend, had only instructed Liu Junhuai to take her sister away, barely mentioning what had happened to their family.

“Junhuai, you’ve become so powerful? When I came to Yunluo City, you were only at the first rank as a martial artist. How did you reach Foundation Establishment so quickly? Last year, Master Xiaxi came here to recruit disciples, but your brother-in-law doesn’t have a spiritual root. Can you help him?” Shen Qianqian asked.

Liu Junhuai had already examined Mei Bingyi’s potential with his spiritual sense. “Brother-in-law needn’t worry about spiritual roots—I can resolve that for you. But the world of cultivation is filled with dangers at every step; you and sister must discuss this carefully.”

Shen Qianqian quickly said, “No need to discuss—we already agreed long ago. We’re ostracized in the Mei family and have planned to leave for some time.”

“That’s good. Qianqian, I’ve already prepared cultivation supplies for you both. The path of cultivation is harsh—prepare yourselves. If possible, you can leave with me this time,” Liu Junhuai said.

Mei Bingyi replied, “Good, leaving is for the best. I’m just worried about my mother—can we bring her too?”

“Of course. I plan to fetch Uncle Huan as well. We’ll first go to Chuyun Valley and get you settled. Then I’ll fetch Uncle Huan. Tonight, I’ll help you break through to the early Innate stage and then resolve your spiritual root. Sister is water-rooted; once your root is fixed, you can cultivate together. But this must remain secret. The technique I have for planting spiritual roots is unique in the cultivation world. If word gets out, disaster will surely follow.”

Mei Bingyi and his wife nodded solemnly, well aware of the gravity of this matter.

“What about me, Brother Junhuai? Can I cultivate too?” Shen Duoduo grew anxious, afraid of being left out.

Liu Junhuai tapped her little nose. “Of course, our Duoduo can’t be left behind. You’re exceptional—dual roots in gold and wood. There are scarcely any like you in all Fengling Kingdom.”

“Really? Then I’m amazing! Next time sister bullies me, I’ll fight back!” Shen Duoduo cheered, shaking her little fists at her sister.

“Duoduo, you mustn’t tell anyone about cultivation, understand? It’s like hiding snacks—if others know, they’ll try to steal them,” Liu Junhuai whispered into her ear.

“Hmph, you always treat me like a child. I know it’s dangerous to let others find out. You can rest assured,” Shen Duoduo replied with mock annoyance.

“That’s good. Duoduo is a big girl now; it’s my fault.” Liu Junhuai turned to Mei Bingyi. “Brother-in-law, your bottleneck has loosened—I’ll help you advance now. Find a secluded spot.”

Mei Bingyi, delighted, said, “There’s a place ready—let’s go.” Without waiting for a reply, he dragged Liu Junhuai to a cellar in the back courtyard.

Liu Junhuai took out spirit stones, set up two auxiliary formations, and handed Mei Bingyi a bottle of Essence Cultivation Pills and two gold spirit stones. “These are a Time Array and a Spirit Gathering Array. Run a full circulation first. When your inner energy peaks, take two Essence Cultivation Pills; absorb the gold stones when you’re about to break through.”

Mei Bingyi nodded, sat cross-legged, and began his cultivation, while Liu Junhuai and the others waited outside.

Two hours later, Liu Junhuai sensed fluctuations from within the cellar and hurried in. As he entered, a long, triumphant roar echoed; the spiritual energy within the formation dispersed, and Mei Bingyi emerged.

Shen Qianqian rushed forward. “How are you, husband? Did you reach the Innate stage?”

With gratitude, Mei Bingyi turned to his wife. “Brother Junhuai is incredible—I advanced two levels at once. I’m now a seventh-rank martial artist, early Innate stage.”

No wonder, Liu Junhuai thought—he’d prepared so much, it would be stranger if Mei Bingyi hadn’t progressed. “Congratulations, brother-in-law—you’ve reached the Innate realm.”

Mei Bingyi was beside himself with excitement. He had been stuck at the fifth rank for three or four years, and now, in just a short while, Brother Junhuai had helped him advance two full levels.

“How long was I in there? It felt like a whole day,” Mei Bingyi asked.

“Outside, it was two hours; inside, twelve—six times faster,” Liu Junhuai replied.

At this moment, the mischievous Shen Duoduo was unusually quiet, simply leaning against Liu Junhuai, her large bright eyes gazing at him with pride.

Once they left the cellar, Mei Bingyi ran to share the good news with his mother. Shen Qianqian approached Liu Junhuai. “Junhuai, thank you truly—my husband has waited years for this day. I believe, with you, his future will be bright.”

Shen Duoduo interjected, “Sister, don’t be so sentimental. We’re family, right, Brother Junhuai?”

It had been a long time since Liu Junhuai had felt such familial warmth. His heart was full as he gently held Shen Duoduo’s hands, simply gazing at her tenderly.

Shen Duoduo seemed about to speak, hesitated, then suddenly blushed, her face delicate and sweet.

Before long, Mei Bingyi returned with his mother, who, upon seeing Liu Junhuai, expressed her gratitude again, which Liu Junhuai answered courteously.

Afterward, they decided that Liu Junhuai would take Shen Duoduo ahead to Chuyun Valley to prepare their new home. Once Mei Bingyi’s mother had finished handling family affairs, she and the couple, along with the housekeeper and servants (a party of more than ten), would set out—a journey that would take more time.

Once Mei Bingyi’s mother departed, Liu Junhuai took out the prescription for the cleansing and marrow-washing elixir and began preparing for the trio’s transformation.

With countless herbs in Myriad Phenomena Tower, concocting three sets of the elixir was a simple matter.

When the wooden tubs, soap pods, and brushes were all ready, Liu Junhuai said, “Sister and brother-in-law should use one room for mutual support. Duoduo, you can be in your own room; I’ll wait outside. After the potion soaks in, your body will first feel intense heat, then pain—bear with it. Remember to circulate your cultivation once the pain hits. All right—let’s begin.”

After helping Shen Duoduo mix the medicinal bath, Liu Junhuai waited outside.

Three hours later, a shriek rang out from Shen Duoduo’s room. “Brother Junhuai, why am I so dirty? What should I do?”

Liu Junhuai nearly laughed aloud. “Don’t worry, Duoduo—it’s just impurities being expelled. Just wash it off. It won’t be easy—you’ll need the soap pods and brush beside you. Call me when you’re done.”

After a while, Shen Duoduo’s voice rang out again. “I’m finished, Brother Junhuai—you can come in now!”

He hurried in to find Shen Duoduo sitting on the bed, cheeks flushed, sneaking glances at him as he busied himself.

“My clothes are dirty—will you wash them for me, brother?” Shen Duoduo nodded eagerly. In her heart, Liu Junhuai had always belonged to her; washing her clothes was only natural, especially since he’d done so countless times when she was young.

Two hours later, Shen Qianqian and her husband finally completed their transformation, though their innate talents were still somewhat inferior to Shen Duoduo’s.