"Your father has told you everything he knows. No matter what grade of Seed you awaken, I'll continue to support you."
Shen Hongyuan paused, then suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
Shen Yanzhou looked up from his book.
"This time, the Seed Awakening Ceremony will be quite lively. Three major sects will be recruiting new disciples: the Xuanji Sect, the Beiming Sect, and the Jiuheng Sect."
His father's expression grew serious.
"Among the three, the Xuanji Sect is currently the strongest, while the Beiming Sect is the weakest. That wasn't always the case, though. The Beiming Sect was once the strongest of the three, but its strength has declined over the years."
Yanzhou listened attentively.
"All three sects will be recruiting disciples this time, and I've heard that their admission requirements will be more lenient than before."
"More lenient?" Yanzhou asked curiously.
"Previously, the minimum requirement was a Wood Seed. Anyone who awakened a Seed below that grade wouldn't be accepted. But this time, even those with an Ash Seed will be given the opportunity to cultivate in their sects."
Yanzhou's eyes brightened.
Even someone with an Ash Seed could join a sect?
"However, there's one condition," Shen Hongyuan continued. "Applicants must be no older than fifteen. Anyone beyond that age won't be eligible for recruitment."
He stood up from his chair.
"All right, I've told you everything you need to know. Here's a martial arts manual. Study it and train seriously."
He placed the book beside Yanzhou's bed before turning toward the door.
"And remember Shiyue's efforts. Don't let her down."
With those final words, Shen Hongyuan left the room.
Shen Family's Main Hall
The main hall of the Shen residence was unusually quiet.
Five senior members of the Shen Family sat in their respective seats. Together with Shen Hongyuan, who was among them, six of the family's most influential figures had gathered for this meeting.
At the far end of the hall sat an elderly man whose presence commanded immediate respect.
He had a tall, straight-backed frame despite his advanced age, and his broad shoulders still suggested the strength he had possessed in his prime. His silver-white hair was neatly combed back, revealing a high forehead and deep lines etched across his face. Thick, white eyebrows rested above a pair of sharp, penetrating eyes that seemed capable of seeing through a person's intentions. The source of this chapter is novelping(.)com.
His nose was prominent, his jaw remained firm, and a long white beard fell neatly over the front of his dark robe. A simple jade hairpin held his hair in place. Although his face bore the marks of age, his bearing remained dignified and imposing.
He was Shen Tianxiong, Shen Yanzhou's grandfather.
After a brief silence, one of the senior members finally broke it.
"What about Yanzhou's engagement?"
Shen Hongyuan looked toward Shen Tianxiong before answering.
"I've already told him. For now, everything depends on him and fate."
........
In a spacious bedchamber, a young man lay sleeping comfortably on a large bed. Two beautiful women lay on either side of him, their naked bodies pressed against his as they embraced him.
Before long, the chamber door swung open.
An elderly man stepped inside. He had a broad face, thick eyebrows, and sharp, deep-set eyes. His graying hair was neatly combed back, revealing a high forehead, while fine wrinkles lined his face. Despite his age, his shoulders remained broad and his frame sturdy. He wore a dark silk robe, and a green jade ring adorned his finger. His dignified bearing gave him an air of authority.
As he entered, his gaze fell upon the two naked women beside the young man. He swallowed involuntarily before quickly looking away and turning his attention to the bed's occupant.
“Wei'er, why don't you focus on your cultivation and break through to the Master Realm as soon as possible?” he asked. “Once you reach the Master Realm, no one in this prefecture will be able to stand against you. Taking that woman for yourself will be easy.”
The young man opened his eyes and stretched lazily, showing no intention of getting out of bed.
“Father, there's no need to worry. I'm here simply to enjoy the spectacle when that woman breaks off her engagement. In front of everyone, she'll agree to marry me. “I’ll make sure everyone sees what a cheap whore she is.”
He let out a cold snort, his expression twisting with contempt.
“Hmph! I’ll make that cheap whore regret ever rejecting me. I’ll humiliate her in front of everyone and make sure she’s branded a slut!"
He turned toward his father with a mocking grin.
“Rest assured, Father. I've already looked into her useless fiancé. He couldn't even withstand a single strike from a woman! Hahaha! What a worthless piece of trash!”
.....
Inside his room, Shen Yanzhou stared at himself and muttered, “Hm? “Will my physical strength really improve in just three days?””
He shrugged casually.
“What’s there to worry about? I’ll just take things as they come. Besides, I’ve trained my body plenty of times at the brothel!”
“I slept with so many beautiful women back then. There were even nights when I went five rounds! Ugh, those really were the good old days!”
He chuckled to himself, stroking his throbbing manhood as he reminisced about those unforgettable nights.
BOOM!
Thunder rumbled across the sky.
“Damn it! The rain has already stopped, so why are you still bothering me?! You wretched sky!”
BOOM!
“I’m sorry! I was wrong! I repent, all right?!”
After making sure the heavens had finally quieted down, Shen Yanzhou picked up his martial arts manual.
“All right, let’s study these moves. Come on, time to train hard for Shiyue!”
He clenched his fists, trying to work up some enthusiasm.
Once I’m strong enough to protect Shiyue, I can finally move on to my next mission.
A lecherous grin slowly crept across his face.
“Hehehe…”
In his imagination, a crowd of beautiful women surrounded him. They clung to his arms, nestled against his shoulders, and competed for his attention. Shen Yanzhou pictured himself living a carefree life surrounded by beautiful women, as though the entire world had been created just for his enjoyment.
BOOM!
Thunder roared once more, as if the heavens had finally lost patience with his lecherous fantasies.
“Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!”
Shen Yanzhou hurriedly clamped his mouth shut and glared at the sky in frustration.
“Fine, fine! I’ll train! Happy now?!”
He let out a long sigh before setting the manual beside him and beginning to study the techniques.
As the night grew darker, Shen Yanzhou started practicing the movements one by one, following the instructions in the manual and repeatedly correcting his posture.
Sweat soon trickled down his forehead. His muscles tensed with every repetition, and soreness gradually spread throughout his body.
Yet this time, he didn't give up so easily.
For Shiyue's sake, he had to become stronger.
That night, for the first time in a long while, Shen Yanzhou devoted himself wholeheartedly to physical training, practicing in his room well into the night.