114: All past grudges are gone, but new storms are brewing!

"Uncle, you flatter me."

Among the thirteen branches of the Shen Family, Shen Li belonged to the ninth branch, while Second Master Shen, who was currently present, held the position of the third branch under the direct lineage. He had been promoted and given important responsibilities due to his good relationship with the Family Head, Shen Bo Shu.

He was around forty years old, at Qi Refining (Level 8), and could be considered a highly influential person within the Shen Family.

Furthermore, Second Master Shen possessed exceptional talent in mundane affairs and was heavily relied upon by the Family Head, holding a higher status than outer Elders and revered figures.

If one were to consider age, most of the clan members from the previous generation of the ninth branch were in their forties, and even Shen Li's father was only forty-three. Therefore, addressing him as Uncle was quite normal.

In reality, many in the Shen Family wished to address him this way... After all, there were numerous members in the Shen Family, but only a few could speak directly to Second Master Shen and address him intimately as Uncle.

There was a clear distinction between Immortals and Mortals... Presumptuous familiarity would only displease Second Master Shen.

And when Second Master Shen heard that address of Uncle, he couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

This was the difference brought about by different people using different forms of address.

He was led into the hall, and a maid served tea. Second Master Shen took a sip of tea, calming his excited mood, before slowly speaking.

"It was something that happened a few years ago... When I think about it, I did have some issues there, and I owe you an apology."

"That disciple of my branch, his cultivation was mediocre, completely wasting that inner Sect quota. It would have been better to give it to you."

Status and attitude are determined by the power you possess.

If Shen Li had been expelled and arrived in Black Ridge City as a weakling with mediocre cultivation, then Second Master Shen would be sitting in the main seat at this moment.

But now, Shen Li is at Refining Qi, controls many resources and connections in Black Ridge City, and has three Grandmaster Martial Artists under his command, along with numerous Cultivators. He is no longer the same as before.

Even if Shen Li were to offer Second Master Shen the main seat, Second Master Shen would not presumptuously take it.

It's simple... power!

Shen Li, having lived two lives, was naturally extremely intelligent. The meaning behind Second Master Shen's words was simple: to let bygones be bygones.

Making that choice back then was Shen Li's own decision. Perhaps there was external interference, but ultimately, he made the choice himself.

He left the Shen Family.

Although the Shen Family had experienced minor turbulences, their Family rules were very strict and they would never do anything that violated them... So there was nothing to resent.

Stepping out was like entering a vast ocean and sky; wasn't this, in an invisible way, also fulfilling for Shen Li?

That little bit of unpleasantness in his heart had long since vanished into thin air.

In this world, the Family is the Bloodline, the Sect is the limbs and bones, and the Cultivators are the blood vessels and blood; none can be missing.

He was even less likely to fall out with his Family over such minor matters.

So Shen Li quickly waved his hand and said with a smile.

"Regarding the events of that year, Shen Li had already made his plans, so how could I blame Uncle?"

"Besides, when Shen Li left home that year, some of the Uncles from the ninth branch didn't even give Shen Li travel expenses or supplies. It was Second Master who opened the treasury and found sea buckthorn fruit and Qing He Cow to give me."

"And spiritual water."

"Shen Li remembers all of this."

"That little calf in the backyard has already grown up. I wouldn't dare to casually slaughter it for beef."

Upon hearing this, Second Master Shen laughed heartily, and his heart completely settled down.

He then asked with some curiosity.

"Shen Li, I am older, and I am about to ask some things I shouldn't. You can answer, or you can choose not to. What do you think?"

"Please speak, Uncle?"

"I observe that your Aptitude is already extraordinary, unlike your previous clumsiness, and your body is rich with Ice Law... This place is not like home. Refining Qi, you must have endured a lot of hardship... and seized many Immortal Fortunes to reach this stage, right?"

Shen Li nodded, then said lightly.

"My luck is quite good, so I found some heaven and earth treasure and consumed them."

"That's how I got to where I am today."

Second Master Shen nodded.

"Being here alone, you must have suffered."

After chatting for a while, Shen Li curiously said.

"Uncle, you've arrived a bit early this time. I originally thought you wouldn't arrive until closer to the New Year."

Second Master Shen stroked his beard and chuckled.

"Yes, it's just that Qingchi Mountain has had some activity recently, instructing us to conduct stricter inspections. And Cultivators from the Yin Nether Sect have appeared again in Qingyang County and other places..."

"Causing trouble everywhere."

"The mountain fears that these demonic Cultivators might be treacherous and incite many Immortal Families within our mountain, which is why they want to conduct inspections to ensure absolute safety."

"The signs of the Yin Nether Sect's resurgence... are they really that strong?"

Shen Li frowned.

Then Second Master Shen asked.

"What... have you encountered them too?"

Shen Li nodded and recounted the entire story of encountering the demonic Cultivators, though he concealed some crucial details.

Second Master Shen nodded with a deep gaze.

"It seems that a centipede dies but never falls. This Yin Nether Sect still has a lot of hidden power."

Second Master Shen seemed to recall something and asked.

"However, who is that Martial Artist in the city who cultivates the Demon Transformation method? I see you've even taken him in as a doorman?"

Shen Li nodded.

"Power itself is neither good nor bad; it's enough if I can use it for my own purposes."

"Martial Artists can absorb demon blood to enhance their combat power, so I accepted him."

"But Second Master, you don't need to worry too much. I still have ways to suppress them."

Second Master Shen nodded.

"Without any help, you've managed to build things up like this, so I naturally don't doubt your abilities."

"Just be careful in all matters, and don't ruin your Dao for some petty gains."

"If you ever feel bored staying here, just come home. I will report to the Family Head and allocate some resources to your ninth branch... Your position as an inner Sect disciple will also be reinstated."

Shen Li, however, waved his hand.

The major Immortal Families in Qingyang County are always present, so any Heaven And Earth Treasure that appears will be quickly divided up.

What would be the point of him going back then?

He came out precisely because of information about Immortal Fortunes.

Going back would be putting the cart before the horse.

And those Immortal Seeds of the Shen Family, who were hailed as the future pillars of the Shen Family and inner Sect disciples, couldn't even interject a single word.

They just watched the two converse, one asking and one answering, while one of them transmitted a message secretly, sighing and saying.

"Shen Li is similar in age to us, but from the looks of it, Uncle already treats him as an equal."

"Sigh, when will I ever receive such treatment?"

"Speaking of which, why isn't Shen Yan saying anything? Wasn't he acting all high and mighty before he came?"

"Hahahahaha, he probably wouldn't dare to act up now, or Second Master would probably slap him into the wall the next second."

"He's quite pitiful, thinking that his Qi Refining Third Layer was already the mark of a young genius, but he didn't expect to encounter a... monster."

"And this monster doesn't get along with him."

"It's over, this guy's going to have a hard time in the future. That black-hearted Shen Li often tricked me when we were young."

"Look, Uncle usually acts the same, always sitting in the central hall, commanding with authority wherever he goes.

But upon arriving in Black Ridge City, he not only sat in the lower seat but also spoke to Shen Li in a pleasant and polite manner.

I'm truly filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred."

"Shen Li is no longer in the same league as us. Let's just adjust our mindset."

"What are you envious or jealous of?"

Second Master Shen silently joined the chat group, then said coldly.

"You wouldn't think that Shen Li couldn't detect such crude methods, would you?"

Everyone quickly looked up awkwardly, only to see Shen Li's expression remain normal.

And that Shen Yan... had long since fallen into a state of confusion.

In other words, he had been utterly defeated.

After talking for about half an incense stick of time, a figure hurried in.

It was Sun Xingtu.

Seeing such a lively scene, Sun Xingtu paused for a moment, then cupped his hands and said.

"It's starting!"