Seeing his sorrowful expression, Shen Yuan sighed quietly.
"Although the hut is no longer here, since the senior wishes to live by this Black Water Pool, it should be no problem."
"Chongming, imdiately find a picturesque spot by the pool and build a residence for the elder."
Shen Chongming acknowledged with a bow and then departed.
Xu Xiu, upon hearing, gratefully bowed to Shen Yuan and said, "I once believed I had no ties left in the mortal world, but as my life nears its end, I suddenly feel the desire to return to this Black Water Pool."
"Younger Brother Shen, eting all of you in my lifeti has been worth it."
While speaking, he slowly retrieved a brocade bag from his bosom and handed it over.
"Before being taken away by the disciples of the Law Enforcent Hall, I hid away everything I had gathered over the years."
"During my years as a steward in the Library Pavilion, I’ve almost gone through all the books in Qiyun Valley except for the core techniques."
"I secretly copied all the contents, and they’re of no use now, so I gift them to Younger Brother Shen."
Shen Yuan looked at the storage bag in his hand, feeling a bit surprised!
He hadn’t expected Xu Xiu to bring these items to the Shen Family at the end of his life.
This old man, from the mont we first t, gave the Shen Family the Five Elents Breathing Technique, thus introducing us to the Cultivation Realm.
Later, upon returning to Yangnao Land, he gifted an Ancient Beast Skin Book, now seen as a treasure by Shen Li.
And now he’s giving his cherished collection, along with the copies from the Library Pavilion over five years, to the Shen Family.
These several acts of kindness truly moved him. With a gentle thought, he respectfully spoke:
"Senior, you are now at the Qi Cultivation Perfection Realm."
"Though your life span is limited, it’s not entirely without hope."
"Keep the cultivation resources in this storage bag. Also, our Shen Family, though not wealthy, can still provide so Spirit Crystal Elixirs for a final attempt."
Xu Xiu, hearing this, a bright gleam appeared in his eyes, soon dimming, as he smiled and waved his hand:
"Let it be."
"Without a Spirit Root, breaking through Fetal Breathing requires five kinds of equivalent Innate Spiritual Qi."
"Not to ntion finding such Innate Spiritual Qi is difficult; even if it exists, I don’t wish to try again."
"In my remaining years, I’ll fish here by the Black Water Pool, watching clouds rge and separate, flowers bloom and fall, which is quite pleasant."
Seeing him like this, Shen Yuan no longer persuaded him, receiving the storage bag from his hand, and they chatted for a while until dusk fell.
Shen Yuan then arranged a temporary residence at the academy for him. Once he settled in, Shen Yuan took the storage bag back to the Black Water Pavilion.
"Father."
On the second floor of the Black Water Pavilion, Shen Wen’an called out as Shen Yuan walked toward the third floor.
Shen Yuan stopped and sat nearby, saying, "Do you rember Xu Xiu?"
Shen Wen’an frowned thoughtfully, nodding, "Was it him who visited today?"
Shen Yuan nodded.
"Not long after returning, he was dismissed from his position as Outer Sect Steward at Qiyun Valley for bribery. Although he’s reached Qi Cultivation Perfection, he has only three to five years left..."
"A pitiable person, chasing the Immortal Dao for half his life, stopped here."
Shen Wen’an squinted slightly, pondering for a long ti, "Do you rember my evaluation of him, Father?"
Shen Yuan was montarily stunned, then chuckled.
"You an the ’impure intentions’?"
Back then, when Xu Xiu returned to Black Water Pool after years of wandering, Shen Wen’an evaluated him as having ’impure intentions.’
Indeed, at that ti, Xu Xiu lied, using Shen Wen’an to travel to Danzhou, seeking a chance for advancent.
"He has done good for our Shen Family; helping him is only right." Shen Yuan said with a smile.
Yet Shen Wen’an’s brow remained furrowed.
Shen Yuan looked at him, handing over the storage bag, "This ti, he returned, gifting his lifeti collection and nurous copied books from the Library Pavilion to our Shen Family."
As Shen Yuan spoke, his Divine Sense stirred, and he took out the items from the storage bag.
A vast array of things piled up in front of them.
Including Spirit Ore, herbs, Demon Beast remains, scales, fragnts of Magical Artifacts, and various bizarre items.
Furthermore, there were hundreds of books, old and new, so recorded on bamboo slips.
However, there were few elixirs and Spirit Crystals in terms of cultivation resources.
Shen Yuan guessed that these resources had likely been used by Xu Xiu.
Shen Wen’an glanced at these items, pondering for a long ti without speaking.
Shen Yuan waved his hand, returning them to the storage bag, planning to organize and store them on the third floor.
"That’s enough; don’t overthink."
Offering Shen Wen’an so reassurance, he headed toward the third floor.
...
On the shore of the Black Water Pool, Xu Xiu, conical hat on head, sat cross-legged on a large rock, fishing.
With his sword in hand, Shen Wen’an approached from behind, coldly saying, "Regardless of your intentions, if you dare harm anyone from the Shen Family, I will kill you!"
Xu Xiu turned around, slightly stunned, then smiled, bowing: "So it’s Young Friend Wen’an."
"Young Friend Wen’an jokes; I have known Younger Brother Shen for decades, how could there be talk of harming the Shen Family?"
Shen Wen’an silently watched him, spoke no more, and then left.
Watching him depart, Xu Xiu sighed and shook his head, returning to the rock.
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