Chapter Forty-Seven: Transformation

Once Little Phoenix Fairy had left, Han Zhong’s demeanor relaxed considerably.

He straightened his robe slightly, then took a seat opposite Shi Yan at the stone table, poured himself a cup of tea, drank a sip, and finally spoke: "Young Master Yan, where are the guards who accompanied you?"

"They’re all dead." Shi Yan’s face remained unchanged, as he explained offhandedly, "The beasts in the Dark Forest suddenly went mad, hunting warriors everywhere. To protect me, they... all sacrificed themselves."

Han Zhong’s expression was one of surprise; his gaze was peculiar as he looked at Shi Yan. "I know a bit about the situation there. For you to escape alive, Young Master Yan, is already extraordinarily lucky."

He had long since received news of the thunder-wing silver wolf’s rampage. He’d even thought he wouldn’t see Shi Yan this trip, and was about to return and report after half a month. Who could have guessed Shi Yan would swagger out of the Dark Forest alive?

The Dark Forest was in utter chaos; even some warriors whose cultivation was not sufficiently advanced had died there. Shi Yan, the bookish scholar, had survived—it was truly unbelievable. Han Zhong couldn’t help but marvel.

Han Zhong had never cared much for the original owner of Shi Yan’s body. That person had refused to practice martial arts, was too pedantic, and liked to delve into fields that the Shi Family cared little about, making him a marginal figure in the family—someone Han Zhong could never appreciate.

If it hadn’t been for business in the area and an order from Shi Jian, he wouldn’t have bothered waiting for Shi Yan.

"Yes, luck was indeed on my side." Shi Yan nodded with a faint smile, composed as he asked, "Uncle Han, when do we return to the family?"

"That depends entirely on you, Young Master Yan. I’d like to leave immediately—I have matters to report to the family head in person. If it weren’t for waiting for you, I’d have gone back already," Han Zhong replied after a brief pause.

As he spoke, Han Zhong took a closer look at Shi Yan. He hadn’t paid much attention before, but now, as he studied him, he began to notice something...

Shi Yan’s physique was a bit leaner than before; his formerly rounded face now had sharp contours, exuding a resolute masculinity.

Sitting there naturally, Shi Yan’s back was straight, his body like a sharp blade, giving off a sense of latent power.

—And this was only a change in appearance.

Previously, Shi Yan would only show some spirit when researching ancient texts and relics; otherwise, his eyes were vacant, and he always looked listless.

But now, Shi Yan’s gaze was deep, with flashes of strange light in his pupils, as if he were always pondering something, giving the impression that nothing could escape his notice.

"Uncle Han, let me ask you something." Under Han Zhong’s scrutiny, Shi Yan remained poised, speaking calmly, "The Stone Forest seems to have quieted down. Do you know what’s happened?"

"Oh, that’s because people from the Northern Underworld Family went over. Apparently, they’re there to receive someone. All those who make a living in the Stone Forest fled as soon as they heard the Northern Underworld Family was coming."

"Who’s leading them?" Shi Yan was already forming a guess.

"It’s Bei Ming Ce."

Han Zhong answered, then cursed suddenly, "I heard that brat broke through to the Realm of Hundred Tribulations half a year ago—damn it, he’s only twenty-five! And he has twin martial souls, that’s just insane! I’m forty-five and only at the second stage of Hundred Tribulations—how’s anyone supposed to compete?"

Twenty-five years old, Realm of Hundred Tribulations, twin martial souls...

Shi Yan’s face darkened as he realized that Bei Ming Ce was likely the "distinguished guest" Mu Yu Die intended to introduce him to.

So young, yet with such talent and cultivation, and backed by the top merchant clan, the Northern Underworld Family—no wonder Mu Yu Die and Di Ya Lan had made such a decision.

A cold light flashed in Shi Yan’s eyes. He remained silent, inwardly sneering: Twenty-five, Realm of Hundred Tribulations, twin martial souls—is that so impressive?

Not necessarily!

He himself had, in just two months, gone from the first stage of Postnatal Realm to the third stage of Innate Realm!

Not only did he possess the Stone Transformation and Undying martial souls, but also a mysterious, even more sinister martial soul. Comparing himself to Bei Ming Ce, he suddenly realized he was far more terrifying.

Time, I only need a bit more time, and I can completely surpass Bei Ming Ce! Shi Yan thought to himself.

"Young Master Yan, you—you have essence energy in your body?" Han Zhong’s eyes lit up, staring at Shi Yan intently as he asked in a serious tone, "I sensed essence energy flowing within you just now... and it’s quite substantial! What’s going on?"

Shi Yan took a deep breath, suppressing a trace of frustration, and answered, "Yes, I do have essence energy within me now. I can be considered a martial artist."

"What realm?" Han Zhong pressed.

"Innate."

"Ah!"

...

Merchant Alliance, Skyfall City, Shi Family, Training Grounds.

The Shi Family’s training grounds spanned several acres, planted with ancient trees and dotted with peculiar rocks...

Inside were specially designated areas of earth, sand, pools of water, and rows of wooden huts...

The grounds were full of cover and complexity, with many different environments, allowing Shi Family youths to engage in real combat across various terrains.

Here, the Shi Family sons could learn to adapt to all kinds of conditions and master fighting techniques for every landscape.

At this moment, a massive rhombic crystal stood at the center of the training grounds. One by one, the third-generation Shi Family youths lined up to approach the crystal, pressing their hands against it to release their essence energy and determine their precise realm.

"Shi Tian Luo, twenty-one, Postnatal Stage Two!"

"Shi Tian Xiao, twenty-five, Innate Stage One!"

"Shi Tian Ling, twenty-seven, Postnatal Stage Three!"

"Shi Tian Ke, twenty, Innate Stage Two!"

"Shi Tian Yun, nineteen, Innate Stage Three!"

"..."

Han Feng squinted as he stood beside the crystal. Each time a Shi Family youth finished releasing their energy and moved away, he called out loudly.

With Han Feng’s voice, the surrounding second- and third-generation elders showed mixed expressions—some proud, some disappointed.

"Second Brother, your Tian Yun really is impressive, breaking through another stage," Shi Kuo said, a bit begrudgingly. "Tian Ke’s been slacking lately—it looks like I need to give him a bit of a push!"

"Third Brother, Tian Ke is working hard enough. I’ve seen him practicing late into the night in the gravity chamber. Don’t put too much pressure on him, it might backfire," Shi Gang advised.

"Tian Yun, keep at it and strive to reach the Human Rank soon," Shi Tie thundered, his eyes shining with pride.

Shi Tie and Shi Jian were brothers; Shi Gang and Shi Kuo were his sons, and Shi Tian Yun was Shi Gang’s son—his grandson. Seeing Tian Yun’s progress, he was naturally pleased.

The Shi Family’s position of patriarch was determined by cultivation. Years ago, he’d lost to his elder brother Shi Jian and remained dissatisfied, hoping his grandson Tian Yun would one day outshine Shi Jian’s Tian Xiao.

The Shi Family’s Stone Transformation martial soul was unique; of any children a couple might have, usually only the first two would inherit the martial soul.

The third child almost never did.

Because of this, each Shi Family branch typically had only two children.

Even the patriarch Shi Jian had only two—Shi Dang and Shi Qing.

Shi Dang had a daughter and a son: Shi Tian Ling and Shi Tian Xiao.

Shi Qing and Yang Hai had a son: Shi Yan.

Thus, Shi Tian Ling, Shi Tian Xiao, and Shi Yan were Shi Jian’s grandchildren, while Shi Tian Yun, Shi Tian Luo, and Shi Tian Ke belonged to Shi Tie.

The siblings within the Shi Family actually got along very well, all working together for the family’s strength.

Still, even with good relations, there was always some rivalry. For example, Shi Tie, after losing to Shi Jian, hoped to gain some honor back through the next generation.

Among his sons, Shi Dang was too strong and easily overpowered his own sons, Shi Gang and Shi Kuo—he’d given up on them long ago.

Luckily, his grandsons were promising; Tian Yun and Tian Ke were a bit stronger than Tian Xiao, so he often took pride in their achievements, especially during training assessments, though he meant no harm.

Yang Hai and Shi Dang stood together, discussing recent mining operations in low voices. Hearing Shi Tie’s boast, Shi Dang chuckled, "Second Uncle found another chance to brag." He glanced at Shi Tian Xiao beside him and scolded, "You rascal, always making your old man lose face."

"Uh, I’m not the worst, am I..." Shi Tian Xiao shrank back, looking pitiful.

His words wiped the smile from Yang Hai’s face, who sighed to Shi Dang, "Compared to my rascal, you should count your blessings. At least Tian Xiao is a martial artist. Shi Yan, that brat, just messes around outside all day, hasn’t returned yet. Who knows what trouble he’ll bring me this time."

"Hah, that’s true," Shi Dang said, feeling much better.

...

The training grounds were filled with Shi Family descendants, chatting and bustling about.

Just then, a gray eagle swooped down, landing on the shoulder of Patriarch Shi Jian.

Shi Jian took a gray silk pouch from the eagle’s claw, removed a letter, and began reading with a frown.

Since everyone present was family, he didn’t bother to hide it.

"Eh!"

After just a glance, Shi Jian couldn’t help but exclaim in disbelief, his face full of astonishment.

Everyone fell silent, watching Shi Jian, wondering what could have caused such a reaction.

"Elder Brother, what’s going on?" Shi Tie asked, frowning. "Don’t tell me the Mo Family are causing trouble again? Damn it, maybe it’s time we teach them a lesson!"

"It’s not that," Shi Jian said, putting down the letter, his eyes alight, his face full of surprise. "Han Zhong has found Shi Yan."

"How’s that brat?" Yang Hai finally relaxed, asking fiercely, as if ready to settle accounts with Shi Yan.

"That boy has become a martial artist..." Shi Jian’s expression was strange, his mouth twitching as he struggled to conceal his joy.

"Eh?" Shi Tie exclaimed, "He’s already seventeen—what made him decide to start practicing now?"

He sighed, genuinely regretting it for Shi Yan. "Ah, too late. Starting at seventeen, he’ll probably never achieve much. That brat—what’s he been doing all this time? If he’d begun training young, even without our martial soul, he’d have reached Innate Stage Two or Three by now."

"That boy is at Innate Stage Three!" Shi Jian’s eyes flashed as he declared, his words ringing out.

...