Chapter 5: Close and Distant Relatives

A substitute doll that can block a fatal injury for her, a brilliant star necklace that can withstand three large-scale impacts, and... a silent shadow bracelet that consumes two-thirds of her merit

I..." Qu Ningxuan moved her lips, lowered her head, and did not speak

The Silent Shadow Bracelet features three extraordinarily beautiful gemstones, the material of which is difficult to discern. Each gemstone possesses the ability to temporarily shield tracking for up to three hours, as well as a one-time permanent tracking shield, which can only be forcibly breached by an opponent who is nine major ranks higher than the user. It is important to note that this refers to major ranks, not minor ranks. Therefore, if Qu Ningxuan employs this ability on herself, only a peak tribulation transcender would be able to deduce her location. However, speaking of peak tribulation, even among the first level of the Void Refinement and Harmonization tier, which is the initial stage of spirit division, there are no more than five individuals in the entire world. Of course, such a powerful ability cannot be without limitations. The one-time shielding function of the Silent Shadow Bracelet can only be used on one person once, after which it becomes ineffective. The user must expend all their energy, and it is possible that their cultivation may even regress. If the permanent shielding ability is activated, the energy of the gemstone will be completely depleted, leaving the user in a state akin to that of a cripple for the subsequent eighty-one days, during which they will possess no strength and find even the slightest movement extremely difficult.

However, Qu Ningxuan thought of Shen Yingchang urging her to go back at this moment, and she had long harbored doubts. She knew it was not wise to fall out with them now, so it was better to agree and observe the situation. For this reason, Qu Ningxuan adopted a hesitant demeanor; she raised her head to glance at Shen Yingchang, then lowered her head gloomily. After a long silence, she finally said, "I do not know them"

The belongings of a cultivator are certainly not mere positioning devices like simple maps or books. If she is not mistaken, from the moment she received the jade pendant, a mark was imprinted on her soul, making her traceable no matter where she escapes. If it were an ordinary person, they would likely be at their mercy, but Qu Ningxuan is the least afraid of such soul tracking

"Landlord, I do not wish to return..." The word "home" was on the tip of her tongue, yet she swallowed it back down.

Her home in her past life was not very large, yet it was very warm, but in this world ... does she have a home

With her easing of the situation, Shen Yingchang also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart and continued to persuade her: "It is merely a matter of going to see them for a moment, staying with them for a few days; in the future, you will also have memories of spending time with family... The bonds of blood cannot ever be severed, can they?"

Before her family's decline, she was raised by nannies and maids, having hardly seen her parents a few times. After the family's downfall, no one cared for her even more. Therefore, when she decided to escape, she never considered, or rather subconsciously ignored, what would happen to her relatives if she did so. They sold her, gaining endless wealth and glory. It has been fourteen years; the debt of nurturing should have been repaid, shouldn't it

Shen Yingchang noticed Qu Ningxuan's confusion and disbelief, and his expression became even gentler: "I remember when you first came to the Shen family, you were just this small..." He gestured to indicate the height of a two-year-old child, his smile warm and kind. "According to those who took care of you, you often had nightmares, crying out that you didn't want to leave your parents, your tears frequently soaking the pillow. Unfortunately, two years of secular life have filled your body with impure energy, and if this continues, your innate talent will surely be diminished. You must soak in the spiritual spring daily, consume spiritual grains and books, and take spiritual medicine, gradually adjusting your body to its optimal state. That is why the ancestor does not allow you to return..."

After losing everything that should have belonged to her, Qu Ningxuan, no, Shen Yuxuan's father resembled a gambler blinded by desperation, exhibiting a madness and determination akin to a last-ditch bet. He sold his dignity and face, risking everything to exchange for a jade talisman, sending his only legitimate daughter for testing, which was tantamount to abandoning or even selling Qu Ningxuan.

Seeing Qu Ningxuan's face turn pale, Shen Yingchang took out a delicate and small jade pendant, filled with the love and concern of an elder: "If you are feeling unhappy, you should go out for a walk and see the world! It is very dangerous to be alone outside, so it would be better for you to wear this jade pendant. In case anything happens, we will be able to find you at any time."

Shen Yingchang was unaware that this was a test conducted by Qu Ningxuan to confirm her suspicions, and he thought she was genuinely feeling both sad and anxious. As the head of the Shen family, Shen Yingchang naturally understood the old ancestor's intentions, but he also knew that matters of the heart could not be forced like a cow to drink water. After pondering for a moment, he decided to take a middle ground and gently said to Qu Ningxuan: "In that case, you should sneak a look without meeting them. According to the information I have received, your family seems to..." At this point, he paused, allowing Qu Ningxuan to let her thoughts wander. After a while, he shook his head and sighed, "It may not be very satisfactory to you."

Visiting relatives is truly an unprecedented opportunity, as long as one finds the right moment and endures these eighty-one days... Thinking of this, Qu Ningxuan's breath became hurried.

If this were a purely feudal dynasty, with Qu Ningxuan's identity, even if hetushu.com could not become a queen or a consort, she could still marry into a prominent family. However, this is a society dominated by cultivators, which makes it inevitable that many matters cannot be implemented through ethics, morals, or established rules. On the day her illegitimate uncle became an inner disciple of the Shen family, her ruthless grandfather unhesitatingly sent his legitimate wife to the Buddhist hall, allowing the biological mother of this inner disciple to take over household duties. Consequently, Qu Ningxuan's father's position was naturally taken over by the biological brother of the disciple, and the entire family fell from heaven to hell. On the day her illegitimate uncle became an inner disciple of the Shen family, her ruthless grandfather unhesitatingly sent his legitimate wife to the Buddhist hall, allowing the biological mother of this inner disciple to take over household duties. Consequently, Qu Ningxuan's father's position was naturally taken over by the biological brother of the disciple, and the entire family fell from heaven to hell

Upon returning to her room, Qu Ningxuan threw the jade pendant onto the table, her face displaying a look of mockery, yet also revealing a rare sense of ease.

There are three methods for testing qualifications: first, to invite an expert to observe; second, to utilize the invaluable and reusable crystal ball; and third, to use a specially made disposable jade talisman. However, even if the jade talisman is rough, the Shen family cannot produce them in large quantities. Therefore, the Shen family has established a rule that anyone who tests with a jade talisman in the secular world, regardless of their qualifications, must remain. Those with talent will be accepted as disciples, while those without will serve as servants. Consequently, for many prominent families, although they can obtain jade talismans, they will not send their legitimate children for testing. Thus, the Shen family has established a rule that anyone who tests with a jade talisman in the secular world, regardless of their qualifications, must remain. Those with talent will be accepted as disciples, while those without will serve as servants. Therefore, for many prominent families, although they can obtain jade talismans, they will not send their legitimate children for testing.

She had been self-hypnotizing, telling herself that she had no feelings for the parents of this world, that any stirrings of emotion were merely a product of blood ties, nothing more than self-deception. In truth, being betrayed by the parents of this world did cause her pain; that is why, after arriving at the Shen family, she missed her parents from her previous life even more intensely, to the point where she dreamt of their voices and smiles so vividly every day that she could not stop the torrent of tears.

Shen Yingchang understood the source of Qu Ningxuan's inner turmoil, so he sighed lightly and said: "You are about to enter the realm of refining Qi and transforming into spirit. In the future, once you enter seclusion, it could be for ten or eight years. Before you know it, your loved ones may have passed away for a hundred years... At that time, you will feel sorrow and wonder why you didn't spend more time with them."

Shen Yingchang let out a light sigh, fully understanding Qu Ningxuan's thoughts. Not to mention that she had not grown up at home since childhood and had no feelings for her so-called relatives, even if she had an excellent relationship with her family, as long as her aptitude test indicated that she could cultivate, her family's attitude towards her would be completely different. In the secular world, any woman designated as a consort or princess, even if she had not yet married, must sit in the main seat and accept her parents' kneeling. If this is the case between rulers and subjects, how much more so for cultivators and ordinary people who exist in entirely different worlds? It is entirely normal not to feel the warmth of family when returning home openly; it might just lead to another heartbreak.

In this world where the weak are preyed upon by the strong, she possesses neither a solid backing nor the exceptional qualities that would make esteemed mentors weep and plead to take her as their disciple, nor does she have a beauty that could captivate all. The only things she can rely on are the three items she has earned through her own merits.

In the end, her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes became moist.

Upon seeing Qu Ningxuan, Shen Yingchang thought to himself that this girl was indeed pure and obedient, wholeheartedly devoted to her cultivation. If she could join the Qianyang Sect, her future would likely be limitless. It was a pity... Remembering his own troublesome daughter, Shen Xinyi, and then glancing at Qu Ningxuan before him, Shen Yingchang felt a rare flicker of sympathy in his heart. However, his heart, hardened through trials like iron, quickly suppressed this useless emotion.

The Shen family is one of the five prominent families of the Huai Jin Dynasty, with an extraordinary lineage. In terms of blood relations and generational hierarchy, her grandfather is the cousin of the secular head of the Shen family, also holding a high position and wielding significant power. He arranged for his legitimate son to marry a noblewoman from the Li family, one of the five prominent families, which is indeed of unparalleled prestige

Fortunately, he won the bet, thus receiving an incredibly rich reward—fame, status, wealth, power, and beauty... In fact, after testing Qu Ningxuan's qualifications, the Shen family specifically sent people to test all her siblings, none of whom possessed spiritual roots.

At this thought, her right hand pressed against her chest, her expression filled with profound sorrow

With his words, Qu Ningxuan also recalled the past that she was unwilling to remember

Qu Ningxuan's face showed a look of gratitude as she unhesitatingly reached out to take the jade pendant, displaying no signs of caution or wariness. Seeing her like this, Shen Yingchang finally felt relieved.

If he does not do this, relying on the wealth accumulated in the past, he can still live quite well. However, by taking such a gamble, if he fails, he will have nothing left and can only fall into the status of a beggar

Qu Ningxuan seemed to nod with great difficulty, appearing reluctant yet compelled to comply with the family head's wishes. However, she secretly thought that the key likely lay in the phrase "stay for a few days." Recalling what Shen Xinyi had said earlier, Qu Ningxuan was already about seventy to eighty percent certain that both the previous bestowal of the Hanyuan Pill and the current suggestion for her to return home for a visit were intended to divert her at a critical moment, in addition to hastening her progress to the initial stage of fusion. Yet, these individuals' calculations would ultimately prove futile, as her persistent thoughts were not of her current parents, but of her parents from her previous life. It was entirely impossible to fulfill any wishes related to them.

At this moment, Qu Ningxuan raised her head, her expression somewhat sorrowful: "Master of the house, I still cannot... Can I hide at a distance and secretly watch them for a few moments? As long as I know they are doing well, I think I..."