Chapter 4: The Shen Family

The main door swung wide open, and a middle-aged man stepped out; this was Shen Lian's second uncle—Shen Qingshan

Self-study leads to isolation, resulting in ignorance and limited knowledge. Shen Lian, as a modern individual, certainly understands that working in isolation is not the best choice. Just like the original Shen Lian, if he had received guidance from others, he would at least not have let his health deteriorate to such an extent, allowing others to take advantage of his weaknesses

The ground is a place where he can cultivate in peace and safety

Shen Lian was already seated in the comfortable carriage, driven by Manager Wu, who possessed excellent driving skills. The journey was smooth, with hardly any bumps felt. This was, of course, also due to the Shen family investing a considerable amount of money to repair the nearby roads for their commercial transportation.

This is also a benefit brought about by a powerful spirit; at least in terms of logical analysis ability, he has made significant improvements

Qingzhou Prefecture City, bustling with the comings and goings of people and vehicles, is quite prosperous. A low-key yet luxurious carriage came to a stop in front of the Shen family's residence, a wealthy family in the city.

Through his gradual training, his hand-eye coordination and the acute perception of his senses have far surpassed that of the average person

From these small matters, it is evident that Shen Lian's grandfather is indeed not an ordinary person; he possesses foresight and decisiveness, which explains how he was able to expand the Shen family to such a scale

All of this was insisted upon by Master Shen, although the eldest master of the Shen family, who is Shen Lian's maternal uncle, was somewhat reluctant, and the second uncle was not very supportive either. However, the old master Shen held significant authority, and at a time when the Shen family was not as wealthy as it is today, this matter was accomplished

However, after he went out to study martial arts for seven years, he had become quite estranged from his younger sister by the time he returned. Later, his younger sister became pregnant before marriage, which, in his eyes at that time, was indeed a great disgrace to the family

... ...

Due to the power of his spirit, or perhaps because of the influence of the "Supreme Clarity Spiritual Treasure Natural Locking Heart and Settling Spirit True Explanation," he, who was originally a slow-tempered person, has now transformed into someone composed, with a keen mind, increasingly leaning towards rationality

Modern society relies on the collaborative efforts of many countries to undertake projects such as the Human Genome Project, which undoubtedly indicates that the evolutionary path it is about to embark upon cannot be achieved through individual efforts alone

Whenever he visualizes the deity holding the jade ruyi in his mind, the chaotic thoughts that arise daily gradually begin to settle down

These experiences, if they were within a sect of cultivation, would certainly have been guided by elders

In terms of long-term plans, it is naturally best to find a high-level sect where one can become a disciple.

The ancients referred to the law, companions, wealth, and land

Regarding resources related to cultivation, limited by his understanding, he remains utterly perplexed about what is suitable for cultivation

These reasons are sufficient for Shen Lian to understand what he should do next

It seems that he possesses some of these things now, but they are not good enough

The short-term plan is to refine one's body, enrich the vital energy and blood, and establish a truly solid foundation

Even in his previous life, the mortal who practiced cultivation initially joined a sect before eventually beginning to break away from it

A partner can be a companion who cultivates the Great Way together, a renowned teacher who imparts knowledge and resolves doubts, or a friend who shares information and experiences with one another. This is akin to modern scientists who frequently participate in seminars and even hold important positions in universities, utilizing the information resources available at these institutions

If he were to return to modern society and play any large-scale games, his skills would undoubtedly be extraordinarily impressive

He has a basic understanding of the law, but his comprehension of it remains quite superficial

Even in ancient times on Earth, those famous Taoist priests mostly came from well-off families. Zhang Daoling, who founded the Way of the Celestial Masters, was naturally wealthy, and the later Celestial Master Sun En was originally from a prominent family. Ge Hong was even a marquis, and Tao Hongjing was referred to as the prime minister of the mountains.

Moreover, Shen Lian's appearance increasingly resembled that of his deceased sister.

The most important aspect is not cultivation, but rather the spiritual companion.

The original Shen Lian was still limited by his experiences, and with no one to guide him, he failed to recognize these truths. He believed that formidable individuals simply needed to possess a secret manual and engage in solitary, arduous practice.

These well-known practitioners, regardless of whether they have attained immortality, all indicate one point: they are individuals of considerable resources. If one were to spend all day struggling for basic necessities, even a person of exceptional talent would find it impossible to achieve any notable accomplishments

Shen Lian contemplated these matters, and combined with his original memories, he had already roughly outlined the image of Master Shen in his mind

At that time, even if he were to cross over, it would only be his predecessor who would assimilate him, rather than him taking the initiative.

Shen Qingshan carefully observed his nephew, and his first impression was that he was very thin, lacking the robust build he had in his youth. After not seeing him for many years, Shen Lian seemed less reclusive than he was as a child. His emaciated figure resembled a bamboo growing in a crevice of a rock, exuding a sense of unwavering determination that could not be swayed by the wind

Shen Qingshan was a lay disciple of a certain sect in the martial world during his youth, having learned a full range of martial arts. It is said that he once fought off dozens of bandits with his bare hands while transporting goods, making him a well-known figure of bravery and strength in Qingzhou City

To become wealthy, one must first build roads. Although the construction of bridges and the repair of roads require considerable expenditure, the long-term benefits they bring are indeed substantial. Moreover, the reputation of the Shen family has greatly improved in Qingzhou Prefecture, and this can also be counted as an achievement for the officials of Qingzhou Prefecture. Aside from the significant financial losses suffered by the Shen family on the surface, it can be said that all parties are pleased.

Wu Guan Shi said: "Isn't that so?"

Just like a great scholar, one must first seek knowledge, and only after gaining ample wings can one begin independent research

In fact, the previous incarnation of the powerful deity's soul was not without its advantages; at the very least, his soul is now significantly stronger than that of an ordinary person. He possesses a keen sensitivity to his body, allowing him to easily grasp the critical points during regular training, achieving a balance that is just right. He also knows how to unleash his own strength while making every effort to avoid harming himself

Shen Lian lifted the car curtain and slowly got out of the vehicle. Even though it had been six or seven years since he last returned here, the changes in this place were not significant.

His body has recovered to a level close to that of a normal person, but the previously depleted essence and vitality cannot be replenished all at once. The Shen family is large and prosperous, and naturally, it is easier to obtain precious medicinal materials. Even without Manager Wu, Shen Lian is very likely to find an opportunity to return home

Time passed gradually, and soon it was the morning of the second day

Both cultivation and martial arts are pursuits of personal evolution. From the perspective of Shen Lian, amidst the information explosion of modern society, even though cultivation demands certain qualities of the mind, it still requires the accumulation of resources in the initial stages

The principle of being poor in literature but rich in martial skills applies equally to the practice of cultivation.

As soon as the carriage arrived, a doorkeeper said, "Manager Wu, have you brought back the Third Young Master?"

Perhaps due to his advancing age, Shen Qingshan's figure beneath his robe has become somewhat plump, with his muscles appearing slightly relaxed; however, his pair of eyes is notably sharper than those of an average person

Only the two stone lions in front of the door, bearing numerous traces of the wind, meticulously record the passage of time

His relationship with his younger sister is somewhat deeper than that with his elder brother, as the elder brother was sent away to study at an early age, while he and his sister spent more time at home