Despite the large benefits, Cao Yun was almost unable to move. Sect Leader Xuan was not faring much better either. In fact, the old man was probably even more exhausted. Although he had taken Cao Yun's Resplendent Mercury Breath pill just before the session, he needed to rest. This hadn't been taxing on his body or his essence, but on his very soul. The same was true for Cao Yun. He could still feel that his body was brimming with vitality. His Golden Blood was flowing with joy throughout his flesh. However, his soul was on the verge of collapse. The sensation was extremely eerie. Although his body wanted to express itself, his soul lacked any form of energy or motivation to put it in motion.

For several more hours, the two men stayed silent, sitting cross-legged, and panting. Cao Yun had barely enough strength left to catch a glimpse of his sea of consciousness. It was undeniable that his Soul Embryo had developed beyond his wildest dreams, but it was also shaking. Tremors were coursing through the silver being that looked almost like Cao Yun as a child. In fact, if one had seen it, they would have thought that it was a statue of Cao Yun himself made of silver. However, it wasn't completely finished yet, and it was truly Cao Yun as a small infant.

This 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid' method was prodigious but it wasn't something just anyone could perform. If a cultivation under the 9th-grade Spirit Warrior stage attempted it, they might die in the process. Then, their disciple would also follow them in the grave almost immediately. That being said, Cao Yun had absolute confidence that Sect Leader Xuan would never make such a mistake as he knew his own limitations and was able to stop himself long before such a risk occurred. However, this explained why this technique was so secret. Yes, it was effective, but it was simply too dangerous for most people.

Finally, Sect Leader Xuan stood up. Cao Yun was still too exhausted to will his legs to move, but he tried. Immediately, Sect Leader Xuan gave him a sign that he shouldn't move.

"Young disciple, just rest. This session was far more fruitful than even I had hoped. Unfortunately, it's also very taxing. You shouldn't cultivate your soul for the next month or so. I obviously understand that you want to grow stronger as fast as possible, but rest is essential for that. Your Soul Embryo will keep on evolving just by being near your soul. After a month has passed, don't rush back into training, ease your way into it and make sure it's going smoothly before you put more effort into it. I know you won't be stupid enough to directly practice your 'Asura Strengthens Deva, Deva Enlightens Asura' straight away. Wait maybe two or maybe even three months if you feel the need to.

"When it comes to this 'Snake Strangles Kid, Turtle Shields Kid' method, I would say that once a year is the absolute limit. In fact, I would advise to only use it once every other year. However, if you want to try it next year, I will be there for you... unless circumstances change, of course. If everything goes well, you might become a 6th-grade Spirit Warrior in less than two years. Besides, you'll also have a head start when it comes to the 7th-grade Spirit Warrior stage. Average cultivators who succeed stay twenty to thirty years in that 6th-grade Spirit Warrior stage. I personally spent eleven years in that stage before breaking through. By my estimates, it should be faster for you, somewhere between eight to ten years, I would say. From everything that I sensed in you, your cultivation journey to the 9th-grade Spirit Warrior stage should be smooth and steady... unless you force yourself too much."

Sect Leader Xuan got close to Cao Yun and lightly struck the top of his head with two fingers.

"Be patient! For now, rest. I'll warn your friend Ren Chao and you'll be able to see him once you've rested enough. Some familiar faces and happy reunion will do you good. Rest! Don't try anything! Don't even go into your sea of consciousness for a few more days!"

Cao Yun could tell that Sect Leader Xuan already knew he had caught a glimpse of his Soul Embryo. Indeed, his master was right, Cao Yun had to rest. Even now, he could feel his soul shaking. With time, his Soul Embryo would naturally recover. Since it was more familiar with Cao Yun's soul now, just leaving it be would slowly make them even more intimate. Unfortunately, two years were too long for Cao Yun. However, he knew that this was the absolute limit. If anyone else had heard him, they would have spat up some blood. Most cultivators would be ready to risk everything they had, even their life and their very soul, if they could simply hope to get half of Cao Yun's results, even less in fact.

Sect Leader Xuan left and Cao Yun obeyed. He let his mind wander all over the place. Despite being fully aware, Cao Yun didn't fixate his intent on anything, so everything flowed through him as though he was simply watching a play without paying attention to the dialogue, just watching the actors on the stage. But Cao Yun wasn't sleeping or sleepy. His body was brimming with life. Right now, he was just resting his soul.

While the mind was the intellect, reason itself, the soul was the desires, the aspirations, the motivation. When the soul was exhausted, emotions were dull, aspirations and ambitions were bland. The mind could still understand and reason, but it lacked any clear target, so it tended to wander, just like Cao Yun's intent at the moment. As the young man rested, he could clearly feel his soul slowly regaining its strength. It was a very gradual process though. Even after several hours, everything was not completely back to normal. That being said, he concurred with Sect Leader Xuan's idea. Meeting with his brother would help greatly.

-

Finally, Cao Yun left the 'Heart of the Turtle Soul'. He had to pass through the Sect Palace again to leave so he took the time to thank his master.

"Good, good. You're obedient. Cao Yun, I swear to you that I will do everything I can to help your sister Cao Huiying, so don't be reckless. Many people care about you. You know what it is like to lose those you care about, don't play with your life and death. About your brothers and sister... I understand that you think you're protecting them by not telling them the whole truth. Unfortunately, we are way beyond that point now. I am of the opinion that you should disclose everything to them. This is not a command or an order, just a piece of advice. All your brothers and sister are extremely important to the Hongchen Kingdom now. And they are not weak children you have to protect.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Most likely, your mind cultivation method helped them a lot. But their will was also strong. None of them believed that you had died. Since that day, they worked more than any other disciple to become who they are today. Apart from your brother Ren Chao who lacks talent in cultivation, Sun Liao and Mei Hua are both 1st-grade Spirit Warriors. To be fair, they have alchemy and array formations to help them, but still... Trust your brothers. I can assure you that if Emperor Weide brands you a traitor, they will gladly join you. If worse comes to worst, they would even gladly give their lives if you were to lose yours. I do think you should tell them why you're fighting. But I already said too much, the choice is yours."

Obviously, Cao Yun took in every word from his master. But he was precisely afraid of what he had just said. Cao Yun didn't want anyone else to die for him. However, it wasn't just his life, his own sister's life was also hanging in the balance. Could he ask his brothers to risk their lives for hers? Even if he didn't ask, would they anyway?

With his head throbbing, Cao Yun left the Sect Palace. He couldn't even use his stealth art anymore at this point. Thus, Sect Leader Xuan asked an elder to go with Cao Yun so he wouldn't be crowded by inner disciples. Elder Tang took Cao Yun directly toward Ren Chao's residence in the inner yard. Indeed, Ren Chao was an inner disciple.

When he arrived at his brother's residence, Cao Yun immediately smelled the fragrance of burning meat and delicate wine. The residence was much bigger than most residences in the inner yard. Looking at it, it looked more like the residence of a noble family than anything else. It was enough for at least fifty people to live in. But then, Cao Yun also saw that it wasn't just residential. A large part of this so-called residence was not for people to live in. There were two entire wings dedicated to blacksmithing alone, and a third wing that was full of art. In the end, only one wing was really meant for people to live in. So, only a dozen people could actually live in there.

Leading to the residence was a large wooden door with two characters, Ren and Wang. Before Elder Tang could knock on that large wooden door, it opened in an instant. That door was extremely heavy but it opened as though it was made of paper. Suddenly, a bright smile appeared. Ren Chao was pushing the door open with a single hand, without even applying much pressure. Ren Chao was wearing a sublime robe that, honestly, didn't go too well with his demeanor. His face was completely contorted by his smile, to the point Cao Yun wondered if it was going to break apart.

"Brother!"

Ren Chao almost pounced on Cao Yun and hugged him. Despite everything he had lived, the strength of the hug was enough to almost break his bones, but not quite there yet, thankfully. That being said, he did feel it, a lot.

"I knew it! I knew it! They laughed, but I knew it! Mei'er! It's Brother Chen! Come, come!"

Before Wang Mei could come, a small head popped up from behind Ren Chao's leg. It was a small boy who was rather shy but still curious. Unceremoniously, Ren Chao grabbed the boy and brought him toward Cao Yun.

"This is my son, Ren Li. Ren Li, pay your respect to your uncle, Chen Guo!"

Shaking a little, the boy didn't dare to look Cao Yun in the eyes but he did cupped his fists and bowed down.

"Ren Li pays his respect to uncle Chen Guo."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Ren Chao ruffled his son's hair. This time though, he perfectly controlled his strength so as to not hurt his child, just slightly annoy him.

"Brother, come in, come in. I have to present you to my family."

"Thank you, Elder Tang. Sorry for the trouble."

"There was no trouble, Young Sect Master."

Cao Yun saluted Elder Tang who left. At that moment, Ren Chao just realized that Cao Yun hadn't been alone.

"Oh?! Elder Tang, tell Chief Elder Tingyu that the weapons he's asked are ready. He can have someone come fetch them whenever. They're all 3-star Heaven weapons, he should be delighted."

"Yes, Elder Ren, I will relay your message."

Elder Ren?! Cao Yun was a bit surprised. But it did make sense. From what he knew, Ren Chao was an incredible blacksmith and the direct disciple to Chief Elder Tingyu of the blacksmith pavilion. In fact, Ren Chao had surpassed his master even though he was only a 6th-grade Mortal Warrior who was still a year or two away from the Lesser Tribulation. Honestly, it was very impressive, especially for Ren Chao who wasn't very talented when it came to cultivation. Most likely, Mei Hua and Sun Liao had helped him. Moreover, his Golden Silk Body had probably helped a little. At the very least, it explained his incredible strength. For a blacksmith, this was a great advantage.

Cao Yun followed Ren Chao in. Finally, he saw Wang Mei. She was absolutely gorgeous. The few years that had passed had refined her beauty even more. Maybe this was also due to her happiness. Indeed, even when she wasn't smiling, one could tell that she was brimming with joy. Around her were three other children. A very young girl who wasn't more than six walked toward Cao Yun and cupped her fists.

"Ren Hua pays her respect to uncle Chen Guo."

Then, her two other brothers followed her. They were much younger but still old enough to talk, although their Nuhua was a bit broken.

"Ren Tie plays his dialect to uncle Chen Guo."

"Ren Duan hails his concept to uncle Chen Guo."

Close enough...

"Chen Guo pays his respect to the Ren family."

"Come on, brother, come on. I still have to introduce my parents. Come on, come on. Then we'll eat and drink. We have so much time to make up for. Don't be a stranger!"

Cao Yun let his brother take his arm and guide him around. Besides, short of using most of his cultivation, Cao Yun would have a hard time breaking out of his hold anyway. Ren Chao brought Cao Yun to the courtyard where a large buffet was waiting for them. This was the origin of the fragrance Cao Yun had smelled. Indeed, there was a lot of meat being roasted and large pots of wine. Three servants were attending to the food while an old couple was sitting, enjoying some tea.

Ren Chao also ran to them with Cao Yun's arm firmly in his hand. Then, he knelt before the old couple.

"Father, Mother, this is my sworn brother, Chen Guo."

Looking at the old couple, Cao Yun could tell that they had a very hard life. They were clearly commoners. With some difficulty, they stood up, using the chairs they were in to hold themselves. The man was as tall as Ren Chao but his frame was smaller. Cao Yun could clearly see that he used to be bigger, but old age took its toll on him. Besides, Cao Yun could perceive very faint tremors in his hands. So was the case for the smaller woman. Their hair was white with old age. And it was sad but they were not long for this world... A life of hard work had exerted a heavy price on them both.

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