Chapter 11: Focusing on Cultivation, Parents’ Return

After a hearty meal, Xie Jiuniang returned home, gave a few instructions to He Xiang, and went back into seclusion to cultivate.

At the same time, the news of Xie Ying becoming a Heavenly Spiritual Root finally spread, shocking the entire Yunmu City.

The City Lord’s mansion held grand banquets and was filled with joy every day.

The Main Branch were still worried that Xie Jiuniang would cause trouble, so they specially sent people to watch her. However, to their surprise, day after day passed peacefully.

In private, the family of three gathered together.

Eldest Madam Chen Wan couldn’t help but grumble, “That wretched girl, always in seclusion, always in seclusion. She didn’t even attend Ying’er’s grand celebration.”

“Shut up.” Eldest Master Xie was glad that Xie Jiuniang didn’t appear. “Everything is going well. Why do you have to mention that lass?”

“Recently, that girl from the Second Branch has been wearing Ying’er’s clothes and flaunting in front of me, making me so angry. I specifically sent someone to inquire. Last time, she only sold off most of the things. She definitely still has some on hand. I want to take back a few more…”

“Enough!” Eldest Master Xie interrupted Chen Wan. “Weren’t you swindled enough by her last time? I’m warning you, don’t even think about targeting Ninth Lass again. Third Brother and his wife will be back in a few days. If this gets out, none of us will have any face.^[1]Face: Referring to reputation or pride. Ying’er doesn’t lack those things now.”

Eldest Master Xie was living the highlight of his life by relying on his daughter’s reputation. He didn’t want to stir up more trouble. The main reason was that his father was very displeased with him because of the matter with the Third Branch and had already stripped him of his duties.

He was able to focus on cultivation with no work to do, but there was also no more extra income.

Chen Wan was accustomed to oppressing the Third Branch so her mindset had gradually become biased. After her husband’s reminder, she quickly corrected her attitude.

“Mother, don’t dwell on it. When I go to the sect, I will definitely receive attention. In the future, Ninth Sister and I will not be on the same level. There’s no need to lose our reputation over those few things.”

Xie Ying had heard about the incident in the Youwu Hall’s plaza, but when she thought about the bright future of her Heavenly Spiritual Root, a sense of superiority quickly filled her heart.

The gap between her and Xie Jiuniang would only grow larger in the future.

Xie Jiuniang, who was being talked about, was currently focused on cultivation. There was a spirit-gathering formation disk^[2]A spirit-gathering formation disk is an artifact or device used by cultivators to gather and condense qi from the surrounding environment. It acts as a focus or amplifier, allowing cultivators to … Continue reading in the room, making the spiritual energy slightly denser.

Xie Jiuniang had already reached the middle stage of Qi Refining. The effect of cultivating with Qi Nourishing Pills was not as good as before. If she continued using them, the effect would be minimal, but the accumulated pill toxins would be substantial. Just removing the pill toxins would take a considerable amount of time.

She could only endure her heartache and switch to Spirit Gathering Pills^[3]Spirit Gathering Pill: A higher-grade medicinal pill that contains a large amount of spiritual energy, used by cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining to aid in their cultivation., which were normally only used in the late stage of Qi Refining.

As soon as she consumed a Spirit Gathering Pill, a large amount of spiritual energy surged within her body, five times that of a Qi Nourishing Pill.

Xie Jiuniang hurriedly calmed her mind and circulated her cultivation technique, striving to refine the spiritual energy into spiritual power, purify it, and store it in her dantian.^[4]Dantian: A key point in the body where cultivators gather and refine their spiritual energy. It is often referred to as the “elixir field” or “sea of qi.”

Cultivation was a very tedious matter.

Continuously absorbing spiritual energy, refining it into spiritual power, further purifying the spiritual power, and storing it in the dantian, over and over in a cycle.

Therefore, cultivation also required temperament. Only those who could endure loneliness, remain focused, and possessed great perseverance had the chance to reach the top and become a superior being.

Xie Jiuniang had no choice.

In order to survive, she had to desperately cultivate and continuously grow stronger.

The good thing was that she didn’t need to worry about her state of mind being insufficient until she reached the Golden Core stage, saving a great deal of time spent on breakthroughs and explorations. As long as there was enough spiritual energy, she was confident that she could form her Golden Core within ten years while also solidifying her foundation.

Two hours passed.

She temporarily stopped her cultivation and took out a talisman brush, blank talisman paper, and beast blood mixed with cinnabar. She sat at the desk and began drawing talismans.

She drew several common first-grade spirit talismans.

For example: Offensive Fire Talismans and Explosive Talismans; Vajra Talismans^[5]Vajra Talisman: Made specifically of powerful, indestructible vajra (thunderbolt) spiritual energy, providing extremely robust defense. and Defensive Talismans^[6]Defensive Talisman: A more general term for any talisman used for protective purposes; auxiliary Invisibility Talismans, Insect Repelling Talismans, and Agility Talismans.

There were many types, enriching her inventory.

She would only stop when the spiritual power in her dantian was completely exhausted and she was mentally fatigued. Then, she would take another Spirit Gathering Pill to recover her spiritual power.

Once she finished absorbing the spiritual energy contained in the spirit pill and replenished her previously expended spiritual power, she would continue making talismans. When she was about exhausted again, she would meditate to recover.

Xie Jiuniang deliberately did it this way because when she went to the sect in her previous life, some disciples discovered that if one persisted in cultivating like this for a year or so, they would reap many benefits.

First, the pace of cultivation would accelerate, accompanied by a subtle increase of spiritual awareness. Second, the spiritual power would undergo a refining purification process, reinforcing the solidity of foundation. Third, the meridian pathways would undergo an imperceptible yet consequential expansion, further fortifying the cultivation base.

Of course, the prerequisite for daring to cultivate in this way was that one had to be in a safe environment. Otherwise, when spiritual power was exhausted, encountering danger would mean certain death.

A few more days passed.

Xie Jiuniang finally stopped cultivating after reaching the late stage of Qi Refining fifth level, with just a bit short of a breakthrough.

She began to organize the items in her storage pouch.

She sorted the items she wanted to sell and the ones she wanted to keep for herself, those she used often and not so often into their respective categories, making everything clear at a glance.

Earlier, Xie Jiuniang had engraved defensive formations on all blank formation disks. It was a basic formation that had been improved by the sect. When activated, the effect was better than the formation disk currently used in her room, and it saved one-third of the spirit stones.

Xie Jiuniang replaced the defensive talismans in her room.

As soon as the formation was closed, she immediately sensed the anomaly outside.

After a moment of silence.

Outside the room, a female voice called out softly, “Jiu’er, have you come out of seclusion?”

Hearing this voice that she didn’t dare recall from her deep memories, Xie Jiuniang unconsciously shed tears.

Mo Lan lightly stepped in and saw this scene. Her heart ached. She hurriedly stepped forward and hugged her daughter. “Jiu’er, it’s Mother’s fault. I shouldn’t have left you alone in the Clan.”

“Wah…” Xie Jiuniang couldn’t help but throw herself into her mother’s arms and cry loudly.

As she cried her heart out, her insides felt like being torn to pieces.

It was as if all the fear and pain suppressed in her heart were pouring out.

During this period after her rebirth, she never cried even when facing the oppression from the Main Branch or the threat of death.

The living appearance of her mother, Mo Lan, shattered her strong exterior and directly struck her vulnerability.

In her cries, there was sorrow, grief, and more so, a release, along with a hint of undetectable joy of reunion.

Mo Lan now deeply regretted her decision. Three years ago, she should have taken her daughter with her to the mortal realm, even if she was only eight years old at the time and going to the mortal realm was not conducive to cultivation.

She and her husband thought they were doing it for their daughter’s sake, so they left her in the Clan.

At this moment, beside the mother and daughter, a tall and honest-looking man appeared. His eyes were red-rimmed as he embraced his wife and daughter in his arms.

Mo Lan hit him a few times, choking with sobs, “It’s all your fault! It’s all your fault… We shouldn’t have left our daughter alone back then. She was still so young.”

“Yes, yes, it’s all my fault.” Xie Shen came back and heard about the injustice his daughter had suffered. He was also very regretful. He had not expected the Main Branch would be so shameless and to be harsh on a child to even snatch away his daughter’s opportunities.

He immediately went to reason with his father, but ended up being fiercely beaten. His father said that the weak had no right to talk about fairness…

Mo Lan said indignantly, “None of your brothers are any good!”

“Second Brother is still quite good…”

“What’s good about him? I refuse to believe he wouldn’t know about the unfair treatment Jiu’er suffered!”

“…” Xie Shen had no way to refute.

Xie Jiuniang cried for a while and felt much more relaxed, as if a heavy burden she had been carrying was suddenly unloaded.

Hearing her mother resenting her second uncle, Xie Jiuniang hurriedly said with a hoarse throat, “Mother, Mother, don’t blame Second Uncle. Second Uncle is quite good. Fourth Sister has been protecting me. Several times when she confronted the Main Branch, it was Second Uncle who appeared in time to protect us.”

Mo Lan used a handkerchief to wipe away her daughter’s tears. “Don’t be foolish and think that everyone is good. Perhaps they are good, but it’s also limited.”

Xie Jiuniang smiled and didn’t answer.

She let her mother wipe her little face.

Xie Shen handed his daughter a spatial ring. “Daughter, this is for you.”

“What?” Xie Jiuniang was surprised. “Father, where did you get a spatial ring?^[7]A spatial ring is a magical artifact that provides an extradimensional space for storing and carrying a vast number of materials, treasures, or even living beings. These rings essentially act as … Continue reading This thing is super expensive. Even with spirit stones, it’s not certain that you can buy one.”

“Your grandfather gave it. There are also some things inside. He said it’s enough for our whole family to break through to Foundation Establishment.” After being beaten, Xie Shen shamelessly asked for compensation.

It was already a foregone conclusion with the Spirit Cleansing Pill gone. He could only ask for more compensation for his daughter.

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