The Qian family's compound was considerably livelier than usual.
Within one of the spacious courtyards, several tables had been arranged beneath the shade of an old tree, and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly prepared dishes. Lou Han was seated at one of the tables, his sleeves rolled up as he enthusiastically worked his way through the food before him, occasionally reaching for another plate whenever he noticed something particularly appetising.
Across from him, Qian Feng was watching with an increasingly troubled expression.
"How much are you planning to eat?"
Lou Han barely glanced at him as he picked up another piece of meat.
"What's wrong with eating?"
"What's wrong?" Qian Feng repeated, his voice rising slightly. "You've already eaten enough to feed several people! Those dishes were prepared for everyone, not just you!"
Lou Han finally raised his head, chewing leisurely before swallowing.
"Then you should be grateful that I'm helping everyone finish them. Otherwise, wouldn't the food go to waste?"
Qian Feng stared at him.
For a moment, he seemed unable to find an appropriate response.
"You're unbelievable!"
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment!"
Nearby, Lin Xiaolu was watching the exchange with an amused expression, occasionally covering her mouth as she tried to suppress her laughter. She had long become accustomed to the two men's arguments, particularly whenever food was involved. Qian Feng would complain about Lou Han's appetite, Lou Han would come up with some ridiculous justification, and before long, the discussion would become so absurd that there was little point in taking either of them seriously.
Just as Qian Feng was preparing another lecture, footsteps sounded from the courtyard entrance.
Three people turned their heads.
The moment they saw the two figures entering, their expressions changed.
"Lin Sheng?"
"Brother Sheng!"
Qian Feng immediately stopped arguing, while Lou Han, who had been reaching for another piece of meat, froze with his hand halfway across the table. He quickly withdrew it, swallowed the food in his mouth, and stood up with an unusually cheerful expression.
Lin Sheng looked at the three of them before smiling.
"It seems I've arrived at an interesting time."
Lin Shou, standing beside him, glanced at the table and then at Lou Han.
"Judging by the amount of food here, I suppose we know what he's been doing all morning."
Lou Han cleared his throat.
"Don't misunderstand. I was merely keeping everyone company."
"By eating their food?" Qian Feng asked immediately.
"Exactly. It's important to maintain a lively atmosphere."
Lin Xiaolu finally failed to suppress her laughter.
Lin Sheng shook his head as he walked towards them. It had been quite some time since he had last seen everyone together, and although the Eastern Region's current situation had given him plenty to worry about, seeing their familiar faces brought a measure of relaxation he had not realised he needed.
Lou Han grinned.
"Brother Sheng, you've finally remembered that we exist. I was beginning to wonder whether you had decided to spend the rest of your life hiding somewhere in seclusion."
Lin Sheng raised an eyebrow.
"What's this? I leave for a few years, and you begin complaining?"
"A few years?" Lou Han exclaimed. "You disappear for ages, then suddenly return as though you've merely gone out to buy something. If you hadn't shown up today, I might have started wondering whether you'd forgotten the way back."
"Then perhaps I should leave again," Lin Sheng replied casually. "It seems my return has only given you another reason to complain."
"Don't you dare!"
The others laughed.
Lin Sheng's gaze then moved over Lou Han's figure, and after examining him for a moment, he clicked his tongue.
"Speaking of which, you've been eating this much and still look like a bundle of chicken bones. Are you sure you're actually cultivating? Perhaps you should eat more. At this rate, even a strong gust of wind might carry you away."
Lou Han's smile stiffened.
"What nonsense! My physique is perfectly fine."
"Is it? Then perhaps you should spend less time eating and more time building some muscle."
Lin Xiaolu giggled, while Qian Feng immediately seized the opportunity.
"Did you hear that? Even Brother Sheng thinks you eat too much!"
Lou Han shot him a glare.
"Nobody asked you."
Their exchange continued for a little while, with Lin Shou occasionally joining in, until everyone had settled around the table. The servants brought additional dishes, and Lin Sheng accepted a cup of tea before turning his attention towards their cultivation.
"How has everyone been progressing?"
Qian Feng straightened slightly.
"We've made some progress. Our cultivation is approaching the peak of Xuan Gang, although we're still some distance away from completing the final preparations."
Lin Xiaolu nodded.
"My Ice Intent has become more stable, but I still feel that something is missing."
Lou Han wiped his hands before speaking.
"I'm about the same. My comprehension has improved, but I haven't completely perfected my Martial Intent yet."
Lin Sheng looked at the three of them carefully.
Their cultivation had advanced considerably over the years. Qian Feng, Lou Han, and Lin Xiaolu were all approaching the peak of Xuan Gang, and their foundations were sufficiently stable that they could begin making preparations for the next stage. However, unlike Lin Shou, who had finally crossed the threshold into Martial Will, the three of them were still refining their respective Martial Intents.
That was not particularly surprising.
Comprehension was never something that could be measured entirely through cultivation speed. Some martial artists could advance rapidly in realm yet spend years struggling to understand the deeper principles behind their techniques, while others might possess relatively ordinary cultivation foundations but demonstrate exceptional insight into a particular concept.
The important thing was finding the direction that suited them.
Lin Sheng placed his teacup down.
"There's no need to rush. You're already close to the peak of Xuan Gang, so what matters now is refining your comprehension rather than simply accumulating more Gang Qi. If you attempt to fuse Astral Qi before your Martial Intent has stabilised, you might find the process considerably more troublesome."
He looked towards Lou Han first.
"Your path should be relatively straightforward. Focus on Geng Metal. Your techniques already lean towards sharpness, penetration, and the ability to break through an opponent's defences. Rather than pursuing a concept that conflicts with those characteristics, you should deepen your understanding of the qualities of Metal, particularly its hardness, sharpness, and capacity to cut through resistance."
Lou Han nodded thoughtfully.
Lin Sheng then turned towards Lin Xiaolu.
"Your Gui Water Will is already taking shape. Don't limit your understanding to simply freezing things. Ice is more than coldness. Consider its stillness, its ability to preserve, infiltrate, and the way it can suppress movement. Once you understand those qualities more deeply, your Martial Intent will naturally become more complete."
Lin Xiaolu's eyes brightened.
She had indeed been struggling with that very problem. Her comprehension had largely centred around the coldness of ice, and although it was sufficient to strengthen her attacks, she had occasionally felt that her understanding lacked something important.
Lin Sheng's words gave her another direction to consider.
Finally, he looked at Qian Feng.
"Your Earth Intent should be developed around stability and weight like Wu Earth will. Don't merely think of the earth as something heavy. It supports everything above it, remains unmoved beneath enormous pressure, and can contain countless things within its depths. If you can comprehend those characteristics rather than focusing only on the force of your attacks, your understanding will become considerably more profound."
Qian Feng nodded slowly, carefully committing the advice to memory.
Lin Sheng smiled.
"Your concepts are relatively straightforward, so finding suitable Astral Qi shouldn't be too difficult once your comprehension reaches the required level. Geng Metal Astral Qi, Gui Water Astral Qi, and Wu Earth Astral Qi all have corresponding environments where they are more likely to gather. The real difficulty is locating a suitable source and ensuring that the Astral Qi has undergone the necessary transformation."
He paused before adding, "Still, don't assume that finding the corresponding attribute is enough. Astral Qi must be compatible with your foundation, and you should never attempt to fuse it merely because you've discovered a gathering point. Prepare properly, examine its characteristics, and make sure your Martial Intent can withstand the process."
The three nodded.
They understood that Lin Sheng was not simply offering casual advice. His understanding of martial cultivation had reached a level that ordinary Xuan Gang experts could scarcely imagine, and even a few seemingly simple sentences from him could save them years of unnecessary detours.
Lin Shou, who had been listening quietly, couldn't help smiling.
"See? I told you that having Brother Sheng around would be useful."
Lou Han glanced at him.
"You're saying that as though you didn't spend years receiving guidance from the Grand Elder."
"At least I managed to comprehend Martial Will before you."
"Don't get too pleased with yourself. I'll catch up eventually."
Lin Sheng chuckled at their exchange, but his gaze soon returned to Lou Han.
There was something else he wanted to examine.
"Speaking of cultivation, Lou Han, I've been meaning to look into your physique more carefully."
Lou Han blinked.
"My physique?"
Lin Sheng nodded.
"Your appetite isn't the only unusual thing about you. I've examined your condition before, and there's something peculiar about the way your body functions. It seems to consume a considerable amount of your Essence and Qi to supplement your spirit."
Qian Feng turned towards Lou Han with an incredulous expression.
"Wait. You're saying there's actually a reason he eats so much?"
Lou Han immediately looked pleased.
"Of course! Did you think I was eating for no reason?"
Qian Feng rolled his eyes.
"You're still eating more than everyone else."
Lin Sheng ignored their exchange.
He had already examined Lou Han's condition on several occasions, and the more he considered it, the more unusual he found the young man's physique. It possessed characteristics that did not fit neatly into any conventional category of physical constitution he had encountered.
A normal martial physique generally improved the body's capacity to absorb and refine Qi-Blood, strengthen the bones and muscles, or increase compatibility with a particular type of energy. Certain spiritual physiques, on the other hand, were naturally more sensitive to spiritual energy, possessed unusual spiritual roots, or displayed an exceptional affinity for specific cultivation techniques.
Lou Han's condition was different.
His body seemed to possess an inherent deficiency that continuously consumed his Essence and Qi, diverting a portion of his natural vitality towards nourishing his spirit. This process was not entirely harmful, because the increased nourishment had produced an unusually strong mental foundation, and his comprehension had benefited considerably from it.
His progress in Martial Intent was also connected to this peculiarity.
The spirit was closely related to comprehension, and a practitioner with a naturally stronger spirit could often perceive the underlying principles of their techniques more clearly. Although this did not guarantee rapid advancement, it provided an advantage that ordinary martial artists could spend decades attempting to obtain.
Yet the cost was equally unusual.
Lou Han's body required far more nourishment than an ordinary cultivator, and the enormous quantities of food he consumed were not simply being converted into physical strength. A considerable portion was being used to replenish the Essence and Qi that his physique continually diverted towards his spirit.
Lin Sheng had investigated the matter before.
He had examined numerous records from both the Martial Continent and the Immortal Continent, including descriptions of unusual constitutions, innate physiques, spiritual bodies, and rare bloodline characteristics. However, he had yet to discover anything that accurately matched Lou Han's condition.
It was neither a conventional spiritual physique nor a recognised martial physique.
It seemed to possess characteristics of both, yet it did not properly belong to either category.
More troubling was the fact that his mental perception could not properly examine it.
Whenever Lin Sheng attempted to probe deeper, the moment his perception approached the most peculiar part of Lou Han's body, an invisible force would immediately eject it. The reaction was so natural and immediate that it did not seem to be an ability Lou Han consciously activated.
It was more like an instinctive defence embedded within the physique itself.
Lin Sheng had deliberately avoided forcing the issue. Although he possessed sufficient strength to increase the pressure of his perception, doing so might provoke an unexpected reaction, and he had no intention of damaging something that he did not yet understand.
He looked at Lou Han.
"Have you noticed any changes recently? For example, an increase in mental clarity, unusual dreams, or moments when your comprehension suddenly improves?"
Lou Han thought for a while.
"Not particularly. I just feel that cultivating has become easier in certain areas. Sometimes, when I'm practising my techniques, I suddenly understand something that I couldn't figure out before. But it doesn't happen every time."
Lin Sheng nodded.
That was consistent with his observations.
"Your spirit is being nourished continuously, and that seems to be improving your comprehension. However, your body is also paying a price for it, which is why you need so much nourishment. I still haven't figured out exactly what kind of physique you possess, so I wouldn't recommend attempting any unusual cultivation methods until we understand it better."
Lou Han shrugged.
"That's fine with me. As long as I can keep eating, I'm not complaining."
Qian Feng shook his head.
"Of course that's the only thing you care about."
Lin Xiaolu laughed again.
Lin Sheng, however, remained thoughtful.
If Lou Han possessed this physique while living on the Martial Continent, where the restrictions on martial cultivation were different, his potential might be considerably more frightening than it appeared. With his spirit constantly receiving nourishment, his comprehension could develop at an extraordinary pace, and if he continued progressing without encountering an unforeseen obstacle, there was a possibility that he could eventually advance beyond the ordinary Grandmaster Realm.
Perhaps considerably beyond it.
Unfortunately, the Immortal Continent was not the Martial Continent.
The conditions governing cultivation were different, and the restrictions affecting certain paths meant that even an extraordinary physique might not be able to display its full potential. Nevertheless, Lou Han's strengthened spirit had already provided him with a considerable advantage, and judging from his current progress, he might be the next among their group to comprehend Martial Will.
Lin Sheng's expression softened.
"Continue cultivating as you have been. Don't deliberately suppress your appetite, but don't use it as an excuse to eat everything in sight either. Your body needs nourishment, not an excuse to empty the kitchen."
Lou Han grinned.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Whether you actually do is another matter."
The courtyard filled with laughter once more.
Their conversation continued for some time, moving between cultivation, recent events, and the experiences everyone had accumulated during Lin Sheng's absence. Lin Shou also discussed his recent breakthrough in Martial Will, and Lin Sheng occasionally offered a few additional pointers, particularly concerning the transition from Martial Will towards the formation of a Martial Domain.
Yet even as he enjoyed their company, his thoughts occasionally drifted towards the Martial Continent.
He had been away for a long time.
Although the Immortal Continent had provided him with opportunities that would have been difficult to obtain elsewhere, there were still matters waiting for him on the Martial Continent, and the longer he remained away, the more likely it became that the situation there would change beyond his expectations.
He would probably return within the next few years.
However, Lin Sheng had no intention of returning immediately.
The Martial Continent was not a place where he could afford to act carelessly, especially with the circumstances surrounding the Heavenly Mechanism and the various forces that had taken an interest in him. His previous experiences had already taught him that possessing overwhelming strength against ordinary opponents did not necessarily guarantee safety when dealing with powerful existences whose methods and resources were difficult to predict.
If he returned, he wanted to possess sufficient strength to protect himself.
At the very least, he wanted to obtain combat power comparable to a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
His current Golden Body and Qiankun Pseudo Domain gave him considerable confidence, but he still lacked the ability to confront a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator without relying on special circumstances or carefully prepared methods. His Rank 4 Golden Body had enormous potential, and the further development of his divine abilities could greatly increase his combat strength, but he needed more than potential.
He needed reliable power.
Lin Sheng took another sip of tea, his expression remaining relaxed as he listened to Lou Han complain about Qian Feng.
His thoughts, however, had already moved towards the Lin family.
He had discovered the concealed spatial region beneath the family mountain, and although he had not yet confirmed every detail, the evidence suggested that the Patriarch was preparing for a Nascent Soul breakthrough. Such an important matter might remain hidden from ordinary cultivators, but it was not necessarily impossible for other powerful individuals to reach the same conclusion.
After all, the world was filled with cultivators who possessed unusual divine abilities, deduction techniques, and methods of investigating the secrets of heaven and earth.
A sufficiently perceptive individual might notice the changes in the surrounding spiritual energy, detect unusual fluctuations within the mountain, or connect several seemingly unrelated pieces of information until the truth gradually emerged.
The Patriarch might be concealing his preparations, but the Lin family's circumstances were not necessarily beyond the reach of others.
And the moment someone realised that a Golden Core cultivator was preparing to become a Nascent Soul True Monarch, the implications would be enormous.
A Nascent Soul True Monarch was not merely another powerful cultivator.
Such an existence could change the standing of an entire family, attract the attention of major factions, and transform the balance of power within a region. Even before completing the breakthrough, the resources and opportunities associated with such a cultivator would be enough to attract considerable interest.
There would inevitably be people who wanted to establish relations with the Lin family.
There would also be those who wanted to prevent the breakthrough.
Some might attempt to offer assistance in exchange for future allegiance, while others might view the Patriarch's advancement as a threat to their own influence. There were even those who might seek to exploit the process, hoping to obtain something from the Lin family's hidden foundation before the Patriarch could successfully establish himself in the Nascent Soul Realm.
Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
The next few years would probably not be peaceful for the Lin family.
He had already strengthened the family's protective formations, and their current arrangement should provide a reasonable degree of concealment and defence. However, formations alone could not solve every problem, particularly if a Nascent Soul True Monarch or someone with comparable abilities decided to investigate the mountain directly.
He would need to make further preparations.
For now, there was no reason to alarm the others, especially when the Patriarch's breakthrough had yet to become a certainty. But Lin Sheng would have to consider the possibility that their peaceful days were numbered, and if trouble truly arrived, he wanted the Lin family to possess enough strength to withstand the initial pressure.
He looked around the courtyard.
Lou Han was once again reaching for another plate, Qian Feng was preparing to stop him, while Lin Xiaolu watched the two with an amused smile. Lin Shou had joined their argument, and for a moment, the courtyard seemed no different from the days before the Eastern Region became embroiled in conflict.
Lin Sheng smiled faintly.
Well, I suppose I should enjoy the peace while it lasts.
After all, he still had several years to prepare before returning to the Martial Continent, and there were many things he intended to accomplish before then.