In the courtyard, his grandfather was sitting with Mo Fan and Mo Ling, showing them how to carve simple shapes from wood. The children laughed softly.
When his grandfather saw him, he smiled.
"Are you alright, Yuan'er?" he asked casually. "Last night's storm was fierce. I thought it might disturb your cultivation."
Shen Yuan froze.
"…Storm?"
His grandfather nodded. "Thunder, lightning, strong winds. Very sudden. But you didn't come out, so I didn't interrupt."
Shen Yuan's heart skipped.
So it really happened like in the novels.
His transformation… caused all that?
Before he could speak, a system message appeared.
---
[System Notice]
Reason for Weather Anomaly:
• Host's physique and spiritual root upgrade conflicted with Heaven's established order
• Heavenly rejection response triggered
Status:
• Event concealed successfully
Note:
• Heaven Concealment Effect active during Newbie Package usage only
• Future actions may draw attention
• Proceed with caution
---
Shen Yuan's breath caught.
"Does that mean… others like High level cultivators can sense it?"
[System Response]
• No detectable traces remain
• Even high-level cultivators cannot locate Host
• Heaven itself failed to identify the source don't worry about such low level beings.
• Concealment period has ended
• Host must rely on own means henceforth
---
Shen Yuan finally relaxed.
Seeing him stare blankly, his grandfather chuckled.
"What is it, Yuan'er? Trouble during cultivation?"
Shen Yuan shook his head.
"No, Grandfather. I was just wondering what caused such a storm."
His grandfather nodded thoughtfully.
"Perhaps a high-level cultivator from the Sun Moon Spirit Sect made a breakthrough nearby."
He waved his hand.
"Don't worry about it. Take the children to the village chief later. Find out about their home and parents also tell him to contact us if their father returns until then they will stay with us. "
"After that take them to a stroll outside let them get some air instead of staying cooped up here."
"Mo ling was startled by the thunder last try to soothe her mind "
Mo Fan listened silently.
In his heart, a vow formed.
One day… I will repay this kindness a hundredfold.
Shen Yuan nodded after hearing his grandfather's words.
"Alright," he said. "I'll take them out."
Then he paused and looked down at the two children.
"Did you have breakfast already?" he asked.
His grandfather replied before they could. "I gave them a couple of the steamed buns you made last time."
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Just that? If you want I will go make some meat soup"
Mo Fan straightened his back. "That's enough, Big Brother Shen. We're not picky."
But beside him, Mo Ling nodded so hard it looked like her head might fall off, pecking like a little chicken with drool falling from her mouth corner.
Seeing her brother speak, she suddenly realized what she was doing. Her cheeks flushed red, and she hurriedly added, stumbling over her words, "W–we also pine with anwthing!"
The room went quiet for a breath.
Then
"Hahaha!"
Grandfather Shen laughed loudly, the sound warm and carefree. He reached out and gently ruffled Mo Ling's hair, making her squeak in surprise.
Shen Yuan shook his head faintly, a trace of helpless amusement passing through his eyes.
"Sit tight," he said. "I'll make something proper."
He turned and went into the kitchen.
The fire was lit, and a pot was placed over it.
Shen Yuan took out bones and fresh meat, rinsed them clean, and began preparing a simple but nourishing soup. Soon, a rich aroma filled the house, warm and comforting, spreading through every corner.
Mo Ling peeked from the kitchen doorway, her nose twitching.
Mo Fan tried to pull her back politely, but his own eyes betrayed his anticipation he also joined his sister and watched Shen yuan cooking.
"Breakfast is ready go sit at the table. Go"
When the soup was ready, Shen Yuan ladled it into bowls and served them.
"Eat slowly," he said.
They didn't need to be told twice.
The children ate until their bellies were round, steam rising faintly from the bowls as warmth spread through their bodies. Mo Ling leaned back in her chair, satisfied, patting her stomach with both hands.
"Full?" Shen Yuan asked.
"Yes!" she answered brightly.
Mo Fan nodded earnestly. "Thank you, Big Brother Shen."
"Good," Shen Yuan said. "Go get ready. We'll head out soon. We need to buy some groceries and visit the village chief."
Mo Ling's eyes sparkled. "We're going out?"
"Yes."
She let out a small cheer and grabbed her brother's hand, pulling him toward the spare room. Mo Fan stumbled slightly but followed, his lips curved into a quiet smile.
As their footsteps faded, Shen Yuan stood still in the courtyard.
His thoughts drifted inward.
My soul…
The mysterious force during the transformation hadn't only healed it—it had fused his two fragmented souls completely, strengthening them beyond normal limits.
With that fusion came Spiritual sense ability.
For geniuses, spiritual sense usually manifested at the middle stage of Qi Refining.
For ordinary cultivators, it often didn't appear until the late stage, sometimes not even then.
Yet he had gained it early.
This means…
His gaze sharpened.
I can begin cultivating the soul technique my parents left behind.
That art had always been beyond him before—his soul not healed completely, too unstable to endure its demands.
But now?
Now, the foundation was finally there.
While he was still thinking, light footsteps approached.
Shen Yuan looked up.
Mo Fan and Mo Ling had returned, neatly dressed and standing straight, eyes bright with anticipation.
"Big Brother Shen," Mo Fan said. "We're ready."
Shen Yuan nodded.
"Let's go".
---
The dirt road leading to the village chief's office was narrow and uneven, bordered by low grass and scattered stones worn smooth by years of footsteps.
Mo Ling skipped along happily, one hand held tightly by her brother. Her small feet kicked up dust as she hummed an incoherent tune, clearly still in a good mood from breakfast.
Shen Yuan walked beside them at an unhurried pace.
After a while, Mo Ling slowed down.
She glanced at Shen Yuan once.
Then again.
Finally, without saying a word, she loosened her grip on Mo Fan's hand and reached out, her small fingers wrapping around Shen Yuan's.
Her hand was warm.
Soft.
Shen Yuan paused for half a breath, then continued walking as if nothing had changed.