Just one more person and Shen Liqian would be able to start reaping some rewards.
He looked forward to it, even though he had no clue what kind of rewards his system would bestow upon him.
If I can pull this off, Father gets a real chance.
He asked Zhiyin.
"Do you know about rewards?"
Zhiyin mewled.
"I can't control those rewards or even the system itself.
"I can lower or increase quest requirements and slightly modify their content to ensure your growth remains consistent.
"But the system overall keeps an eye on you more than I do.
"Still, for dealing with such a transcendent existence, I dare say I'm pretty good."
Zhiyin lifted her head in pride and mewled, looking more adorable than arrogant.
She was more than a guide, but less than the system itself.
That alone was amazing, given the boons the system provided.
Shen Liqian nodded in understanding.
It could have been Zhiyin who limited the vassal-count requirement to two, since he had already gained a powerful first vassal.
Numbers didn't mean much against real talent.
In the cultivation world, one's cultivation base mattered far more than sheer numbers.
Shen Liqian unsheathed his sword and pulled up its description.
[Spirit Seal Sword(Spirit)—a sword that can seal the spirit of slain entities within its blade to gain their characteristics. Only cultivators with Sword Intent can draw those characteristics through the blade.]
His Sword Intent was just beginning.
It was a mere trace, not even a shadow of his First Sword.
Only when it became at least a shadow of his only Spiritual Root would Shen Liqian be able to use his Spirit Seal Sword.
For now, it was a durable weapon whose slashes could cut through the bones of beasts at the mountain's foot.
Shen Liqian sheathed his sword with a soft clink and stood up.
I will practice sword moves while Shen Yiren recuperates.
Little by little, his Sword Intent began to expand into his Spiritual Root's shadow.
———
After cultivating and focusing Qi into the medicine smeared on his face and the warm tea flowing through him, Shen Yiren recuperated in less than two hours.
The wound over his eye now looked like a striking scar that spoke to his strength and potential.
He looked like someone who would never fall again.
Shen Yiren was taller than Shen Liqian, and standing beside him, he looked like Shen Liqian's deadly spear.
That didn't mean Shen Liqian was small.
He was slightly over 5′11″ (180 cm).
"Let's head out now to pick up your mother.
"We will also stop by my friend's house.
"I want to recruit him into our ranks as well."
Shen Liqian smiled, thinking of a friend whose archery skills were at a high level, yet whose cultivation base hadn't moved forward in years.
That friend was stuck in the same place, and Shen Liqian was ready to awaken the beast.
Shen Yiren nodded.
He had already thanked Shen Liqian's parents for the medicine and tea, so he was ready to assist Shen Liqian in his progress.
Both left the mansion and headed straight across the village to Shen Liqian's friend.
Despite the tense conflict between Shen Lijian and Shen Junce, the Shen Clan went about their lives.
Most people had already cleared the snow burying their small houses that could be mistaken for huts and were now cleaning the roads.
Whenever they noticed Shen Liqian and Shen Yiren together, confusion rose in their hearts and appeared on their faces.
They still greeted them with the common gesture, pressing their right fist to their left palm and bowing slightly.
Shen Liqian and Shen Yiren reciprocated the gesture.
No words passed between them, as pointless pleasantries weren't common in the Shen Clan, and everyone preferred to finish their work before dark.
The duo stopped by a small house.
Shen Liqian knocked three times on the door.
Three knocks signaled to the family inside that a friend or relative had come by.
The door cracked open and a large eye from near the floor peeked up at Shen Liqian.
Once the person on the other side confirmed it was him, she opened the door wide and smiled brightly.
She was a little girl around six, her big eyes twinkling and her chubby cheeks flushing scarlet at Shen Liqian's visit.
"Older brother! Come in!"
"Thanks, Keke.
"Is your brother here?"
Shen Liqian walked in.
Behind him, Shen Yiren followed, entering a small house where rags lined the wooden floor to make things as comfortable as possible.
He quickly closed the door.
A single heated stone sat in the middle of the house, keeping it warm for Shen Kexin and her parents.
The little girl ran over to them and nestled herself in her mother's lap.
Her mother had a fur blanket covering her, keeping her even warmer in this harsh environment.
She must have been cultivating and had only just stopped, perhaps due to the door creaking open and her little daughter peeking outside.
Shen Liqian and Shen Yiren struck their fists against their palms and bowed to older cultivators, paying their respects.
"Greetings, Auntie, Uncle.
"I hope you are all in great health," Shen Liqian said.
"Haha! We are.
"Long time no see, Xiao Qian.
"How are your parents doing?
"If there's anything we can help with, we'll gladly offer our help."
Shen Liqian warmed to his friend's mother and offered her a bright smile.
"Thank you.
"I will keep your offer in mind.
"My parents have been through worse.
"I also believe that what can be broken also can be repaired, so I'm in good spirits.
"Thank you for asking."
The couple nodded in approval at Shen Liqian's words and strong will.
His will had always been his strong suit, as they had never seen him down despite his low cultivation talent.
Even now, he must have something in mind to help his father.
"You can't be here to see our old bones.
"Xian'er is practicing in the backyard.
"If I could ask you, please help him regain his senses.
"Since your father returned with crippled Dantian, Xian'er has been shooting arrow after arrow, his fingers bleeding…"
Hearing Auntie's plea, Shen Liqian's face grew solemn.
He nodded.
"Leave him to me."