"Alchemy is similar to what you love: cooking.
"It's also an efficient hobby of many cultivators for two reasons.
"First, it doesn't require an alchemy cultivation method.
"Secondly, it helps with Spirit Cultivation."
Zhiyin explained the basics as she crawled along the cauldron's rim with feline grace.
Both Shen Liqian and Shen Lexi were pleased to hear it.
Even Shen Liqian hadn't known that alchemy was a hobby for many cultivators, which meant he could concoct pills with his mother if he picked it up.
He hadn't had many chances to spend time with her outside of work.
It was a good hobby because alchemy was mainly carried out with Spirit, which helped many wield their spiritual prowess better.
Alchemy cauldrons often had inscriptions to aid the process, so a cultivation method wasn't needed at all.
In fact, individual cultivation methods influenced alchemy's final results, bestowing unique, cultivator-specific effects on the final products.
Of course, an alchemy cultivation method streamlines various alchemy processes and gives versatility to alchemists.
Shen Liqian clenched his hands and exclaimed, "That sounds like something I'd love to pursue!"
"I think I'm following most of the basics as well!" Shen Lexi added, her hands clenched the same way Shen Liqian's were.
Zhiyin found Shen Liqian even more adorable as he reacted along with his mother.
She laughed, hopped onto his shoulder, then climbed onto his head.
"I tried alchemy to see if it's for me.
"Alas, it's not, but I know the basics and simple recipes to put you two to the test.
"Pick this cauldron up and search for common ingredients first: bones, blood, and flesh.
"Choose anything you want."
Once Zhiyin passed down her instructions, Shen Liqian nodded and tucked the cauldron into his storage ring.
He then took his mother's hand and smiled at her.
"Enough of work for today.
"Let's spend the rest of the day together!"
Shen Lexi brightened at this offer. "Okay!"
Her eyes softened at the rare chance to keep him to herself.
While it seemed like it would be a day for the two of them, Zhiyin was naturally perched on Shen Liqian's head, making her part of it.
Shen Liqian's shoulders felt lighter with her quiet weight on his head.
Shen Lexi secretly liked this arrangement as she saw more in Zhiyin than just a friend.
These three left the Clan Chief's Manor and headed across the main plaza to the Hunter Pavilion.
On their way, clan members offered brief greetings because it was rare to see Shen Liqian laughing and smiling like a child his age.
It was surely because he was with his mother, and this was their time.
No one noticed Zhiyin, as she could hide herself well.
The Hunter Pavilion was still largely conceptual despite already having its frame.
Clan members were doing their best to build a wooden structure second in size only to the Clan Chief's Manor.
Beside it stood the warehouse, similar in size to the Hunter Pavilion.
Notified by other clan members, Shen Lijian came out of the Hunter Pavilion and reunited with his family.
"You are smiling way too much.
"What are you two up to?"
Shen Liqian laughed. "We're going to learn alchemy, and Mom is interested in pursuing it as her main cultivation path."
Shen Lexi nodded. "If all goes well, I will be able to help everyone!"
Shen Lijian tilted his head. "What's alchemy?"
Shen Lexi beamed. "Super cooking!"
Shen Lijian chuckled. "Then you will, of course, be great at it!"
Their son rolled his eyes at their exchange, while Zhiyin held back her laughter.
Shen Lijian turned to his son.
"The Hunter Pavilion has been visited so many times since Brother Taofeng's group's return.
"Everyone wants to prove themselves and be chosen by you.
"We will need your input on those matters soon.
"But first, let me show you the warehouse!"
Shen Lijian sounded excited when he spoke about the warehouse.
Could it be the recent haul of Shen Taofeng's group that made him this excited?
Inside the warehouse, Shen Liqian realized the haul wasn't the reason.
Shen Lijian gestured around the interior of the warehouse.
"I decided to take a few Frostheart Snowcup flowers here and have them cultivated inside to fill the warehouse with natural cold Qi.
"This way, we will preserve the carcasses of our hunts and have their parts in the best shape whenever needed."
Shen Liqian nodded. "That's an excellent idea!"
Since Shen Liqian had already shared the method to cultivate those flowers and had groups of his clan members nurture the old and new ones, it was easy to relocate them to the warehouse and give them a new job.
This would also ultimately accustom everyone to the cold winters.
Shen Lijian smiled.
"I can only come up with practical ideas."
A fleeting sadness flickered in his eyes as he looked at other cultivators cultivating the Frostheart Snowcup flowers, but he quickly erased it and put up a confident front.
Shen Liqian noticed it, though.
"Believe, Father.
"You will reach the peak along with us."
Shen Lijian bit his lip and nodded.
Shen Lexi quickly understood what the two were talking about and squeezed her husband's hand as she looked into his eyes.
A moment later, Shen Lijian broke that mood and smiled.
"What do you need?" he asked.
Shen Liqian didn't dwell on the sad part of their lives and went along with his father's question.
He replied, "We need bones, blood, and meat.
"Give us some from the old hunts and what we have the most of."
Shen Lijian chuckled.
"We don't have much, but I will find something for you."
Since Shen Liqian had his storage ring, he followed his father and shoved the resources one by one into his personal space.
Once everything was stacked, he thanked his father and wished him a good day.
"You two as well.
"Have a lot of fun and cook up something profound!"
Shen Lexi raised her hands, cheering. "We will!"
She then intertwined her fingers with Shen Liqian's and returned to the Clan Chief's Mansion.
Seeing them off, Shen Lijian was all smiles.
His family's happiness could truly heal his heart.
Inside the mansion, Zhiyin said, "Using the Qi leaking into your abode will guarantee success.
"Mortal pills don't require much Qi, but the Qi from the Earth Qi Vein is much purer than the surrounding Qi."
"Okay," Shen Liqian said with a nod.