The moment I opened the door, the smell of cooking greeted me, warm and inviting. The courtyard was already alive with activity and gentle sounds.
My grandfather sat at his usual spot, carving wood with patient, skilled hands that had shaped countless dolls over the years.
Mo Fan and Mo Ling were nearby, helping him by collecting the wood shavings and placing them carefully in a small basket.
Mo Ling noticed me first. Her face lit up instantly with pure, unfiltered joy.
"Big Brother Shen! You're awake!" She rushed over, her little feet pattering against the stone courtyard like rain on leaves.
Mo Fan followed more calmly, though his expression showed obvious relief. "Good morning, Big Brother Shen," he said, bowing politely as always.
I smiled faintly and nodded. "Good morning."
My grandfather looked up from his carving, his sharp eyes studying me for a long moment, taking in details that others would miss.
He smiled warmly. "Are you alright, Yuan'er?" he asked casually. "Last night's storm was fierce. I thought it might disturb your cultivation."
"But you didn't come out, so I didn't interrupt you."
I froze. …Storm?
"Ah… that? I heard it, but I was at a critical cultivation juncture, so I didn't give it much thought."
But my heart skipped a beat.
My transformation caused all of that?. So it really happened. Just like in the novels
Suddenly my breath caught in my throat. Does that mean… others like high-level cultivators nearby can sense it?
Before I could process the implications, a system message appeared.
---------------
[Host's physique and spiritual root upgrade conflicted with Heaven's established order Heavenly rejection response triggered]
[Event concealed successfully. No detectable traces remain. High-level cultivators cannot locate the Host.]
[When even the Heavens of this world refuses to identify the source, there is no need for host to worry about such low-level beings.]
[The Heaven Concealment Effect active during Newbie Package usage only... Henceforth, the Host must rely on their own means.]
----------------------
I finally relaxed, tension draining from my shoulders. The system had protected me during the most vulnerable moment, but from now on, I would have to be far more careful.
Seeing me stare blankly into space, my grandfather chuckled. "What is it, Yuan'er? Trouble during cultivation?"
I shook my head quickly. "No, Grandfather. I was just wondering what caused such a storm."
Then,
Mo Ling tugged at my sleeve with insistent little hands. "Big Brother! Did you also hear the thunder last night? It was so loud! So scary! Mo ling was so scared."
I knelt down to her level, ruffling her hair gently. "I heard it. But it's gone now, isn't it? Don't worry"
"Yeah!" she nodded enthusiastically, her fear already forgotten. "Grandpa said someone was changing their fate!"
I glanced at my grandfather, who nodded thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "Perhaps a high-level cultivator from the Sun Moon Spirit Sect made a breakthrough nearby." He waved his hand dismissively.
So he knows or at least suspects something significant happened.
"That's right," I said to Mo Ling. "Sometimes the heavens test people. But if they're strong enough, they pass."
"Are you strong, Big Brother?" For some reason, Her innocent question hung in the air like a challenge from fate itself.
I paused, then answered honestly. "I'm getting stronger."
Then grandfather said.
"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."
He paused, then added with a gentler tone, "After that, take them for a stroll outside. Let them get some air instead of staying cooped up here. Mo Ling was startled by the thunder last night, try to soothe her mind."
Mo Fan, who had been listening silently nearby, felt something warm bloom in his chest. In his heart, a vow formed with crystalline clarity.
One day… I will repay this kindness a hundredfold.
I nodded after hearing my grandfather's words. "Alright," I said. "I'll take them out." Then I paused and looked down at the two children.
"Did you have breakfast already?" I asked.
My grandfather replied before they could, waving toward the kitchen. "I gave them a couple of the steamed buns you made last time."
I raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at the kids. "Just that? If you want, I can go make some meat soup."
Mo Fan straightened his back immediately, trying to appear mature. "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 the corner of her mouth.
Seeing her brother speak, she suddenly realized what she was doing. Her cheeks flushed bright red.
And she hurriedly added, stumbling over her words, "W-we also pine with anwything!"
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. I shook my head faintly, a trace of helpless amusement passing through my eyes.
"Sit tight," I said. "I'll make something proper."
I turned and went into the kitchen. The fire was lit quickly, and a pot was placed over it with practiced ease.
I took out bones and fresh meat from my storage, rinsed them clean in cool water, and began preparing a simple but nourishing soup.
Soon, a rich aroma filled the house, warm and comforting, spreading through every corner like a gentle embrace.
Mo Ling peeked from the kitchen doorway, her small nose twitching as she tried to identify the delicious smell.
Mo Fan tried to pull her back politely, but his own eyes betrayed his anticipation as he also joined his sister and watched me cooking with fascination.
The spiritual meat I used was far superior to ordinary food. Even though I didn't add any special techniques, the natural energy within it would strengthen their bodies slightly.
If they have spiritual roots, I thought, this will help lay a foundation.
When the soup was ready, I ladled it into bowls carefully. "Breakfast is ready, go sit at the table. Go."
I moved the dishes to the table and served them.
"Eat slowly," I said as they sat down eagerly. They didn't need to be told twice.
The children ate until their bellies were round. Mo Ling leaned back in her chair, utterly satisfied, patting her stomach with both hands.
"Full?" I asked. "Yesh!!" she answered brightly, her face glowing with contentment.
Mo Fan nodded earnestly, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you, Big Brother Shen."
"Good," I 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 with excitement. "We're going out?" "Yes."
She let out a small cheer and grabbed her brother's hand, pulling him toward the spare room they had slept in.
Mo Fan stumbled slightly but followed, his lips curved into a quiet smile.
As their footsteps faded down the hall, I stood still in the courtyard, my thoughts drifting inward.
My soul… The mysterious force during the transformation hadn't only healed it, it had fused my two fragmented souls completely, strengthening them beyond normal limits.
With that fusion came spiritual sense ability, something most cultivators only dreamed of achieving.
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 I had gained it early, at only the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining. This means… My gaze sharpened with realization.
I can begin cultivating the soul technique my parents left behind. That art had always been beyond me before, my soul too damaged, too unstable to endure its demands.
But now? Now, the foundation was finally there, solid and ready.
While I was still thinking, light footsteps approached from behind.
I looked up to see 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." I nodded, pulling myself from my thoughts.
"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 countless footsteps.
Mo Ling skipped along happily, one hand held tightly by her brother. Her small feet kicked up little clouds of dust as she hummed an incoherent tune, clearly still in a good mood from the delicious breakfast.
I walked beside them at an unhurried pace, enjoying the peaceful morning and the warmth of the rising sun.
After a while, Mo Ling slowed down. She glanced at me once, then again, her little face scrunching up as if making an important decision.
Finally, without saying a word, she loosened her grip on Mo Fan's hand and reached out toward me instead, her small fingers wrapping around mine with surprising confidence.
Her hand was warm, soft, and impossibly tiny. I paused for half a breath, then continued walking as if nothing had changed.
Mo Fan noticed immediately and looked up, a trace of nervousness flickering across his young face. I met his gaze calmly and nodded slightly.
It's fine. Mo Fan relaxed, though he stayed closer to his sister than before, protective as always.
I reached into my spirit pouch and took out a few wrapped candies I had saved. Mo Ling's eyes lit up instantly, sparkling like stars.
"For me?" she asked, her voice bright with hope. "Yes." I handed one to each of them.
Mo Ling accepted hers with both hands as if it were something precious beyond measure. She didn't eat it right away, instead holding it tightly against her chest like a treasure.
Mo Fan bowed slightly, his manners impeccable despite his young age. "Thank you, Big Brother Shen."
We continued walking in comfortable silence. The village chief's office soon came into view, a modest courtyard with a low wooden fence.
Several flowerbeds lined the front, filled with blooming plants of different colours, red, yellow, purple, white. The air carried a faint fragrance, light and calming, pleasant to breathe.
The village chief was outside, watering the plants with a wooden pot, moving slowly and methodically from one bed to the next.
When he noticed us approaching, he straightened up with a slight grunt and placed the pot down carefully.
"Shen Yuan," he said with a mild smile. "You're out early." "Yes, Chief."
Mo Ling immediately let go of my hand and ran toward the flowers, drawn like a moth to flame. "Wow, so pretty!"
Mo Fan looked embarrassed at his sister's behaviour. "Sorry...."
"It's fine," I said calmly. "Watch her."
Mo Fan nodded quickly and followed after his sister, keeping a careful eye on her as she crouched to peer closely at the colourful petals.
The chief gestured toward the entrance with a weathered hand. "Come inside." We stepped into the courtyard, and the chief sat down on a low wooden bench.
He poured a cup of water from a clay pitcher and took a slow sip. "What brings you here? And who are those kids?"
I explained calmly, how I found the children hungry and afraid, their father missing since two days, and my conveyed my intention to keep them safe for now until their situation became clear.
The chief sighed softly, his expression turning sober. "Times like these…" He shook his head slowly, as if carrying a great weight.
"Don't worry. I'll ask around the village. If their father returns or if I find any news about him, I'll inform you immediately."
"Thank you, Chief." "If you need support, grain, bedding, anything at all, tell me. The village takes care of its own."
"I will, chief." Then I hesitated briefly, then asked with a curious tone, "By the way, did the sect envoy arrive today?"
He shook his head. "Not yet."
"Strange," the chief muttered, scratching his chin. "They should be here by afternoon. Always punctual, those sect people."
"I see."
The chief waved his hand dismissively. "That's all. You can go. Take care of those children."
I bowed lightly in respect and stepped out. Mo Ling was still staring at the flowers, utterly captivated and reluctant to leave their beauty.
"Come on," Mo Fan said gently, tugging at her sleeve. "We're going." She pouted but followed obediently, casting one last longing look at the colourful blooms.
Instead of returning home immediately, I turned toward the fields. Mo Fan noticed the change in direction.
"Big Brother Shen, where are we going?" "To the farm fields." Mo Ling gasped with excitement. "The big land?"
"Yes."
That alone made her smile again, her earlier disappointment forgotten completely.
The fields stretched wide and open before us, rows of soil lying dormant under the bright sun. A light breeze passed through, carrying the rich scent of earth and growing things.
Mo Ling immediately ran along the narrow path between the plots, her laughter ringing out clearly across the empty land.
"Slow down!" Mo Fan chased after her anxiously, worried she might trip and fall.
I stopped at the edge of my field and crouched down, pressing my palm flat against the cool soil. I closed my eyes, extending my newly awakened spiritual sense into the earth.
The land felt… insufficient. Jade spirit rice would grow fine here. But Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice was different, far more demanding.
It required richer spiritual nourishment, denser energy, better conditions. My thoughts moved quickly through possible solutions.
Upgrade the spirit vein? Too costly and far beyond my current resources. Set up a spirit-gathering formation? Possible, but buying materials would draw unwanted attention.
But frequent trips to the market will also attract attention from bandits and worse. My gaze sharpened with determination.
I can handle bandits now… but experience still matters. I need to be smarter about this.
So for now, we can only try the crude method… Grinding spirit stones and mixing them directly into the soil. Wasteful, terribly inefficient, but effective enough for my current needs.
I also have the speed growth card from the system. This should be enough, for one mu at least. But it was only 30 percent growth.
I exhaled slowly, making my decision. For now, focus on farming. Build the foundation properly.
"Status." The blue panel appeared before my eyes, crisp and clear.
I navigated to the Tier-1 Farmer legacy in my mind and selected the basic spells available to me.
Earth Moving Technique
Spirit Rain Technique
Sword Qi Control
"Learn." Information poured into my mind in a sudden rush, flooding my consciousness with knowledge and understanding.
Moments later, after the overwhelming sensation faded, new entries appeared on my status panel.
Spells: Earth Moving Technique (Initiation) ; Spirit Rain Technique (Initiation) ; Sword Qi Control (Initiation)
I stepped fully into the field, rolling up my sleeves. I placed both hands firmly on the ground, channelling my spiritual energy downward.
A faint yellow light emerged from my palms, growing brighter as I focused. The soil trembled in response, vibrating gently beneath my touch.
Waves rippled outward as if the land itself were breathing, coming alive under my influence. Clods of earth lifted smoothly, turned over, and settled back down in neat patterns.
Stones surfaced from deep below and rolled aside automatically, clearing the way for planting.
Mo Ling stopped running mid-step, her mouth falling open in amazement. "Big Brother Shen!" she shouted excitedly. "The ground is moving!"
Mo Fan stood frozen nearby, eyes wide with wonder and disbelief.
I focused harder, guiding the flow of energy carefully and precisely.
Rows formed neatly across the plot, evenly spaced and perfectly aligned, stretching in orderly lines. The yellow light finally faded, and I withdrew my hands.
I nodded faintly, satisfied with the progress. Next
I retrieved jade spirit rice seeds from my pouch, small and ordinary-looking but valuable nonetheless.
Now then… let's begin sowing
However, it would take far too much time to complete the seed planting this way, so I decided to use spiritual energy to plant the seeds without any physical contact
A more advanced technique that would save time and energy.
I gently guided spiritual energy through my fingers, trying to form invisible threads. At first, the energy wavered and dispersed uselessly.
The seeds fell down clumsily. Again. I tried once more, focusing on control rather than power.
Again. The energy thread formed but broke immediately. Again. Gradually, through repeated failure and adjustment, my control stabilized.
A new sensation formed, clarity and precision flowing through my movements like water finding its path.
A new message appeared. Qi manipulation learned - Initiation
I continued without pause, planting two mu of jade spirit rice methodically, one seed at a time.
Slowly getting hang of it. and the mastery also increased.
I deliberately left a section of land in the middle untouched, hidden from casual view by the surrounding jade rice. To plant Vermilion Blood Spirit Rice.
I planted those precious seeds very carefully, treating each one like a treasure because that's exactly what they were.
By the time I almost completed planting all the seeds one by one, my Qi manipulation had reached peak initiation in spell mastery through sheer repetition.
The number of spiritual energy threads I could control increased to two, which in turn increased the speed of planting dramatically.
Mo Ling watched with her mouth open in a perfect circle. "WOW! Browther, look, look! It's like magic," she whispered in awe.
Mo Fan nodded silently, his young mind struggling to comprehend what he was witnessing.
After sowing, I raised my hand toward the sky. Spiritual energy gathered above, condensing into moisture, forming artificial rain clouds.
Fine droplets began to fall evenly across the fields, soaking gently into the prepared soil. The earth absorbed them greedily, drinking deep.
My energy flow remained steady and controlled, my reserves barely dented despite the sustained technique.
After finishing the irrigation, I straightened up slowly, feeling the pleasant ache of productive work. Once again, I checked the spell column in my status panel.
[ Earth Moving Technique (Initiation) ; Spirit Rain Technique (Initiation) ; Sword Qi Control (Initiation) ; Qi manipulation (Initiation) ]
Then I checked the fields carefully once more to ensure everything was properly watered. Satisfied with my work, I turned back toward the children.
"Let's go home."
On the way back, Mo Ling talked nonstop, her questions tumbling out one after another like water from a broken dam.
"Big Brother Shen, can the ground always move?" "Can we make a doll house using that?" "Will the plants grow tomorrow?"
"Can we come again with you?" "What are those flowers called?" I answered calmly, one question at a time, never showing impatience.
Mo Fan listened quietly, walking beside us and committing every word to memory as if each answer were a precious lesson.
By the time we reached home, the sun was already climbing higher in the sky, approaching its zenith.
My mind drifted into a sea of thoughts, and I barely noticed my surroundings.
My soul has been strengthened… spiritual sense awakened early.
Now, I can start practicing that soul cultivation art.
But his thoughts were interrupted by the kids shouting.
"Big Brother Shen"