Chapter Six: Ruoxi, Ruoxi

Shen Lian was not a man who thrived on hardship, yet this kind of weighted training, under his acute perception, allowed him to distinctly sense the exhilaration of his muscles and the extraction of his physical strength. That feeling of gradually nearing his own limit was as vivid as when he used to play online games and gain experience points—a thrill that was unmistakable.

Even the smallest gain in experience was enough for him to clearly see his own progress and recognize his shortcomings.

Many people fail to persist in their training simply because they lack a clear goal, an understanding of their own state, and the motivation to continue.

Shen Lian was more fortunate than most, as he could feel the reward in every drop of sweat that fell, and the satisfaction and joy in his heart could offset the fatigue brought by exercise.

At the same time, due to the scarcity of resources at Azure Mist Temple, he could not train to his utmost or seek out his limits. His constitution was still lacking, and if he pushed himself too far without the supplements of medicinal teas to restore his essence and energy, the effort would have been in vain.

Feeling the medicinal power within him dissipate and gradually absorbed by his circulating blood and energy, Shen Lian relished the slight tingling and itchiness in his body, losing himself in the sensation.

He waited until his qi and blood settled before stepping into the wooden tub filled with water that had already been prepared, washing away the grime from his body.

This was one of the benefits of returning to the Shen family; at Azure Mist Temple, he would have had to do all this himself and waste precious time.

As he soaked in the bath, Shen Lian felt utterly content, slowly entering a state of tranquility.

Even the most basic mind-calming techniques from the “True Explanation of Supreme Purity’s Spirit Treasure: The Mind-Natural Lock” had opened a new world for him. The deity born of nothingness during his visualization was beyond words; though his spiritual soul had not grown stronger, his once-scattered thoughts were subdued, and he could sense a soul-deep fulfillment and purity.

Such peace of mind, arising from the soul, surpassed any material pleasure.

As the Analects say, “Yan Hui lived in a humble alley, content with a single meal and a gourd of water. Others could not endure such hardship, yet Hui never changed his joy.” Perhaps the state Yan Hui achieved was much like Shen Lian’s at this moment.

Still, compared to the sage known as the “Second Sage,” Shen Lian could not maintain this soul-deep tranquility in every moment of daily life.

Throughout history, those who reached the heights of scholarship often attained a similar state, which is why they could remain undisturbed by the outside world and accomplish great things.

Suddenly, an irritating knocking sounded from outside—short, rapid, but lacking in strength.

It was enough to pull Shen Lian out of his meditative state.

If it were the maid, she should not have come at this time, for he had already sent her away. It must be someone else from the Shen household.

A trace of displeasure arose in his heart. No wonder cultivators always sought seclusion in the mountains; if such interruptions happened often, anyone would be driven mad. Still, despite his annoyance, Shen Lian called out, “Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

It was a woman’s voice, faintly familiar. Shen Lian pondered for a moment and realized it was his cousin, Shen Ruoxi.

“Wait a moment, I’ll be right out.”

Though he said “wait a moment,” Shen Lian took his time, needing to dry himself and put on clothes.

During this, Shen Ruoxi knocked and urged him several more times, but Shen Lian remained unhurried.

This was a man’s room—no matter how close their blood, Shen Ruoxi would not barge in. Still, as her patience wore thin and she was about to kick the door down, it finally opened quietly.

Fresh from his bath, encountering a charming and lively young lady would be a delight anywhere. Yet being glared at so fiercely by a beautiful girl at the prime of her youth—it was a matter of perspective whether this was pleasure or pain.

Shen Ruoxi was of similar age to this body, but in terms of mental age, Shen Lian could easily have been called an uncle. Besides, girls of her age could hardly be expected to have mature minds; their worldview still differed greatly from that of adults.

Her sudden visit did not particularly surprise Shen Lian. He simply asked, “Well, what do you want with me?”

He showed no sign of intimacy—he had never been particularly close to the Shen family, and as a child, he wasn’t a childhood companion of Shen Ruoxi. Any sudden warmth would be out of character.

Shen Ruoxi was taken aback by his bluntness, especially the calm, almost adult tone, which made her feel immediately diminished.

Her earlier fierce knocking now seemed childish and unreasonable.

She gave a huff, refusing to back down. “What were you doing in your room just now? Up to something shady, were you?”

Shen Lian replied with complete composure, “Didn’t you see my hair is still wet? Honestly, I was just taking a bath. If you’d kicked the door open, you’d have been the one at a disadvantage.”

Only then did Shen Ruoxi take a good look at him and realize he truly looked fresh from the bath, with a faint scent of soap lingering about him.

In truth, she appeared older than Shen Lian because she had grown up in a wealthy family, never lacking food or clothing, and had developed well. Shen Lian, on the other hand, had delayed his physical development through spiritual cultivation, making him seem younger.

He closely resembled his late mother; though his body had yet to fully mature, his features were already refined. After training and a fresh bath, much of his former sickly air had dissipated.

What set him apart most were his eyes—a stroke of genius on a delicate face, as if ink-black was dabbed there. Looking into his gaze, Shen Ruoxi felt as if she were staring at stars on a cold night.

Their eyes met. Shen Lian felt no embarrassment or need to avert his gaze; his eyes were clear as water.

The eyes are the windows to the soul. With his powerful spirit, if he focused his gaze and grew angry, not only Shen Ruoxi but even a grown man would be cowed into retreat.

Of course, he would never do such a thing to Shen Ruoxi. Even so, she was momentarily transfixed before snapping back to herself, exclaiming, “Why are you staring at me? I’m warning you, don’t get any ideas. I’ll never marry you!”

With that, her cheeks flushed, and she turned and ran.

Her heart pounded like a frightened deer. She had come to put Shen Lian in his place and remind him he was reaching too high, yet somehow blurted out her true feelings.

After a few steps, she caught herself and turned back. “I’m warning you, don’t try anything funny.”

She glanced at his figure, raised her dainty fist, and said, “Or you’ll be sorry.”

This was hardly a romantic moment of “leaving in bashful haste, looking back shyly at the door, only to sniff the green plums.” Shen Lian found it quite amusing.

He suspected there was no smoke without fire—perhaps the Shen family intended for him to marry Shen Ruoxi and continue the family line.

Many thanks for the generous support from Lazyworm19 (2088), Qingqing710, September (588), Tianmadi (588), Weidingbai (588), Moonlight (588), as well as virus_w, Puddingtobo, Sugar in Tea Leaves, Reader140713222704190, Emptiness Reading Longing, Zhang Hongdao, Murmuring, hyn941209, Quark in the Atom, Sword Resounding the Nine Skies, and Starlight Prism.