Chapter 34: Mid-Autumn for Three

With the aid of pills, cultivation indeed becomes much faster.

Many times, prolonged cultivation can harm oneself and have a counteractive effect.

But with enough pill assistance, one can cultivate until exhaustion with minimal impact.

Exhale, inhale, condense, gather—after advancing to the Eighth Grade, the efficacy of the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" has noticeably diminished.

The path from Eighth Grade to Seventh Grade is known as the path of perceptual connection.

The essence of advancing to Seventh Grade is keen intuition, enhanced five senses, and a significant boost in spiritual power.

This is why, after advancing to Seventh Grade, the increase in spiritual power makes martial artists less fearful of the methods of scholars.

Of course, it only gives them a fighting chance.

Scholar cultivators can make words become law, painters can make words come true, and chess players can trap hearts with a move.

These methods still pose a considerable threat to ordinary martial artists.

The "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill" mainly focuses on the essentials of body refining, and its effect on the enhancement of the five senses is no longer significant.

Shen Han also understood that to move forward, he would have to find another foundational cultivation technique for progression.

Advancing to Seventh Grade requires an upgrade in spiritual power as well, so Shen Han focused all his efforts on Misty Sword Intent and enhancing his spiritual power.

In today’s turmoil, the power of Misty Sword Intent is already apparent.

Although he has only achieved minor success, one sword stroke with a hundred phantom images already made it difficult for Yin Man to cope.

If he could fully master it and achieve a thousand shadows with one stroke, he’s unsure if he could face a Sixth Grade expert with his Eighth Grade strength.

Thinking of Sixth Grade naturally made him think of Su Jinyu.

Madam Yun had mentioned to him that Su Family’s Pride currently had the strength of Sixth Grade...

On the late autumn night, moonlight bathed the entire Shen Mansion.

Looking outside, everything under the night sky was clearly illuminated.

Unfortunately, given the current situation, he had no time to appreciate such beauty.

All his time had to be devoted to cultivation.

As the night passed and Shen Han had just gotten out of bed, Madam Yun and Cailing arrived with a box.

"Good morning, Third Madam, and Cailing, good morning to you too~"

Seeing the two arrive, Shen Han couldn’t help but feel cheerful.

"Cultivation requires diligence, but don’t overstrain yourself. Make sure to rest often."

Madam Yun noticed Shen Han’s complexion, indicating that he hadn’t rested well.

"Don’t worry, Third Madam. I practice playfully and won’t exhaust myself."

Madam Yun didn’t nag further and gestured for Cailing to bring out the gifts.

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. This year’s gifts are one neck warmer for each of you and Cailing. Try them on~"

Madam Yun urged Shen Han to put on the neck warmer.

The so-called neck warmer is similar to a scarf.

However, the material is different; neck warmers are generally cut from animal fur.

Shen Han smiled as he put on the neck warmer. It was comfortable and warm.

"This winter will be especially cold. You two must prepare to fend off the cold, as catching cold can be serious.

You too, Shen Han. Don’t think that just because you study the martial path, your body is very strong.

Many martial artists have perished due to cold."

Shen Han nodded. He wasn’t foolish, and of course, he wouldn’t let himself get cold if he could stay warm.

After putting on the neck warmer, he returned to his room in just a few steps.

Soon, he took out two pieces of inner armor and placed them in Madam Yun and Cailing’s hands.

"Did you make this, Han?"

Madam Yun’s eyes lit up, appreciating the craftsmanship which seemed quite good.

"Yes, I found a book on forging techniques in the East Market and made two pieces. Third Madam, this inner armor should fit well, and Cailing’s might need a try-on. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll modify it immediately."

Hearing this, Madam Yun couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Do you want Cailing to try the inner armor here?

Otherwise, Young Master Han might see her."

Madam Yun teased, while Cailing’s cheeks flushed red.

She shyly complained, "Madam, what are you saying? Young Master Han doesn’t mean that..."

The two chatted and joked, and Shen Han truly wished life could always be like this.

"Oh, tonight the three of us will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together.

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Old Duke will return from the border, so we’ll all attend the Mid-Autumn banquet.

So today, it’s just us three having a reunion in advance."

"Is Old Duke coming back? Doesn’t he usually return to Yun’an City at the year’s end?"

"They say that there will be conflicts at the border during this year’s end, so he came back for Mid-Autumn and won’t return for the New Year."

Madam Yun only heard rumors and wasn’t sure of the exact reason.

Shen Han frowned slightly; this time, Old Duke would surely discuss the annulment of the engagement.

Patriarch Shen, Shen Qingshan, was such an unfamiliar person.

In the Shen Family all these years, Shen Han had only seen him from afar a few times.

Saying that, he had never scolded or criticized him.

Probably because, in his eyes, he had never seen him.

If it weren’t for the Imperial Family matchmaking him with Su Jinyu, this Patriarch might not even remember that there was a young person named Shen Han in the family.

Shen Han also had an expectation in his heart, thinking that inevitably, the Patriarch intends to sacrifice him for the annulment.

In his eyes, the only grandson is probably Shen Ye.

After all, Shen Ye had long been nurtured as the future Patriarch, and the other descendants were just there.

Madam Yun saw Shen Han frown, naturally guessing what he was thinking.

"Today we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, so let’s not think about unhappy things."

"All right, I’ll listen to Third Madam."

This year’s Mid-Autumn was spent by the three of them in Shen Han’s courtyard.

Though simple, without servants coming and going, it felt peaceful instead.

Cailing opened the box containing ingredients and began cooking in the courtyard.

A pot of mixed stew looked rather casual.

This was unlike the main and second houses, where even the table setting was exquisite.

Besides the stew, Cailing also brought some flour.

It’s said that the Mid-Autumn Festival requires eating mooncakes, so since there was still time, the three of them decided to make mooncakes by hand.

Shen Han was responsible for kneading the dough, Cailing for forming the mooncakes, and Madam Yun helped wherever needed.

The three were joyfully busy. Now that Shen Han had the strength of martial path Eighth Grade, he found kneading the dough much easier.

After forming the mooncakes, they moved on to baking.

At noon, the three had a simple meal, saving their appetites for the evening.

As night approached, the familiar full moon climbed into the night sky.

On the thirteenth of August, the moon was already quite round.

The three cheerfully enjoyed the mooncakes under the moonlight, occasionally nibbling on a piece of stew.

"It would be nice if every day could be as happy as today..."

Madam Yun looked at the bright moon above, seemingly holding some melancholy in her heart.

"Marrying into the Shen Family Mansion, I didn’t expect life to be like this..."

Usually optimistic, Madam Yun was rather sentimental today.

"Third Madam..."

"It’s nothing, celebrating Mid-Autumn today, I shouldn’t speak of such sad things."