Test-Chapter 23: The Patriarch Summons

Chapter 23: The Patriarch Summons

Half an hour later, the carriage passed through the Imperial City gates and stopped about two hundred meters away from the Lingyan Forest. Even so, many people had gathered at the same spot to observe the current situation of the Lingyan Forest.

Shen Yan lifted the curtain and saw quite a few people stopping around. There were nobles and officials, common citizens, and Rogue Cultivators.

That was just as well. Her presence here wouldn’t stand out too much.

Hong Ri asked respectfully, “Miss, would you like to go out for a look?”

Shen Yan gave a slight nod. After stepping out of the carriage, she raised her eyes to look at the outer perimeter of the Lingyan Forest. What astonished her was that the forest’s border was guarded by layer upon layer of soldiers, densely packed. It was impossible to enter openly, and even digging a tunnel underground wouldn’t work.

Soldiers from the Nine Countries were guarding it together.

Shen Yan realized something, her eyes darkening slightly. That was, the Qiutian Sect was indeed very powerful, enough to stand above the many countries.

Hong Ri stood beside Shen Yan, somewhat shocked. She exclaimed with awe, “The Qiutian Sect’s people haven’t even arrived yet, and the Nine Countries have already sent troops to guard the place. It seems the Nine Countries take this competition very seriously…”

Yin Yue said, “Of course they would. After all, everyone wants to climb onto the Qiutian Sect’s big tree.”

The gathered crowd also buzzed with discussion.

“I heard that for this competition, the talented individuals cultivated by all Nine Countries will come to participate. The competition will be very fierce!”

“Our Nangxiao Kingdom’s talents include Crown Prince Nangong Jin, the summoning family’s Shen Xue, Heir Nangong Yu, the Spirit Plant family’s Lv Shaohuai, and the Chen family’s Chen Nanqing, among others. They definitely won’t lose to those from other countries. It’s really getting more and more exciting to look forward to!”

“I wonder what the competition will be about?”

“It should be related to the Lingyan Forest, right? I heard registrations are now open…”

“…”

Listening to the surrounding chatter, Shen Yan’s brows knitted slightly.

Wanting to quietly break through this heavy guard and go to the Lingyan Forest was extremely difficult. If these soldiers didn’t have Spiritual Energy, she could definitely slip in. But reality was harsh?

Would she really have to wait until the competition held by the Qiutian Sect finished before entering?

If someone else stumbled upon the Blood-Devouring Pearl by accident, she would lose her chance to get it.

She thought of Feng Xingyao. She contacted Jiuzhuan in a concealed manner, asking him to convey her words on her behalf.

Inside the Extraordinary Ability Space.

Jiuzhuan trotted up to Feng Xingyao and said with a smile, “Honored… ahem, the Mistress wants to ask: can you take her into the Lingyan Forest quietly? She can promise you one condition; you won’t lose out.”

Feng Xingyao raised the corner of his eye slightly, his tone indifferent. “Unfortunately, I’m already a useless person. I can’t take anyone.”

Upon hearing this, Jiuzhuan looked stunned. Just as he was about to ask something, the man in red clothes shot him a look that seemed both smiling and not.

Jiuzhuan backed down and shut his mouth.

Then, crossing his arms somewhat defiantly, Jiuzhuan snorted and conveyed Feng Xingyao’s words to Shen Yan.

“Alright.” Shen Yan’s gaze lowered slightly; she already had another plan in mind.

She decided to participate in the competition held by the Qiutian Sect and use that chance to mix into the Lingyan Forest.

Having made the decision, she didn’t want to linger here any longer. She said to Hong Ri and Yin Yue, “Let’s go back.”

“Yes, miss.”

…

Outside the Shen Family estate.

After Shen Yan got off the carriage, she looked up and noticed the Shen Family was decorated with lanterns and banners. It seemed like a celebration was about to take place.

She turned her head and asked Hong Ri, “Has there been a happy event in the Shen Family recently?”

Upon hearing this, Hong Ri thought for a moment and then said to Shen Yan with a smile, “Miss, three days from now is your fifteenth birthday.”

At that moment, Yin Yue’s expression changed. She immediately, subtly pulled at Hong Ri’s sleeve with her hand. When Hong Ri looked over, Yin Yue shook her head with a grave expression.

Hong Ri was still confused. She looked at Yin Yue puzzledly. “What’s the matter?”

Yin Yue was exasperated. “…”

And Shen Yan directly pointed it out. “It’s not for me. It’s for Shen Xue.”

Her birthday and Shen Xue’s were one day apart. Shen Xue’s was one day earlier.

As soon as those words were spoken, Hong Ri’s face instantly turned pale. She knelt down fearfully, bowing her head and begging for forgiveness. “Miss, this servant didn’t mean it on purpose.”

“Get up. Don’t kneel.” Shen Yan’s tone softened. She bent down to help Hong Ri up.

Hong Ri was like a child who had done something wrong, filled with guilt and with tears welling up in her anxious eyes. She bit her lip and said, “Miss, this servant truly didn’t mean it!”

“I’m not blaming you.”

Shen Yan didn’t care about this matter. The original owner’s birthday was considered a disgrace by the Shen Family, while Shen Xue’s birthday was treated with importance by everyone in the Shen Family.

Actually, when her younger brother Shen Huai was home, the Shen Family would celebrate his birthday grandly and would also include her in the celebration.

But…

In the past fifteen years, Shen Huai had been away on training missions for at least eight of his birthdays and couldn’t return to the Shen Family. So Shen Yan’s birthday was also intentionally overlooked by the Shen Family.

And Shen Xue’s birthday banquet was held every year.

Originally, Shen Tianhao also wanted to organize a birthday banquet for the original owner. However, the Patriarch of the Shen Family and the many Elders unanimously advised against it: Don’t be extravagant and wasteful. After all, Huai’er isn’t home. Xue’er and Yan’er’s birthdays are only one day apart. Why not just hold a joint birthday banquet for the two sisters on the same day? It’s better to just set the banquet for Xue’er’s birthday. That way, it’s easier to invite guests.

Shen Tianhao also understood the implied meaning of the many elders.

Even if they held a banquet for Yan’er, probably no guests would come. They would likely make excuses and refuse to attend anyway.

Because in the eyes of most people in the Nangxiao Kingdom, Shen Yan was an unlucky person. There was also a rumor that in the case of the dragon-phoenix twins, the older sister was a calamity star, and the younger brother was a lucky star.

Back then, Shen Tianhao, believing that Shen Xue and Yan’er were as close as sisters and that Shen Xue took good care of Yan’er, agreed to the plan.

Yin Yue cautiously suggested, “Miss, the Young Master has returned now. If you want a birthday banquet, you can also mention it to him.”

“No need.”

Shen Yan wasn’t interested.

…

As soon as Shen Yan returned to the West Jade Court, after finishing lunch and intending to enter her room to practice the ‘Meteor Fire Fist’ Cultivation Techniques and Battle Skills, a servant hurriedly arrived.

“Second Young Miss, the Patriarch of Shen Family summons you.”

Shen Yan’s eyes were indifferent. She slowly turned to look at the servant and asked, “Do you know what it’s about?”

The servant’s attitude was fairly respectful. “This servant doesn’t know.”

Seeing this, Hong Ri and Yin Yue immediately became worried for Shen Yan. Their intuition told them it wouldn’t be anything good.

“Hmm.”

Shen Yan gave a light acknowledgment and then only called her maidservant Hong Ri to follow her.

Soon, Shen Yan followed the servant to the main hall in the front courtyard. An elderly man, seated high in the central seat, looked vigorous, his gaze sharp as a blade. His hands rested on a cane, giving off an aura of authority even without anger.

Shen Yan walked to the center of the main hall.

She stopped and looked up, meeting his gaze directly.

Shen Yan did not speak. The two of them were locked in this standoff. Under such an atmosphere, the serving matrons and butler standing by trembled inwardly.

The Patriarch of Shen Family suddenly spoke. “Since you’ve come, why do you not greet me?”