While Shen Fei immersed himself in the vast collection of books within the library, Elder Shen Ti observed him quietly from a distance. His expression was a blend of anxiety and concern as he patiently awaited Shen Hong's arrival.
Meanwhile, outside the Sacred Family mansion, Shen Hong made his way toward the Snow Wind Family estate with purposeful urgency. His strides were confident, his demeanor exuding authority. Before long, he arrived at the grand entrance of the Snow Wind Family's manor.
The Snow Wind Family estate was as majestic as the Sacred Family's, a testament to their status as one of Glory City's three great families, alongside the Sacred Family and the Divine Family. Sprawling across hundreds of acres, the territory was adorned with elegant manors and pavilions. Fields brimming with rare medicinal herbs stretched across the landscape, interspersed with tranquil artificial lakes and meandering creeks that formed a harmonious and breathtaking scene.
Shen Hong's arrival was met by a member of the Snow Wind Family, who bowed politely before leading him through the grand halls. The air inside the manor was serene, with the faint scent of sandalwood wafting through the corridors.
"This way, Lord Shen Hong," the elder said respectfully, his voice steady and deferential. They arrived at an opulent waiting hall, its furnishings a testament to the family's wealth and status. "Please wait here while I inform the City Lord of your arrival."
Shen Hong took a seat, sipping from a cup of tea as he waited calmly. The minutes passed in quiet contemplation until the large doors to the hall swung open.
— Creak.
A tall, purple-haired man in his thirties entered. His stern features and muscular frame exuded authority. This was Ye Zong, patriarch of the Snow Wind Family and the current City Lord of Glory City.
"Greetings, Brother Ye Zong," Shen Hong said with a polite bow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Thank you for making time for me in your busy schedule."
Ye Zong returned the gesture, cupping his hands. "Brother Shen Hong, you're the one always cultivating in seclusion. Compared to you, I'm hardly busy."
The two men exchanged pleasantries, their conversation shifting to various topics. After a few moments, Ye Zong's expression grew curious. "Brother Shen Hong, your visit seems urgent. Did something happen?"
"If you hadn't asked, I might have forgotten entirely," Shen Hong said with a self-deprecating chuckle. Then, his tone grew serious. "I've heard that Lord Ye Mo returned from his expedition a few days ago and is currently at home. I would like to request his assistance regarding a matter of great importance."
Ye Zong nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, my father returned recently. I will call for him." Summoning a guard, he instructed them to inform Ye Mo. Turning back to Shen Hong, he added, "While we wait for my father, why not share the details of the issue?"
Shen Hong sighed before speaking. "It concerns my son, Shen Fei." He began recounting the strange changes he had noticed in Shen Fei, as well as his growing suspicions.
As Shen Hong finished, Ye Zong's face darkened, a grave expression settling over him. Before he could respond, the doors to the hall were pushed open with force.
—--- Bang.
An elderly man with long white hair and a flowing beard entered. His piercing eyes seemed to hold infinite wisdom, and an aura of overwhelming power radiated from him. This was Ye Mo, father of Ye Zong, and the only Legend Rank Demon Spiritualist in Glory City.
"Greetings, Lord Ye Mo," Shen Hong said, standing respectfully.
"Greetings, Father," Ye Zong added, following suit.
Ye Mo's stern voice filled the room. "You two brats, what do you want from me now?"
Ye Zong stepped forward, explaining the situation in detail while Shen Hong stood to the side. When Ye Zong finished, Ye Mo cast a sharp, scrutinizing gaze at Shen Hong before speaking.
"You still have the courage to handle your son's situation, I see," Ye Mo remarked, his tone laced with a faint hint of approval. "If something like this happened to Ye Han, I suspect Ye Zong would try to hide it from me, fearing I might deal with it harshly. Let's go and have a look."
Ye Zong flushed with embarrassment at his father's words but was spared further discomfort when Shen Hong stepped in. "Thank you, Lord Ye Mo. Please, follow me."
With that, Shen Hong led them out of the manor. Soon, they arrived at the Sacred Family's mansion.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
"Greetings, City Lord."
"Greetings, Lord Ye Mo."
Servants and family members lined the halls, bowing respectfully as the group passed. The trio moved steadily toward the library, their presence commanding silent reverence throughout the mansion.
Soon, they reached the library. Under Shen Hong's lead, the group quietly entered, taking care not to disturb the serene atmosphere. They moved discreetly through the rows of bookshelves until they reached the section where Shen Fei was immersed in his studies.
Ye Mo, Ye Zong, Shen Hong, and Shen Ti concealed themselves behind a tall bookshelf. Utilizing their spiritual energy, they expertly masked their presence, watching Shen Fei in silence.
For nearly twenty minutes, Ye Mo observed Shen Fei with intense focus. During this time, he employed an array of advanced scanning and identification techniques, honed over his lifetime. Sometimes, he spread his spiritual energy across Shen Fei's entire body, scanning meticulously in accordance with different methodologies. At other times, he used specialized techniques for his eyes, manipulating his internal energy into intricate, mysterious patterns to analyze Shen Fei's physical and spiritual states.
After exhausting every technique at his disposal and finding nothing unusual, Ye Mo silently exited the library, the others following him without a word.
Just as they reached the library's exit, they heard Shen Fei muttering to himself.
Shen Fei yawned, stretching his arms lazily as he grumbled, "This is so boring. I'm dead tired after reading at this pace for so many days. Even though I can remember everything at a glance, it still took me nearly a week to finish the entire library."
Ye Mo paused, glancing back briefly before stepping out of the library. Without a word, the group followed Shen Hong to his study.
Inside Shen Hong's study, the tension was palpable.
"Lord Ye Mo, what's your verdict?" Shen Hong asked anxiously the moment they entered. The others leaned in, their expressions serious as they waited for the response.
Ye Mo, wasting no time, replied firmly, "There is nothing wrong with Shen Fei. No one has used any kind of evil technique to seize his body. I've verified multiple times that his soul and body are perfectly aligned. This level of harmony is impossible for someone under the influence of such methods."
Shen Hong still appeared troubled. "But, Lord Ye Mo, what about his sudden ability to read so fast? Even though he's my son, there's no denying that he was a carefree playboy with no interest in reading or cultivation until now."
Ye Mo nodded, his tone calm but authoritative. "It's not uncommon for a pampered child to change his ways. Perhaps Shen Fei has decided to turn over a new leaf. As his father, it's your duty to support him in this endeavor."
He paused before continuing, "As for his claim of remembering everything at a glance, if you're still suspicious, confront him directly. We can remain hidden and observe his reaction from the shadows."
Meanwhile, inside the library, Shen Fei let out a sigh of relief, sensing that the group had moved far enough away.
'Finally, those nosy old men are gone. What's gotten into that bastard Shen Hong? He even brought Ye Mo and Ye Zong to check on me,' Shen Fei cursed inwardly, his irritation evident. Relaxing slightly, he resumed his work, his mind racing with thoughts.
Shen Fei had recently developed a unique sensory technique inspired by combining several methods he discovered in the library. This technique, which he likened to the legendary Kagura Mind Eye, had undergone rapid evolution due to his natural talent: God Rewards Hard Work. The more he practiced it, the more it perfected and expanded itself.
Now, after extensive use, his technique—aptly named Divine Sense—had matured to an impressive level, allowing him to sense his surroundings within a radius of nearly one kilometer. It provided him with vivid visual and auditory information, making it far more advanced than conventional techniques.
Additionally, Divine Sense boasted several supplementary features, such as the ability to gauge the strength and health of others, along with various other functions that continued to emerge as it evolved.
'Quite the cliché name, I know,' Shen Fei thought with a wry smile, 'but it's fitting for something so powerful.'
As Shen Fei delved back into his studies, a determined glint shone in his eyes. The future seemed to hold endless possibilities, and he was determined to seize every one of them.
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