"Do you know the current address of your ex-wife and daughter?"
Lu Guanchang shook his head: "I haven't been in contact for many years, I don't know where they went."
Shen Siyuan: ...
"This makes it very difficult for me," Shen Siyuan said, somewhat exasperatedly.
"And how do you expect me to help you? Tell your daughter that your son is not your biological child, and have her sue for your inheritance?"
Lu Guanchang remained silent upon hearing this, and just then, those disgusting tumors on his face slowly dissipated, revealing a kind and benevolent expression. This took Shen Siyuan by surprise, as he couldn't understand why this was happening.
This was very different from the ghosts in the Great Wilderness.
Although both cases reflect that appearances are influenced by the heart, the Great Wilderness is filled with nature's spiritual energy. Although these ghosts do not understand the path of cultivation, they instinctively absorb nature's spiritual energy, thus maintaining their human forms.
But in the modern city, where there is no spiritual energy, how has Lu Guanchang managed to revert to his original form?
Shen Siyuan thought briefly, then came to an answer. Because of his daughter.
Appearances are shaped by the heart - could it be that thinking of his daughter restored his kind appearance? That's indeed miraculous.
"I… I want to meet my daughter one last time. There are some things that need to be made clear to her. As for whether she wants to take back what belongs to her, it's up to her," said Lu Guanchang.
"That's easy, but I don't know your daughter's address either, so I can't help."
"Just agree to help, and I'll find them myself. In my current state, it's actually much more convenient," said Lu Guanchang with a smile.
At that moment, the tumors on his face began to grow back.
"Why didn't you find them earlier?"
Lu Guanchang sighed but didn't explain.
Shen Siyuan didn't press him further, instead he said, "Alright, find them and then come to me."
"Thank you, Mr. Shen."
Lu Guanchang bowed to Shen Siyuan and then turned to leave.
Watching Lu Guanchang's departing figure, Shen Siyuan felt he was still hiding something.
But Shen Siyuan didn't think too much about it; once he finds his wife and daughter, he would capture him with the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, so there's no fear of being deceived.
Shen Siyuan applauded himself for his cleverness then headed towards the supermarket nearby.
He can't stop cultivating just because he hadn't opened the space inside the Ten Thousand Soul Banner to take out the stored Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. Shen Siyuan decided to train on his own first.
The Great Arhat Eighteen Forms consume a lot of energy, so Shen Siyuan needed to buy some high-calorie, high-protein snacks to keep at home.
After buying the items and returning home, Shen Siyuan took out the yoga mat he bought online, took off his shirt and trousers, and wore only a pair of shorts.
Shen Siyuan's physique wasn't very good; there were hints of abs during his school days, but since he started working, not only did he sit for long periods, but he also lacked regular exercise, not to mention abs, there was a hint of a belly forming.
Although Shen Siyuan had very white and smooth skin, not like other men with black and long body hair.
Shen Siyuan stood on the yoga mat, and following the descriptions in the Eighteen Forms, slowly assumed the first pose.
He twisted his body and stretched his legs in a peculiar pose.
At first, it seemed alright, but after a couple of breaths, it felt as if his whole skeleton was twisting and his muscles tearing in pain, and big beads of sweat began appearing on his forehead.
At this stage, most people would probably choose to give up, but if one did, practicing this first stage would be in vain.
So, he gritted his teeth and persisted; gradually, the sweat began to gather, threading like small streams along his body, and began soaking the yoga mat in large areas.
At this moment, a burning sensation began from the Dantian area, slowly spreading throughout his body.
At this time, all his senses seemingly amplified, his entire body aching everywhere, and the great pain was beginning to blur his consciousness.
Shen Siyuan gritted his teeth and persevered, even using the method of meditate to alleviate the pain, and this method proved to be quite effective.
But soon, Shen Siyuan was overwhelmed by a massive hunger, feeling weak all over. He quickly stopped what he was doing.
Then, enduring the soreness throughout his body, he trembled as he grabbed the water and food he had prepared earlier, and gobbled it down.
At that moment, his body felt as if it hadn't eaten for days, the hunger unbearable. His stomach rapidly churned, digesting the swallowed food, speeding up the recovery of his body.
His body quickly recovered, the soreness vanished as if everything had just been a dream.
Thus, Shen Siyuan started to train again, repeating the same process.
Without Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, it was indeed troublesome.
"Potato~, what are you doing?"
Dou Dou was lying on the ground, her little butt poked up, curiously watching Shen Siyuan.
Shen Siyuan did not answer her, as he was now unable to speak.
Seeing that Shen Siyuan wasn't responding, Dou Dou mimicked his posture, but being a ghost, this kind of exercise was utterly useless to her and she felt no pain from muscle stretching; she found it merely amusing.
Shen Siyuan gasped heavily and stopped, then picked up some food from the side and started eating again.
Dou Dou asked worriedly, "Potato~, are you sick? If you are sick, you should see a doctor."
The little one, seeing Shen Siyuan in pain, thought he was sick.
After catching his breath, Shen Siyuan finally said, "I'm not sick, I am training."
"Training? Why do you need to train? You look really uncomfortable," Dou Dou asked, puzzled.
"To become stronger," Shen Siyuan replied.
Dou Dou pondered upon his words, then suddenly widened her eyes, furrowed her brows, and grimaced, imitating a painful expression.
"What are you doing?" Shen Siyuan was amused by her funny little expression.
"I'm training to become stronger," Dou Dou said.
Shen Siyuan almost spit out the water in his mouth.
"Is that how you become stronger?"
"What else? The more discomfort, the stronger you become."
Suddenly, Shen Siyuan felt like what she said made a lot of sense.
"Why have you come back so soon?"
"It's not fun outside, Potato~, I want to watch cartoons."
Dou Dou looked around the house and sighed deeply.
"What's the matter, why do you sigh?"
"Potato~, you are so poor, there's no TV in your house," Dou Dou said.
Shen Siyuan: …
Indeed, there was no television in Shen Siyuan's small apartment, but he still let Dou Dou watch cartoons, as he had a computer.
While Dou Dou was watching cartoons, Shen Siyuan went to the bathroom to take a shower.
His entire body had been soaked in sweat several times, smelling unpleasant. He even took the yoga mat to the bathroom, rinsing it with water.
However, the result of the training was very good; his muscles seemed tighter.
When Shen Siyuan came out of the bathroom, he saw a figure fleeting in the room.
Shen Siyuan looked at Dou Dou sitting in the chair, watching cartoons, grinning foolishly.
It seemed like someone had followed the little one back home.