Chapter Fifty-Four: The Poem on the Left

In front of the Shi family’s reception hall sprawled a sizable garden, lush with a dazzling variety of flowers and rare plants. Throughout the seasons, blooms flourished ceaselessly, and the intoxicating fragrance of blossoms never faded from the air.

As Shi Yan approached, his gaze fell upon Zuo Shi, encircled by several young men amidst the garden’s vibrant colors. Among the sea of flowers, she stood tall and graceful, her long, shapely legs drawing the eye. Bathed in sunlight, her porcelain-like skin glowed with an ethereal sheen, and her exquisite face was adorned with gem-bright eyes—clear, untainted by the slightest impurity.

Though he had heard much of her beauty, seeing Zuo Shi in person still took Shi Yan’s breath away. She was a beauty to rival Mu Yudie, yet taller, her legs even more striking and elegant.

Zuo Shi, surrounded as though a star among satellites, held a small watering can, tending to the flowers with a distracted air. Her limpid eyes betrayed a hint of helplessness, as if she cared little for the special attention being lavished upon her.

Shi Yan cast only a fleeting glance her way, then turned his attention forward and made for the reception hall at the rear of the garden.

“Shi Yan!”

A young man called out. Immediately, the eyes of those clustered around Zuo Shi turned toward Shi Yan.

“What is it, brother?” Shi Yan paused, turning his head to inquire.

“Where have you been all this time? I heard you’d been back for a while, but I haven’t seen you at all,” Shi Tianxiao called, waving him over. “Come here a moment, Shi Yan. Zuo Shi has found a piece of tortoiseshell with some strange ancient script on it. You’ve always been good with old texts—come take a look for her.”

At Tianxiao’s words, Zuo Shi’s interest seemed piqued at last. From several yards away, her clear, lake-like eyes settled on Shi Yan.

“I’m busy. Grandfather is looking for me. I’ll take a look when I have time,” Shi Yan replied indifferently, declining offhand before heading straight for the reception hall.

“Uh…”

Tianxiao’s expression twisted awkwardly. After a moment’s pause, he forced a smile and explained to Zuo Shi, “Shi Yan’s got a strange temper, not much of a talker, and he’s never been interested in martial arts. He’s always off on some errand or another—I never know what he’s up to. Don’t mind him. I’ll drag him over to look at it for you later.”

A flicker of puzzlement crossed Zuo Shi’s face. She glanced at Shi Yan’s retreating back and asked, “If he’s not interested in martial arts, then how is his cultivation higher than yours?”

“What—what did you say?” Startled, Tianxiao blurted, “Zuo Shi, are you sure you’re not mistaken? In seventeen years, I’ve never seen him practice martial arts. How could he have any cultivation?”

Zuo Shi, still a bit taken aback, replied earnestly, “He’s clearly at the third level of the Innate Realm. How could he not have practiced? The ‘Divine Eye Technique’ that old man taught me lets me discern someone’s cultivation at a glance. His level isn’t higher than mine—there’s no way I’m wrong.”

“Innate Realm, third level!” exclaimed Shi Tianluo nearby, shaking his head in disbelief. “Impossible! Absolutely impossible! In seventeen years, Shi Yan has never practiced a day of martial arts. Could he have just leapt to the third level overnight? Ridiculous!”

Seeing that none of them believed her, Zuo Shi merely shook her head and walked away with her watering can.

…

“Grandfather, you wanted to see me?”

Inside the reception hall, Shi Yan bowed respectfully to Shi Jian, Han Feng, and Zuo Xu, greeting each in turn before speaking.

Shi Jian nodded and stepped forward, gripping Shi Yan’s arm and leading him before Zuo Xu. “Brother Zuo, take a good look and see what’s going on with this boy’s martial soul. Your family holds so many texts on the subject—your understanding surpasses mine by far. I couldn’t make sense of it, but I’m sure you can.”

Zuo Xu, a man in his sixties with graying temples, sat in his chair radiating no arrogance, but rather a scholarly air. He seemed less the head of a great family than a learned teacher at some academy.

Shi Jian and he were long-standing confidants, and the Shi and Zuo families were steadfast allies. Regarding matters concerning Shi Yan, Shi Jian had kept secrets even from many in his own house, but not from Zuo Xu.

Zuo Xu frowned slightly, extending his somewhat thin left hand to rest lightly on Shi Yan’s wrist. “Turn your body to stone.”

Shi Yan complied at once, his skin hardening to stone.

Suddenly, countless threads of strange energy, like fine silk, seeped into his wrist! These threads seemed almost alive, weaving their way through every corner of his body. Yet, there was no pain—only a faint tickling sensation as they passed.

The threads coursed through his meridians, penetrated his marrow, and entered his organs, making a complete circuit before finally retreating from his wrist.

Zuo Xu released him, brow furrowed deeply. After a moment’s silence, he said, “There’s nothing abnormal.”

Shi Jian was overjoyed. “So, the boy’s martial soul is back to normal? It will continue to grow as before?”

“It should be so,” Zuo Xu mused, his expression a touch odd. “Old friend, is it possible—could there be another martial soul within him?”

“What makes you say that?” Shi Jian, unable to contain his delight, burst into laughter. “Brother Zuo, you truly have a discerning eye! There is indeed another martial soul in the boy—one that heals wounds! Haha! I’d meant to tell you in a moment, but you’ve already found it out.”

A glint flashed in Zuo Xu’s eyes and his lips twitched ever so slightly. After a long pause, he nodded emphatically and exclaimed, “Congratulations, old friend!”

“Haha, the pleasure is mine as well.” Shi Jian laughed heartily. “Your granddaughter is remarkable, too—already at the second level of the Human Realm. Even that old fellow Chi Xiao has asked you to take him as a disciple. Her future achievements will surely rival that boy from the Beiming family.”

Zuo Xu shook his head with a wry, affectionate sigh. “The girl’s talent is undeniable, but she’s simply too lazy. If I don’t watch her and urge her on every day, she wouldn’t waste a moment on cultivation. If she had Beiming Ce’s persistence, her accomplishments would be even greater by now.” As he spoke, a note of pride crept into his face, clearly proud of Zuo Shi’s gifts.

“Your granddaughter’s cultivation speed is impressive. But Shi Yan here—he leapt straight to the third level of the Innate Realm! For all those years, he never trained at all. When it comes to speed, I’ve never seen the like.” Shi Jian beamed.

Zuo Xu’s eyes flashed again as he studied Shi Yan, nodding with a smile. “Dual martial souls are indeed extraordinary. Looks like the Shi family is sure to secure a victory at this martial tournament.”

“Of course,” Shi Jian said boldly. “I kept this brat under wraps for so long, just so we could give the Mo family a shock at the tournament.”

“Since Shi Yan has dual martial souls, it explains why his petrification ability jumped straight to the second stage,” Zuo Xu reflected. “From what I know, when two martial souls coexist in one body, there’s a chance of mutation when they interact. Usually, such mutations are detrimental—the souls interfere with each other and grow weaker. But in rare cases, they can nourish each other and grow together. Shi Yan is truly lucky; his souls are developing harmoniously, hence his petrification reached the second stage while still in the Innate Realm.”

“…This boy’s luck is indeed remarkable. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be getting such a surprise at his age,” Shi Jian said, his eyes twinkling.

The two old men fell into a rambling conversation about trivial matters, seeming to forget Shi Yan was still present.

“Ahem, if there’s nothing else, I’ll return to the gravity chamber for more training,” Shi Yan interjected at last.

“Yes, go on, work hard—don’t slack off!” Shi Jian admonished sternly.

“Oh, that’s right—I hear you’re well-versed in ancient texts?” Zuo Xu suddenly remembered. “Zuo Shi found a tortoiseshell with some old writing on it. She’d like to know what it means—have a look for her when you have a moment.”

“Alright.”

…