Shen Liqian stared in a daze at his father.
He wanted to convince himself he was mistaken about what he'd seen, but he couldn't.
His father clearly revealed hints of killing intent toward his own brother!
It hurt Shen Liqian inside, as he valued family ties above everything.
He was ready to work himself to death again if it meant his mother and father could live better lives, or if it meant he could somehow heal his Dantian.
He knew his family would do the same for him.
Despite his poor cultivation, neither his mother nor his father ever scorned him.
They always showed him love, allowing Shen Liqian to act his age without the burden of his past life.
Shen Lijian noticed his son's expression and smiled, snapping him out of his daze.
"Let's head home," Shen Lijian said.
He didn't let anyone stop him.
He took his wife's hand, patted his son's shoulder, and led them home.
Other clan members scattered back to their houses, but rumors spread quickly from one door to the next.
Since Shen Lijian was crippled, Shen Junce would take over the Chief's Manor and lead the clan from now on.
No one else could match his cultivation or strength.
The same thoughts now weighed on Shen Liqian.
Had he not seen his father's killing intent, he wouldn't have thought much about the change in leadership.
But now?
He was at a loss…
If I weren't so weak, I'd be able to help Father, and he wouldn't have to shoulder everything.
Back home, the family of three headed to the Inner Family Hall.
This was a room for secret family meetings, usually reserved for the Chief and his relatives.
Shen Liqian seated himself at the long table, beside his father's seat at the head.
His mother sat across from him.
Both stared at Shen Lijian in silence.
The old man forced a smile.
"My Dantian shattered, and the pain is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.
"I'd rather give them a fast death!"
Shen Liqian and Shen Lexi turned serious.
Shen Lijian clenched his hands.
"Qian'er already noticed it.
"It was Junce who plotted against me with his accomplices in the clan.
"I went out to hunt beasts, unaware the true beasts—traitors—were at my side the whole time!
"I've failed as the Chief, a brother, a husband, and a father.
"Forgive me, Qian'er, Lexi."
Shen Lexi abruptly stood.
"What?! Junce?!"
She believed in her husband from the bottom of her heart, so she didn't doubt his words.
Her reaction was driven by the need to know the reason behind this horrible scheme.
Shen Liqian clenched his hands so hard as he heard the truth that his nails cut into his palms.
"Yes."
"I will kill him!" Shen Lexi shouted, turning around, but her husband quickly caught her wrist and, with a pleading stare, forced her to sit back in the chair.
Shen Lijian shook his head.
"You're at the Sixth Stage of Qi Attunement.
"He's at the Ninth Stage and has much more combat experience than you.
"You stand no chance.
"Let's talk about our future.
"I want you to be absolutely careful from now on.
"Even without a Dantian, I can still cultivate through Spiritual Roots and circulate Qi throughout my body."
"I can protect our family from most dangers, but I will need your help against Junce if he makes a move, Lexi."
Having no Dantian meant that Shen Lijian was now forced to cultivate without a break.
Otherwise, Qi would leak away from him.
In continuous cultivation, he would be able to harness Qi for his techniques and defeat any opponent except that traitorous bastard Junce.
He knew the traitors within the clan were aware of this.
He didn't think those enemies would be enough to bring him down, even with this disadvantage.
Shen Lijian was that confident.
"I will always stand by your side…" Shen Lexi said.
Her words didn't say it, but her eyes did: she was ready to die beside her husband.
A silence blanketed the Inner Family Hall.
I'm so useless…
I don't have any role, and I'll only be able to watch them fight alone…
Shen Liqian felt like an anchor.
It hurt so much that the seventeen years of self-resentment over his poor cultivation talent, which he had held down with optimism, suddenly broke at once.
He shivered and looked down, unable to keep a poker face.
His father called out to him.
"Qian'er."
Shen Liqian lifted his head.
"Happy birthday," Shen Lijian said with a soft smile.
"I don't have a present for you, and I returned home crippled.
"I'm such a terrible father.
"Sorry."
Shen Liqian had forgotten his own birthday because of this predicament, yet his father was worried about it.
His heart squeezed at the thought, and he put on an understanding front.
"You don't have to apologize for that, Father.
"It's thanks to you that I am who I am now.
"You've given me more than enough.
"Just wishes are enough."
Shen Lijian heart lifted with pride as he listened to his son.
"Such a mature answer."
"I'm proud to have you as my son."
"No doubt a great future awaits you!"
Shen Lexi nodded, an indescribable maternal happiness swelling in her as she watched the interaction between father and son.
No matter what dangers lurked around them, she swore to do her utmost to maintain this family.
She was now the strongest cultivator among them, so it wasn't an empty promise.
Shen Lijian reclined on the chair and closed his eyes.
"Qian'er, I need to rest, so let your mother scold me before I head to bed.
"She doesn't want to do it with you around."
Shen Liqian forced a smile and nodded.
"Yes, good night."
He stood and left the Inner Family Hall.
Outside, he stood still, frozen.
Father will speak about the details now, won't he?
I need to know.
He decided to eavesdrop on them.
"…what does he want?
"Don't tell me he never gave up?" Shen Lexi asked.
Shen Lijian sighed.
"Junce still wants you."
Shen Lexi's eyes widened. "I can't believe it! He made you fight to the death twenty years ago, and that wasn't enough to make him give up?!
"He also has three wives by now!"
"He must have used them to satisfy his desires." Shen Lijian replied.
It was normal for male cultivators with a high cultivation stage to have numerous wives, as it increased the chances of stronger offspring.
Shen Lijian was often pressed by elders to take more wives or have more children.
"I don't fear for Qian'er's life since he's your son.
"Junce's fixation on you won't let him touch him," Shen Lijian explained.
Shen Lexi replied, "That's relieving, but it doesn't fix our problem.
"Why did you go so deep into the mountains to begin with?
"You exposed yourself…"
Shen Lijian smiled.
"It's the time of year when Snow Blue‑Eyed Tigresses give birth to their cubs."
"I wanted one for Qian'er's eighteenth birthday, so maybe he could awaken a talent for Beast Taming or at least have someone strong by his side to grow in strength with.
"Alas, I failed…"
Hearing his reason, Shen Lexi's stern expression melted.
She broke into tears and buried her face in her husband's shirt.
"Silly… husband of mine…"
Outside the Inner Family Hall, Shen Liqian gritted his teeth and clenched his hands hard, tears streaking down his face.
He inhaled deeply and, in silence, left his parents alone.
Back in his room, Shen Liqian sat down on the cold floorboards.
He folded into a lotus position and formed a hand seal, drawing in the Qi around him through his Spiritual Roots.
All I can do is not be a burden.
I must cultivate!
Hours passed.
It was so dark outside that the cold seemed to move in the shadows.
The moon sometimes peeked over the mountain spires, illuminating the silent village and the hunters on watch against potential beast attacks.
It was then that Shen Liqian turned eighteen.
He had been born at this exact minute eighteen years ago!
[Clan Cultivation System has been thoroughly installed within Shen Liqian.]
After eighteen years of staying mediocre, Shen Liqian's Gift had finally awakened.
As he opened his eyes, he found a crimson spiritual cat curled up on his lap—The System's Spiritual Guide!