Chapter 124: Little Li Ying

Shen Bingxue frowned slightly, her expression tinged with concern. "Have you noticed? It has been over a year, yet Ying'er has not changed at all."

"No changes?" Li Mu said in a low voice. "She is progressing quickly in her cultivation; that is nothing unusual."

Shen Bingxue looked slightly irritated. "You only think about cultivation, which is why you haven't noticed that she doesn't seem to have grown at all. She is just a child, and perhaps you didn't notice, but as her older brother, how could you be so oblivious? Must I be the one to point it out?"

"Hmm?"

Hearing Shen Bingxue’s words, Li Mu pondered for a moment, feeling a sense of unease. She was right. It had been over a year since they left the Yunshan Realm, and throughout this time, Li Ying’s appearance and stature had remained remarkably stagnant, nearly identical to how she was before. Back in the Yunshan Realm, Li Mu had spent over a year with her, and during that time, Li Ying had changed significantly, evolving from a dazed little girl into a well-behaved ten-year-old.

A young girl should grow into a young woman. If she ceased to grow, it could not be a good thing, especially for a child’s development.

Li Mu panicked instantly. "Pharmacist Shen, you also feel that Li Ying hasn't changed?"

Shen Bingxue nodded firmly. "I wanted to tell you sooner. I have been through this path myself and am somewhat sensitive to these matters. At her age, she should not be stagnant. Her body and appearance should have shown at least some development, but Li Ying..."

"Let me think." Li Mu paced slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. Was it the beast pill? No, they had all taken them, and while their own changes weren't drastic, there had been subtle shifts. Was it the food? That was impossible; Sun Qi and Sun Sanjiu prepared their meals regularly, just as they had in the Yunshan Realm. Back then, Li Ying had grown quite a bit, yet now, she had essentially stopped.

"It must be the cultivation technique she is practicing." Li Mu quickly arrived at this conclusion; it was the only logical explanation. Perhaps the "Wuwang Technique" she practiced was hindering her growth.

Shen Bingxue nodded in agreement. "I think so, too. My master once told me that among the various cultivation methods, many can slow the aging of the body and maintain one's appearance, but only a few special, rare techniques can do so completely. Practicing those techniques can grant eternal youth, but if practiced at a young age, the results can be detrimental rather than beneficial. I suspect the Wuwang Technique Li Ying is using is one of those."

Li Mu rubbed his forehead and said slowly, "I have heard of such things, but they are extremely rare—hard to find in the entire cultivation world. I never imagined the technique she obtained would be one of them. It was my fault for telling her to cultivate it."

"Do not say that," Shen Bingxue shook her head. "No one could have known the Wuwang Technique would be so potent. Do not blame yourself, Master Li."

Li Mu thought for a long time. "No, this is wrong. I must find a way to change it." His voice was loud, and his expression was as resolute as steel; anyone could see his unshakeable determination.

"That will be very difficult," Shen Bingxue sighed. "In my opinion, there is only one way."

"Do not say it. There must be other ways."

Shen Bingxue looked at Li Mu, her eyes filled with worry, and she fell silent. For a moment, everything was lost in thought; even the nearby Cloud River seemed to flow quietly, without a ripple.

"I want to return to the Yunshan Realm, investigate the situation, and find the cultivator who gave Li Ying that jade slip." Li Mu made his decision. He knew that although the figure in the jade slip was not the old man with the thick eyebrows, based on the circumstances at the time, the old man might know something. Furthermore, the Yunshan Realm was more developed than the Wolf Realm and had many more cultivators; perhaps someone there knew a way to reverse the effects.

Shen Bingxue hesitated, looking at Li Mu with hope. "I... should I go with you?"

Li Mu shook his head, his expression heavy. "You should not go."

"Oh!" Upon hearing this firm decision, an unmistakable look of disappointment appeared on Shen Bingxue’s face. Her expression grew cold, and she lowered her head, hiding her emotions.

Li Mu saw it all. He quickly explained, "You have not yet refined your meridians, and it would be very difficult for you to withstand the strong winds at the border. Besides, I do not know how long I will be gone. You are needed here at Lianshan to help me look after Li Ying, can you?"

"Are you not taking Ying'er with you?" Shen Bingxue asked with some doubt.

"I cannot take her; she cannot go back to the Yunshan Realm right now. Everything here is in your hands." Li Mu looked at her with utmost sincerity, his gaze locked onto her eyes, filled with expectation.

The two stared at each other for a long time, neither looking away, as if trying to read the depths of each other's hearts.

After a while, Shen Bingxue’s disappointment faded, and she nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, I will not let you down."

"Good. I will go speak with Li Ying."

Li Mu reached out his hand to touch Shen Bingxue’s, but quickly retracted it and turned to leave.

"Hmm." Shen Bingxue almost let out a cry, blushing with sudden shyness, and hurried away.

Li Mu stood outside Li Ying’s room for a long time before knocking and entering.

"Ying'er, your brother will be away for a while. During this time, please stop your cultivation, okay?"

Li Ying frowned slightly. "No. I am about to reach the late stage of the Spirit Building Phase. Is my brother afraid that I will surpass you?"

"You silly girl, it would be wonderful if you surpassed me. Why would I fear that?" Li Mu stroked her hair affectionately. "Listen to your brother. When I return, you can continue your cultivation."

"Okay. But why?" Li Ying nodded, then tilted her head.

Li Mu smiled. "I will tell you when I return. You should go play for a while and try to tame the black birds better."

"The black birds are very smart; they are easy to tame," Li Ying said, waving her hand dismissively.

"Oh. I must go now. Ying'er, be like the black birds and listen to your brother."

Li Mu hugged her and turned to leave. Behind him, he heard Li Ying’s clear, yet troubled voice: "My brother is leaving and won't let me cultivate. Is it because I have stopped growing?"

"Hmm?" Li Mu gasped internally, turning back slowly to look at his innocent younger sister. "Ying'er, how did you know?"