Sixty to Marry a Wife

"Shen Xuan, Inferior Spirit Root!"

A cold voice rang in his ears.

In his dream, Shen Xuan stood on a ten-thousand-foot cliff, stepped into thin air, and woke up with a start.

The room was dim.

Shen Xuan cast a Daoist Magic Seal to light the Night Pearl Lamp hanging on the wall.

"Time flies so fast; in the blink of an eye, over forty years have passed."

He got out of bed, listening to the rain pouring outside, as if it were drumming deep within his soul.

An old man listening to the rain in a lonely room; I am no longer young.

The joys and sorrows of the human world—he had seen through them all.

Shen Xuan gazed at the pitch-black night outside and sighed deeply.

Over forty years ago, he and six fellow students, led by Master Yan, were full of youthful spirit and vigor as they went to participate in the Qingyun Sect's entrance examination.

The result was cruel.

Among his Five Elements Spirit Root, the highest was the Water Spirit Root, with a Spiritual Energy Sensitivity of only 8 points—an out-and-out Inferior Spirit Root!

Never mind joining the sect; they wouldn't even accept him as a servant!

Had no choice, under the recommendation of Master Yan, Shen Xuan came to Qinglong Bay Market alone, living cautiously, as if walking on thin ice.

Now, at the age of sixty, his cultivation realm remained stuck at Qi Refining Level 3.

His Spirit Root Aptitude was too poor; Qi Refining Level 3 was his limit.

Fortunately, through diligent practice, he had learned to craft [Breath Concealing Talismans] and [Invisibility Talismans].

Even though they were only low-grade talismans, his Talisman Completion Rate exceeded thirty percent.

Relying on his talisman crafting skills, Shen Xuan had managed to survive with difficulty in Qinglong Bay Market.

Unlike those Rogue Cultivators who had no special skills and were crowded into the shantytown on the outskirts of the market, unable to secure their basic needs and relying on hunting Yao Beasts for a living.

Licking blood from the edge of a blade, living day to day—it was unspeakably bitter!

As an unremarkable transmigrator, Shen Xuan had tried his best.

He touched neither Eating, Drinking, Prostitution, nor Gambling; out of the twelve hours in a day, aside from eating and sleeping, he spent all his time on cultivation and Talisman Crafting.

It was difficult.

Even after grinding to such an extent, he could only afford to rent a D-grade Residence on the outskirts of the market and eat two bowls of Spirit Rice mixed with Refined Rice every day.

Occasionally, buying three taels of low-grade Yao Beast Meat was considered improving his life.

Outside, the rain poured like a waterfall, and the night wind was chilly.

Shen Xuan stared blankly at the winding, flickering azure lightning in the firmament, pondering to himself.

"Wasted sixty years of time, seen all the flowers bloom and watched the years flow by—it is time to accept my fate!"

As a transmigrator who had been a youth from a small town, he had always firmly believed that Heaven rewards diligence.

Even with an Inferior Spirit Root, he had persisted in diligent cultivation.

After all, there were many legends in the Cultivation World of those with Inferior Spirit Roots reaching the ranks of the powerful.

He had managed to cross over into this Xianxia World; his luck should have been excellent.

In his youth, he was well-read and possessed extraordinary talent, overcoming every obstacle to enter White Deer Cave Academy and become a Personal Disciple of Master Yan.

The seven Personal Disciples were all people of great fortune, blessed with Spirit Roots and the ability to perform Qi Induction.

A dream of sixty years, half a lifetime already wasted.

"An Inferior Spirit Root, after all, cannot break through the Early Qi Refining Stage!"

Despite such diligence and self-discipline, he was still limited by his Spirit Root Aptitude, seeing no hope for his Daoist path.

Shen Xuan finally came to terms with it, relaxed his entire body, and drifted back to sleep.

The next day.

The rain stopped and the sky cleared.

Carrying the finished talismans, Shen Xuan walked along the main street of the market and entered the Ding Family shop.

"Yo, Fellow Daoist Shen, you're here so early!"

Shopkeeper Ding, whom he knew well, greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Ten [Breath Concealing Talismans], ten [Invisibility Talismans]; please exchange them for four Spirit Stones for me."

Just as he finished speaking, Shopkeeper Ding asked with some surprise: "Eh, Fellow Daoist Shen, are you not exchanging for Talisman Paper and Cinnabar?"

"No, I still have some stock left there; it can last for a few more days."

"Very well, then."

Shopkeeper Ding took out four crystal-clear Spirit Stones.

Shen Xuan carefully placed it into his Storage Bag.

"Wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Shen, there is a matter I must discuss with you."

Shen Xuan followed Shopkeeper Ding into the shop's lounge.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you have lived in our Ding family's Qinglong Bay Market for over forty years, haven't you?"

"Forty-three years."

"You have never participated in the triennial corvée labor, have you?"

"I am not good at combat. For every corvée, I have paid the Substitute Labor Tax."

According to the Ding family's regulations, rogue cultivators residing in the market must fulfill corvée labor duties in addition to paying house rent.

Those unwilling to serve could substitute their service with Spirit Stones.

The tax for each corvée was six Spirit Stones.

In forty-three years, Shen Xuan had never once served in the corvée.

In reality, as a practitioner of the Cowardly Path, he had never stepped outside Qinglong Bay Market since he first arrived and attempted to farm.

"This time is different. There is an order from above; substituting with Spirit Stones is no longer permitted. Every rogue cultivator in the market whose turn it is must participate."

"Unless..."

Shen Xuan gave a wry smile.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, it's not that I want to lecture you. You are already sixty years old and still at Qi Refining Level 3; it is time to let go of your illusions."

"Twelve Spirit Stones is not an amount you cannot afford!"

"Think about it: marry a Ding family woman, and you won't have to serve the corvée. You'll earn back the cost in six years, and you get a sweet, obedient little beauty to warm your bed for free. What a bargain!"

Shen Xuan said helplessly: "Fine. Shopkeeper Ding, say no more; I agree."

"Recommend a candidate to me!"

With that, he counted out twelve Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and, suppressing the ache in his heart, handed them to Shopkeeper Ding.

After taking the Spirit Stones, Shopkeeper Ding's smile became even more radiant: "Rest assured, with our forty-plus years of friendship, I won't treat you unfairly!"

For an ordinary rogue cultivator, twelve Spirit Stones was not a small sum.

It was the equivalent of a year's rent for a dwelling on the outskirts of the market.

Given his current circumstances and net worth, the only candidates the Ding family would recommend to him were mortals.

Since Shen Xuan had decided to take a wife, he wanted to find an ideal partner—someone not only gentle and virtuous in character but also young and beautiful.

At the very least, someone who could stir his passions.

Shopkeeper Ding produced an album containing over a hundred Ding family mortal women in the prime of their youth.

Shen Xuan flipped through them one by one.

Soon, he set his sights on a delicate and charming young woman.

She stood at one meter sixty-five, with long legs, a full chest, wide hips, a slender waist, and skin as white as snow.

"You have an eye for quality!"

Shopkeeper Ding gave a thumbs up and said: "Her name is Ding Yuyao. Her great-grandfather was once a cultivator. Although she lacks spiritual roots, she comes from an official's family and is well-versed in etiquette."

"May I meet her?"

"Of course, Fellow Daoist Shen, please wait a moment."

Shopkeeper Ding hurried away.

Half an hour later, he appeared before Shen Xuan with Ding Yuyao in tow.

Shen Xuan looked her up and down; her figure and appearance were even three parts better than in the album.

"This daughter, Ding Yuyao, greets Talisman Master Shen."

Her voice was lovely—ethereal and pleasant, like a flowing clear spring.

"If I were to take you as my wife, would you be willing?"

Her delicate cheeks were flushed with red.

A low voice drifted over.

"This concubine is willing."

Shen Xuan nodded.

"I will send over the betrothal gifts."

Shen Xuan gave Ding Yuyao plenty of face, with betrothal gifts valued at six Spirit Stones.

Ten days later, Shen Xuan held a wedding banquet at his residence.

The guests consisted only of a few neighbors.

Shopkeeper Ding, acting as the representative of the Ding family, brought over Talisman Paper worth one Spirit Stone.

Deep in the night, they mimicked the mandarin ducks, the brocade quilt tossing like crimson waves.

Shen Xuan spurred his horse and brandished his whip, indulging in wanton abandon all night long.

So what if he was sixty!

As a cultivator, he was vigorous and robust, right in his prime!

Early morning.

After the tempestuous waves subsided, a weary Ding Yuyao drifted into slumber.

Shen Xuan, however, felt not a hint of drowsiness.

Before his eyes, a mysterious jade talisman appeared, ethereal and illusory, its Dao Rhyme circulating with majestic, profound momentum! Lines of archaic golden characters gradually emerged upon the mysterious jade talisman, flickering with a faint light.

[Talisman Master: Shen Xuan]

[Lifespan: 60/108]

[Cultivation Method: Divine Treasure Canghai Technique Proficient (199/200)]

[Realm: Qi Refining Level 3: 99/100]

[Spirit Root: Water 8/100]

[Spirit Root: Wood 7/100]

[Spirit Root: Fire 6/100]

[Spirit Root: Metal 5/100]

[Spirit Root: Earth 5/100]

[Breath Concealing Talisman: Proficient (199/200)]

[Invisibility Talisman: Proficient (199/200)]

[Plunderable Talent: None]

[Talent: None]

[Dao Rhyme: None]

[Cloud Rain Technique: Novice (24/100)]

[Water Shield Technique: Proficient (16/200)]

[Water Blade Technique: Proficient (18/200)]

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