Proposing Marriage (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Days passed one after another.

Unknowingly, Shen Xuan had been crafting [Water Control Talismans] for half a year now.

His understanding of the [Water Control] talent gradually deepened, and his skill with [Water Control Talismans] steadily improved.

During this time, Zhao Chunsheng delivered Green Feather Fish twice more.

Once with three catties, once with four.

Through daily bitter cultivation and the plundering talent, Shen Xuan's [Water Control Talisman] completion rate climbed step by step.

That day, he glanced at the Mysterious Jade Talisman.

[Talent: Water Control (20/100)]

[Water Control Talisman: Beginner (58/100)]

[Dao Rhyme: 120]

With one hundred and twenty sets of talisman materials, he could produce twenty-three or twenty-four [Water Control Talismans], barely reaching a two-tenths completion rate.

"From the looks of it, when [Water Control Talisman] reaches the proficient stage, with about a three-tenths completion rate, I'll be able to advance to Mid-grade Talisman Master."

A three-tenths completion rate could ensure breaking even with a slight profit.

That was also the standard for Mid-grade Talisman Master certification.

"Not easy!"

Shen Xuan finally saw hope.

That day, as usual, Shen Xuan cultivated and crafted talismans.

He had just stepped out of the Talisman Crafting Room when he heard a knock at the door.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, I've come to see you!"

It was Shopkeeper Ding's voice.

The man who had come again wore a professional smile on his face, kind-eyed and benevolent.

"So it's Shopkeeper Ding, please come in."

Shen Xuan greeted him warmly.

"Yaoyao, Shopkeeper Ding is here, brew some tea!"

Every month, he would visit the Ding Family shop once.

Selling talismans and purchasing talisman materials.

For Shopkeeper Ding to come to him uninvited, there had to be a reason.

After entering the house, Ding Yuyao stepped forward and greeted him: "Hello, Grandpa Qingtao."

"Good, good, Yaoyao, good child!"

Seeing Ding Yuyao, Shopkeeper Ding said with a chuckle: "Yaoyao, your husband is becoming more and more accomplished. A Mid-grade Talisman Master is just around the corner!"

Ding Yuyao didn't dare to be negligent. She poured Spirit Tea for Shopkeeper Ding and said respectfully: "Grandpa Qingtao, please have some tea."

Shopkeeper Ding took the Spirit Tea, sized up Ding Yuyao a few times, and said to Shen Xuan: "Fellow Daoist Shen, Yaoyao has been married to you for almost two years now. Why hasn't she conceived yet?"

"That won't do. You two need to work hard and produce offspring to continue the bloodline."

Ding Yuyao instinctively looked at Shen Xuan, her expression somewhat dim.

When they first formed a bond and married, her husband had toiled with her day and night, several cultivations a day.

Even now, as an old married couple, when he wasn't in seclusion, her husband engaged in marital relations with her almost every day.

Under normal circumstances, she should have conceived long ago.

The reason she hadn't was simple.

Either her husband was incapable, or he didn't intend to let her bear his offspring.

Ding Yuyao didn't say it aloud, but she was very anxious inside.

Immortals and mortals were different.

She hoped to bear her husband's children, for the family to enjoy heavenly bliss together.

She would also have someone to rely on.

At that moment, Ding Yuyao finally realized.

Her husband didn't want her to conceive!

Shen Xuan smiled and said: "It's only been two years, still early, no rush."

Shopkeeper Ding shook his head repeatedly and said: "Fellow Daoist Shen, that's where you're wrong! The sooner you have offspring, the sooner you can nurture them. Otherwise, when you're older, even if the child turns out well, it's hard to enjoy their blessings."

Shen Xuan lowered his head to drink the Spirit Tea, pondering inwardly.

Could it be that Shopkeeper Ding wanted him to marry a Female Cultivator from the Ding Family?

That Ding Yuyao hadn't conceived was something he had deliberately arranged.

With the Mysterious Jade Talisman, his path ahead was bright, and he had no desire to be tied down by offspring.

Besides, Ding Yuyao was a mortal.

Her children might not even possess Spirit Roots.

Even if they did, the odds of an Inferior Spirit Root were high.

"Shopkeeper Ding, speak directly."

Shopkeeper Ding stopped beating around the bush and said with a smile, "The clan elders have discussed it—we can marry another Ding family woman to you!"

"Rest assured, times have changed. Fellow Daoist Shen is about to break through to Mid-grade Talisman Master, so your status is naturally different now."

"This time, I guarantee a Dao Companion with Spirit Root aptitude!"

When Ding Yuyao heard this, her beautiful face instantly turned pale.

If her husband took a Dao Companion, how would she, a mere mortal, get along with them in the future?

Shen Xuan did not immediately refuse.

He had no intention of marrying again.

Even if the Ding family was willing to give him a woman with Spirit Roots, it would only be an Inferior Spirit Root!

He didn't want to add another burden.

However, he had to make a living in Qinglong Bay and didn't want to offend the Ding family.

His mind was working on how to politely decline.

Seeing that her husband did not reject the offer on the spot, Ding Yuyao's heart filled with sorrow.

Over the past year and a half, she had gotten along extremely well with her husband, treating him as her sole support and emotional anchor.

She never expected that now, her husband would have a better choice.

And the one proposing the match was none other than an elder from her own family.

Cultivators and mortals were ultimately two different worlds.

"Husband, Grandpa Qingtao's suggestion makes sense. If you have a Dao Companion with Spirit Roots, the chances of your children having Spirit Roots will be much higher," Ding Yuyao said against her true feelings.

Shopkeeper Ding praised her, "Yaoyao is truly sensible!"

Then he turned to Shen Xuan and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, female cultivators with Spirit Roots from our Ding family are in high demand! I can still find you a young and pretty one now, but in a few days, that might not be the case!"

Shopkeeper Ding deliberately emphasized the words "young and pretty."

He knew Shen Xuan's preferences well.

Shen Xuan let out a light sigh. "Shopkeeper Ding, I've been quite busy lately, needing to hone my Water Control Talisman skill. Let's talk about this another time!"

Shopkeeper Ding was momentarily startled.

He hadn't expected Shen Xuan to refuse.

"Alright, when you've thought it over, come find me to discuss it."

As he saw Shen Xuan out the door, Shopkeeper Ding lowered his voice and said, "Really not in a hurry? I can genuinely find you a young, pretty female cultivator! Guaranteed to satisfy you!"

After speaking, he stared intently at Shen Xuan.

"Let's talk about it later!"

When he returned home, Shen Xuan saw Ding Yuyao's self-pitying, resentful gaze.

"Yaoyao, I..."

Ding Yuyao said softly, "Husband, no need to explain. This concubine understands. I only hope that when you take a Dao Companion in the future, you won't forget the days I've served you."

"Husband and wife are one body—there's no need for such words!"

Shen Xuan gently pulled Ding Yuyao into his arms.

He used his actions to express his affection for his wife.

Afterward, Ding Yuyao lay curled up like a kitten in Shen Xuan's broad embrace.

"Don't worry, I don't plan to take another Dao Companion."

Hearing her husband's words, Ding Yuyao couldn't help but let out an "ah."

"I want to focus on cultivation and honing my Talisman Crafting skill. As for a Dao Companion, we'll talk about it in a few years."

Shen Xuan didn't rule it out entirely.

But for these few years, there was indeed no need to seek a Dao Companion.

Although Ding Yuyao was a mortal, she was only eighteen, had cultivated the Jade Maiden True Scripture, was in the prime of her youth, beautiful as a flower, and had a graceful figure.

There was no need to marry another wife for the sake of female companionship.

If he truly wanted to indulge, as long as he was willing to spend Spirit Stones, there were plenty of little vixens at Tianxiang Pavilion to fulfill any fantasy!

"Husband, are you serious?"

"Dead serious!"

Ding Yuyao said nothing more. She wrapped her arms around Shen Xuan's neck, closed her eyes, and her face was full of smiles.

After all, she was just an eighteen-year-old girl who knew nothing of the world!

She still couldn't hide what was on her mind.

"Sleep."

"No, I want to..."

The bed boards began to creak once more.