Town-Guarding Immortal Master

Shen Xuan slowly opened his eyes.

His sea of consciousness had gradually calmed.

His mind was incredibly clear, as if he had just reincarnated from the life of a Headless Fish.

It felt like a dream, yet it wasn't.

Shen Xuan sat cross-legged, guarding his mind, and slowly digested the Headless Fish's [Self-Healing] Talent.

On the Mysterious Jade Talisman, ancient golden characters were constantly changing.

[Talent: Self-Healing Novice (2/100)]

[Spring Return Talisman: Proficient (24/200)]

[Dao Charm: 102]

The crucial point was that his Water Spirit Root had improved again.

[Spirit Root: Water 14/100]

Shen Xuan felt a surge of joy in his heart.

This talent plunder from the Headless Fish had cost him over three hundred Spirit Stones.

Fortunately, he had the support of his Proficient-level [Water Control Talisman] skill; otherwise, he truly couldn't have afforded it.

"Sixty-four years old. Next year, I'll be able to attempt the fifth level of Qi Condensation. The future is promising!"

Over these eight months, Shen Xuan had cultivated daily with the Spirit Gathering Array, acquiring Headless Fish from Zhao Chunsheng, and simultaneously managing the production of [Spring Return Talismans]. His income and expenses were barely balanced.

Looking at the 102 points of Dao Charm, Shen Xuan didn't hesitate and used it all on the Self-Healing Talent.

[Talent: Self-Healing Proficient (3/200)]

[Spring Return Talisman: Proficient (75/200)]

"As long as I make enough [Spring Return Talismans], I can advance to the Proficient stage."

He conjured an Ice Blade and lightly made a small cut on his arm.

Then, his body automatically repaired itself. The wound healed rapidly, visibly, and became as good as new.

Looking at the Mysterious Jade Talisman again, the proficiency of his Self-Healing Talent hadn't changed at all.

"It seems I can only collect Dao Charm to increase my [Self-Healing Technique] ability."

Shen Xuan didn't want to cut himself every day and then use [Self-Healing Technique] to increase proficiency.

He wouldn't self-harm for no reason!

After working so hard for so long, he decided to rest for a while and recuperate.

Today was a day for celebration!

Evening.

Shen Xuan was exceptionally excited.

The bed creaked for a very, very long time.

Sometimes intense, sometimes gentle.

Very rhythmic.

Afterward.

Ding Yuyao lay limply in Shen Xuan's arms, her body sore.

"Husband, I want to..."

"If you have something to say, say it!"

"I want to go back to my maternal home!"

A hint of pleading flashed in Ding Yuyao's eyes.

Shen Xuan was stunned.

He and Ding Yuyao had been married for four years, and they had never left the Market Town.

Let alone returning to Ding Yuyao's maternal home.

"Where does your family live?"

Seeing that her husband hadn't outright refused, Ding Yuyao's spirits lifted.

"The Ding Family governs two prefectures and thirteen counties. My home is in Hongcheng County, Songjiang Prefecture. It's very close, only eight hundred li away!"

Shen Xuan pondered.

He was a reasonable person.

They had been married for four years, and it was perfectly understandable for Ding Yuyao to want to visit her maternal home.

In the world of cultivation, there was a distinction between immortals and mortals.

However, in Shen Xuan's subconscious, he had always believed in marital equality and treating each other with respect.

If it were in the past, he might have politely declined, worrying about the dangers of going out.

Now, with his strength greatly increased, accompanying his wife to the mortal realm under the Ding Family's jurisdiction posed almost no risk.

After all, in the mortal world, without spirit veins to supply cultivation, only low-level cultivators with no hope on the Dao Path would settle down.

As far as he knew, the highest cultivation realm among the cultivators the Ding Family sent to the mortal realm under their jurisdiction was only Qi Refining Level 3.

Even Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivators were not suited for staying in the mortal realm for long.

"Let's go in two months. When autumn arrives, I'll accompany you back home."

"My dearest husband is so kind!"

Ding Yuyao happily kissed Shen Xuan.

She had been worried that Shen Xuan would disagree.

Before her marriage, she had found out that Shen Xuan was a diligent cultivator who had never left the Market Town.

After marriage, she understood.

Her husband was a cautious person who never took risks.

It was truly rare for him to agree to accompany her back home this time.

Two months later.

Songjiang Prefecture, Hongcheng County.

In a magnificent Taoist temple nestled in the mountains behind the county town.

"Immortal Master, there has been a severe drought this summer, with no rain for two months. The County Magistrate has sent me to ask if you could perform a ritual to pray for rain as soon as possible."

Ding Yifan, the County Magistrate's Assistant of Hongcheng County, respectfully presented a gift box.

The guarding Immortal Master, seated in the main hall of the Taoist temple, accepted the gift box and opened it. Seeing that it contained only a hundred taels of gold, he let out a cold laugh.

"Why isn't the County Magistrate here himself?"

"The County Magistrate has suddenly fallen ill and is bedridden. The county office affairs have been entrusted to me to handle, so I was sent to represent him. I beg the Immortal Master to perform the ritual for rain, considering our shared bloodline with the Ding Family."

"A mere hundred taels of gold, how can it compare to the vital essence I expend when performing such a ritual!"

The Immortal Master glanced sideways at Ding Yifan.

"County Magistrate Ding, I know you are an honest man. Please relay to the County Magistrate that he should come and speak with me personally! See the guest out!"

Ding Yifan sighed deeply, left the Taoist temple, and returned dejectedly.

This person was Ding Yuyao's father.

Upon returning home.

"To ask the Immortal Master to perform a ritual for rain, why didn't the County Magistrate go himself? He's always using you as a pawn!"

Seeing her husband looking unhappy, Madam Ding couldn't help but complain.

"The County Magistrate is a clever man. He wouldn't dare to face such a rejection himself!"

"Then you shouldn't stick your neck out either! I don't believe that with the great drought in Hongcheng County, the Immortal Master will just sit by and do nothing!"

"A woman's words! The hundred thousand common folk of Hongcheng County, many of them my Ding Family kin, how can I ignore them!"

"You manage it! Can you even manage it!"

Seeing his wife angry and tearful, Ding Yifan pulled her into his arms and comforted her, "My dear, don't worry. I'll make a few more trips, and I'm sure I can get it done."

"How can I not worry? The County Magistrate and the Immortal Master clearly don't get along, yet they're putting you in the middle!"

As they were speaking.

Knock, knock!

Someone knocked on the door.

"Coming."

Ding Yifan responded and then went to open the door.

"The County Magistrate sent me to inquire, has the Immortal Master set a date for the rain-praying ritual?"

"The Immortal Master is currently unavailable and needs some time."

Upon hearing this, the messenger, Captain Li, said, "The County Magistrate said that the drought in Hongcheng County is severe and asked County Magistrate Ding to hurry."

"If blame falls from above, he won't be able to plead for you."

"Understood. Please tell the County Magistrate that I will do my best to resolve this as soon as possible."

Captain Li nodded, gave an apologetic smile, and returned to report.

Behind Ding Yifan, Madam Ding let out a soft sigh.

A higher rank can crush a lower one.

Evening.

Clerk Qian of Hongcheng County quietly entered the Ding residence.

"Lord Ding, there are indeed no Spirit Stones left in the county treasury."

"Can we find a way to borrow a few?"

"Do you think it's that easy! Even if someone is willing to lend them, what will the county treasury use to repay them!"

Clerk Qian said mournfully, "Those are Spirit Stones, not gold, silver, or grain!"

"This County Magistrate is truly something! The entire county is suffering from a severe drought, and it looks like the autumn harvest will be ruined, yet he's still arguing with an Immortal Master!"

"Isn't it said that his family background is illustrious, having produced several Immortal Masters? Can't he spare a few Spirit Stones?"

Clerk Qian felt quite indignant.

"Alright, Clerk Qian, stop gossiping behind his back. Don't let your words bring trouble upon you," Ding Yifan advised.

"Oh, right, Lord Ding, I heard your youngest daughter married an Immortal Master as well. Can you ask them to think of a solution?"

Ding Yifan shook his head.

"My daughter has been married for four years and has been staying in Qinglong Bay Market. She hasn't returned home."

"I see!"

After Clerk Qian left, Madam Ding asked doubtfully, "Husband, why did Clerk Qian suddenly ask about Yao'er?"

"He's the County Magistrate's man," Ding Yifan said calmly.

"Ah!"

Madam Ding suddenly understood and said, "Clerk Qian was sent by the County Magistrate to test you?"

"What do you think?"

Ding Yifan said coldly, "This year is the assessment year. If the County Magistrate cannot resolve the drought, his position will be in jeopardy."

"And I have been in Hongcheng County for a long time and have achieved considerable merit. Naturally, the County Magistrate is wary of me in every way."

"The higher-ups are truly something. How could they let such a treacherous scoundrel lead the county yamen!"