Word of Ding Yijin's Foundation Establishment Celebration spread throughout the surrounding area with the Ding Family fanning the flames.
At this point, no one cared about the rumors that Ding Yisi had stolen a Foundation Establishment Pill.
All anyone knew was that the Ding Family had a worthy successor and another Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator.
The Ding Family went all out with the publicity, praising Ding Yijin as exceptionally clever, virtuous and talented, respectful toward scholars and fond of the worthy, and saying he had smoothly taken over as Family Head.
Of course, amid all the praise for Ding Yijin, there was some noise.
Rumor had it that while Ding Yijin had worked hard himself, he had also received help from the entire Ding Family to achieve Foundation Establishment Success in one fell swoop.
There were also rumors that Ding Yijin's talent was mediocre, and he had established a low-grade Dao Foundation, leaving his future bleak.
Shen Xuan paid no attention to any of it.
He only needed the Ding Family to remain stable for seven or eight years.
Before the Ding Family Old Ancestor's life ran out, he would break through to the Late Qi Refining Stage and gain some ability to protect himself. Then he would find a way to leave Qinglong Bay Market with his wife.
The Immortal City in the East Sea was the most suitable place for his cultivation.
On the day of the celebration, the Ding Family Old Ancestor personally presided over the event.
The Ding Family Head welcomed the honored guests arriving to offer their congratulations at the entrance of Juxian Tower.
Those holding VIP invitations included representatives of nearby Cultivation Families, well-known cultivators at the Late Qi Refining Stage or above, and Alchemists, Artificers, and Talisman Masters of Mid-grade or higher.
The Zifeng Mountain Zhao Family, Wohu Ridge He Family, and Wanzhu Forest Tao Family had all sent Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Today, Qinglong Bay Market was far livelier than usual.
Shen Xuan brought Ding Yuyao, who had dressed up with care, to the entrance of Juxian Tower.
"Talisman Master Shen Xuan, ten High-grade Spring Return Talismans as a congratulatory gift!"
As soon as the Ding Family member in charge of receiving guests finished calling out, the Ding Family Head approached with a beaming smile.
"Talisman Master Shen, please, come right in!"
As the head of a Foundation Establishment Family, the Ding Family Head had shown Shen Xuan great respect by welcoming him personally.
"Family Head Ding, please attend to your duties. My wife and I can go in on our own," Shen Xuan said, flattered.
"Heh, this must be Yuyao! We're family, so there's no need to stand on ceremony!"
The Ding Family Head smiled and beckoned. A young Ding Family member in fine clothes, clearly of some standing, stepped forward.
"Seventh, this is Talisman Master Shen, your big brother's friend. Take him in personally, and don't neglect him!"
"Yes. Please follow Yixuan inside, Talisman Master Shen!"
Seeing how the Ding Family Head treated Shen Xuan, the cultivators nearby couldn't help but feel astonished.
He was only a cultivator in the Mid Qi Refining Stage. Even as a Mid-grade Talisman Master, he hardly warranted such high regard from the Ding Family Head!
Shen Xuan also vaguely sensed that there was more behind the Ding Family Head's smile than simple courtesy.
What could make the Ding Family Head so warmly welcoming? Could it be...
Shen Xuan followed Ding Yixuan into a VIP Room.
Sure enough, the moment he entered, he sensed a powerful, familiar presence.
Without a second thought, Shen Xuan blurted, "County Princess, what are you doing here?"
Seated at the Head Seat in the room, dressed in white as pure as snow, her lovely face radiating authority, was none other than Qin Yuehan, the newly appointed Foundation Establishment Elder of Qingyun Sect.
Shen Xuan soon realized he had lost his composure.
Besides Qin Yuehan, the room held the Ding Family Old Ancestor, Ding Yijin, and three Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivators he didn't recognize.
"Talisman Master Shen, come take a seat. Fairy Qin came all this way, and you're arriving so late? You deserve a penalty!"
Ding Yijin came over with a genial smile to smooth things over.
"Seventh Brother, take Sister Yuyao to where the women of the Yun Family are."
"Yes."
Seeing her husband give a slight nod, Ding Yuyao obediently followed Ding Yixuan out.
"Wait!"
Qin Yuehan rose from her seat and walked over to Ding Yuyao.
She looked Ding Yuyao over a few times, then nodded.
"Sister-in-law, I'm Shen Xuan's old classmate. Hasn't he ever mentioned me to you?"
"When our teacher passed away, my husband mentioned you once. He said he had studied in the secular world and had six close classmates. But he didn't tell me their names or what they were like."
"My name is Qin Yuehan, and I'm an elder of Qingyun Sect. Since this is our first meeting, I'll give you this bracelet as a gift."
Qin Yuehan took the Purple Jade Bracelet off her wrist and pressed it into Ding Yuyao's hand.
"Fairy Qin, this is much too valuable!"
The bracelet worn by a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator had to be worth a fortune.
Shen Xuan instinctively tried to refuse.
"This bracelet is called the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet. It holds nine of my Sword Intents, and can be activated once you've cultivated True Qi."
Under Ding Yuyao's lovely, expectant gaze, Shen Xuan gave a slight nod to indicate that she should accept it.
"Thank you for bestowing this treasure, Fairy Qin. May good fortune be with you!"
Ding Yuyao happily accepted the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet and bowed in a formal salute.
She had no idea how valuable the bracelet was.
It was a woman's nature to love beautiful jewelry, clear and translucent as crystal.
After Ding Yuyao left,
Ding Yijin introduced the guests seated at the table to Shen Xuan one by one.
Zhao Tianxing of Zifeng Mountain, He Zhongchang of Wohu Ridge, and Tao Xingde of Wanzhu Forest.
They were all Family Heads of Cultivation Families and Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivators.
Shen Xuan respectfully cupped his fists in greeting.
The status of a Foundation Establishment cultivator stood as far above that of a Qi Refining cultivator as heaven above the abyss.
Shen Xuan had been able to take a seat among them only because of Qin Yuehan.
Everyone present knew this perfectly well.
They all returned to their seats.
Spirit Wine and delicacies were brought out one after another.
As he sampled the Spirit Wine, Shen Xuan observed the others in silence.
He noticed that Qin Yuehan had tasted only a little Spirit Fruit and hadn't touched any of the dishes on the table.
Her composure was steady, her authority evident without a hint of anger.
She already had the bearing of a person in power.
The five Foundation Establishment cultivators present all treated her with respect.
Members of a sect naturally held higher status than members of Cultivation Families.
Shen Xuan felt the gap in status keenly.
After all, he was a Rogue Cultivator, lower even than those from Cultivation Families.
At the banquet, Qin Yuehan remained aloof and distant, never taking the initiative to greet anyone.
Only the five Foundation Establishment cultivators present dared to raise their cups and toast her.
After sitting for the time it took an incense stick to burn, Qin Yuehan took her leave of the Ding Family Old Ancestor.
"Shen Xuan, see me out!"
Outside Qinglong Bay Market.
Shen Xuan followed Qin Yuehan along the road, saying nothing.
Their figures crossed and brushed against each other from time to time.
Beneath a Millennium Ancient Tree, Qin Yuehan came to a stop.
"Shen Xuan, has your Spiritual Root improved?"
Shen Xuan's heart jolted.
Clearly, Qin Yuehan had seen through his Cultivation Realm.
His Breath Concealment Technique, at Minor Mastery, couldn't fool the Spiritual Sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
After thinking it over, Shen Xuan answered honestly.
"I obtained a Secret Art that can improve Spirit Root Aptitude."
"Can it raise it to Mid-grade?"
"It should be able to."
"Good."
Qin Yuehan gazed at the white clouds in the distance, as if murmuring to herself.
"To achieve Foundation Establishment, you need at least a Mid-grade Spirit Root."
She turned around and smiled at Shen Xuan.
"It's been two years, and your Cultivation Realm has improved quite a bit."
"I have Fairy Qin to thank for that. The Ding Family has taken good care of me."
Qin Yuehan slowly moved closer to Shen Xuan, and a faint, delicate fragrance drifted toward him.
Her beautiful eyes settled on Shen Xuan's face, a trace of puzzlement flickering through them.
After a long pause, she finally spoke. "Your wife is wonderful. Keep the Purple Jade Sword Heart Bracelet I gave her safe. At a critical moment, it could save your lives."
Shen Xuan said pensively, "Fairy Qin, I'm not the seventeen-year-old boy you imagine. I'm sixty-seven this year."
"I know."
Qin Yuehan said softly, "One dream, fifty years! Only today did I learn who I am!"
"Shen Xuan, your aptitude is ordinary, but your Dao Heart is firm. If you can raise your Spirit Root to Mid-grade, you may still have a chance to achieve Foundation Establishment."
Despite her words, Qin Yuehan still felt a pang of regret.
After all, Shen Xuan was too old.
If he had obtained a Secret Art to improve his aptitude sooner and joined a sect, perhaps he could have stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
Now, one wrong step had led to another, until every step was wrong.
"Thank you for your kind words, Fairy Qin."
Shen Xuan smiled.
Qin Yuehan meant well, and all he could do was accept her kindness.
"I'm leaving. Keep in touch, and write to me if anything comes up."
Qin Yuehan summoned her Cloud Cloth and flew away on it.
Leaving Shen Xuan alone, he paced back toward the Market beneath the setting sun.
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