Looking at the tiny child in Huang Shanglan's arms, Chen Shuangbai couldn't help but sigh at the ruthlessness of time.
This dao companion had been married for several years and were fortunate enough to have a daughter.
Although neither of them had reached the Foundation Establishment, the higher a cultivator's cultivation level, the more difficult it becomes to have offspring.
This is common knowledge in the cultivation world.
The arrival of a Foundation Establishment cultivator immediately elevated the status of this wedding banquet held at the outer sect.
There weren't many guests, mainly Lu Zhiyuan's relatives and friends within the sect. The crowd hadn't really intended to laugh at him, but now that they saw Lu Zhiyuan attracting such a young Foundation Establishment cultivator to come and congratulate him, their opinion of him improved slightly.
Chen Shuangbai in greeting. The latter waved her hand and said there was no need for such formalities. Then, Lu Zhiyuan ushered her inside and she sat down at the main table.
During the meal, Chen Shuangbai spotted several members of the Lu Lineage within the sect. One of them, a middle-aged cultivator with a lean face and a long beard, stood up cautiously and greeted Chen Shuangbai.
Chen Shuangbai smiled slightly and said, "It's been many years, but Uncle Lu's demeanor remains as elegant as ever."
It was Lu Songting.
This member of the Lu Lineage clan joined the sect, but knowing that he was not talented enough to break through to the Foundation Establishment, he stopped at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining. He worked in the Expenditure Hall for a long time and became the highest-ranking Jade Robe Steward.
He had helped Chen Shuangbai was still an outer disciple in the Qi Refining stage.
However, given the vast difference in their statuses, Lu Songting originally thought that Chen Shuangbai would mostly pretend not to recognize him, or simply nod in acknowledgment. After all, the little bit of help he had given back then was probably insignificant in the eyes of a promising Foundation Establishment cultivator.
But Chen Shuangbai's address of "Shishu" (a term of respect for a senior martial uncle) immediately bridged the gap between the two.
He suddenly looked up and saw that Chen Shuangbai's face showed no feigned politeness, only a calm and gentle smile, and his heart warmed.
A complex expression crossed Lu Songting's face, a mixture of excitement and emotion, but he did not accept the title of "Uncle-Master," saying only, "You are Foundation Establishment cultivator, so there's no need for 'Uncle-Master.' Just call me by my real name. Martial Uncle Chen, please sit down, I will personally pour you some wine."
Seeing this, Chen Shuangbai smiled slightly and said in a calm tone, "Thank you."
This is something that cannot be avoided.
In the realm of spiritual practice, those who attain enlightenment come first.
Even if Chen Shuangbai is young, he is only at the Foundation Establishment, while Lu Songting is a Qi Refining Qi Refining whose potential has been exhausted... This rule cannot be disregarded.
The guests who had initially seemed surprised now showed expressions of understanding and admiration.
The atmosphere at the banquet became even more lively and harmonious thanks to Chen Shuangbai's arrival and their interaction.
Many of those who were on good terms with Lu Zhiyuan, or who were interested in befriending Chen Shuangbai's disciples and stewards, took the opportunity to step forward, offer a toast, and strike up a conversation.
Although Chen Shuangbai disliked social engagements, today was Lu Zhiyuan's big day, so he gave him plenty of face, offering a few drinks as appropriate, with a gentle smile on his face from beginning to end.
When the banquet was halfway through, Chen Shuangbai saw that it was almost time to leave and got up to take her leave.
Perhaps due to their different status, the guests still seemed rather reserved.
Chen Shuangbai came to offer congratulations, not to disrupt someone's happy occasion.
Knowing that he was busy with many affairs, Lu Zhiyuan and his wife felt that his presence was already a great honor, so they dared not keep him any longer and thanked him profusely once again, escorting Chen Shuangbai all the way to the cave abode.
Before parting, Chen Shuangbai glanced one last time at the little girl in Huang Shanglan's arms and said:
"Senior brothers and sisters, I came in a hurry this time and didn't bring anything good, but your daughter is my niece... This Changming lock was made by someone I had made. It's not anything valuable, but its advantage is that it can nourish the body and make the child less prone to illness."
As she spoke, a small, exquisite brocade box appeared in Chen Shuangbai's hand. Upon opening it, she found a Changming lock made of white jade inside.
Lu Zhiyuan carefully took it and examined it. He saw that the Changming lock was exquisitely carved, with auspicious clouds and cranes engraved on the front. He felt a surge of warmth in his heart. "Senior brother... I am ashamed to accept it."
Chen Shuangbai smiled, then gently squeezed the child's soft little hand, her voice gentle. "It's nothing special, just a small token of my affection. I wish this child peace, joy, and healthy growth."
The couple exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with gratitude.
Huang Shanglan straightened her daughter's arms, gently shook her little hand, and said softly, " Yinyin, quickly, thank Uncle Chen!"
" Yinyin?"
Huang Shanglan smiled and said, "Yes, her nickname is Yinyin... Why don't you give her a formal name, Senior Brother?"
Chen Shuangbai was taken aback, and was about to say, "What should we do?"
But upon closer inspection, he saw that the child was exceptionally intelligent and had a glimmer of light between her brows. He knew that she would be a fine seed for cultivation in the future, and that a good name would accompany her throughout her life.
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Shuangbai slowly said:
"This child possesses a clear, bright brow, an innate spirituality, and a natural, graceful air. Our sect is a major school of water magic, so let's name him ' Xiangyuan '."
" Lu Xiangyuan..."
Lu Zhiyuan read the name aloud and found it elegant and easy to pronounce. Moreover, with the blessing of Chen Shuangbai, a Foundation Establishment, he felt an overwhelming joy and gratitude.
"Great name!"
Huang Shanglan nodded repeatedly, " Xiangyuan... Thank you so much, Senior Brother Chen! This is an excellent name. Our Yinyin is so lucky to receive such a wonderful name from you!"
Seeing that Lu Zhiyuan and his wife genuinely liked it, Chen Shuangbai smiled slightly.
After the three talked for a while, Chen Shuangbai left.
He took a step forward, and a clear, cold sword light flowed out from his side, lifting him up gracefully, transforming into a streak of blue light, and disappearing from everyone's sight in an instant.
Some praised, "Traveling with the light... Foundation Establishment... we are no match for him..."
The light traveled swiftly, passing through layers of clouds and mist, and soon returned to the Verdant Hills Stream.
Chen Shuangbai first went to the deep pool of seawater next to the thatched cottage.
He looked down and saw that the pool was bottomless, the water was clear and cold, and the bottom of the pool was visible. There were many uneven places on both sides of the pool wall, and seashells were embedded in them, slowly opening their mouths, breathing in and out Spiritual Qi, and nurturing the Shell Pearl.
There were also many local specialties brought back from the sea, such as fish, shrimp, loach, and clams, swimming among them. Chen Shuangbai felt that things from the sea were not easy to obtain, so he specially brought them back to occasionally satisfy his cravings.
My gaze swept over the fish and shrimp swimming leisurely in the clear pool, and the seashells opening and closing on the rock walls, breathing in and out Spiritual Qi. Nourished by the Spiritual Qi in the pool over the years, they were thriving.
Perhaps because the water veins of the Jade Spring Sect are pure, and the Saltwater Clam filter the fresh water into seawater, these marine creatures have adapted quite well. Some of the Silver-Scaled Fish and several Green Jade Clam shells have even shown a hint of sentience and have grown quite a bit.
Especially those few Spirit-Nurturing Clam... these are what Chen Shuangbai wants to focus on cultivating.
They were also hoping that these plants would branch out and produce more Spirit-Nurturing Pearl.