Longevity: Starting From Getting Down The Mountain And Marrying A Wife

Immortal Martial Continent.

Eastern Region, Yan Kingdom, Fire Cloud Sect.

In the living quarters of the outer disciples, Zhong Yan, sitting cross-legged on a stone bed, opened his eyes. The handsome face couldn't hide his disappointment.

All thirty Qi Condensation Pills had been refined, but the growth of his elemental power was minimal. His cultivation level remained stuck at the peak of the third layer of Qi Refining, with no progress.

"Cultivation is difficult, immortality is difficult. It seems like I don't have the fate for it..."

Zhong Yan looked down at the empty porcelain bottle, feeling a wavering in his heart. He was considering giving up on his beliefs and goals that he had held onto for so long.

He had transmigrated from Earth's Mount Tai, believing himself to be the chosen one, destined to become the protagonist of this world. At thirteen years old, full of confidence and ambition, he had joined the Fire Cloud Sect.

Even though his aptitude was detected as mediocre with mixed spiritual roots of gold, wood, fire, and earth, he didn't care in the slightest.

However, as time passed, the Goldfinger he had been yearning for day and night, despite countless calls, never appeared. He panicked and could only rely on his own efforts to strive for improvement.

Unfortunately, his aptitude was too poor, and luck was not on his side. No matter how much effort he put in, it was all in vain.

Now, after more than twenty years of continuous cultivation day and night, he was still just an entry-level Qi Refining cultivator in his thirties.

"Foundation Building seems distant, immortality is hopeless!"

Letting out a long sigh, Zhong Yan got up and left the room. Coincidentally, the disciple next door also opened his door and walked out, dressed as if he was going out.

"Senior Liu, are you leaving the mountain?"

"Yes, I just can't see any hope!"

Liu Zhengchun forced a smile and said, "I have left the sect and plan to enjoy a few years of leisure in a mortal town. Zhong Junior Brother, we'll meet again..."

With seemingly a thousand words, Liu Zhengchun took a deep look and turned to leave.

Zhong Yan was stunned, watching the middle-aged man with white temples leave, his figure weighed down by the setting sun, revealing a sense of desolation.

"We'll meet again..."

After a long time, Zhong Yan murmured, retracting his gaze, his eyes once again filled with determination.

"Just for immortality!"

"What's the difference between the mere third layer of Qi Refining and a mortal?"

Three years passed in a hurry.

Zhong Yan frequently took risks, accumulating some wealth, and spent thirty-two spiritual stones to buy an Origin Returning Pill, hoping to break through.

But it ended in failure once again.

"I clearly felt that I was at the critical point!"

He looked dejected, filled with unwillingness.

"What did I do wrong?"

Since realizing that the Goldfinger was hopeless, he didn't waste a single moment or opportunity.

For the sake of progress, he did everything he could, killing weaker fellow disciples, fighting desperately against opponents with higher cultivation levels, and even plotting against inner disciples at the late stage of Qi Refining.

He risked his life for things he shouldn't have, all for the sake of a future.

But who would have thought...

Does aptitude really represent everything?

How difficult it is for a low-level cultivator.

Zhong Yan lay on his back, his tightly clenched fists digging into his flesh, loosening and clenching again.

These days, scenes of Liu Zhengchun's departure kept appearing in his mind.

"After several years, I will be just like him."

"Is it necessary to continue?"

"Should I just accept my fate?"

"It wouldn't be bad to become a wealthy man in the mortal world."

"If I can have a child with spiritual roots, perhaps I can establish a sect of immortal cultivation... Damn it!"

"Then I should do it sooner rather than later!"

Zhong Yan suddenly stood up, reluctantly but determined, and after some thought, he went straight out to find the steward and wrote an application to leave the sect.

A few days later, everything was settled.

Zhong Yan descended the mountain, riding his horse at full speed.

"After more than twenty years of cultivating immortality, I still have to ride a horse for travel. If my former classmates and friends from my past life knew, they would probably laugh their heads off!"

After a self-deprecating smile, Zhong Yan's mood inexplicably lightened, and he urged his horse forward.

"Go!"

"Giddy up!"

"Giddy up, giddy up!"

Crossing mountains and rivers, passing through cities.

Zhong Yan was cautious, changing his route several times, unexpectedly smooth without encountering any unexpected incidents such as bandits. It took him two and a half months to reach his destination.

Azure Sun City, nestled by mountains and water, was a city of moderate size with hundreds of thousands of people. There were also many towns and villages nearby, making it a relatively stable and prosperous place in the northwest of Yan Kingdom.

Zhong Yan had been here a few times before and had a good impression of the place. He had even thought about retiring here.

Now, it seemed like his thoughts had come true.

Under the scorching August sun, the entrance of the city was bustling with pedestrians.

Zhong Yan wiped the sweat off his forehead and walked forward. After showing his identity as a cultivator at the guard post, he easily obtained the right to reside for a long time.

Cultivators of his low level were welcomed in mortal cities. They didn't cause much damage and had a certain level of combat power to defend against bandits and maintain peace.

If he were to establish a family, even if it was just a Qi Refining family, it would benefit the region and stimulate economic prosperity.

Under normal circumstances, low-level independent cultivators who settled in mortal cities would usually register as guests in the city lord's mansion.

For example, the brocade-robed man who walked out of the gate of the "Li Mansion" ahead.

"Haha~ Fellow Daoist Zhong, welcome! I apologize for not coming out to greet you earlier!"

Zhong Yan returned the greeting with a bow and smiled, "Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Li for further advancing in cultivation. Your elegance surpasses the past!"

A servant helped with the horse, and Li Henian reached out and grabbed Zhong Yan's wrist warmly.

"Please come inside quickly!"

"A few days ago, I received a letter from my talented younger brother. I thought you would arrive a few days later. Today, let's have a good drink..."

Li Henian was an independent cultivator who had known Zhong Yan since they were young. They had explored and experienced many adventures together and had a deep bond. Even when they were apart, they often exchanged letters.

Although they have not become sworn brothers, they address each other as brothers, indicating a deep relationship.

Originally, both of them had similar cultivation levels, but now Li Henian has already reached the sixth level of Qi Refining, creating a significant distance between them.

They spent the night drinking and reminiscing about the past.

The next day, Zhong Yan arrived at the mansion that Li Henian had helped him prepare in advance.

Looking at the golden characters "Zhong Mansion" on the plaque, Zhong Yan's heart suddenly settled - this would be his home from now on, and he would likely spend the rest of his life here, barring any unexpected circumstances.

After taking a stroll and entering the courtyard three times, they found more than ten rooms, with an elegant environment and all the necessary daily supplies.

This is a mansion specifically for cultivators, with stone rooms for cultivation that contain formations. The annual rental fee for five Low Grade Spirit Stones indicates that Li Henian has used his connections and relationships.

"How is it? If you don't like this arrangement, you can find someone to make changes or look for another place."

Li Henian smiled and continued, "Most of the cultivators in Azure Sun City gather in this southern area for convenient communication and support."

"I'm very satisfied. Thank you for your efforts, elder brother." Zhong Yan smiled and handed him a cloth bag.

"Don't be so polite with me!"

Li Henian didn't refuse. For low-level cultivators, five Spirit Stones may sound like a small amount, but it is not a small sum of money.

After a pause, he blinked and said, "Since you have decided to settle down, you should quickly marry several wives and have children. If they have good spiritual roots, they can be cultivated, and there may be hope for Foundation Building. Your father's status will bring honor to you! Do you have any prospects?"

Zhong Yan sighed, "Elder brother is right! I haven't had the chance to look for them yet. Do you have any suitable candidates?"

Li Henian smiled, "If my daughter wasn't still young, I would definitely arrange for her to marry you. We would be even closer!"

Zhong Yan chuckled, "Elder brother, you're trying to take advantage of me!"

Li Henian, four years older than him, looked rough and muscular, but he had already married four wives, all of them beautiful and delicate. The two sons and one daughter they had inherited the beauty of their mothers, with the boys being handsome and the girl being charming.

Li Henian laughed heartily, patted Zhong Yan's shoulder, and jokingly said, "Wait a few more years. If you like my daughter, we can arrange a marriage. We can still call each other brothers!"

After chatting for a while, Li Henian promised to help find a suitable woman and took his leave.

"You settle down first, get familiar with the place, and I'll take you to meet some fellow cultivators another day."

"Okay, elder brother, take care!"

On that day, Zhong Yan went to the "Marriage Pavilion" in the city and informed them of his criteria for a spouse, putting his plans for starting a family on the agenda.

In the following month, Zhong Yan learned in detail about various aspects of Azure Sun City and visited the city lord's mansion and many fellow cultivators with Li Henian.

The city lord, Qin Ben, was an Innate Realm Martial Artist. Although Zhong Yan didn't meet him in person, he heard that his close combat abilities were not inferior to a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator.

There were barely over a hundred permanent cultivators in Azure Sun City, with the highest cultivation level being the peak of the eighth level of Qi Refining.

On this day, Li Henian left with two girls, and the matchmaker from the "Marriage Pavilion" came in with a young girl following behind her.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong, how about this one?"

The young girl lowered her head, nervously holding her skirt. She had a delicate appearance, fair skin, and a graceful figure.

Especially her pair of watery eyes, they were very spirited.

After scanning her for a moment, Zhong Yan couldn't say she was stunningly beautiful, but she was pretty and pleasing to the eye.

Although he no longer had any hope, he still asked, "Fellow Daoist Lin, couldn't you find someone with spiritual roots?"

The matchmaker looked helpless and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhong, it's difficult to find girls with spiritual roots. They also have their own requirements when choosing a partner. Even the worst pseudo-spiritual roots around Azure Sun City are in high demand."

Zhong Yan frowned and fell silent. He knew that it would be difficult for someone like him to find a partner with spiritual roots.

But his own aptitude is poor, and the hope of producing offspring with spiritual roots through marriage with an ordinary woman is too slim.

Seeing this, the matchmaker knew there was a chance and pulled the young girl forward.

"Zhong Fellow Daoist, take a look, she has the looks and the figure! Her background is clean, without any relatives or connections. Although she doesn't have spiritual roots, she is clever, sensible, and obedient!"

Zhong Yan pursed his lips and turned his head to ask, "What is your name?"

The young girl slightly raised her head and then lowered it again, bowing and saying, "Replying to Immortal Master, I am Jiang Ping, seventeen years old. I can read, do laundry, cook, and endure hardships."

Zhong Yan nodded and looked at the matchmaker, saying, "It's her."

"Alright!"

The matchmaker smiled and congratulated them, happily accepting the payment of a spiritual stone before leaving.

With simple preparations, the wedding banquet was held five days later.

Zhong Yan sent invitations to the city lord's mansion and the Fellow Daoists he had recently met. With Li Henian's face, almost everyone attended to offer their congratulations, creating a lively atmosphere.

Late at night, the candlelight flickered.

Using his spiritual power to dispel the effects of alcohol, Zhong Yan walked to the bed and lifted the red veil.

Under the candlelight, her beautiful face was enchanting, as if covered in a layer of rosy clouds.

Jiang Ping lowered her head, her face full of shyness, her hands clutching the red wedding dress tightly, her body tense.

"Don't be afraid, Ping'er."

Zhong Yan, who was still a novice at sixty years old in total, was also a bit nervous. He comforted her with a sentence, placing his hands on his wife's shoulders and gently pushing her onto the soft bed.

"Please, husband, be gentle... Mmm~"

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito, with a whimper.

Moonlight spilled into the courtyard like water, and the candlelight inside the room flickered happily.

...

...

The faint light of dawn.

Zhong Yan opened his eyes and felt the warm and soft body in his arms. He was momentarily dazed and let out a long sigh.

"Enough."

"I'll rely on the next generation."

"If even the next generation can't be relied upon, then I'll just lie down and enjoy myself."

However, when his big hand caressed her fragrant shoulder, he froze—red glowing words appeared before his eyes.

[Skill Comprehension+2, Talisman Dao Experience+5, Cultivation Experience+20]

"???"

Zhong Yan forcefully closed and opened his eyes, then blinked several times in a row, but the words didn't disappear.

It's not an illusion!

The Goldfinger has finally arrived!

Zhong Yan was excited in his heart and almost jumped up from the bed.

...