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

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Apart from attending Yan Sandao's evening class once, Zhong Yan devoted himself wholeheartedly to comprehending the "Great Void Technique".

However, this profound secret technique was not easy to learn. Unlike ordinary spells, which have a simple entry level and can be gradually improved with proficiency.

Just the hand gestures of the "Great Void Technique", if one couldn't fully grasp their true meaning, even if they formed the hand seals, they would be empty and lifeless, unable to activate the technique.

On the other hand, Jiang Ping went to the Li residence every day, accompanying Li Yangshi to deliver the wedding invitations of their eldest son, Li Shangwu, to their acquaintances' homes.

Although Li Yangshi wore a smile all day, her mood was not good, and her worries were evident on her face.

Because news of Li Henian's exploration in Mangdang had slowly spread throughout the city.

Three other cultivators from Qingyang City went with him, one returned, one was confirmed to have perished, and one had no news.

As for Li Henian, the Fang family had not given a clear response yet, but anyone with discerning eyes knew that the situation was grim.

"Sister-in-law, there's no need to worry too much. Only a few people have returned so far, and more are still looking for opportunities."

Jiang Ping held Li Yangshi's hand and continued to comfort her, "I asked my husband, and he dismissed the news in the city, saying that Li Big Brother had encountered even more dangerous situations before and managed to overcome them..."

Li Yangshi patted her hand and smiled, "Thank you, Ping'er sister. I am prepared. My husband often goes on dangerous expeditions, and each time it makes people worry, but he always returns safely."

"That's right!"

Jiang Ping smiled, playing with the remaining wedding invitations on the table, and changed the subject, "Why isn't Master Yu here?"

"Master Yu? Oh, she has no connection with my husband's family. Besides the Yang and Cheng families, she rarely interacts with the cultivators in the city. She stays at home to cultivate and doesn't come even if invited."

Jiang Ping blinked and said, "Send her an invitation. If I go to deliver it, she will definitely come. It will be more convenient to have a female immortal nearby when the residence needs help."

"Alright! Thank you, sister, for going the extra mile."

Fifteen minutes later.

Jiang Ping arrived at Yu Qingyao's house in Wuyi Lane, handed her the invitation, exchanged a few warm greetings, and left.

"Madam Zhong!"

Yu Qingyao called her back and asked directly, "Did you make a mistake with the gift you sent last time?"

This matter had been bothering her. If it was intentional on Zhong Yan's part, it was highly likely that he was finding ways to pursue her.

But after so many days, he hadn't even come to visit, which made her suspicious and want to clarify the situation.

Jiang Ping's face stiffened, and she smiled awkwardly, "Yes, it was those gifts."

Yu Qingyao could see through her expression and said seriously, "Please tell the truth, Madam Zhong."

Jiang Ping hesitated for a moment, then sighed and subtly grabbed her hand, "To be honest, I feel embarrassed to say it in front of you, Immortal Yu. It was me who took the wrong bag. I couldn't say it in front of you, but it's okay. I just got scolded by my husband. Please don't mention it to my husband, or I'll get scolded again."

That was worth more than ten spiritual stones. It definitely wouldn't be just a few words of reprimand... Yu Qingyao pursed her lips and felt a little guilty instead.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused, Madam Zhong."

"It's my fault. What does it have to do with Immortal Yu? I can't afford your apology."

"Madam Zhong, from now on, please don't call me 'Immortal Yu', just call me by my name."

"Really!"

Jiang Ping looked pleasantly surprised, then immediately looked hesitant, "I'm afraid it's not appropriate. If my husband finds out, he'll say I don't know the rules."

Yu Qingyao smiled, "It's fine, we can call each other privately."

Jiang Ping was even more delighted, "Then I'll call you Sister Qingyao, and you can call me Ping'er sister. Actually, the first time you came to the residence, I felt a special closeness to you."

...

...

Zhong Residence.

There was an extra figure in the courtyard of the tenth backyard, gracefully wielding a long sword.

It was Jiang Huan.

Jiang Ping had "driven" her from the ninth courtyard to this garden leading to the cultivation room to practice martial arts, in order to increase her chances of interacting with Zhong Yan.

After finishing a set of sword techniques, Jiang Huan wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked towards the arched gate.

At this moment, a maid ran over.

"Xiaolan, what's the matter?"

"Sister Xiaohuan, Immortal Bai is here to visit. I'm reporting to the master!"

"Oh, I'll go!"

Jiang Huan placed her long sword on the stone table and hurriedly walked towards the arched gate.

In the past, she had often reported familiar routes, but this time she was unusually nervous. She stood in front of the stone gate and took two deep breaths before cautiously calling out, "Master, Bai Xianshi is here. Do you have time to see her?"

Zhong Yan turned his head while contemplating the meaning of the spell, sighed, and stood up. "She's here."

The stone gate opened.

Jiang Huan looked directly at him for a moment, then lowered her head. Her pretty face blushed involuntarily, and her heart beat faster.

In the past, she didn't dare to do this. In front of the master, she had to bend her waist and lower her head when speaking.

Even if she caught a glimpse from afar, she could only quickly pass by, avoiding eye contact.

Upon closer inspection, his features were handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He exuded a mature and steady aura, even more attractive than she had imagined, causing her teenage heart to flutter.

However, Zhong Yan walked straight past her without even glancing at her, which made her start to wonder—everyone says I'm beautiful, but the master doesn't seem interested in looking at me. Could it be that he doesn't like my type...

If it were any other time, Zhong Yan would have noticed that she was no longer dressed in servant attire, but at the moment, he was still pondering the secret techniques in his mind.

They went all the way to the main hall of the Ninth Court.

"Master!" The maid at the door bowed.

Bai Siyuan put down his teacup and stood up to look.

"Brother Dao!"

"Brother Zhong!"

Zhong Yan looked at him and, although his aura was restrained, he could sense that it seemed stronger than before. He smiled and asked, "It seems Brother Dao has made great progress during his months of seclusion?"

Bai Siyuan showed a nostalgic expression and smiled, "The feeling of being able to freely take elixirs is truly amazing. I have reached the peak of the seventh level by chance, and I hope to break through this year!"

"Congratulations! I wish Brother Dao success in his endeavors and further progress!"

Zhong Yan couldn't help but feel envious. As fellow Four Spirit Roots, the purity of the other party's spiritual roots was probably much higher. "Hope" was just being modest; there was no doubt about it.

"Congratulations to you too, Brother!"

After sitting down again, Bai Siyuan said, "I have to say, there is a spiritual vein underground, and the conditions for cultivation in the city are much better. It's faster to refine elixirs. If it weren't for taking on the role of a subordinate mage, I would consider moving there. Short-term leasing is not cost-effective."

Zhong Yan waved his hand to dismiss the maid and said, "If there's a chance in the future, Qin Ben's messenger sent a letter yesterday. The imperial decree has arrived. After the Lantern Festival gathering, we will take office. It's a one-year term, and you can be reelected. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to."

"Oh?"

Bai Siyuan blinked and smiled, "That's good. Let's try it out first. But I estimate that there will be fierce competition next year, and there's quite a bit of profit to be made."

"At that time, Brother Dao breaking through to the eighth level, what is there to fear? As for me, it doesn't matter. If I can't do it, I'll stay at home and make talismans."

Zhong Yan found it amusing in his heart. This guy was just speaking casually. How could he bear to give up his position as a mage?

Bai Siyuan nodded, picked up his cup and took a sip of tea, with a strange smile on his face. "Brother, you didn't do anything to Miss Ruoyun, did you?"

Zhong Yan frowned and clasped his hands. "Please explain in detail, Brother."

Bai Siyuan waved his hand, and a green light flew into Zhong Yan's hand. It was a half piece of pale green jade pendant.

"Miss Ruoyun asked me to pass this on to you..."

As he spoke, he waved his hand again, and forty spirit stones appeared on the table. "Thirty pieces were given by Ruoyun, and the remaining ten were from Shuixian."

Zhong Yan raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled.

"I haven't been to Feixian Pavilion many times, but I've heard a lot of rumors. This matter is probably unprecedented. It has completely confused me..."

He explained in detail.

It turned out that after Bai Siyuan enjoyed himself, he was intercepted by Ruoyun at the entrance of Feixian Pavilion the next day and was invited to an underground stone chamber for a discussion on important matters.

In addition to asking him to help pass on the jade pendant, she also asked him to stay in the room for another night, enjoying good food and drink, and earning thirty spirit stones from Ruoyun.

When he was about to leave the next day, he was stopped by Shuixian and invited to a private room for a treat. Shuixian asked about Ruoyun's actions and gave him ten spirit stones.

Bai Siyuan smiled and said, "Although I know there is something fishy about it, I thought to myself that it has nothing to do with me. If I don't earn it, I don't earn it. This is the first time I have encountered such an easy way to earn spirit stones."

Zhong Yan furrowed his brows and looked at the jade pendant in his hand. It was an ordinary object with nothing special about it.

Bai Siyuan said, "I can see that Ruoyun is burdened with something. She must have encountered some trouble and wants to ask for your help. As for Shuixian, she probably discovered something unusual about Ruoyun and asked about her situation to have a hold on her."

Zhong Yan asked, "Did she ask you to deliver any message?"

Bai Siyuan thought for a moment and said, "She only asked me to give you the jade pendant and said some good things about you, expressing her longing. She also said that if you have the time to go to Feixian Pavilion, you must visit her. Of course, I pretended not to know."

After a pause, he said seriously, "After thinking carefully about the whole matter, it has little to do with you, Brother. It's best not to meddle in other people's affairs and ignore it."

Zhong Yan nodded. With a lack of information and clues, he couldn't figure out the specific details hidden in it for a while.

But it wasn't difficult to speculate—it was probably similar to what Bai Siyuan said. Ruoyun encountered trouble and wanted to ask for his help.

The tips and rewards from the previous three times were the important basis for Ruoyun seeking him out. She must have thought that he had a deep pocket and the ability to assist.

Regardless, Zhong Yan could confirm that his relationship with Ruoyun was only limited to three transactions. If he ignored it, there would be no entanglement.

...