Chapter 5

Qinglin Town is a remote town in the State of Chu, where the religious beliefs are dominated by the Tai Xu Dao Sect. The Tai Xu Dao Temple next to the town takes on all sorts of responsibilities, including medical treatment, land worship, divination of good and bad omens, and the selection of auspicious and inauspicious days. After all, the local land god is also enfeoffed by the Tai Xu Dao Sect, and even the temple of the land god is located within the Dao Temple, making it one of the exclusive deities worshipped by the town's Tai Xu Dao Temple, which also ensures the safety of the temple.

Li Jian led Jiang Yuanchen and Li Wen to the Tai Xu Dao Temple to pay respects to the abbot of the temple. One should not underestimate these abbots; if they are appointed from the outer sect and have not passed on their position to others, they are generally quite old in age.

In the past thirty years, no disciples from the outer sect of the Tai Xu Dao Sect have been dispatched to the outside world. In other words, this Abbot Zheng has been the abbot here since before the demonic calamity. It has been over fifty years since the demonic calamity, and someone at the Qi Cultivation stage could not possibly live so long. This means that he must have successfully built his foundation during these decades.

As an inner sect disciple, Li Jian, although somewhat admiring the foundation-building cultivators who have achieved this through hard cultivation after being dispatched, felt that it was only to this extent. A foundation-building cultivator at 113 years old, what potential could they have? Without the support of the Dao Sect, they would only have slightly better treatment than scattered cultivators.

Abbot Zheng Xingfeng was originally counting the incense and oil money in the temple when he suddenly sensed a Tai Xu Purple Qi wandering outside. He immediately realized that someone from the Tai Xu Dao Sect had arrived and hurriedly led a few Taoists out to welcome them.

"It's actually Senior Brother Li!" Zheng Xingfeng exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Li Jian. They could be considered to have entered the outer sect around the same time, but their fates were vastly different. One entered the inner sect to cultivate immortal techniques and achieve longevity, while the other was dispatched to the temple and wasted time.

"Junior Brother Zheng," Li Jian, who had heard about this from Jiang Yuanchen, bowed and said, "Junior Brother has guarded this place for decades and has now successfully built his foundation, which is truly a cause for celebration."

Zheng Xingfeng shook his head, "My lifespan was nearly exhausted a dozen years ago, so I obtained two low-grade foundation-building pills from the sect. I used them to build my foundation and extend my life, but I dare not think about the path of cultivation anymore."

Foundation-building is known as the first hurdle between mortals and immortals. After building the foundation, one can extend their lifespan. Although using low-grade foundation-building pills would also reduce some of their lifespan, the extension was enough to give Zheng Xingfeng some hope, at least allowing him to extend his life for a few more decades.

Li Jian smiled and stepped aside to reveal Jiang Yuanchen behind him. Even if he could not continue his cultivation, perhaps the good karma from the past could still provide a path forward.

"It's actually you?" Zheng Xingfeng, upon seeing Jiang Yuanchen behind Li Jian, understood and said, "Are you here to visit your parents?"

"Exactly," Jiang Yuanchen stepped out from behind Li Jian and bowed to Zheng Xingfeng, "Thank you, Elder Zheng, for taking care of my family all these years, which has allowed me to focus on my cultivation without any worries."

For disciples like Jiang Yuanchen who enter the outer sect, their parents and relatives are also well taken care of by the nearby Tai Xu Dao Temple. This is one of the reasons why the Tai Xu Dao Sect has such a vast influence in the mortal world. The path of immortality is not as ruthless as the path of demonry; every cultivator has their own family. Instead of settling their own karmic ties and taking care of their relatives, it is better to entrust them to the sect, which also enhances the cohesion of the entire sect.

Carefully observing the young man in light blue robes, Zheng Xingfeng sighed inwardly: Indeed, he is a talent for cultivation, achieving in just eight years what took me decades. He must have returned to visit his family and then focus on building his foundation to seek immortality.

Realizing Li Jian's implied meaning, Zheng Xingfeng understood. Yes, if Jiang Yuanchen succeeds in his cultivation, he might be able to help me. Even if he cannot advance on the path of immortality, he could help me obtain a divine position, ensuring my soul remains intact.

"It's nothing, I merely followed the sect's rules in taking care of your family. Your parents have their own livelihoods, and your elder brother has been fulfilling his filial duties on your behalf, so you can rest assured," Zheng Xingfeng said, then led the three of them inside.

Generally, the families of outer sect disciples are protected with three slots, including their parents and a sibling who fulfills filial duties on their behalf.

Although the Tai Xu Dao Temple in Qinglin Town is not as large as the outer sect, its main hall is solemn and dignified, with a sacred aura. After entering, the three of them bowed to the three statues in the center of the main hall, offering incense.

The three statues in each Tai Xu Dao Temple are different. The central statue is always the Heavenly Sun Immortal, the founder of the Tai Xu Dao Sect's immortal lineage. The statue on the left is the founding ancestor of the Tai Xu Dao Sect, the Purple Sun Immortal, and the statue on the right is the local land god, which varies depending on the temple. In Qinglin Town, it is the land god Rong Gong.

After respectfully bowing to the three statues, Jiang Yuanchen said to Li Jian and Zheng Xingfeng, "I would like to go home and check on my family first. Please excuse me."

"Go ahead. I also want to ask Senior Brother Li Jian about the inner sect."

Li Jian's eyes twitched, understanding that Zheng Xingfeng had something to say, so he told Li Wen, "Li Wen, you should go with your senior brother and look around outside."

...

Li Wen curiously looked around Qinglin Town, which was very different from the city of Luojiang where he grew up. Qinglin Town was simple and ancient, exuding a sense of history.

"Indeed, this town has existed for hundreds of years and has not been affected by wars due to its remote location. It is neither as bustling as large cities nor as simple as small villages. In fact, the history of this town predates the founding of the State of Chu," Li Wen looked around and saw many shops that were only found in large cities, such as cosmetic shops, silver shops, and pawnshops.

"Do you remember that your senior brother's family runs a bookshop?"

A bookshop is a business that sells books and sometimes stationery and lends books. Although Qinglin Town is not large, it is enough to support a family of five.

"Yes," Jiang Yuanchen, after several years, felt a mix of emotions walking on the cobblestone road. Before he entered the dream, he used to play with his friends on this road. But now, after several years, those friends must have started their own families.

Following his memory, Jiang Yuanchen arrived at the location of his family's former bookshop. He was surprised to find that the once quiet bookshop had been replaced by a cosmetic shop, with many women coming and going.

After hesitating, Jiang Yuanchen asked a nearby rice shop about the situation and learned that the bookshop had moved to the southern part of the town.

Indeed, things have changed!

"Let's go home and check," since Elder Zheng did not specifically mention the move, the original house should still be there.

After Jiang Yuanchen left, a young man in the rice shop looked at his back thoughtfully: This person looks familiar, where have I seen him before?

"What's wrong, Second Brother?" A young woman came out from a nearby cosmetic shop and linked arms with the man.

"Nothing, just that the person asking for directions seemed familiar. The Jiang family's bookshop moved to the southern market a few years ago, but someone is still asking about it," Wang Yuan smiled at his wife and then forgot about Jiang Yuanchen.

The couple took the cosmetics and rice they bought and went home.

...

"Senior Brother, do you know that person?"

"Yes, he was a childhood friend," Jiang Yuanchen replied casually, but it was a pity that time had passed, and his childhood friends no longer recognized him.

Following his memory, Jiang Yuanchen led Li Wen through the streets to a residential area. Unlike the bookshop, this area had not changed much, though it looked a bit more dilapidated. Jiang Yuanchen could still recognize the original layout.

A family of five, Jiang Yuanchen hesitated at the door of his home. He gently knocked on the door ring, but no one came to open it after a long wait. Listening carefully, he heard no signs of activity inside.

"Perhaps Uncle and Aunt are out?" Li Wen suggested, "Should we go in and take a look?"

Nodding, Jiang Yuanchen used a "Wall-Penetrating Spell" to enter first, followed by Li Wen.

Jiang Yuanchen was the second son, with an elder brother and a younger brother. Their family was relatively well-off, so their house had separate rooms for each of them. However, when Jiang Yuanchen entered, he found that the three small rooms on the left side of the main house had been reduced to two, with his room merged into his elder brother's.

Jiang Yuanchen's eyes narrowed as he pushed open the door to his elder brother's room.

"Double happiness bed, mandarin duck pillow. It makes sense, my elder brother is of age and should have a wife," Jiang Yuanchen murmured, "He didn't move out, but it's understandable that he merged my room to accommodate his wife and children." Despite this, Jiang Yuanchen felt a bit disappointed.

Next, Jiang Yuanchen entered his younger brother's room.

His younger brother was three years younger. When Jiang Yuanchen was ten and joined the Tai Xu Dao Sect, his younger brother cried a lot, and they had a good relationship.

Looking around, he saw some familiar items. Picking up an article on the desk, Jiang Yuanchen smiled, "It seems this kid is preparing to become a scholar, but his historical references are too shallow."

He picked up a sheep's hair brush and annotated the article, then placed it back under the inkstone.

"Senior Brother, this looks like your work," Li Wen picked up a wooden carving from the bedside and saw the character "Chen" carved on it.

Taking the wooden tiger, Jiang Yuanchen touched the engraving and sighed, "I carved this toy and gave it to my younger brother before I left. I didn't expect him to still keep it."

Putting the carving back, the two of them entered the main house to check on Jiang Yuanchen's parents.

"The house is clean, the bedding is neat, and there are many clothes, mostly without patches. Mother's jewelry has also increased, so it seems the two elders are living well," Jiang Yuanchen checked the kitchen, "There are plenty of firewood, rice, oil, salt, and fresh vegetables, which must have been bought this morning. It seems the family is doing well even after my elder brother got married."

"Of course, the silver you send back every year is enough for them to live on," Li Wen laughed. Jiang Yuanchen and others would go down the mountain at the beginning of each year to perform rituals, even in the royal palace. Jiang Yuanchen was once granted a hundred taels of silver by the ruler of Chu. Since he was focused on cultivation, most of the money was sent back home, so even if his family did nothing, they could still live comfortably.

"Since we can't see them today, let's—"

Suddenly, the sound of a lock being opened came from the front door. Two women walked in, one young and one middle-aged. The young woman, though not exceptionally beautiful, was still attractive, and her gradually protruding belly and her calling the middle-aged woman "mother" revealed her identity.

"Am I about to become an uncle?" Jiang Yuanchen chuckled and focused on the middle-aged woman.

His mother looked older, with more white hair and a more weathered face. Jiang Yuanchen carefully observed his mother, thinking to himself.

The two women laughed and walked into the main house, not even glancing at Jiang Yuanchen and Li Wen in the courtyard.

"Senior Brother?" Li Wen, seeing his senior brother use an illusion to hide their presence, whispered, "Aren't you going to meet them?"

"Forget it! There is a gap between immortals and mortals. After this meeting, who knows when we will see each other again. Why give the old lady this hope?" Jiang Yuanchen murmured, "By the way, Mother is already forty, in her prime, and her birthday is coming up."

Using the Wall-Penetrating Spell again, Jiang Yuanchen entered his younger brother's room, picked up a sheep's hair brush and a new sheet of paper, and drew a picture of a fairy child holding a large pink peach with the character "Longevity" written in ancient script.

As he finished the character, the entire picture became more vivid, and a mysterious aura filled the birthday greeting. After leaving a blessing charm on the picture, Jiang Yuanchen wrote a note and left the room.

Straightening his clothes, Jiang Yuanchen bowed three times to his mother in the courtyard before leaving with Li Wen.

As Jiang Yuanchen bowed, the middle-aged woman in the main house seemed to sense something and looked at the empty courtyard.

"Mother? What's wrong?" The young woman, seeing her mother staring at the courtyard, asked.

"Nothing, just a sudden feeling of sadness—" the middle-aged woman recovered, "By the way, you are pregnant, so take good care of yourself. If anything happens, just shout loudly. Aunt Wang next door is an old neighbor and won't ignore us."

Then, the two women began discussing how to take care of the pregnancy.

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