Chapter 109: That Joy
Qingyang City.
Tongquan Alley.
The Level Three spiritual vein at the bottom of the lake gathered at the core. Spiritual fog rose here all year round. Every day, when the sun rose and set, it would flicker with multicolored light. Even ordinary Golden Core Perfecteds would find it difficult to live here.
However, most Golden Core cultivators would find a spirit vein cave abode to live in and rarely chose to live in Qingyang City.
As the deacon of the True Treasure Pavilion, Deacon Xia spent most of his time here. Although the spacious independent courtyard was not as hidden and quiet as the spirit vein cave abode, he was used to it after living here for a long time.
"The qualification test…"
In the past few days, he did not go to the True Treasure Pavilion, but he was still worried about the qualification assessment of the Qi Refinement Talisman Master. A Golden Core Daoist lived for 500 years. It seemed that he could experience the changes of the world and watch the storms in the mortal world, but in fact, this lifespan was not enough for many Golden Cores.
The advancement of each small realm was easily hundreds of years. If one encountered a bottleneck, sometimes it would take decades. If one cultivated hard to the perfected Golden Core Realm, they had to prepare all kinds of resources to advance to the Nascent Soul Realm. It was fine if they succeeded, but if they failed, all their previous efforts would be wasted.
Those whose minds were tenacious could try again. Those who were unable to withstand the blow became dispirited and stopped.
The True Treasure Pavilion was spread across the five continents and four seas and had abundant resources. Even so, a chief deacon like Deacon Xia could not easily obtain advancement resources. However, if a special-class guest elder appeared, the situation would be completely different.
"It's difficult!" In the small courtyard, Deacon Xia drank the spirit wine alone and sighed. He was already over 400 years old. In another few decades, he would have to prepare all kinds of longevity elixirs and treasures. But he knew his own situation.
Even if he extended his life by another 100 years, it would be very difficult for him to touch the threshold of the pseudo Nascent Soul, let alone form the Nascent Soul!
Buzz~
At this moment, the communication talisman vibrated slightly. It was a message from Shopkeeper Qu. He was actually a little nervous for a moment.
"Senior Xia, congratulations!"
Hearing the voice, Deacon Xia's eyes widened. Then, he suddenly stood up, picked up the jade gourd, and poured the spirit wine into his mouth. "Good, good!"
…
At the entrance of the True Treasure Pavilion, Shopkeeper Qu personally sent Shen Ping off. After the other guest elders congratulated him, they did not continue to chat. Instead, they tactfully bade farewell and left. In the future, when Talisman Master Shen's joy was calm, it would not be too late for them to befriend him.
"Senior Qu! Thank you for your guidance!" Shen Ping bowed respectfully. Before and after the qualification assessment, Shopkeeper Qu had helped him a lot. Perhaps it was just a small matter, but he accepted this favor.
Shopkeeper Qu smiled and said, "Talisman Master Shen, don't stand on ceremony. You were the one who fought for the qualification assessment. Even if I don't say anything, with your Talisman Daoism standard, you will be able to stand out in the True Treasure Pavilion sooner or later. I won't disturb you today. I believe that Talisman Master Shen wants to see your family more at this moment."
He cupped his hands and turned to leave. Hearing this, the faces of his wife and concubines appeared in front of Shen Ping. He could no longer suppress the urge to go home.
…
In Small Courtyard A13 of Huiquan Alley.
Yu Yan sat cross-legged on the bed in the room. Her eyes would open from time to time and look at the courtyard door through the wooden window. Wang Yun carefully watered the date sapling with a gourd ladle, but her gaze was fixed not far away.
Bai Yuying, who was usually the most active in cultivating in the quiet room, also sat beside the stone platform in boredom. She held her chin in her palm and stared at the small courtyard. Luo Qing meticulously wiped the table and wooden chair in the hall. She had been repeating this action for the past few days.
The setting sun dyed the sky red. The four women shook their heads and sighed. Bai Yuying counted with her fingers. "One day, two days… Husband has already left for many days. Why isn't he back yet? Ying'er is about to die of discomfort."
Just as Wang Yun was about to ask if she wanted to cook today, she saw a long figure approaching from outside the small courtyard. Overjoyed, she rushed out. "Husband!" She bumped into his chest.
Wang Yun hugged Shen Ping's broad waist tightly and sniffed the familiar smell in the depths of her flesh and memory. Shen Ping smiled and looked up. Bai Yuying, Yu Yan, and Luo Qing were already standing at the entrance of the small courtyard. He extended his arms. Bai Yuying quickly buried herself in his chest.
A moment later, he walked to the small courtyard and looked at Yu Yan and Luo Qing. He said gently, "I've made you wait for so many days. We have to celebrate tonight!"
Yu Yan crossed her arms in front of her chest, her curves almost visible. She smiled. "Husband, why do you need to do it at night? Why don't we do it now?"
Bai Yuying shook Shen Ping's arm. "Husband, Ying'er can't wait a moment longer."
Shen Ping was stunned. He looked at his wife and concubines one by one again. He confirmed the desire in their eyes.
How could he lose such an opportunity!
He immediately took a step forward.
In a flash, there was no longer anyone in the small courtyard.
In the bedroom, there were four beautiful undergarments—Pink, Purple, White, and Pink. Sweet grapefruits could be vaguely seen. There were also cute upside-down jade bowls, delicate peaches, and crisp and delicious apples.
Shen Ping lowered his back and reined in his horse. Occasionally, he would wander around the winding and rugged mountains, and sometimes, he would cross the spring water under the small bridge. Only when he passed through the flat grassland did he have the time to stop and look at the hoof marks left behind.
The mountains were far away. The clear spring flowed gently. The grassland was fertile. The hooves were thick. Every scenery was worth immersing in. Even Shen Ping, who had experienced the glory before, did not know which part of the beauty he should miss at this moment.
He could only do his best.
They shared the joy in their hearts.
A few days later, the light of dawn poured into the bedroom along with the wooden window. The cold winter air swept in. The rich warmth quickly faded. Shen Ping came to the small courtyard and stretched refreshingly. He looked at the morning sun and smiled for the first time in a few days.
At this moment, Yu Yan, who had changed into her robe, walked out. "Husband, the shop in South City hasn't opened for a while. I'll go take a look."
"I'll go with you. I should relax. I'm afraid I'll be busy in a few days." Shen Ping could not help but explain when he saw Yu Yan's surprised expression.
Over the past few days, he had completely released the joy in his heart. However, passing the qualification assessment did not mean that he could relax for a long time. This was because the day before yesterday, Shopkeeper Qu had sent a message asking him to make a trip to the True Treasure Pavilion at the end of next month.
Although he did not say the specifics, it was most likely related to the special-class guest elder assessment. Having come this far, regardless of whether he could pass the assessment, he had to give it a try.
It was early in the morning. The two of them arrived at the main street of South City.
The noise immediately rose and fell. Among them, the cultivators who set up stalls sold all kinds of talismans, medicinal pills, and Dharma artifacts. Compared to the other main streets of Qingyang City, the South City may have looked relatively chaotic, but it was a place where rogue cultivators often came.
The shop Yu Yan rented was not big, but it was not far from the entrance of the main street. The rent was slightly higher. She brought Shen Ping into the shop as if she had walked into another place. The noisy voices in his ears immediately disappeared.
His fingers flicked. The dust on the shelves in the shop was quickly cleaned. Soon, the entire shop looked brand new.
Shen Ping walked behind the counter and looked at the cultivators outside. He had a new feeling as a shopkeeper. He subconsciously thought of Shopkeeper Chen of the Spring Embroidery Pavilion and sighed softly. "I wonder how the old pagoda tree in the backyard is…"