Chapter 31: Honored One Seeks Son-in-law, Successive Entries Into The Dao
The book records that Immortal Cultivators entering the Dao and refining essence place great importance on primordial essence and primordial yang, requiring them to be pure and untainted.
Only after refining true qi and stepping into the Qi Refining Spiritual Immortal realm can one truly be unrestrained, even using techniques of gathering and supplementing in fierce battles, or yin-yang harmonization, or methods that harm others to benefit oneself to aid one’s own cultivation.
Fang Shu in this life is single-mindedly pursuing the Great Dao, and his spiritual root aptitude is originally average, so he absolutely will not indulge in such matters between men and women during the entering the Dao and refining essence stage, damaging any bit of his potential.
If he must indulge, it should be after reaching the Qi Refining realm, when he can cultivate and enjoy pleasure without conflict!
His sudden and direct departure also left Dou Su Fu in the paper house momentarily unable to react.
She stared blankly at the closed paper door, unsure if it was due to the pill or something else, but her mind instantly cleared.
Immediately after, her face turned even redder than when she had teased Fang Shu earlier; it was a flush of shame.
Dou Su Fu involuntarily lowered her face, burying it in her chest like a hen tucking its head.
“Shameless,” she secretly spat at herself:
“What a lewd and lascivious wench!”
But after recovering, perhaps as the alcohol surged back up, she gazed dazedly at the two bowls on the low table, stroked her fair and tender cheek, and murmured:
“A sixteen-year-old beauty with a body soft as cream… Is this Fang Ge Er talking about me?”
Clearly, she wasn’t even sixteen, just a twenty-four-year-old beauty.
Instantly, an indescribable sense of secret delight, mingled with shame, spread through her heart, making her feel hot all over with a thrilling tingling sensation.
On the other side.
After bidding farewell and leaving, Fang Shu did not return directly to the dojo, but instead sought out Talisman Master Li Yuan again to inquire.
What depressed him was that what Talisman Master Li Yuan said was largely the same as what Dou Su Fu had said.
In short, if he wanted to get his Second Uncle back, and especially ahead of schedule, just having money wouldn’t be enough; he also needed magic power, otherwise it would be like a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth, and he might even lose his own life in the mine.
Even if he was just a First Calamity Immortal, it still wouldn’t give him full confidence; he’d have to take some risks.
Talisman Master Li Yuan also comforted him:
“Don’t worry, kid. Your Second Uncle is born in the year of the water rat; just wait obediently for him to return.
Since you’ve already sold your family possessions and aren’t short on money, I’ll have someone pass a message to your Second Uncle to take good care of himself first.”
Fang Shu pondered the words of Dou Su Fu and Talisman Master Li Yuan, sighing lightly in his heart:
“Both of them say the same thing; it seems this matter is indeed true, with no falsehood.”
Immediately, a sense of urgency welled up in his heart!
He had to successfully pass through the tribulation and refine essence within the next half year or so, become a First Calamity Immortal, and then get his Second Uncle back.
Otherwise, if he really waited until Second Uncle’s term was up, and Second Uncle had no magic tool to protect him, something unexpected might truly happen.
“No,” Fang Shu muttered to himself:
“Not half a year or so, but half a year; I have at most half a year left!”
From the time Second Uncle left town to mine until now, more than a month had already passed, and that time had to be counted too!
Harboring this sense of urgency, he strode back to Du Gu Guan.
In the following time.
Fang Shu continued maintaining his state of arduous cultivation, showing no relaxation whatsoever after dealing with Cheng Guanzi.
He could be said to be even more diligent, no longer inferior to that arduous cultivation youth in the dojo.
For a time, he and that arduous cultivation youth took turns, keeping the lights in Du Gu Guan’s cultivation practice main hall from ever all going out in a single day.
This situation even drew occasional glances from the Dojo Master toward the two, and some disciples were influenced by them to cultivate more diligently than before.
Of course, their level of diligence also provoked idle talk from many disciples, who quite disliked the two:
“Working day and night without rest, not knowing how to balance work and rest; aren’t they afraid of ruining their bodies?”
“Acting like they’re the only ones in the entire dojo who know arduous cultivation!”
“Exactly. That Junior Sister Qin Min who just entered the dojo not long ago wouldn’t pretend to work this hard.”
Fang Shu turned a deaf ear to these remarks.
He only knew that if he didn’t diligently temper his body, once something bad happened, he’d be letting himself down, and even more so his Second Uncle Yu Le!
Occasionally, though, Fang Shu would relax his mind a bit; he wasn’t truly like a wooden person who only knew cultivation practice and refining qi and blood.
This day.
Li Hou Er excitedly found him again and called out: “Come on, Fang Ge Er. Let’s go watch the excitement!”
Fang Shu slowly withdrew his cultivation, looked at him curiously, and didn’t refuse.
Li Hou Er said with an envious expression: “The dojo has merchants from the marketplace coming today to invite patrons, and some are even recruiting sons-in-law.”
Upon detailed inquiry, Fang Shu learned that the merchants in Gu Ling Town had a relationship with the various dojos somewhat like “gangsters watching the venue.”
The merchants would invite robust First Calamity and above Immortal Cultivators who had entered the Dao from the various dojos to help guard the venue, and occasionally the patrons would help escort shipments or suppress spirits.
In return, the merchants would provide financial support to the dojo Immortal Cultivators, pay talisman money, or even cover all tuition fees, clothing, food, housing, pills, talismans, and the like for the Immortal Cultivators in the dojo.
Among them, the young disciples most favored by the merchants would be recruited as daughters-in-law or sons-in-law.
Among the merchants coming to Du Gu Guan today, several had brought young male and female disciples.
They claimed beautifully to be coming to broaden their horizons, but in reality, they were there to see if there were any young talents in Du Gu Guan worth seeking in marriage or betrothing to.
So Li Hou Er was full of envy and particularly excited today.
But neither he nor Fang Shu had entered the Dao yet, and their aptitude and spiritual roots weren’t outstanding, so they could at most just join in the fun.
Not only them, but the other disciples in the cultivation practice main hall were also buzzing with excitement, going out in groups toward the hall exterior.
Before long.
The main hall emptied out, leaving only that arduous cultivation youth, who remained unmoved, head down in diligent practice, ignoring all other dojo matters.
In terms of the firmness of his disposition, Fang Shu sometimes admired this person!
But soon, the swarm of dojo disciples who had poured out noisily returned to the hall.
It turned out the merchants required that the group of disciples showcase their qi and blood and tendons and bones right in the cultivation practice main hall.
Among them, the Immortal Cultivators in Du Gu Guan who had entered the Dao also appeared before Fang Shu and the others for the first time in months in fairly complete numbers, over ten in total.
These Immortal Cultivators who had entered the Dao, regardless of gender, all had sturdy frames, fierce temperaments, and sharp gazes; at a glance, they were utterly different from Fang Shu and the other fledglings.
They stood out like cranes among chickens, casually scrutinizing Fang Shu and the others as if no one else was there.
Especially a man and a woman dressed in fine clothes and adorned with gold and jade, who were the most conspicuous.
Among them, the female Immortal Cultivator wearing a golden hairpin frowned and said:
“How come the disciples the dojo took in this year are of such poor quality? None of them know health preservation; all have a poor and destitute look, like they’re burning potential for cultivation.”
The male Immortal Cultivator with the jade pendant heard this, shook his head, and chuckled lightly:
“Fu Shi Er, do you think everyone is like you and me, with family backing so we never lack pills and fine food?
You really are ‘why not eat meat?'”
The female Immortal Cultivator called “Fu Shi Er” glared at the male Immortal Cultivator and snapped coquettishly: “Qu Yan, shut your dog mouth; no one will think you’re mute.”
The male Immortal Cultivator shrugged and just said: “Having Junior Sister Qin Min this year is already the dojo’s good fortune.”
Hearing this, the female Immortal Cultivator’s brows relaxed, and she nodded in agreement.
Their words rang in the ears of Fang Shu and the others, causing a slight stir, but no one spoke up.
Soon, the merchants in the arena began chatting with these entered-the-Dao Immortal Cultivators, asking this and that.
Fang Shu and the others discovered that although many entered-the-Dao Immortal Cultivators had come today, only two were interested in competing for patron positions.
The others either already had patron positions or were just there to put on a show.
Under the watchful eyes of Fang Shu and the others.
Those two entered-the-Dao Immortal Cultivators each demonstrated scenes of thunderous roars, hands like striking snakes, and qi and blood condensing into smoke; without much effort, they each secured a patron position.
One of them even caught the eye of a merchant who wanted to betroth the woman beside him, but was politely refused.
Amid the lively atmosphere, the merchants didn’t leave after finishing business but took the opportunity to build relations with the other entered-the-Dao Immortal Cultivators.
Their gazes occasionally flicked teasingly over the non-entered-the-Dao disciples, making those watched puff out their chests, striving to show their best side.
Li Hou Er standing beside Fang Shu was just like that.
Ever since entering the main hall, this guy had been standing tall with chest out, but his skinny frame made him look like a hemp pole, somewhat comical.
Fang Shu was also glanced at a few times by the merchants, but like the others, he was unremarkable.
Just when everyone thought no one else had a chance, suddenly a merchant strolled to a corner and proactively asked the person there.
Because it was too far away and the hall was noisy with people talking, Fang Shu couldn’t hear clearly.
But soon, cheers and jealous voices arose in the hall:
“Now Senior Brother Shi doesn’t have to worry about livelihood anymore.”
“This returned meat really caught someone’s eye!”
It turned out the only person in the main hall who was approached was that youth who arduously cultivated day and night without stop.
His expression was resolute; even facing the merchant’s favor and early investment, he remained relatively calm, merely looking somewhat wooden.
Fang Shu also finally learned this arduous cultivation youth’s name from the conversations around him.
This person was surnamed Shi, with the single name “Hou.”
He had already entered the dojo for cultivation five times, so he was given the nickname “returned meat.”
The previous four times, he had to leave the dojo to make a living due to insufficient tuition fees, only able to return after saving enough talisman money.
Thus, Shi Hou’s age had been delayed; he was now twenty-one, with insufficient potential.
Li Hou Er tsked: “Looks like Shi Hou won’t have to run between the mine and the dojo anymore.”
“Mine?” Fang Shu’s brow twitched slightly.
Upon detailed inquiry, he learned that Shi Hou had accumulated his dojo tuition fees through mining. So whenever he lacked money and left the dojo, he would go mining in the mine.
Sometimes, he mined for a year just to study in the dojo for a month.
Even the Dojo Master knew this, which was why he allowed him to pay monthly for cultivation.
And being favored by a merchant today wasn’t because his momentary arduous cultivation stood out, catching the merchant’s eye.
Rather, the merchants had long known about this “stubborn stone” in Du Gu Guan, and today someone finally came to appraise him.
Learning this, Fang Shu sighed in his heart once more: “In one dojo, there is such a resolute talent. I too should follow his example.”
He thus stopped paying attention to the excitement in the hall and turned to walk away.
But he didn’t, like some disciples, hurriedly show off by assuming a stance like Shi Hou to display diligent practice in hopes of winning favor.
Fang Shu walked out of the cultivation practice main hall alone, heading to the bathhouse and medicine hall, planning to handle some miscellaneous matters during this free time to facilitate the afternoon’s arduous cultivation.
Before long, he efficiently bathed, appearing refreshed at the medicine hall doorway.
Perhaps the other disciples were still watching the excitement; the medicine hall, usually crowded with disciples, had no one today, let alone a line.
However, when Fang Shu entered the medicine hall courtyard, he still saw a figure just exiting the medicine hall.
The other party had a fit build, ponytail, and was a female disciple, full of vibrant qi and blood and youthful vigor from head to toe.
This aura made her originally average looks suddenly appear excellent, with bright eyes, white teeth, and a captivating gaze!
Fang Shu happened to know this person.
So he smiled politely on his face, nodded to her, and greeted: “Qin Bao Er.”
That’s right, this was the female disciple Qin Min, who had received the Insect Skill with him and whom he had guided to familiarize herself with the dojo.
Female disciple Qin Min’s steps paused.
But when she looked at Fang Shu, she not only didn’t nod in response but also frowned slightly and said flatly:
“Fellow Daoist, please just call me ‘Qin Min.'”
The courtyard fell quiet.
Although Qin Min’s words sounded polite, they made the polite smile on Fang Shu’s face stiffen instantly.
Even because he was still young and full of vigor, a trace of shame surged in Fang Shu’s heart, his face slightly flushing.
Fortunately, there was no one around, no one to laugh at him, and the shame flashed away in his heart.
Fang Shu restrained his qi and blood, kept a calm expression, and quietly stepped aside.
Seeing him make way, Qin Min didn’t even glance at him again and directly left the medicine hall area.
Lingering in place, Fang Shu watched her go and saw a man and a woman waiting for Qin Min outside the courtyard.
That man and woman were both richly dressed, adorned with gold and silver, their items all having a bit of spiritual energy.
They were precisely the two entered-the-Dao male and female Immortal Cultivators from the cultivation practice main hall, and they proactively greeted Qin Min very politely.
Qin Min also chatted and laughed with this pair as they left together.
Retracting his gaze.
Fang Shu’s expression remained unchanged.
He just let out a long breath, then showed a resolute look, turned, and entered the medicine hall to purchase the medicines he needed.
Next, not long after.
Fang Shu learned why Qin Min hadn’t even bothered to greet him on the road and had specifically corrected his form of address.
It was because this woman, in less than three months in the dojo, had already entered the Dao and refined essence, becoming an Immortal Cultivator!
This news wasn’t leaked by the Dojo Master, nor had anyone personally seen her entering the Dao and passing the tribulation.
Rather, everyone inferred it from her treatment in the dojo and the attitudes of the entered-the-Dao Immortal Cultivators toward her.
Many were muttering that this woman was eight or nine out of ten either possessing a special physique or having the so-called “spiritual root.”
Otherwise, without good pills to assist, her cultivation speed absolutely wouldn’t be this fast, and she wouldn’t have received such great favor from the Dojo Master.
Fang Shu didn’t have much reaction to this news.
He had vaguely guessed as much from the Dojo Master’s attitude during transmitting techniques.
It was just thoroughly confirmed now.
He didn’t need to compare himself to such a genius; he just needed to diligently and intensively build up his own qi and blood.
………………
But another month passed.
Someone in Du Gu Guan knocked on the gate again and successfully passed through the “Ten Sicknesses and Nine Pains” tribulation, formally becoming an Essence Refining Immortal!
This person’s full name was “Li Hou”; the dojo disciples all called him “Li Hou Er,” and he was Fang Shu’s only good friend in the dojo.
Neighbor Talisman Master Li Yuan had painstakingly supported his son for two years, frugally saving up a precious medicine, finally enabling his son Li Hou Er to become an entered-the-Dao Immortal Cultivator.
Worthy of celebration!
And Fang Shu originally thought he would react the same as usual to this, just feeling happy for his brother.
He even specially prepared a modest gift and made time to return to the paper workshop to deliver it personally.
But when sitting at the banquet.
Seeing Talisman Master Li Yuan’s radiant joy and the over-ten-feet-high qi and blood essence smoke on his brother Li Hou Er’s body.
He ultimately felt his emotions fluctuate and was momentarily lost in thought.
Bu Gu isn’t deliberately doing single chapters; sometimes the plot needs to be tightened to avoid dragging or padding.
