an aged old man looked on with helplessness deep within his eyes but with a momentary thought the emotion quickly dissipated as he forced himself to show the bearing fit for an elder of their family
looking at the handsome bright eyed youth before him burning with the flames of ambition deep within his eyes caused him to expel a long sigh as he begun to speak "Yuzhen…" just the elder saying his name made Yuzhen's face change as awareness begin to set in.
The elder continued "From your expression I'm sure you have an inkling of our clan's current situation." showing a serious expression "The clan has been lacking in resources for the later part of the year I'm sure your aware of your brother's and sister's departures from the family" Yuzhen nodded as the elder continued "we had decided to send you off to the Misty mountains to find your own opportunities especially considering your average aptitude and 3 elemental spirit roots being mediocre as your Water elemental roots being just passing the mark for average."
The elder let out another sigh as he saw the blazing fire in Yuzhen's eyes became dimmer with every word he spoke but nonetheless he continued "Your chances of establishing your foundation is slim to none in this life time" The elder walked forward placing a hand on his shoulder "But dont lose hope yet your still young and maybe when you arrive at the Misty mountains and explore you'll be able to find your own opportunities"
The elder nodded his head slightly as he saw his expression lightened up as the ambers of ambition begun to gather once again. Patting his shoulder as the elder left he spoke some final words "You'll be joining the Lunar Crest sect as they explore the land"
———
Vibrant and healthy Spiritual plants of different types with the only thing in common was the fact they were all used for making talismans. they grew next to a small wooden home where a middle aged man stood gazing at his plants. pointing a finger as it glowed a blue light. The qi gathered into his finger and with a slight movement a hazy mist begun to spread over the plants coating them in Qi slightly improving their heath and growth.
Yuzhen lowered his hand dissipating the mist his face was still as handsome as he was in his youth but his demeanor exuded a brewing darkness contrasting to his vibrant garden. Looking back at his past caused him to expel a small yet bitter sigh.
The exploration through the Misty mountains was both an arduous and challenging as the task needed a large number of cultivators combing through the beast infested mountains.
And soon 10 years has passed. not only was life difficult the godsend opportunity all protagonist get wasn't his to find but what he did get was a body filled with bites and poison almost losing his life if it was not for his cautious nature exploring the mountains he would been a pile of bones like the many cultivators that has fallen beneath the beast fangs.
Now i am 30 years old an im still at the fifth level of qi gathering not good or bad compared to other cultivators with the same aptitude. The only thing that set me aside from most cultivators is my proficiency in making talismans which may or may not be due to the fact that am a transmigrator but being transmigrator with no cheat and low aptitude could only get you so far as i had hit a sturdy wall in my talisman making.
looking at the garden and the small wooden house caused him to let out another sigh as the faint ambition carved into his bones have been fully scratched off as reality has truly made him realize the importance of luck and oppurtunities.
Shaking his head slightly as he looked at the vast sky "It's time to accept reality and move on to something realistic"
As a transmigrator he had his own confidence of holding his future at the palm of his hands. What mediocre elemental spirit roots? I'm a transmigrator. Average aptitude too? do you know of my predecessors that had it worse of course you don't and with that mentality he had never stopped his diligent practice in cultivating.
Sure they had all sorts of systems or cheats maybe even some memories of some past cultivator. But the simple fact that he is able to live again is more than enough of a sign that his luck is high enough that he can get some opportunities while exploring the mountains.
but of course all that confidence and hope came crushing down as the realization that no matter how hard he worked without the appropriate resources and opportunities available to him he will still be average in this world just like in his old world painfully average.
Shaking his head slightly as he relaxed the hand that was unintentionally balled up into a tight fist as he begun to calm his senses.
he grabbed some of the already gathered spiritual plants as he made them into a different kinds of elemental paste while grabbing a special stack of paper as he begun to draw talismans with a level of skill above the regular first level talisman maker and soon all types of Low grade talismans was within his grasp inspecting it he was able to notice that it had approached the starting point of a middle grade talisman.
he looked at it for what seemed to be minutes but he soon shook his head as he slept for the night.
———
The sun shone brightly the next day as his garden shone with slight dew on its various leaves.
The road outside was both rocky and in disrepair. stepping on the road as he walked forwards passing through the winding old alleyways before finally arriving at the main roads paved with smooth and patterned stone.
The road was filled with cultivators casually walking through while mortals walked with a hint of caution in their steps hoping not to offend any brain deficient cultivators on the road. Vendors manning their stall lined the sides of the road as they shout out their wares bringing a very lively appearance compared to the barren surrounding of his house.
Yuzhen followed the road walking past the sea of cultivators while the mortals parted like the sea. Looking to the side he found his destination a small yet well decorated shop which he stably entered.
"Ah is that fellow Daoist Yuzhen? what a welcome sight" A beautiful cultivator spoke in surprise as she stood from her chair walking over with her loosely flowing robes that seemed to almost fall off her body.
"Well? don't just stand there come in come in~" She quickly went around me as she pushed me inside deeper into the shop.
i begin to scratch my cheek slightly as she quickly sat me down on a chair "You see Daoist Yue can yo-"
placing her hands on my shoulders as she giggled interrupting me as she spoke "You don't have to explain Daoist Yuzhen i know why you are here and i'm glad you are finally following my advice to settled down and start a family after all it would be a waste to spend anymore of your time to reaching foundation establishment "
Placing a hand on her hips as she continued "Like i said time and time again your current conditions are very much lacking so why waste time and not just start preparing for the future"
The smile on my face slightly twitched as she begun to spout out words like a broken record i can only grasp the small pouch on my waist as i hand it over while nodding a bit stiffly "It really did took me a while till Daoist Yue's advice convinced me"
A brighter smile appeared on her face as she opened the pouched taking a perk inside "Oh Daoist Yuzhen is quite successful huh? well what could i expect from a Talisman Master" placing the pouch onto her waist as she spoke with a dependable voice "Ill make sure to do my very best to find you the right wife do you have any specifications on what kind of girl you'll like?"
Looking at the pouch strapped to her waist drove some pain into his hearth as the pouch contained 10 Spiritual Stones a good amount wealth for the average cultivator.
It was not easy for Yuzhen to accumulate wealth but luckily enough he was proficient in making talisman gaining a stable supply of cash for my work and also connections that could lead me into better deals with buying materials and with him growing his own materials it further lowered the cost of making talisman.
The reason he gave so much was to make sure she can do the best she can after all there is always a difference to those who are willing and compensated for their work and those who just does it because its their job.
Daoist Yue spoke with a bright smile on her lips as she spoke "So Daoist Yuzhen what kind of woman are you looking for?"
Yuzhen did not take long to think as this was basically building a foundation for the future it would be best if she has Spiritual roots as that would cause the child to have a higher percentage chance of becoming a cultivator in the future.
The bright smile on her stifled slightly as she heard the conditions "I'm afraid the chances of finding one with spiritual roots are little to most likely none and even if i find one matching that condition" Smacking her lips slightly her eyes gazing at me as she continued "With your cultivation and financial situation the chances of them picking you from the sea of cultivators is low"
Yuzhen nodded his head slightly as he expected such a reality "You don't have to worry about that Daoist Yue as long as you try your best find one" Shrugging slightly "who knows what could happen and if you can't find one then a mortal is fine"
Daoist Yue stiff smile relaxed as she doesn't have to give back the pouch of spiritual stones due to the nature of the request nodding her head happily "You dont have to worry Daoist Yuzhen. Our Blooming palace have many connections to all kinds of women that will fit your preferences just wait for my letter and ill find one that will give birth to a kid with spiritual roots"
Nodding my head "Then you have my thanks Daoist Yue" I say as i left the shop walking through the bustling marketplace as rows of stalls selling all sorts of miscellaneous items.
The Blooming palace was established by the Lunar Crest Sect in what i could only assume as a way to up the population count within the place in hopes of catching some genius that will fill their ranks. especially ever since the exploration through the mountains as they took a considerable loss in members while they also gained in resources they still needed to fill their ranks.
A sigh escaped my lips as i walked through eyeing the items in the stall. The Lunar crest sect after the exploration started to recruit the cultivators that showed some real talent or luck i could only regret that i was injured for the earlier part of the 10 years and my performance within the minds of the sect is most likely in the gutter.
He could only shake his head as he found no item of note as he started to talk to the Lunar Crest Disciples managing the marketplace paying them a spirit stone for a place to set up a stall as he started to peddle his talismans at a slightly higher price than normal since the talismans had already shown signs of breaking through from the Low grade and into middle grade causing it to be a bit more affective. and soon enough with a pouch that was a few spiritual stone's heavier he went back to his home to repeat the cycle.
A few days pass making talismans buying materials from the cultivators i made connections with and if the materials are too expensive for my liking i pick some of the ones that had already grown in my garden replanting and using those as material instead. The completed talismans were then sold in the marketplace as the days pass news arrived from Daoist Yue prompting him to return to the shop.
Stepping inside the Shop. My eye's met with a with a young woman with Fair skin her face held a certain warm charm with her eyes shining with a deep emerald color but what really caused my gaze to drift was the prominent curves luring one in. accentuated by the form fitting dress that highlighted her ample assets.
Turning my gaze away to the the woman behind the counter as she smiled noticing my presence nodding my head slightly as i greeted "Daoist Yue I heard you have some news for me" My gaze drifting back to the young woman.
Daoist Yue stood up walking around the young woman placing her hands upon her shoulder as she spoke noticing Yuzhen's gaze "From where your gaze is landing i presume you understand what the news is about?" A grin on her face as she continued "This right here is Ning Xue i would say her appearance is quite unique as for the background. Her father is a cultivator the fifth level Qi refinement just like yourself. a couple of weeks ago he was unfortunately ambushed when he went out. and With her only family gone there's no one to take care of her"
Yuzhen finding the momentary silence an oppurtunity as he asked with some slight hope in his gaze "Daoist Yue does she have.." He stopped his next words as he saw her shake her head "I see.."
Daoist Yue quickly smiled "Although she doesn't have the spiritual roots thanks to her father's assistance she could already sense Qi so if she chooses to practice some mortal martial arts she might be able to break through and lengthen her lifespan"
Yuzhen nodded his head walking forward with a sincere smile on his lips as he stretched his hand out to Ning Xue in attempt to find out if she is willing in this arrangement.
Ning Xue looking at the hand before her slightly bit her lip hesitance hidden within her eyes but remembering her current plight of a beautiful woman alone in such a place filled with all kinds of cultivators caused her to lose some of her hesitation as she grasped his hand Showing a stiff smile but a smile nonetheless.
Daoist Yue quickly cut in "Seeing as you are both in agreement that would 5 Spirit stones Daoist Yuzhen when you both arrange the wedding make sure to invite me" She said with a smile
Yuzhen released the hand as took out 5 Spirit stones and handed it to her. Turning his head to his soon to be wife "Lets go home?" He said as he outstretched his hand once again.
Ning Xue nodded her head while her smile was still a little stiff but her hand wasn't as she held his hand "Lets go.. Home" A smile naturally appeared on Yuzhen lips as they both exited the shop Daoist Yue waved her hand goodbye as they left.
A few days later. The wedding was held invitations were send out to some of the reasonable neighbors, connections to cultivators he made with his talisman making and some of the people that knew off Ning Xue.
Most of the neigbors were at the lower to middle levels of Qi refinement while they dont have much of a relationship with the both of them but seeing that he was a Talisman master they used this opportunity to deepen the relationship while those cultivators who sold him materials put on friendlier smiles as they noticed the improvements of the talismans he sold.
———
Deep into the night when the guest have all left. A couple of scented candles illuminated the bedroom. Ning Xue sat on the edge of the bed with a red veil covering her appearance. Her body was tense as her mind went deep into her memories. Ever since her Father had died it seemed as if the world fell around her. She had no family to speak off. No Spiritual roots to even cultivate and the final thing that broke the straw was the fact that she had no power to fend of the lecherous looks hidden within some of her father's so called "Friends" Gritting her teeth as she cursed her beautiful appearance. Letting out a breath as she calmed herself down hearing the footsteps approaching as she looked up and gazed at Yuzhen. He had a handsome appearance long dark hair with a warm smile on his lips as he approached. She relaxed her tense body as she can only hope his personality will bring her the same warmth as his appearance.
Yuzhen Lifted the veil covering her appearance. What he could see was her beautiful face staring at him with hopeful eyes. placing a hand on her cheek as i lean in close and staring her right in the eyes as i whispered sincerely "Xue'er i understand your misgivings in this kind of marriage but while you might not believe me now but i do promise i will love and cherish you to the best of my abilities and hopefully one day you can open a space in your heart for me but for now lets rest theres no need for it to happen now i can wait until your ready" placing a kiss on her forehead as i lower my hand off her cheek but as i turn to the side of the bed i felt a pull on my sleeve turning my head back.
Ning xue face was slightly red as a faint determination shone in her eyes gazing right into mine as she quietly spoke "i..i trust you" She stood up from the bed and gave me tight embrace leaning her head on my shoulder.
Some suprise was on my face that quickly turned into a happy smile as i whispered into her ear "I wont disappoint" carrying her off her feet and placing her on the bed and with a slight control of my qi and the wave of the hand all the flames on the candles were put out.
Their clothes untangled as they embraced each other for a long time as the creaking and faint moans was the only thing heard from outside their door.