1: The fairy wife returns home, and the obsession dissipates.

"One hundred nineteen..."

"One hundred twenty..."

"Whew... Finally level five..."

Jiang Yan, barefoot, stepped onto the muddy field ridge. He swung his arms and thrust the wooden pitchfork heavily into the ground.

During every brief rest, his gaze would drift towards the distant, mist-shrouded mountains. That was the world this Physical Body had most wanted to go to before being possessed and reborn.

A year ago, the original owner of this body's wife, Liu Erya, had set off towards those very mountains.

"Brother Jiang, thinking about your wife again?" Old Man Zhao from the neighboring plot straightened his back and smacked his lips around his pipe.

Jiang Yan forced a faint smile. "No, I just want to go there and have a look."

"Huo!" Old Man Zhao exclaimed in surprise, tapping his pipe. He hurriedly advised, "That's not a good idea. I hear that's where the Immortals live."

Jiang Yan smiled without further explanation, silently withdrawing his gaze to continue his 'leveling up' endeavor.

He knew very little about this unfamiliar world. Over the past year, he had only managed to gather limited information.

This world had Dynasties, Cultivators, demons, ghosts, and monsters, and even many bizarre and fantastical legends... As for what happened to the original owner a year ago, as a Transmigrator, Jiang Yan could only mourn for him for three seconds.

At noon, Jiang Yan sat on the field ridge silently gnawing on dry rations, his eyes fixed on the light screen before him.

[Host: Jiang Yan]

[Talent: Heaven Rewards the Diligent, Life Span Plunder]

[Level: 5]

[Experience: 0.62%]

[Lifespan: 20/52 Years]

[Vital Lifespan: 72 Years (Can be used to enhance Cultivation Technique, Spell, and Martial Skill proficiency)]

[Essence: 10 (Strength, endurance, speed, and other abilities related to the Physical Body. Average adult male value is 5)]

[Spirit: 2 (All energy generated by the brain and Soul entity)]

(An ordinary person's Divine Soul is hidden within their body, while a Cultivator's Divine Soul can be projected outward, belonging to the Realm of Immortal Cultivators.)

[Realm: 0 (Has not yet stepped into the Qi Refining Realm)]

[Dao: 0 (Generally refers to the ability above the Divine Soul to comprehend the execution trajectory or orbit of all things. Can utilize these rules to strengthen oneself.)]

[Cultivation Technique: 0 (Cultivation Technique)]

[Spell: 0 (Cultivated Spells or magic formulas)]

[Martial Skill: Mortal (Skills related to the Physical Body, Spells, Cultivation Techniques, or weaponry)]

[Skill Proficiency:]

——Bare-handed Combat (LV2): Ordinary methods of street thugs and ruffians.

——Weapon Class Thrusting (LV4): A life-taking Move comprehended from a year of farming. Has special damage bonus when using thrusting attacks.

'No wonder this pitchfork feels more and more proficient. But it's still a bit difficult to deal with those things on moonlit nights. Hope tonight is a peaceful one.'

Just as Jiang Yan was about to take a sip of water to wash down the dry rations, urgent shouts came from the other end of the field ridge.

"Jiang Yan! Jiang Yan!"

Jiang Yan turned his head and saw Zhang Xiao'er from the same village running over, panting heavily.

Seeing Zhang Xiao'er's unsettled expression, Jiang Yan stood up and asked, "Xiao'er, what's wrong?"

"You... your home, your wife is back!" Zhang Xiao'er gasped, hands on his knees. "I, I saw her heading towards your house, and she brought five men with her! Their clothes were so grand, like Immortals!"

Jiang Yan's heart skipped a beat. He threw down his water gourd and sprinted towards the village.

Over a year.

For over a year now, the original owner's unresolved obsession would surface from time to time, nearly driving Jiang Yan to madness.

Jiang Yan had imagined countless scenarios of Liu Erya's return, but he never imagined the woman would return with others.

His heart was pounding fiercely. The field ridge beneath his feet no longer seemed endless. He didn't know if it was the original owner's obsession running too deep, or if Jiang Yan himself wanted to see this wife he hadn't seen for over a year.

The small courtyard gate was wide open. Inside the modest yard stood six figures.

Jiang Yan skidded to a halt from his frantic run, standing breathless at the courtyard entrance.

His eyes immediately caught the familiar figure from his memories—Liu Erya!

Er'ya had changed!

In his memory, when she left, she was wearing coarse hemp clothes. Though her features were delicate, she still looked like a peasant girl.

Now, Er'ya was clad in a white flowing dress, her sleeves fluttering gently. Her skin was snow-like, and she exuded an ethereal Immortal Qi, as if untouched by the Mortal world.

Even more glaring were the five men standing beside Er'ya. They wore similar white Immortal robes, their bearing transcendent and aloof, looking utterly out of place in this simple, humble courtyard.

"Er'ya..." An involuntary call escaped from the depths of Jiang Yan's Soul, his voice carrying a slight tremor and hoarseness.

Liu Erya turned around, her gaze meeting Jiang Yan's.

Seeing Jiang Yan's appearance, a flicker of guilt passed over her expression, but it quickly turned placid.

"Jiang Yan, I'm back." Her tone was calm, chillingly so. "I'm not called Liu Erya anymore. My Revered Master gave me a new name—Liu Ruyan."

Hearing Liu Erya's words, Jiang Yan's body stiffened slightly.

The gazes of the five men simultaneously fell upon Jiang Yan, their expressions filled with nothing but disdain and scorn, as if looking at an ant.

In their eyes, how could a shabbily dressed farmer compare to them, the Immortals? This was the difference between Immortal and Mortal.

Jiang Yan automatically ignored their contemptuous, scornful looks. In his view, as long as he could make the original owner let go of his obsession, he could complete his task.

"Why didn't you send word ahead of your return? I could have gone to the village entrance to meet you."

Liu Ruyan pursed her lips. Her expression was complex at this moment, unsure how to answer Jiang Yan.

Seeing Liu Ruyan remain silent, the handsome, somewhat cunning-looking man beside her spoke up, "Junior Sister Liu, there is a distinction between Immortal and Mortal. You should know what to choose."

The man's words were harsh, especially with his disdainful demeanor.

Liu Ruyan gave a slight nod, her gaze returning to Jiang Yan. "Jiang Yan, these five are my Senior Brothers: Senior Brother Li, Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Yan, Senior Brother Che."

She introduced them one by one, but her tone had become flat and distant, as if drawing a clear line between her and Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan understood Liu Ruyan's words, but he hadn't gotten the answer he sought in his heart.

He silently walked to the door of the house, pushed it open, and said, "Let's talk inside."

As a modern person, Jiang Yan might not be as simple as the locals here, but he kept the house extremely tidy and clean. Even some of the furniture and decorations were arranged by his own hands.

The five Senior Brothers entered the house one after another. They frequently frowned at the simple farmhouse, their dislike already evident on their faces.

"Have a seat. I'll get some water."

Before Jiang Yan could turn to act, Liu Ruyan immediately stopped him. "No need. We'll only say a few words before leaving."

Jiang Yan gave a slight nod. He had long anticipated this outcome, so his gaze never left Liu Ruyan.

Liu Ruyan avoided Jiang Yan's gaze, her voice flat. "Jiang Yan, I came back this time to sever ties with you."

Hearing Liu Ruyan's words, Jiang Yan's expression remained unchanged, as if he was about to speak. But just as he was preparing his words, the Senior Brother Li closest to Liu Ruyan spoke, "Brother Jiang, you should understand. Junior Sister Liu is no longer a Mortal. She has been accepted as a Disciple by an Elder of Chixia Peak. Cultivators have long Lifespans. Mortal entanglements must be severed sooner or later. Only then can one seek the great Dao and longevity."

"So..." Jiang Yan's voice hesitated, his gaze still fixed on Liu Ruyan.

"So, let's divorce." Liu Ruyan finally looked directly at Jiang Yan.

The air froze.

Jiang Yan looked at Liu Ruyan. At this moment, his heart was unusually calm, not even a ripple of disturbance.

"Yes, I concealed my intention to seek immortality." Liu Ruyan's expression was somewhat unnatural, her voice lowering a bit. "A year ago, under the pretense of gathering herbs, I intended to seek immortality. My original plan was to obtain Immortal methods and return to live a better life with you. But I never expected to encounter a strange poison on the journey. If not for my five Senior Brothers risking their lives to save me, using a secret Sect method to detoxify me, I would have long since entered the Yellow Springs."

"Risked their lives to detoxify?" Jiang Yan was shocked, his gaze shifting to the five Senior Brothers beside Liu Ruyan. "What secret method?"

As a modern person, seeing Liu Ruyan's flushed, unnatural expression, how could he not understand?

'Good grief, this... is really something!'

'This operation! It's completely on par with those 'educational materials' from that island country!'

Standing to Liu Ruyan's right, the gloomy-looking Senior Brother Zhang took over: "The 'Winding Pillar Embracing Dragon' secret method. Junior Sister Ruyan was poisoned by the Desire Orchid Toxin. It required five pure Yang-bodied Cultivators to engage in Qi fusion and exchange with the poisoned person to dissolve the toxicity within her body. For this, Junior Sister Liu has already formed Dao Companionships with the five of us, sharing the Immortal fate."

Winding Pillar Embracing Dragon.

Qi fusion and exchange.

Five against one!

This is absolutely mind-blowing!

Jiang Yan's expression was one of shock. Now he fully understood.

The original owner's wife, Liu Erya, had been away for over a year and had already become the Dao Companion of Immortals.

What was mind-blowing was that it wasn't just one, but five... Seeing Jiang Yan's shocked expression, Liu Ruyan seemed somewhat reluctant, tears welling in her eyes. "Jiang Yan, I'm sorry. But since I've already formed Dao Companionships with my five Senior Brothers, I can no longer be your Mortal wife. The path of cultivation is long. I cannot delay you..."

Jiang Yan gave a bitter smile, waving his hand to interrupt. "I understand, I get it..."

How could he not get it? With Liu Ruyan's 'attainment', in Jiang Yan's view, this was just a whore trying to erect a monument to her chastity.

As for Lifespan and longevity, in his view, they were just insignificant numbers.

One must know, after his Possession and Rebirth, the original owner's remaining Lifespan was only three days. If he hadn't killed and plundered Lifespan, he would have long followed the original owner to the grave.

Seeing Jiang Yan's expression, the five Senior Brothers looked displeased. The youngest, surnamed Yan, stepped forward. "Brother Jiang, please understand. Junior Sister Ruyan is now a Cultivator. There is a world of difference between her and you, a Mortal. That she personally returned to sever Mortal ties with you is already a great honor for you."

Hearing the words of the one surnamed Yan, Jiang Yan's expression remained placid as he swept his gaze over the five, finally settling on Liu Ruyan's face. "So you came back just to cut ties with me and tell me you've become another man's woman?"

Liu Ruyan's expression was somewhat unnatural, but she still gave a slight nod.

She placed the prepared document on the table and took out a small cloth pouch. "This is the divorce agreement. Please press your fingerprint too. The fields and house at home all go to you. Also, consider this as compensation for you."

As if afraid Jiang Yan wouldn't understand, the one surnamed Che beside her hurriedly explained, "These are ten Spirit Stones. In the Mortal Realm, they can be exchanged for a large sum of gold and silver, enough to ensure you never worry about food or clothing in the Mortal world."

Jiang Yan looked at the pouch of Spirit Stones, feeling nothing but immense irony. The original owner had waited so bitterly, only for this to be the result.

After a long silence, long enough for that inner obsession to finally dissipate, he ultimately extended his rough, labor-worn finger and pressed his fingerprint onto the divorce agreement.

"I wish Fairy Liu a smooth Immortal path." Jiang Yan's meaningful words were flat, devoid of any discernible emotion.

Liu Ruyan was momentarily stunned, but she still took the divorce document.

Although the five Senior Brothers didn't perceive the change in Jiang Yan at this moment, they visibly let out a sigh of relief.

"It's getting late. We'll return to the mountain tomorrow." Senior Brother Li glanced outside, his tone brooking no argument. He looked at Jiang Yan. "Junior Sister Liu mentioned your house has spare rooms. We'll stay here for the night."

Jiang Yan didn't speak, merely nodding.

But inwardly, he was already calculating another matter. After all, tonight was no ordinary night!

A moment later, he gathered his belongings and moved to the small room in the east wing, giving up the main bedroom in the west wing to Liu Ruyan and her five Dao Companions.

Night fell, and the village sank into silence.

Jiang Yan remained awake, his eyes fixed on the rafters in the darkness.

He was well aware that in this world, he was currently no match for those Cultivators. Being cautious and careful was never a mistake.

A white jade disc of a full moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale, hazy light over the entire village.

'Is it coming?'

Just as Jiang Yan was muttering to himself, two abrupt gong strikes suddenly echoed within the village.

Under the shimmering moonlight, shadowy, ghostly white figures appeared outside Gao Family Village, silently approaching the settlement from an unknown origin.