42: Chapter 42 A dear friend has passed away, and the secret realm opens.

Upon hearing the words.

Xu Changsheng was stunned.

His hand trembled involuntarily, his eyes filled with unconcealable shock: "How could this be?"

Just a month ago, Wu Laoxie had come to him full of life, joyfully reporting his survival after the calamity.

"Speak, what happened?"

The Mo-named Cultivator finally caught his breath: "A chill, he caught a chill. The illness struck him down like a collapsing mountain."

"I just went to Miss Qingqing's place, said you were out at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. She should be there by now."

"Whoosh!"

Before he could explain more details, Xu Changsheng's body erupted with golden light, and he shot towards the spirit field with lightning speed.

"So fast."

The Wind Control Art was a High Grade first-tier wind element Spell.

Under the enhancement of the One Proof Eternal Proof entry, Xu Changsheng had already Cultivated it to the Perfection stage, not only possessing astonishing speed but also consuming very little Qi.

Moreover, with the boost from his Dust-Kicking Boots, he was even more shockingly fast.

In just half a quarter-hour, he arrived at the spirit field.

Entering the familiar hut.

At this moment, Wu Laoxie lay amidst a pile of bedding, his breath as faint as a thread. Wu Qingqing was keeping vigil by his side.

"Brother Wu, I came too late."

Wu Laoxie's breath was failing. His withered arm lifted with all its remaining strength.

His voice was unusually clear: "Not at all. That this old man can see his beloved daughter and old friend one last time before death, this life holds no regrets."

As soon as the words fell.

His eyes slowly closed, his arm abruptly fell.

"Father!"

Wu Qingqing's heart-wrenching wail tore through the air.

...

Wu Laoxie's life ended at one hundred and thirty-two years of age. Even among Qi Refining Cultivators, this was considered a natural end.

Using his connections within the Xie Family, Xu Changsheng found a geomantically excellent burial plot for him in the hills behind the market.

He also personally assisted Wu Qingqing in handling the funeral arrangements.

What he found somewhat baffling was that after Wu Laoxie's death, Wu Qingqing's temperament also changed.

From her originally lively and inquisitive self, she became increasingly withdrawn and silent.

Not understanding why, he simply attributed it to excessive grief.

...

On the seventh day after the death.

Xu Changsheng brought Yun Xin to the hills behind the market to pay respects at Wu Laoxie's grave.

Wu Qingqing excused herself, citing physical discomfort, and did not accompany them.

Looking at the dense forest of tombstones on the hill, Xu Changsheng couldn't help but sigh: "Life is truly fragile. Life and death truly lie within a single breath."

If, a hundred years from now, he failed to achieve Foundation Establishment, he too would be like these people, returning to a handful of yellow earth.

He secretly made a resolution in his heart.

"In this life, I, Xu Changsheng, seek nothing else but longevity..."

After paying respects, he walked with Yun Xin on the market's main road.

Suddenly.

The crowd parted, spontaneously retreating to both sides of the road.

"What's happening?"

Xu Changsheng's Face showed confusion.

"Clatter——"

The sound of turning wheels and rumbling carriages echoed continuously on the road.

One luxurious sedan after another raced into the market.

"The engagement ceremony for Young Master Jiang and the Second Miss is about to begin, hurry and follow!"

He quickly learned the reason for this.

He shook his head slightly.

This spectacle, he wouldn't go to see.

Just as he intended to leave, his sleeve was tightly grasped by Yun Xin.

"What? You want to go see it?"

"Mhm."

"Alright."

Xu Changsheng considered that there was no rush to return today, so he took Yun Xin and followed the crowd to the Prefects Mansion.

...

Walking on the road back to his residence.

Xu Changsheng was lost in thought.

Engagement ceremonies in the Cultivation world weren't too different from the mortal realm.

The father and brothers greet at the door, exchange birth date cards, present betrothal tokens, and draft the marriage contract.

It's just that there were some minor disturbances in the middle.

Anyone with eyes could see Xie Wantang's reluctance. Contrary to her usual poise, this girl became hesitant and awkward.

When it came time to reciprocate with her personal sachet, she struggled for a long time to untie it.

Jiang Wenzhou grew anxious and personally reached to take it, drawing snickers from the witnessing crowd.

Fortunately, it ended without major incident. Xie Wantang was pressured by her uncle to press her red fingerprint onto the marriage contract, finally returning to her chamber with tear-filled eyes.

Everyone understood this was merely a political marriage.

But for them, this marriage was a good thing.

With Jiang Wenzhou and the Golden Core Elder of the Chixiao Sect backing him, the Xie Family naturally held the high ground when facing the Lai Family.

The Lai Family wouldn't dare act rashly as before, and Liuyun Market would become much more stable.

"Young Master Xu, so that's what an engagement ceremony is like."

Beside him, Yun Xin held her flushed cheeks with both hands, still savoring the solemnity of the ceremony.

"Don't worry, a girl grows up to be married. You'll experience it once too, someday."

Xu Changsheng didn't dwell on it, instead focusing on planning for the Withered Wood Secret Realm half a month later.

Upon hearing this.

Yun Xin's Face flushed even redder. She began to fantasize about the process of herself and Xu Changsheng solemnly exchanging tokens of affection and openly drafting a marriage contract in a grand hall.

It was only after a long while that she realized she had fallen far behind.

She hurriedly quickened her pace to catch up.

...

In the blink of an eye, another month passed.

Deep within the Ancient Wood Mountain Range, before a secluded river valley.

The morning mist had not yet dispersed, thinly floating over the broad plain before the valley.

On the meadow, once rarely visited.

Now, it was a scene of bustling activity.

Various forces from around the Ancient Wood Mountain Range had gathered here.

The Xie Family and Lai Family, of course.

Xie Chengming and Lai Mingyuan personally led their elite Family Disciples.

After the previous conflicts, the relationship between the two Foundation Establishment families had already hit rock bottom, with Disciples from each side viewing the other with disdain.

However, because the Xie Family now had Jiang Wenzhou as a backer, the Lai Family Disciples had been ordered to hold their tongues, enduring the trash talk hurled by the Xie Family Disciples.

Xie Chengming also looked smugly at Lai Mingyuan: "Fellow Daoist Lai, weren't you quite arrogant before? How come you're acting like a turtle in its shell today, hahaha!"

Lai Mingyuan's eyes were sinister and hostile. He turned his back, offering no reply.

The Lai Family Disciples were flushed with anger from the insults, almost reaching the brink of explosion.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense and murderous.

Chen Xuan and Su Xiaojing's Revered Master — Xiao Tongguang — promptly stepped forward.

His belly protruding: "Fellow Daoist Xie, calm your anger. Harmony is precious."

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is right. Fellow Daoist Xie, why not turn hostility into friendship? Let's not start fighting before we've even entered the Withered Wood Secret Realm."

A man of unremarkable appearance stepped out. This person was the third Disciple of Yellow Ox Immortal City's Yellow Ox — Fourth Disciple.

"Hmph, has the superior sect not yet clarified the facts about the Lai Family colluding with Robber Cultivators to invade our Liuyun Market?" Xie Chengye said, displeased.

Xiao Tongguang shook his head: "That... that is not under Xiao's jurisdiction. The specifics await the decision of my Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."

"Then Xie has nothing more to say."

But out of respect for the two Golden Core-level powers, he still ordered his Disciples to rein it in.

"They're here!"

"Wow."

Just then, exclamations of admiration arose from the Xie Family camp.

They saw in the sky, a thirty-foot-long Green Luan Flying Boat speeding towards them.

Both sides of the hull were carved with continuous mountain ranges and rushing rivers; the cabins were adorned with carvings of Dragons and Phoenixes, resplendent and magnificent.

"It's Young Master Jiang's biluo flying boat, what grandeur!"

Soon, the flying boat landed.

Jiang Wenzhou struck what he thought was his most handsome pose, standing to one side, leaning forward, raising his right arm to escort Xie Wantang out.

The latter, however, ignored him as if he weren't there, stepping out on her own.

Still dressed in her Sea-blue Ruqun, she was as graceful as an immortal, instantly becoming the focus of attention.

Jiang Wenzhou awkwardly lowered his hand.

But his knuckles turned white as he clenched them inside his sleeve.

"Xie Wantang, just wait for the wedding night to receive your husband's favor. Once I have your person, I'm not afraid of not winning your heart!"