21: Daoist Couple

After seeing Li Xueer off, Chen Xu returned to the main hall and placed the heavy Spirit Stone pouch on the table.

With a sweep of his Divine Sense, the number inside became clear: thirty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, not one less.

This large sum was enough to support a small immortal cultivation Family for decades.

But for the current Chen Family, this was merely a starting fund for a grand future plan.

The Li Family had truly gone all out this time, not only buying up most of his stock of Elementary Spiritual Talismans but also prepaying several years of future income, all to firmly cling to his powerful support.

Chen Xu was well aware of this.

He put away the Spirit Stones and turned to walk towards the backyard.

As he stepped into the inner courtyard, he heard a chorus of chirping voices.

Sun Xiaoyue and Zhao Linger were sitting by a stone table, teasing the children in the cradle while chatting.

Bu Yifan was nearby, holding a needle and thread, mending a small piece of clothing.

A gentle smile graced her face.

Under the corridor not far away, Chen Qingqing sat in a wheelchair, a thin blanket covering her knees, holding a scroll, but her gaze was fixed on the slightly older children playing in the courtyard, her eyes distant.

Her complexion had improved greatly during this time.

Although still aloof, the icy chill that kept people a thousand miles away had dissipated considerably.

"Husband is back."

Bu Yifan was the first to spot Chen Xu, putting down her work.

"Oh, our great Talisman Master, which Fairy did you meet today?"

Sun Xiaoyue winked playfully, teasing, "I saw that female cultivator from the Li Family just now; she was heroic and spirited, not an ordinary young lady. Husband, what do you think?"

Before Chen Xu could speak, Zhao Linger, blushing beside him, quietly added, "Sister Xiaoyue is right, Fellow Daoist Li's gaze towards Husband was almost pulling threads."

Chen Xu shook his head helplessly, sat down on the stone stool, and took a sip of the tea Bu Yifan had just brewed: "What nonsense are you talking about? That's just business."

"We're not talking nonsense."

Sun Xiaoyue persisted, "They are an Artifact Refining Family; what Magical Artifacts don't they have? Yet they are so polite to you, Husband. I think their true intention is not the wine."

Seeing that the topic was about to stray ten thousand miles off course, Chen Xu immediately changed direction and looked at Bu Yifan: "By the way, didn't that child Dao Xuan say he was coming back these past few days? Is there any news?"

At the mention of her son, Bu Yifan's smile deepened: "I just received his message Flying Sword; he said he'll arrive today. He also said... he's bringing someone back with him."

"Bringing someone?"

Chen Xu raised an eyebrow.

"Mm..."

Bu Yifan nodded, a hint of expectation in her eyes: "He said it's his Dao Companion, and he wants to bring her back for us to see."

Dao Companion.

Chen Xu's heart stirred slightly, and the hand holding the teacup paused.

He looked at the children in the courtyard, who had grown quite a bit.

Then he looked at his three wives beside him, who were even more charming than before, and a sense of emotion rose in his heart.

Since his Foundation Establishment, the Chen Family had undergone earth-shattering changes.

His eldest son, Chen Ping, who had no Spiritual Root, had given him a second grandson, which added five years to his lifespan.

His other children without Spiritual Roots had also, under the Chen Family's arrangements, married and established careers, managing the mundane businesses, which were flourishing, as were the Chen Family's wealth and influence.

They had long surpassed the scope of Ninghai Town.

And those children with Spiritual Roots were gradually making a name for themselves in the Qingyun Sect.

"Time passes so quickly..."

Bu Yifan also followed his gaze and said softly, "It feels like you just achieved Foundation Establishment yesterday, and today, Dao Xuan is already bringing his Dao Companion home."

"Indeed."

Chen Xu put down his teacup, "What about that girl Nianfan? Didn't her last letter say she was trying to break through to the twelfth layer of Qi Refining?"

Chen Nianfan is Chen Xu's daughter, whose Aptitude is second only to Chen Daoxuan, and she is also an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qingyun Sect.

"I just received a letter a few days ago; she has successfully broken through and is now stabilizing her Realm, preparing to attempt Foundation Establishment."

Bu Yifan's face was full of pride when she spoke of her daughter.

Chen Xu nodded, but sighed inwardly.

Others didn't know, but he had the System and was well aware of his children's potential.

Although Chen Nianfan's Foundation was solid, her Aptitude was limited.

Foundation Establishment would be her limit; there was no hope for the Golden Core in this life.

The path of immortal cultivation is a step to heaven, but also a step to a cliff.

Talent, Heart-Nature, and Opportunity, not one can be lacking.

Just as the two were sighing, in the sky, a streak of green sword light approached from afar and landed steadily on the open ground in the backyard.

The light dissipated, revealing two young figures.

The leading young man was precisely Chen Daoxuan.

After not seeing him for these days, he had shed the immaturity of youth; his posture was tall and straight, his face handsome, and his eyes were bright and piercing. He was already at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining.

In fact, according to Li Tongxuan's current cultivation, he could undergo Foundation Establishment at any time.

However, Li Tongxuan clearly disdained Human Path Foundation Establishment.

Therefore, during this period, he had been refining his cultivation, wanting to undergo Earth Path Foundation Establishment, or even to glimpse Immortal Path Foundation Establishment, in order to go further on the path of immortality.

Beside him stood a young girl in a pale green silk dress.

The girl's face was beautiful, and her demeanor was gentle, but at this moment, she seemed a bit awkward and nervous. Her pair of bright, watery eyes curiously and uneasily surveyed everything in the courtyard.

"Father, Mother, your son has returned."

Chen Daoxuan stepped forward a few paces and respectfully bowed to Chen Xu and Bu Yifan.

Then he greeted Sun Xiaoyue and Zhao Linger: "Greetings, Mother Xiaoyue, Mother Ling'er."

The wives of the Chen Family were all addressed as Mother by the children, with their names added in front for distinction.

"Good, good, good, it's good you're back."

Bu Yifan hurried forward, holding her son's hand, her eyes full of love.

Chen Daoxuan smiled, then pulled the girl beside him and formally introduced her: "Father, Mother, this is Lin Wan'er, my... Dao Companion."

The girl named Lin Wan'er blushed, quickly stepped forward, and bowed gracefully to everyone, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum: "Wan'er... greets Uncle, Aunt."

"Quickly, get up, quickly, get up, good child."

Bu Yifan beamed, taking a jade bracelet of pure green from her wrist and, without a word, placed it on Lin Wan'er's hand: "You came in a hurry, so I didn't prepare any proper gift. Please accept this Clear Heart Bracelet; consider it a small token of affection from an elder."

Lin Wan'er felt a coolness on her wrist.

A calming and mind-clearing aura spread throughout her body. She knew this was no ordinary item, at least a High Grade Spiritual Artifact, of considerable value. She was instantly flustered and looked to Chen Daoxuan for help.

Chen Daoxuan nodded at her.

"Thank you, Aunt."

Lin Wan'er then blushed and accepted it.

Sun Xiaoyue and Zhao Linger also each presented a meeting gift, which were precious Medicinal Pills and Materials.

Finally, it was Chen Xu's turn.

Lin Wan'er's heart couldn't help but leap into her throat.

Before coming, she had heard Chen Daoxuan say that his father was the backbone of the Chen Family, a mysterious and powerful Foundation Establishment Stage Senior.