Chapter 537

In the bridal chamber, the 'jade couple' exchanged glances, filled with shyness and a faint 'affection'. Lan

The true form of the Hundred Flowers Fairy had already hidden herself away; she wore a great red wedding dress, while the bride before the arhat's bed had transformed into a phantom.

Zhang Jian sat boldly at the round table, his form likewise transformed, but his method was more exquisite, leaving no phantom—rather, the phantom was bewitched by perception, now disrobing before the empty air.

In this life, he came merely to assist the Hundred Flowers Fairy in resolving her obsession, and to guide her through her final passage.

Of course, this also served to fulfill his own 'karmic debt'!

At this moment, Zhang Jian perceived the Nine Abysses, life and death, and had also sensed that the Hundred Flowers Fairy's previous life seemed to be that of the captured Hundred Flowers Princess of the Great Qian.

Hence, he offered 'self-sacrifice' to aid her, to ferry her across one lifetime.

After the wedding candles burned down, the two returned to normalcy. Lan

They treated each other with mutual respect, just like an ordinary couple—one earned a living by selling calligraphy and paintings, the other still ground tofu to supplement their livelihood.

Though ordinary, it carried a unique warmth.

Zhang Jian noticed that Wang Qiaoyun gradually ceased resisting, lowering her guard.

Over time, she gradually blended into this life, seemingly intending thereby to temper her Dao-heart.

He had long anticipated this scene.

With the county magistrate's appearance at the wedding feast, his calligraphy and painting business also flourished greatly, attracting ever more officials and nobles, even renowned scholars and inkmen from Yuhé Commandery who came upon hearing his name.

Many scholars came in high spirits and left satisfied, which invisibly drove up the price of Zhang Jian's ink treasures.

Yet even more precious was this invaluable network of connections.

All who came were either rich or noble; even without holding office in the red dust, it caused others to look upon them with greater esteem.

Seeing this, the elderly Wang couple grew ever happier.

Naturally, they wished only for the young couple to fare better and better.

But after a span of time, the elderly couple began to worry again—two years had passed, and the couple remained childless, which naturally troubled them deeply.

For a woman, being childless is a grave reproach from heaven.

Spring warmed and flowers bloomed; the great locust tree in the courtyard had lush branches and leaves, with birdcalls sounding from its treetops. Lan

Gazing into the study, where the handsome youth wrote with vigorous brush, Wang Qiaoyun at that moment carried a small dish of left wine into the study; her steps halted, she fixed her gaze upon that fully absorbed figure, and for a moment seemed entranced; shortly, she stepped forward to stand before Zhang Jian.

"My lord, I have prepared a small side dish for your drink—please try it!"

Zhang Jian gazed at the bamboo basket holding the dish, rich in color, aroma, and flavor, and a smile also appeared in his eyes.

"Still, it is the wife's thoughtfulness—this plate of stir-fried liver could truly showcase the wife's culinary skill, few could match it!"

Wang Qiaoyun smiled faintly and said.

"It's merely a small stir-fry—where is there the exaggeration you speak of, my lord? You are ever fond of teasing others into laughter!"

Zhang Jian gave a light laugh; he was not, in fact, boasting of Wang Qiaoyun's skill. Lan

To prepare food with a cultivator's skill naturally yields a unique flavor.

Likewise virtuous, Zhang Jian unintentionally recalled Qi Yuhua and Bai Liying.

A flicker of strange light passed through Wang Qiaoyun's eyes; she suddenly asked.

"My lord, do you also wish for a child of our own?"

Zhang Jian glanced at her, appearing unaware, and nodded naturally and without hesitation.

"Of course, how could my wife ask such a thing? If we had our own child, I would teach her to read and write; if a daughter, my wife could also teach her needlework and cooking; they would surely inherit our virtues!"

Wang Qiaoyun, seeing this, gave a slight nod. Lan

That night, Zhang Jian's expression stirred, yet he saw Wang Qiaoyun still united as a puppet; merely, Zhang Jian noticed that the next day, Wang Qiaoyun, under pretext, had drawn in a strand of his vital energy, integrating it into her body, thereby using it to nurture bloodline.

Observing her movements, Zhang Jian understood: this female immortal likely had her love tribulation finally triggered.

This is a minor tribulation before ascension.

Most high-level cultivators possess extraordinarily resilient Dao-hearts, having weathered the dust of the mortal world, making it easy to pass.

The Hundred Flowers Fairy, however, was stirred by the Red Thread Star, or perhaps she had never intended to resist.

She also wished to experience this unprecedented wondrous sensation through this means.

Zhang Jian, however, wholeheartedly agreed with this approach. Lan

This is likely something this immortal maiden has not experienced in countless years.

If she has never undergone worldly affection, life-and-death partings, how could she truly comprehend all, 'forsake emotion for the Dao', and focus solely on the path?

Forsaking emotion for the Dao is not being unfeeling, but transcending all mundane desires, allowing the Dao-heart to easily govern all.

This is also why he personally enlightened her.

However, his cultivation has already reached the Taiyi Heavenly Immortal level, and the authority of the Earth Sovereign is even the Great Perfection of Taiyi—this strand of vital energy cannot be easily drawn in or absorbed by ordinary immortals.

Only see: a dense strand of innate Dao resonance merged into the Hundred Flowers Fairy's immaculate immortal body; her primordial spirit nearly awakened at once.

Zhang Jian temporarily suppressed her primordial spirit with divine power. Lan

Now is not yet the time for the Hundred Flowers Fairy to awaken.

Soon after, news spread from the Zhang household that Wang Qiaoyun was suffering from morning sickness, instantly dispelling many rumors in the Ximen Ward; the Wang couple also specially sold wine and meat, bringing eggs to visit.

And double joy arrived at the door: the Wang couple's two sons also returned from the front lines of battle.

They had merely been swept along by other units, sent to other battlefields, and were not killed in action.

This could not but cause the Wang couple to rejoice beyond expectation.

And upon learning that the Wang couple had taken a dry parent, gaining an adopted daughter, the Wang brothers were also overjoyed.

The brothers' names were quite ordinary: one called Wang Wen, the other Wang Wu—clearly meaning 'literature and martial arts, both complete'. Lan

Only, both brothers were rather honest and loyal, much like the old Wang couple.

After returning from the front, the brothers soon secured a post in the county office.

Though jailers are of low birth, and their descendants for generations cannot take the imperial examinations, among common folk they hold high status—if one passes by on the street, others will often respectfully address them as 'Captain' or 'Sir'!

With the Wang brothers returning, the Wang family courtyard became noticeably livelier.

Under the arrangements of the elderly Wang couple, the two brothers quickly married and had children.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Wang Qiaoyun gave birth to a lively and adorable daughter for Zhang Jian in the first year, and three years later gave birth to a son.

As time passed, although Zhang Jian gradually gained fame throughout several surrounding prefectures and his life improved day by day, even though he had once gone out to study, he never left Qingyu City.

After twelve years, Old Man Wang was the first to succumb; although he was at the age of knowing his destiny, he lay upon the sickbed.

Wang Qiaoyun was unwilling to let Old Man Wang linger on his sickbed, so she used a thread of magic power to cleanse his marrow and tendons, thus enabling him to pass through the gates of hell.

Zhang Jian merely watched this scene as an observer, while Wang Qiaoyun silently cast the spell.

But Zhang Jian knew that such spellcasting disturbed life and death, and he feared it would easily be detected by Wang Qiaoyun's great enemy.

Tiantai Sect.

One of the renowned immortal sects and Dao lineages in the Northern Region, with an ancient inheritance and mighty prestige that overwhelms vast immortal realms.

Deep within the sect, at this moment a disciple reported to the Closed-Door Thunder Daoist who had been in seclusion for a period of time.

"Ancestor, we have found the Third Senior Brother!"

"The Third Senior Brother has lost his mind and become a beggar!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, the Thunder Daoist's eyes narrowed, and a fierce chill burst forth from his pupils; he suddenly flared with anger and immediately strode hastily out of the main hall, where from afar he saw a disheveled cultivator crouched on the ground gnawing on bones, and several old Daoists of the Tiantai Sect could not restrain him despite pulling and tugging.

His magical artifacts and immortal treasures were all lost, and his cultivation seemed to have been completely forgotten.

Upon hearing this, the Thunder Daoist let out an angry snort.

"Get out of the way!"

In his hand appeared a greenish bodhi seed; upon slight activation, a bodhi immortal light fell upon the disheveled cultivator, instantly causing him to cease his movements.

After a moment, he dazedly looked around, his thoughts still sluggish, yet he still recognized the figures of those before him.

"Master... Respect!"

He stammered as he spoke, simultaneously making a bow.

Seeing his appearance, the Thunder Daoist felt annoyed, immediately waved his hand, and ordered the Daoists to drag this third disciple away to wash up, while his eyes slightly furrowed in thought.

This third disciple having become like this clearly indicates he encountered a high person.

However, this high person dared to target the Bai Sha Daoist in such a manner, which is utterly disregarding the Tiantai Dao Sect; no matter what, he must demand an explanation from the other party.

Moreover, Wang Qiaoyun possesses another ancient immortal inheritance on her person, and cannot be allowed to roam freely outside; he decided to personally make a trip!

……

Two years later, the Zhang family's small courtyard began to be relocated, preparing to move to a more prosperous district of Qingyu City.

In the small courtyard, Wang Qiaoyun wore plain-colored silk robes, her hair styled in the unique coiffure of a married woman, adorned with a golden hairpin; although her features were delicate, she possessed a distinct allure, and under her were two mischievous children playing and fighting.

At this moment, Zhang Jian was directing servants to bind various pieces of furniture onto the cart, instructing them to handle things gently so as not to damage the calligraphy and paintings.

At this moment he glanced at Wang Qiaoyun.

At this moment, the smiling Wang Qiaoyun suddenly glanced toward the direction outside the city, her eyes flickering unpredictably.

At the gate of Qingyu City, a Daoist clad entirely in cold detachment slowly stepped forth from the void, his eyes falling upon Qingyu City; a flash of intense killing intent and mockery appeared in his pupils, as he was about to open his mouth to shout and curse, but suddenly his expression stirred, his eyes gradually losing focus, and a faint struggle appeared in his gaze; the various immortal arts surrounding his embryonic Dao fruit transformed into Dao patterns, about to erupt, but in an instant these patterns fell silent.

His eyes lost focus as he gazed blankly at the city before him.

"Who am I? Where am I?"

He stared at the whisk in his hand, his expression sinking into contemplation.

He allowed carriages by the roadside to rush past, splattering mud all over his body, yet still had no clue.

The city gate guards watching this scene immediately furrowed their brows.

"Where did this madman come from, causing trouble at the city gate and disturbing order!"

This group of guards cursed and shoved forward to question him; seeing that the Thunder Daoist wore Daoist robes, they still felt some taboo.

In their eyes, Daoists have always been not to be provoked.

But seeing the Thunder Daoist's eyes dull and confused, unable to utter a word, they grew bold and simply seized him, dragging him into the city's great prison.

Of course, before entering the great prison, his treasures were completely stripped from him.

"..."

Within the courtyard, Wang Qiaoyun felt that the terrifying Great Dao of the blazing sun, like a scorching sun, vanished in an instant, and she slightly furrowed her brows.

Just passing by again?

Wang Qiaoyun felt it would not be so simple; it could not be such a coincidence twice.

She thought with lightning speed, more inclined to believe that Qingyu City holds some secret that drove away this being who had surpassed the Heavenly Immortal realm.

In her heart she felt no fear, for she had already dwelled in this place for over ten years; if the other party harbored ill intent toward her, she feared she would have already encountered trouble.

Thus, there was no need to fear.

Of course, this is merely speculation.

No matter what, Qingyu City is for her an excellent refuge, capable of aiding her recovery from injuries and perfecting her Dao heart.

After the move, the Zhang and Wang families indeed became somewhat distant from each other, with fewer visits.

But her two children at her knees gradually grew, giving Wang Qiaoyun new comfort.

Ten years later, on the sickbed.

Old Lady Wang's body was withered and dry, time having left too many scars upon her, countless airs of decay and death enveloping the quilt beneath her; at this moment she tightly grasped the aged hands of Old Lady Wang, her eyes still holding turbid tears.

Inside and outside the room, numerous children and grandchildren gathered.

Wang Qiaoyun gazed upon this scene, and also turned her head away.

At this moment Zhang Jian also appeared middle-aged, his bearing still elegant and refined, with beard and hair grown, and a hint of gray at his temples.

Three years later, Old Lady Wang likewise passed away.

As Old Man Wang and Madam Wang departed, the Hundred Flowers Fairy's primordial spirit deep within Wang Qiao'yun's brow began to stir, faintly showing signs of awakening.

Yet the karmic entanglement and emotional tribulation deep in her brow had transformed into a vast net, shrouding the mundane world.

With the passage of years, Zhang Jian's body gradually developed various ailments.

Wang Qiao'yun often seized opportunities to use a portion of her magical power to regulate Zhang Jian's body, but his fate deep within seemed locked by the 'Book of Life and Death'; no matter how she tried, the aura of decline and death continued to gather, impossible to dispel.

This change left Wang Qiao'yun anxious beyond measure and also tore her heart apart.

Even an iron-forged Dao heart seemed unable to withstand this moment of sorrow.

Unwilling to let 'Zhang Jian' depart, she employed several immortal pills, forcibly extending his lifespan by thirty years.

Thirty years later, the aged 'Zhang Jian', past the age of venerable years, passed away peacefully.

A brief life of several decades, a fleeting existence like mist and clouds.

"Coming in haste, departing in haste!"

At this moment, the Hundred Flowers Fairy stood before the bed, her eyes, under the emotional impact of grief pushed to the extreme, finally trending toward calm.

The emotional threads deep in her brow snapped instantly.

The Vermilion Marriage Star was also, at this moment, completely refined and erased by the vast immortal light surging from deep within her primordial spirit.

That night, this couple of 'deeply affectionate and resistant bond' passed away on the same day.

Leaving behind only the sorrowful memories of numerous descendants.

Above Qingyu City, the Hundred Flowers Fairy rose into flight, her body surrounded by layers of flowing immortal light, vast primordial immortal light surging, instantly triggering the Heavenly Immortal Great Tribulation in the depths of the void.

When she pierced through the Dao heart's emotional tribulation, it was also the moment her cultivation reached perfection.

At this time, she had already recovered part of the Hundred Flowers Fairy's memories.

She glanced once toward the direction of Qingyu City, then immediately turned and flew into the depths of the void without looking back.

In the void, Zhang Jian's form manifested, watching this scene with a faint smile; his task was nearly complete.

Yet his eyes simultaneously turned toward the depths of the void, sensing another terrifying killing intent locking onto the Hundred Flowers Fairy as she sought to transcend the tribulation.

This was the Hundred Flowers Fairy's final death tribulation.

He then decided to have a chat with her!