Chapter 918: The Old Daoist

"Go now, all of you, get far away... It is better for you, and better for me."

Watching the few fast horses disappear beyond the small town, Aaron brushed off his clothes after the deed was done, hiding his merit and fame deep away, and returned to Banxian Hall.

This development was also the result of his intentional pushing.

Regardless of whether Li Xiao was some Child of Tribulation, if he himself did not want to leave, then he would force the other party to leave!

With the other party gone, the small Yukan Town would quiet down, and he could once again be carefree and at ease for a long time.

In the days that followed, the small town was truly thrown into a state of chaos.

Although Zhang Chengxiang kept his promise and released Zhao Jianchen, this noble Young Master suffered such a great humiliation that he swore to take revenge, even venting his anger by burning down the Li Family Inn!

This kind of thing, he had already done many times.

After a loud laugh, he lowered his head, exhaled his final breath, and died on the spot!

"Master!"

Aaron performed a sparrow-like somersault, flipped over the wall, and entered the Taoist temple.

Mentioning this matter, the three of them sighed together.

Not long after, a young Taoist acolyte ran in, and seeing the blind old Daoist like this, he shouted: "Master... is your body feeling much better?"

At this moment, he could not help but glance at the Divine Attribute panel:

When a cultivator reaches the Innate stage, they can have a lifespan of about a hundred years.

Aaron already had the appearance of a middle-aged man, wearing a washed-out green robe, sporting a beard, and looking quite refined.

Besides this, Aaron had also practiced his Gu Technique and Spirit Snake Sword Technique to the point of absolute purity, making him a Grandmaster of Chushen Ruohua.

Outside Yuanjia City.

Fortunately, Li Xiao's aunt, wife, and son were all taken away by him; otherwise, it would have been hard to say what their fate might have been.

More than a decade ago, there was a great drought in Jiangnan, followed immediately by a locust plague; corpses of the starved were everywhere, and the common people could not survive, selling their sons and daughters, and even abandoning their wives and children to flee the famine...

Li Xiao might have been muddle-headed, but Zhang Chengxiang was an old hand in the world; how could he make such a mistake? Letting Li Xiao's family be retaliated against by the furious Zhao Jianchen?

Naturally, he had Li Xiao take all his relatives away, ending the matter once and for all.

Aaron stopped in front of a grave and performed a simple sacrifice.

【Cultivation Method: Ten Thousand Gu Book Condensing Sha Chapter (1000/1000)】

In Yukan Town, the plaque of Banxian Hall had also become mottled with age, giving it a sense of antiquity.

The assistant beside him said indignantly: "If it weren't for the fact that Fang had given orders that all who come are guests, I would have driven him out long ago!"

But all of this had little to do with Aaron anymore.

After all, in ancient times, it was the norm for a crime to implicate one's family.

As long as one had the heart and was willing to spend the time, there was no need to ask around much; Aaron soon learned that the blind old Daoist was staying at this 'Wutong Temple'.

"Oh? Is Fang finally getting married?"

When the acolyte tearfully agreed, the old Daoist laughed heartily: "Disciple Tongxin, do not be sad; your Master is wandering in the Great Void, is that not a joy!"

Aaron nodded and cupped his hands: "Next month, I will have the joy of marriage, so I invite the shopkeeper to come and have a cup of wedding wine."

However, Condensing Sha and Outer Gang do not increase one's lifespan.

As this thought arose, his expression stiffened slightly, but he still went from table to table to toast the guests.

"Sigh..."

One month later.

Aaron pondered carefully: 'The Innate stage offers a maximum lifespan of a hundred years. That blind old Daoist achieved the Innate stage, and his appearance looks younger than his actual age. When I got married last time, he was at least sixty or seventy...'

【Age: 45】

'It seems... I overestimated this blind old Daoist... he really is just an Innate, not someone pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger...'

Fortunately, Young Master Zhao also knew that Li Xiao and the others would likely never dare to return in this lifetime.

"That is true..."

And... after seven or eight generations, or even ten or twenty generations... the Fang Family of Banxian Hall would be authentic natives of Yukan Town, with a clean and clear background, and could go to the Orthodox Xuan Sect to seek apprenticeship...

The next day.

On the hillside, many graves were scattered; some were unattended and overgrown with weeds, while others were still fresh.

Aaron had casually picked up a baby boy by the roadside and raised him as his own child.

But in Aaron's eyes, there was only one evaluation in his heart—'a flash in the pan'!

"Disciple!"

However, although he had known this news for more than a decade, he had not acted rashly, only gathering information through side inquiries.

Spring passed and autumn came, autumn passed and winter came.

As for leaving behind this son, 'Fang Xi', only Aaron understood what was really going on.

【Realm: Condensing Sha】

This peddler relied on his own two feet to walk through nearby villages and towns selling goods, and was the most well-informed person.

"This slovenly Daoist, I don't know where he's from; he came early in the morning and said a few auspicious words as a gift. I think he's just here for a free meal..."

When he reached the blind old Daoist, the old Daoist suddenly asked: "Bridegroom... this old Daoist has nothing to offer; how about I read your fortune as a wedding gift, how about that?"

After all, Fang had been settled here for several years, and because he possessed good Medicine and charged low fees, he was quite popular with the locals, and many were willing to come and help.

When he reached the outermost perimeter, he saw an old Daoist sitting at a table, his apricot-yellow Taoist robe covered in countless patches, and it was unknown how long it had been since it was washed, emitting a strange odor; the surrounding villagers deliberately kept their distance, making him look very conspicuous.

However, Aaron did not want to leave behind blood descendants; he only planned to adopt a child in the future and let that person carry on the family line.

Aaron offered a polite remark, then went to other tables to toast, though he had already made his own calculations in secret.

"If I cannot obtain the Five Viscera and Six Bowels Gu, I will ultimately be unable to break into the Outer Gang Realm..."

Aaron was startled at first, but immediately sized the person up without changing his expression.

Aaron laughed heartily, his expression remaining as usual, and stepped forward to offer a toast.

After all, the blind old Daoist who had once guided Li Xiao had suddenly appeared; no matter how one looked at it, something felt wrong.

At this moment, he would use his peak state to probe the depths of that blind old Daoist once more.

The blind old Daoist's face was flushed, and his spirit was much better than usual.

"Hmm."

After a long while, Aaron said softly, "A pity for the Li Family..."

At this time, carrying a basket filled with various offerings, he walked out of the medical clinic.

"Shopkeeper Qian, you said that old Daoist visited the ruins of the Li Family Inn yesterday to pay his respects? Does he seem to be an old acquaintance of the Li Family?"

"That won't be necessary. A gentleman believes in fate, not luck... Eat well and drink well, Daoist. I still have to go toast the guests, so I cannot keep you company."

Thinking of this, Aaron kept his expression normal, bowed to heaven and earth with the bride, and went into the bridal chamber, which need not be mentioned further.

Aaron walked out of Yukan Town and climbed a small hillside.

Aaron was not stingy with his wealth; he set up an open-seating banquet and instructed that any guest who came to offer congratulations, regardless of whether their gift was light or heavy, could eat their fill.

A young man who was busy grabbing medicine in the front, accompanied by several Apprentices, hurried over to bow: "Father, are you going to pay respects to Mother again?"

"Today is my joyous day, so there is no need for that."

One could see that this Daoist had an ugly face, a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks, and hideous scars on both eyes. At this moment, he was gnawing wildly on a chicken tail, a pitch-black Turtle Shell hung from his chest, and a Small Banner stood by his hand. On one side of the banner was written "Iron-Mouthed Direct Prediction," and on the other side appeared to be the twelve large characters: "Ancestral Dog-Skin Plaster, Specially Treats Bruises and Injuries."

Aaron gave a lukewarm reply and walked out of the small town on his own.

Aaron was just one wall away and heard everything clearly, yet he did not take action.

After all, the Orthodox Xuan Sect was the true orthodoxy of this world; regardless of whether they would accept him or not, Aaron was prepared to try his best once.

Shopkeeper Qian did not have the slightest suspicion; after all, it was just neighborly chatter:

Shopkeeper Qian was slightly surprised, then cupped his hands and said: "Certainly! Certainly!"

And recently, this blind Daoist seemed to have reached his limit and was about to pass away!

Immediately, he employed his light-body technique, his figure resembling a wisp of black smoke, and vanished into the distance in an instant...

Upon reaching the Golden Core, one is known as a Grandmaster of the Immortal Tao, capable of founding a sect and living for over a thousand years—that is a common occurrence!

One must wait until the Mysterious Light Realm to extend their life according to their respective cultivation techniques.

Shopkeeper Qian did not even dare to say a single harsh word; after all, the common people do not fight with officials!

If he said any words of resentment and some villain reported it to the government, it would be another storm of trouble.

"Wore out another one. Huh? Why did I say 'another'?"

Today, however, was clearly different.

Once he had outlived his wife and children, his current identity would likely be near the end of its life, and he would then disguise himself as his own great-grandson or great-great-grandson... and debut once again!

By using the cover of the mundane world in this way, he could conceal the secret of his own immortality.

"Sigh... what other way is there? It is just the Li Family's bad luck..."

"Xin Chen's aptitude is truly mediocre. I have practiced for twenty years and only just managed to cultivate the Hundred Poisons Sha Qi to the peak realm. A breath of this Sha Qi is colorless and odorless, perfect for backstabbing people..."

The banquets of the townspeople were simple, consisting only of solid, oily braised pork, fragrant roast chicken, a mix of meat and vegetable dishes, and large white steamed buns... all served in abundance, with wine flowing like water, making for a meal where both host and guests were satisfied.

Uh... his 'wife' had suffered too much deficiency in her youth, and her constitution was too weak. Even with his help in regulating it, she did not live long, and she had already passed away for more than three years now.

Tongxin Daoist could not help but wail.

【Skill: Gu Technique (100/100), Spirit Snake Sword Technique (100/100)】

Aaron, dressed in the groom's attire, was still secretly complaining to himself that this open-seating banquet was an ominous sign.

"Or perhaps... am I being too overly anxious? Just now, I was actually able to see a little bit of this old Daoist's depth; he is at most hovering around the Innate realm..."

Aaron looked at the charred ruins and could not help but sigh: "Truly a disaster from the heavens!"

Aaron took the opportunity while buying things to chat with Shopkeeper Qian for a while, and could not help but be lost in thought.

Aaron was already very familiar with this place, though today he was not here to look for the young ladies.

【Talent: Immortality】

In front of Li Family Inn.

"Peddler Zhang... how has business been lately? Don't talk to others about that old Daoist; after all, it involves the Li Family..."

"Next is just to wait a few decades, outlive this son, and then I can let the seed of 'Fang Xi's' one-night stand return to the ancestral hall... Anyway, with my own handwriting as an old father as proof, let the person concerned try jumping out of the coffin to object!"

The marriage Aaron spoke of was not fake, either.

He went to the town to inquire a little and learned of the old Daoist's whereabouts.

Back when he was a Fisherman of Taize Lake, anyone who was this arrogant basically ended up with their family destroyed and dead...

"Sigh..."

After the old Daoist sighed, he took off the Turtle Shell he always carried and handed it to the young Daoist: "This is the ancestral Dharma Treasure of our sect. After you refine it, you can obtain the method to manipulate it. Our sect excels in the art of deduction; with the help of this Turtle Shell, you can achieve twice the result with half the effort! But remember well... every time this Turtle Shell is used, it consumes one's own lifespan. Do not use it unless it is an absolute last resort!"

Not long after, he found the room of the blind old Daoist.

Having experienced the ways of the world, he naturally knew how foolish it was to ignore the great path to heaven and instead choose to walk a narrow, winding path while priding oneself on being a unique individual!

"After all, I am immortal; if I take the wrong path, I still have the chance to regret it... but ordinary people do not..."

The blind old Daoist stroked the young Daoist's head and sighed: "Silly child, your master's lifespan has reached its end... It is a pity for my Tongxin Temple lineage. Although we are called an immortal sect, in reality, our cultivation techniques are far too incomplete. At most, one can reach the Innate realm, and there is no difference between us and ordinary martial arts sects in the world..."

Over these twenty years, besides polishing his Sha Qi every day, Aaron had been secretly inquiring about news of the blind old Daoist.

Yukan Town, Banxian Hall.

……

This Taoist temple is not large, with very few pilgrims; inside the courtyard walls grow a few plum and peach trees, and a single peach blossom branch is reaching out over the wall.

【Name: Xin Chen (Fang Yu, Aaron)】

Time is like flowing water; in the blink of an eye, twenty years have passed in a rush.

"Twenty years from now, I will be nearly a hundred years old and on the verge of passing away... I suppose that is understandable, quite understandable..."

Instead, it was a courtesan who took a fancy to his talent and, after redeeming herself, voluntarily followed him.

The blind old Taoist called out using the Innate technique of voice transmission.

However, he did not force his way in, but merely observed silently.

Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and streamers; the townspeople seemed to want to use this opportunity to sweep away their previous gloom, and they were actually even more excited than Aaron, the groom.

With a few leaps of his movement technique, he arrived outside a Taoist temple.

In reality, if not for his ten thousand years of deep Qi-nurturing cultivation, he might have performed a live escape from his own wedding.

He did miss Li Erniang's wine a little.

The reason he did not let anyone follow him was because how could these ordinary people track an Innate Expert? They would inevitably reveal flaws!

But Yukan Town is Aaron's base of operations, so one could say his eyes and ears are everywhere; it is naturally extremely convenient to find out about anything.

After the government officials had all left, the small town fell back into a long-lost tranquility.

Therefore, after burning down the Li Family Inn, they could only leave in anger and then have the government add Li Xiao and his family to the wanted list.

Fortunately, the child did not grow up spoiled; having been served "bamboo shoots fried in meat" three times a day when he was little, he did not have a bratty personality, which was some small comfort.

At this moment, a peddler nearby interjected: "This old Taoist, I have also seen him near Yuanjia City; he probably stays at some Taoist temple..."

Mortals fear the result, Bodhisattvas fear the cause!

He learned from Xin Chen's memories that in this world, karma is intertwined, almost like a heavenly law.

If he were to rashly take action to seize treasures and inheritances, it would be easy to forge karmic ties and be dragged into calamities in the future!

"Better to wait a while longer, and see a bit more... At worst, I'll just wait until his Daoist Lineage is severed, and then I'll come to take over!"

(End of chapter)