Longevity starts from having a daughter in old age

“Indeed, there’s a deficiency in the soul! As for the quick cultivation speed, perhaps it is due to an exceptional compatibility with our Tianhe Sect’s martial method!”

After a thorough examination and discussion by the sect elders, Xu Mu once again returned to Lonely Sword Peak.

Quite simply, as far as the elders were concerned, rapid progress over a short time didn’t prove much of anything.

However, it wasn’t without bounty, that Master Yin, head of the medicine hall, took a keen interest in Xu Mu’s circumstances. He was willing to aid him in his cultivation henceforth, the only stipulation being that Xu Mu would have to visit him regularly for checkups.

Xu Mu naturally had no objections. Even if he did, he wouldn’t dare to voice them, as Master Yin, head of the medicine hall, was a cultivator of the Golden Core Stage with a high standing in the sect.

“Junior brother, don’t be discouraged! I believe that you will surely become a high-tier cultivator in the future!”

Facing this outcome, Luo Qingchen showed a heartfelt smile.

If Xu Mu were to leave, it wouldn’t do much good for their Lonely Sword Peak. If he stayed, at least there’d be a fraction of hope for a promising rise.

“Indeed! I also believe in you, brother. You will astonish everyone in the future!”

Li Heng also laughed.

“Us as well!” Big Bull and Er Niu agreed unanimously.

“Thankyou, brothers and sisters!” Xu Mu managed to force a smile.

He hadn’t anticipated the people of Tianhe Sect being so stubborn. It seemed like acquiring the Heavenly One Spirit Water was going to be delayed.

Lacking the support of the sect’s resources, and not daring to display overly unnatural abilities, his cultivation speed could only increase at a limited pace. However, when Xu Mu was feeling gloomy, a turning point for things occurred abruptly.

“You are the new junior brother, aren’t you?”

One day, a girl with a round face, apricot eyes, a bun hairstyle, and dressed in goose yellow clothing, suddenly appeared on Xu Mu’s roof.

“And you are, sister?” Xu Mu asked while frowning.

“I am Shang YaoYao. Surely Luo Qingchen and Li Heng have told you about me?”

Shang YaoYao, on a yellow silk ribbon magic artifact supporting her, flew down from the roof.

“So it’s Sister Shang! I have longed to meet you. Seeing you in person, I find Lee was absolutely right: you really are as beautiful as he said!” Xu Mu complimented with a grin.

Shang YaoYao was the junior sister that Li Heng spoke about, the one they scarcely saw twice a year. Of course, Xu Mu was to address her as sister.

“Hmph!”

Shang YaoYao snorted, “Such a small child, yet so capable of lying. As if Li Heng would ever compliment me. It would be a mercy for him not to speak ill of me!” “Sister really is wise and brilliant to see right through my ruse!”

“Of course, your little tricks can’t deceive this lady at all!” Shang YaoYao arrogantly responded.

“You’re absolutely right, sister!”

“Enough! I didn’t come here to listen to your nonsense. I have heard about your situation. I wonder if you would be interested in cooperating with me?”

Xu Mu’s eyes lit up as he queried, “What kind of cooperation are you talking about, sister?”

“Quite simply, we sign a contract. I provide you with cultivation resources, and in return, you do some work for me!”

“Where would sister get these resources?” Xu Mu asked, uncertain.

“As the fourth daughter of the Shang family, do you really think I can’t afford to raise a little kid like you?!” Shang YaoYao responded dismissively.

“The Shang family?”

Xu Mu thought carefully before hesitantly asking, “Could it be…Of the five great cultivation families of the Tianhe Sect…Are you from that Shang family?”

“As if there could be a second Shang family!” Shang YaoYao stated proudly. Hearing Shang YaoYao’s affirmative answer, Xu Mu grew even more puzzled. If Shang YaoYao were indeed a young lady of the Shang family, even with mediocre talent, she should have been able to gain tutelage from one of the senior mountain peaks. So why was she here at Lonely Sword Peak?

“Since sister is from the Shang family, why are you here?”

Xu Mu thought Shang YaoYao would answer, but instead—

“It doesn’t concern you where I am! Are you willing or not?!”

Seeing Shang YaoYao suddenly get angry, Xu Mu could only remain silent.

“Could sister allow me to look at the contract first?”

“Here you go!”

Shang YaoYao took out a piece of beastskin paper and handed it to Xu Mu.

Xu Mu unfurled it for a glance and was completely speechless.

It was filled with various marks indicating corrections. Judging by the remnant traces, this seemed to have initially been a recruitment for honorary elders. However, Shang YaoYao had altered it into a nurturing contract.

It wasn’t hard to guess that this contract was probably Shang YaoYao’s idea, without much relevance to her cultivation family.

Just as Xu Mu was deliberating, Shang YaoYao somewhat fearfully said: “This is only because Luo Qingchen begged me, and I only agreed because of that. If you don’t agree, you won’t get another chance!”

So it was because of Luo Qingchen that Shang YaoYao had unexpectedly come to my courtyard.

Xu Mu immediately understood.

Clearly, Luo Qingchen was still willing to make another effort.

But was it suitable to trick a young girl like this?

Suitable!

Xu Mu did not hesitate much and signed his name on the contract.

Seeing Xu Mu sign his name, Shang YaoYao heaved a sigh of relief. Although she often followed the clan’s business team around, she was doing this for the first time and couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

The first time always comes with a fear of failing.

“Fine, starting from today, you’re my little brother!”

Shang YaoYao secured the contract and then tossed a storage bag to Xu Mu.

“This is the first batch of cultivation resources, enough for you to cultivate to the late Qi Cultivation stage. When it’s time, I’ll give you the second batch! Wait until tomorrow, I’ll go to the Formation Hall and have them set up a high-tier Spirit Gathering Array for you!”

“Thank you, Sister!”

“Don’t call me ‘Sister’, call me ‘Miss’!”

Xu Mu’s eyes twitched a bit, but he still spoke: “Yes, Miss!”

“Good! Good! Ha ha ha ha!”

Shang YaoYao couldn’t help but burst into laughter, leaving Xu Mu speechless.

Nevermind, as long as she’s willing to pay, I’ll play along with the young lady’s antics.

Sigh! If it wasn’t for fear of exposing my true body, it wouldn’t be so troublesome.

With the resource support of Shang YaoYao, Xu Mu, who had absolutely no cultivation bottlenecks, naturally progressed swiftly. It only took him two years to break through to the late Qi Cultivation stage. He was only fifteen years old at the time and had been truly cultivating for less than four years.

He then spent another six years, elevating his cultivation to the perfection of Qi Cultivation.

The reason it took so long, aside from the fact that progress gets slower as cultivation gets higher, was mainly to strengthen his foundation.

“Are you confident about the upcoming sect competition?”

Shang YaoYao asked whilst watching Xu Mu watering the plants in the courtyard.

Ten years have passed, and Shang YaoYao has long since blossomed into an extraordinary beauty.

The Tianhe Sect holds a big competition every ten years, not only for the disciples to train but also for the variety of rewards.

“Kind of.”

Xu Mu, not even turning his head, loosened the soil with a hoe and continued to water the next one.

“What do you mean ‘kind of? It’s either yes or no!” Shang YaoYao said impatiently.

“How about this, let’s spar so I can gauge your strength!”

With that said, Shang YaoYao brought out her flying sword and took an attacking stance.

“What will knowing it or not knowing it change? Besides, if I get injured sparring with you now and don’t perform well in the competition tomorrow, don’t blame me!”

Xu Mu stood up and turned around, revealing a handsome face.

After ten years, this clone of his had already grown into an adult.

“If you don’t show me your strength, how will I know how much to bet? If I lose, it’ll be a huge loss!”

Shang YaoYao crossed her arms, pouting her small mouth and pushing up her chest.

The sect competition is a major event not only for the Tianhe Sect but also for surrounding cultivators. Many large and small forces spotted the business opportunity and opened betting stands, allowing anyone to place bets.

The Five Great Families started with businesses, and as a lady from the Shang family, Shang YaoYao was most concerned about this matter. She wanted to make a big profit when no one knew Xu Mu.

She had been preventing Xu Mu from showing off his skills over the years, which surely had some relevance to this factor.

“In that case, I’ll perform the sword technique once for you to see!”

After all, Shang YaoYao was his benefactor, and he couldn’t offend her.

Xu Mu slapped his storage bag, and a flying sword shot out, transforming into a huge azure dragon roaring towards the sky.

Tianhe Sect-Great Azure Dragon Sword Jue!

Shortly after, Shang YaoYao left hastily on her flying sword, continuously muttering.

“I’ve hit the jackpot! Hit the jackpot!”