The Jishan tradition of marrying in was established by Jishan’s founding mountain lord—that is, Shangsui’s father, Immortal Lord Yuande.

At that time, Jishan was still just a small hilltop. Legend said when heaven and earth first opened, the immortal realm was chaotic. Various immortal families fought for many years, carving out territories in the immortal realm. Immortal Lord Yuande wasn’t considered a fierce immortal. He just occupied a small hilltop in remote Jishan, becoming the chicken head of that area, then gave birth to Shangsui.

Yuande was delighted to have a beloved daughter. He immediately decided that although his Jishan hilltop was small, he absolutely wouldn’t let Shangsui suffer even half a grievance. Jishan’s Nujun would absolutely not marry out but defend Jishan to the death.

Shangsui received her father’s love and grew up arrogantly in Jishan. She had exceptional talent and extraordinary beauty. At a young age, she fought through all mountains, allowing Jishan to rapidly expand to its current scale, becoming one of the heavenly realm’s tyrants. Every day she was either brawling or on the way to brawl.

The Heavenly Emperor wasn’t without thoughts of managing this female bandit, but Shangsui was too strong. Managing her would incur heavy losses, so he thought of appeasement, planning to dispatch an immortal to marry Shangsui.

Marrying the beautiful Shangsui—the Heavenly Court’s eligible immortals immediately stepped forward, standing in rows. Shangsui looked at everyone and made her first requirement:

Can fight.

The immortals immediately stepped back, leaving only a group of war god types remaining in place.

Shangsui made her second requirement:

Good-looking, fair-skinned. She didn’t like muscle men.

The immortals immediately retreated again.

Only a sparse few people remained.

Shangsui made her final requirement:

Marry in.

Instantly, in the main hall, only Taiheng remained.

Shangsui raised an eyebrow: “You’re willing to marry in too?”

Taiheng smiled gently: “Just improving my living conditions. Not shameful.”

Everyone fell silent. Looking at Shangsui adorned in gold and silver, then looking at Taiheng with only a sword hanging on him, they suddenly understood this recently ascended immortal lord’s choice.

As for how Taiheng later split half the Heavenly Court with one sword—that’s another story.

In any case, from then on, the fact that Jishan only welcomed husbands marrying in deeply penetrated all immortals’ hearts.

This also led to the situation where although Qin Wanwan’s beautiful reputation spread far, in two hundred years, people who properly came to propose marriage could be counted on one hand.

And now, Jishan’s Nujun was finally getting married!

The target was that person who could fight even better than Taiheng, Long Aotian… oh no, Jian Xingzhi!!!

The day the news spread, the Heavenly Emperor was scared until his hands shook. All immortals were quite panicked. The more they thought, the more they felt this family was getting more and more terrifying. Until someone reminded them: “Actually, this is also a good thing. After all, recently Daojun Suiheng hasn’t been fighting.”

Everyone thought about it—indeed so. Previously, Jian Xingzhi was either fighting or on the way to fight. Ever since news of his upcoming marriage arrived, he seemed to get busy and had no time to fight at all.

With Jian Xingzhi and Qin Wanwan’s status, this wedding attracted great attention. Marriage in the immortal realm differed from the mortal realm. There weren’t many complicated ceremonies. The most important was the contract sacrifice ceremony. Both parties announced to heaven on the altar, signed their names on the marriage fate book, forming a marriage contract. From this point on, for all lives and worlds, they would forever be husband and wife.

The morning of the wedding, Cuilu went as Qin Wanwan’s representative to Jian Xingzhi’s dao residence to receive him. After arriving at Jishan, Jian Xingzhi walked on foot up Jishan’s Azure Cloud Ladder, walking to the altar’s center.

That day, immortals gathered like clouds. Jian Xingzhi wore wedding clothes, seeing Qin Wanwan beside him wearing a phoenix hairpin. His heart beat fiercely. The two stood together in the altar’s center, listening to the ritual official beside them chant blessings, announcing the marriage to heaven. Finally, they spread the marriage fate book on the table.

The two took turns signing their names on the marriage fate book. They watched the marriage fate book suddenly catch fire, turning to flying ash, then carried by wind, floating into the distance.

Ancient bells rang, birds and sparrows took flight. The ritual official sang loudly: “Heaven bestows marriage fate—Heaven responds!”

Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi followed ritual propriety, bowing toward the direction of the bell sound, counted as their response to heaven’s blessing.

After finishing all this, everyone was arranged by attendants to enter the banquet. After Jian Xingzhi and Qin Wanwan took turns offering toasts, Shangsui and Taiheng entertained various immortal families while the two gathered with their own friends in the back courtyard to drink.

The two didn’t have many friends. Needless to say for Jian Xingzhi—Qin Wanwan had been in the immortal realm two hundred years, almost confined to Jishan, not daring to let too many people know her true strength. She also hardly contacted outsiders and had no friends. So at this wine table, there were five people: Xie Gutang, Cuilu, Nanfeng, and the married couple.

Five people ate and drank. Nanfeng filled in Xie and Cuilu, who’d ascended not long ago, on the immortal realm’s situation, talking about his life these years.

“My fortune is good! After ascending with Master and Male Master, I finally learned how powerful they actually are. Male Master found me so many treasures, finally forging this body for me—indestructible vajra body, very powerful!” Nanfeng patted his chest and continued boasting. “He also bought me land to serve as my dao residence. Now I’m also a minor immortal. Many people like me.”

“Yo, not bad,” Cuilu ate peanuts, smiling. “Looks like the immortal realm truly nurtures people.”

“What about you two?”

Qin Wanwan was curious, pouring wine for Cuilu: “After we left, how were you?”

“Nothing much,” Cuilu spoke leisurely. “After you killed the Evil God, I returned to be Ghost City’s city lord. Oh, speaking of which, that male escort house where Jian Xingzhi worked—after they changed careers to an assassin organization, their income was very good. It made cultivation popular throughout the city, especially those pleasure houses and brothels. They were very enthusiastic. Before I ascended, the head manager of that male escort house—called Huanxi, do you remember?”

“Don’t remember.”

Jian Xingzhi spoke decisively. He’d met so many people—how could he remember random passersby?

Cuilu wasn’t surprised either, lazily saying: “Knew you wouldn’t remember, but he remembers you. He had me tell you thank you for changing his entire life. Now he’s the assassin organization’s head manager. He’s already cultivated to Golden Core stage.”

“Not bad,” Jian Xingzhi leisurely drank wine, glancing at Xie Gutang. “What about you? You stayed in the Realm of Life and Death the whole time?”

“Mm.”

Xie Gutang nodded: “Becoming the Realm of Life and Death’s guardian means you can’t come out. Otherwise the barrier will be affected. But thanks for your help,” Xie Gutang looked up and smiled. “That sword strike you supplemented—the barrier can remain stable for several more hundred years.”

The group leisurely chatted. Cuilu talked about matters in the lower realm—Liu Feixu and Luo Xingzhou after marriage, Liu Feixu rapidly advancing to become Flower City’s city lord, Luo Xingzhou becoming increasingly steady. Supposedly in a few more hundred years, Luo Bufan planned to give Heavenly Sword Sect to him.

Ning Huihe received the body Jian Xingzhi created, emerged from the ancient tomb, and continued being with Yan Wushuang. The two had children. Yan Wushuang revitalized Jujian Manor, left Desolate City to separately find another hilltop to settle, currently thinking of methods to get a spirit vein over there to nurture disciples and grand-disciples.

Golden Sword Boy followed beside Yan Wushuang every day. Recently in closed-door cultivation—supposedly his swordsmanship had achieved success. He was steadily raising his cultivation…

As everyone spoke, they inevitably mentioned a name: “It’s a pity about Daojun Mingjing…”

Nanfeng sighed with emotion. Only halfway through his words, he thought of something and cut himself off.

Everyone instinctively looked at Cuilu. Cuilu turned to look at them: “Why are you looking at me?”

With that, Cuilu thought about it: “I know you’re worried about me, but this was the Divine Lord’s wish. His heart’s desire is fulfilled. I have nothing to be sad about.”

Though she said this, as a lone bird, she truly couldn’t hide the sadness in her eyes.

Everyone ate and drank for a while. Seeing the marriage fate constellation rise, attendants entered, urging Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi to return to their room.

The two stood to bid farewell and entered the room together.

Marriage in the immortal realm wasn’t as complicated as in the mortal realm. After the two drank the nuptial wine and washed up, they sat on the bed.

From the last time was still over sixty years ago. These sixty-plus years, Jian Xingzhi had always maintained propriety, never overstepping even half a step.

Qin Wanwan wasn’t without curiosity, but she always felt—since Jian Xingzhi wasn’t anxious, she was too embarrassed to ask.

Thinking Jian Xingzhi was perhaps more traditional… if the circumstances back then weren’t special, perhaps he still felt they should wait until after marriage?

The maids tidied the table, carrying trays as they walked out.

Only two people remained in the room. The two sat on the bed, momentarily somewhat awkward.

After a long time, Jian Xingzhi actively reached out to take her hand, softly asking: “Shall we sleep?”

Qin Wanwan turned her face away, responding in a low voice: “Mm.”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t know if he was stalling for time or what. He didn’t use magic arts.

He got up to close the windows, then blew out the lights, set up the barrier, before climbing back onto the bed and lowering the bed curtains.

The two lay on the bed, completely still.

Qin Wanwan was initially somewhat nervous, but after enduring for a long time, seeing Jian Xingzhi still not moving, she began feeling somewhat tired, drowsily closing her eyes.

Tonight would probably pass peacefully again.

She pondered this, then simply turned on her side, facing away from Jian Xingzhi to sleep.

She didn’t know how long she’d slept. She vaguely heard light drizzle outside the window. She drowsily woke to feel Jian Xingzhi embracing her from behind.

He kissed her neck, cheek, to her earlobe. Everything was already prepared. His voice hoarse, he told her: “Wanwan, I’ve missed you so much. For over sixty years.”

Everything was gentle and prolonged. Both bodies were experiencing this for the first time. Jian Xingzhi greatly treasured this opportunity for primordial yin and primordial yang to merge. Fearing she’d hurt, he comforted her while teaching her how to circulate spiritual energy. Pressing his forehead against hers, he taught her how to open her consciousness sea to merge in dual cultivation.

When it ended, Qin Wanwan felt exhilarated, feeling her cultivation wildly surge. She lay on the bed lightly gasping for breath to rest. After Jian Xingzhi cleaned everything for her, he returned to bed and held her without moving.

The two were intimate as if symbiotic. Only then did Qin Wanwan remember what he’d said earlier. She couldn’t help but laugh: “You’ve been thinking about it for sixty years, yet I didn’t see you show any indication?”

“Your divine soul was damaged because of me. Dual cultivating with me was your best choice at that time.” Jian Xingzhi seemed somewhat uncomfortable, his voice hoarse. “Although I know you weren’t with me for this reason, I still didn’t want to do these things under those circumstances.”

Qin Wanwan froze. Jian Xingzhi aggrievedly nuzzled her back: “I didn’t want you to choose me when you had no choice. I wanted you to still choose me when you could choose.”

Qin Wanwan didn’t speak. She just discovered Jian Xingzhi truly thought everything through for her.

She raised her hand, gently placing it on his hand. His hand’s temperature was very high, his breath spraying on her back, slightly scorching.

Qin Wanwan sensed he should have been working hard to restrain himself earlier. She also knew at this moment he was taking care of her. She couldn’t help it—she turned around and kissed him.

She took initiative. Jian Xingzhi fell into an unusual contradiction.

On one hand wanting to push her away, afraid she’d be too uncomfortable the first time.

On the other hand feeling his Wanwan was too sweet, truly difficult to push away.

He struggled wanting to hide. Qin Wanwan chased after him. After cornering him against the wall, Jian Xingzhi finally regained clarity. He pressed her down with one hand, warning her: “That’s enough. I’m fine.”

“You’re fine?”

Qin Wanwan pulled away his hand and leaned closer again, hooking his neck, leaning against him. Her tone was quite aggrieved: “But what if I’m not fine? You told me before your body was very good. Did you lie to me?”

Jian Xingzhi: “…”

The next morning, Qin Wanwan deeply reflected.

She shouldn’t have said Jian Xingzhi’s body wasn’t good. His body was really a bit too good.

Not only was Jian Xingzhi’s physical quality good, more deadly was his learning ability was also very strong.

Kinetic learning was especially fast.

Not long after the two married, Jian Xingzhi pulled Qin Wanwan to bid farewell to Shangsui and Taiheng, deciding to tour the immortal realm.

After the two toured the immortal realm and returned, everyone discovered their cultivation had increased considerably again.

Cuilu shed envious drool at this, looking at the dark circles under Qin Wanwan’s eyes: “Never expected this brat Jian Xingzhi would be so nourishing…”

Qin Wanwan forced a smile without saying much.

After thinking about it, she remembered the proper matter.

This matter was something she and Jian Xingzhi thought of while touring the immortal realm. She looked at Cuilu and asked: “Cuilu, do you want Lin Yanzhi to be revived?”

Cuilu froze: “Revived?”

Lin Yanzhi had already reincarnated—where would revival come from?

However, Qin Wanwan seriously nodded, only saying: “Lin Yanzhi back then was already a demigod body. Gods are essentially a type of belief. As long as people who have faith in him still exist, he won’t die. Jian Xingzhi’s two souls and two spiritual essences were created by me. The remaining one soul and four spiritual essences were Lin Yanzhi’s. And Lin Yanzhi’s memories have always been stored in this one soul and four spiritual essences.”

“So?”

Cuilu looked at Qin Wanwan full of hope. Qin Wanwan smiled: “We can send this one soul and four spiritual essences into the Soul Nurturing Hall. As long as Lin Yanzhi has sufficient worship offerings, he can revive. But this requires your help.”

“Say it.” Cuilu immediately spoke. Qin Wanwan slowly told her: “You need to go to the mortal realm, build temples for him, pass on his dao methods. Only when enough people believe in him will he have sufficient power.”

“I understand.” Cuilu nodded excitedly. “I can do it! I will! But…”

Cuilu hesitated: “Will this affect Jian Xingzhi?”

“No problem.”

Qin Wanwan shook her head: “He and I cultivate our divine souls together. In the future, we’ll just slowly cultivate.”

Having made the decision, everyone took action. Jian Xingzhi split the memories and that one soul and four spiritual essences apart, offering them in the immortal realm’s Soul Nurturing Hall. Cuilu then went to the mortal realm again, beginning to preach and build temples for Lin Yanzhi everywhere.

The moment Qin Wanwan watched Lin Yanzhi’s soul placed in the Soul Nurturing Hall, she thought about it and raised her hand with a beckoning gesture. A wild rose seed from the courtyard broke through the earth and fell into her hand. She extracted Su Tanyin’s memories from the divine soul, using one soul and one spiritual essence to carry them. She didn’t touch these memories. Instead, she sent the soul and spiritual essence carrying the memories into the seed and placed it beside Lin Yanzhi.

Like this, spring went and autumn came. Who knew how many years passed.

Finally one day, the Soul Nurturing Hall shone with great golden light. When everyone rushed to the Soul Nurturing Hall, they saw a youth in plain clothes with wide sleeves, somewhat resembling Jian Xingzhi, lowering his head to look at a wild rose seed in his hand, silent.

“Lin Yanzhi?”

Shangsui was incredulous. Hearing this, Lin Yanzhi looked up and smiled slightly: “Long time no see, Shangsui.” With that, he turned his gaze to Taiheng. “Taiheng.”

After greeting old friends, he finally looked at Jian Xingzhi.

After looking for a long time, he smiled candidly, only saying: “You should count as my younger brother, right?”

Jian Xingzhi froze, then coughed lightly: “As you wish.”

Lin Yanzhi looked at Qin Wanwan again but asked: “Can you give me this seed?”

“Then you must nurture her well.”

Qin Wanwan smiled.

Lin Yanzhi also smiled: “Naturally.”

With that, he lowered his eyes to look at the seed in his palm: “I want to see her bloom one more time.”

Their first meeting was also farewell.

This time, he had no other thoughts—he just wanted to see her again and tell her: “Miss Su, my name is Lin Yanzhi.”

After Lin Yanzhi awakened, he became a flower-raising champion.

Jian Xingzhi and Qin Wanwan nurtured their souls for many years. Finally one day, they suddenly discovered something wrong with their spiritual power circulation.

This panicked Jian Xingzhi. He summoned a medical immortal to look. Oh my—with child!

The night he heard “with child,” Jian Xingzhi was both joyful and panicked, unable to sleep all night.

He thought through the child’s life from now until a thousand years in the future. How many houses should this child buy? What should they learn? How could he bear to strike the child when teaching them swordsmanship? Recently Taiheng had also learned gentleness and probably wouldn’t strike either—so who should they find to be the child’s master? Also, how to care for this child? Especially if they went traveling—should they bring the child along? Then wouldn’t he and Wanwan have no personal time at all?

Jian Xingzhi thought left and right, thinking of an excellent plan.

The next day, he came to Xie Gutang’s dao residence, carrying his sword with a smile as he walked over.

“Old Xie, come come come, I want to discuss something with you.”

“Mm?”

“This matter of taking care of children—are you interested?”

—

**THE END**