Marrying Wives and Attaining Immortality in a Chaotic World

Chapter 226: A Round Trip

“O, pick me up.”

Xu Lian took out the purple jade token and activated the voice transmission.

It was like calling someone to pick him up after school…

He could advance just by allocating points, so there was no need for him to cultivate. There wasn’t much point in staying in the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land. It was better to return to the ancestral land of the Divine Clan and wait for the next training session.

The surroundings shifted and the world spun around him.

In an instant, he appeared in the ancestral land of the Divine Clan. The place was buzzing with activity. Except for Ni Xi, who was pregnant, and Xue Ningxiang, all the other women and disciples were being instructed by groups of figures from the paintings, diligently practicing their cultivation.

Xu Lian felt like an outsider.

He thought about it. There was still a month until the next training session. Since he had nothing better to do, he might as well “make a round trip”. First, he would visit Xiao Mei in Stone Town, then head to Taizhou Prefecture to see Jiang Xianyu, and finally go to the imperial capital to visit Chan’er and the imperial princess, Tantai Youxuan. 

All of these were potential sources of progression points. He couldn’t let them go to waste – it would be a shame if they didn’t bear children.

Thus, he decided to venture into the mist. To make a “round trip,” he needed O’s backing. Without her protection, he might easily be captured by powerful beings. Only with O’s support could he successfully carry out his plan.

As he ventured deep into the mist, he found the Time Goddess still sitting by the lakeside with her knees folded as if time had frozen around her.

Xu Lian walked over and unceremoniously sat down beside her, so close that he almost touched her robes.

The Time Goddess opened her beautiful eyes and gave him a strange look. “You’ve only been in the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land for a few days, yet you’ve already advanced six small ranks.

Xu Lian had already prepared his explanation. “Back in Pingyang County, weren’t you curious about how I advanced so quickly without seeming to cultivate much? The truth is that I focus on cultivating my state of mind. When my mind is calm, my cultivation progresses quickly. Sometimes I don’t make any progress for months, and sometimes I advance several levels in a single day. It’s all possible.”

He wasn’t making this up. He knew that a random excuse wouldn’t fool a supreme expert like O. The Sacred Spirit Record did indeed contain methods for cultivating one’s state of mind, so he was speaking with some basis.

The Time Goddess pondered for a moment. “You married so many women. Initially, I thought it was for dual cultivation, but as far as I know, dual cultivation is only effective when both parties have similar cultivation levels. Most of these women have very low levels of cultivation, so they wouldn’t be of much help to you. 

But now I understand-you’re focusing on cultivating your state of mind, and you’re wandering through the world of flowers without being tainted by a single petal. That makes sense.”

Xu Lian hadn’t expected her to put it so elegantly. Seizing the opportunity, he said, “Everyone’s state of mind is different. I have a penchant for collecting beauties. Right now, you are my greatest obsession. If you grant my wish, my cultivation will surely progress even faster.

The Time Goddess’ eyes turned cold. “Then I’ll help you by castrating you. This should eliminate your obsession.”

Xu Lian was startled and quickly moved away from her, deciding not to joke anymore. “O, I want to make a round trip. First, I’ll go to Stone Town, then to Taizhou Prefecture, and finally to the imperial capital. By the time I return, my cultivation should have further improved.”

The Time Goddess waved her sleeve.

The scenery shifted and the world spun around him.

In an instant, Xu Lian found himself standing in Stone Town. He bought a covered carriage and quickly made his way to Xiao Mei’s home.

When he arrived at Xiao Mei’s small courtyard, Xu Lian dismounted and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” came the cautious voice of Xiao Mei’s mother from inside.

In Stone Town, just like Green Bamboo Town, unannounced visits were uncommon. Anyone who showed up uninvited was either there to steal food or kidnap women.

“It’s me,” Xu Lian replied.

“Husband!” Xiao Mei’s voice rang out from inside, filled with joy.

The door opened and Xiao Mei rushed into his arms, tears of happiness streaming down her face.

Xu Lian felt a pang of guilt. It had been nearly a year since he had last visited Xiao Mei after leaving for the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land. Before he left, however, he had provided her family with enough money and food to last a lifetime.

“Come, I’ll take you home,” Xu Lian said as he helped Xiao Mei into the carriage. She climbed into the covered compartment. Since she hadn’t practiced martial arts, it was necessary for her to avoid being seen outside during the day.

They returned to the small courtyard he had bought, purely for convenience.

After a long separation, their reunion was even sweeter than a wedding night.

That evening, Xu Lian took Xiao Mei back to her parents’ home, where they had dinner together with her parents and two aunts. The atmosphere was full of laughter and joy.

After dinner, the family went for a walk.

Xu Lian said, “Xiao Mei, come with me. This way we can be together more often.”

Xiao Mei’s parents also hoped that she would go with Xu Lian. Living apart wasn’t ideal, especially since Xu Lian only came home once in a while.

Xiao Mei held Xu Lian’s hand and shook her head with a smile. “I’m happy living here with my parents. Just come back and visit me whenever you have time.”

Xu Lian asked Xiao Mei’s parents if they would like to move with them so that the whole family could be together.

Xiao Mei’s parents refused. Her father was a mine manager and had status and wealth in Stone Town. They lived a happy and fulfilling life and had no desire to venture into the unknown outside world.

Xu Lian had no choice but to respect their decision.

For the next ten days, Xu Lian spent every moment with Xiao Mei, working hard to ensure that they would have a child.

Xiao Mei longed for a child as well. When Xu Lian wasn’t around, having a child would give her something to hold onto.

Their efforts paid off, and Xiao Mei successfully conceived.

Even the most skilled physician wouldn’t be able to detect it yet, but Xu Lian’s keen senses allowed him to perceive the tiny life growing within Xiao Mei.

When he shared the news with her, Xiao Mei was overjoyed and cried tears of happiness.

However, their time together was always fleeting, and soon Xu Lian had to leave.

Before departing, he sought out the Quarry Patrol Inspector of Stone Town. Showing his purple jade token, he asked the inspector to look after Xiao Mei’s family to ensure that nothing unfortunate would happen to them. The inspector quickly agreed. When a high-ranking official made a request, it was only natural to comply.

Thus, after bidding farewell to Xiao Mei and her family, Xu Lian went to a secluded spot and activated the purple jade token. “O, next stop, Taizhou Prefecture.”

The scenery shifted and the world spun around him.

In an instant, Xu Lian found himself outside the city of Taizhou Prefecture. He hired a beast-drawn carriage and headed straight for the source of the Illusory River, where the Thirteen Clans resided.

Arriving at the Jiang family, he paid his respects to Patriarch Jiang and Jiang Xianyu’s parents before meeting Jiang Xianyu herself-a tall, striking beauty who stood out from the rest.

It had been a full two years since Xu Lian last saw her. They were destined partners recognized by the Ghost Child Ridge.

As fate would have it, twenty days later, Xu Lian succeeded in getting Jiang Xianyu pregnant. Despite the Jiang family’s powerful bloodline making it difficult to conceive, he had managed it, which filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

Patriarch Jiang and Jiang Xianyu’s parents were all smiling and deeply relieved. This meant that the main lineage of the Jiang family would finally expand, which was a great cause for celebration.

“Yunyan needs to work hard as well,” Patriarch Jiang said meaningfully, clearly aware of the situation.

Xu Lian nodded and made a promise. For families with powerful bloodlines that had difficulty bearing children, expanding the family line was of the utmost importance.

Nearly a month had passed since he left, and the second phase of training at the Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land was about to begin. Xu Lian didn’t want to wait any longer and had O send him back to Heavenly Mystic Sacred Land to prepare for the training.

Once the training was over, he would make his way to the imperial capital for the next leg of his journey.