As the Zhou Clan achieved final victory.
The chaos outside gradually settled down.
Chen Sheng and his wife established an unnamed grave for Li Huayao, occasionally going to pay respects.
Time unknowingly flowed slowly by.
Chen Sheng practiced alchemy daily at the market.
Just like always.
However.
The pill workshop became increasingly lively.
The laughter from the inner courtyard was noticeably more frequent than before, with several new, vibrant little lives added.
Crying and playful noises could be heard daily.
It was precisely Yijing's children.
Time seemed like the gentlest medicine, soothing past sorrows.
This once melancholic youth now has a multitude of wives and children under his knee.
Completely immersed in ordinary happiness.
Quite carefree.
No longer was the sadness of the past seen.
As Tang Yijing spread his branches and leaves.
Chen Sheng spared no expense to buy the entire adjoining courtyard next door, enabling it to accommodate the increasingly thriving population and bustle.
"Good, Indeed!"
Looking at the bustling scene in the courtyard.
With the addition of children, continuing the family line, Huang Yueyang as a great-grandfather also smiled daily.
He even specially took out a sum of personal savings.
Handed it to Tang Yijing to encourage him to continue.
Huang Wangyou, being a grandmother, also had an increasingly frequent smile on her face.
She had taken the 'Face Stabilizing Pill.'
Her face bore little trace of the years, still bearing the charm of a woman in her early thirties.
Yet as time flowed.
Her temperament seemed to regress.
Now, she had become the undeniable "leader of the children" among the Tang family's third generation.
Not a day went by without squatting by the flower beds.
Leading a group of little ones earnestly to plant some ordinary flowers and plants.
Or directing the kids to chase and play in the spacious courtyard.
How joyous!
Backyard.
On the small wooden table were delicately placed tea sets, exuding the swirling fragrance of freshly brewed tea.
Huang Wangyou held a small child in her arms, discretely poking at Tang Xichen:
"Fortunately...Jing'Er is promising, otherwise I wouldn't know if I'd ever get the chance to be a grandmother in my lifetime."
Chen Sheng lightly smiled:
"Chen'Er has high aspirations, now solely focused on Foundation Establishment, with no interest in romantic matters, why blame her."
He lightly sipped the warm tea, leaving fragrance lingering between his teeth and cheeks:
"This path is her own choice, why should we impose our will upon her?"
Huang Wangyou sighed slightly:
"This girl's ambition, I naturally know."
"I just pity Yuan'Er, completely delayed by her."
"A few days ago, I thought of arranging a marriage for Yuan'Er, but he said he only wanted to enhance his cultivation, improve his alchemy, with no…"
Qin Yuan said this, yet both parents could see where his heart truly was.
Qin Yuan was also practically raised by the two.
Their affection was no less than for their biological children.
No wonder Huang Wangyou complained about the daughter a few words.
Chen Sheng set down the teacup, the warmth of the cup briefly lingering in his palm.
He pondered for a moment, ultimately expressed with a long, silent sigh from his throat:
"Let the children's matters…go as they please."
...
Another month passed.
Tang Xichen exited the silent seclusion room.
The spiritual pressure around her gradually gathered, becoming more reserved and rich.
Remarkably at Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer!
She walked straight into the inner hall.
Chen Sheng, seated under the window reviewing a scroll of Medicine Scripture, looked up, his gaze slightly paused on his daughter before revealing a pleased smile:
"Not bad!"
"It's been only six years since you broke through Late-stage Qi Refining and reached Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer."
Tang Xichen merely used daily Qi Cultivation auxiliary elixir pills, without using Enhancing Technique Elixirs, lest her mana be contaminated with impurities.
Having this speed.
It can be deemed extremely swift!
For her, not consuming Enhancing Technique Elixirs is a rather cost-effective decision.
The Foundation Establishment Three Gates are Qi and Blood Barrier, Mana Barrier, and Spiritual Sense Barrier.
At Qi and Blood Barrier, ordinary cultivators have little difference before the peak of sixty years.
Spiritual Sense Barrier is similar, where ordinary cultivators can't make much difference.
Only at Mana Barrier do cultivators have great disparity.
Given Tang Xichen's Spiritual Root aptitude and her cultivation technique not weak, the purity of her mana exceeds many cultivators at the same stage.
If she diligently cultivates to Qi Cultivation Perfection.
Attacking Foundation Establishment, she has fully advantageous conditions.
Compared to ordinary Loose Cultivators.
It's equivalent to having half an additional Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object.
Tang Xichen had hardly any joy of realm-breaking on her brow, she sat beside, her posture upright as a sword, and slowly spoke:
"Father, I'm thirty-one years old this year."
"Barring any unforeseen, I could reach Qi Cultivation Great Perfection around forty-five, leaving only a little over ten years until the sixty-year limit."
Saying this.
Her gaze looked towards Chen Sheng.
Gradually revealing a determined expression:
"After careful consideration, I must not idle in the market and waste time, I've decided to venture out to explore opportunities for Foundation Establishment."
Chen Sheng was momentarily struck by her words.
His mind swiftly turned over.
During these years, he had already secretly calculated and cleared it.
After his daughter reaches Qi Cultivation Perfection.
By then arranging connections and consuming favors, relying on Cyan Wood Commerce Association's relationships, spending years of savings should acquire a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object.
Never expecting.
His daughter had a different plan.
Chen Sheng silently gazed at his daughter, suppressing the thoughts in his heart, and asked:
"Where do you plan to go?"
Tang Xichen unhesitantly replied:
"Linglong Immortal City, a place with Fake Pill Great Power presiding over it, backed by Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, rich in resources, with no lack of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects."
"With my monster-hunting skills, there will be a place to use this."
Chen Sheng upon hearing this, in his heart recalled all the information about Li Xiao Sect, Linglong Immortal City.
Linglong Immortal City.
Seventy thousand miles from here, developed by the Li Xiao Sect, with clear geographical advantages, abundant resources, attracting numerous Loose Cultivators…
Chen Sheng slowly nodded.
The place is indeed resource-rich, far from what the secluded Thousand Machines Market could compare, a suitable place for Loose Cultivators to explore.
"Are you going alone?"
Tang Xichen shook her head:
"Cyan Wood Commerce Association has regular major sect business delegations traveling between the Immortal City and inland. There's one departing at the end of the month."
"Your daughter will travel with them, ensuring safety on the way. All it takes is a substantial sum of Spirit Stones to cover escort and travel expenses."
She evidently had already investigated thoroughly.
Chen Sheng sighed slightly and gestured for her to sit down, gradually explaining his original plan.
Tang Xichen shook her head.
She was unwilling to see the household depleted for her and did not believe that one Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object would ensure guaranteed success.
Otherwise, in the past, the Li and Zhang families would not have only one Foundation Establishment Cultivator each.
She pondered a moment, carefully chose her words, not hurting her father's goodwill:
"There are numerous nephews and nieces in the family, who will eventually practice Qi Cultivation, how could the household be emptied for me?"
"Your child's cultivation path should be straightforward, wielding a three-foot blade, cutting through thorns, carving a path!"
Saying this.
Her voice suddenly elevated, strong and resolute:
"Father's insight is true, your child has decided, I will not return to Thousand Machines Market unless I succeed in Foundation Establishment!"
Chen Sheng upon hearing this was heart-shaken.
He instinctively glanced at the long sword on his daughter's back, quietly sighed.
She has indeed grown!
"So be it, since you've made up your mind, your father supports you."
Tang Xichen heard this, immediately asked:
"And on Mother's side..."
Chen Sheng waved his hand:
"I'll go speak for you."
Pausing, he added:
"But regarding Yuan'Er, you should give him an explanation."
Tang Xichen upon hearing this, was rarely silent.
After a long time, she spoke:
"I understand my junior brother's thoughts."
"But I am wholeheartedly devoted to Sword Dao, now only thinking about Foundation Establishment, it's hard to be distracted by romantic affairs, nor do I intend to indulge."
"My junior brother's complete sincerity, I fear it's deeply indebted…"
Chen Sheng raised his hand, decisively interrupting her:
"Don't discuss with me, talk with your junior brother."
Tang Xichen hearing this, seriously nodded her head.
She solemnly spoke:
"Father rest assured, I'll clearly discuss with my junior brother."