Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant

Tier Two Nether Pearl holds little significance for Li Ruyi.

This time entering the Nether Domain space, Shen Xuan was determined to deal with Bone Ghost Patriarch.

Not squeezing some benefits from his hand would be unworthy of the oppression he suffered back then.

Anyway, he is free of any attachments now.

Even though he couldn’t harm Bone Ghost Patriarch.

He could still damage this Nether Domain space.

Shen Xuan’s tough attitude made Bone Ghost Patriarch extremely angry.

However, he was apprehensive of the repercussions and dared not confront Shen Xuan openly.

Engage in a real battle.

Eventually, Bone Ghost Patriarch chose to compromise.

Admitting he only possessed two Tier Three Nether Pearls.

Then, he padded the count with five Tier Two Upper Grade Nether Pearls.

Shen Xuan achieved his goal, accepted the seven Nether Pearls, and quietly left.

Once he departed.

Bone Ghost Patriarch went to the secret door location and sealed it entirely.

He was truly afraid of Shen Xuan.

With Shen Xuan’s cultivation speed, it wouldn’t take many years to bridge the gap between them.

Bone Ghost Patriarch was a Nether Cultivator formed of fragmented souls.

He was inherently restrained by Shen Xuan’s cultivation technique.

Bone Ghost Patriarch maintained a tough exterior but was terrified of Shen Xuan turning hostile.

Losing this subterranean Spirit Vein would mean losing the chance to form the Nether Infants completely.

...

Starlight Immortal City.

Originally, Starlight Island had one large and four small marketplaces.

Now, the marketplace in the center has developed into a large Immortal City with a population of a hundred thousand cultivators.

Among them, seventy percent are floating populations without registered residency.

After consistently gaining dividends from the Demon Race trade, Starlight Immortal City continuously expanded, thriving like splendid embroidery.

Not only Wolong Archipelago but also many clan cultivators and loose cultivators from distant lands have migrated in.

On the streets, restaurants rise row upon row, bustling with business.

The Demon Beast meat and Spirit Wine here are half the prices found on the mainland.

Even Qi Cultivation cultivators with Spirit Stones in their storage pouch would walk into a restaurant, order some Spirit Wine and Demon Beast Meat to reward themselves and replenish their Spiritual Power.

Drunken Immortal Restaurant, the first-floor hall.

"Old Qi, have you prepared the three guarantor households I asked you to find?"

"Old Ma, don’t rush, it’s almost done."

"You said it was almost done two months ago! Old Qi, I paid the full deposit; my family of seven are all waiting for your message."

"Old Ma, be patient. Are your residency points up to standard?"

"Almost."

The two Late Stage Qi Cultivation loose cultivators chatted while eating.

It’s not even noon yet.

The Drunken Immortal Restaurant was already packed.

Over twenty tables were all filled with patrons.

A handsome young Qi Cultivation cultivator joined Old Qi and Old Ma at the table.

He only ordered a pot of Spirit Wine and a dish of spirit lotus root slices, drinking by himself.

Then, a male and female Foundation Establishment cultivators walked in.

The man wore white robes, holding a jade fan, his attire luxurious, clearly a scion of a noble family.

The female wore a green Immortal Skirt, an oval face, delicate features, charming and lovely.

As soon as they entered, they caught the attention of the restaurant guests.

"What a beautiful couple!"

Someone whispered.

Others quickly withdrew their gaze and resumed drinking and eating.

Over the years, after the emergence of the Purple Essence Divine Wood, young Foundation Establishment cultivators frequently appeared in Starlight Immortal City.

People have become accustomed to it.

The white-robed gentleman scanned with Divine Sense and quickly found his target.

They walked straight to Old Qi’s side.

"Are you Qi Xuewen, Fellow Daoist Qi?"

Old Qi quickly stood up.

"It’s me indeed. May I ask what matters these two fellow Daoists have with me?"

The white-robed gentleman smiled and spoke, "I am He Jiajun from Thousand Mechanism Sect. This is my junior sister Yang Jingya."

He glanced at Old Ma and the young cultivator at the table.

His lips moved slightly, transmitting a message with Divine Soul.

"Fellow Daoist Qi, I heard you have connections to exchange for slots in the Divine Wood Spirit Domain cultivation?"

Old Qi glanced at Yang Jingya and nodded slightly.

"Young Master He, this is not the place to discuss this."

"Understood. Let’s move to a private room upstairs."

Old Qi quickly excused himself to Old Ma, then followed He Jiajun and Yang Jingya to the second-floor VIP private room.

The young Qi Cultivation cultivator was Shen Xuan himself.

Upon returning to Starlight Island, he didn’t disturb anyone.

He investigated openly in Starlight Immortal City under the guise of a young Qi Cultivation loose cultivator.

Overall, the situation was promising.

The economy was thriving, security was good, and public officials were just and honest.

Starlight Island implemented a high-salary policy for integrity.

Public officials’ salaries were three to five times those of Cyan Cloud Sect cultivators of the same rank.

In addition, strict laws were in place.

Any evidence of corruption, favoritism, or deceit was punished severely.

Regardless of the amount, all embezzled funds were recovered, the responsible persons stripped of duties, their cultivation abolished, and the offenders expelled from Starlight Island.

If the situation was severe, after identification, execution was done publicly as a warning.

Old Qi helping Old Ma find guarantors as a broker did not violate Starlight Island’s laws.

Shen Xuan approached Old Qi because he had heard that Old Qi had access to exchange slots for the Divine Wood Spirit Domain cultivation.

This raised suspicion in Shen Xuan’s mind.

Such important matters could only be decided by Qin Yuehan.

He wanted to see which influential figure had such power.

Who dared to intervene in the Purple Essence Divine Wood Spirit Domain cultivation slots.

Half an hour later.

Old Qi with He Jiajun and Yang Jingya left the Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

Shen Xuan concealed himself and discreetly followed them.

The three turned corners numerous times and entered a luxurious mansion.

The invisibly concealed Shen Xuan saw a dozen beautiful young maids inside the mansion, his expression turning grim.

He finally knew which influential figure was involved.

Despite all calculations, he hadn’t expected this.

In the living room.

A young man in luxurious robes, slightly intoxicated, raised a cup of wine in one hand and playfully grasped a young maid’s chest with the other.

Before him, a dozen young maids sang and danced, gracefully performing.

Amidst their elegant dances, their white jade-like long legs, shapely hips, and full bosoms led to vivid imaginations.

Old Qi swallowed and approached the young man in luxurious robes, whispering in his ear.

The young man in luxurious robes waved his hand, signaling the maids to withdraw.

Soon, He Jiajun and Yang Jingya followed Old Qi inside.

The three sat down as guest and host.

He Jiajun asked, "Fellow Daoist, Qi Fellow Daoist mentioned you could help my junior sister book a slot in the Divine Wood Spirit Domain cultivation."

"Old Qi is correct. Fifty thousand Spirit Stones, three thousand paid upfront, and the remaining two thousand upon configuration of slots. The Divine Wood Spirit Domain cultivation costs are self-paid. Generally, it’s fifty thousand Spirit Stones for ten days."

The young man in luxurious clothing smiled and said.

He Jiajun nodded.

"Fifty thousand Spirit Stones, it’s not too expensive. But how can you guarantee securing a cultivation quota, my friend?"

Old Qi interrupted, saying, "Young Master He, Fairy Yang, do you know the surname of my master?"

"Oh, I have yet to inquire."

"My master’s surname is Shen!"

Old Qi said proudly, "You are both smart, I won’t need to explain further."

He Jiajun and Yang Jingya exchanged a glance.

"I see. I understand now."

He took out three Upper Grade Spirit Stones from his Storage Pouch and placed them on the table.

"Please trouble Young Master Shen to arrange it early."

After inspecting the Spirit Stones, Old Qi placed them into a brand-new Storage Pouch and diligently placed it in front of Young Master Shen.

"Don’t worry, my friends. In ten or so days, or at most a month, there will be news."

Upon hearing this, He Jiajun was slightly moved.

This Young Master Shen, has quite the background.

Judging by his words, he could have his junior sister jump the queue.

At this moment, a young Qi Cultivation Cultivator swaggered into the living room.

Upon his appearance, He Jiajun unfurled his jade fan, shielding both himself and his junior sister, and sternly exclaimed, "Who dares intrude into Young Master Shen’s private residence!"

Old Qi was just about to step forward and scold him.

But then he heard a "clang".

Young Master Shen’s wine cup fell to the ground, and he knelt down with a pale face.

"Do you recognize me?"

Shen Xuan looked at Young Master Shen and asked in a deep voice.

"Great-grandfather!"

Upon these words, Old Qi hastily knelt down.

He Jiajun put away the jade fan and signaled to Yang Jingya with his eyes.

The two of them bowed together.

"New disciples of the Thousand Mechanism Sect, He Jiajun and Yang Jingya, pay respects to True Master Profound Ice."

Shen Xuan waved his hand, "You may leave first."

"Yes."

The two stood up and left immediately.

Not a moment’s hesitation.

"Wait."

Shen Xuan pointed to the void.

The Storage Pouch containing the three Upper Grade Spirit Stones flew into He Jiajun’s arms.

"Take back the Spirit Stones. The matter of cultivating in the Sacred Wood Spiritual Realm will be arranged soon."

"Thank you, True Master Profound Ice."

He Jiajun and Yang Jingya bowed once again and hurriedly left.

Looking at the two kneeling before him, Shen Xuan shook his head.

No matter how carefully guarded, family thieves are hard to guard against.

Shen Xuan recalled in his mind.

This person was Shen Xiuyan’s grandson, a member of the "Yu" generation, named Shen Yuliang.

"Old Qi, you may rise."

"I do not dare," Old Qi said tremblingly.

Shen Xuan snorted coldly.

Old Qi quickly got up, sweating profusely.

"Old Qi, go back. Don’t mention this to anyone."

After Old Qi slunk away.

Shen Xuan sat down.

"Shen Yuliang, speak. What have you been doing?"

The matter was straightforward.

Shen Yuliang bribed Su Xue’Er’s personal maid and, under Su Xue’Er’s name, reported the names of cultivators purchasing cultivation slots in the Sacred Wood Spiritual Realm to Shangguan Yan’Er.

This business had been going on for a year.

Excluding just now with He Jiajun and Yang Jingya, three slots had been sold.

True to his word, he charged fifty thousand Spirit Stones and fulfilled all deals.

Shen Xuan listened with a stern face.

The situation was a bit odd.

Such a clumsy scam, and Shangguan Yan’Er didn’t verify it.

Moreover, Qin Yuehan didn’t investigate either.

"So, essentially, this isn’t just Shen Yuliang’s problem."

Shen Xuan mused.

Back then, he selected seven Middle Grade Spirit Root Immortal Seeds, five males and two females from the Shen Mansion descendants to bring to Starlight Island.

These people had no blood connection with him.

Shen Xiuyan and Shen Xiuxing were originally adopted by Ding Yuyao from her close relatives.

Shen Xuan intended to train them.

With financial resources, companions, techniques, and locations, they could meet all needs for cultivation.

If things went according to plan, two or three of them should be able to establish a Dao Foundation.

Of course, if Shen Xuan fully supported them, all seven could establish Foundation.

But there was no need for that.

According to Shen Xuan’s plan, the path of the Shen Mansion descendants should rely on their own efforts.

It’s not wise to overly accelerate their growth.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yuliang secretly sold cultivation slots for the Sacred Wood Spiritual Realm to earn Spirit Stones.

Meanwhile, Qin Yuehan, Shangguan Yan’Er, and Su Xue’Er all turned a blind eye.

"So, the true cause lies with me."

Shen Xuan sighed inwardly.

He brought Shen Yuliang to Jade Valley.

This is a nearly Tier Three Spirit Vein, residence of Shen family descendants.

At this time, Su Xue’Er was over a hundred years old, grey-haired, and looking very aged with not much lifespan left.

Gazing at Su Xue’Er in front of him, Shen Xuan seemed to understand something.

After a secret conversation, Shen Xuan sent a Communication Talisman to summon Qin Yuehan and Shangguan Yan’Er.

Subsequently, he called in the remaining six descendants of the Shen Mansion.

In front of the six, Shen Xuan abolished Shen Yuliang’s cultivation, striking his name from the Shen Family ancestral records.

He was reduced from a Middle Stage Qi Cultivation Cultivator to an ordinary mortal and sent back to the mundane world of Song Country on a merchant ship.

Among the remaining six, Shen Xuan appointed the eldest, Shen Yucheng, to manage all affairs of the Shen family in Jade Valley.

"Listen, Shen Yucheng. If any of you or your five younger siblings commit any illegality, I will hold you accountable!"

Shen Xuan looked at Shen Yucheng with displeasure.

This time, he had been too lenient.

With Shen Yuliang’s actions, it was impossible for his siblings not to have noticed anything at all.

Perhaps, deep down, they all held some resentment.

After all, nominally, they were all descendants of Shen Xuan.

Yet they did not receive a commensurate treatment.

Shen Xuan would naturally not explain the specific reasons to them.

In the future, if they achieve success in cultivation, they will understand his good intentions.

"Yes, great-grandfather. Yucheng will take on the responsibility of the eldest brother. Any mistakes by my five younger siblings are my fault."

Shen Yucheng said loudly.

"It’s good that you understand!"

Shen Xuan flicked his sleeves and left.