1 Wedding night

Ren An gazed at the cultivation stone, his expression filled with frustration as he observed his current level of Qi refining.

When he had first transmigrated, he had set a modest goal for himself - to reach the foundation building stage within a decade.

However, over 30 years had passed in the blink of an eye, and he found himself still stuck at the third level of Qi Refining, unable to progress any further.

It was clear that his talent was lacking, and he had no hope of achieving his goal in this lifetime.

Realizing the arduous nature of the path to immortality, Ren An decided to embrace a more ordinary life.

He resolved to marry a beautiful and capable woman, have children to carry on his bloodline, and find happiness in the warmth of family.

With this newfound perspective, he couldn't wait to venture into town.

With thoughts of finding a suitable match, Ren An made his way to Qing Town, specifically to Xun Street.

Ren An strode purposefully towards the matchmaker's residence, his memory guiding him with unwavering determination.

As he traversed a narrow passageway, a symphony of enchanting melodies floated through the air, accompanied by the delicate plucking of a gu zheng.

The amalgamation of sound seemed to possess an ethereal quality, captivating Ren An's attention momentarily.

However, the allure soon waned, leaving him with a sense of ennui, prompting him to shake his head in disappointment.

Suddenly, an uproar erupted from a nearby alley, interrupting Ren An's thoughts.

A mournful voice pierced the air, lamenting an aversion towards becoming an oiran, a courtesan of great beauty and talent.

The cries continued, echoing through the dimly lit passageway, evoking a palpable sense of despair.

Threats were hurled at the distraught girl, promising her a fate as a prostitute should her tears persist.

Driven by curiosity and compassion, Ren An traced the source of the anguished sobs, finding a young girl huddled on the ground, her tears flowing ceaselessly.

Surrounding her were a group of burly men, accompanied by a striking woman adorned with heavy makeup.

In that moment, Ren An surmised that this unfortunate girl had been forcibly sold by her own kin, her defiance manifesting in a fervent desire for death rather than a life of servitude.

Cautiously observing her, one could see that the girl was young, her petite face displaying a hint of naivety, while her curvaceous figure exuded undeniable allure.

Ren An, upon noticing this, felt a curiosity towards the girl, prompting him to make his way towards the narrow alley.

Coming to a stop in front of the captivating woman, he produced a tael of gold and extended it towards her, inquiring,

"May I inquire about the circumstances surrounding this young girl?"

The woman initially contemplated scolding Ren An and advising him to mind his own business.

However, upon catching sight of the gleaming gold coins, her demeanor quickly shifted, and she eagerly divulged, "This little girl is none other than the daughter of the Song family in this town. Unfortunately, due to an altercation with a cultivator, their entire family was mercilessly slaughtered."

She continued, "Due to her exceptional beauty, she miraculously managed to escape with her life, only to be sold here for a sum of money."

Although the annihilation of an entire family was undeniably tragic, Ren An remained unaffected by the news.

Having spent close to four decades in this world, he had become all too familiar with the inhumane events that unfolded, causing him to grow desensitized to the cruelties that plagued this realm.

In the world of cultivation, where monks hold high status, even if an entire town like Qing Town were to be wiped out, no one would dare to question a monk's actions.

In this realm, mortal lives are considered insignificant, whether they are related to the emperor or come from noble lineages.

Their existence is as worthless as ants, and their deaths go unnoticed.

"Master, are you planning to save her?"

"Yes, make an offer."

"This Song family daughter possesses outstanding beauty, excels in various arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and she also possesses a flawless physique. She is worth at least a hundred taels of gold."

Exactly one hundred taels of gold, no more and no less, equivalent to the value of a low-grade spirit stone.

Without hesitation, Ren An reached into his pocket and produced a low-grade spirit stone, tossing it casually to the stunning woman. He spoke nonchalantly, "I want this Song family daughter."

"A spirit stone?!"

The beautiful woman's eyes widened, disbelief etched across her face.

Ren An, a monk in disguise, was met with surprise when people discovered his true identity.

This incident served as a reminder that one should not judge others based on appearances alone.

Initially refusing payment, Ren An was persuaded to accept the daughter of the Song family as a gesture of goodwill. But

he denied the capitivating women's offer.

He paid her a low grade spirit stone and took the young girl away.

As they made their way back home, Ren An engaged in conversation with the young girl named Song Huaying.

Curious about Ren An's background, she asked if he was an immortal.

Though he responded affirmatively, Ren An couldn't help but feel a sense of irony within himself.

In truth, he was merely a dreamer whose aspirations of immortality had been shattered by reality.

The only source of pride he possessed was his knowledge of alchemy, which earned him the title of Alchemy Master Ren among fellow cultivators.

Full of grace and purity, the young girl said that she has no means to repay him in this lifetime for the favour he has done for her.

Ren An smiled, saying nothing, reveling in his own handsomeness.

...

They walked for over ten miles.

Finally, they arrived at a forest brimming with a vibrant aura and ventured inside.

Known as Bamboo Leaf Forest, this place was renowned as a residence for wandering cultivators, and it was managed by Bamboo leaf gang.

It was safeguarded by a foundation-builder, allowing anyone to settle in as long as they paid the price.

Countless low-level monks resided here, using their wealth to secure protection.

Ren An was among them.

Before long, they stood in front of a modest wooden house.

This was Ren An's abode within Bamboo Leaf Forest, a dwelling he had constructed himself.

Since the Bamboo leaf gang only provided land for shelter, rather than housing, it was up to the inhabitants to build their own homes.

"Crack—"

Ren An pushed open the wooden door, guiding Song Huaying into the room.

"Please, have a seat. I will prepare a pot of hot tea for you."

"Thank you, Immortal Master."

With a hint of caution in her voice, Song Huaying spoke up.

Initially, she had intended to take the initiative and prepare tea.

After all, Ren An was an immortal being, and it seemed appropriate for a mortal like her to serve him.

However, having just traversed a mountainous path of over ten miles, her legs and feet were now so sore that once she sat down, she couldn't bring herself to stand up again.

Before long, the tea was ready.

Ren An poured a glass for Huaying and went straight to the point, saying, "Ying'er, I have redeemed you because I wish to marry you.

Are you willing?"

Hearing these words, Huaying trembled slightly.

She had expected to become a maid, but the notion of becoming a wife felt like a dream.

After a moment of regaining her composure, she shyly lowered her head and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's, "It is truly a blessing for Yinger to be able to marry an immortal master..."

"It's not too late. Let's get married now," Ren An replied, without pretending to be a gentleman.

He proceeded to swiftly and simply carry out the marriage ceremony.

Anticipating the moment when he could finally share a bridal chamber with his beloved wife, Ren An patiently awaited the opportune time.

Song Huaying, still in her youth, felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty about the upcoming experience, causing her to shyly cover her face and allow Ren to take the lead.

As time passed, their union matured, marking their transition into adulthood.

To Ren An's surprise, a message abruptly materialized before his eyes, causing him to momentarily freeze in astonishment.

[Alchemy experience +1]

With a bewildered expression, he read the unexpected words that appeared before him.

In the blink of an eye, another notification emerged, capturing his attention once more.

 [Name: Ren An]

  [Cultivation: Qi Refining Level 3]

  [Alchemy: First Level Elementary (19/100)]

  [Spouse: Song huaying]

  [Descendants: None]