Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

“Brother Xu! Sister Yanhan~~~”

As soon as Xu Ming and Wu Yanhan returned to the Princess’s residence, Shengsheng, who had been waiting for them, ran over excitedly. It looked like this little girl had been waiting for a long time.

Xu Ming ruffled Shengsheng’s small head with a smile. “Did you listen to Sister Ren?”

Shengsheng clung to Xu Ming’s leg, nodding rapidly like a little pecking chick. “Yes, yes! Shengsheng was very obedient!”

Ren, standing nearby, smiled. “She was indeed very well-behaved, but she kept watching the gate, asking when Your Highness and Lord Wen Wu Qing would return. She must have asked over ten times.”

Hearing Ren’s complaint, Shengsheng lowered her head, her little face turning red as she fidgeted with her fingers.

Xu Ming chuckled and ruffled her hair again. “Looks like Shengsheng really likes me and Sister Yanhan, huh?”

Shengsheng lifted her head and nodded vigorously. “Shengsheng likes Brother Xu and Sister Yanhan the most~”

Wu Yanhan smiled and playfully tapped Shengsheng’s nose. “Big Sister likes Shengsheng the most, too. But I need to take a bath first, then I’ll come play with you.”

As Wu Yanhan walked inside, Shengsheng watched her back, a little puzzled. She felt that something about Sister Yanhan was… different. She just couldn’t figure out what.

While Wu Yanhan was bathing, Xu Ming took Shengsheng to practice martial arts in the courtyard.

By evening, it was time for Xu Ming to take Shengsheng home.

“Not staying for dinner?” Wu Yanhan asked.

Xu Ming held Shengsheng’s hand. “No, I’ve already imposed for half a month. It’s time to head back.”

Wu Yanhan nodded. “Alright then. If anything comes up, let me know.”

“Don’t worry, everything’s fine.” Xu Ming smiled. “Besides, you’re not that far from me.”

After bidding farewell to Wu Yanhan, Xu Ming returned to the Xu residence.

Seeing her son back, Chen Suya finally let out a breath of relief.

She had suspected something had happened to him. After all, the last message she received was relayed by the Princess’s servants, not Xu Ming himself, which had only made her more uneasy.

But she chose not to show her concern, not wanting her son to worry.

Xu Ming handed over all the game he had hunted, along with the Emperor’s rewards, to the Xu household, letting them distribute it as they saw fit.

However, he kept one spiritually-infused sika deer for himself, roasting it in the courtyard.

Eating this particular deer would greatly benefit his body.

—

The day passed.

After bathing, Xu Ming returned to his room to rest.

Lying on the bed, he took out a handkerchief.

Embroidered on it was a single blood plum blossom.

Inside his storage pouch, there was another identical handkerchief.

As he stared at it, lost in thought, he suddenly sensed someone’s presence.

In an instant, he stowed the handkerchief away.

“Young Master is quite the romantic, huh~”

Zhou Wanfeng appeared in his room, her curvaceous figure settling directly onto the edge of his bed.

“I wonder… who does that handkerchief belong to?” She teased.

“None of your business.” Xu Ming sat up. “Senior Zhou, what brings you here?”

Zhou Wanfeng pouted dramatically. “Young Master is always so cold. Can’t I come visit you just because?”@@novelbin@@

She even let out a few pitiful sobs, pretending to be heartbroken.

Xu Ming simply watched her act, remaining silent.

“Fine, fine.” She waved a hand dismissively. “For someone so utterly lacking in charm, it’s a mystery which woman could possibly put up with you.”

Then, she pulled out a handkerchief of her own, twirling it between her fingers.

“‘The Taoist’ has sent word.”

Xu Ming’s expression sharpened. “What did he say?”

Zhou Wanfeng smiled. “The Taoist said that since it was your request, he would naturally come to help. However, he also mentioned that he currently has an urgent matter and truly cannot free himself. But while in Wu Kingdom, he encountered someone—someone he believes is even more suitable. So, instead of coming himself, he has arranged for that person to come in his place, and they have agreed.” ℟𝒶ΝO͍BĚs̈

Xu Ming frowned slightly. “He met someone? May I ask which immortal master it is?”

If even the Taoist believed this person was a better fit, it meant their cultivation must be extremely profound.

Zhou Wanfeng smirked playfully. “This person is no immortal master~ but rather… a monk.”

“A monk???” Xu Ming was even more puzzled.

A Taoist, recommending a monk?

“Indeed.” Zhou Wanfeng chuckled. “In his letter, the Taoist mentioned that he encountered a young monk—a female one, no less. She has a deeper understanding of soul techniques and is well-versed in the Eight Divine Arts of Leiming Temple. Although her cultivation level isn’t particularly high, in matters of the soul, she is far more suited to help you.”

Xu Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly. “A female monk… Could she be Leiming Temple’s Shixin?”

There was only one possible answer.

In this world, there were no nuns.

Unless he was mistaken, this Shixin was likely the only female monk in existence.

Zhou Wanfeng nodded with a smile. “That’s right. The very same Shixin, who ranks first on the Beauty Rankings.”

Her gaze carried a trace of admiration.

“The number one beauty on the list, even surpassing the Dragon Empress herself. Honestly, even as a woman, I’m quite curious. What kind of person must she be to claim such a title?”

Xu Ming: “…”

He, too, couldn’t help but be curious.

The Beauty Rankings were determined by the Dao itself, calculated based on the collective preferences of all beings. Even if one had never seen the person in question, the Dao knew exactly what people found attractive.

And yet…

A female monk—someone who had renounced worldly desires—had somehow taken the top spot?

Xu Ming simply couldn’t wrap his head around it.

—

“Shixin, just keep heading straight from here. Once you pass through Yubi County, you’ll reach the capital of Wu.”

Taoist An Wei stroked his beard as he gave directions to the young, bald-headed girl before him.

“Once you arrive, ask around for the Xu family estate. By all accounts, Xu Ming should be quite well-known in the capital.”

The girl named Shixin nodded. “Then I’ll leave the matters here in your hands, Mister.”

An Wei laughed heartily. “Hahaha! A trivial matter, not worth mentioning. You’re helping me with something, and I’m helping you—just mutual assistance.”

He waved a hand. “Go on, then. Don’t delay my friend’s affairs.”

“Understood.” Shixin nodded, then turned and began walking in the direction the Taoist had pointed.

Behind her, An Wei turned around, rolling up his sleeves.

A sea of thousands of vengeful ghosts hovered in the air, wailing and shrieking as they stared at him with empty, hollow eyes.

He grinned. “Alright then… Time to get to work.”