Ziwei Immortal Path

Chapter 41 The Ding Family Arrives
Xu Boyang breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, his eyes flickering as he recalled the conversation with Ma Lingguan just now. After digesting it for a moment, he came to his senses, stretched out his hand and slapped his waist, and a green jade slip and a stack of talismans jumped out.

Huangting sword technique "Flying Su Six Swords"!
This stack of talismans was seized from the casual cultivator in Luwei Village. Xu Boyang knew that he was only one step away from the sixth level of Ningyuan, so he kept it and was reluctant to sell it.

The method of using the talisman is already available in the "Tianhao Daoqi Changshuo Jingshuo". It not only contains the mnemonics of the talisman, but also the methods of controlling tools, activating formations, and using spiritual plants. Everything is complete.

It is precisely because of this that Xu Boyang would never have been able to learn to fly with a sword in just three days.

However, the mantras for talismans, formation activation, and instrument control only include those for the Condensation and Foundation Establishment realms, but not for the Huangting realm and above.

Before, he had no spiritual awareness and did not know what was inside these talismans, because the talisman paper was covered with some runes in a messy way. Now he used the method described in the scriptures to explore with his spiritual awareness, and immediately saw everything clearly.

"Here are ten 'Flying Sword Talismans', five 'Fireball Talismans', six 'Golden Bell Talismans', eight 'Flying Bird Talismans', four 'Walking Beast Talismans', and the last one is... the 'Liyangtai Light Sword Talisman'!"

"This should be a foundation-building talisman!"

Xu Boyang was pleasantly surprised. He didn't expect that there was a foundation-building level talisman in this stack of talisman papers.

"This 'Flying Sword Talisman' has more, why not try two of these first!"

After thinking about it, he put the rest of the talismans into the storage bag, pinched a piece of "Flying Sword Talisman" talisman paper between two fingers, silently recited the talisman in his heart, and with a move of his spiritual consciousness, he quickly stretched out his hand and slapped it out!
The talisman paper was mixed with a ball of fire and flew out as fast as a bow and arrow. It burned up in the air and turned into three sharp swords, which cut off a section of the cliff opposite!
"I succeeded on my first try! It doesn't seem that difficult!"

Xu Boyang was overjoyed, thinking that it was because the talismans of the Condensation Period were relatively simple. He comprehended them carefully for a while and then put away the remaining "Flying Sword Talisman".

"Sword practice!"

Seeing that the talisman was not difficult to use, Xu Boyang stopped paying attention to it and sat down cross-legged to concentrate on comprehending the "Fei Su Liu Chu Sword".

I watched it for seven days and seven nights.

"This Huangting sword technique is truly extraordinary. Just the two moves of Ningyuan are difficult to understand, let alone the remaining four moves that are impossible to discern. I should be down-to-earth and start practicing with the first move, 'Fei Su Jinghong Ying'."

This training was not a big deal. Three months passed in the blink of an eye. It was the autumn harvest and the winter solstice, and heavy snow began to cover the sky and the earth.

On this day, Xu Boyang finally made some progress in practicing the "Flying White Startling Swan Shadow". Within a radius of ten feet, whether on the ground or in the air, he could almost make his body as light as falling snow, as graceful as a startled swan, and come and go as fast as lightning. It was really amazing.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and thought to himself, "This cultivator really has no idea of ​​time. I've only just achieved a little bit of success, and already a few months have passed. Never mind. If I don't go back for a long time, my father will be worried again. I'll go home first."

Thinking of Xu Shaoliang, I couldn't help but sigh in my heart.

It has been a month since Ji's father Xu Shaohua came to their house. The brothers ate and slept together, and talked endlessly. In the end, they talked about trivial matters in the past. Finally, Xu Shaohua said goodbye, and Xu Shaoliang saw him off again and again, and finally he saw him off a hundred miles away.

Since then, the old man of the Xu family seemed to have aged a lot. He was depressed every day, sometimes muttering about Xu Shaohua, sometimes muttering about the deceased Xu Shaoxue. Xu Boyang saw it and was worried.

For this reason, when Xu Boyang went to Fei Wenyu to get the Yunling Pill, he also bought some longevity pills from the ghost market and gave them to Xu Shaoliang and Wang Mingru to help the two old men replenish their bodies.

After taking it, Xu Shaoliang felt more energetic and his complexion recovered a little, but he still felt depressed. When Xu Boyang was around, he would laugh a few times, but when he was not around, he would always walk around alone in the huge Xu Mansion, not saying a word all day long.

When the servants in the mansion saw this, they only dared to tell Xu Boyang, but did not dare to offend the old man.

For this reason, Xu Boyang even went to the [Purple Star Fate Palace] and spent spirit stones to ask Zhao Lingguan if there was any Taoist method to prolong life. However, Zhao Lingguan scolded him:
"Yes, the two scriptures you're holding now are them, but do you think everyone has telepathy? You're just lucky to have picked up this [Purple Star Fate Palace], and your fate has changed from now on. Otherwise, you'd just be a mortal! Do you still want to defy the will of heaven and change your fate? Forget it! Practicing diligently is the right path!"

When Xu Boyang heard this, he immediately became bored and left quietly.

Now that he had reached the sixth level of Condensation, he no longer needed to practice in a fixed place. He could practice swordsmanship anytime and anywhere. However, Wuya Peak was rarely visited and no one would disturb him, so it was relatively quiet. However, he could not take care of the old man.

Xu Boyang remembered what Ding Tianshi said, that Xu Shaoliang had at most a dozen years left to live. Now that he had said that, six years had passed in the blink of an eye. He didn't know how many more years his pills could last, and he couldn't help feeling sad.

"At the moment, my swordsmanship is improving step by step, so there's no rush. However, breaking through the three levels of spiritual awareness and attaining enlightenment are too ethereal. Just as Ding Tianshi said, it's all about hard work. Some people break through three levels in a year, while others can't make an inch in ten years. It mostly depends on understanding and chance."

"I'm afraid we can't rush this matter. Chen Baochong is a disciple of the Immortal Sect, very talented and intelligent. He was cultivated by the Immortal Sect, but it took him ten years to reach the ninth level. I reached the sixth level in seven years, which is not slow to be honest. I guess I can only comprehend this fruit slowly. For now, I should spend more time with the old man and practice at home as much as possible."

He pondered for a long time, made a plan, and then summoned [Biyouxian], stepped on the flying sword, and flew down the mountain.

After returning home, he packed up and changed his clothes. Then he walked around the garden. He saw Ding Fusheng sitting in the living room through the hollow screen, drinking tea with Xu Shaoliang. He felt confused.

This person really rarely goes out in Fengqing Town. Except for delivering firewood every time, he is almost never seen. He suddenly appears at this time. Could something big have happened?
"Ding Zongzheng!"

Xu Boyang walked over from across the garden and greeted them first.

At this time, his eyesight was amazing, he walked silently, and was far away. Two people in the main hall were talking and did not notice him.

"Hey! Ding Zongzheng came at the right time today. This guy has been elusive all day, but he's finally back."

Xu Shaoliang laughed when he saw Xu Boyang coming back.

Ding Fusheng smiled and nodded.

When Xu Boyang approached, his spiritual consciousness suddenly sensed something, and he raised his brows, thinking to himself:

"Sixth level of Condensation?"

Ding Fusheng seemed to have noticed it and said with a smile:

"Boyang, congratulations! It's only been a few years, and you've already reached the sixth level of Condensation! You're truly a rising star!"

Ding Fusheng looks to be in his forties, but in fact he is more than that. He is actually almost sixty years old. However, he never said it himself, so no one knows. Secondly, he has entered the Nascent Soul stage, so he naturally ages slowly.

Just like Xu Boyang, he is actually twenty-four years old, almost twenty-five, but he still looks like he is seventeen or eighteen years old.

Seeing that this younger generation was only in his early twenties and had the same cultivation level as himself, Ding Fusheng couldn't help but feel emotional, thinking that the young generation was indeed formidable.

However, Xu Boyang realized that his cultivation was at the sixth level of Condensation Yuan, and he had other thoughts in his mind. He was secretly shocked and thought:
"So, he, like me, is also trying to break through the three levels of Divine Essence in his spiritual consciousness. Could it be that he has been stuck here for all these years?"

For a moment, he was filled with amazement and gained a new understanding of the extremely mysterious three levels of divine essence.

Ding Fusheng seemed to notice something strange about him.

Xu Boyang quickly coughed and said seriously:
"Ding Zongzheng suddenly visited today, but what happened in Qingning Bay or the town?"

"Besides delivering the salary, there are indeed other things to do."

Ding Fusheng lowered his head, took out a storage bag from his sleeve, and placed it on the table, but nothing else happened.

Xu Shaoliang coughed and said with a smile, "Ding Zongzheng, you guys chat. I'm really sleepy now. I'm going to take a nap!"

"Old man, slow down!" Ding Fusheng laughed.

After Xu Shaoliang called the servants away, Ding Fusheng finally spoke:

"Boyang, has my nephew ever contacted you?" The nephew he was referring to was naturally Ding Tianshi.

In the blink of an eye, more than six years have passed, almost seven years, and Ding Tianshi seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth, with no news of him at all.

Xu Boyang shook his head and said:

"Ding Zongzheng, you know, Taoist Ding gave me a jade pendant back then, saying it would be visible when he returned. But all these years have passed, and the jade pendant hasn't lit up yet."

Ding Fusheng sighed lightly and said:

"The soul lamp he placed at home has been lit all the time, but I don't know where it went. He hasn't come back for several years, which is indeed a bit abnormal."

"If there is an emergency at home, why doesn't Ding Zongzheng go to Samadhi Mountain or the Immortal Sect to ask?" Xu Boyang asked doubtfully.

"How can a small cultivator like me enter the Immortal Sect?"

Ding Fusheng smiled bitterly and said, "I've already asked about Samadhi Mountain. He hasn't been there, and I don't know where they are. Besides, I have the responsibility of guarding Qingning Bay and cannot leave without permission."

"Does he want me to go find Ding Tianshi?"

Xu Boyang suddenly felt something was wrong. He had just started on the Taoist path and had encountered a lot of troubles when he was practicing sword and gathering energy. This matter of looking for someone was too far-fetched. Ding Tianshi was a Taoist who was building a foundation. He flew around. What if he ran to some barbarian monster territory? It would be difficult to deal with. This was probably not an easy task.

"Don't panic, Boyang. I didn't mean for you to go out and look for him."

Ding Fusheng saw that Xu Boyang's eyes were not right, so he quickly explained:
"The soul lamp in his ancestral hall has been lit all the time, so there shouldn't be any danger. I estimate that he is very likely to break through to the late stage of foundation building during his retreat. After the foundation building, his cultivation realm will rise, so it is not uncommon for him to retreat for ten years or so."

"That's probably it."

Xu Boyang nodded, feeling somewhat dissatisfied in his heart but not daring to speak out. He could only go along with his meaning, hoping that it would be just as he said and nothing else.

"It's just that he's not here, so some things are left unattended, which is a bit troublesome."

Ding Fusheng sighed lightly, took the covered bowl next to him, stirred it twice, lowered his head and took a sip.

Xu Boyang knew in his heart that he was waiting for him to respond when he saw this situation. Thinking about the past six years, almost seven years, the Ding family had never stopped paying him salary every year, while he was busy with cultivation and had indeed never done anything for his family.

What was the point of Xu Shaoliang helping with those little things? Actually, most of the things were managed by Wang Mingru, and the escort company and the horse farm were now managed by Tan Wenli. Whenever Xu Boyang had free time, he would at most ask people over, but they were usually idle, so he really couldn't help much.

To put it bluntly, the current status of my family was given by the Ding family. Now that they have come to me, it seems that I have to repay the favor.

Xu Boyang naturally understood the logic behind this and did not object to it. He accepted the salary and it was his duty to help his family. He just had to not ask him to kill people or set fires at will. That would be against the will of heaven and human ethics and would touch the bottom line.

Besides, if something happens to the Ding family, we are all related to them and live in Fengqing Town. We can’t just sit back and do nothing.

He paused and said:

"Ding Zongzheng, my family has been greatly taken care of by the Taoist priest over the years. It is truly shameful to accept such a gift without any merit. Zongzheng, if there is anything you need from Boyang, please feel free to ask. There is no need for us to discuss anything further."

"Ah."

Ding Fusheng put down the tea bowl and smiled.
"Boyang, you're too polite. These salaries are what you deserve. In the past few years, your family has managed Fengqing Town in an orderly manner, and the people have praised you highly. We in Qingning Bay can see all of this. My nephew really has good vision!"

He first praised it, and then slowly said:
"That's right. It's not a big deal, but the day is approaching, which makes me anxious. I might need to trouble Boyang to go out and bring back two people from Qingning Bay and Fengqing Town."

"With people?"

Xu Boyang's heart tightened, but he didn't dare to ask. He knew that Ding Fusheng had more to say. The word "bring people with you" had too many meanings. It was impossible to just take them with you. Could it be that he wanted me to go out and catch people for his family?
But why arrest people?

Who are you arresting?

What to do with it after catching it?
"Alas... after all, this matter is still related to the Immortal Sect. I don't know if Bo Yang knows this, so I will give you a brief explanation."

Ding Fusheng frowned, sighed softly, and brought the tea bowl over again.

"The Immortal Sect has set a rule that every eight years, each town must hand in a certain number of Lingxizi. This number is determined by the population. For example, our Fengqing Town has a population of approximately 300,000, so we must hand in at least three Lingxizi."

Xu Boyang had heard about this matter roughly from Wang Mingru before. Every six years, Qingning Bay would organize a telepathic test in Fengqing Town. Children with telepathic abilities would be selected and taken to Qingning Bay, and eventually sent to Samadhi Mountain. It was probably time now.

He knew it all and instantly understood what Ding Fusheng meant. However, to avoid misjudging, he still wanted to confirm it and asked, "As Zongzheng said, is it because there are not enough Lingxizi this time? Or is the person somewhere else?"

"not enough!"

Ding Fusheng shook his head and said:

"Not long ago, Old Wang and I looked everywhere, and we only found a woodcutter in the East Gate who had a son named Zhang Qiuping. We had a good connection, so I moved his family to Qingning Bay, changed his surname, and arranged the generation name to Ding Qiushan. But even so, there are still two spots missing."

"Boyang, you don't know that the rules set by the Immortal Sect are hard-coded. There is no human connection involved. Even the four major families of Yuchuan, the Ling, Xun, Jiang, and Ding families, dare not violate them. Every time the deadline comes, even if they have to break their heads, burn, kill, and plunder, they still have to pay. What's more, our Fengqing Town is a small branch of the Ding family, and we dare not violate them."

"If you disobey and refuse to hand it over, once this immortal sect sends someone, the consequences will be disastrous."

"Back then, the Huang family of Yishan Town, a relative of the Jiang family on the East China Sea, failed to hand over the Lingxi seeds for two consecutive years. The Immortal Sect was furious and wiped out the entire family. Since then, there is no Huang family in Yuchuan anymore."

Xu Boyang nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and asked:

"If this is the case, it shouldn't be an isolated incident. I wonder how your family handled it in previous years?"

"Actually, this situation hasn't happened very often over the years. This is not a very easy thing to do!"

Ding Fusheng shook his head, lowered his head and fiddled with the covered bowl, and said lightly,

"Similar situations have occurred occasionally in previous years, with families simply trading with each other and exchanging what they have. However, these matters were all handled by my nephew. Now he has disappeared, and there is only a little over a year but less than two years left before the deadline for the exchange. I'm afraid that when he returns, he won't be able to make it in time."

Xu Boyang was shocked to hear that the towns were actually trading Lingxizi as commodities. This was simply against human ethics and moral degradation. But then he thought again, human life was worthless these days, let alone buying and selling. He was moved for a moment, thought for a moment, and said something to comfort them:
"Since there has been a precedent before, this should not be difficult. There are nineteen towns in Yuchuan, so Ding Zongzheng does not need to worry too much."

According to Ding Fusheng, since we can find other families to exchange what we have, then it becomes a business. In this way, the matter is not too difficult to handle. It is just a matter of spending more spirit stones and spiritual objects.

In such a huge Yuchuan County with nineteen towns of all sizes and such a large population, it is impossible that every household is short of Lingxi seeds.

"Ah."

Ding Fusheng nodded, put down the tea bowl,

"That's true, but time is running out, and we need to plan ahead to avoid complications. I'm busy with many things, and due to family rules, I can't go out. I might need Boyang's help on this matter."

Thanks to book friends 0695 and wldr for their monthly tickets!
Thanks to the book friend Tongyi Daughter Kingdom for the reward!

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(End of this chapter)