Wife is hell

Chapter 7 Getting the "Friend Zone"

The girl in the yellow dress is named Jiang Zhenzhen, and she is a disciple of Divine Phoenix Island.

Since the arrival of the spiritual calamity, the martial arts system of the entire continent has been greatly impacted and is gradually moving towards a higher level of cultivation.

The sect structure was constantly disintegrating and reorganizing amidst turmoil, eventually forming a new era of cultivation world dominated by the ten top sects.

Among them, the ancient and profound Daqian Dynasty alone accounts for six of them.

Shenhuang Island is one of them.

As spiritual disasters became more frequent, the imperial court began to vigorously promote cultivation. Entering a top-tier sect like Divine Phoenix Island meant a complete change in one's life, becoming part of the emerging upper class.

Not only can one acquire a large amount of cultivation resources, but it also brings an increase in status and power.

The path to "changing one's fate" is no longer limited to the imperial examination.

Especially for a woman like Shi Xueying, who came from an ordinary family, this was undoubtedly a true transformation from a phoenix to a noblewoman.

"Stone, where's Big Sister?"

Shi Xueying didn't see her sister, so she asked her younger brother, Shi Baolu.

Shi Baolu had just secretly stuffed the chicks into the basket and hidden them when he heard the noise and quickly ran out:
"The rice jar at home is empty, so my older sister went to buy some. Also, my younger sister has been diligently practicing her writing in the study the whole time; I watched her, and she definitely didn't play around. I... I didn't play around either!"

He held out his two empty palms: "Look, there's nothing in my hands."

Shi Xueying felt somewhat disgusted with her simple-minded younger brother and rarely wanted him to accompany her when going out.

There were still distinguished guests in the house at the moment. Seeing his slovenly clothes and bewildered behavior, they felt even more embarrassed. They simply waved their hands impatiently and said, "Alright, I know. Go to the study and watch your little sister write. Don't wander around."

"okay."

Shi Baolu grinned foolishly at Jiang Zhenzhen and Wen Yu before disappearing back into his study.

Shi Xueying looked embarrassed:
"Excuse me, Senior Sister Jiang, that's my younger brother, Shi Baolu. He's a bit simple-minded."

"It's okay, it's cute."

Jiang Zhenzhen was polite on the surface, but she felt disgusted in her heart. However, considering that Shi Xueying was already the designated junior sister and was highly regarded by her master, she still maintained a smile on her face.

Wen Yu, dressed in fine clothes, spoke up: "I heard there's a fool in the house next door. Your brother often spends time with him. Could it be that he's been tainted by bad luck?"

Xueying, not to be nosy, but you should have considered moving a long time ago, and trying to stay as far away from that person as possible. Mentally challenged people are often considered unlucky; living near them for a long time will affect the fortune of your home.

Shi Xueying pursed her pink lips, looking somewhat unnatural, and did not reply.

Jiang Zhenzhen saw this and her expression was amused.

She knew that Wen Yu had feelings for Shi Xueying, and that he would be unhappy to learn that she had a "foolish childhood sweetheart." It was only natural for him to take the opportunity to belittle her.

Jiang Zhenzhen grasped Shi Xueying's hand and said earnestly:

"Xueying, before your master decided to take you as his disciple, he had already investigated your family background and naturally knew that you and that Mu boy were old acquaintances."

But your senior sister must remind you, times have changed. You are no longer an ordinary person. Don't let a moment of weakness lead you to get entangled by those toads in the mud and ruin your future.

"I...I know."

Shi Xueying bit her lower lip and whispered, "I only see him as a younger brother, after all, he saved me before."

"Even being a younger brother won't work."

Jiang Zhenzhen spoke with the admonition of someone who had been through it all, "These kinds of people are no different from flies. If you show them even the slightest bit of rudeness, they'll keep bothering you."

I'm here to give your sister a heads-up beforehand, to prevent her from playing matchmaker and ruining your future. You know your master has high expectations for you; you absolutely mustn't let past relationships or romantic entanglements destroy your prospects.

Wen Yu gazed intently at Shi Xueying's beautiful profile, suppressing the surging admiration in his eyes, and echoed:
"Senior Sister Jiang is right. There are many talented men who are better than that silly boy. Xueying, you must not wrong yourself and waste your life on someone who is too soft-hearted and nostalgic."

Shi Xueying gave a soft "hmm," her eyes filled with confusion.

Deep down, she was proud and naturally unwilling to live a mediocre life.

But she didn't want to put her older sister, who had raised her, in a difficult position.

After all, her parents had passed away early, and Uncle An's family had helped her for many years. The two families had long held a tacit understanding that she and Mu Jiang were a couple.

My older sister, in particular, is extremely loyal and sentimental.

Now, all she can do is hope that Uncle An and her sister will understand her choice.

"Alright, I won't say anything more."

Jiang Zhenzhen's tone softened slightly, "Master went to Prince Cheng's residence today. After finishing his business, he will come to talk to your sister in person. At that time, Master will persuade her to sever ties with that family as soon as possible to avoid future entanglements."

Jiang Zhenzhen paused, then continued:
"Furthermore, I heard from my master that His Majesty has granted Consort Yue's request and granted her permission to cultivate on my Divine Phoenix Island."

The Moon Consort is currently enjoying great favor. If you can befriend her and gain her favor, it will be of immense benefit to your cultivation and future prospects, akin to rising to the top in one step.

Hearing this, Shi Xueying and Wen Yu were deeply moved.

They had naturally heard of the Moon Consort, who enjoyed the emperor's utmost favor.

Consort Yue was originally a princess of the Western Moon Kingdom.

Legend has it that when she was born, red clouds piled up above the West Moon Palace, resembling a phoenix, and hundreds of birds flew around the palace, chirping incessantly. The whole country regarded it as an auspicious sign, saying that she had the "phoenix's destiny".

When Princess Xiyue was fourteen years old, she came to Daqian for a marriage alliance due to the friendship between the two countries.

The newly enthroned Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty fell in love with her at first sight and immediately made her a concubine.

However, there are also secret rumors circulating that Princess Xiyue suffers from a strange illness that prevents men from getting close to her, but the truth of this is unknown.

Regardless, she was indeed His Majesty's most favored concubine, enjoying immense favor. His Majesty even specially built an incomparably luxurious floating palace for her.

If one can curry favor with this influential person and gain their favor, one will naturally rise to the top in one step.

"Senior Sister Jiang, what level of cultivation is required to become a Spiritualist like you?"

Wen Yu suddenly asked curiously.

Jiang Zhenzhen explained:

"Actually, the concept of 'cultivation' only arose after the spiritual calamity occurred. At that time, in addition to various spiritual objects appearing in the world, there were also incomplete and mysterious cultivation manuals scattered throughout the world." "Through the efforts of various forces to decipher and piece them together, a still somewhat vague path of cultivation was gradually revealed."

"The foundation of cultivation lies in 'Qi refining,' which is the breathing in and out of the spiritual energy generated between heaven and earth. All major sects and the imperial court have mastered basic breathing techniques, which will be taught to you once you officially enter Divine Phoenix Island."

"When spiritual energy can condense and take shape within the dantian, forming a 'spiritual pill,' one can then be called a true 'spiritual being.' At this point, one can fuse with and control a spiritual object."

Shi Xueying's eyes brightened slightly as she pressed for an answer: "Does refining more spiritual energy lead to a higher cultivation level?"

Jiang Zhenzhen nodded with a smile:

"That's right. With each advancement to a higher realm, one can fuse with one more spiritual object or control a spiritual object of a higher grade."

However, to reach a higher level, one needs to cultivate more advanced techniques; basic breathing exercises alone are far from sufficient. Furthermore, the techniques must be compatible with one's own constitution, requiring extremely high talent; the slightest mistake can easily lead to qi deviation and demonic possession.

This is why most spiritual practitioners are first-grade spiritual practitioners. Because those cultivation techniques pieced together from fragments are inherently rare and precious, and most of them are secretly kept by major sects and the imperial court, rarely escaping to the outside world.

Shi Xueying and Wen Yu clicked their tongues in amazement.

Indeed, the path of cultivation is far more difficult than imagined.

Talent, resources, and techniques are all indispensable; ordinary people can hardly even glimpse the beginning.

Shi Xueying blinked her beautiful eyes and asked again, "Senior Sister Jiang, who is the highest-level spiritual practitioner in the world today? What level has their cultivation reached?"

Jiang Zhenzhen frowned and pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said:

"It's hard to say, because the cultivation methods are incomplete and the current cultivation system is far from perfect. As far as we know, the highest realm should be the fifth realm, that is, the fifth-grade spiritual practitioner."

Looking at the entire Great Qian Dynasty, there are probably fewer than ten people who have reached this level, and it is difficult to say who is stronger or weaker among them.

Ultimately, a spirit practitioner's combat strength depends to a large extent on the power of the spiritual weapon they fuse with and wield. The stronger the spiritual weapon, the more terrifying their strength.

A fifth-grade spiritualist!
Shi Xueying and Wen Yu were shocked.

This is simply monstrous!

Wen Yu couldn't help but sigh, "It's hard to imagine how terrifying these techniques would be if they were complete, given that even incomplete techniques could create such powerful individuals."

"Yes, it is indeed a pity."

Jiang Zhenzhen shared the same sentiment.

She had vaguely heard her master mention that these incomplete cultivation techniques and spiritual objects might very well come from another unknown and mysterious world.

If that's true, could there really be immortals in that world?
Does the pursuit of immortality through cultivation truly exist?
The cultivators in that world must be very happy.

-

-

After helping his aunt chop the meat, Jiang Mu went to the river outside the yard and brought back the big white goose.

When he returned to the courtyard gate with the fluttering white goose in his arms, he happened to see the ornately decorated carriage slowly driving away from the gate of Shi Baolu's house next door.

Shi Xueying stood gracefully at the door, waving goodbye to the carriage.

A gentle breeze blew by, lightly lifting the girl's pale blue skirt and outlining her slender and graceful figure.

She turned her gaze and saw Jiang Mu holding a white goose, and was slightly taken aback.

Jiang Mu greeted her with a smile, "Hello, Xueying."

Shi Xueying's expression was slightly indifferent. She merely nodded slightly and then turned to enter the courtyard.

However, she paused for a moment.
Suddenly she turned around and called out to him, "Mu Jiang."

"Ok?"

Jiang Mu looked at the girl.

Shi Xueying raised her slender finger and tapped her head: "I heard... you're all better here?"

"I guess it's alright now."

Jiang Mu shrugged.

The girl said "Oh" and went into the courtyard.

The hem of her skirt flashed by the door.

Jiang Mu didn't pay any attention, carrying the big white goose into his yard. Just as he was about to give it a bath, he suddenly heard a girl's delicate and melodious voice coming from the other side of the low wall:

"Mu Jiang!"

Jiang Mu turned his head and saw Shi Xueying standing on tiptoe, her slender hands gently resting on the wall, revealing her beautiful face with a somewhat complicated expression.

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Mu walked in, puzzled.

"that……"

Shi Xueying bit her cherry lips and whispered, "I'm going to Divine Phoenix Island in a few days."

"Oh, Stone mentioned it to me before. Congratulations!"

Jiang Mu congratulated him with a smile.

"you……"

Shi Xueying avoided his gaze, her slender white pinky finger unconsciously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. After a moment, she spoke softly, "You're a good person. You'll definitely find a better girl than me in the future."

Before Jiang Mu could respond, she twisted her slender waist, turned around, and went back into the house.

Jiang Mu was a little confused for a moment.

He scratched his head and teased the large white goose in his arms:

"Congratulations, Mu Jiang, you've just received your first 'good guy card' so unexpectedly."

(End of this chapter)