Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

Wu Yuanshan's voice softened, carrying a hint of weariness and pleading.

"My health is deteriorating day by day. Once I'm gone, if the bonds between you all are severed, who will you rely on in this Mishui Town? Alas, how did the once-prosperous Wu family fall to such a state..."

Looking at the white hair at her father's temples and the sorrow in his eyes, Wu Xiaowan's heart clenched, her nose stung, and she swallowed back all her excuses.

She bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to support her father's arm and whispered:

"Father, don't be sad, I'll do as you say. But my sudden trip to Falling Star Valley to find my cousin is indeed too abrupt and might arouse his suspicion. How about this, I'll write him a letter first, telling him about the recent situation at home and expressing my concern. We can keep in touch often, and once our relationship has grown closer, I'll visit him in Falling Star Valley in person, okay?"

Seeing that his daughter had relented, Wu Yuanshan finally showed some relief, patted her hand, and softened his tone considerably:

"Alright, alright, we'll do it your way. Xiao Wan, I'm not forcing you to contact Wu Fan. Besides the fact that his parents sacrificed for the Wu family, and as his second uncle, I should take care of him, I also have my own selfish reasons."

He turned around, gazing at the desolate courtyard outside the window, his back view appearing particularly forlorn.

"If Wu Fan had lived an ordinary life, even if I did everything in my power, I could have protected him for life. But now he has achieved great things and no longer needs the care of his useless second uncle. I only hope that you can get closer to him, so that after I pass away, he can take care of you out of our kinship and not let that brat Zhou Jing bully you too much."

When Zhou Jing was mentioned, Wu Yuanshan's tone was full of regret and resentment, and he sighed heavily.

Zhou Jing was the son-in-law he personally chose for his daughter. His family had resources, and he thought his daughter would live a stable life after marrying into the family. However, since the Wu family split up and the family fortunes declined, Zhou Jing's attitude has become colder day by day.

After Xiao Wan gave birth to his child, Zhou Jing became even more abusive. He not only scolded Xiao Wan at every turn, but also kept a mistress outside the marriage. Now he has simply moved to the mistress's place and hardly lives with Xiao Wan anymore.

Xiao Wan suffered cold treatment in the Zhou family and was not well received by her parents-in-law. She often returned to her parents' home, ostensibly to visit her father, but in reality, she wanted to find a safe haven to escape the coldness of the Zhou family.

Wu Yuanshan felt increasingly remorseful, his heart filled with endless self-blame.

Was I really wrong?

Back then, she was only focused on marrying her daughter into a "good family," only considering family background, but she ignored Zhou Jing's character and whether her daughter was truly willing. In the end, it ruined her life.

He suddenly remembered that when Wu Fan was young, he had forced Wu Fan to marry Wang Yan, the daughter of the Wang family in town.

Later, Wu Fan insisted on refusing, and the matter was dropped.

If he had really forced Wu Fan to marry Wang Yan back then, would Wu Fan have ended up like Xiao Wan, living a life of grievance and sorrow?

Thinking of this, Wu Yuanshan felt a tightness in his chest and weakness all over his body. He slowly turned around and looked at his daughter beside him, whose eyes were downcast and whose expression was dejected. His eyes were full of guilt and heartache.

"Xiao Wan, I'm so sorry. I was foolish back then and chose the wrong person, which made you suffer."

Wu Xiaowan looked up abruptly and met the guilt in her father's eyes. Tears welled up and slowly fell, but she still managed to shake her head, forcing back a sob.

"Father, I don't blame you. You were only doing this for your daughter's sake and for the Wu family's sake. Now that things have come to this, there's no use saying these things. I will write to my cousin regularly to maintain our relationship, and I will persevere to protect my brother and our lineage."

Seeing his daughter's forced strength, Wu Yuanshan felt a pang of heartache. He gently wiped away her tears and choked out, "..."

"My dear child, I'm sorry you've suffered this. From now on, with your father here, I will never let you suffer too much again. Don't rush into writing this letter; carefully consider your words. Just treat it as a conversation with a family member, and don't be too reserved."

"My daughter knows."

Wu Xiaowan sniffed, nodded, and the grievance in her eyes gradually faded.

......

Three and a half months later.

Wu Fan sat on the futon in the cultivation room, slowly exhaling a breath. The spiritual energy surrounding him receded into his body. He opened his eyes slightly, and today's meditation cultivation had finally come to a successful conclusion.

Before the hand seals could be fully withdrawn, a roar came from outside the stone door of the cultivation room.

"Woohoo~~~".

The last syllable was drawn out, without a trace of the ferocity of a tiger, but rather carried a hint of coquetry, just like an endearing big cat.

A smile unconsciously crept onto Wu Fan's lips. He raised his hand and gently waved it, and the stone door creaked open slowly inward.

Outside the door, Zhaofu was wagging its tail and waiting.

Now it has entered the sub-adult stage, with a body that is more than two meters long, upright and agile, with silvery-white fur that has a faint luster. The cloud pattern on its forehead is much clearer than when it was young, and its limbs are strong and powerful. Even though it is not yet an adult, its size is far greater than that of an ordinary cloud tiger.

But this imposing appearance, coupled with those wet eyes, instantly lost its intimidating power.

"Slow down, don't rush!"

As soon as Wu Fan finished speaking, Zhao Fu pounced over with light steps, placing its front paws on his shoulder.

If Wu Fan hadn't cultivated a body-building technique that made his physical body far superior to ordinary people, he probably would have been knocked off balance by this little guy.

He steadily supported Zhaofu's front paws and helplessly rubbed its head:

"You've grown so big, yet you're still so impetuous, not at all like a tiger."

Zhao Fu seemed to understand his scolding, making soft "gurgling" sounds in her throat, and kept rubbing her head against Wu Fan's chest, making his clothes all wrinkled.

Wu Fan sat down on the futon, letting Zhao Fu curl up beside his legs.

His biggest discovery over the past three and a half months has been the changes in Zhaofu.

Since the last time a trace of wood element essence was infused into Zhao Fu, the little guy's growth rate has increased visibly, growing 20% ​​faster than Yun Cong Hu of the same age. He has also become intelligent earlier. Zhao Fu can understand most of what he says and occasionally responds with actions, showing great intelligence.

He had read records that it takes four to five years for an ordinary cloud tiger to grow into a mature form, and another one or two years to absorb spiritual energy and solidify its foundation. If it wants to enter the ranks of demon beasts, it will take at least six years.

Judging from Zhaofu's current growth, it will take at most three more years to directly advance to a demon beast, saving a lot of time.

However, the only drawback is that Zhao Fu's bloodline concentration did not improve significantly, and he is still a low-grade bloodline.

Wu Fan pondered to himself, thinking that this was probably because too little of the Wood element essence had been transferred in.

Fortunately, he didn't have high expectations for Zhaofu. The Five Elements Beads' ability to improve spiritual roots and physical constitution has now been proven, and the effect is more significant the younger the child is, which is enough.

"Fine, as long as you grow up safely and keep me company, that's enough."

Wu Fan gently flicked Zhao Fu's forehead.

"As for breaking through to the mid-grade bloodline and advancing further, let's talk about that later. It would really consume too much of my essence right now, and I can't bear to do that."

Zhao Fu blinked as if he understood but not quite, rubbed his nose against his fingertip, and made a louder gurgling sound in his throat.

Wu Fan chuckled; this little guy certainly knew how to be clever.

He then recalled that even with ample resources, it would take Yun Conghu, with his ordinary mid-grade bloodline, at least thirty years, or even longer, to advance to the second-tier demon beast level.

At that time, his cultivation level was estimated to have reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and Zhao Fu would probably not be able to keep up with his pace.

However, with its wind-attribute talent and good looks, Zhaofu would make a great choice as a cool mount in the future.

Wu Fan couldn't help but jokingly think to himself:

"You're too flashy. I prefer quiet, so I'm afraid I'll rarely need your help."

As if dissatisfied with his words, Zhao Fu gently nudged his chest with her head and let out a pitiful whimper.

Wu Fan was amused by its appearance and reached out to take the letters that Zhao Fu was holding in its mouth.

Zhao Fu rubbed against his wrist, curled up next to his legs, and obediently lay still.