Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improving Spiritual Root Aptitude

Sailing against the wind, swiftly passing through the clouds and mist.

After flying for several more days, the winding outline of the Mi River beside Mishui Town slowly emerged on the distant horizon.

The scene resembles a green silk belt, wrapping around the staggered green mountains.

From a distance, the entire town of Mishui is built against the mountains and along the water, with its blue bricks and gray tiles arranged in a pleasing pattern. Smoke rises from the chimneys of many houses, creating a peaceful and serene scene.

This is Wu Fan's hometown, Mishui Town, which he has been away from for many years.

After he approached the town, he quietly put away the Wind-Riding Boat and landed in a forest outside Mishui Town.

First, he raised his hand to tidy up his blue cloth robe, then concealed his cultivation aura to the eighth level of Qi Refining. After repeatedly confirming that everything was in order, he finally took a step and slowly walked towards the city gate.

Upon entering the city gate, the familiar street layout immediately came into view.

Shops lined both sides of the street, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares and passersby haggling over prices rose and fell, interspersed with the clear laughter of children chasing and playing.

What a beautiful scene of everyday life, it warms the heart.

Following the direction he remembered, Wu Fan headed toward his second uncle Wu Yuanshan's residence.

Before long, a rather elegant residence appeared before Wu Fan's eyes.

The residence was built against the mountain and was right next to the first-level spiritual vein of the surrounding mountains. At this moment, there were no other people around, so it appeared particularly quiet and elegant.

The vermilion gate was tightly closed, and the two large characters "Wu Mansion" on the lintel were written in a vigorous style, which was the residence of his second uncle in his memory.

Wu Fan took a deep breath, raised his hand and gently knocked on the door knocker. The "knock knock knock" sound was particularly clear in the quiet mountains.

A moment later, footsteps could be heard from inside the door.

Immediately afterwards, the door was opened a crack, and a handsome young servant in a gray robe peeked out, his eyes warily scanning Wu Fan up and down before asking:

"Who are you? What brings you to my Wu residence?"

Wu Fan looked at the servant in front of him and said slowly in a calm tone:

"My name is Wu Fan. I am the nephew of Wu Yuanshan, the head of this household. I have been away from home for several years and have come back today to pay respects to my ancestors. Please inform my second uncle."

Upon hearing Wu Fan's words, the servant's wariness lessened somewhat, but he remained somewhat alert.

The Wu Fan in front of me was dressed very plainly and looked unremarkable; he really didn't seem like the young master of the Wu family.

But he didn't dare to be negligent, so he nodded and said:

"Please wait a moment, young master, I will go and inform the master."

After saying that, the servant closed the door and then quickly ran inside.

Wu Fan stood outside the door, gazing at the familiar scenery outside the courtyard, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Before long, another burst of hurried footsteps came from the courtyard, accompanied by suppressed laughter. The footsteps grew clearer as they approached.

Immediately afterwards, the vermilion gate was fully opened, and a middle-aged man dressed in brocade casual clothes, with a kind face and a slightly plump figure, strode out. He was Wu Fan's second uncle, Wu Yuanshan.

In the past few years, my second uncle has developed many more wrinkles around his eyes and his temples have turned a few strands of white, but he is still very energetic.

Wu Yuanshan's gaze instantly fell on Wu Fan, his eyes gradually shifting from astonishment to ecstasy, and his eyes involuntarily reddened slightly.

He raised his hand and slapped his thigh hard, his voice trembling with excitement and joy.

"Fan'er! It really is you! You're finally back! Your second uncle thought you weren't coming back this time because we hadn't received your letter."

He reached out and patted Wu Fan's shoulder heavily, again and again, his tone earnest:

"But it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back, your second uncle is completely satisfied."

Looking at his second uncle, whose eyes were full of concern, Wu Fan felt a pang of sadness and quickly bowed, his tone tinged with guilt:

"Second Uncle, it was my oversight. I originally planned to write you a letter before setting off, but I thought that traveling at high speed might get me home faster than a letter, so I skipped that step and made you worry."

Over the years, he has wandered far from home and experienced many hardships. Even when he occasionally thinks of family when he is alone at night, he is not really moved by it.

But now that he had met his second uncle in person, who cared so much about him, he suddenly felt incredibly bittersweet.

"Silly child, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Wu Yuanshan quickly reached out to help him up, then stepped aside to lead the way, taking a tight arm around Wu Fan's arm and saying affectionately:

"Don't stand outside in the wind, come in quickly and sit down to talk. Your second aunt just heard you're back and has been busy in the yard telling the servants to prepare tea and snacks. And your cousin Xiaowan has been talking about you every day for years, hoping you'd come back soon."

The two stepped into the courtyard side by side. Under their feet was still the same blue brick path from their childhood memories, smooth and even. However, the two small trees that used to stand on either side of the path had grown into lush and leafy trees, their branches stretching out freely to provide shade. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, which was refreshing and delightful.

These two trees, one is an osmanthus tree, and the other is also an osmanthus tree.

After passing through the screen wall, in the courtyard in front of the main hall, a woman dressed in an elegant silk dress was standing under the eaves, looking around. She was Wu Fan's second aunt, Madam Mao.

When he left home to learn his craft in Yunxi Market, his second aunt was still young, but now her face shows the marks of time.

Upon seeing Wu Fan approach, Madam Mao quickly stepped forward, a smile on her face, and gently took Wu Fan's hand, speaking softly:

"Fan'er, you're finally back! We've missed you so much! Over the years, your second uncle, your cousin Xiaowan, and I have thought about you a lot. Especially your second uncle, he always sets aside a bowl and chopsticks for you and prepares your favorite snacks during festivals, just hoping for your return."

Looking at his second aunt, whose attitude was completely different from when he was a child, Wu Fan was slightly taken aback.

His parents died early, and he lived with his second uncle. Although his second aunt never mistreated him, she always kept her distance. But now, seeing her again, he felt so warm and familiar.

He didn't mind and quickly responded with a smile:

"Second Aunt, thank you for your trouble."

Wu Fan then looked up and saw a beautiful woman standing under the corridor. She was dressed in a plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with delicate features. She still had the charm of the past, but she had lost her naivety and gained a gentle and quiet demeanor. It was his cousin, Wu Wan'er.

Wu Wan'er looked at Wu Fan, took the initiative to step forward, and softly called out:

"Brother Fan, you're back."

Wu Fan looked at Wu Xiaowan, a gentle smile on his face, his tone mild:

"Yes, I'm back."

Just then, a little boy with delicate, chubby cheeks ran out of the main hall. He had two round little buns in his hair and was wearing a festive red long gown. He ran to Madam Mao's side, tilted his chubby little face up, blinked his big, round eyes curiously, looked Wu Fan up and down, then tugged at Madam Mao's sleeve and asked in a childish voice:

"Grandma, who is this uncle? He's so handsome."

Mao smiled and gently patted the little boy's head, her eyes tender. Pointing at Wu Fan, she said softly:

"Cheng'er, this is your cousin, Wu Fan. He's your grandmother and grandfather's nephew, and also your maternal grandmother's older brother. Quickly, greet your cousin."

The little boy blinked his big, round eyes, nodded as if he understood, and called out in a clear voice:

"Hello, Uncle!"

As she spoke, she awkwardly bowed to Wu Fan, her small body leaning slightly forward, looking extremely cute.

Wu Fan's heart softened, and he quickly squatted down, reached out, and gently touched the little boy's soft head.

Looking at that unfamiliar yet adorable little face, he suddenly realized how fast time flies.

When he last visited, the child was just an infant in swaddling clothes; now he has grown into such a lively and adorable young man.

"Sung-er is such a good boy."

Wu Fan asked with a smile, "Tell your uncle, how old are you this year?"

"Uncle, Cheng'er is eight years old this year!"

Wu Cheng tilted his little face up, his tone full of pride, and his little chest puffed out slightly.

"Oh? Cheng'er is really amazing."

Wu Fan smiled and praised him.

Wu Yuanshan stood to the side, watching this heartwarming scene, his face full of a gratified smile. He reached out and patted Wu Fan on the shoulder.

"Fan'er, don't stand in the yard, come inside and sit down. We've always kept the osmanthus cake you loved when you were little, and it tastes exactly the same as the one you ate back then. Let's catch up properly, uncle and nephew."

Mao quickly echoed, pulling Wu Fan's hand as they walked towards the main hall:

"Yes, Fan'er, come inside and sit down. It's warm inside. Wan'er, come with me to get some pastries and tea so your brother Fan can taste the flavors of home."

"Um!"

Wu Wan'er smiled and replied, quickly following in Mao's footsteps.

Wu Fan listened to his second uncle and aunt's concerned instructions and then entered the main hall.