Chapter 990 - 715: Xu Miao Shan

East Land, Xuanzhou, Zaoxian.

Within the city, the Xu Mansion is a local prominent family, with blue brick high walls, scattered in a staggered manner, red gates with copper rings, solemn and heavy, the courtyard deep, lush with greenery.

At this moment outside the delivery room in the backyard of the mansion, the atmosphere is tense and oppressive, with all the servants holding their breath, not daring to speak loudly.

Inside the delivery room, warmth permeates the air.

Inside, intermittent muffled groans of a woman enduring pain can be heard, fragmented and anxious.

Four personal maids perform their duties, bringing hot water, handing towels, wiping sweat, and comforting, their steps hurried and unceasing.

The experienced midwife, Granny Li, stands by the bed, calmly directing and occasionally encouraging, the room is in a state of busy chaos.

On the blue stone corridor outside.

Zhou Yuan Chang paces back and forth, the soles of his boots constantly tapping the bluestone floor, the rapid and chaotic pace revealing his inner turmoil.

He is already thirty-two, in an era where life expectancy is short and marriages and childbirths occur early, he counts as middle-aged.

The Xu Family has been a singular transmission for three generations, the family line dwindling, the incense offerings extremely sparse.

He has been married for years with no children from his wives or concubines, eagerly hoping for a child and enduring countless years.

Today, finally welcoming the birth of his first child, his heart’s panic and urgency could not be concealed.

Beside him stands the white-haired, aged Xu Elderly Master, one hand on a dragon-head cane, dressed in a neatly elegant brocade longevity robe.

Seeing his son panic, the Elderly Master frowns, scoffing coldly:

"Why panic! At a critical moment, showing restlessness is unbecoming! Just wait calmly!"

"Child understands, but cannot control it!"

Upon hearing this, the Elderly Master lets out a light sigh, as he too is anxious, gripping the cane with whitened fingertips as evident proof!

At nearly seventy, with one foot in the grave, his greatest desire in life is the continuation of the Xu family’s lineage.

With a single line for three generations and dwindling clan members, he, more than anyone present, hopes for this birth to be smooth and safe.

In the unseen void above the clouds, the wind is light, the clouds gentle, and the sky softly illuminated.

A barefoot ascetic stands quietly at the edge of the clouds, his robe loose and casual, devoid of the solemn and meditative force typical of the Buddhist Sect, instead, appearing carefree and unrestrained.

This is none other than the Formless Arhat here to guide.

He gazes down at the noisy delivery room below, his brows relaxed as he breaks into a relieved and free-spirited smile, murmuring to himself:

"After waiting for so long, Uncle Master is finally reincarnated into this world, the long-awaited moment has arrived."

Having spoken, the Formless Arhat casually waves his broad sleeve.

Whoosh—

A wisp of pure golden light, gentle and restrained, with no outward undulation, silently penetrates the roof, avoiding all detection, slowly covering the acupoints and meridians of Madam Xu within the delivery room.

The golden light, warm and nurturing, smooths away the exhaustion and the sense of weakness and pain in the woman’s body.

Madam Xu, previously exhausted, pale from pain, felt a warmth flowing through her abdomen, dissipating all fatigue and soreness, her internal qi flowing unobstructedly, gathering an abundance of energy.

The next moment.

Wah—!

A clear baby’s cry suddenly breaks the muffled sounds in the room, the birth process seamless and unhindered.

Granny Li, stationed at the bedside, is momentarily stunned, baffled on the spot, her eyes filled with astonishment.

In over forty years of helping with births and handling thousands of laboring women, she has never witnessed such a smooth birth process.

Even those who give birth repeatedly with good fetal positions often experience pain and complications, but this birth was nearly flawless, the process exceedingly smooth!

Above the clouds, Formless Arhat watches the newborn with tightly shut eyes in the swaddle, his smile growing ever more brilliant:

"Pity that Uncle Master’s reincarnation lacks innate spiritual aptitude, it seems that our guidance must yet wait a while longer."

"Which is just as well, for our White Snow Mountain lineage always values the cause and effect of reincarnation."

"Allowing Uncle Master to fully experience a worldly life, tempering his true essence, will make the awakening of his past life’s insights more profound and complete."

Inside the room, the maid regaining her senses is filled with joy, immediately leaning in with a crisp and jubilant voice:

"Madam, congratulations! It is a chubby little young master!"

On the bed, Madam Xu, weak and panting, with a hint of color returning to her face, softly says:

"My child, go report the joy to the master!"

Beside her, Granny Li quickly regains her senses, fearing her merit might be taken by the maid, promptly taps the baby’s soft buttocks gently.

Wah wah wah——!!

The loud, resonant cries echo throughout the delivery room, robust and penetrating.

Granny Li immediately beams with a broad smile, loudly praising:

"Madam, listen to these cries, they’re full of energy, a sign of natural good fortune! The young master’s life is extraordinary, destined for great wealth and nobility!"

With that, she swiftly wraps the swaddle neatly, steps quickly outside the door, loudly announcing the joyous news, her voice resonating throughout the courtyard:

"Congratulations to Master Xu! Congratulations to Elderly Master! The mansion is blessed with an offspring, a healthy and well-proportioned young master!"

"In decades of delivering babies, never have I encountered a child with such a good fate, the fetal position correct, the birth smooth, born with loud cries, a promising future awaits!"

Upon hearing the news, Xu Elderly Master feels a heavy weight lifted from his heart, his deeply lined face brightens, no longer furrowed, joy radiating outward, he exclaims thrice with satisfaction:

"Good! Good! Good! The Xu family has a successor!"

Zhou Yuan Chang’s tension dissolves, his face filled with the tender joy of being a father, he immediately turns to instruct the housekeeper beside him:

"Fetch twenty taels of silver, generously reward Granny Li for her hard work!"

With her hands receiving the heavy silver, Granny Li’s joy is unconcealable, she bows repeatedly, giving thanks profusely:

"Thank you, Master, for the generous reward! Thank you, Master, for the generous reward!"

Throughout the courtyard, joy is abundant, with laughter and happiness filling the air.

Amidst the family’s celebration, a doorman hurriedly enters, bowing respectfully with a report:

"Reporting to the Elderly Master and Master, a traveling Daoist priest has arrived outside the mansion, claiming to have a destined connection with the young master, specifically coming to offer blessings and ward off disasters for the offspring."

The region of Zaoxian traditionally reveres Daoism and respects celestial beings, and the local people hold outside experts in high esteem.

The father and son of the Xu Family exchanged a glance, their hearts stirred, and immediately said, "Quickly invite the Daoist priest into the mansion! Do not be remiss in the slightest!"

A moment later, a refined figure gently stepped into the courtyard.

The newcomer was dressed in a dust-free, plain-colored cloud-patterned garment, with a silk sash tied around the waist, carrying an ancient Peach Wood Sword on his back. Three strands of goatee swayed gently in the wind under his chin, with an eyebrow and eyes radiating an ethereal aura. His steps were leisurely, his presence enveloped in subtle clear energy, at a glance it was evident he was not a mortal!

Upon witnessing this, the father and son of the Xu Family involuntarily felt reverence, hurriedly stepping forward to greet with clasped hands:

"Bow to the Daoist priest!"

Wuxiang Luohan silently nodded, feeling quite satisfied inwardly.

This place is the domain of the Profound Sect, and he changed his form to that of a Daoist, which was very timely.

Elder Xu respectfully spoke, bending to inquire:

"May I ask, Daoist priest, where is your celestial abode, and on which famous mountain and cave mansion do you cultivate?"

Wuxiang Luohan expressed a casual demeanor, radiating a sense of unrestrained freedom akin to floating clouds and wild cranes. He spoke slowly, his voice calm and serene:

"This humble priest cultivates in the Lingxiu Mountain, merely an itinerant Qi Refining Wanderer."

"Last night, observing the celestial signs, I calculated having a predestined connection with the newly born child of your family. Therefore, I came down specially to bless the child with peace and fortune, and to present a Spiritual Treasure for protection."

With these words, he raised his hand and flipped his palm to reveal a transparent and warm Spiritual Jade.

The jade was clear and flawless, its patterns naturally formed, with a faint golden light swirling within the heart of the jade. The Spirit Light was gentle and not dazzling.

Elder Xu widened his eyes, leaning in for a closer look, his breathing unconsciously lighter, filled with awe:

"It truly is an ultimate treasure of the Immortal Family! The Spiritual Qi is overwhelming, unmatched by mundane objects!"

With a subtle smile at the corner of his lips, Wuxiang softly flicked his fingers.

Whoosh—

The Spiritual Jade transformed into a gentle stream of light, flying up, and hung steadily around the neck of the infant, snug against its skin, nurturing its True Spirit.

Witnessing such celestial means, Xu Yuanchang harbored no doubts, stepped forward at once, humbly clasped his hands, and earnestly solicited:

"Daoist priest, your divine techniques are profound. My son’s fortune in receiving your favor is a great destiny."

"Is it possible to permit my son to apprentice under you and cultivate to enlightenment?"

Wuxiang inwardly rejoiced, a light laugh echoing in his mind:

Oh, Master, in the past life you were my elder, guiding my cultivation. In this life, it is finally my turn to guide you, becoming your mentor.

Yet outwardly, he let no emotion show, his brow slightly furrowed as if hesitating, feigning difficulty, silently not speaking.

Elder Xu instantly noticed the priest’s reconsideration and hastily, carefully picked up the swaddled infant, quickly stepping forward, pleading sincerely:

"Please, Daoist priest, accept my grandson as your disciple, and bestow upon him a Daoist name, to bless him with a life of peace and prosperity!"

Wuxiang lowered his eyes towards the peacefully sleeping infant in the swaddle, a gentle warmth of reminiscence passing through his gaze. After a moment, he slowly nodded and agreed calmly:

"Since fate has brought us here, this humble priest shall accept this disciple. The child’s nature is pure and harmonious, fitting for the Great Dao, thus let him be named—Miao Shan."

...

Years passed swiftly, sixteen years gone in the blink of an eye.

Zaoxian.

An elegant and secluded Daoist temple.

In front of the temple, the stone courtyard was verdant with fresh grass and trees, as the wind rustled the bamboo leaves with a soft whisper.

A tall and heroic youth stood wielding a sword, clothed in fluttering white, with Sword Light as fierce as snow.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Several sword winds cleaved through the air, the Sword Qi slicing the air, the techniques orderly and steady, advancing and retreating with poise, showcasing secure foundational skills.

Above on the stone steps of the temple.

Wuxiang lounged against the railing, holding a wine gourd in one hand, occasionally drinking deeply of its rich contents, relaxed and carefree, half-squinting while watching the youth practicing swords in the field, occasionally offering casual advice.

"Conceal your edge!"

"Restrain your sharpness!"

Upon hearing this, the youth immediately adjusted his Sword Technique, instantly making his Sword Intent more reserved, harmonizing his advance and retreat.

After a while, Wuxiang shook the wine gourd and spoke calmly:

"Today’s cultivation shall end here, you may withdraw."

The youth in the field immediately sheathed the sword, bowing respectfully with due decorum:

"I obediently follow my master’s commands, bidding farewell to my mentor."

In Xu Miao Shan’s consciousness, his master’s abilities are deep and immeasurable.

For sixteen years, he has followed his master in cultivating Profound Skills; even the top martial artists in the county cannot withstand his single sword stroke, losing within one encounter.

Watching the youth’s silhouette recede, Wuxiang looked up towards the drifting clouds in the sky, softly murmuring to himself:

"Sixteen years of secular nurturing, progressing step by step in guidance, my master’s Innate spiritual wisdom grows increasingly restless."

"It seems that before thirty, there is hope in breaking the riddle of the womb and formally embarking on the path of cultivation!"

He reminisced about the traditional initiation process of Spirit Mountain, shaking his head slightly.

If it were an ordinary Luohan of Spirit Mountain undertaking the initiation task, they would simply snatch the newborn child away at the moment of birth.

Using Buddhist Sect Divine Techniques to forcibly awaken the True Spirit of the past life, breaking the riddle of the womb.

This is the most efficient, achieving the goal in one step!

Often appearing as young Children with an aura of depth and mystery.

But the person before me once safeguarded me for a lifetime, my master, I cannot merely pursue efficiency but must also pursue effect!

Wuxiang raised his head and drank another mouthful of fine wine, smiling freely and unconstrained:

"Forcibly enlightening remains inferior..."

"Enduring worldly experiences, honing the true heart, refining Dao wisdom, waiting for him to autonomously break the illusion and awaken without blemish or obstruction, there is hope to go farther!"