Chapter 1031 - 721: The Ancient Taiji Scroll

Chapter 1031: Chapter 721: The Ancient Taiji Scroll

Inside the cave mansion’s guest hall, Shen Xuan and Lady Hu sat opposite each other across a jade table.

Shen Xuan personally held the teapot and poured her a cup of Flowing Frost Cold Soul Spirit Tea.

The tea soup was clear and cold, with a misty chill.

In Qin Country, Lady Hu was considered one of his few allies.

The higher the cultivation, the fewer the peers.

"Fellow Daoist Hu, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Shen Xuan set down the teapot and asked.

Just now, Lady Hu displayed some impatience and expressed her worries.

It turned out, after Zhang Shifan’s return to the family, the clan elders repeatedly pressured him, using "expand branches and leaves, continue the bloodline" as a reason to force him to take concubines.

"I and my husband made a vow, one life, one pair of people, unwavering in this life."

Lady Hu’s eyes were slightly red, her voice carrying a hint of grievance.

Shen Xuan’s heart stirred slightly, somewhat amused.

Lady Hu had always been clever and skillful.

Unexpectedly, in such "household matters" as her husband’s taking of concubines, she lost composure and showed this little girl’s demeanor.

"And what is Fellow Daoist Zhang’s attitude?"

"My intentions are his intentions. He also unwilling."

Lady Hu’s tone was affirmative, followed by deeper worry.

"However, those clan elders draw upon family rules and ancestral teachings, saying that if the main lineage has no heirs, they should broadly accept wives and concubines to continue the line. My husband is greatly troubled and quite distressed."

Shen Xuan nodded.

He trusted Zhang Shifan’s character.

If Zhang Shifan truly had the intention to take concubines, Lady Hu, as an outsider Daoist partner without family background to rely on, would be hard-pressed to stop him.

"Pill Master Shen, my mind is in chaos, indeed with no good strategy. After much thought, in this Phoenix Perch Mountain, only you, Pill Master Shen, can help me."

Lady Hu’s words were sincere.

Fellow Daoist Gu could perhaps be a confidant.

As a mere brewer, he had minimal influence within the Zhang Family and no voice.

Shen Xuan, on the other hand, was different.

His stance as a Tier Three Alchemist was enough to make Clan Leader Zhang Shixiu and all the clan elders weigh carefully and treat with discretion.

Shen Xuan’s mind turned swiftly, instantly understanding the key to the problem.

After Core Formation, cultivators find it extremely difficult to bear offspring.

However, it’s not impossible.

Years ago, on Starlight Island, Golden Core Tian Wenxi married more than ten young female cultivators as concubines and toiled for over a decade, finally having a son before his lifespan ended, which became a celebrated story.

The Zhang Family elders urged and pushed so desperately, not to trouble Lady Hu, but because they worried Zhang Shifan’s branch of the main lineage would end, breaking the inheritance.

They wanted Zhang Shifan to stay at Phoenix Perch Mountain, inherit the Daoist Technique, and contribute to the Zhang Family.

Shen Xuan pondered briefly and asked, "Fellow Daoist Hu, have you and Fellow Daoist Zhang considered adopting heirs?"

"Adopting?"

Lady Hu was taken aback, showing a look of surprise.

"Precisely."

Shen Xuan unveiled the key: "If you two are willing, select from the younger generation of the Zhang Family’s Immortal Seeds, choosing those with excellent heart nature and talent, adopt and nurture a few as your own. In this way, the inheritance is continued, the lineage is perpetuated, and those clan elders should no longer mention concubines."

Lady Hu, originally astute, was just muddled by concern, deeply involved in the situation.

At this moment, Shen Xuan’s words awakened her, her eyes suddenly widening, soon brightening with clarity as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun.

Indeed! What the elders want is for her husband to exert force for the Zhang Family, to continue the bloodline and inherit the Daoist Technique.

It’s not necessarily about Zhang Shifan’s biological offspring.

Adopting excellent young members of the clan can satisfy family interests while preserving their marriage vow.

Indeed, it’s the best of both worlds!

"Thank you, Pill Master Shen, for enlightening me!"

Lady Hu’s face was free from worry, solemnly bowing in gratitude.

"I will return to discuss it thoroughly with my husband!"

With that, she did not linger, walking briskly away.

...

After Lady Hu left.

Fellow Daoist Gu drove an escape light and stealthily entered Fright Sword Island.

He had an array token given by Shen Xuan, easily slipping in.

"Fellow Daoist Gu, a rare guest, please come in."

Shen Xuan stepped out of the cave mansion to greet him.

Today’s Fellow Daoist Gu wore a deep purple immortal robe embroidered with dark golden cloud patterns, a jade crown on his head, and his beard neatly groomed, swept away his usual scruffiness, giving him a somewhat immortal air of an otherworldly sage.

Yet those eyes twirled shrewdly, still revealing a cunning merchant’s demeanor.

"Pill Master Shen, sorry to disturb!"

Fellow Daoist Gu clasped his hands, his face adorned with smiles.

The two sat down in the hall.

Fellow Daoist Gu couldn’t focus on drinking Spirit Tea, impatiently asking, "Pill Master Shen, did Lady Hu come to see you earlier?"

Clearly, before visiting Fright Sword Island, Lady Hu had already sought out this Fellow Daoist Gu to vent and seek help.

"Mm, I gave her a suggestion to consider with Fellow Daoist Zhang to adopt a number of Zhang Family juniors to fulfill the family inheritance responsibility."

Shen Xuan calmly said while pouring tea for him.

"Please enjoy the tea."

"Adoption?"

Fellow Daoist Gu was initially stunned, then took a sip from the teacup, furrowed his brow in thought.

Soon, he suddenly slapped his thigh in sudden realization: "Brilliant! What a clever plan! How did I not think of this layer?"

He clapped in admiration, his gaze towards Shen Xuan growing in respect.

For the past four years, he settled on the neighboring Falling Maple Island.

Unlike Shen Xuan’s reclusive lifestyle, Fellow Daoist Gu had a close relationship with the Zhang Family.

He accepted more than a dozen Zhang Family Foundation Establishment stage juniors as registered disciples.

In name, it was to impart brewing techniques, but in reality, they were advanced laborers managing Spirit Plants, collecting materials, and handling chores for him.

Occasionally, Fellow Daoist Gu would give pointers on brewing methods to win hearts.

The most crucial wine recipe and unique fermentation technique were strictly guarded, never shared.

Shen Xuan understood this well and could comprehend it.

Fellow Daoist Gu and the Zhang Family had no emotional ties.