Chapter 53 - Immortal Fate Of Longevity: Starting From Taking Care of Fellow Daoist Wife

Chapter 53: An Ruoshui's Crisis When Xia Changge emerged from seclusion, the Xia Manor had already undergone significant changes. Firstly, there were more people. Many unfamiliar faces greeted Xia Changge. They were all young, around fifteen or sixteen years old, with a fresh and youthful aura. It was clear that these were the spirit-rooted girls recently recruited by the Xia Manor. They looked different, indeed. Of course, these young girls had no cultivation. Previously, they had all lived in ordinary villages, no different from ordinary people. It would take about three years for them to reach the first level of Qi Refinement. After all, not everyone could enjoy the same treatment as An Ruoshui. Under the management of Zhang Miaoyi and Tan Qier, these young girls showed potential and were highly adaptable. "How are things going recently?" Xia Changge arrived in front of his sister-in-law and sister, took a seat, and placed his youngest sibling, who was still babbling on the ground, on his lap, before asking about the situation. Zhang Miaoyi looked at Tan Qier, and it seemed as if they had made some kind of agreement for Tan Qier to give the report. "Under your arrangements, Xia Family has been prospering. Once you reach the ninth level of Qi Refinement, we can truly be considered a cultivation clan," Tan Qier reported earnestly. Xia Changge nodded approvingly. Tan Qier had the air of a mistress of the house. But that was not Xia Changge's plan. After all... However, there were no suitable candidates for now. Although his sister-in-law was considerate, she lacked spiritual roots and wouldn't be able to stabilize her position as the mistress of the house temporarily. A mortal managing these ordinary girls was just fine. But how could his sister-in-law command their respect when they possessed spiritual roots? Not to mention becoming the mistress of the house, even if they received Xia Changge's favor, many people might think it was all due to Zhang Miaoyi's good luck. Xia Changge could only hope that Xia Moxing could step up and cultivate as soon as possible. The principle of mother being reliant on her son's achievements was an eternal truth in the cultivation world. But just an outstanding daughter was not enough! He planned to make his daughter, Xia Yijiao, encourage and urge her younger brother, to overcome his innate shortcomings through hard work. He still had some savings, and he planned to buy some auxiliary cultivation resources. Spirit stones were meant to be spent. "The future will only get better, and we will need your help," Xia Changge responded with a smile. As the situation progressed smoothly, he, as the head of the family, felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Originally, he had planned to give Zhang Miaoyi the set of low-grade spirit weapons, Flying Needles, that he had confiscated. Now, Xia Changge intended to delay that. Tan Qier continued, "Brother, An Ruoshui came by earlier. It seems she had something urgent to discuss with you. But you were in seclusion, so I sent her back for now. Do you want to go find her?" This surprised Xia Changge. Could it be that An Ruoshui was looking for him to ask for a reward? It was unlikely. This girl wouldn't be so tactless. "I'll go and see her. I'll be back tonight," Xia Changge said, placing Xia Yunqi down before heading to his spiritual field. Naturally, he left the three members of the An family to help manage it. "Shuishui, is there something you need from me?" An Ruoshui was refining pills at the moment, and she didn't seem to be in a hurry. When she heard Xia Changge's voice, An Ruoshui started acting, pretending to have a hint of a sob in her voice, "Master, you've finally come. I've been stuck here and couldn't get out." Xia Changge frowned, "What do you mean? Is it because the Xiao family forced you to refine pills for them?" An Ruoshui shook her head, "No, Master. It's... it's the Tai family from the neighboring Taiyun Town. When I was recruiting those girls for you in the nearby village, someone from the Tai family wanted to recruit me for their own. I refused, but luckily I managed to escape; otherwise, I feel like they would have captured me. Now, they're still active in the area, so I dare not leave here." Xia Changge was familiar with the Tai family. They were also a Foundation Building clan with two Foundation Building cultivators in their ranks. It was a thousand-year-old family with over a hundred thousand members, mostly mortals. There were probably a few hundred cultivators among them. The majority of the mortal cities near Taiyun Town were filled with people from the Tai family. "So, the Tai family knows that you can refine the Rage Pills? Only a few people in the Xiao family know about this, right?" This was a suspicious point. An Ruoshui nodded repeatedly, "Yes, that's right. That's why I dare not wander around. I've been staying here for over two months." "You didn't ask the Xiao family for help?" This sudden remark from Xia Changge caught An Ruoshui off guard. "I have no relationship with the Xiao family. How could I have the audacity to ask them for help?" It was simple why An Ruoshui hadn't sought help from the Xiao family. She did not belong to the Xiao family and was directly under Xia Changge's control. The Xiao family probably didn't even know she existed, a minor character. Moreover, if the news of her ability to refine pills was leaked, it was most likely the Xiao family that would do so. An Ruoshui didn't dare to approach them. Staying here was probably the best option for her. "Well, go back to my house with me. From now on, you will refine pills there. I'll see if I can get the Xiao family to help mediate the situation. Making you an alchemist for the Xiao family shouldn't be a problem," Xia Changge replied. He was satisfied with An Ruoshui's answer. It seemed like his guidance for this young girl was effective. Xia Changge wasn't on par with a Foundation Building clan like the Tai family. Even the Xiao family, which was at the bottom of the Foundation Building clans, could attract several dozen ninth level Qi Refinement cultivators. Not to mention a grand clan like the Tai family. Xia Changge was far from their level, so a direct conflict wasn't a wise choice. "Alright, but... are my parents safe here?" An Ruoshui nodded in agreement but still had some worries. Xia Changge gestured for her not to worry. Struggles between cultivators rarely involved mortals, especially for a mortal-intensive cultivation clan like the Tai family, who would be particularly cautious about violating this unwritten rule. After all, if mortals were targeted, there would be a significant loss of life. After a brief inspection, Xia Changge confirmed that during his absence, the hired servants were still diligently carrying out their duties in the manor. An Ruoshui had been sitting with her superior cultivation at this place, which was why everything remained in order. Bringing An Ruoshui with him, Xia Changge arrived outside the Xiao family's residence and found that the atmosphere inside was also not so good. After some thought, he decided to contact Xiao Xuan and find out what was happening in the Xiao family before considering discussing An Ruoshui and the Tai family matter with Xiao Wan. (End of Chapter 53)