Days passed by one after another.
Unbeknownst to him, Shen Xuan had been making [Water Control Talismans] for half a year now.
Gradually deepening his understanding of the [Water Control] talent, his skills in [Water Control Talisman] crafting were also continuously improving.
During this period, Zhao Chunsheng came by twice to deliver cyan-feather fish.
Once it was three jin, another time four jin.
With daily hard cultivation and talent plundering, Shen Xuan's talisman success rate for the [Water Control Talisman] kept rising steadily.
That day, he glanced at the Mysterious Jade Talisman.
[Talent: Water Control (20/100)]
[Water Control Talisman: Entry Level (58/100)]
[Dao Rhyme: 120]
With a hundred and twenty sets of talisman making materials, he could barely produce about twenty-three or twenty-four [Water Control Talismans], reaching a success rate of around twenty percent.
"At this rate, once the [Water Control Talisman] reaches the proficient stage, with about a thirty percent success rate, I'll be able to ascend to a Middle Grade Talisman Master."
A thirty percent success rate ensures one is on the breakeven line, with slight profits.
This is also the standard for Middle Grade Talisman Master certification.
"It's not easy!"
Shen Xuan finally saw hope.
That day, Shen Xuan, as usual, was practicing talisman making.
Just as he walked out of the Talisman Making Room, he heard a knock on the door.
"Fellow Daoist Shen, I've come to see you!"
It was the voice of Shopkeeper Ding.
Visiting again, a professional smile spread across his face, kind and amiable.
"Oh, it's Shopkeeper Ding, please come in."
Shen Xuan warmly invited him in.
"Yuyao, Shopkeeper Ding is here, come brew some tea!"
Every month, he would go to the Ding Family's shop once.
Sell talismans and purchase talisman making materials.
Shopkeeper Ding visiting must have a reason.
Upon entering the house, Ding Yuyao greeted, "Hello, Grandpa Qingtao."
"Hello, Yuyao, good girl!"
Seeing Ding Yuyao, Shopkeeper Ding chuckled and said, "Yuyao, your husband is becoming more and more promising. Becoming a Middle Grade Talisman Master is just around the corner!"
Ding Yuyao didn't dare be negligent and poured Spirit Tea for Shopkeeper Ding, respectfully saying, "Grandpa Qingtao, please have tea."
Shopkeeper Ding took the Spirit Tea, glanced at Ding Yuyao, and said to Shen Xuan, "Fellow Daoist Shen, Yuyao has been married to you for nearly two years, why hasn't she conceived yet?"
"This won't do, you both need to make efforts to produce an offspring to continue the bloodline."
Ding Yuyao instinctively looked at Shen Xuan, her expression somewhat sad.
When they first got married, her husband would work day and night, cultivating numerous times a day.
Even now, as an old couple, when not in seclusion, her husband almost always engaged in marital activities with her daily.
Under normal circumstances, she should have been pregnant long ago.
The reason she wasn't was simple.
Either her husband was incapable, or he didn't plan on letting her conceive offspring.
Though she didn't say it, Ding Yuyao was still quite anxious in her heart.
There's a difference between cultivators and mortals.
She hoped to bear offspring for her husband, for the family to enjoy heavenly bliss together.
She also needed a dependency.
At this moment, Ding Yuyao finally realized.
Her husband didn't want her to have offspring!
Shen Xuan smiled and said, "It's only been two years, there's still time, no rush."
Shopkeeper Ding shook his head repeatedly and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, you're mistaken! The sooner you have offspring, the sooner you can nurture them. Otherwise, even if the offspring become successful, it's hard to enjoy the blessing of your offspring when older."
Shen Xuan lowered his head, drinking Spirit Tea, pondering in his mind.
Was Shopkeeper Ding implying he should marry a Ding Family female cultivator?
The reason Ding Yuyao hadn't conceived was intentional on his part.
With a Mysterious Jade Talisman, his path to the Dao was promising; he didn't want to be tied down by offspring.
Moreover, Ding Yuyao was a mortal.
Her offspring might not have a Spirit Root.
Even if they did, there was a high probability it would be an Inferior Spirit Root.
"Shopkeeper Ding, please speak frankly."
Shopkeeper Ding stopped beating around the bush and smiled, saying, "The elders in the clan have discussed, we could marry another Ding Family girl to you!"
"Rest assured, these are different times. Fellow Daoist Shen is about to break through to become a Middle Grade Talisman Master, naturally a different status."
"This time, we guarantee it's a Dao companion with Spirit Root talent!"
Upon hearing this, Ding Yuyao's face turned pale as a sheet.
If her husband had a Dao companion, as a mere mortal, how would she interact with them in the future!
Shen Xuan did not immediately voice his refusal.
He was unwilling to marry again.
The Ding Family would be willing to marry into him, but even with a Spirit Root, it would be an Inferior Spirit Root!
He didn't plan to add another burden.
However, since he wanted to make a living in Cyan Dragon Bay, he didn't want to offend the Ding Family.
He was contemplating how to gently decline.
Seeing her husband hadn't refused on the spot.
Ding Yuyao felt a wave of sadness in her heart.
In the past year and a half, she and her husband had a great relationship, viewing him as her sole reliance and emotional support.
Unexpectedly, now her husband had a better option.
Unexpectedly, it was her own family elders who came to propose.
Cultivators and mortals are ultimately from two different worlds.
"Husband, Grandpa Qingtao's suggestion makes a lot of sense. If you have a Dao companion with Spirit Root, the chances of offspring having Spirit Root would be much higher." Ding Yuyao said against her heart.
Shopkeeper Ding praised, "Yuyao is so sensible!"
Turning to Shen Xuan, he said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, the Ding Family female cultivators with Spirit Root talent are in high demand! While I can still find a young and beautiful one for you, it might not be the same in a few days!"
Shopkeeper Ding deliberately emphasized the words "young and beautiful."
He was aware of Shen Xuan's preferences.
Shen Xuan sighed lightly, "Shopkeeper Ding, I'm quite busy lately, needing to hone my [Water Control Talisman] skills. Let's talk about this later."
Shopkeeper Ding was slightly taken aback.
He didn't expect Shen Xuan to decline gracefully.
"Alright, when you've made up your mind, come find me."
As he was being seen out, Shopkeeper Ding lowered his voice and said, "Are you really not in a hurry? I can definitely find you a young and beautiful female cultivator! Guaranteed to satisfy you!"
With that, he stared fixedly at Shen Xuan.
"Let's talk about it later."
Returning home, Shen Xuan saw Ding Yuyao's self-blaming and gloomy expression.
"Yuyao, I..."
Ding Yuyao softly said, "Husband, no need to explain. I understand, just hope that when you have a Dao companion in the future, you won't forget the service I've given these days."
"Let me see how good this service really is!"
"Face the coming storm!"
Soon, the bed began to shake violently.
Shen Xuan expressed his affection for his wife with actions.
Afterward.
Ding Yuyao lay like a kitten in Shen Xuan's broad embrace.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on finding another Dao companion."
Upon hearing her husband's words, Ding Yuyao couldn't help but utter a soft "ah."
"I want to focus on cultivation and honing my talisman making skills. The matter of a Dao companion can wait for a few years."
Shen Xuan didn't close the door on the subject.
But for these years, indeed, there's no need to find a Dao companion.
Though Ding Yuyao is a mortal, she's only eighteen, having practiced the Jade Maiden Scripture, blossoming in youth, with beauty and a graceful figure.
There's no need to marry another wife just for the sake of feminine allure.
If he really wanted to indulge, as long as he was willing to spend Spirit Stones, there were plenty of girls at the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion, who could indulge him in any way!
"Are you serious, husband?"
"Serious!"
Ding Yuyao didn't say much more, embracing Shen Xuan's neck, closing her eyes with a face full of contentment.
After all, she was just an eighteen-year-old girl, inexperienced in worldly matters!
Unable to hide what was on her mind.
"Let's sleep."
"No, I want to serve my husband well!"
"I will make sure my husband is satisfied!"
The bed started to shake again.
"Very good. A little faster, a bit faster! Go, Yuyao!"