Three days later.
At the entrance of the Ding Family.
A luxurious carriage, under the control of the robust driver Old Liu, came to a steady halt.
Sitting inside the carriage, Shen Xuan slowly opened his eyes.
The first sight that met his eyes was the blooming smile of his charming wife, Ding Yuyao.
It was clear she had dressed up meticulously today,
Her face like a jade plate, hair like a raven waterfall, eyes bright as stars, lips as alluring as a blossoming flower.
She wore a vibrant red Water Moon Skirt, trimmed with golden threads, embroidered with intricate dark golden patterns, shimmering like a fairy stepping out of a painting.
"Talisman Master Shen, we have arrived at County Magistrate Ding's Mansion."
Old Liu's voice came from outside.
He might be a top-tier expert in the mundane world, yet here at Cyan Dragon Bay only served as a driver.
Opening the carriage door, Shen Xuan slowly stepped down.
Behind him, Ding Yuyao joyfully leapt out like a happy bird.
She had practiced the Jade Maiden Scripture for four years, achieving a small degree of inner strength, enough to barely make her a second-tier expert in the mundane world.
Returning to the familiar streets where she had grown up, Ding Yuyao felt an extraordinary sense of closeness.
"Nothing has changed! It's just like how it was when I left four years ago!"
Old Liu had a brief conversation with the gatekeeper and quickly returned.
"Talisman Master Shen, the gatekeeper has gone to report."
"Hmm. You will stay by my side these days."
"Yes!"
Old Liu replied respectfully.
This trip to Hongcheng County would take no more than a month, and Shen Xuan paid him a reward equivalent to one Spirit Stone, far beyond the market rate.
At this moment.
In the Ding Family's inner quarters.
Hearing the gatekeeper's report, Ding Yifan was stunned.
"Say that again!"
"Yes. Master! Second Miss and the son-in-law have returned, they are waiting at the door."
It was Madam Ding who reacted first.
"Hurry, open the main doors and have everyone go out to welcome the son-in-law!"
Ding Yifan awoke from his dream-like state.
"Hurry up! Open the main door, everyone go out and welcome the son-in-law!"
The two looked at each other, both stunned.
This was the first time their second daughter Ding Yuyao had returned home since getting married.
As always, she acted on her whims.
No prior notification!
Catching them off guard, entirely unprepared.
"Madam, let's also go out to greet the guests."
Ding Yifan took a deep breath, then eagerly tidied his attire and led his wife out.
At the door, the son and daughter-in-law were already waiting beside them.
Ding Yifan frowned slightly.
"Where is Yuqiong's family? Why are they not here yet?"
"Father, we have already sent someone to inform them." the son stepped forward and replied softly.
"Let us go. Do not keep the son-in-law waiting!"
"Yes."
Ding Yifan led with his wife at the forefront, followed closely by their son and daughter-in-law.
Behind them were the steward, guards, maids, and servants, who followed in orderly fashion.
Everyone was very well-behaved, no one dared to speak out of turn.
They all knew that the son-in-law whom Second Miss married was truly an Immortal Master!
Madam Ding had boasted about this for a long time.
They all shared in the glory.
The moment they reached the entrance, Madam Ding thought she had seen wrong, hurriedly rubbed her eyes, then looked again at the fairy before her.
She was not mistaken!
It truly was their younger daughter, Ding Yuyao!
Radiant, with skin smooth as porcelain, like a fairy descending to earth, dazzling and breathtakingly beautiful.
Too beautiful!
Madam Ding embraced Ding Yuyao tightly.
"Yao'er, you are truly heartless, gone for four years without coming back to see me!"
Ding Yifan glanced towards Shen Xuan.
The clan had once written to inform him that his daughter Ding Yuyao had married a Talisman Master.
Everything was good except the age difference, as the man was nearing sixty.
However, Shen Xuan before him was calm and composed, with an extraordinary bearing, appearing just past thirty, steady and mature, with no sign of age!
Incredible!
"This son-in-law, Shen Xuan, greets father-in-law, mother-in-law."
Shen Xuan offered a salute with cupped fists.
"Ah! Son-in-law, no need for such formalities! Please quickly come inside!"
Ding Yifan hastily returned the greeting.
This was after all, an Immortal Master!
The difference between mortals and immortals.
He dared not put on airs in front of Shen Xuan.
Once inside, Ding Yifan ordered a grand feast to welcome and cleanse for the son-in-law.
Ding Yuyao then took out gift boxes, presenting them to the family.
"Mother, this is a Life-Extending Pill. A mortal can only take one, extending lifespan by ten years! Keep it well."
"Brother, this is an Exorcism Talisman. Hang it in the study to ward off evil and calm the mind."
"Sister-in-law, this is a Nourishing God Incense. Burning one stick each time can soothe the nerves, strengthen muscles, bones, and improve sleep."
...
Ding Yuyao distributed the gifts one by one.
These Cultivation Spiritual Objects, were low-grade items in the Cultivation Realm, worth only two Spirit Stones in total.
But in the mundane world, they were family heirlooms.
"Sister, you're back!"
At the entrance, a beautiful woman, bearing a seventy percent resemblance to Ding Yuyao, walked in.
It was her elder sister, Ding Yuqiong.
Seeing Ding Yuyao's radiant face, Ding Yuqiong was astonished.
"Sister, you've become more beautiful!"
Originally, she too felt sorry for her sister.
The pampered daughter of an official, she refused the County Magistrate's son's proposal, choosing instead to marry an elderly immortal nearing sixty.
Ding Yuqiong looked towards Shen Xuan, sitting at the head of the table, with an extraordinary bearing, even her father smiled flatteringly.
Then she looked at her own husband, who had only achieved the scholarly title of Xiucai and was timid beside her, feeling a tinge of jealousy in her heart.
"So, the Immortal Master whom my sister married is such as he!"
"Had I known, I too should have married an Immortal Master!"
...
After the banquet.
In the study.
Ding Yifan tentatively asked, "Son-in-law, do you know the Guardian Immortal Master of the county?"
Shen Xuan shook his head and said, "I do not know him."
Ding Yifan sighed deeply.
"Does father-in-law have something to ask of him?"
"To be honest, son-in-law. The drought in Hongcheng County is severe, and the County Magistrate claims to be ill, asking me to find that Guardian Immortal Master to perform a rainmaking ritual."
"The Guardian Immortal Master, however, complains that the County Magistrate won't give Spirit Stones, just shifting responsibility back and forth. The two of them are embroiled in magical combat, yet I'm the one they place on the spot."
"Yesterday, I visited the Guardian Immortal Master and was turned away."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xuan smiled slightly.
"How many Spirit Stones does the Guardian Immortal Master want?"
"According to past practice, two Spirit Stones for one rainmaking ritual."
Shen Xuan asked, "Why won't the County Magistrate give them?"
"There are no Spirit Stones in the county treasury, and the County Magistrate is unwilling to pay out of his own pocket."
"It's understandable."
Two Spirit Stones are a significant amount for these mundane individuals.
"I was planning to visit the temple to offer incense and pray, so I'll accompany father-in-law tomorrow, how about that?"
"That would be highly appreciated, son-in-law!"
The next day.
Shen Xuan and Ding Yuyao rose early and accompanied Ding Yifan to the Guardian Immortal Master's temple.
"County Magistrate Ding, the Immortal Master has said he is not receiving visitors at the moment!"
The temple's registrar apologized to Ding Yifan.
Shen Xuan smiled slightly.
A mighty pressure of Divine Sense gently enveloped the registrar.
The registrar's heart shook violently, an indescribable sense of terror made him bow his head, and his body weakened.
He then looked at the man beside County Magistrate Ding.
His whole body faintly glowed, giving an impression as lofty as a mountain, like an ant facing a god, compelling him to kneel in worship involuntarily.
"It's an Immortal Master!"
"An Immortal Master even stronger than Ding Immortal Master!" The registrar struggled to lift his head.
"Report to Immortal Master Ding that Talisman Master Shen Xuan from Cyan Dragon Bay is here to visit," Shen Xuan calmly said, retracting the pressure of his Divine Sense.
"Yes, Immortal Master Shen, please wait, I will report to Immortal Master Ding immediately!" The registrar struggled to get up and quickly ran into the temple.
Ding Yifan looked at Shen Xuan with a somewhat peculiar gaze.
The son-in-law's tone seemed to disregard the Guardian Immortal Master.
Could it be that the son-in-law's status is above that of the Guardian Immortal Master?