Chapter 6: The Lost Path of Immortal Cultivation

After purchasing the cotton quilt and stepping out of the silk shop, Wang Chu noticed an elderly man with a stooped back sitting at a roadside tea stall, sipping tea.

To be precise, the old man appeared to be on the brink of death but was, in fact, a cultivator at the Transformation Spirit Realm.

While drinking, the elder used his spiritual sense to scan the passersby before him.

Soon, his spiritual gaze landed on Wang Chu.

At the same time, his eyes shifted toward Wang Chu.

Wang Chu pretended not to notice and continued walking forward.

As he passed beside the old man, a raspy voice came to his ear:

“Young master, please wait.”

Wang Chu stopped, smiling warmly as he looked at the elder:

“May I ask your name, sir?”

The old man set down his tea cup.

“That’s correct,” he replied.

Wang Chu asked politely:

“Is there something you wish to impart, respected elder?”

The old man produced a crystal-clear, exquisite spirit stone from his robes:

“Nothing much, just a few questions for you.”

Wang Chu glanced at the spirit stone, deliberately showing a hint of greed:

“Please, ask away. I shall answer truthfully and completely.”

The elder inquired:

“May I ask how old you are this year?”

Wang Chu hesitated briefly, recalling a famous quip from his past life, and answered with a mischievous tone:

“Just turned eighteen.”

The old man nodded and continued:

“Have you ever practiced cultivation?”

Wang Chu’s answer was a mixture of truth and falsehood:

“Yes, I tried, but since I have no spiritual roots, I gave up shortly after.”

The elder frowned slightly and was silent for a moment. Then, he handed the spirit stone to Wang Chu:

“Thank you for your answers. This is your reward.”

The old man detected no inconsistency in Wang Chu’s words or demeanor, so he believed he was not lying.

As a Transformation Spirit Realm elder who had lived for over ten thousand years, he was confident in his judgment.

Wang Chu accepted the spirit stone, appearing quite delighted:

“I should be the one to thank you, elder. Just two simple questions and I’ve earned such a precious spirit stone — what a great bargain.”

The elder smiled faintly:

“As long as you don’t feel shortchanged, that is enough.”

Wang Chu quickly tucked the spirit stone into his sleeve, as if fearing the elder might change his mind:

“Is there anything else, elder?”

The old man lifted his tea cup again:

“No, nothing more.”

Wang Chu turned around:

“Then I shall be going.”

The elder blew on the steam rising from his tea:

“Please go ahead, young master.”

Hearing this, Wang Chu hurried past the elder and dashed toward the shops.

The old man watched his retreating figure, took a sip of tea, and murmured softly:

“The youth’s age and aura suit the crown prince well, yet... he is not him.”

The elder continued scanning the crowds, searching for any trace of the crown prince.

Meanwhile, Wang Chu returned swiftly to his shop and resumed making shoes.

Time passed quickly until the next morning.

The wedding shoes that Liu Cui’er requested were already finished.

The shoes were entirely red, embroidered on the outside with a pair of mandarin ducks, and stuffed with cotton batting inside.

For an ordinary family, these shoes would be more than sufficient for the bride to wear at her wedding.

But for Liu Cui’er, who was about to marry the young master of the immortal sect, they seemed somewhat modest.

Wang Chu had done his best; these wedding shoes were his finest craftsmanship without using any divine powers or spells.

If Liu Cui’er found them lacking, there was nothing more he could do.

Placing the shoes on the counter, Wang Chu pulled out a book from beneath it and began to pass the time idly.

After about half an hour, Liu Cui’er entered the shop.

As soon as she came in, she spotted the shoes on the counter.

She quickened her steps, reached out, and picked up the shoes to examine them carefully.

During this, Wang Chu put down his book and asked:

“How are they? Are you satisfied?”

Liu Cui’er returned the shoes to their place and smiled:

“They’re fine. I can tell you put your heart into making them.”

Wang Chu breathed a sigh of relief and stood up:

“As long as you’re pleased, shall I pack them for you?”

Liu Cui’er nodded:

“Yes, please do.”

Wang Chu immediately fetched a red cloth bag, placed the shoes inside, and handed it to her:

“When will you be going back?”

Liu Cui’er took the bag and replied:

“This afternoon.”

Wang Chu said:

“Let’s have a meal together before you leave, Lady Cui’er.”

Liu Cui’er hesitated briefly, then said:

“All right, I’ll give you that face.”

Wang Chu stepped out from behind the counter:

“Where shall we eat? Lady Cui’er, please command. I’m treating today.”

Liu Cui’er thought for a moment and asked:

“Do you have a kitchen here?”

Wang Chu was taken aback:

“Are you asking me to cook personally?”

His face showed reluctance:

“Heh, I can, but my cooking skills are limited. I’m afraid it won’t suit your taste.”

Liu Cui’er chuckled:

“Who said you’d be cooking?”

Suddenly, her smile faded slightly:

“I’ll be the one cooking. Do you remember the noodles at the noodle house?”

Wang Chu’s face lit up with nostalgic warmth:

“Of course I remember. Your Liu family’s noodles are unrivaled on this street in Ling City, but... alas, I haven’t had such delicious noodles in over half a year.”

Liu Cui’er smiled:

“Today, I’ll make some for you.”

Wang Chu scratched the back of his head:

“How can I accept that?”

He swallowed hard:

“Then I’ll assist you.”

As he spoke, perhaps fearing she might change her mind, Wang Chu stepped forward to a wooden door and pulled it open:

“Please, come in.”

Liu Cui’er shook her head and rolled her eyes:

“Tsk, you’re still the same.”

With that, she walked toward the open door, her eyes brightening with expectation.

This was the first time she truly entered Wang Chu’s world.

Passing through the door, Liu Cui’er first saw a bed surrounded by several bookshelves filled with books.

Beside the shelves was a wooden table with four stools.

To the right of the table was a corridor that extended only a short distance before ending at a wall.

Next to this wall was another door.

Wang Chu walked from behind her to the front, opened that door, and introduced:

“This is the kitchen. Inside, there’s oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, cured meat, some flour, and vegetables. If anything is missing, just tell me, and I’ll go buy it right now.”

It is said: only when something is lost do we realize its value.

Wang Chu deeply missed the noodles from the Liu family’s noodle house.

Liu Cui’er walked beside him and glanced into the kitchen.

She saw that a layer of dust had settled over the stove.

With a flick of her hand and a few whispered incantations, the dust on the stove was swept away. Then she said:

“No need. This is enough. Just help me start the fire and add some wood.”

Wang Chu nodded:

“All right, at your command, Lady Liu. You truly have remarkable skills.”

With that, Wang Chu stepped into the kitchen ahead of her, adding wood to the stove and starting the fire.

Liu Cui’er watched his back as he tended the fire, a faint smile on her lips, her gaze suddenly distant.

If back then Wang Chu had not rejected their marriage, this man before her would be her husband now.

She would have inherited her father’s noodle house, becoming its proprietress...

Lost in thought, her heart began to stir.

Influenced by various cultivation and supernatural tales from a young age, Liu Cui’er had long aspired to pursue the path of immortality cultivation.

After witnessing her father’s death from illness, that desire grew even stronger.

Thus, she left Ling City to join Qingcheng Mountain, the most renowned immortal sect nearby.

Originally, Liu Cui’er had imagined cultivation to be a beautiful pursuit—training alongside fellow disciples, studying the Dao, eradicating evil, slaying demons, and ultimately transcending mortal life to become an immortal.

But reality was harsh. Since leaving Ling City and joining Qingcheng Mountain, she had never known true happiness.

Even though she had been noticed by the young master of Qingcheng Mountain and became his fiancée, soon to wed him,

Liu Cui’er felt no joy at all.

All she had were memories that haunted her mind and a recurring question deep in her heart:

Is cultivation really meant for me?

...