Youth must be seized early; one cannot remain forever young. Chapter 125: An Older Wife and a Younger Husband

The years spent in the mountains flowed like the water in the stream—unhurried yet ceaseless. In this serene passage of time, more than half a year slipped by in the blink of an eye.

During these months, Bai Qingzhou busied himself shuttling among the three market districts: Lu Gu Market, Shui Ying Market, and Huo Ying Market. He tirelessly checked ledgers at various shops, collected spirit stones, supervised affairs, offered strategies, and oversaw operations. The days were full and purposeful.

He also found time to return briefly to the mountain gate, delivering the sacrificial ritual implements that Xuan Qiang had entrusted to Li Yuyun into the hands of Nie Fang, thus fulfilling Xuan Qiang’s intentions.

Thanks to his diligent efforts, the sect’s income from spirit stones steadily increased. The three shops together earned over three hundred spirit stones monthly, significantly swelling the sect’s treasury.

With the sect’s revenue rising, so too did the disciples’ earnings. Those who toiled diligently in the shops—Ruan Xiuqi, Fan Tianhe, and Meng Li—saw their seasonal stipends and living allowances increase, now receiving ten lower-grade spirit stones per month.

Meanwhile, the disciples devoted to cultivation within the sect had their stipends tripled, from one spirit stone every three months to one per month.

As the person in charge, Bai Qingzhou himself was rewarded handsomely, earning up to twenty spirit stones monthly, considerably fattening his purse.

The overall strength of the sect was rapidly enhancing, buoyed by the income from the three shops.

...

On this day, Bai Qingzhou entered the fine clothing shop.

“Senior Brother,” Meng Li greeted him from behind the counter. “Back so soon!”

Bai Qingzhou stepped lightly inside, smiling. “Yes, after several hours on the spirit boat, it was quite dull.”

He had just returned to Huo Ying Market from Shui Ying Market by spirit boat.

“How are the other two markets?” Meng Li poured a cup of water and handed it to him.

Bai Qingzhou took the cup and drank it down before replying, “Same as always, though the butcher shop in Shui Ying Market has seen a marked improvement. It now earns over a hundred spirit stones a month, officially surpassing Lu Gu Market.”

“Shui Ying Market has a large population; no wonder. Fan Junior Brother must be quite happy,” Meng Li said, covering her mouth to smile.

“Indeed,” Bai Qingzhou chuckled, then mused, “But in the end, our fine clothing shop still makes the most profit! You’re truly formidable, Junior Sister!”

“You flatter me, Senior Brother,” Meng Li smiled shyly, lowering her gaze.

The fine clothing shop now earned nearly two hundred spirit stones monthly, the highest among the three markets. Naturally, Bai Qingzhou devoted most of his time here.

“By the way, Senior Brother,” Meng Li suddenly looked up. “You’re preparing to break into the ninth layer of Qi Refinement?”

“Yes,” Bai Qingzhou looked up with a hint of wistfulness. “I’m nearing the peak of the eighth layer now…”

The year had passed swiftly, and his cultivation steadily advanced. Living in the markets ensured ample spirit stones. Occasionally, he would go to the No. 2 Inn to enjoy the breathing array’s accelerated training. Combined with frequent consumption of Qi Refining Pills, his progress had quickened beyond before. Unconsciously, he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

“Oh! I just remembered,” Meng Li said excitedly, “I overheard some customers saying that a rare spectacle will appear in a few days.”

“A spectacle? What kind?”

Bai Qingzhou stopped his thoughts and turned to her.

“They say it’s a once-in-a-century ‘Firefall’—a waterfall of flame—on Jade Peak Mountain, over two hundred miles east of Huo Ying Market.”

“A fire waterfall? A waterfall that’s on fire?” Bai Qingzhou chuckled softly. “Sounds intriguing.”

“Right? Senior Brother, why don’t we go see it?” Meng Li whispered eagerly.

“Sure!” Bai Qingzhou agreed instantly. “Let’s close the shop for a day and take a little break.”

“Great! I’ll get ready!” Meng Li beamed with joy.

...

Two days later.

At the market entrance.

The Firefall’s reputation was well known, and many cultivators living in Huo Ying Market had heard of this wonder. Many chose this moment to set out, crowding the entrance to the point of congestion.

“So many people, Senior Brother,” Meng Li said cautiously, tugging his sleeve and hiding behind him.

“Looks like some came from other places too. I didn’t expect the Firefall to attract so many,” Bai Qingzhou remarked, observing the many unfamiliar faces.

“No wonder it’s called a spectacle,” Meng Li whispered.

Bai Qingzhou carefully shielded Meng Li as they slowly passed through the city gate.

Once in open space, Bai Qingzhou summoned the Immortal Wind Falcon and, with Meng Li, took flight toward Jade Peak Mountain.

“Brother Bai!” A sudden voice called.

Bai Qingzhou turned and saw a guardsman approaching, accompanied by a middle-aged woman.

“Brother Wei!” Bai Qingzhou greeted him with delight. “What a coincidence!”

Though the guardsmen sometimes stopped by the shops for casual chats over the past six months, it had been a month since their last meeting, so this reunion was a pleasant surprise.

“Yes, the Firefall appears once in a century. My wife and I wanted to join the festivities,” Brother Wei smiled faintly.

“Oh?” Bai Qingzhou looked at the woman beside him. “Is this Lady Wei?”

“She is indeed my wife,” Brother Wei smiled and introduced Bai Qingzhou to her. “This is Bai Qingzhou, the Daoist I often tell you about.”

The woman bowed slightly, knees bent, hands pressed together, and said softly, “Greetings, Immortal Master Bai. Many blessings to you.”

Bai Qingzhou returned the gesture with a slight bow, eyes tinged with surprise.

The woman was an ordinary mortal.

Logically, as a ninth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator, Brother Wei was on the cusp of Foundation Establishment, among the elite of Qi Refiners. He could easily find a fellow cultivator to share his life—but instead, his wife was a mere mortal.

“Shall we travel together?” Brother Wei proposed.

At his words, Bai Qingzhou immediately agreed. “Of course!”

The four of them set off toward their destination, chatting and laughing.

During their conversation, Bai Qingzhou learned the story behind the couple’s bond.

They had been childhood sweethearts. Even before Brother Wei ascended to Immortal cultivation, their love was strong. After his ascension, he remained steadfastly devoted to his mortal wife, forming a genuine and enduring affection.

“Brother Wei truly is a man of heartfelt emotions!” Bai Qingzhou remarked.

“My wife loves me deeply; I would never betray that,” Brother Wei said earnestly.

“Ah...” Lady Wei sighed softly, her voice calm. “Alas, I am but a first-rank mortal, aging too quickly. Though we are the same age, my husband still appears to be in his twenties, while I have already taken on the look of middle age...”

Before she finished, Brother Wei grasped her hand and said with deep affection, “You know I could never care about that.”

Moved, Lady Wei leaned gently against his chest, and the two embraced tenderly.

Bai Qingzhou and Meng Li exchanged a glance, both feeling slightly awkward. Silently, they maneuvered their flying device to drift a little farther away.

No need to witness such intimate displays...

(End of chapter)