Chapter Four: The Senior Brothers’ and Sisters’ Wedding Gifts

The two elderly figures immediately responded with humble denials. The old man explained, “Young Master, there’s no need to be so courteous with us. We are merely outer disciples of the Celestial Profound Sect, fortunate enough to have been chosen by the Vice Sect Master to serve you. Should you have any instructions, please don’t hesitate to tell us. My name is Wu Yong, you may simply call me Old Wu, and this is my Dao companion, Zhao Wuci.”

Mo Bufan scratched his head, thinking to himself, “This wife I’ve gained through this arrangement is truly considerate.” Since he had no understanding of the Celestial Profound Sect’s disciple hierarchy, he asked, “Old Wu, I have a few questions I’d like to ask…”

Wu Yong and Zhao Wuci, upon hearing that Mo Bufan knew nothing of the sect, found it curious but, showing their tact, asked nothing more and explained all that they knew in detail.

The disciples of the Celestial Profound Sect were divided into four ranks: core disciples—those in blue robes, as seen by Chenfeng earlier—whose cultivation level was typically at the Earth Immortal stage; then inner disciples, mostly at the Mortal Transformation Realm; next, outer disciples at the Spirit Refinement Realm; and finally, the menial disciples, who had reached at least the fifth heaven of the Dao Comprehension Realm.

Mo Bufan swallowed hard—he hadn’t even reached the level required to be a menial disciple!

He then asked about the current Sect Master and elders. The couple only knew a little: the Sect Master’s name was Song Yu, the Disciplinary Elder was Song Yuchen, and the three Vice Sect Masters were Song Yuxuan, Wei Yuxi, and Shangguan Yuluo. There was also Elder Gai Nie of the Pill Pavilion and Elder Wen Xuan of the Artifact Pavilion. The other elders were always in closed cultivation—they’d never seen or even heard of them.

Having grasped the general structure of the sect, Mo Bufan inquired about the locations of the Pill Pavilion and Artifact Pavilion, but Old Wu and his wife were ignorant on this matter. The two celestial cranes, however, seemed quite familiar with the terrain; they offered to take him whenever he wished to go, which delighted Mo Bufan.

From what he remembered of his past life, cultivating immortality was impossible without pills and spirit artifacts. Now that he knew the way, he could, as a husband, request some pills and treasures to safeguard his life in critical moments.

Cultivation was perilous; one could never be too careful.

After a simple meal, Mo Bufan decided to first visit the Sutra Library to seek out any secrets regarding the Nine Yang Physique.

Yet, he had scarcely finished eating when the clear cries of cranes sounded outside. Looking out, he saw three elders in white robes appear in the courtyard.

Mo Bufan recognized all three. The refined man on the side was one of the elders who had escorted him to the sect. The short, chubby man in his thirties and the beautiful woman wearing a married woman’s headscarf had both been present in the main hall.

He couldn’t help but wonder why these three had come to visit. Was there a custom among immortals to drop by and make lively conversation?

“Young Master, finished with your meal?” The chubby man entered with a wide grin, his tone familiar, followed by the other two.

Mo Bufan awkwardly cupped his hands in greeting, “Mo Bufan pays his respects to the three honored elders.”

But before he could even bow, the chubby man raised a hand, lifting him with a gentle force. “Come now, we’re all family. No need for such formality—just call me Second Senior Brother.”

The female cultivator beside him smiled helplessly, “If you don’t introduce yourself, how would he know you’re the second senior brother?”

“Oh, right, my mistake. I am Song Yuchen, the current Disciplinary Elder of the Celestial Profound Sect,” he said, pointing at the woman, “And this is your Fourth Senior Sister, also my Dao companion, Song Yuxin. Call her Senior Sister or sister-in-law, whichever you prefer.”

Mo Bufan was still reeling from the significance of “Second Senior Brother” when he learned that this beautiful woman was the man’s Dao companion. He couldn’t help but look at his “second senior brother” again.

“Second Senior Brother, sister-in-law,” Mo Bufan addressed them, choosing the latter for its intimacy.

The two responded with broad smiles, but their gazes felt like those of in-laws appraising a son-in-law, making Mo Bufan distinctly uncomfortable.

“Ahem, I am your Senior Brother Gai Nie,” the third, who had yet to be introduced, spoke up, his tone calm but his expression kind.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Gai Nie.” Mo Bufan quickly bowed again, noting this was the legendary Pill Pavilion elder—someone to befriend in the future.

The three sat at the table. Old Wu and his wife quickly cleared the dishes; one brought tea for the elders.

After inviting Mo Bufan to sit, Song Yuchen put on a stern face, “That little junior sister of ours went too far. Leaving you alone on your wedding night—next time I see her, I’ll be sure to give her a talking to.”

Mo Bufan forced a smile, explaining, “Please don’t listen to rumors, senior brother. She was in the room last night.”

“No need to cover for her. We senior brothers and sisters were all watching,” Song Yuchen replied.

Song Yuxin coughed and shot her husband a glare.

Realizing his misstep, Song Yuchen quickly sipped his tea to cover his embarrassment.

Mo Bufan swallowed nervously. How could he have forgotten that immortals possessed spiritual senses? It seemed all these senior brothers and sisters hadn’t been above peeking in. Thank goodness his new wife hadn’t pressed him too hard last night, or it would have been a live broadcast for the whole sect!

Sensing the awkwardness, Mo Bufan hurried to change the subject, “May I ask what brings you here today, senior brother?”

“Oh, we’re here on behalf of the other senior brothers and sisters to deliver some wedding gifts. Things were hectic yesterday, and we didn’t have a chance,” Song Yuchen replied. “Isn’t it customary in the mortal world to do this? We couldn’t let our sect son-in-law miss out.”

Mo Bufan’s eyes sparkled at the mention of gifts. “We’re all family—there’s no need for such formality… But what gifts have you prepared?”

Song Yuchen smiled mysteriously, producing a silk pouch about a dozen centimeters long. “All the gifts from your ‘Yu’ generation senior brothers are inside. Take a look.”

Mo Bufan grinned, thanked them, and eagerly poured the contents out, etiquette forgotten in the excitement.

Song Yuchen’s face twitched, but he was too late to stop him. He could only cough and avoid his wife’s gaze.

With a clatter, seven or eight bottles and jars spilled across the table. Mo Bufan picked one up, instantly embarrassed. “Golden Wind Jade Dew Pill!”

He coughed and set the bottle down, pretending nothing was amiss. Glancing at the others, he couldn’t help but grimace—the names of these immortal pills were all suggestive!

“Uh, thank you… Second Senior Brother!” Mo Bufan hastily packed the medicines away, unable to meet Song Yuxin’s near-murderous glare.

Song Yuxin fixed her gaze on her husband, her meaning clear: Are you courting death?

Seeing there was no escape, Song Yuchen hastened to explain, “Brother-in-law, don’t misunderstand—these aren’t what you think. We’d never give such things to our beloved junior sister. These pills are mainly for strengthening the body, purifying the marrow, ensuring you have a robust physique.”

He glanced at his wife for support. “Isn’t that right? I take them myself sometimes.”

Gai Nie couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Song Yuxin, rarely blushing, glared at her husband and then at Gai Nie. At last, she said, “I checked the pills; they are as your senior brother says.” She then looked at Gai Nie, warning, “If any of you dare give that sort of medicine, I’ll smash your mountain to pieces!”

Gai Nie, recalling some past terror, quickly produced a bag of bottles. “Sister Song, we would never harm our junior sister. These are just like Senior Brother Yuchen’s—absolutely clean!”

She checked them one by one before nodding.

Mo Bufan managed an awkward laugh as he surveyed the table full of bottles and jars.

Just then, Song Yuxin’s gaze sharpened at Gai Nie, “Hmm? There’s still one bottle in your pouch—what’s that?”

Gai Nie’s lips twitched as he cast a pleading look at Song Yuchen.

“Yuxin, that… that’s…” Song Yuchen began, but was silenced by her glare.

Left with no choice, Gai Nie produced a small white jade bottle, unmarked and pristine.

Song Yuxin snatched it, sniffed, and mused, “It doesn’t have the smell of those other medicines—so what is it?”

Mo Bufan inwardly thought: “You seem awfully familiar with these kinds of drugs.” He glanced at Song Yuchen, who was studiously looking elsewhere.

After some hesitation, Gai Nie sighed, “This… this was an idea Song Yuchen and I came up with. The Dustless Immortal Emperor said having a prodigy is only a possibility, and according to the records, he had no siblings. We were worried the Nine Yang Physique could only bear one child, so we thought, if you had more in one go, wouldn’t the odds be higher?”

“What?” Mo Bufan almost fainted. They really were treating him like a breeding stallion—one child wasn’t enough, they wanted a whole brood!

To his surprise, Song Yuxin didn’t get angry. She looked at the bottle and asked, “How many can it produce?”

Gai Nie, relieved by her tone, replied, “If you can’t conceive, at least twins. If you can, three or five is the minimum!”

“Damn it all!” Mo Bufan finally couldn’t hold back and leapt up to curse Gai Nie’s ancestors.

Gai Nie, unfazed, smiled, “Brother-in-law, don’t be angry! If you must vent, curse away—none of my ancestors are around anyway.”

Song Yuxin’s eyes flashed with an odd light.

Mo Bufan immediately deflated—he couldn’t win a fight, and his insults meant nothing. What else could he do?

“I’ll be keeping this,” Song Yuxin said, tucking the bottle away and shooting her husband a look. “When will you ever take your own affairs seriously?”

Song Yuchen stared at the ceiling, coughing awkwardly.

“But, Senior Sister, I went to great lengths to make it—there are only two pills. Can’t I keep one?” Gai Nie protested.

“No, no, if Senior Sister wants them, she should take both. I’m confident in myself—I won’t need it,” Mo Bufan quickly interjected.

Song Yuxin smiled, “At least you’re sensible… What do you mean, ‘if I need it’? When would I ever need it!” She glared, and Mo Bufan hastily fell silent. One didn’t provoke a true immortal.

Gai Nie, resigned, leaned in and murmured to Mo Bufan, “Brother-in-law, if you ever need anything, come to my peak. I have all sorts of pills.”

Mo Bufan just grinned, ignoring him.

At this point, Song Yuxin produced four unusual items. “These are gifts from your senior sisters.” She picked up a seven-tiered miniature pagoda. “This is the Seven-Colored Exquisite Pagoda from your Sixth Senior Sister, Song Yuyan. You can open it with your current cultivation. Once inside, no one but a true immortal could break it.”

Mo Bufan’s expression brightened as he accepted the ten-centimeter-tall tower with delight.

Song Yuxin then handed over three yellow talismans. “These are Thousand-Mile Swift Talismans from your sister Lingyu. Each can instantly transport you a thousand miles—use them if you ever face a powerful enemy.”

Mo Bufan was overjoyed, thanking her repeatedly.

Next, she showed a rune-covered beast hide. “This is the Asura Banner from your sister Hongyu. It seals the soul of a five-colored Roaring Lion. Once you reach the Spirit Refinement Realm, you can refine it, and it will become a formidable ally.”

Mo Bufan’s smile nearly split his face.

Finally, Song Yuxin held up a compass. “This is the Soulfall Array I crafted a few years ago. With your current strength, you can barely activate it. Against a true immortal, it can trap them; against anything less, it can kill outright. But it can be used only once, and it’ll probably drain your spiritual energy completely.”

Mo Bufan accepted the compass, finding the woman before him more pleasing to the eye with every passing moment—how beautiful she looked!

If he could see his own face now, he’d be shocked at how shamelessly sycophantic he appeared.

“She truly is my dear senior sister!” Mo Bufan couldn’t help but sigh with admiration.