Cultivation Begins From The Desert

There is true affection in the human world, there is true love in the human world.

No one can deny this.

The Zhou Family has had Zhou Tongming and Zhou Guangyin as a pair of devoted lovers who, even now, still love each other deeply.

However, when expanded to the entire Cultivation Realm, the entire world, couples like Zhou Tongming and Zhou Guangyin are among the very few such Dao companion couples.

Lives joined together, this is the mainstream norm among Dao companion couples in the Cultivation Realm.

For cultivators, a Dao companion is not only a husband (or wife) accompanying them for a lifetime, but also a fellow cultivator on the journey, a fellow Daoist who can offer mutual support, and a trusted family member.

Using "Dao companion" instead of "spouse" to refer to the other party is an expression in itself.

In summary, most cultivators, when looking for a Dao companion, prioritize not how much the other loves them, but how far the other can go with them.

Of course, not emphasizing the depth of love does not mean cultivators easily or casually find a Dao companion.

On the contrary, if a cultivator cannot find someone with a compatible personality, a shared path, and mutual communication and support, they would rather remain single for life than hastily find someone to become a Dao companion.

This can be seen from the number of Dao companions in the Cultivation Realm, which is far fewer than the number of single cultivators.

Zhouyang himself, and his Dao companion Xiao Ying, may not love each other passionately; at least Zhouyang reflects that he cannot sacrifice everything for Xiao Ying.

Yet this does not prevent them from being seen as a "model Dao companion pair" by other cultivators.

At least in the eyes of other cultivators within the Zhou Family, the Zhouyang couple, who knew each other since the Foundation Establishment Stage and supported each other in advancing to the Purple Mansion stage, have never quarreled in over a hundred years are most admired as "immortal lovers".

Understanding all this, Zhouyang does not think there is anything wrong with personally matchmaking Zhou Guangxiang and Liu Xuanxuan.

He also believes that, for Zhou Guangxiang and Liu Xuanxuan, each other is certainly the best choice for a Dao companion under the current circumstances.

Zhou Guangxiang clearly did not expect that after he achieved Purple Mansion and returned to receive congratulations from everyone, the first thing Zhouyang would discuss with him would be this matter.

"Ninth Uncle, to be honest, I have never really considered this matter,"

"Of course, your concern is valid, and I am indeed getting older, so I should be considering it."

"Though, while I have known Fellow Daoist Liu for many years, we have never had such intentions toward each other. Is it possible for us to understand and get to know each other first to see if we actually suit being together?"

Within the cave dwelling, facing Zhouyang's gaze, Zhou Guangxiang thought carefully, but still couldn't agree, simply saying to let it take its course.

Letting it take its course has many implications within it.

In his previous life, when Zhouyang faced blind dates introduced by elders, this was mostly his response, and he knows very well what the outcome usually is.

Furthermore, Liu Xuanxuan has lived and cultivated under Zhou Guangxiang's watchful eye since she entered the Zhou Family at twenty-one; when it comes to understanding her, Zhouyang, her master, wouldn't know more than him.

Thus, what Zhou Guangxiang said now appeared to Zhouyang as a polite refusal.

Of course, he was somewhat displeased by this inwardly.

Nevertheless, he knew that forced decisions are not sweet; if Zhou Guangxiang truly doesn't wish to become Dao companions with Liu Xuanxuan, he cannot force him to agree.

Therefore, although he was displeased, he did not show it directly, only smiled slightly and said, "Guangxiang, since you were little, I've watched you grow up as your Ninth Uncle. I have no children, so I've always considered you as my own son. What benefit I think of first, you cannot deny this?"

"Ninth Uncle, your upbringing and nurturing kindness toward me is absolutely equal to the birth kindness of my parents!"

With a solemn expression, Zhou Guangxiang respectfully and gratefully bowed before Zhouyang.

"So there's no need for us to talk about these trivial matters!"

Zhouyang nodded, then his face turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Let me ask you something: is it because you think her Spirit Root talent is lacking, and she cannot accompany you to the end on your path, providing no assistance in your cultivation, that you don't want to waste energy and spirit on her, delaying your own path?"

After saying this, he paused, his tone cold and low: "In other words, do you think she is unworthy of becoming your Dao companion?"

He rarely speaks to Zhou Guangxiang in such a cold tone, but it adds pressure.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Guangxiang's face panicked immediately, and he knelt down in front, hastily arguing:

"Ninth Uncle, you've misunderstood me!"

"I absolutely don't look down on Fellow Daoist Liu. With her artifact refining talent, how could I dare look down on her!"

"I just feel that with my cultivation and lifespan, I can slowly find a suitable Dao companion. Whether Fellow Daoist Liu is a suitable match, I think it requires close interaction over time to decide!"

Zhouyang looked closely at him, unable to discern any anomaly from Zhou Guangxiang's facial expression and gaze, making it impossible to tell if his words were sincere.

This was quite normal, as Zhou Guangxiang was a Purple Mansion Stage Cultivator and had held the position of Zhou Family Patriarch for years. If he truly wanted to hide his thoughts from others, it would be most simple.

Therefore, Zhouyang silently watched Zhou Guangxiang for a moment before extending both hands to help him up, saying, "Stand up first. You are also a Purple Mansion Cultivator now; how can you kneel to another Purple Mansion Stage Cultivator? Even if it were a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, it's not worth doing this!"

Zhou Guangxiang stood up accordingly, his face showing a sincere admiration as he looked at Zhouyang and said, "Ninth Uncle, you are the elder I respect and revere the most. I don't feel shame at all kneeling to you, and in this Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm, you are the only one I will kneel to!"

Zhouyang felt comfortable hearing these words and was confident there was no falseness in them; he had such confidence.

He looked at Zhou Guangxiang, hesitated for a moment, but decided to try again.

"Listen to me about one more thing. If, after hearing it, you still hold your opinion, then Ninth Uncle will certainly respect your decision."

While speaking, Zhouyang slightly moved his lips, choosing to use Telepathy to convey his plan to Zhou Guangxiang.

As Zhouyang spoke, Zhou Guangxiang's expression constantly changed, sometimes surprised and indignant, sometimes heartbroken, sometimes sighing deeply, sometimes nodding lightly...

"That's how it is then. If you don't do it, then someone else will have to."

"But if someone else does it, you know how many troubles that will bring. At the very least, Guangqing and Tong Yao will surely become enemies due to this, and who knows how many things will emerge in the future!"

"So you can't blame Ninth Uncle for pushing you; someone must come forward to make some sacrifices for the clan!"

"It can only be you who is the best candidate apart from Ninth Uncle himself."

"Ninth Uncle won't truly force you to do this, but if you don't do it, Ninth Uncle definitely won't do it either. So think it through yourself, you still have at least three years to consider it."

Zhouyang, after openly explaining everything about his plan to Zhou Guangxiang, didn't look at Zhou Guangxiang's complex expression and directly turned to leave the cave, returning to his Qianyang Cave.

He had already laid everything out; if Zhou Guangxiang still wasn't willing, there was nothing he could do.

Three years remain; three years later, he will make a move on Rhino Horn Continent, and all his time ahead will be spent on this matter, with no free time to deal with Zhou Guangxiang's issue.

Two years later, a loud eagle cry suddenly rose from the peak of Red Tiger Mountain.

With the sound of the eagle cry, a golden divine eagle with a wingspan near twenty Zhang sprang into the air from Red Tiger Mountain, and then with a flash of golden thunderlight, instantly appeared in the sky over a dozen miles away.

After advancing to become a Tier Four Demon Beast, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle finally awakened and mastered its clan's signature ability, "Thunder Escape Technique."

With the "Thunder Escape Technique," even Zhouyang, who also advanced to the sixth layer of the Purple Mansion, would find it difficult to easily kill the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle.

At this point, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle truly transformed from a mere mount to a battle pet capable of assisting its master in combat.

"The time is almost ripe; it's time to call Xu Song, that old ghost, back. Who knows if he's made any discoveries with that Teleportation Array!"

On Red Tiger Mountain, Zhouyang looked at the golden divine eagle soaring in the sky, a look of unparalleled anticipation on his face.

After plotting this matter for decades with decades of waiting and preparation, he finally reached the moment of seeing the truth, and he couldn't remain indifferent.

Immediately, after a brief explanation to his Dao Companion Xiao Ying, Zhouyang rode the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle and headed toward the underground ruins where Zhou Yuanyao and her daughter were initially discovered.

After advancing to a Tier Four Demon Beast, the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle's flying speed surpassed that of Zhouyang using the "Illusory Cloud Ship," able to fly seventy to eighty thousand miles in a day and night, and could continue flying for several days without landing.

If it weren't for such enviable talent, the Beast Taming Sect's Zhong Chuming, despite being a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, wouldn't have compromised his reputation to seize this spirit pet.

Zhouyang rode this mount and reached the underground ruins located deep within the desert sea in less than three days.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he put away the Golden-winged Thunder Eagle and descended into the ground to reach the outside of the ruins, a beam of white light suddenly shot towards him.

Before he had time to think, he shouted, and with a move of his sleeve, he unleashed a dirt-yellow shield in front of him.

Clang!

With a bell-like clash sounding, Zhouyang, along with the shield, was directly blasted away, landing heavily into the stone wall behind.

Had it not been for cultivating the "Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique" which made his body as hard as a regular Tier Four Lower Grade Demon Beast, a few bones would surely have broken from this impact.

Only then did he see clearly what had struck him.

At his formerly occupied place, a white bone skeleton engraved with faint golden runes stood grasp-handed, hollow eyes gazing at him, with upper and lower jaws moving as Xu Song's proud voice sounded.

"Gaga, kid, how does it feel? The strength of this Bone Clone of mine, are you satisfied?"