The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 181

Chapter 181: I’ll Support You By Handing Out Flyers Part 26

This slight noise caught the attention of the person at the head of the table, and Old Madam Fu asked, “Guanyue, do you have something to say?”

Qing Que was just a nickname, and in public, Old Madam Fu never used it, considering it undignified for Fu Guanyue.

With the family head’s question, everyone turned to look at Fu Guanyue.

Fu Guanyue, suddenly the center of attention: “…”

An elder said, “Guanyue has been away for a while, have you made any discoveries?”

Those present were either elders or respected members of the clan, their questions demanding an answer.

Fu Guanyue replied, “I’ve been in Yuzhou for several months, nothing unusual has occurred, but there seems to be an increase in wandering evil spirits.”

“And during the Mingyue Village incident, I didn’t sense any Golden Core cultivators in the village or at the resort, everything was normal, so I suspect…”

She paused, her expression turning subtle.

Old Madam Fu pressed, “You suspect what?”

Fu Guanyue, still unsure, shook her head: “I haven’t figured it out yet.”

It didn’t make sense.

Knowing Fu Guanyue wouldn’t lie, Old Madam Fu glanced at her and didn’t press further.

After discussing a few more matters, the meeting concluded, and as Fu Guanyue was about to leave, Old Madam Fu called out, “Qing Que, stay.”

Fu Guanyue followed her grandmother, the attendants dismissed, and they walked along the corridor in the courtyard, the thousand-year-old maple tree visible outside.

Its leaves were still green, not yet turning red, which would happen in a month or two.

Then the ground would be covered in crimson leaves, a breathtaking sight, the tree’s crown like a burning cloud.

The tapping of Old Madam Fu’s cane echoed, a rhythmic sound.

A seemingly young woman, her steps steady, yet using a cane, was a strange sight. Actually, it wasn’t an ordinary cane, but a magical artifact she had carried for years.

Fu Guanyue, following half a step behind, said, “Great-Grandmother, you entered seclusion yesterday, I thought you would be there for a while, but you’ve already emerged, you must have gained some insight.”

Old Madam Fu’s voice wasn’t old, but calm and clear, with a wisdom that came with age: “I wasn’t in seclusion yesterday, I was thinking about something. A few days ago, those loudmouths from the Xuanxing Sect, observing the celestial signs, declared the end of the current era and the resurgence of spiritual energy.”

Fu Guanyue listened attentively, having heard such claims countless times, she wasn’t particularly interested: “Just that? It wouldn’t have taken you a whole day to consider.”

“Yes, they added something else this time, something about the celestial signs, I don’t understand it completely,” Old Madam Fu said, her tone puzzled.

Fu Guanyue was curious, what could be so puzzling for her great-grandmother?

But seeing her staring at the sky, she remained silent, not asking.

As they walked aimlessly, Fu Guanyue was reminded of the cultivation world gatherings.

Held every five years, these gatherings were attended by cultivators from all sects and families, regardless of their background, only their cultivation level mattered, and many rogue cultivators also attended.

The Xuanxing Sect was always present, their members the most talkative.

They had declared the resurgence of spiritual energy countless times, and Fu Niyun had even scolded them for their recklessness, always exaggerating.

Every few years, they would repeat the same claim, that spiritual energy was returning, that the current era was ending, that ascension was possible, but nothing ever happened.

When questioned, the Xuanxing disciples would insist that their calculations were correct.

Their sect leader had even publicly declared during a gathering, pointing at the sky, “This is what I saw in the celestial signs, there’s no mistake!”

Seeing no reaction from the heavens, he added, “If it doesn’t happen, it’s not my fault, it’s because the heavens are willing but unable!”

This almost resulted in him being struck by lightning, and he practically lived with a lightning rod.

Once, when Fu Guanyue visited their sect, she saw a giant metal rod on the mountaintop and wondered if they really needed such a large lightning rod.

She was told it was installed on the roof of the sect leader’s bedroom, where he hid during thunderstorms, refusing to come out.

His courage was both admirable and pathetic.

But despite their inaccurate predictions about the resurgence of spiritual energy, the Xuanxing Sect’s other predictions were usually accurate, about ninety percent of the time.

This was why, despite their skepticism, the other cultivators still listened to them, their predictions, although unreliable in this aspect, still valuable in others.

Fu Guanyue was lost in thought when Old Madam Fu spoke: “Putting aside the resurgence of spiritual energy, do you remember what I told you about the Minzhou Yu clan’s cultivation method?”

Fu Guanyue immediately replied, “Yes, you said their ghost control technique requires a highly yin environment, and ordinary cultivators or mortals can’t stay there for long, it would damage their cultivation and lifespan.”

Old Madam Fu continued, “Yes, but there’s something I haven’t told you, the Yu clan’s main residence, Deep Sky Abyss, is built upon a formation that suppresses a thousand-year-old ghost king.”

Fu Guanyue had never heard of this, and after a moment of processing, she said in shock, “I remember the Yu clan has always lived in Deep Sky Abyss, does that mean they’ve been using the ghost king’s yin energy to cultivate?”

If that were the case, she understood why the other cultivation clans were so eager to help the Yu clan repair their protective formation, practically at their beck and call.

Fu Guanyue’s voice lowered: “If their formation is damaged, and the ghost king escapes, it would be a disaster for the mortal world, an endless war.”

Old Madam Fu was pleased by her quick understanding, having personally taught Fu Guanyue after her friend, Master Bishansan, passed away, her expectations high, now seeing her capable of independent thought, she felt a sense of pride.

Old Madam Fu said, “This brings me to the second matter, the Yu clan, for generations, has guarded the formation suppressing the ghost king, using ghost control for cultivation, but recently, the Xuanxing Sect claimed the formation might not last much longer, urging the Yu clan to relocate.”

“I’ve helped them repair the formation many times over the years, and recently, I also feel it weakening. Perhaps… the Xuanxing Sect’s claim about the resurgence of spiritual energy isn’t entirely false.”

After all, Tao Ning’s recent actions, agreeing to every request, the Soul Seizing Technique’s success rate practically one hundred percent, had inadvertently strengthened the Xuanxing Sect’s prediction, and the other two clans were also starting to believe it, having also used the technique.

As for the Yu clan, living right above the ghost king’s tomb, they knew the formation’s state better than anyone and had already started preparing for relocation.

Fu Guanyue asked, “If this is truly happening, we have to prepare, right?”

Old Madam Fu’s expression turned subtle: “Yes, the ‘Lightning Rod’ of the Xuanxing Sect said, ‘A world-ending tribulation is coming, a savior will emerge, the one who tied the bell must untie it, and this person will come from the Yu clan.’ He also said that this person’s defining trait is their unwavering resolve, even in the face of death.”

The Xuanxing Sect leader’s various titles and nicknames no longer mattered, everyone knew who “Lightning Rod” referred to.

Fu Guanyue’s mouth opened slightly: “Ah?”

The word “savior” sounded like a movie trailer, not a world-ending crisis.

The Xuanxing Sect was being unreliable again.

As dinner time approached, Fu Guanyue returned, her expression subtle, then seeing the two people chatting in the pavilion, she smiled.

Tao Ning, sensing her approach, turned around: “You’re back! Are you thirsty?”

Having talked to Old Madam Fu for a while, Fu Guanyue was indeed thirsty.

Fu Niyun, also turning around, said, “You’re just in time, Qing Que, we were just talking about how you accidentally summoned a mountain spirit when you tried to draw a magic circle from a cartoon when you were young.”

Fu Guanyue, taking the offered tea, choked: “Cough, cough, cough…”

Tao Ning quickly handed her some tissues and patted her back, and after she recovered, her face red, she said, “Mom, why did you tell her that?”

She didn’t even want to remember that childhood embarrassment.

Fu Niyun’s gaze shifted: “A-Ning is so easy to talk to, I just blurted it out, I thought you had already told her everything.”

Fu Guanyue: “…”

Fu Niyun feigned surprise: “You haven’t told her everything yet? Your father told me about the time he stole sugarcane and was chased by a dog for miles, even ripping his pants, haven’t you?”

Fu Guanyue: “…”

She was speechless.

“Have some more water, your voice is hoarse,” Tao Ning said, pouring another cup, and Fu Guanyue, still holding the tissues, took the cup and drank most of it.

She was so used to it that she forgot her mother was present, only realizing after she finished, her ears turning red.

Fu Niyun immediately stood up, covering her eyes: “The sun is setting, why is it still so bright?”

With that, she left.

Fu Guanyue: “…”

Tao Ning wiped the water from Fu Guanyue’s lips with her thumb: “Are you still uncomfortable?”

Fu Guanyue cleared her throat: “Another sip.”

Tao Ning held the cup and fed her the remaining water, then put it down: “You were gone for a long time, but I wasn’t bored, your mother is very nice.”

Fu Guanyue’s expression softened: “Mother is always like this, she loves talking, and she likes you, that’s why she kept you company.”

“Really? I think Auntie is just being kind because of you,” Tao Ning said, resting her chin on her hand, her eyes bright. “And she’s a good person, isn’t she?”

What else could Fu Guanyue say? She nodded repeatedly: “Yes, you’re right, you’re so good with words, who could dislike you?”

Tao Ning, thinking of the many people who disliked her, picked up a pastry: “You were gone all afternoon, does this happen often?”

Fu Guanyue shook her head: “Not really, Great-Grandmother wanted to talk to me, and she said we’re going to the ancestral shrine tomorrow, to test your spiritual roots.”

Preparing her for tomorrow, Fu Guanyue explained, “We usually start cultivating from a young age, with guidance, your situation is special, so it might take longer, but Great-Grandmother said she’ll personally teach you.”

Tao Ning: “Old Madam will personally teach me? I’m honored.”

Now it was Tao Ning who was worried.

#Caring for the elderly’s mental health#

After days of anxiety, the moment of truth had arrived.

The next morning, however, Tao Ning was surprisingly calm.

Arriving at the ancestral shrine, Fu Guanyue was already waiting, and seeing her, she hurried forward: “Great-Grandmother will be here soon, a few elders will also be present, don’t worry, I’m here.”

Tao Ning patted her hand, reassuring her in return: “I’m not worried, you shouldn’t be either.”

“Okay.” How could Fu Guanyue not be worried? She was even more nervous than when she had her own spiritual roots tested.

While the outcome wouldn’t affect their relationship, she couldn’t help but feel both anxious and expectant.

Old Madam Fu arrived with her entourage soon.

Tao Ning turned around, hearing the sound of their approach, and saw a middle-aged woman in loose robes, her cane in hand, her black hair neatly styled with two jade hairpins.

Judging by her appearance, no one would guess she was over one hundred and thirty years old, she looked barely forty, her eyes bright and clear, and a closer look revealed a slight resemblance to Fu Guanyue.

Tao Ning could tell at a glance that the seemingly decorative hairpins, the bracelet on her wrist, and even the cane, were all high-level magical artifacts.

“Great-Grandmother, this is the person I love, Tao Ning,” Fu Guanyue said, introducing her.

Tao Ning greeted Old Madam Fu politely: “Hello, Old Madam.”

Old Madam Fu’s gaze fell on Tao Ning, then she paused, her brows furrowing slightly: “Your aura is pure, able to cultivate without guidance, what a pity it was discovered so late, when did you realize this?”

Tao Ning, calmly meeting her gaze, replied, “Just a few months ago, Guanyue probably told you, I had yin-yang eyes as a child, and they were sealed by a celestial master.”

Old Madam Fu nodded: “Just a few months.”

She continued, “Perhaps the master your family hired didn’t understand the situation and simply sealed your eyes, but he kept you safe all these years, so it wasn’t a mistake.”

If it weren’t for having spent so much time with Tao Ning, 520 wouldn’t have understood the meaning, realizing after a moment of processing.

It had also become more perceptive!

Tao Ning: “My family is in business, they didn’t understand these things, only concerned about my safety, if it weren’t for Guanyue, I wouldn’t have known, it’s quite a coincidence, perhaps it’s fate.”

These words resonated with Old Madam Fu, and she looked at Tao Ning with approval: “Not only is your aura pure, but your heart is also righteous, I regret not meeting you sooner, I would have taken you as my disciple.”

Fu Guanyue whispered, “Great-Grandmother, it’s not too late, is it?”