Chapter 463: Chapter 463

The facts proved that the world would never lack for smart people, let alone smart people who knew how to get things done.

While An Ning was still diligently grinding her cultivation, the family of three at the Xiucai Yang's house in Dashi Village were already utterly bewildered by the "heavy gifts" arriving in carriage after carriage.

If Magistrate Wang could find out, how could the other wealthy and powerful people in the county not find out? Even if some were truly foolish, wouldn't they learn by following the example of the smart people around them?

Moreover, how many fools could manage to hold onto large family fortunes?

They just had to look at how the person closest to the immortal—no… they should call her a true person now.

It was rumored that the true person had once said she had merely been fortunate enough to have a sudden enlightenment through painting, which led to her gains. She had not truly attained the Dao, nor was she any immortal.

Even so, those who had truly witnessed the magnificent spectacle that day, and the lush, verdant forest within the temple that remained so to this day, all felt the Immortal Maiden was being far too humble.

Of course, since the person herself had said so, the crowd wouldn't be so stubborn as to deliberately go against the words of a master.

Back to the main point.

"Cough, cough, my husband, what… what is going on outside?"

From within the small room came the intermittent, faint coughing of a woman.

Perhaps due to the depression and discontent weighing on her heart, Lady Yang's illness had worsened these past few days, and she had become increasingly emaciated. With a wife (and mother) in such a state, the Yang father and son naturally had no energy to spare for other matters.

Furthermore, Dashi Village was located in a remote area, so it couldn't compare to the city where the masters had quicker access to news.

An Ning had previously asked a Daoist master from the temple to deliver a message, but a young Daoist's legs, combined with being unfamiliar with the place, were no match for the speed of the noblemen's carriages.

Thus, it wasn't until now, with gifts from all sides already delivered to their doorstep, that the family of three was still in a state of confusion.

Fortunately, from the fragments of conversation from the visitors at their door, Xiucai Yang and his son finally grasped the general gist of the matter.

However, after understanding, Xiucai Yang was even more bewildered.

What? A true person? Attaining the Dao? And it was his wife's little apprentice?

Just like Abbot Wuwei, Xiucai Yang, feeling his worldview teetering precariously, couldn't help but remain dazed for a long time. He forcefully endured the mental storm and declined wave after wave of gift-bearers. It was only amidst his wife's coughing that Xiucai Yang gradually regained his composure.

As for whether this matter was true or false?

Nonsense. These were all people of status and reputation in the county. Even the magistrate had come. False? How could that be possible.

Stepping forward to carefully help his wife sit up and meticulously feed her some warm water, Xiucai Yang recounted everything he had just heard.

However, looking at his wife, who, after a brief moment of surprise, quickly regained her calm composure...

"Wife, don't you think… don't you think…"

Don't you think this matter is too strange and utterly unbelievable? Xiucai Yang couldn't help but ask in astonishment.

He was answered by his wife's exceptionally calm tone, tinged with a hint of relief:

"If it were anyone else, it would naturally be strange. But it's A-Ning, my husband. You've seen A-Ning's talent before."

It was as if she had gathered all the world's exquisite spiritual essence into one being.

Even having witnessed countless works of genius and masterpieces in her lifetime, Lady Yang could say with certainty that her apprentice's talent was absolutely among the best of them.

"If there truly is someone in this world who can use this to attain the Dao, then it wouldn't be strange if that person were A-Ning…"

Looking at his wife's utterly convinced expression, her complexion even rosier now that her worries had faded...

Huh? Is this about talent or not? This is about attaining the Dao! A proper, genuine step into the immortal sects!

And that's not strange?

Inside the room, as the two were speaking, the two Daoist boys delivering the message finally arrived, hurrying as fast as they could.

And they didn't come empty-handed; they were carefully carrying a medium-sized bundle.

Seeing the newcomers, the crowd of visitors who had been preparing to leave regretfully outside the main gate instinctively stopped in their tracks, along with a group of villagers who had come to join the excitement but now only dared to stand far off in the distance.

In the main room, the Daoist boy first stepped forward and gave a slight bow before speaking with a face full of respect:

"Boundless Heavenly Lord, Lady Yang, this is what the true person entrusted to this humble Daoist to bring to you. The true person also specifically asked this humble Daoist to relay a message to you.

The true person is currently safe and sound and asks that you please cease worrying excessively."

With that, he respectfully presented the tightly wrapped, reddish-brown wooden long case in his hands.

Seeing them off with utmost courtesy, the husband and wife returned to the room and only then carefully opened the case.

As expected, what met their eyes was undoubtedly a painting, one of Lady Yang's favorite water lilies.

In the height of summer, the greenery was at its most vibrant. Within the courtyard, one could almost hear the murmuring sound of flowing water. In the lake, expansive stretches of jade-green enveloped the gracefully standing pink flower stems.

Some curled, some closed. Vaguely, it seemed as if a gentle breeze was passing by, bringing with it a roomful of delicate fragrance.

What was important was the feeling of lightness that spread through their bodies...

After a brief moment of shock, looking at his wife whose complexion had visibly improved several degrees further, the last trace of doubt vanished completely. Stunned, Xiucai Yang hastily placed the painting in his wife's hands.

"Ah Yu, from now on, hang this painting above Ah Yu's bed…"

During a break from her cultivation, seeing this scene through the system, An Ning finally let out a slight sigh of relief.

Actually, the reason this painting had such an effect was simply because of the Spirit Gathering Talisman she had deliberately drawn using spiritual energy, hidden within it.

The Spirit Gathering Talisman, as the name implied, gathered the surrounding spiritual energy to this spot.

If she remembered correctly, in her previous life, not long after the original host "married" and left, Lady Yang, whose health was already poor, soon passed away due to illness.

Looking up at the meager amount of spiritual energy gathered in her hand, actually, with her current level of cultivation, a jade talisman inherently containing spiritual energy would be the best choice.

However, since she had attained the Dao through painting, for safety's sake, sticking to her "old trade" was more appropriate.

Therefore, now, having personally witnessed her master's improvement, An Ning could finally set her mind completely at ease. She continued to sit upright on the couch, maintaining her meditative posture.

As for the others, being alive was already a profit. Did they really want more than that?