That powerful oppressive aura came from Elder Wu. With just a single move from the elder, one could immediately tell his true strength, and in an instant, he forced out the power hidden in the dark, which turned out to be the lingering remnants of the Demon race making trouble. An elder was still an elder, and he wrapped up the battle in no time at all, while also sealing the passage of the Demon race to completely eliminate any future trouble.
After this battle, everyone in the Wu Family Fort held an even deeper respect and admiration for Meng Li and me. It was not only a recognition of our strength, but also an affirmation of our resolve to protect the Wu Family Fort. Elder Wu also looked at us in a new light, making an exception by imparting the Xuantian Formula, passed down through generations in the Wu Family, to me. From that moment on, a new door opened on my path of cultivation.
Following the war, the Wu Family Fort was waiting to be rebuilt from the ruins. Instead of indulging in the joy of victory, Meng Li and I led everyone in the Wu Family Fort together to rebuild our home. We planned out farmland, constructed water conservancy projects, and encouraged commerce. In less than half a year, the territory of the Wu Family Fort took on a completely new look. Golden waves of wheat rolled across the fields, people came and went in the streets, and a scene of thriving prosperity could be seen everywhere.
"Brother Chen, look, the fruit trees over there are bearing fruit!" Meng Li pointed to a distant orchard, her face radiating with a blissful smile. I looked at her, my heart filled with tenderness. After weathering so many storms together, we had finally ushered in the tranquility that belonged to us.
"Meng Li, you've worked hard." I took her hand. Her hand was still soft, yet it had gained an extra touch of resilience.
"It's not hard at all. As long as I can be with you, no amount of hardship or fatigue is too much for me." Meng Li leaned against my shoulder, her eyes shining with the brilliant light of happiness.
Under the witness of Elder Wu and all the members of the Wu Family Fort, Meng Li and I held a grand wedding. That day, dressed in bright red bridal robes, I rode a magnificent steed to welcome my beautiful bride. Meng Li wore a full ceremonial phoenix coronet and robes, her beauty simply peerless. We bowed to heaven and earth, bowed to our elders, and exchanged vows to stay together for all eternity.
After the wedding, our life was peaceful and happy. I continued to cultivate the Xuantian Formula, and my swordsmanship improved day by day; Meng Li concentrated on researching formations, raising her cultivation to an even higher level. We matched each other's pace like husband and wife singing in harmony, to the envy of everyone around us.
Elder Wu looked at us, nodded in gratification, and said, "The two of you possess extraordinary talent and work with such diligence; you are bound for greatness in the future. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you..."
Elder Wu's words were like a pebble tossed into our calm life, turning the page to a new chapter for our future.
Just as Elder Wu's voice faded, Meng Li and I asked in unison, "Please speak, Elder."
Elder Wu stroked his beard, his eyes flashing with a wise light: "Did you know that besides the path of cultivation, there are also the arts of alchemy and artifact crafting, which can take one to an even higher level?"
Meng Li and I exchanged a glance, both seeing a eager spark in each other's eyes. Over the years, although we had focused entirely on cultivation, we had also heard tales of the miraculous abilities of alchemists and artifact crafters. They were capable of refining pills that elevated one's cultivation and forging divine weapons that could cut through iron like mud, earning them immense respect throughout the entire different world.
"Elder, do you mean..." A trace of hard-to-conceal excitement laced Meng Li's voice.
"That's right," Elder Wu nodded and said. "I have observed that both of you possess brilliant minds and extremely high comprehension. If you can master the arts of alchemy and artifact crafting, you will surely become grandmasters of an era in the future and carry forward the glory of the Wu Family Fort!"
My heart surged with excitement, and Meng Li's pretty face flushed red with exhilaration. We immediately bowed in gratitude to Elder Wu, expressing our willingness to learn these two miraculous skills. Elder Wu smiled contentedly and led us into a secret chamber.
The secret chamber was filled with all sorts of rare treasures, as well as numerous apparatuses and books I had never seen before. Elder Wu told us that these were the materials and texts needed for alchemy and artifact crafting, and instructed us to study them diligently without slackening.
From then on, Meng Li and I embarked on a new path of cultivation. During the day, we practiced the Xuantian Formula, and at night, we delved into the mysteries of alchemy and artifact crafting. I focused primarily on artifact crafting, while Meng Li grew more interested in alchemy. We discussed things with each other, helped each other, and progressed at a rapid pace.
I discovered that artifact crafting was not simply a matter of beating iron. It required precise control over the heat of the fire, a profound understanding of materials, and the ingenious application of formations and runes. I became completely engrossed, forgetting to eat and sleep, often forging through the entire night.
Meng Li also displayed astonishing talent in alchemy. With her meticulous mind, she knew the medicinal properties of every spiritual herb like the back of her hand, and the medicinal pills she refined had extraordinary efficacy. Many of the chronic ailments among the people of the Wu Family Fort were completely cured under Meng Li's miraculous healing hands.
Using what we had learned, we helped the people of the Wu Family Fort resolve many difficult problems. I forged sturdier and more durable farm tools for the farmers, while Meng Li refined spiritual liquids that could repel pests and increase yields, causing the grain harvest of the Wu Family Fort to climb year after year. I also forged razor-sharp bows and arrows for the hunters, while Meng Li refined pills capable of detoxifying poisons and healing wounds, making the lives of the people in the Wu Family Fort better and better.
Our deeds gradually spread beyond the Wu Family Fort, attracting quite a few people who came out of admiration. Some wanted to apprentice under us, while others wished to purchase pills and magical artifacts at high prices. Meng Li and I declined them all one by one; we only hoped to use our own abilities to guard the peace of the Wu Family Fort and let the people live happy lives.
On this particular day, I was in the artifact crafting room forging a magical artifact when I suddenly sensed a powerful surge of spiritual energy emanating from Meng Li's room...
A shock went through my heart, and the forging hammer in my hand almost slipped away. Was this surge of spiritual energy caused by Meng Li making a breakthrough? Overjoyed, I immediately put down what I was doing and dashed toward Meng Li's room.
Pushing open the door, I saw Meng Li sitting cross-legged on the bed, surrounded by a faint layer of golden light. Her aura was more powerful than ever before, and her face radiated with the glow of joy.
"Meng Li, have you broken through to the Spirit-Quiet Realm?" I could not conceal my excitement.
Meng Li opened her eyes, and upon seeing me, a blissful smile bloomed on her face: "Brother Chen, I succeeded!"
I strode forward, pulling her tightly into my embrace, my heart filled with joy and pride. Over the years, we had supported each other and progressed together; now that Meng Li had finally broken through to the realm she had dreamed of, I was even happier than if I had broken through myself.
Meng Li's breakthrough meant that we possessed even greater power to better protect the Wu Family Fort and its people. And what made me even happier was that not long after Meng Li's breakthrough, we welcomed the fruit of our love.
Looking at the jade-carved, doll-like infant in my arms, my heart was filled with tender affection and a sense of responsibility. We named the child Wu Nianchen, hoping that he would be like me: full of gratitude and never forgetting his original aspiration.
After having the child, the lives of Meng Li and me became even more fulfilling and happy. We meticulously cared for the child, teaching him to speak, teaching him to walk, and teaching him cultivation. Watching the child grow day by day, our hearts were filled with joy and hope.
We would often take the child back to my hometown to visit my father and other relatives. Seeing my achievements today, my father's face was filled with a gratified smile. Holding little Nianchen in his arms, he affectionately teased him, as if seeing the shadow of his own youth.
Whenever this happened, I would think of the parting instructions my father gave me when I left my hometown: "Chen'er, no matter where you go, always remember where you came from, and often come home to visit."
I kept my father's teachings firmly in mind, and every year I would bring Meng Li and the child back to visit him. Our three generations would reunite, enjoying the warmth of family.
Through our efforts, the Wu Family Fort ushered in unprecedented peace and prosperity. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment, leading wealthy lives. The love story of Meng Li and me also became a celebrated tale in the different world, passed down from generation to generation...
Over the years, through the joint efforts of Meng Li and me, the Wu Family Fort grew increasingly powerful. The Wu Family Fort had also developed from that initial small village into a city-scale settlement of today, with the people living and working in peace and contentment amidst a thriving scene.
I would often take Nianchen and walk with Meng Li through the streets of the Wu Family Fort. Looking at the bustling crowds, listening to the vendors crying their wares one after another, and smelling the various fragrances lingering in the air, a sense of deep happiness welled up naturally from within.
"Daddy, I want to eat candied haws!" Nianchen pointed at an old man's candied haw stall by the roadside and said in his baby voice.
I smiled and stroked his head: "Alright, Daddy will go buy you some right now."
After buying the candied haws, Nianchen happily began to eat them, while Meng Li and I walked side by side down the street, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
"Brother Chen, look, that newly opened restaurant is doing such a booming business." Meng Li pointed to a luxuriously decorated restaurant at the corner of the street and said.
I followed her gaze and saw that the restaurant's entrance was packed with a continuous stream of people coming and going, bustling with activity.
"Indeed. Ever since our Wu Family Fort developed, quite a few merchants have come here out of admiration, and that has driven the economic growth of the Wu Family Fort as well," I remarked with emotion.
"All of this is thanks to you and Meng Li," a familiar elderly voice came from behind us at that moment.
Meng Li and I turned our heads to look, and saw Elder Wu standing smilingly behind us.
"Elder Wu." Meng Li and I quickly bowed in greeting.
"No need for formalities, no need for formalities." Elder Wu waved his hand, looking at us with eyes full of gratification, "You two little rascals are the great heroes of our Wu Family Fort! If not for you two, how could the Wu Family Fort ever enjoy today's peace and prosperity?"
"Elder Wu flatters us; this is only what we ought to do," I said modestly.
"That's right, Elder Wu, we are all part of the Wu Family Fort, and it is only right that we contribute our own strength to its development," Meng Li added.
Elder Wu nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good, good, you are both fine children. I believe that under your leadership, the future of the Wu Family Fort will definitely be even more wonderful!"
Meng Li and I exchanged a smile, our hearts filled with hope. Indeed, the future held infinite possibilities, and we would continue to work hard to guard this hard-won peace and happiness.
However, the wheels of fate seemed as though they would never cease their turning; beneath the calm life, a trace of uneasy shadow seemed to be lurking...