Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 346 - A Monk Is Looking for You.

After returning to the Xu residence, Xu Ming made it a habit to visit his mother every day to pay his respects.

Even though, on that fateful night, he had discovered that another soul resided within his mother, one that had deliberately provoked him, he managed to suppress his anger in the end.

That entity was most likely trying to goad him into acting impulsively so that it could achieve its goal. But Xu Ming wouldn’t let it succeed.

He would stick to his plan.

He wanted to see for himself just how capable that being truly was.

So, Xu Ming pretended as if he knew nothing at all.

As for whether Master Shi Xin could do anything about it—Xu Ming wasn’t entirely sure.

But he chose to trust her.

Though Shi Xin had focused solely on defense in the Rootless Secret Realm, Xu Ming believed she was far more accomplished in the field of souls—she simply hadn’t had the opportunity to showcase her abilities.

While waiting for Shi Xin to act, Xu Ming devoted his time to sword practice.

Every day, he also sparred with Wu Yanhan to hone his fist techniques.

Wu Yanhan, much like Xu Ming, had obtained an immortal weapon, but her martial cultivation was not yet high enough to wield it for long.

She could only throw one or two punches before being completely drained.

Still, that was far better than Xu Ming’s situation.

Since Hongxiu remained in slumber, he had no opportunity to harness its power at all.

Meanwhile, Shengsheng and Wu Yanhan were growing closer by the day.

Wu Yanhan had taken on the role of Shengsheng’s master, teaching her her fist techniques without reservation.

However, how much Shengsheng could truly grasp remained uncertain.

After returning from the Princess’s residence, Xu Ming would also teach Shengsheng the basics of cultivation.

The first thing he imparted to her was the Tranquil Heart Mantra.

Even though Shengsheng showed no outward signs of instability—her emotions always appeared calm—Xu Ming couldn’t ignore the demonic beast bloodline within her.

What if one day, it went berserk?

So, Xu Ming’s plan was that when Shengsheng felt herself losing control, she would be able to recite the Tranquil Heart Mantra on her own.

Beyond cultivation, Chen Suya also taught Shengsheng how to read.

Poor Shengsheng had a schedule packed like a child drowning in tutoring sessions, spending her days bouncing from one lesson to the next.

—

Outside of training, Xu Ming often had to attend social gatherings.

Some he could decline, but others were unavoidable.

For instance, when Prime Minister Xiao Mochi invited him to dinner—there was no way to refuse.

Leaving aside Xiao Mochi’s current status as the Prime Minister, he was also Xu Ming’s first teacher, the one who had introduced him to the world of knowledge.

Xu Ming owed him too much to decline.

Initially, he assumed that, after so many years in power and after witnessing so much, Xiao Mochi would have changed.

Perhaps he would have become someone Xu Ming could no longer recognize.

But Xu Ming was wrong.

The moment he laid eyes on Xiao Mochi, he felt as though nothing had changed.

He was still the same Teacher Xiao who had first guided him.

It was as if, from beginning to end, Xiao Mochi had never strayed from his path.

He walked forward, unwavering, without a hint of deviation.

Xu Ming did not know what final destination Xiao Mochi sought.

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He did not know what road Xiao Mochi had chosen to walk.

But for someone to remain so steadfast in their convictions, Xu Ming could only think of one thing—

“A true gentleman.”

In fact, he felt that Xiao Mochi had already begun to display the demeanor of a sage.

During their conversation, Xu Ming mostly spoke about the events of the past few years.

Most of the time, he talked while Xiao Mochi simply listened.

And whenever Xu Ming voiced a doubt, Xiao Mochi would patiently explain everything in detail.

At that moment, Xu Ming was finally certain—

Mr. Xiao had invited him to dinner not because he was the Emperor’s favored minister, not to curry favor, and not because of his growing reputation.

It was simply because Mr. Xiao worried that he might stray from the right path.

So, he invited him for a meal, just to see if there was anything he could do to help.

After the meal, Xu Ming stood up and bowed deeply to Mr. Xiao.

Mr. Xiao returned the bow.

Just like that, their relationship remained unchanged—still that of a teacher and his student.

—

Half a month later.

A lone figure entered the capital of the Wu Kingdom.

When this robe-clad female monk appeared in the streets, every eye in the city turned toward her.

People were stunned—shocked by her beauty and by the mere fact that a female monk even existed.

Some, however, recognized her identity.

And once they did, they regarded her with even greater reverence.

As for the curious gazes and the hushed whispers around her, the woman paid them no mind.

She had long grown used to such reactions during her travels across the land.

“Mother, look! It’s a monk! But it’s a woman! A female monk—so strange! A female monk~”

A little girl pointed excitedly at the woman.

Her mother, startled, quickly pressed down her daughter’s hand and scolded her in a hushed tone:

“Don’t say such things!”

The female monk paused in her steps and turned toward them.

The mother panicked, thinking she had come to reprimand them, and hurriedly bowed in apology:

“My apologies, Master. The child is young and ignorant. Please don’t take offense.”

The woman shook her head and spoke gently:

“I merely wish to ask—where might I find the Xu residence?”

—

At the Xu Residence.

Xu Ming was in the middle of teaching Shen Shengsheng how to meditate and cultivate.

Shengsheng peeked open her eyes, glancing left and right.

Then, she snuck a look at her big brother Xu, before patting her stomach.

At first, when Xu Ming taught her the Tranquil Heart Mantra, she had been quite excited.

But to her dismay, she soon discovered that practicing the mantra meant... sitting still.

And Shengsheng hated meditating.

She found it mind-numbingly boring—forced to sit completely still, unable to move, unable to scratch an itch, just sitting there, doing nothing.

“I really want to go watch ants…”

“I really want to eat candied hawthorn…”

“If nothing else, I’d rather go practice boxing with Sister Yanhan…”

Shengsheng tilted her head back, daydreaming about all the things she would rather be doing.

“Focus.”

Just as she was lost in thought, Xu Ming raised a hand and flicked her forehead.

“Bonk!”

Shengsheng pouted, rubbing her head, but she obediently closed her eyes again.

—

“Young Master! Young Master!”

Not long after, a maid hurried in from the front courtyard.

“Swish!”

Shengsheng snapped her eyes open immediately.

Xu Ming, too, slowly opened his eyes and asked,

“What is it?”

The maid bowed slightly and replied,

“Young Master, there is a monk here to see you.”

“A monk?”

“Yes.” The maid nodded. “A female monk. She says her name is Shi Xin.”