Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 737 - 374, Victory celebration, the world’s ups and downs_2

During their walk, Ding Minxiu introduced the significant accomplishments of the Jing'an Ding Family in the Golden Moon Court to Xu Xing and the other two.

"Currently, the highest-ranking member of the Jing'an Ding Family within Mount Wanshou... is 15th Master Ding Feng."

"He is an inner court elder of our Golden Moon Court."

"If it weren't for his cultivation level, with Fifteenth Master's seniority, he would have already become the Vice Court Head of the Golden Moon Court."

Ding Minxiu conveyed via voice transmission.

"Fifteenth Master?" Xu Xing gazed towards the depths of a pavilion.

Soon, he identified an elderly man, appearing to be in his sixties. The man's aura was profound and seemed to merge seamlessly with the surrounding nature.

Xu Xing was no stranger to this "Fifteenth Master." He was the Jing'an Ding Family's representative on Mount Wanshou and also the one who, in the presence of a Void Immortal Power, had decided against providing Xu Xing with the resources to cultivate to the Free Immortal Realm.

"Fifteenth Master." Following Ding Minxiu, Xu Xing walked to the pavilion and bowed respectfully to the elderly man before him.

Xu Xing felt it was unnecessary to hold a grudge against this person merely because of one decision.

Without the Jing'an Ding Family's support, he could still reach the Immortal Realm; it would simply take a little more time.

"You're the young man from the Eleventh Room who participated in the Ascending to Immortality Convention?" Ding Feng regarded Xu Xing with a smile. "Minxiu has likely told you about my refusal to provide you with resources. What are your thoughts on the matter?"

"Speak freely. There's no need to be reserved."

He chuckled a few times.

"The family is currently weak and lacks the ability to provide me with resources to cultivate to the Free Immortal Realm. I... can only strive to prevent others from facing the same predicament," Xu Xing replied ambiguously.

Upon hearing this, Ding Feng was momentarily stunned. He then observed Xu Xing intently for a few moments before remarking, "Interesting."

Xu Xing's words not only offered a justification for the Jing'an Ding Family's actions but also conveyed his aspiration to support the family.

From this statement alone, Ding Feng sensed that Xu Xing was no ordinary individual.

He's a clever one, Ding Feng privately assessed.

Had Xu Xing openly admitted to holding a grudge against the family, Ding Feng would not have considered him truly sincere; he understood the principle that profound deceit can masquerade as loyalty. Conversely, if Xu Xing had claimed not to harbor any resentment, Ding Feng would have deemed him insincere, suspecting hidden animosity.

"This is an Artifact I obtained many years ago. It has been with me for some time. I shall gift it to you now as a token of congratulations."

Ding Feng retrieved a Chang Ge magic treasure from his sleeve and, with a smile, propelled it towards Xu Xing using his magic power.

"This Chang Ge is a Nascent Soul Treasure. Use it cautiously, and take care not to injure yourself," he added.

"Thank you, Fifteenth Master."

Xu Xing expressed his gratitude and stored the Chang Ge magic treasure.

「A short while later.」

Ding Minxiu led Xu Xing and the other two away from Ding Feng's pavilion, guiding them towards the locations of other Ding Family elders.

In contrast to their earlier excitement upon arrival, Ding Jingqin and Ding Jingyu now appeared somewhat dejected. Despite their generally resilient dispositions, they couldn't help but feel disheartened as Ding Feng and the other Ding Family elders treated them as mere accessories to Xu Xing, overlooking them entirely and not even offering a word of polite greeting.

That Chang Ge magic treasure... It seems Ding Feng doesn't hold Jing Ren in high regard... Ding Minxiu's eyes flickered as she inwardly mused. Typically, treasures bestowed upon junior cultivators by their elders are predominantly for life preservation; offensive-type treasures are rarely given. Immortal Cultivation preaches 'caution in combat'! Bearing a sharp weapon naturally stirs the intent to kill. Indulging a junior is like leading them to their doom. With a Nascent Soul offensive Treasure, the likelihood of this junior, Xu Xing, meeting his demise in the future will inevitably increase somewhat...

"I have a shield here called the Xuantian Shield... I wonder, Jing Ren, if you would be willing to exchange treasures with your Second Aunt?"

Ding Minxiu paused, retrieved a palm-sized black shield from her Storage Bag, and, looking at Xu Xing, proposed, "I'd like to exchange it for the Chang Ge magic treasure that Fifteenth Master just bestowed upon you."

"Your Second Aunt happens to be in need of an offensive Taoist Treasure."

"I wonder... Jing Ren, if you would be willing to accommodate your Second Aunt's request?" Ding Minxiu elaborated.

"Since Second Aunt wishes to exchange treasures, I... naturally agree..."

With his sharp perception, Xu Xing quickly discerned Ding Minxiu's true intentions. He silently committed this favor to memory and, with a flip of his hand, presented the Chang Ge magic treasure. The treasure exchange was thus concluded.

Ding Minxiu then led Xu Xing to meet several other family cultivators of notable standing.

"Second Aunt, I don't wish to continue."

"These Ding Family elders are all focused on Brother Jingren. They're paying no attention to me or Brother Jingqin…"

After two or three such introductions, Ding Jingyu halted, her dissatisfaction evident. She had initially thought that meeting these family elders might yield some benefits for her. However, their attention was entirely fixated on Xu Xing, with none to spare for her. It was one thing with Fifteenth Master Ding Feng, but even other Ding Family elders, to whom she was not distantly related by blood, paid her little heed.

"Mount Wanshou is different from the family. Within the family, some juniors might still receive support. But in Mount Wanshou, if you have no prospects… even if you are a fellow family cultivator, no one will show you any courtesy…"

"At this celebration, these family elders attended primarily out of deference to Immortal Lu, the Head of Yao Guang Court…"

Seeing this, Ding Minxiu spoke the words she had prepared, her tone earnest and persuasive.

In truth, the Ding Family elders were not truly so indifferent; they behaved this way intentionally to temper the younger generation. The aim was to hasten their maturation, enabling them to understand the fickleness of human sentiment and the varied realities of the world.

Upon hearing this, Ding Jingyu and Ding Jingqin both wore expressions of dawning comprehension.

Without value or prospects, even fellow family cultivators become like strangers once outside the family's direct influence.

No wonder Second Aunt advised me to cultivate a good relationship with Brother Jingren… Ding Jingyu had a sudden realization. If she didn't befriend Xu Xing, this "person of consequence," now, she might never again have the chance to be in his sphere for the rest of her life.

The celebratory gathering soon concluded.

After receiving calling cards from the Ding Family elders, Xu Xing returned to his Cave Mansion to continue his secluded cultivation.

"Jingyu, what are your impressions of Jingren?"

Ding Minxiu entered Ding Jingyu's Cave Mansion and inquired, her lips pursed thoughtfully.

"Him?" An unsettling premonition surfaced in Ding Jingyu's mind.

"Brother Jingren appears gentle, neither arrogant nor impatient, but in reality, he keeps Brother Jingqin and me at a distance. He seems rather aloof..." Ding Jingyu frowned as she shared her perception of Xu Xing.

During their journey to Mount Wanshou, she and Ding Jingqin had ostracized Xu Xing. This wasn't solely their doing; Xu Xing's own demeanor contributed to it.

"Those who mature early often are. He doesn't share your privileged background. Having experienced the world's vicissitudes, he naturally lacks a certain forthrightness," Ding Minxiu smiled faintly.

Ding Jingyu nodded slightly, concurring with Ding Minxiu. After witnessing the cold reception from her clansmen during her earlier visit to the Cold Moon Pavilion, she herself had become a little more calculating than before.

"If the family... were to betroth you to him, for you to marry him as his spouse, would you be willing?"

"He hails from the Concubine Lineage of the Eleventh Room, while you are from the Direct Lineage of the Third Branch… If this union could forge even closer ties, it would be beneficial for both you and the family."

Having broached the subject, Ding Minxiu finally stated her true purpose, her tone solemn.

"What?"

"Marry him? Become his spouse?"

Ding Jingyu was taken aback and hastily shook her head, refusing.

She and Xu Xing had only met a few times; they were far from the point of lifelong commitment. Moreover, she had come to Mount Wanshou for cultivation, not to be married off.

"Sometimes, choosing the right person is far more advantageous than merely relying on your own arduous efforts."

Ding Minxiu's gaze was profound. "If not for Jingren on this occasion, would you have even had the chance to meet the Ding Family elders of the Golden Moon Court?"

Every Ding Family cultivator who came to the Golden Moon Court to cultivate possessed a distinguished background; their standing was by no means inferior to Ding Jingyu's.

"Jingren has the potential to become a Free Immortal. As his spouse, your future prospects will not be lacking either…"

"Furthermore, once you become his spouse, the family will allocate additional Cultivation Resources to you on Mount Wanshou," Ding Minxiu stated, enunciating each word clearly.

"This…"

Ding Jingyu's cheeks flushed scarlet, and she was unsure whether to refuse or consent.

Though she had cultivated to this day with a relatively pure disposition, she was not entirely ignorant of worldly matters. Female Cultivators from immortal-cultivating Aristocratic Families, barring those with exceptional talent and the ability to control their own destinies, were often used as bargaining chips by their families and married off to others. Although intra-family marriages were uncommon, they were not without precedent.

This time, had she not journeyed with Xu Xing and developed some emotional basis with him, the family's proposed marriage arrangement might well have involved a Female Cultivator of higher standing, rather than her.