The most valuable treasure in this world is time. However, for cultivators, time is insignificant in the process of cultivation.
Does she count as a cultivator?
Probably not.
For Yun Qian, time held no meaning in the past. It was the young man before her who gave time its context and meaning.
"How often can we meet?"
Listening to Yun Qian's question, Xu Chang'an sighed softly. He wouldn't make promises he couldn't keep, so he seriously replied, "Celestial Bright Peak has its own rules, and Muyu Peak has its own rules."
As an Internal Affairs Steward of Muyu Peak, and with the Chaoyun Sect's current clearly defined factions, he must always be careful in his actions.
Yun Qian asked, "Is it like in Beisang City, every few months?"
Even though three to five months pass in the blink of an eye, Yun Qian still hoped that blink would last as short as possible.
"It's every three to five days."
"Really?"
Yun Qian thought cultivation was indeed a good thing, but that wasn't what she wanted to ask.
She placed one hand over her abdomen and whispered softly in Xu Chang'an's ear.
Then, she looked calmly at Xu Chang'an, feeling as if she was living out a story from a book, where one must prepare a lot to have children, naturally necessitating frequent meetings.
"..."
Xu Chang'an suddenly fell silent.
Yun Qian thought he would respond as he had before, but to her surprise, things didn't go as she expected. Xu Chang'an held the jade talisman tightly in his hand, almost as if his palm was merging with it.
Looking at the girl before him, Xu Chang'an confirmed that the term "Immortal's disposition" existed for her. But such a fairy-like person was now obsessed with giving him…
A child?
Xu Chang'an believed Yun Qian's future was as vast as the ocean. She should explore beneath the endless sea, wander through the rivers and mountains of Qing Province to see those beautiful sights, and thus witness a different world.
His Miss Yun ought to seek out treasures worth all her efforts, not feel bored with everything as she does now, nor think only of bringing wooden carvings and double pillows after learning about cultivation.
This felt as though his existence was hindering Yun Qian.
What kind of feeling was this?
Xu Chang'an didn't know if, when he had a daughter in the future, he might have similar thoughts in his doting ways.
Because he liked her, he wanted her to become better, to achieve greater things.
But what defines great achievement?
Is this something he can define for Yun Qian?
Of course not.
"What's wrong with you?" Yun Qian asked, looking at Xu Chang'an curiously.
"It's nothing," Xu Chang'an covered his face, "I just started acting a bit crazy thinking about you moving into Celestial Bright Peak."
Kidding.
He had no right to lecture Yun Qian.
Miss Yun wasn't his possession; she had her own thoughts and knew what she wanted.
Just not seeing far enough, "short-sighted."
But the thing about perspective is, you can't rush it.
Once Yun Qian achieves Ming Immortal status, and sees the vastness of the world, watching the rising and falling clouds from the mountain peak, she would naturally understand that there were other things in the world worth pursuing.
Hiss... will she, though?
Thinking about his wife's tranquil nature, able to sleep contentedly on the Cloud Boat in the sky, made Xu Chang'an's eyelid twitch slightly.
Forget it.
Xu Chang'an focused his attention on Yun Qian.
It would be better to personally take her around to see the great rivers and mountains.
Indeed, the most important thing was for him to strive hard in his cultivation.
"..."
Yun Qian was puzzled by Xu Chang'an's gaze on her.
She wouldn't pry into his thoughts, but if she knew what tiny notions Xu Chang'an was harboring, she would definitely be unable to suppress a smile.
Who would have thought that sometimes when one's view is elevated to a certain height, it appears terribly low instead?
"Steward Qin said, to become an immortal, one must let go of myriad worldly ties." Xu Chang'an took Yun Qian's hand, "Miss, do you think cultivation means cutting off past attachments?"
"..." Yun Qian tilted her head, her long hair flowing down, "I'm your wife; do you want to cut me off?"
"I can't bear to," Xu Chang'an closed his eyes, "Miss, where I'm from, there's traditionally no talk of romance. Deep love turns into gratitude, you give me some, I give you some back, that's how it goes for a lifetime of affections."
"What are you trying to say?" Yun Qian inquired.
"I'm trying to say we have plenty of future ahead, no need to rush things." Xu Chang'an looked seriously at Yun Qian, "Whether it's about children or anything else."
"Oh." Yun Qian nodded.
So Xu Chang'an had gone through all this just to tell her not to be impatient.
Fine.
Anyway, she couldn't have one even if she wanted to.
...
Under Xu Chang'an's somewhat surprised gaze, Yun Qian reached out and gently stroked his furrowed brow, saying, "I said I would cultivate seriously, so don't worry."
"Ahem." Xu Chang'an's heart started to race, but his expression remained unchanged, "Let's go and choose a courtyard."
...
Yun Qian, who preferred tranquility, quickly found a location she somewhat liked with Xu Chang'an's help.
In an open area surrounded on three sides by mountains stood a quaint courtyard, with pavilions inside, and bamboo poking their heads out over the wall, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Let's stay here then," Xu Chang'an pushed open the courtyard gate, saying, "Senior Zhu's jade talisman can provide the highest specifications here."
"It's all good to me," Yun Qian nodded.
Then, Xu Chang'an arranged Yun Qian's scattered collection of treasures in the room as he had at home, finally pulling out a double pillow and placing it on the soft bed.
A double pillow, but only she would sleep on it.
Xu Chang'an coughed softly, turned around, and noticed Yun Qian standing by the door watching him, asking, "Do you want to rest for a while?"
"No need."
"Alright, then I'm hungry."
Each Outer Disciple Peak in the Chaoyun Sect had its own dining hall, so cultivators who hadn't started fasting could get three meals a day there.
There was also a way to get food without leaving home.
Teleportation Array.
But courtyards with a Teleportation Array were rare, yet because of Zhu Pingniang's care, Yun Qian could enjoy the best treatment among the Outer Disciples.
"Just as well. I'll teach you how to order food," Xu Chang'an picked up the jade talisman, placed it in the groove on the dining table, and then silver light emerged, displaying several lines of text in the air.
These were names of dishes, and according to the descriptions, once you selected the food items, all you needed to do was patiently wait, and the dishes would appear directly on the table when ready.
"How is it, convenient right?" Xu Chang'an asked.
"Yes," Yun Qian nodded, but her gaze was not on the menu at all; instead, she was staring straight at Xu Chang'an's face.
"...Do I have the menu on my face?"
"Why should I eat something made by someone else when you're here?"
Alright then.
Xu Chang'an sighed.
It was his own indulgence.