Transmigration: The Peerless Immortal Husband

Tian Feirong hesitated briefly but ultimately decided to return to the Tian family estate. A quiet visit to see his father and grandfather would be better than causing a stir and drawing unnecessary attention.

Fatty opted to stick with Gu Yao, as family matters weren’t appropriate for outsiders to get involved in.

Disguised with a stranger’s face, Tian Feirong approached the main gates of the Tian family estate. He noticed that the spirit and energy of the guards were quite different from before. He understood that the achievements of himself, his older brother, and his aunt had given the Tian family a newfound confidence. Along the way, he also saw that the Tian family’s territory had become much livelier.

Before the guards grew suspicious, Tian Feirong quietly left the main gate and sneaked into the estate from the back. Having grown up there, he was intimately familiar with every tree and blade of grass. Even the formations in place couldn’t stop him. However, when he reached his grandfather’s quarters and saw his grandfather and father working together on daily matters, he had a change of heart and intentionally triggered the formation.

“Who is it? Who dares trespass on my Tian family estate—”

Before the Tian family head could finish his reprimand as he rushed out, he saw the person standing outside. Having been gone for over ten years, the boy had grown into a young man. The Tian family head and Tian Feirong’s father, who followed closely behind, were immediately overcome with emotion, their eyes reddening.

“Am I seeing things? Is it really Feirong? Why didn’t you send word before coming back?” Tian Feirong’s father asked, his voice choked with disbelief.

“Grandfather, Father, I wanted to surprise you,” Tian Feirong said with a grin, though his own eyes were also slightly misty.

“Good child!” The Tian family head exclaimed, his heart filled with relief and joy. This child was still willing to acknowledge them.

—

Meanwhile, Gu Yao and the other two arrived at the marketplace. As they took in the familiar sights, Gu Yao and Chi Changye exchanged a knowing smile, while Fatty felt like the odd one out. Fortunately, he still had Liuli by his side for company.

Gu Yao and Chi Changye weren’t the type to dwell on the past, but Yuanyang Town held a special significance for them. This was where they had been reborn, so to speak. It was the starting point of their journey on the Tianlin Continent.

Although the place was small, it didn’t take long before they reached the neutral zone in the middle of the three-market area. The triangular power structure hadn’t changed, and the place was still a chaotic mix of people from all walks of life. Looking ahead, they saw a shop attendant standing at the entrance, busily attracting customers. However, this wasn’t the same attendant from ten years ago.

Fatty, having experienced such marketplaces elsewhere, wasn’t particularly interested. As soon as they arrived, Chi Changye released his spiritual sense to scan the area. Grabbing Gu Yao’s hand, he led them to the back of the market. A simple illusion concealed their presence from passersby, and they effortlessly vaulted over the wall into the courtyard.

Behind the shop was a small yard. By chance, Boss Dong was not only alive and well but currently in one of the rooms at the back.

Inside, Boss Dong was listening to his subordinates report. The routine nature of their tasks, the same day after day for decades, had grown tiresome. Still, he dared not slack off—any negligence could result in being overthrown by someone eager to take his place. Even in a business as small as his, there were always competitors waiting for an opportunity.

Boss Dong was distracted. Lately, he had been reminiscing about the past, likely due to his advancing age. He often recalled his younger days when he was brimming with ambition. More frequently, however, his thoughts drifted to the two young men he had encountered a decade ago at the market. News had recently reached him that one of them had defeated a Golden Core envoy from Changxian Sect, forcing the envoy to retreat and sealing the teleportation array to Changxian Sect for ten years. Even the city lord of Shifang City had been helpless, choosing to turn a blind eye.

The other individual had become a renowned alchemist whose fame rivaled that of the great Master Hu. In just ten short years, he had achieved heights that others couldn’t reach in a lifetime, leaving many envious. Boss Dong often wondered: if he hadn’t been so cowardly in his youth, had dared to leave Yuanyang Town and explore the wider world, would his accomplishments have far exceeded his current status as a shopkeeper?

But life offered no “what-ifs.” He had confined himself to Yuanyang Town, unable to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, limited to a lifespan of barely a hundred years. He knew he wouldn’t live long enough to see just how far those two extraordinary young men would go.

Lost in these thoughts, Boss Dong lazily waved his hand, dismissing his subordinate. Once alone, he retrieved a tattered piece of leather from his belongings. This old scrap had become an obsession—he couldn’t rest until he uncovered the secret it held. What might the two young men, who once had similar scraps, have done with theirs?

Suddenly, Boss Dong’s heart skipped a beat, but he was powerless to act. He could only watch helplessly as the scrap of leather in his hand floated away. His eyes widened in shock as three young cultivators entered through the door. The faces of the two leading figures were so familiar that Boss Dong’s lips trembled silently as he mouthed, “Chi… Senior Chi? Alchemist Gu?”

Gu Yao casually took the scrap of leather, while Chi Changye released Boss Dong from his immobilized state with a mere thought. Despite his newfound freedom, Boss Dong made no attempt to call for help. Even if he summoned every cultivator in the town, what could they do against Chi Changye?

“It’s an honor to have you both here. I couldn’t decipher this map. If you want it, I’ll gladly hand it over. I only ask that, before I die, you tell me what secret it holds,” Boss Dong said, a trace of defiance replaced by resignation. At this moment, he had made peace with life and death. To see these two again before the end of his life felt like a strange blessing.

Moreover, he couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement. For these two to specifically return for this map—did it mean that the secret it held could even tempt a Golden Core cultivator?

Gu Yao smiled and said, “I apologize for the intrusion, please forgive me, Boss Dong. As for this map… if you want to analyze it, you’ll likely never be able to fully comprehend it in your lifetime.”

Saying this, he took out the prepared medicinal liquid and slowly poured it over the scrap of leather. Boss Dong was astonished to see that after the leather absorbed the liquid, it seemed to shed a layer, becoming whiter and smoother. Was this its true form? He couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. As Gu Yao had said, he would never have been able to decipher this map in his lifetime. It seemed that the restoration liquid was something few could even concoct.

Fatty also watched in surprise.

Gu Yao then took out the other piece of the map and spread it on the table, placing the two pieces together. A more astonishing scene occurred—the two pieces of beast skin rapidly fused together, forming a new, complete piece. The patterns on the map twisted momentarily before settling into place. Boss Dong was dumbfounded. The other piece was the one he had personally given away, and he nearly missed the opportunity to discover the truth. It seemed that he wasn’t the destined person for this. Even when good things came into his hands, he didn’t know how to make use of them.

“What is this place?” Gu Yao asked. The three of them huddled together to look, but none of them could recognize the terrain depicted.

Boss Dong, itching to speak, finally gathered the courage and said, “When I was young, I traveled to many places. How about I take a guess?”

Gu Yao and Chi Changye exchanged a glance and smiled. They were indeed unfamiliar with the terrain outside Yuanyang Town. Even the original owner of the body rarely left the Gu family’s estate, as there were many fierce beasts outside the town, so they never dared to wander far. They had no choice but to turn to Boss Dong for help, trusting that he wouldn’t try any tricks with them now.

“Boss Dong, take a look,” Gu Yao said, stepping aside to make room.

Boss Dong felt a bit strange. The way Gu Yao and Chi Changye interacted was almost the same as it had been ten years ago. However, his mind was entirely consumed by the map on the beast skin, and he had no time to consider anything else. As he stepped closer, he focused intently on the lines and patterns on the map.

After committing nearly every line to memory, Boss Dong spoke up: “I think I recognize the terrain. It’s from…”

Gu Yao waved his hand and said, “When the time comes, Boss Dong can lead the way. We’re unfamiliar with this place, but we’ll need to wait for Brother Tian to catch up.”

Boss Dong’s brows twitched. It seemed that the second young master of the Tian family had indeed returned. He had suspected that only three people had appeared because the second young master had gone back to the Tian family. After all, who would return to Yuanyang Town and not visit home? Over the years, many in the town had envied Second Young Master Tian. Back then, his keen eye had taken in Gu Yao and Chi Changye after they were driven out of the Gu family. Now, just over twenty years old, they had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Even Boss Dong himself had once envied their achievements.

“Well, I’ll arrange a place for you three to rest,” Boss Dong said quickly. He then made sure to clear the area and ensure no one else entered. He personally attended to the three of them, though, in reality, he didn’t do much. Gu Yao and his companions had brought their own spiritual fruits, tea, and food, as the spiritual energy in this place was too thin to produce anything worthwhile.

However, Gu Yao took the opportunity to ask about the Gu family’s situation. Although he had run into some Gu family members by chance at Xiong Tou Fortress and had guessed that someone from the family had been seriously injured, he wasn’t particularly interested in the specifics. He just wanted to know, partly as a way to provide closure to the original body’s past.

Seeing that Gu Yao asked casually, Boss Dong guessed that Gu Yao was only interested in the situation of the Gu family members, not truly concerned about them. If he had wanted to know more, there were plenty of ways to find out. There was no need to wait until everything was settled before asking.

Boss Dong said, “Right now, the Gu family is barely holding onto its original position. The Gu family used to have alchemy to support them, but later…”

Boss Dong specifically glanced at Gu Yao as he continued, “Since the Alchemist Guild appeared, the Gu family’s position has been threatened. I believe in another ten to twenty years, the situation will only get worse.”

Boss Dong thought to himself that Gu Yao’s move was the most ruthless. The Gu family’s proud alchemy could no longer be monopolized. In fact, Boss Dong actually hoped that a branch of the Alchemist Guild would be established in Yuanyang Town. That way, they would have easier access to purchasing pills, and it would also be much easier for people to learn alchemy. Gu Yao, reading between the lines, had never expected such an outcome, and couldn’t help but smile.

Boss Dong thought to himself that Gu Yao truly had no feelings for the Gu family. Otherwise, how could he laugh in such a situation? Clearly, he was enjoying the downfall of the Gu family.

“The second branch is currently in the worst condition. Old Second Gu is living a life of indulgence, drunk and dreamlike. Gu Xing has already married into a family outside Yuanyang Town. I’ve heard that, due to jealousy and infighting, she killed a talented illegitimate son from the other family. They ruined her dantian and left her in a remote courtyard. No one from the Gu family has bothered with her, so whether she’s alive or dead is unknown.”