Chapter Forty-Three: Looking Back, the Years Have Not Passed

As the saying goes, in the pursuit of immortality, years slip by unnoticed; one turns to look back and finds that time has flown with barely a trace. This means that the time required for cultivation is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people—mortals who wish to ascend the path must devote centuries, even millennia, to their efforts.

Take Xuanyangzi, for example. He has been cultivating for nearly a hundred years, always alone in the temple, accompanied only by the ancestral lamps and the founder of the Dao. Moreover, as one progresses further on the path, this drawback becomes ever more pronounced; even a routine period of seclusion and contemplation can last several years, or longer.

If one cannot even overcome the first trial—mastering loneliness—how can one even speak of entering the Dao?

Pushing aside these distracting thoughts, Yi An focused his mind and calmed his spirit. Once again, he slipped into the water, formed the necessary hand seals, and performed the Water-Repelling Technique. A translucent blue barrier gradually formed around him, blending seamlessly with the water, making it impossible to discern from the outside.

This time, he surpassed his previous attempts, able to maintain the technique for a full quarter of an hour.

"Indeed, mastery over the arcane arts comes only through diligent practice; there are no shortcuts," Yi An murmured thoughtfully.

If Xuanyangzi had heard this, he would likely have been left muttering in frustration. Back when he first comprehended this Five Elements Daoist technique, it had taken him five or six years; yet Yi An, in just a few short days, had reached a level it would take most a month or even longer to attain. If this isn't talent, what would the diligent cultivators who plod along with no such gift possibly think?

Yi An's cultivation continued, fortunately unnoticed by others; otherwise, he might have been taken for a madman, out of his wits.

Thus, he repeated the process over and over: forming seals, casting the Water-Repelling Technique, remaining submerged until his true energy was spent, then coming ashore to recover...

Even Yi An himself lost count of how many times he had practiced. But the results were plain to see—by the next day, he could remain underwater for nearly half a day.

Yi An also noticed something peculiar: not far from him, behind a reef, there appeared to be an old turtle and a crimson carp. The pair made for a bizarre sight. Were it not for his belief that the world is vast and full of wonders, Yi An might truly have been tempted to catch them for a closer look.

What unsettled him further was the odd sensation that the old turtle and the little carp were watching him, which made him feel somewhat ill at ease.

...

Meanwhile, as Yi An immersed himself in cultivation, behind the reef, a red fish poked its head out, glanced once more in Yi An’s direction, and astonishingly, spoke in a melodious, human voice.

“Grandpa Turtle, it seems he’s noticed us.”

“My dear princess... We’ve been here an entire day already; even if he didn’t want to, it would be hard for him not to notice us.” A weary, aged voice issued from the old turtle’s mouth, laden with resignation.

“Oh, Grandpa Turtle, I was just watching him because he’s quite good-looking. Besides, court life is dreadfully dull. It took much effort to get Father’s permission to come out; Grandpa Turtle, can’t you play with me a while longer?” The princess's voice was clear and sweet as she coquettishly pleaded with the old turtle.

She was long weary of the ugly “riffraff” she encountered day in and day out at court. Today, stumbling upon a human being was an unexpected delight, and her mood had improved considerably as a result.

“All right, all right. Truly, I cannot refuse you anything,” the old turtle replied with a wry smile.

“Grandpa Turtle, what do you suppose he’s doing? He looks so silly,” the princess asked curiously.

“He’s likely practicing some water-based cultivation technique. It’s been ages since I’ve seen a human cultivator. In the past, many used to venture into our aquatic domain, but in recent centuries, they’ve grown ever scarcer; I almost forget they exist.” The old turtle commented with interest. “Still, his talent is hardly impressive—he’s failed so many times at a simple water technique.”

The red princess's eyes gleamed with mischief. “Why don’t we bring him back with us, Grandpa Turtle?”

The old turtle hesitated, troubled. “That wouldn’t be right. We have no quarrel with him. If word spread, others would say our Water Tribe bullies the weak.”

“Oh, Grandpa Turtle, you misunderstand! That’s not what I meant,” the princess replied, her tone softening. “I’m a hundred years old this year, and it’s time for me to marry. I think he’s quite suitable—why not make him my husband? What do you think, Grandpa Turtle?”

Her hundred years were not like those of mortals; for her, it was merely the end of childhood.

“Ah? My princess, perhaps my old ears deceive me. Could you repeat what you just said?” The old turtle was caught off guard, scarcely able to believe what he’d heard.

“Don’t pretend to be confused, Grandpa Turtle, or I’ll pull your whiskers!” The princess pouted, gazing at him with clear displeasure.

“My little ancestor, you must understand, he’s just a human youth, and you are a dragon—noble among the dragons. There are so many outstanding young men among the Four Seas’ dragon clans. You mustn’t let yourself be dazzled by him. Once you meet those scions, you’ll see he’s not worth your favor.” The old turtle wore a pained expression.

Indeed, the princess he spoke of was none other than Ao Xiuxiu, beloved daughter of the Dragon King of the East Sea. The old turtle was, of course, the famed Prime Minister Turtle.

Hearing the old turtle’s earnest advice, Ao Xiuxiu replied impatiently, “Oh, Grandpa Turtle, don’t try to fool me. Among all those so-called young talents of the Four Seas, not a single one pleases me. And so what if he’s human? I think he’s just right.”

Every time Ao Xiuxiu thought of those so-called young talents, she shuddered. If she were forced to marry one of them, what hope would her life hold?

Fortunately, Heaven took pity on her, and on her birthday, she met a young man who stirred her heart.

It was, in fact, her birthday. To celebrate, the Dragon King of the East Sea had promised to grant her a wish. Disliking the monotony of palace life, Ao Xiuxiu, who had long grown weary of her years in the Crystal Palace, seized the chance to ask for an excursion. Unwilling to let her go alone, the Dragon King assigned the Prime Minister Turtle as her companion.

Though the Dragon King had relented, he set strict limits: she could only roam the surrounding waters and was forbidden from entering human territory. Thus, she found herself on the shores of Hangzhou.