Seven weeks after regression

Verdant Snow Sect was not exceptionally wealthy in the past, though it was much better in recent years. Its current prosperity could be attributed to Tundra. An alchemist of his level could produce powerful pills, which he then traded with other sects and merchant guilds for benefits and resources.

As much as cultivators hated it, there was no way for a single cultivator to learn everything. Cultivation itself is a lifelong affair. Then, there are the associated arts. Alchemy. Crafting. Formations. Physiques and martial arts. Farming and cultivation of spiritual herbs and plants. Management of territories and politics.

Each of them was properly a career. Most cultivators never dabble in more than one, though this was less of an issue in the higher realm cultivators and their longer lives. In Tundra’s case, he would consider his alchemy to be the equivalent of the 10th realm. Alchemy and pillmaking was his field, and even in his heydays, he only had one or two peers. He’d rank his healing abilities to be in the 8th or 9th realm. As for the rest of the related skills, he ranked himself equal to someone in the 5th or 6th realm.

For Tundra, he mastered alchemy in his first life, and wondered what was the best use of this second chance. Could he master another art, in the next 10,000 years?

“We’re almost there, Sect Master.” Core Disciple Yong Blacksash commented. “The town of Mistburn should be visible out the left window.”

Tundra nodded. “Good work, Disciple Yong. You will be rewarded accordingly.” He took out a pill meant for fourth realms, and passed it to him. The Core Disciple bowed as he received the pill.

Elly Mistburn didn’t believe it, and grinned from ear to ear as she saw her old home. She lived here for years, at least, until she got married. She never saw her home again after that.

When she left, she was in the early stages of the third realm, but this time, she returned as a fourth realm cultivator. At the very least, her father would be proud of her. It may be just the first stage of the fourth realm, but a fourth realm was still a fourth realm, and put her on equal footing as the elders of the Mistburn clan. There are sect leaders of minor sects, that were just in the fourth realm!

Tundra was naturally pleased that both Elly and Marin were now in the fourth realm. The breakthrough rejuvenated his two wives, as if they de-aged by five to ten mortal years.

“Your family would be delighted to see you.” Tundra said with a smile.

Elly looked back at Tundra, and nodded. “I hope so. I’ve not met my family for years. I hope they are well.”

“They will be.”

Elly looked out the window.

Tundra tried to initiate conversation. “Anyone I should meet? Other than your father, of course.”

Elly shifted uncomfortably. “Maybe, maybe my brother. He might need a word of advice or two.”

Sect Master Tundra looked at his wife, and smiled. “Very well, I should build good relationships with the future successor of your father, too.”

His wife didn’t seem particularly pleased at that response. Tundra didn’t think his conversational skills were that bad, but then again, he wasn’t good at reading people’s reactions.

“I hope he likes our gift.”

Elly shifted a bit at the word, ‘our gift’. In many ways, it was his gift. He made it. She wasn’t used to Tundra referring to them both as a single unit. On Tundra’s side, it took conscious effort from him.

Celestia gave him advice a few days ago. “A husband treats his wives as a part of him. That we are a single family unit, and we act together.”

It made him think. He always acted as if he was above, and as Sect Master, he was. But that was no way to treat his wives. Not if he wanted genuine affections. Not if he hoped to bring them along this journey.

“We like to know that we matter to you. That we are in your thoughts when you make decisions. That we are important, and you care about how we feel.”

Tundra sighed. It was a hard mindset to change. Even now, what was the right level of intimacy between them?

But the old way wasn’t the right way, so he decided to try it anyway. And hoped it wasn’t a mistake.

***

The halls of the Mistburn family home were suitably grand, as befitting the ruling power of the town that carries its name.

“Welcome, Sect Master, and my son-in-law! Welcome to Mistburn.” Patriarch Earl Mistburn clasped his hand and waited at the gates for their wagon to arrive. The wagon’s doors opened and Tundra stepped out first. As was the right of the Sect Master.

“Greetings, father-in-law.” Tundra said. It’s been a long, long time since he met the patriarch. In his past life, the last they met was during a funeral. “I hope our visit did not catch you at a bad time.”

Earl Mistburn laughed. “Oh times are always hard, but what can be more important than welcoming my son-in-law!”

Tundra smirked. In truth, their ages were not that different. Tundra was only a little bit younger than the patriarch.

Elly stepped out behind him, and she grinned. Tundra rarely saw such a radiant smile from his wife, and somehow, he wished she smiled like that more often, she truly deserved to be the flower of the Mistburn family. “Father.”

“Elly!” Patriarch immediately broke into a big, radiant smile, but then quickly adjusted his smile. “Ah. Daughter. How’ve you been?”

“Great.” Elly’s smile didn’t change, and she walked up to him and gave her father a hug. A few more wagons arrived, these wagons ferried the rest of their children and grandchildren, at least, those from Elly’s bloodline. “Greet your grandfather, and great-grandfather.”

Their children reluctantly emerged from the wagon. Some of them didn’t want to be here, and that was normal. But once they did, the rest of Elly’s siblings, and mothers, emerged from the corridors and the hall became really, really noisy.

There was immediately a big banquet for their grandchildren. “You’ve traveled far, but come, let us eat and be merry!” Patriarch Mistburn beamed, and led Tundra into the main dining hall.

The two leaders shared some casual small talk, mainly about the journey, the weather, and the rowdy children, before Tundra got to more serious matters.

“How are things, Patriarch?” The two leaders were seated at their own table, flanked by their wives. There was enough wine on a table for hundreds, but the two merely drank a few cups.

The patriarch sighed. Elly’s mother, Syca, immediately noticed that the conversation began to shift towards serious sect stuff, so Elly’s mother pulled her away for their own mother-daughter moment.

Before the patriarch answered, Tundra smiled at Syca. He never noticed how observant his mother-in-law was. “Mother-in-law’s sense is good as always.”

The patriarch grinned. “You flatter your mother-in-law, I would remember to praise her later. But lately, things are difficult. The two families and their backer sects’ harassment is relentless, and we are holding on thanks to your supply of pills. They’ve cleverly held back now that you are in Mistburn, they wouldn’t risk open confrontation with you, so we have a short reprieve, but my people already speak of planned traps for our allied convoys.”

Tundra sipped his rice wine. “What gives them the courage to challenge your place?”

“The heirs of Dragongate and Silversand are both in the 4th realm. Though their patriarch already plateaued at the peak 4th realm, they now believe that their heirs will surpass me, and with that, they will be able to usurp my control over the town of Mistburn. It does not help that my son, and Elly’s eldest brother, Eric, is stuck in the first stage of the 4th realm, somehow unable to progress.”

“But they know we back you, and we are a sect with three Fifth realm elders. Why do they dare to do so, even with our support?” Tundra frowned.

“Dragongate is affiliated with the Blood Blade Sect, and recently, I hear Silversands arranged a marriage between the heir and the daughter of the Tiger Peak Temple. Tiger Peak’s Temple Master is also in the 6th realm. With the two families backed by mid-tier sects, they believe you wouldn’t interfere.”

“I see.” Tundra already knew a version of this story from Jon, but to hear it from the patriarch himself helped him identify the gravity of the situation.

But, it really wasn’t a big problem. With Tundra’s long life and experience, some issues were a lot easier to solve than others. Sect power struggles are easy to solve. All they need is more power.

“There is something I believe would help, but father-in-law, may we speak privately?”

***

The two left the dining hall and the happily drunk family members, and retreated to the Patriarch’s private quarters.

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There, Tundra pulled out a small dark lacquered wooden box, wrapped in fine cloth, from his spatial pouch, and presented it to his father-in-law.

Patriarch Earl Mistburn received it carefully, and saw the 4th realm Spirit Ascension Pill. He gulped.

“The finest Emperor-Grade Spirit Ascension Pill, even better than anything you can find in the market.”

“This must have cost a fortune.” Patriarch glanced at the pill repeatedly, unable to believe it.

It didn’t, because Tundra made it himself. The implications of breaking through to the 5th realm was obvious, and would enhance their hold on their position.

But given the patriarch’s condition, it’s likely he also needed to clean his meridians, and heal some of the old wounds from his many battles. Unlike other Spirit Ascension Pills, Tundra modified this pill to specifically deal with the issues the Patriarch faced.

It was exceptionally common for cultivators to lust over higher realm pills, but as Tundra’s experience grew, he noticed that pills that dealt with specific issues were generally more effective than higher realm pills. So, when he was in the 8th realm, he devoted a few hundred years to study the specific issues most cultivators faced, and learned how to customize pills, such that each pill remedied the underlying problems.

It was quite fortunate he did so, because the ability to customise pills was incredibly useful during the later part of the Zuja war. Resources were scarce, and they had to make do with less.

Tundra looked at his father-in-law.

“If it doesn’t trouble Father-in-law, it may be wise to attempt your breakthrough. The pill’s effectiveness wanes over time, and I will stay back and guard you while you undertake your breakthrough.”

Patriarch looked at him. To attempt a breakthrough at this time was risky, but if Tundra, a higher realm cultivator was present, there likely wouldn’t be any trouble.

He nodded. “I will have to trouble you, my dear son-in-law. It was our great fortune to give Elly’s hand to you.”

“Just my duty as your supporting sect.” Tundra smiled, but he wasn’t sure whether Elly would like that. Over the last few weeks, he began to suspect there was an underlying knot in their relationship.

Even if Elly still loved her family greatly, and wanted to help her parents, the very act of giving her away was a scar on her soul. The fact that she never received Tundra’s love for decades only caused that little scar to fester and rot. Her sense of duty, and her desire to not bring shame to her own family, kept her loyal as a wife.

Patriarch Mistburn quickly summoned his elders.

“I will be breaking through to the 5th realm. Sect Master Fox offered to guard me while I undertake my breakthrough. Make the suitable preparations.”

***

Meanwhile, Elly and her mother Syca, walked quietly and retreated to her mother’s own part of the mansion.

Elly’s mother was also a 4th realm cultivator, but unlike Elly, she reached there after her husband, the patriarch, spent a small fortune on her. “How’ve you been, mother?”

Syca pulled Elly close, and hugged her. “I am well. Despite this, I always miss my daughter.”

Elly returned her hug. Even after so long, the bond between a mother-and-daughter still held on. “I missed you too.”

Syca touched Elly’s face, and smiled. “You’ve broken through to the 4th realm! Your father will be proud of you. If your husband continues to find other women, just come back and be an elder of the sect.”

Elly paused, and gave a long sigh.

Her mother’s reaction was instantaneous. She was visibly worried, and wondered whether her daughter was mistreated.

Elly sighed. “My husband, he’s changed.”

Syca panicked, initially suspecting abuse. She immediately started to check Elly’s body. “What happened? Did he abuse you? How did he mistreat you? Now that you are back, then we won’t let you leave-”

“No. Not like that. He’s suddenly trying to be affectionate and I feel like he’s trying to win me over. It’s uncomfortable.”

“Oh.”

Her mother’s reaction was a mix of relief and shock. Elly looked at her mother, and her mother had to think for a moment. There were certainly worse things to be worried about.

“Well, about damn time he realized you’re a good wife! My daughter’s an attractive woman, and still is an attractive woman! At least your husband isn’t blind to the beauty in front of him!” Syca answered after that moment of silence.

Her mother’s praises made Elly blush in embarrassment. “Mom.”

Syca smiled, “All right, all right, What did he do? Do you know why he changed?”

“He says he had a long dream. It was a bad one, and he regrets what he did. Mother, what would you do? Do men change so suddenly?” Elly looked at her mother. Elly wanted to ask this question for a while, but she didn’t want to ask her fellow co-wives.

Her mother didn’t know how to answer. She took a while to regurgitate the common understanding. “Usually, people don’t change.”

“Really?” Elly sighed, as if it affirmed a question in her heart. “I thought so too.”

But her mother then wondered whether it was a good idea to offend the Sect Master, and changed her tune. “Actually, I don’t know.” Syca continued. “Maybe cultivators of higher realms tempered their minds, and so they can change so easily. Maybe they can change?”

“Mother, you’re not helping. Who’s side are you on?”

“I know, I know. But my dear Elly, if he wants to love you, he wants to touch you and make more children, just let him.” Syca said. “If your father wants more children, if I can, I will do it!”

Elly flushed at the imagery of her parents making more babies. “No. I don’t really want more children. I already have enough.”

Syca’s relationship with her husband is strong. They had the fortune of being paired together from youth, and even greater fortune of actually liking each other. So, they didn’t see the issue. More babies and affection was normal.

But that was not the same in Elly’s case. Elly respected Tundra’s power. Elly accepted that she is his wife, and there are duties she had to do, as expected in their society. But Tundra’s affections were not something she was mentally prepared for. Not after being treated that way for so long.

“My dearest daughter.” Syca hugged her. “Your siblings wished they had your fortune. You are the wife of a sect master, everywhere you go, there are people who will look up to you, and look after you. Appreciate your fortune and be grateful.”

Elly frowned. The issue was her ‘job’, where she acted as a wife, now she has to be a ‘wife’ for real.

Syca smiled, and squeezed her daughter. “You’ve got no issues pretending to be affectionate with your husband. Why are you overthinking it? Just continue what you’ve been doing before this, dear. At some point, even the act will be the truth.” Syca countered. “The problem isn’t what you do, it’s what you think and what’s in your heart, isn’t it?”

Her daughter sighed, and realized her mother was right. “Yeah. That’s pretty much it.”

“Don’t overthink it. Just keep acting, be a good wife. At some point, maybe you realize it’s real.”

“Mother!”

“Sush. You’re already married to the man in body, and in the eyes of society. Just keep at it, and maybe your hearts will be joined too. Many marriages are that way. It grows over time.”

***

Five days and five nights, Tundra sat on guard, outside the Patriarch’s room, and when he stepped out, he was in the Fifth Realm.

The patriarch beamed, pleased that he had broken through. He immediately greeted the Sect Master waiting outside. “Thank you for your protection, my son-in-law.”

“Congratulations, father-in-law. A successful breakthrough.” Tundra returned the smile. The servants were summoned, a few commands were given, and there was immediately a big feast. The news of the patriarch’s breakthrough to the 5th realm would soon spread.

So, Tundra reunited with Elly once more after standing guard for five days and nights, at the second feast to celebrate the patriarch’s breakthrough to the fifth realm.

“Father broke through.” Elly said, as if there were other things she wanted to say as the two went for the feast. Tundra did not sleep in the guestroom the past five days, and so Elly slept alone.

“Yes he did.” Tundra nodded, hoping she’d continue and let out the unspoken words in her heart.

The two stood there awkwardly, eventually, Elly said. “Thank you.”

Tundra shifted a little closer to his wife, and reached over to hold her waist. “I’m happy to help.”

Elly squirmed but realized her mother was right. She should just keep pretending. She had no issues pretending to be affectionate before. She didn’t move away, and allowed her husband to hold her.

Her mother came over, and happily teased them.

“Well look at you two. Like how a husband and wife should be.”

Elly glared at her mother. Her mother grinned.

***

The feast was over, and after a lot of drinks later, both Elly and Tundra returned to their guestroom. Their guestroom was pretty much the largest guestroom in the entire mansion, second only to the sect master’s own quarters, and equal in size to the young master’s own quarters.

“How does it feel to be back home, after so long?” Tundra asked, trying to make conversation. The past five days, she spent it talking and catching up with family.

Elly had two elder brothers, Eric and Earlson, and a younger sister, Elsana. There were also many, many uncles and relatives who were trying to curry favor, after all, she was now in the 4th realm, and the wife of a powerful sect master.

Her efforts over the past hundred years, as she sent resources and pills back home helped the Mistburn clan tremendously, and naturally, many in the family wanted to see whether they could get some additional pills, or special treatment.

She looked at her husband, and struggled to think about where to start. The gossip? The extended family that’s trying to suck up to her and ask for special benefits? Her family? “Some parts good, some parts alright. I loved seeing my immediate family again, but the rest of my extended family, a lot less so.”

Even when growing up, they were not equal. Elly was one of the main family, and thus her treatment among her cousins was the best.

“I see. I would like to say I understand, but I don’t think I understand it. My parents passed when I was too young, and I was raised by my master, who said my peerless metal spirit roots would be valuable. I even stumbled on cultivation by accident, and my master set my methods straight before I went too far of course.” Tundra replied, and remembered all the various families he fought with, and against over the years. Family drama was normal. Family conflicts, even more so.

It was a shame, but he’d try not to make the same mistake again.

Tundra rarely spoke about his past. Elly didn’t know why she felt sorry for him. “Oh. I’m sorry.”

Tundra just smiled. “Why? You did nothing wrong. My past is what it is, and all I can do is change what happens to those who come after.”

“No. I mean, it must be hard growing up without knowing your family.”

Tundra looked distant then, as he remembered his own past. “Not really. Master was my father. I listened to him, and tried to live my life the way he wanted me to.”

Elly met the old sect master once. “He must have influenced you a lot.”

Tundra smiled. Even now he remembered his Sect Master. “It was his advice that led me towards starting a family. He claimed it would enrich me, and fulfill the missing parts of my own life. He said it would even make me a better cultivator.”

His wife, Elly, felt surprised by that last sentence. “What does having a family have to do with cultivation?”

Tundra chuckled. “That was my exact response when he first suggested the idea.”

Elly shared his amusement. “Really? What do you think about it now?”

Tundra looked into Elly’s eyes, and momentarily, they both were frozen in time and space. “I don’t know.”

Tundra thought about it much, especially in his twilight years. Why achieve immortality, if it’s not for a purpose? But how can an immortal have a worthwhile purpose? Even immortals needed connections to the wider realms. Lovers. Family. Friends.

Elly chuckled again. “Rare to have something you don’t know. But you suspect he’s onto something?”

“Maybe.” Tundra stepped closer to his wife. “I think, at the very least, the years would be easier to endure if we had someone to hold.”