Was Wang Xianzhou arrogant?
Extorting a Great Demon whose power rivaled the Foundation Establishnt realm and who possessed divine abilities while only being a Qi Refining cultivator certainly seed absurdly reckless.
But Wang Xianzhou didn't think he was arrogant. With his natural talent, if not for an unforeseen accident, he would likely be a Foundation Establishnt cultivator with his own divine abilities by now.
Furthermore, the existence of the Immortal Alliance wasn't entirely a bad thing. Any system capable of operating stably over a long period definitely had its rits.
As a forr Immortal Alliance Emissary, Wang Xianzhou was far too familiar with the Alliance's rules. Droplet Cave Heaven had already partially integrated with the outside world, and Wu Jinyan's presence represented the Immortal Alliance's jurisdiction over it.
No matter what kind of background the giant stone turtle had, under the laws of the Immortal Alliance—which had focused on suppressing independent Foundation Establishnt entities for over a thousand years—reporting its actions to the higher-ups would an its certain death.
The reason no one investigated a Purple Palace Grand Cultivator causing trouble in Clear Stream Market was because the perpetrator was at the Purple Palace realm.
But a re Great Demon actually dared to enslave cultivators to help it consu humans? To the cultivators of the Immortal Alliance, such an incident was a rit contribution they would eagerly fight each other to claim.
"Immortal Venerable? If I'm not mistaken, you've already reached the limit of your lifespan, yet you haven't even broken through to Foundation Establishnt.
You are a re Qi Refining cultivator. What right do you have to represent the Immortal Alliance?"
Faced with Wang Xianzhou's extortion, the Stone Ancestor had no intention of compromising easily. It spat a wave of mockery at Wang Xianzhou before continuing.
"I will give you three stalks of Dripdrop Grass, and then you can get lost!"
Wang Xianzhou's expression instantly turned grim.
Well, well, well. The Wang Clan's standard tactic of starting negotiations by slashing ninety percent of the price had already been left in the dust.
This giant stone turtle really didn't follow conventional paths—the beastly thing had imdiately slashed ninety-nine percent right off the bat!
"Do you truly seek death?" Wang Xianzhou questioned sharply, showing absolutely no fear.
The Crimson Sparrow widened the distance between them a bit more. It was absolutely certain that it did not particularly want to die.
Earlier, because it was far from the Great Demon, it hadn't seen clearly. Now that it was closer, it noticed that the water-attribute spiritual energy surrounding the Great Demon was practically boiling.
The Crimson Sparrow didn't understand the Stone Ancestor's exact lineage, but it fully understood the Stone Ancestor's strength.
"Madman, the price you ask is laughable. Instead of giving those resources to you, I could easily offer them to the three Purple Palace cultivators of Dripdrop Cave.
Do you think they would protect ? With their protection, how could anything happen to ?"
Wang Xianzhou breathed a small sigh of relief and began to actively negotiate the price.
"The Grade Six spiritual material cannot be omitted. I can settle for just three Grade Seven items, and everything else remains the sa."
"It is impossible to give you anything of Grade Six, and my essence blood is completely out of the question. I will give you one Grade Seven item, one piece of Water Jade, and the Dripdrop Grass and Blueblood Frogs exactly as you requested. This is my absolute baseline!"
The turtle had only been talking big just now. Thinking about it, how could the Stone Ancestor ever hand over such leverage to the Purple Palace cultivators of Dripdrop Cave?
Dripdrop Cave was currently a subordinate of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect, which was a sect predominantly composed of human cultivators.
The Stone Ancestor had committed a cri and couldn't leave the grotto-heaven. Wang Xianzhou dared to extort it precisely because he recognized its dilemma of being caught between a rock and a hard place.
Of course, in the final analysis, he had to thank Patriarch Mangxiang. The Patriarch hadn't even attained his Golden Core yet, but the Wang Clan's status had already risen considerably.
This was also one of the vital reasons Wang Xianzhou dared to take this gamble. It could be said that Mangxiang was the one who gave Ancestor Xianzhou his confidence.
Half an hour later, the giant stone turtle spoke, its psychological defense sowhat crumbling.
"I don't have anything of Grade Six! How could I possibly possess Grade Six spiritual materials? Even Grade Seven items are pitifully rare within Droplet Cave Heaven. Any resource that is slightly decent is kept under lock and key by Dripdrop Cave!"
Wang Xianzhou was a true master of bargaining. He negotiated point by point and wore the turtle down item by item, essentially achieving the vast majority of his demands.
Currently, the only point of contention left between the two parties was the Grade Six spiritual material.
Grade Six spiritual materials were treasures of a level that could be used to refine magic treasures. They were usually targeted by people long before they even fully ford.
"Since you can't provide a Grade Six item, how about giving a piece of the turtle shell you shed instead?"
In reality, Wang Xianzhou had never expected to squeeze a Grade Six spiritual material out of it. Let alone the fact that the stone turtle didn't have one, even if it did, it would never give it to him.
The gap in their strength was simply too wide.
He negotiated this way rely to demand an inflated price. He hadn't expected that while the stone turtle appeared incredibly treacherous, its negotiation skills were rather poor, allowing Wang Xianzhou to take quite a bit of advantage instead.
Ancestor Xianzhou simply assud the turtle hadn't seen much of the world and didn't think too deeply about it, but his desire for a piece of the shell was genuine.
Yulou possessed exceptional talent in the artificing path. Once his cultivation level rose in the future, he could use the shell shed by the stone turtle for artifact refining.
Moreover, judging by the stone turtle's cultivation, the shell left behind from its last shedding should be capable of being refined into a spiritual artifact.
"Do I look like the type that sheds its shell? What I cultivate is my natal demon armor. From the Small Demon Realm until now, I have only ever had this single shell."
Wang Xianzhou's gaze instantly turned solemn—to know how to cultivate a natal demon armor while only in the Small Demon Realm, and to even successfully master a divine ability that could make spiritual energy boil upon reaching the Great Demon stage.
This giant stone turtle was actually an existence that cultivated both its demonic body and demonic arts simultaneously.
During their cultivation process, demon beasts would awaken inheritances at irregular intervals and in varying amounts based on differences in bloodline and race.
And since the Stone Ancestor's demonic body and demonic arts were both extraordinary, it was evident that its talent was exceptional even among demon beasts.
"Then make up for it by adding two more Grade Seven spiritual materials, how about that?"
Wang Xianzhou asked.
The giant stone turtle thought for a mont before replying.
"Human cultivator, you are too greedy. I only have three Grade Seven spiritual materials in total, and giving you two is already my absolute limit.
However, I still have an egg that is incubating my child, which possesses exceptional talent.
I can give it to you. In the future, you or that young genius of your family must take it out of Droplet Cave Heaven. What do you think?"
Wang Xianzhou was sowhat surprised. This giant stone turtle was clearly male, so how did it have an egg?
Could there be another stone turtle in the Small Demon Realm or Great Demon stage nearby?
However, he didn't hesitate for long. After a brief mont of thought, he agreed to the terms.
Judging by the Stone Ancestor's current strength, its offspring would at the very least have a guaranteed baseline of reaching the Small Demon Realm.
"Deal!"
Wang Xianzhou nodded in agreent, then spoke up, instructing the Crimson Sparrow.
"Go, fly ten miles away. I will go and complete the trade with it. If I do not return, report this demon's existence to Supervisor Wu Jinyan!"
The Crimson Sparrow understood Wang Xianzhou's aning; the two of them were old partners.
In the distance, the Stone Ancestor also heard the words Wang Xianzhou had deliberately spoken aloud. It shook its head, a hint of regret in its eyes.
Seeing Wang Xianzhou approach closer, the Stone Ancestor finally saw the man's true condition clearly.
"Your magic power is so vast, actually double that of an ordinary peak Qi Condensation realm cultivator. Why haven't you established your foundation yet?"
"Oh, in the past during a battle with a Foundation Establishnt cultivator, half of my body was shattered. Don't waste ti, let's complete the handover as quickly as possible!"
The Stone Ancestor felt a sense of realization. Only a Qi Refining cultivator like this would dare to extort , right?
"To be able to battle a Foundation Establishnt cultivator with a Qi Refining cultivation and survive, you are very impressive, human."
Under the moonlight, Wang Xianzhou lifted his head, the corners of his mouth curving slightly with a hint of sighing as he said, "Actually, I was the one who won."
The giant stone turtle lowered its head, looking at the old man before it with its two green turtle eyes. Wang Xianzhou t its gaze with perfect composure.
An aged face, a burly fra, armor flashing with spiritual light, and a large Combat Talisman Chest resting on his back.
If he were at the Foundation Establishnt stage, there probably wouldn't have been any negotiations tonight. What awaited the turtle would only have been a fierce, bitter struggle.
The Stone Ancestor had never t a cultivator from the Immortal Alliance before, and Wang Xianzhou was the very first. Yet this first one had taught it a harsh lesson, leaving an unforgettable impression that would last a lifeti.
"Here, two Grade Seven spiritual materials, three pieces of Water Jade, twenty-six stalks of Dripdrop Grass, and thirteen—oh, fourteen Blueblood Frogs."
When handing over the Blueblood Frogs, the Stone Ancestor's divine sense noticed another Blueblood Frog arriving on the small islet, so it used its spiritual power to pull it over as an extra inclusion.
"Finally, two drops of essence blood, take them.
Human cultivator, I am giving you so much not because I fear you, but because I am well aware that you are a troubleso character.
Therefore, I do not wish to form an enmity with you. If you push any further, I might truly swear allegiance to those three disciples of the Immortal Venerable outside the grotto-heaven."
The Stone Ancestor said with great heartache—and a literal physical ache, as it only possessed a little over a hundred and forty drops of essence blood, which condensed its entire cultivation base and divine abilities.
Two drops might not seem like much, but it would require at least a month of arduous cultivation to recover them, so how could it not feel stung?
Accepting the two drops of stone turtle essence blood that resembled green eralds, Wang Xianzhou did not respond directly, only asking quietly, "Where is the egg?"
The giant stone turtle turned around and dove into the lake at the center of the islet.
"I will go and retrieve it for you. Wait a mont, just wait a mont. It will take half a quarter of an hour. Don't let that cursed bird misunderstand, go and inform it."
Half a quarter of an hour later, when the Stone Ancestor erged again, a turtle egg the size of a waterlon was floating beside it.
The Stone Ancestor nudged the egg with its snout. After a mont of hesitation, it ultimately pushed the egg toward Wang Xianzhou.
"It should still be about two years away from hatching. Since you can raise a spiritual bird to the Small Demon Realm, you naturally know how to nurture a spiritual turtle.
Go on, take it away and leave Droplet Cave Heaven. This is my only request."
Wang Xianzhou nodded and accepted the turtle egg, but before leaving, he hesitated before speaking up.
"The outside world is actually exactly the sa."
The giant turtle face of the Stone Ancestor visibly froze for a mont, and then it sighed.
"I know, but it is always a glimr of hope."
Shaking his head, Wang Xianzhou departed with the turtle egg.
anwhile, the Stone Ancestor stared at the direction where the turtle egg had vanished, standing in a daze for a long ti. Then, it transford into points of spiritual light, scattering and disappearing. It seed thoroughly frightened by the wickedness of the human world and chose to begin a new round of secluded cultivation.
---
"This Old Cui... Old Cui... we already overestimated him by a lot, but who could have imagined that he actually had a Great Demon backing him?"
Feeling the massive turtle egg, Wang Yulou was sowhat dazed.
Cui Dingyi, that wretched dog, truly lacked any humanity. The fact that he had managed to cultivate all the way from a martial artist to the Qi Refining stage was actually achieved by offering sacrifices to that so-called Stone Ancestor.
Now that the crucial details behind it were known, the increasingly frequent demon beast attacks at River Bend Fishing Port over the past seventy years finally had an explanation.
Everything aligned perfectly. Every piece of the puzzle fit together. One could only say that Old Cui was far too ruthless.
To willingly serve as a demon slave despite being a cultivator, even if there were extenuating circumstances, his cri deserves death.
"However, Yulou, how do you think we should account for Cui Dingyi's death to Splendid Pool Palace and Dripdrop Cave?"
Wang Xianzhou was actually testing Yulou's ability to adapt to sudden changes.
"He isn't dead; he is rely missing. Leaving it at that will suffice.
We don't need to do anything. It's just a missing Qi Refining Level Three cultivator, so Splendid Pool Palace shouldn't beco suspicious either.
Furthermore, Old Cui disappearing without rhy or reason will also instill a sense of awe and dread in his subordinates."
Yulou provided his response.
Ultimately, in this world, different identities and statuses carried entirely different values.
Whether Cui Dingyi was missing or dead, would anyone truly care?
No one cared. His status as a so-called Splendid Pool Palace disciple was rely a position within Droplet Cave Heaven's screening and nurturing system.
There were thousands of others holding identical positions.
"Hahaha! Exactly. Taking no action is better than creating unnecessary movent. Previously, we worried that the increasing demon beast attacks might cause a disaster in the future.
Now there is no need to worry about that either. I swindled a massive fortune of resources from the Stone Ancestor, which is more than enough for you to steadily cultivate all the way to Foundation Establishnt.
Moreover, you will be cultivating toward Foundation Establishnt at ten tis the speed! Yulou, cultivate well. Moving forward, your sole task is to hunker down in Droplet Cave Heaven and focus entirely on your cultivation.
With the assistance of spiritual pills, your cultivation speed won't just match those with single spirit roots; it won't even fall short compared to the cultivators of Golden Core clans. You can completely be considered among the fastest group in the entire world!"
Being able to cultivate rapidly was naturally a good thing, but Yulou still harbored so alternative thoughts in his mind.
"Ancestor, the resources you obtained are a result of your own destiny. Whether you exchange them for longevity pills or offer them to the clan to help the other peak Qi Condensation clan mbers establish their foundations, either option is fine.
I am currently twenty-three years old. Even if I cultivate at the absolute fastest speed, it will still take until I am around fifty to reach the peak of Qi Condensation. Within this tifra, there are a full twenty-seven years.
Ti is the greatest source of change. We cannot predict the future. Rather than planning so far ahead, it would be better to consu the resources on hand as quickly as possible to trade for the current prosperity of the family."
Seeing Wang Xianzhou's displeased expression, Wang Yulou hastily added, Furthermore, Ancestor, if I truly cultivate all the way to Foundation Establishnt using the fastest thod, I will undoubtedly be the weakest Foundation Establishnt cultivator after my breakthrough.
No matter how I look at it, it is unnecessary. We completely don't need to rush; achieving Foundation Establishnt at eighty years old is also perfectly fine."
In reality, these were all excuses. Wang Yulou simply couldn't bring himself to depend entirely on the elderly.
Yes, Wang Xianzhou was perfectly willing to let him rely on him, but Yulou couldn't stomach it.
Ancestor Xianzhou had dedicated his entire life to the family, and now that he was old, he still had to serve as the family's kindling. This was sothing Wang Yulou refused to accept.
Perhaps it was naive, or perhaps it was stubbornness. In short, he could not bear to watch Ancestor Xianzhou burn himself out just to propel him into rapid cultivation.
"Strength is indeed vital... Now that we aren't lacking resources, Yulou, I plan to adjust the recipe of your spiritual pills.
We will reduce the duration of the dicinal effects while continuing to enhance the dicinal potency. This way, you can still focus on expanding your pathways without delaying your cultivation speed."
The old man stood up, his eyes shining brightly as he rapidly analyzed the situation.
Previously, we ca to an agreent to give up on expanding your pathways so you could focus purely on raising your cultivation level, which was an unavoidable choice.
After all, back then, our resources were insufficient.
"Today is different from the past. As long as we sell those two Grade Seven spiritual materials and three pieces of Water Jade, combined with my original savings, it will be enough to refine the spiritual pills required for you to cultivate all the way to the peak of Qi Condensation."
Wang Yulou could only smile bitterly. The Ancestor hadn't taken a single word of his explanation to heart.
"Yulou still feels that there is no need to look so far ahead. The clan needs this unexpected windfall of resources much more than I do."
Hearing him ntion this again, the Ancestor blew his mustache and glared as he explained, "What do you know? The Patriarch has already made arrangents for the Foundation Establishnt of Wang Rongyuan, Wang Rongjiang, and Wang Rongwen.
As for the others, they either lack a little bit here or owe a great deal there. Even if I feed the resources to them, they won't necessarily be able to achieve Foundation Establishnt.
Rich fertilizer should be used to nurture the finest sprouts. Yulou, just focus on your cultivation with peace of mind. I have a firm plan in mind, and I will absolutely never let you beco the weakest type of Foundation Establishnt cultivator!"
---
Three months later, inside a valley located several miles outside River Bend Fishing Village.
Massive earthen spikes erupted violently from the ground, thrusting toward Wang Xianzhou's position. In the air, two casting patterns of the Rapid Vine Spell swept in from different directions, locking down Wang Xianzhou's room to maneuver.
However, the true killing blow was the Purple Copper Dharma Sword controlled by Yulou. It moved like a nimble fish, flying alongside the rapidly growing vines of the Rapid Vine Spell, hiding in the shadows while awaiting the mont to strike a fatal blow.
Faced with such a 'fierce' offensive, Wang Xianzhou let out a yawn and activated the Thousand-Mile Talisman—a favorite among low-level cultivators—to slightly boost his own speed.
Following that, he executed a smooth roll on the ground. Rolling twice, he easily evaded the ambush Wang Yulou had ticulously prepared.
"Too slow, too slow! And you barely have any hidden tricks. Do you absolutely have to use this broken sword?"
Leaping up from the ground, Wang Xianzhou brandished his long halberd. He didn't even dare to use the sharp blade of the weapon, using only the shaft of the halberd to block Wang Yulou's Purple Copper Dharma Sword. For a mont, a flurry of clattering sounds rang out as they clashed like two martial artists squaring off.
Wang Yulou's face flushed with urgency as he drove the Purple Copper Dharma Sword to its absolute limit. Unfortunately, he still found no opportunity whatsoever to break through Wang Xianzhou's defensive posture.
Indeed, the objective of Wang Yulou's magical combat training was rely to disrupt and break through Wang Xianzhou's defensive guard.
He didn't even need to consider whether he might injure Ancestor Xianzhou; he just had to strike with everything he had.
Regardless of how he attacked, the absolute most he could achieve was slightly disrupting Wang Xianzhou's guard. The distance required to actually injure the Ancestor was practically a hundred thousand miles away.
And this was even under the condition that Wang Xianzhou was only using the strength of a Qi Refining Level One cultivator to duel him. Yulou was being utterly crushed by Wang Xianzhou purely through sheer experience.
The two of them entangled for another dozen or so rounds before Wang Xianzhou shifted from defense to offense, and the long halberd was quickly pressed against Yulou's neck.
Yulou steadied his breathing and cald his blood circulation before explaining, "The Purple Copper Dharma Sword feels the best to manipulate, and it also consus very little magic power, allowing to train for a longer duration."
"Fair enough. First, tell about your own impressions."
Wang Xianzhou retracted his long halberd and sat down on a tree trunk that had been upended by the Earth Spike Spell. Looking toward Yulou, the two of them began their post-battle review of the magical combat training.
"Earth magic and wood magic are ultimately not what I am best at. No matter how I use them, they never feel as smooth as the Gui Water Hidden Edge Needle. Ancestor, is there truly no way to resolve this awkwardness with spells caused by one's spirit roots?"
Wang Xianzhou nodded and said, "Wait until Foundation Establishnt. Once you achieve Foundation Establishnt and complete your Earth-Wood Dao foundation, your utilization of earth and wood magic won't lose out to cultivators who possess the corresponding spirit roots.
However, the reason I have you practice tal, earth, and wood spells isn't so you can rely on them to score victories during magical combat.
Instead, it is to hide the techniques you are truly proficient in, while simultaneously establishing a comprehensive spell system during combat.
The forr can help you hide your true capabilities in front of an opponent.
The latter can help you defeat those cultivators whose inheritances are not comprehensive enough."
This was precisely the difference between having a family inheritance and lacking one. This aspect of nurturing should originally have been conducted within the clan.
But now that he had left the family, it just so happened that his protector, Wang Xianzhou, possessed an extrely high level of proficiency in magical combat, so they slowly practiced within the grotto-heaven.
However, your greatest issue isn't a lack of spell fluidity or control, but rather a deficiency in your reaction speed.
A speed achieved through conscious thought will ultimately always involve the process of thinking. The greatest function of combat training is to allow you to turn your reasoned responses into instinctual habits.
"Recover your magic power. In a mont, you will use tal and water spells in coordination with that Black Steel Mirror-Silver Shield to practice how to defend."
Yulou nodded and sat cross-legged in front of the Ancestor, beginning to use a spiritual pill to recover his magic power.
Over the past three months, his cultivation rhythm had been incredibly straightforward.
Refining Qi to raise his cultivation level, expanding his pathways to widen his ridians, and while expanding his pathways, he could simultaneously train his divine sense.
Once he trained to the point of ntal exhaustion, he would be dragged out by the Ancestor to practice magical combat.
When his spirit was thoroughly drained from combat, he would pop a spiritual pill designed to restore ntal energy and focus, take a solid two-hour nap, and then begin a brand new cycle of cultivation.
After further reducing the duration of the dicinal effects, the auxiliary cultivation pills Yulou consud could boost his cultivation speed by slightly over six tis.
A sixfold cultivation speed, layered on top of a frenzied training regin where he only rested for two hours a day, naturally caused Yulou's cultivation base to skyrocket remarkably.
Furthermore, the Qi Refining Level Two stage itself didn't feature any major bottlenecks or difficulties. Consequently, within a re three months, Yulou successfully reached the grand completion of Qi Refining Level Two.
Breaking through to Qi Refining Level Three would likely be a matter of just a few months away.
However, this breakneck pace of rising cultivation carried a steep price. The spiritual pills he consud daily cost nearly thirty spirit stones in raw materials alone, not to ntion the nourishnt provided by four spirit fish every single day.
Calculated simply, Yulou's monthly cultivation expenses amounted to roughly one thousand two hundred spirit stones.
Even Zhang Xuewu hadn't spent this many spirit stones from the ti he entered the Qi Refining stage until he reached Level Five.
It could be said that Yulou wasn't rely cultivating; he was burning through spirit stones.
Yulou's annual expenditure was roughly equivalent to one-third of a portion of Foundation Establishnt resources before the Ancestor's targeted distribution of favors.
It was only because Wang Xianzhou possessed imnse strength, had secured a massive fortune during the battle between Wondrous Peak Mountain and the Valley Spirit Sect, and had later extorted a large sum from the Great Demon Stone Ancestor that he could afford to sustain Yulou's exorbitant consumption.
By comparison, Zhou Yingxi's monthly cultivation expenses probably didn't even reach half of Yulou's, and Lin Ying was even further behind.
The two of them appeared to have higher cultivation levels than Yulou, but that was purely because each possessed their own unique head start, which Yulou couldn't bridge in the short term.
Zhou Yingxi had bypassed the ti required for Qi Induction, while Lin Ying had been cultivating for thirty years longer than Yulou.
One won at the starting line, while the other won by being older.
In the future, their upper limits would highly likely fall short of Yulou's.
Right now, Ancestor Xianzhou was already considering how to find Yulou a proper Dao companion who hailed from the direct lineage of a Purple Palace family.
A quarter of an hour later, Yulou stood up, causing Wang Xianzhou to look on with a hint of surprise.
"Your recovery speed seems to have quickened quite a bit?"
"After widening the ridians, recovering spiritual energy naturally becos faster. At the sa ti, the speed of refining the dicinal potency of spiritual pills has also increased slightly."
"Not bad. The spells associated with the Source Vein Gui Water Qi are underwhelming one after another, so this is about the only advantage it has."
"Ancestor, when you attack in a mont, please don't go too fast. If it's too fast, I won't be able to learn anything. Let's progress step by step, step by step."
"You little rascal, I know that without you telling . Given your ager skills...
Alright, stand further back. One hundred yards. See clearly how my opening offensive unfolds."
The two of them opened up a vast distance. At this range, when Wang Xianzhou comnced his opening offensive, Yulou would be able to clearly observe his movents and thods.
Of course, this was also the result of Wang Xianzhou deliberately slowing down his movents.
Ancestor Xianzhou had encountered more Qi Refining cultivators than Wang Yulou had ever seen people, and the number of spells he mastered exceeded a hundred.
During every defense training session, Wang Xianzhou would launch attacks using entirely different combinations of spells.
Under the guidance of such a magical combat master acting as his sparring partner, it was naturally impossible for Yulou to beco the type of weakling who possessed high cultivation but lacked actual combat capability.
'The Torrent Spell, followed closely by a handkerchief magic item made of spiritual grass. A spell-based archetype?
'So it's the Torrent Spell working in tandem with another unknown spell to press the offensive. I should use fire magic to break it.'
Just as Yulou was pondering how to counter the Ancestor's opening assault, the Ancestor halted his movents and looked toward the direction of River Bend Fishing Village.
Very soon, Zhang Xuewu appeared in the distant sky.
"Fellow Daoist Yulou, Fellow Daoist Rongzhou, soone from Splendid Pool Palace has arrived!"
Wang Yulou and the Ancestor exchanged a glance, nodded, and boarded the flying boat to fly toward Zhang Xuewu.
The Ancestor shook his head, thinking to himself that Dripdrop Cave's efficiency was actually quite high. To be able to react within three months—he had originally assud it would take at least half a year.
Finding a large boulder, Ancestor Xianzhou lay down on it to take a nap, confident that Yulou could easily handle the guests from Splendid Pool Palace.
"How many ca?"
Yulou flew side-by-side with Zhang Xuewu, opening his mouth to ask.
"Three people. Two supervisors, both of whom are Azurewater Palace disciples, though not from the major clans.
One Splendid Pool Palace Inspector. He is rather unique—he used to be a captain in the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team, but he has since taken a master and secured a favorable position."
Zhang Xuewu explained rapidly.
As it turned out, the managent tier of Splendid Pool Palace basically consisted of Azurewater Palace disciples. However, because the potential for lining one's pockets in Splendid Pool Palace was essentially zero, the two supervisors were rely ordinary Azurewater Palace disciples.
anwhile, the Splendid Pool Palace Inspector, as the na implied, was responsible for inspecting the circumstances of the Splendid Pool Palace disciples and held actual authority. It was a position that could only be held by the disciples of major clans or the direct elders of Dripdrop Cave.
"What is their attitude?"
"This..."
Zhang Xuewu stole a glance at Yulou, not daring to speak openly, appearing sowhat hesitant.
"Speak plainly!"
Yulou's tone carried only a slight hint of sternness, but Old Zhang didn't dare to delay any further. He hastily replied, "Fellow Daoist Yulou, those three are all intensely interested in our River Bend Fishing Port's Fiend-Suppression Platform."
The Fiend-Suppression Platform was the very gold platform Yulou had constructed.
Building it out of gold was intended to wear down Old Cui while simultaneously displaying his own authority.
Now that Yulou had firmly secured his position as the leader, he naturally couldn't foolishly continue calling it the Golden Platform; that would be far too crass.
Therefore, he had given it the official na of the Fiend-Suppression Platform.
"Very well, let's go and take a look."
Yulou nodded noncommittally, accelerating the flying boat as he flew toward the location of the Fiend-Suppression Platform.
"The three Fellow Daoists have traveled far. Why don't you join Yulou inside my residence for a discussion?"
From afar, Wang Yulou called out a greeting, but he noticed that among the three, there was actually an old acquaintance.
Wang Yaohai... He had actually beco a Splendid Pool Palace Inspector now?
The three individuals had been standing on the gold platform. Seeing Yulou approach, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions.
It was very simple—everyone present was an Azurewater Palace disciple. The lowest cultivation among the three of them was at Qi Refining Level Nine, one was at Level Ten, and Wang Yaohai was even at the peak of Qi Refining.
And what about Wang Yulou? Qi Refining Level Two!
Setting aside his Qi Refining Level Two status, what was even more frustrating was that Wang Yulou had already beco the Town Guardian Cultivator of River Bend Fishing Port back when he was only at Qi Refining Level One—this was a lucrative post, the exact kind of lucrative post that even the Yuan Clan would fight over!
Back then, the Yuan Clan had chosen the safer mine guardian post over the River Bend Fishing Port post, but that didn't an the River Bend Fishing Port Town Guardian Cultivator position was undesirable.
Ji Yuan, the Town Guardian Cultivator of White Thatch Fishing Port, was a disciple of a Yuan Clan Foundation Establishnt cultivator, backed by the largest Foundation Establishnt family in Dripdrop Cave.
Lin Ying, the Town Guardian Cultivator of Immortal Mushroom Cave, was a direct daughter of the Lin family, backed by the Lin family which possessed two Foundation Establishnt cultivators.
As for Wang Yulou, he had beco the River Bend Fishing Port Town Guardian Cultivator while only at Qi Refining Level One, escorted to his post by two Foundation Establishnt cultivators—everyone who needed to know about this matter already knew.
"Junior Brother Yulou, we haven't t for a few months, yet you have already reached Qi Refining Level Two. You are truly young and promising!"
Seeing the Inspector address Fellow Daoist Yulou in such a manner, Zhang Xuewu's reverence for Wang Yulou deepened by another margin.
Old Cui was gone, yet Wang Yulou not only didn't panic, but remained perfectly composed instead. At the ti, he had simply assud Wang Yulou possessed brilliant thods and wasn't afraid of an investigation.
Looking at Wang Yaohai's attitude today, what investigation was there to speak of? They hadn't co to investigate at all!
"Senior Brother Yaohai flatters . You are the true heavenly genius of Dripdrop Cave, and your next step will be Foundation Establishnt.
Senior Brothers, co, let's enter the residence to chat in detail. Regarding Old Cui's matter, Brother Xuewu and I have actually been incredibly worried in our hearts.
Logically speaking, we should have notified everyone imdiately, but as you all know, I am not the kind of person who lacks sentintality, which is why we delayed for so long."
The disappearance of a Town Guardian Cultivator was a major incident. Wang Yulou suppressing it for this long was technically a violation of regulations.
Of course, because it hadn't resulted in any negative consequences, and since Wang Yulou's background didn't tie back to Dripdrop Cave, this sort of violation was far from serious enough to warrant being struck down like Yuan Si.
"We understand, we understand. Old Cui was an experienced Qi Refining cultivator after all. It was perfectly reasonable for you to believe he would return in a tily manner.
The work down here is difficult to execute; we are well aware of that." The Qi Refining Level Ten Splendid Pool Palace supervisor spoke up very tactfully.
Once the group entered Yulou's residence, they were startled by He Laosan standing in the courtyard.
Although He Laosan's personality was sowhat eccentric, he was a spiritual crane after all. Standing in the courtyard, he appeared both elegant and beautiful; no one could look at him without admiring him.
Wang Yaohai's evaluation of Yulou silently climbed by another tier.
He glanced at Wang Yulou, who was instructing Qin Churan to prepare a feast, thinking to himself that this man was truly a refined gentleman of a high gate.
Rearing a spiritual crane, keeping beautiful maids, and residing in a grand mansion.
This was what cultivating immortality was supposed to look like. Reflecting on how he himself had only learned to seek out patrons right before attempting Foundation Establishnt, an individual like Wang Yulou—who didn't need to seek out patrons because he could establish his own power base from scratch—possessed the true strength.
"Co, drink so tea first. Though this tea isn't a true spiritual tea, it isn't far from it. It is sothing our Wang Clan ticulously cultivated."
The group sipped their tea while discussing Old Cui's matter, ultimately finalizing the verdict as 'perished in a demon's maw'.
Before long, the banquet comnced. Little Qin sat beside Yulou, pouring wine and serving dishes for him.
Yulou, on the other hand, introduced the correct thod of consuming the spirit fish to the mbers of the investigation team.
"The spirit fish of River Bend Fishing Port aren't particularly unique, but I devised a thod to cook them using spirit wine.
Today's fish incorporates Grade Nine Pear-Blossom Fragrance spirit wine for seasoning, along with a variety of spiritual herbs. Co, everyone, please enjoy."
These three individuals shared no deep connection with Yulou, so they naturally lacked the status to drink the remaining Sparkle Wine. Wang Yulou rely used the Pear-Blossom Fragrance to entertain them, which was more than sufficient.
After several rounds of drinks and having sampled the spirit fish, Yulou set down his wine cup. With a flushed face, he leaned against Little Qin's lap and spoke with calculated intent.
"Two supervisors, I have a crude and minor idea. If there are any areas that seem immature, I hope the two of you can offer your guidance."
Wang Yaohai interjected from the side,
"Yulou, speaking this way makes you seem like an outsider. There is no such thing as mature or immature; when we carry out our duties, we always make progress amidst minor stumbles."
Yulou and Wang Yaohai had t several tis and could be considered old acquaintances. The two of them had already agreed on a price beforehand; right now was the phase to win over the two supervisors.
"It is like this. Old Cui was a native of River Bend Fishing Port. Now that he has perished in a demon's maw, if we were to find an outside Qi Refining cultivator from Splendid Pool Palace to replace him, the subsequent work might be difficult to unfold.
I was thinking that since there are five late Qi Condensation cultivators within River Bend Fishing Port, why don't we wait until one of them breaks through to the Qi Refining stage and enters Splendid Pool Palace, and then arrange for that person to beco a River Bend Fishing Port Town Guardian Cultivator?
This way, we will fulfill the required quota of three Town Guardian Cultivators, and one of them will be a local of River Bend Fishing Port, making our work much easier to execute.
I wonder what the two Senior Brothers think of this?"
The two supervisors exchanged glances.
For Wang Yulou to attempt to interfere with the personnel arrangents of River Bend Fishing Port while only possessing a Qi Refining Level Two cultivation was a bit excessive.
A single al couldn't buy that much influence!
"Clap! Clap!"
Seeing that the two remained silent, Yulou smiled and clapped his hands.
Bai Xiaoyu entered flusteredly, standing below the courtyard pavilion while looking timidly at the feasting crowd inside.
The two supervisors cast a glance at her through the doorway and imdiately understood that Yulou intended for this person to inherit the position of the River Bend Fishing Port Town Guardian Cultivator.
Qi Induction tenth layer, and she didn't appear very old. She was likely a dual spirit root or triple spirit root cultivator who would break through to the Qi Refining stage within a few years.
"Well... Fellow Daoist Yulou, we can speak to the Palace Master regarding this matter, but..."
Wang Yulou's brow furrowed slightly as he cast a glance at the Qi Refining Level Nine supervisor, who imdiately choked back the rest of his words.
'Xiaoyu, right now, present the goods to them!'
'Senior Wang, isn't this a bit too much?'
'It's just a small sum, go ahead.'
Bai Xiaoyu stepped forward, retrieved two small chests from her storage bag, and presented them to the two supervisors.
"Two hundred spirit stones, a small token of Xiaoyu's regard."
Zhang Xuewu's hands were physically trembling. Two hundred spirit stones per chest ant four hundred for both.
Fellow Daoist Yulou, your extravagance always wounds when I least expect it, leaving unable to look directly at it.
"You female cultivator, what is the aning of this?"
The Qi Refining Level Ten supervisor was clearly voicing dissatisfaction with Bai Xiaoyu's gift, but his eyes were fixed on Wang Yulou, and the two were simultaneously engaging in a rapid exchange of voice transmissions.
'Junior Brother Yulou, this is inappropriate, highly inappropriate.'
'If you decline it now, I will make it up to you later. Just get the matter settled.'
'The Palace Master's side will be difficult to clear...'
'Truly difficult?'
'Add another fifty stones!'
Wang Yulou set down his wine cup, looked at Bai Xiaoyu, and transmitted his voice, 'It's settled, you did well. However, these two supervisors share an average relationship, and accepting gifts simultaneously makes them feel apprehensive. Take the chests and step down for now.'
As the saying goes, one must button the very first button of life correctly. Bai Xiaoyu currently fell squarely into the category of failing to button it properly.
Bai Xiaoyu's clumsy gift-giving served as a token of allegiance. Since she had delivered it, she would remain permanently constrained by Wang Yulou moving forward.
Human hearts were difficult to fathom. Even if Bai Xiaoyu viewed Yulou as her benefactor, Yulou couldn't naively treat her like an innocent, harmless sprout.
With the major matter settled, the group conversed animatedly for a while longer. Old Cui's death—no, disappearance—the matter of his disappearance was smoothly put to rest.
Moving forward, the grand direction of River Bend Fishing Port completely belonging to the Wang family was firmly established.
After seeing off the three mbers of the Splendid Pool Palace inspection team, Yulou and Zhang Xuewu stood by the edge of the gold platform, chatting.
"Old Zhang, I plan to send you into Azurewater Palace once you reach Qi Refining Level Six.
Over the past few months, the sect master has already executed two Town Guardian Cultivators. In the future, once you enter Azurewater Palace and pull a few strings, you might just be able to secure a Town Guardian Cultivator post."
How should one manage their own influence within a massive system?
By grasping the crucial timing nodes and talent echelons, positioning people in advance, and thereby achieving the objective of sending one's own people into key positions at critical monts.
When all the key positions were occupied by one's own people, many matters would naturally beco easy to handle.
Yulou's cultivation speed was advancing by leaps and bounds, which was inseparable from the daily nourishnt of four spirit fish, but four spirit fish was far from the upper limit.
Once Old Zhang departed for greener pastures elsewhere, the position he left behind would naturally be subject to Yulou's final say.
When that ti ca, everyone would have a bright future.
"Fellow Daoist Yulou, I..."
Wang Yulou rely stood there, calmly gazing down at the myriad citizens below the high platform, resembling a deity devoid of human emotion.
In a fit of overwhelming emotion, and beneath the astonished gaze of Qin Churan, Zhang Xuewu knelt on the ground and delivered several firm kowtows to Wang Yulou.
There were duty cultivators stationed on the Fiend-Suppression Platform, both of whom were rely at the Qi Induction stage, in addition to Qin Churan and Bai Xiaoyu who accompanied Yulou.
It could be said that Zhang Xuewu had knelt down in front of four juniors to acknowledge a cultivator with a lower cultivation base than himself as his lord.
He was simply too aware of what Yulou's promise implied.
In the absence of a prominent background or ntorship, a Splendid Pool Palace disciple who wished to enter Azurewater Palace could only compete with countless others after reaching the late Qi Refining stage.
Among the twenty slots available each year, at least half were claid by children of influential backgrounds, disciples, and wives or concubines. The remaining handful of slots represented the only opportunity for ordinary cultivators.
Zhang Xuewu certainly knew how to navigate personnel relationships, but where would he find the resources required to pull those strings?
In the past, he hadn't even been able to best Cui Dingyi.
Now, his sole channel for acquiring additional resources was provided by Wang Yulou.
And Wang Yulou's promise spared him at least a dozen years of arduous struggle.
A dozen years, a dozen years—how many dozens of years could a person possibly have in a single lifeti?
"Stand up, this is unbecoming. Brother Xuewu, you possess dual spirit roots. In the future, you will even have the opportunity to enter the Red Lantern Illumination Sect or even the Immortal Alliance, so why cheapen yourself to such an extent?"
Zhang Xuewu could only offer a bitter smile.
The Red Lantern Illumination Sect? The Immortal Alliance?
Perhaps to an exceptionally talented child of a major clan like Wang Yulou, these institutions were rely ordinary achievents.
But even the status of an inner sect disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect was a dream that Old Zhang might fail to achieve in his entire lifeti.
"Very well, the tasks I assigned to you must be executed thoroughly. I don't have the ti to keep watch constantly, but I expect to see results."
"Xuewu will absolutely give his all!"
"Mm. Xiaoyu, you must also work harder to enter the Qi Refining stage as soon as possible. Delays easily breed unforeseen changes."
After delivering a few instructions, Yulou boarded his flying boat and returned to the valley, resuming his magical combat training with the Ancestor.
The two of them clashed back and forth for seven or eight rounds. When deep night arrived, the Ancestor even guided Yulou through two practical night combat sessions before they finally returned to the residence.
After listening to Yulou's arrangents, the Ancestor nodded in satisfaction.
"Previously, we rely assud you possessed talent in comrcial managent, but it appears you can navigate a sect just as smoothly as a fish in water."
Yulou smiled bitterly and shook his head; it wasn't that he was impressive, but rather that the starting point provided to him by the Wang Clan was simply too high.
"Yulou dares not take the credit. For instance, regarding the arrangents for Brother Xuewu, extensive preparations are still required.
I plan to have him bow to Uncle Jinyan as his master, while simultaneously having him marry a daughter of our Wang Clan. What does the Ancestor think?"
Wang Xianzhou sized Yulou up, a look of newfound appreciation appearing in his eyes, as if he were reacquainting himself with this junior all over again.
"Not bad, very good indeed. We cannot allow soone nad Zhang to take advantage of our Wang Clan for nothing.
But regarding bowing to Wu Jinyan as his master, will Wu Jinyan agree so easily?"
Wang Yulou smiled, nodded, and countered with a question, "Ancestor, is it guaranteed that the Wu Clan will produce another Foundation Establishnt cultivator in the future? What happens if sothing happens to Wu Jinyan?
By allowing Senior Tie to achieve Foundation Establishnt, the Patriarch demonstrated the Wang Clan's magnanimity in absorbing talent from all directions.
Among our gains, the harvest is far more significant than rely acquiring a single external Foundation Establishnt cultivator."
Wang Xianzhou pondered slightly, thoroughly grasping Yulou's arrangents.
He glared at Yulou and spoke with slight dissatisfaction, "Are you going to advise next to spend fewer spirit stones on you?"
In the Ancestor's eyes, this child Wang Yulou was truly peculiar. If a person didn't look out for themselves, heaven and earth would destroy them. Yet here he was, unwilling to consu spiritual pills for free, insisting instead that the Ancestor contribute more to the clan.
Had he, Wang Xianzhou, contributed too little to the clan over his lifeti?
Now that he was old, he simply wanted to make this boy run a little faster, yet the boy had objections instead. It was simply preposterous!
"Ancestor, it isn't about spending fewer spirit stones.
Little Bai will fill Old Cui's vacancy, and I will discuss matters further with Fellow Daoist Ji Yuan or Fellow Daoist Lin Ying to let one of their close acquaintances fill Brother Xuewu's vacancy.
This way, I will acquire absolute control over this River Bend Fishing Village, and the portion of spirit fish I receive daily can increase further.
With more spirit fish for nourishnt, the expenditure on spiritual pills will naturally decrease significantly."
"You... why are you inviting outsiders in?"
Wang Xianzhou naturally didn't wish for outsiders to compete with Yulou for resources.
"Ah, my dear Ancestor, Yulou cannot possibly establish a total monopoly for the Wang Clan within Dripdrop Cave, can he?
It simply isn't appropriate."
Wang Yulou naturally wished to claim all the benefits for himself, but navigating the cultivation world required one to possess thods of forming alliances and maneuvering diplomatically, no matter how high their cultivation level was, so long as they hadn't transcied entirely.
This domain was far too competitive, and Dripdrop Cave was ultimately soone else's territory, so his conduct couldn't appear too greedy.
"In my view, you should marry Lin Ying first, then dump her after you reach Foundation Establishnt!"
Wang Xianzhou completely treated Yulou as his own, speaking with absolute lack of restraint.
The old man treated him exceptionally well, and although the advice offered by the Ancestor was sowhat discourteous, it was indeed the thod that maximized their interests.
Faced with such a fierce Ancestor, what could Yulou do?
He could only humor him.
"Even if I wished to marry her, she might not necessarily be willing. Ancestor, you are looking far too ahead..."
Wang Xianzhou gazed gently at the jade piece he was polishing, a hint of pride and reminiscence reflecting in his eyes.
As if recalling sothing, the Ancestor let out a soft chuckle and said triumphantly, "Hmph, once you break through to Qi Refining Level Four in a few years, it won't be a question of whom you wish to marry, but rather a question of whom you choose to pick!"
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