Returning to his estate at River Bend Fishing Port, Yulou imdiately noticed the satisfied smile on Ancestor Xianzhou's face.
"Ancestor, what brings you such joy?"
Wang Xianzhou sized Yulou up for a mont, praising him with a teasing smile.
"Yulou, that primordial yang of yours is indeed remarkably effective. Little Fish broke through to the Qi Refining stage in a single night! Hahaha."
Wang Yulou's expression turned slightly odd, but he did not explain. Matters of the bedchamber were best left unsaid.
As for Little Fish's breakthrough, it was actually not difficult to understand. She had already cultivated to the peak of Qi Induction, rely restricted by the rules of heaven and earth from using spiritual pills to break through the bottleneck—not even supplentary ones. That was why she had been delayed for so long.
Those grand cultivators had truly exhausted every calculation just to block the path of those who ca after them.
However, as long as the right opportunity presented itself, breaking through from peak Qi Induction to Qi Refining was a matter of less than an hour.
One could break through between life and death during magical combat, through dual cultivation, or, if a cultivator's foundation was insufficient, by consuming massive amounts of spiritual food.
If all else failed, there were still the breakthrough pills refined from tals and stones. While it was debatable whether those tal-stone breakthrough pills counted as true spiritual pills, they could indeed help a cultivator break through to the Qi Refining stage. However, after using such a pill, one's path of cultivation would undoubtedly be completely ruined.
"Now that Little Fish has successfully reached Qi Refining, her position as a Town Guardian Cultivator should be arranged. Ancestor, where are Ancestor Jingyi and Ancestor Rongjiang?" Yulou asked.
Back when Cui Dingyi died, the leader of the Splendid Pool Palace cultivators sent to investigate—the Splendid Pool Palace Inspector—happened to be Wang Yaohai. This man had once been a squad leader in the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team and had interacted with Yulou a few tis.
By pulling strings through him, Yulou had suppressed the appointnt of a new Town Guardian Cultivator, solely to leave the vacant seat for Bai Xiaoyu once she broke through to Qi Refining.
Now that Little Fish had successfully broken through, this Town Guardian Cultivator position was still not sothing Yulou could secure with a single word. The personnel appointnt process of Splendid Pool Palace had to be followed properly, and all of this required so careful maneuvering.
Although it was a bit troubleso, as long as Bai Xiaoyu beca the Town Guardian Cultivator of River Bend Fishing Port, the port would remain a foothold completely controlled by Yulou within Dripping Water Cave for many years to co.
Since the spirit fish production could increase from seventeen a day to over twenty a day, there would naturally be opportunities to continue increasing it in the future.
The sect would take eight fish. With Bai Xiaoyu and Wang Yulou working together, any new Splendid Pool Palace Town Guardian Cultivator from another background who arrived after Zhang Xuewu was transferred would only be able to obediently eat whatever scraps fell from Yulou's hands.
By then, Yulou's inco solely from his role as the actual power behind the Town Guardian Cultivator would be at least twenty spirit stones a day. His cultivation expenses could then be sustained for a long ti.
Even with ten thousand spirit stones, spending a thousand a month ant that, without inco, his reserves would bottom out in a little over a year. But if he could earn several hundred spirit stones a month, those ten thousand spirit stones could last for several years, which was at least a twofold difference.
And that was only calculating the profits from River Bend Fishing Port.
If he could run the Exchange Gathering well, aside from the basic entry fees, he could sell Dharma artifacts through this market he had carved out to exchange for cultivation resources.
With several streams of inco combined... Thinking of this, Yulou looked at the ancestor with a trace of pity in his eyes.
Live a few more years, Ancestor. Only then will you be able to see the mont I achieve Foundation Establishnt!
"They went to exchange cultivation insights with the Foundation Establishnt cultivators of Dripping Water Cave. However..."
"What is with that look in your eyes, brat?"
"Do I, Wang Xianzhou, need the pity of a greenhorn like you? Co, since you think I'm old, let's have a spiritual duel and see."
"It just so happens that your progress in magical combat has been quite rapid these past few years. This ti, I will only suppress my cultivation base, not my strength or thods, to test the results of your cultivation!"
Wang Xianzhou imdiately stepped forward, preparing to grab Yulou's arm to take him out for a thorough test of his cultivation results.
Oh no, I'm going to get beaten up!
Terrified, Yulou hastily ran toward Bai Xiaoyu's room. After their marriage, she and Little Qin had naturally moved into Yulou's estate.
The ancestor was very fond of Bai Xiaoyu. As long as Yulou hid in her room, the ancestor would always leave him so dignity.
It wasn't that Yulou was lazy and didn't want to fight; they had just exchanged blows a few days ago. The aning in Ancestor Xianzhou's words was clearly that he intended to give him a beating.
"Ancestor, I need to discuss Little Fish's entry into Splendid Pool Palace with her! We will duel another day, another day!"
Leaving a plea for rcy in the air, Yulou shut the door to Little Fish's room.
In truth, if the ancestor really wanted to chase him, let alone Yulou, even if Wu Jinyan were here, it would be a lost cause.
Watching Yulou enter Little Fish's room, Ancestor Xianzhou's stern expression softened. He first smiled with satisfaction, but then, as if rembering sothing, a trace of lancholy appeared between his brows.
---
"Hmm? Husband?"
Bai Xiaoyu did not seem to possess the typical fanaticism that cultivators usually had upon first entering the Qi Refining stage. When Yulou walked in, he caught her ssing with the small stone turtle.
The poor little turtle had been placed on the round table by Bai Xiaoyu. Every ti it tried to crawl away, she would pull it back.
She was having a grand ti, while the turtle was suffering an agonizing ordeal. Fortunately, Yulou's arrival temporarily relieved its difficult predicant.
"Little Fish, can I use your room to hide for a bit?"
Sitting down right beside the beauty, Yulou requested with mock formality.
Initially, Bai Xiaoyu subconsciously shrank away from Yulou, but she quickly placed her small hand over his large one and said, "Whenever Husband wishes to co, you may. Little Fish will always wait for you."
Little Fish will always wait for you.
These words were very gentle, but they also seed like a spark, lighting a fire within Yulou's heart.
Yulou realized that the people of this world were not much different from the people of his previous world. Bai Xiaoyu was like this, and so were the thousands of other people he had interacted with.
In the past, he always felt a sense of detachnt from this world.
Sotis, he even thought to himself that his path of cultivation had been incredibly smooth, and he had been born with a mysterious ruyi as an aid. Wasn't this exactly the kind of treatnt reserved for the protagonists and children of fortune in legends?
Of course, whenever his imagination wandered to that point, Yulou would quickly remind himself of things like Mangxiang's overwhelming kindness, his innate entanglent with Dripping Water Cave, and grand cultivators altering the world to seal all paths, thereby refreshing his mind and keeping his Dao heart humble.
But ultimately, Yulou still felt a bit detached from this world in his heart.
Perhaps this was also related to the fact that he had lost his parents in this world at a young age.
Now, looking at the beauty before him, Yulou thought of many things.
Perhaps this was the very aning behind Ancestor Xianzhou urging him to marry.
Suddenly, he discovered to his astonishnt that the bottleneck he had been grinding against for so long without success had actually broken through.
Using his divine sense to inspect his interior, Yulou quickly confird once more—he had reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining!
Looking up, Yulou saw that Little Fish was also filled with surprise. He laughed heartily, pulling the beauty into his arms and kissing her.
"Little Fish, you broke through to Qi Refining in one night, and I broke through to the fourth layer in an instant. Hahaha! Why don't we divorce and marry again tomorrow?"
"Three tis a week, breaking through three layers. In a month, we'll both achieve Foundation Establishnt; in two months, we'll both reach Purple Palace; in three months, we'll both achieve Golden Core! Hahaha!"
Initially, Bai Xiaoyu was surprised and shy from her husband's sudden affection.
But hearing Yulou speak of divorce, her heart instantly tightened.
Yet, after listening to Wang Yulou's nonsense, she burst out laughing instead.
Husband, you really can spin a tale. To spout such outrageous words, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?
"How is that possible? You were stuck at this bottleneck for two months, and I was stuck at the Qi Induction bottleneck for a year. That is why we had today's breakthrough."
"What if? What if this world just happens to have so hidden rule, like breaking through once every ti you marry?"
"When the ti cos and we beco Golden Cores, we can have our own Immortal Venerable titles too. Don't you agree, Immortal Venerable Little Fish?"
Wang Yulou earnestly held Little Fish while researching her future Immortal Venerable title.
"I don't want to be called Immortal Venerable Little Fish. It sounds so easy to bully, like a soft lon. It invites trouble."
Little Fish shook her head like a rattle, the fine hair at her temples swaying back and forth, making Yulou feel incredibly tickled.
Resting his chin against the beauty's head, Yulou teased in response, "Then how about Immortal Venerable Fish Slayer?"
"You just can't get past fish, can you? Besides, I already have a na!"
"Oh? You an you've already thought of your own Immortal Venerable title?"
"Good, good, good. My wife actually aspires to beco an Immortal Venerable."
"Excellent! Full of spirit!"
Though it was a complint, no matter how Bai Xiaoyu heard it, she felt that a phrase like 'full of spirit' was neither suitable for praising a wife nor a cultivator.
In short, it just didn't sound right. It felt like it was constantly shifting between nonsense and serious speech, leaving her unsure whether to be happy or bewildered.
In truth, poor Little Fish didn't realize that she was already bewildered.
Her husband from another world had given her a small, mind-bending shock.
"So, my dear Little Fish, what is the title you thought of for yourself?"
Well, the shocks were continuing.
How could he utter such sappy words so easily?
Bai Xiaoyu pinched her flushed cheeks and asked shyly, "Is my face very, very red right now?"
The girl's train of thought was truly peculiar. Yulou couldn't fathom how she had pulled off such a sudden conversational sharp turn.
"Huh?"
Seeing this foolish man utterly clueless, Little Fish smiled tenderly.
"Wang Yulou, sotis you are incredibly clever, and sotis you are like a total dummy. What are we going to do with you in the future?"
Yulou replied confidently, "With you around, I won't have to worry about the affairs of River Bend Fishing Port. I can focus on cultivating and achieve Foundation Establishnt as soon as possible."
"When that ti cos, I will lead you and Little Qin to Foundation Establishnt as well. When our family has three or four Foundation Establishnt cultivators, no problem will be a problem anymore!"
"I was just confessing my feelings to you, and yet you tell about leading Qin Churan to Foundation Establishnt and having three or four of them in the family."
"Husband, tell yourself, is this appropriate?"
Oh no. Yulou realized that Bai Xiaoyu seed a lot smarter than she looked.
"It's inappropriate. I was rash," Yulou replied ekly. Because the breakthrough to the fourth layer had brought him too much joy, he had indeed lost himself a little just now.
Bai Xiaoyu caressed Yulou's neck. She found that the texture of his Adam's apple felt rather unique to the touch, a bit like raw beef tendon.
"Alright, Husband, I know I have no right to dictate who you choose as a Dao companion, but I do have a request."
"Do not ntion those things in front of . When you do, I feel unhappy, and I want to be happy."
What a wonderful girl. Yulou felt as though he had been thoroughly captivated.
"Alright, I promise you!"
The two lingered in each other's company for a while longer before Yulou rode his crane out the door once more.
The gentle embrace of a beauty was wonderful, but Yulou's ambitions extended far beyond that.
Only by securing Little Fish's position as the Town Guardian Cultivator of River Bend Fishing Port could he walk further.
Old Cui had never thought to place his own hounds into official positions at River Bend Fishing Port, but Yulou did.
Not just Little Fish; Yulou was even pondering how to secure an 'official post' for He Laosan and the small stone turtle.
On the surface, it seed Wang Yulou was undermining Dripping Water Cave, but in truth, he was indeed doing exactly that.
However, if Wang Yulou didn't take advantage, was he supposed to just watch the Yuan Clan, the Zhuo Clan, and the Lin Clan take it all?
On a grander scale, wasn't True Person Mangxiang—no, the quasi-Immortal Venerable Mangxiang—also frantically undermining Red Lantern Show and the various forces under its banner?
Everyone was digging at the sa foundation. Was the scoop Wang Yulou took any more despicable than the scoops taken by others?
Absolutely not. One either beca the at on the chopping block, a re sacrifice, or climbed to the absolute peak where no one could ever toy with their destiny again.
---
As the administrative body governing the outer sect disciples of Dripping Water Cave, Splendid Pool Palace seed to be a step lower than Azurewater Palace.
But in reality, the specifications here were just as high as Azurewater Palace, and the sa applied to Clear Spring Palace.
Deacon Wu Faxian of Azurewater Palace's rit Hall was at peak Qi Refining, and Inspector Wang Yaohai of Splendid Pool Palace was also at peak Qi Refining. Their ranks were equal, one level higher than Yulou's position as the Town Guardian Cultivator of River Bend Fishing Port.
Of course, compared to Lin Ying, who guarded the eighth-grade spiritual resource site of Immortal Mushroom Cave, all three of them fell short—there were disparities even among Azurewater Palace disciples.
After all, Lin Ying was a direct descendant of a Foundation Establishnt family, whereas Wang Yaohai had rely apprenticed under a Foundation Establishnt master, and Wu Faxian had relied purely on slowly grinding out his seniority to climb the ranks.
Many people mistakenly believed that promoting based on seniority was a flaw, but the existence of such a system actually protected the interests of those with shallow backgrounds.
Age and seniority were the fairest trics. Compared to other selection criteria, the model within Dripping Water Cave that allowed disciples to climb based on seniority was actually the closest thing to absolute fairness in the sect.
After all, Wu Faxian and Wang Yaohai obviously couldn't compete with Lin Ying's background. For cultivators like Lin Ying, once they had a backing, any form of selection would always deem them the most excellent—except for grinding seniority.
Of course, there were no real selections in Dripping Water Cave, nor were there any in Red Lantern Show. That was why Yulou and Lin Ying could secure such excellent positions through what seed like highly unfair ans.
Why was it only 'seemingly' unfair?
Because the Lin family had bled for Dripping Water Cave, and the Wang Clan had shed blood for Patriarch Mangxiang.
In terms of allocating benefits, taking care of the core ruling demographic to the greatest extent possible was fundantally logical—there wasn't a single flaw in it!
So-called fairness was a joke in front of Foundation Establishnt cultivators who could shear mountain peaks and fill lakes at a whim.
Whether it was for Dripping Water Cave, Red Lantern Show, or even the Wang Clan of Anbei Kingdom, it was all the sa; their rulers had to look after the interests of their core base.
In Dripping Water Cave, resources tilted toward the Foundation Establishnt cultivators; in Red Lantern Show, resources tilted toward the Purple Palace experts; within the Wang Clan, resources tilted toward the direct lineage.
The structural advantage of a sect manifested here. Under the frawork of a sect, even systems that appeared unfair still left a certain degree of space—though not necessarily a large one—for others to catch up later.
By casting aside the divide between direct lineages and external surnas found in families, a sect could achieve a more efficient distribution of resources through its institutional design. Sothing like Wang Rongjiang receiving the clan's support three tis for Foundation Establishnt would never happen within a sect.
Thus, over a long period, a sect would naturally develop better than a clan.
Of course, clans had their own advantages.
For instance, if Dripping Water Cave went to war with the Valley Spirit Sect, did anyone think Elder Zhuo Chi would help the Yuan Clan?
Absolutely not!
A clan, however, could achieve complete unity. To put it plainly, a clan sought a balance between maximizing profits and emotional solidarity, whereas a sect only cared about maximizing profits.
The cultivators within a clan had a high floor but a low ceiling, while those within a sect had a low floor but a high ceiling.
Consequently, the Wang Clan would keep its most talented children at ho to be nurtured, and once they were sufficiently trained, they would be sent into sects to develop under the Immortal Alliance system.
On one hand, this allowed them to utilize the high ceiling of the sects to save the resources the clan would otherwise expend on nurturing its youth. Wang Jingyi and the current Wang Yulou were pri examples of this.
Wang Jingyi had cultivated in the sect for so many years; the assistance provided by the clan was minimal, yet it didn't stop her from becoming an exceptionally strong, seasoned Foundation Establishnt cultivator.
Wang Yulou had been in Dripping Water Cave for less than three years, yet he had directly seized the majority of the profits from River Bend Fishing Port. With spirit stones flowing in daily, he had thousands of spirit stones as a baseline every year, and in the future, tens of thousands were not out of the question.
Naturally, this was the result of Yulou's ruthless thods, highly effective business insights, and the clan's backing and support, alongside various other factors working in tandem.
But even without so many advantages, as long as Yulou defeated Old Cui, his profits would still be exceptionally high—it would just be a bit slower.
---
The spiritual crane landed on the plaza in front of Splendid Pool Palace, drawing the gazes of a crowd of Splendid Pool Palace disciples.
He Laosan's temperant was incredibly absurd, and Yulou had already resolved to replace his spiritual mount.
However, in the eyes of other cultivators, Wang Yulou's spiritual crane was like a luxury carriage, exceptionally flashy.
Particularly since Wang Yulou looked unnaturally young, yet he wore the Dharma robes of an Azurewater Palace disciple.
Young, riding a spiritual crane, an Azurewater Palace disciple...
Seeing Yulou's arrival, many Splendid Pool Palace disciples actively went out of their way to avoid him.
What if he was an arrogant, overbearing young master?
Clearly, their worries were superfluous. If trouble arose, Yulou would not only refrain from being arrogant, but he would also be the first to run away.
Wang Yulou walked with a modest deanor into the small courtyard area reserved for deacons near Splendid Pool Palace, heading straight for Wang Yaohai's residence.
He sent out a transmission talisman, and within monts, the door was pushed open. It was Wang Yaohai himself who opened it.
This veteran Qi Refining cultivator of Dripping Water Cave was initially startled by Yulou's fourth-layer Qi Refining cultivation base. Then, with a face full of smiles, he pulled Yulou into the estate.
"Yulou, today is a coincidence. Junior Brother Ji Yuan just arrived, and you followed right after. Perfect, we can have a few good drinks together."
"However, the wine I have here isn't as good as your Crystal Ray Wine. You mustn't look down on it~"
Yulou imdiately noticed that in the side hall used for receiving guests, the Town Guardian Cultivator of White Mao Fishing Port, the Yuan Clan disciple Ji Yuan, was standing there.
Ji Yuan smiled and nodded at Yulou, but upon noticing Yulou's fourth-layer Qi Refining cultivation base, his expression managent slipped entirely, and he froze for a brief mont.
Three years, from the first layer of Qi Refining to the fourth layer.
Terrifying!
"Of course I won't mind. With both Senior Brothers here, even drinking plain water would taste sweet. Yesterday, when you two ca to witness the ceremony, I wasn't able to entertain you properly. Today, I'll drink to our hearts' content with both of you."
Damn it, there was always drinking to be done everywhere. Wang Yulou truly disliked this thod of closing distances through raising cups and exchanging toasts.
Since this was a private banquet for a formal visit involving a request for Wang Yaohai's help, Yulou couldn't easily refuse.
Interests could rent power, but a pure relationship of interest was clearly not as useful as one with so emotional connection. Cultivators were human too. Take Wang Yaohai, for instance; he was soone who had bent his back to reality.
Don't forget, Ji Yuan and Wang Yaohai used to be quite at odds—all because of that matter with the iron crocodile dragon. Yet today, the two had mixed together.
One could only say it was interesting, very interesting.
This behavior of Wang Yaohai, displaying such a massive shift in attitude, was sigh-inducing upon reflection.
Yulou naturally wouldn't look down on this Senior Brother Wang. Although they shared the sa surna, their cultivation experiences were worlds apart. Yulou enjoyed the leisure brought by his background, but he would not shalessly mock and belittle others whose backgrounds were inferior to his own.
For Senior Brother Yaohai to have a Foundation Establishnt master now and be able to touch upon a few fragnts of the chance for Foundation Establishnt ant he was already very hardworking and fortunate.
The servants served the dishes, and the spiritual wine was set out. Although Ji Yuan and Yulou had both arrived unexpectedly, Wang Yaohai's hospitality was undeniably thorough.
Spirit fish, spiritual beast at, the blue rice specialty of Dripping Water Cave, spiritual fruits, and spiritual wine—Yulou swept his eyes over the table, feeling a slight chill in his heart.
This table cost at least twenty spirit stones. Senior Brother Yaohai was indeed generous.
It was actually quite interesting here. Wang Yaohai had apprenticed under an external Foundation Establishnt cultivator of the Yuan Clan, while Ji Yuan had apprenticed under a direct lineage Foundation Establishnt cultivator of the Yuan Clan, yet neither of these two ca from prominent clans themselves. Yulou, on the other hand, ca from a family outside Dripping Water Cave.
Consequently, they were able to reach a consensus when mocking the well-known, arrogant young masters of the prominent clans.
This unspoken understanding was clearly noticed by all three of them.
The n first chatted about nonsense, then took a turn cursing the universally hated young masters of the prominent clans within Dripping Water Cave. After drawing closer, they finally steered the conversation toward official business.
However, Wang Yaohai had sohow bought bitter leaf wine. Although it was a ninth-grade spiritual wine, it tasted incredibly bitter.
But under the persuasion of the two, Yulou ended up accompanying them for an unknown number of rounds until his head even felt a bit dizzy.
Yet, upon hearing Ji Yuan's words, Yulou's mind cleared instantly.
"Brother Yaohai, my master intends to have transfer from the position of Town Guardian Cultivator of White Mao Fishing Port into the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team. You served as a squad leader in the patrol team for many years."
"With this visit, I want to seek guidance from Senior Brother on how I can integrate with the other fellow disciples as quickly as possible once I arrive at the patrol team. I hope Brother Yaohai will not hesitate to enlighten ."
The Town Guardian Cultivator of White Mao Fishing Port was like guarding a hen house waiting for golden eggs, while the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team was like wandering around the chicken coop looking for stray opportunities.
In other words, the position of Splendid Pool Palace Inspector that Wang Yaohai had secured after apprenticing was equal in rank to a fishing port's Town Guardian Cultivator.
Which ant Ji Yuan was being demoted.
"Did you offend Martial Uncle Yuan?" Wang Yaohai glanced at Yulou, seeing him smile back, before lowering his voice to ask Ji Yuan.
"No, I am going to serve as a Deacon of the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team. But you must know how easily that deacon position offends people, Brother Yaohai. I'm afraid!" Ji Yuan smiled bitterly.
Now, Yulou finally understood; this fellow was being promoted.
The ordinary mbers of the patrol team were like beasts of burden; they couldn't control this, they couldn't touch that, and they absolutely couldn't afford to provoke any Lin family hounds, Yuan family dogs, or Zhuo family cats.
But while ordinary mbers were beasts of burden, Ji Yuan was going in as a leader.
A deacon of the patrol team belonged to the managent layer of the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team, assisting the Foundation Establishnt elders in carrying out tasks. Such a position, if executed well, could be considered highly promising.
It offered leisure, abundant rewards, few troubles, and significant authority. It was safe to say it was not inferior to a deacon position in the rit Hall.
However, under the balanced chess match of the prominent clans, a deacon position in the rit Hall could only be obtained by slowly waiting out one's seniority, whereas a promotion like Ji Yuan's could be arranged imdiately as long as soone pushed hard for it.
"A deacon position?" Wang Yaohai confird, his voice slightly strained.
Within Dripping Water Cave, the next best positions for Azurewater Palace disciples were Deacons of the Azurewater Palace rit Hall, Inspectors, Assistant Deacons, Town Guardian Cultivators, and so on. Yulou's ability to secure a Town Guardian Cultivator position right from the start due to his background as an external elite had made him quite famous.
But there was another kind of position—a deacon post assisting Foundation Establishnt cultivators. Such positions were the exclusive domain of the prominent clans.
Only the children of prominent clans could secure such roles, and once they sat in them, the benefits were simply too nurous.
"Yes, but I'm afraid I won't do well. Sigh..." Ji Yuan smiled bitterly.
Yulou suddenly rembered that the elder currently in charge of the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team was Zhuo Yinlan of the Zhuo Clan, while Ji Yuan's master was a direct lineage Foundation Establishnt cultivator of the Yuan Clan!
Good, good, good. What did this count as?
In contrast, the mont Wang Yaohai apprenticed under an external Foundation Establishnt cultivator of the Yuan Clan, he was imdiately transferred out of the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team. The disparity within this was hard to put into words.
Ji Yuan's personnel arrangent practically reeked of gunpowder. He was likely being sent as the Yuan Clan's vanguard.
"You do need to be careful. Sigh, Junior Brother Ji Yuan, you should have heard about Martial Uncle Zhuo Yinlan's temperant."
"She always claims she cannot tolerate any sand in her eyes, but in truth, she just wants to use that as an excuse to find faults in her subordinates so she can pocket more for herself."
"Going there to assist her, you must be careful, extra careful..."
The two chatted about Ji Yuan's upcoming work, while Yulou silently listened from the side.
He had thoroughly figured it out. After Yuan Daoshen and Sect Master Qu had generously used the sect's resources to win him over at his concubine-taking ceremony yesterday, both Wang Yaohai and Ji Yuan had begun to treat him as half an insider.
This posture of straddling the fence to reap benefits from both sides was undoubtedly dangerous, but given the current situation where the two major factions of Dripping Water Cave fought without breaking ties, the benefits far outweighed the dangers for Yulou.
If nothing else, simply by listening to Wang Yaohai and Ji Yuan's conversation on how to guard against Zhuo Yinlan targeting Ji Yuan, it would make it much easier for Yulou to ask Wang Yaohai for help later in arranging Little Fish's Town Guardian Cultivator post.
Sharing a common secret was a secret technique for elevating a relationship.
"...In other words, Brother Ji, as long as you can endure her initial onslaught, she won't easily find trouble with you afterward."
"After all, a Foundation Establishnt cultivator must place their primary energy on cultivation. If you prove difficult to handle, she will naturally lose interest. Of course, you still need to guard against her."
Facing Ji Yuan's request for help, Wang Yaohai held nothing back, explaining everything thoroughly and minutely.
Ji Yuan raised his cup, poured so wine, and knocked it back in one go before saying, "Senior Brother Yaohai, with your analysis, I finally have so confidence to take office. This junior brother thanks you deeply."
To beco a follower of a prominent clan ant bearing the responsibilities expected of a follower. Ji Yuan had no reason to refuse his master's arrangent; the only thing he could do was try his absolute best to protect himself.
"You're too polite, too polite."
Once Wang Yaohai and Ji Yuan finished exchanging pleasantries, the forr turned his gaze toward Yulou and said genially, "Yulou, you rarely visit. If there's anything you need, just say the word. As long as it's within my power, I will definitely do my best!"
This attitude was significantly warr than his attitude toward Ji Yuan.
The respect he showed was not for Wang Yulou himself, but for Wang Yulou's background.
A trace of lancholy flickered in Ji Yuan's eyes. He had even brought gifts with him today...
Alas, the wine in the cup is only poured for the sons of high gates.
Wang Yulou smiled and said, "Senior Brother Wang, this matter is actually sothing Senior Brother Ji knows about as well. It concerns the position of Town Guardian Cultivator for River Bend Fishing Port."
"Little Fish has now broken through to Qi Refining, allowing her to enter Splendid Pool Palace as a disciple. If the position of Town Guardian Cultivator remains vacant any longer, I fear complications may arise."
Wang Yaohai's smile grew even more radiant. This Junior Brother Yulou was truly extraordinarily capable.
First, he had eliminated Cui Dingyi, then he had left Old Cui's Town Guardian Cultivator position vacant, waiting until his concubine reached Qi Refining before directly arranging her succession.
Considering the way Zhang Xuewu had barked on Wang Yulou's behalf yesterday, it was hard to say whether River Bend Fishing Port would truly belong to Dripping Water Cave in the future.
River Bend Fishing Port?
No!
It was Wang Yulou Fishing Port!
If Wang Yulou wanted to eat fish, he wouldn't even need to say sothing like 'Old Zhang, I want to eat fish.' He would just need to raise a finger, and the people below would deliver it straight to his throat—a direct line to his stomach.
"Yulou, this matter would be highly difficult for anyone else, but given our relationship, even if I have to go beg, I will get it settled cleanly for you as quickly as possible."
"Rest assured, even if an Immortal Venerable cos, they won't be able to snatch away your woman's position as Town Guardian Cultivator. Hahaha."
It was unclear whether Wang Yaohai was drunk or if he had only been kneeling for a few years, causing his character to not have fully transitioned yet.
Though he was joking, the joke felt very cold and rather startling.
Yulou and Ji Yuan both hesitated for a brief mont before laughing along in agreent.
---
After chatting a bit longer, Yulou took his leave first.
When Ji Yuan finally ca out, half an hour had already passed since Yulou's departure. It was clear that Wang Yaohai had indeed been very enthusiastic.
However, upon leaving the deacons' courtyard area, Ji Yuan noticed that Yulou seed to be waiting for him.
"Yulou?" he called out with a hint of hesitation as he stepped forward.
Co to think of it, he had known Yulou for several years now, but their relationship was neither close nor distant. They were friends, ordinary friends.
"Let's head back together. Yulou has so questions he wishes to seek guidance on from Senior Brother Ji Yuan." Wang Yulou summoned his flying boat, and the two flew together toward River Bend Fishing Port.
Ji Yuan was still the Town Guardian Cultivator of White Mao Fishing Port since his transfer hadn't been processed yet. The two locations were not far apart, so traveling back together was perfectly natural.
"Yulou, drop the 'Senior Brother.' I can't carry it. You are the most cultured son of a prominent clan I have ever t."
"Just call Brother Ji. Strictly speaking, I should be older than you, but my potential falls far short of yours."
Yulou knew that his cultivation base today had stunned both Wang Yaohai and Ji Yuan, but this was not because his cultivation base was exceptionally high; it was purely due to his rapid speed of cultivation.
"Senior Brother's words are incorrect. Cultivation is about a hundred boats contending to cross. As for speed, one only needs to compare themselves to their past self."
"Now that Senior Brother has secured the opportunity to serve as a deacon in the Grotto Heaven Patrol Team, you will only walk faster and faster in the future. Perhaps you will achieve Foundation Establishnt in a few years."
Ji Yuan naturally wouldn't beco conceited because of Yulou's words. On the contrary, his respect for Yulou deepened by another fraction.
This son of the Wang Clan was formidable, exceptionally formidable.
Despite already being a renowned figure within Dripping Water Cave Heaven, he possessed not a single shred of arrogance. He was like still water in the mountains, his deanor remaining extraordinarily detached.
"Let's drop that. I only wish to avoid making mistakes under Elder Zhuo. On the other hand, if there's anything you want to ask, just speak freely."
"You rose all the way from Clear Spring Palace, so you are most familiar with the problems faced by Splendid Pool Palace disciples."
"Zhang Xuewu and Little Fish are both my vital assistants. In the future, if I wish for them to enter Azurewater Palace, what directions should we work toward?"
Yulou was very candid. Old Zhang and Little Fish were both his people; Ji Yuan knew this, so there was nothing to hide.
"Well, there are twenty fixed quotas every year."
"Among them, more than half are usually reserved exclusively for cultivators from prominent clans."
"If you want to secure an Azurewater Palace disciple identity for your woman, it shouldn't be difficult. You can try once she reaches the middle stage of Qi Refining."
"Zhang Xuewu will be troubleso. Of the remaining seven or eight quotas, four are open to Splendid Pool Palace disciples at the late stage of Qi Refining."
"As long as they can cultivate to the late stage, they can line up to wait for these four quotas. When their turn cos, they will naturally get in."
"The remaining few quotas require so 'cultivation.' This target of cultivation refers to the disciples of Foundation Establishnt elders."
Yulou was sowhat dumbfounded.
Good, good, good. He had always known that the selection systems of Red Lantern Show and Dripping Water Cave were corrupt, but he hadn't expected them to be this corrupt.
Out of twenty quotas, sixteen were controlled by Foundation Establishnt cultivators, while the remaining four required queuing up to grind seniority.
This ant that according to this institutional design, Dripping Water Cave had once again handed a massive gift to the sect's Foundation Establishnt elders during the process of elevating Splendid Pool Palace disciples to Azurewater Palace disciples.
Clan children were prioritized, and with over half the quotas, it was enough for the less talented direct descendants of all the prominent clans to easily enter Azurewater Palace. The absolute best talents of the prominent clans had the chance to enter Azurewater Palace directly upon reaching Qi Refining; Lin Ying and Yulou were pri examples.
At the sa ti, this selection model forced outstanding Splendid Pool Palace disciples to apprentice under Foundation Establishnt elders, serving as beasts of burden to do their bidding.
A win-win situation—the Foundation Establishnt elders and the prominent clans of Dripping Water Cave won twice.
This system was truly masterfully crafted, looking after the core base of the sect to the absolute limit.
"Must I find a master for Zhang Xuewu?" Yulou wasn't very keen on taking this route.
Was that choosing a master for his subordinate?
That was surrendering his own room to maneuver between the factions!
"Actually, there is another path. Back then, Senior Brother Yaohai took this very path."
"Oh? What kind of path?"
"Hunting demons in the West Sea. Every year, the Immortal Alliance requires Dripping Water Cave to send forty disciples to the West Sea to hunt demons, but that matter is fraught with absolute danger..." Speaking to this point, Ji Yuan fell silent.
He thought of Wang Yaohai.
The past Wang Yaohai had looked down on him, while the current Wang Yaohai treated him with great amiability.
But in truth, within Ji Yuan's heart, he admired that arrogant but ambitious Senior Brother Wang Yaohai from before, rather than this current version who had lost his spine and knelt down.
Even though Ji Yuan himself had knelt long ago, becoming a running dog under the Yuan Clan early on...
But the human heart was always imnsely complicated, wasn't it?
Watching Wang Yaohai awkwardly trying to alter his posture to beco a qualified follower of a prominent clan, using clumsy jokes to curry favor with two 'peers,' Ji Yuan saw reflections of his past self.
Kneeling, integrating, and becoming the version those people desired.
The process of screening, shaping, and alienation had destroyed the original Ji Yuan, and it was currently destroying the original Wang Yaohai.
"...That matter is fraught with absolute danger, so the sect promised that as long as disciples are willing to go, all sorts of rewards will be arranged."
"Among them, Splendid Pool Palace disciples can accept this mission upon reaching the sixth layer of Qi Refining or the late stage of Qi Refining."
"As long as they survive in the West Sea for twenty years, upon their return, they will naturally beco Azurewater Palace disciples. Naturally, other rewards will not be lacking either."
"When Senior Brother Yaohai went to the West Sea, his cultivation base was at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. When he returned, he was already at peak Qi Refining, allowing him to beco an Azurewater Palace disciple and even serve as a squad leader in the patrol team."
Sending Zhang Xuewu to hunt demons in the West Sea?
Yulou's brows knit tightly together.
Thinking of Zhang Xuewu's capabilities, he didn't believe Old Zhang could survive twenty years in a place like the West Sea.
Zhang Xuewu's foundation was simply too shallow. Even when Wang Yulou was at the third layer of Qi Refining, he had the confidence to easily crush him in a spiritual duel.
Bloodlines could not be changed, the West Sea was out of the question, and queuing was even more impossible... So, was apprenticing the only option left?
"Is there truly no other thod?"
Ji Yuan offered a gentle smile and said, "There is. Eight thousand spirit stones for an Azurewater Palace disciple position, fair prices for all. If you approach the Yuan Clan, the price can probably go even lower."
Wang Yulou laughed as well.
Old Zhang, oh Old Zhang, I truly do want to arrange an Azurewater Palace disciple position for you and have you serve as a Town Guardian Cultivator elsewhere. But even if I dismantle you and sell your parts individually, you wouldn't be worth eight thousand spirit stones.
"Understood. Additionally, Senior Brother Ji, how did you ultimately handle Cui Yanzong?"
"Chopped to pieces and thrown into Beautiful Water Lake. Since he dared to cause trouble on the day of your marriage, Yulou, I naturally wouldn't show him any leniency."
Ji Yuan hadn't expected Yulou to ask this, so he responded with a slightly murderous tone.
It was about making a gesture, after all.
What Yulou thought of, however, was that dead n tell no tales.
Yuan Daoshen, oh Yuan Daoshen, why would you, with the dignity of a Foundation Establishnt expert, kill a re Qi Induction cultivator?
Originally, Yulou's suspicions regarding this matter had long been dispelled. After all, Yuan Daoshen could be considered to have gifted him two thousand rit points—the crimson Dharma sword refined by Yuan Daoshen was worth two thousand one hundred rit points, while the five hundred spirit stones Yulou had forfeited were worth one hundred.
Such a massive gift made it impossible for him to harbor suspicions toward Yuan Daoshen's actions under normal circumstances.
But now, because of Ji Yuan's answer, Yulou's suspicions flared up once more.
"Good, good, good. Thank you, Senior Brother Ji. However, since Senior Brother Ji has helped Yulou so significantly..."
Though suspicious in his heart, Yulou naturally wouldn't let Ji Yuan see any anomaly. He praised repeatedly before steering the conversation toward another matter.
"You're too polite, Yulou. We are brothers, no need for such words!"
"Hahaha, Senior Brother Ji has helped imnsely, so I am naturally grateful to you."
"There is a sentence I cannot say for certain whether it is right or wrong, but reflecting on it, speaking it is always better than remaining silent."
Ji Yuan felt a bit puzzled. What did Wang Yulou an by this?
"There is no harm in speaking, Yulou, no harm in speaking."
Yulou spoke slowly, his tone exceptionally grave.
"The Yuan Clan possesses a significant number of late-stage Qi Refining cultivators among its direct descendants, external surnas, and disciples."
"If Senior Brother Ji wishes to utilize the Yuan Clan's assistance to achieve Foundation Establishnt, you cannot simply seek absolute stability in the position of Grotto Heaven Patrol Team Deacon."
"However, as for how exactly you should act to perform what needs to be done without harming yourself, I am not in that position, so I truly dare not speak recklessly."
"These words co from my mouth and enter your ears. I deeply hope Senior Brother will not speak of them to others."
"Yulou does not wish to be dragged into the disputes between the Yuan Clan of Dripping Water Cave and other families like the Zhuo Clan."
Seeing Ji Yuan's face full of astonishnt, Yulou smiled, bowing as he said, "Senior Brother, River Bend Fishing Port has arrived. Yulou wishes Senior Brother great success in your position as a patrol team deacon!"
With that, Yulou turned and flew back toward River Bend Fishing Port.
As for Wang Yulou's words, even if Yulou hadn't reminded him, it was impossible for him to speak of them to others.
The Yuan Clan was the Yuan Clan, while the relationship between Yulou and Ji Yuan belonged to Ji Yuan himself.
Gazing at Wang Yulou's departing back, Ji Yuan felt a sense of bewildernt.
To advance was a mountain of blades and a sea of fire; to retreat was to forfeit all chance.
Difficult, difficult, truly difficult!
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