Inside the Immortal Venerable Palace of Lotus Immortal City, Zhou Bojiao, whose soul was anchored within the body of a flood dragon, bowed his head before a hazy, misty orb.
The orb was roughly the size of a fist, filled with churning, ever-changing mist. At this mont, the vapor coalesced into the shape of a human face, speaking directly with True Person Fujiao.
"Little Zhou, you know my situation well. It might be five or six hundred years before there is any result for .
"But you have lost your physical body, leaving your soul with nothing to nourish it. Can you truly last another five or six hundred years?"
Zhou Bojiao fell silent for a brief mont before asking respectfully.
"Fujiao is unwilling to stop here. I hope Senior Qingrui can grant so guidance."
As it turned out, the face within that misty orb was a manifestation created by the spellwork of Immortal Venerable Qingrui.
The gray mist continued to shift, and the face did not reply imdiately; there seed to be a slight delay in their communication.
After a long while, the blurry gray face spoke once more.
"Very well. There is, after all, a thread of destiny between us.
"Zhuzhao knows nothing but magical combat, and there has been no news from Chiming for many years. Your only chance lies with Mangxiang.
"I will send a letter to him. Little Zhou, endure what must be endured.
"Mangxiang wishes to achieve the Golden Core realm, and your assistance can give him an extra edge. He will also show face, so he will at least guarantee not to break his promise."
To think that in the end, he would still have to beg Mangxiang. Zhou Bojiao sighed deeply in his heart and said respectfully.
"Senior's imnse grace is sothing Fujiao will surely repay in the future."
After another long pause, the face smiled.
"No need for future repaynt. The thread of destiny between us ends here. Go."
Evidently, Immortal Venerable Qingrui was not lacking in sycophants; she found Zhou Bojiao's groveling behavior to be nothing but a nuisance.
Zhou Bojiao naturally dared not show any dissatisfaction. He rely said respectfully, 'May Senior Qingrui enjoy eternal immortal bliss,' and swiftly departed from the Immortal Venerable Palace.
The hazy gray mist grew perfectly still after his departure. The orb rested quietly upon a specially crafted treasure dais, which was positioned at the absolute center of the grand hall within the Immortal Venerable Palace.
Immortal Venerable Qingrui would not easily show herself, yet her authority was not diminished in the slightest.
Even when facing a re manifestation of her magic, Zhou Bojiao had to speak while kneeling.
Even when Zhou Bojiao desperately wanted to serve her like a loyal dog, she could casually reject him out of distaste—she had no wish to draw the resentnt of Mangxiang, who was on the verge of becoming a Golden Core cultivator.
In fact, nudging Zhou Bojiao to serve Mangxiang instead could itself be seen as a gift from Immortal Venerable Qingrui to Mangxiang.
—
While Little Zhou and his Senior Qingrui were conversing over his destiny, Yulou had taken Senior Martial Sister Lin to begin their grand pre-wedding shopping spree.
The Lin family had provided a dowry of thirty thousand spirit stones, along with two mbers of the Lin clan to serve Yulou like beasts of burden, accompanied by a luxurious spiritual bird.
Wang Yulou naturally would not be stingy; he had set a personal shopping budget of ten thousand spirit stones.
He had to thoroughly win over Lin Ying, letting his senior martial sister know that by following him, life would only go from wonderful to even more magnificent.
As for being looked down upon as a wretched beggar from the provinces by others earlier, Wang Yulou felt no psychological burden whatsoever.
What kind of person he was depended on the opinions of his fellow disciples, his fellow Daoists, and his elders.
The disdain of an outsider would not hinder his growth, let alone affect his Dao heart.
One could only say that the provisions of the Immortal Alliance were truly nourishing, allowing even such an idiot to reach peak Qi Condensation.
He was nothing more than a fool even more foolish than a glaringly obvious, massive idiot. Why bother acknowledging him?
As for Zhou Yingxi, Yulou cared even less. The two of them were rely friends; everyone had their own path, and he could not interfere with her choices.
The Mountain and Sea Pavilion was one of the most prestigious shops in Lotus Immortal City, and it naturally would not leave paying custors feeling unsatisfied. Their sales tactics were highly distinct.
Inside a reception room reserved exclusively for esteed guests, Lin Ying and Yulou sat at the head of the room, while a female sales cultivator at the late Qi Condensation stage stood to their side. She began introducing the first magic robe, which had been brought out by a Qi Induction clerk.
"This 'Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains' robe is perfectly suited for wood-thod and water-thod cultivators. Its most unique feature is that it cos in matching male and female variants. Both of you are an exceptionally well-matched couple; no matter who wears it, it will look absolutely stunning. Would you like to try it on?"
The female sales cultivator from the Mountain and Sea Pavilion was highly skilled in her pitch, and the Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains robe was indeed incredibly beautiful, causing Lin Ying's eyes to light up with admiration.
The base color of the robe was a misty gray-white, reminiscent of the scenery after a fresh rain, yet it was not dull in the least, as the fabric was accented with elegant lines and patterns of golden-azure.
As a mid-grade artifact-tier robe, the visual effect of the Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains was a whole tier above ordinary low-grade robes. The subtle gray-white base blended perfectly with the golden-azure accents.
Without even seeing it worn, Lin Ying was already visualizing how striking Yulou would look in this robe.
Seeing that Lin Ying was tempted, the late Qi Condensation female cultivator pressed her advantage.
"Furthermore, if either of you is unsatisfied with the patterns, our Mountain and Sea Pavilion offers a semi-customization service. You can enjoy the quality of a tailored garnt while saving a portion of spirit stones.
"While neither of you is lacking in wealth, saving a few spirit stones to purchase spiritual pills or other spiritual materials is always a wise choice."
The Mountain and Sea Pavilion was professional indeed. After a few well-placed remarks, Senior Martial Sister Lin, who initially had been reluctant to accept an expensive gift, found her resolve wavering.
True, accepting a lavish gift felt inappropriate, but they were about to be wed. Getting a set of matching male and female robes was only natural, wasn't it?
Noticing Lin Ying looking toward him, Wang Yulou pondered for a mont before asking.
"How did you know that my senior martial sister and I practice water and wood thods respectively?"
Hearing Yulou's question, Lin Ying instantly grew alert.
Her experiences today had been far too overwhelming. The bustling immortal city, the vast grotto-heaven, and the utter fools of the Immortal Alliance—each thing had left her feeling subtly tense.
Because of this, she had failed to notice the anomaly in the female cultivator's pitch when she introduced the robes just now.
Upon hearing Yulou's question, the female cultivator offered a gentle bow and smiled.
"The main entrance of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion features a specialized formation that can roughly assess the nature of the cultivation thods practiced by our custors, allowing us to better serve them.
"However, our establishnt is backed by the Moon Splendor Sect. We would never compromise our reputation by leaking custor information. You may rest assured."
Directly managed by the Moon Splendor Sect?
Only then did Wang Yulou recall that when entering the establishnt, a moon-shaped ornant had been hanging by the door. He had assud it was a re decoration, but it turned out to be a command token of the Moon Splendor Sect.
Nodding to show his acceptance of her explanation, Yulou then said.
"Let us look at so others. We can select a few styles for my senior martial sister to try on together so we can compare them. By the way, what is the price of this Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains robe?"
"That will be two thousand four hundred spirit stones each," the female cultivator replied with a smile.
Lin Ying's eyes widened. It could be said that this was the widest her eyes had ever been in her life.
The immortal city was grand, and the Lotus Canopy Grotto-Heaven was vast; coming here to look around was certainly an eye-opening experience.
But the prices of the robes here seed altogether too exorbitant.
The 'Red Clouds Accented with Azure' low-grade robe that Yu'an had bought for Senior Martial Sister Ningyao had cost him fifty dragon tokens, which amounted to five hundred spirit stones.
An ordinary mid-grade robe would at most triple in price, and an entry-level version with a nine-layer restriction might not even double it.
Yet this single piece of Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains actually demanded two thousand four hundred spirit stones. Even now, when the prices of various artifacts and spiritual materials had surged drastically, that amount could easily buy a decent high-grade artifact.
The Gold Thread Mirror-Silver Shield that Redbrow had sold at the Qingxi underground auction was an excellent item among high-grade artifacts, and it had fetched three thousand spirit stones.
If sold in the current market, it would likely fetch four thousand five hundred. However, an ordinary high-grade artifact with around twenty restrictions could indeed be bought easily for two thousand four hundred spirit stones.
Yet, Wang Yulou's next words pushed Senior Martial Sister Lin past her physiological limits, causing her eyes to widen even further than before.
"That is reasonable. In addition, you may bring out the high-grade robes for us to view."
In the Mountain and Sea Pavilion, a single mid-grade robe cost two thousand four hundred spirit stones. One could well imagine the price of a high-grade robe.
Fearing that Wang Yulou was rely putting on airs, the female cultivator cautioned him.
"Fellow Daoist, to be clear, the price for a single piece of the Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains is two thousand four hundred."
Make no mistake, it is twenty-four hundred for one, not for both.
Yulou frowned, displeased. "Just bring them out. Why all the chatter?"
Once the female cultivator departed, Lin Ying turned her head and whispered to Wang Yulou.
"Why don't we go to another shop? This is too expensive. The price of a single mid-grade robe can buy a high-grade artifact."
Yulou looked affectionately at the beautiful woman before him and emphasized seriously.
"Senior Martial Sister, a top beauty of Dripdrop Cave like you deserves to wear the finest robes. Say no more; this is Yulou's sentint, so just accept it!"
I don't care what you think; I care what I think.
'The top beauty of Dripdrop Cave.'
'Just accept it.'
Wang Yulou, channeling the aura of an overbearing patriarch, gave Lin Ying an extraordinary feeling. The last shred of her resistance toward this arranged marriage dissolved naturally amidst this wave of shock and emotion.
This was precisely the significance behind Yulou spending a massive sum of spirit stones on gifts.
Lin Ying was to be his formal Dao companion. No amount of courting or fostering intimacy was excessive. If they both successfully established their foundations in the future, they would accompany each other along the immortal path for at least several centuries.
"Yulou, I understand your feelings, but we can completely go to the Hundred Shops Street to buy things. The Mountain and Sea Pavilion is backed by the Moon Splendor Sect, so their robes are naturally expensive.
"When buying things, shouldn't practicality be the main concern? I see that this Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains is only a tiny bit better than ordinary mid-grade robes; it isn't worth double the price."
What a sensible girl. Yet Yulou still shook his head.
"Senior Martial Sister, listen to this ti. I will listen to you next ti."
Seeing the female cultivator return, Lin Ying found it inappropriate to keep arguing and could only accept Yulou's suggestion.
After all, everyone yearned for love, and cultivators were no exception.
Wang Yulou possessed a deep background, his cultivation speed was absurdly fast, his future was incredibly bright, and his thods were sharp and decisive. He knew how to gather montum and people around him.
It was difficult for anyone not to be chard by such a male cultivator.
Especially after Yulou repeatedly emphasized phrases like 'You are worth it,' 'The top beauty of Dripdrop Cave,' and 'Precious treasures for a beautiful lady,' even soone as sensible and socially adept as Lin Ying felt her heart racing wildly.
However, when the female cultivator returned this ti, she brought along a senior at the Foundation Establishnt stage. She was also a female cultivator, and she wore a luxurious high-grade robe.
"I heard that two young Daoists wished to see the high-grade robes of our Mountain and Sea Pavilion, so I hurried right over. Please remain seated, young Daoists; there is no need to stand.
"I am Jin Mingxiu, an outer sect deacon of the Moon Splendor Sect. You may call Senior Martial Sister Jin."
Despite Jin Mingxiu saying there was no need to stand, Yulou rose anyway and said.
"Senior Jin, Yulou is a descendant of the Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan under the tutelage of Patriarch Mangxiang. I currently practice at Dripdrop Cave, and this is my Dao companion, Lin Ying.
"The two of us are to be wed in a few days, so we ca today hoping to select a high-grade robe for my senior martial sister. To have a senior guide us and make the selection is sothing Yulou is deeply grateful for."
Senior Jin, we are all people with established backgrounds. Let us forge a good connection, and please help us make a fine selection.
As for whether they would be fleeced after stating their requirents, Yulou was entirely unconcerned—the phrase 'I am one of Mangxiang's people' was incredibly effective.
Over the past millennium, multiple ancestors of the Wang family had joined the Mangxiang lineage, becoming Core Disciples of the Red Lantern Show. Correspondingly, the Wang family naturally belonged to the working forces under Mangxiang's banner.
Back in Clear Stream Market, Wang Yulou had dared to use Patriarch Mangxiang's spirit tablet to back the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Now that he was traveling abroad, he would naturally make use of it whenever possible.
Of course, it was only because the Red Lantern Show and the Moon Splendor Sect enjoyed good relations that Yulou dared to declare his identity so openly.
Had the Mountain and Sea Pavilion been opened by the Sky Serpent Sect, Yulou would not have even set foot inside.
Upon hearing Yulou's words, Jin Mingxiu's gaze instantly sharpened.
She did not know of the Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan, but the title of Patriarch Mangxiang had beco known to everyone in Wunan over the past few decades—specifically referring to those at the middle tier or higher within the Immortal Alliance system.
With this in mind, Jin Mingxiu turned to the female cultivator who had initially received Yulou's group and said.
"You heard Young Friend Yulou's words. Go, bring out all twenty-seven styles of high-grade robes and all ninety-three styles of mid-grade robes currently in stock at the Mountain and Sea Pavilion. I shall properly assist Young Friend Yulou and Young Friend Lin in making their selection."
Having said that, Jin Mingxiu looked back at Yulou and said.
"This reception room is ant for receiving Qi Refining cultivators; it is a bit too small. Co, let us proceed to the reception area for Foundation Establishnt cultivators. It is spacious enough to display all those robes simultaneously."
Such efficiency and standard of service—by hosting Qi Refining cultivators at a level ant for Foundation Establishnt, Jin Mingxiu had given Yulou an imnse amount of face.
"Hahaha, thank you, Senior Jin. When I first arrived at the immortal city, I inquired with an elder of the Wang Clan stationed here.
"I asked him which robe shop in the immortal city possessed the highest standard, and he imdiately recomnded your sect's Mountain and Sea Pavilion.
"Looking at it now, his recomndation was entirely accurate."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three of them arrived at the reception area specifically reserved for Foundation Establishnt cultivators.
The place was incredibly vast. The interior was not a room, but rather a courtyard asuring roughly twenty zhang across, complete with pavilions, winding corridors, lush flora, and a pond.
Yulou and Lin Ying sat within a pavilion on one side of the courtyard, selecting robes under Jin Mingxiu's introduction.
The Mountain and Sea Pavilion possessed twenty-seven styles of high-grade robes, spanning all five elents. The base materials varied, and the cuts were diverse. After looking back and forth, Yulou eventually sent a secret transmission to Jin Mingxiu.
'Senior Mingxiu, from your observations, which piece do you think my senior martial sister favors the most?'
Jin Mingxiu had been conversing with Lin Ying and was slightly taken aback upon receiving Yulou's transmission. However, she reacted swiftly, continuing to attend to Lin Ying while replying internally.
'It should be the second most expensive one, the "Wunan Dream Illusion". The most expensive style, the "Embroidered Dragon Jade", is far too ostentatious; she does not like it.
'The Wunan Dream Illusion is also the style that female Foundation Establishnt cultivators favor the most among high-grade robes.
'However, Young Friend Yulou, when it cos to robes, it is best to act within your ans.
'The materials used in the Wunan Dream Illusion are far too precious. The retail price at the Mountain and Sea Pavilion is only thirty percent above cost, but it remains excessively expensive.'
Jin Mingxiu had no intention of fleecing them. She was afraid—afraid that this young lad, Wang Yulou, would make a reckless purchase just to please a beauty, and the Wang Clan would co knocking later.
If the Wang Clan demanded a refund on the grounds of 'taking advantage of a junior,' the Mountain and Sea Pavilion would face a massive headache.
Hence, Jin Mingxiu intentionally emphasized that female Foundation Establishnt cultivators liked it, that the materials were precious, and that the price was a re thirty percent above cost.
Wang Yulou nodded thoughtfully and looked toward the Wunan Dream Illusion.
This robe was crafted by a Foundation Establishnt robe-master of the Moon Splendor Sect using several of the rarest materials in Wunan. It ca with twenty-three layers of restrictions, could shift between three distinct visual forms, and could manifest dozens of different colors and styles of spiritual light.
Wearing one piece was equivalent to owning three, and its quality had truly reached the pinnacle of high-grade robes.
Even if it were refined into a spiritual artifact robe, it could easily beco a fine specin among low-grade spiritual artifact robes in the hands of a skilled robe-master.
Because of this, it was nad 'Wunan Dream Illusion' by the Mountain and Sea Pavilion and the Moon Splendor Sect.
The only piece more expensive than it in the shop, the Embroidered Dragon Jade, utilized dragon-python hide and jade-crystal thread, making it expensive purely due to its luxurious base materials.
"Senior Jin, let us choose the Wunan Dream Illusion. In addition, let us take the Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains and the 'Sprout of Dark Green Spring' as well. A total of four pieces; how many spirit stones will that be?"
As soon as these words were uttered, the entire area fell silent.
The clerks of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion who were running back and forth displaying the robes were all stunned by Wang Yulou's words.
A re Qi Refining cultivator buying the Wunan Dream Illusion for his Dao companion—that was a top-tier high-grade robe that even ordinary Foundation Establishnt cultivators might not bear to purchase.
Seeing that Lin Ying was still dazed, Jin Mingxiu felt so hesitation in her heart but ultimately spoke up to advise him.
"Yulou, the Wunan Dream Illusion is a robe that usually only mid Foundation Establishnt or seasoned Foundation Establishnt cultivators can bear to purchase. A single piece costs nine thousand spirit stones.
"The robes priced around four or five thousand are also very beautiful. Nine thousand is too much; why don't you discuss this with the elders of your clan before making a decision?"
Everyone belonged to the system of the Immortal Alliance, so the Mountain and Sea Pavilion did not dare to fleece people blindly.
Though Yulou was an adult, if an elder of the Wang Clan ca to play the underage refund card for the sake of reputation, the Mountain and Sea Pavilion would truly have no choice but to accept it.
"Yulou, Senior is right. Nine thousand spirit stones... I... I wouldn't even dare to wear it on my body."
Senior Martial Sister Lin was on the verge of being completely overwheld by Wang Yulou's spending.
That was nine thousand spirit stones. Without the massive expansion of rewards due to Mangxiang's success, that would be enough to buy a Foundation Establishnt Pill!
Robes were different from artifacts; to put it bluntly, they were worn for others to see and held no real value in magical combat.
Spending nine thousand spirit stones on a robe—even if Wang Yulou dared to buy it for her, she wouldn't dare to accept it.
Just as Jin Mingxiu had warned, Wang Yulou spending such a massive sum of spirit stones on her might not truly be a good thing for Lin Ying, who was about to beco his Dao companion.
How would Ancestor Xianzhou and the other ancestors of the Wang family view her?
'What a seductive fox. You've barely wed and you're already draining him. What kind of family do you think our Wang Clan is? Do you think we will allow you to fleece us?'
When that ti ca, how was Lin Ying supposed to carry herself?
Many things seed moving on the surface, but upon closer thought, they simply could not be done!
Lin Ying realized this very quickly.
Therefore, her resistance this ti was exceptionally firm.
"Senior Martial Sister, it is rely nine thousand spirit stones. In the future, it will only take us a year or two to earn it back.
"But for you and , marriage is a montous event of a lifeti. How can we settle for less?
"We shall choose the finest. There is no need to dissuade further; I am perfectly capable of making this decision."
Having said that, Yulou produced his storage bag and drew forth a large sack of spirit stones. He possessed many such sacks of spirit stones, each containing exactly one thousand pieces.
Just as he brought out the sack of spirit stones, Lin Ying pressed her hand over his and said anxiously.
"Yulou, do not buy it. If you keep acting like this, I will truly be angry!"
Witnessing this scene, Jin Mingxiu turned her head in a slight daze, lowering her eyes as her gaze drifted toward the water feature outside the pavilion.
Despite her cultivation being higher than both of theirs, why did she find herself envying this girl so deeply?
Love, love—one of the most illusory and ethereal concepts within the cultivation world.
No one truly believed it existed, yet it seed to truly exist nonetheless.
Countless individuals viewed their Dao companions as stepping stones, while countless others walked the path of life and death together with them.
The bond between An Ning and Redbrow could be considered love.
The bond between Wang Yulou and Lin Ying, at the very least, appeared to be love.
"Senior Martial Sister, in my heart, let alone a high-grade robe worth nine thousand spirit stones, even a high-grade spiritual artifact worth ninety thousand spirit stones is sothing you deserve.
"Our wedding date is drawing near. Procuring a beautiful robe for you is Yulou's wish. You do not need to fret over the spirit stones; we can simply earn them back slowly in the future."
Yulou's current spirit stones, combined with what he could earn in the future, could easily propel him to peak Qi Condensation. Therefore, nine thousand pieces was truly no great matter to him.
"Senior Jin, here are sixteen thousand spirit stones. Please count them."
The Wunan Dream Illusion cost nine thousand spirit stones, the two matching pieces of the Fresh Rain on Empty Mountains cost four thousand eight hundred, and the Sprout of Dark Green Spring cost two thousand two hundred, totaling sixteen thousand—roughly equal to half a portion of Foundation Establishnt resources before the massive expansion of rewards.
Wang Yulou refused to believe that this many spirit stones could fail to secure Lin Ying's absolute affection!
Accepting the storage bag handed over by Yulou, Jin Mingxiu drew out one thousand six hundred spirit stones and returned them to him.
"Yulou, you are a mber of the Wang family under Patriarch Mangxiang's lineage. You may pay according to the discount rate for the direct lineage of a Purple Palace family—a ten percent discount."
Excellent, excellent. The patriarch's grace was boundless, and Senior Jin was highly honorable as well. Yulou hastily expressed his gratitude.
After completing their purchase of the robes, Yulou took the simultaneously joyful and worried Lin Ying and spent the entire day shopping throughout the immortal city.
From ornantal items like hairpins, earrings, and bracelets to swinging hairpins, Yulou took Lin Ying to purchase various embellishnts that female cultivators required.
However, compared to the grand expenditure on the robes—which were bought purely to make Lin Ying happy despite being impractical—the cost for these items was minimal, totaling less than a thousand spirit stones altogether.
Items like hairpins and earrings could not be turned into artifacts, so they were incredibly cheap.
Wang Yulou could refine bracelet artifacts for Lin Ying himself; he had already gifted her three previously, and this ti he bought two more made of unique materials that he was currently unable to refine.
At the Flavorful Bistro, the young couple was currently dining after a full day of extensive shopping.
The Wang family's spiritual donkey at possessed an absolute unparalleled flavor, and Yulou naturally would not forget to treat Senior Martial Sister Lin to the experience.
"Senior Martial Sister, once I am able to refine spiritual artifacts in the future, I shall refine a set of spiritual artifact ornants for you. Artifacts are limited by size and cannot be crafted too small."
In the past, Lin Ying had always taken Yulou's promises with a grain of salt, never fully believing them.
Now, she no longer harbored the slightest doubt.
From the beginning of her cultivation until now, the total resources Lin Ying had consud, if converted to spirit stones, might only amount to ten thousand or so.
Yet Wang Yulou had spent over ten thousand spirit stones just to buy robes for her.
"Yulou, then you must establish your foundation soon. When that ti cos, you can refine artifacts while I refine pills; we likely won't lack any resources for our cultivation."
Watching Yulou pour her a cup of 'Flower Companion Wine', a specialty of the Lotus Canopy Grotto-Heaven, Lin Ying spoke softly, sketching out a vision for their shared future.
Coincidentally, Ancestor Xianzhou had originally wanted Yulou to study the art of alchemy, but Yulou had been reluctant to invest the ti.
His perspective was that mastering a single auxiliary art was more than enough; studying too many would hinder one's cultivation speed.
Now that he was marrying Lin Ying, he no longer had to worry about alchemy at all; his senior martial sister would handle it for him in the future.
With the inheritance of the Wang family and the sect as their foundation, as long as the two of them worked hard to cultivate their respective arts of artifact refining and alchemy, they naturally would not have to worry about cultivation resources after establishing their foundations.
Of course, when it ca to the massive amount of resources required to open a Purple Palace, no amount of hard work from just the two of them would suffice.
Being able to extract a hundred thousand spirit stones from the Yuan clan was a stroke of absolute luck. To truly earn vast amounts of spirit stones, even if they worked their alchemy and artifact furnaces until they burst into flas, it could not compare to managing a faction of one's own.
The strength of a single individual was ultimately limited. To walk far, one had to act like a grand cultivator, understanding how to acquire resources by managing a system and a faction of their own.
"Are you currently at the absolute mastery of the ninth layer?" Yulou asked.
"Just a tiny bit short. I estimate I can break through to the tenth layer within a year, but I need to stabilize myself after that. Reaching Foundation Establishnt might still take a long ti.
"If it's fast, it might take ten to fifteen years; if it's slow, twenty years wouldn't be considered long."
Lin Ying spoke candidly. She was already the most outstanding disciple the Lin family had produced in several generations.
Her Dao heart was firm, her thoughts clear, and her cultivation diligent. The family had also spared no resources in nurturing her, allowing her to achieve her current level of power.
Yulou had long since attained a perfect understanding of his senior martial sister's cultivation and age, naturally realizing that she possessed the potential for the Purple Mansion stage. He did not press the matter further, turning instead to introduce the delicacies on the table to her.
Many things lay too far in the future; there was no need to make grand declarations ahead of ti.
Take it slow.
—
The Wang family's spiritual donkey at had always been delicious, and the standard at the immortal city's Flavorful Bistro was a cut above the one in Clear Stream Market, leaving Lin Ying entirely satisfied.
However, when it ca ti to retire for the night, the two discovered that Uncle Rongshi had only arranged a single room for them.
Exchanging an awkward glance with his senior martial sister, Yulou finally understood why Uncle Rongshi had smiled with such a sly, knowing look.
The elders of the clan all wished to see the family's lineage flourish. In this regard, Ancestor Xianzhou and Uncle Rongshi were exactly the sa.
"Senior Martial Sister, you should rest first. I will ask Uncle Rongshi for another room."
Yulou still intended to cultivate during the night, so he naturally was reluctant to share a room with Lin Ying. It would prevent him from cultivating properly, and Lin Ying would not be able to sleep peacefully either.
Setting aside the fact that the two were not yet wed, the core issue was that Wang Yulou married a Dao companion to serve his own ambition rather than out of desire for any specific individual. Thus, he felt no sense of urgency whatsoever.
"Wait... we... we are about to be wed anyway. It is actually fine for us to stay in one room," Senior Martial Sister Lin said in a low voice, keeping her head down.
She understood perfectly what this declaration implied for her.
But after spending the past few years with Yulou, she naturally realized that the man before her was indeed soone worthy of entrusting her life to.
This held true even if Wang Yulou hadn't purchased any of the so-called Wunan Dream Illusion robes for her.
To the current Lin Ying, a re robe fell far short of the weight of Wang Yulou's devotion toward her.
Wang Yulou wanted to say that he preferred a separate room to cultivate properly, but doing so would be entirely too tone-deaf. Thus, he rely nodded silently and led his senior martial sister into the bedchamber.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, Lin Ying and Yulou felt even more awkward.
However, Yulou was an experienced soul after all. Though he currently bore the magic seal of Perfected Man Hongli, taking appropriate initiative would not trigger any significant consequences.
Thus, he took Lin Ying's hand, and the two lay down together.
With the beauty by his side, Lin Ying's breath, fragrant as orchids, drifted against Yulou's ear, causing an intense itch.
"Yulou, that Daoist Friend Yingxi from today... is she a friend of yours?"
Lin Ying was truly no ordinary female cultivator; she had managed to endure for an entire day before finally asking, which spoke volus of her temperant.
Her past psychological trauma had completely healed, and it had even served to forge her Dao heart further.
"Zhou Yingxi, a mber of True Person Fujiao's household from the Red Lantern Show. Her and I..."
Yulou gently ran his fingers through his fiancée's elegant hair, laying bare his entire past interaction with Zhou Yingxi without reservation.
After listening to their past, Lin Ying finally felt at ease. However, the girl quickly developed another anxiety.
"She is a daughter of True Person Fujiao's household... Yulou, did marrying cause you any grievance?"
Wang Yulou let out a grand laugh, pinned his senior martial sister beneath him, and threatened playfully.
"Therefore, Senior Martial Sister, shouldn't you compensate properly for it?"
Lin Ying was amused. She teased him, saying, "Oh, please. Didn't Perfected Man Hongli place a restriction on you? I think you had better focus on how to establish your foundation first."
Securing the favor of a True Person was excellent, but the rule forbidding indiscriminate relations with won was a bit absurd.
To ensure that Wang Yulou focused entirely on his cultivation to establish his foundation early, the magic seal placed by Hongli would quickly take effect whenever he engaged in intimate contact with a female cultivator, forcing him to avoid getting too close to Little Fish, Chu Ran, or his senior martial sister.
Yulou lay back down, feigning dejection. Yet Senior Martial Sister Lin grew bold instead. She reached her hand toward Yulou, and after giving him a quick grope, she said with a blushing face.
"There doesn't seem to be anything particularly unusual about you, though?"
Wang Yulou was instantly embarrassed. Perhaps this shopping trip to the immortal city felt akin to an early honeymoon; they had traveled together along the way, and he had subsequently purchased such an expensive robe for Lin Ying. All in all, her affection for him had surged trendously.
Now Senior Martial Sister Lin no longer treated him as an outsider at all, though he could not tell whether that was a good or bad thing.
"Hmph, you will find out just how unusual I am in the future~"
Wang Yulou left a harsh promise and turned over to sleep.
Lin Ying gently stroked her lover's back, lightly tickling him.
"Senior Martial Sister, let us sleep early..."
Wang Yulou was still planning to sleep for a single hour before rising to cultivate.
"Wang Yulou, tell , who is more beautiful between and Bai Xiaoyu?" Lin Ying asked softly.
Having spent several years with Yulou, she naturally knew that Yulou favored Bai Xiaoyu.
In the past, she hadn't cared much about Wang Yulou's affection. It was an arranged marriage, after all. Bai Xiaoyu was rely a concubine whose cultivation was lacking; she would inevitably have to defer to her as the primary wife, which was enough.
Now, however, she found herself caring deeply.
"You, Senior Martial Sister. In truth, many clans wished to send their daughters to be my Dao companion, but I ultimately chose you.
"Because in Yulou's heart, it has long been filled entirely by you. Perhaps this is what it ans to determine a lifeti with a single glance."
Even though her heart felt as though it were lting upon hearing this, Lin Ying remained persistent.
"Then why did you always avoid in the past?"
This was sothing she had been curious about for a long ti. Wang Yulou's personality resembled that of a little old man, and he used to steer clear of her whenever they t.
"The clan taught that won are all tigers who practice Charm Arts. At that ti, my mind was entirely set on the Dao, so even though I harbored affection for you in my heart, I only wanted to flee.
"It was only later, when I reached the age for marriage, that I understood the clan's teachings were ant to prevent us from being deceived by wicked people.
"Senior Martial Sister, you are a good girl. Once Yulou understood this, did I ever avoid you again?"
In truth, it wasn't that Wang Yulou had 'understood' things, but rather that he had secured a firm footing within Dripdrop Cave.
Lin Ying did not reply imdiately. After a long while, she spoke.
"You know I am a good girl, so cherish well. Wang Yulou, what this arranged marriage is for—you know it well, and I know it well too.
"But... forget it, let's sleep."
Yulou offered no reply, rely sighing in his heart.
Lin Ying stopped bothering him, and soon, Yulou drifted off to sleep.
An hour later, watching Wang Yulou sit cross-legged to cultivate, a sleepy-eyed Lin Ying felt a bit dazed.
Wait, how did he climb out of bed halfway through the night to cultivate?
Leaving a beautiful lady to guard an empty bed alone while you find a spot, sit down, and begin cultivating—what was that supposed to an?
"Is Senior Martial Sister awake?"
Wang Yulou opened his eyes and explained with a smile.
"I am accustod to this. Senior Martial Sister may continue to rest.
"Right, this Resting Pill can allow a cultivator to require only one hour of sleep each day.
"If you are willing, you may also consu a Resting Pill so you have more ti to cultivate.
"Only then can you establish your foundation more rapidly."
Resting Pills were exceptionally rare; as an alchemist, Lin Ying had only heard rumors of them.
Clad in her undergarnts, she rose from the bed, accepted the spiritual pill, examined it for a brief mont, and asked.
"Is this the reason your cultivation speed is so absurdly fast?"
Yulou offered a gentle shake of his head and tossed another pill to his senior martial sister.
"No, it is also because the amount of spirit stones I expend on various spiritual pills each month is imnse. Since you are an alchemist, look at this Qi Transformation Pill I have been utilizing recently, and you will understand."
The Qi Transformation Pills that Ancestor Xianzhou had refined for Yulou drastically shortened the duration of the dicinal effects, in exchange for a massive surge in dicinal potency within that brief window.
Lin Ying utilized her divine sense to investigate the spiritual pill, quickly realizing the truth.
"You consu one of these pills every single day?"
"Yes. It grants a six-and-a-half-fold increase to cultivation speed, coupled with cultivating several extra hours each day. Only through this did I achieve the progress of reaching the fifth layer of Qi Refining within a few years."
Over a span of seven years, Wang Yulou had advanced from the first layer of Qi Refining to the absolute mastery of the fifth layer, while Lin Ying had progressed from newly entering the eighth layer of Qi Refining to the absolute mastery of the ninth layer.
Though this involved the variable of different durations required for distinct stages, Wang Yulou's cultivation speed remained altogether too terrifying.
Now, Lin Ying finally grasped the secret behind Wang Yulou's cultivation speed.
Brute force!
Consuming the absolute finest spiritual pills, utilizing the maximum amount of cultivation ti, and employing the fastest cultivation speed to force his way forward through brute strength!
She harbored a thousand questions in her heart, but seeing that Yulou had resud his cultivation, she refrained from asking.
Consuming the Resting Pill and employing the Qi Transformation Pill that Yulou had just given her, Lin Ying sat cross-legged upon the bed and began her own cultivation as well.
Though Yulou's Qi Transformation Pill was custom-made, making its effect less potent for Lin Ying than for him, it still easily allowed her to achieve a five-fold increase in cultivation speed.
In this manner, the two cultivated until dawn, spent another half-day wandering the immortal city, and then embarked on their return journey.
—
Along the way, the two flew exceptionally low, stopping and starting repeatedly, keeping their pace just as sluggish as when they had co.
Their main priority was to ensure their spiritual energy remained completely full at all tis to handle any potential ergencies.
However, Yulou would occasionally glance toward the horizon with a trace of worry. He did not know how the clearing operations against the direct lineage disciples he had orchestrated were progressing.
Yet, what he remained entirely unaware of was that Yuan Daoshen, having received news of his departure from the grotto-heaven, had also prepared a massive gift for him.
But because assassinating Wang Yulou and Lin Ying directly would be too conspicuous, Elder Daoshen had resolved to pay any price necessary this once, using the opportunity to slaughter a batch of other traveling disciples to be buried alongside them.
Wang Xianzhou had arranged a band of rogue cultivators, and Yuan Daoshen had arranged an even larger horde of rogue cultivators, all for the sole purpose of killing more traveling disciples of Dripdrop Cave.
In the past, Wang Yulou's vigilance in thinking 'this old fogey resembles ' was entirely devoid of any baseless speculation.
He had suspected Cui Dingyi, only to discover later that Cui Dingyi had long since abandoned his humanity to serve a Great Demon as an absolute slave.
He had worried about Yuan Daoshen, and Yuan Daoshen proved equally formidable—first unleashing ten alligator dragons in an attempt to cripple Wang Yulou's foundation and future within Dripdrop Cave, and now sparing no expense to drag a massive crowd down into the grave with Wang Yulou.
It could be said that through his family inheritance and personal caution, Yulou's judgnt of people remained incredibly precise.
Darkness shrouded Wunan. It seed even the bright moon detested the sches of the mortal world, quietly withdrawing behind the clouds on this night designated by Wang Yulou and Yuan Daoshen for the comncent.
A faint crimson light streaked through the pitch-black sky; it was the Crimson Sparrow.
"Every ti Luo Shifang leaves the grotto-heaven, she travels to the Continuous Frost Market to conduct her transactions rather than choosing the nearest option.
"Because the Continuous Frost Market sits at the intersection of the Hidden Dragon Abbey and the Red Lantern Show, transactions there are exempt from taxes, and there are plenty of cheap, debased male cultivators for her pleasure.
"Every ti she cos, she stays at the residence of a familiar male cultivator for two days, returning to the grotto-heaven only after she has had her fill.
"She considers herself cautious, but this sort of behavior can naturally be mastered by anyone who simply stakes out the place and observes for a period of ti," Jin Ruiqing said.
He and Wang Yaohai were being carried simultaneously by the Crimson Sparrow's talons, flying swiftly toward the Continuous Frost Market.
They had set out alongside Qu Yi, Wu Jinyan's underground lover. However, Qu Yi's connection was more distant after all, leaving her entirely ignorant of the true purpose of this journey.
Nonetheless, her ignorance could serve as an excellent alibi.
Because the creature they were utilizing was the Crimson Sparrow, the two could leverage the bird's flight speed during the night to travel from their mission location to the Continuous Frost Market in a re matter of monts.
To earn a few extra spirit stones, Luo Shifang had chosen the underground market of the Continuous Frost Market for her illicit trade, which inherently carried imnse risk.
All Foundation Establishnt cultivators were strictly monitored by the Immortal Alliance system. The Continuous Frost Market, much like the Hidden Dragon Market Yulou had visited previously, could only be guarded by Qi Refining cultivators. In a situation where Qi Refining forces were unconstrained, territorial turf wars erupted frequently.
On the other hand, being guarded solely by Qi Refining forces ant that even if Wang Yaohai and Jin Ruiqing committed a deed within the market, as long as they fled swiftly enough, they would have no cause to fear capture or investigation.
Redbrow hadn't dared to kill Wang Yulou and his brother back then because Wang Rongsheng knew the two had gone to find him.
Yet now, no one could possibly know that Wang Yaohai and Jin Ruiqing were capable of flying over a thousand miles in a single hour, arriving directly from a thousand miles away to execute their plot at the Continuous Frost Market!
"You two have half an hour. My speed will drop on the return trip, so do not drag things out."
The thoroughly exhausted Crimson Sparrow dropped the two off roughly a dozen miles outside the Continuous Frost Market, then hastily consud spiritual dicine to restore its condition.
The Crimson Sparrow's burst speed could reach two thousand miles in a single hour, but the core issue lay in its lack of endurance, particularly when carrying two individuals simultaneously.
Flying this single thousand miles in one hour had nearly claid its old life.
Jin Ruiqing and Wang Yaohai dared not delay. Each concealed their appearance and entered the Continuous Frost Market.
Luo Shifang was not yet a hundred years old and possessed a cultivation of the tenth layer of Qi Refining, making her difficult to handle. However, the two had brought along talismans drawn by Foundation Establishnt cultivators for this journey, rendering a successful ambush relatively straightforward.
The plan had been formulated long ago: after assassinating Luo Shifang, the two would imdiately flee. If a grand formation barred their path, Jin Ruiqing carried a formation-breaking thunderbolt capable of blasting it open in an instant.
Wang Yaohai was a veteran who had erged from the West Sea, and Jin Ruiqing was a hundred-and-sixty-year-old veteran Qi Refining cultivator. Their sole mission was that simple.
As for the others, there were rogue cultivators arranged by Wang Xianzhou to take action, slaughtering more mbers of the direct lineage so that the mbers of the exchange conference associated with Yulou would have a greater opportunity to establish their foundations.
Yet when the two arrived at the residence of the male cultivator where Luo Shifang was staying, they unexpectedly ran directly into two masked n walking out from within. A faint, lingering scent of blood drifted from the room.
The two masked n, seeing two masked figures standing at the entrance, spoke hastily.
"This location has been dealt with. Why are you two still coming here? Co along to rendezvous with Boss Yang and head to the next location!"
The rogue cultivators Yuan Zhengju had contacted were far too nurous, and the matter had been put together in such a rush that the organization was sowhat chaotic, actually resulting in the misunderstanding of mistaking Wang Yaohai and Jin Ruiqing for their own people.
However, judging from the fact that he had sent people to assassinate Luo Shifang, Old Yuan's ruthlessness drew no distinction between ally and foe.
Perhaps in his heart, killing Luo Shifang was an incredibly vital step; only by ensuring one of his own people died as well could he avoid raising suspicion from others.
'Old Jin, be careful. Let us just say we misunderstood the assignnt, and there is still another target waiting for us now.'
Wang Yaohai understood the situation perfectly. Personally offering a token of allegiance was where the true significance lay; now that Luo Shifang had perished without requiring their intervention, there was bound to be an anomaly at play.
The two offered so vague excuses to deceive those two rogue cultivators, then reunited with the Crimson Sparrow with heavy hearts, returning to where Qu Yi was located. The entire round trip consud less than three hours altogether.
In this manner, when the three t again the following day, Qu Yi could testify that they had not possessed sufficient ti to leave the mission location and travel to the Continuous Frost Market.
While the two were exerting themselves through the night, the rogue cultivators delivered a small dose of chaos to Dripdrop Cave.
Luo Shifang's situation was a unique case, which was why both factions had chosen to launch their ambushes at the Continuous Frost Market.
As for the other traveling disciples of Dripdrop Cave, there was no need to afford them such specialized treatnt.
Along a massive periter spanning two hundred miles around Dripdrop Cave, the rogue cultivators contacted by Yuan Zhengju and Wang Xianzhou executed a pincer offensive, striking simultaneously from two fronts. Many mistook the opposing side for allies, and so even cooperated to work together.
It could well be terd the Cleansing Project of Dripdrop Cave Disciples.
Why two hundred miles?
At this distance, even if a Dripdrop Cave disciple utilized an Escape Talisman, it would be exceptionally difficult for them to flee directly back to Dripdrop Cave.
Naturally, there were also rogue cultivators of insufficient strength who were counter-killed by the Dripdrop Cave disciples.
During the latter half of the night, a few disciples managed to return to Dripdrop Cave alive under the pursuit of rogue cultivators, prompting two elders to rush forth to hunt down the killers, slaying several unfortunate souls in the process.
Yet no one realized that behind the two disciples who had survived the rogue encounters to return to Dripdrop Cave, and the three fortunate disciples who had returned without encountering any rogue cultivators at all, lay seventeen deceased disciples of Dripdrop Cave.
Seventeen Qi Refining cultivators—among them lay the price that Yulou had first resolved to pay at any cost, as well as the price that Yuan Daoshen had resolved to pay at any cost.
However, Dripdrop Cave had not yet realized that soone was utilizing their own young forces as a re cost.
Only five people returning in a single night, though a bit low, seed normal enough.
Two individuals encountering rogue cultivators, though unfortunate, seed normal enough.
Everything appeared perfectly normal; at the very least, before a massive number of disciples failed to return over a long period, no one would harbor any suspicion.
In the morning, Yulou and his senior martial sister shared a simple al in a small town, then resud driving the flying boat by turns toward the grotto-heaven.
Just as the two were flying over a range of deserted mountains, Lin Ying was the first to detect an anomaly, crying out in alarm.
"Yulou, we have a situation!"
Wang Yulou looked in the direction his senior martial sister indicated, discovering a massive mass of air rapidly approaching them amidst the clouds.
Thinking that it might be a Foundation Establishnt cultivator passing by, he cautioned her.
"Let us steer clear. It should be a senior at the Foundation Establishnt stage."
Lin Ying watched the air mass tensely, altering the direction of the flying boat.
Yet to their horror, that air mass actually shifted its direction as well, continuing to close in on them!
Within the clouds, an air mass, moving at rapid speed... Yulou instantly thought of the water-attribute divine ability, Cloud-Walking Mist-Strolling.
Coincidentally, among his enemies, Yuan Zhengju practiced precisely this divine ability.
Yulou's heart sank rapidly.
Just because Foundation Establishnt cultivators were barred from taking action did not an they could not serve as the driver!
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