Chapter 185 - 169: The Zhou Family’s Gift and Li Xuerou’s Thoughts
Chapter 185: Chapter 169: The Zhou Family’s Gift and Li Xuerou’s Thoughts
"Is this... too valuable? Wouldn’t it be safer to exchange it for a bottle of Tier Two Lower Grade Jade Water Condensing Essence Pills or ten Middle-Grade Spirit Stones?"
Zhou Chengyue shook his head slightly, his gaze profound. "Xianmo, your vision is still too narrow. This man comes from a humble background, yet with only a Middle-Grade Water Spirit Root, he managed to succeed in Foundation Establishment before the age of fifty. His temperament, perseverance, opportunities, and even his hidden methods are all extraordinary."
"Looking at his past, he progressed step by step from a Tier One Lower Grade Puppet Master, showing extraordinary potential even back when he was with our Zhou Family. Now, he has ascended to the heavens in a single leap. With his abilities, reaching Mid-stage Foundation Establishment shouldn’t be difficult. He might even have a chance at breaking through to the Late-stage."
He paused, his tone carrying a trace of unquestionable resolve. "The Bixia Sect is the ruler of Chen Country. As an Inner Sect Steward, he’ll have considerable authority just by joining any department."
"If he can advance further and become a Department Chief, his influence will be on a completely different level. And if he’s fortunate enough to reach Late-stage Foundation Establishment and become something like a Vice Hall Master, then what does this small gift matter now?"
"By presenting a generous gift now, our Zhou Family is not just giving a gift; we are forging a long-term friendly connection. We are investing in a figure of great potential who may one day hold a high position in the Bixia Sect. This bottle of Ageless True Water may seem valuable, but it is truly a stepping stone, a future connection for our family within the Bixia Sect. Tell me, is it still expensive?"
Zhou Xianmo’s entire body trembled. A look of sudden understanding and admiration appeared on his face as he bowed deeply. "Elder Ancestor, your foresight is profound. I am ashamed! My vision was too short-sighted. I will see to this at once and ensure it is handled properly. I will clearly convey the family’s sentiment and the Elder Ancestor’s expectations." After speaking, he withdrew from the meeting hall with a solemn expression.
Just as the Zhou Family was planning to present their grand gift, in a sparsely furnished cave-dwelling on the Outer Mountain of the Bixia Sect, there was only a stone couch and a low table, upon which a few dim Lower Grade Spirit Stones were scattered.
Feng Dao, now a Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer cultivator with graying hair and beard, was currently clutching a Communication Talisman. His face was a mixture of shock, envy, and an indescribable complexity. The message in the talisman was brief: An old acquaintance, Lu Zhao, has successfully achieved Foundation Establishment within the Sect and has been promoted to Inner Sect Steward.
"Lu Zhao... reached Foundation Establishment?" Feng Dao muttered to himself, his fingers turning white from the force of his grip. He was nearly sixty, had been stuck at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer for many years, and had saved less than three thousand of the ten thousand Spirit Stones needed for a Foundation Establishment Pill. His path to cultivation was all but severed, and he had long given up any thought of reaching Foundation Establishment.
Feng Dao no longer had to worry about Foundation Establishment for himself, but he had a descendant. After the initial shock, a powerful idea churned in his mind. ’Lu Zhao’s rise was far faster than he had ever imagined. This is undoubtedly a massive patron to latch onto!’
A glint of light flashed in his murky eyes. ’My hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this life is gone, but my son, Feng Yu, also possesses a Middle-Grade Spirit Root. His talent is decent... If I can forge a connection with Lu Zhao, even if it’s just to make Yu’er an in-name disciple under him or receive a bit of his patronage, his future path of cultivation will be much smoother! It’s certainly better than struggling at the bottom of the Sect for a lifetime like me, dragging down my descendant’s starting point as well.’
He immediately began to rummage through his Storage Bag, taking out a portion of the Spirit Stones he had saved over many years. He then grimaced as he took out a few treasured Spirit Grasses. ’This... probably isn’t enough. I need to think harder. Lu Zhao is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator now; ordinary things probably won’t catch his eye... Right! He’s an expert in Puppetry. Maybe he’d be interested in some special Spiritual Materials?’
Feng Dao wracked his brains, searching his memory for a gift that might move Lu Zhao, all the while plotting how he would go and pay his respects.
On the Outer Mountain of the Bixia Sect, in another cave-dwelling slightly closer to the mountainside where the Spiritual Qi was a little better.
Wenn Quan, who was a few years younger than Lu Zhao, had also just received the news. He shot up from his meditation cushion, stirring a faint breeze. An astonishing light erupted in his eyes. "Brother Lu... no, Junior Master Lu! He actually reached Foundation Establishment! How many years has it been?!"
Wenn Quan’s talent was decent, and he was already at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. His cave-dwelling was kept quite tidy, and an unsheathed Flying Sword hung on the wall, showing his dedication to his cultivation path. However, the immense resources required for Foundation Establishment and that crucial Foundation Establishment Pill weighed on his heart like two great mountains.
He had no powerful backer and was a marginal figure within the Sect. If he relied solely on his own efforts to save up, his hopes were slim indeed.
At this moment, Wenn Quan’s heart pounded as he paced back and forth in his cave-dwelling. ’An opportunity! This is a massive opportunity! Junior Master Lu and I met back in Northern Wilderness County and spent half a year together. We got along well during that time. If I go and pledge my allegiance to him now, serve him faithfully, and show my worth...’
The more he thought, the more excited he became. ’With my cultivation and age, if I can get his patronage and gain access to more resources and connections, Foundation Establishment... might not be impossible!’ He immediately began to take stock of his possessions, taking out a few rare ores he had stored at the bottom of his chest and a portion of his saved Spirit Stones. His movements were swift and tinged with resolve. He was preparing to assemble a respectable gift and then immediately set off for Lu Zhao’s cave-dwelling, gambling his entire future on this chance.
Just as Wenn Quan and Feng Dao were scheming how to curry favor with Lu Zhao, deep within the Black Market of Bixia Marketplace, in a hidden, cold, and damp Quiet Chamber with water-stained stone walls.
The only light in the room came from a faint, eerie blue Fluorite Lamp embedded in the wall, stretching shadows long and strange. Dressed in a simple black robe, Li Xuerou was like a ghost merged with the shadows, quietly staring at a Jade Scroll in her hand. The intelligence within the scroll was clear and unmistakable: Lu Zhao, successful in Foundation Establishment, Bixia Sect Inner Sect Steward.
"That Lu Zhao... he reached Foundation Establishment..." she murmured, her voice sounding exceptionally ethereal in the silent, secret room. "I never expected that an idle chess piece I casually placed back then would actually take root, sprout, and grow into a towering tree... This might be my last sliver of hope."
At this moment, her breathtakingly beautiful face was devoid of expression. Only in the depths of her eyes did a bone-deep hatred begin to surge, along with a hint of... the madness of someone grasping at straws in a desperate situation.
She slowly closed her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows on her pale skin. In her mind, an ocean of blood from her family’s extermination appeared: the tragic sight of her mother collapsing in a pool of blood, the savage, triumphant laughter of the Chu Family cultivators. That bone-deep hatred was like a venomous snake, gnawing at her heart day and night.
"Chu Family..." When she opened her eyes again, her devastatingly beautiful face held not a trace of weakness, only a heart-stopping malevolence and resolve. A savage look twisted her features. "Even if I, Li Xuerou, fail to reach Foundation Establishment and cannot take revenge with my own hands, I will not let this go! Even if I must shatter my soul, fall into the Nine Netherworld, and never be reborn, I will drag you all to hell with me! A debt of blood must be paid in blood!"
She gripped the Jade Scroll tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure. In the Quiet Chamber, only her suppressed, heavy breathing remained, along with a killing intent so tangible it was almost a physical presence, chilling to the bone.
In Lu Zhao’s new cave-dwelling in the Bixia Sect, having just completed a cycle of Circulation Transport, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. Pure, Liquid Magical Power flowed gently within his Dantian Qi Sea.
He was still unaware of the waves his successful Foundation Establishment had stirred in the hearts of old acquaintances and interested parties alike. Still less did he know that a web woven from connections, schemes, allegiances, and revenge was silently closing in around him.