Returning to the Gathering Immortals Tower
Lu Ping looked at Little B and sighed.
One realm, one natural barrier.
Having all your cards up your sleeve and being able to instantly kill someone in the late-stage Transformation Realm doesn't mean you can turn around and fight someone in the fully Transformation Perfection- on.
Even if we were to go all out and successfully raise this one, who knows if there might be a third or fourth one?
If it really happens that "one is killed, but three remain," anyone who comes along will be in trouble.
Moreover, to defeat an enemy of a higher level, you need to use a killing move. If you can blast them to smithereens in one blow, you won't gain anything even if you win.
We can't do a business that loses money, Little B.
Lu Ping chose A.
[You chose A.]
[You composed yourself and continued flying towards the Nü Zhi City.]
Fortune favors the bold; the ancients were right.
[Because these high-level sea beasts dwell in the deep sea, ordinary cultivators dare not venture into this area.]
[You traveled in Concealment, passing several islands along the way.]
[Several islands also have many Spirit Plants, some quite old, but none of them are sought after.]
[Although nothing of the level of the Nine-Yang Essence-Restoring Zhi has appeared again, you accepted them all without hesitation.]
[Since they're all unclaimed anyway, the fact that such aged Spirit Plants can grow here indicates that the soil quality is quite good.]
[Wherever you go, summon the Moon Palace Fire-Devouring Furnace, scrape up the Spirit Plants and even the earth itself, and move them all into the Little Toad's inner Grotto-Heaven.]
[After several attempts, the Little Toad's furnace body trembled slightly, emitting a hint of dissatisfaction.]
[It turns out the inner Grotto-Heaven could no longer hold it all. Little Toad's Grotto-Heaven wasn't very big to begin with; it couldn't just be filled with earth.]
[Only then did you reluctantly stop.]
Even so, the Grotto-Heaven Medicine Garden inside the Little Toad's belly had expanded considerably, with high-grade spiritual herbs growing vigorously.
[However, you also notice that some islands seem to have been cleansed by some force, barren and devoid of vegetation, leaving only bare rocks.]
The dangers of the North Sea are indeed unpredictable.
[The horrific signs of destruction made you abandon your plan to search everywhere, and you headed straight for the Nü Zhi City, not daring to linger.]
[After drifting at sea for more than a month, the outline of a familiar landmass finally appeared on the distant horizon.]
[We've arrived at the Nü Zhi City.]
[You landed back on the stone bridge over the bay, dispelled your Formless Myriad-Breath Cloak, and stepped into the Nü Zhi City.]
[A few months ago, you went out to sea with Hua Yunzhen on Cloud Boat.]
[Returning to this place now, the streets are crisscrossed by waterways, and merchant ships come and go in an endless stream, just as you left.]
[You walk straight along the main road to the end of the water lane and stop in front of Gathering Immortals Tower.]
[As soon as you stepped onto the stairs, the shopkeeper Ni Laicai, behind the counter sensed your presence, looked up, and saw your face clearly.]
"Master Lu... Grandmaster Lu?!"
[Ni Laicai jogged out from behind the counter, his face full of surprise and delight.]
"You're really back?"
"The matter arose hastily, and although the master handled the aftermath, the important figures seeking alchemy haven't given up and are eagerly awaiting your return."
"The landlord instructed that Room Number One of Heaven has been reserved for you, and not a single piece of the furnishings has been touched."
"Who would have thought that our wish would actually come true?"
[You stood with your hands behind your back, giving Ni Laicai only a slight nod, and continued walking through the front hall.]
[Just as I stepped into the back courtyard corridor, a figure dressed in a long Azure Orchid Palace Dress gown approached me.]
[This is Ning Junqiu, the owner of Gathering Immortals Tower.]
[Friend of Women, in effect.]
[Work from Home, effective.]
[Workwear Thugs, in effect.]
[Ning Junqiu, who had been walking hurriedly, slowed down upon seeing you standing gracefully under the eaves as you passed through the archway, and the tension between your brows eased considerably.]
" With Grandmaster Lu back safe and sound, I can finally rest easy."
She curtsied, a genuine look of surprise in her eyes.
[Ning Junqiu has been operating in the Nü Zhi City for many years and has always been somewhat aware of the secrets and methods of the Desire Sea Pavilion.]
[Originally Hua Yunzhen's forceful cutting in line for alchemy in the building, while somewhat breaking the rules, posed no threat to the Alchemists' lives. As for whether or not the subsequent business would proceed, it was merely a matter of the Alchemists losing some face.]
[Later, you actually agreed to go to sea with Hua Yunzhen, which truly surprised Ning Junqiu.]
[But you two are not related, and you are clearly not an ordinary person. Although Ning Junqiu felt it was inappropriate, he dared not say anything more.]
After all, it's a big no-no to speak too intimately with someone you don't know well.
Seeing you standing here unharmed, a hint of admiration rose in her eyes.
"When I saw you board the boat and leave that day, I was secretly quite worried."
"Seeing you still as radiant as ever, I realize I was overthinking things. Grandmaster Lu's skills are truly admirable."
"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Ning."
You nodded slightly, your tone as calm as ever.
[You push open the door to Room Number One of Heaven, and step aside to gesture for them to enter.]
"I've been away from the city for several months. I wonder if there's anything new happening there? Why don't we come in and chat?"
[Ning Junqiu hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside.]
She sat down opposite the Tea Table and personally started a fire to boil water.
"During your absence, Fellow Daoist, the Nü Zhi City has remained peaceful as always. Trade routes by land and sea have continued as usual, and no major disturbances have occurred."
[You picked up the teacup she offered and casually asked,]
"What about the Desire Sea Pavilion? After refining the pills for Pavilion Master Hua, I immediately went out to sea to search for medicinal herbs. I wonder if that batch of pills will suit her taste."
[Ning Junqiu's hand, holding the teapot, paused in mid-air. He glanced up at you, then placed the teapot back on the stove and gently shook his head.]
"The situation at the Desire Sea Pavilion is calm and peaceful, just like always."
"Recently, news has spread that Pavilion Master Hua has gone into seclusion. Several elders are temporarily managing the affairs of the pavilion, and the various properties in the city are operating as usual."
[You listened to Ning Junqiu's words seemingly casually, calmly sipping your tea, remaining noncommittal.]
[That's exactly what I expected.]
[Hua Yunzhen two by Jiang Mutian's sword, her soul and body utterly destroyed. Upon discovering their leader's sudden death, the first reaction of the Desire Sea Pavilion's higher-ups was undoubtedly to suppress the news.]
[In the Domain of Chaos, it's a dog-eat-dog world. Which sect would dare to make a fuss after the death of its pillar? Naturally, they'd wait until things stabilize internally before speaking out.]
[Anyway, it's common for high-level cultivators to go into seclusion for decades or even centuries. As long as the Desire Sea Pavilion stabilizes its internal situation and puts up a sign saying they're in seclusion, who would dare to easily go to the Main Peak to verify its authenticity?]
Even if the newly chosen successor is far inferior to Hua Yunzhen, as long as the Mountain-Protection Grand Formation remains intact, outsiders, unable to ascertain the full extent of the situation, will still dare not act rashly.
[Often, until the very end when a Great Sects's Mountain Gates are breached, outsiders have no idea how many powerful figures are hidden within, or if it's just an empty shell.]
[This is also why, despite constant friction between the major powers, they dare not easily launch a war of annihilation.]
[Options pop up.]
[A: We'll rest for a few days and then leave this place.]
[B: Tell Ning Junqiu to continue refining pills at Gathering Immortals Tower.]
[C: Patting his chest, he boldly announced to Ning Junqiu: "Hua Yunzhen has been taken down by me! Now is the perfect time to buy low and short sell. From today onwards, Gathering Immortals Tower will fully acquire the brothel business of the Desire Sea Pavilion and reorganize it into the North Sea Heavenly Realm Bathhouse. Sister Ning will serve Chief Executive Officer. Let's make the Dual Cultivation industry chain bigger and stronger!"]