Five Families of Mist Mountain

"No!"

Yu Ruoxi froze, then flew into a rage and blurted out.

"Why not? Though this junior has only just arrived at your sect, it truly deserves to be called the foremost sect in the Yue Kingdom. Not only is the scenery like an immortal realm, but every female disciple is graceful and beautiful as a flower. This junior likes it very much and wishes to impose for a few more days. I hope Senior will grant my request."

Luo Hong put on the airs of a libertine, hoping Yu Ruoxi would grow disgusted with him and abandon the idea of traveling with him.

The ancient Demon Sealing Ground might only be a legend, but there was no need to wander around such a place. Qi Refining Stage Cultivators were simply too fragile. It was better to be cautious.

"What nonsense! The female disciple who reported your arrival clearly said you were a dull boy who knew nothing of relations between men and women. Yet now you're putting on this act. What exactly are your intentions?!"

The more Yu Ruoxi thought about it, the angrier she became. Yet because of the Spiritual Sense Talisman, she could not make a move and could only endure it.

"This junior has no other intentions. I merely wish to trouble Senior to bring back my share. I can hand the spiritual herb over to Senior now. I trust Senior would not break her promise before my master."

Luo Hong readily threw out the Jade Box containing the Righteous Qi Lotus.

This immediately extinguished Yu Ruoxi's anger. After all, she now held the treasure she had yearned for over several decades in her hands.

"You really are a strange boy. It isn't that I'm forcing you; you simply cannot refuse to go. The Orchid Fragrance Liquid cannot retain its potency for long and must be harvested and used immediately."

Now that I've put it this plainly, he should obediently come with me.

"Then this junior would still like five Pure Lotus Pills." Luo Hong circled back again.

"You—you! Why exactly are you unwilling to go to Mist Mountain with me?!"

Yu Ruoxi was truly furious. Her delicate hand squeezed fine cracks into the Jade Box.

"Senior, why must you haggle with me over that one Pure Lotus Pill?" Luo Hong was equally frustrated.

"Hmph! You need not concern yourself with that. There are only four, take it or leave it."

After speaking, Yu Ruoxi rose into the air, clearly unwilling to say another word to Luo Hong.

His strategy of showing sincerity had failed. With no other options, Luo Hong shut off the Spiritual Sense Talisman and followed on his magic artifact with a worried expression.

Meanwhile, Yu Ruoxi, flying ahead, sensed Luo Hong's movements with her divine sense and unexpectedly felt a small thrill of victory.

In the end, I still got the better deal.

One Righteous Qi Lotus was enough to refine three batches of Pure Lotus Pills. Given the ability of the alchemist Yu Ruoxi had entrusted, the chances of succeeding once out of three attempts were extremely high. As for succeeding twice, she did not dare hope for it.

A batch of Pure Lotus Pills generally yielded seven or eight pills. Yu Ruoxi was confident that, with spiritual liquid as an aid, one pill would be enough for her to break through to the sixth layer. After setting aside Luo Hong's four pills, she would still have two or three left.

That way, the remaining Pure Lotus Pills could barely allow one more person to break through to the sixth layer. Trading them with others would surely bring considerable profit.

It was no wonder Yu Ruoxi calculated so carefully. Refining magic treasures after advancing to Core Formation consumed an enormous amount of wealth. Though the Moon Concealing Sect would provide some resources, she was not someone content with mediocrity. She had to prepare as much as she could herself.

More than ten days later, Mist Mountain, Houtu Peak, the Zhao Family's inner hall.

Zhao Yushu entered with barely concealed excitement. Though he was a member of the Zhao Family, his spiritual root aptitude was poor and his cultivation low. He had always been an inconspicuous figure in the family. He had never entered the inner hall, which only Qi Refining Late-stage disciples could access, much less met his own Clan Leader alone.

All of this made him so excited that even his steps felt a little unsteady.

"Yushu greets Clan Leader."

Inside the inner hall, Zhao Yushu knelt before a Young Woman. The respect on his face came from the bottom of his heart.

"Rise. That batch of Earth Element Spirit Stones you brought back last time was of great help to the family. I summoned you today to reward you."

The Young Woman was the Zhao Family's Clan Leader, a Foundation Establishment Mid-stage cultivator. Yet a trace of fatigue could be heard in her voice.

Zhao Yushu was so overjoyed that he naturally failed to notice it and immediately declined.

"It is already Yushu's honor to help ease the family's burdens. There is no need for the Clan Leader to reward me further."

"It is indeed an honor, but that does not mean we can abandon the Law of Reward and Punishment. Otherwise, the clan will surely become unstable. This Spirit Shaking Hoe is a high-grade magic artifact. Though it is not suited for combat, it is most suitable for you."

The Young Woman threw out a ball of light. When it reached Zhao Yushu, it transformed into a jet-black hoe brimming with spiritual qi.

"Thank you, Clan Leader. Yushu will devote himself to the Zhao Family until death!"

Zhao Yushu was deeply moved and decided to spend two more shichen every day cultivating spiritual fruits.

"Mm, go. Do not forget the task you promised someone else."

The Young Woman nodded slightly. After watching Zhao Yushu bow and leave, she placed her hand on the incense burner behind her, grasped one corner, and gently turned it.

Only to hear a rattling of chains, and a hidden door opened in a nearby wall.

A Cultivation Family was actually using the mundane Art of Mechanisms. Though it was not as reliable as an array, it drew no attention because it produced no spiritual qi fluctuations.

Behind the hidden door was a stone staircase leading underground. The Young Woman descended the steps and soon arrived at an Underground Secret Chamber.

"Have all your magic power recovered, Clan Leaders?"

Three Foundation Establishment Early-stage Cultivators were sitting cross-legged in meditation inside the chamber—two men and one woman. Judging by their attire, none were members of the Zhao Family.

"With Clan Leader Zhao's Orchid Fragrance Pills to aid us, our magic power has recovered fifty to sixty percent. In a little while, it will be fully restored. Many thanks."

Qian Tianbao opened his eyes, his mustache trembling slightly as he gave his thanks.

"Sister Zhao, we truly have you to thank this time. My Sun Family will never forget today's kindness."

The Sun Family's Clan Leader was a white-haired old woman, and she was quite agitated at the moment.

"Granny Sun, you flatter me. Our Five Families of Mist Mountain have always been Like-Minded, and we should naturally support one another. Today, my Zhao Family helps yours; tomorrow, perhaps the Zhao Family will need everyone's help."

The Young Woman appeared very respectful toward Granny Sun. Her words were sincere and did not seem false.

"Alas, if not for the Zhou Family's decline, we would not have needed to expend so much vital energy."

Clan Leader Li wore black hunting garb. He was mature and handsome, and he spoke with great regret.

"There are still two clan members of this generation in the Zhou Family with spiritual roots. As long as all four of our families lend them a hand, there is still hope."

The Young Woman's expression darkened. Even she did not believe her own words.

The other three also sighed. Their own families were struggling to survive, so how could they possibly look after the Zhou Family?

Just Then, a Sound Transmission Talisman flew through an air vent and landed in the Young Woman's hand.

Because it used Secret Language, the Young Woman placed it against her forehead to examine it. Her expression then abruptly changed.

"Clan Leader Zhao, what happened?"

The three people meditating all looked extremely tense, afraid of hearing bad news.

"It is not a Major Affair. One of my old friends wishes to ask me to refine pills, and she has already arrived at the Zhao Family."

The Young Woman rubbed her right temple with some worry before replying.

Qian Tianbao said, "Can't you delay her for a while? The matter we have planned cannot wait."

"I'm afraid not. The other party is a disciple of the Moon Concealing Sect and was already a Foundation Establishment Late-stage Cultivator twenty years ago. By now, she should be in the False Core Realm. Furthermore, I agreed to the alchemy matter long ago, so it would be difficult to refuse.

Never mind. I'll meet her first and see."

Clan Leader Li said, "Alas, what terrible timing!"