Methods of Nourishment

"This isn't poison; it's just a natural blend of herbs that promotes the depletion of vital energy and has a side effect of inducing sleep."

The burly man in the straw hat did not reveal his identity, but slowly spoke.

After being repeatedly pulled along by Jade Moon Lake, Huang Tankong's energy was greatly depleted.

With the addition of these mixed herbs, Huang Tankong had already lost his fighting ability.

Even if one wanted to use a secret technique, there was nothing left to exploit in this body, and its Law Power had been completely depleted.

"Please... spare the Huang Family. It was all my personal action."

Huang Tankong pleaded, his voice hoarse.

His consciousness was almost completely blurred.

Lan Chang'an spared the other person's life in order to uncover a certain truth.

He transmitted his voice, saying, "Fellow Daoist Huang, your lifespan is nearing its end. I originally did not wish to have anything to do with you."

"In order to force Lu to show himself, your Huang Family sent people to assassinate Mu Bingyun. Isn't that going a bit too far?"

"No... no... the Huang Family did not do this!"

As Huang Tankong lay dying, he uttered his last words and closed his eyes.

Under Lan Chang'an's Divine Sense, this emaciated body quickly lost its life force.

Lan Chang'an cultivates the Evergreen Art, making him highly sensitive to life force and possessing strong Divine Sense; the feigned death technique cannot deceive him.

"Not the Huang Family?"

Lan Chang'an believed about 60-70% of what Huang Tankong said before he died.

When Mu Bingyun was attacked and killed, Lan Chang'an thought about it deeply afterward and felt that something was wrong.

From Huang Tankong's perspective, Lan Chang'an was unaware that he was secretly staking out the place, or at least couldn't be certain of it.

Ambushing and killing also depends on luck.

If Lan Chang'an hadn't been able to ambush the target, he wouldn't have been unaware of the situation and wouldn't have completely sided with the Mu Family.

Lan Chang'an might not take it seriously if he targets Mu Bingyun.

If they value this woman but fail to acquire her, the Maple Leaf Huang Family will have another Foundation Establishment mortal enemy in the future.

If it's not the Huang Family, then who is it?

Lan Chang'an was at a loss for the time being.

Because once the Huang Family falls, almost all the surrounding cultivation Lineage will benefit.

Lan Chang'an took one last look at Huang Tankong's corpse, but didn't have the intention of kicking it.

Leave this man with a whole corpse.

Huang Tankong's death can be considered a natural one.

There were no signs of a struggle at the scene, nor was any poison used.

The natural blend of herbs used previously will naturally evaporate upon contact with the human body and in the night breeze.

This ending has one advantage:

Among the few key members of the Huang Family who knew the truth, only it was confirmed that Huang Changling's death was not natural.

It's unreasonable to link the deaths of two Foundation Establishment to a single murderer.

In fact, the Maple Leaf Huang Family only has one Foundation Establishment female cultivator left, who is barely able to protect herself and poses almost no threat.

Lan Chang'an did this simply to play it safe and wait for things to happen.

Huang Tankong's Storage Bag contained only some pills, an offensive Law Artifact, and a few miscellaneous items; it wasn't of much value.

This person was prepared to die with someone else, so naturally they wouldn't be carrying any valuables.

Lan Chang'an simply didn't move, leaving behind a perfect scene of natural death.

In the near future, this approach will reduce his risk.

After erasing his footprints, Lan Chang'an disappeared into the darkness.

The sky gradually brightened.

Several cultivators from the Huang Family arrived, led by a cultivator at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

"Uncle Tan!"

"Grand Elder!"

Several Huang Family cultivators, filled with grief, approached Huang Tankong's corpse.

A preliminary autopsy revealed that the clothes were intact and there were no signs of struggle, indicating that the person died of natural causes.

"With the deaths of two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Huang Family, the clan's Soul Tablet are reacting. The only remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator, Huang Yingchun, indeed dares not emerge."

On a hill several miles away, Lan Chang'an watched for a moment, then quietly left.

Two days later, Lan Chang'an returned to the Jade Moon Mountain Villa.

Inside the separate courtyard, the illusory aura simulated by the Illusion Truth Talisman still lingered.

If there is a mole in the Mu Family from the Huang Family, the information they received is that Lan Chang'an has not left Jade Moon Mountain Villa in the past few days.

Ten days later.

Lan Chang'an announced his departure.

Li Erqing, the family head Mu Chengji, Mu Yunfei, Mu Ershun, and others respectfully saw them off.

This departure is different.

A graceful and elegant young woman in a light blue dress appeared beside Lan Chang'an, her face slightly pale.

"Mu Bingyun was taken away by Senior Lu?"

Among the young cultivators of the Mu Family watching from afar, several showed reluctance or unwillingness.

The Mu Lineage has many branches, and many non-close relatives can voluntarily form alliances.

Mu Bingyun is the most beautiful young woman in Jade Moon Lake. She has good aptitude and is also a Talisman Master.

"There's no need for any more deliveries, everyone."

Lan Chang'an piloted his Flying Boat, soaring into the clouds, leaving behind his last words.

"I, Lu, am now Second-Order Talisman Master residing in Wuqi Mountain. Fellow Daoists of Jade Moon Lake, may our friendship endure as long as the mountains and rivers remain unchanged."

Upon hearing this, Li Erqing and the other senior members of the Mu Family present changed their expressions slightly.

They realized the implication in Lan Chang'an's words.

On the lakeshore further away.

The top floor of the Weeping Willow Pavilion.

A woman wearing a veil, whose age and face are obscured, gazes at the Flying Boat in the sky.

She sized up the indistinct young man in white.

Finally, he looked at the girl in the blue dress behind him, his eyes conveying something.

In a daze, her mind seemed to fly far away, merging with the graceful figure of the girl in the blue dress.

On the Flying Boat, Mu Bingyun looked dejected and remained silent.

From this day forward, I will leave my native Jade Moon Lake and bid farewell to my family and master.

Looking at the white-clad man before her, as serene as an ancient tree, Mu Bingyun's clear gaze gradually hardened and calmed down.

Ten days later.

The Flying Boat entered the misty, fresh air of Wuqi Mountain and landed on Small Turtle Peak, one of its three main peaks.

Mu Bingyun's mind stirred slightly as she sensed a Spiritual Qi environment even better than that of Moon Heart Island.

"Brother Lu, you're back!"

A clear, bell-like female voice rang out, carrying seven parts joy and three parts tenderness.

Wearing a beige ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), Guan Qiaozhi, came to greet them.

Behind her was a giant Spirit Turtle, as big as a basket, like an adorable little follower, constantly sucking at the heels of the girl's feet beneath her skirt.

Who is this young lady?

Guan Qiaozhi was taken aback when she saw Mu Bingyun.

The girl in the green dress before me had delicate, arched eyebrows and a face as white as a blooming lotus, with a hint of loneliness in her eyes and brows.

Her appearance and temperament were rare in Guan Qiaozhi's life; only the Foundation Establishment Realm Fairy Zhao could slightly surpass her.

Guan Qiaozhi was amazed by her beauty, but a sense of crisis suddenly arose within her.

"This is my old friend's disciple, Mu Bingyun."

Lan Chang'an introduced the two parties.

"So you're Miss Mu. Please have a seat and make yourself at home."

Guan Qiaozhi, acting as a part-lead actress, warmly welcomed them.

"Thank you, Aunt Guan."

Mu Bingyun bowed respectfully, not wanting to offend Uncle Lu's bedmate.

Aunt Guan?

Guan Qiaozhi's smile froze, her chest heaving as she inwardly fumed. "How dare they mock me for being old?"

"You two can normally be treated as equals."

Lan Chang'an saw through Guan Qiaozhi's thoughts.

In his early years, he and Daoist Guan were both teacher and friend.

Guan Qiaozhi was several decades younger than him, an age difference larger than that between most fathers and daughters.

Of course, Mu Bingyun is even younger, not yet thirty, and is Mu Xiuyun's grandniece by seniority.

"As equals?"

Guan Qiaozhi's mood worsened.

Brother Lu, are you perhaps planning to take Mu Bingyun as a concubine, and that's why you've suggested treating her as an equal?

That day, Guan Qiaozhi prepared a feast of Spirit Cuisine to welcome Mu Bingyun to Small Turtle Peak.

Mu Bingyun chose a side room in the cave and settled down on Small Turtle Peak.

Three days later, Lan Chang'an finalized a plan for Mu Bingyun to repair her foundation.

In addition to the secret healing techniques of Evergreen Art, there is also a nourishing medicinal soup from a Previous Life.

The herbal decoction might have a slight effect as a pretext, but it cannot repair the damaged foundation.

"Uncle Lu."

Mu Bingyun entered the pharmacy, preparing to receive gentle conditioning treatment.

Inside the pharmacy, besides a stock of commonly used medicinal herbs, there was also a soft bed.

"Drink this bowl of medicine, then lie flat on the bed."

Lan Chang'an gave the instructions.

"Um."

Mu Bingyun drank the nourishing medicinal soup, lifted her skirt, and lay down on the soft bed.

Beforehand, Lan Chang'an gave her a Jade Cylinder and told her about the process of nurturing it.

On the bed, Mu Bingyun had a slender figure, a willow-like waist, and graceful curves. With her fair skin, she resembled a piece of naturally sculpted ice jade.

Take advantage of the fact that the medicine has just been swallowed.

Lan Chang'an extended his fair palm and placed it on her abdomen.

Now that I'm at the Foundation Establishment stage, I no longer need to treat my skin directly like I used to.

"Relax."

Mu Bingyun lay flat on her back with her eyes closed, her long, curved eyelashes fluttering slightly.

Lan Chang'an's hand, through the girl's dress, felt the smoothness and delicacy of her lower abdomen, and the faint fragrance of her body, like Azure Lotus, lingered around his nose.

"Alright."

Lan Chang'an only symbolically rested for a moment before using the Evergreen Secret Technique, consuming one day of his lifespan.

Mu Bingyun lifted her skirt and landed on the ground, her head bowed, her pale face tinged with a faint blush.

"Hmm? This is..."

Mu Bingyun calmed her mind and sensed a Azure Warmth, full of vitality, seeping into the damaged area of her dantian, like the nourishment of a mother's womb.

"How are you feeling?" Lan Chang'an asked.

"It feels so good..."

As soon as Mu Bingyun spoke, her snow-white face flushed red, and she changed her words, saying, "The discomfort in my dantian seems to have lessened."

"That's good. From now on, we'll have this warming treatment every two months."

After saying this, Lan Chang'an left the pharmacy.

"Could my Evergreen Secret Technique be infused into the medicinal soup?"

Back in the Secret Chamber, Lan Chang'an had an idea.

This kind of intimate care can feel somewhat ambiguous and awkward for a single man and woman.

Especially in the abdomen, it may have an impact on the girl's physical and mental health.

Lan Chang'an immediately gave it a try.

He consumed several days of his lifespan, used the Evergreen Secret Technique, and infused a tender, emerald-green aura into the medicinal soup.

In his perception, the life force contained within the medicinal soup, a secret of time, was rapidly dissipating and flowing away.

Just as worldly cultivators cannot grasp time.

Lan Chang'an shook his head; at least ordinary herbal medicine wouldn't work.

A year later, Lan Chang'an turned eighty-four.

That day, he received a letter from Li Erqing and learned about the situation of the Maple Leaf Huang Family.

"The Huang Family has only one Foundation Establishment left, and surrounding forces are eager to make their move, eyeing the Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market."

"But half a year ago, Huang Yingchun, the only remaining female cultivator in the Huang Family at the Foundation Establishment, became dao companion with a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator. The Huang Family's businesses and the Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market were thus saved?"

This result was both unexpected and reasonable for Lan Chang'an.

The remaining Foundation Establishment in the Huang Family was a beautiful female cultivator.

Female cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage are already rare in the Cultivation World, let alone those with enormous assets.

The union between the two parties must have involved an exchange of interests. The Huang Family may not know what price they paid, but the details are best left unsaid.

The Foundation Establishment Late Stage is a powerful deterrent.

From the Foundation Establishment onwards, the later stages of each major realm are called the Great Cultivation of the Same Realm.

Those who represent the pinnacle of the ultimate realm possess formidable strength.

Last time, Lan Chang'an used a Second-Order High-Grade Lightning Talisman to instantly kill Huang Changling, who Foundation Establishment Early Stage. Huang's protective magic shield was as fragile as paper.

This is equivalent to a spell Law Technique in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and its power would be even greater if wielded with a top-grade magic Law Artifact.

Lan Chang'an had some reservations about the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, as it wasn't so easy to handle.

Avoid confronting them.

Fortunately, Lan Chang'an left no loopholes in the Huang Family incident, and Huang Tankong's death appeared to be a natural one.

That Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator was merely using the promise of forming a dao companion and providing protection in exchange for benefits; he was not a henchman driven by the Huang Family.

(End of this chapter)