Ninety Steps Forward

Whether the Restriction can be broken depends on Shi Manrong's fate.

Lan Chang'an speculated that the success rate was still relatively low.

Shi Manrong can truly break free from the Restriction with this, becoming a third-tier array master in the future is practically a certainty.

Lan Chang'an not only looked at her with new respect, but even considered trying to curry favor with her in advance.

"Daoist Lu, do you really have no interest in that Ancient Ruins?"

Shi Manrong looked slightly disappointed.

Lan Chang'an seemed interested in the fortuitous opportunity she mentioned, but had no intention of cooperating.

Shi Manrong originally thought that this would be the biggest temptation to win over Lan Chang'an for help, followed by her own beauty and talent.

This Ancient Ruins, seemingly set up by a master of formations, contains high-level Array Formation Inheritance, which greatly attracts her.

"Even Pseudo-Core True Person cultivators perished at that ruin; I, Lu, am somewhat aware of my own limitations."

Lan Chang'an smiled and shook his head.

The fortuitous opportunity treasures within the ruins were indeed very attractive to him.

When it comes to crucial fortuitous opportunity involving the quality of the Golden Core Realm Formation and one's natal Law Treasure, even if one has ample lifespan, one must consider vying for them.

However, this is contingent on having a certain level of capability.

For example, when we went to the Black Mist Mountain Range, although there were certain risks, they were generally manageable.

"By the way, Fairy Shi. Besides you and True Person Qi, does anyone else know the location of that Ancient Ruins?"

Lan Chang'an asked about a detail.

"True Person Qi is Rogue Cultivator who enjoys traveling and exploring. He accidentally discovered that Ancient Ruins. In order to keep it a secret and enjoy the treasures fortuitous opportunity all to himself, only I participated in and assisted in this matter, and I was placed under Restriction."

Shi Manrong stated.

Lan Chang'an cannot believe everything he hears.

It's impossible to be certain whether that Pseudo-Core True Person left behind any backup plan or informed others through some means.

That Ancient Ruins.

He will observe for at least several decades, and only consider it when his strength surpasses that of False Core cultivator and he has the assistance of a third-tier array master.

Otherwise, no matter how eloquently Shi Manrong described it, he wouldn't even glance at it.

After the transaction was completed, both parties got what they wanted.

Shi Manrong's only regret was that she couldn't get Lan Chang'an's full support.

Over the years, she had come to realize that this neighbor Peak Master, was no ordinary cultivator.

Foundation Establishment at an advanced age, maintains an excellent mindset, raises Mystic Water Turtle, Second-Order Monster Beast, and possesses a defensive formation similar to those found in Ancient Ruins.

Moreover, this neighbor suited her taste perfectly in terms of appearance, temperament, character, and beliefs.

She wasn't interested in male cultivators who were too serious about relationships and wouldn't let go.

"Fairy Shi, please step aside."

Lan Chang'an raised his hand, preparing to lift the Restriction in the study.

It turned out that this Fairy Shi was not wearing shoes; her delicate Ice Silkworm White Silk Socks, were resting on the floor.

"Daoist Lu, now that we've finished discussing the transaction, shouldn't we talk about our personal feelings?"

Shi Manrong smiled sweetly, moved gracefully with light steps.

Previously, Lan Chang'an had implied that business deals and personal relationships should be considered separately.

She took Lan Chang'an's arm, looking pitiful, and buried her head in his chest.

"What does Fairy Shi wish to say?"

This time, Lan Chang'an did not resist. He smiled slightly and put his arm around Fairy Shi's waist.

"How you decide is entirely up to Fellow Daoist Lu."

Shi Manrong's silvery face flushed slightly, and she gently brushed her jade-like hand against the waist of her skirt.

A slight breeze blew beneath Lan Chang'an, Fairy Shi's moon-colored dress slipped down, revealing her smooth, jade-like legs.

Shi Manrong said softly, "I am a withered willow, Restriction, and I fear I will not live for more than a few years. Daoist Lu, there is no need to pity me."

There was no bed in the study. The two embraced and cuddled for a long time before going to the desk.

Outside the cave, the moonlight was hazy.

Two hours later.

Shi Manrong tidied her hair and cast a cleansing Law Technique, leaving her moon-colored dress spotless.

She gracefully and calmly bent down to put on her embroidered shoes.

A sudden pain appeared between his brows, and he let out a muffled groan.

Lan Chang'an smiled apologetically and reached out to help Fairy Shi up.

This Fairy Shi possessed the charm of a mature and beautiful woman, and was the best experience Lan Chang'an had ever had in his life.

After letting Shi Manrong rest for a while to recover her strength, Lan Chang'an escorted her out of the cave.

"Daoist Lu, if one day my protective Restriction activates and I cease to exist, will you still remember me?"

Before parting, Shi Manrong looked at him with a hint of sorrow in her eyes.

"Try to be more optimistic."

Lan Chang'an responded with a smile, offering encouragement.

This woman's words and actions displayed gentleness while responding with firmness.

He doesn't take those kinds of mind-altering drugs.

Shi Manrong usually had alternative plans to break the Restriction, but they were either too risky or required paying some undesirable price.

Back in the cave.

Lan Chang'an reviewed the transaction just now, checking for any omissions or errors.

Firstly, the formation in that Ancient Ruins was similar to the formation he obtained from the High Antiquity cultivation civilization in his Previous Life.

This is why Shi Manrong initially focused on the formation.

Lan Chang'an didn't even ask about the specific location of the ruins.

Without the help of a third-tier array master, he wouldn't have even considered this matter.

Secondly, Shi Manrong suspected of having caused the death of a False Core, which at least indicates that she was involved in something, suggesting she was not an ordinary female cultivator.

Even after the transaction was completed, Fairy Shi continued to have casual relationships with him, which should not be solely due to her appreciation of Lan Chang'an or to alleviate her loneliness.

This woman may have had a gut feeling that he was no ordinary cultivator and that he was a decent person, so she was clinging to him as a lifeline.

For the next six months, Wuqi Mountain remained calm and peaceful.

The Fairy Shi visited less often, often staying in her cave or rushing outside.

Lan Chang'an guessed that she must have gone to the Marketplace and the Immortal City to find various means or items that could help break the restrictions.

The Restriction will take another five or six years to take effect; we haven't reached a true dead end yet.

This day.

Lan Chang'an received an invitation from Lin Ye to visit Small Pill Peak.

Compared to when he first arrived at Wuqi Mountain, Lin Ye's face has gained a few more wrinkles.

"Daoist Lu, have you heard of the assassination attempt on Alchemist Hua?"

After a few rounds of drinks, red spots appeared on Lin Ye's old face, and he chuckled softly.

"Alchemist Hua was assassinated? When did this happen?"

Lan Chang'an asked in surprise.

"Just in the last month, it's said that on his way back to his hometown, he was ambushed by hired assassins. Hua Heng escaped thanks to his life-saving trump card, but he suffered serious injuries."

Lin Ye said gloatingly.

Hiring a hitman to commit murder?

Regardless of whether this matter is true or false, it did spark Lan Chang'an's inspiration.

As long as the employer keeps their identity confidential and has sufficient funds, the risk of hiring someone to commit murder is very low.

"Who would hire someone to kill Alchemist Hua?" Lan Chang'an probed.

"That's hard to say."

Lin Ye stroked his beard and smiled.

"Hua Heng appears to have a good reputation, but in reality, he may use some underhanded tricks and schemes in alchemy. Perhaps he has harmed someone in the past, which has earned him resentment."

Back in his cave, Lan Chang'an fell into deep thought.

More than a decade ago, the image of Alchemist Hua smiling as he handed the refined Fine Foundation Establishment Pill to Fu Xuemei flashed through my mind.

Alchemist Hua was a mastermind behind the incident, carrying out everything and actively trying to please Fu Xuemei.

Alchemist Hua is currently injured and weak, which seems like a good opportunity for revenge.

After careful consideration, Lan Chang'an concluded that it was not a safe bet.

Alchemist Hua had just been assassinated and was now extremely wary, more so than usual.

At the same time, he couldn't be sure if this was a trap.

A few years ago, Lan Chang'an inquired about the relationship between Lin Ye and Alchemist Hua, and the two indeed did not have any contact.

There are no obvious suspicious points from Lin Ye's side.

Perhaps Lin Ye was the one who hired the killer.

Seeing that the assassination attempt had failed, he leaked the information to Lan Chang'an, hoping that he would deliver the final blow.

"Without a reasonable scapegoat, killing Alchemist Hua might arouse Fu Xuemei's suspicion."

Another six months have passed.

A major event has occurred in the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom.

The cultivators of the three major sects, Golden Cloud Valley, Profound Sound Pavilion, and Floating Cloud Sect, launched a full-scale siege against the hidden stronghold of the Demonic Cult sect near the Black Mist Mountain Range.

Liang Shaotian, who has advanced to the early stage of the Golden Core Realm, engages in a great battle with the sect's powerful experts.

Ultimately, Liang Shaotian was outnumbered and forced to retreat injured.

That stronghold of the Demonic Cult sect was wiped out by the Cultivation World sects of the Liang Kingdom.

This battle greatly enhanced the prestige of the major sects.

"The situation in the Cultivation World is stable. Liang Shaotian acts in a high-profile manner, establishing hidden strongholds, much like a mountain king, going against the general trend. He is unlikely to become a force to be reckoned with."

Lan Chang'an was not surprised by this result at all.

The cultivators who launched the encirclement were only a small portion of the forces from the three major Golden Core sects; they weren't really going all out.

The "Blazing Fire Palace," the strongest Cultivation World in the Liang Kingdom, did not participate in this operation, nor did the Green Bamboo Sect in the Eastern Territory.

Liang Shaotian was seriously injured and fled in defeat, which happened to be the year Lan Chang'an turned eighty-seven.

His personal cultivation level is approaching the third level of Foundation Establishment.

At this moment, Lan Chang'an faced a problem: Guan Qiaozhi had already cultivated to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

To be precise, I reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer six months ago.

All told, this woman has served Lan Chang'an diligently and without complaint for decades.

On this day, Lan Chang'an sent Sound Transmission Talisman, asking Guan Qiaozhi to come to the Secret Chamber.

"Brother Lu, what brings you here?"

Guan Qiaozhi's eyes were filled with expectation. She drew her eyebrows, applied red paint, and put on a snow-white gauze dress.

Lan Chang'an ignored her gaze and said seriously:

"Qiaozhi, have you made any preparations for Foundation Establishment?"

"Foundation Establishment? Not yet."

Guan Qiaozhi paused for a moment, then shook her head and said:

"Thanks to Brother Lu's care, it's already quite an achievement for Qiaozhi at her age to have reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer. She's also been quite the star of the show, settling into the vast Second-Order Spiritual Vein Small Turtle Peak. As for the Foundation Establishment Realm, Qiaozhi doesn't dare to even dream of it."

Guan Qiaozhi knew very well how difficult it was to obtain a Foundation Establishment.

This isn't just a matter of whether or not there are enough Spirit Stone.

Without the Foundation Establishment, given her aptitude and current age, her chances are slim.

Lan Chang'an looked at her. "Do you want to Foundation Establishment?"

"I want to." Guan Qiaozhi gently bit her pink lips; this was the dream of every Qi Refining Realm cultivator.

I dared not hope for it, but I certainly fantasized about it.

"I received a tip from Alchemist Lin: through a certain black market channel, one can buy Inferior Foundation Establishment Pill at a relatively low price, increasing the chances of achieving Foundation Establishment by 15%."

Lan Chang'an said.

"Foundation Establishment?"

Guan Qiaozhi's breath hitched, her chest heaved, and her eyes shone brightly.

"This Jade Cylinder contains the Foundation Establishment Foundation Establishment Method and related insights. You should continue your cultivation over the past few years and digest these teachings."

Lan Chang'an handed her a Jade Cylinder and gave her instructions.

"Whether we can obtain a substandard Foundation Establishment is still uncertain. But you should be prepared and try to break through to Foundation Establishment before you turn sixty."

"Yes, Brother Lu."

Guan Qiaozhi took the Jade Cylinder, her eyes reddening, and she sobbed softly.

She never imagined that Lan Chang'an would scheme to obtain Foundation Establishment for the sake of one of her concubines.

He knew Lan Chang'an's personality; he wouldn't have given such an explanation if he wasn't quite certain of success.

Time flies, and three years have passed.

Lan Chang'an has entered his nineties.

Small Turtle Peak, Secret Chamber.

The lake of Spiritual Qi within Lan Chang'an's dantian subtly expanded, and Evergreen Mana grew increasingly robust.

"At ninety years old, he has reached the third level of Foundation Establishment, which is the final stage of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage."

Lan Chang'an remained calm and composed.

These smaller levels are merely a measure of one's own cultivation stage, with each level increasing Law Power by only 20-30%.

Only by breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage can one's strength be significantly improved.

He murmured, "Come to think of it, Qiaozhi is fifty-eight years old now. I wonder how her Foundation Establishment preparations are going."

(End of this chapter)