The Zhao Family's Master and Disciple

"Centennial Birthday Banquet?"

Lan Chang'an smiled and shook his head, indicating that he had no intention of inviting many relatives and friends to hold a grand birthday banquet.

For low-level cultivators, reaching the age of one hundred is a significant hurdle.

A significant portion of Qi Refining cultivators do not live to be a hundred years old.

One's lifespan can be affected by various actions, such as dying prematurely, fighting for one's life in youth, failing to achieve Foundation Establishment, or engaging in other behaviors.

Lan Chang'an guessed that Li Erqing's advance notice was not only to maintain their friendship, but also indicated that he himself had the idea of holding a grand 100th birthday banquet.

In the past, Li Erqing liked to hold banquets and celebrate when he got married and had children.

Li Erqing is two years younger than Lan Chang'an.

He couldn't overstep his bounds if the eldest brother didn't celebrate his Centennial Birthday Banquet.

Lan Chang'an replied to Li Erqing, explaining his situation and telling him not to worry.

For his Centennial Birthday Banquet, he would at most have a small private celebration in his cave, and would not hold a grand birthday banquet or celebration.

Not long after, Lan Chang'an received another letter from Golden Cloud Valley.

"Oh? Zhao Siyao is plotting to obtain Foundation Establishment for her female disciple?"

Lan Chang'an's heart stirred.

When Zhao Siyao Foundation Establishment in Yellow Dragon Immortal City, she mentioned that she had taken in a female disciple with excellent aptitude in the Zhao Family's ancestral homeland.

This female disciple Zhao Tan'er. She is two years younger than Mu Bingyun and reached the peak of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer three years ago.

As a person with High-Grade Spiritual Root, Zhao Tan'er originally intended to attempt the Foundation Establishment Pill without using it, and she estimated that she had a success rate of nearly 40%.

To be on the safe side, Zhao Siyao told her to wait a little longer.

In the letter, Zhao Siyao inquired whether Lan Chang'an had any extra materials from his plan to create the Foundation Establishment.

Zhao Siyao has gathered half of the materials, but is missing Mystic Spirit Fruit or a special demon core, as well as some other materials.

"Hmm? This is an opportunity."

Lan Chang'an came up with an idea: to imitate the two of them from back then and pretend to cooperate in alchemy.

"If we refine the Foundation Establishment in Zhao Siyao's name, and I secretly provide special demon cores and other materials, that would be much safer."

This time, Zhao Siyao's scheme to obtain Foundation Establishment for her disciple is perfectly reasonable.

Zhao Siyao is trustworthy; just ask her to keep the secret.

At worst, Zhao Siyao can provide the remaining materials, and we'll give her a Foundation Establishment in return.

Lan Chang'an has gathered most of the materials for the Foundation Establishment. He has all the key main ingredients, but he is missing a few auxiliary ingredients, one or two of which are relatively rare.

By doing this, Lan Chang'an avoided having to collect the remaining materials and also reduced the risk.

Thinking about this...

Lan Chang'an wrote a letter to Zhao Siyao, saying that he had a small amount of materials for Foundation Establishment and asked her to come and pick them up.

This matter involves classified information and is not suitable to be discussed in a letter.

Moon Empress.

Two female cultivators in white robes arrived at Small Turtle Peak.

One of them, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, was beautiful and graceful, with a flowing dress and a composed demeanor.

The other girl had eyebrows like emerald feathers, bright and lively eyes, and skin as white as snow, exuding an ethereal and graceful air.

"Greetings, Uncle Lu."

Zhao Tan'er, with teeth as white as pearls, greeted him in a clear, crisp voice.

"Hmm, he's a promising talent."

Lan Chang'an nodded in approval.

This woman's qualities are even better than Zhao Siyao's, and similar to his in his Previous Life.

In Zhao Tan'er, Lan Chang'an saw a resemblance to Zhao Siyao in her younger days.

In terms of personality, Zhao Tan'er is more lively and less aloof.

Within half an hour of arriving at Small Turtle Peak, Zhao Tan'er had become acquainted with Guan Qiaozhi and Mu Bingyun, and was playing with the Mystic Water Turtle by the pool.

Inside the cave, Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao had a private conversation.

"Daoist Zhao, this is your Puppet."

Lan Chang'an returned a perfectly intact Turtle Puppet to Zhao Siyao.

Two years ago, Zhao Siyao encountered danger in the secret realm, leaving only a severely damaged Turtle Puppet.

Because of the precious materials used, he only charged half price, and Lan Chang'an later promised to repair the Puppet for free.

"Daoist Lu, you are very kind."

Zhao Siyao put away the Puppet and found that not only was it repaired, but its quality had also improved, approaching that of Second-Order Middle-Grade Puppet, with even more outstanding defensive capabilities.

We chatted for a while.

Zhao Siyao mentioned the plans for this trip:

"After purchasing those materials from Daoist Lu, I plan to take my disciples to Yellow Dragon Immortal City for some training in the Black Mist Mountain Range. It would be even better if we could obtain a special demon core."

"Daoist Zhao, are you really willing to let such a promising talent take such a risk?"

Lan Chang'an couldn't help but laugh.

With High-Grade Spiritual Root, as a disciple of a sect and with elders to take care of him, there's no need for him to take such a risk.

Special demon cores are not so easy to find.

Back then, Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao, along with the second-tier Rat Demon, were lucky, but they also went through risks before finally obtaining one.

That's not what I thought.

Zhao Siyao smiled.

"Tan'er has heard about my experiences training in the Black Mist Mountain Range back then, and about you, Uncle Lu, who dared to participate in hunting Second-Order Monster Beast at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer. She is quite fascinated by these experiences and wants to emulate them."

"That's ambitious," Lan Chang'an praised.

"At that time, I will hand the Puppet over to her to control. As long as we don't go too far, there shouldn't be any problems."

Zhao Siyao explained her plans.

"Daoist Zhao, perhaps you don't need to go to the Black Mist Mountain Range..."

Lan Chang'an switched to telepathy and mentioned the matter of collaborating on refining the Foundation Establishment.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Siyao's face showed surprise, a glint of light flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

Regarding the special demon core, Lan Chang'an said it was stolen goods bought on the black market and asked her to keep it a secret.

At that time, the pills will be refined in Zhao Siyao's name.

With Zhao Siyao's intelligence, she naturally knew that this matter was not so simple.

During the battle at the Black Mist Mountain Range, coupled with her advanced age and Foundation Establishment, she knew that Lan Chang'an was no ordinary cultivator.

"Which Daoist Lu you planning to consult, Fellow Alchemist? I've heard that Alchemist Lin from your Wuqi Mountain is quite accomplished," Zhao Siyao asked.

Lan Chang'an didn't answer directly, but asked instead:

"Daoist Zhao, you should know Alchemist, right?"

"In Golden Cloud Valley, there is a Second-Order High-Grade Alchemist I have a good relationship with. I can ask him to help me refine pills privately."

Unlike before, Zhao Siyao, who Foundation Establishment for decades, is now considered a senior figure in Golden Cloud Valley and has a good network of connections.

The Alchemist she knew was highly skilled in Foundation Establishment and could often produce three pills at a time.

"Would asking him to refine pills violate the sect's rules?"

Zhao Siyao said, "As long as the key ingredients and rare materials are not purchased through sect channels, it's not considered a violation."

"That's good."

The two then discussed some more details.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Siyao still planned to take her disciples to the Black Mist Mountain Range.

After a few months of training, I'll return and retrieve the materials from Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an understood that Zhao Siyao did this not only to train her disciples, but also to cover for him and make the origin of that special demon core traceable.

Half a day later, Zhao Siyao and her apprentice left Small Turtle Peak.

Zhao Tan'er waved goodbye to Mystic Water Turtle and Guan Qiaozhi with some reluctance.

Six months later.

After Zhao Siyao returned with her disciples from their training, she stayed at Small Turtle Peak for half a day.

On this trip, Zhao Siyao did not obtain any special demon cores in the Black Mist Mountain Range. She only operated in the outer area and killed a weak Second-Order Monster Beast.

Since she doesn't lack special demon cores, she doesn't need to take any risks; she can simply take her disciples on a training trip.

Zhao Siyao brought some information with her:

"Daoist Lu, during our trip to the Black Mist Mountain Range, we noticed an unusual increase in the number of Demon Beast on the outer perimeter. Some Demon Beast groups from within the mountains have migrated to the outskirts. In a few years, this might lead to a small Beast Tide."

"A small Beast Tide?"

The Wuqi Mountain where Lan Chang'an is located is some distance from the Black Mist Mountain Range, so there's no need to worry.

For him, this wasn't bad news.

When Beast Tide occurs, the sects of the Liang Kingdom's Cultivation World, as well as the cultivation forces near the Black Mist Mountain Range, will organize people to Spirit Vein and kill the Demon Beast.

With more Demon Beast hunted, the price of Talisman materials will drop, making it easier to buy high-quality materials.

The price of ordinary Talisman will drop somewhat.

But Lan Chang'an is pursuing a high-end strategy.

Moreover, he has a long lifespan, and stockpiling some medium-to-high-quality materials during downturns can ensure stable long-term returns.

Before parting, Lan Chang'an handed over the materials for the Foundation Establishment, including the special demon core, to Zhao Siyao.

He didn't even go to Golden Cloud Valley with them.

Since we've chosen to trust her, we'll entrust this matter entirely to Zhao Siyao.

Besides believing in Zhao Siyao's character.

The materials for this Foundation Establishment were all unexpected gains he had acquired, so even if he lost them, it wouldn't have much of an impact.

Moon Empress.

Lan Chang'an noticed that Mu Bingyun had been somewhat anxious lately, and her mind was occasionally wandering.

A small mistake occurred during the preparatory work for drawing the talisman.

In the pavilion beside the Lotus Pond.

Mu Bingyun brought over tea, and Lan Chang'an asked her to sit down and chat for a bit.

In Small Turtle Peak, Mu Bingyun was essentially an employee.

By assisting in drawing talismans, acting as a maid, and managing affairs on the mountain, one can earn the qualification to cultivate here, and occasionally receive guidance from Lan Chang'an.

"Uncle Lu, I want to go out and gain experience, seeking fortuitous opportunity to Foundation Establishment."

Mu Bingyun sat stiffly, her delicate hands clutching the pleats of her skirt.

"Were you influenced by Fairy Zhao and her disciples?"

"Bingyun was only inspired by them, mainly from the Jade Moon Lake area..."

Mu Bingyun's gentle and refined face showed a worried and uneasy expression.

"Jade Moon Lake?"

Lan Chang'an seemed to be deep in thought.

Over the years, the influence of Li Erqing's faction within the Mu Family has grown increasingly stronger.

The old lineage of the Mu Family, whose power and influence are on the verge of being surpassed by Li Erqing's new lineage.

If the old lineage doesn't produce Foundation Establishment Realm soon, the Jade Moon Lake Mu Family might truly be surnamed Li in the future.

Even if they don't change their surname to Li, it's basically Li Erqing's descendants who are in power.

Mu Bingyun is currently facing a bottleneck in both her cultivation level and her talisman skills.

His cultivation level reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer a few years ago, and he was indeed at the stage of planning to Foundation Establishment.

In terms of talisman skills, the step from the first to the second rank is extremely difficult and is affected by one's cultivation level.

"Whether you're at the Foundation Establishment or Second-Order Talisman Master, you can't be impatient. If you want to go out and train, Uncle Lu won't stop you, but he'll give you some advice."

Lan Chang'an said calmly.

"Uncle Lu, please speak."

"Your combat skills are lacking. Remember when you were attacked at Jade Moon Lake?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Bingyun's starry eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head in silence.

"If you want to go out and train, you'd better be able to defeat the two Tier 1 high-grade Puppet guarding the mountain, or hold out for a hundred breaths while the Earth Rock Rat is suppressing you at the First-Order Late-Stage."

Lan Chang'an had no intention of nurturing his old friend, who had been with him for many years, and who had left and never returned.

If that were the case, he wouldn't be in a good mood.

Therefore, a suggestion is given.

"Uncle Lu, I'll listen to you." Although Mu Bingyun was anxious, she knew her own limitations.

In the days that followed.

A Green-Skirted Woman has appeared on Small Turtle Peak, battling Puppet or Rat Demon. Despite her repeated, embarrassing defeats, she remains steadfast.

Gazing at that stubborn yet beautiful figure.

Lan Chang'an thought to himself: With the savings of Mu Xiuyun apprentice, plus the support from the Mu Family's old lineage, raising Spirit Stone to buy a Foundation Establishment should not be a problem.

Moon Empress, Zhao Siyao returned to Small Turtle Peak.

Inside the cave, she solemnly handed over a jade bottle.

Lan Chang'an opened the jade bottle and saw two Foundation Establishment with a lustrous color inside.

(End of this chapter)