Seeing Siyao Off

This turtle egg was precisely the spirit beast egg of an Earth Grade Bloodline "Mystic Water Turtle."

Lan Chang'an placed his hand against the eggshell and sensed faint life fluctuations that were continuously weakening.

Without the nourishment of precious spirit liquid, the signs of life within the turtle egg would completely cease in less than half a year.

"The Beast Taming Zhou Family really sold a dud."

Lan Chang'an sighed. Otherwise, this egg would never have fallen into his hands.

Without rare and precious materials, it would be difficult to hatch this Mystic Water Turtle Egg.

Yet if it was not hatched, simply leaving it there would still consume spirit liquid.

Whoever bought it was basically the one getting fleeced.

Even after paying the price, one would most likely hatch a sickly runt in the end.

After examining it for a while, Lan Chang'an carefully injected a thread of Evergreen Mana into the turtle egg.

If it had been ordinary mana, acting rashly might have caused immeasurable negative consequences.

But Lan Chang'an cultivated the Longevity Cultivation Art. His Evergreen Mana was gentle and contained the aura of life.

Even so, he only sent in a faint wisp of mana.

"Hmm?"

That thread of Evergreen Mana was swiftly absorbed by the turtle egg, and he lost all sense of it in the blink of an eye.

Moreover, he caught a tremor in the life aura within the shell, which conveyed a faint emotion of longing.

Seeing this, Lan Chang'an slowly sent in more Evergreen Mana, increasing the amount.

The Mystic Water Turtle Egg seemed like a sponge, continuously sucking in Lan Chang'an's Evergreen Mana.

Only when Lan Chang'an's mana was nearly depleted did its absorption finally slow.

The life fluctuations inside the shell steadied, and the declining momentum of its vitality was curbed.

"Consider it a successful pregnancy preservation."

"However, this turtle egg has suffered some unknown external influence. The life embryo inside is still very weak; its essence has not changed. Even if it hatches normally, it will most likely be a sickly runt."

Lan Chang'an pondered whether to use the healing secret art of the Evergreen Art.

That secret art could bring even Mu Xiuyun, whose life had stopped, back from the dead. Healing a sickly runt should be no trouble.

But using the healing secret art would consume lifespan. Saving Mu Xiuyun last time had cost him two months of life.

If it only cost him half a year or a year of lifespan, he could accept that. Lan Chang'an had just taken a First-Order Longevity Pill, which had extended his life by a full ten years.

He could not determine how much lifespan it would take to let the Mystic Water Turtle hatch healthily.

Besides, after being affected by the external interference of Evergreen Mana, would there be any unforeseen changes once it successfully hatched?

All of this remained unknown, like opening a blind box.

"No rush. Zhou Qingxuan is still in the Marketplace. That woman has exceptional beast-taming talent, so I have to stay on guard."

If Zhou Qingxuan suddenly took an interest and came to inspect the condition of the Mystic Water Turtle Egg, things would become rather troublesome.

The next morning, Lan Chang'an went to the Marketplace inn to see Zhao Siyao off.

Yesterday, both Li Ergou and Lin Yi had already returned.

Zhao Siyao did not plan to return to her sect. She intended to seek an opportunity for Foundation Establishment elsewhere, so she had stayed in the Marketplace these past few days to purchase resources.

"Daoist Zhao, have you thought it through? Are you really going to train in the Black Mist Mountain Range?"

Looking at Zhao Siyao, whose temperament was cold and graceful as an immortal's, Lan Chang'an was somewhat surprised by her decision.

Zhao Siyao's cultivation had already reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer peak. She merely needed to proceed step by step in the sect, build seniority, complete missions, and wait to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

"I have remained at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer for over a decade. My cultivation has fallen into a predicament, my mind has grown restless, and my will has slackened. Yet at this auction, with evil cultivators running rampant through the Marketplace, my eyes were opened wide, and I gained some insight."

Zhao Siyao sighed.

"In terms of life experience, Siyao cannot compare to Daoist Lin Yi, nor can I compare to Daoist Lu. This time, I plan to go to Yellow Dragon Immortal City and the Black Mist Mountain Range to temper myself, slay spirit beasts, and consolidate my foundations."

Zhao Siyao's voice was clear and melodious, her gaze resolute.

Lan Chang'an fell into thought. Training in the Black Mist Mountain Range carried no small risk.

Going out to gain experience was one way to temper one's will.

Some precious spirit herbs and spirit beast materials found in the Black Mist Mountain Range could also be exchanged for contribution points within the sect.

Zhao Siyao did not have enough contribution points to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill. Continuing to proceed step by step would inevitably leave her anxious and unsettled.

Especially after this auction, the Foundation Establishment Pill had seemed so close, yet remained beyond reach.

She had also discovered her own problem. Rather than remain as she was, she might as well venture out and seek her fortune.

"Daoist Zhao, has your master not offered you any support?"

A thought stirred in Lan Chang'an's mind, and he asked.

Zhao Siyao had become the disciple of a False Core Female Cultivator. When Lan Chang'an had first learned of this, he had felt relieved.

That way, her outstanding beauty and temperament would have some protection within the sect, making it less likely for others to covet her or for senior figures to impose their unspoken rules upon her.

Logically speaking, with the status of a Pseudo-Core True Person, even a little care within the sect should have accelerated Zhao Siyao's progress toward Foundation Establishment.

"My master has several disciples. She does not have many resources to spare on supporting me."

Zhao Siyao forced a smile, her mood somewhat low.

"Besides, her grandson is an Inner Sect Disciple. Now that he has entered her tutelage, she needs to invest a great deal into him..."

Though Zhao Siyao did not spell it out, Lan Chang'an immediately formed a guess.

How much impact would a False Core True Person cultivating her grandson really have on supporting Zhao Siyao's Foundation Establishment?

It was not as though the other party had to pay for every Foundation Establishment resource herself.

The problem most likely lay with that grandson.

That False Core Female Cultivator was probably hoping to match Zhao Siyao with her own grandson.

In that case, any resources she spent supporting Zhao Siyao would be considered an investment in her own family.

Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly. He had thought that Zhao Siyao, by becoming the disciple of a female False Core cultivator, could avoid being coveted and subjected to unspoken rules.

In truth, she had avoided it, but not entirely.

Zhao Siyao most likely looked down on her False Core master's grandson, displeasing her master, who was thus unwilling to truly support her in Foundation Establishment.

"Daoist Zhao, since you are going to train in the Black Mist Mountain Range, Lu cannot be of much help. I can only offer you two First-Order High-Grade Talismans as a small token of my regard."

Lan Chang'an took out a Swiftness Talisman and a Spring Return Talisman, handing them to Zhao Siyao.

The former could accelerate her escape, while the latter could heal injuries.

Zhao Siyao's journey of training would inevitably involve risks, risks that would determine whether she could achieve Foundation Establishment in the future.

If her luck proved poor, a beauty might perish before her time.

Today could well be the last time Lan Chang'an saw Zhao Siyao.

Zhao Siyao did not refuse. She accepted the talismans and sensed the extraordinary power contained within them.

They were clearly no ordinary First-Order High-Grade talismans.

"Daoist Lu, these two talismans..."

Her beautiful eyes shifted as she spoke in surprise.

"The Eldest Miss made them. I rarely leave the Marketplace, so keeping them on me would be of no use."

Lan Chang'an spoke lightly.

As a First-Order High-Grade Talisman Master, Mu Xiuyun could theoretically make them as well, though the chances were rather low.

A First-Order High-Grade Talisman was equivalent to an ordinary spell strike from a Qi Refining Late-Stage cultivator.

A superior, exceptional-grade one was comparable to the spell power of the Qi Refining Peak. Though it could not match a killing move secret art or a High-Grade Magic Item, it was still a great aid to a Qi Refining Late-Stage cultivator.

"Siyao will remember Daoist Lu's kindness in her heart."

Zhao Siyao maintained a dignified bearing and bent her knees in salute, her immortal skirt rippling.

She guessed that these were life-preserving talismans given by Lan Chang'an's future wife, Mu Xiuyun.

For Lan Chang'an to give them away carried great weight of feeling.

"Daoist Zhao, take care on the road."

"Daoist Lu, there is no need to see me off any farther."

Before they parted, the elegant and cold Fairy Zhao turned back to glance at Lan Chang'an.

That young man in white looked just as he had before, detached and calm as water.

Their eyes met for an instant.

Zhao Siyao's gaze was clear and composed. She gave a slight nod, then drifted away.

After the auction, Bamboo Leaf Mountain returned to tranquility, and business became much quieter.

Over the next year or two, its popularity recovered slightly, but it was difficult to return to its former glory.

Lan Chang'an remained in the Marketplace all along, living a plain and leisurely life.

Cultivation and talisman drawing did not take much of his time.

The Cloud Sand Body Refining Art advanced steadily, and three years after the auction, he successfully entered its third layer.

Equivalent to the Qi Refining Late-Stage!

Just as Lan Chang'an had expected, his Body Refinement Art had overtaken his mana cultivation.

At this time.

His physique rivaled that of a First-Order Late-Stage Spirit Beast.

As long as a Low-Grade Magic Tool did not strike a vital point, it posed almost no threat to him and could scarcely break his physical defenses.

More than once, he had sighed, "The Body Refinement Art and the Evergreen Art truly are a perfect match."

The former consumed time and energy but enhanced survival ability; the latter prolonged life and granted formidable recovery power.

"That talented granddaughter of the Zhou Family has left?"

Not long after his Body Refinement Technique entered the third layer, Lan Chang'an heard some good news.

For the past few years, Zhou Qingxuan had lingered at Bamboo Leaf Mountain without leaving, crossing paths with Lan Chang'an several times in the Marketplace.

That woman had only asked about the Mystic Water Turtle once. It was not her main concern.

She had once instructed Lan Chang'an, "Talismans Master Lu, you remain in the Marketplace year-round. Help this miss keep an eye out for any cultivator acting suspiciously, one who might be the hidden 'Senior Yan.'"

Lan Chang'an found it amusing. He had not expected Zhou Qingxuan's curiosity to run so deep.

Zhou Qingxuan had perhaps concluded that Senior Yan was a righteous cultivator who had protected the Marketplace, which was why she dared to investigate.

Fortunately, after staying for three years, she lost patience and finally left.

Lan Chang'an set his mind at ease. He laid down Restrictions on the second floor and performed the healing secret art of the Evergreen Art.

Buzz!

Mana surged within his body. An ancient, verdant aura of light curled around his hand, like newly sprouted tender shoots, and flowed into the turtle egg.

From within the shell came emotional fluctuations of longing and joy.

One month... two months... three months...

Lan Chang'an kept watch over the rate at which his lifespan was being consumed. It was not too outrageous.

Actively consuming lifespan would not deplete his vital essence.

After consuming three months of lifespan.

The life aura inside the turtle egg rose by a level, conveying cheerful and intimate emotions.

At this point, the life fluctuations inside the Mystic Water Turtle Egg had reached normal levels.

It was basically enough.

But so that the Mystic Water Turtle Cub that hatched in the future would have a better constitution, thicker skin, and be more durable and easier to raise.

Lan Chang'an invested another three months of lifespan.

When he had saved Mu Xiuyun, he had only consumed two months of lifespan.

Now, the life force within the turtle egg grew increasingly active and vigorous.