Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Lüo Family's Trouble

Rogue Cultivator Gathering Place.

Inside a attic building in Golden Character Workshop, Xu Ning frowned as he released the message-transmission jade talisman in his hand, his expression turning gloomy in an instant.

Crane Falcon, standing nearby, saw his expression and tentatively asked, "Brother Xu, what did the lord say?"

Xu Ning shook his head, took a deep breath, and knitted his brows. "It seems that brat is quite lucky. It has been two months now, and that brat still remains inside the Luo Family without coming out. The lord said the brat should have succeeded, and the eldest miss still has tasks to continue assigning to him."

Crane Falcon hesitated. "Then—"

Xu Ning said in a deep voice, "How is the market for those dozen packs of gu poison? How is the apothecary researching it?"

Crane Falcon replied, "The market is very good, falling short of demand. Now even forces like Hutong Street, Yulin Workshop, and the Merchant Alliance have taken notice. Some merchants from the Merchant Alliance have offered high prices wanting to buy the gu poison formula, and finished gu poison is also negotiable. I see that once we scale up the market, it will be a business with a tenfold return, making a lot of money.

"However, after all, this gu-refining method is not in our hands, as for the research—"

Crane Falcon shook his head helplessly. "Not only our apothecary, but even the other few brilliant apothecaries currently in the gathering place cannot figure anything out at all."

Xu Ning frowned, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back. "The eldest miss needs to continue using this person, and judging by the lord's intent, he is unwilling to anger the eldest miss over such a small character. It seems the eldest miss has been angry about something recently and is in a bad mood.

"In addition, the lord reminded us to keep a low profile recently and pay special attention to the movements of the Zhu Family. It seems something big is about to happen.

"Currently, the market for this gu poison has not yet taken off, so the lord doesn't attach much importance to it. I can only cooperate with this person for a while longer, and after the market grows—"

Crane Falcon frowned and said, "That is to say, the lord's side does know some news.

"The Zhu Family has indeed been a bit abnormal lately, otherwise the Iron Forest Hall they support wouldn't have started violently grabbing shares in the market. I really can't figure it out. It seems we shouldn't pressure that brat too hard either; right now quite a few merchants are offering high prices to acquire gu-refining arts."

"Hmph—"

Xu Ning shook his head. "If he is smart, he will honestly stay in Golden Character Workshop and stay on the Luo Family's turf. Once he wants to jump out, we won't have so many scruples, and it will be easier to explain to the eldest miss's side."

Even though he said that, another rather risky idea had already taken birth in Xu Ning's heart.

However, this idea involved another powerful cultivator and faction.

Currently, his cooperation with that cultivator faction was limited only to transactions involving certain women and did not violate the interests of the Luo Family. But if he pushed the person valued by the eldest miss over to that side—

"This fellow took a selected Xiantian from my hands, and that Xiantian was precisely what that side wanted. In the future, I can't help but... let's wait and see."

Xu Ning shook his head inwardly and flicked his sleeve as he left.

He was annoyed that Chen Dengming had made him lose face, and subconsciously sensed a crisis because the other party was valued by the eldest miss, worrying that another Qian Yuan might pop up.

Additionally, out of selfishness, he wanted to take the other party's gu-refining technology for himself to reap greater benefits.

Yet cooperating with that faction might not necessarily be a good thing, as he could be swallowed up without even bones left.

In the Cultivation World, big fish eat small fish, and small fish eat shrimp. He wanted to swallow Chen Dengming alive himself, not get swallowed by others as well.

In a flash.

The time for the second round of gu refining passed by in the blink of an eye.

The atmosphere in the Luo Family had also grown increasingly heavy lately.

Even cultivators with powerful auras frequently entered and left the Luo Family, giving Chen Dengming a somewhat bad premonition.

Lately, moreover, he hadn't even caught a glimpse of Fairy Lüo.

When he tried probing Xi'er multiple times, he was also brushed aside impatiently, as if something major had happened in the Luo Family.

Adopting the mentality that more trouble is worse than less trouble, Chen Dengming did not actively investigate any further.

Yet after a few days, several more unfamiliar, powerful auras entered the inner depths of the Luo Family residence. During this time, arguments and standoffs seemed to have occurred, and an overwhelming, heart-palpitating spiritual might emanated from within the inner residence, instantly causing the entire Luo Family to fall into a dead silence.

"F-Foundation... Foundation Establishment cultivator?!"

Chen Dengming was eating a Youotiao at the time, and swept and suppressed by that tyrannical spiritual might, he nearly swallowed the entire Youotiao alive.

Ever since that incident, various rumors gradually began to circulate within the Luo Family.

When Chen Dengming was resting from cultivation, he gathered his Qi to his ears and listened for a while; it seemed to be related to Lüo Bing's betrothal.

Before he could hear the details clearly, however, the gossiping servant was dragged away.

Over the next few days, no one dared to shoot their mouths off recklessly anymore.

Observing the situation, Chen Dengming felt things were ominous.

Even high Foundation Establishment masters had stepped forward; this time, the Luo Family was likely facing a major crisis.

During this period, people even frequently wandered outside his courtyard. From time to time when their paths crossed with his, the looks they gave him were full of coldness and exclusion.

Chen Dengming felt that he could no longer stay long in the Luo Family. After all, if Lüo Bing also ran into trouble, the people she brought in might not necessarily view him favorably.

The Luo Family was such a large lineage, and resource competition was fierce.

If Lüo Bing were fine, it would be fine, and no one would dare to make thoughtless remarks.

Now that Lüo Bing was in trouble, even if those who previously held opinions didn't dare do anything to Lüo Bing, they might still seize her weak points to make trouble.

After refining the Golden Silkworm Gu, he still had to leave as soon as possible.

Soon, another dozen days passed, and the day for the successful completion of the second round of gu refining finally arrived.

Faint sounds of sparring echoed within the Luo Family courtyard.

"Faster, faster! Your spellcasting speed is too slow, your footwork, your footwork needs to keep up too."

"Why does your footwork stop whenever you cast a spell? Your hands should move, your feet should move too, and your body must move even more—be moving at all times, quick, quick, quick! Attack me!"

Inside the courtyard, Xu Wei was drenched in pearly sweat, yet she diligently ran and continuously formed hand seals to cast spells, trying her absolute best to keep up with Chen Dengming's rhythm and achieve synchronization of eyes, hands, feet, and body.

Swish—

Swish—

Two golden spears condensed from Gold Spiritual Energy arrived almost back-to-back, perilously brushing past Xu Wei's body and fiercely stabbing into the ground, piercing two cavernous pits into the earth.

"This fellow is too ruthless, and Xu Wei only just broke through."

Xi'er, watching the battle not far away, furrowed her brow, though she could not deny that Chen Dengming's flexible and mobile combat style really suited her taste.

This was indeed the essence of cultivator spell combat, rather than standing in place like a stake for output.

The tense combat situation was naturally a battle atmosphere deliberately controlled and created by Chen Dengming, with the goal of sparring with Xu Wei while training her combat awareness, which could also be considered fulfilling her request to learn martial arts.

A week prior, Xu Wei had also successfully broken through, stepping into the realm of the Qi Refining First Layer.

She had always been nurtured with resources by Golden Character Workshop inside Zanhua Tower, so her foundation wasn't bad to begin with, and after staying in such a spiritual-energy-rich place as the Luo Family for so long, breaking through was only natural.

After Xu Wei's breakthrough, considering that the Luo Family might not have it easy right now, Chen Dengming asked her whether she was willing to stay in the Luo Family.

In the end, Xu Wei was still willing to stay in the Luo Family to develop, and hoped to utilize her connections within the Luo Family to help him in the future.

Once Chen Dengming understood her intentions, he could only respect them.

After all, even if Xu Wei left the Luo Family and followed him to the gathering place, she would still be living a hard life and would still face Xu Ning's threats.

Since Xu Wei possessed a Water-attribute spiritual root, Chen Dengming asked Xi'er to pass down the Water Arrow Technique to her and began training Xu Wei in practical combat, hoping she would have the ability to protect herself. Of course, the resource cost for the Water Arrow Technique was also deducted from Xu Wei's future work compensation within the Luo Family.

"Swish!!—"

Catching the opening when Chen Dengming was recovering his breath after consecutively casting the Golden Spear Technique, Xu Wei also finished forming her hand seals. Spiritual might erupted from her body, and Water-attribute spiritual energy rapidly condensed into a water arrow, rotating and cutting at high speed as it tore through the air and shot outward.

Chen Dengming, however, executed a backward flip, his figure abruptly crashing into a tree behind him. Releasing the spiritual might from his body, he finished forming his hand seals.

Wood Escape Technique!

His figure instantly vanished into the tree, and then burst out from the other side.

"Thud—"

The water arrow plunged deeply into the tree trunk, nearly piercing through the five-inch-thick wood before finally dissolving into a puddle of scattered water.

"Not bad! The precision is there, it's just that the spellcasting speed still needs improvement. You must practice more."

With a smiling expression, Chen Dengming walked out from behind the tree. Amidst fluttering sleeves, the spiritual might on his body gradually converged, the two strands of white hair at his temples fluttering along with it. Matched with his high, straight nose bridge and radiant, lightning-like eyes, he possessed a unique, mature charm.

"This fellow, once he shaves his mustache, he's quite presentable. His strength might be a bit lacking, but his looks are passable."

Xi'er muttered inwardly. Noticing Chen Dengming's gaze turning toward her, she puffed out her budding chest, let out a huff, and paced out with her hands behind her back. "You think everyone is like you—so, so talented in cultivating Dao arts and combat? In my opinion, Miss Xu's performance is already considered acceptable."

Hearing this, Chen Dengming smiled and said, "I didn't expect this junior to receive such high praise from Senior Xi'er. Actually, my talent isn't much to speak of, it's merely diligent and hard practice."

Xi'er slanted a look at Chen Dengming. "Your talent is naturally nothing special. I'm merely talking about your talent in cultivating Dao arts and combat, which doesn't mean your innate cultivation aptitude is good. With conflicting spiritual roots and so little lifespan remaining, your future achievements will be limited, so why bother working so hard to cultivate every day?"

Xu Wei felt a tightness in her chest, displeased that Xi'er spoke of her Young Master Chen in this manner, yet she dared not offend or talk back, lowering her head to suppress her discomfort.

Chen Dengming, however, did not care in the least. His lifespan was still long, and it could continue to grow—unlike some people whose lifespans couldn't continuously grow. He said with a carefree smile, "Living life requires filling one's days so there's something to look forward to!"

Xi'er waved her hand. "Alright, I'm done bantering with you. Today is the day the gu matures; once this batch of Golden Silkworm Gu succeeds, you can leave the Luo Family."

Chen Dengming cupped his fists with a smile. "Many thanks for Senior Xi'er's care during this period. Little Chen has gained a lot recently. However, traveling at night is dangerous, and this junior hopes to set off tomorrow morning."

Cultivating in the Luo Family for a day was equivalent to cultivating for four days in the gathering place.

Besides, the Luo Family meals all consisted of spirit rice and spirit vegetables. Although he had to pay for them himself, it was still much more comfortable than the gathering place.

Because he had no money, these hundred days had all been on credit and free meals.

After such a long time together, both sides had also grown familiar with one another.

He knew that although Xi'er spoke with an annoying attitude, her heart was not bad, so he boldly dared to strive for certain opportunities.

Sure enough, after enduring a few harmless taunts and sarcastic remarks from Xi'er, the other party impatiently agreed anyway.

As dusk approached, Chen Dengming executed the Gu Refining Art, awakening the gu worms.

Buzz buzz buzz—

Ten Golden Silkworm Gu officially awoke and were born from their respective incense burners, successively beating their wings to emerge and trace dazzling golden lines across the air, complementing the strips of red rosy clouds at the distant horizon like gorgeous lace borders inlaid on the edge of the sky.

In the end, the ten golden threads coiled around Lüo Bing.

"Not bad!"

This ice-cold Fairy Lüo unexpectedly had the corners of her lips curve into a rare trace of a smile. Her ethereal demeanor, which seemed untouched by the mortal world, matched with facial features as exquisite and delicate as a misty mountain valley after rain, formed a picturesque and striking scene.