Gu Fan

No longer thinking about Jiang Liyue, Zhou Er began his morning cultivation.

[Mind Stabilization: Stabilizes the soul; Spiritual Sense Strength increases by ten percent.]

[Solidification Condition: Meditate for a thousand hours. (171/1000)]

After cultivating for two hours, Zhou Er glanced at the solidification progress of Mind Stabilization.

Since equipping the Calm-spirit Cushion, he had meditated for a hundred and seventy-one hours. Another eight hundred and twenty-nine hours of cultivation would solidify the attribute.

With Zhou Er's current physical condition, he could handle more than four hours of cultivation each day. He would need only a little over a year.

He closed the Mind Stabilization progress and looked over his panel again.

[Name: Zhou Er]

[Realm: Qi Refining Ninth Layer (35.13%)]

[Equipment Slot (3/3): Calm-spirit Cushion, Wishful Ring, Storage Bag.]

[Unsolidified Attributes: Mind Stabilization, Shrink-and-Expand at Will, Void Breaking (White).]

[Solidified Attributes: Defensive Guard, Taotie (White)...]

Once he reached Late-stage Qi Refining, the difficulty of cultivation had climbed sharply. Even with the support of so many attributes, Zhou Er cultivated diligently every day, yet he could raise his progress by only about one percent every two days. It still wasn't enough.

Zhou Er would need another four months or so to break through to the Qi Refining Tenth Layer.

By his estimate, it would take at least two years to reach the perfect completion of the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining.

Of course, two years was still much faster than it took other people. What worried Zhou Er was that he might not manage to get even one Foundation Establishment Pill in that time.

Fortunately, he had become friends with Gu Jiu. He could visit again after a while and discreetly ask about the Foundation Establishment Pill.

A few days later, Zhou Er visited Gu Jiu again.

Gu Jiu had just finished making a talisman. He invited Zhou Er over to take a look and asked him to give his opinion.

[Ice Arrow Talisman: Once activated, it can launch a magical ice arrow.]

[Equipped Attributes: Cold Resistance (White)]

[Cold Resistance (White): Improves the ability to withstand cold.]

[Solidification Condition: Swim in a frozen river for ten hours.]

[Equip?]

Zhou Er saw the Ice Arrow Talisman's information. Its attribute's effect fell somewhere between useful and useless.

Spirit Energy circulated within cultivators, generating warmth on its own. Even in winter, they didn't need to wear very thick clothes.

Of course, if he had time in the future, he could solidify this attribute. For now, he could simply save it.

"Brother Gu, this Ice Arrow Talisman is razor-sharp. Just looking at its runes, I can feel its biting chill," Zhou Er said with a smile.

"Hahaha! Old Brother Cang really understands talismans," Gu Jiu said, clearly pleased.

After chatting about talismans for a while, Zhou Er told Gu Jiu about what had happened to him a few days earlier.

The main thing was Jiang Liyue's invitation to visit the Jiang Family, and the terms she had offered.

"Then Old Brother Cang really is lucky. You've stumbled into a fortuitous opportunity," Gu Jiu said. Unaware of the trap, he was genuinely happy for Zhou Er.

"Brother Gu, I think there's a catch," Zhou Er said, his tone shifting as he voiced his concern.

"A catch?"

Gu Jiu thought it over. It was certainly possible.

But it was, after all, an opportunity to reach Foundation Establishment. Gu Jiu continued, "There's still time before you need to decide. I'll look into that person's background for you. You can keep that Jiang girl on the hook for now. If she really is a direct descendant of the Jiang Family, Old Brother Cang, you'd regret passing up this chance for the rest of your life."

Hearing Gu Jiu's words, Zhou Er nodded.

Gu Jiu was from the Gu Family, one of the Four Great Families of Bashui Immortal City. Although he was a son of a concubine, he still had considerable Connections.

Since Gu Jiu was willing to help, Zhou Er didn't mind spending some time on the Jiang Family woman.

Then, Zhou Er smoothly turned the conversation to the Foundation Establishment Pill.

"Brother Gu, do you know how I could get a Foundation Establishment Pill?" Zhou Er asked.

"The main ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill is quite special. The materials it needs can grow only in the Blood-colored Secret Realm. Even within the Gu Family, we're allotted just three pills a year for the Clan Members to divide among themselves. The other three cultivation families are probably much the same. A few years ago, I finally managed to get one myself, but, regrettably, I failed to reach Foundation Establishment. I haven't had a share since. If Old Brother Cang wants a Foundation Establishment Pill, he'll either have to marry into one of the Four Great Families or sign a harsh contract with a family and become its subordinate. Only then will he have a chance."

Gu Jiu spoke with regret.

He had even put it mildly. Those contracts were practically the same as contracts of slavery.

The cultivation families had seized on this weakness of Rogue Cultivators and used Foundation Establishment Pills to control them.

If they wanted to reach Foundation Establishment, they had to become part of those families completely.

Zhou Er could understand. Even in his previous life, the big capitalists often resorted to monopolies.

A vital resource like the Foundation Establishment Pill naturally wasn't something that could circulate freely.

"Is there really no other way?" Zhou Er asked, having understood Gu Jiu's meaning but still reluctant to accept it.

Of course, if marrying into a family would get him a Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhou Er was willing to do so.

After all, for the sake of the Great Dao, this little humiliation was nothing.

Cultivation meant using every means necessary!

"There are other chances, too. The auction organized by Wanbao Pavilion, for instance, occasionally has a Foundation Establishment Pill up for sale. But the final price is astronomical. The last successful auction was three years ago, when one sold for a staggering fifteen hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones—enough to buy a Top-grade Magical Tool. In my opinion, it's not worth it at all," Gu Jiu said, shaking his head.

A Top-grade Magical Tool was something even cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm could use.

Zhou Er calculated his current income. If he diligently made talismans every day and didn't spend a single Spirit Stone in a month, he could earn fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones.

He could exchange them for a Foundation Establishment Pill in just thirty months, but a single pill didn't guarantee success.

Besides, the auction didn't have a Foundation Establishment Pill every year.

Fifty Low-grade Spirit Stones a month was about the most Zhou Er could earn. He still had to cultivate, so he couldn't spend all his time making talismans every day.

So, for now, the quickest and most reliable method was to rely on one of the Four Great Families of Bashui Immortal City.

But it was too soon to rush into anything. He and Gu Jiu had only just become friends.

After briefly discussing how to deal with Jiang Liyue, Zhou Er took his leave.

Before leaving, Zhou Er also bought one of Gu Jiu's Ice Arrow Talismans, saying he wanted to take it home and keep it.

Gu Jiu was happy to give it to him and insisted on charging no Spirit Stones.

Zhou Er insisted on paying. After they went back and forth, he accepted Gu Jiu's talisman. It could serve as a token of their friendship despite their difference in age.

The next day, Zhou Er went to the West Courtyard and asked around until he found Jiang Liyue's address.

Jiang Liyue welcomed Zhou Er inside and poured him some good tea.

"Well, Fellow Daoist Cang, have you made up your mind?" Jiang Liyue asked with a smile.

By then, she felt certain she had him in the palm of her hand.

After all, if Zhou Er hadn't been tempted, he wouldn't have come to see her.

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, I'm still a little hesitant. If you could give me the Foundation Establishment Pill first, I'd be able to put my mind at ease," Zhou Er said, feigning uncertainty.

"Fellow Daoist Cang, you know the Foundation Establishment Pill isn't something I can just hand over. It's kept in the Family Treasury. You'd have to come back with me to see it. But I admire you very much. We could spend tonight together. I'll give you all of myself. Don't you trust me?"

As she spoke, Jiang Liyue moved closer, her hands still busy.

Seeing this, Zhou Er immediately took out an Immobilization Talisman, activated it, and pressed it against Jiang Liyue's head, stopping her in her tracks. He said, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, you're making me a little afraid."

Jiang Liyue was immobilized. She couldn't even move her eyes.

Zhou Er moved her aside and continued, "Fellow Daoist Jiang, with your cultivation, this Immobilization Talisman can hold you for no more than the time it takes an incense stick to burn. After that, you'll be able to move again. I, Cang Er, may not be a gentleman, but I'm not that kind of person either. Please show some self-respect. As for becoming an Elder of the Jiang Family, I still need to think it over. Please stay in Bashui Immortal City for another day, so I can make up my mind."

With that, Zhou Er hurried out of Jiang Liyue's little courtyard, in case she tried to pull some other stunt.

After leaving the courtyard, Zhou Er felt much more clearheaded.

Back in Jiang Liyue's room, he had nearly fallen for her trick.

Luckily, he had stood firm and resisted the temptation.

Clearly, he couldn't casually be alone in a room with a woman again. It was too dangerous.

That afternoon, Zhou Er went to find Gu Jiu and ask what he had learned.

"Time was too short. I haven't found anything useful. But there is a Golden Core family with the surname Jiang in Wu Kingdom," Gu Jiu said.

"Jiang Liyue is leaving Bashui Immortal City tomorrow. If nothing else, I'll just have to let her go," Zhou Er said helplessly.

There simply hadn't been enough time to uncover any useful information.

"It's fine if Old Brother Cang stays in Bashui Immortal City. We can still exchange ideas about talismans regularly," Gu Jiu said, knowing Zhou Er wouldn't risk going to some Jiang Family.

"Brother Gu is right," Zhou Er said with a nod.

The two chatted for a while, and Gu Jiu began asking about Zhou Er's personal life.

"Does Old Brother Cang have a Dao Companion?" Gu Jiu asked.

"No."

Zhou Er had anticipated Gu Jiu might ask him about this, and answered decisively, without hesitation.

As for Lin Shiyu, Zhou Er could only keep quiet about her for now. He couldn't let Gu Jiu find out.

"Old Brother Cang, you're not even twenty, and you're quite the handsome young man. How can you not have a Dao Companion? In a while, I'll introduce you to some of the younger women in my clan," Gu Jiu said.

The Gu Family was naturally eager to bring in cultivators like Zhou Er, who had already reached Late-stage Qi Refining at such a young age.

Only by continually bringing in talent could a family flourish for generations.

"If Brother Gu is willing to introduce me, I have no objection," Zhou Er replied.

He knew that to get a Foundation Establishment Pill and reach Foundation Establishment, he would have to integrate into an Aristocratic Clan and earn its approval. He didn't refuse.

After a brief chat, Zhou Er left Gu Jiu's little courtyard.

The next day, Zhou Er spent Spirit Stones to have someone check Jiang Liyue's residence. He didn't dare go himself, afraid she would pull another stunt.

The person Zhou Er had paid to investigate brought back word that Jiang Liyue had checked out and moved away.

Zhou Er realized he had tipped her off. Jiang Liyue had probably noticed something was wrong and left early.

Still, he could now tell that Jiang Liyue was almost certainly a fraud. He didn't need to regret not going to the Jiang Family with her.

"It's best not to leave Bashui Immortal City for a while."

Realizing something was wrong with her, Zhou Er made up his mind.

Jiang Liyue had failed to trick him, so she would surely find a way to take revenge.

But Zhou Er wasn't the type to wander around anyway. He could settle down and cultivate properly.

To avoid retaliation, Zhou Er deliberately moved to a better area.

He spent twenty Low-grade Spirit Stones to rent a Detached Courtyard, equipped with a formation that sealed it off from the outside world. He could cultivate in peace there.

Although it was a little expensive, the Spirit Qi Concentration was higher, patrols were stricter, and security was better. No more stray cats or dogs would come looking for trouble. It was worth the price.

Over the next four months, Zhou Er devoted himself to cultivation and successfully broke through to the Qi Refining Tenth Layer.

At the same time, with Gu Jiu's help, he mastered the Ice Arrow Technique and learned how to make Ice Arrow Talismans.

After spending so much time together, Gu Jiu had gained a deeper understanding of Zhou Er's character. He knew Zhou Er was kind-hearted and exceptionally hardworking and eager to learn.

So, he also picked out three female cultivators from the Gu Family for Zhou Er.

"This is Gu Zhilan, the youngest daughter of the Third Elder. She's thirteen this year and at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. The Third Elder is the Discipline Elder of our Gu Family and wields great authority. Five of his children have spiritual roots, and she's his youngest daughter."

Gu Jiu showed Zhou Er a portrait of Gu Zhilan.

The girl in the portrait was smiling brightly, showing a little canine tooth. She looked youthful and full of life.

To cultivation families like theirs, only those with spiritual roots counted as Clan Members. Everyone else didn't even qualify as a branch-line descendant; they were considered part of a collateral branch.

"Miss Zhilan is lively and adorable. I doubt anyone could dislike her," Zhou Er said with a smile.

"That girl Gu Zhilan is such a handful. She gives everyone a headache," Gu Jiu thought with a frown.

"This is the daughter of our current Patriarch, Gu Po. She's sixteen this year and at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer."

Gu Jiu showed Zhou Er another portrait. The young woman in it held a magical sword and looked valiant and spirited.

"Brother Gu, you're even introducing me to the Patriarch's daughter. I'm quite flattered," Zhou Er said, surprised that Gu Jiu could introduce him to the Patriarch's daughter.

"The Patriarch has a whole flock of wives and concubines, and so many children that I don't even know where Gu Po ranks among them," Gu Jiu said awkwardly.

In short, Gu Po wasn't anyone important in the family. She was probably even less significant than Gu Zhilan, so Zhou Er didn't need to feel nervous or take the matter too seriously.

"She's still a direct descendant of an Aristocratic Clan," Zhou Er said.

Gu Jiu stopped dwelling on the matter. After introducing Gu Po to Zhou Er, he took out another portrait.

The woman in the portrait wore plain clothes. Her features were clear and beautiful, and her eyes and brows had lost their girlish innocence, replaced by a quiet, melancholy air. She wore no makeup, her figure was slender, and a faint loneliness lay in her eyes. She was gentle, yet forlorn.

After showing the portrait to Zhou Er, Gu Jiu said:

"This woman is named Gu Fan. She's twenty-three years old and at the sixth level of Qi Refining. She was married once, but her Dao Companion died three years ago, and all her immediate family have passed away as well."

Hearing Gu Jiu's words, Zhou Er found it a little strange.

Compared to the previous two women, the difference seemed a bit too great.

Of course, Zhou Er didn't mind that Gu Fan was older. Twenty-three was a woman's most beautiful age. Even Prime Minister Cao had loved them, so after living two lifetimes, Zhou Er wasn't going to be picky.

It was just that the earlier ones had all been young maidens, and now he'd come across a married woman—a widow, at that.

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