Cicada Molt

"Brother Cang, do you find it strange that I'm introducing you to a widow whose Dao Companion has passed away?"

Gu Jiu asked.

Gu Jiu did not shy away, stating directly.

"Not at all, Brother Gu. If you can introduce noblewomen to me, I wouldn't dare to be picky."

Zhou Er quickly replied.

"Don't panic, Brother Cang. Let me explain slowly." Gu Jiu said with a smile, "Gu Fan's parents were pillars of the family. Although they died in a mission, the family did not forget their contributions and kept their property and relics, handing them over to Gu Fan."

"Although Gu Fan is older now, she possesses a small island and numerous magic artifacts. It's estimated that the value of what she has could exceed ten thousand Spirit Stones."

After Gu Jiu's explanation, Zhou Er understood. So, she was a Sugar Mama!

A woman three years older brings a Gold Brick.

In this light, Gu Fan seemed more suitable.

After all, Zhou Er's integration into the Gu Family was ultimately for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and the primary consideration was the balance of interests.

By choosing Gu Fan, he could bypass many years of detours.

"Sister Gu Fan is dignified and virtuous."

Zhou Er praised her subtly.

"So, Brother Cang, you've taken a liking to Gu Fan?"

Gu Jiu was somewhat surprised that Zhou Er could make a decision so quickly.

After all, Zhou Er was only eighteen or nineteen years old.

"I'll trouble Brother Gu to make the introduction."

Zhou Er said calmly.

He was not an inexperienced youth. Compared to the Great Dao, the Humiliation of marrying into a family was nothing.

Moreover, if he successfully established his foundation later, he might not necessarily be marrying into the family.

With Foundation Establishment strength and Status, no one would dare to look down on him.

Without strength, even if he clung to his self-respect and pride, a passing Foundation Establishment Expert could kick him to death with a single foot.

He currently had an Equipment Slot, and what he needed to do was to realize its potential into actual strength as quickly as possible.

Gu Fan had Spirit Stones, which would be of greater help to him than the other two Yellow-haired Girls.

"Then I will ask someone to discuss it. If it doesn't work out, please forgive me, Brother Cang."

Gu Jiu nodded and put away the portrait.

He first asked Zhou Er to choose, and after he chose, it would be convenient to introduce him.

On an ordinary small island in Wangyue Lake, a woman in a plain skirt looked at the portrait in her hand, unable to make up her mind.

This was a new suitor introduced to her by an elder of her clan, and she was asked to consider it.

The young man in the portrait had sword eyebrows and star eyes, and was handsome and elegant. He was indeed a good young man.

However, he was less than twenty years old, which was a bit too young.

After some thought, the woman in the plain skirt came out of her cave mansion.

At this time, a heroic and spirited female cultivator was practicing swordplay in the open space of the peach garden outside, her sword wind stirring up pieces of peach blossoms.

"Sister Bai!"

The woman in the plain skirt saw that the female cultivator had finished practicing her sword and went forward to call out.

"Miss Fan."

The female cultivator saw Gu Fan and immediately sheathed her sword and cupped her hands.

Her name was Bai Zhuozhuo. She was a disciple of Gu Fan's father before his death. After Gu Fan's parents died, she stayed on the island to guard it and Gu Fan.

"Sister Bai, an elder from my clan has introduced another suitor to me. Can you take a look and see if I should meet him?"

Gu Fan took out Zhou Er's portrait and asked.

"If Miss Fan is unwilling, I can help Miss Fan reject him."

Bai Zhuozhuo said without looking at the portrait.

"This time is different. Take a look at the portrait first."

Gu Fan said.

Seeing this, Bai Zhuozhuo took the portrait and opened it, only to find that the person in the portrait was very young.

"His appearance is not bad."

Bai Zhuozhuo muttered.

"I heard that he is only eighteen years old and already in the late-stage Qi Refining. He comes from a small country's market town and knows how to make talismans. He has great potential."

Gu Fan recalled the details the introducer had mentioned.

"Miss Fan likes this person quite a bit?"

Bai Zhuozhuo looked at Gu Fan.

"This person is naturally much stronger than those worthless people from before."

Gu Fan said.

She held a large amount of resources. Neither she herself nor the Gu Family would definitely let her marry out.

They would only have her find a son-in-law who would live with her family. However, those willing to be live-in sons-in-law generally had very worrying conditions.

If their conditions were good, who would be a son-in-law?

"Miss Fan, this young man is so outstanding, why is he willing to be a son-in-law? I'm afraid it will be like the last one."

Bai Zhuozhuo said with some vigilance. Gu Fan had already experienced a bad marriage.

That person was also a son-in-law, but he had harmed them deeply.

Fortunately, the matter was resolved in the end.

"Sister Bai, some elders in the clan are already coveting our Fanhua Island. If I don't find a Dao Companion quickly, I'm afraid those people will try to harm me."

Gu Fan said helplessly.

She was no longer a young girl. Naturally, she knew what resources she held.

This small island alone could support a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's cultivation. The annual output of various resources on the island could also bring in over a thousand Spirit Stones. It was a prized item.

She relied on her parents' bequest to manage this small island, but her parents' bequest would eventually run out.

"Then should we meet him?"

Bai Zhuozhuo understood Gu Fan's meaning.

"I want to hear Sister Bai's opinion."

Gu Fan looked at Bai Zhuozhuo, although she had mostly made up her mind.

"In my opinion, Miss Fan, if you don't like him, you can just refuse. Besides, I can protect Miss Fan's safety. With me here, no one can harm Miss Fan."

Bai Zhuozhuo said seriously.

She was five years older than Gu Fan. She had been adopted by Gu Fan's parents since she was young and had long regarded Gu Fan as her own younger sister.

"Sister Bai, although you are at the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining, you ultimately haven't reached Foundation Establishment. If you could obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, I could at least be at ease. But I have no descendants with spiritual roots, so the clan elders won't give me a Foundation Establishment Pill. By then, I won't even be able to protect this island left by my parents."

Gu Fan said helplessly.

"Miss Fan, I have reached Qi Refining Perfection. After some more preparation, even without a Foundation Establishment Pill, I can attempt Foundation Establishment."

Bai Zhuozhuo said earnestly.

Gu Fan shook her head and said:

"That's too dangerous. Without the protection of a Foundation Establishment Pill, at best your cultivation will regress, and at worst your meridians will become disordered, leading to death."

Ancient Qi Refiners could cultivate and break through realms without the protection of a Foundation Establishment Pill, but the survival rate was extremely low.

The most important function of a Foundation Establishment Pill was not to increase the probability of Foundation Establishment, but to protect the practitioner's meridians, ensuring that even if Foundation Establishment failed, the body would not suffer any damage.

"Miss Fan, you don't have to compromise for me. I can obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill through other means."

Bai Zhuozhuo said earnestly.

"Sister Bai, no need to say more. I've decided to meet him. I'll ask you to help me vet him then."

Gu Fan made up her mind. She couldn't live under Bai Zhuozhuo's protection forever.

Bai Zhuozhuo had outstanding talent. Even in a major sect, she could be a core direct disciple. If it weren't for protecting her, she wouldn't have stayed on the island.

Bai Zhuozhuo couldn't be a burden to her any longer.

Ten days after Gu Jiu discussed finding a Dao Companion with her, Zhou Er received a reply.

"Brother Cang, Niece Gu Fan wants to meet you. How about we go to Fanhua Island where she lives?"

Gu Jiu asked.

"There's no reason not to."

Zhou Er had no objections.

Seeing this, Gu Jiu personally drove his small boat, taking Zhou Er to Gu Fan's island.

After all, he was the one who played matchmaker. One was a junior from his clan, and the other was his friend. He had to take some responsibility.

The magic boat sped across the water surface. Looking at the rippling water waves, a doubt suddenly arose in Zhou Er's mind.

Since he and Gu Jiu had become friends, there was nothing he couldn't ask. He asked:

"Brother Gu, Miss Gu Fan's previous Dao Companion passed away three years ago. How did he die?"

After all, he was about to become a successor, and he needed to understand the predecessor's situation.

Zhou Er's intuition told him that Gu Fan's predecessor's death was suspicious.

"Speaking of which, that person was truly miserable. On Miss Gu Fan's wedding night, her Dao Companion got drunk. The next day when he woke up, he had disappeared. His remaining clothes were found in the fishing grounds. It's estimated that he was eaten by the spirit fish in the fishing grounds. No one knows for sure, and his body was never found."

Gu Jiu said.

Hearing this, Zhou Er secretly frowned, always feeling something was off.

Gu Jiu noticed Zhou Er's situation, slowed the boat speed, turned his head, and said:

"Brother Cang, don't worry. Since then, Fanhua Island's fishing grounds have added an extra layer of formation, which will be activated at night to prevent people from falling into the lake."

"Three years have passed, and I assume the facilities on Fanhua Island have become more perfected, so there's no need to worry. However, is that Spirit Fish really that fierce?"

Zhou Er smiled.

Although he had a smile on his face, he realized inwardly that it was far from simple.

He suspected that the predecessor had done something, was silenced, and drowned.

"After all, Spirit Fish are almost like Demonic Beasts, so they are naturally a bit fierce."

Gu Jiu didn't care if Zhou Er believed him or not. Three years had passed, no one pursued the matter back then, and even fewer would pursue it now.

However, Zhou Er inwardly weighed the Danger of this marriage.

If he found the Danger too great later, it wouldn't be too late for Zhou Er to regret it.

Before long, the Small Boat docked by Fanhua Island, with Fisherman busy not far away.

Gu Jiu glanced, then took Zhou Er to fly towards the Cave Mansion in the center of the island.

Two hundred meters from the Cave Mansion, they were blocked by a formation, and could not enter easily.

They were here for a Blind Date, so they naturally couldn't Break Formation and stopped.

"Niece Gu Fan, please come out and meet us."

Gu Jiu gathered spiritual energy in his Chest Cavity and shouted.

This way, he could Enlarge his voice.

"Uncle Jiu!"

Before long, Gu Fan came out, with Bai Zhuozhuo accompanying her.

Zhou Er could feel the powerful Aura emanating from Bai Zhuozhuo, which was not comparable to ordinary Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator.

Gu Fan's appearance was the same as in the Portrait. She didn't have a Photo, so he Cupped Hands and said:

"Miss Fan!"

"Fellow Daoist Cang, please come in."

Gu Fan invited him.

The four entered the cave mansion and sat for a while. Gu Jiu then let the two of them have some alone time to chat.

Gu Fan led Zhou Er to the peach forest on the island and introduced it, saying:

"My mother loved growing flowers before she passed away, so there are various flowers on the island, blooming all year round. It's currently the season when peach blossoms and pear blossoms are in full bloom."

Zhou Er caught a peach blossom with his hand and looked at the pink and white blossoms, saying:

"I also really like this sea of flowers."

Having lived two lifetimes, Zhou Er naturally knew what to do on a blind date, which was to introduce their basic situations to each other and for the other person to judge if they were suitable.

He had already prepared his background story. He relied on his ancestors' friends to embark on the Cultivation Path and went to Jiaolu Market.

However, he deliberately omitted his time cultivating at Xiayun Sect and stretched out the Timeline, pretending he had started practicing cultivation at the age of six or seven.

Nine truths and one lie, making it impossible to find any loopholes.

As for Gu Fan's matters, Zhou Er did not ask much, only listening to Gu Fan speak for herself.

Gu Fan saw that although Zhou Er was young, his temperament was steady, and he did not have the anxiety of a Youth. She was relatively satisfied.

It was just that her age was a bit awkward, making her feel inferior.

"Fellow Daoist Cang, I am five years older than you. Will you dislike my age?"

Gu Fan asked cautiously.

"Miss Fan, five years is just a Flick of a Finger, it's nothing,"

Zhou Er said with a smile.

"I'm relieved that Fellow Daoist Cang doesn't dislike me."

Gu Fan nodded.

After touring the peach forest, Gu Fan took Zhou Er to her parents' portraits and offered two sticks of incense.

Zhou Er had proposed this, wanting to pay respects and show his respect.

Seeing this, Gu Fan was deeply moved and felt even more that Zhou Er was a trustworthy person.

After offering incense, Zhou Er noticed a huge Strange Thing placed beneath the portraits.

It looked like a head-sized Golden Cicada Slough.

[Golden Cicada Slough: The slough shed by a Second-tier Golden Cicada before advancing.]

[Equipped Attributes: Cicada Concealment (Green)]

[Cicada Concealment (Green): Like a golden cicada hiding underground, cultivators at Golden Core and below will be unable to detect any information about you with their Spiritual Sense.]

[Solidification Condition: Spend three thousand hours in an environment without light.]

[Equip?]

This was the first time he had seen a green attribute, and Zhou Er was extremely shocked, but his expression remained unchanged.

Afterward, he pretended to ask casually:

"Miss Fan, is this a cicada molt? What kind of cicada can grow this big?"

"Yes! This is the molt shed by a Second-tier Golden Cicada that my father saw. After the golden cicada flew away, he immediately took the cicada molt as a souvenir."

Gu Fan explained.

Of course, this cicada molt could also be considered a Treasure Medicine, but it was his father's favorite item, and Gu Fan was Reluctant to use it, so she kept it.

Seeing this, Zhou Er had been Hesitating.

Now, seeing such an important item, he had made up his mind.

There wasn't a single Foundation Establishment cultivator on Fanhua Island. Even if Gu Fan and the other person wanted to Kill Him, he could Block It with the Turtle Shell Shield protecting his body.

If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch its cubs?

Worst Case, he would Steal this cicada molt.

So, before leaving, Zhou Er quietly Remembered the Location. If they couldn't Agree Later, he would become a Thief and steal the cicada molt first.

He could always Return it Later.

However, this Formation didn't look easy to break, which was also a Trouble.

The effect of the Cicada Concealment attribute was too good. It could at least Guarantee that he wouldn't be Spied on by others before reaching Golden Core.

Zhou Er sat on Gu Jiu's small boat, constantly contemplating countermeasures.

"Brother Cang, are you satisfied with Niece Gu Fan?"

Gu Jiu's words interrupted Zhou Er's contemplation.

"Miss Fan is gentler than I imagined. I am naturally satisfied."

A double negative means affirmation.

"That's good. I think Niece Gu Fan is also quite satisfied with you. This matter will Most Likely succeed."

Gu Jiu smiled and said.

"After this is done, I will definitely give you a great reward, Brother Gu!"

Zhou Er guaranteed.

To obtain the cicada molt, Zhou Er naturally hoped this matter could succeed.

The small boat leisurely sailed back to Bashui Immortal City, leaving only a ripple of waves behind.