The Higher Sect Comes to Take Her Away, Donations

Zhou Ning, dressed in black, stood inside the room, holding a book in his hand.

He looked at Pharmacist Lan silently, without saying a word.

The Pharmacist Lan felt a tremor run through her as he stared at her; was it secret delight or shyness? She couldn't tell herself.

She never imagined that Senior Zhou would possess such elegance and grace!

Pharmacist Lan had seen many handsome men, such as Su Junsong, Lin Qing, Su Yuanye, but they were far inferior to Zhou Jun!

So what about her previous anxiety and hesitation?

Moreover, the senior seemed to be a few years younger than her.

Pharmacist Lan took a deep breath, pinched the thin gauze at the neckline with her fingertips, and gently pulled it outwards.

She only pulled a little bit, and the thin gauze bounced back, causing her chest to tremble.

It's as if it's saying, "Look, it's wrapped up very tightly here."

Zhou Ning looked at her indifferently and said, "Pharmacist Lan, do you know why I saved the Holy Maiden?"

When Pharmacist Lan saw that he wasn't paying attention to her, was so indifferent, and was even inquiring about other women, she was unhappy.

You obviously only helped her because she was beautiful and wealthy.

However, Pharmacist Lan simply said, "Because you are kind, a truly benevolent person!"

Zhou Ning was very disappointed. Since when had all the people under his command become like this? Sycophants and flatterers!

He then asked bluntly, "Why did you volunteer to go out and make the deal for me the other day? Was it for riches and high-risk opportunities?"

The hidden thoughts in Pharmacist Lan's heart were brutally exposed.

She wanted to make excuses, but couldn't find the words.

Zhou Ning continued, "But do you know that fortune and wealth are sought amidst danger, and also lost amidst danger? The chance of success is one in ten, but the chance of failure is nine in ten."

After a few moments of silence, the Pharmacist Lan's gaze hardened. "To achieve Foundation Establishment, I will not regret even the slightest sacrifice."

Zhou Ning showed neither approval nor disdain; he asked, "Are you willing to serve me?"

Without further hesitation, Pharmacist Lan performed a court lady's bow, head bowed, and said clearly, "I am willing to serve you, senior!"

"Thirty years," Zhou Ning suddenly said.

This woman is sensible, knows when to advance and retreat, and has courage. He needs someone like her to handle things on his behalf.

Pharmacist Lan looked up. "Huh?"

However, Zhou Ning did not provide an answer.

For a moment, Pharmacist Lan was confused about his intentions. Looking at Zhou Ning's exceptionally handsome appearance, she gritted her teeth and said, "I am willing to serve you, Senior!"

"Since that's the case—" Zhou Ning flicked his finger, and a pill flew out, "Your cultivation level needs to be improved."

Pharmacist Lan then saw a pearly white pill, tinged with a bluish hue and adorned with golden patterns, appear before her.

She caught a whiff of that faint, sweet fragrance, and her expression froze instantly.

Her face paled instantly. "Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Her voice trembled. How could she not recognize something she had longed for all these years?

"Senior Zhou, isn't this the main material for Foundation Establishment —and the time hasn't come yet—"

Zhou Ning said meaningfully, "It's just a matter of sooner or later, so accept it."

The Pharmacist Lan quickly put it into a jade bottle and carefully sealed it.

Zhou Ning did not try to stop her, saying, "Go, choose a day to begin your Foundation Establishment."

"Huh? I don't have to stay?" Pharmacist Lan felt a sudden emptiness in his heart.

What are you going to do staying here?

Zhou Ning didn't want to carry another burden when he was about to run away in a life-or-death situation.

The Pharmacist Lan has left, but the lingering fragrance remains in the main room.

Zhou Ning waved his hand, dispersing them.

This woman is insightful and aware of the risks involved; even if she successfully Foundation Establishment, she certainly wouldn't dare to betray me.

She had witnessed Zhou Ning Zhou Ning's strength and knew about his revenge against the Su Household, understanding that he was a vengeful person.

"The first batch of three Foundation Establishment Pill refined are now used up."

No problem, the second batch is on its way.

Two months later, Spiritual Qi fluctuations were detected in Little Willow Marsh.

The Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth gathered, and the Rogue Cultivator passing by came to see it, their expressions complex, some envious and some jealous.

Half a day later, the Pharmacist Lan unleashed his accumulated power and successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment.

Dressed in a white gown, she flew off the island, walking in the sky above the marshland, experiencing the flow of Law Power with every gesture, ethereal and graceful.

Immortal.

The horse-faced cultivator who had sold Zhou Ning the trumpet- Law Artifact hurriedly offered his congratulations. "Congratulations on Senior Lan's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment! May Senior Lan be blessed!"

The surrounding Qi Refining cultivators all landed on the ground and quickly bowed.

After years of suppressed emotions, Pharmacist Lan finally broke through her inhibitions. Gone was her former gentle and quiet demeanor; her brows were brimming with cheerful joy. She reached into her Storage Bag and tossed out seven or eight jade bottles.

"Deserves a reward!"

The Qi Refining cultivator quickly took it, and someone opened the bottle cap and exclaimed in surprise, "Spirit Essence Pill!"

One bottle is worth 130 catties of spirit rice!

The Qi Refining cultivators were overjoyed and exclaimed repeatedly, "Senior Lan's Law Power is boundless, and his Divine Ability are unparalleled!"

The genuine admiration and fear shown by the lower cultivators pleased Pharmacist Lan. As a female cultivator, she too harbored ambitions to reach the pinnacle of the Great Dao!

The breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment caused quite a stir, and people from the nearby Emerald Screen Mountain Daoist Temple came to investigate.

Upon seeing this, Feng Shi's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Isn't she Alchemist Zhou's maid? How did she break through to the Foundation Establishment?"

All those precious Foundation Establishment Pill, just given to a servant like that?

Regardless of his inner thoughts, Feng Shi no longer showed the disdain he once had towards the Foundation Establishment Realm female cultivator. Instead, he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lan!"

After enjoying her meal, Pharmacist Lan didn't forget her business. With a light step, she swooped down like a rainbow and floated to Zhou Ning's pavilion.

Pharmacist Lan knelt on one knee, her bodice flattened from the pressure, and said solemnly, "Thank you so much, Senior Zhou, for the medicine. I will never forget it!"

Zhou Ning was in a good mood. He helped her up and said with a smile, "From now on, we're at the same level. I can't accept being called 'senior' anymore. Just call me Alchemist."

However, the Pharmacist Lan showed no disrespect whatsoever. Only after entering the Foundation Establishment Realm did she understand the wonders of Law Power. Yet, Zhou Ning was still able to easily kill a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator who possessed Talisman Treasure.

So, killing her when she's at the Foundation Establishment is probably no different from killing her when she's at the Qi Refining.

Seeing this scene, the Holy Maiden Hua Ran, who was not far away, said, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lan, on achieving Foundation Establishment."

As he spoke, he handed over a jade bottle containing True Essence Pill, worth five Spirit Stone —a generous gift indeed.

Pharmacist Lan exchanged a few polite words with him.

Zhou Ning looked at Hua Ran, thinking about how to get information out of her. He had recently been reading through Chai Dingchun's family's cultivation experience, including some details about breaking through to the Purple Mansion.

For a cultivator at the Immortal Foundation to break through to become Purple Mansion cultivator, they need to elevate their Immortal Foundation spiritual light from their Dantian to their Upper Mansion, which is the space between their eyebrows in front of their sea of consciousness.

Afterwards, he was instructed to condense his Immortal Foundation into Divine Ability, communicate with the Great Void space, and overcome the Heart Demon Tribulation. His Immortal Foundation then transformed into the Purple Mansion, and he became Purple Mansion cultivator.

Zhou Ning had heard He Zhuoran say that their He Household had tried countless times, and many ancestors had died, before they could finally become a Purple Mansion cultivator.

Even among the disciples of the Firmament Treasure Sect, if they aspire to become Purple Mansion cultivators and are well-prepared, it would be considered good if one out of ten Foundation Establishment succeeds.

The more solid the immortal Immortal Foundation, the harder it is to advance.

Of course, if successful, the strength will naturally be greater, and the ability to withstand the corrosive winds in the Great Void space will be stronger.

Zhou Ning discovered that this was indeed the case; as he cultivated, his Immortal Foundation became increasingly solid.

He had a persistent worry: whether he could find the Purple Mansion Cultivation Method of the [Xinsi Golden Scripture].

Even with the Cultivation Method, failing to reach the Purple Mansion means certain death. Advancing to the Immortal Foundation and overcoming the Heart Demon stage is too dangerous; what if the breakthrough fails?

Admittedly, Zhou Ning could attempt a breakthrough using a prosthetic body in Land of Wei, but the key issue is that his time in Land of Wei is limited, and the breakthrough...

Breaking through the Purple Mansion often takes years, and his prosthetic body didn't exist long enough!

Now that his Law Power has been stored in his Immortal Foundation, his Dantian is empty.

He once had a plan to cultivate both Dao Path simultaneously. After Core Formation, he would still need to undergo the Heart Demon Tribulation Nascent Soul. Even if he failed to overcome it, he would not die.

If you survive this ordeal, it's equivalent to gaining valuable experience and developing Nascent Soul body.

Immediately afterwards, I attempted to break through to the Purple Mansion, using my Nascent Soul body to push aside his immortal Immortal Foundation!

Let's talk about how strong he is!

Purple Mansion cultivators can traverse space, but in the Chen State, only Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivators can use the ability to shrink the distance to an inch.

In this comparison, it seems that the Purple Mansion is equivalent to Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivator?

Therefore, regardless of whether Zhou Ning will need this step in the future, he will need a powerful Chen State Cultivation Method.

The Sacred Fire Sect's [Spirit Illumination Scripture] is a fire-attribute Cultivation Method, which is suitable for his Spirit Root.

"Is he going to use his good looks again?" Zhou Ning thought sadly; he wasn't that kind of person!

Moreover, Hua Ran has a higher standard than Pharmacist Lan, making her even more difficult to deal with.

Just as Zhou Ning was struggling with his decision, a sword light streaked from afar and quickly arrived Falling Ning Island.

He was a young man in brocade robes, whose aura was as powerful as that of the Han Household's former False Core Ancestor on Cuiwei Lake.

"I am Yan Pingjie, the Grand Envoy of the Azure Mystic Sect, here to escort the Holy Maiden Hua Ran back to the sect!" His resounding voice echoed throughout the heavens and earth, and the token at his waist flew out on its own, revealing the illusory image of the Qingxuan Mountain Gate.

Zhou Ning's expression was solemn as he waved his flag to activate the formation. "Please, Fellow Daoist Yan, enter the formation."

Yan Pingjie sheathed his flying sword and landed by the pavilion. He nodded slightly to Zhou Ning, then looked at Hua Ran.

Hua Ran's face showed resentment as she said bitterly, "Where did your Azure Mystic Sect go before?"

Yan Pingjie remained calm. "I am unaware of the sect's will; I am merely acting on the orders of True Person Yuanbin to bring the Holy Maiden back to the sect."

Hua Ran, holding her younger brother's hand, walked towards the courtyard and said, "Let's tidy up."

"Can."

Pharmacist Lan then served a fruit platter. Jia Tingwan had probably been cooking eel blood again and had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Yan Pingjie had an average appearance, with slightly high cheekbones but sharp eyebrows. He spoke in a flat tone, "Which Aristocratic Clan has Alchemist Zhou Ning pledged allegiance to?" Zhou Ning couldn't figure out his intentions, but he wasn't afraid of this person.

He now possesses two third-tier spirit jade Jade-Casting True Gold Talisman, capable of killing even those with False Core.

He replied as usual, "I'm used to a life of leisure; being a nominal guest elder of the Azure Mystic Sect is enough for me."

Yan Pingjie's expression softened slightly upon hearing this. He sat down and took a sip of tea. "Does the Alchemist know about the Jingshui River to the east?"

Zhou Ning knew that when he and Su Zundao discussed military matters, Little Willow Marsh was located in the middle of Leping Commandery, and was guarded by forces on all sides, but only the Jingshui River in the southwest connected to the vicinity.

There is a powerful force on the Jingshui River called Zhang Family Fort, whose leader is a cultivator in the Core Formation Early Stage, and he firmly guards the area.

Before the two could exchange more than a few words, Yan Pingjie angrily said, "These Aristocratic Clan are all traitors, only good for internal strife all day long. The Azure Mystic Sect should send an envoy from each Aristocratic Clan to supervise and investigate them."

Zhou Ning couldn't figure out the pros and cons, so he just went along with it for the time being.

Yan Pingjie added, "All the scions of the Aristocratic Clan should be sent to the Azure Mystic Sect for a Spirit Root test when they turn twelve. Those with High-Grade Spirit Root should remain at the Azure Mystic Sect to prevent the Aristocratic Clan from becoming too powerful."

Zhou Ning: "Well said!"

Yan Pingjie became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, "However, this method is not a permanent solution. I once suggested to the sect that Lei, Zhao, and..."

All the Foundation Establishment Core Formation Cultivator from the Chu and Wang families were killed to prevent them from defecting to the enemy!

"If the sect had listened to my advice back then, how could the Lei Household be in danger now?"

Zhou Ning was completely stunned. "No, aren't you going a bit too far?"

Furthermore, why not kill the Su Household?

Yan Pingjie said, "Zhang Family Fort was attacked by the Lei Household half a year ago and was in dire straits. They sent letters for help to the Aristocratic Clan in Leping Commandery, but they didn't receive a single Aristocratic Clan spiritual support!"

"True Person Zhang Wan is indeed powerful, relying on the formation to kill a Core Formation Cultivator the Lei Household!"

Zhou Ning had heard about this. At that time, the tenants of Emerald Screen Mountain sent people to discuss the donation, which was then handed over to the Chen Household so that they could send it to Zhang Family Fort.

After all, both sides are not far from the Jingshui River. Zhou Ning originally planned to donate, but later he asked Pharmacist Lan to check and found that Leping Commandery was not very clean.

So he took out a low-grade first-tier talisman he had once seized, worth less than two Spirit Stone, and had Wan'er fold ninety-nine paper cranes as a token of his encouragement.

As a result, Zhang Family Fort did not receive the donation from the cultivators of Emerald Screen Mountain, but instead received a thousand paper crane talismans from Zhou Ning, who also sent a letter of thanks last month.

Yan Pingjie said, "These Aristocratic Clan are not as concerned about the world as Alchemist Zhou. In his letter, True Person Zhang specifically thanked you, Alchemist Zhou, to the sect leader."

Otherwise, given Yan Pingjie's personality, he would definitely have labeled him as a Rogue Cultivator cultivator from a powerful Aristocratic Clan.

Zhou Ning immediately felt ashamed and said, "True Person Zhang righteous."

After exchanging a few more words, Yan Pingjie told Zhou Ning that once Zhang Family Fort fell, the entire Leping Commandery would be in danger of collapse, and asked him to do his utmost to help.

Zhou Ning expressed his gratitude, but secretly planned to pack his valuables and flee as soon as Zhang Family Fort fell.

Saintess Hua Ran packed her belongings and took one last look at Little Willow Marsh.

It was the height of summer; willow branches drooped, the water was clear, and silvery-scaled fish swam about tirelessly, occasionally startled and quickly fleeing.

These past three or four months have been a rare period of relaxation for Hua Ran, thanks to Alchemist Zhou's humor, Wan'er's clumsiness, and the delicious food and spiritual fruits.

However, eventually, I had to leave.

She bowed respectfully to Zhou Ning and said, "Alchemist Zhou, thank you for your care these past few days. I hope we will meet again someday."

Zhou Ning looked reluctant to part and sighed, "Holy Maiden, please come again often!"

Hua Ran smiled brightly, her clear and beautiful voice captivating. "Yes, we will."

Afterwards, she took her younger brother's hand, stepped into the glow of the sunset, and flew away from Little Willow Marsh.

Zhou Ning gazed at the graceful figure in feathered robes, feeling extremely reluctant to part with her. His [Spirit Illumination Scripture] had just flown away!

Pharmacist Lan suddenly asked, "Alchemist Zhou, does she possess something you covet?"

Zhou Ning flicked his sleeves, displeased. "Am I, Zhou, such a vulgar person?"

Just as he was about to come up with a way to establish his authority as the island's lord, another streak of light flew by.

Sun Gui landed on the island aboard the flying boat and hurriedly found Zhou Ning.

When Zhou Ning saw it clearly, he was stunned. Sun Gui, who usually had a sallow complexion, was now bruised and swollen, looking like a pig's head.

Zhou Ning asked tentatively, "Did you fall while walking?"