Thoughts Dispersed

After the New Year.

Early one morning.

Zhou Ning sat cross-legged in his room. His metal-fire Law Power flowed through one complete Greater Celestial Circuit, and a sound like metal and stone cracking seemed to come from within him.

Spiritual Qi rushed madly into the meridian points all over his body. His figure swayed slightly as the spiritual power in his Dantian abruptly surged into being.

"Qi Refining Second Layer."

Zhou Ning felt the Law Power, much more abundant than before, and his mood lifted slightly.

"Half a year to break through from the first layer to the second. That's more than twice as fast as before."

"It's been seven years since I came to the Su Household. I'm twenty-four now."

If word of such cultivation progress got out, even a dog would shake its head!

"Fortunately, the Land of Wei cultivation method I practice gives me a lifespan of two hundred years. I can take my time planning for Foundation Establishment."

"I may be at the Qi Refining Second Layer, but I wonder how strong I am in a fight now?"

Zhou Ning had never truly fought anyone.

He took a Spirit Essence Pill and reckoned that the time he had arranged to meet Jiang Xiaohua and the others from the Azure Mystic Sect was drawing near.

But over the years, perhaps because they had grown distant, Jiang Xiaohua had sent no more letters.

Whether their seven-year agreement still stood remained unknown.

In truth, Zhou Ning had long been mentally prepared. He did not really want to keep the appointment.

But thinking of Su Yunjin's two acts of kindness, Zhou Ning gradually came to understand that he might indeed be a piece casually placed on the board by Su Yanghao, the Su Household's great Foundation Establishment cultivator.

He had to go. It was beyond his control.

"The Su Household..."

Although Zhou Ning was living fairly well now, Su Yanghao had caused him to be rejected. Without a doubt, that was a grudge for obstructing his path.

Once he established his Immortal Foundation, he would settle that account sooner or later.

"I'll ask Steward Su for leave and make a trip to Yongyang Commandery."

Zhou Ning straightened up and looked out the window. It had been overcast for days, yet it was surprisingly bright outside.

He pushed open the door to find heaven and earth covered in the same expanse of white. A heavy snow had fallen.

The snow fell silently. Zhou Ning picked up his black cloak and draped it over his shoulders.

He walked through the snow in the courtyard to the lakeside, where mist from the water mingled with snowflakes in a beauty all its own.

Xu Qinghou was admiring the snow by the lake. He could not help pulling his padded coat tighter around himself. He was indeed at the Third Layer of Qi Refinement, but he had never specifically trained his body. Though stronger than a mortal's, his body was still far from impervious to heat and cold.

He could ward off the cold if he was willing to expend spiritual power, but that would only add to his consumption. There was no need.

Only upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, when true essence protected the body and the flesh grew stronger, could one withstand the bitter cold.

Thinking of what was happening today, Xu Qinghou hesitated for a while before asking Zhou Ning, "Big Brother Yuan broke through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining the day before yesterday and made a point of throwing a big banquet. Are you going?"

Zhou Ning shook his head. "I'll pass."

Yuan Dahu's circle was made up entirely of retainers who netted fish together. What would he go there for?

He would only make the others uncomfortable.

Xu Qinghou felt the same way. Relieved now, he said goodbye and left.

Zhou Ning headed straight for the eastern side of the island.

Yuan Dahu was one of the best-known retainers at Cuiwei Lake.

Now that he had broken through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, everyone said he had a chance of becoming the first mighty expert among the fish hunters to break through to Late Qi Refining...

Rumor had it that Yuan Dahu had made a grand vow: every brother who followed him would break through to the late stage.

Xu Qinghou, who worked hard netting fish, was one of his brothers too.

Zhou Ning did not work hard and was not worthy of being his brother.

Zhou Ning paid those matters no mind. He only wanted to cultivate diligently and build up his strength.

But trouble was brewing outside. The Duan Household, an artifact-refining power with a False Core cultivator, had sent people to Cuiwei Lake.

They sought to draw the Su Household into competing with them for the Guo Household's inheritance. After deliberating, the Su Household's higher-ups sent the retainers from the northern herb gardens and mines to war. He had heard that casualties were heavy.

He did not know when Bamboo Creek Island's turn would come.

As a lowly Qi Refining cultivator, Zhou Ning was ultimately like someone viewing flowers through mist, unable to make out the whole picture.

"In a year at most, I can reveal my talent for pill refinement. By then, even if the war reaches us, I can remain safely in the rear."

Before he knew it, Zhou Ning had reached Steward Su's residence.

He passed a small brocade pouch to the gatekeeper.

Inside the residence.

Snowflakes fell on the glazed tiles. Inside the pavilion, it was as warm as spring, with spirit charcoal burning in a copper brazier and thin wisps of smoke curling upward.

The nanmu table was laden with dishes: golden steamed spirit bass and sliced white-fleshed fruit.

Since marrying into the Su residence, Jiang Xi had taken to dressing like a noble lady, complete with a sable-fur cloak. Yet the rustic air in her features had never quite faded.

The gatekeeper approached and bowed to report, "Master, the retainer Zhou Ning requests an audience!"

Steward Su frowned.

Beside him, Jiang Xi's eyes darted about. Whatever came to mind, she said, "Husband, let him in."

Steward Su was rather fond of Jiang Xi. After all, his new wife was twenty-five years younger than him, so he agreed.

After the gatekeeper left, Steward Su said, "I know a lack of resources held you back when you tried refining pills before. But now that you've married me, why keep doing such backbreaking work?"

Jiang Xi thought, You're not the one I really wanted to marry, you wretched old man.

How lofty were her ambitions?

Once she learned pill refinement, she might even kick the old man aside.

Outwardly, she said, "Husband, quite a few Alchemists out there have been slaughtered by the Lei Household, and raw materials are cheap now. If I became an Alchemist, wouldn't you be able to advance another step? It might not be hopeless for you to contend for the great path of Foundation Establishment."

"All I lack now is a Pill Furnace."

Hearing this, Steward Su felt a stirring of impulse.

Foundation Establishment meant a lifespan of two hundred and forty years!

But the impulse was immediately suppressed.

He had previously sent someone to investigate Zhou Ning. The young man was involved in the Su Household higher-ups' plans, and there were many secrets surrounding him.

Just then, Zhou Ning arrived at the pavilion and discovered that Jiang Xi had reached the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement.

Steward Su took a sip of tea, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure. "You certainly know how to pick your moment."

Zhou Ning thought, You certainly know how to pick a time to eat. Noon is still a long way off.

Outwardly, however, he sought to ease the mood and chose flattering words. "Someone told my fortune yesterday and said I'd meet a benefactor at this hour."

Jiang Xi covered her mouth and laughed.

"What brings you here today?" Steward Su asked, prodding the spirit fish on the plate with his chopsticks.

Zhou Ning immediately said, "I'd like to ask you for three months' leave, Lord Su. Xu Qinghou and I are going to Yongyang Commandery to meet some old friends from the Azure Mystic Sect..."

When he finished, Steward Su did not answer. Instead, he put down his chopsticks and said, "That Yuan Dahu is a crude fellow. The spirit fish he sent tastes good, but it has so many bones. How am I supposed to eat it?"

Zhou Ning said, "Lord Su, no matter how many bones it has, isn't it still just a dish on your table?"

Steward Su shook his head and laughed. The young man really did know how to think on his feet.

Just then, Jiang Xi said casually, "I heard the young lady of the Su Household gave..."

Before she could finish, Steward Su cut her off. "All right, I approve your leave. Go on."

Zhou Ning cupped his fists and took his leave.

Jiang Xi was a little displeased.

Steward Su took a sip of tea and narrowed his eyes. "Do you want his Pill Furnace?"

Jiang Xi had looked down on the old man somewhat, but seeing how shrewd he was now, she was a little taken aback.

"You truly do foresee things like a god, Husband." Jiang Xi's tone softened considerably.

Steward Su felt a trace of pride and advised her, "Don't get involved with Zhou Ning. The young lady only lent him that Pill Furnace temporarily."

Jiang Xi had been in the residence for half a year and knew something of the matter. "Didn't the young lady go to the artifact-refining Duan Household? She won't be back for years..."

Steward Su gently stirred the foam with his teacup lid. After a long while, he said mildly, "I'll buy you a new Pill Furnace."

Jiang Xi froze. Joy soon took over, and she said with a charming laugh, "Once I've mastered the craft, I certainly won't forget to repay you, Husband!"

Steward Su nodded. "Excellent."