Enemies at the Door

Two weeks later.

Zhou Ning strolled along the edge of the island. The spirit willows were lush and their branches drooped into the water. The spirit turtle opened its mouth and nibbled at the willow leaves, biting and tearing them apart. It was clear that it really loved eating them.

Unfazed by the large-scale gas repairs being carried out on shore by Zhou Ning.

In contrast, five or six miles away, Chen Long asked furtively, "Old Wang, are you alright?"

"It's nothing. I already scraped away all the Ceramic Crystal Sand around the island under the pretext of cleaning up the spirit mud."

"You're really still going strong for your age!" Chen Long couldn't help but praise.

"However, this boy is indeed obsessed with alchemy and has no intention of prying into our secrets." Wang Guanhe actually felt that this kind of life wasn't so bad.

"Mr. Wang, we've acquired quite a bit of Ceramic Crystal Sand. When will it be available for sale?--"

Just as we were talking about this, a black dot appeared in the distance, and it got closer and closer.

"Oh no, it's Azure Feather Eagle!"

The two quickly jumped out of the water, stepped onto the flying boat, and hurriedly flew towards the island.

It was extremely dangerous; they managed to retreat into the island's magic array before the Azure Feather Eagle arrived.

A wind rose on the island, Azure Feather Eagle flapped its large wings and hovered in the air. A withered figure in black robes descended from the sky.

Subjective He and Chen Long exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with horror. "Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

5

Could it be that Zhou Ning invited Foundation Establishment from the Su Household?

The two were anxious and didn't know what to do. If the Su Household chose to silence them, they would be doomed!

Even Qi Refining cultivator can't escape from Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Su Ru is a cultivator from the Su Household. He is nearly two hundred years old this year and doesn't have long to live.

He looked down at the young Zhou Ning, originally thinking that this person would be a poor retainer for life, but unexpectedly, he became Alchemist and even cultivated to the Late Qi Refining.

He had an urge to kill the man on the spot.

He himself was nearing the end of his life and had no fear of the consequences, but he represented the entire Su Household, and he had offspring.

Once they make a move, the True Disciple of the Azure Mystic Sect will absolutely not let it go and will direct all their hatred at the Su Household.

Zhou Ning recognized the Su Household's Azure Feather Eagle. He was ready to turn on them at any moment. The two Jade-Casting True Gold Talisman in his Dantian trembled slightly, his fighting spirit soaring.

"Fire-Healing Fruit, Straw Puppet, True Gold Talisman —can I kill this seasoned Foundation Establishment even if I give it my all?" Zhou Ning asked himself.

However, the old man did not make a move; instead, he beckoned, and a spiritual contract appeared.

"Zhou Ning, the three-year period has ended. When will you repay the Spirit Stone you owe the Su Household?"

Zhou Ning relaxed his guard slightly, but he never forgot the kindness the Su Household had shown him, otherwise he would have been hit hard.

He had enough Spirit Stone. Even after years of frantically honing his alchemy skills and ruining countless medicinal herbs, he still had more than 160 Spirit Stone and pills worth 70 or 80 Spirit Stone.

He feigned reluctance. "It is of course I should repay it, but I have recently spent a lot of money refining pills, and I am really—"

"Oh, you dare not return it?" Su Ru had already anticipated this reaction. "In that case, let's sign a new agreement—"

Zhou Ning immediately went to Wang Guanhe and said, "Brothers, could you lend me some Spirit Stone? I'd be grateful if you could offer me some pills in return!"

Wang Guanhe and Chen Long exchanged a glance, instinctively reluctant to lend the money, but seeing the old man's gloomy face, they feared that Zhou Ning might be punished if they didn't.

Zhou Ning was so engrossed in alchemy that he didn't investigate their sand-refining activities. Once he was transferred and replaced by someone new, there was an inevitable risk of leaks.

The two had been operating in Little Willow Marsh for many years, and Chen Long had even killed two Su Household stewards and divided the resources equally.

So he still had some wealth, especially since Wang Guanhe lent him eight Spirit Stone, Chen Long three, and Zhou Ning paid for it all with pills.

Zhou Ning collected thirty-six coins and offered them to the Su Household for their Foundation Establishment and Major Repair.

Su Ru was furious, but he actually managed to cobble together the pieces from various sources and manage to put them together!

He tore up the spirit contract on the spot, and said with a sinister smile, "Then I wish you a pleasant stay here."

Having said that, he mounted the Azure Feather Eagle and flew away from Little Willow Marsh.

When the birds had disappeared from the sky, Wang Guanhe tentatively asked, "Alchemist Zhou and the Su Household— "

Zhou Ning sighed, "Don't even mention it. We Alchemist may look glamorous, but our situation is actually quite difficult!"

He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you both for your help today. After I've had a few days, I'd like to invite you both for a small gathering."

He then turned and left, his departing figure appearing rather desolate.

He was faking it.

But surprisingly, the Scent-Smelling Insect on Zhou Ning's sleeve hasn't turned red lately.

Wang Guanhe, being older, empathized. "How can you earn Spirit Stone in this world so easily?"

Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone so far as to kill to silence witnesses and steal treasure for the sake of fortuitous opportunity.

Chen Long scoffed, saying that even if things were tough, he could still come up with thirty-six Spirit Stone to repay the loan.

He was filled with jealousy; he figured Alchemist Zhou could earn that much money back in a few years.

Another six months have passed.

The New Year has passed, Little Willow Marsh has experienced two days of heavy snowfall, making it exceptionally cold.

Zhou Ning's cultivation level is now at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, and his Law Power has become even more profound.

He gathered around the stove to brew tea, roast meat, and eat spiritual fruits.

Occasionally, I would glance out the window and see a sky full of dark clouds, with snowflakes drifting down onto the water, gradually covering it.

Despite the weather, Wang Guanhe and Chen Long still swam on the frozen lake the day before yesterday.

The two once shouted, "We cultivators have no fear of the bitter cold!"

It is claimed that only in such weather can one forge a will as sharp as a sword, laying a solid foundation for Foundation Establishment.

Zhou Ning could sense that the two of them were secretly collecting spiritual materials at the bottom of the lake, which seemed to be some kind of trivial sand and gravel.

However, the two were extremely cautious, keeping watch day and night, and never made a mistake.

Furthermore, Zhou Ning did not delve deeper into the matter and was never able to figure it out.

Seeing how exhausted the two of them were, Zhou Ning knew that the treasure would be difficult to obtain, so he decided to let them take their time.

His main goal is to establish Immortal Foundation. Once he becomes Foundation Establishment cultivator, won't he be the one calling the shots in Little Willow Marsh?

As a nominal guest of the Su Household, Little Willow Marsh has a share in everything.

Then we can legitimately intervene and get a share of the profits.

He flipped his hand and took out a letter, a letter sent by the Beast Taming Sect this morning.

It was sent by Gu Xiangning; the two hadn't been in contact for almost two years.

The letter stated that she had broken through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer some time ago and was currently preparing for Foundation Establishment.

She also suggested that if Brother Zhou was not comfortable with cooperating in alchemy, he could wait until she reached the Foundation Establishment and then take him to find Alchemist to cooperate with, which would be more prudent.

Zhou Ning stroked the letter, feeling a little emotional. Of all the cultivators in this world, Gu Xiangning was probably the kindest to him.

The last people who treated him this well were the farming couple who adopted him.

That year, there was a severe drought, and the harvest failed. People resorted to cannibalism. Although Zhou Ning was only four years old at the time, he already had the mind of an adult. So he took the initiative to suggest that they sell him into the Greedy Wolf Gang in exchange for a sum of money. Otherwise, none of his family members would survive.

After much persuasion, the farmer, looking at his pregnant wife, finally made up his mind with great reluctance.

Zhou Ning later learned martial arts from the Greedy Wolf Gang. Once, when he was on a mission, he even went to see that farm, but unfortunately, the whole village was deserted and there was no one alive.

"Xiangning Foundation Establishment-- "

"I can't wait any longer--"

Both of them possessed Middle-Grade Spirit Root, with Gu Xiangning having slightly better aptitude than him, but Zhou Ning possessed the Greater Ginseng-Nurturing Pill.

Gu Xiangning's cultivation speed is absolutely no match for his.

It will probably take at least eight years before I can attempt to Foundation Establishment, and with various other matters to consider, it will be at least ten years before I can find the time.

Zhou Ning was able to complete the Qi Refining in four or five years.

The old patriarch of the Su Household, relying on a level-three Spirit Vein, is probably making some kind of plan. I've heard that Core Formation requires many years of preparation, so it's hard to guarantee that he won't suddenly Core Formation.

He must shorten the Foundation Establishment time.

Besides, placing one's hopes on others is not necessarily reliable. If Gu Xiangning fails to break through, Zhou Ning will be in big trouble.

We still need to be prepared for multiple scenarios.

Zhou Ning took out the Jade Slip the [Divine Cauldron Inner Landscape Scripture] and focused on studying alchemy. In six months, he would test his skills by refining a small Black Husband, and he had to succeed on the first try!

On the island, in a secret room, concealed by an array.

Chen Long's square face was flushed, and his eyes were filled with excitement. "Old Wang, after planning for so many years, we've finally saved enough for a bowl. Shouldn't we go sell it?"

He's not young anymore; he should start preparing for Foundation Establishment. After all, he's a Lineage disciple. As long as he has Spirit Stone and shows loyalty, there's a sliver of hope that he can exchange them for the clan's Foundation Establishment resources.

Old Wang gazed at the crystal-clear jade bottle on the table. Inside, tiny, pale golden grains of sand, the size of sesame seeds, emitted a porcelain-like sheen. Judging by appearance alone, it was not particularly stunning.

However, according to the information they obtained from ancient texts, this item could significantly improve the quality of Law Treasure when mixed with them, and it also had many other wonderful uses.

Wang Guanhe let out a sigh of relief, "Yes, it's been so many years, we can't delay any longer, there's no better time than today!"

"The Qilin Pavilion opens tonight!" Chen Long said eagerly. "Elder Wang, shall we go together?"

--

After a year or two of getting to know each other, they almost no longer doubted Zhou Ning, especially since Zhou Ning had treated them to two meals after they borrowed the Spirit Stone.

Wang Guanhe shook his head. "One should always be wary of others. Sending just one person is enough, especially since there's only one sign."

After discussing it for a while, the two decided that Wang Guanhe, who had more experience in the martial arts world, would take a bottle of Ceramic Crystal Sand to the Qilin Pavilion to make the transaction.

Chen Long stayed behind to keep an eye on Zhou Ning.

The waiting time was particularly agonizing.

Chen Long couldn't concentrate on his cultivation all night, constantly worrying about whether Old Wang had actually sold it.

After all, this thing is extremely rare, and it represents years of hard work for them; if anything goes wrong...

The following morning, a restless Chen Long paced back and forth in the house. Finally, he decided to go to Zhou Ning's place for tea and a chat.

Although Alchemist Zhou held a high position, he never came across as arrogant, which was quite different from the haughty Alchemist of the Chen Household.

However, to him, he was just a drinking buddy who could be betrayed at any time.

Chen Long arrived outside Zhou Ning's villa and called out, "Alchemist Zhou, is there anything I can do for you today?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a beam of light flew in from afar.

It was Wang Guanhe, riding a flying boat, approaching the island.

Chen Long was overjoyed and activated the formation, ready to welcome them.

Suddenly, a figure in a gray robe appeared behind Wang Guanhe, and the person beckoned with his hand.

A sharp, dark-colored sword arrived in an instant, piercing Wang Guanhe's shoulder from behind.

The Daoist Mu said leisurely, "My two fellow Daoists, I've been searching for you for quite some time!"