Shuhe's Plans

After seeing He Degong off, Kang Dabao hung a sign indicating that Yunfang was in seclusion and activated the Second Tier Spirit Gathering Formation within it. This array was quite effective, capable of raising the grade of the Spirit Vein within Yunfang to the Second-Tier Upper-Grade.

Since it works so well, its cost must be extraordinary. Sect Leader Kang Da originally intended to set up a spirit array and build a new secluded cave abode outside the Jade Clam Water Abode. After all, it is adjacent to Second Tier Spirit Vein, and the cost is much lower than that of Little Ring Mountain.

However, Fei Household's eldest daughter didn't have the same stingy attitude as Kang Dabao. She didn't like the Daoist Black Shoes was rather stern and unsmiling towards those who weren't close to her, and she didn't want to go to the Jade Clam Water Abode to fool around with the Sect Leader Kang Da all the time.

Not only did Fei Shuhe set up Spirit Gathering Formation in the sect leader's room, but she also used her past connections in the capital to try to find some more skilled geomancers to upgrade the Spirit Vein of Little Ring Mountain to the Second Tier.

In the past, when she was still a young lady, she had some close friends, among whom Gun Yuyao was the best. There was also another friend with whom she used to be very close, who is said to have married into the Dai County Xu Household.

The Xu Household patriarch was not only Nascent Soul True Person, but also a rare Fourth Tier geomancer. Therefore, the Xu Household's lineage in geomancy can be considered top-tier in the Immortal Dynasty.

Although Fei Shuhe's sister married only a minor official, her status in the family was still much higher than that of people like Xu Yingshi who had to fight their way to the top in this prefecture.

Her husband is now Second-Tier Supreme-Grade geomancer, a figure that cannot be found even in the entire Cloud Horn Prefecture. If Fei Shuhe can invite him over, the advancement of the Spirit Vein in Little Ring Mountain should be possible.

As for the Sect Leader Kang Da, he could only accept it calmly. The kindness of a beautiful woman is a trouble that only a few people would have.

"I wonder if Master Qi has Foundation Establishment yet?" Kang Dabao thought of Qi Buxiu with him. "By now, Yue Lan should have already been killed by Uncle-Master and Senior Chu, right?"

How will the Two Instruments Sect and the Han City Yue Household react to this matter? And how will the Chongming Sect face this? This is another worrying matter.

Sect Leader Kang Da took a deep breath, cleared his mind of distractions, and began to carefully examine the "Northern Night Palace Full Moon Visualization Method, Volume One," which he had comprehended through the second Immortal Seal Script on the Black Bone.

Kang Dabao already knew this Cultivation Method when he was in Mountain-Viewing Cave. It was an extremely rare Divine Sense cultivation method. Moreover, its grade was very high, already at the Zhou Grade Supreme-Grade, which was even higher than the Primordial Ancient Body.

Many cultivators actually possess enough spiritual power to control more high-level Law Treasure in battle, but they are limited by their Divine Sense, which prevents them from doing so.

For example, if Chu Yanran's Divine Sense were strong enough, she would definitely be able to master that Six-Sided Color-Embroidered Bamboo-Frame Golden-Thread Lamp much better. She wouldn't have to be so tightly restrained by Yue Lan's Half-Chi, and in the end, she would still have to ask the Daoist Black Shoes for help.

With the help of the Long Breath Art, the Sect Leader Kang Da's spiritual power is already far superior to that of his peers. If he could also make up for his weakness in Divine Sense, he would be even more formidable.

Even if he were to face a Golden Core cultivator from a major sect, he wouldn't lack the courage to fight.

"I don't know what kind of sect the Northern Night Palace is. I asked my martial aunt and Shuhe, but neither of them knew. Is it because of the long passage of time that it has been lost to the previous dynasty? Or is this sect not in Great Wei, but in the outer sea? Or is it among the other forces under the jurisdiction of Bitter Spirit Mountain?"

After pondering for a while, Kang Dabao suppressed his doubts and stopped thinking about it. Instead, he carefully began to recite the "Northern Night Palace Full Moon Visualization Method, Volume One".

Sect Leader Kang Da kept his eyes tightly closed, his lips and teeth still, his mouth slightly open with only his tongue moving, and his voice came from his Dantian, calm and melodious.

It's unclear whether Kang Dabao was inherently perfectly suited to this Cultivation Method, or whether the Full Moon Visualization Method was simply easier to cultivate than the Primordial Ancient Body. As the rhythm of the chanting gradually stabilized, a full moon appeared in the sea of consciousness of the Sect Leader Kang Da.

She was like a white jade plate embedded in the sky, her radiance gliding like silk across the clouds, leaving the earth pristine white, as if shrouded in a light veil. Kang Dabao was immersed in this environment, letting the bright moonlight nourish his Divine Sense.

After only three months of seclusion, with the assistance of the three jade pendants, he has already shown signs of mastering this high-level Divine Sense cultivation method.

During these three months, while practicing the Full Moon Visualization Method, Kang Dabao also became very interested in the Slaughter and Extermination used by Yuan Feng.

After all, the Ink Abyss Flag he received from the state treasury had already been lost because of Yuan Feng's ally Yue Lan. It was only reasonable for the young master of the Yuan Household, with his vast wealth and power, to compensate him with one.

However, this top-grade Spirit Artifact has been nurtured in Yuan Feng's hands for over sixty years, so refining it will not be an easy task and will require some effort.

The 361 Yin-Yang Mystic Lightning on the Immortal Game Disc will need to be replenished by a skilled weapon craftsman. Even if the Fei Household weapon craftsman is willing to charge a lower fee, the expense will still be considerable.

"Hmm, let's go out of the pass and check on Yuan Buwen's movements first. We've left him hanging for too long, it's about time."

As the only Core Formation cultivator in the Jingnan Yuan Household, Yuan Xiyue is probably more valuable in Yuan Buwen's eyes than Yuan Feng was before, so he should be willing to offer her some incentives.

Beforehand, the New Cloud Alliance suffered heavy casualties in its attack on the Changning Sect. Apart from a Bright Moon Token, they gained nothing. It seemed like they had suffered a great loss, but in fact, they had gained a great advantage.

Pingrong County, where Chongming Sect was located, was adjacent to Jingnan Prefecture. It was necessary to recruit vassals to build forts and strongholds on the border of the two prefectures, making it a real front line. Whether it was to protect the sect or to maintain his position as the Pingrong County, Kang Dabao could not back down.

However, after forcing the Changning Sect to retreat, the high-ranking officials in the state court schemed against each other and sent the Yunwei Zheng Household to be stationed in White Sand County. This was tantamount to erecting a shield for the Chongming Sect Jingnan Yuan Household, which greatly reduced the deterrent effect of the Jingnan Kang Dabao.

After all, Kuang Liuting was at the height of his power, and the Sect Leader Kang Da did not believe that Yuan Buwen, this False Core ancestor, would be so blind as to rashly step into the territory of Cloud Horn Prefecture.

After passing through the border, Kang Dabao did not rush to discuss matters, but instead went to find Zhang Qingran.

After being cursed with the Yang Blood Heart-Locking Incantation by Sect Leader Kang Da, the female cultivator became much more docile. Before going into seclusion, the latter even sent Zhang Le to visit this branch elder.

Zhang Qingran knew that Kang Dabao was showing goodwill. She had been locked up by Yuan Feng for nearly twenty years, and her self-cultivation skills were not too bad, so she had not had any difficulty cultivating in peace at the Chongming Sect these days.

Upon meeting, neither of them rushed to speak. After calmly drinking the spiritual tea personally brewed by Zhang Qingran, Sect Leader Kang Da expressed his gratitude before finally speaking:

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, can you tell me the whereabouts of the Moon Fern now?"

"Of course, I urge Sect Leader Kang to lift the curse on me once he learns of Moon Fern." Zhang Qingran's cheeks flushed as she spoke, recalling how Kang Dabao lifted the curse on Yuan Xiyue, and her exposed arms gradually turned crimson.

"That sounds like you're begging him to take advantage of you."

Such behavior couldn't possibly mean that this stunning female cultivator had already fallen for Sect Leader Kang Da, so there's only one explanation—

"She's faking it." Sect Leader Kang Da, with his keen insight, didn't expose her. This female cultivator was quite adept at playing these underhanded tricks; no wonder Yuan Feng had kept her for so many years without taking her virginity.

"Of course." Kang Dabao nodded, trying his best to keep his word, a good habit he had developed when he was a traveling merchant. As long as Zhang Qingran's words were meaningful, he wouldn't break his promise.

Hearing that Sect Leader Kang Da had made a promise, Zhang Qingran was still somewhat uneasy, but now that she was at his mercy, she had no other choice but to place her hopes on the reputation of this "womanizer" for being trustworthy.

As soon as she began to discuss the main matter, the crimson color on her face gradually faded, and her voice became melodious, like that of a nightingale.

"Although Lord Yuandao was born into a collateral branch, he was a genius who appeared only once in a hundred years in our Fenli Zhang Household. The elders in the family had all heard about the fact that he created a Zhou Grade pupil technique back then,"

Zhang Qingran paused here, glanced at Kang Dabao's eyes, and then adjusted her tone before continuing, "Sect Leader Kang may not believe it, but in fact, before Lord Yuandao relocated his close relatives and established the Zhang Household Pingrong Hall, the people in charge of our clan at that time always placed high hopes on him."

"It's just that I didn't expect Lord Yuandao to hold such a grudge about what happened in the past, which is why the Fenli Zhang Household has gradually drifted apart from your clan."

Kang Dabao nodded somewhat impatiently. He only wanted to know the whereabouts of the Moon Fern and had little interest in the disputes that Patriarch Zhang had caused when he left home.

Not to mention that twenty years have passed Fenli Zhang Household was wiped out, and now the Zhang Household is just an empty shell. He has no interest in discussing the rights and wrongs of both sides back then with Zhang Qingran.

Zhang Qingran, unwilling to miss a single glance from Sect Leader Kang Da, sensed his mood and, realizing her plans had failed, knew she needed to get to the point as soon as possible.

"Our Zhang Household is just a small clan in Fenli Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of the Zuojiang Shu Household. The scenery around the capital is far superior to that of the border prefectures. The Zhang Household cannot even occupy a county in Fenli Prefecture and can only earn a meager living by planting medicinal herbs."

At its peak, the medicinal fields in the clan's territory alone covered nearly a thousand acres. The Moon Fern was a variant that our Fenli Zhang Household cultivated from a mid- Second-Tier Middle-Grade Calamity Heart Grass.

Normally, Second-Tier Middle-Grade -tier Calamity Heart Grass matures every sixty years. Once mature, its leaves are lanceolate and can be used as the main ingredient in some hallucinogenic elixirs. The Hehuan Sect, which was on good terms with the Shu Household back then, greatly favored the Calamity Heart Grass produced by our Zhang Household.

However, the elders in the family, through their ingenuity, did indeed discover a variant of the Calamity Heart Grass. It matures once every fifteen years and is only Second-Tier Lower-Grade. When mature, its leaves resemble crescent moons, so the elders named it Moon Fern.

Although the Moon Fern grows faster, its efficacy is less than half that of the Calamity Heart Grass, which greatly displeases the Hehuan Sect, a major customer. Therefore, the Moon Fern is not very profitable, and its cultivation has gradually decreased. In my generation, I've only seen it a few times in the corners of medicinal fields."

"The Zuojiang Shu Household, a variant of the Second-Tier Middle-Grade Calamity Heart Grass." Sect Leader Kang Da silently recalled the key words from Zhang Qingran's words.

He had heard of the Zuojiang Shu Household before; the current Imperial Guard Commander was from that family. This was a high-ranking general of the Imperial Guard who could Emperor of Wei palace, which showed the prosperity of the Shu Household.

The Zuojiang Shu Household was a truly first-rate powerful family in the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, ranking much higher than the Fei Household. Compared to some other prominent families, they were only lacking one Nascent Soul True Person; their other strengths were roughly the same.

Since the Fenli Zhang Household belonged to the Zuojiang Shu Household, Kang Dabao couldn't help but think more highly of his ancestor's Lineage.

However, there are inherent differences in strength among vassal states, and the Ingenious Craftsman Fort under the Chongming Sect's jurisdiction is not comparable to the Kuai Household. The Zhang Household, under the Shu Household's jurisdiction, is mostly an insignificant player as well.

Kang Dabao thought about it for a moment and then stopped worrying about it.

"I never imagined that the Moon Fern was actually a variant of the Second Tier Calamity Heart Grass." Now that he thought about it, Kang Dabao could understand it.

This is because raising spirit creatures is no different from alchemy or weapon crafting; none of these are static. Alchemist need to improve their Pill Formula, weapon craftsmen need to adjust their combinations, and so do cultivators.

For example, the Plain Snow Stamen that Zhou Yixiu had just cultivated was like this; the yield was not large, and it was only sold in Double Brightness Trade Market. Naturally, not many cultivators knew about it.

Judging from Zhang Qingran's words, the Moon Fern has only been around for a short time and has no market, so it's understandable that apart from the forces around the Fenli Zhang Household, no one else knows about it.

This is why successive leaders of the Chongming Sect, as long as they had a sense of responsibility, would diligently study introductory texts such as "Introduction to Cold Crow Mountain Spirit Things".

"No wonder even the Fearless Tower and the Myriad Treasures Trading Company branch in Shannan Circuit didn't know about it." Kang Dabao didn't dwell on the matter, but looked at Zhang Qingran and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, do you have any Moon Fern seeds? I'm willing to buy them."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qingran's smile became much more genuine, "I have nothing on me," she said, before the Sect Leader Kang Da could show any disappointment, "But Zhang Qingran Yuan Feng took everything from my Storage Bag. If nothing unexpected happens, the Moon Fern seeds should already be in your hands, fellow Daoist."

"Clap!" Kang Dabao clapped his hands suddenly, his excitement evident.

"This is it. I had a close cousin who was in charge of cultivating the Calamity Heart Grass. My maternal uncle asked me to take some seeds and cultivation manuals back with me so that I could also cultivate it, but the elders in the clan forbade it. However, my cousin secretly gave me the Moon Fern's manual and seeds, but I never expected..."

"Thank you, fellow Daoist!" At this moment, Kang Dabao had no time to worry about the beauty's sorrow. He took the note and the seed, determined to go out and find Zhou Yixiu and Kang Rongquan. If the two of them were not confident, he might have to ask Chu Yanran for help again.

The path of Spirit Plant is equally profound and complex. Sect Leader Kang Da's hopes for cultivating the Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes are entirely pinned on these hundred-odd seeds, so there is no room for carelessness.

After their trip to Mountain-Viewing Cave last time, Chu Yanran should be willing to give me some face.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Zhang has really helped me a lot! Thank you so much!" Kang Dabao thanked her while skillfully helping Zhang Qingran undress. The undergarment was novel and ingenious, and it wouldn't be considered outdated even if it were placed in the picture book of Exalted Cultivator Guanyu.

The Yang Blood Heart-Locking Incantation is indeed the most important secret technique that Patriarch Zhang should pass down, besides the Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes. Sect Leader Kang Da is determined to continue to promote and develop it.

As Kang Dabao moved, Zhang Qingran felt an intense heat in her chest, which even warmed the air in the room.

Unbeknownst to the two, Fei Shuhe and Nanny Sun were sitting opposite each other at the chessboard stone table, which was Sect Leader Kang Da's favorite place in the courtyard, and talking quietly.

"Has the nanny found out?" Fei Shuhe was still holding the little sparrow that she had raised on the day she married Kang Dabao. It was the one that always spoke auspicious words. After years of careful raising, the dragon beast master had transformed it from a mortal beast that was close to becoming a spirit into First-Tier Middle-Grade spirit bird.

The costs involved were considerable, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they outweighed the benefits. But since Fei Shuhe was happy with this, which of the cultivators in Green Lotus Courtyard would dare to offer a word of criticism?

Nanny Sun said softly, "Miss, I've found out. Yuan Feng's reputation wasn't good during his lifetime. He had taken many female cultivators for his cultivation, and none of them fared well. But Zhang Qingran was the only one he'd kept for nearly twenty years without doing anything to her."

Fei Shuhe became interested, her eyes shining with interest. She stroked the little sparrow, signaling Nanny Sun to continue.

"The maidservant went to Jingnan Prefecture alone and asked a Foundation Establishment who had once associated with Yuan Feng. She managed to find out some things; Zhang Qingran should be of the Fragrant Mist Physique."

Yuan Feng obtained a dual cultivation method that could increase the chances of Core Formation by absorbing the essence of Yuan Xiyue and Zhang Qingran. As for the name of this dual cultivation method, this minor character had no idea.

"The Cosmos Rank, Lower Grade Mystic Union Method of Primordial Oneness, originating from the now-defunct Red Moon Sect, is actually a decent dual cultivation secret technique." Fei Shuhe's eyes suddenly lit up; she had learned this news while she was on the bed with the young sect leader Kang in her mouth.

As soon as Sect Leader Kang Da obtained Yuan Feng's dual cultivation method, he became interested. This method emphasizes "Han Xin's strategy of deploying troops, the more the better," so at least three people are required. That's why Kang Dabao insisted on bringing Huo Ying along.

The Daoist practice of dual cultivation is a righteous method of cultivation. As long as one does not engage in indiscriminate sexual exploitation like Yuan Feng, dual cultivation is beneficial regardless of gender.

Although this was a good thing, how could Fei Shuhe so easily abandon her noblewoman's reserve and allow Kang Dabao to enjoy the bliss of having two wives?

We should let him cool off for a while before making any further decisions.

However, Zhang Qingran's Fragrant Mist Physique is a rather rare spiritual body. In terms of rarity, Feng Wan's Clear Spirit Physique would be inferior if she weren't a man.

"The Fragrant Mist Physique, the Buddha Mother Wisdom Consort Dao" Fei Shuhe's expression became much more complex, a mixture of excitement, joy, loss, sadness, entanglement, and reluctance.

"After the young master leaves the pass, he went to find Zhang Qingran first, didn't he?" Fei Shuhe urged away the little sparrow that was still lingering in her hand, and then asked Nanny Sun.

"Yes, Yu'er is waiting outside. If anything happens..." Even though Nanny Sun knew her young mistress wasn't jealous, she still had to answer carefully.

But Fei Shuhe's expression remained unchanged as she softly said, "He must have gone to inquire about the whereabouts of Moon Fern. I even asked the Fei Household's main branch relatives before, but I didn't get any news. If Zhang Qingran finds out, that would really be a good thing."

"Miss's generosity is a blessing for the young master," Nanny Sun praised sincerely.

A faint smile appeared on Fei Shuhe's face. She gently shook her head and said softly, "Hmph, what kind of magnanimity is this? A truly capable man wouldn't care about sleeping with a few more sluts!"

"Cough!" Nanny Sun choked on her own young mistress's sudden outburst of vulgar language. As a governess, this was a grave dereliction of duty on her part!

But when he looked up again and saw Fei Shuhe smiling slyly, he knew that this was a joke Fei Shuhe had deliberately made.

Nanny Sun immediately straightened her clothes and composed herself, a silent protest. While she remained silent, she also felt that her young mistress, since marrying and becoming a housewife, was indeed quite different from the gentle and graceful girl she once was.

Fei Shuhe held a strand of hair in her hand and twirled it repeatedly, exuding a touch of mature womanly charm, her voice also becoming languid:

"Shuhe, I need to trouble Nanny Sun to inquire about one more thing. I need to know the whereabouts of Toad Dew and Osmanthus Fragrance. These are some of the most suitable spiritual fragrances for the Mystic Union Method of Primordial Oneness. If we have this fragrance, the effectiveness of this method will be greatly enhanced."

If it's difficult to find in the Shannan Circuit, then I'll write to Sister Yuyao and ask her to think of a way.

Also, find an opportunity to bring Yuan Xiyue and Zhang Qingran back to Green Lotus Courtyard. If you can't keep them under control, go back and borrow someone from your uncle. Remember, without my permission, no one can let them go, not even the young master."

Nanny Sun's mind raced, but she hesitated before finally asking, "Miss, what's wrong?"

Fei Shuhe simply smiled, and with a flick of her slender fingers, the strand of hair in her hand shortened and fell to the ground. At this moment, she no longer looked at Nanny Sun, but simply rested her chin on her hand and looked at the clouds in the sky.

After a long pause, she spoke again.

This time, her voice was as languid as ever, a soft, almost inaudible murmur to herself, "How can I not eat the delicious mutton that's already in my mouth? What Yuan Feng did, how could my fat husband not do?!"

You sisters who married into prestigious and wealthy families from the start, all you do is endure humiliation and subservience in your husbands' homes. What's so admirable about that?

"Once my chubby husband Core Formation Nascent Soul Formation, then you can all see me. Even if I don't achieve the Golden Core, how noble and esteemed I will be as the matriarch of the household."