The Death of an Old Acquaintance

"Your family has been quite lucky lately." Ever since Fei Dongwen, the patriarch of the Fei Household, left Cloud Horn Prefecture, Fei Nanying has resumed his habit of using an abacus before speaking to others.

The jade abacus beads clanged together with a crisp sound. Kang Dabao took a sip of spiritual tea before replying softly, "It was just luck; it was all thanks to the Dao Ancestor's protection."

"Fortune is fickle, and what good is luck? Your family has been in decline for so many years, so it's normal for it to suddenly rise again. This is how it is before any emerging family rises. Even if your family produces two or three more Foundation Establishment cultivators in the next few years, it wouldn't be surprising to me."

Fei Nanying continued what he was doing, glancing almost imperceptibly at Kang Dabao before continuing:

"It doesn't matter if you take bigger steps in the future. You performed well in this show that Clan Elder Dongwen set up. Even though many of the elites in the hall are still in the Ying Prefecture clan territory, it's hard to say that your methods were bad."

Now, no one in the Fei Household's She Mountain Hall dares to utter another word. It seems that even if you, as the eldest son-in-law, wanted to use the Fei Household to serve Chongming Sect, you could easily do so.

Kang Dabao bowed his head to show humility and said nothing more.

"Seeing that the waters of Cloud Horn Prefecture are getting increasingly murky, go back and prepare well, diligently cultivate your inner strength, and make your wooden fence more solid. Also, in case things don't go smoothly in the future, don't be stubborn. Go back to the clan's territory in Ying Prefecture with Shuhe. It's still safe there."

Fei Nanying stopped using the abacus, and the room fell silent. He saw the look of surprise in Kang Dabao's eyes, but without explaining, he continued:

"I'm about to go into Core Formation form my core. Before I go into seclusion, I'll talk to Granny Liu. If the Fei Household needs your help, she'll summon you. Don't worry, she just doesn't think much of you, but you're someone who would risk your life for Shuhe and the Fei Household."

Just because you are the legitimate son-in-law of the Fei Household, she will do everything in her power to protect your life. Within the Fei Household, besides me, no one is more trustworthy than her."

"Then I, your son-in-law, congratulate you in advance Boyue!" Kang Dabao suppressed his suspicions and offered his congratulations loudly.

"Hmm, thank you for your kind words." Fei Nanying indifferently, put away the abacus, waved to Kang Dabao, and together they left the study and entered the flower garden. He whispered, "Before Elder Zong left Cloud Horn Prefecture, he inquired about your Uncle Black Shoes. However, someone had to stay at home, which is why he left in a hurry after meeting with the Earl."

"My Uncle Black Shoes?!" Kang Dabao exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, after all, it's Golden Leaf Dao Foundation, which is extremely rare even in Capital Circuit," Fei Nanying said softly.

"You're a smart man, so I won't bother with empty words. Because of your relationship with Shuhe, Black Shoes and I can be considered half in-laws."

If he has no desire to submit to the Immortal Dynasty or any major sect in the future, then he might as well visit my Fei Lineage's territory; there, he'll surely avoid much trouble."

"This attempt to win him over is so unpretentious, they can't even offer a glimpse of the future?" Kang Dabao thought to himself, when he heard Fei Nanying continue, "Clan Elder Dongwen didn't say anything else, only that as long as Black Shoes is willing to go, he can ask Ancestor Ye Shui to guarantee him a Golden Core future."

Fei Nanying paused here, a complex emotion creeping into his voice. "If one spiritual item isn't enough, then two; if two spiritual items aren't enough, then three. Anyone willing to go is welcome."

"Yes, nephew-in-law will certainly convey these words to his master in their entirety." This bold statement startled Kang Dabao, who quickly retracted his previous words and replied respectfully with a pleased expression.

"And your third junior brother, is he still unmarried?" Fei Nanying's face lit up with a smile again.

"Well, to be honest, Boyue, it seems that Gun Yuyao, the female official in charge of the Palace of Imperial Repose, has some feelings for my junior brother." Kang Dabao paused for a moment, then feigned reluctance and spoke.

"That girl Yuyao? She's a good match. Indeed, it's quite good. Anyway, our She Mountain Hall has no legitimate daughter to marry right now, so we won't compete with the Anshan Gun Household for a son-in-law." Fei Nanying nodded, his tone noticeably less serious than when he spoke about the Daoist Black Shoes earlier.

"The Jingnan Yuan Household is a menace. Zheng Household's False Core Yuan is no match for Yuan Buwen. The state court was in quite a turmoil some time ago. If the Yuan Household really occupies White Sand County and invades the territory, Yue Lin may not be able to help them again."

Now that you have captured the eldest daughter of the Yuan Household, you must be careful that old thief doesn't enter Cloud Horn Prefecture and take unnecessary risks."

"Could you ask Boyue to mediate this matter?" Kang Dabao frowned as he thought of this troubling issue.

"You've already stripped their legitimate daughter naked and taken advantage of her, what am I supposed to say in reconciliation?!" Fei Nanying uttered this lewd statement in a calm tone, making Sect Leader Kang Da blush with embarrassment. The latter was stunned for a long time, and could only stammer awkwardly, "Boyue, you are wise, this matter is not yours to discuss with your nephew."

However, Sima Fei had no intention of listening to this "shameless" person's explanation any further, and continued:

"I have no connection with Yuan Buwen, otherwise he wouldn't have bullied the Yunwei Zheng Household to such an extent. However, since the eldest daughter of the Yuan Household is still in your hands, he probably hasn't figured out how to deal with your family yet. Don't worry too much. Gun Shilu might visit the Zheng Household in a while, and you just need to cooperate fully then."

Seeing that Sect Leader Kang Da looked troubled after being told what to do, Fei Nanying snapped, "Just gather a few more small fry and make do, enough to make up the numbers. I didn't ask your family to send people out to fight for their lives!"

After hearing this, the latter's expression improved; he couldn't bear to part with all those bottles, jars, and precious treasures in the sect.

Having finished discussing important matters, Fei Nanying had no interest in chatting with Kang Dabao.

The relationships between fathers-in-law and sons-in-law in all the myriad realms are extremely subtle, with almost no exceptions.

After a period of silence, the two of them awkwardly circled the small garden five times before Fei Nanying suddenly spoke up, "When are you planning to leave?"

Kang Dabao wasn't sure if Fei Nanying was trying to get rid of him, so he thought about it carefully before saying, "Once Shuhe's realm has stabilized a bit, nephew-in-law, you should go back."

Fei Nanying frowned and replied, "The resources for Foundation Establishment are already fully prepared here, so you don't need to worry about Shuhe. There are many things to do lately, so go back early. Once Shuhe level is stable, Nanny Sun will send her back. Just don't forget what I told you."

Kang Dabao felt as if he had been granted a pardon and was about to leave the oppressive garden when Fei Nanying called him back.

"Is there anything else, Boyue?" Kang Dabao asked in surprise.

"Clan Elder Dongwen said that since you, son-in-law of the Kang Household, have hidden four purple jade bamboo slips from him, you owe him a favor that you will have to repay in the future." Fei Nanying found it amusing to see Kang Dabao's face gradually turning ugly.

"You dare to steal anything? It's time you learned your lesson!"

"Another losing deal!" Even though he knew that a dignified Golden Core cultivator wouldn't really be in a hurry to ask him for a favor, Sect Leader Kang Da still didn't want to get involved in this mess.

"Just four purple jade bamboo sticks that can be used to forge top-grade magical Law Artifact, how could they be worth this price!"

After returning to his room in a sullen mood, Kang Dabao and Fei Shuhe, who had just Foundation Establishment, staged a scene of reluctant farewell.

However, the beauty had shown him great kindness, and he was reluctant to part with his lover. So Sect Leader Kang Da had no choice but to reluctantly close the door and busy himself with things for quite some time.

After a blissful night of lovemaking, he left the Fei Household, still feeling unsatisfied, after his overconfident post -Foundation Establishment and the repeated shoving from the pleading Fei Household noblewoman.

Before leaving, Kang Dabao went to pay his respects to Lord Yin Shan again. The old man was stubborn, and the trace of death aura on his body had not yet dissipated, which showed that he really had not taken the Lifespan Pill that the Daoist Black Shoes had asked Sect Leader Kang Da to bring.

Knowing he couldn't persuade him otherwise, Kang Dabao took his leave, determined to inform the Daoist Black Shoes about the matter before making a decision.

However, Qin Sufu still hadn't returned from Han City, and it was quite a pity that they couldn't meet this time.

After obtaining the improved Moon Fern cultivation method from the Qi residence, which had been refined by Chu Yanran, Sect Leader Kang Da immediately headed towards the Chongming Sect.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the foot of Little Ring Mountain, he saw a burly man with a gleaming single eye, who was smiling and bowing to him.

"Welcome, Sect Leader."

"Ha, you scared the hell out of me! At first I thought it was Yuan Buwen blocking my way! Old Ye, I knew you troublemaker would live a long life."

"It was just luck, all thanks to Wanjun." A fleeting look of melancholy crossed Ye Zhengwen's face as he said easily:

"I've only just emerged from seclusion when I heard that some people have been quite restless these days, managing to steal two more furnace cauldrons from the Mountain-Viewing cave abode. Sect Leader Kang Da, you certainly don't deserve the title of 'good at bullying women.'"

"Bullshit," Kang Dabao laughed and cursed. When he saw Ye Zhengwen again, he felt that the air of decline that had been surrounding the latter had completely dissipated.

It's easy to guess from this that his old friend, after completing his Foundation Establishment, must have resolved all his inner conflicts and been reborn, which must have made him very happy. He then laughed loudly and said, "How could you, you blockhead, bear to come out and greet me?"

"I went to talk to Wanjun, thinking you'd come back too," Ye Zhengwen said briefly, then turned to walk alongside Kang Dabao after he caught up quickly. "I told Wanjun I'd reached the Foundation Establishment, and her judgment was right. I also told her about a fallen sect leader who's been behaving quite dissolutely lately, and her judgment was right too."

Kang Dabao paused for a moment, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes, then laughed and said, "You blockhead."

The two returned to the sect in a lively atmosphere, and Duan Anle immediately came over to pay his respects. The Double Brightness Bell rang three times in succession, and all the disciples who held various positions within the sect gathered to pay their respects to the sect leader and the newly promoted Foundation Establishment.

"Senior Brother, now that Senior Brother Ye Foundation Establishment, perhaps we can hold another Foundation Establishment Ceremony," Yuan Jin stepped forward to offer his advice, and many in the room echoed his sentiments.

After thinking for a moment, Sect Leader Kang Da nodded. It had been quite a long time since he had gathered with the Lineage and sects under his jurisdiction for a lively gathering. He decided to take advantage of this opportunity, as it was a good time.

Furthermore, if the higher-ups really want Kang Dabao to go to White Sand County to help the Zheng Household in the future, he will need to understand the strength of these subordinate forces in order to quickly assemble a capable and efficient team.

After pondering for a while, Sect Leader Kang Da finally spoke, "Well, Junior Brother Zhou and Anle should discuss this matter properly, and not make a big fuss about it."

Zhou Yixiu and Duan Anle, uncle and nephew, understood perfectly. Without even thinking, they knew that Sect Leader Kang Da was implying, "Don't lose money, just collect gifts."

He Wanying was inside the hall, was a shrewd and perceptive person who knew how to read people's hearts. Knowing that Kang Dabao was in a good mood today, she also came out to show her face.

The latter knew that his junior sister was trying to take the opportunity to find out about Feng Wan, but he was not angry.

He Wanying now holds a position as an instructor of talismanic arts at the Hundred Arts Pavilion, but she actually spends most of her time diligently practicing.

After all, she was the only bloodline left behind by the Old Sect Leader He. As long as her senior brother Kang Dabao, who was in charge of the sect with absolute authority, was in office, Chongming Sect would not be able to cut off her cultivation resources.

The reason she studied so hard was not because she had changed her nature, but because she wanted to reunite with her lover as soon as possible.

Feng Wan has been doing exceptionally well in his position as the county magistrate of Jin County. In the evaluation system established by Magistrate Kang, he has achieved a "top-notch" score, leaving his superiors far behind.

Speaking of which, since Sect Leader Kang Da has already transformed Yuan Xiyue, the predatory hunter, into prey, it's not impossible for Feng Wan to return to the sect and reunite with her junior sister. After all, Chongming Sect is quite wealthy now and can afford to support a cultivator with a useless Spirit Root.

However, Kang Dabao had rarely seen He Wanying so diligent in recent years, so after thinking about it, he gave up the idea of letting Feng Wan come back.

"Perhaps we should wait until Wanying has completed her Foundation Establishment before discussing this further," Sect Leader Kang Da murmured to himself, then said no more.

Chongming Sect, apart from the youngsters of the Nurturing Qilin Hall is idle; everyone is extremely busy. Therefore, after arranging things, Kang Dabao naturally wouldn't keep any of his own disciples around any longer.

After everyone dispersed, Pei Yi and Yuan Jin listened to Ye Zhengwen share his insights on Foundation Establishment. Meanwhile, Sect Leader Kang Da pulled Zhou Yixiu and Kang Rongquan aside and handed them the Moon Fern Cultivation Method, which they had finally obtained from Chu Yanran, as well as the notes of Second-Tier Supreme-Grade cultivator.

"So this is what the Second-Tier Life-Giving Method is like. To waste one's life and only see its true meaning on the verge of death, how ridiculous! How laughable!" After looking at it for a long time, Zhou Yixiu beat his feet and sighed deeply.

Kang Rongquan's aptitude in the art of farming is indeed remarkable. According to Zhou Yixiu, he is only one step away from becoming First-Tier Superior-Grade farming master. Once he takes that step, the only difference between him and Zhou Yixiu will be his experience and shrewdness.

Therefore, he found it easy to read the letter, which still exuded the fragrance of orchids, and even enjoyed it.

"Junior brother, if you cultivate it according to this method, is it possible to grow the Moon Fern?" With the matter concerning the Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes, Sect Leader Kang Da rarely showed a look of urgency.

Zhou Yixiu buried his head in thought for a while, and when he looked up again, a hint of sharpness appeared in his cloudy eyes. He said directly, "I'm starting to have some confidence."

Kang Dabao couldn't hide his joy upon hearing this, because his junior brother Zhou Yixiu was a reliable person who never spoke definitively. Judging from his tone, Sect Leader Kang Da knew that Zhou Yixiu was already confident of success.

The fact that Sect Leader Kang Da accepted Zhou Yixiu as a disciple back then truly demonstrates his remarkable insight. A master like him, who knows Zhou Yixiu inside and out and has profound knowledge, is a rare find.

Not to mention that after Zhou Yixiu joined the Chongming Sect and settled down without having to worry about making a living, his skills in farming have improved by leaps and bounds over the years.

If he were a little younger, it wouldn't be entirely impossible for him to become the first Second Tier cultivator in the history of the Chongming Sect during his lifetime.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yixiu's lifespan is too long, which means he has almost no future. Now, the hope of the Chongming Sect still rests on young people like Kang Rongquan.

"The younger generation's cultivation seems to be a bit slow!" Sect Leader Kang Da thought to himself as he looked at Kang Rongquan, who was only twenty-four years old but had already Qi Refinement the eighth level of Qi Refining.

That's what I think, but I'm helpless; it's something that can't be rushed. Cultivation must go through countless trials and tribulations before it can become one's own. Giving it strong medicine or forcing it to grow faster is absolutely unacceptable.

Fortunately, the disciples that Chongming Sect has recruited in recent years have all been quite talented. In a few years, they will naturally see a surge in talent.

While the three were still discussing, Kang Dabao received two letters from the Shan Household and the He Household, one after the other.

The two letters, though of different lengths and with completely different handwriting, both conveyed the same message: "Shan Sheng is dead!"