A Lovesick Fool and a Theory of Core Formation

According to the "Chongming Pill Canon," the Evergreen Vine can replenish the True Cultivator and help them break through realms; it also says that this spirit medicine is nurtured from the remains of Third Tier Demon Officer, capable of reviving the dead and restoring flesh to bones.

By the time Zhou Yixiu got to this point, the fervor in his eyes as he looked at the Evergreen Vine had faded considerably.

Kang Dabao sensed something was amiss, but didn't ask any further questions. He only heard the old man speak softly again, "This last point was indeed a mistake made by Patriarch Zhang when he compiled the alchemical text."

My junior brother has taken the time over the years to compare the "Crimson Heart Pill Record" and the "Changying Pill History," and neither of these two alchemical books, compiled by the senior editors, mentions this matter. It seems that the patriarch left behind some errors."

Sect Leader Kang Da nodded without speaking, seemingly agreeing with Zhou Yixiu's speculation.

After all, the founding patriarch Zhang Yuandao was a learned Celestial Person, even able to comprehend the Delusion-Breaking Golden Eyes technique on his own. However, the latter was only a Foundation Establishment cultivator throughout his life, and his vision and cultivation were far inferior to Kang Dabao's. It was perfectly normal for a book on pills used to Qi Refinement Refining cultivators to contain some errors.

Kang Dabao didn't take Zhou Yixiu's words to heart, nor did he care to ask why this old man, who had spent over a hundred years working in the fields, wanted to study alchemical texts.

He sensed that something was wrong with the latter's condition and was about to speak when he saw Zhou Yixiu smile apologetically and push the life-saving spirit medicine, which was practically irreplaceable, back onto the low table of Sect Leader Kang Da.

After doing all this, Zhou Yixiu suddenly noticed that Kang Dabao's face darkened instantly, becoming almost as black as charcoal. He was slightly taken aback at first, but his usual cautious demeanor was nowhere to be seen; he simply gave a faint smile.

"Senior Brother, Junior Brother cannot accept such a precious item."

"Bang!" The precious spiritual seeds that Zhou Yixiu had selected and processed flew haphazardly into the air along with the fragments of the low table. The Sect Leader Kang Da, who was sitting opposite him, stood up, his eyes filled with rage, looking as if he wanted to devour people.

"You can't stand it?! Do you know that I, Daoist Master, risked my life alongside Little Sanzi against the Golden Core cultivator for this evergreen Evergreen Vine?! Both of our lives were nearly lost along with the flying sword that Little Sanzi had just retrieved from the Fei Household! And why can't you stand it?!"

In Lao Xiu's memory, there were very few times when Kang Dabao was so angry. What happened this time was somewhat unexpected.

Zhou Yixiu listened quietly to his senior brother's speech with his head bowed. When he looked up, the old man's eyes were also bloodshot, and it was hard to tell whether it was from sorrow or shame.

"Senior Brother, given such an origin, Yixiu is even less able to accept it!"

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao nearly widened his small eyes to the size of copper bells, and sneered, "Damn it, you murderous bastard, how can you be so infuriating?!"

After a moment of silence, Zhou Yixiu, who had been scolded, waited quite a while before speaking, "Senior Brother, the best thing Yixiu 've ever done in my life was to accept your teachings on behalf of our master and become Double Brightness's disciple."

Objectively speaking, the old man's words were a bit cloying, but the sincerity in them softened them, making the Sect Leader Kang Da sitting opposite him feel that it was just right and his expression relaxed slightly.

The latter sighed softly, "Why bring this up out of the blue?"

Zhou Yixiu's mood changed quickly; after only a few breaths, his tone was no longer low. "Hehe, the little bit of Merit Points that Yixiu has accumulated should still be saved for Yunzhou's cultivation; it can't be exchanged for these Third Tier spirit medicine."

Kang Dabao's anger flared up again. "You can't afford to replace it, but I can't?!" He was so angry that he wanted to slam the table, but then he found that the low table in front of him had already been reduced to pieces. So he had no choice but to walk up to Zhou Yixiu and smash the low table next to him to pieces as well.

After doing all that, he took out another bottle of pills and said softly, "Look, I've even prepared Foundation Establishment Pill for you. You're not young anymore, so you should have some ambition."

Zhou Yixiu felt a warmth in her heart, and as she smiled, she narrowed her dim, yellowish old eyes, giving her a kind look.

"Senior Brother, Yixiu is over 130 years old, and his cultivation is only at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Even if he cultivates to the Peak Qi Refinement Refining with tiger and wolf medicine and then takes this Evergreen Vine to replenish his vital energy, what are the chances of him reaching Foundation Establishment after taking the pills? Senior Brother, have you calculated that?"

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"The probability is less than one in ten, less than one in ten. To waste such a precious spiritual item, even among Golden Core cultivators, is unthinkable. Given your character, Senior Brother, you shouldn't be making this deal."

After Zhou Yixiu finished speaking, his smile remained unchanged. However, seeing that Sect Leader Kang Da remained silent for a long time, he spoke again, saying, "Even if Junior Brother reaches the Foundation Establishment, I'm afraid he won't be of much use to the sect."

"Whether it's useful or not is not something you, a junior, can discuss," Kang Dabao said, before Zhou Yixiu, who was always respectful and dared not disobey, stood up and interjected, "Senior Brother, with Rongquan presiding over Master Jia's sect, there's no need to worry."

Kang Dabao's expression remained unchanged, but Zhou Yixiu continued to persuade him, "The reason I was able to become a Second-Tier Lower-Grade farming master is firstly because my senior brother brought back Madam Qi's farming master manual; secondly, it is because of my accumulation of knowledge and experience over the past hundred years."

But human strength is finite. Yixiu with the care of my senior brothers and the cultivation of the sect, Yi Xiu is still just an ordinary person with natural talent. Even if he can truly Foundation Establishment, I'm afraid I won't be able to go much further on the path of cultivation."

"What kind of nonsense is this?!" Unable to find a reason to refute it, Sect Leader Kang Da simply stopped listening and instead whispered instructions to Zhou Yixiu:

"I will seek out Master Qi in the next few days to explain the wonderful uses of refining the Evergreen Vine to you. Listen carefully, even though it's just one person's perspective, it will still help you avoid some setbacks."

"Thank you for your kindness, senior brother."

"Zhou Yixiu! Zhou Yixiu! Are you out of your mind, old man?! Don't you know?! You're already 130 years old, if you don't Foundation Establishment, you'll die!! You'll die!!!" Sect Leader Kang Da suddenly flew into a rage, abruptly grabbing the old cultivator's collar.

It was only when Kang Dabao held Zhou Yixiu in his hands that he realized that his junior brother had become so light that only a skeleton weighed him down. This was truly the sign of his life coming to an end!

"Wait here, I'll go find Master Qi right now and ask him to guide you. Everything will be alright, everything will be alright!!"

"Senior Brother!"

"Stop nagging! I was able to find Evergreen Vine for you when I was Foundation Establishment, so when Golden Core Formation Pill Golden Core, I can snatch any Core Formation treasures I need. You don't need to be here scavenging for me!"

Kang Dabao suddenly became impatient, completely disregarding what Zhou Yixiu was about to say, and was about to leave the latter behind to go to Xuanwei City. According to his eldest son Kang Changyi, his master's cultivation had improved again a few years ago, and he should still be recuperating at the Qi residence.

"Senior Brother, I miss Xuerong."

Zhou Yixiu's words came from behind, her grief barely concealed, yet there was also a sense of relief in her voice. However, it would have been better if Zhou Yixiu hadn't spoken; the moment she did, it enraged Sect Leader Kang Da once again:

"Bullshit!"

Enraged, Kang Dabao roared, his bloodshot eyes wide and fierce like a dragon or tiger, making Zhou Yixiu feel her body burn even through his robes. Before the old monk could even look away, he heard Kang Dabao shout again, "I'm constantly being called a 'womanizer' by those bastards outside, but the number of women I've slept with in my life doesn't even amount to a fraction of what you've had! And now, in front of me, you insist on playing the lover?!"

Upon hearing the question, the old cultivator's face showed a faint hint of embarrassment. Gradually, he lowered his head again, a slight smile playing on his lips. His mind flashed with images of his beloved wife and young children, whose faces had long been forgotten by the Sect Leader Kang Da. He murmured:

"Senior brother, please don't laugh. Yixiu truly thinks about it every single day."

"I think about it every single day, I think about it every single day." Kang Dabao murmured to himself, then suddenly closed his eyes and sneered, "How could I, your master, encounter such a thing? And why can't I even give away this life-extending spiritual item?!"

Zhou Yixiu could hear the anger in Sect Leader Kang Da's words. After thinking for a while, he slowly said, "Senior Brother, the best thing Yixiu 've ever done in my life was to accept your teachings on behalf of our master and become Double Brightness's disciple."

Upon hearing this, the latter involuntarily shuddered slightly, then sighed wistfully before picking up the Evergreen Vine and Foundation Establishment Pill that had fallen to the ground.

Kang Dabao simply sat down next to Zhou Yixiu, not minding the bits of wood and spirit seeds scattered on the ground getting into his skin.

The two remained silent for a while. After a long time, the thick smoke from the large oil candle made Kang Dabao squint and turn his head away. After the smoke dissipated, the Sect Leader Kang Da did not turn back.

He simply patted Zhou Yixiu on the shoulder and jokingly scolded her, "Where's the wine?!"

The quiet bedroom gradually became lively again, and the commotion didn't subside for a while after Yuan Jin, who had heard the news, arrived with wine and meat.

However, this lively atmosphere is unlikely to last long.

Ten days later, Little Ring Mountain

As soon as Kang Dabao returned to his courtyard from Wild Fox Mountain, he was met with a barrage of disdainful looks from his wives and concubines.

It makes sense. After such a big incident, instead of going home to inform everyone, he went to have drinks with Yuan Jin and Zhou Yixiu were far away in Wild Fox Mountain.

Even though Fei Shuhe, the matriarch of the family, didn't utter a single unpleasant word, Sect Leader Kang Da was already secretly pleased that the Ying Prefecture Fei Household had raised their children well. What did a few disdainful looks matter?

Unlike the other mothers, Kang Changxi, who had only just heard the gist of the matter, looked at his father with eyes full of reverence.

With rumors circulating that three men can make a tiger, it is widely believed that Kang Dabao played a significant role in the Yang Household family's attack on Yang Baofeng. It is even said that Huang Li, the upper cultivator, would have been beheaded if not for the Sect Leader Kang Da's life-saving protection.

Although the news was somewhat exaggerated, regardless of its truthfulness, Kang Changxi felt very proud when it was mentioned by others.

However, Kang Dabao was not very appreciative of his son's enthusiasm. Even after returning, the Sect Leader Kang Da did not stay in the courtyard for long before going to visit Jiang Qing, who had returned to the sect earlier to recuperate from his injuries.

The latter's injuries were quite severe this time. If it weren't for the two cultivators from the Yang Household being concerned about taking responsibility and administering spirit medicine in time, Jiang Qing's injuries might have already delayed his Dao Path.

Even so, according to the book, Jiang Qing's injuries will require several years of proper recuperation before they can heal quickly.

Whether Third Master Jiang will be able to follow medical advice, avoid violence, and focus on recuperation in the coming years is not something Sect Leader Kang Da optimistic about, but at least he will keep a close eye on him while he has the time to look after him.

They had only gone a short distance when Kang Changxi caught up from behind, urging urgently, "Father, Mother wants you to go back; it's important!"

"Why is there such an important matter after only walking a few steps?" Kang Dabao found it strange, but he knew that his wife was not one to throw tantrums, so he followed Kang Changxi back.

When Sect Leader Kang Da stepped into the courtyard again, Fei Shuhe was holding a letter with only a few words on it, which made the beautiful woman's face light up with joy.

Kang Dabao took it and glanced at it, a look of surprise appearing in his eyes. "Oh, it's actually Boyue who's coming to our sect?"

This is no small matter. Fei Nanying has rarely shown his face in recent years, and the first thing he did when he went out was head straight for the Chongming Sect. This alone is enough to make many families within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Duke of Qin think carefully.

Ye Zhengwen, who was preoccupied with worldly affairs, was summoned by Sect Leader Kang Da and, after listening to his report, temporarily set aside his work and began to make arrangements with his disciples.

Three more days passed, and all of the Chongming Sect's careful arrangements came to naught. Fei Nanying did not come to visit, but instead sent a message to summon Sect Leader Kang Da to come out for a meeting.

When Kang Dabao drove the Kui Star Shuttle to the place where Fei Nanying had described, he saw the figure of this cultivator.

Perhaps because he hadn't seen Fei Nanying for a long time, Sect Leader Kang Da felt that Fei Nanying's temperament had become even more profound and dignified upon their meeting. It seemed that as time went by, all the benefits of Middle-Grade Golden Core were beginning to manifest.

Given time, Fei Nanying could probably become as dominant as Pu Honggu and Xiang Tianxing among his peers, if he didn't encounter a prodigy like his own Tianqin Ancestor.

"This humble one pays his respects to Boyue!"

Upon hearing Kang Dabao speak, Fei Nanying, who had been gazing at the sky with his hands behind his back, turned his gaze to the former, his tone tinged with surprise and doubt as he spoke:

"Yang Baofeng is quite skilled. I went there once years ago and fought him, but even if it were just the two of us fighting, the outcome would be uncertain. It's quite remarkable that you were able to withstand one of his blows without any serious injury."

Kang Dabao didn't say much, but waited for Fei Nanying to speak again. After Fei Core Formation formed his core, he did become a bit more aloof, and seemed to have no intention of saying much to the Sect Leader Kang Da. He simply handed over a Storage Bag.

"This is."

"I had Yang Baoshan and the others take some things from Yang Baofeng's Storage Bag and put them in," Fei Nanying's tone suddenly hardened, making Kang Dabao look puzzled. He didn't explain at first, but instead asked in return:

"Everyone says that among all the members of the Duke's Mansion, you, Sect Leader Kang Da, are the best at business. I don't think so. You took such a great risk to eliminate the future troubles of the Ye Prefecture Yang Household, and all you got in return was an Evergreen Vine and a Foundation Establishment Pill. Why didn't you even negotiate a price?"

Kang Dabao was taken aback after hearing this. He knew that compared to the risks of killing Yang Baoshan, the reward he would receive was indeed low.

Jiang Qing, needless to say, not only lost his exceptionally useful top-grade flying sword, but also had his own cultivation delayed for several years.

At the time, Yang Yongcheng's explanation was vague, and Kang Dabao didn't even know why he had been conscripted. Even if Yang Yongcheng wasn't afraid of the news leaking out and told the truth, how could the Sect Leader Kang Da possibly negotiate with Golden Core cultivator?

Seeing that Kang Dabao did not answer, Fei Nanying spoke up again, "I went to Ye Prefecture myself,"

Before Kang Dabao could even look through the Storage Bag after taking it, he exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Fei Nanying's words, "Ah? Boyue went to Ye Prefecture?"

"If we don't go to Ye Prefecture, how can we make up for it for you?" Fei Nanying flicked his cloak and continued, "I originally had my eye on Yang Baofeng's Mixed Gold Whip, but the Yang Household uncle and nephew are both good at saying nice things, so I only let them pick up some rare spiritual items to put in."

"Boyue,"

"No need for thanks. If they dared to come looking for you without prior notice, that would be breaking the rules. The eldest son-in-law of the Ying Prefecture Fei Household is not someone that just anyone can order around."

It's just that the patriarch hasn't been in the Mountain South recently. Otherwise, given its temperament, not long after the death of a Golden Core cultivator from a collateral branch of the Yang Household family, it's likely that not all the direct descendants of the Yang Household would survive. My actions here are truly excessively lenient."

At this point, Fei Nanying stopped Kang Dabao from bowing in gratitude, and then said calmly, "In the future, if you encounter any problems, you need to be more assertive. You're not one of those worthless, spineless people; how can you be so easily manipulated?!"

Kang Dabao replied in a low voice, "I know there are many things to do at home, so I don't want to cause trouble for Boyue."

Fei Nanying chuckled lightly, "The mere Ye Prefecture Yang Household, when we were serving as ministers in Shannan Circuit, might have required some respect from us, but how could they possibly be considered 'troublesome'?"

"I understand, kid."

"Hmm, it seems that the Yang Household uncle and nephew have something crucial to their hands, which is why they dare to make things difficult for you, even disregarding Shuhe's identity."

With that, Fei Nanying words were finished.

Gradually, his expression turned serious, and he pointed to the Storage Bag, saying, "Inside is a piece of Yellow Dragon Wood, an excellent spiritual item to assist you in Core Formation. It should be very compatible with your Dao Foundation. Keep it for yourself. Remember, this item prefers sunlight, so don't leave it in some corner or dark place to dissipate its spiritual energy."

After speaking, he glanced at Kang Dabao again. The latter's expression was not overly joyful, but rather calm and composed. This made Fei Nanying feel that he had not given the Core Formation artifact he had obtained by using his connections to the wrong person.

However, his face remained expressionless. He tossed his cloak aside and asked in a calm voice, "Alright, I have many other matters to attend to and cannot stay here for long. First, tell me about your Core Thesis and see if it is complete, and whether I can fill in any gaps."