As Wei Zhongyuan departed, Manager Ruan appeared beside Rong Ju.
"Granny's here?" Rong Ju asked.
Ruan Liuzhen tapped Rong Ju's forehead. "Xiao Rong'er snuck out, so I had to come check on you."
Her gaze followed Wei Zhong's retreating figure. "That young man has a few tricks up his sleeve. To swiftly eliminate a cultivator of his own level and show no fear against three opponents... he must be holding back, keeping some trump cards hidden. Even if you hadn't come, Rong Girl, he likely would have escaped unscathed."
"If Granny's right, then Fellow Daoist Chu isn't just talented in spirit wine brewing, but also skilled in combat techniques?" Rong Ju asked cautiously.
Ruan Liuzhen nodded, then shook her head. "He surpasses ordinary Loose Cultivators, but he still can't match the elite disciples from major sects."
"Then, Granny..." Rong Ju began hesitantly.
Ruan Liuzhen's response was firm: "Absolutely not. I said I'd only intervene when he brews one of those two Second-Tier Spirit Wines, or when he's truly cornered. This little display of combat skill hardly warrants my attention."
Having spoken, Ruan Liuzhen flicked her wide sleeves, wrapped Rong Ju within them, and vanished from the spot.
Wei Zhong reclined in the Green Boat, sipping spirit wine as he recalled the probing divine sense he had detected during the recent duel.
It must be a Core Formation cultivator, he mused. Probably Manager Ruan from the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild. He's likely here for Rong Ju. It seems Shan Qin's maid is no ordinary person either.
This was my first time fighting under observation. I had to conceal many of my techniques, which felt rather stifling. Otherwise, I wouldn't have allowed that Robber Cultivator to prolong the fight. A few swift techniques would have taken him down easily.
Still, my divine sense is growing stronger. I can now detect hidden Core Formation cultivators.
His recent Enlightenment seemed to have brought about an indescribable transformation in his divine sense. The immediate effect was a heightened range and sensitivity.
Sinking into his Sea of Consciousness, Wei Zhong tried to touch the Time Treasure Record. But as soon as his divine sense approached, it was instantly repelled.
Still no way to access it?
It appeared the Time Treasure Record wasn't solely powered by spiritual energy. It seemed to involve mental strength like divine sense, or perhaps other conditions Wei Zhong had yet to uncover.
Regaining his focus, Wei Zhong abandoned his attempts to manipulate the ancient tome.
As long as my cultivation base continues to improve, I'll eventually be able to master it.
He drank the spirit wine and swiftly refined its concentrated spiritual energy. Half a day later, Wei Zhong returned to Sea Moon Lake.
Spotting several streaks of escape light approaching, he recognized Li Haowen leading a group of Qi Refining cultivators from his clan. Wei Zhong surmised their purpose.
Leaning forward, he called out, "Fellow Daoist, are you heading to the Azurewood Sect?"
Li Haowen nodded. "I'm leading these Qi Refining cultivators from my clan to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range, following the Azurewood Sect's call."
Wei Zhong sighed inwardly. This was the inevitable plight of Foundation Establishment Families subservient to Core Formation sects—compulsory conscription left them no room for refusal.
"I wish you a safe and triumphant return, Fellow Daoist."
Li Haowen clasped his hands in acknowledgment and spurred his magic sword into flight, carrying the five cultivators away.
Watching their retreating figures, Wei Zhong noted that apart from Li Haowen, the remaining five Qi Refining cultivators were elderly men with silver-streaked hair, their years dwindling.
It seems they've prepared themselves for death far from home. I wonder if Li Haowen will survive this time. Losing this newly established Foundation Establishment cultivator would undoubtedly bring further hardship to the Li Family.
Upon returning to Black Lake Island, Xie Linghua greeted Wei Zhong and handed him a golden scroll.
"Master, this is a decree from the Azurewood Sect."
Wei Zhong accepted the scroll and carefully scanned it. Unlike the jade slips used by cultivators, this document was written on ordinary paper.
Despite being called a decree, it contained no mandatory orders. Instead, it summoned cultivators to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range to jointly hunt demon beasts and gather spiritual treasures. The scroll outlined a merit point system, listing various rare spiritual treasures and inherited knowledge that could be exchanged for accumulated merit points.
Wei Zhong noticed highly prized items like Foundation Establishment Pills and Jade Marrow Mushrooms listed near the top, but their quantities were limited. It seemed the Azurewood Sect hadn't changed its stingy ways.
Casually handing the scroll back to Xie Linghua, Wei Zhong said, "Ignore this. If anyone on the island is interested, just let them leave."
Just as he was about to turn away, he stopped, tapped his forehead, and retrieved two bottles of Medicinal Pills and a magic robe from his Storage Pouch.
"Two bottles of High-Grade Qi Nourishing Pills and a First-Tier High-Grade magic robe. I bought these specifically for you. Focus on your cultivation."
Xie Linghua accepted the gifts, her face lighting up with joy. "Thank you so much, Master!"
"Don't shoulder all the mundane affairs of the island yourself," Wei Zhong advised. "Cultivate a few trustworthy subordinates to share the burden and give yourself more time for cultivation.
Feel free to take Azure Vine Intoxication from the wine cellar as you please. You must maintain your cultivation base while also taking care of your health."
Wei Zhong gently massaged her waist as he spoke, then turned and left, leaving Xie Linghua standing there, her face flushed crimson.
Inside the Grotto-Heaven, Wei Zhong laid out his purchases from the day: various spirit medicines for brewing wine, Second-Tier magic tools, and more.
With this shopping trip complete, Wei Zhong planned to enter a prolonged seclusion.
He then emptied the belongings of the unfortunate Robber Cultivator. After a cursory glance, Wei Zhong pocketed two spirit talismans and some spirit stones before stowing the remaining items.
One talisman depicted a golden crescent moon, likely the same type the cultivator had used during their battle. The other was made of black talisman paper, etched with tiny ice crystal fragments arranged in a net-like pattern—probably a Second-Tier trapping talisman.
Unfortunately, Wei Zhong's swift victory had denied the cultivator any opportunity to use these talismans.
Just as I thought, Wei Zhong mused. A typical Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator. Most of his wealth is tied up in protective items like magic tools and spirit talismans, with barely two or three thousand spirit stones to his name.
After tallying the spiritual treasures in his possession, Wei Zhong suddenly looked up.
Emerging from the Grotto-Heaven, his divine sense immediately detected Xie Linghua, clad in a light blue gauze robe, accompanied by two other women.
One, Qi Ting, wore a delicate pink gown and had a soft, gentle appearance. The other, Bai Yining, wore a form-fitting robe that accentuated her tall, slender figure and cool, elegant features.
Each woman possessed a unique charm, causing Wei Zhong's blood to surge.
These three were the women closest to him. He hadn't expected that Xie Linghua, after his earlier concern for her, would have persuaded the other two to join her in coming here.
Xie Linghua held both their hands and said, "The Master is benevolent and treats those around him with exceptional kindness. If you truly wish to become his companions, you must strive to grow closer to him."
The two women understood her meaning perfectly well, but their cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment.
A surge of spiritual energy caused the massive gates before them to swing open. Xie Linghua, sensing Wei Zhong's intent, led the two women inside by the hand.
Cultivation could be monotonous, requiring occasional diversions. But Wei Zhong wasn't one to abandon his Dao for pleasure. After a few days of passionate intimacy, he returned to his cultivation regimen.
Of course, lavish rewards were inevitable afterward, delighting the three women and bringing smiles to their faces.
After calming his mind, Wei Zhong began brewing spirit wine, starting with simple First-Tier varieties to regain his touch. After several attempts, he noticed a significant improvement in his success rate, failing only once in ten brews.
Next, he moved on to brewing the Second-Tier Azure Spirit Brew, achieving a respectable 60% success rate.
Watching the experience points scroll across his interface, Wei Zhong finally resolved to attempt brewing Jade Nectar.
He retrieved three Jade Marrow Mushrooms, each over five hundred years old, and gathered the necessary complementary spirit medicines and auxiliary ingredients.
After mentally rehearsing the brewing process, Wei Zhong used his Spirit Body to control the various spirit medicines, beginning the extraction process.
A month later, he had failed twice in three brewing attempts, succeeding only once.
It seems this brew is still a bit beyond my current capabilities, he mused, shaking his head.
Taking the single jar of spirit wine and his other cultivation aids, he retreated into deep secluded cultivation.
Five years later, the Azurewood Sect emerged victorious against the demon beasts in a short-term campaign within the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. The cultivators they had summoned were released and allowed to return home.
Li Haowen returned alone. The following day, he visited Black Lake Island, only to learn that "Chu Zhong" was in secluded cultivation. Disappointed, he left.
Wei Zhong, aware of Li Haowen's visit, had no intention of interrupting his training. He had reached a critical juncture in his cultivation and could not afford to be distracted.
Wei Zhong activated the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual, drawing in vast quantities of spiritual energy. Within his body, the energy was compressed, refined, and condensed into droplets of liquid spiritual power.
Finally, the accumulated spiritual power surged forth, shattering the cultivation barrier with a resounding boom.
Name: Wei Zhong
Cultivation Base: Foundation Establishment Stage, Third Layer (1%)
Cultivation Techniques: Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual - Grandmaster (19%); Body Nourishing Art - Grandmaster (14%)
Lifespan: 154/255
In just five years, Wei Zhong had advanced from the second to the third layer of Foundation Establishment. Such rapid progress rivaled even those with High-Grade Spirit Roots.
Previously, his transition from the first to the second layer of Foundation Establishment had taken a full nine years. This time, aided by the Jade Nectar, Grandmaster-level cultivation techniques, and a breakthrough during Enlightenment, he had achieved the same feat in just five years.
In essence, his cultivation speed had nearly doubled.
The only regret was that Enlightenment was rare. He didn't know when he might experience such a profound breakthrough again. To continue improving his cultivation base, he would have to persevere in his diligent practice.
Even the Spring and Autumn Water Refinement Manual, after reaching the Grandmaster level, progressed at a snail's pace. After five years, his proficiency had only increased by about 10%. To reach the Grand Master level and undergo the next transformative leap, it would likely take at least forty years.
Wei Zhong couldn't help but marvel. "As expected of a cultivation technique with such a prestigious origin—even proficiency gains are this difficult!"
As for the Body Nourishing Art, Wei Zhong had grown rather lax in his practice lately, only occasionally practicing it when he felt restless, without dedicating specific time to it.
The main reason was that its lifespan-extending function seemed somewhat redundant, given his current lifespan of over two centuries. Moreover, its health-preserving benefits were less efficient than those of the Second-Tier Azure Spirit Brew.
In essence, the Body Nourishing Art had truly become a Life Preservation Technique in name only for Wei Zhong.
After tidying up, Wei Zhong emerged from his Grotto-Heaven. Though cultivation knew no concept of time, he couldn't remain ignorant of the outside world. He needed to venture out and inquire about recent developments, lest the Azurewood Sect come knocking without him even realizing it.
As he pushed open the door of his Cultivation Chamber, he found Bai Yining, a female cultivator with a cool and serene expression, waiting for him.
Upon seeing Wei Zhong emerge from seclusion, she hurried forward. "Master has finished cultivating! I'll summon Sister Xie immediately."
Wei Zhong grasped her wrist. "No need to rush. I've already notified her. First, tell me about the events of the past few years, especially anything concerning the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range and the Azurewood Sect."
Today's chapter is being released early, in the morning. From now on, I plan to consistently release updates around noon.
If anyone has suggestions regarding the update time, feel free to share them. I can adjust accordingly.