You pondered for a long time and decided not to compromise with the Sun Family.
Although the Sun Family made promises to you, they were empty words.
Given the nature of these aristocratic families in the Initial Saint Demonic Sect, you had no doubt that the Sun Family was deceiving you.
In contrast, the opportunity before you was tangible and real! Once missed, it would be gone forever.
"Opportunities are fought for, whether it's in my previous life on Blue Star, the Gu World, or this cultivation world in this life. It's all the same."
"Since I have to snatch food from the Sun Family's jaws, I must be prepared."
That night, you did not rest; instead, you went to the Scripture Pavilion.
You bought the High Grade Human-rank Escape Spell, "Wind Sword Escape," on loan.
You bought the Medium Grade Human-rank Spell, "Dust Gathering Art," on loan.
You rushed to the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion without stopping.
You bought the Medium Grade Talismanic Artifact, the Flying Cloud Sword, on loan.
You found Wu Yong, and after some threats and inducements, you borrowed two hundred contribution points.
You bought the High Grade First-rank Formation, the Xuanwu Formation, on loan.
The next day, led by Yao Ling, you arrived at the back mountain of Hundred Refinements Peak.
In a secluded Immortal Cave, you met Yao Ling's father, Yao Tianhai.
Yao Tianhai checked your talent and showed disdain when he discovered you had a C-grade Five Spiritual Root.
He checked your Alchemy attainment and was somewhat surprised to find you were a High Grade First-rank Alchemist.
He checked your cultivation and was even more surprised to find you had reached Qi Refining Late Stage.
"Father, how is Junior Brother Xiao?" Yao Ling looked at Yao Tianhai with anticipation.
Yao Tianhai nodded slightly, "Acceptable!"
You saw Yao Ling's face light up with joy.
Yao Tianhai waved his hand, signaling that he wanted to talk to you privately.
Yao Ling gave you a comforting look, then left the room.
As soon as Yao Ling left, Yao Tianhai's expression turned cold and stern.
"Kid, I know exactly what you're scheming!"
"I won't bother with that. If you leave my daughter now, I can give you a Deacon position."
"Ginger is still spicier when it's older!" Xiao Hao clicked his tongue.
Even he could tell that Yao Tianhai was an experienced Jianghu veteran, completely different from naive and innocent people like Yao Ling.
You did not easily compromise; instead, you said earnestly, "Uncle, things are not as you think. I truly like Senior Sister!"
Yao Tianhai let out a disdainful sneer.
"If I hadn't gotten to where I am the same way back then, I might actually have believed your nonsense!"
"Kid, I've warned you. If you're still stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?!"
As he spoke, the terrifying pressure of the Foundation Establishment realm swept towards you like an overwhelming tide.
Your face turned pale, but you still didn't compromise; instead, you questioned him.
"Uncle, since you approached Aunt for profit back then..."
"Then why do you truly love your daughter now?!"
Yao Tianhai fell silent.
After a long while, he snorted coldly, got up, and left, no longer bothering with you.
As soon as Yao Tianhai left, Yao Ling rushed in, and seeing that you were fine, her face immediately lit up with joy.
"It seems my father has agreed to us being together!"
Yao Ling excitedly hugged you tightly.
You outwardly smiled, but inwardly, you remained calm, feeling that things weren't that simple.
You gently stroked Yao Ling's back, "Senior Sister, I will definitely treat you well."
Yao Ling rolled her eyes at you, showing a rare hint of coquettish (jiao chen, charming petulance): "You still call me Senior Sister?"
You felt a bit embarrassed, scratching your head, "Ling'er!"
Yao Ling burst into a brilliant smile, her slender arms wrapped tightly around you, and she burrowed into your embrace.
"Xiao Lang!" There was even a hint of a sob in Yao Ling's voice.
You didn't speak, just silently held Yao Ling tighter.
"I'm so happy!" Yao Ling whispered, sobbing.
You and Yao Ling officially became Dao Companions.
In the first part of the third year, you cultivated "Wind Sword Escape" to completion in one month.
You cultivated "Dust Gathering Art" to completion in one month.
You spent half a month setting up the Xuanwu Formation in your dormitory.
Only then did the anxiety in your heart ease a little.
The Sun Family was strong, but Hundred Refinements Peak was not their territory after all.
With your arrangements, unless the Sun Family sent Foundation Establishment strong cultivators at any cost, it would be impossible for them to kill you.
Even with preparations made, you still didn't let your guard down, constantly guarding against the Sun Family's underhanded tricks.
As the saying goes, it's easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. The Sun Family was a local tyrant of the Initial Saint Demonic Sect, definitely not as simple as they appeared.
In the middle of the third year, you found that your Alchemy attainment was difficult to improve while staying in the Hall of Alchemy.
With your current Alchemy attainment, to make further progress, you had to try refining High Grade First-rank Medicinal Pills.
However, the High Grade First-rank Medicinal Pill missions assigned by the Sect all required a high success rate, not allowing you to make mistakes.
So you left the Hall of Alchemy and went to the Sect Market to seek a Breakthrough.
The Deacons of the Hall of Alchemy dared not stop you, and as for Elder Yao Tianhai, he would certainly not stop you.
Not only that, but Wu Yong, to curry favor with you, thoughtfully kept you on the payroll, allowing you to draw an empty salary and receive your monthly stipend as usual.
You couldn't help but sigh, it's easier to get things done with connections.
You disguised your identity and came to the Sect Market.
You claimed to be a High Grade First-rank Alchemist with a 99% pill success rate, willing to refine High Grade First-rank Medicinal Pills at a low price.
Soon, someone took the bait.
You got the opportunity to refine High Grade First-rank Medicinal Pills for free.
You failed, immediately activated the Flying Cloud Sword, and used Wind Sword Escape to flee.
You successfully escaped, infuriating the patron who chased after you, howling loudly.
You changed your appearance and, using Wu Yong's identity, continued your deception.
"Good heavens, I am truly amazed!" Xiao Hao was somewhat amused and speechless.
Immortal Venerable truly lives up to his reputation as a Demonic Path giant; when it comes to doing things that benefit himself at others' expense, he is truly clean and decisive!
Your Alchemy attainment improved...
You fused Alchemy with Gu refining, comprehending a trace of your own Dao of Alchemy.
Your Alchemy attainment improved...
In the latter part of the third year, you successfully achieved a Breakthrough, becoming a High Grade First-rank Alchemist.
You were only twenty-one years old this year, becoming a High Grade First-rank Alchemist at such a young age, even in the Hall of Alchemy, you could be called an Alchemy Genius.
Your status in the Hall of Alchemy rose steadily; even Deacons would address you as a brother.
In the fourth year, Wu Yong was transferred, and you were promoted to Deacon of the Hall of Alchemy.
Your monthly stipend increased to two hundred contribution points per month, quadrupling.
You got your own small courtyard, and the Spiritual Qi was much denser than in the Disciple dormitory.
The Hall Master of Pill Refinement Hall received you.
The Hall Master praised you highly, saying that you had hopes of becoming an Elder in your lifetime.
He promised you that as long as you broke through to a Second-rank Alchemist, you could be promoted to Elder of the Hall of Alchemy.
Once promoted to Elder, you would be able to reclaim the remnant soul entrusted to the Magic Treasure.
Not only that, from now on, the Sect would no longer control you, this Elder, in any form.
"Finally, I've found a way to get rid of the Magic Treasure's control!"
Seeing this, Xiao Hao was so excited he almost stood up.
Hadn't he been simulating again and again precisely to find a way to escape the Initial Saint Demonic Sect?
"I didn't expect the Initial Saint Demonic Sect to treat its Elders quite well."
After thinking about it carefully, he felt relieved.
For the Initial Saint Demonic Sect, ordinary Disciples were just consumables; there was no need to care about their feelings at all.
But Elders were different.
Elders were the backbone of the Sect, possessing strategic value.
Therefore, they had human rights!
Xiao Hao stretched lazily, a smile on his face: "Just waiting for Immortal Venerable to be promoted to Elder!"
That night, Yao Ling brought fine wine to find you, celebrating your promotion.
You drank heartily with her.
As night deepened, Yao Ling did not return home; instead, she stayed in your Immortal Cave, kissing and hugging you, presenting herself as if ready to be plucked.
However, you remained unmoved.
Seeing this, Yao Ling was displeased and tried to push you down.
But you politely refused her.
You knew deeply that people would not cherish things that were too easily obtained.
Therefore, you planned to bide your time, finding a way to extract the last bit of benefit from Yao Ling.
"A complete reversal!" Xiao Hao once again felt the Immortal Venerable's baseness.
Seeing that you were unwilling, Yao Ling did not force it and had to leave disappointed.
You sent Yao Ling home.
On the way back, you were surprised to find Xia Ning霜.
Xia Ning霜 held a congratulatory gift, but there was no smile on her face; instead, her expression was very grim.
You vaguely had a guess, and your mood sank.
You chose to play dumb, walked up to Xia Ning霜, and asked her why she was there.
Xia Ning霜 remained silent, only looking at you with a sorrowful and indignant expression, two lines of clear tears silently falling.
You hugged Xia Ning霜.
You comforted her in every way, wanting to kiss her.
But Xia Ning霜, who had always been obedient to you, pushed you away this time.
"Why are you so skilled at this!" she cried, questioning you.
Your expression turned cold and stern, asking if someone had been telling her nonsense.
You told her not to worry and to listen to your explanation.
Xia Ning霜, however, didn't listen; instead, she coldly questioned you, asking if you were still going to lie to her now that things had come to this.
She threatened to expose your relationship with her to the Hall of Alchemy!
Xiao Hao couldn't hold back.
"Why does this scene feel so familiar?"
"Is this scumbag about to be exposed?"