Chapter 165: The Suffering of the Mortal World, the Immortal Path Distant (13,300 Words, Requesting Moon Tickets!)

In Wang Xianmao's divine insight, Yulou was reporting to the Clan Chief and the Ancestor the information Lin Ying had revealed to him.

After passing the Trial of Life and Death, the two became true cultivation partners, which is why Lin Ying disclosed Lin Mengyao's suspicions.

"Yulou, what do you think?" asked the Clan Chief.

Wang Xianzhou found it hard to believe that Yulou had already caught the Ancestor's eye—this seemed utterly absurd.

"I am humbled—if my entry into Dropwater Cave was indeed the Ancestor's strategic placement, then what merit do I have to earn the Ancestor's favor?"

Our clan teaches that a cultivator seeking to stand in this world must possess the ability to provide value to others—whether through cultivation base, auxiliary skills, or leadership.

To those great cultivators, I, Wang Yulou, was merely a Qi Refining cultivator at the time; such unexplained favor made me feel as though I were under scrutiny.

It felt like returning to the time I was controlled by the mysterious great cultivator in Qingxi Alley.

Hearing Yulou mention the Qingxi Alley incident, Wang Xianmao fell silent.

That matter still has no resolution.

The Immortal Alliance's authority and rules constrain only Foundation Establishment and below; their underlying logic is to protect the Jiucai and ensure sustainable exploitation.

For the true masters of the Immortal Alliance, those rules and authority are nonsense.

Above True Person Jiusheng, there is no superior!

Thus, unless that mysterious cultivator caused grave harm, no one would defend the Wang clan.

"Stop mentioning the mysterious great cultivator. Yulou, we must look forward.

Whether you entered Dropwater Cave by the Ancestor's design—we cannot ask. The key lies in where your Purple Palace opportunity truly lies."

Wang Xianzhou sighed as he analyzed: great cultivators' intentions are too distant; as oxen and horses of the Mangxiang lineage, the Wang clan often must simply obey.

Yuan Daoshen is ruthless enough to negotiate directly with Gong Jiusheng because Dropwater Cave's structure is unique, and Gong Jiusheng himself is a lone wolf.

But if Gong Jiusheng had two Purple Palace disciples, would Yuan Daoshen still dare kneel and force his hand?

He dares to threaten, and Gong Jiusheng will kill him outright!

The Clan Chief nodded slightly and added:

"This isn't really about choice—it's about whether you believe the Ancestor can become a Jin Dan.

If the Ancestor becomes a Jin Dan, Yulou, you can leverage Dropwater Cave's resources and momentum to advance greatly.

If he fails, joining the Immortal Alliance is your best option.

There's no rush now—you're barely thirty, and you still have thirty years.

Thirty years should be enough."

Wang Yulou and Ancestor Xianzhou exchanged glances and nodded silently.

Since the great debt of gratitude began nearly twenty years ago, the Mangxiang Ancestor's Jin Dan breakthrough has been ongoing for two decades; if another thirty years yield no result, the Wang clan must begin preparing for certain actions.

How triumphant it is now that Mangxiang, with his Jin Dan certification, crushes the Red Lanterns—how fierce the retaliation from rival factions and mountain cliques will be if he fails at the last moment.

"Then let's revise our plan—perhaps train in Dropwater Cave until reaching Qi Refining peak, then go to Red Lanterns. What do you think, Clan Chief?"

Staying longer in Dropwater Cave will solidify the label of "Dropwater Cave disciple," so that in the future, I may join the Purple Palace opportunity struggle as a legitimate sect member.

"No, you must still leave—but as part of a mission. Yuan Daoshen made such a mess of this; we can take advantage of the situation and ask Chu Hongyi to assign you a new task."

For example, serve as Dropwater Cave's liaison officer stationed at Red Lanterns, training beside Jingyi. That way, I can rest easier.

Don't overly worry whether your foundation will suffer from your departure and hinder your future contest for the Purple Palace opportunity.

This isn't about you—it's about the Ancestor.

If the Ancestor's Jin Dan succeeds, you are a good Dropwater Cave disciple; if the Purple Palace opportunity truly exists, everything is negotiable.

If the Ancestor's Jin Dan fails, even the strongest foundation won't let you succeed—Yuan family and True Person Jiusheng won't let you have your way, even if it's not about the Purple Palace opportunity."

The Clan Chief was sharp—he pinpointed the core issue.

Whether or not Wang Yulou is a pawn of Mangxiang, whether or not Dropwater Cave truly holds a Purple Palace opportunity—he must leave now.

Yuan Daoshen has struck at Yulou twice—how can we guarantee there won't be a third?

The first was blocked by Wang Xianzhou, hidden for three years; the second by the Bailli Free-Travel Talisman and Golden Eagle Drop. What about next time?

Will Yuan Daoshen be careless next time?

Never!

Yulou has spent years in Dropwater Cave, securing resources to reach Foundation Establishment, built two minor factions, and married three excellent cultivation partners—all these gains are already sufficient.

True Person Hongli's protection offers great security—but only security.

When conflict erupts, Hongli's orders cannot command Yuan Daoshen.

When Hongli once threatened to kill Yuan Daoshen if Yulou died, did he make Daoshen's faction leader Yuan Zhengju drive the bandit hunters to chase Yulou?

No!

"But Clan Chief, the liaison officer stationed at Red Lanterns is nominally an officer, yet follows Red Lanterns' rank system—usually filled by Foundation Establishment Elders.

Yulou's current cultivation level probably can't handle it," Yulou reminded the Clan Chief.

Dropwater Cave is a subordinate sect of Red Lanterns; Dropwater Cave Elders are Foundation Establishment, while Red Lanterns Elders are Purple Palace.

Though the titles are the same, the implied ranks differ—this applies to all ranks.

"Just give him the title 'Deputy Officer'—it's not hard.

Chu Hongyi is a product of factional compromise, a clay Buddha through and through.

Sitting in his position, he doesn't want you and the Yuan family to keep fighting." The Clan Chief analyzed.

He turned to the silent Ancestor Xianzhou.

"Xianzhou, how many years can you still hold on? Why not return to the clan?"

Yulou then realized: if he waited at Red Lanterns for the Ancestor's Jin Dan outcome, he would no longer need Ancestor Xianzhou to guard his path.

At Red Lanterns, the Mangxiang lineage now dominates; all other factions avoid Mangxiang's wrath and won't dare target Yulou now.

Wang Xianzhou looked at Yulou, smiled at the foolish child, and nodded.

"Big brother, you know my nature.

I've consumed too many spirit pills.

My injuries remain untreated, but my essence isn't depleted—I can still last twenty years.

If I take a longevity pill, I can stretch to thirty years, reaching two hundred.

Thirty years is just enough to see Yulou mature—and still have energy left to act.

So I want to go to the Western Seas.

One reason: to resolve the Immortal Alliance's legal edicts for the next thirty years.

Another: to try to buy another longevity pill. Hahaha."

The Immortal Alliance's legal edicts require every Foundation Establishment clan to station a Qi Refining cultivator permanently on the Western Seas frontlines as expendable fodder—a targeted harvest from Wunan's grassroots, preventing Foundation Establishment clans from growing too powerful.

For Foundation Establishment clans, someone like Wang Xianzhou—who willingly shoulders long-term frontline duty—is an exception; usually, such undesirable tasks rotate.

Rotation is not the optimal choice rationally, but it satisfies human nature.

Of course, wealthier clans can hire wandering cultivators to take their edict—but this still aligns with the Alliance's intent: targeted harvesting of Foundation Establishment clans to prevent them from rising too easily.

Wang Xianmao lowered his gaze; how could he not feel regret for his talented younger brother's fate?

He nodded; the white-haired Elder Xianzhou took the initiative to comfort his brother, who still looked young.

Nodding, the white-haired Ancestor Xianzhou comforted his still-youthful elder brother.

"Brother Mao, you know my nature.

I don't want to die sitting idle in the clan.

That place was rich in heavenly treasures and earthly essentials; two hundred years ago, a Level Five spiritual item even appeared.

Are rich in celestial treasures—two hundred years ago, even a Level Five spiritual item appeared.

There, I might find another opportunity."

Yulou knew this was nonsense.

At his age, even if he reached Foundation Establishment, he couldn't extend his life much.

His path had long been severed—yet he still lived on. In a way, this was a tragedy.

"Good!" Wang Xianmao nodded, though inwardly he planned to prepare several life-saving talismans for Wang Xianzhou before he left for the Western Seas.

"Clan Chief, then my future cultivation path is set: go to Red Lanterns to await the Immortal Alliance's combat selection, while waiting for Mangxiang Ancestor's Jin Dan outcome. What do you think?"

Why had they just set a thirty-year waiting period?

Because thirty years from now is exactly when the Immortal Alliance's combat selection occurs—by then, a choice must be made.

"That's the only option. Fortunately, our Wang clan now has five Foundation Establishment cultivators (three direct, two collateral).

Your uncle Rongyuan is preparing for Foundation Establishment; Rongwen, Rongsheng, and that red-browed one also have chances.

Conservatively, we'll have seven. Seven Foundation Establishment cultivators are enough to push you toward the Purple Palace threshold.

So every step of your cultivation—timing, starting point, path—must be carefully planned.

Originally, we planned for you to enter Red Lanterns early as an inner disciple.

Now, it seems the Ancestor may be using you to occupy Dropwater Cave; thus, staying there under the guise of exchange, training at Red Lanterns, and waiting for the Ancestor's outcome is the best strategy.

Of course, everything changes—if future shifts occur, consult your Jingyi Ancestor promptly, understood?"

With the broad direction settled, Ancestor Xianzhou departed first; Yulou and the Clan Chief began their true critical conversation.

"Clan Chief, three questions.

First: Yuan clan has treated me this way—do we do nothing in response?

This isn't because I harbor resentment toward the clan or Yuan clan—it's about posture. You understand."

Wang Xianmao nodded approvingly; Yulou mentioning "posture" proved he had truly matured.

Posture is vitally important for any individual seeking advancement within an organization.

【101】 Different people must display appropriate posture to survive—complexity in this has destroyed too many ignorant lives, robbing them of their best opportunities due to ignorance of posture.

When they finally realized their posture was wrong, it was already too late.

Originally, Yuan Daoshen refused to compromise on the Iron Crocodile matter and chose extreme pressure precisely because, as leader of the Yuan faction, he could not damage his own posture.

Yuan Daoshen's choice was not wrong; without Red Carp's protection, what might have happened in the Dropwater Heaven Grand Hall that day remains unknown.

For example—what if Gong Tiejian hadn't come to block Yuan Daoshen?

That day's situation underwent three shifts.

The initial initiative of the Muddy Faction and Yulou turned into concern upon Gong Tiejian's arrival—that was the first shift.

This first shift forced Zhuoyinsheng to change his expectation of how to win into simply "how not to lose."

And then Gong Tiejian betrayed Old Yuan and bolstered Yulou—that was the second shift.

Yulou's situation shifted again, from "how not to lose" to "what's going on?"—Gong Tiejian betraying Old Yuan was too strange.

This was also one reason why Wang Yulou reminded Yuan Zhengju that the attitude of Nine Victory True Person toward the Yuan family remained uncertain, and why it moved Yuan Zhengju.

When Red Carp appeared, that was the third shift; only then did Yulou become truly safe.

"You've already won much. Spare others when you can. Yulou, we know Yuan Daoshen's goal: he fears you'll block his path and steal the future Purple Mansion opportunity from Dropwater Cave.

But we might truly need to seize it—eventually, there may come a time when we tear the mask off completely.

So, for now, endure. Play the turtle, wait for him to make another move and expose his weakness.

Internal struggle differs from martial combat. In combat, seizing the rhythm and initiative is key; whether arranging offense, secret techniques, or secret treasures, everything serves the rhythm—win by seizing the rhythm.

The essence of internal struggle lies in ensuring you don't err while waiting for your opponent to slip. When you must be calm, be utterly still.

When your opponent makes a mistake, those in the middle become easier to win over, gradually granting you true initiative.

This is one of the secrets behind why my Wang clan has endured for a thousand years under Red Lantern Gate.

You understand the importance of posture—good. Next, learn to win hearts in internal struggle, rally momentum, and strike down rivals.

But everything hinges on your cultivation base. That's why I want you to leave Dropwater Cave as soon as possible.

Only when you achieve Foundation Establishment will you truly enter the game. Right now, it's just petty squabbles."

This is family heritage. In Wunan's cultivation world, dominated by the Immortal Alliance system, how to navigate within the system is a secret never spoken aloud.

This knowledge may be even more precious than a useful scripture.

Wang Xianzhou spoke at length, but his core points were two.

Play the turtle, avoid mistakes, wait for your opponent to slip, then seize victory in counterattack.

And everything revolves around cultivation—cultivation is the foundation.

"Clan Chief, Yulou remembers. The second question is about Jingyi Ancestor—she—"

Wang Xianmao raised a hand to cut him off, his expression strangely odd.

It was calm, yet like a volcano about to erupt—or grief so profound it had numbed his face into emptiness.

The only thing Wang Yulou understood was that the clan chief's emotions were too complex—he couldn't grasp them.

"Don't worry. Jingyi won't compete with you for Purple Mansion resources.

Yulou, Anning Cave Heaven has already been seized by Xuan Zhuan.

Or perhaps—anyway, several years ago, just before you took Churan and Xiao Yu as concubines, Jingyi's cave heaven was taken.

I only learned of this last year, when I delivered the annual tribute to our Ancestor at Red Lantern Gate—from Jingyi herself."

Yulou was shaken by this terrifying news; he felt his heart racing wildly.

So, the Wang clan really is just cattle and horses. Truly just cattle and horses.

What they called master-disciple bonds, what they called a thousand years of loyalty—before a great cultivator, it meant nothing.

"Is it because of us—"

Yulou thought: perhaps it was him, Yuan, and Rongshi's cultivation in Anning Cave Heaven, their low cultivation levels, that caused this outcome.

"No, don't blame yourself. It has nothing to do with you.

To become a Purple Mansion from Foundation Establishment, one must know how to cultivate.

Red Lantern Gate has this information, but won't give it to Foundation Establishment cultivators. So Jingyi had no choice but to ask Xuan Zhuan.

She told me: 'Ask once, and disaster strikes.'

I asked what exactly happened. She just shook her head and said nothing more."

Wang Xianmao recalled it with pain.

How could he not be pained?

He gave up his own chance at enlightenment for his second sister—yet that chance was stolen by the Wang clan's benefactor.

Mang Xiang is now on the verge of Golden Core. When our Ancestor truly becomes a Golden Core, the Wang clan, no matter how much resentment it harbors, must still bow in loyalty.

Wang Yulou doesn't care whether the cultivators of Hewan Fishing Port are truly loyal; similarly, Mang Xiang and Xuan Zhuan probably don't care whether their vassals are truly loyal.

After a long while, having processed his emotions, Yulou spoke with difficulty.

"Ancestor, should I go to the Immortal Alliance now?"

"No, Yulou. We have no choice.

Jingyi said that if the Ancestor becomes a Golden Core, he will briefly become the de facto top cultivator of Wunan—this brief period will last at least several centuries.

In several centuries, I and Jingyi will likely have already passed away. But you can use this time to gain more opportunities.

So we must endure. We must continue to be the loyal Wang clan of Anbei under our Ancestor.

Waiting thirty years means waiting for the Immortal Alliance's combat selection, waiting for the outcome of the Ancestor's Golden Core—not for you to switch sects.

If the Ancestor fails to become a Golden Core, joining the Immortal Alliance becomes your best choice; entering early will give you more room to maneuver.

As long as you stand out in the Immortal Alliance, the Purple Mansion opportunity in Dropwater Cave remains yours—and you can also compete for the Immortal Alliance's Purple Mansion opportunity.

If the Ancestor succeeds in becoming a Golden Core, Yulou—"

Wang Xianmao did not want to accept these terrible truths. Even after witnessing so much of the world's suffering, he still didn't want to accept them—but he had no choice.

After a pause, the clan chief spoke the reality he could not bear to face.

"If the Ancestor becomes a Golden Core, Yulou, you must strive to become his disciple. Even if I and Jingyi must kneel and beg, we will do everything to make it happen!"

The clan chief's statement revealed what he had dared not say outright: Anning Cave Heaven was seized by Mang Xiang.

"Yulou understands. Yulou understands completely."

Wang Yulou repeated numbly, stunned—the truth was far worse than he imagined.

At this moment, he wished Mang Xiang dead—and yet he also wished Mang Xiang would become a Golden Core.

Human hearts—reality grinds people into unbearable pain, yet one must still accept it.

The complexity of human hearts was shown not only in Yuan Zhengju's choice, but also in the turmoil within Yulou's own mind.

The suffering of the mortal world is no more than this.

"You said you had three questions, Yulou. Go on." Wang Xianmao calmly reminded him—he had already pulled himself free from the initial agony of this revelation.

He hoped to help Yulou find his center through dialogue, preventing him from being crushed by pressure.

"Clan Chief, the Ancestor's attainment of Golden Core forced the clan to convert decades of accumulated resources into the current surge of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

But from the perspective of Red Lantern Gate as a whole, it's not that the Wang clan has more Foundation Establishment cultivators—it's that the total number of Foundation Establishment cultivators has surged dramatically.

There are two reasons for the rise in Foundation Establishment resources: the Ancestor exchanged secret techniques and various methods for resources, reducing supply.

On the other hand, hermits gained access to Foundation Establishment opportunities through Red Lantern Gate's Merit Hall, causing a massive surge in numbers.

The water level has risen across Red Lantern Gate and Wunan; all boats rise together. The Wang clan has Foundation Establishment cultivators, but so do many other families.

With storms ahead and our accumulated reserves depleted, we'll struggle to survive. So I have an idea."

Is having more Foundation Establishment cultivators necessarily good?

Hard to say. For small cultivation families like ours, status within the Red Lantern Gate system is relative.

When all boats rise, families at the lower ecological tier are crushed by the greed of those above, losing their former positions.

Prime positions are scarce resources—limited by nature, and now competition is fiercer.

The seizure of Anning Cave Heaven was precisely the greed of higher-tier families squeezing the margin of lower-tier ones.

If this problem isn't handled, the Wang clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators will become useless ornaments, dragging the family into crisis.

Sending Wang clan talents to the Western Seas and Eastern Deserts is certainly a good way to relieve internal pressure.

But the Wang clan isn't the Immortal Alliance. Under the circumstances where both Wang Xianmao and Wang Rongjiang are Foundation Establishment, why should Wang Rongjiang be the one to pay the price?

If the Wang clan's waters are uneven, Rongjiang has every right to ask: I used two and a half sets of Foundation Establishment resources—why should the family treat me so harshly?

That reason alone is enough. Whether he asks or fights depends entirely on Rongjiang's emotional and moral limits. Uncle Rongjiang is trustworthy—he won't truly press the matter.

But governing a force of nearly three hundred people cannot rely on emotion alone—that's a path to disaster.

"'Stormy waters'—that's a good phrase. A very good phrase.

Yulou, you've been too conspicuous in Dropwater Cave. Frankly, I've been dissatisfied.

You're just a lowly cultivator. You should sink into the soil, cultivate quietly, and raise your cultivation base.

But you're also the Wang clan's prodigy. I should give you more resources to help you through this stage of cultivation.

But now, the clan's resources—"

So even though you provoked the Yuan family and I'm displeased, I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

A typical fool might say, "It was the Yuan family who provoked me!" But Yulou isn't Yuan Si or Yuan Wu.

He understood the clan chief's intentions.

"Yulou will inevitably grow beyond the clan's ability to protect him. He must face the suffering of the mortal world and the trials of the Immortal Path alone—whether sooner or later makes no difference.

Besides, Clan Chief, you've already given me more than enough… why not sell that Red Lantern magic artifact?"

Wang Xianmao smiled with relief. Attitude—attitude. He no longer fully understood Wang Yulou, but he was satisfied with Yulou's attitude. That was enough.

"Don't mention it again. Tell me your idea."

Rejecting Wang Yulou's suggestion to sell red lanterns, Wang Xianmao asked about Yulou's final thought—he too eagerly awaited what new insight Yulou might offer.

"Having stayed at Dropspring Cave so long, Yulou has come to understand the sect's strengths and weaknesses."

"I've wondered—why can't our Wang family establish our own small sect?"

"A family's development hits a ceiling at a certain stage; balancing sentiment and reason demands extraordinary leadership, yet we always encounter mediocre successors who can't maintain that balance."

"Turn the Wangs of Anbei into the Anbei Sect—outsiders and guest elders who've reached Foundation Establishment can join the new sect alongside our direct lineage, making the balance of sentiment and reason far easier to manage."

"More importantly, the family model has a hard limit on how many cultivators it can sustain—two or three hundred is already difficult to maintain."

"A sect's ceiling is higher—it can easily accommodate a thousand. With a thousand serving our Wang family, we'll move more steadily, further."

Ambition—Wang Xianmao saw boundless ambition in Yulou's eyes.

Wang Yulou didn't say a thousand would serve the Wang family—he meant a thousand would serve Mangxiang, serve him—and it wasn't conflicting!

Mangxiang is an unavoidable presence for the Wangs; if the Wangs can raise a thousand-member sect, their standing with Mangxiang will naturally rise, and so will Yulou's standing with Mangxiang.

Why did Yuan Daoshen dare to pressure Gong Jiusheng into supporting him?

Because Yuan Daoshen was useful to Gong Jiusheng—and within Dropspring Cave's structure, he held a certain irreplaceability!

"Possible, but unrealistic. Establishing a sect doesn't bring immediate returns, Yulou—you should understand that."

Wang Xianmao sighed as he reminded him.

Yulou naturally understood the clan chief's meaning: Wunan's resources were infinite, but within a limited timeframe, they were finite.

Finite resources couldn't sustain so many big crocodiles; the Immortal Alliance was the platform for allocating resources, and its recipients were the high-level cultivators.

The surplus after the Alliance's allocation sustained small sects like Dropspring Cave and Miaofeng Mountain; smaller still was Cui Baihao's Red Tree Sect—there was no middle layer.

The middle layer was occupied by families like the Wangs and the Yangs.

Families had their advantages; sects had theirs. Under different scales, naturally different choices emerged.

"Understood. Yulou thought too shallowly."

A thousand thoughts and a hundred ideas stirred in his heart, but Yulou said nothing.

The clan chief was right: only after Foundation Establishment did one truly enter the game.

No need to rush—first, achieve Foundation Establishment!

"Recognizing the flaws in the family model already shows you're quite capable."

"But as long as I'm still alive, the Wang family's affairs can hold."

"The future lies with you, Yulou—cultivate well."

"Also, in two days you'll marry Lin Ying. I'd like to meet Xiao Yu and Churan ahead of time."

"I haven't met your two concubines yet—I might as well give them a gentle warning."

"Clan chief, what talk of death? Who knows, one day you might become an Immortal Sovereign."

"Then you'd enjoy eternal celestial fortune, and our Wang family would flourish for ten thousand years."

Yulou's flattery was utter nonsense, yet the old clan chief listened with great delight.

"Hahahaha, you brat—you've truly grown up, daring to tease me now!"

—

As Yulou chatted with the clan chief, Zhang Xuewu sneaked from Baimao Fishing Port to Hewan Port.

Having mixed in Hewan for years, he had a few trusted men; as soon as Wang Xianmao arrived, they alerted Zhang Xuewu, who rushed over immediately.

Wang Yulou was his patron; Wang Xianmao was the Wang clan chief—the big boss's big boss.

He couldn't curry favor with him—too far removed, and he had no resources to offer.

But old Zhang understood the principle of indirect influence.

He couldn't curry favor with Wang Xianmao—so he could whisper in Qin Churan's ear!

Whether pillow talk worked was uncertain, but doing nothing guaranteed failure!

As Yulou gradually solidified his footing in Dropspring Cave, word spread of his marriage to Lin Ying, the first female immortal of the cave, and those drawn to Wang Yulou multiplied literally by the day.

Even Yuan Wu, a notorious loudmouth, no longer dared call Yulou "Brother," and even the dogs began competing fiercely—so old Zhang couldn't afford to be careless.

"Twenty spirit stones, Sister—you know I earn maybe forty a year. I really can't give more." Old Zhang pleaded.

"Twenty? I can only say six words: 'There's a man named Zhang Xue.' Four spirit stones per word—the extra one's a gift, since we're friends."

Xiao Qin rolled her eyes and retorted.

"What's 'Xue'?" Zhang Xuewu didn't understand.

"Just 'There's a man named Zhang Xue'—six characters. Four spirit stones per character. The extra one's free—consider it a gift, since we're friends."

Having long followed Yulou, Xiao Qin's bargaining skills were top-tier.

Four spirit stones per character—and you get one free? Isn't that generous?

Old Zhang's face darkened. Four spirit stones per character? That wasn't even lion's demand—it was absurd.

But then he reconsidered: if Qin Churan demanded this, she must genuinely intend to help. In that light, four spirit stones per word was actually a bargain.

He gritted his teeth and said:

"Eighty spirit stones—twenty words. Just a brief mention, one compliment. How's that?"

Xiao Qin narrowed her eyes.

Wrong—he couldn't possibly have eighty spirit stones at once. Had old Zhang been keeping secret accounts behind his master's back?

Thinking this, she decided to probe further.

"Brother Zhang, I want to buy a Water Jade Bead Earring, but it costs a hundred and twenty spirit stones—it's too expensive."

Old Zhang didn't want to give it.

I slave for Wang Yulou, earn barely forty spirit stones a year after eating my spirit fish—you demand three years' income in one breath.

Too ruthless!

But if he refused now, he'd offend Wang Yulou's wife—even a side wife was still a wife. He was trapped.

"Sister, I'll be honest—I only have sixty spirit stones. I'd give you sixty now, and pay the other twenty later."

"A hundred and twenty—I simply can't afford it."

Qin Churan's gaze flickered slightly, and she spoke gently:

"Your sincerity is enough."

Old Zhang thought she'd decided to help him for free, moved by his plight—his face lit up.

"Sixty it is. I'll take the spirit stones and help you."

With a grimace, Zhang Xuewu emptied his storage bag of spirit stones and turned to leave.

Xiao Qin called him back:

"Stay at the mansion tonight. Yulou might see you tomorrow."

Old Zhang beamed with joy, thanked her repeatedly, and departed full of anticipation.

Lady Qin, your kindness, Old Zhang can never repay!

Xiao Qin told this story as a joke to others.

After hearing it, Wang Yulou raised his cup in helpless embarrassment.

But Grandmaster Xianzhou was thoroughly pleased—he'd urged Yulou to marry Xiao Qin precisely because he saw her as grounded, proper, and knowing her limits.

Now, she'd accepted the gift, helped Zhang Xuewu show loyalty to Yulou, clearly demonstrated her wisdom and sense of propriety, and most importantly, thoroughly pleased Grandmasters Xianzhou and Xianmao.

In short, everyone won in Xiao Qin's maneuver—that was the greatest meaning of a power maintaining its vibrant, rising state.

When a power is ascending, many bad things become good ones: Zhang Xuewu's unfair competition made his loyalty more visible—Yulou needed people willing to draw near.

"Churan, you did well—very well. Here, take this Water Jade Bead. Let Yulou make you an earring. Hahaha."

Wang Xianmao hadn't expected Yulou's two concubines to be so interesting. Xiao Yu needed no comment, but Qin Churan, though unassuming, handled affairs with remarkable finesse.

Most importantly, she knew exactly what to do—and how to do it—with startling clarity.

So he directly granted her wish—this small resource was nothing to the Wang clan.

"Xianmao, what's so amusing?"

A slightly hoarse voice rang out. Tie Qinhe had landed in the courtyard atop a Spirit Crane at the peak of the Minor Beast Realm.

This outsider Foundation Establishment cultivator was friends with Wang Xianzhou; now also at Foundation Establishment, he was on par with the clan chief and Jingyi—Wang Rongjiang even called him Uncle Qinhe.

Yulou rose to invite Elder Qinhe to the table, while the clan chief said:

"Old Tie, you finally came! I feared you wouldn't make it—I was about to send Jingyi tomorrow if you didn't arrive."

The wiry old man Tie Qinhe chuckled in explanation:

"Clan chief, I've never forgotten Yulou's matter."

"He's our Wang clan's prodigy. But this is our first meeting—and truly, he's extraordinary."

"Yulou, don't blame me for being late—I flew three thousand li straight from Miaofeng Mountain."

Miaofeng Mountain?

Hearing this, Yulou asked curiously about the war between Miaofeng Mountain and Gushen Sect. Tie Qinhe answered without hesitation.

The two sects had fought for over a decade—and still fought, defying all expectations.

Behind it lay the struggle between Tian She Sect and Hong Dengzhao; otherwise, given their sizes, they'd have long since ceased hostilities.

Tie Qinhe had stayed at Miaofeng Mountain to breed the Spirit Cranes—without proper cross-breeding, their talents and bloodlines would degenerate.

Degeneration wasn't atavism. The ancestral Spirit Crane of heaven and earth was the eternal demon god, Bifang—whose power rivaled that of a True Immortal Sovereign.

Bifang still lived well—he'd never allow some random wild demon to retrogress into his bloodline—unworthy to even touch it!

The banquet the clan chief mentioned ended amid his subtle warnings to Xiao Qin and Xiao Yu. Faced with the old man's "kindness," Yulou, wanting to defend the two women, could only remain silent.

To serve the Wang family meant submitting to the patriarch's authority.

Don't be resentful about Yulou taking a Dao companion—many cultivators have multiple companions and concubines, and this applies equally to men and women.

Emotion is one thing, but the other—and more important—aspect is strength.

For example, Xiao Yu, if you become a True Person, even if you keep hundreds of male concubines like Qingrui Immortal Lord, our Wang family won't object—as long as you give Yulou a little help when the time comes.

Li Haiping of Miaofeng Mountain married three Dao companions from the families of three True Persons in his sect just to gain their support for opening his Purple Mansion.

Yulou is the prodigy of the Wang family; Lin Ying won't be his last Dao companion—he may marry again in the future.

You should relax, stay within your bounds, and our Wang family will never treat you unfairly!

It was full of paternalistic tone, but Yulou understood: the clan chief was playing the good cop—he said the harsh words so Yulou could later play the kind one.

A clever girl would ask—why didn't you speak up for me then? But the truly clever girl won't ask.

Bai Xiaoyu listened silently, saying nothing; the little stone turtle feasting greedily on her palm lifted its head at the sound of its name, glanced at Wang Xianmao, then lowered it again to keep eating.

"Ancestor, don't tease Xiao Yu."

But in truth, Yulou had spoken up for her in person.

After all, he liked both Xiao Yu and Churan; being blessed with such two beauties as companions, he considered himself fortunate.

Xiao Yu quietly exhaled in relief—Yulou's defense meant everything to her.

"Hahaha, the old man spoke too much and upset the prodigy—let's end it here."

"By the way, that fellow there, go fetch that Zhang." The clan chief chuckled.

Li Changming, standing nearby to serve, immediately knelt and obeyed, then ran off to summon Old Zhang.

Soon, Old Zhang knelt before the clan chief and Iron Elder, trembling with excitement.

"Zhang Xuewu bows before the two Ancestors!"

These were his third and fourth Wang family Foundation Establishment cultivators—Wang Yulou was in fact the next leader of the Wang clan, and the Wang family itself was no less powerful than the Yuan or Zhuo clans.

After all, the Yuan and Zhuo clans serve True Persons, and so does the Wang clan; though the Mangxiang clan has many oxen and horses, its strength is formidable—three Purple Mansions in one lineage.

"No need to bow to us—you belong to Yulou." Iron Qinhè reminded him.

He was an outsider among the Wang family's Foundation Establishment cultivators; though the Wangs kept their waters level, Iron knew his place well.

"Enough, rise. Little Qin says you knew I was marrying and specially sent sixty spirit stones as a wedding gift."

"I don't need your few spirit stones—better to use them for cultivation resources and strive to break into the late stage of Qi Refining."

Hearing Yulou's words, Ancestor Xianzhou pulled a Water True Treasure Pill from his storage pouch and tossed it to Zhang Xuewu.

It had been prepared for Yulou—just in case—but Zhang Xuewu also cultivated Water Law and could take it.

"This pill is yours. If one pill breaks your late-stage bottleneck, you'll have a chance at Foundation Establishment."

Ancestor Wang Xianzhou gave Zhang Xuewu the pill only because of Yulou's face.

Iron Qinhè was the one he had supported into Foundation Establishment; Zhang Xuewu could become one Yulou would support in the future. Given Old Zhang's loyalty—sending gifts on credit—he was worth a little backing.

Old Zhang was over sixty, his cultivation at Qi Refining sixth layer, nearing completion—he might reach the peak of Qi Refining before turning a hundred.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

In the question of whether a human skull or the floor was harder, Zhang Xuewu answered—the floor was harder. Even a Qi Refining sixth-layer cultivator's head couldn't withstand it.

The Water True Treasure Pill was one of the Five True Treasure Pills; though it couldn't guarantee breakthrough, a single pill was worth over fourteen hundred spirit stones.

Even Wang Xianzhou, himself a pill alchemist, estimated the material cost alone at over eight hundred spirit stones.

Eight hundred spirit stones handed out so casually to such a powerful ally was worth smashing one's head against the floor for.

"Stop kowtowing. Rise. Are you trying to trick the Ancestor into giving you another healing pill?"

Yulou sighed, using spiritual energy to form a giant hand and lifted Old Zhang up.

"Xuewu—Xuewu has no such intention! Xuewu only wishes to say: I vow to forever be your humble servant, Yueluo Dao Friend."

Blood gushed everywhere, making Little Qin feel a strange sense of déjà vu.

We're all fighting hard to live.

In a cultivation world like the Wang clan, where even minor cultivators must serve as oxen and horses, a cultivator without backing could live well without effort—if they were willing to abandon cultivation and enjoy power among mortals.

But cultivation is poisonous. Like all newly breakthrough Qi Refiners who fall into cultivation mania, once one steps onto the Immortal Path, no one wants to give up even the slimmest chance.

—

Two days later, Hewan Fishing Port was decorated with lanterns and banners.

Unlike the previous concubine ceremony, this time Yulou was marrying a formal Dao companion, so the ritual was naturally more elaborate—out of respect for Lin Ying and the Lin family.

On the other hand, Yulou's status had changed.

He had initiated the Exchange Dharma Assembly, clashed head-on with the Yuan clan, joined the Zhuo faction, been rescued personally by Red Carp True Person, and his betrothed Lin Ying came from a prestigious family—all these factors combined meant nearly two hundred guests attended today.

Among the nearly two hundred, over twenty were Foundation Establishment cultivators; the rest were almost all late-stage Qi Refiners.

"Husband, are you nervous?"

In Yulou's bedroom, Bai Xiaoyu looked at the man dressing himself, asking casually.

"I'm thinking of two things right now. Which one do you want to hear first?"

Wang Yulou, who would never let anyone lead him by the nose, countered.

Her eyes flickered with a hint of mischief; Xiao Yu asked quickly.

"The one about me."

"I'll arrange for you a top-grade cultivation robe too—but only after you reach late-stage Qi Refining. Isn't that too late?"

Hearing Yulou's words, the girl's eyes lit up with joy; she shyly voiced her small request.

"No need for top-grade—I want one like 'Empty Mountain After Rain.'"

In her eyes, the difference between top-grade and mid-grade robes was only price—but robes like 'Empty Mountain After Rain,' designed for both genders, carried a different meaning entirely.

"Fine. One top-grade robe, and two matching Dao companion robes—for us."

"Ah? Isn't that too many spirit stones?"

Xiao Yu pressed down her grinning lips, pretending to haggle over spirit stones for Yulou.

She wasn't good at pretending—perhaps too overjoyed—her grip on the little stone turtle's tail tightened slightly; the turtle winced in silent pain.

You lovebirds, why am I the one getting hurt?

"When you reach late-stage, I may already be Foundation Establishment. Then, these spirit stones for robes won't matter—I can earn them back by refining two spirit artifacts."

After a few more words, Yulou kissed Xiao Yu's cheek and said:

"Xiao Yu, you know me—I'm kind but too weak and rational. Some say clever people are like this.

What's the saying again? A gentleman doesn't lie, but he stays silent—he dares not voice discontent toward what he dislikes. In short: powerless kindness.

To me, at first, you were just a veil hiding that powerless kindness. Ha—don't laugh, I'm serious.

But now, whether it's you or Churan, you're both very important to me.

But if I want to go further, I must make choices. A person can carry only so much.

To gain some, you must abandon others. There's no higher or lower here—only different choices by different people.

Lin Shijie is a good girl, and so are you. I hope you understand my greed and ambition—it's my choice.

The mortal world is a sea of suffering; the Immortal Path is long. I want to go further.

Of course, if you can't understand, pretend you do. That'll make me happy, and you won't have to worry about cultivation resources.

After Foundation Establishment, you can dump me. Even if I'm angry, I won't dare abuse you—the Immortal Alliance watches me."

Yulou blinked, hoping Xiao Yu understood.

This girl was different from Churan. By now, Churan's path had been chosen entirely by herself.

But with Xiao Yu, it felt as if he'd leveraged his favor and actually received a return—so he'd always felt indebted.

Fiddling with the little stone turtle in his hand, Bai Xiaoyu didn't look up, but inside, she felt lost.

So… are you trying to push me away?

But I haven't done anything wrong!

"Wang Yulou, go marry. I won't dump you."

Noticing Xiao Yu's unhappiness, Yulou opened his mouth but held back. Before leaving, he turned back one last time.

"The right to choose is the most luxurious power in this cultivation world.

Until now, until today, marrying Lin Shijie—I've only just realized: you never had a choice."

Saying this, Yulou gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"I think of myself as no fool, but there's too much to remember, too much.

So back then, I didn't realize this. Now, I give you the choice.

Xiao Yu—you can choose your own path. Think carefully."

Wang Yulou left. Bai Xiaoyu slumped beside the round table in the bedroom, propping her chin on her left arm, gazing sideways at the little stone turtle beneath her right fingertip.

The turtle had withdrawn into its shell—but since its shell was symmetrical and sharply angular, a small pointed tip remained visible beneath its belly.

When it retracted, it became a perfect top, spinning beneath Xiao Yu's finger.

Watching the spinning shell, Bai Xiaoyu's eyes swam with the same confusion.

Love was complicated. She realized she didn't understand it.

The little stone turtle didn't understand it either—what sin had it committed to be turned into a toy?

It was a spiritual beast, not a plaything!

On the Golden Platform, as the nominal Sect Master of Dropspring Cave, Chu Hongyi sat beside Wang Xianmao.

"Hongyi, the Yuan clan sent assassins to kill Yulou, yet now refuses to send anyone to his wedding—Dao Shen Elder must be mad."

Wang Xianmao transmitted his thoughts.

The theory that Dao Shen had gone mad was no longer a secret; now, among Dropspring Cave's high ranks, the discussion wasn't whether he was mad—but how severely.

The disciples who never returned to the Grotto Heaven had already rotted, with no one to plead their case, but they still had families—these past two days, the Dropwater Grotto had already seen several outbursts.

Two seasoned Qi Refiners even went to the Yuan family's front gate, hugging the doorposts and weeping, "Immortal Lord, open your eyes and see what the Yuan family has done!"—their only child had died outside the Dropwater Grotto.

Everyone knew what the Yuan family had done, but without Gong Jiusheng's word, Yuan Daoshen's crimes could not be settled.

Small cases are judged by law, medium cases by impact, great cases by __.

As one of the leading figures of the Dropwater Grotto, Yuan Daoshen's affairs were a sensitive nerve within the grotto's internal struggles—no one dared touch them lightly.

The Zhuo family dared to confront it daily, but because they did so constantly—and had plenty of dirt of their own—their efforts were not very effective.

"I understand your brother's meaning. Then, the liaison officer stationed at Red Lantern Pavilion in the Dropwater Grotto will be replaced in three months—let Yulou go there then. What do you think?"

Without hesitation, Chu Hongyi readily agreed.

He didn't understand why the Wang family could endure it, but he knew that the Wang family's silence was good for him.

Unfortunately, Master Hongyi had never heard the story of the Grievance Drum.

The Grievance Drum does not sound not because there are no grievances, but because the grievances are not great enough!

The Wang family is waiting—for Yuan Daoshen to commit another mistake, for the right moment to strike the drum.

The Wang family is waiting—for the outcome of the Wild Elephant's test on the Golden Core—too much depends on the Ancestral Master.

"Then all is well, Hongyi—thank you."

"Brother, you're too kind."

As their telepathic exchange ended, Lin Ying descended from the massive flying vessel that had flown all the way from the Lin family.

The flying vessel, crafted from red wood, inherently carried a festive aura, adorned with numerous red flowering plants—exquisitely beautiful.

When the two-story flying vessel halted, Yulou, clad in the Kongsan Xinyu robe, hurried forward and waited at the entrance.

Lin Ying emerged accompanied by her maidservants, then, together with Yulou, began a solemn and lengthy ceremony. (No need to detail it excessively.)

Half an hour later, the two finally stood before Wang Xianmao and Lin Mengyao.

Wang Xianzhou, the master of ceremonies for today, loudly intoned, "Bow!"—Yulou and Lin Ying bowed together.

Here, the difference between cultivator marriage rituals became clear: ordinary mortals would say, "Live well together," "Love each other," "Respect your elders," "Have many children."

Instead, Wang Xianmao solemnly asked.

"The Immortal Path is long and arduous, Lin Ying—do you know how you must walk it?"

Lin Ying looked at Yulou and spoke firmly.

"We shall advance together, journeying toward the Great Dao!"

Then Mengyao the Ancestor spoke next—the order of speech had nothing to do with status, cultivation level, or gender of the elders; it depended solely on age, with the eldest speaking last.

Though cultivator marriages are the most profit-driven, their rituals deliberately strip away all profit-related factors, as if to say, "The less there is, the more we emphasize it."

"The Dao is fraught with hardship, Wang Yulou—have you prepared how you will face future trials?"

To Lin Mengyao's surprise, Yulou reached out and took Lin Ying's hand.

Looking at this not-so-smart, foolish girl, Yulou said solemnly.

"Life and death—we shall share them together!"

He had intended to marry for ambition, but ended up marrying a true gem.

Passing through life and death, seeing true feeling, forging a golden jade bond.

If so, he must cherish it well.

Hearing Wang Yulou's words, Lin Ying, who had been tense moments before, forgot all the onlookers—uncontrollable tears of emotion streamed down her face.

Wang Yulou reached out to wipe them away, whispering softly.

"Don't cry—it's a day of great joy."

Lin Ying sniffled, smiling, her voice light and joyful.

"Wang Yulou, it felt like a long dream—but when I woke, I found none of it was a dream. We truly have become Dao companions."

The ceremony had been interrupted by the two young ones' impulsive actions—Wang Xianzhou shrugged at his elder brother, indicating he had no intention of interfering.

Wang Xianmao and Lin Mengyao exchanged glances; two seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivators silently agreed to cancel all remaining rituals. From the perspective of elders, Yulou and Lin Ying's mutual affection meant far more than any perfect ceremony.

"Dear fellow cultivators, the ceremony ends here. I am glad you all came."

Wang Xianmao rose, surveyed the gathering, nodded with a smile at Elder Zhuo Yinsheng, and concluded.

"Yulou cultivates in the Dropwater Grotto—he relies on all your care. Xianmao bows here in gratitude."

"Lastly, bring forth the feast—no one leaves until drunk!"

Today's wine was all Grade Nine Bitter Leaf Wine; the dishes ranged from spirit fish to Wang family's specialty spirit donkey meat and spirit fruits.

Banquets foster bonds—the two hundred plus cultivators invited to Yulou's wedding were the purest of the pure within the Dropwater Grotto's direct lineage.

Cultivating good relations with these people holds great significance for Yulou's influence to continue growing in the grotto after his departure.

Yulou may be absent from the grotto for long stretches, but his Dao companion Lin Ying remains—thus, in a sense, Yulou remains.

Bai Xiaoyu and Qin Churan are simply too low in cultivation, too low in starting point, to uphold Yulou's standing after he leaves.

Lin Ying, though young, has already reached Qi Refining Ninth Layer, with strong potential for Foundation Establishment, and behind her stands the seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator Lin Mengyao of the Lin family.

This, too, is one of the meanings of a Daoist marriage.