Chapter 165: The Sea of Suffering in the Mortal World, the Immortal's Road Lies Far Away (13.3K words, begging for monthly tickets!)

Within Wang Xianmao's divine ability, Yulou was reporting to the clan head and the ancestor the information Lin Ying had revealed to him.

After passing the life-and-death tribulation, the two had become true Dao companions, which was why Lin Ying had spoken Lin Mengyao's speculation aloud.

"Yulou, what are your thoughts?" the clan head asked.

Wang Xian Zhou, on the other hand, found it somewhat hard to believe that Wang Yulou had so early caught the Ancestral Master's eye—this matter seemed, however one looked at it, a touch too far-fetched.

"I'm uneasy. If my entering Drop Water Cave was truly a piece in the Ancestral Master's arrangement, then on what grounds did Yulou earn the Ancestral Master's favor?

The clan has always taught that a cultivator who wishes to stand firm in the world must possess the ability to provide value to others—be it cultivation, the capacity to assist the Dao, or the capacity to shoulder responsibility, and so on.

To those great cultivators, I, Wang Yulou, was nothing more than a mere Qi-Drawing cultivator at the time. That favor with no known source even gave me the feeling of being watched.

As if I'd returned to the days at Qing Xi Fang when I was controlled by that mysterious great cultivator."

Hearing Yulou bring up the old affair at Qing Xi Fang, Wang Xianmao was momentarily at a loss for words.

That matter still had no resolution to this day.

The Xian Alliance's authority and rules restrict only Foundation Establishment and below—the underlying logic being to protect the leeks and ensure sustainable harvesting.

To the true masters of the Xian Alliance, those rules and that authority are all dog shit.

Above True Person Jiusheng, there are no more leaders!

Therefore, so long as that mysterious cultivator did not cause too great a calamity, no one would seek justice for the Wang clan.

"Let's not bring up the matter of the mysterious great cultivator again. Yulou, we must after all look forward.

As for whether you entered Drop Water Cave at the Ancestral Master's behest, that's not something we can ask about. The key lies in where your Purple Mansion opportunity actually is."

Wang Xian Zhou analyzed with a troubled expression. The thoughts of great cultivators were too distant; the Wang clan, as the workhorses of Master Mangxiang's lineage, could often only follow orders.

Yuan Daoshen was ruthless enough to negotiate terms directly with Gong Jiusheng because Drop Water Cave's structure was special, and Gong Jiusheng himself was a lone operator.

If Gong Jiusheng also had two Purple Mansion disciples, would Yuan Daoshen still dare to kowtow and force a coup?

If he dared to threaten, Gong Jiusheng would dare to kill him outright!

The clan head nodded slightly and added.

"Actually, this isn't a matter of how to choose, but of whether you believe the Ancestral Master can become a Jin Dan.

If the Ancestral Master can become a Jin Dan, then Yulou, you can borrow Drop Water Cave's resources and support to take a great step forward.

If he can't, then going to the Xian Alliance is the best choice.

There's no rush for now. You're only just thirty; you still have thirty years.

Thirty years should be enough."

Wang Yulou exchanged a glance with Ancestor Wang Xian Zhou and nodded silently.

Starting from the surge of grace nearly twenty years ago, Master Mangxiang's Jin Dan push had already been going for twenty years. If another thirty years passed without result, the Wang clan would have to begin preparing certain matters.

Now, the more satisfying Master Mangxiang's Jin Dan-backed pressure on Red Lantern Stronghold was, the fiercer the counterattack from hostile factions and entrenched interests would be in the future should he fall short at the last step.

"Then let's revise the plan. For example, cultivate all the way to Qi Refinement Peak within Drop Water Cave, and only then go to Red Lantern Stronghold. What do you think, Clan Head?"

Staying in Drop Water Cave a few more years, letting the identity label of 'Drop Water Cave disciple' settle more firmly upon him, would make it easier in the future to join the contest for Drop Water Cave's Purple Mansion opportunity as a member of the sect.

"No, you still have to go, but in the form of a mission. Yuan Daoshen has made such an ugly mess of things this time, so we can take the opportunity to demand that Chu Hongyi arrange a new mission for you.

For example, serve as the liaison steward for Drop Water Cave's station at Red Lantern Stronghold. You go cultivate by Wang Jingyi's side—that way, I can rest a little easier.

As for whether your foundation will be affected by your leaving, to the point of hindering the future contest for the Purple Mansion opportunity—don't pay it too much mind.

This matter doesn't depend on you, but on the Ancestral Master.

If the Ancestral Master's Jin Dan goes smoothly, then you, Wang Yulou, are a good disciple of Drop Water Cave. If the Purple Mansion opportunity truly exists, everything will be easy to discuss.

If the Ancestral Master's Jin Dan doesn't go smoothly, then no matter how solid your foundation, neither the Yuan family nor True Person Jiusheng will easily let you have your way—not only in the contest for the Purple Mansion opportunity, but in anything at all."

The clan head was, after all, quite capable, and had directly pointed out the crux of the matter.

Whether Wang Yulou was Master Mangxiang's chess piece or not, and whether Drop Water Cave truly held a Purple Mansion opportunity in the future, the time had come for him to leave Drop Water Cave.

Yuan Daoshen had made two moves against Yulou—how could one guarantee there wouldn't be a third?

The first was blocked by Wang Xian Zhou, who had hidden himself for three years; the second was blocked by the Hundred-Lei Free-and-Easy Talisman plus the Golden Eagle Fall. What about the next?

Next time, would Yuan Daoshen still be careless?

Absolutely not!

After many years in Drop Water Cave, Yulou had obtained the resources to cultivate all the way to Foundation Establishment, while also building up two small factions, and finally marrying three fine Dao companions. These gains, taken together, were already enough.

True Person Red Carp's protection could indeed provide a sense of security, but it was only a sense of security.

When the struggle truly began, Red Carp's orders could not compel Yuan Daoshen to move.

Back then, Red Carp threatened that if Wang Yulou died, she would kill Yuan Daoshen in compensation. Did that stop the Daoshen Elder faction from sending Yuan Zhengju to act as a driver, hauling along tribulation cultivators to hunt down Wang Yulou?

It did not!

"Still, Clan Head, though the liaison steward for Drop Water Cave's station at Red Lantern Stronghold is called a steward, it follows Red Lantern Stronghold's rank, and is usually filled by a Foundation Establishment elder of the sect.

With Yulou's current cultivation, I'm afraid he can't do it, can he?" Wang Yulou reminded the clan head.

Drop Water Cave was a subordinate sect of Red Lantern Stronghold. An elder of Drop Water Cave was Foundation Establishment; an elder of Red Lantern Stronghold was Purple Mansion.

Though the names appeared the same, the implied ranks were different—and so it was with all ranks.

"Just arrange a title like Assistant Steward. These things aren't difficult.

Chu Hongyi is a product of factional compromise—a complete clay Bodhisattva.

Sitting in his position, he doesn't want to see you and the Yuan family keep fighting either," the clan head analyzed.

Having said this, he looked toward Ancestor Wang Xian Zhou, who had grown somewhat silent.

"Wang Xian Zhou, how many more years can you hold on? How about returning to the clan now?"

Only then did Yulou realize that if he went to Red Lantern Stronghold to wait for the Ancestral Master's Jin Dan outcome before choosing his path, he would no longer need Ancestor Wang Xian Zhou to guard his Dao.

At Red Lantern Stronghold, Master Mangxiang's lineage now held sole dominance; all other factions were avoiding the sharp edge of Master Mangxiang, and no one would be willing to make a move against Wang Yulou at such a time.

Wang Xian Zhou looked at Yulou, smiled, and nodded at this foolish child, saying.

"Big Brother, you know I've taken too many Spirit Pills."

"My injuries aren't healed, but my essence isn't depleted—I can still last twenty years."

"If I take a Longevity Pill, I could stretch to thirty years—and live to two hundred."

"Thirty years is just enough to see Yulou come into his own, and still have strength left to stir things up."

"So, I want to go to the Western Sea."

"Going to the Western Sea, first, can help the clan resolve the Xian Alliance's legal edicts for the next thirty years."

"Second, I might get another Longevity Pill—hahaha."

"The Xian Alliance's legal edicts require every Foundation Establishment clan to station a Qi Condensation cultivator permanently on the Western Sea's frontlines as expendable fodder—this is a targeted harvest from Wunan's grassroots, meant to prevent Foundation Establishment immortal clans from growing too powerful too easily."

"Because for Foundation Establishment immortal clans, someone like Wang Xian Zhou—who willingly shoulders responsibility and fights long-term on the frontlines for the clan—is an exception; usually, such undesirable duties rotate."

"Rotation isn't the optimal solution from a rational standpoint, but it satisfies human nature."

"Of course, wealthier clans can hire free cultivators to take their edicts—but that still aligns with the Xian Alliance's intent: targeted harvesting of Foundation Establishment immortal clans to prevent them from rising too easily."

"Wang Xianmao lowered his eyes. How could he not feel regret for his genius younger brother's fate?"

"Have you thought it through?"

"Nodding, the white-haired Ancestor Wang Xian Zhou himself comforted his still-youthful-looking Big Brother."

"Big Brother, you know my nature."

"Wang Xian Zhou doesn't want to die sitting idle in the clan."

"The Western Sea—"

"That place isn't short of heavenly treasures; two hundred years ago, a Level Five Spirit Object even appeared there."

"Who knows? There may be new opportunities waiting for me there."

"Yulou knew this was nonsense."

"At his current age, even if he achieved Foundation Establishment, he couldn't extend his life much longer."

"His Dao path had long been severed—yet he'd lived this long. In a way, this was truly a tragedy."

"Good!" Wang Xianmao nodded, though inside he thought: I'll prepare several life-saving Treasure Talismans for Wang Xian Zhou before he departs for the Western Sea.

"Ancestor, I've tentatively decided my future cultivation path: to join the Red Lantern Lantern to compete in the Xian Alliance's Duel Selections, while waiting for Master Mangxiang's Jin Dan. What do you think?"

"Why did the group just set a thirty-year waiting period?"

"Because thirty years from now is exactly when the Xian Alliance's Duel Selections will occur—by then, we must make a final decision."

"Only this way. Fortunately, our Wang Shi now has five Foundation Establishment cultivators (three direct, two branch),"

"Your Uncle Rongyuan is preparing for Foundation Establishment; your Uncles Rongwen and Rongsheng, and even that Red Eyebrow, have chances too."

"Conservatively, we'll have at least seven—seven Foundation Establishment cultivators are enough to push you to test the Purple Mansion threshold."

"So every step of your cultivation is critical—timing, starting point, path—all must be planned with Must Be Cautious care."

"Originally, we planned to have you enter the Red Lantern Lantern early as an inner disciple."

"But now, it seems the Ancestor may have stationed you at Dropwater Cave to block your path—so keeping you there under the guise of exchange, while you cultivate within the Red Lantern Lantern, waiting for the Ancestor's decision, is the best strategy."

"Of course, everything changes. If anything shifts again in the future, consult your Jingyi Ancestor promptly—understood?"

"Once the broad direction was settled, Ancestor Wang Xian Zhou left first. Yulou and the Clan Chief then began their truly critical conversation."

"Clan Chief, three questions."

"First: Yuan Shi treated me this way—do we do nothing in response?"

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

"Wang Xianmao nodded approvingly. For Yulou to mention 'posture' meant he had truly grown up."

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

"Different people must display the right posture to establish themselves properly—complexity rooted in this has destroyed too many ignorant lives; they faced their best opportunities yet lost them due to ignorance of posture."

"By the time they realized their posture was flawed, it was already too late."

"Originally, Yuan Daoshen refused to compromise on the Iron Alligator Dragon matter and chose extreme pressure because, as leader of the Yuan faction, he couldn't damage his own posture."

"Yuan Daoshen's choice wasn't wrong. Without Red Carp's protection, who knows how far things might have gone that day in Drippingsky Hall?"

"Take an example—what if Gong Teyan hadn't come to stop Yuan Daoshen?"

"That day's situation underwent three shifts."

"The initial initiative of the Murky faction and Yulou shifted to concern upon Gong Teyan's arrival—that was the first shift."

"The first shift forced Murky Yinsheng to change his expectation of 'how to win' to 'how not to lose.'"

"Then Gong Teyan betrayed Old Yuan and backed Yulou—that was the second shift."

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

"This was also one reason Yulou's warning to Yuan Zhengju—that True Person Jiusheng's attitude toward the Yuan family was still uncertain—struck home."

"When Red Carp appeared, that was the third shift—only then was Yulou truly safe."

"You've already won much. Let bygones be bygones, Yulou. We know Yuan Daoshen's goal: he fears you'll block the path and steal the future Purple Mansion opportunity from Dropwater Cave."

"But we may truly need to seize it—eventually, we may have to tear the mask off completely."

"So why not bide our time? Play the turtle and wait for him to make another move and expose his weakness."

"Internal strife differs from dueling. Dueling is about seizing rhythm and initiative—whether in offensive maneuvers, Secret Techniques, or Secret Treasures—all serve rhythm; seize rhythm and you win."

"The key to internal strife is to avoid your own mistakes while waiting for your opponent to slip—when you must be calm, you must sink deep."

"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 our Wang Shi has endured for a thousand years under the Red Lantern Lantern."

"You understand the importance of posture—good. Next, learn to gather hearts in internal strife, build momentum, and strike down dissent."

"But everything hinges on your cultivation—so I want you to leave Dropwater Cave as soon as possible."

"Only when you have early on achieved Foundation Establishment will you truly have entered the game; right now, it is merely trivial skirmishing."

This is the family heritage. Wunan's Cultivation World is shrouded by the Xian Alliance system; how to survive within the system is a secret transmission no one is willing to speak of externally.

This thing might be even more precious than a useful Cultivation Method.

Wang Xian Zhou has said so much, but the focus comes down to two points.

Pretend to be a coward and make no mistakes; wait for opponents to make mistakes, thereby seizing the chance for victory in the counterattack.

And, everything revolves around cultivation; cultivation is the foundation.

"Clan Leader, Wang Yulou has remembered. The second question concerns Ancestor Jingyi, she—"

Wang Xianmao raised his hand to cut off Wang Yulou's words, his expression somewhat strange.

It was a calmness that seemed like a volcano about to erupt in the next moment, or a numbness born of sorrow so profound it had lost all facial expression management.

The only thing Wang Yulou could understand was that the Clan Leader's emotions were too complex; he did not understand them.

"Do not worry, do not worry that Jingyi will compete with you for Purple Mansion resources.

Wang Yulou, the Anning Cave Heaven has already been snatched away by Xuan Zhuan.

But perhaps, in short, several years ago, just before you took Qin Churan and Little Fish as concubines, Jingyi's Cave Heaven was snatched away.

I only learned of this matter from Jingyi's own mouth last year when I went to Red Lantern to present the New Year tribute to the Ancestor."

Wang Yulou was shaken by this terrible news, his spirit swaying; he felt his heart racing wildly.

So, the Wang Shi were truly just cattle and horses, truly just cattle and horses.

The so-called master-disciple relationship, the so-called thousand-year loyalty of a servant, in the eyes of a Great Cultivator, is nothing more than this.

"Is it us several people—"

Wang Yulou thought that perhaps it was because he, Wang Yuan, and Uncle Rongshi cultivated in the Anning Cave Heaven with mismatched cultivation levels that caused such a result.

"No, do not blame yourselves; it has nothing to do with you.

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

Red Lantern has information on this, but they will not give it to Foundation Establishment cultivators; therefore, Jingyi could only ask Xuan Zhuan.

What she told me was, 'One question, and trouble arose.'

I asked her exactly what trouble arose; she only shook her head and did not continue speaking."

Wang Xianmao recalled painfully.

How could it not be painful?

He gave the opportunity to achieve the Dao to his second sister, yet this opportunity was ultimately snatched away by the Wang Shi's benefactor.

Master Mangxiang is about to form a Jin Dan now; once the Ancestor truly becomes a Jin Dan, even if the Wang Shi have countless grievances, they can only bow their heads in loyalty.

Wang Yulou did not care whether the cultivators at the Hewan Fishing Port were truly loyal; similarly, Master Mangxiang and Xuan Zhuan perhaps did not care whether their subordinate vassals were truly loyal.

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

"Ancestor, then should I not go to the Xian Alliance even more?"

"No, Wang Yulou, we have no choice.

Jingyi said that if the Ancestor can become a Jin Dan, he will briefly become the de facto number one cultivator of Wunan; this brief period will last at least several hundred years.

In several hundred years, Jingyi and I will likely have already passed away, whereas you can use this process to gain more opportunities.

Therefore, we must endure; we must continue to be the loyal Wang Shi of Anbei State under the Ancestor.

Waiting thirty years is waiting for the Xian Alliance's martial arts selection, waiting for the results of the Ancestor's Jin Dan, not for you to change sects.

If the Ancestor's Jin Dan cannot be formed, joining the Xian Alliance will be your best choice; joining the Xian Alliance early can also make you more composed.

As long as you can stand out within the Xian Alliance, the Purple Mansion opportunity at Didi Cave will still be yours, and you can also compete for the Xian Alliance's Purple Mansion opportunity.

If the Ancestor's Jin Dan can be formed, Wang Yulou—"

Wang Xianmao did not want to accept these terrible realities; even though he had witnessed so many worldly hardships, he did not want to accept them, but he could only accept them.

After a brief pause, the Clan Leader spoke the reality he himself did not want to accept.

"If the Ancestor's Jin Dan can be formed, Wang Yulou, you must strive to become the Ancestor's disciple; Jingyi and I will kneel and beg to ensure this happens!"

The Clan Leader's stance at this moment actually pointed out the words he had not dared to speak just now: the Anning Cave Heaven was snatched away by Master Mangxiang.

"Wang Yulou understands everything; Wang Yulou understands everything."

Wang Yulou repeated it somewhat dazedly; he had not expected the truth to be so.

In this moment, he wished for Master Mangxiang to die, yet also wished for Master Mangxiang to form a Jin Dan.

Human hearts, oh human hearts; reality grinds people until they are in agony, yet they can only accept it.

The complexity of human hearts is reflected not only in Yuan Zhengju's choices but also in Wang Yulou's heart, churning repeatedly.

The bitter sea of the mortal world is nothing more than this.

"You said there are three questions, Wang Yulou; continue asking." Wang Xianmao reminded him calmly; he had long since broken free from the painful torment of initially encountering this news.

He hoped that through communication, he could quickly help Wang Yulou find a backbone under this terrible truth, thereby avoiding Wang Yulou being under too much pressure.

"Clan Leader, the Ancestor's proof of Jin Dan forced the family to turn its long-term accumulations into the current situation of multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators.

But from the perspective of the entire Red Lantern level, it is not that the Wang Shi have more Foundation Establishment cultivators, but that the overall number of Foundation Establishment cultivators has increased by a large margin.

There are two reasons for the price increase of Foundation Establishment resources: the Ancestor used secret transmissions, various methods, and so on to exchange for resources, causing resources to decrease.

On the other hand, independent cultivators obtained the possibility of Foundation Establishment through the Red Lantern Merit Hall, thereby causing an explosion in the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

As the water level of Red Lantern and even Wunan rose, all boats rose together; the Wang Shi have Foundation Establishment cultivators, and other families also have many more Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In the future, when the winds are high and the waves are fierce, our Wang Shi, having lost previous accumulations, will find it difficult to get through; therefore, Wang Yulou has an idea."

Is having many Foundation Establishment cultivators necessarily a good thing?

Hard to say; for small powers like cultivation families, their status within the Red Lantern system is a relative status.

After all boats rose together, families occupying the relatively lower ecological niches would have their original positions snatched by the greed overflowing from families occupying higher ecological niches.

A fat position is a scarce resource; scarce resources are inherently limited, and now the competition is even fiercer.

The Anning Small Grotto-Heaven was snatched away; this is high-ecological-niche greed squeezing out the surplus of the low-ecological-niche.

If this trouble is not handled well, the Wang Shi Foundation Establishment will become a useless display that creates no value, plunging the family into crisis.

Sending Wang Shi talents to the West Sea and East Desert is certainly a good method to relieve internal pressure.

But Wang Shi is not the Xian Alliance; with Wang Xianmao and Wang Rongjiang both at Foundation Establishment, on what grounds should Wang Rongjiang be the sacrifice?

If Wang Shi does not hold the scales evenly, then Wang Rongjiang actually has reason to retort: "Because I used two and a half portions of Foundation Establishment resources, must the family treat me so harshly?"

That reason alone is enough; whether he asks or fights depends entirely on Uncle Rongjiang's emotional and moral bottom lines. Uncle Rongjiang is certainly reliable, so he will not truly fight.

But governing a force of nearly three hundred people cannot rely solely on emotion; that is a path to disaster.

"High winds and urgent waves—what a good phrase, what a good phrase.

Yulou, your showiness in Dishui Cave has been excessive; I am actually somewhat dissatisfied.

You are just a small cultivator; you should sink into the mud, cultivate properly, and improve your cultivation.

But you are also the Wang Shi Qing Qilin; I should give you more resources to help you better complete this cultivation path.

Yet the family's resources now...

So, even though you provoked the Yuan family and I am dissatisfied, I feel awkward bringing it up."

A typical fool might say it was clearly the Yuan family that provoked me, but Yulou is not Yuan Si or Yuan Wu.

He understands the clan leader's hard intentions.

"Yulou will eventually grow to a point where the family can no longer protect him; he must face the bitter sea of the mortal world and the hardships of the immortal path alone. Whether it is sooner or later makes no difference.

Moreover, Clan Leader, you have already given me enough... How about we sell that Red Lantern spiritual artifact?"

Wang Xianmao smiled with gratification. Attitude, attitude; he actually cannot read Wang Yulou anymore, but he is satisfied with Wang Yulou's attitude, and that is enough.

"Do not mention this matter again; tell me your thoughts."

Rejecting Wang Yulou's suggestion to sell the Red Lantern, Wang Xianmao asked about Yulou's final matter; in truth, he also looked forward to Yulou proposing some new insight.

"Having been in Dishui Cave for so long, Yulou has gained some understanding of the sect's strengths and weaknesses.

Yulou thought: why can't our Wang family establish a small sect?

When a family develops to a certain stage, it hits a ceiling; balancing emotion and reason requires a helmsman of extremely high skill, but one will inevitably encounter mediocre descendants who cannot manage this balance.

Transforming the Anbei Kingdom Wang family into the Anbei Sect; non-surname disciples and non-surname guest elders at Foundation Establishment can fully become members of the new sect alongside the direct bloodline, making the balance of emotion and reason easier to achieve.

More importantly, the family model has an upper limit on the number of cultivators it can accommodate; maintaining two or three hundred people is already very difficult.

A sect's ceiling is higher; it can easily accommodate over a thousand people. With over a thousand people serving our Wang family, only then can we walk more steadily and farther."

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

What Wang Yulou said was not that over a thousand people would serve the Wang family, but that over a thousand people would serve Master Mangxiang and him—that is not a conflict!

Master Mangxiang is an existence the Wang Shi cannot bypass; if Wang Shi can raise a thousand-person sect, then Wang Shi's status at Master Mangxiang's will naturally rise, and Yulou's status at Master Mangxiang's will rise with it.

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

Because Yuan Daoshen was useful to Gong Jiusheng, and within the landscape of Dishui Cave, he possessed a certain irreplaceability!

"Possible, but unrealistic. Establishing a sect does not mean immediate profits; Yulou, you should understand."

Wang Xianmao reminded him with a bitter smile.

Yulou naturally understood the clan leader's meaning; Wunan's resources are infinite, but within a limited timeframe, resources are finite.

Finite resources cannot raise so many large crocodiles; the Xian Alliance is a platform for distributing resources, and the recipients are great cultivators.

The surplus distributed by the Xian Alliance supports small sects like Dishui Cave and Miaofeng Mountain; anything smaller is Cui Baihao's Red Tree Sect—there is no middle layer.

The middle layer is occupied by Foundation Establishment families like Wang Shi and Yang Shi.

Families have their advantages; sects have their advantages. Under different scales, different choices naturally arise.

"Understood; Yulou thought too shallowly."

A thousand words and a hundred thoughts were in his heart, but Yulou did not speak them.

The clan leader's words were very correct; only upon reaching Foundation Establishment does one truly enter the game.

No need to rush; one must first achieve Foundation Establishment!

"Being able to realize the problems of the family model, you are already quite good.

However, I am not dead yet; the Wang family's affairs should be maintainable.

The future lies with you, Yulou; cultivate well.

Additionally, in two days you will marry Lin Ying; I should meet Little Fish and Qin Churan in advance.

I have not yet seen your two concubines; I can also take the opportunity to gently admonish them."

"Clan Leader, what talk of death? Perhaps one day you will become an Immortal Venerable.

At that time, you will enjoy eternal immortal blessings, and our Wang family will prosper for ten thousand years."

Yulou's flattery was nonsensical, but the old clan leader still listened with great joy.

"Hahaha, you brat, you have truly grown up now, daring to tease me!"

—

Just as Yulou was chatting with the clan leader, Zhang Xuewu slipped furtively from White Reed Fishing Port to Hewan Port.

Having mixed in Hewan Port for so many years, he naturally had a few trusted men; when Wang Xianmao arrived, they reported to Zhang Xuewu, and Old Zhang immediately rushed over.

Wang Yulou was his benefactor; Wang Xianmao was the clan leader of Wang Shi, the leader of the big leaders.

Currying favor; Zhang Xuewu could not curry favor with him, the gap was too vast, and he had no resources anyway.

However, Old Zhang naturally understood the principle of indirect salvation.

If he cannot curry favor with Wang Xianmao, he can blow pillow wind to Qin Churan!

Whether the effect of pillow wind is good is hard to determine, but without action, the effect is definitely bad!

As Yulou gradually gained a firm footing in Dripping Water Cave, after the news spread that he was to marry the cave's foremost female immortal, the cave flower Lin Ying, the people gathering around Wang Yu grew more numerous by the day — literally.

Even bold great fools like Yuan Wu no longer dared call Yulou "junior brother," and even the dogs started competing with each other, so Old Zhang could not afford to let his guard down.

"Twenty spirit stones, junior sister, you should know that Old Zhang here only earns about forty a year — I really can't give more." Old Zhang played the pitiful card.

"Twenty stones? At most I can put in a word for you to the 'xue' character — are you sure you want me to blow that kind of pillow talk?"

Little Qin rolled her eyes and asked back.

"What 'xue' character?" Zhang Xuewu didn't understand.

"Just 'there's a person called Zhang Xue' — six characters, four spirit stones per character, the extra one is a bonus, since we're good friends after all."

Having hung around Yulou for years, Little Qin's bargaining skills were top-notch.

Four spirit stones per character, and I even threw in an extra one — generous enough, right?

Old Zhang's face immediately darkened; four spirit stones per character — this price couldn't even be described as an outrageous opening demand.

But then he thought it through from the other side: Qin Churan quoting such a price meant she genuinely intended to do the job. Seen that way, four spirit stones per character for pillow-talk service was quite the bargain.

He clenched his teeth and said.

"Eighty spirit stones, twenty characters — just a brief mention, one compliment, how about it?"

Little Qin narrowed her eyes.

Wait, how could he possibly produce eighty spirit stones all at once? Could Old Zhang be running a secret side-account behind the master's back?

Thinking of this, she decided to probe a little more.

"Senior Brother Zhang, I want to buy a pair of Water-Jade Broken-Pearl earrings, but they cost a hundred and twenty spirit stones — a bit pricey."

Old Zhang didn't want to give anymore.

I slave away as Wang Yu's dog, and after a year of cultivation resources — minus the spirit fish I eat — I only have forty spirit stones in cash, and you open your mouth asking for three years of my income.

Way too ruthless!

But if he didn't give now, he'd offend Wang Yu's Lady — a side Lady is still a Lady; he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Junior sister, to be honest with you, Old Zhang here only has sixty spirit stones. For the eighty, I was thinking of paying sixty first and the remaining twenty later.

A hundred and twenty — Old Zhang really can't pull it out."

Qin Churan's gaze shifted slightly, and she said warmly.

"The thought is what counts."

Old Zhang thought this meant no gift was needed; Little Qin had been moved by him and decided to blow the pillow talk for free — he was overjoyed at once.

"Sixty it is, then. Once I take the spirit stones, naturally I'll put in a good word for you."

With a bitter expression, Zhang Xuewu emptied his storage pouch of spirit stones and prepared to leave.

Little Qin called him back and said.

"Stay in the residence tonight — Yulou may see you tomorrow."

Old Zhang was overjoyed, thanked her profusely, and finally left full of anticipation.

Madam Qin, Old Zhang can never repay your kindness!

This story was one Little Qin told as a joke to the gathered crowd.

After hearing the joke, Wang Yulou could only helplessly raise his cup to hide his embarrassment.

It was Old Ancestor Wang Xian Zhou who was very pleased. Back when he had pushed Yulou to marry Little Qin, it was precisely because he'd taken a fancy to her being a steady, decent girl who knew her place.

Now Little Qin had both accepted the gift and helped Zhang Xuewu demonstrate his loyalty to Yulou, while also nicely showing off her even-tempered, knowing-when-to-advance-and-retreat nature — and more importantly, thoroughly currying favor with those two old fossils of the Wang clan, Wang Xian Zhou and Wang Xianmao.

One could say that with Little Qin's move this round, everyone won — and that is the greatest meaning of a faction working hard to maintain its newly thriving state.

When a faction is on the rise, many bad things can become good things. Zhang Xuewu's unfair competition only made his loyalty stand out more — Yulou also needs people willing to draw close to him.

"Churan, you did well — very well. Here, take this Water-Jade Broken Pearl and have Yulou make you a pair of earrings, hahahaha."

Wang Xianmao hadn't expected both of Yulou's side consorts to be this interesting. No need to say much about Little Yu — Qin Churan didn't look like much, but her way of handling things was genuinely pleasing.

Most importantly, this girl knew what she ought to do and how to do it — frighteningly clear-headed.

So he directly helped Little Qin fulfill her wish — this small bit of resources, the Wang clan could still spare.

"Brother Xianmao, what's making you laugh so happily?"

A slightly hoarse voice rang out — it was Tie Qinhe, who had ridden a spirit crane at the peak of the Minor Demon Realm down into the residence's courtyard.

This outsider-surnamed Foundation Establishment cultivator was a friend of Wang Xian Zhou's; his cultivation had now also reached Foundation Establishment, putting him in the same generation as the clan leader and Jingyi — even Wang Rongjiang called him Uncle Qinhe.

Yulou rose and invited Elder Qinhe to take a seat, and the clan leader beside him said.

"Old Tie, you finally made it. I was worried you wouldn't come — I was thinking if you still weren't here by tomorrow I'd send for Jingyi."

The dry, wizened little old man Tie Qinhe began explaining with a chuckle.

"Clan leader, I've kept Yulou's matter in mind all along.

He's our Wang clan's qilin son, after all. But this is only our first meeting now — truly extraordinary.

Yulou, don't blame me for coming late. I flew three thousand li, all the way back from Miao Feng Mountain."

Miao Feng Mountain?

Hearing this, Yulou curiously asked about the war between Miao Feng Mountain and Gu Shen Zong, and Tie Qinhe naturally held nothing back.

These two sects had been fighting for over a dozen years and were still at it even now — something that had exceeded everyone's expectations.

Behind it all was the contest between the Tianshe Sect and the Red Lantern Society; otherwise, given the two sides' respective sizes, they would have long since sheathed their swords.

As for why Tie Qinhe had stopped at Miao Feng Mountain, it was to breed the spirit cranes there. If a spirit beast's population didn't have its bloodline appropriately refreshed, its talent and bloodline would degrade.

Degradation is not atavism. The ancestor of all spirit cranes between heaven and earth is the eternally existent demon god whose strength rivals that of a true immortal venerable — the Bi Fang.

Bi Fang is still alive and well, and naturally wouldn't let just any wild demon atavistically inherit its bloodline — it doesn't deign to associate!

This banquet the clan leader had proposed ended with the clan leader giving Little Qin and Little Yu a subtle dressing-down. Faced with the old fossils' "good intentions," Yulou, who wanted to speak up for his two ladies, could only choose to remain silent.

If you throw in with the Wang family, you naturally have to submit to the elders' management.

"You all shouldn't hold any grudge about Yulou taking a Dao companion. Many cultivators have a whole pile of Dao companions and concubines — this applies to both men and women.

Feelings are one side, but the other side, and the more important one, is strength.

Take Xiaoyu, for instance — if you become a True Person, even if you kept hundreds of male favorites like the Qing Rui Immortal Sovereign did, our Wang family wouldn't have any objections — as long as you can give Yulou a little pull when the time comes.

Li Haiping of Miaofeng Mountain, in order to open his Purple Mansion, married three Dao companions from three True Persons' families in his sect, only then did he have the prerequisite to gain the True Persons' support in his sect.

Yulou is the Wang family's Qilin son. Lin Ying won't be his last Dao companion — in the future he may continue to take more.

You should set your minds at ease, keep to your own duties. Our Wang family naturally won't treat you poorly!"

Heavy with paternal flavor, but Wang Yu understood that the clan chief was actually playing the bad cop — he said the harsh words so that Wang Yu could play the good guy afterwards.

An ordinary clever Miss would question it — why didn't you speak up to defend me back then? But a truly clever Miss wouldn't ask.

Bai Xiaoyu listened silently without speaking. The little stone turtle sprawled on her hand, eating hard at its food, heard someone call Bai Xiaoyu's name, lifted its head to look at Wang Xianmao, then lay back down and kept eating.

"Old Ancestor, please don't tease Xiaoyu anymore."

But in truth, Yulou had still spoken up to defend her to her face.

After all, he liked both Xiaoyu and Churan. Being able to share a good fate with these two beauties, Yulou considered it his own good fortune.

And Xiaoyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief — Wang Yu's defense was naturally of extraordinary significance to her.

"Hahaha, it's this old man talking too much and offending the Qilin son. Then let us stop here.

Oh right, you there — go fetch that fellow surnamed Zhang." The clan chief said with a smile.

Li Changming, who was attending at the side, hurriedly dropped to his knees to accept the order and ran off to call for Old Zhang.

Soon, Old Zhang excitedly knelt before the clan chief and Elder Tie.

"Zhang Xuewu pays respects to both Old Ancestors!"

These were the third and fourth Wang Shi Foundation Establishment cultivators he had seen. Wang Yu was in fact the next generation's leader of Wang Shi, and Wang Shi itself was a clan no less than the Yuan family or the Zhuo family.

After all, the Yuan-Zhuo were working for a True Person, and Wang Shi was also working for a True Person. Although Master Mangxiang had plenty of workhorses, the strength of a single branch with three Purple Mansions under Master Mangxiang was also fierce.

"Don't bow to us — you're Yulou's man." Tie Qinhe reminded him.

He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator of an outside surname in Wang Shi. Although Wang Shi kept the waters level, Old Tie had very good self-awareness.

"Alright, get up. Little Qin said you knew I was getting married and specially sent sixty spirit stones as a congratulatory gift.

Where do I lack your measly spirit stones? Instead of giving me a congratulatory gift, you'd be better off exchanging it for cultivation resources and breaking through to the late stage sooner — that's the proper way."

Hearing Yulou's words, Old Ancestor Wang Xian Zhou at the side pulled out a Water True Treasure Pill from his storage bag and tossed it to Zhang Xuewu.

This thing had been prepared by him for Yulou — just in case it was needed — but Zhang Xuewu also cultivated water techniques, so he could take it too.

"This pill is bestowed upon you. If a single pill can break through your late-stage bottleneck, you'll have a chance at Foundation Establishment."

Wang Xian Zhou was giving Zhang Xuewu the pill only out of respect for Yulou's face.

Tie Qinhe was a Foundation Establishment cultivator he had propped up. Zhang Xuewu could become the Foundation Establishment cultivator Yulou propped up in the future. Given Old Zhang's loyalty of running up tabs to send gifts, there was still some value in propping him up.

Old Zhang was in his early sixties, with cultivation at the sixth layer of Qi Refining near Great Completion, and had a chance to reach Qi Refining Peak before the age of a hundred.

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

On the question of whether a human head or the floor was harder, Zhang Xuewu gave the answer — the floor was still a bit harder. The head of a sixth-layer Qi Refining cultivator wasn't much good either.

The Water True Treasure Pill, one type of the Five True Treasure Pills. Although it couldn't guarantee a hundred percent Breaking Through, a single pill alone was worth over fourteen hundred spirit stones.

Even though Wang Xian Zhou himself was a pill refiner, just calculating the material cost, the price was still over eight hundred spirit stones.

Over eight hundred spirit stones casually given to such a powerful backer — it was worth letting Zhang Xuewu risk his life to explore which was harder, a human head or the floor.

"Stop kowtowing, get up. Are you trying to swindle another healing pill from the Old Ancestor?"

Yulou helplessly used spiritual energy to form a giant hand and lifted Old Zhang up.

"Xuewu... Xuewu absolutely has no such intention. Xuewu merely wishes to say that he is willing to forever be a running dog under Daoist Friend Yu Que's gate."

Blood was flowing freely, and watching this, Little Qin suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.

We are all living with all our might

In a Cultivation World where even immortal clans like Wang Shi have to toil like oxen and horses, cultivators without backing could actually live quite well without trying hard — as long as they were willing to give up cultivation and go act as tyrants among the mortals.

But unfortunately, cultivation is addictive. Just as every cultivator who has just broken through Qi Refining suffers from cultivation mania, any cultivator who has stepped onto the immortal path is unwilling to give up that sliver of possibility.

—

Two days later, Hewan Fishing Port was decked out in lanterns and bunting.

Unlike the last concubinage ceremony, this time Yulou was taking a formal Dao companion, so the rites naturally had to be more elaborate — this was also respect for Lin Ying and the Lin family.

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

Hosting the exchange gathering, clashing head-on with the Yuan family and entering the Zhuo faction's camp, being personally rescued by True Person Red Carp and valued by her, the marriage partner Lin Ying's own family background — all these factors added up, so that today's guests actually numbered nearly two hundred.

Among the nearly two hundred, there were over twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the vast majority of the rest had cultivation at the late stage of Qi Refining.

"Husband, are you nervous?"

In Yulou's bedroom, Bai Xiaoyu looked at the man who was putting on his clothes and asked, pretending to be casual.

"There are two things on my mind right now. Which one do you want to hear first?"

Wang Yu, who absolutely could not be led by the nose, asked back.

Her eyeballs shifted slightly, a glint of cunning flashing through. Xiaoyu quickly asked,

"The one that has to do with me."

"I also need to arrange a High-Quality Item robe for you, but you'll have to wait until you reach the late stage of Qi Refining. You don't mind the wait, right?"

Hearing Yulou's painted cake, the Miss's brows and eyes immediately bloomed into a smile. She wriggled and shyly put forward her own little request.

"I don't want a High-Quality Item. I want one just like Empty Mountain Fresh Rain."

In her eyes, the difference between a High-Quality Item robe and a Mid-Quality Technique robe was only the price, but a robe like Empty Mountain Fresh Rain that came in men's and women's styles was different — the meaning was different.

"Alright then, one High-Quality Item robe, and two robes in our... ah, Dao companion style."

"Ah? Is it spending too many spirit stones?"

Xiaoyu pressed down the corners of her mouth while pretending to help Wang Yulou save spirit stones.

Perhaps because she wasn't good at pretending, or perhaps because her heart was too elated, her hand gripping the little stone turtle's tail tightened slightly, and the little stone turtle wept soundlessly in pain.

Damn couple, you two flirt and fall in love, why is it me who gets hurt?

"Wait until you've cultivated to the late stage, I might have already reached Foundation Establishment. By then, this bit of spirit stones for buying a Dharma robe won't matter—I can earn it back by refining two spiritual artifacts."

The two chatted a few more lines, then Yulou kissed Xiaoyu's cheek and said,

"Xiaoyu, you know me—I'm a kind person but also too cowardly and rational. Some say all clever people are like this.

How does that saying go? A gentleman doesn't lie, but he stays silent, afraid to express displeasure at things he can't stand. To sum it up, it's kindness born of incompetence.

For me, at first, your meaning to me was like a fig leaf covering that incompetent kindness. Ha, don't laugh, I'm serious.

But now, whether it's you or Qin Churan, you're both people who matter greatly to me.

It's just that if I want to go further, I must make choices—weighing gains against losses. The things a person can carry are limited.

Only by giving up some things can one take hold of others. There's no high or low among them, only different choices made by different people.

Senior Lin Lin Lin Lin Shijie is a good Miss, and you're a good Miss too. I hope you can understand my greed and ambition—this is my choice.

The mortal world is a sea of suffering, the immortal path stretches far—I want to walk a little further.

Of course, if you can't understand, you can pretend to understand. That way I'll be happier, and you won't have to worry about cultivation resources.

Wait until after Foundation Establishment, then kick me to the curb. That way, even if I'm angry, I wouldn't dare lay a hand on you—the Xian Alliance has its eye on me."

Yulou blinked, hoping Xiaoyu could understand what he meant.

This Miss is different from Qin Churan. To get to today, every step of Qin Churan's path was her own choice.

But with Xiaoyu, there was a feeling that he had called in a favor and then actually received the return—so he'd always carried a sense of guilt in his heart.

Fidgeting with the little stone turtle in her hand, Bai Xiaoyu didn't look up, but her heart felt a little lost.

So, this is him trying to chase me away?

But I clearly haven't done anything wrong!

"Wang Yulou, go ahead and get married, I won't kick you to the curb."

Noticing Xiaoyu's displeasure, Yulou started to speak, then stopped. In the end, he turned back before leaving.

"The right to choose is the most extravagant power in this Cultivation World.

Up until just now, up until today when I marry Senior Lin Lin Lin Lin Shijie, Xiaoyu, I only realized belatedly that you actually never had the right to choose."

Saying this, Yulou laughed, somewhat self-deprecatingly.

"Although I don't think I'm stupid, there are just too many things to keep in mind—far too many.

So back then, I didn't realize this point. Now, I'm handing the right to choose over to you.

Xiaoyu, you can choose your own path. Think it through carefully."

Wang Yulou left. Bai Xiaoyu lay by the round table in the bedroom, propping her chin on her left arm, her head tilted as she watched the little stone turtle under her right fingertips.

The little stone turtle had already retreated into its shell, but because the stone turtle's shell was a symmetrical, sharply-angled circle, there was a small shell-tip on its underside.

When it shrank into its shell, it became a perfect spinning top, twirling and twirling under Xiaoyu's finger.

Watching the spinning shell, a similarly spinning blankness filled Bai Xiaoyu's eyes.

Love is troublesome, she found she couldn't figure it out.

The little stone turtle couldn't figure it out either—what sin had it committed to be toyed with as a spinning top by its master.

It's a spiritual beast, not a toy! —

On the Golden Terrace, as the nominal Sect Leader of Dishuidong, Chu Hongyi naturally sat beside Wang Xianmao.

'Hongyi, the Yuan family sent people to ambush Yulou, and now that Yulou is getting married they haven't even sent anyone to attend. Elder Daoshen might have gone mad.

I want to arrange Yulou to Red Lantern Reflection under the identity of Dishuidong's Exchange Executive Assistant. What do you think?' Wang Xianmao transmitted.

The theory of Yuan Daoshen's madness is no longer a secret. What's now popular among Dishuidong's upper echelons is debating the degree of his madness, not whether he's gone mad.

Those disciples who never returned to the cave heaven have already started to stink, with nowhere to appeal for justice. But they still have family, and in the past couple of days, several scenes of uproar have already erupted within Dishuidong.

There were even two veteran Qi Refining cultivators who ran to the Yuan family's main gate, hugging the gate and crying, 'Immortal Sovereign, open your eyes and see what the Yuan family has done!' Their only child had died outside Dishuidong.

Everyone knew what the Yuan family had done, but without Gong Jiusheng speaking up, Yuan Daoshen's crimes couldn't be formally established.

Small cases look at the law, mid cases look at influence, big cases look at__.

As one of Dishuidong's leading figures, Yuan Daoshen's matter is a sensitive issue in Dishuidong's internal struggles—no one dares touch it lightly.

The Zhuo family does dare to poke at it every day, but because they poke at it every day and also have plenty of filth on their own backsides, the effect isn't too great.

'I understand what you mean, Senior Brother. Here's the thing—Dishuidong's Exchange Executive stationed at Red Lantern Reflection is due for a personnel change in three months. Yulou can go over in three months. What do you think?'

Without much hesitation, Chu Hongyi readily agreed.

He couldn't figure out why the Wang Shi could endure it, but he understood that the Wang Shi not making a fuss was a good thing for him.

Too bad, Sect Leader Hongyi had never heard the story of the Grievance Drum.

The Grievance Drum doesn't sound not because there's no grievance, but because the grievance within isn't great enough!

The Wang family is waiting—waiting for Yuan Daoshen to keep making mistakes, waiting for the right moment to strike the drum.

The Wang family is waiting—waiting for Master Mangxiang's Golden Core proof to yield results. Too many things are tied to the Ancestor.

'So be it. Hongyi, thanks.'

'You're too kind, Senior Brother.'

The two's transmission ended, and Lin Ying also descended from the giant flying vessel that had flown all the way from the Lin family.

The spiritual artifact flying vessel, made of rosewood, itself carried a festive air, and was adorned with quite a few red flowers and plants—exquisitely beautiful.

After the two-story-tall flying vessel came to a stop, Yulou, wearing his Empty Mountain Fresh Rain Dharma robe, hurried forward and waited at the door.

Lin Ying emerged accompanied by her maids, then together with Yulou, began the solemn and lengthy ceremony. (Not writing it in too much detail to avoid padding)

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

As today's host, Wang Xian Zhou loudly proclaimed "Bow," and Wang Yulou and Lin Ying bowed together.

The difference in the Daoist partner ceremony for cultivators revealed itself here; ordinary mortals at this moment would say "Live well together," "Love each other," "Honor your elders," and "Have many children."

Wang Xianmao then asked in a solemn voice.

"The path of immortality is long. Lin Ying, do you know how you should proceed?"

Lin Ying looked at Wang Yulou and spoke with determination.

"It is to advance hand in hand and journey together to the Great Dao!"

Next, Elder Meng Yao spoke. The order in which the two spoke had nothing to do with status, cultivation, or the identity of the elders from the male or female side; it was purely due to age, with the older elder asking last.

Although the marriage alliance of cultivators is the most beneficial, the process completely discarded factors of benefit, carrying a meaning of "the more you lack it, the more you emphasize it."

"The path is fraught with hardship. Wang Yulou, have you decided how to face difficulties in the future?"

To Lin Mengyao's surprise, Wang Yulou directly took Lin Ying's hand.

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

"Bound by life and death!"

He had intended to marry her out of ambition, but instead married a true beauty.

Passing through the trial of life and death, seeing true feelings, and forming a bond of gold and jade.

In that case, it is only right to cherish it properly.

Hearing Wang Yulou's words, Lin Ying, who had just been nervous, instantly forgot how many people were watching; emotional tears flowed down uncontrollably.

Wang Yulou reached out to wipe them away, speaking softly at the same time.

"Don't cry; it is a day of great joy."

Lin Ying sobbed and smiled as she spoke, her voice very soft yet very cheerful.

"Wang Yulou, it was like a long dream. After waking, I found that everything in the dream was not a dream; we have indeed become Daoist partners."

The two young people willfully interrupted the proceedings. Wang Xian Zhou shrugged at his elder brother, indicating he did not wish to interfere.

Wang Xianmao and Lin Mengyao exchanged a glance; the two veteran Foundation Establishment cultivators unspokenly decided to abolish all subsequent procedures. From the perspective of elders, the fact that Wang Yulou and Lin Ying loved each other was more meaningful than any perfect procedure.

"Fellow Daoists, the ceremony ends here. I am very happy that everyone could come."

Wang Xianmao stood up, glanced around, nodded with a smile at Elder Zhuo Yinsheng, and finally said.

"Wang Yulou cultivates in Dripping Water Cave and cannot leave everyone's care. Xianmao offers his respects here."

"Finally, someone bring the wine banquet! We shall not return until we are drunk!"

All the wine today was ninth-grade Bitter Leaf Wine; the dishes ranged from Spirit Fish to Wang Shi's specialty Spirit Donkey Meat and Spirit Fruits, among others.

Banquets can foster affection; the more than two hundred cultivators invited to Wang Yulou's wedding were all from the main lineage of the main lineage in Dripping Water Cave.

Building good relationships with these people is of great significance for the continued development of Wang Yulou's faction in Dripping Water Cave after he leaves.

Wang Yulou may be absent from the grotto-heaven for a long time in the future, but with his Daoist partner Lin Ying present, in a sense, Wang Yulou is present.

Bai Xiaoyu and Qin Churan, after all, have cultivation that is too low and a starting point that is too low to support the structure after Wang Yulou departs.

Lin Ying, at a young age, has reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining and has a great possibility of reaching Foundation Establishment in the future; behind her, the Lin family has the veteran Foundation Establishment cultivator Lin Mengyao.

This is also one of the meanings of the marriage alliance.