[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ascending-to-the-jade-palace":3,"chapter-ascending-to-the-jade-palace-ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-64":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Ascending to the Jade Palace",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2320526,4538,"Chapter 64: This is Hell, This is the Breeding Ground for the Immortal (Daily 8,000 Words, Seeking Monthly Votes!)","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-64",64,"\u003Cp>The flying chariot traveled all the way to Fool’s Donkey Plain; Wang Xianzhou lifted the two boys, retracted his magic artifact, and slowly landed before the clan chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed the storage bag to the clan chief, saying, “This is what the former genius of the Wang clan earned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It went smoothly—I clashed with a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Gu Shen Sect and swindled twenty thousand spirit stones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he turned and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief looked at the two thousand spirit stones inside the storage bag, puzzled, but since he knew these were Wang Xianzhou’s own earnings, he dared not question it and accepted them quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s no wonder Ning Qianqian of the Ning clan of Heshan Prefecture could catch Wang Xianzhou’s eye—it had its reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This also reveals how unsettled Wang Xianzhou’s mind was, and explains why Ning Qianqian fled so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief, seated on the platform, did not rise; he merely lifted his hand slightly, and two chairs spontaneously grew beneath the two youths, demonstrating profound mastery of wood magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, sit. Yulou, how did your talk with Zhou Yingxi go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first question stunned Yulou deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Yingxi? Isn’t she Mu Yingxi?” Yulou asked in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan didn’t understand what they were talking about, but he now knew when to stay silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Did you misremember her name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Chunze became a son-in-law of the Zhou family; his daughter naturally took the Zhou surname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I know you may be dissatisfied with the arrangement I made for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yulou, this opportunity is rare—once you accept, you’ll secure a direct disciple position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information was overwhelming; Yulou analyzed it rapidly, then realized something, freezing in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Qianqian, Gu Shen Qingyuan, Mu Chunze, Wang Xianzhou...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It all connected—everything fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the formidable Wang Xianzhou ever look favorably upon Mu Chunze?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clan Chief, I naturally won’t refuse an opportunity—but I was born into the Wang clan and refuse to become a son-in-law, bowing to others’ whims.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, the Wang clan raised and nurtured me, avenged my parents’ deaths—how could I so easily abandon them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how sensible Yulou was, the clan chief felt no joy—only sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, Yulou has some questions he wishes to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief tended to the makeshift tea table, brewing tea as he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak freely. You’re home now—no need to be so cautious. Relax, just relax.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou’s heart warmed; he slowly recounted his conversation with Zhou Yingxi, while Yu’an sat beside him, sweating profusely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opportunity of a Purple Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the opportunity of a Purple Mansion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if flawed, it was still the opportunity of a Purple Mansion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We currently cultivate only a few hours a day—but if the Wang clan had a Purple Mansion, our future disciples could enjoy the finest cultivation conditions during the Qi Refining stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother, you’re being foolish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Thus, I concluded she was concealing something from me, which is why I wrote you a letter overnight, seeking to speak with you face-to-face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou held the teacup but did not drink; only after finishing his entire account did he savor it slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This spirit tea? Grade eight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rising spiritual power flowed through his meridians; Yulou’s daily cultivation limit was fully filled by just one sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grade seven. Yu’an, you drink too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not knowing how to answer Yulou’s question so he’d accept it better, the clan chief urged Yu’an to drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew well that Yulou was sensible—even if his answer was cruel, Yulou would understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the more he understood, the harder it was for him to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Delicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu’an, after just one sip, exclaimed in delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief chuckled and patted the foolish boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, go rest now. He Lao, take Yu’an down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu’an glanced at his brother, then at the clan chief; he wanted to say something, but ultimately left obediently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to urge his brother to accept Zhou Yingxi’s offer, yet he understood his brother’s resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Wang family was great—Wang Family Mountain was small, yes, but its spirit fruits were sweet, its donkey meat delicious, its spirit spring water crisp and pure—where was it worse than anywhere else?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Wang Family Mountain, the sky was clear and bright; Clan Chief Wang Xianmao sat facing Yulou, speaking solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You guessed right—the Zhou clan’s joint Purple Mansion method has flaws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To open a Purple Mansion, one must have all five meridian foundations complete to form the Purple Mansion’s micro-realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou clan’s secret technique saves resources in cultivating the five meridians, but Zhou Yingxi’s cultivation base is higher than yours; she will reach Foundation Establishment sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Zhou clan’s resources, she will surely open three meridians, then you open two; after jointly opening the Purple Mansion, she will be the dominant one, you the subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Purple Mansion micro-realm you open will reside within her—meaning you’ll possess only the cultivation level of a Purple Mansion, not its actual power, nor its near-infinite lifespan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I certainly don’t intend to push you into a fire pit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Ancestor Mangxiang succeeds in attaining the Golden Core, you can use Zhou clan resources to steadily cultivate two meridian foundations first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, you can join the ranks of True Person Xuanzhuan—or even Ancestor Mangxiang himself—without bearing any of the karmic consequences!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou stared, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good, good, good—the Zhou clan schemed against him, and the clan chief schemed against the Zhou clan’s resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t bear the karmic consequences?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To freeloading off a Purple Mansion family’s resources—the clan chief’s audacity was truly immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief slowly nodded, speaking with visible pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, the Zhou clan and our Ancestor have long-standing grievances—deep, bitter ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Ancestor Mangxiang attains the Golden Core, nothing will happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Ancestor fails to become a Golden Core, Yulou, if you enter the Zhou clan, you’ll ensure our Wang clan won’t decline for seven hundred years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, of course, all of this depends on you—since you’re unwilling now, then forget it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a xianxia gamble—wagering Yulou’s future and the Wang clan’s future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief was bold, visionary, and fortunate—the Wang clan still held choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, that choice lay at Yulou’s feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief’s words sounded like moral coercion, but Yulou knew he would never do such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hesitation stemmed from the fact that this was an agonizing choice—Wang Xianmao couldn’t bear to face Yulou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though I am no prodigy, I wish to try opening a Purple Mansion on my own—I refuse to become Zhou Yingxi’s stepping stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even if the Ancestor’s breakthrough fails, my brothers and I, including Yu’an, can shoulder the clan’s responsibilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou answered resolutely, then asked another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly how long is a Purple Mansion’s lifespan? You said ‘near-infinite’—is that true?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xianmao looked up at the drifting clouds, his voice filled with longing and dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Opening a Purple Mansion itself extends life by six jiazi—that’s over seven hundred years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Purple Mansion’s micro-realm exists outside this world; once the cultivator enters, their lifespan freezes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True Persons like Danri and Xuanzhuan, who rarely walk the mortal realm, could live ten thousand years or more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our Ancestor has already existed for over two thousand years—we don’t know the exact number.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou, stunned into silence, looked up too, at the clear, bright sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weather was fine, Wang Family Mountain beautiful—but Yulou’s heart was bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not the cultivation world—it’s hell. It’s a breeding ground for the immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All cultivators who fail to reach the Purple Mansion are pigs and dogs locked in cages!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sat in silence for a long time; finally, Yulou spoke with difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there something special about me? Why are you certain Zhou Yingxi could only choose me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clan chief looked at the sensible Yulou—first with pride, then with sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t remember how many times he’d felt this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Child, you’re too clever. Too sensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Wang Xianmao let the most sensible child bear the cost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone must pay, it should be me—the clan chief—first!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hand, leaned back against the tree trunk, rested one hand on his knee, and forced a carefree smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Zhou clan fears the Ancestor will succeed in attaining the Golden Core, yet dares not interfere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou, don’t think about it anymore—you’re right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our Wang clan’s present strength comes from generations of Wang ancestors’ hard work—not from patrons or marriage alliances!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was deluded. I was deluded!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wiped away tears he hadn’t realized had formed, and suddenly, he missed his elder brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother, the Wang clan has produced another qilin child—no less exceptional than Xianzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother, you should have held on a little longer—watched him grow before you left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brother, the Ancestor has drained the Wang clan dry—they’ve treated us too cruelly. What should I do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief… just having the chance to become a Purple Mansion is more than enough for Yulou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yulou spoke the truth: a terrible cage had imprisoned the Wang clan, locking away all who had not yet reached the Purple Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To marry into a powerful family, gain a beautiful Dao partner for free, and have a chance to become a Purple Mansion—living another seven or eight hundred years—isn’t that a divine life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After learning the terrifying truth, Yulou’s expectations had grown far lower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense! What do you know, boy? Even the Zhou clan might not let you and Zhou Yingxi successfully open a Purple Mansion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at Miaofeng Mountain—how badly off they’ve become just to produce one more Purple Mansion; they’re the best example.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t mention that matter again!” the Chief barked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it even possible for the Ancestor’s Golden Core to be proven?” Yulou asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xianmao thought of his conversation with Mu Chunze and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mu Chunze said the Zhou family fears the Ancestor’s success—so it should go smoothly, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What they say isn’t necessarily true, Chief. We must prepare early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou fell silent. He was a transmigrator; he understood many things—many concepts that could not arise in this world’s structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the cage was too cruel, and the young Yulou found no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou gently closed his eyes, and the Jade Ruyi in his mind stirred slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can it help me break this deadlock?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should. It must.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True Person Shenguang was real—at least, the legend of True Person Shenguang, the Wang clan had witnessed step by step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So there must be a way to break free from this cage! There must be!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True Person Shenguang climbed step by step to become a True Person—so the Wang clan has a chance too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou answered firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yulou’s confidence, the Chief’s previously dull face finally came alive again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes! As long as the Wang clan stands united, there will always be a chance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on. Our Wang family can’t give you small heavenly realms, but we’re not short of spirit food.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder He, notify everyone—slaughter a donkey, and let’s all have a full donkey feast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulou hurriedly stopped the Chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief, my cultivation today has reached its limit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruffling Yulou’s head, Wang Xianmao picked him up and carried him down to Fool’s Donkey Plain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, actually one of the donkeys heat-stroked—perfect timing. Just slaughter it and you eat it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Heat-stroked? It’s spring now. And how could a spirit donkey get heat-stroked?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at that donkey—lying there motionless, isn’t that clearly heatstroke?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief, it seems to be sleeping...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sleeping in broad daylight? That’s a lazy donkey. That’s the one!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1922,"2026-06-20T15:48:26.995Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","41fddfb37cafe7953e227cd07478ad0656fcac0e07cd7589b547311acabc4d73","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-65","ascending-to-the-jade-palace-chapter-63",243,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fascending-to-the-jade-palace-cover.jpg"]