Chapter 125: Giant Wood City, Master Wan

Two blossoms bloom, each displaying a branch.

After crossing the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, Ruan Qingzhu and Xiao Zhangqing's party went their separate ways; the journey was relatively smooth, with no lingering or sightseeing, focusing on pressing forward, and they reached Giant Wood Immortal City two months later.

Giant Wood Immortal City is the seat of the top Golden Core sect in the Western Regions, the Giant Wood Sect.

Although its reputation is not as renowned as Character: Liyang Immortal City, it is still among the top two in the Western Regions of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

The entire city is built upon an endless‑sand oasis, spanning several hundred li, and its most distinctive feature is that about one‑fifth of the central area is shrouded by a massive towering spirit tree!

It is a special three‑tier top‑grade spirit tree, and the deepest foundation of the Giant Wood Sect.

With this spirit tree, even if Giant Wood City lacks high‑level formations, it can fend off any threat below the Nascent Soul level.

Moreover, because of the tree's uniqueness, even if a Nascent Soul True Lord arrives personally, the Giant Wood Sect can still defend the city.

Thus Giant Wood City feels even more stable than Character: Liyang Immortal City; throughout the Da Yu Cultivation World, only the two major Nascent Soul forces, Xingyue Palace and Seven Star Sword Sect, can surpass Giant Wood City.

It is only because Giant Wood City lies deep in the Western Regions, remote and relatively resource‑poor, that most cultivators are unwilling to go, so its prosperity and fame fall short of Character: Liyang Immortal City.

Ruan Qingzhu is merely a Qi Refining Realm cultivator at full circle, and has no background in Giant Wood Immortal City; she is unaided, not even middle‑tier, at best lower‑middle tier, and must be cautious everywhere.

Back then.

The reason she agreed to let her son leave Nanshan Fang and travel thousands of li to Giant Wood City.

The reason is simple.

Because even after the war ended, Nanshan Fang remained on the front line threatened by Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, who could still make a comeback; after the war, many cultivators left Nanshan Fang, and the settlement grew rather quiet.

Another reason is that Ruan Bufan's biological father—the man who had deceived Ruan Qingzhu into violating Baihua Valley's sect rules—came from Giant Wood Immortal City!

Moreover, he was a disciple of the Golden Core sect, the Giant Wood Sect! After Ruan Qingzhu rashly decided to be with him, he suddenly vanished without a trace, fate unknown.

It was only after his disappearance that Ruan Qingzhu discovered she was pregnant.

At first she hoped that he was merely delayed by something and would soon return for her.

But her hopes were repeatedly dashed, leaving her utterly desperate, raising her son alone.

Yet a few years ago, the Giant Wood Sect had a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator who quietly arrived at Nanshan Fang, unclear whether by chance or on purpose.

In short, this person disclosed his identity to Ruan Qingzhu, produced a token, claimed to be the junior brother of Ruan Bufan's father, and said he wanted to take Ruan Bufan to Giant Wood Immortal City, where he would give him the best treatment and fully cultivate him.

After weighing the options, Ruan Qingzhu thought that sending Ruan Bufan to Giant Wood City was indeed better and safer than keeping him in Nanshan Fang.

Although in her heart she did not want to send Ruan Bufan away.

But she did not want to be so selfish.

Back then she had not yet become a 'traitor' of Baihua Valley, yet she was undervalued and demoted, not even knowing if she could hope for Foundation Establishment, unable to offer Ruan Bufan good conditions.

The Giant Wood Sect, a Golden Core sect stronger and deeper than Baihua Valley, promised that once Ruan Bufan went to Giant Wood City, he would receive treatment equal to that of the sect's core disciples! Throughout this journey, Ruan Qingzhu remained somewhat worried.

However.

When she arrived at Giant Wood Immortal City and successfully found her son Ruan Bufan, she first felt relieved and delighted, then became angry.

The pleasant surprise was that Ruan Bufan was indeed living very well in Giant Wood Immortal City, his treatment comparable to a core disciple among core disciples.

Because she discovered that Ruan Bufan constantly had a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator as a guard! In a typical Golden Core sect, even core true‑line disciples would not receive such treatment while in the Qi Refining Realm.

Just as in Baihua Valley, Su Rongrong, the sect leader Su Wushuang's niece, would not be assigned a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator as a personal guard while in the Qi Refining Realm.

Thus it is clear that Ruan Bufan is indeed living very well in Giant Wood Immortal City and is highly valued by the Giant Wood Sect.

But immediately after Ruan Qingzhu uncovered the reason for her son's special treatment, she became furious, feeling completely deceived.

The man who once swore a mountain oath with her, allowing her to act recklessly regardless of sect rules, was not actually missing after she became pregnant.

He had secretly returned to Giant Wood Immortal City, deliberately abandoning her!

"Qingzhu, I didn't expect you to come to Giant Wood City so quickly. I had planned to, after a while when I'm less busy, go to Nanshan Fang to find you personally."

A man in a green robe, with a refined demeanor, smiled at Ruan Qingzhu and reached out to stroke her cheek.

Ruan Qingzhu, seeing this, quickly and cautiously stepped back, stared at him, and coldly said, "Master Wan, please restrain yourself!"

Yes.

The male cultivator who deceived Ruan Qingzhu was named Wan Yuexing.

When Wan Yuexing suddenly vanished, he was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, but thirty years later he has become a Golden Core cultivator! Not a false‑core, but truly formed a Golden Core, with limitless prospects! "Qingzhu, are you blaming me?" Wan Yuexing withdrew his hand from mid‑air; his eyes held a hint of displeasure, yet his face showed no discontent as he said, "Indeed, you blame me, and it's understandable. After all, back then I let you down and left without saying goodbye. But you must believe me, I truly had no choice at the time. The sect suffered a great upheaval, and I had to rush back to Giant Wood City to claim what is rightfully mine."

"If I hadn't rushed back then, not to mention achieving today's status as a lofty, wind‑calling Golden Core True Person, I might not have even survived."

"But I know that saying this cannot atone for the harm I caused you. Now I only hope you'll give me a chance to make amends to you and your son."

Wan Yuexing's face was very gentle as he spoke.

Unfortunately.

Ruan Qingzhu was no longer the naive girl who could be easily coaxed.

Perhaps Wan Yuexing's sudden departure truly was for an important matter.

But his claim of wanting to compensate her is something Ruan Qingzhu would not believe a single word of.

At most, what he wishes to compensate is simply the son, after learning of Ruan Bufan's existence.

As for her? If he truly wanted to make amends, he wouldn't have, over all these years, become a Golden Core True Person who ignored her completely, never once inquiring at Baihua Valley! Though Giant Wood Immortal City is far from Nanshan Fang, distance is no issue for a Golden Core True Person.

Moreover, Ruan Qingzhu keenly spotted the biggest loophole in his words.

If he truly intended to compensate her by bringing her to Giant Wood Immortal City, he should have disclosed the truth when sending someone to fetch Ruan Bufan, rather than taking only her son.

Obviously, this ungrateful man harbors little remorse and never intended to compensate her! However.

Ruan Qingzhu no longer cares; she has been hopeless for years, utterly despaired of Wan Yuexing, as if he were already dead.

Naturally she no longer expects any compensation.

"Master Wan, you speak heavily. If you feel guilt and wish to compensate Bufan, I have no objection. But as for me, it's unnecessary." Ruan Qingzhu declined.

Wan Yuexing sighed, "Your temper is still the same as back then."

Then, shifting tone, he said meaningfully, "You have long achieved great Qi refinement, yet you're stuck here, probably lacking a Foundation Establishment pill. Tomorrow I'll send someone to bring you a Foundation Establishment pill."

Ruan Qingzhu frowned.

She naturally longs very much for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

She has been longing for it for over ten years.

Now she has become a "traitor" of Baihua Valley, and everything she upheld for the past few decades is gone.

Her only remaining pursuit is to find her son Ruan Bufan and to successfully establish her foundation, hoping in the future to repay Xiao Zhangqing's kindness.

But if the Foundation Establishment Pill comes from Wan Yuexing's charity, she would rather not take it.

Now Wan Yuexing mentions the Foundation Establishment Pill, evidently thinking he can manipulate her.

Such conduct will not make Ruan Qingzhu grateful; instead it will make her even more resentful.

Back then she truly met the wrong person and misjudged him!

"I don't need it. If you want to give, give it to Bufan. He is already at the later stage of Qi Refining, and in a few years he'll start preparing for foundation establishment."

Ruan Qingzhu gave no pleasant expression.

Wan Yuexing laughed and said, "With my current cultivation and status, my son's Foundation Establishment Pill will be available whenever he wants. This does not conflict with yours, Qingzhu; it is my compensation to you."

"I said, I don't need it."

Ruan Qingzhu didn't want to say more and turned to leave.

Wan Yuexing saw this, and his patience finally vanished completely.

He, a dignified Jie Dan Real Person, stoops to a Qi Refining Realm cultivator who is courteous, and still doesn't know how to show respect?

Even if they had a fleeting romance back then, it doesn't excuse such brazenness! Buzz! As Ruan Qingzhu was about to turn and leave, she suddenly felt a majestic force bind her, rendering her unable to move a inch.

Watching Wan Yuexing walk slowly toward her, she involuntarily trembled and said, "What do you want to do?"

Wan Yuexing's finger brushed across Ruan Qingzhu's still smooth, delicate, beautiful cheek, speaking with a half‑smile, "Since you, Qingzhu, are still as proud as back then, refusing my compensation, fine. Yet you must also wish your son a brighter future, that one day he might, like me, become a Jie Dan Real Person and stand above the clouds of the Da Yu Cultivation World. Now I need you to cooperate, to persuade your son to recognize his ancestral sect and obey me from now on…"

At this point, Wan Yuexing finally revealed his true face and disclosed his real purpose.

It turned out.

In recent years Ruan Bufan came to Giant Tree Immortal City, and although Wan Yuexing gave him an extremely generous life and was willing to focus on cultivating him.

But Ruan Bufan's temperament is extremely perverse! All these years he never called Wan Yuexing "father" even once, and doesn't acknowledge him at all!

Wan Yuexing wanted to change his name to make him recognize his ancestral sect, but Ruan Bufan would rather die than comply.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators around Ruan Bufan not only have the duty to protect him, but also to prevent him from sneaking away from Giant Tree Immortal City!

Now that Ruan Qingzhu has arrived at Giant Tree Immortal City, Wan Yuexing places his hope on her, wanting her to persuade Ruan Bufan to recognize his ancestral sect.

Hearing this.

The previously frightened Ruan Qingzhu felt an endless surge of emotion inside.

In the past at Nanshan Fang, her relationship with her son was not good; they constantly quarreled.

It even escalated to the point where Bufan refused to live with her, preferring to go to other towns, keeping far away from Ruan Qingzhu.

Now Ruan Qingzhu realizes that her son is not as immature as she imagined, and her position as his mother is crucial in his heart.

She had previously misunderstood him.

Even though his biological father is a Jie Dan Real Person, a figure countless cultivators in the Da Yu Cultivation World dream of currying favor with, his resolve never wavered.

"Wan Real Person, you are probably going to be disappointed. Bufan has never really listened to me from childhood; whatever he decides, no one can change. If you want him to recognize his ancestral sect and accept your compensation, you should find a way yourself, move him with sincere heart, not make me persuade him."

Ruan Qingzhu said coldly.

At this moment, she has already understood.

Although she wishes her son to receive better cultivation, to eventually enter the Foundation Establishment Realm, and perhaps even achieve Jie Dan…

But if Ruan Bufan does not want to please Wan Yuexing, she will not force him.

Boom! All the furniture inside the house, under Wan Yuexing's fury, shattered to pieces, and his expression darkened.

"Stubborn and dull!"

"You've been, over these years, falling for someone else? Tell me, who is that person! And what about that guy named Xiao Zhangqing?"

Ruan Qingzhu was startled to hear Xiao Zhangqing's name from Wan Yuexing's mouth.

She then felt both angry and amused.

The person before her is even more despicable than back then!

Irritated and ashamed, she began to wonder if she had fallen for someone else, which caused her to reject his compensation?

(End of Chapter)