Chapter 180: Gains and Losses

180. Chapter 180 Gains and Losses

Before meeting in Baihua Valley, Xiao Zhangqing first changed his cave residence.

He moved from Jin Xiu Fang to the main peak of Character: Liyang Mountain.

Jin Xiu Fang is one of the best‑tier cave residences that Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators can rent, with a second‑tier superior concentration of spiritual energy.

Living in Jin Xiu Fang already signifies a respectable, quite high status in Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

But being on the main peak of Character: Liyang Mountain counts as standing within the true core circle of Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Gu Zongyuan strongly urged Xiao Zhangqing to move to a cave residence on Character: Liyang Mountain's main vein, and Xiao Zhangqing did not refuse.

Since he will reside in Character: Liyang Zhenren City for thirty years, it is highly likely that after achieving the Golden Core he will also stay here for a while, so moving to a third‑tier cave residence is only a matter of time.

Consider it a benefit.

As for the Lin sisters, they felt an inexplicable familiarity, as if it no longer seemed strange.

Upon reflection, back in Nanshan Fang they had a similar experience; they were invited to Cave Residence No. A1 and lived there for free.

Now being invited to a third‑tier spirit vein cave residence is a comparable honor.

Only Character: Liyang Zhenren City is thousands of times more prosperous than Nanshan Fang, with a higher status.

Nevertheless, reasonable as it is, the Lin sisters still cannot help feeling a flood of emotions.

At this point, the sisters seem to have, in an unexpected way, accomplished what they once could not even dream of—emerging from the small Nanshan Fang and truly standing at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World.

Initially, the two sisters were at a dead end and were forced to recognize Xiao Zhangqing as their master; at first they felt some resentment.

Looking back now, they realize how lucky they were, as if heaven itself favored them.

If it weren't for Xiao Zhangqing, they might have already died in Nanshan Fang. Even with good luck and a chance survival, their lives would now be hard, scrambling for a few Spirit Stones and cultivation resources, never like they are now…

"Zixi, in a month I will be ready to discuss with the master the attempt to establish the foundation."

After moving, older sister Lin Ziyu suddenly said to her younger sister.

Lin Zixi asked excitedly and surprised, "Sister, you finally see it? Weren't you always hesitating, saying you weren't ready? Actually you should have done this earlier. Since your Qi Refining is already complete, you should try as soon as possible. Trying early, even if you fail, there might be another chance."

Lin Ziyu shook her head.

Unconsciously, she is already fifty years old.

Although she has taken the Youth‑Preserving Pill, her appearance hardly ages. Although there are still ten years left before the age limit of sixty for attempting Foundation Establishment.

But if the attempt fails, her cultivation body will be severely injured, her strength will regress, and she may even damage her root.

Therefore, generally speaking, for medium‑grade or low‑grade spirit roots, there is essentially only one chance in a lifetime to establish the foundation.

Even if you are wealthy and have ample resources and Spirit Stones, it is useless.

A second Foundation Establishment requires not only a Foundation Establishment Pill but also imposes high demands on the practitioner.

Lin Ziyu had, a few months ago, already cultivated to the great completion of Qi Refining, with her internal magical power having reached its limit; no matter how she cultivates or takes pills, her magical power will not increase further.

To advance further, her magical power must liquefy and enter the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Yet Lin Ziyu still dares not break through.

It is not that she feels embarrassed to ask the master for a Foundation Establishment Pill; during these years in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, the master has given her and her sister various Magic Treasures and rare elixirs, whose total value far exceeds that of a single Foundation Establishment Pill.

Therefore Lin Ziyu knows clearly that for the current master, a Foundation Establishment Pill is not a particularly precious treasure; as long as her cultivation has reached Qi Refining completion, she can ask, and the master will certainly give it without hesitation.

What Lin Ziyu fears in her heart is merely her own failure to establish the foundation.

If the foundation establishment fails, the path ahead is cut off; the master might not expel her, but she does not know how to face the future.

Having used so many of the master's resources only to fail, such uselessness leaves her with no face to stay any longer. She is not as competitive as her sister Lin Zixi, and has always been gentle before Xiao Zhangqing, but that does not mean she lacks any resolve or sense of shame.

It should be noted that back in Nanshan Fang, she would rather live in Peng Hu Qu than sell herself.

Thus Lin Ziyu has thought many times that if she fails to establish the foundation, everything before her could become like flowers in a mirror or moon on water—past clouds—and she would choose to leave the master, leave Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Even if she steps back and the master tries to retain her, she would shamelessly continue staying by the master's side.

But how long can such days last? The Youth‑Preserving Pill does not grant eternal youth or an unchanging appearance.

In a few more decades, when she reaches seventy or eighty, she may show signs of old age.

Then how could she continue to be the master's concubine?

By then the master will likely already be a Golden Core Real Person.

In the Cultivation World, a Golden Core Real Person with an elderly, wrinkled concubine? Even if the master clings to old feelings and does not drive her away, she would have no dignity.

Thus, having reached the great completion of Qi Refining, she can attempt foundation establishment; this should be a joyous occasion for countless Qi Refining cultivators, yet over the past months Lin Ziyu has been weighed down with worries and is far from happy.

Because she is afraid—afraid to take that step, and even more afraid of failure.

She feels compelled to leave this bustling cultivation metropolis she has long dreamed of, fearing to part from the master.

Until today, after moving to a new cave residence on the main peak of Character: Liyang Mountain, Lin Ziyu suddenly understood.

No matter how scared or hesitant she is, she must eventually face this day.

Even if she keeps cowering like a turtle, how long can she keep dragging it out?

Delay another ten years, waiting until the sixty‑year limit arrives before breaking through?

Or perhaps simply never break through, never face it, and remain forever in the Qi Refining Realm.

What about when she reaches seventy or eighty, with her lifespan dwindling and aging beginning?

Avoidance is never the solution.

Now, following the master, she has already reached the pinnacle of the Cultivation World, witnessed countless coveted sights, and should truly know contentment.

Even if the breakthrough truly fails, she should accept it calmly.

What is destined will happen; what is not, do not force it.

She has already been favored by heaven; if she still lacks gratitude, it is sheer greed.

"Sister, the master has given us so many heavenly materials and earthly treasures that our foundations far exceed those of ordinary medium‑grade spirit root cultivators. With a Foundation Establishment Pill as well, the foundation will surely succeed; don't worry too much," Lin Zixi seemed to understand her sister's thoughts, stepped forward, grasped her hands, and encouraged her. If it were her, once her Qi Refining is complete, she would charge forward in one go and break through, never hesitating like her sister.

……

Xiao Zhangqing naturally does not know the thoughts of his two concubines.

His focus still lies on the upcoming meeting with Baihua Valley Sect Master Su Wushuang.

Three days pass in an instant.

For this meeting, Gu Zongyuan led only a few people: himself, Xiao Zhangqing, eighteen Character: Liyang Guards, and a single early Core‑forming cultivator named Jiang Yi.

This person has not lived in Character: Liyang Zhenren City long, only a brief dozen years.

When he was young, he once received help from the Character: Liyang True Immortal, so after luckily succeeding in forming his core, he had no suitable place to settle and chose Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Originally, the City Lord's residence did not have high expectations for Jiang Yi, treating him merely as a normal Core‑forming True Immortal residing temporarily in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, with no deep ties to the city.

This time, Wei Wufeng and his men besieged Character: Liyang Zhenren City, and even the guest officials of the City Lord's residence saw many flee or defect, let alone a temporary resident like Jiang Yi, who holds no official post in the City Lord's administration.

Yet adversity reveals true feelings.

Jiang Yi consistently stood on Character: Liyang Zhenren City's side, and when Wei Wufeng's forces attacked, he was almost always charging at the front line to clash with the enemy.

Even when the city‑protecting formation was broken, he did not change sides, retreating together into the mountain‑protecting formation on Character: Liyang's main peak.

After this battle, Jiang Yi became an important member of Character: Liyang Zhenren City.

Before departing, the Character: Liyang True Immortal specifically instructed Gu Zongyuan that Jiang Yi could be used as a right‑hand man.

Upon arriving at the meeting place, the troops of Baihua Valley had been waiting for a long time.

Baihua Valley's own force was also small and did not pour out en masse.

Apart from Sect Master Su Wushuang, there were only two elders of the Pseudo‑Core realm.

Their Supreme Elder who was an early Core‑forming cultivator did not appear.

"Valley Master Su, you've been waiting a long time, haven't you? It's not yet the appointed hour; it seems Sect Master Su is indeed very eager," Gu Zongyuan said with a smile.

Su Wushuang's face showed no emotion; he was about to get straight to the point and discuss terms with the other party.

What they didn't expect was that one of the two Pseudo‑Core elders of Baihua Valley suddenly changed color, the fury in his eyes spouting like flames, staring fixedly at Xiao Zhangqing, shouting angrily: "Thief, it's you! Come get my life!"

Instantly, his spiritual power surged, and a yellow long whip artifact coiled in the air like a python, aiming to lash at Xiao Zhangqing.

"Elder Liang, do not be disrespectful!"

Su Wushuang did not expect such a turn of events, but reacted swiftly, immediately channeling spiritual power; the chilling aura not only calmed Liang Yuehua but also seemed to freeze her artifact.

Xiao Zhangqing wore a smiling, unruffled face, surprised that it was indeed so coincidental.

"Isn't that Elder Liang? What a chance meeting in these mountains and waters," Xiao Zhangqing said cheerfully.

This elder of Baihua Valley was the Fifth Elder Liang Yuehua, who earlier at Nanshan Fang had tried to assassinate him but instead had her destiny artifact snatched away by him!

Gu Zongyuan turned back with a strange expression and asked, "Brother Xiao, this is the Baihua Valley elder who once pursued you."

Xiao Zhangqing nodded.

Liang Yuehua had her destiny artifact taken by him, suffered severe injuries and a great loss of power, yet she somehow survived the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator's invasion.

Her life is that resilient.

It seems she has found a rather fine long whip artifact.

At this moment, Liang Yuehua halted her motion, but her fury did not lessen; she angrily said, "Sect Master, that dog thief is the Xiao Zhangqing who earlier at Nanshan Fang seized my destiny artifact."

Although many high officials of Character: Liyang Zhenren City have uncovered Xiao Zhangqing's identity.

Yet other factions still know little of Xiao Zhangqing's identity.

Baihua Valley had only just withdrawn from the southwestern battlefield and had been busy seeking a place to settle, so naturally they were unaware of Character: Liyang Zhenren City's secrets.

"Xiao Zhangqing?" Su Wushuang furrowed his brows, his gaze flicking toward Xiao Zhangqing.

According to her perception, Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation should still be at the Foundation Establishment Realm, not yet at Core‑forming.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator, even with extraordinary talent or some inexplicable trump card or secret technique, who can instantly render two Pseudo‑Core cultivators powerless, is a rare genius.

However, Su Wushuang does not care about this now, nor has time to consider Xiao Zhangqing's demonic prowess.

As for the hatred toward Fifth Elder Liang Yuehua, he is even less concerned.

In the face of the sect's overall interests and survival, an elder's hatred is truly insignificant.

Not to mention Liang Yuehua, even his own grudges would be set aside at such a time.

What he is concerned about now is what Gu Zongyuan's move signifies. At such a moment, Gu Zongyuan deliberately brings Xiao Zhangqing, who bears a grudge against Baihua Valley, to the meeting—perhaps to stir trouble, indicating Character: Liyang Zhenren City's resolve not to accept Baihua Valley? It can't be that Xiao Zhangqing, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, is merely a helper Gu Zongyuan hired. Today's meeting has few people, focusing only on top combat power.

One needs mid Core‑forming cultivation for one's words to carry weight.

"Ancient City Lord, let us set aside the feud between Elder Liang and your companion Xiao Zhangqing. Or, if you, Ancient City Lord, wish to protect Xiao Zhangqing, I can decide in place of Elder Liang… The past hatred between the two will be erased in one stroke, and Elder Liang will never seek revenge on Xiao Zhangqing," Su Wushuang said coldly.

"Sect Master…" Liang Yuehua's face flushed red, extremely unwilling.

Yet when Su Wushuang's gaze fell upon her, she could only endure, suppressing her fury.

Although normally Su Wushuang and these elders are peers, even referring to each other as sisters.

But once Su Wushuang becomes serious or angry, anyone—including the Supreme Elder—must still tread carefully.

"Valley Master Su, your words are off. Brother Xiao does not need my protection; on the contrary, Character: Liyang Zhenren City still has many places that rely on Brother Xiao's assistance, so do you think Brother Xiao still fears Elder Liang's retaliation?" Gu Zongyuan said calmly, "Since Elder Liang recognized Brother Xiao's identity, I might as well inform everyone that Brother Xiao once had an alias in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, called Bai Wujì…"

"Bai Wujì?" Su Wushuang's previously icy gaze finally showed a hint of surprise.

Baihua Valley, wishing to settle in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, must have already learned the basic information about the city.

Especially the combat power of those at the Core‑forming realm within the city.

As a likely major contributor to the slaying of the Blood Crow True Immortal, Xiao Zhangqing is evidently one of them. (End of chapter)