Chapter 28

Although…… your ability is quite useful, it can make heavy gold wood grow; heavy gold wood is also an excellent material for refining artifacts, but for you it's unknown whether it's a blessing or a disaster. I originally intended to have you cultivate heavy gold wood saplings, but now it seems that, at least before you can control your ability, you are not suitable for this job!

Thank you for your understanding, Elder Uncle!" Wei Yuning hurriedly said. The more he interacted with Manager Hongzhi, the more he discovered that this stern, suave elder uncle was truly a kind-hearted person; although he had principles in his actions, he knew how to be flexible without being pedantic, a genuine senior of the sect, and Wei Yuning's respect for Hongzhi grew from the heart.

Alright, I know all about your affairs; go rest now! By the way, that girl Qing Ling stopped by the External Affairs Office last time and asked about you; if you have time, you can also go to Mysterious Maiden Peak to see her. Since you have already reached Foundation Establishment, your cultivation journey is still long; making more acquaintances among your fellow disciples will benefit your future cultivation.

Yes, thank you for your guidance, Elder Uncle.

Alright, you may go; from now on, when you see me, don't be so formal and reserved—the path of cultivation is long; let us encourage each other!" Manager Hongzhi stopped his steps and bade farewell to Wei Yuning.

Wei Yuning waited until Manager Hongzhi's figure disappeared into the crowd before turning back and returning to Medicinal Peak.

Guest Arrival Peak, Flowing Cloud Manor, Listening to Wind.

【6】 Wei Yuning waited until Manager Hongzhi's figure disappeared into the crowd before turning back and returning to Medicinal Peak.

【7】 Guest Arrival Peak, Flowing Cloud Manor, Listening to Wind Pavilion.

Manager Hongzhi Listening to Wind Pavilion.

【8】 Manager Hongzhi and Cloud Goose Immortal stood facing each other solemnly, the air filled with the smell of gunpowder.

At noon, while dining at Flowing Cloud Pavilion, I inadvertently heard your sect's Phoenix Cry telling Phoenix Dance and Phoenix Rest, 'The menial disciple Wei Yuning has excellent aptitude; Elder Uncle has ordered us to do everything possible to arrange his marriage into the Azure Phoenix Sect.' I thought, the Elder Uncle she mentioned probably isn't me? I never expected that, just after hearing this at noon, Wei Yuning became your sect's son‑in‑law by afternoon. Regarding this matter, do you really have nothing to say?

So what if it's me? Elder Brother Hongzhi, I wasn't planning to hide it from you either—male and female fondness is only natural, but alas, I hadn't yet deployed my preparations when that brat Wei Yuning locked eyes with Qiu Hu lass, and I'm also quite surprised by the outcome.

What is Qiu Hu lass like?" Manager Hongzhi asked.

Qiu Hu lass has been in the sect for less than a year; I don't know her well. From the patriarch I learned she comes from a loose‑cultivator family in the Ultimate Heaven Sea, possesses a rare light‑type spiritual root, so her aptitude is naturally good. She appears modest and humble, but deep down she is actually quite arrogant, even showing little respect toward me, and she thought she could hide it from my spiritual sense. However, this lass is extraordinarily diligent in her cultivation—a fine seedling for the Dao, with limitless prospects! In that regard, Qiu Hu lass is indeed a suitable match for that brat Wei Yuning.

Thank you for the information, Junior Sister. I never expected Cloud Goose Immortal to think so highly of Wei Yuning!" Upon learning Qiu Hu's situation, Manager Hongzhi's heart also eased.

Elder Brother Hongzhi, although we belong to different sects and our interests differ, the fact that our two sects are on good terms is true, and we have been friends for many years; I mean no concealment—Wei Yuning is no ordinary pond creature, the nature of his spiritual energy differs from that of ordinary people; your sect must certainly cherish him." Cloud Goose Immortal said mysteriously.

Manager Hongzhi furrowed his brows, then immediately smiled and said, "Thank you for the information, Junior Sister!"

Nothing else, right? Let's go out and have a look at the disciples involved in the marriage alliance—don't cause any trouble!" Cloud Goose Immortal led the way out and left.

Medicinal Peak, Transmission Hall.

After leaving Guest Arrival Peak, Wei Yuning hurried straight to the Transmission Hall.

Tomorrow, the disciples participating in the marriage alliance will go to the beast grounds to hunt; although he is a Foundation Establishment disciple, he lacks a set of cultivation techniques suited to his level, which is indeed somewhat awkward. Today in the sparring field, although the final outcome was not bad, the intermediate process was truly unbearable to recall.

What? You want a simple, quick‑mastery cultivation technique, preferably learnable in a single night?" Elder Xu Ye found the request of this newly promoted Foundation Establishment disciple rather headache‑inducing; if he weren't a nominal disciple of Elder Tai Chong, even the good‑tempered Elder Xu Ye would love to slap him all the way to the Ultimate Heaven Sea.

Right, Elder Xu Ye, do you have such a good cultivation technique?" Wei Yuning asked with an ingratiating smile.

Kid, do you realize that each cultivation technique occupies the body's meridian channels, and those meridians must adapt to the respective technique? Hence, the number of techniques one can learn is not infinite; choosing a technique requires utmost caution, considering many factors. Good techniques have no shortcuts—you should wait for Elder Tai Chong to return and let him select a suitable technique for you!" Elder Xu Ye said earnestly.

Elder Xu Ye, I really can't wait—just give me any cultivation technique; I'm easygoing, never picky, give me whatever you have!" Wei Yuning truly didn't care much about cultivation techniques; in his view, the ultimate goal of cultivation is longevity, and one's lifespan relates to realm rather than technique, and besides, he follows a pacifist principle, avoids trouble, so he doesn't need any powerful technique.

No way, this is no joking matter!" Elder Xu Ye put on a stern face.

Three Moon Insects!" Wei Yuning said.

What? Moon Insects?" Elder Xu Ye's expression shifted slightly.

Aside from that, Elder Xu Ye has a small flaw: by earthly standards, he's a foodie, indeed a big foodie. Cultivators rarely become fat due to their bodily transformations, but Elder Xu Ye is an exception—he loves food, accepting both spiritual fare and mundane delicacies without refusal; despite cultivators' robust special constitution, he still inevitably turns into a slightly chubby person.

From this perspective, he is quite similar to Qing Fei of the Medicinal Hall. Qing Fei has a tragic hunger‑filled childhood; who knows what unspoken past Elder Xu Ye has.

If it's spiritual fare, that's fine—it also suits the palate of high‑level cultivators. However, mundane delicacies, though tasty, carry an irremovable mundane aura, which makes Elder Xu Ye feel both love and hatred toward them. Fortunately, Moon Insect seasoning perfectly solves this problem, giving mundane food the feel of spiritual fare while retaining its original flavor.

Elder Xu Ye has always been a generous buyer of Moon Insects, which is no secret to Wei Yuning, their main supplier. Moon Insects are pricey; even the Transmission Hall steward of the Xu generation cannot treat them as ordinary goods, being able to indulge only a few times on the days the sect distributes stipends, so Wei Yuning's offer remains quite attractive to Elder Xu Ye.

Right, Elder Xu Ye, three Moon Insects, medium‑sized." Wei Yuning emphasized.

No, no, no—you little brat, you're terrible! I was trying to help you, yet you come to blackmail me. If Elder Tai Chong Martial Uncle found out I was recklessly passing on cultivation techniques to you, he'd surely break my legs!" Elder Xu Ye shook his head.

Five!" Wei Yuning gritted his teeth. Moon Insects aren't Chinese cabbage; although he has a unique catching method, managing to snag three to five in a morning is already good, medium‑sized ones amount to about half, and lately the Moon Insects seem to have grown wiser—the slightest sound makes them vanish without a trace. Though the quantity sounds considerable, Wei Yuning's personal output alone takes up over half of the herb garden's supply, truly a case of demand outstripping supply.