Chapter 191

"By the way, did you not slip some kickbacks to the managing disciple privately?" Yan Xingmei suddenly asked in a low voice.

"Do I still need to give kickbacks?" Xia Daoming was slightly stunned.

"Of course! This is a good opportunity for managing disciples to take advantage of their positions to gain benefits! And I also heard that the best spiritual farmland outside this Azure Cloud City, the spiritual farmland near the spiritual wells, is basically farmed by people around the managing disciples," Yan Xingmei whispered.

Xia Daoming was stunned for a long while after hearing this, his mood subtle and complicated.

"So Xia Shixiong didn't give kickbacks; no wonder you were assigned to such a piece of spiritual farmland. However, this managing disciple's mind is also... cough cough, Xu Shixiong, you should quickly prepare some spirit stones and send them in. If your requirements for spiritual farmland are not high, five or ten spirit stones should be enough," Yan Xingmei said soon after.

"Thank you, Junior Sister Yan. Forget it, if the spiritual farmland is a bit worse, it's worse. At worst, I'll just make up for the shortfall later," Xia Daoming said.

An old woman who looked over sixty years old, with cultivation at the eighth layer of Qi Refinement and looking a bit overworked, came out to receive them.

"Ah, Sister-in-law is also in Changqing City! Then I will accompany you to Changqing City to pay my respects to Sister-in-law first, and then return to Azure Cloud City for closed-door cultivation."

However, regardless, Xia Daoming was still somewhat grateful that Yan Xingmei gave him ideas and kindly advised him.

"Then, then can she refine Foundation Establishment Pills?" After a long while, Lan Xue swallowed hard and asked nervously.

"Go, of course we're going!" Lan Xue felt a jolt all over, hurriedly got up, turned around, and went back to the room to pack her things.

Lan Xue's legs went soft upon hearing this, and she almost stumbled again.

"Big Xu Shixiong, that's a Foundation Establishment Pill! Many inner sect disciples, even if they cultivate to the Qi Refinement Great Perfection realm, the sect doesn't give them Foundation Establishment Pills. Only those outstanding young disciples at the Qi Refinement Great Perfection realm have a chance."

"No need, I'll take Lan Xue to visit Sister Rui later to see if she can let Lan Xue stay there for a while, so she can help guide her a bit," Xia Daoming said.

Lan Xue's knees went soft upon hearing this, and this time she almost knelt down.

Liu Qiaolian pursed her lips and chuckled.

"Big Xu Shixiong is not planning to live here, but planning to live in Changqing City?" Lan Xue asked in surprise.

As for the spiritual farmland on Mount Xiling, he was naturally too lazy to go see it.

"No, I treat you as my own younger sister. If you call me Xu Shixiong, wouldn't the seniority be messed up?" Xia Daoming glared.

"Is Lan Xue also an alchemist?" Liu Qiaolian was somewhat surprised upon hearing this.

It is said that the worst house there costs several hundred spirit stones a year; the disciples of their Spiritual Farmland Hall would have to dig the ground for several years!

Lan Xue looked at Meng Manyun and really wanted to tell her that she had a good chance of entering the inner sect this time, but in the end, she suppressed the impulse in her heart, smiled and waved, and then turned and left with Xia Daoming.

"Currently the same as me, seventh layer of Qi Refinement, but your Sister-in-law Qiaolian will probably reach the eighth layer of Qi Refinement soon," Xia Daoming replied.

"Hmm, I'll listen to Big Xu Shixiong," Lan Xue nodded heavily, her gaze resolutely retracted from the shops on both sides of the street, and then asked, "By the way, Big Xu Shixiong, what is Sister-in-law's cultivation now?"

The Foundation Establishment Pill is a second-tier high-grade spirit pill.

While speaking, Xia Daoming brought Lan Xue to Changqing Lake.

As soon as she walked into the Changqing Lake area, Lan Xue couldn't help but take a deep breath and said, "The water spiritual energy here is so rich!"

"Big Xu Shixiong has Foundation Establishment Pills?"

"Is Wenyue with Sister Rui?" After entering the house, Xia Daoming asked casually.

Yeah, her Big Xu Shixiong even gave her a high-tier defensive magic treasure a few days ago; that was worth at least ten thousand spirit stones!

Could he not afford to live in Changqing Lake?

"Alright, stop being dazed, go back to the room and pack up quickly. You are currently at a critical moment of breakthrough, and the environment of Changqing Lake is beneficial to you," Xia Daoming saw this and smiled.

"Big Xu Shixiong, you..."

In the Qingyuan Sect, second-tier high-grade alchemists are rare, and second-tier high-grade alchemists who can refine Foundation Establishment Pills are even rarer.

Lan Xue was stunned for a moment and hurriedly followed.

"What? Second-tier high-grade!" Lan Xue was shocked all over upon hearing this, her whole person stunned like a clay sculpture.

"The Qi Refinement stage is the foundation-building stage. It is actually better not to take 'Cloud Condensing Pills' that have a breakthrough effect. However, there is not much time left for you to enter the inner sect. Within a month, if you cannot break through, you still have to take 'Cloud Condensing Pills'," Xia Daoming said in a deep voice.

"Alright, things you can think of, do you think Big Xu Shixiong wouldn't think of them? Isn't it just a Foundation Establishment Pill? If you have the ability, cultivate to the Qi Refinement Great Perfection realm today, and tomorrow Big Xu Shixiong will prepare a Foundation Establishment Pill for you as a congratulatory gift."

"We're here!" At this time, Xia Daoming pointed to the courtyard in front.

"Xu Shixiong Sister Meng, you can rest assured. Big Xu Shixiong Xia is completely different from others; it's only me taking advantage of him, and he and I recognized each other as brother and sister many years ago," Lan Xue said.

Lan Xue stood at the door, terrified, her palms sweating, and she was extremely nervous.

A second-tier high-grade alchemist who can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, actually her Big Xu Shixiong's sister-in-law.

For a cultivator at the Qi Refinement mid-stage like her, this is simply a super connection that she dared not imagine.

She really couldn't imagine it a bit now.

Sister-in-law Wenyue is only at the seventh layer of Qi Refinement, and she actually became sworn sisters with a second-tier high-grade alchemist at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage!

And now, her sworn Big Xu Shixiong actually wants her, a small person, to interact with her as peers!

"Thank you, I have my own plans," Xia Daoming said.

"Lan Xue pays respects to Sister-in-law Qiaolian!" Lan Xue hurriedly bowed and saluted.

"What are you saying? They are bullying your Big Xu Shixiong!" Xia Daoming said angrily upon seeing this.

"Then, then what grade of alchemist is she?" Lan Xue suppressed her excitement and asked.

"So you are Lan Xue! I've heard my husband mention you many times; hurry up and come into the house!" Ji Wenyue had a cheerful personality, immediately took Lan Xue's hand, and said happily.

"Your two sisters-in-law are both in Changqing City!" Xia Daoming said.

If this connection is made...

Lan Xue looked at Xia Daoming, as if listening to a heavenly book.

Lan Xue's legs went soft, and she almost stumbled and fell.

Lan Xue's eyes suddenly widened upon hearing this, and she stammered, "You, you wouldn't be living in Changqing Lake, would you?"

"I got the subsequent techniques, so naturally I broke through," Xia Daoming said as a matter of course.

"Eh, you've already reached the seventh layer of Qi Refinement?" Shang Rui saw the change in Xia Daoming's Qi Refinement cultivation at a glance, showing a hint of surprise.

In this way, your chance of stepping into the Foundation Establishment stage is not great, but now it's different. Sister-in-law Wenyue's sister is an alchemist who can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, so your chance of Foundation Establishment is very, very great," Lan Xue stamped her feet anxiously upon seeing this.

"Yes, I heard the success rate is okay," Xia Daoming nodded.

Moreover, because refining Foundation Establishment Pills is very time-consuming and laborious, it greatly affects the progress of cultivation. Second-tier high-grade alchemists in the sect, except for completing the mandatory tasks given by the sect, are generally unwilling to help others refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

Xia Daoming looked at her and shook his head helplessly, saying, "Alright, anyway, I've already obtained the cultivation techniques I need, and there's nothing to do in Azure Cloud City for now. I'm planning to go to Changqing City. If you have nothing to do, come with me! It will save that Zhong Meng from looking for trouble with you."

Unfortunately, you wasted too much time before. Otherwise, with your talent, you should have had a good chance of entering... forget it, it's meaningless to say these things now. You and your Big Xu Shixiong should just go to Changqing City and relax for a while," Meng Manyun said.

And Xia Daoming hugged his arms and looked at Lan Xue with a smile.

Lan Xue told Meng Manyun that her spiritual farmland needed her to perform rain recently, and specifically took out two spirit stones as a hard work fee.

"It's not entirely that they are deliberately dragging me down; some fellow disciples really need my help, and they sometimes help me too, which can be considered mutual help among fellow disciples," Lan Xue said.

"Wasted too much time on alchemy in my early years, leading to my cultivation falling too far behind, only at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage," Xia Daoming replied casually.

"Yes, is there any problem?" Xia Daoming asked with a smile.

"She has a cold and aloof personality, but her heart is quite good. Just follow her lead later. If you really can't stand her temper, you can go back to Hidden Dragon Residence," Xia Daoming instructed while walking.

Although Xia Daoming didn't look down on that little spiritual farmland harvest, that was the result of Lan Xue's hard work, and wasting food is shameful, so he said, "Since that's the case, you go find that Xu Shixiong Sister Meng, and if you need to give a hard work fee, give some."

While speaking, Xia Daoming brought Lan Xue along the edge of Changqing Lake all the way to Hidden Dragon Residence.

"So it's Junior Sister Lan, who is this?" The old woman looked at Xia Daoming.

Lan Xue's eyes widened.

Not long after Xia Daoming returned to his house, Lan Xue came to visit.

"Alchemist? Of course I'm not. Big Xu Shixiong, Sister-in-law, that Sister Rui you mentioned wouldn't be an alchemist, would she?" Lan Xue was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then was so surprised she almost jumped up.

"You, you are just too kind! But kindness is a good thing, it's just that you have to see who you are kind to," Xia Daoming said.

Just kidding, living in Changqing Lake!

"So you are Sister Lan Xue, I heard the Master mention you several years ago, saying that he made a sworn sister outside Li Cheng," Liu Qiaolian said while holding Lan Xue's hand and entering the house.

"The house I rented there is very large. According to the regulations, it can accommodate two Foundation Establishment cultivators and five Qi Refinement cultivators. Arranging a room for you is still easy."

"Husband, you're back!" It was Ji Wenyue who opened the door. Seeing Xia Daoming, she was so excited she almost threw herself into his arms, but fortunately, she saw Lan Xue standing behind Xia Daoming in time and stopped.

Anyway, it's just a matter of eighty or so spirit stones a year; whoever wants to farm it, let them farm it.

"Xu Shixiong, that, what is the cultivation of that Sister Rui?" Lan Xue asked cautiously.

Liu Qiaolian couldn't help but purse her lips and chuckle when she saw Lan Xue anxious for Xia Daoming's "slowness."

"Big Xu Shixiong, why don't you understand! You are already thirty-one years old. Even if you cultivate to the Qi Refinement Great Perfection realm at thirty-five and get to enter the inner sect, the sect will at most give you one Foundation Establishment Pill."

"Can I also live in Changqing Lake?" Lan Xue was shocked all over, unable to believe it.

"Qiaolian, come, let me introduce you. This is my sworn sister Lan Xue. Lan Xue, this is your Sister-in-law Qiaolian," Xia Daoming pulled Liu Qiaolian's jade hand and introduced them with a smile.

If you feel it's inconvenient to live with us, I'll arrange for you to live with your Sister-in-law's sister. She lives alone anyway and is very lonely.

"I had already accumulated enough at the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, and once I got the subsequent techniques, it naturally broke through," Xia Daoming said lightly.

"That's good!" Lan Xue breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, Lan Xue brought Xia Daoming to a house more than ten courtyards away from where they lived.

"Cultivating in this kind of place, I am confident that I only need 'Qi Gathering Pills' and don't need to take 'Cloud Condensing Pills' to break through in the short term and become a seventh-layer Qi Refinement disciple," Lan Xue said.

Changqing City is too noisy and prosperous, and I have a relatively jumpy personality, can't stand loneliness, and am easily influenced. Moreover, the spiritual energy there is not as good as here," Lan Xue said.

How come now, not only does he live in Changqing Lake, but his Sister-in-law's sister also lives in Changqing Lake? What kind of family is this?

"What are you still dazed for? Are you going or not? If you don't go, I won't care about you!" Xia Daoming glared when he saw Lan Xue dazed on the spot.

What kind of Big Xu Shixiong did I make friends with!

And disciples at the Qi Refinement Great Perfection realm after the age of thirty are at most given one chance for a Foundation Establishment Pill. But many times, Foundation Establishment requires multiple attempts," Lan Xue touched her head and said seriously.

"This!" Lan Xue had cold sweat on her forehead.

Alchemists have an aloof and noble status in the cultivation world. If you can make friends with an alchemist, it will definitely be much more convenient for cultivation.

"Haha, then you must work hard. Your Big Xu Shixiong is a cultivation genius!" Xia Daoming smiled when he saw this.

"This is..."

"So what?" Xia Daoming asked.

"This is my sworn Big Xu Shixiong, Xia Daoming, and also a newly recruited sect member of our outer sect. Big Xu Shixiong, this is the Xu Shixiong Sister Meng Manyun I mentioned," Lan Xue helped introduce them.

Xia Daoming looked at Yan Xingmei's hurriedly departing back and shook his head with a smile, thinking that he had probably been classified by this woman as a friend not to be deeply associated with.

"Can, can refine Foundation Establishment Pills!" Lan Xue was stunned like a clay sculpture again, and a monstrous wave was set off in her heart.

Yan Xingmei glanced at Xia Daoming, then forced a smile at him and said, "Xia Shixiong, I'm going to the scene to see the spiritual farmland now. Let's talk another day."

As soon as they met, Xia Daoming immediately discovered that Lan Xue's true qi and magic power were much more condensed and vigorous with his powerful and keen spiritual sense.

"Hee hee!" Lan Xue wiped her forehead, then grinned at Xia Daoming, revealing two sweet dimples.

Just after entering the house, Shang Rui also walked out.

This is simply a step to the sky!

"Big, Big Xu Shixiong, or should I call you Xu Shixiong!" After a long while, Lan Xue still said cautiously.

Soon, Lan Xue packed her things and came to knock on the door.

"Master, you're back!" Liu Qiaolian bowed to Xia Daoming.

"Got it, Big Xu Shixiong!" Lan Xue gave Xia Daoming a playful smile, then asked, "How have you been these past few days? Did Zhong Meng look for trouble with you?"

"You are really good at calculating, using my spirit stones to be a good person!" Xia Daoming couldn't help but reach out and flick Lan Xue's forehead upon hearing this.

"Lan Xue, is this your newly sworn Big Xu Shixiong, or someone you knew a long time ago? Xu Shixiong Sister watched you grow up in the outer sect and really can't bear to see you being used by others again and again because of your kindness and good nature. You must keep your eyes open!" Meng Manyun cast a sound-blocking spell, glanced at Xia Daoming, and said earnestly to Lan Xue.

Not only are there Foundation Establishment Pills, there are many!

"Oh!" Lan Xue breathed a sigh of relief first, thinking it was okay, not much stronger than herself, but immediately Lan Xue's eyes widened, looking at Xia Daoming in disbelief: "Big Xu Shixiong, you, you reached the seventh layer of Qi Refinement? You, didn't you just get the subsequent techniques a few days ago?"

Watching Lan Xue's hurriedly departing back, Xia Daoming shook his head with a smile, then took out the array disk and array flags of the Profound Barrier Spiritual Mirror Array one by one and put them back into his storage ring.

Didn't he come from Li Cheng, Mangzhou?

This girl, sometimes very smart, sometimes her brain is stubbornly cute.

That is equivalent to the place of cultivation for the outer sect hall masters and elders.

After saying that, Yan Xingmei left in a hurry.

"Do I look like the kind of person who can't afford to live in Changqing Lake?" Xia Daoming asked instead of answering.

That is a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator, a second-tier high-grade alchemist. She is only a sixth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator. Having the opportunity to meet her and get to know her is already remarkable. How could she not follow her lead?

As for her temper, let alone being cold and aloof, as long as she is really willing to take her in and guide her, that is something others can't even ask for. Being scolded a few times is nothing at all. How could she go back to Hidden Dragon Residence just because she couldn't stand the anger!

"By the way, her name is Shang Rui. She is not your Sister-in-law Wenyue's biological sister. Like you and me, we are sworn sisters. However, you are my younger sister, and we are all peers, so you can just call her Sister Rui later," Xia Daoming continued to instruct.

"That's good, that's good," Meng Manyun said, relieved, and then withdrew the sound-blocking spell and returned with Lan Xue.

Uh!

Yan Xingmei looked at Xia Daoming in disbelief.

If you live there, you can just let her guide your cultivation. On the path of immortal cultivation, my talent is average, and my realm is low, so I can't guide you for the time being," Xia Daoming said.

"Yes, you weren't here, and she has been living at Sister Rui's place these past few days. Should I go call her now?" Liu Qiaolian asked.

When he was about to walk out of the Seeking Immortal Workshop, Lan Xue suddenly patted her forehead and said, "Almost forgot, my spiritual farmland hasn't been rained on for a while. I'm leaving, and it will probably be many days before I return, so I have to ask Xu Shixiong Sister Meng to help."

Staying there for a few days is equivalent to earning spirit stones!

Unless her brain was flooded, she wouldn't go there to cultivate!

"Not bad, your potential is even better than I imagined. It seems you were dragged down by others a lot before," Xia Daoming said.

Therefore, in the Qingyuan Sect, let alone Foundation Establishment disciples at the level of outer sect hall elders like Mo Yongzhi, even Foundation Establishment disciples at the hall master level have to pull many strings and owe many favors if they want the sect to help refine an extra Foundation Establishment Pill.

"I understand," Lan Xue nodded.

"So it's the newly arrived Junior Xu Shixiong Xia, nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!" Meng Manyun greeted Xia Daoming enthusiastically upon hearing this, then excused herself to Xia Daoming and specifically pulled Lan Xue aside.

"Alright, don't make a fuss, follow me to Bai Ze Residence," Xia Daoming smiled, turned around, and walked out of the room.

"As long as there is no conflict, it's fine. As for the spiritual farmland, even if it's better, I guess Big Xu Shixiong won't farm it. If Big Xu Shixiong is unwilling to pay those spirit stones, I'll pay for you," Lan Xue said.

Most of the time, disciples of the Qingyuan Sect can only seek help from alchemists outside to refine extra Foundation Establishment Pills.

Lan Xue dared not imagine it.

"Then thank you, Xu Shixiong Sister Meng. When I come back another day, I will perform rain on your spiritual farmland," Lan Xue smiled, put away the spirit stones, and said.

"Haven't you helped me enough? You give me this, are you mocking me?" Meng Manyun stared and pushed the spirit stones back.

"Alright, what Foundation Establishment Pill are you thinking about now! Wait until you enter the inner sect and cultivate to the Qi Refinement Great Perfection realm before thinking about this," Xia Daoming knocked on her head when he saw Lan Xue's dazed look.

In her view, for that piece of spiritual farmland he was assigned, after a year of hard work, not only was there no income, but he had to pay out seven or eight hundred catties of spiritual rice. Isn't this brain-flooded?

"Xia Shixiong, although you are a Grandmaster, this is the Qingyuan Sect. Sometimes you should bow your head when you should," Yan Xingmei hesitated for a while and kindly advised.

"Second-tier high-grade," Xia Daoming replied.

Unless the reward given by the other party is very high, or there is a very solid friendship, they are willing to help.

"There are places in Changqing City that are quieter and have purer and richer spiritual energy than here," Xia Daoming smiled.

Lan Xue couldn't help but be stunned upon hearing this.

Soon, Xia Daoming returned to the Seeking Immortal Workshop.

"Hidden Dragon Residence, this is where I live." Xia Daoming pointed to the words on the gate wall and reached out to push the door. At this time, Liu Qiaolian inside the house had already sensed Xia Daoming's aura and opened the door first.

"Hehe, that Ma Tianliang got me a piece of spiritual farmland on Mount Xiling," Xia Daoming smiled disdainfully.

"Changqing City is really lively, and there are so many things for sale." Walking through the bustling inner city streets, Lan Xue was overwhelmed.

"A third-tier spiritual vein flows through the bottom of the lake, so naturally the water spiritual energy is the richest," Xia Daoming explained.

Lan Xue, standing behind Xia Daoming, saw the door open and a beautiful woman wearing cloud-neon fairy clothes, with fair skin, a plump and graceful figure, and a gentle and virtuous temperament bowing to Xia Daoming. For a moment, she felt somewhat inferior.

"That's great. You girl have a lot of talent in water-based techniques. I've been a spiritual farmer for most of my life, and my 'Cloud and Mist Spiritual Rain Art' has only been practiced to the third layer. You have practiced it to the fourth layer at a young age. The spiritual rain you perform has a yield-increasing effect."

"I've met Sister-in-law Wenyue, I am Big Xu Shixiong's sworn sister, Lan Xue." Lan Xue didn't wait for Xia Daoming to introduce her and had already obediently stepped forward to salute.

Foundation Establishment mid-stage, and this is called falling too far behind!

Xia Daoming closed the door and followed Lan Xue through the Seeking Immortal Workshop.

Lan Xue looked at Xia Daoming blankly upon hearing this, and after a long while, she suddenly stamped her feet and said, "No, I must work hard to cultivate. I don't want to be thrown so far by Big Xu Shixiong that I can't even see his shadow in the future!"

"Now is not the time for shopping. After you break through, you can let your Sister-in-law take you out to relax for a day," Xia Daoming said.

"Is it because you didn't have the subsequent techniques that you..." Shang Rui was stunned.

"Otherwise, do you think that Wenyue and Qiaolian have broken through, and I, as their husband, would be so incompetent!" Xia Daoming glanced at Shang Rui.

Looking at Xia Daoming and remembering that she had previously belittled him as worthless and said he was mud that couldn't support the wall, Shang Rui's old face felt a bit hot.

(End of chapter)