Chapter 202: Returning to Changqing City

That night, Xia Daoming returned to Jin Guifeng and stayed at Seeking Immortal Cliff.

The next day, Xia Daoming did not set off to return to the Profound Heaven Sect, but went to Mangzhou Li Cheng to visit his master Liang Jingtang and Elder Ji and others.

Of course, he also had to send the Flood Dragon Origin Pills to them along the way, so that they could become Great Grandmasters a day earlier.

There were also some resources that he also had to hand over to them, to be distributed by them to the disciples of the Tenglong Mansion.

When Xia Daoming set off for Li Cheng, in the south of Qingyun City, Ma Tianliang was respectfully welcoming an elderly man into his mansion.

"Grand-uncle, please sit." Ma Tianliang invited the elderly man to the seat of honor, while he accompanied him in the lower seat.

"How is your cultivation progress recently?" The elderly man asked.

"Back to Grand-uncle, the progress is not bad. It's just that the cultivation resources given to disciples in the sect are limited. If you only rely on what the sect gives and cultivate step by step, it will be difficult to reach perfection before the age of thirty.

If you cannot reach perfection before the age of thirty, the inner sect managing elders will not value me, and will at most give me one Foundation Establishment opportunity. Once it fails, you have to find a way to raise Foundation Establishment pills yourself," Ma Tianliang replied respectfully.

The elderly man looked at Ma Tianliang meaningfully, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the chair, and said: "I understand your thoughts, but there are many Ma Clan members, and resources are limited.

Your side of the family has tried its best to help in the early years. Now that you are already at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, the resources needed to break through as soon as possible are too large, and the help the family can give is already limited."

Ma Tianliang showed a look of disappointment when he heard this.

"However, I came this time for your Qi Refinement perfection and even Foundation Establishment." Seeing Ma Tianliang's disappointed look, the elderly man's tone suddenly changed.

"What does Grand-uncle mean by this?" Ma Tianliang showed a look of confusion.

"You want to reach Qi Refinement perfection as soon as possible, and even Foundation Establishment. The family's financial resources are limited, and we are indeed powerless and cannot help much. But if one person is willing to help you, Foundation Establishment is not a problem," the elderly man said.

"Foundation Establishment is not a problem?" Ma Tianliang was shocked when he heard this, and soon he seemed to remember something, blurted out: "Grand-uncle is referring to Xu Shixiong Shang Rui!"

"That's right, it's her, it seems you have always been thinking of her," the elderly man nodded.

"A second-rank alchemist, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, is the older sister of my Great-Grandmother. It is said that when she was in our Ma Clan in her early years, she was like sisters with my Great-Grandmother.

I heard my father say that when my Great-Grandmother passed away, she even specially came to the Ma Clan to mourn, and my Great-Grandmother and Great-Grandmother also had a very good relationship.

It's a pity that after my Great-Grandmother passed away, she rarely had contact with the Ma Clan. After I was born, she not only completely cut off contact with the Ma Clan, but also had no news, and her whereabouts were unknown. It's hard to find her.

Otherwise, with that source of relationship between my Great-Grandmother and her, if I could find her, with her cultivation and status, she would definitely be able to help me a lot," Ma Tianliang said with regret.

"You are right, your family's relationship with Shang Rui is much closer than mine. She can choose not to care about old feelings and not help the Ma Clan, but if you go, she will remember the old feelings with your Great-Grandmother, and seeing that you are so young and outstanding, and also an inner sect disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect, she should be willing to help you a little.

A second-rank high-tier alchemist, a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator, her wealth is far from what the Ma Clan can compare to. Just shaking a little bit out would be enough to let you easily become a Qi Refinement perfection cultivator. As for Foundation Establishment, as long as she is willing to help you sincerely, with your age and talent, it is also ten stable." The elderly man said.

"A second-rank high-tier alchemist, a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator, her wealth is indeed far from what the Ma Clan can compare to. If she is willing to help me, Foundation Establishment is not a problem, it's a pity... No, after so many years of no news, how does Grand-uncle know her cultivation situation so well?"

Ma Tianliang soon realized something was wrong, staring at the elderly man, who was the Ma Clan Leader Ma Xuanjin, with excitement and expectation.

"I went to visit her not long ago, but unfortunately she said that her feelings with the Ma Clan were exhausted and she was unwilling to help the Ma Clan again," Ma Xuanjin said.

"What? Grand-uncle found Xu Shixiong Shang, and even met her? Where is she?" Ma Tianliang was extremely excited, his blood boiling.

"She is now living in seclusion at Changqing Lake in Changqing City. She has long since stopped refining pills for others. No wonder the Ma Clan hasn't had any news of her in many marketplaces for these years, until we accidentally got the news a few days ago," Ma Xuanjin said.

"Changqing Lake! Changqing Lake! Haha, that's too coincidental!" Ma Tianliang laughed heartily when he heard this.

"That's right, she is living in seclusion at Changqing Lake, and you are an inner sect disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect, plus that source of relationship with your Great-Grandmother, if you go to her door, she should remember the old feelings," Ma Xuanjin said.

"Even if she doesn't remember the old feelings, I will spare no cost to grind until she remembers the old feelings," Ma Tianliang said confidently and firmly.

"It is good that you have this determination. If my estimation is correct, she should be nearing two hundred years of age, and her limit is estimated to be in these few years!

She never married, and it seems she didn't take any disciples, only your Great-Grandmother as a relative. It's a pity your Great-Grandmother didn't leave any children, otherwise, her life's savings would most likely be left to the Ma Clan," Ma Xuanjin said.

"Xu Shixiong Shang is actually nearing her limit!" Ma Tianliang's eyes shone when he heard this, his mood extremely surging.

Wealth that splashes the sky!

"There should be no mistake, you must seize the opportunity!" Ma Xuanjin looked at Ma Tianliang and exhorted earnestly.

"Grand-uncle, don't worry, I will definitely seize the opportunity!" Ma Tianliang said, his voice trembling.

"Xu Shixiong Shang likes pastries, and her personality is relatively isolated, but her nature is relatively upright, and she is actually relatively emotional in her heart.

Speaking of which, she has already repaid the Ma Clan a lot, but... forget it, don't say these. Anyway, you must remember, don't show your lively mind and ability to drill in front of her.

She has lived for nearly two hundred years, if you play tricks with her, it will only be counterproductive and make her disgusted. You must treat her as your own Great-Grandmother sincerely, treat her with sincerity and true feelings, and be natural.

Her limit is nearing, her inner emotions are relatively fragile at this time, and she is easily moved; this is your good opportunity." Ma Xuanjin exhorted with a solemn face.

"Thank you, Grand-uncle, for your teaching, the nephew understands. The nephew will truly treat her as a Great-Grandmother." Ma Tianliang said with a serious face.

"She lives in Bai Ze Residence, alright, I'll go first, if there is news, notify me in time," Ma Xuanjin stood up and said.

"The nephew respectfully sends Grand-uncle off!" Ma Tianliang hurriedly stood up and sent Ma Xuanjin out of Qingyun City.

After sending Ma Xuanjin away, Ma Tianliang was very excited, and it took a long time to calm down.

After suppressing his excited mood, Ma Tianliang soon left the sect gate and went straight to Changqing City.

After entering Changqing City, he didn't go to Changqing Lake immediately, but first went to Yun Xiang Zhai to buy various pastries, and then carried them to Changqing Lake.

——

Mo Ru Jun set off to return to Qingyun City the day after the secret realm exploration mission was completed.

She had just returned to Qingyun City when she heard the news about the inner sect disciple selection competition, and also heard that Watching Lan Xue had been taken in by her Great-Aunt and was being guided alone.

Mo Ru Jun was very surprised and unexpected, and at the same time, there was an indescribable complex mood in her heart.

This complex mood was more of jealousy and unhappiness.

Mo Ru Jun soon went to the Elder's mansion in the East City to visit Mo Yongzhi.

Mo Yongzhi was guiding Watching Lan Xue's cultivation in the study.

Watching Lan Xue's cultivation talent and comprehension exceeded Mo Yongzhi's expectations, and her simple personality was also very much liked by Mo Yongzhi.

Therefore, these days, when Mo Yongzhi had free time, she often personally guided Watching Lan Xue's cultivation.

Both of them cultivated the "Blue Water Profound Ice Art".

In the cultivation of water-type arts, Mo Yongzhi's guidance was better than Shang Rui's guidance.

With a famous teacher's careful guidance, Watching Lan Xue benefited a lot, and coupled with not lacking cultivation resources, she occasionally took a "Qi Gathering Pill" to condense true qi and magic power, and her cultivation progress was very fast, having just stepped into the seventh layer of Qi Refinement not long ago, faintly touching the threshold of the eighth layer of Qi Refinement.

"Disciple greets Elder." Mo Ru Jun entered the study and bowed to Mo Yongzhi.

"I have already received your grandfather's letter, leave the Wanluo Secret Realm token," Mo Yongzhi said.

"Yes!" Mo Ru Jun took out the token and offered it with both hands.

Mo Yongzhi grabbed it from the air, and the token fell into her hand.

"Now you can go, no need to come and ask me for anything in the future!" Mo Yongzhi put away the token and said indifferently.

"Ah, Great-Aunt, this, why is this?" Mo Ru Jun looked panicked when she heard this.

"Since you don't have me, this Great-Aunt, in your eyes, and don't appreciate my kindness, why should I be self-indulgent!" Mo Yongzhi said.

"I, I certainly have, how could I not? Is it Xia Daoming who is sowing discord in front of you? It must be him. This person is very insidious, clearly his strength is very strong but he deliberately doesn't show it.

If he had shown it earlier, my grandfather wouldn't have changed his suggestion for splitting. As a result, he was good, and in the blink of an eye, he ran to the Lu Clan, cooperated with the Lu Clan, and made a fortune in the secret realm," Mo Ru Jun said, gritting her teeth at the end.

"Don't you dare say that about Big Xu Shixiong Xia, he is a man of integrity, heavy on feelings and righteousness, absolutely not an insidious person! And he also..."

Watching Lan Xue saw Mo Ru Jun slandering Xia Daoming in front of Mo Zhanglao, and immediately went against her usual gentleness, looking angry, even forgetting that this was Mo Zhanglao's study and Mo Zhanglao was still present.

"Watching Lan Xue, you don't need to say anything for now, I have a sense of it." Mo Zhanglao waved her hand to interrupt what Watching Lan Xue was about to say.

Watching Lan Xue looked at Mo Zhanglao, hesitated, but still nodded.

"You said Xia Daoming was sowing discord in front of me. Fine, you tell me, what happened in this Wanluo Secret Realm this time? I'll see your side of the story, and I'll have my own judgment," Mo Yongzhi stopped Watching Lan Xue and turned to Mo Ru Jun.

Uh!

Watching Lan Xue's expression was stunned.

Her Big Xu Shixiong Xia hadn't even returned yet!

Mo Ru Jun didn't know this.

She told the story when she heard this, and even mentioned the speculation that Xia Daoming might be the one who killed the three disciples of the Spirit Ba Dao Men.

Of course, she omitted the fact that she deliberately neglected and looked down on Xia Daoming, her grandfather didn't put Xia Daoming in his eyes, and her dissatisfaction with Mo Yongzhi's overstepping of authority in Mo Clan affairs.

Mo Yongzhi listened quietly on the surface, but her heart had already been stirred up like a stormy sea.

She had long seen that this Xia Daoming was not simple!

Especially his direct request for leadership, which made Mo Yongzhi even more convinced that Xia Daoming was not simple, acted steadily, and had a firm mind.

Later, Watching Lan Xue's sudden appearance made Mo Yongzhi faintly feel that this matter might have some connection with Xia Daoming.

However, it was just a guess, and she didn't verify it with Watching Lan Xue.

Everyone has their own secrets, especially since this is not a small secret; as an elder and a Foundation Establishment expert, Mo Yongzhi wouldn't rely on her status and strength to make Watching Lan Xue tell the truth.

But no matter how highly Mo Yongzhi thought of Xia Daoming, she didn't expect that on the secret realm trip, he joined forces with Lu Clan disciples and could harvest objects worth five thousand spirit stones.

She also didn't expect that Xia Daoming's strength was very likely comparable to a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

As for whether the Spirit Ba Dao Men disciples were killed by him, Mo Yongzhi didn't care at all.

What she cared about was Xia Daoming's strength!

"Great-Aunt, you tell me, since he has this strength, why didn't he show it at first? It can be seen that this person is insidious and cunning, his words are absolutely not credible!" Mo Ru Jun said at the end.

Watching Lan Xue was angry when she heard this and wanted to speak, but Mo Zhanglao stopped her with a wave of her hand.

"In this way, Daoming has this strength, and still agreed to accompany you on this trip, actually it was selling me face, it was me who owed him a favor! It's a pity, you don't appreciate it, and the Mo Clan doesn't appreciate it either," Mo Yongzhi looked at Mo Ru Jun with regret and disappointment.

"Great-Aunt, it's not, it's that he deliberately hid..." Mo Ru Jun said anxiously.

"You make me very disappointed! I watched you grow up, how could I not understand your character? So much effort was spent on you, it's a pity, you can't be tamed, you can't be tamed!

I have already agreed for you two to go out, Xia Daoming is the leader, and everything is decided by him. If you really respected me, this Great-Aunt, in your heart, you would understand what this means, and the matter of Xia Daoming turning to help the Lu Clan wouldn't have happened.

Let me tell you, Xia Daoming hasn't returned yet, even if he returns, I guess he wouldn't bother to sow discord in front of me. Originally, if you directly admitted your mistake, I might have given you a chance. It's a pity, you make me very disappointed!

Alright, you go. You can still come to me for public affairs in the sect, but private matters forget it, I am ultimately just your Great-Aunt, I have already done what I should do," Mo Yongzhi said, waving her hand and no longer looking at Mo Ru Jun.

Sorrow is greater than heart death!

"Great-Aunt, I was wrong, I was wrong! Please give me another chance!" Mo Ru Jun was completely panicked, kneeling on the ground and begging bitterly.

Watching Lan Xue saw that she was pitiful and wanted to speak for her several times, but when she thought that Mo Ru Jun actually slandered her Big Xu Shixiong Xia, the words that reached her mouth were swallowed back.

Mo Yongzhi looked at Mo Ru Jun crying and begging bitterly

"Why didn't you speak up to plead for Mo Ru Jun just now? That doesn't seem like your personality," Mo Yongzhi asked.

"She slandered Xu Shixiong Xia just now; I cannot forgive her," Watching Lan Xue said without a second thought.

As expected...

Mo Yongzhi was lost in thought.

"Do you trust Xia Daoming that much? Aren't you worried that he is taking advantage of your innocence and kindness?" After a good while, Mo Yongzhi asked.

"No, I just don't want to haggle with others. I hope everyone can get along harmoniously, whether in life or cultivation, and that things can be simple and pure, without conflict or strife.

But who is truly good to me, who is a good person, who is pretending to be good to me, and who is using me—actually, I am very clear about it in my heart.

Xu Shixiong Xia's kindness to me is very simple; he just treats me like a younger sister, without any ulterior motives. I can feel it when I look into his eyes.

Therefore, it doesn't matter if I suffer a little loss myself; that's my nature, and it's hard to change. But Mo Ru Jun slandering Xu Shixiong Xia is not okay; I cannot forgive that!" Watching Lan Xue said.

Mo Yongzhi had not expected to receive such a simple, even seemingly absurd and childish answer.

She had thought Watching Lan Xue would cite some examples to prove Xia Daoming's worth.

But for some reason.

Mo Yongzhi felt that this seemingly simple, even absurd and childish answer was the most convincing one.

At the same time, in this moment, Mo Yongzhi's view of Watching Lan Xue also underwent a great change.

Others laughed at her for being foolish, but where would they know that the foolish ones were them!

Because they had missed out on a friend truly worth entrusting everything to.

"It seems you are very clear-headed!" After a long time, Mo Yongzhi said with emotion.

Watching Lan Xue lowered her head, her face slightly flushed.

——

Ma Tianliang was in a very good mood today; he walked with high spirits and vigor.

Seven days ago, he went to pay his respects to Shang Rui.

Although Shang Rui knew full well that he had come under the instruction of Ma Xuanjin, upon hearing that he was the great-grandson of an old friend, she ultimately did not turn him away.

These past few days, he went to pay his respects to Shang Rui every other day.

Shang Rui's attitude toward him had changed quite a bit.

Today, before he left, Shang Rui even casually bestowed a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills upon him.

There were six Qi Gathering Pills in total, worth at least three hundred spirit stones; to him, this was not a small fortune.

But Ma Tianliang knew that for Shang Rui, this was just a drizzle.

As long as he continued to work hard, and as long as he made Shang Rui truly regard him as a junior, the cultivation resources he would obtain would be unimaginable.

Now, the only thing that made Ma Tianliang feel uneasy was a beautiful young woman by Shang Rui's side.

She was clearly only at the Qi Refinement stage, yet she addressed Shang Rui as a sister and even learned alchemy from her; she was a formidable rival in his plot to gain Shang Rui's wealth.

However, the woman was beautiful and moving, with a lively personality. Upon hearing that Ma Tianliang was the descendant of Shang Rui's old friend, and seeing that he looked honest and steady, she had a quite good attitude toward him.

Therefore, Ma Tianliang had once again developed the idea of gaining both the person and the wealth.

Before Ma Tianliang had even reached his doorstep, he saw Zhong Meng wandering at his door from afar.

Looking at Zhong Meng's graceful and moving figure, Ma Tianliang, who was in high spirits due to recent good news, felt great and walked up quickly.

"Xu Shixiong, you're finally back! I've come to look for you several times already." After entering the room, Zhong Meng said with a resentful look.

"Why, were you in a rush?" Ma Tianliang, in high spirits, seemed not to notice Zhong Meng's resentful look, pulled her into his arms, and said in a frivolous manner.

"Can I not be in a rush? Ever since Watching Lan Xue entered the inner sect, was taken in by Mo Zhanglao, and became a managing disciple, those newcomers go to her whenever they have problems. You also know her personality; naturally, she solves them all.

Because of this, those newcomers who used to need our help have all started making excuses to shirk their duties, and they won't help me farm the spirit fields anymore.

Moreover, regarding the fact that I used to bully Watching Lan Xue and always treat her as free labor, I don't know which unscrupulous person is gossiping everywhere. Now it's spreading all over the Spirit Field Hall, making me unwelcome wherever I go.

Xu Shixiong, you must quickly help me think of a way; otherwise, that piece of spirit field we received will have no one to tend to, the harvest will plummet, and if things go poorly, we might even have to pay out of our own pockets."

Zhong Meng pushed away Ma Tianliang's reaching hand, looking anxious and worried.

"Hmph, if they won't help, then they won't! Just write down the names of these people; once I become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, I'll deal with them one by one," Ma Tianliang said disdainfully.

"You say it easily, but who knows how many years it will take for you to reach Foundation Establishment!" Zhong Meng said irritably.

"Haha, don't worry, it will be very soon!" Ma Tianliang laughed triumphantly, and then his hands began to become restless again.

Seeing that Ma Tianliang didn't take her affairs to heart at all, Zhong Meng was feeling annoyed and wanted to push him away, but Ma Tianliang smiled triumphantly, and a Qi Gathering Pill appeared in his hand.

"A Qi Gathering Pill!" Zhong Meng's eyes lit up.

A single Qi Gathering Pill was worth at least fifty spirit stones; to Zhong Meng, it was of great value. She usually couldn't bear to take them and would only harden her heart to buy one to take when she reached a critical moment in her cultivation.

"It's for you!" Ma Tianliang said.

"For me?" Zhong Meng said in disbelief.

"If you don't want it, then I'll take it back!" Ma Tianliang said triumphantly.

"I want it, of course I want it, thank you Xu Shixiong!" Zhong Meng hurriedly took the Qi Gathering Pill and put it away, then, with eyes like silk, she actively wrapped herself around Ma Tianliang like a snake spirit.

After their intimate encounter, Zhong Meng lay beside Ma Tianliang, probing about the Qi Gathering Pill.

She didn't believe that Ma Tianliang would be so generous as to give her a Qi Gathering Pill if he hadn't obtained some kind of opportunity.

However, Ma Tianliang was cunning and did not reveal the matter regarding Shang Rui.

Even after their passion, he felt some regret for giving Zhong Meng a Qi Gathering Pill.

——

Bai Ze Residence.

Seeing Xia Daoming smiling and bringing a burly, tall woman into her courtyard, Shang Rui immediately felt a headache.

Is this guy going to stir up trouble for me again?

"Ziying, hurry and kowtow to your Xu Shixiong Aunt Shang. You will live in Bai Ze Residence for these days. Your Xu Shixiong Aunt is the best person; she loves to mentor and guide juniors the most. With her guidance, you should be able to break through to Qi Refinement Perfection very soon, and then you can reach Foundation Establishment."

Just as this bad thought arose in Shang Rui's mind, Xia Daoming had already instructed Lu Ziying with a serious face.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ziying's burly body immediately bowed down, and she kowtowed heavily to Shang Rui, "Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Shang Rui looked at Lu Ziying's honest and simple appearance, then looked at Xia Daoming, who was composed on the side, and ground her teeth in hatred.

In the end, Shang Rui still conceded.

Who told him to be her brother-in-law!

Who told her to owe him the grace of saving her life twice!

Sigh, fortunately, I only have a few years of life left; in a few more years, I won't have to endure this kid's anger anymore!

Shang Rui thought to herself with "relief," and said with a cold face: "Get up, you will live here for this period."

"Thank you Xu Shixiong Aunt, thank you Xu Shixiong Aunt!" Upon hearing this, Lu Ziying was overjoyed and kowtowed to Shang Rui several more times, "Thump! Thump! Thump!" before standing up.

On the way here, she had long heard Xia Daoming mention that Shang Rui was a noble alchemist and also a senior at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Living with such a big figure and receiving her personal guidance was something Lu Ziying had never dared to imagine before.

Unexpectedly, today, with a word from her Martial Uncle and a few kowtows, it was settled!

Seeing Shang Rui concede and helplessly yield, Ji Wenyue pursed her lips, wanting to laugh but not daring to, and hurriedly took Lu Ziying's hand, saying: "Ziying, follow me to prepare tea and snacks."

She knew very well that her husband and Shang Rui would surely have another battle, so it was better for her to stay away from the battlefield first.

As for Lu Ziying, before she followed Xia Daoming to Changqing City, she had passed through Jin Guifeng and had already met her.

"Yes, Martial Aunt," Lu Ziying said in a muffled voice, looking very honest and obedient, completely lacking the steady and decisive demeanor of a great general she had when she was at the Lu Clan.

(End of chapter)