Chapter 38: The Rich Widow Xie Wanwan, Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment

After Yu Ke had eaten his fill and drunk his fill,

he heard the voice of a beautiful woman outside the house.

“Yingzhao, Mother is leaving.”

Yu Ke paid it no mind.

He rose, placed the pots, bowls, and utensils he had been cleaning into their proper places, then stepped out the door and into the courtyard.

The courtyard was spacious.

Like a four-hall residence, its layout resembled a Beijing Sihe Academy, forming its own small world.

Covering over five hundred ping, its spatial arrangement was skillfully designed—both open and elegant.

Several stone benches were placed within, perfect for leisurely tea and conversation.

In the northeast corner of the courtyard stood an ancient pear tree, its gnarled branches heavy with snow-white blossoms, flourishing year-round, always in full bloom.

Yu Ke did not know its variety; after all, he dwelled in the cultivation world, where wondrous things were plentiful.

The courtyard also held an open patch of ground, meant for martial training.

The ground was paved with blue stone, smooth and hard.

As Yu Ke carried his bowl toward the water pool, he did not expect—

the northern door, at that very moment, quietly swung open.

A beautiful female cultivator in a red robe stepped out.

Her face was oval, with faint dimples.

At her waist hung a green jade flute; under the sunlight, the jade glowed with a soft luster, far from an ordinary object.

“Oh? Yu Senior Brother, you’ve emerged from seclusion… you’re washing dishes?”

Seeing Yu Ke, the female cultivator showed a hint of surprise, greeting him with a bright smile, clearly familiar with him.

Her gaze fell on the chopsticks and bowl in his hands, sparking curiosity.

She remembered Yu Senior Brother: famously a cultivation fanatic, and a scion of a noble house who never touched such tasks.

“Gentlemen stay away from the kitchen”—that was the noble house’s saying.

“Ah, it’s Sister Xie.”

Yu Ke placed the bowl aside without embarrassment, openly unashamed.

Frugality and thrift—what’s there to be ashamed of?

He thought for a moment and recalled this female cultivator.

Her surname was Xie, her given name Wanwan.

From the Xie family of the Great Zhou Dynasty; though not direct lineage, she was still of noble descent.

The Xie family controlled a vast spirit mine, their wealth immense, their reputation prominent throughout the Great Zhou’s cultivation world.

Among the Great Zhou noble scions Yu Ke knew, Xie Wanwan was practically a little rich widow.

She was also one of Yu Ke’s shared-rent roommates.

In the outer sect of Shenxiao Sect, every inch of land was gold; the best cave dwellings were only four-person shared courtyards.

Only upon entering the inner sect could one carve out a private cave dwelling.

Four people shared rent and sect dues, the cost being extremely high, yet demand far outstripped supply.

Each year, when outer sect disciples’ five-year tenure expired, the right to reside in these courtyards was auctioned off, often far exceeding the original rent.

For disciples of ordinary families, these expenses were an unbearable burden.

Therefore!

Many disciples from poorer backgrounds chose cheaper living arrangements, such as shared cave dwellings in the city housing ten or more people—though cramped and unsuitable for cultivation, their living costs were relatively low.

The courtyard where Yu Ke lived lay outside the city, quiet and serene; a good environment benefited cultivation.

Those who resided here were mostly outer sect scions of noble families, possessing sufficient resources and background to sustain such a lifestyle.

Of course,

there were also those who indulged in luxury, renting all four rooms alone to enjoy private space.

Xie Wanwan, though born into the wealthy Xie family, was not extravagant.

In Yu Ke’s memory, this four-hall courtyard had always had residents, but two of the halls had long stood empty.

Only Xie Wanwan and he lived here regularly.

Though the other two families did not reside here, their monthly dues and rent were never late.

Thus, the two of them paid only one person’s share and had enjoyed this spacious, tranquil courtyard for years.

Until yesterday, the eastern hall—never opened before—received a new tenant: a white-robed youth.

A few days ago, Xie Wanwan had returned home to visit family and had not yet come back.

Yu Ke had not expected to encounter her here today.

Both came from Great Zhou noble families, with similar origins and opportunities; otherwise, they would never have met in Shenxiao Sect’s outer sect, yet they got along well.

Yu Ke now wore a warm, concerned expression and asked:

“Sister Xie, are you going out, or are you heading to your cultivation practice?”

He could not help but be so gentle—after all, the Xie Wanwan before him was his largest creditor.

Xie Wanwan smiled lightly and replied:

“Naturally, I’m going to seek out my master to resolve questions about my cultivation. Lately, I’ve grown lax—I must train harder.”

Of course, seeking a master’s guidance cost outer sect disciples money.

Changing the subject, she asked with concern:

“Yu Senior Brother, have you succeeded in your Foundation Establishment?”

She was deeply interested in this matter, her eyes fixed on Yu Ke.

But she could not tell anything at a glance!

Unless one’s cultivation base was vastly superior by several realms, one could not discern another’s true state from appearance alone.

This was precisely why Yu Ke, having failed his Foundation Establishment, dared to attend the banquet.

She and Yu Ke shared similar cultivation potential; both had spent childhoods refining their bodies under family protection and were now at the Second Rung, needing only to unblock all meridians to establish Foundation.

By this time next year, Xie Wanwan would face the same challenge as Yu Ke.

Using external aids to forge a high-grade Dao foundation was an excellent choice for scions like them.

Foundation Establishment was the true dividing line on the path of cultivation.

It was divided into nine grades, each with its own subtleties.

Yet above the nine grades lay Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, requiring self-realization of an unprecedented technique, forging true intent.

Only with Heaven’s Dao’s recognition, granted a Heavenly Dao seed, could one forge the supreme foundation.

Every Shenxiao Sect patriarch throughout history had achieved Foundation Establishment through the Heavenly Dao, becoming great masters.

If Yu Ke succeeded with an external high-grade Dao foundation, he would provide Xie Wanwan with invaluable experience.

The two had long agreed: regardless of success or failure, Yu Ke would share all his Foundation Establishment insights without reservation.

This was precisely why Xie Wanwan had so readily lent him spirit stones.

Hearing this, Yu Ke’s expression turned bitter as he sighed deeply:

“I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you, Sister—this time, I failed to establish Foundation.”

Xie Wanwan showed a flicker of surprise, but quickly regained her composure.

Then,

Yu Ke recounted every detail of his Foundation Establishment process; fortunately, his memory remained intact, allowing him to describe it all.

When finished, he solemnly warned:

“The path of external Foundation Establishment is fraught with peril; without sufficient preparation and strength, never attempt it lightly.”

“Your body must be cultivated to a certain level, and your Primordial Spirit must have corresponding techniques. Otherwise, failure will bring catastrophic consequences.”

“Otherwise, perhaps…”

Yu Ke silently thought: I’d be dead.

“It’s best to have a sect Elder or family elder guard you during Foundation Establishment—never rush, Sister, remember this.”

“External Foundation Establishment is still an external path; if you can awaken a martial Dao true intent, that would be best.”

Yu Ke’s words carried a hint of flattery.

What could he do? He owed her—his hands were tied, his tongue was tied…

“Martial Dao true intent—isn’t that hard to obtain?” Xie Wanwan sighed, revealing boundless contemplation.

Not seeking Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, merely achieving Martial Dao true intent Foundation Establishment was already the mark of a genius.

“Yu Senior Brother, I am deeply grateful.”

Xie Wanwan bowed gracefully.

She could sense the sincerity in Yu Ke’s warning.

She now understood the hardship of external Foundation Establishment—she must prepare multiple contingencies.

Yu Ke thoroughly informed Xie Wanwan of every precaution for Foundation Establishment.

In this way, he had fulfilled his promise to Xie Wanwan’s predecessor.

(End of Chapter)