Chapter 38

Li Yunzhan had obtained the ingredients for the Divine Nurturing Pill crafted by True Master Xiangyun, but he had made it clear in advance that there was no guarantee of success, and that the customary rule of keeping two out of five must be observed. Once he received the True Master's approval, he immediately sent a message to Li Mengze's father in the True Master's presence.

Earlier, when the two were showing their affection, he had already notified him, saying they were entering seclusion. Who knew if they had emerged yet? In the cultivation world, time passes in a flash; a hundred years in seclusion is nothing, especially since only two or three years had passed since the last message.

Whether by luck or coincidence, Li Yunran and his wife replied immediately, and they happened to have the Divine Nurturing Pill ready. The ingredients could be exchanged directly, which was an unexpected delight. Once they agreed to send someone to deliver it, the deal was considered done. However, Li Yunzhan discovered that the True Master had no intention of leaving. He clung to him, hopping from one topic to another, obviously making little sense. Was it that this elder, after so much loneliness, had come to him just to chat?

While half-heartedly responding, Li Yunzhan pondered the recent events in the sect, but he hadn't heard of any major gossip. As he searched his memory, the True Master suddenly asked, "It seems the Misty Cloud Sect is intent on forming a marriage alliance with us. I hear they're sending Yunhai's grand-disciple, who is at the Golden Core stage. Have you heard?"

Li Yunzhan shook his head, bewildered—he truly hadn't heard of it, but what did it have to do with him? He had only a handful of disciples, and among them, only Yuan Yuan was suitable in cultivation, but she was already matched internally. So, this matter had little relevance to him.

Xiangyun glanced at Li Yunzhan, secretly amused, though his face remained serious and betrayed nothing of the scheming predator now eyeing their family's prized possession. "Well, that's true. But I hear that young man is quite remarkable—Yunhai's blood relative, with dual wood and metal spiritual roots, highly valued in his sect. With Yunhai's temperament, he's sure to seek the best of the best. From what Ruihe says, they're looking for a female cultivator with a fire spiritual body."

He clicked his tongue and continued, "But in our sect, female cultivators with five-element spiritual bodies are rare treasures. Who would give them away? I'd say that boy's plans are hard to realize, wouldn't you?" He cast a seemingly casual glance at Li Yunzhan, and as expected, saw that he was intrigued, lost in thought.

In truth, Li Yunzhan was uneasy, stealing glances at True Master Xiangyun, trying to guess his motives. Was this just a coincidence, or was it deliberate? After all, they had little personal connection, merely acquaintances on the surface. When Ze'er entered the sect years ago, she had tested for a fire spiritual root, but he had concealed her innate spiritual body. Not because he distrusted the sect, but because five-element spiritual bodies had become increasingly rare, and the advancement rate of dual cultivators with such bodies was well-known. Typically, once a five-element spiritual body was discovered, a dual cultivation partner would be arranged from childhood.

Though his own cultivation was at the Nascent Soul stage, he knew that among the descendants of the sect's Divine Transformation cultivators, there were one or two with five-element spiritual bodies. That was natural, since both sides benefited. He was confident that within a century, Ze'er would advance to Divine Transformation, so there was no need to worry about her being bullied. However, the few existing spiritual bodies weren't innate like his niece's, but altered later with pills. Such bodies, though they cultivated as fast as innate ones and could dual cultivate, put the innate partner at a disadvantage—rather than mutual benefit, the innate spiritual body simply nourished the other, a one-sided loss. In other words, the altered spiritual body treats the innate one as a furnace.

So, when Li Mengze entered the sect, Li Yunzhan had hidden her innate spiritual body and sealed it with a secret technique. No one knew besides himself and Ze'er's parents—not even his own master.

Thus, True Master Xiangyun shouldn't know about this. He glanced at Wei Qingtong, who sat beside him expressionless, nodding slightly when their eyes met, and felt at ease. It was probably just a coincidence. This fellow's love of gossip was famous in Kunlun, and his son was much older than Ze'er, with mismatched cultivation. There had never been rumors of an innate spiritual body, so he shouldn't be targeting Ze'er. He told himself not to be so suspicious. Besides, Ze'er had a single fire spiritual root, and her parents were well-known in the cultivation world—not mere adopted mortal children. It shouldn't be about arranging a marriage, especially since he was still here, a peak master in his own right.

Thinking thus, he relaxed and laughed, "Lately, the Misty Cloud Sect has been pushing for marriage alliances with us, mainly because the True Masters have built such a strong foundation. Everyone knows Kunlun sword cultivators are not only unmatched in battle, but also first-rate as dao companions." Li Yunzhan chuckled and bantered. It didn't matter who arranged what marriage—if anyone dared use his niece as a pawn, he'd show them just how formidable he was. These years of cultivation hadn't dulled his temper. And even if he failed, he still had his elder brother, his uncle, and his father. They rarely showed themselves, but none were easy to provoke. Ze'er was the only direct descendant of her generation; anyone who plotted against her would regret it.

If not for concern about appearances, True Master Xiangyun would have rolled his eyes. Since advancing to Divine Transformation, he rarely encountered such disrespect, and now, reliving it, he found it not so pleasant.

He glared at his son, who sat serenely, indifferent to the matter, thinking, "For heaven's sake, could you at least say something? Don't leave me fighting alone here, as if I'm the one marrying!"

Wei Qingtong truly hadn't made up his mind. His father often teased him about this, but he never cared. He had never considered dual cultivation with anyone and always regarded Li Mengze simply as a fellow disciple, with no other thoughts. After all, their age difference was considerable, though in the cultivation world, that's nothing—there are couples with hundreds of years between them.

Though his trip to the secret realm had left his dao heart somewhat unsettled, it wasn't as if she was irreplaceable. Upon reflection, he felt it was just a lingering effect of the illusion, which would fade after some time and seclusion.

So, when his father spoke, he remained silent. The old man was simply too idle lately; anyway, she wouldn't agree, so let him jump around alone. As long as he wasn't too blunt, it was harmless. This would crush his father's hopes, and maybe he'd finally focus on cultivation.

Wei Qingtong would never admit to jealousy—he didn't envy someone who never cultivated but whose cultivation soared nonetheless, with not a hint of instability in their foundation. He absolutely didn't care. So what if she reached Divine Transformation?

"Doesn't that show Kunlun's rising prestige, thanks to everyone's efforts?" Polite words—he could say them better than anyone.

After a bout of idle chatter, the two never broached the main topic. True Master Xiangyun realized he would get no definitive answer today and decided not to waste more time. He stood to take his leave, but before going, eyed Li Yunzhan's smiling face, feeling a surge of annoyance. "Little rascal, smirking so arrogantly." With a wave of his sleeve—his spatial technique—he directly took away Li Yunzhan's chair. "I rather like this seat. It's excellent for calming the mind. You don't know how irritable my wife has been lately. I think this chair will help her mood, so please part with it."

Li Yunzhan was stunned. Shouldn't you at least discuss before taking someone's belongings? How could you just snatch it? Wasn't this outright robbery? He stared at the man before him, whose face said, "I'm strong, what will you do about it?"

Li Yunzhan took a deep breath. He would endure it—after all, the man was older, and unsatisfied men are the most dangerous.

He cupped his hands, "If the True Master favors it, it's its fortune; take it as you wish." Even if he disagreed, it wouldn't matter—the chair was already gone.

Meanwhile, Li Mengze hid in her own little courtyard, waiting for a summons that never came. She breathed a sigh of relief. Though she rarely saw them, the Kunlun elders were all eccentric and not to be trifled with, but at least she could avoid them.

A warm, furry body pressed against her feet. Looking down, she found Dabao and Erbao. These two were lively, but only around her. If she went out, they'd obediently enter the spirit beast pouch, unlike Little Black and Little White, who would roll around and resist, causing headaches.

Sanbao was the oddest of the bunch; Li Mengze found it mostly asleep, even needing Dabao and Erbao to drag it to meals. It was the laziest spirit beast she'd ever seen, though she'd not encountered many.

She hadn't entered her spatial realm for some time, but she sensed that soon she would, and it would bring her a great surprise. So she wasn't anxious.

She stroked the two plump little beasts. Lately, perhaps due to proper nutrition and good food, they had grown exceedingly well—shiny fur, strong limbs. Li Mengze was quite proud. It was like showing off a beautiful spouse; if your spouse is attractive, it means you're capable. Now, Li Mengze felt that way—her spirit beasts were thriving, showing her strength. She was proud!