Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Beloved Wives and Beautiful Concubines

Suddenly, Li Jizhou’s heart stirred slightly.

He recalled a wanted poster he had seen years ago in the Spirit Pearl Mountain market town.

The first name on it was a descendant of the Yu family, Yu Ziyu, and it was described that they had a secret technique for disguise that even True Core Masters couldn’t see through.

Combining this with Li Jizhou’s memories of Xu Mei at the Inverted Mountain.

Countless threads of clues instantly converged into one point.

If Xu Mei was indeed Yu Ziyu disguised and blended into the identity at the Inverted Mountain.

And combining the past between the Thunder Flame Sect and the Yu family at the Inverted Mountain, the grudge between the Wang family of Fenglin and the Yu family, and the timing of Xu Mei’s serious injury and the emergence of the Thunder Spirit Crystal Mine…

A complete thread took shape in Li Jizhou’s mind:

Eight hundred years ago, the Thunder Flame Sect was destroyed, and the underground treasure vault was sealed. Subsequently, the Yu family was attacked and devoured by various powerful forces, and the remaining members of the Yu family escaped.

Eight hundred years later, descendants of the Yu family sought to grow strong for revenge, using their once close relationship with the Thunder Flame Sect to gain an inside advantage, blending into the Inverted Mountain to seize the underground vault. After a generation’s exploration, they finally discerned information related to the mysterious realms beneath the Thunder Spirit Crystal Mine.

There may even be an extraordinary relationship between the Yu family and that red-clothed woman of Spirit Jade Peak, which is why they raised Guagua, the spirit pet frog, in advance.

As a result, Yu Ziyu successfully acquired part of the fortuitous opportunity, withdrew to a distant place, and then began to take revenge against the Wang family of Fenglin.

As for why they targeted the Wang family so specifically, one reason might be that the Wang family pursued the Yu family fiercely back then, with the deepest hatred. Another reason may be that the Wang family obtained something extremely important from the Yu family back then.

Subsequently, the Yu family was ambushed by the Wang family and the Golden Sun Sect, leading to their defeat and being wanted.

At that time, the Wang family and the Golden Sun Sect must have tightly sealed the retreat route of the remaining members of the Yu family back into Purple Vine Mountain.

Yu Ziyu, with wounded members, adopted the idea of hiding under the enemy’s nose and ultimately hid in Golden Crow Immortal City.

…

With everything sorted out, Li Jizhou suddenly realized.

He slowly lifted his head, looking calmly at Yu Ziyu disguised as Xiao Jian across from him.

“Brother Xiao, to be honest, if it were under ordinary circumstances, I would’ve helped as a favor, but now I’m afraid I might not be able to do so,

My natural talent is insufficient, and my cultivation progresses slowly. If it weren’t for Miaodan Tower’s reward of significant pills to enhance my cultivation, I might still be lingering at the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation without making any progress.

And when I first entered the city, the shopkeeper specifically reminded me that some pills require reporting when being refined, and even this Honored Guest Elder jade pendant carries some form of restriction, such that certain pills will be sensed by the Pavilion as soon as they are refined.”

Now that the thread is clear, Li Jizhou has already guessed Yu Ziyu’s purpose.

Most likely, that so-called old servant suffered some injury during the Wang family battle, or due to reasons like explosive growth, damaged their origin, and despite recuperating for many years, still had hidden dangers, thus needing some kind of pill to nourish the origin.

However, this type of pill is definitely monitored by the Wang family and the Golden Sun Sect. They don’t dare to purchase it outside easily, nor do they dare to look for unfamiliar Pill Masters.

By chance, they met Li Jizhou, and discovered that he had become a Honored Guest Elder at Miaodan Tower, someone with real strength as a Pill Master.

Coupled with Yu Ziyu’s understanding of Li Jizhou, led to their actions these past days.

Naturally, Li Jizhou couldn’t get involved in such a major event,

so he decisively raised the biggest concern of Yu Ziyu, to frighten her a bit.

As expected, as soon as Li Jizhou finished speaking, a trace of vigilance flashed across Xiao Jian’s face, and he subconsciously glanced at the jade pendant at Li Jizhou’s waist.

“No worries, I just mentioned it casually; there’s no need to take it to heart. What I need is just an ordinary advanced Qi Nourishing Pill, and I’ll just go to the Pill Tower to buy it later.”

“That’s good.” Li Jizhou nodded with a smile.

In the following days, the frequency of Xiao Jian’s visits gradually decreased.

Until half a month later, the Immortal City’s management sent a message to Li Jizhou, informing him that there was a vacant house in the Upper City.

Li Jizhou immediately vacated his rental and went there.

After completing some related formalities, a steward specifically came to escort Li Jizhou into the Upper City District.

The Upper City District had a dedicated protective formation, with only one main gate for entry and exit.

At the entrance, Golden Sun Sect law enforcement cultivators were stationed long-term.

“Pill Master Li, to ensure our esteemed guests are not disturbed, this area is generally not open for entry and exit without permission. If Pill Master Li has visitors, they must wait at the entrance, and I’ll verify with you before allowing them in.”

“If you do not wish to be disturbed, you can also inform me, and all visiting guests will be turned away.”

“Should you have any needs while here, feel free to call on me at any time, including delivery of supplies, daily purchases, and other trivial matters.”

Li Jizhou’s residence was in the east area of the Upper City District. The steward for this area was a Late Stage of Qi Cultivation woman cultivator named Jin Mei, an orphan with a Spirit Root adopted by the Golden Sun Sect, bestowed the surname Jin, nurtured from a young age, skilled in her duties, and highly reliable.

Swiftly, Jin Mei led Li Jizhou to a large courtyard with four entrances in the East Area.

At the main entrance, two brilliant golden stone lions shone, and the word Li Mansion was already embossed in gilt letters on the nameboard above.

Moreover, in the lower right corner of the Li Mansion, there were small words marked Miaodan Tower Honored Guest Elder of Rank Three, indicating identity.

According to Jin Mei, this strategy was also for the prestigious guests residing in the Upper City to forge connections without aimlessly wasting time testing relationships.

Li Jizhou glanced across, where the sign read Shen Mansion, with small letters underneath saying: Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion Honored Guest Elder of Rank Two.

“Shen greets Pill Master Li! It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Coincidentally, just as Li Jizhou turned back, the door of Shen Mansion across opened, and an unremarkable-looking middle-aged man approached, cupping his hands toward Li Jizhou.

“Talisman Master Shen, you’re too kind. I’m new here and haven’t had the opportunity to pay a visit, my apologies.” Li Jizhou responded with a smile.

The other party was a Tier Two Talisman Master with an Early Stage of Foundation Establishment cultivation but appeared without airs, looking very low-key and amicable.

“Pill Master Li, how could you say that? Shen is fortunate to have such a young and promising neighbor like you, whose pill arts are superb, truly a blessing. Come out and meet Pill Master Li!” Talisman Master Shen said as he turned back and called inside.

Soon, a line of female cultivators filed out from the Shen Mansion.

An impressive total of eighteen.

Each of them beautiful, with their own distinct charms.

“We greet Pill Master Li!”

The eighteen female cultivators spoke in unison, giving a slight bow to Li Jizhou.

“Li greets each of the fair maidens.” Li Jizhou replied with a slight surprise.

“Pill Master Li, my apologies; Shen usually finds talisman-making dull, having no other hobbies, hence I love my beautiful wives and concubines, but it seems my mind isn’t stable, and my Dao heart isn’t firm.” Talisman Master Shen chuckled in self-deprecation.

“Talisman Master Shen is a man of emotions, with deep fortune, envying others!” Li Jizhou praised.

Such behavior was indeed slightly unusual. In the cultivation world, it typically only happens to ensure family succession where one marries more and has more children, and even those cases are decisions of no other choice due to no hope in advancing on the Dao path.

But the other party lived in such a grand manner, clearly not for family lineage.

Moreover, being an Honored Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion of Rank Two, personal cultivation resources shouldn’t be severely lacking; striving for Core Formation would be normal.

Even if there was a need for that aspect, finding one or two Dao companions should suffice, at most collecting wildflowers on occasion.

For someone so affluent, marrying so many wives and concubines and supporting so many… it would likely be rather treacherous.

However, everyone has their ambition, and he had no interest in prying.

After a few polite exchanges, Talisman Master Shen took out two Middle Grade Tier One Advanced Level talismans as a gift for their first meeting, displaying a familiarity with social etiquette.

Li Jizhou also produced a Middle Grade Tier One Advanced Level Youthful Appearance Pill as a return gift.

In comparison, Talisman Master Shen’s talismans should be worth around twenty Spirit Stones each, while Li Jizhou’s same-grade Youthful Appearance Pill goes for at least forty Spirit Stones, neither party feeling disadvantaged.

“Pill Master Li, you truly understand me! Thank you, Pill Master Li; during the housewarming banquet another day, Shen will have a grand gift prepared!” Talisman Master Shen accepted the Youthful Appearance Pill with great pleasure, as it precisely met his needs.

After parting ways with Talisman Master Shen, Li Jizhou followed the steward into what would be his new home for a long while.

“Pill Master Li, Talisman Master Shen is a very nice person, having lived peacefully here for nearly thirty years without ever leaving the Immortal City,

He is gentle, low-key, and understands people well.

Moreover, although he supports so many wives and concubines, he isn’t financially strained, a man worth befriending.” Inside the Li Mansion, the steward talked casually while walking.

Li Jizhou nodded slightly, feeling unexpectedly about Talisman Master Shen.

His way in human relations was indeed extraordinary, to the point the steward would vouch for him.

Additionally, his character seemed impressive, not leaving the Immortal City once in thirty years, even more stable than me?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep