Hu Yao chuckled and explained, “That Geng Wen must have lost his mind—he actually dared to conspire with Blood Demon Elder to ambush and kill Zhao Qingluo, attempting to steal the Foundation Establishment Pill from her…”

“Zhao Qingluo?”

“How is she?”

Wei Tu played along.

“Zhao Qingluo is naturally fine.” Hu Yao gave Wei Tu a sidelong glance and said, “According to rumors in the marketplace, a passing Foundation Establishment cultivator happened to intervene and saved Zhao Qingluo’s life.”

She wasn’t particularly suspicious of Wei Tu’s curiosity.

After all, both Geng Wen and Zhao Qingluo had ties to him.

Hearing this, Wei Tu let out a silent sigh of relief.

Things had unfolded in the most favorable way for him.

—Everyone now believed that the person who saved Zhao Qingluo was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, not a mere Qi Refinement cultivator like him.

“If a Foundation Establishment expert stepped in, then Geng Wen must have been doomed.”

“I suppose I can finally sleep easy now.”

Wei Tu chuckled lightly.

“Farewell, Hu Daoist.” After chatting for a bit longer, Wei Tu ended the conversation and got up to leave.

Hu Yao escorted him to the door.

“How strange… Why would Wei Daoist suddenly inquire about Geng Wen today?” Standing by the entrance, Hu Yao lingered for a moment, her gaze following Wei Tu’s departing figure.

For over ten years, he hadn’t once visited.

Yet today, he showed up out of the blue—asking about Geng Wen.

And coincidentally, Geng Wen had died outside the city after failing to ambush Zhao Qingluo.

“Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

“It’s just a coincidence.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, Hu Yao shook her head.

Wei Tu was only at mid-stage Qi Refinement, and his profession as a talisman master kept him holed up in the marketplace.

His combat experience was far from extensive.

If he had encountered Blood Demon Elder even once, he would have been slaughtered on the spot.

There was simply no way he could have been involved in the battle between Blood Demon Elder, Geng Wen, and Zhao Qingluo.

Knowing he was no longer in danger, Wei Tu returned to his courtyard in Lark Street.

He ate, drank, and went about his daily routine as usual.

Meditation, cultivation, and talisman crafting—his schedule remained unchanged.

Whenever he felt like celebrating, he would indulge in a spiritual banquet at Jingyun Pavilion to reward himself.

Of course—

Wei Tu secretly kept tabs on the movements of the Qiyue Zhao Clan.

Since he had the perfect cover of selling talismans, no one suspected him when he occasionally inquired about the Zhao Clan’s activities.

Just like that, time flowed by peacefully.

Wei Tu mentioned to Tong Peipei and Helian Xiong that he was planning to relocate his residence.

His explanation was simple:

“The spiritual energy density in my current courtyard’s cultivation room is too low.”

Neither of his neighbors was surprised by his decision.

Two years ago, Wei Tu had advanced to a mid-grade first-tier talisman master.

While not as wealthy as an alchemist, array master, or artifact refiner of the same level, talisman masters still out-earned most late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators.

In Danqiu Mountain, most late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators owned independent courtyard-style residences.

For someone like Wei Tu, upgrading to a better cultivation abode was perfectly normal.

Wei Tu moved swiftly.

Within a few days, he secured a Grade-B Upper-Tier Cave Dwelling and relocated.

Compared to Lark Street, this new abode had denser spiritual energy and was a private, standalone courtyard.

However, he didn’t let his old residence go to waste.

Instead, he rented it out to Fu Zhizhou.

“Snowfall Courtyard.”

“The name isn’t bad.”

Wei Tu glanced at the plaque hanging at the entrance of his new residence, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes as he stepped inside.

Of course—his reason for moving wasn’t just about the spiritual energy density.

More importantly—

Lark Street’s courtyard had poor privacy.

Things weren’t as simple as before.

After acquiring Blood Demon Elder and Geng Wen’s storage bags, he now possessed spiritual materials and cultivation techniques that couldn’t withstand scrutiny.

He was no longer ‘clean’ like before.

“Besides…”

“There’s also you.”

Wei Tu lifted the hem of his robe and let the Wind-Cleaving Eagle hidden in his sleeve fly out.

The Wind-Cleaving Eagle was arguably his third-greatest gain, after the Foundation Establishment Pill and the spiritual materials.

Its combat power far surpassed that of ordinary late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators.

If not for this spirit beast’s assistance, taking Zhao Qingluo’s storage bag and killing Blood Demon Elder would have been far more difficult.

Naturally, he wouldn’t neglect this powerful ally.

—If he left the Wind-Cleaving Eagle in Demon Wolf Mountain for too long, he feared that his control over it via the beastmaster’s token would weaken over time.

That’s why, after three months, once he had settled into his private courtyard, the first thing he did was bring the Wind-Cleaving Eagle into Danqiu Mountain.

Upon being released, the Wind-Cleaving Eagle spread its golden wings and soared through the air, circling over the beast house Wei Tu had prepared for it, letting out several sharp cries.

Fortunately—

Snowfall Courtyard had a soundproof formation.

Wei Tu wasn’t worried about outsiders overhearing the eagle’s cries.

At that moment—

His gaze shifted toward the courtyard’s entrance.

“A letter?”

In the mailbox, he spotted a sealed envelope.

His expression flickered slightly.

Wei Tu activated his spiritual sense, directing the Wind-Cleaving Eagle to retrieve the envelope and bring it to him.

“A letter from Hong Ying?”

Wei Tu took the letter and noticed the familiar Mirror Water Pavilion emblem stamped on the envelope.

“This is good news for Hong Ying… but I wonder if she has truly let go of her resentment.”

After reading the letter, Wei Tu sighed inwardly.

The contents were simple—it was about revenge.

After the mourning period for her father ended, Kou Hong Ying had issued a mission within Mirror Water Pavilion, seeking the injured first-tier Qingye Snake that had wounded Kou Liang.

The task was swiftly taken up, and soon enough, valuable information surfaced—someone confirmed that a demonic cultivator known as Blood Demon Elder, who had been hiding in Zheng Kingdom, possessed a Qingye Snake.

Upon learning this, Kou Hong Ying followed multiple leads and eventually uncovered the failed ambush on Zhao Qingluo.

When she reached out to Zhao Qingluo for confirmation, she discovered that Blood Demon Elder had already been slain by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Thus, her father’s death was avenged.

Her resentment was lifted.

She reassured Wei Tu and the other elders not to worry about her anymore.

At the end of the letter, she expressed gratitude to Wei Tu for his efforts in pursuing her father’s killer and stated that if she ever got the chance, she would repay the mysterious Foundation Establishment senior who had avenged her father.

“…Hong Ying probably never imagined that the one who avenged my brother was me—her Third Uncle.”

Wei Tu shook his head.

Since Blood Demon Elder was involved, he had deliberately kept the truth from Kou Hong Ying, choosing instead to let it remain hidden.

Yet unexpectedly, her mission within the sect had eventually led her to the truth anyway.

By sheer coincidence, she learned that the Qingye Snake had been slain, and Blood Demon Elder was dead.

“A twist of fate… Had it not been for the inscription I left on the rock wall, Hong Ying might have never known that her father’s killer had already been dealt with.”

Wei Tu pondered.

When he carved those words on the valley wall, he had done so purely to mislead any future investigators—to shift suspicion away from himself.

He hadn’t expected it would also help resolve Kou Hong Ying’s inner turmoil.

“Fortune favors me… and Hong Ying as well.”

Wei Tu mused.

Foundation Establishment was no easy feat.

A cultivator needed more than just a Foundation Establishment Pill—they also had to overcome three major hurdles.

These were: the Physical Hurdle, the Qi Transformation Hurdle, and the Mental Hurdle.

The Physical Hurdle required a cultivator’s body to be strong, full of vitality, and free of internal injuries.

It was also called the Age Barrier.

As long as a cultivator was under the age of 120, this was generally not a problem.

The Qi Transformation Hurdle involved refining one’s Qi Refinement-stage energy into true Foundation Establishment-stage spiritual power.

This tested the cultivator’s foundation—the deeper their foundation, the higher their chances of success.

The Mental Hurdle, however, was the most dangerous of all.

Unlike spiritual power, divine sense undergoes a profound transformation during this stage, and all of a cultivator’s thoughts are magnified.

It was incredibly easy to be afflicted by inner demons.

If Kou Hong Ying had still harbored resentment, she would have been at risk of succumbing to heart demons during Foundation Establishment, causing her breakthrough to fail.

And if she failed, the rewards she had promised Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou would become impossible to fulfill.

Both of their investments would have been wasted.

That was why Wei Tu believed:

“Fortune favors me… and favors Hong Ying as well.”

By mid-April of the following year—

Helian Xiong and Tong Peipei arrived at Wei Tu’s residence for a visit.

Wei Tu commanded the Wind-Cleaving Eagle to hide, then stepped outside to greet his former neighbors and invited them into the main hall.

“What brings the two of you here today?”

After they were seated, Wei Tu noticed a red wedding invitation in Helian Xiong’s hand.

He was taken aback.

Two years ago, when he had treated them to a banquet at Jingyun Pavilion, Helian Xiong showed little interest in Tong Peipei’s affections.

She had feelings for him—but he did not seem to reciprocate.

“Could it be that my moving away made a difference?”

Wei Tu raised an eyebrow.

He wondered whether his absence had allowed their relationship to develop more smoothly—so much so that within a year, they were now getting married.

“As you can see, Tong Daoist and I will soon be joined as Dao companions.”

Helian Xiong explained.

“I will certainly attend,” Wei Tu nodded and accepted the invitation.

He didn’t pry into why their relationship had progressed so quickly.

The cultivation world was not like the mortal world.

Asking too many questions could invite trouble.

Fifteen minutes later—

Helian Xiong took Tong Peipei’s hand and bid Wei Tu farewell, leaving Snowfall Courtyard.

Wei Tu reunited with Fu Zhizhou, who had just returned from Demon Wolf Mountain.

Over drinks, Fu Zhizhou casually revealed how Helian Xiong and Tong Peipei’s relationship had developed.

Several months ago—

Helian Xiong had ventured into Demon Wolf Mountain to hunt a high-tier first-tier demonic beast—the Thunderhorn Tiger.

However, the intelligence he had gathered was incorrect—

The Thunderhorn Tiger’s cave also housed a female tiger.

He had failed to retreat in time and was severely wounded by the beast.

Upon returning to Danqiu Mountain, Tong Peipei personally tended to his injuries.

Through this experience, the two grew close.

Eventually—

Helian Xiong decided to marry Tong Peipei.

“If it weren’t for that incident, Brother Helian wouldn’t have settled down so soon.”

Fu Zhizhou took a sip of spirit wine and remarked.

Wei Tu nodded in understanding.

Among late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, Helian Xiong’s strength and talent were among the best.

Wei Tu observed Helian Xiong closely.

Among late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, Helian Xiong was one of the few with real potential to reach Foundation Establishment.

If Helian Xiong had been like Wei Tu—a cultivator with a trade, such as a Talisman Master—then getting married wouldn’t have made much difference.

But Helian Xiong wasn’t.

He was a hired blade.

He frequently ventured into Demon Wolf Mountain, constantly walking the line between life and death.

Once he had a family, he would inevitably become more cautious in his actions.

His income in spirit stones would likely drop.

And with that, his chances of reaching Foundation Establishment would be significantly reduced.

Helian Xiong and Tong Peipei’s wedding was held as scheduled.

The venue was set at Cloud Sparrow Street Courtyard.

After considering his relationship with his former neighbors—as well as his own status—Wei Tu discussed it with Fu Zhizhou and ultimately decided on his gift:

One low-grade first-tier talisman

Two basic talismans

The total cost was roughly one spirit stone, but the market value was three spirit stones.

A generous gift for such an occasion.

Seeing this, Helian Xiong invited Wei Tu to sit at the guest of honor table.

As Wei Tu approached, he noticed something unusual.

Several cultivators at the table were fawning over an elderly man seated in a place of prominence.

Wei Tu raised an eyebrow.

He studied the old man’s features carefully and realized—

He bore a strong resemblance to a Foundation Establishment cultivator recorded in “Cultivator Almanac.”

“Ren Yifeng. One of the thirty-two rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators in Danqiu Mountain.”

Wei Tu was slightly taken aback.

He hadn’t expected Helian Xiong to have a connection with a Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone be able to invite him to the wedding.

After sitting down, Wei Tu chose not to approach Ren Yifeng.

Instead, he behaved like the other cultivators at the table—eating quietly without making a fuss.

He didn’t believe that ingratiating himself during the wedding banquet would make Ren Yifeng take notice of him, let alone offer him any kind of mentorship.

Near the end of the banquet, Ren Yifeng walked over to Helian Xiong.

He patted Helian Xiong on the shoulder and withdrew a pill bottle from his sleeve, pressing it into Helian Xiong’s palm.

“Years ago, I owed your father a debt. He saved my life in Demon Wolf Mountain.”

“Today, I give you a Condensed Foundation Pill—as repayment for that favor.”

Ren Yifeng’s voice was calm and indifferent.

Without waiting for a response, he flicked his sleeves, transformed into a streak of red light, and vanished from Cloud Sparrow Street Courtyard.

As his words echoed through the hall, silence followed.

The cultivators at the guest of honor table—especially those who had been fawning over Ren Yifeng—felt their faces burn with embarrassment.

They had tried so hard to curry favor, yet the esteemed Foundation Establishment cultivator barely acknowledged them.

Instead, he had given Helian Xiong a rare and valuable pill.

“Condensed Foundation Pill? That’s a Condensed Foundation Pill?”

It didn’t take long for the crowd to react.

All eyes turned to the pill bottle in Helian Xiong’s hand, filled with envy.

The Condensed Foundation Pill was the second most valuable pill for Qi Refinement cultivators—just below the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Its value was immense.

Now, no one was sure whether Ren Yifeng was being cold and distant—or if he was actually a man of deep gratitude.

After all, the favor owed to Helian Xiong’s father might not have been all that significant, but the pill he left behind was undeniably priceless.

As the banquet wrapped up, the attending cultivators gradually took their leave.

Just as Wei Tu was about to leave, he heard—

“Daoist Wei, please wait a moment.”

Helian Xiong had called out to him.

Wei Tu paused mid-step, raising an eyebrow.

“Daoist Helian, what is it?”

“Please, come inside to talk.”

Helian Xiong gestured, inviting Wei Tu into the inner hall.

Once inside, Tong Peipei—still in her bridal attire—served them tea.

Wei Tu took his cup and sat down.

Helian Xiong took a sip, then spoke in a low voice:

“Daoist Wei, do you know why I entered Geng Wen’s cave residence years ago—risking offense just to seek refuge with you?”

Wei Tu set down his cup, eyes calm.

He had an idea.

Before he could respond, Helian Xiong answered his own question.

“Because Daoist Wei is too solitary. Aside from Brother Fu, you rarely interact with others.”

Wei Tu understood the implication.

Helian Xiong was saying that he had deliberately gotten involved with Geng Wen as a means to force an interaction with Wei Tu.

Wei Tu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Daoist Helian, are you saying—?”

From the moment Helian Xiong had chosen to move into Cloud Sparrow Street Courtyard, Wei Tu had suspected that he had ulterior motives.

However, since the situation had never escalated into conflict, he hadn’t bothered to confront it.

Later, Helian Xiong had generously purchased talismans from him, so Wei Tu had simply let the matter go.

But now, Helian Xiong had brought it up himself.

Helian Xiong leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice.

“My family possesses a secret Foundation Establishment method.”

“A method that does not require a Foundation Establishment Pill.”

Wei Tu’s pupils contracted slightly.

“What?”

“A method to establish a foundation without a Foundation Establishment Pill?”

For the first time, Wei Tu’s expression shifted to one of shock.

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