Just from that alone, Wei Tu could never marry Liu Yun.

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Why get so angry?”

Liu Yun pouted.

She had been startled by the cold aura Wei Tu released when he rejected her outright.

After sending Wei Tu out, Liu Yun watched his departing figure and maliciously muttered to herself,

“Could it be that Wei is impotent? He’s been single for so long and never once sought out a woman to vent his frustrations.”

She had full confidence in her appearance.

A few days later, Liu Yun moved away.

The next day, upon hearing the news, Tong Peipei completed her lease papers and moved into Yunque Street Courtyard, becoming Wei Tu’s new neighbor.

On the surface, Wei Tu still kept a cold face, as if he still held a grudge over Tong Peipei’s little schemes against him years ago.

But deep down, he actually welcomed her presence.

Compared to the noisy quarrels of Alchemist Wang and Liu Yun—

Compared to Yuchi Yu’s silent but deadly probing—

His little business rivalry with Tong Peipei was truly nothing worth mentioning.

“Yesterday, the law enforcement team convicted Gong Shulan for Alchemist Wang’s death. According to the coroner’s autopsy, Alchemist Wang did not die from exhaustion, but Gong Shulan still bears undeniable responsibility.”

“Gong Shulan claims Alchemist Wang’s injuries were caused by Zhao Qingluo.”

At Yunque Street Courtyard, Tong Peipei and Hu Yao sat at the old stone table where Wei Tu and Immortal Master Wu used to sit, discussing the recent trial in Danqiu Mountain.

“Zhao Qingluo is such an important figure. How could she be involved with Alchemist Wang?”

Tong Peipei was skeptical.

Hu Yao pondered for a moment before glancing toward Wei Tu’s room.

“According to Gong Shulan’s testimony, it has something to do with Fellow Daoist Wei.”

She then explained further,

“Chisong Jia Clan and Qiyue Zhao Clan have been at war. A few days ago, Zhao Qingluo came to Danqiu Mountain to purchase talismans, pills, and magical artifacts.”

“Now, Wei Tu has been caught in the middle. It won’t be long before the law enforcement team comes to question him.”

Hu Yao’s tone was solemn.

Wei Tu closed his windows and doors, muffling the sound of Hu Yao and Tong Peipei’s conversation outside.

“She’s warning me to prepare myself before I get questioned.”

Wei Tu thought to himself.

He sighed.

A few years ago, because he intentionally distanced himself from Hu Yao, she had stopped visiting him altogether.

Even today—she hadn’t come to warn him directly. Instead, she had deliberately spoken about it with Tong Peipei, knowing that he would overhear.

“Hu Yao is a good person.”

Wei Tu mentally gave her a ‘good person card.’

But even though he appreciated it, he didn’t plan to mend his relationship with Hu Yao.

It wasn’t that he disliked her.

Rather, he was avoiding unnecessary trouble.

He didn’t want to draw the attention of Hu Yao’s financial backers.

“The spirit stones I just earned will have to be used to smooth things over.”

Wei Tu lifted a floorboard under his bed and stared at the pile of over 130 spirit stones neatly stacked inside.

He hesitated, feeling a deep sense of reluctance.

These spirit stones were the result of four years of talisman-making, including the twenty spirit stones Zhao Qingluo paid as a deposit.

After sighing a few times, Wei Tu took out ten or so spirit stones, stowed them away, and headed straight for the law enforcement team to make his move before they summoned him.

By evening, Wei Tu returned.

His spirit stones were mostly gone, and his clothes reeked of alcohol.

He drew a bucket of well water, washed his face, cleared his mind, and continued drawing talismans.

However—

After drawing for a while, he felt an increasing frustration in his chest.

So he opened his old grudge book, turned to the page with Tong Peipei’s name, and added two more words—”Geng Wen.”

Even though he hadn’t yet confirmed if Geng Wen was truly responsible, it didn’t matter.

He would hold that grudge anyway.

“They say villains never live long. Geng Wen is just a ninth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator, a mere mid-grade first-rank alchemist. He won’t be jumping around for much longer.”

Wei Tu smirked coldly.

People who walk too close to the edge eventually fall.

He wasn’t the only one who had noticed Geng Wen’s suspicious activities.

There were definitely others in Danqiu Mountain Market, waiting for the right moment to strike.

“Time to cultivate.”

Wei Tu took a deep breath, set down his brush, and focused his mind.

He sat cross-legged, holding two spirit stones, and slowly absorbed their spiritual energy.

Then—

Something changed.

“The geomagnetic wood spirit seed… it’s different?”

After half an hour of cultivation, Wei Tu suddenly opened his eyes in shock.

His dantian felt strange.

He immediately directed his senses inward, observing the tiny spirit seed within him.

The yellow bean-sized seed…

With each breath he took—

A faint gray light began to glow around it.

“Could it be…”

Wei Tu’s heart pounded as he recalled a passage from the Lesser Spring and Autumn Art describing the transformation of geomagnetic wood.

According to the technique, once he broke through to the Foundation Establishment realm, the Geomagnetic Wood Spirit Seed would generate Geomagnetic Yuan Light.

This Yuan Light contained geomagnetic force, capable not only of controlling objects like a cultivator’s divine sense but also of restraining metal-based artifacts.

If the Geomagnetic Yuan Light became strong enough, it could even suppress other elemental spirit objects.

“If I can grasp this Foundation Establishment ability while still in Qi Refinement, then these fifteen years won’t have been wasted!”

Excitement surged through Wei Tu.

He steadied his breath, carefully using his divine sense to guide the faint Geomagnetic Yuan Light outside his body.

Moments later, a layer of pale gray light coated his fingertips.

Wei Tu’s gaze sharpened as he looked at a few Earth Spike Talismans spread out on his table.

“Rise!”

He pointed a finger.

The pale gray light surged forth, shooting toward the talismans.

Under his control, the Earth Spike Talismans floated into the air and flew straight into his palm.

Wei Tu narrowed his eyes and began testing the capabilities of the Geomagnetic Yuan Light.

“Incredible!”

Wei Tu was astounded.

A Qi Refinement cultivator’s divine sense could normally extend only three meters beyond their body.

But his Geomagnetic Yuan Light reached a full nine meters—three times the range!

More importantly—

Controlling objects with Yuan Light felt far more effortless than using divine sense!

Wei Tu picked up a brush and paper, recording every observed ability of the Geomagnetic Yuan Light.

“There’s just one problem.”

“There’s still too little of it.”

Right now, his Yuan Light could only lift about one and a half kilograms.

Anything heavier—and it wouldn’t budge.

Wei Tu sighed.

He had hoped to use the Geomagnetic Yuan Light for sustained flight, making him nearly untouchable in battle.

With aerial mobility, even a Qi Refinement Ninth Layer expert wouldn’t be able to catch him.

“But there’s no need to be discouraged.”

“This is just the beginning.”

Once his Spirit Seed completed its transformation, true flight might be within reach.

Wei Tu observed his Geomagnetic Wood Spirit Seed with his divine sense.

Every two hours, the seed generated a new wisp of Geomagnetic Yuan Light.

For now, the amount was tiny—barely the size of a sesame seed.

But over time, it would accumulate.

With this discovery, the frustration he felt toward Geng Wen completely faded.

Wei Tu returned to his quiet routine in Yunque Street Courtyard, alternating between drawing talismans and cultivation.

Time slipped away.

In the blink of an eye—

Three years had passed.

This year, as per their agreement, Qiyue Zhao Clan came to Yunque Street Courtyard to collect the talismans Wei Tu had crafted.

But—

This time, Zhao Qingluo did not come.

Instead, the person leading the Zhao Clan delegation was a royal prince named Zhao Quan.

After taking the talismans, Zhao Quan left without renewing their contract.

Wei Tu suspected that the war between Qiyue Zhao Clan and Chisong Jia Clan was nearing its conclusion.

Or perhaps—

The Zhao Clan had found a new talisman master and no longer needed him.

After deducting the cost of talisman paper and spiritual ink, Wei Tu made a net profit of 117 spirit stones.

But—

The stones didn’t last long.

Shortly after, he spent 163 spirit stones at Baibao Pavilion to purchase a mid-grade first-rank talisman brush.

Wei Tu understood well—”To do good work, one must first sharpen their tools.”

A mid-grade talisman brush would last his entire Qi Refinement stage and was a better long-term investment than buying a low-grade brush.

Two months later.

Fu Zhizhou paid him a visit.

But unlike past visits, this time—

Fu Zhizhou carried something in his hand.

A bloodstained bundle the size of a human head.

A thick scent of iron filled the air.

Fu Zhizhou sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, looked Wei Tu in the eye—

And unwrapped the bundle.

Inside—

A severed head.

“Third Brother, your revenge is complete. This is Ying Bing’s head.”

Fu Zhizhou’s voice was calm, but his eyes flickered with cold satisfaction.

“That bastard finally got restless and left Danqiu Mountain. I seized the opportunity…”

He smirked.

This was something that had weighed on him for years.

After all—

The bandit ambush that nearly cost Wei Tu his life had only happened because Fu Zhizhou accidentally revealed their wealth.

Had Wei Tu not been lucky enough to survive…

Fu Zhizhou would have carried that guilt forever.

Wei Tu stared at Ying Bing’s decapitated head.

He felt relief.

But also—

A sense of unease.

“Now that Ying Bing is dead, Geng Wen will notice.”

Wei Tu’s voice turned serious.

“We must be cautious. Geng Wen will be watching us now. We can’t let our guard down.”

Fu Zhizhou waved a hand, smiling. “Third Brother, no need to worry.”

“Helian Xiong broke through to Qi Refinement Eighth Layer not long ago. With his strength, he can protect both of us.”

“Geng Wen? He’s just a pill refiner. How can his combat ability compare to us blade-for-hire cultivators?”

As he spoke, Fu Zhizhou casually revealed his own cultivation level.

“Qi Refinement Sixth Layer?”

Wei Tu was slightly surprised.

He hadn’t expected Fu Zhizhou to advance two minor realms in just seven years.

Now, Fu Zhizhou was one step ahead of him again.

“It’s all thanks to your talismans, Third Brother.”

“Without them, how would Helian Xiong and I dare venture deep into Demon Wolf Mountain?”

Fu Zhizhou explained with a chuckle.

Wei Tu nodded slightly.

He had sold talismans to Fu Zhizhou at nearly cost price and gave Helian Xiong a 30% discount.

With talismans as support, the two gained confidence to hunt high-risk beasts and earn huge profits.

With such resources, it was natural for their cultivation to progress quickly.

“Don’t worry, Third Brother.”

“In a few days, Helian Xiong will move into Yunque Street and live with you.”

“With him around, Geng Wen won’t dare lay a hand on you.”

Fu Zhizhou added.

“Helian Xiong is moving in?”

Wei Tu’s eyebrow twitched as he caught onto the key point.

He wasn’t afraid of Geng Wen.

After all, he had sewn defensive talismans into his robes.

Even if Geng Wen personally attacked him, it was uncertain if he could even land a hit.

So while he appreciated the kind gesture, he didn’t think it was necessary.

“Third Brother, you know how Helian Xiong is.”

“Renting high-end cultivation caves is too expensive for him.”

“And the spiritual energy in the shantytown is too poor.”

“After thinking it over, he decided that Yunque Street was the best place for him.”

Fu Zhizhou explained.

“If he thinks it’s suitable, that’s fine.”

Wei Tu shook his head but offered a reminder.

Currently, the Yunque Street courtyard already housed him and Tong Peipei.

Adding one more person would reduce the overall benefits.

Besides—

His relationship with Helian Xiong wasn’t particularly close.

The only reason he had even sold talismans to him was because of Fu Zhizhou’s connection.

Now, Helian Xiong was moving in, and Wei Tu had a suspicion—

Helian Xiong likely wanted to bypass Fu Zhizhou and deal with him directly.

“I trust Helian Xiong’s character.”

Fu Zhizhou smiled faintly.

He had known Wei Tu for years and immediately understood the hidden meaning behind his words.

Meanwhile—

Deep within the Danqiu Mountain marketplace, inside an exquisitely furnished cave mansion.

“What?”

“Ying Bing is dead?”

A robed elder, seated cross-legged before a pill furnace, furrowed his brows deeply.

Hearing Chu Yin’s report, he found it hard to believe.

Ying Bing was strong.

If he used the Blood Explosion Pill refined by Geng Wen, he could temporarily match a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator.

How could someone as powerful as him die so soon after leaving Danqiu Mountain?

“Does this have anything to do with Wei Tu?”

Geng Wen’s expression darkened as he searched his memory.

Seven years ago—

He had sent Zhuo Yan and Ying Bing to assassinate Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou in an attempt to uncover the mystery surrounding them.

He suspected their “hidden fortune” was linked to the remnants of the Gong Clan.

Gong Shulan had fallen into ruin in the slums.

Meanwhile, Fu Zhizhou had suddenly obtained enough spirit stones to purchase an Earth Yuan Pill.

There was something suspicious about it.

But—

Zhuo Yan had failed.

And then—

With Chu Yin’s failed probe, Wei Tu shut himself away and rarely stepped outside.

Eventually—

Geng Wen lost interest and forgot about Wei Tu altogether.

Until now.

Now that Ying Bing was dead—

Wei Tu resurfaced in his mind.

“It was Fu Zhizhou.”

Chu Yin’s voice remained calm as she presented a transmission talisman.

On the blank surface, three words appeared—

“Fu Zhizhou killed him.”

“Fu Zhizhou?”

Geng Wen’s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.

He turned to Chu Yin.

“The moment Fu Zhizhou leaves Danqiu Mountain, have someone eliminate him.”

Then—

His gaze sharpened.

“As for Wei Tu…”

“That man is far too patient.”

“The last time you tested him, he deliberately concealed his strength.”

Before he could continue—

A knock sounded at the door.

“Master, a man named Helian Xiong has sent a formal request for an audience.”

“He wishes to discuss something with you.”

A maid’s voice came from outside.

“Helian Xiong?”

Geng Wen’s eyebrows arched slightly.

His lips curled into a cold smile.

“The Qi Refinement Eighth Layer cultivator who just had a breakthrough?”

“Seems like he needs something from me—probably here to beg for pills.”

With confidence in his voice, Geng Wen ordered the maid—

“Let him in.”

Standing to the side, Chu Yin hesitated.

She had wanted to warn Geng Wen—

But after a moment’s thought, she chose to remain silent.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep