Cultivation starts from devouring the Dao fruits

In the grand hall of Zhao Yu's cave mansion in Xiao Dan Ridge, several beautiful dancers twirled gracefully in the center, while dozens of musicians played enchanting music.

Seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators sat beside a jade table, tasting delicious Spirit Food while admiring the dancers' exquisite performances.

Qiu Zhenning drained a cup of Spiritual Tea and said with a slight smile, "Mountain Master Zhao, on our expedition to Canglong Mountain Range, we hunted a total of eleven Second-Order Demon Beasts, and each of us received tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. We plan to continue hunting beasts next year; would you be interested in joining us?"

Cui Qing laughed, "Indeed! Brother, the Canglong Mountain Range is truly rich in resources. In addition to Second-Order Demon Beasts, there are many rare Spiritual Medicines! If the seven of us join forces, as long as the Demon King of Canglong Mountain does not appear, there's no beast we can't handle!"

Zhao Yu smiled faintly, "My wife and I have little experience in Magical Combat, so we'll not be a burden to you all!"

Tong Shouren laughed, "You jest. If you, Zhao Daoist, have little experience in Magical Combat, then the rest of us should give up on it altogether!"

Eleven years ago, Zhao Yu single-handedly annihilated countless demons and defeated the beast tide. Although Zhao Yu had barely lifted a finger in the past eleven years, everyone present certainly did not underestimate him.

Yi Wanqing said with a smile, "Lingxiu sister, don't you want to leave Xiao Dan Ridge and venture to Canglong Mountain Range to see the vastness of the world and its wonders?"

Shangguan Lingxiu spoke gently and softly, "I will follow my husband's lead. If my husband wishes to hunt demons, I would like to accompany him. If my husband plans to stay here, I intend to stay and serve him."

Upon these words, several envious glances immediately fell on Zhao Yu.

In the Cultivation World where the strong are revered, many female Foundation Establishment Cultivators are just as fiercely independent as men. Some are temperamental, some are jealous, and some are proud and conceited. It is extremely difficult to find a Foundation Establishment female cultivator as gentle and beautiful as Shangguan Lingxiu.

No matter how much the other five Foundation Establishment Cultivators tried to persuade him, Zhao Yu gently declined, with no intention of going out to hunt demons.

Once the banquet concluded, the various Foundation Establishment Cultivators each went their separate ways.

In a secret chamber in Changyuan Mountain, six Foundation Establishment Cultivators gathered.

Qiu Zhenning slowly said, "Zhao Yu, that turtle who shrinks his head, is still unwilling to go to Canglong Mountain Range, preferring to cultivate in Xiao Dan Ridge. Judging from his attitude, if nothing unexpected happens, he might not leave his retreat for decades! Shall we change our target?"

Luo Weihao shook his head, "That won't do! Cui Qing and Tong Shouren are both easily killed, but if we kill them, Zhao Yu will be on guard. Then, our entire plan will be ruined!"

A glint of fervor flashed in Yi Wanqing's eyes, "That's right, Cui Qing and Tong Shouren don't have much to offer. Killing them yields limited benefits. Zhao Yu, on the other hand, is different; he is a top-tier Alchemy Master, capable of Refinement of even Superior Grade Lifespan Extension Pills.

If we can take control of him and have him concoct pills for us, we could have endless wealth, even the chance to cultivate a Golden Core!"

Fang Shuanglan, who had disappeared for eleven years, also appeared in the secret chamber and raised her eyebrows, "Zhao Yu has a Ghost Banner of unknown grade that can release Ghost Fog and invoke dreadful Illusion Techniques. If we can't counter the Ghost Banner, we might not be his match!"

"I have a way to defeat that Ghost Banner! But after our success, Zhao Yu's maid, known as the number one beauty of the Dan Ling Sect, Shangguan Lingxiu, must be left to me to deal with!"

A tall, confident young man wearing a silver robe and looking handsome and frivolous laughed.

An old man with a pale complexion, a black mole on his right cheek, and an ugly appearance, possessing the Seventh Level of Foundation Establishment Cultivation, grinned, "If our plan succeeds, Shangguan Lingxiu will be given to Chen. Since the Ghost Banner can be countered, Zhao Yu will then be just an ordinary Foundation Establishment mid-level cultivator practicing Earth Elemental Skill.

The six of us joining forces can surely capture him alive. Then, we won't need to live on the edge anymore, and it will be possible for each of us to cultivate to the Golden Core!"

The eyes of the other five Cultivators flashed with eagerness. They became bandit Cultivators to gain more Spirit Stones for Cultivation. If they could control an Alchemy Master, it would be like having a money tree, providing a constant flow of Spirit Stones, so they wouldn't have to worry about them anymore.

A few days later, an Escape Light flew above Xiao Dan Ridge and revealed a tall, seductive beauty in a lake-green silk dress, standing on a Silk Scarf. She called out, "Mountain Master Zhao, I am Zhou Yulan, sent by my teacher Yi Wanqing to visit. Please grant me an audience!"

The clouds enveloping Xiao Dan Ridge dispersed abruptly, revealing the path to Zhao Yu's cave mansion.

Zhou Yulan halted in front of the cave mansion and, led by Cui Lihua, arrived at the reception hall where Zhao Yu was seated in the place of honor.

"Master Zhao, this is a letter from my mentor to you, please read and reply!"

Zhou Yulan respectfully handed over an envelope woven from silver threads to Zhao Yu.

The Moon Silver Thread Envelope, a kind only lovers among cultivators would use, signifies that love, like moon silver, is enduring and unbreakable. Is Yi Wanqing taking a fancy to me?

Zhao Yu opened the envelope and saw written on a piece of paper, "Seven days hence, at the hour of the rat, the three Spirit Night Lotuses by Linshan Lake will bloom. I hope to tour and enjoy the lotuses with you."

Zhao Yu spoke indifferently, "You may step back for now!"

"Yes!"

Zhou Yulan bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Zhao Yu said, "Call the lady of the house!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Cui Lihua respectfully answered and retreated.

Before long, Shangguan Lingxiu, dressed in an exquisite goose-yellow palace attire, arrived by Zhao Yu's side with a waft of fragrance and sat down.

Shangguan Lingxiu asked with a playful smile, "What does my husband wish to discuss with me?"

Zhao Yu directly handed the letter to her, "This is a letter from Yi Wanqing to me."

Shangguan Lingxiu's smile carried a hint of mirth as she said, "Meeting by the willow under the moon, an appointment after dusk; such luck with ladies my lord has! Will Lingxiu gain a little sister?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Zhao Yu chuckled and pulled Shangguan Lingxiu into his embrace, "How could she compare to you, Lingxiu? Since I've shown you this letter, shouldn't you reward me in some way?"

Shangguan Lingxiu's cheeks flushed red as she playfully scolded, "Tease! But indeed, the lord deserves a reward!"

Before long, Zhou Yulan returned to the living room and saw Shangguan Lingxiu sitting beside Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu said, "Return and tell friend Yi that I have received the letter. However, I am about to cultivate a technique and do not have the time; I hope she will understand."

"Yes!"

Zhou Yulan respectfully bowed and flew back to Linshan Cave aboard her magic artifact to report.

Bang!

Inside a secret chamber, Yi Wanqing's pretty face turned an angry shade of green as she slammed a palm fiercely onto a wooden table beside her, shattering it. She ground her teeth and said, "That detestable Zhao Yu, truly an ungrateful wretch!"