Chapter 171: Exchanging the Radiant Robe for Time, Xiao Duo Comes to Establish Her Foundation

Yu Xian’s expression shifted slightly as he stood and walked out of the inner room.

In the outer room, Yue Qiongfeng stood holding an exquisite gauzy dress in one hand, laughing heartily, pride radiating from his face.

Seeing Yu Xian emerge, he immediately boasted, “Little brother! Do you see this? A fifth-grade magical treasure! This was forged by your big brother here, modeled after the ancient spiritual treasure, the Purple Radiant Robe! I’m calling it the Seven Radiance Robe!”

Yu Xian looked at the treasure in Yue Qiongfeng’s hand.

The Seven Radiance Robe truly lived up to its name, shimmering with seven brilliant colors like a rainbow—stunningly beautiful.

A robe like this, if seen by a female cultivator, unless she were entirely devoted to ascetic cultivation, would no doubt stir deep longing in her heart, enough to spend dearly to obtain it.

Moreover, this robe was a fifth-grade defensive treasure, with outstanding protective capabilities—a perfect blend of beauty and function.

A rare treasure indeed.

“Big brother, your craftsmanship defies the heavens! To forge such a robe—how many in all of Eastern Continent could achieve the same? Surely, your artifact crafting skill ranks first!”

Yu Xian laughed heartily and gave a thumbs-up in sincere praise.

Yue Qiongfeng laughed loudly. “You brat, sweet-tongued as always!”

Then, with a flick of his hand, he put the robe away, his smile fading into a more serious tone. “Now that this treasure is complete, I can finally relax for the next half a year. I’ll be free of distractions and able to focus completely on teaching you artifact crafting.”

“Oh?”

Yu Xian’s expression shifted with a hint of confusion.

Yue Qiongfeng, as a resident artifact master of the third floor in Golden Scale Pavilion, received a monthly stipend—but was also obligated to craft a number of artifacts for the Pavilion each month.

So how could he now say he would have a whole half-year free?

Still, this was his private matter. Though curious, Yu Xian said nothing.

Suddenly, a knocking sound came from the door, followed by a lively voice.

“Master Yue? Master Yue, are you in?”

Yue Qiongfeng blinked in surprise, muttering, “That girl—has she learned divination or what? I just finished the robe, and here she is?”

He waved a hand. “I’m in.”

The barrier at the door dispersed, and a girl peeked in, then hopped inside, grinning. “Master Yue! Is my dress ready? I’ve been waiting so long!”

She looked about eighteen or nineteen years old, foundation establishment stage, dressed in red robes, lively and cute.

Not stunning in beauty, but sweet-faced and spirited.

She glanced briefly at Yu Xian, then turned back to Yue Qiongfeng, full of anticipation.

“Young lady, your timing is perfect. I’ve just finished forging your Seven Radiance Robe.”

Though she was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, Yue Qiongfeng gave a slight bow with a respectful expression.

“Really!?”

Delighted, the girl rushed over, holding out her hand. “Quick! Let me see!”

Without delay, Yue Qiongfeng summoned the robe back into his palm. It floated there, radiant with seven hues.

The girl’s eyes lit up immediately. She practically snatched it from his hands, admiring it from every angle, clearly overjoyed.

If not for Yu Xian and Yue Qiongfeng being present, she might have changed into it on the spot.

After a moment of admiring it, she cleared her throat and said, “Thank you, Master Yue. I’ll be going now!”

Yue Qiongfeng chuckled. “Not at all. You provided materials worth over six million spirit stones, using multiple fifth- and sixth-grade components. I only barely managed to forge it—it’s my lacking skill that made you pay so much.”

“No worries,” she laughed. “Just a couple hundred upper-grade spirit stones, nothing big. I’m off!”

“Young lady, wait—”

Just as she turned to leave, Yue Qiongfeng called out again.

“Hm? Something else, Master?”

He bowed slightly. “Do you remember your promise? I won’t be crafting for the next half-year…”

“Oh, that? Easy. I’ll just talk to Uncle Fang. No problem. Bye!”

Waving her white, jade-like hand, she skipped away.

The door closed.

Yue Qiongfeng visibly relaxed.

Yu Xian’s expression remained calm.

Then Yue Qiongfeng looked over with a smile. “Now that the rest of my year is free, I can fully teach you artifact crafting.”

Yu Xian nodded.

Yue Qiongfeng hesitated, then added, “As for why I treated a Foundation Establishment girl with such respect… that’s because she’s from the Mo Clan. Direct bloodline. Granddaughter of Nascent Soul expert Tenglong Zhenren—her name is Mo Yao.”

“A Nascent Soul cultivator’s granddaughter…”

Yu Xian nodded. “No wonder she’s so wealthy—six million spirit stones is like pocket change.”

“Indeed.”

Yue Qiongfeng sighed. “Cultivators rarely have children, especially at high levels. Their cultivation requires refining essence into Qi. That makes reproduction difficult. This girl, being a direct descendant of Tenglong Zhenren, was born pampered. At only seventeen or eighteen, she’s already built her foundation. Six million spirit stones is nothing to her. Some people… are just born fortunate.”

Yu Xian smiled faintly. “My parents and master are very good to me too.”

Later, Yu Xian refined pills nonstop: Snow Lotus Pill, Sunheart Bamboo Pill, Thousand-Year Ginseng Pill, and Golden Essence Pill—four fourth-grade superior-tier pills, each with different effects: cold expansion, fiery refinement, nourishing recovery, and foundational consolidation.

With all four, he calmly advanced to mid Foundation Establishment, pushing his spirit sea to eighteen zhang, his foundational tree flourishing with radiant vitality.

At that time, Su Xiaoduo also came.

Blushing, she bowed. “Senior, I wish to ask a favor… If you help me, I will repay it no matter the cost.”

Yu Xian was indifferent. “If it’s within my power, I’ll help. If not, you’ll have to find someone else.”

She whispered, “I want to build my foundation… I hope Senior can protect me.”

Yu Xian was puzzled. “Can’t you just rent a secure cultivation chamber in the city?”

She quickly said, “I can, but… I can’t.”

When asked why, she confessed: “Because of my cultivation technique… if I succeed, I enter a false death state. If that happens in a public chamber, they’ll think I’m dead and remove me…”

Yu Xian was intrigued. “False death?”

She nodded, eyes shining. “My technique is called Nine-Silkworm Shell Shedding Method. Each false death is a shedding… a transformation.”

Her voice turned soft. “Even though we’ve only met a few times… I trust you more than those I’ve known for years.”

After some thought, Yu Xian nodded. “Fine, I’ll help you.”

She was stunned.

He took her to Yue Qiongfeng’s residence—quiet, safe, and secluded.

Even Yue Qiongfeng was surprised, but after hearing the reason, simply chuckled. “Build your foundation here. No one will bother you. Success or failure, your body is safe.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Su Xiaoduo bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master Yue. Thank you, Senior Yu.”

As she entered the inner chamber to begin her transformation, both Yu Xian and Yue Qiongfeng resumed their own cultivation.

Three peaceful months passed.

Yu Xian mastered second-grade artifact crafting, moving steadily toward third-grade.

Then, one day, a knock on the door broke the silence.

It was Su Xiaoduo again.

But Yue Qiongfeng responded coldly. “He’s not here. He’s gone. Don’t bother me.”

Outside, her voice was tinged with sadness. “Oh… I see.”

She turned to leave.

But Yu Xian suddenly stood, sighing. “Forget it. I did tell her she could come find me.”

Yue Qiongfeng frowned. “You don’t like her. Why not keep your distance?”

Yu Xian replied calmly, “Because seeing her is what cuts the karma. That’s how you truly remain uninvolved.”

“…You’ve seen through more than I have,” Yue Qiongfeng murmured, nodding.

Yu Xian exited.

Not far outside, Su Xiaoduo turned, eyes misty, when she heard his familiar voice:

“Su Xiaoduo, is something the matter?”

He was still here… He really was…

Tears welled in her eyes as she bowed once more.

“Senior… thank you.”