Chapter 406

Chapter 406: Uncle Zhong

From the first day of the New Year to the fifteenth, Wang Chen spent his time at the Xu family.

He had mastered the Su Yin Huan Zhen Hehe method and introduced Xu Xinlan to its practice.

For half a month, Wang Chen lived a life that even lovebirds would envy, let alone immortals.

His cultivation did not falter, as Xu Xinlan had given him all the essence of the wood element stored in the Xu family’s secret storehouse.

This was sufficient for Wang Chen to break through to the third level of the Purple Palace!

During these two weeks, Wang Chen also basked in Xu Xinlan’s tender affection and attentive care.

For someone with a weaker will, it would have been easy to become ensnared, losing one’s fighting spirit and dedication to the path of cultivation.

But Wang Chen held firm to his true self.

He always knew where his path lay!

The day after celebrating the Lantern Festival with Xu Xinlan, Wang Chen accompanied Uncle Zhong to the Xu family’s mine.

The Xu family owned two mines, both located five hundred miles away in the deep mountains beyond Wailing City. They traveled together in a flying boat, reaching their destination in just half an hour.

This secret mine, which produced the essence of the wood element, was not very large, with just over a hundred miners and a dozen supervisors and managers.

Uncle Zhong skillfully piloted the flying boat directly into the mine.

He often visited for inspections and was very familiar with the situation. First, he introduced Wang Chen to the mine’s manager and explained the relevant details.

Openly, this small mine mainly produced black iron ore, along with a few associated mysterious iron ores.

After smelting, these ores were sent to the Workshop in Wailing City to manufacture everyday items, weapons, and armor.

Due to the average quality of the ores and the lack of a tradition in weapon refining, the profits were quite meager.

This small mine was hardly of interest to others.

However, other than a few, no one knew that such an unassuming mine actually concealed the essence of the wood element!

Uncle Zhong also informed the manager and supervisors about Wang Chen’s identity and background.

After receiving a wave of sincere and respectful greetings, Wang Chen and Uncle Zhong left the mine.

However, the two did not go far; after flying a few dozen miles, they turned back.

This time, Uncle Zhong landed in a quiet, deserted forest, and then the two walked several miles through the mountains before sneaking into a secret cave, descending into the depths underground.

They traveled through a long tunnel for half a stick of incense, and suddenly, a vast underground cavern appeared before them.

As they stepped into the cavern, Wang Chen felt the essence of the wood element permeating the surrounding space!

This place was no less than a cave specifically for the practice of Purple Palace cultivators.

A massive stalactite column hung from the ceiling, with the tip just three feet above the ground, and below it sat a jade basin intricately carved.

Inside the jade basin, there was a thin layer of liquid.

Wang Chen instantly recognized that this liquid was the essence of the wood element!

“I come here once a month to collect it,” Uncle Zhong said.

Uncle Zhong sighed, "It’s like being a thief, sneaking around and not daring to show ourselves."

The discovery of this underground cavern was entirely accidental; a magical beast had entered the mine and injured a miner. The mine’s supervisors and manager could not handle it, so they contacted the Xu family for help.

After Uncle Zhong arrived, he went deep into the mine to eliminate the magical beast. During the fierce battle, he collapsed the mine tunnel, revealing the cavern.

Inside, he found the essence of the wood element.

Uncle Zhong understood the value of the essence of the wood element. After escaping, he announced that he had defeated the magical beast and ordered the complete sealing of that mine tunnel.

He then quietly dug another tunnel that connected directly to the cavern.

This cavern could produce at least one pound of the essence of the wood element each month. Although its grade was not high, its value was astonishing.

After discussing it with Xu Xinlan, he took out about three taels to attract Purple Palace cultivators to protect the Xu family.

The rest he kept hidden, not daring to reveal even a bit.

As for the origin of the essence of the wood element, he simply said it was procured from the outer realm.

This cover-up was done with great caution!

Wang Chen understood, "An ordinary person is innocent, yet possessing treasure is a crime."

Uncle Zhong looked at Wang Chen, his gaze complex. "Young man, from now on, this place will be in your hands."

Xu Xinlan’s relationship with Wang Chen could be concealed from others, but it could not be hidden from him, the loyal steward of the Xu family.

Just as Xu Xinlan said, Uncle Zhong had always regarded her as his own daughter.

Now that she followed Wang Chen without any title, even offering treasures, how could he not have his thoughts?

But Uncle Zhong also knew that this was Xu Xinlan’s best choice.

His time was running out, and he could no longer protect Xu Xinlan for many years.

"I only hope that you will treat the young lady well."

These words came out with humility, as he had no leverage to make Wang Chen fear him.

"Don’t worry," Wang Chen nodded and said, "I will take on the responsibility."

"Thank you, young man."

Uncle Zhong stepped back and respectfully bowed to Wang Chen.

Wang Chen looked at this loyal old steward and suddenly asked, "Uncle Zhong, how many times have you failed at breaking through?"

Uncle Zhong froze for a moment, instinctively answering, "Once."

Wang Chen appeared thoughtful, "Then there’s still one more chance."

For cultivators with perfect mastery in Qi Training, failing to break through is quite normal; 99% of people do not succeed.

Some cultivators, after failing to break through, continue to work hard and attempt to push through again.

Normally, the difficulty of the second attempt is greater than the first, and successful ones are even fewer.

Unless one is exceptionally talented or aided by a spirit pill, two failures usually mean there won’t be a third attempt.

Most cultivators, unless their origin is damaged, will try again after the first failure.

It is only after two failures that they give up completely.

Uncle Zhong smiled bitterly, "I injured my origin during my first failure, and by the time I recovered, I had grown old."

The older a cultivator is, the lower the success rate of breaking through becomes.

It also becomes more dangerous!

Wang Chen’s eyes sparkled as he asked, "If I give you a top-grade spirit pill for breaking through, would you be willing to try again?"

"Ah?" Uncle Zhong was stunned, his head buzzing.

He had long ago given up on the idea of breaking through, thinking that it would be fine to live out his remaining years safely.

As he aged, he had no such thoughts anymore.

But now that Wang Chen mentioned it, Uncle Zhong suddenly realized that a desire still lay deep within his heart.

If he were to succeed in breaking through, his lifespan would double.

Who would want to wait for death if they could avoid it?

He opened his mouth but found he could not speak.

Wang Chen smiled and said, "Uncle Zhong, you don’t need to give me your answer right now. Think it over when you go back. As long as you are willing, I will trade a top-grade spirit pill for you!"

The top-grade spirit pill could be exchanged using contribution points.

Wang Chen just happened to have those contribution points!

But the condition was that Uncle Zhong had to have the courage and willpower to fight for his life.

Otherwise, it would be in vain!