Chapter 265

Chapter 265: Father-in-law’s Visit

Overall, this refinement of the Foundation Establishment Dan was actually a failure.

All three groups of people were quite dissatisfied. Xu Tian, in particular, had obtained a low-quality Foundation Establishment Dan but chose not to keep it. Instead, she requested Pill Master Sun to exchange it for other Foundation Establishment materials, effectively selling it back.

Pill Master Sun did not decline.

Afterward, Zhou Luo intended to speak with Pill Master Sun.

However, this alchemy session seemed to have deeply discouraged Pill Master Sun, and Zhou Luo didn’t wish to disturb him further at such an unfortunate time.

After leaving the core area, Geng Feng spoke apologetically, "Friend Xu, my sincerest apologies."

Hearing these words, Zhou Luo paused abruptly.

He thought to himself, brother, you’re a top-level Pill Master, and your master is a second-level Pill Master. Could you show a little more pride?

Why are you apologizing to someone?

"Pill Master Geng, do you possess Foundation Establishment materials?" Xu Tian suddenly turned and asked him.

Though Geng Feng was a top-level Pill Master, his cultivation level was nearing Foundation Establishment; he had most likely prepared materials for the Foundation Establishment Dan as well.

Despite recovering some materials in the exchange, Xu Tian had also incurred significant losses. Thus, she set her sights on him.

Geng Feng’s expression froze, somewhat awkward as he replied, "Friend Xu, I do have some."

"Could you sell them to me?" Xu Tian took a step closer, pressing eagerly.

She had been at the half-step Foundation Establishment stage for years, waiting only for a Foundation Establishment Dan now.

The lightly drifting fragrance she carried washed over him, leaving Geng Feng momentarily entranced. Muddled, he stammered, "Friend Xu, this…"

"Just agree to sell me the Foundation Establishment Dan, and I will give you anything in return," Xu Tian blinked her beautiful eyes.

She was fully aware of Geng Feng’s attraction to her. To secure these Foundation Establishment materials, she didn’t mind making a small sacrifice.

Besides, she belonged to the Hehuan Sect. In the end, who would truly be sacrificing whom remained unknown.

Standing beside them, Zhou Luo watched these two act so openly, feeling utterly bewildered.

Is everyone this audacious nowadays?

"Friend Xu, let’s discuss this upon our return, upon our return," Geng Feng said sheepishly.

How could he withstand such bold advances from Xu Tian?

Upon returning to the inner courtyard, Xu Tian followed Geng Feng to his mansion.

Whether the pair engaged in the so-called "transaction" remained unknown to Zhou Luo.

He only knew this: while observing the alchemy session had imparted valuable knowledge, it also highlighted that refining a high-quality Foundation Establishment Dan demanded considerable strength.

Without guidance, achieving mastery in Second Level alchemy would indeed be extraordinarily difficult.

Even with an extended lifespan, he felt no confidence.

Must I truly crowdsource for alchemy?

Yet, recalling Pill Master Sun’s pitiful success rate with the Dan, he instinctively recoiled at the thought.

One should not hand Fate over to others unless absolutely forced to.

Zhou Luo looked at his three women.

He still had to rely on the system.

That night, he and Lin Xi engaged three hundred rounds once more.

Unfortunately, the Li Family did not sell much Dream Blue Flower, and it was scarce in the market, so this time did not achieve conception at once.

The next day, unexpectedly, Xu Tian sought him out.

Her purpose was simple: purchasing Foundation Establishment materials.

"Pill Master Zhou, I heard you’re preparing materials for an elder too. Why not sell them to this little woman first? If I successfully undergo Foundation Establishment someday, I’ll surely lend you my support."

Leaning against the armrest, Xu Tian displayed her alluring qualities openly before him.

Zhou Luo remained as tranquil as still water.

A woman’s words are deceiving.

"Friend Xu, I wish to help, but it truly isn’t possible. Those materials have already been delivered to my clan," Zhou Luo lied.

But Xu Tian refused to relent: "Pill Master Zhou, if you aid me, I can offer an exchange."

"It truly is beyond my power," Zhou Luo replied firmly.

In the end, the helpless Xu Tian could only leave.

Watching her retreating figure, Zhou Luo shook his head repeatedly.

It seemed he must avoid this woman for some time.

…

Over half a year later, Li Ying and Du Linghui gave birth to two daughters respectively.

【Congratulations to host on the birth of the thirty-eighth offspring! Fifty-year lifespan bonus acquired!】

【As this offspring possesses Sixth Grade spiritual roots, the host gains fifteen talent points!】

【Current Talent: Eighth Grade spiritual root (234/500)】

…

【Congratulations to host on the birth of the thirty-ninth offspring! Fifty-year lifespan bonus acquired!】

【As this offspring possesses Sixth Grade spiritual roots, the host gains fifteen talent points!】

【Current Talent: Eighth Grade spiritual root (249/500)】

…

Both children had Sixth Grade spiritual roots, and he gained another one hundred years of lifespan.

During this year, Zhou Luo spent a massive amount of spiritual stones to buy three concubines.

He had no choice. Ever since witnessing the process of refining the Foundation Establishment Dan that time, he felt the system was still more reliable.

Thus, he hoped that by increasing the number of draws, he might Draw the Second Level alchemy skill.

This day, Zhou Luo received a letter from Li Zehou.

The other party mentioned they would come to Immortal City in a month for the large-scale auction and would stop by to see him.

The reason Li Zehou knew Zhou Luo was in Immortal City stemmed from Zhou Luo once requesting the Dream Blue Flower from the Li Family.

This visit served two purposes: delivering the Dream Blue Flower and checking in on his daughter.

Of course, these were merely excuses. As the family head’s eldest son, his personal visit surely hid ulterior motives.

Zhou Luo didn’t refuse.

He simply took the opportunity to return Li Ying to the Lin Family.

She had witnessed his strength firsthand. Who knew if some special method existed between her and Li Zehou?

Playing it safe, sending her home first was the wiser choice.

What intrigued Zhou Luo more was this large-scale auction.

Held every five years, the Qinyuan Sect would auction off one or two Foundation Establishment Dan each time.

Countless cultivators stuck at the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refinement were eagerly sharpening their knives, waiting for their shot at buying one.

Zhou Luo, however, wasn’t particularly interested.

Snagging a Foundation Establishment Dan at auction carried far too much risk.

What caught his eye were several auxiliary herbs used in refining the Foundation Establishment Dan.

So far, he had gathered eight different auxiliary herbs over the years, leaving ten still needed.

As for any lead on the main ingredient, the Jade Spirit Mushroom – there remained none.

The only known occasion involved sharing the risk and herbs with a Foundation Establishment strong person through crowdsourcing for alchemy, something he wasn’t willing to gamble on.

This large auction typically featured many Foundation Establishment Dan auxiliary herbs for sale; perhaps he could acquire a few types there.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Immortal City saw a surge in visitors these past few days.

People streamed in from all directions, their sole aim being this large auction.

The Lu Family and the Lin Family likely wouldn’t be attending, though.

Currently, their feud had reached a white-hot phase. With both sides pouring immense resources into the conflict, spare funds for auctions simply didn’t exist.

Rumors circulated recently, however, that an elder of the Lu Family seemed close to successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

Whether there was truth to it remained unknown.

One day, Li Zehou finally arrived at the courtyard.

He wore a green robe, approached with swift strides, and offered a benign smile to Zhou Luo before him.

"My esteemed son-in-law, all is well since we last parted, I trust?"