Chapter 385

Chapter 385: Seeking a Dual Cultivation Partner

Shangguan Qianxue’s silence puzzled Zhou Luo, but since she offered no explanation, he pretended nothing had occurred.

In the days that followed, he lived in seclusion, occasionally summoning Wang Lang to gather intelligence.

The conflict had now escalated into a clash between two sects, unlikely to resolve quickly.

What troubled him most was finding a dual cultivation partner for the Technique of the Phoenix and the Luan.

Though immensely powerful, this technique demanded exceptional qualifications.

Among all his wives and concubines—even Yao Wu with her Third Grade spiritual roots—none met the criteria.

After much deliberation, Zhou Luo decided to consult Hong Xiu and sent Wang Lang to deliver the message.

One hour later, Hong Xiu appeared at Zhou Fu, clad in a seductive crimson gown that swayed with her slender waist.

A captivating smile graced her lips as she moved with ethereal lightness, like a passing breeze.

An alluring fragrance trailed her steps, brightening everything in its wake.

She entered the main hall with a light laugh. "Pill Master Zhou, it’s been too long."

Nearly a decade had passed since their last encounter.

After purchasing concubines that one time, Zhou Luo had scarcely patronized Yao Chi Pavilion again.

His limited energy and dwindling chance of conception made maintaining his current household sufficient.

Zhou Luo rose to greet her, gesturing toward a seat. "Years apart, yet Fellow Daoist Hong Xiu remains unchanged—positively radiant."

Politeness dictated such pleasantries, yet it held truth. She seemed to possess an art of eternal youth; her appearance had barely aged these ten years, even appearing younger.

Recalling certain concubines nearing twilight years, Zhou Luo’s thoughts stirred, kindling other possibilities.

"Pill Master Zhou flatters. The ancient ruins must have yielded great rewards," Hong Xiu replied, her beautiful eyes twinkling behind a beguiling smile.

Though they hadn’t met, their ties through Yao Yuan Pavilion maintained contact.

Once, she’d even considered expanding collaborations with him.

That aspiration, however, dissolved under Long Yunshuang’s decisive generosity.

"I certainly did. Yet I invited you for… a matter needing your assistance." Zhou Luo cut straight to the point.

Hearing this, Yanran leaned forward.

Her posture revealed a glimpse of décolletage as an almost palpable aura of magnetism enveloped her.

Had an ordinary Qi Refinement cultivator stood before her, their spirit might have fled instantly—even a typical Foundation Establishment cultivator would struggle to resist.

Her allure appeared utterly innate, without the faintest artifice.

"Is Pill Master Zhou finally gracing my establishment?" she murmured in a voice soft as a whispered secret, soothing to the ear.

Zhou Luo maintained his courteous smile, expression unshaken. "Indeed. Yet my requirements may prove stringent."

"Oh?" Her beautiful eyes registered intrigue. "Do elaborate."

Thus, Zhou Luo meticulously detailed the prerequisites for a dual cultivation partner in the Technique of the Phoenix and the Luan.

After listening, Hong Xiu’s smile froze, rarely revealing a serious expression.

She pondered for a long time before saying with some helplessness: "Pill Master Zhou, if we follow your requirements, I’m afraid it will be somewhat difficult."

Not to mention other demands, just having Third Grade spiritual roots was already a huge barrier.

If there were women with such spiritual roots, how could they possibly end up in places like Yao Chi Pavilion?

They would typically be taken as disciples by Immortal Sects or become key cultivation targets for those factions.

With such high cultivation qualifications, it truly was impossible to find in the Qinyuan Domain.

"It’s fine, friend Hong Xiu. Just keep an eye out for me. You don’t need to worry about spiritual stones," said Zhou Luo.

This time, inviting her over was merely an attempt.

If none were found, it didn’t matter; at worst, he could search slowly.

After all, he had plenty of time.

Hong Xiu gave a slight nod and lightly smiled: "Pill Master Zhou is truly wealthy and influential—no wonder your requirements have gotten so high."

Zhou Luo smiled without saying a word.

"I can only do my best, you know," said Hong Xiu, blinking her beautiful eyes.

Immediately, she lifted her slender, snow-white right hand, raised the nearby cup, and took a gentle sip: "Pill Master Zhou’s brewed wine still tastes the best, much better than what Tian Xia Pavilion sells."

As a top-tier first-grade brewing master, Zhou Luo’s brewing ability was undeniable.

Plus, Hong Xiu herself loved drinking, especially favoring the wine Zhou Luo brewed; she had wanted to get the brewing method from him several times.

Unfortunately, Zhou Luo never revealed it, and she had no way to get it.

Helplessly, she could only frequently buy spirit wine on the market.

But naturally, what was sold on the market couldn’t compare to one’s own.

Hearing these words, Zhou Luo’s eyes flickered as he smiled lightly: "Friend Hong Xiu, if you like it, I can gift you one jar."

"Only one jar? Pill Master Zhou, how about giving me two more jars?" said Hong Xiu, blinking her beautiful eyes and giving a coquettish glance.

Zhou Luo remained unmoved and smoothly continued: "Of course I can, but I also have another matter to ask friend Hong Xiu."

"Ask away. I knew you had ulterior motives," said Hong Xiu.

She chuckled charmingly, raised the cup, and drained it in one gulp, not feeling the slightest abruptness; instead, it was like chatting between friends.

"Looking at friend Hong Xiu, you haven’t changed at all over so many years. I wonder if you have some method to preserve youth?" asked Zhou Luo, gazing at her with a natural expression.

Ever since Lin Lan died, Zhou Luo had been contemplating how to slow the aging of his wives and concubines.

To this end, he had refined large quantities of high-quality beauty potion.

But taking too much of this potion could build up drug toxins in the body.

The best way to slow aging, in theory, was cultivation; yet the wives and concubines he married early didn’t have very high-quality spiritual roots—even if they pursued cultivation their whole lives, they’d have less than two hundred years of lifespan anyway.

He had also considered other methods, but tools to extend life were what countless cultivators dreamed of; they were basically hard to obtain.

Over the years, he had found some, but it was far from enough.

Now, upon seeing Hong Xiu, he casually asked.

Hearing those words, Hong Xiu’s beautiful eyes flickered slightly; she hadn’t expected him to bring up this issue.

Immediately, thinking of his lifestyle, she quickly deduced the reason and sighed emotionally: "Who would have thought Pill Master Zhou was such a loyal and affectionate person."

Nowadays, not to mention Foundation Establishment cultivators, even high-rank Qi Refinement cultivators were all indifferent and emotionless individuals.

They could abandon everything for cultivation, not to mention family and friends—even sacrificing themselves.

For example, those evil cultivators who fell into demonic paths, or those turned dark as bandits.

In the world of cultivation, emotions were the cheapest things.

Originally, Hong Xiu thought Zhou Luo married wives and took concubines for his love of beauty; but after he uttered those words.

She realized she had misjudged him.