Chapter 63: This Is Hell, This Is a Breeding Ground for Immortals |
The flying carriage traveled all the way to Dumb Donkey Plain. Wang Xianzhou picked up the two of them, put away his magical artifact, and slowly landed in front of the Patriarch.
Handing the storage bag to the Patriarch, the former genius of the Wang Clan said, "It went smoothly enough. I clashed with a Foundation Establishment cultivator from Valley Spirit Sect and swindled twenty thousand spirit stones out of them."
With that, he turned and left.
The Patriarch looked at the two thousand spirit stones in the storage bag. He harbored doubts, but knowing Wang Xianzhou had earned them himself, he didn't dare say much and quietly accepted them.
It could only be said that there was a reason Ning Qianqian of the Huishan Prefecture Ning Clan and Wang Xianzhou of the Anbei Kingdom Wang Clan had caught each other's eyes.
This also revealed the chaos in Wang Xianzhou's state of mind, and explained why Ning Qianqian had run away so quickly.
The Patriarch, sitting cross-legged on the platform, did not stand up. He merely raised his hand, and two wooden chairs sprouted for the two youths, fully displaying his profound mastery of wood arts.
"Come, sit. Yulou, how did your talk with Zhou Yingxi go?"
His first question gave Yulou a tremendous shock.
Yu'an didn't understand what the two were talking about, but he had learned when to stay silent.
"Oh? You didn't call her by the wrong name, did you?
Mu Changze entered the Zhou Family as a live-in son-in-law, so his daughter naturally takes the surname Zhou.
I know you might be dissatisfied with the arrangement I made for you.
But Yulou, opportunities like this are rare. If you agree, you will be granted the position of a personal disciple."
The sheer volume of information was massive. Yulou quickly analyzed it, and upon realizing something, he froze in place.
Ning Qianqian, Gushen Qingyuan, Mu Changze, Wang Xianzhou...
It all matched up. Everything matched up. So that was how it was.
How could the exceptional Wang Xianzhou ever look favorably upon Mu Changze?
"Patriarch, I naturally wouldn't turn down an opportunity. But I was born into the Wang Clan, and I refuse to become a live-in son-in-law subjected to the whims of others.
Most importantly, the Wang Clan raised me and avenged my parents. How could I easily sever those ties?"
Seeing Yulou acting so sensibly, the Patriarch didn't feel pleased; he only felt a pang of heartache.
"It's just that I do have a few questions I would like to ask."
The Patriarch tended to the makeshift tea table, answering as he brewed the tea.
"Speak. You're home now, so there's no need to be so cautious. Relax, just relax."
Yulou's heart warmed. He spoke slowly, recounting his conversation with Zhou Yingxi. Beside him, Yu'an broke into a heavy sweat as he listened.
An opportunity to reach the Purple Palace.
This was an opportunity to reach the Purple Palace!
Even if there were strings attached, it was still a chance at the Purple Palace!
Right now, they could only cultivate for a few hours a day. But if the Wang Clan possessed a Purple Palace cultivator, their future descendants would enjoy the best cultivation conditions right from the Qi Drawing realm.
Big Brother, you're being foolish!
"...Therefore, I concluded that she was hiding something from me. That's why I wrote the letter overnight, wanting to speak with you in person."
Yulou held his teacup but didn't drink. Only after finishing his recount in one breath did he finally take a careful sip.
"This spirit tea? Eighth-grade?"
Surging spiritual energy flowed through his meridians. Yulou's daily cultivation limit was maxed out from just a single sip of this spirit tea.
"Seventh-grade. Yu'an, drink some as well."
Unsure of how to answer Yulou's question in a way he could accept, the Patriarch merely urged Yu'an to drink his tea.
He knew that Yulou was mature. Even if the truth was cruel, Yulou would still understand.
But precisely because of that, he didn't know how to voice it.
"It's delicious!"
Taking just one sip, Yu'an exclaimed in pleasant surprise.
The Patriarch chuckled, pointing a finger at the silly boy.
"Hahaha, go rest first. Boss Crane, go escort Yu'an down."
Yu'an looked at his older brother, then at the Patriarch. He wanted to say something, but in the end, he obediently took his leave.
He wanted to urge his big brother to accept Zhou Yingxi's conditions, but he also understood his unwavering resolve.
It was true. The Wang Clan was great. Wang Family Mountain might be a bit small, but its spirit fruits were sweet, its donkey meat was delicious, and its spirit spring was clear. How was it any worse than anywhere else?
Within Wang Family Mountain, the weather was bright and clear. The Patriarch, Wang Xianmao, sat facing Yulou and spoke solemnly.
"Your guess is correct. The Zhou Family's method of jointly opening a Purple Palace indeed has a flaw.
To open a Purple Palace requires all five meridians of the Dao foundation to be complete before one can establish a Purple Mansion Minor Cave Heaven.
The Zhou Family's secret technique can save on the costs of cultivating a five-meridian Dao foundation. However, Zhou Yingxi's cultivation base is higher than yours, so she will reach Foundation Establishment earlier.
With the Zhou Family's resources, she will inevitably open three meridians, leaving you to open the remaining two. Once the Purple Palace is jointly opened, she will be the master, and you will be the subordinate.
The Purple Mansion Minor Cave Heaven you two establish will reside within her body. That means you will hold the cultivation base of the Purple Palace in name only. You won't possess the actual strength of a Purple Palace cultivator, let alone the nearly infinite lifespan that comes with it.
However, I naturally wasn't trying to push you into a fire pit.
If Patriarch Mangxiang's process of attaining Golden Core goes smoothly, you can borrow the Zhou Family's resources to steadily cultivate two meridians of your Dao foundation first.
In the future, you can enter under the tutelage of True Person Xuanzhuan or even the ancestor. You won't have to bear the karma involved!"
Yulou was dumbfounded.
Well, well, well. The Zhou Family was scheming for his person, while the Patriarch was scheming for the Zhou Family's resources.
"We won't have to bear the karma involved?"
To freeload off the resources of a Purple Mansion family... the Patriarch's guts were truly massive.
The Patriarch slowly nodded, speaking with a pained expression.
"Yes. The Zhou Family and the ancestor already share a grudge—a massive grudge.
If Patriarch Mangxiang can achieve the Golden Core realm, nothing will happen.
If the ancestor fails to attain Golden Core... Yulou, by marrying into the Zhou Family, you can guarantee that our Wang Clan won't decline for the next seven hundred years.
Of course, of course, this all depends on you. Since you are unwilling right now, let's leave it at that!"
Yulou remained silent.
It was an immortal cultivation wager, betting on Wang Yulou's future and the future of the Wang Clan.
The Patriarch was bold and full of ideas, and what was more fortunate was that the Wang Clan held the right to choose.
Now, that choice had landed at Yulou's feet.
The Patriarch's words sounded suspiciously like moral blackmail, but Yulou knew the Patriarch wouldn't resort to such things.
The reason he was so conflicted was that this was an agonizing choice, and Wang Xianmao felt too ashamed to face him.
"Although I am not a rare talent, I want to try establishing a Purple Palace on my own. I don't want to become Zhou Yingxi's stepping stone.
Besides, even if an accident occurs during the ancestor's Dao attainment, Yu'an and my other brothers can still shoulder the family's responsibilities."
Yulou answered decisively, and then asked about another matter.
"Exactly how long is a Purple Palace lifespan? You mentioned it was nearly infinite. Is that true?"
Wang Xianmao looked up at the drifting clouds. With a mixture of longing and fear, he slowly spoke.
"Opening a Purple Palace extends one's lifespan by six Jiazi cycles. That brings the total to over seven hundred years of life.
But the Purple Mansion Minor Cave Heaven unique to Purple Palace cultivators is independent of this world. Once the cultivator enters it, their lifespan freezes.
Under circumstances where they rarely walk the mortal world, figures like True Person Danri and True Person Xuanzhuan could live for another ten thousand years.
The ancestor has been alive for at least two millennia. As for the exact number, our Wang Clan has no way of knowing."
Stunned into silence, Yulou also looked up at the bright and clear sky.
The weather was beautiful, and Wang Family Mountain was breathtaking, but Yulou's heart was filled with incomparable bitterness.
This wasn't the cultivation world. This was hell. This was a breeding ground for immortals.
Any cultivator who failed to reach the Purple Palace was nothing more than livestock trapped in a cage!
The two sat facing each other in silence for a long time before Yulou finally managed to speak.
"Is there something special about me? You seem certain that Zhou Yingxi has no choice but to pick me."
Looking at the sensible Yulou, the Patriarch felt gratified at first, followed by another pang of heartache.
He couldn't remember how many times his heart had ached for him.
Child, you are too clever, and far too mature for your age.
How could I, Wang Xianmao, let the most sensible child bear this cost?
If a price needs to be paid, it should be paid by me, the Patriarch, first!
He waved his hand and leaned back against a tree trunk. Resting one hand on his knee, he feigned an easygoing smile and replied.
"The Zhou Family is terrified that the ancestor might successfully attain Golden Core, but they don't dare intervene.
Yulou, don't think about it anymore. You are right.
Our Wang Clan got to where we are today by relying on the struggles of generations of ancestors, not on backers and political marriages!
I was blinded. I was truly blinded!"
Wiping away the tears that inexplicably streamed from his eyes, Wang Xianmao suddenly felt a deep yearning for his eldest brother.
Eldest Brother, the Wang Clan has produced another Qilin child, one no lesser than Little Brother Xianzhou.
Eldest Brother, you should have held on for a few more years. You should have watched him grow before you left.
Eldest Brother, the ancestor has bled the Wang Clan dry. They are bullying us too much. What should I do?
"Patriarch... to even have the chance to reach the Purple Palace, I am already very satisfied."
Wang Yulou was telling the truth. This terrifying cage locked down the Wang Clan, locking down everyone who hadn't reached the Purple Palace.
Marrying into a wealthy family, getting a beautiful Dao companion for free, and gaining a chance to reach the Purple Palace to live another seven or eight hundred years—wasn't that already the life of an immortal?
It was enough.
After learning the horrifying truth, Yulou's expectations weren't actually that high anymore.
"Bullshit! What does a brat like you know? The Zhou Family might not even guarantee that you and Zhou Yingxi successfully open a Purple Palace.
Just look at Wondrous Peak Mountain. To secure another Purple Palace cultivator, look at how wretched they are now. They are the perfect example.
Do not mention this matter again!" the Patriarch rebuked angrily.
"Is it also difficult for the ancestor to attain Golden Core?" Yulou asked quietly.
Wang Xianmao thought back to his conversation with Mu Changze and replied.
"Mu Changze said the Zhou Family is afraid the ancestor will succeed, so it should go smoothly, right?"
"What they say might not be true, Patriarch. We need to make early preparations."
"What can we do?"
Yulou stopped speaking. He was a transmigrator. He understood many things—many concepts that the societal structure of this world could never conceive of.
But this cage was too cruel, and the young Yulou couldn't find an answer.
Yulou gently closed his eyes, and the Jade Ruyi in his mind stirred slightly.
Could it help me break this deadlock?
It should be able to. It definitely should.
Shen Guang Perfected Man was real. At the very least, the legend of Shen Guang Perfected Man was something the Wang Clan had witnessed every step of the way.
Therefore, there had to be a chance to break out of this cage! There had to be!
"If Shen Guang Perfected Man could become a True Person step by step, our Wang Clan has a chance as well."
Yulou answered with conviction.
Seeing Yulou so confident, the Patriarch's somewhat grave face finally gained a touch of vitality.
That was right! As long as the Wang Clan stood united, there would always be a chance!
"Let's go. Our Wang Family might not be able to provide you with a Minor Cave Heaven, but we are not lacking in spiritual food.
Boss Crane, notify everyone. Go butcher a donkey; we're all having a whole-donkey feast."
Yulou quickly stopped the Patriarch and said,
"Patriarch, my cultivation has already reached its daily limit!"
Rubbing Yulou's head, Wang Xianmao carried him down to Dumb Donkey Plain.
"Hahaha, actually, one of the donkeys suffered a heatstroke, so we might as well cook it. Just eat it."
"Ah? Heatstroke? Isn't it spring right now? And how could a spirit donkey get heatstroke?"
"Look at that donkey over there, lying on the ground without moving a muscle. Doesn't that mean it has heatstroke?"
"Patriarch, it looks like it's sleeping..."
"What is it doing sleeping in broad daylight? It's clearly a lazy donkey. We'll take this one!"
"If the Ancestor fails to attain Golden Core, Yulou, your entry into the Zhou Family can guarantee that our Wang Clan won't decline for the next seven hundred years.
Of course, all of this depends on you. Since you are unwilling, we'll drop it!"
Yulou remained silent.
It was a xianxia-style gamble, betting on his future and the future of the Wang Clan.
The Patriarch was bold and full of ideas. Even more fortunately, the Wang Clan still had the power to choose in this matter.
Now, that power of choice had landed at Yulou's feet.
The Patriarch's words sounded suspiciously like guilt-tripping, but Yulou knew he wouldn't do such a thing.
The reason for his conflict was that this was a very painful choice, and Wang Xianmao felt too ashamed to face Yulou.
"Although I am not a rare talent, I want to try reaching the Purple Palace by myself. I don't want to become Zhou Yingxi's stepping stone.
Besides, even if an accident occurs during the Ancestor's attempt to attain the Dao, brothers like Yu'an and I can shoulder the family's responsibilities."
Yulou declared courageously, then asked about another matter.
"What is the exact lifespan of a Purple Palace cultivator? Is it true that it's nearly infinite?"
Wang Xianmao looked up at the drifting clouds, speaking slowly with a mix of longing and fear.
"Opening a Purple Palace itself extends one's lifespan by six sexagenary cycles, which is over seven hundred years.
However, the Purple Mansion Minor Cave Heaven unique to Purple Mansion cultivators is independent and exists outside this world. Once a cultivator enters it, their lifespan is frozen.
For figures like True Person Danri and True Person Xuanzhuan, as long as they rarely walk in the mortal world, it is entirely possible for them to live another ten thousand years.
The Ancestor has existed in this world for at least two thousand years. As for the exact number, our Wang Clan has no way of knowing."
Caught in shock, Yulou was momentarily at a loss for words. He raised his head and looked at the bright, clear sky.
The weather was wonderful, and Wang Family Mountain was beautiful, yet Yulou's heart felt incomparably bitter.
This was not a cultivation world. This was hell; this was a breeding ground for immortals.
All cultivators who hadn't reached the Purple Palace were nothing but pigs and dogs in a cage!
The two sat facing each other in silence for a long time before Yulou spoke with difficulty.
"Is there something special about me? You seem certain that Zhou Yingxi can only choose me."
Looking at the sensible Yulou, the Patriarch felt a wave of gratification, followed by a familiar ache in his heart.
He could no longer remember how many times his heart had ached like this.
'Child, you are too smart, and far too sensible.
How could I, Wang Xianmao, let the most sensible child bear the price?
If a price needs to be paid, it should be me, the Patriarch, who steps up first!'
He waved his hand and leaned back against the tree trunk. Resting one hand on his knee, he feigned a carefree smile and replied, "The Zhou Family is also afraid that the Ancestor might successfully attain Golden Core, but they don't dare to intervene.
Yulou, don't think about it anymore. You are right.
Our Wang Clan has reached where it is today relying on the struggles of generations of ancestors, not on some backer or political marriage!
I was too obsessed! I was too obsessed!"
Wiping away the tears that inexplicably welled in his eyes, Wang Xianmao suddenly missed his older brother.
'Big Brother, the Wang Clan has produced another Qilin child—a Qilin child no worse than our little brother Xianzhou.
Big Brother, you should have held on for a few more years to take a good look at him before you left.
Big Brother, the Ancestor has bled the Wang Clan dry. They bully us too much. What should I do?'
"Patriarch... having the chance to reach the Purple Palace, Yulou is already very satisfied."
Wang Yulou was telling the truth. A terrifying cage locked down the Wang Clan, locking down everyone who hadn't reached the Purple Palace.
Marrying into a wealthy and powerful family, getting a beautiful Dao Companion for free, and having the chance to reach the Purple Palace—which could allow one to live for another seven or eight hundred years. Wouldn't that be a life fit for immortals?
It was enough.
After learning the horrifying truth, Yulou's expectations weren't actually that high anymore.
"Nonsense! What do you know, kid? The Zhou Family might not necessarily let you and Zhou Yingxi successfully open a Purple Palace.
Look at how miserable Wondrous Peak Mountain has become just to produce another Purple Palace cultivator. They are the best example.
Do not mention that matter again!" the Patriarch scolded angrily.
"Is it also difficult for the Ancestor to attain Golden Core?" Yulou asked faintly.
Thinking of his conversation with Mu Changze, Wang Xianmao replied, "Mu Changze said that the Zhou Family is afraid the Ancestor will succeed. It should go smoothly, right?"
"What they say isn't necessarily true, Patriarch. We need to make plans early."
"What can we do about it?"
Yulou didn't say anymore. He was a transmigrator. He understood many things—many things that the structural framework of this world could not conceive.
But this cage was far too cruel, and the young Yulou couldn't find an answer.
Yulou gently closed his eyes, and the Jade Ruyi in his mind stirred slightly.
'Could it help me break this deadlock?
It should be able to. It should.
Shen Guang Perfected Man is real. At the very least, the legend of Shen Guang Perfected Man is something the Wang Clan witnessed step by step.
Therefore, there must be a chance to break out of this cage! There must be!'
"Shen Guang Perfected Man was able to become a True Person step by step. Our Wang Clan also has a chance,"
Yulou stated firmly.
Seeing Yulou so confident, the Patriarch's somewhat solemn face finally became animated again.
'Yes, as long as the Wang Clan is united as one, there will always be a chance!'
"Let's go. Our Wang Family can't provide you with a minor cave heaven, but we aren't lacking in spiritual food.
Boss Crane, notify everyone. Go slaughter a donkey; we'll all have a whole donkey feast together."
Yulou hurriedly stopped the Patriarch, saying, "Patriarch, my cultivation for today has already reached its limit!"
Rubbing Yulou's head, Wang Xianmao lifted him and descended toward Dumb Donkey Plain.
"Hahaha. In truth, a donkey suffered from heatstroke, so we might as well deal with it. Just eat."
"Huh? Heatstroke? Isn't it spring right now? Besides, how could a spirit donkey get heatstroke?"
"Look at that donkey, lying on the ground motionless. Isn't that suffering from heatstroke?"
"Patriarch, it looks like it's sleeping..."
"Sleeping in broad daylight? At a glance, anyone can tell it's a lazy donkey. That's the one!"