Chapter 23: Double Breakthrough

"Sis Wei, who do you think will likely win this battle?" he asked with a hint of curiosity.

"It's likely The Crimson Blade Gang who will win the battle."

He was confused. Seeing his expression, Wei Xin explained.

"The Feng Family sought an alliance with the other two Immortal Families, but the Li Family rejected them. As for the Mu Family, they have yet to make a decision."

"Even if the Mu Family joins the battle, the outcome will still be determined by the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. If they rely solely on their Qi Refining Realm cultivators, the sheer numbers of the Crimson Blade Gang will likely crush them."

Lan Rui wanted to ask another question but hesitated for a moment. Wei Xin noticed and immediately encouraged him to speak his mind, but his question startled her instead.

"Sis Wei, who is your Dao companion? Of course, if you don't want to tell me, it's okay."

She chuckled and said, "There is no such thing."

He was stunned. "But the story of the death..." Even though he had never heard it directly from her, the rumor was widely believed, and she had never refuted it.

"The rumors and stories circulating in the neighborhood were spread by me. I used that story as a reason to reject all sorts of matchmaking and proposals from others. In reality, I have never had a Dao companion."

So that's how it is. A person as beautiful as her would always attract suitors. Plus, with her talent as a herbalist, he could guess that even the Li Family might have planned to tie her down through marriage.

"Oh yeah, I planned to show you the black market. It can be used to dispose of stolen items or items with questionable origins."

He had heard of the black market but had never known how to get there.

"Sis Wei, I will likely continue my seclusion to draw some talismans. If I don't open my stall for too long, my small reputation will vanish in an instant."

"Alright. Here is my address and a communication talisman. If you want to go to the black market or have anything to discuss, you can contact me or visit me at this address."

He nodded. They continued with light conversation. After finishing a cup of tea, he stood up and walked out, waving at her.

After a few cups of tea time had passed, a gentle voice reached Wei Xin's ears. "Is that the boy you mentioned? He is far from innocent. His eyes are full of ambition. If he does not temper his ambition, he will either rise to great heights or perish in an unknown place."

She did not respond and continued savoring her tea.

As the conflict between the two local factions escalated further, but at this time an undercurrent of disaster lurked in the depths of Nightmare Forest. The vast forest covered 80% of the unexplored land in the Eastern Wilderness.

Inside a cave in a secluded area, a silver-scaled snake lay coiled in hibernation. At its center, a beautiful white lotus remained partially bloomed, with only half of its petals open. Once the lotus fully bloomed, the fate of the nearby regions might be sealed.

...

One month later.

At night, in a meditation room, Lan Rui sat cross-legged on a mat, his eyes closed. A moment later, he opened them, his gaze falling upon the panel before him.

[Name]: Lan Rui

[Lifespan]: 21 / 105

[Realm]: Fourth Layer Qi Refining Realm (99/100)

[Spirit Roots]: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth

[Cultivation Technique]: Five Elements Cultivation (Beginner Level 199/200)

[Techniques]: Cleaning Technique (Beginner Level 79/200), Earth Pillowing Technique (Minor Achievement 12/300), Cloud Rain Technique (Minor Achievement 45/300), Entanglement Technique (Beginner Level 1/200), Geng Metal Finger (Beginner Level 32/200)

[Skills]: First Order Talisman Master: Cleaning Talisman (Minor Achievement 10/300), Light Shield Talisman (Beginner Level 188 /200), Evil-Repelling Talisman (Beginner Level 173/200), Fireball Talisman (Beginner Level 160/200)

A month had passed since he last spoke with Sister Wei Xin. Over the past month, he repeated the same routine, drawing talismans in the morning, cultivating in the afternoon, continuing talisman drawing in the evening, and cultivating again through the night.

Once every two days, he visited the market to sell his talismans and restock materials. His progress had been swift, and with the help of the pills given by Old Wang, he reached the peak of the 4th layer in just a month.

However, his proficiency in the Five Elements Cultivation Technique remained stuck at the Beginner Level, unable to advance.

"After a month of hard work, I've accumulated quite a lot of spirit stones. Given the current market situation, the profits have been immense. It's time to break through and move to the inner area. I can't take any more risks."

He exhaled and began the breakthrough process.

An hour later, he opened his eyes with satisfaction. He had succeeded. But before he could celebrate, a sudden surge of knowledge flooded his mind. He activated his divine sense and absorbed the information.

After a few cups of tea time had passed, he sighed.

[Lifespan]: 21 / 105

[Realm]: Fifth Layer Qi Refining Realm (0/100)

[Cultivation Technique]: Five Elements Cultivation (Minor Achievement Level 0/300)

"I didn't expect the Five Elements Technique to advance alongside my realm." He was about to jump in joy but refrained.

"Let's stabilize the realm first. If not, it might suddenly drop back to the 4th layer."

After a few incense sticks' time, he stood up, ready to go to the market.

"I need to find a house in the inner area. I should visit Sister Wei first, maybe she can help me acquire one near her residence."

He took out the communication talisman Wei Xin had given him and activated it with his spiritual energy. After a few breaths, the talisman flew toward the market and vanished.

"I've already notified her. Now, I need to pack up my belongings and visit the official area to revoke my rent."

At the market, outside the official building, Lan Rui had just finished his business and immediately headed to the residential area.

After an incense stick's time, he arrived. Before him stood a wide courtyard with a beautiful herb garden. At its center was a two-story building, as large as the shops in the commercial district. Staring in disbelief, he checked the address given by Sister Wei Xin.

"Is this the right place? Even the house alone is bigger than my entire courtyard and wooden hut combined." He was shocked.

At that moment, the door opened, and a beautiful woman with a mature face stepped out. She wore a dark blue robe and carried a cold expression, but upon seeing Lan Rui, her cold demeanor melted into a gentle smile.

"You've arrived. I thought you lost your way," she said softly.

"I had some business at the market first. Well, if you hadn't come out, I might have just stood here admiring your beautiful estate," he said awkwardly.

"Come in. I've brewed a pot of tea. Let's drink while we talk," she said with a chuckle.

He stepped inside the estate with bright eyes.

.....