Ning Jiaqi knelt in homage, and Wei Zhong reluctantly accepted the young man, though without promising to take him as a disciple. Ning Cankun was deeply grateful nonetheless and continued to ramble on at length about the Ning Clan's misfortunes.
He recounted how business rivals had betrayed the clan, causing staggering losses in spirit stones that year and leaving the clan's disciples without adequate cultivation resources. As the clan teetered on the brink of collapse, its various factions had turned against each other, vying for the last scraps of their dwindling inheritance.
In short, he painted a picture of a clan on its last legs.
As Ning Cankun prepared to leave, Wei Zhong pressed a Storage Pouch into his hand, filled with spirit stones, spirit wine, and other spiritual treasures—trifles to Wei Zhong but invaluable to the Ning Clan.
"A small token from an old friend, Brother Ning. Please accept it."
Ning Cankun's lips trembled, his face tightening with wrinkles. He wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve.
"Farewell, Brother Chu! Take care!"
"Take care!"
As the old man departed, Ning Jiaqi remained kneeling, motionless for a long time.
This farewell... it's likely our last.
Ning Cankun's decision to entrust Jiaqi to Wei Zhong likely stemmed from a premonition that his own days were numbered. Unwilling to entangle Wei Zhong in the clan's affairs, he had brought only this younger clansman to entrust to his care.
Wei Zhong felt a wave of melancholy. As time marched on, one after another of his old friends had passed away. If he continued to prolong his life indefinitely, would he truly end up utterly alone?
Wei Zhong turned to look at Xie Linghua and Ning Jiaqi, who was kneeling beside her.
"Rise," he said. "Since your Uncle Ning entrusted you to my care, I will naturally take responsibility for you."
Wei Zhong produced a jade slip and a Storage Pouch.
"This cultivation technique is called the Profound Wood Manual. It's a High-Grade Yellow Tier technique that can be cultivated up to the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. The Storage Pouch contains cultivation resources. Don't disappoint your Uncle Ning's expectations—cultivate diligently."
With these words, Wei Zhong handed the items to Ning Jiaqi, who accepted them and kowtowed several more times, his forehead thudding loudly against the ground.
Wei Zhong reluctantly helped him up. "There's no need for such formalities. I'm not fond of people kowtowing. This is simply what I should do as an elder."
"Linghua, find him a residence and help him settle in."
"Yes, Master."
Wei Zhong nodded and departed.
Despite Ning Cankun's request, Wei Zhong had no immediate plans to accept Ning Jiaqi as a disciple. Providing him with a cultivation technique and resources was already the height of Wei Zhong's generosity.
Of course, if the boy showed exceptional promise in the future, Wei Zhong might reconsider.
Still, a Fire-Wood Spiritual Root is well-suited for alchemy. No need to rush. I'll observe his character before making any decisions.
From that day onward, Black Lake Island gained a new member. When the servants learned that the boy was the descendant of their Master's friend, they greeted him warmly. Before long, the half-grown boy became the most pampered resident of the island.
The good times didn't last. A little over a year later, news arrived that Ning Cankun had passed away peacefully.
Wei Zhong escorted Ning Jiaqi to the Ning Clan to pay their final respects. Seeing Ning Cankun lying in his coffin, Wei Zhong felt a pang of regret.
He then witnessed the various branches of the Ning Clan squabbling endlessly over the inheritance, which filled him with profound annoyance. He swiftly suppressed all those causing a disturbance, both high and low within the clan.
"There will be no commotion during the funeral," he declared.
Intimidated by Wei Zhong's Foundation Establishment might, the Qi Refining Ning Clan finally quieted down temporarily and resumed the funeral rites.
Despite their mortal origins, the Ning Clan still maintained its ancient traditions: spirit vigil, encoffining, procession, and burial in the clan's ancestral grounds.
Ning Jiaqi wiped away tears as he accompanied his uncle on this final journey.
"Is there anyone else here you care about?" Wei Zhong asked.
Ning Jiaqi nodded, then shook his head. "My parents died in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range when I was young. Uncle Ning raised me all these years..."
Wei Zhong understood that Ning Jiaqi's life within the clan must have been difficult. Having lost his direct elders and facing oppression from other family branches, he likely hadn't received the privileges typically afforded to young disciples, relying solely on Ning Cankun's occasional support.
Now that Ning Cankun was gone, Jiaqi was effectively a stranger within his own clan.
Wei Zhong said no more. He summoned his Green Boat and took Jiaqi back with him.
Upon returning to the island, Wei Zhong imparted his alchemy techniques to Ning Jiaqi, adding, "The island can only support your cultivation for ten years. After that, you'll have to earn all your resources through your own efforts."
Hearing this, Ning Jiaqi felt a great weight lift from his shoulders. He prostrated himself in gratitude, vowing, "Thank you, Master Chu, for bestowing upon me this path. Jiaqi will strive to live up to your expectations."
Wei Zhong's voice whispered in his ear, "Calling me 'Master' is a bit premature. Prove yourself worthy first, and then I'll consider it."
When Ning Jiaqi looked up, Wei Zhong had already vanished.
Inside the Grotto-Heaven, Wei Zhong cradled a flask of spirit wine and murmured, "Unexpectedly, the little fellow has such an unassuming nature, unwilling to accept favors. That's a sign of maturity. Perhaps he'll go far."
Imparting the alchemy techniques had been an impulsive decision. Without a master's guidance, mastering alchemy through self-study was notoriously difficult.
After a few moments of reflection, Wei Zhong resumed his cultivation. This prolonged period of practice transported him back to his peaceful days tending fields at the Azurewood Sect—tranquil, serene, and undisturbed.
One day, a letter from the Azurewood Sect shattered his reverie. It wasn't a demand, but a grave warning:
"Demon Cultivators are running rampant in Wild Plains Prefecture, and the situation is worsening daily. All cultivators are advised to travel with extreme caution to avoid falling into their hands..."
"We also intend to invite fellow Daoists to jointly establish a Demon-Exorcising Squad to safeguard the security of this region."
Has the Azurewood Sect finally been pushed too far by the Demon Cultivators? Are they planning a complete purge of the surrounding territories?
Wei Zhong summoned Xie Linghua and learned the full gravity of the situation. Not only had the number of Demon Cultivators in Wild Plains Prefecture increased, but Robber Cultivators had also become more prevalent.
Several times in recent years, Black Lake Island's expeditions to Market City to sell spiritual treasures had been ambushed by Robber Cultivators. The treasures were stolen, and the escorting cultivators were killed, severely disrupting the island's operations.
It seems I have no choice but to intervene, Wei Zhong thought, glancing at his Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation base. As long as I avoid encountering a Nascent Soul cultivator, I should be safe.
Cultivation Base: Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer (31%)
Lifespan: 167/275
Eleven years had passed since Wei Zhong entered seclusion. During this time, he had successfully advanced to Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, gaining an additional twenty years of lifespan.
This significantly boosted his confidence. With his Triple Time Dao Technique, equivalent to Mid-Stage Core Formation, he felt well-equipped to handle the various factions in Wild Plains Prefecture.
Just as Wei Zhong was contemplating the Demon-Exorcising Squad proposal, he heard that Ning Jiaqi had requested an audience.
Eleven years had passed, and the young boy had grown into a young man. Upon seeing Wei Zhong, he bowed respectfully and presented a medicinal pill bottle with both hands.
"I haven't failed Chu Bohou's expectations," Jia Qi announced. "I can now refine Qi Nourishing Pills."
Wei Zhong was mildly surprised. He took the bottle, opened it, and found it truly contained Qi Nourishing Pills—mid-grade ones at that.
Seeing Wei Zhong's expression, Xie Linghua chuckled softly. "Master's foresight in teaching Jia Qi the Pill Dao all those years ago was truly remarkable."
"Jia Qi's talent for alchemy is extraordinary," she continued. "He progressed from the simplest Blood Strengthening Pills and Bigu Pills to successfully refining Qi Nourishing Pills in just five years. Now he can reliably produce mid-grade Qi Nourishing Pills, adding another valuable resource to Black Lake Island."
I never expected my casual efforts to bear such fruit, Wei Zhong mused.
Though Wei Zhong himself had occasionally managed to refine Qi Nourishing Pills, his success rate was dismal—he considered himself lucky if one out of ten attempts succeeded. Moreover, the Qi Nourishing Pill's difficulty was moderate among First-Tier medicinal pills. Jia Qi's ability to consistently produce mid-grade Qi Nourishing Pills would earn him the title of alchemy prodigy anywhere—even within Core Formation sects like the Azurewood Sect.
Wei Zhong observed Ning Jiaqi's cultivation base and noted that he had already reached the third layer of Qi Refining, seemingly close to advancing to the fourth.
Wei Zhong cleared his throat twice, casually placed the Medicinal Pill in Xie Linghua's hand, and turned to Ning Jiaqi. "Your alchemy skills are impressive, but you mustn't neglect your cultivation. In the Cultivation World, strength ultimately prevails."
Feeling that his words might have sounded harsh, Wei Zhong added to Xie Linghua, "We should grant Jia Qi access to the Second-Tier spiritual treasures on the island. He's likely ready to delve into Second-Tier Pill Formulas now."
Hearing this, Ning Jiaqi immediately bowed deeply. "Thank you, Uncle Chu."
Xie Linghua tugged at Wei Zhong's sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Jia Qi is getting older. Shouldn't we arrange a marriage for him? I think Senior Li's disciple would be a good match."
Wei Zhong was taken aback. Ning Jiaqi was only in his early twenties. Given his unusually long lifespan, he was still a young man.
Already considering marriage for him?
The disciple Xie Linghua mentioned was a girl Li Haowen had taken in a few years prior. She possessed Three Spirit Roots, including a mid-grade Metal Spirit Root.
Compared to Ning Jiaqi, she was nearly his equal in talent and only a year or two younger.
"Let the young people handle this themselves," the elder said. "If their hearts are aligned, I'll act as an elder and assist with the arrangements."
Ning Jiaqi's face lit up with a smile upon hearing this reply, confident that the matter was practically settled.
He excused himself, and Wei Zhong exchanged brief pleasantries with Xie Linghua and the others before departing the island.
Outside the island, Wei Zhong gently lowered his hand, causing waves to surge across the lake's surface. A perfectly round black pearl shot forth from the depths—the Primordial Water Pearl he had refined for years.
Grasping the pearl in his palm and feeling its weight, Wei Zhong confirmed its current tier: mid-grade Second-Tier, not far from reaching High-Grade.
With a flick of his sleeve, he stored the pearl away, determined to embark on this demon-exorcising mission in peak condition.
After a fleeting glance at the Nine-Colored phoenix within his Grotto-Heaven, Wei Zhong abandoned his plan to ride it.
It's best to remain discreet, he thought.
Concealing his cultivation base at Early Foundation Establishment, Wei Zhong summoned his Green Boat and set course for his destination.
His destination was the Chen Family's Clan Grounds on the shores of Sea Moon Lake, where the Azurewood Sect's Foundation Establishment cultivator responsible for overseeing demon-exorcising affairs had been stationed in recent years.
By the time Wei Zhong arrived, several people were already waiting.
"Greetings, Elder Xu! I never expected Elder Xu himself to be in charge of demon-exorcising duties here."
The speaker was none other than Elder Xu, the same elder who had once invited Wei Zhong to become a Guest Elder of the Azurewood Sect.
Fellow Daoist Chen showed no surprise at Chu Zhong's arrival, clearly having thoroughly investigated his background beforehand.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, you're a bit late," Xu Changjun said, gesturing to the others seated at the table. "Allow me to introduce everyone." He began with the person on the left: "This is Fellow Daoist Li Haowen from Sea Moon Lake. I'm sure you're already well-acquainted." He then pointed to the second person: "And this is Fellow Daoist Chen Guisong from the Chen Family."
The third person was a Kun Dao. "This is Fellow Daoist Wan Xiu'e, a Guest Elder from our Azurewood Sect. The five of us will be coordinating the demon-exorcising efforts in Sea Moon Lake and the surrounding area."
As Xu Changjun introduced the group to Wei Zhong, Fellow Daoist Chen Guisong stared coldly at him. Once the introductions were complete, he suddenly snapped, "How did a hundred-year-old tortoise like you sneak into our ranks? I just hope your cowardice doesn't endanger the rest of us."
Wei Zhong frowned, puzzled by this unwarranted hostility.
"Ahem," Xu Changjun coughed lightly. "Fellow Daoist Chen, if you have personal grievances with Fellow Daoist Chu, you can settle them privately after this mission. We need to cooperate closely now, so let's refrain from divisive remarks that undermine our unity."
Chen Guisong, unwilling to displease Xu Changjun, a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, rose and cupped his hands in apology. "My words were ill-considered."
Wei Zhong turned to glare at Chen, his expression equally frosty, and sat down without a word.
As Wei Zhong settled into his seat, a voice transmission from Li Haowen reached his ears. He learned that the Chen Family's displeasure stemmed from Wei Zhong's protection of the Li Family in recent years.
Now that the Chen Family had heard that Wei Zhong's powerful backer in the Azurewood Sect's True Inheritance had fallen from grace, they were openly displaying their hostility.
Wei Zhong turned to memorize the Chen cultivator's face, plotting to teach him a lesson later when Xu Changjun wasn't around.
Seeing that Wei Zhong hadn't erupted in anger on the spot, Xu Changjun nodded, relieved, and produced a map.
"Fellow Daoist Chu is new here and may not be familiar with the procedures," Xu Changjun explained. "Let me reiterate: routine patrols are handled by Qi Refining juniors.
We Foundation Establishment cultivators are only required to patrol once a year at fixed intervals, intervening in problems beyond the juniors' capabilities or acting when situations escalate."
He then circled a vast area on the map, including Black Lake Island.
The female cultivator beside him, surnamed Yu, couldn't help but interject, "Once a year? Isn't that excessive? It disrupts our regular cultivation."
Xu Changjun replied, "These are extraordinary times, Fellow Daoist Yu. I ask for your understanding. If you find it truly unbearable, the five of us can split into two teams."
"To prevent harm from Demon Cultivators and Robber Cultivators, all patrols must be conducted in groups," Xu Changjun explained. "Since you four fellow Daoists are all at the Early Foundation Establishment stage, at least three of you must patrol together, with the remaining one accompanying me.
This rotation will occur every two years. Are you all satisfied with this arrangement?"
Yu Xiu'e nodded in agreement.
Wei Zhong and the other two naturally had no objections.
"Very well, let's assign the teams. Fellow Daoist Yu, would you be willing to join me?"
The female cultivator surnamed Yu nodded.
Chen Guisong, standing nearby, was rendered speechless.
Being paired with two other Early Foundation Establishment cultivators was clearly less secure than accompanying Xu Changjun, a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment expert.
But Xu Changjun was a Guest Elder of the Azurewood Sect, practically family.
Chen and Li were merely subordinates of the sect, while Wei Zhong was an unaffiliated Loose Cultivator. Compared to them, Yu Xiu'e had closer ties to the Azurewood Sect.
"Excellent, the teams are set. Fellow Daoist Yu and I will conduct the first patrol. The rest of you may return. Use this time to prepare yourselves thoroughly and strengthen your cultivation. Don't easily fall prey to Demon Cultivators."
Wei Zhong clasped his hands in a salute, exchanged a glance with Li Haowen, and departed together.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, we must cooperate closely in the future."
"Indeed, indeed," Fellow Daoist Chu said, "Old Chen Guisong bears a grudge against us both, so I doubt he'd entrust us with any crucial tasks. I'm wholeheartedly devoted to cultivation and lack experience in combat. My skill in magical duels is likely far inferior to Fellow Daoist Li's. I humbly request your future guidance and assistance."
"Fellow Daoist Chu, you flatter me," Li Haowen replied. "Mutual support is paramount..."
After the obligatory pleasantries, they returned to the island together.
Xu Changjun's arrangements had little impact on Wei Zhong. In fact, avoiding the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator allowed Wei Zhong to fully utilize his true abilities.
There's still a year until the next mission. I should focus on refining the Blackwater Spirit Garment.
Less than a month later, Li Haowen brought Wei Zhong startling news.
While Xu Changjun and Yu Xiu'e were performing a demon exorcism, they encountered a hidden Core Formation Demon Cultivator. After a desperate struggle, they barely escaped with their lives. Had Hall Master Yu Xianglan of the Azurewood Sect's Technique Hall not arrived in time, they would likely have become the Demon Cultivator's victims.
This news filled Chen Guisong and Li Haowen with immense relief. They were grateful that Elder Xu hadn't insisted on the trio patrolling ahead, as they would surely have fallen victim to the Core Formation Demon Cultivator before the Azurewood Sect's Pill Hall Master could intervene.
"I can't believe the situation has deteriorated to this extent. Aside from the Azurewood Sect, is the Yan Clan doing anything?"
Li Haowen shook his head. "Recently, the Yan Clan has been holed up in their territory, recuperating and showing no intention of getting involved. They've even halted their covert conflicts with the Azurewood Sect."
Wei Zhong speculated that this was likely at the behest of the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild. Since the guild wasn't supporting the Demon Cultivators, they naturally wouldn't obstruct the Azurewood Sect's demon-exorcising efforts.
"This is troubling. How can we, mere Foundation Establishment cultivators, possibly contend with a Core Formation Demon Cultivator? Did Hall Master Yu manage to kill him?"
"No. He only wounded him. That Demon Cultivator is incredibly cunning and possesses an excellent escape technique. After fleeing, he vanished without a trace."
Wei Zhong rubbed his forehead. "So that heavily injured Core Formation Demon Cultivator is lurking near Sea Moon Lake? This is a disaster."
Li Haowen forced a wry smile. "Brother Chu, don't fret. Hall Master Yu has been scouring the area recently. He might still find and eliminate him."
"Alas, we should just focus on maintaining the formation. Let's wait for this crisis to pass before considering anything else."
The latter nodded. "Fortunately, I heeded Fellow Daoist's advice and purchased a formation. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known how to protect such a vast area as the Li Family estate."
After further discussion, Li Haowen departed. With the emergence of the Core Formation Demon Cultivator, the patrol mission was no longer necessary.
Wei Zhong diligently guarded the formation, his thoughts preoccupied:
I hope that Demon Cultivator doesn't come to my Black Lake Island. If he does, I'll have no choice but to eliminate him myself.
Surprisingly, the Core Formation Demon Cultivator incident faded like a stone skipping across a lake, creating ripples of commotion that vanished without a trace.
Hall Master Yu of the Azurewood Sect searched for days but failed to find any sign of him, reluctantly returning empty-handed.
The demon-exorcising patrols resumed, this time led not by Elder Xu, but by Ma Yongzuo, a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Inner Sect Elder from the Azurewood Sect.
Ma Yongzuo was a portly middle-aged man with the cautious demeanor of a Loose Cultivator, taking the patrol mission with utmost seriousness.
Over the next two years, he led Wei Zhong, Li Haowen, and Chen Guisong in dismantling multiple Demon Cultivator hideouts and eliminating several Demon Cultivators of comparable cultivation levels.
"These demon spawn are devilishly hard to find, always hiding within these Qi Refining clans," Chen Guisong grumbled, dispatching a fleeing Qi Refining Demon Cultivator with a wave of his hand.
Wei Zhong replied, "It's understandable. These Qi Refining clans might not produce a single Foundation Establishment genius in a century. To advance further, it's only natural they'd turn to demonic cultivation techniques."
Over the past two years, the two had cooperated closely, supporting each other through numerous trials. Much of their past animosity had dissolved, and they could now be considered friends.
Ma Yongzuo incinerated the corpse with a fireball. "Fellow Daoist Chu sees through this clearly. But no matter how desperate these people are to climb higher, they should never resort to demonic cultivation. That's a line we cultivators must never cross."
The Azurewood Sect's crackdown on demonic cultivators came as no surprise to Wei Zhong. As a righteous sect, opposing them was simply their duty. Moreover, the detestable practices of some demonic cultivators—such as sacrificing others' lives to fuel their own cultivation—filled Wei Zhong with disgust.
"Well then, this region should remain quiet for quite some time after this operation. If any of you have urgent matters, please contact me again. I'll be returning to the sect now."
Ma Yongzuo clasped his hands in a farewell salute to the trio before turning and transforming into a streak of escape light, vanishing from their sight.
"Fellow Daoist Ma is truly a decisive man," Li Haowen remarked, watching him depart after uttering only a brief farewell.
"As an Inner Sect Elder of the Azurewood Sect, he's incredibly busy," Chen Guisong explained. "To further his own cultivation, he takes on numerous sect missions. He only joined our Sea Moon Lake clearing operation because the Contribution rewards offered here are substantial."
Since the emergence of a Core Formation Demon Cultivator near Sea Moon Lake, the number of cultivators frequenting the area had dwindled significantly. Even the Azurewood Sect's Guest Elders were reluctant to accept patrol missions in the vicinity.
Only Ma Yongzuo, an Inner Sect Elder, had agreed to lead the Demon-Exorcising Squad, joining the trio in cleansing the region.
Fortunately, no traces of the Core Formation Demon Cultivator had been found in the past two years, making their demon-exorcising mission remarkably smooth.
The most serious incident occurred when the four were ambushed by Demon Cultivators. However, Ma Yongzuo skillfully led them to safety and then turned the tables on their attackers, eliminating the ambushers.
After the battle, the four sustained only minor injuries, which fully healed within about a month.
"Now that the purge is complete, I'll be taking my leave," Wei Zhong said, cupping his hands in farewell before departing.
Li Haowen watched Wei Zhong's retreating figure and murmured, "Perhaps only cultivators like Fellow Daoist Chu, unfettered by sect or clan loyalties, can truly be free."
Chen Guisong lowered his head in silence, their thoughts diverging as they bid each other farewell and parted ways.
Upon returning to Black Lake Island, Wei Zhong's divine sense detected a subtle, obscure aura permeating the island.
He casually asked a nearby servant, "Have we had any visitors during my absence?"
The servant shook his head. "No, Master. Since you left, only Miss He visited once, but she departed some time ago."
Miss He, Li Haowen's disciple, was also the object of Ning Jiaqi's affection.
If there are no guests, then whoever is lurking on the island must be an enemy.
Following the sensed aura, Wei Zhong arrived at a mountain cave.
A plaque above the entrance read "Zhiming Cave"—the former abode of Candle Daoist.
Wei Zhong had abandoned this dark, sunless place in disdain.
The cave still housed a colony of Blood-Eating Bats. He couldn't imagine why anyone would venture here.