The Ascension Summit has been going on for several days, but the alchemist capable of refining the high-grade Emerald Radiance Pill has yet to appear.
Many cultivators have come forward to claim the elixir, but since the day when several claimed to be elixir refiners, Cuiyan Valley has implemented checkpoints. No one is allowed in without undergoing tests alongside the entry-level disciples. Additionally, there's an extra assessment – refining the Emerald Radiance Pill.
This news prompted many cultivators to retreat, as any attempt at alchemy would expose their true skill levels.
Some managed to pass the entry tests but failed at refining the Emerald Radiance Pill. They either exploded the furnace, produced useless pills, or barely concocted a pill that could only be considered low-grade. Undoubtedly, these individuals couldn't be the elixir refiner they claimed to be. However, Cuiyan Valley still accepted some of them.
After listening to the reports from the two disciples, Valley Master Hu sighed, waved his hand, and dismissed them.
City Lord Meng entered, asking, "Valley Master Hu, have you not found that child yet? And no gains from disciples either?"
Valley Master Hu smiled bitterly, "Indeed, neither matter is going well. I've never raised a child and don't know how to get along with Wei Cai, the child of Wei. He's neither too strict nor too lenient. Usually, he's mischievous, which is acceptable. But this time, he managed to bribe someone and escape. In this vast sea of people, he deliberately avoids being found. Where am I supposed to look?"
He had to find Wei Cai. Normally, he was generous with his grandson, so Wei Cai wouldn't lack pills or spirit stones. Outsiders would undoubtedly know about it, so he worried about his grandson's safety. If caught by the wrong people, it would be too late for regrets.
"I never expected Valley Master Hu to be such a caring grandfather. I believe Wei Cai has his own destiny, and he will be safe," City Lord Meng consoled. "As long as he's in the Ten Directions City, I'll instruct my subordinates to keep an eye on Wei Cai's whereabouts. Once there's any news, I'll inform the Valley Master."
"Thank you, City Lord Meng, for your generous offer."
Gu Yao and Chi Chang Ye sat in the courtyard drinking tea. Tian FeiRong rushed in from outside, grumbling before even entering the courtyard, "Gu Yao, Gu Yao, do you know where Lu Minzhu from the Lu family went?" After finishing speaking, he entered the courtyard, looking expectant for Gu Yao to quickly guess the answer.
Chi Changye gave a cool glance at Tian Feirong and asked, "Why are you so concerned about Little Yao, his former fiancée?" If Tian Feirong hadn't brought it up, even Gu Yao might have forgotten about such a person. She accompanied them on the journey, but due to her low profile, Gu Yao overlooked her. Now that they are not staying together, she's pushed to the back of his mind. It seems she has encountered some opportunity.
Curious, Gu Yao asked, "As far as I know, she also has triple spiritual roots, right? Could it be... some special constitution? Judging by your appearance, the places she went shouldn't be too shabby."
Tian Feirong poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and grinned, "Indeed, it's incredible. The Lu family is going crazy. This brat actually caught the attention of the North Star Sect, got recruited, and became a disciple on the spot. Rumor has it she possesses the Hidden Phoenix Marrow Body. As long as this constitution is stimulated, her cultivation speed in the future won't be worse than those with double spiritual roots. She was immediately accepted and has an elder as her master."
"That damn girl is really riding her luck." With such good fortune, how could she not seize the opportunity? Both having triple spiritual roots, yet their luck differs so much. "The Lu family's status is going to skyrocket this time."
"At least the Tian family is not bad," Gu Yao consoled. Currently, Tian family has two foundation-building cultivators, making them formidable opponents for both Gu and Lu families. They wouldn't easily make a move.
However, Tian Feirong was a bit unconvinced. Apart from his eldest brother, who entered the Heavenly Sea Sect with their aunt, the rest of the family members joined an inconspicuous small sect. Initially entering as outer disciples, competition within the small sect was fierce. Life wasn't necessarily better than in the remote Yang Town; among the younger generation, Tian family received the least.
Still, his dissatisfaction was useless. Tian Feirong could only hope that his eldest brother would progress in his cultivation sooner or later, surpassing both Gu Yan and Lu Minzhu, frustrating both Gu and Lu families.
As Tian Feirong anticipated, joy and celebration filled the Lu family's territory. Once feeling inferior, they now held their heads high. Even when encountering children of other major forces, they no longer yielded at every turn. Instead, they flaunted the fact that someone from their family had joined the North Star Sect, becoming a disciple of an elder.
"I always thought Sister Minzhu was impressive. I didn't expect her to be so outstanding. While others are just outer disciples in the North Star Sect, Sister Minzhu became a disciple of an elder right away. Such an honor isn't something everyone can enjoy."
"Forget it. Someone was whispering behind about Sister Minzhu earlier. You'd better hope that Sister Minzhu won't hold a grudge."
Several young girls passing by heard this conversation. They tried hard to maintain a calm expression but almost cracked. Turning around, they hurriedly went back to their rooms. Before coming here and on the way, they didn't hesitate to belittle Lu Minzhu, thinking she wouldn't rise again. They wanted to step on her to climb up. Little did they expect the sudden reversal of her fortune. Why did the Phoenix Marrow Body land on her? Why was she so lucky?
The more they thought about it, the more unfair it seemed. Their silver teeth almost shattered in frustration.
What they worried about now was Lu Minzhu's retaliation. Even if she didn't take action herself, just saying a few words to the family elders would immediately lower their status in the family. Thinking about the possible future, their hearts were filled with endless regret.
Lu Minzhu, restored to confidence, allowed the gazes of her clan members. Whether it was envy, jealousy, or congratulation, she embraced them all. As for revenge, her elders were no longer in control of her future. They couldn't dictate who she would be paired with to have children with spiritual roots. With these thoughts, tears almost welled up in her eyes.
"Now Minzhu is the most promising young member of our Lu family. In the future, family resources will definitely be tilted toward her. I believe that in twenty or thirty years, we'll have a female foundation-building cultivator in the Lu family." An elder comforted, envious of the situation Gu Yan faced. Luckily, the Lu family now had Lu Minzhu, and the conditions at the North Star Sect were better than the Heavenly Sea Sect. She became a disciple of an elder, a stable foundation-building cultivator. The elder couldn't help but burst into laughter at the thought of the family having two foundation-building cultivators in the future.
Once Lu Minzhu establishes herself in the North Star Sect, the Lu family will rise even higher. The family no longer has to worry about the future.
"Congratulations, little sister." Lu Minbai looked at his sister surrounded by everyone, expressing complex joy. Thinking about his own situation, he felt even more lost in comparison.
Especially when he heard the elder say that the family resources would lean towards his sister in the future, he knew that he wouldn't be the family's top junior anymore. Instead, it would be his own sister. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Lu Minzhu showed a relaxed smile. "Big brother, you also need to work hard. Let's strive together."
"Yes, yes, Minzhu is sensible. In the future, you and your brother will become the mainstays of the Lu family," the elder said happily, stroking his beard.
"Alright." Lu Minbai replied softly.
To celebrate Lu Minzhu becoming an inner disciple of the North Star Sect, the elder leading the Lu family decided to go to a restaurant for a meal. The Lu family members rushed out, surrounding Lu Minzhu naturally.
When they came out, they coincidentally encountered members of the Gu family. Previously, Lu family members always felt inferior when facing the Gu family. Especially after Gu Yan joined the Changxian Gate, the Gu family's pressure on them increased. Now, the Lu family might not be worse than the Gu family. After all, a distant water source can't quench near thirst.
They were aware of the situation between Gu Yan and Lu Minzhu. Although they knew that what the Gu family did was unkind, they understood that the result had to be this way. Now they could look at Gu Yan with a mocking gaze. Look at what you've given up, Lu Minzhu from our Lu family, now has a good place. I wonder if you regret it, Gu Yan.
The Gu family members felt similarly complex emotions upon seeing the Lu family. Although the Gu family also had a Gu Yan, they were not Gu Yan themselves. Now, Lu Minzhu had become a disciple of a North Star Sect elder, swiftly creating a distance between her and their juniors. Perhaps, in the future, they would have to address her respectfully as a senior.
Lu Minzhu calmly walked up to Gu Yan, lifting her head with a slight smile. "Cousin, I've become a disciple of the North Star Sect. Although I can't compare with cousin's Changxian Gate, I am already satisfied. In the future, I will follow my master to cultivate diligently and strive to build a foundation soon. Cousin, you must not slack off either."
Gu Yan gazed at Lu Minzhu and said, "Congratulations, cousin. I wish you an early foundation building."
Lu Minzhu giggled a few times, then left with the Lu family. Gu Yan stood there and watched for a while until they disappeared.
The Gu family members who came out with Gu Yan didn't know how to speak. They didn't think that Lu Minzhu still cared about her cousin. Looking at her eyes, it was completely different from before, as if she had grown up in a short time.
Someone whispered, "I heard that the Phoenix Marrow Body is very beneficial for dual cultivation, providing great assistance to the other half. But the person with the Phoenix Marrow Body must be willing."
"It's a pity. The family didn't finalize the marriage with the Lu family earlier." The matter of the two families forming an alliance had not yet been finalized. Now, some people felt regret. If they could marry Lu Minzhu, there would be many benefits. They didn't believe the Lu family would back out of the engagement.
Gu Yan clenched his fist. He understood the change in Lu Minzhu's gaze better than anyone. There was no trace of admiration left, only coldness. He understood why his cousin said those words, only because when Lu Minzhu questioned him back then, he said that they would walk different paths in the future, that they were not suitable, and he didn't want to delay his cousin's prime years.
If he had known about his cousin's constitution earlier, he... perhaps wouldn't have given up so easily.