Chapter 286: Yan Ling's Personal Disciple, Third Layer of Core Formation!
Since he was the only one who knew,
and the "key" was in his hand, there was indeed no need to rush.
Upon returning to Cold Blood Peak, the location of the cave dwelling he had chosen was bustling with Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining practitioners flying about.
Crimson and gold coiled dragon pillars and translucent glazed tiles, made from spirit wood, were rapidly assembled into a grand and majestic building.
Calling it a courtyard would be an understatement; it was more like a palace with several smaller halls. Even the gardens, covered walkways, and pavilions were completed for him.
There were also various functional buildings such as alchemy rooms and artifact forging rooms... The area was much larger than what he initially demarcated. Perhaps this was an invisible perk of being a candidate elder?
The only downside was for his neighbors. The already close-by Xue Ying Cave dwelling had been further expanded, leaving only a hundred meters between them.
True neighbors!
Xue Ying stood atop a temporary snow tower shaped by her mana, watching these people work hard on construction, seeming somewhat puzzled herself.
Seeing this, Wang Yu couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.
He landed near Xue Ying.
"Sorry, Daoist Xue, these are arrangements they made on their own. Wang Mou..."
"No need to apologize."
Seeing it was him, Xue Ying shook her head and asked curiously, "What position does Daoist Wang hold in the peak that they would flatter you so? I talked to them about this matter a few days ago, never expecting they would first assist you."
Hearing this made Wang Yu even more embarrassed.
"Perhaps Wang Mou reserved the time earlier."
"I see, I misjudged your noble intentions with my petty thoughts."
"Not at all."
After exchanging pleasantries, just as Wang Yu was about to say something more, a few gusts of cold wind mixed with fragrance blew past, accompanied by the crisp sound of bells.
A woman dressed in a bright blue snowflake-engraved inner jacket, her splendid figure entirely concealed, descended slowly from mid-air.
Her shoulders wrapped in white mink fur collars, draped in a fine White fleece cape, she was completely bundled up. She had a pair of icy blue eyes, her face without makeup was smooth and fair, her small, delicate lips curved beautifully as she nodded in greeting.
"Elder Wang Yu, little sister Xue Ying, I didn't expect the two of you to become neighbors. It seems my trip here wasn't in vain."
Wang Yu was still confused.
Xue Ying showed a hint of pleasant surprise.
"Sister Yan Ling, is there something you need from me?"
Yan Ling?
What came to Wang Yu's mind was the graceful figure he saw years ago at Spider Mountain. Though he hadn't seen her true appearance then, he had already guessed her identity.
Speaking of which, Yan Ling was over ten years younger than Xue Ying, yet she was called older sister.
Among cultivators, those with greater abilities take precedence. Who was stronger was considered a senior, so this form of address was normal.
As for Xue Ying, possessing the Heavenly Ice Spirit Root, she was no worse than Yan Ling's Heavenly Water Spirit Root, and perhaps even more suited for the inheritance of Cold Blood Peak.
However, she did not become a true disciple, thus remaining just a regular Inner Sect Elder.
Thinking of her elder being Flying Snow True Person, and that fleeting glimpse, this woman was shrouded in many mysteries.
Now was not the time to delve deeper.
Wang Yu then asked Yan Ling, "I wonder what esteemed personal disciple Yan Ling seeks from humble me."
"I heard that Elder Wang Yu returned to Cold Blood Peak yesterday and has already attained the title of [Candidate for Twelve Elders]?"
"That's correct."
Having just spoken,
Wang Yu felt a piercing gaze upon him—it was Xue Ying!
Clearly recalling his earlier claim of an early reservation.
Reflecting now, Wang Yu had just returned to the sect yesterday—there was no such thing as an early reservation; it was merely an excuse to placate her.
Yan Ling continued, "Elder Wang Yu is extraordinarily talented. Having just become an elder of Cold Blood Peak, you already possess such a title. Becoming one of the Twelve Elders is only a matter of time."
"Not at all, not at all. I have just formed my Core. How can I compare with the current Twelve Elders? There is still a long way to go!"
"Elder Wang is too modest. Few within the peak have objections to you becoming a candidate elder. Presumably, you received the endorsement of both the Zuoqiu and Zhuo families."
With these words, looking into those icy blue eyes staring intently at him, how could Wang Yu misunderstand Yan Ling's implication?
She simply wanted him to join her faction.
However, he was still unfamiliar with the factions within Cold Blood Peak and needed to tread carefully.
It was only the second day since his return, and their visit so soon was quite unexpected. Moreover, Yan Ling had become the personal disciple of the master of Cold Blood Peak.
On this peak, she was second only to the master and above everyone else.
Why the urgency?
While he pondered, Yan Ling gave Xue Ying a glance, prompting her to speak.
"Sister Yan Ling, Brother Wang Yu, why don't we sit in my humble abode? Have a cup of tea and discuss further."
"Just as little sister suggests, Elder Wang?"
"Very well."
He was curious about both of them. Besides, his cave dwelling was still under intense construction, leaving him nowhere to go. This was a perfect opportunity to inquire about the situation within the peak.
In a moment,
a sip of ice-cold Xue Ling flower tea slid down his throat. The tea was silky, lightly fragrant, with a lingering aftertaste, carrying a hint of honey sweetness. Its effect in refreshing the mind was remarkable.
After savoring it, Yan Ling took the initiative to speak.
"I remember that Alchemist Dantai was introduced by Elder Wang. You also delivered a letter for Daoist Jiang. Why do you seem so unfamiliar with Yan Ling now?"
It wasn't a matter of familiarity but whether he wanted to participate in the internal power struggles of Cold Blood Peak.
"Esteemed Princess Yan Ling must be jesting. I indeed know Alchemist Dantai, but I cannot control her will. It was your extraordinary skills that attracted her to pledge allegiance.
"As for the letter you mentioned, I have no recollection. Perhaps you remembered incorrectly."
Wang Yu spoke off the cuff, a string of nonsense.
Not only did it leave Xue Ying puzzled, but it also momentarily confused Yan Ling, who inwardly cursed before revealing a stunning smile once again.
"I heard that Elder Wang returned yesterday and visited the treasure vaults of various peaks. Are you searching for a certain spiritual material? Could it be this?"
Yan Ling took out a treasure.
Entirely cyan-blue, its surface shimmering with a glass-like luster, it was precisely what Wang Yu lacked—the [Lapis Lazuli Cyan Goldstone]!!
Though surprised, Wang Yu did not immediately take it.
Instead, he pondered, "I wonder what esteemed Princess Yan Ling wishes Wang Mou to assist with."
"I…"
He framed this as a mere employment deal, leaving Yan Ling increasingly speechless. She believed Wang Yu understood her meaning perfectly but deliberately avoided acknowledging it.
After some thought, she raised an eyebrow and said,
"Elder Wang, do you know that every time the sect's treasure vault is replenished, after Nascent Soul cultivators inspect it, it's then the turn of the nine peaks' personal disciples, followed by the elders.
"In the future, if you need any treasures, you can seek my help. If I'm unavailable… you should be able to guess the outcome."
The implication was clear.
If he refused, whether he could obtain the desired spiritual materials in the future would be uncertain.
This wasn't Yan Ling being targeted but someone wanting to make things difficult for him. She subtly revealed this information.
Within Cold Blood Peak, the largest faction was undoubtedly the combined forces of the Zuoqiu and Zhuo families, but other factions existed as well. Not all of them would be friendly toward him.
Anyone with aspirations for the title of Candidate for Twelve Elders would surely cause trouble for him. With his shallow roots, and Yan Ling's similarly weak foundation,
their alliance would increase her leverage and grant her substantial power.
The path Yan Ling walked was actually quite similar to what Wang Yu had initially planned for himself. He had abandoned the true disciple route, while Yan Ling succeeded.
Like Wang Yu, she was of humble origins.
Wang Yu's parents were mere mortals, whereas Yan Ling was even an orphan picked up from somewhere—perhaps a seed abducted from Taihu.
The demonic path was rife with past transgressions, making this possibility not far-fetched.
After pondering for a moment,
Wang Yu suddenly turned to look at Xue Ying, who was holding her teacup and sipping delicately. Startled by his sudden movement, a blush crept onto her cheeks.
She really didn't resemble a Holy Sect cultivator.
"Daoist Xue Ying, what do you think of what Esteemed Princess Yan Ling said?"
"W... Wang Yu Daoist, why are you asking me?"
Wang Yu smiled.
"I've heard that those with Heavenly Spirit Roots are blessed with fortune, and most of their thoughts are correct. What do you think?"
Of course, this was all nonsense.
Otherwise, Luo Chen wouldn't have fallen so rashly. Knowing this, Yan Ling frowned in contemplation, unsure of the relationship between Wang Yu and Xue Ying.
In fact, this was Wang Yu's way of getting closer.
Discussing deep matters with shallow acquaintances was taboo in interpersonal relations, yet people often loved making decisions for others, craving acknowledgment regardless of correctness.
Xue Ying's innocent demeanor, if genuine, suggested she had been overly protected since childhood, like a flower in a greenhouse, with slight social anxiety.
He surmised that Xue Ying's Heavenly Ice Spirit Root was enhanced later, possibly after Flying Snow True Person's death.
Besides drawing closer, this was also a test of the relationship between Xue Ying and Yan Ling, depending on how she responded.
"If I had to choose..."
Just as Xue Ying was at a loss, her ears twitched, hearing Yan Ling's telepathic message. Her expression immediately calmed, and she shyly said,
"I think... Sister Yan Ling is right."
"Very well."
Having received feedback, Wang Yu didn't hesitate.
He decisively took the [Lapis Lazuli Cyan Goldstone]. He indeed needed this material to forge his life-bound magical artifact as soon as possible. His previous indirect interactions with Yan Ling weren't false either.
Knowing she was a wise person who understood timing and circumstances, sometimes choosing a collaborator didn't necessarily require intelligence, but certainly required understanding when to lie low.
In this aspect, she was much better than Su Yulong. At the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about being dragged down by fabricated issues.
The subsequent conversation was relatively relaxed.
Having achieved her goal, Yan Ling stayed for only half an hour before taking her leave. Wang Yu's cave dwelling was still under construction.
After hesitating several times, Xue Ying invited him to stay for a few days.
Clearly, their earlier conversation had begun to bear fruit, but Wang Yu declined. Construction aside, he preferred living in the cave. His needs for the environment had always been pragmatic.
After bidding farewell, he met with the construction team, proposed a few additional requirements, which were promptly fulfilled, and then contentedly entered the cave on the rock wall.
The Ice Heart Tower and Feng Shui Disk could now begin their forging.
He waited another round.
Day 31 of Elder Wang Yu's tenure.
On this day,
a startling commotion arose from the ground.
Wang Yu's mana limit increased to a thousand strands, smoothly breaking through to the third layer of Core Formation!
End of Chapter