Chapter 121 - 103: Qinghe Get-together

Chapter 121: Chapter 103: Qinghe Get-together

Then he could attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment.

The Yun Family didn’t have a Tier Two High-Grade Spiritual Vein, but he could pay a fortune to attempt the breakthrough in a Grand Marketplace like Qinghe Marketplace.

Reaching Body Refining Perfection would increase his chances of success by twenty percent.

Of course, with less than four years remaining, it would be very difficult to cultivate the Cold Pond Body Tempering Technique to Perfection.

Chen Jianghe estimated that if Yu Daniu really were to attempt Foundation Establishment at the age of sixty, his success rate would be thirty percent, or maybe even less.

He had lost a tremendous amount of Essence Blood in his youth. Even though he had been taking Qi Blood Pills for years and had also consumed a Tier One High-Grade Spirit Liquid that nourished his essence and qi, it was impossible to completely make up for the loss.

This would lower Yu Daniu’s chances of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment.

Furthermore, Yu Daniu had used a Misfortune-Breaking Pill to reach the Late-Stage of Qi Refining, which would shave off another ten percent from his success rate.

In other words, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, Yu Daniu’s chances of reaching Foundation Establishment wouldn’t surpass fifty percent.

Still, for a low-level Loose Cultivator, reaching Yu Daniu’s current level was already the stuff of legend around Jingyue Lake.

Zhou Miaoyun didn’t say much, just gave a brief update on her situation.

None of the others pressed her for details.

They could all see the dejected look on her face and knew the predicament she was in.

Burdened by her family, forget Foundation Establishment—it was uncertain if she could even reach the Ninth-Layer of Qi Refining.

She had broken through to the Late-Stage of Qi Refining even before Yu Daniu, yet now she was only at the Eighth-Layer.

Meanwhile, Yu Daniu was already at the Ninth-Layer of Qi Refining.

Chen Jianghe was a little surprised that Yun Xiaoniu’s Cultivation hadn’t reached the Seventh-Layer of Qi Refining. When he’d left Jingyue Lake, Xiaoniu had already been at the Sixth-Layer.

With Yu Daniu’s current standing, getting a Misfortune-Breaking Pill for Yun Xiaoniu should have been a simple matter.

But after thinking it over,

Chen Jianghe understood why.

’Yu Daniu has placed all his hopes on Yun Xiaoniu. He himself will probably never attempt Foundation Establishment without a Foundation Establishment Pill. His chances of success are simply too low. Failure means a shattered Dantian and a violent death as his body explodes. Yun Huizhen wouldn’t let him risk it, either. For the next fifty years, Yu Daniu will be the pillar of support for her branch of the family. And so, Yu Daniu has pinned all his hopes for Foundation Establishment on his son, Yun Xiaoniu.’

’Lacking for nothing in terms of cultivation resources, Yun Xiaoniu broke through to the Sixth-Layer of Qi Refining at twenty-eight and reached Sixth-Layer Qi Refining Perfection this year, at age thirty-two. He just needs to grind through the bottleneck. Even if it takes him five years to break through to the Seventh-Layer of Qi Refining, he will only be thirty-seven. As long as he continues to have a steady supply of resources, Yun Xiaoniu has a real shot at attempting Foundation Establishment before the age of sixty. Even without a Foundation Establishment Pill, he’d have a fifty percent chance.’

「An hour later.」

The get-together came to an end.

Zhou Miaoyun was the first to take her leave.

Gao Peiyao watched Zhou Miaoyun’s retreating figure. ’In the circle of four we formed,’ she thought, ’it seems the Sister Miaoyun I once knew might have to bow out early.’

"After leaving my Sect this time, tradition dictates that I serve a ten-year term as a Steward at one of the Hundred Treasures Tower branches in a major Marketplace."

"Since I previously worked as an assistant steward at the Hundred Treasures Tower here in Qinghe Marketplace, I chose to return and take up the Steward position."

"If either of you brothers need to buy resources at the Hundred Treasures Tower in the future, come find me. I can get you a very generous discount."

Gao Peiyao said, looking at Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu.

"A ten-year term as Steward?"

Chen Jianghe was taken aback. ’This is definitely good news for me.’

’He couldn’t possibly bother Gao Peiyao for minor purchases, like materials for creating Spirit Talismans. But for future purchases like Body Refining Techniques, or the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures required for Body Refining... now that would cost a large amount of Spirit Stones. Going through Gao Peiyao could save him a considerable sum of Spirit Stones.’

At this, both Chen Jianghe and Yu Daniu looked delighted.

"Oh, by the way. This New Year’s Eve, some of my old friends here in Qinghe Marketplace heard I was appointed Steward at the Hundred Treasures Tower. They want to hold a celebration for my successful Foundation Establishment."

"Brother Jianghe, Brother Daniu, and Xiaoniu—you’re all welcome to come."

Gao Peiyao extended the invitation.

Neither Chen Jianghe nor Yu Daniu needed to ask why she hadn’t mentioned this in front of Zhou Miaoyun; they both understood.

They all knew that Zhou Miaoyun was already starting to drift away from their circle of friends.

It was obvious from today’s get-together. She had sat there by herself, lost in thought and barely speaking, only offering a few words when someone else spoke to her first before falling back into her dejected silence.

Gao Peiyao’s Foundation Establishment Celebration was supposed to be a joyous event, so of course, they couldn’t have the gloomy Zhou Miaoyun there.

As for this kind of event, Chen Jianghe had no intention of going. He disliked crowds and preferred not to associate too much with other Cultivators.

He was just about to voice his polite refusal.

"Peiyao, I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it. There are too many matters to attend to for the Yun Family, so I need to remain at Jingyue Lake."

Yu Daniu said, looking a little apologetic.

But then he added, "Xiaoniu can come, though. He can just go with Brother Jianghe."

"Well, if Brother Daniu is busy, that’s fine. But Brother Jianghe and Xiaoniu, you two absolutely have to come."

Ugh...

Chen Jianghe was speechless. ’Yu Daniu beat me to the punch.’

Now he had no choice but to go.

He was living right here in Qinghe Marketplace and, aside from creating Spirit Talismans, had nothing else pressing to do.

Besides, Gao Peiyao had just invited him a second time.

"Don’t worry, Aunt Yao. I’ll definitely be there."

Yun Xiaoniu declared earnestly.

Chen Jianghe sighed internally, but he still smiled and nodded, accepting Gao Peiyao’s invitation.

Following that, Chen Jianghe gave Gao Peiyao his current address.

After that, they all went their separate ways.

Gao Peiyao went to the Hundred Treasures Tower and headed straight for the fifth floor, which would now serve as her Cultivation Land.