Cultivation Begins From The Desert

Cao Wenjin's transformation is nothing short of remarkable.

So remarkable that when Zhouyang first saw him, he could hardly believe that the person before him was indeed the ruthless and decisive Elder Cao.

The original Cao Wenjin, although already an elderly figure with white hair like the setting sun, still maintained the Essence, Qi, and Spirit at the Golden Core Stage, commanding respect from all.

But now, despite having swapped his appearance to that of a handsome young man, his aura and energy had plummeted all the way down to the Purple Mansion Realm.

Possession!

This was the first thought that sprang to Zhouyang's mind upon seeing Cao Wenjin's current appearance.

As someone who had once survived a possession attempt by a Golden Core Cultivator, Zhouyang naturally felt an intense aversion to this act, which is why his expression changed drastically upon seeing Cao Wenjin's visage.

Only then did he understand why, despite chaos erupting outside, Cao Wenjin had no intention of intervening to quell the unrest.

The truth is, it's not that he doesn't want to intervene, but he's simply lost the ability!

Judging by Cao Wenjin's current state, it was evident that even if the possession was successful, recovering to the Golden Core Stage would not be feasible in the short term.

Indeed, Zhouyang doubted whether his remaining lifespan could sustain him long enough to regain his Golden Core Stage cultivation.

After all, although possession can give a severely injured Golden Core Cultivator another chance at cultivation, lifespan doesn't increase simply by possessing a young and vigorous body, it would be considered fortunate not to have it reduced.

If Cao Wenjin weren't suffering from irreversible injuries, he definitely wouldn't opt for such a reviled and detested method of prolonging life.

If word of this gets out, those wavering family factions would likely side with Luo Yunqing and his camp immediately.

"Although this may be difficult for you to accept, I must say that if I wasn't waiting for your return, I would have resolved... rather than choosing this detestable method of possession to cling to life!"

Cao Wenjin looked at Zhouyang, whose expression had transformed greatly, and spoke in a tone so calm that it caused Zhouyang to frown deeply.

Zhouyang indeed couldn't accept this explanation; if he were to accept this, it would imply that he had become the "culprit" responsible for forcing Cao Wenjin into possession. What a dreadful joke!

With a sullen face, he retorted, "What merit or virtue does a junior like me have, to cause a senior to act this way? If you truly have something to instruct me, you could leave a letter with Elder Zhang's family. Why go to such lengths?"

"Can a message conveyed by others show more sincerity than one delivered personally by me?"

Cao Wenjin shook his head, showing indifference to Zhouyang's words, then gestured, "Enough, let's stop talking about this and get to the main thing!"

With a serious expression, he then looked at Zhouyang and asked gravely, "Before discussing the main issue, I have a question. Back in Immortal Sun City, you had a chance to join me and participate in the Nascent Soul Ceremony of Master Cyan Yang at the Profound Sun Immortal Sect alongside me, but you didn't go. Was it because Master Cyan Yang sent you a decree in private?"

This question had been on Cao Wenjin's mind since their time in Immortal Sun City, but he had held back from asking.

Since the matter involved Master Nascent Soul, asking it recklessly might offend a Master Nascent Soul, which was against Cao Wenjin's usual way of conduct.

But now, facing his own eventual demise, he had fewer apprehensions and concerns.

Upon hearing the question, Zhouyang's expression was slightly surprised, as if a realization dawned upon him. He nodded with an understanding look and said, "Indeed, back in Immortal Sun City, Master Cyan Yang did visit my cultivation abode, gifted me two Spiritual Peaches, and instructed me not to attend his Nascent Soul Ceremony."

"What? Master Cyan Yang personally visited your cultivation abode!"

Cao Wenjin's expression changed, with a low exclamation.

Then his expression brightened with joy, murmuring to himself, "This is even better, this makes me even more relieved!"

With that, his eyes twinkled as he looked at Zhouyang and asked, "You are now close to Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment. Have you made any preparations for opening the Purple Mansion?"

"No, not really. Senior, you know the situation of my family. Opening the Purple Mansion requires my own efforts; the assistance the family can provide is quite limited." Zhouyang shook his head and replied bluntly.

"Just as I thought."

Cao Wenjin nodded, then suddenly said, "If I can provide you with the treasure needed to open the Purple Mansion, along with experience and insights, and after opening the Purple Mansion, gift you and your Zhou Family a large oasis, as well as provide you the Hidden Spirit Incense needed to enter the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, in exchange for three promises from you, would you be willing?"

Upon hearing these words, even though Zhouyang was somewhat prepared, he was still shocked by Cao Wenjin's proposition.

The prior exchange made it unsurprising that Cao Wenjin would offer help in opening the Purple Mansion; however, offering the Zhou Family a large oasis was enough to astound Zhouyang.

That's a large oasis!

What does a large oasis represent?

It represents at least one Tier Four Spirit Mountain, it represents a land that can sustain millions of mortals, it represents the foundation of a Purple Mansion Clan!

Cao Wenjin said at the beginning he would give him a big gift, and Zhouyang had all kinds of guesses and expectations about this gift, but he didn't expect that Cao Wenjin would be willing to spend such a big fortune!

However, when a gift is given, there is always something sought.

After his initial shock, Zhouyang's expression changed for a moment, but he did not immediately answer Cao Wenjin's question. Instead, he asked, "Elder, could you explain in detail, for example, what exactly is the Purple Mansion treasure you are offering? Which oasis are you giving to me, junior? And what are the three promises you want from me?"

Cao Wenjin didn't keep any secrets and answered immediately: "I have a privately collected piece of 'Purple Heart Jade Marrow,' this item was originally kept for my daughter, but now it seems, she doesn't have the blessing to use it!"

"As for the large oasis I want to give you, you are quite familiar with it, it's the Red Tiger Mountain Oasis where you once guarded. Although it doesn't have a large population like other large oases, it has a Tier Four Top Grade Spirit Mountain and three Tier Three Spirit Mountains, and the oasis and its surroundings have three already surveyed Spiritual Ore Veins!"

Huff! Huff!

Zhouyang's breathing instantly became much heavier, unable to conceal the excitement in his eyes.

The preciousness of "Purple Heart Jade Marrow" was something he witnessed in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, and Cao Wenjin's willingness to take out this treasure originally prepared for his daughter Cao Qian for him to use, demonstrated Cao Wenjin's sincerity.

And the Red Tiger Mountain Oasis was even more incredible.

Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary people, such a large oasis with few people, vast land, and sparse population, is not as good as the Baisha River Oasis, which has been developed by cultivators for hundreds or even thousands of years.

But if Zhouyang had to choose, he would definitely prefer the Red Tiger Mountain Oasis.

The reason is simple, with the land area of the Red Tiger Mountain Oasis, after the Zhou Family migrates there, neither the mortals nor the cultivators need to worry about food shortages or insufficient Spirit Mountains for hundreds of years.

If such a large oasis were to belong entirely to the Zhou Family, just the value of various spiritual objects it can produce annually would be worth ten to twenty thousand Spirit Stones, or even more!

"Then the cost? What is the cost?"

He held back his excitement and asked with hurried breath.

The gains are always commensurate with the investment, and the benefits Cao Wenjin is giving him are certainly not easy to obtain.

So without understanding this, no matter how tempted he is, he wouldn't dare to readily agree.

"The first promise you must make to me is that, no matter how high your cultivation reaches, no matter how powerful your Zhou Family becomes, you must never encroach or seize the foundation of my Yellow Sand Sect, nor use methods like infiltration or control to plot against the inheritance of my Yellow Sand Sect!"

"The second promise you must make to me is that if my Yellow Sand Sect faces the crisis of extermination, you must do your utmost to help my Yellow Sand Sect through the disaster, even if it means seeking aid from Master Cyan Yang!"

"The third promise you must make to me is that if your cultivation reaches the Golden Core Stage, and my Yellow Sand Sect still lacks a Golden Core Cultivator, you must procure a 'Jade Liquid Golden Pill' or an equivalent Core Formation treasure for my Yellow Sand Sect!"

Cao Wenjin looked sharply at Zhouyang, his voice heavy as he stated his three conditions.

Upon hearing these three conditions, Zhouyang's face immediately lost any joy, replaced by a bitter and silent expression.

As expected, although he had anticipated that the benefits offered by Cao Wenjin wouldn't be easy to obtain, he still underestimated the difficulty of Cao Wenjin's conditions.

"Elder, these three conditions are too harsh. The first condition is acceptable, I can agree without reservation, but the second condition is too demanding. If I agree to this condition, it would be the same as agreeing to join the Yellow Sand Sect as a sect cultivator, wouldn't it?"

"And for the third condition, as for the price of 'Jade Liquid Golden Pill,' I believe you, Elder, are more aware than I am. You offer me a 'Purple Heart Jade Marrow,' but want to exchange it for a 'Jade Liquid Golden Pill,' isn't this too savvy a deal?"

Zhouyang shook his head with a bitter smile, although he didn't openly refuse, the implication was clear in his words.

If Cao Wenjin offered him benefits just for a few personal favors, for future assistance in times of crisis, that would be one thing.

But Cao Wenjin's requirements now are for Zhouyang to care for the Yellow Sand Sect for a lifetime, which is unreasonable.

The difference between acting a few times and caring for a lifetime is clear to anyone!

"Then what do you want? What do you think is an acceptable bottom line for you?"

Cao Wenjin narrowed his eyes, but did not become angry at Zhouyang's gentle refusal, instead, he asked Zhouyang's opinion.