The Dao Of Time

In a pavilion, Shan Qin gazed out the window at the bustling scene below, muttering to herself, "The Azurewood Sect is truly flourishing. To think they've produced such a young Core Formation expert."

Four women clad in azure robes stood in a neat row behind her. The woman on the far left chuckled, "Just a Core Formation cultivator from a backwater sect. He's no match for the young masters and ladies of the state capital."

Shan Qin ignored the remark and asked, "How did your interactions with the target go?"

The first azure-robed woman stepped forward. Her aura was profound, and her cultivation base was clearly at the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment. "Reporting, Mistress, Daoist Hu Yang may be old, but his cultivation base is quite formidable. He's been honing his skills at Late-Stage Foundation Establishment for many years, building an exceptionally solid foundation."

"If he were to obtain a Dustfall Pill, he could attempt Core Formation, though success isn't guaranteed. The risk is too great. The decision rests with you."

Shan Qin nodded. "If he agrees to sign a contract to serve me for a century, grant him a Dustfall Pill."

"Understood, Mistress."

Shan Qin turned her head.

"Li Lan, how did the negotiations with those two from the Azurewood Sect go?" Shan Qin asked, turning to the third woman.

Li Lan wore a thin, light azure gauze robe, her delicate features radiating an air of fragility. "Reporting, Mistress, this humble servant has successfully acquired the Wine Recipe for Azure Vine Intoxication and its associated shops from True Disciple Shen. From now on, Azure Vine Intoxication will be the signature product of our Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild. As for Alchemist Qi, he showed no interest in our offer and has no intention of leaving his sect to join our Chamber of Commerce."

"In that case, let it go. Next, Guan Zhu."

The third figure, Guan Zhu, was a man dressed in an azure Daoist robe. Unlike Li Lan's delicate demeanor, he possessed a resolute expression and a hint of martial spirit.

"Thanks to Elder Yan's efforts in detaining the two Core Formation experts," Guan Zhu reported, "only a few reckless Foundation Establishment cultivators dared to pursue the Yan Clan. I intervened to assist the Yan Clan, deploying the formation you left behind to block most of the pursuers. The Yan Clan should now be returning safely with the Dustfall Pill. Perhaps a new Core Formation family will soon emerge in Wild Plains Prefecture."

Shan Qin nodded and turned to the last woman, asking, "What about the Spirit Farmer who brews the wine?"

She was naturally referring to Wei Zhong. Shan Qin knew not only that he had created Azure Vine Intoxication, but she had also thoroughly investigated his years of experience as a Spirit Farmer.

The fourth woman stepped forward—Rong Ju, who had spoken with Wei Zhong at the tavern a few days prior.

"Chu Zhong is cautious and lacks ambition," Rong Ju reported. "He harbors resentment towards the Azurewood Sect but doesn't dare voice it. His brewing skills have stagnated at the First-Tier due to the sect's monopoly. If we could entice him with a Second-Tier, or even higher-tier, Brewing Inheritance, we could likely recruit him into our guild."

Clearly, the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild hadn't uncovered Wei Zhong's private deal with Hu Yang, still believing he was stubbornly clinging to a First-Tier inheritance.

"Excellent," Shan Qin replied. "Rong Ju, continue to probe him in the coming days and strive to win him over. Although Azure Vine Intoxication is only a First-Tier spirit wine, it's already a decent physical enhancement treasure in the current Cultivation World. If we could develop a Second-Tier version, I'm confident we could challenge the Wang Clan's Body Refinement Pills with it."

"Understood, Rong Ju," she affirmed.

Shan Qin nodded in satisfaction.

"Xue Mei, Rong Ju, and Guan Zhu, the three of you will stay here with Uncle Yan to assist Manager Ruan when he arrives to establish our branch. Continue monitoring the people and factions under your charge."

"Li Lan, you'll accompany me to Han Bamboo City nearby to investigate a rumor of a potential Spirit Transformation Inheritance." Shan Qin bowed to the empty space before her. "I apologize for troubling you again, Aunt Miao."

Instantly, a long, snow-white leg emerged from the void Shan Qin faced. A beautiful woman in a revealing Daoist robe materialized, a foot-long white jade pipe tucked into her waist and a peculiar blue-and-white gourd in her hand.

"Little Qin, just tell me what you need. Why bother with formalities? As long as the spirit wine keeps flowing, why would your Aunt Miao ever refuse you?" She punctuated her words with a generous swig from the gourd, the spilled wine soaking her chest and accentuating her voluptuous figure.

Shan Qin smiled. "I knew Aunt Miao doted on me. Once this matter is resolved, I'll gather a team of master brewers to create new spirit wines for you every day!"

Miao Lishan paused. "Little Qin, you said it yourself. This Azure Vine Intoxication is quite good, just a little lacking in spiritual energy. If only it were Second-Tier!"

"If Aunt Miao likes it, that's all that matters," Little Qin replied, turning to Rong Ju. "Send a Second-Tier Brewing Inheritance to Chu Zhong at your earliest convenience. Tell him it's a gift from a senior member of our Chamber of Commerce."

"Understood," Rong Ju acknowledged.

The next day, as Wei Zhong prepared to bid farewell to Ning Cankun, a woman arrived at his door. It was Rong Ju from the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild.

Wei Zhong raised an eyebrow as she presented him with a jade slip. But when he read its contents, he looked up in confusion. "Fellow Daoist, what is the meaning of this?"

"A senior member of our Guild greatly admires your Azure Vine Intoxication," Rong Ju replied. "This is a token of encouragement. We hope you'll refine a Second-Tier version soon."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Rong Ju turned to leave.

"Brother Chu, your future is truly boundless!" Ning Cankun exclaimed with a hint of awe.

Wei Zhong remained silent for a moment. The Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild was indeed wealthy beyond measure, casually gifting away such valuable treasures.

Wei Zhong raised his wine cup to meet Ning Cankun's approaching glass. "It was merely a charitable gesture from another, nothing worth mentioning..."

Looking at Ning Cankun's aged face across the table, Wei Zhong felt a pang of sentiment. In just over a month since their last meeting, the wrinkles on his face had deepened, suggesting his remaining days were numbered.

After the matter was settled, Wei Zhong returned to Black Lake Island aboard his Green Boat. He encountered no ill-mannered Robber Cultivators along the way, leading him to wonder if Foundation Establishment Tribulation cultivators were becoming too scarce, or simply slacking on their duties.

In any case, the journey passed uneventfully, calm and ordinary.

Upon returning to Black Lake Island, Wei Zhong immediately deployed the Azure Lotus Array of Azure Waters he had won at auction. He planted Formation Flags at the nodes of the spirit vein, and a green water shield instantly enveloped the entire island and the surrounding waters.

With a flash of spiritual light, the water shield vanished from sight.

Any intruder triggering the formation would immediately alert Wei Zhong. With a mere thought, azure waters would surface, blossoming with azure lotus flowers. Their petals, sharp as knives, could slice through flesh, while their seeds, like bullets, could pierce an enemy's Dharma Body.

Thanks to the abundant spiritual energy supplied by the Second-Tier mid-grade spirit vein, the formation didn't require Wei Zhong's constant supervision. Even Xie Linghua, wielding the central control, could hold off Foundation Establishment cultivators for a time.

With Wei Zhong personally overseeing the formation, no ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator stood a chance of breaching its defenses.

At last, Black Lake Island possessed a proper formation, allowing Wei Zhong to cultivate in peace.

After submerging the Primordial Water Pearl and Big Gold into the lake and sharing a tender moment with Xie Linghua and the others, Wei Zhong retreated to his Cultivation Chamber and stepped into the Grotto-Heaven.

Setting aside his research into Pill Dao and Brewing Inheritance, he devoted all his time to cultivation, save for daily practice of the Second-Tier Blackwater Spirit Garment technique.

With Nascent Soul powers now entering the fray, his Early Foundation Establishment cultivation base was becoming woefully inadequate.