After raising Mo Lin for ten years, Gu Changhuan knew exactly what it wanted.
“You really will eat anything—even pills meant for cultivators.
But I have nothing as expensive as the pills Grandpa gives you.” He took a bottle of Spirit-Nurturing Pills from his Storage Bag and tossed one into Mo Lin’s mouth.
Since he needed no pills to aid his own cultivation at present, Mo Lin got to enjoy them all.
Mo Lin swallowed the Spirit-Nurturing Pill, lazily closed its eyes, and showed no intention of leaving Gu Changhuan’s arm.
Gu Changhuan let it stay and headed for Wanbao Pill Pavilion’s pill refining room.
Before he reached it, he bumped into Gu Changde.
“Fourth Brother, what is it?
Why the rush?” he asked, soothing Mo Lin, which had been jolted awake and was flicking its tongue.
“Yu Ruyi from the Yu Clan has come and wants to buy ten portions of Spirit-Nurturing Powder.
The stock in front isn’t enough, so I’m going to the storeroom to get some,” Gu Changde said, unusually succinct for once.
Gu Changhuan frowned.
Yu Ruyi of the Yanshan Yu Clan had reached late Qi Condensation at a young age.
The Gu Clan suspected he had dual spirit roots.
Surely his family would supply a cultivator like him with pills.
Why come shopping for them himself?
Gu Changhuan stuffed Mo Lin into his Spirit Beast Pouch, intending to go see what was really going on.
“Fellow Daoist Yu, it has been a while.
Fourth Brother has gone to fetch your order and asked me to keep you company.” Gu Changhuan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Ah, Fellow Daoist Gu.
It has only been a few months, and you have advanced again.
Congratulations!
Your progress puts me to shame.
At your age, I had only just reached the sixth layer of Qi Condensation.” Yu Ruyi smiled just as warmly, though there was more to his words than simple praise.
“I owe it to my elders.
But you have already reached the ninth layer, Fellow Daoist Yu.
Why buy Spirit-Nurturing Powder for late Qi Condensation?” Gu Changhuan asked, getting straight to the point.
Yu Ruyi’s expression remained normal.
“An interesting question.
If a ninth-layer cultivator cannot buy Spirit-Nurturing Powder, why do our Foundation Establishment seniors buy Foundation Establishment Pills?” “You have a quick wit.
Speaking of Foundation Establishment Pills, I suppose I shall be calling you Senior Yu after the Cloudheaven Auction.” Gu Changhuan cupped his hands.
“Allow me to congratulate you in advance.” Upon hearing this, a flash of pride flickered in Yu Ruyi’s eyes.
Apart from him, the Yu Family currently did have another suitable candidate for Foundation Establishment, but that person’s Spirit Roots were inferior to his.
So, barring any accidents, the Yu Family’s next Foundation Establishment Pill would definitely be his!
With his fire and wood spirit roots, a Foundation Establishment Pill would make his chances of breaking through excellent.
Outwardly, however, he remained modest.
“Fellow Daoist Gu jests.
Matters concerning Foundation Establishment Pills are not something a junior like me can decide; it’s up to the family elders.” Right at that moment, Gu Changde also came out carrying the Spirit-Nurturing Powder.
“Not to blow my own trumpet, but our Spirit-Nurturing Powder here at Wanbao Pill Pavilion is worth every stone and more.
Everyone who buys it loves it.
You have a fine eye, Fellow Daoist Yu!” As soon as Gu Changde appeared, his mouth started running nonstop.
Yu Ruyi subtly wiped away a drop of sweat.
“Fellow Daoists Gu, I have urgent matters and won’t disturb you further.” He took his purchase, left the Spirit Stones, and hurried away.
Gu Changhuan couldn’t help but laugh.
It seemed ordinary people really couldn’t withstand Fourth Brother Gu Changde’s verbal attacks!
But with Yu Ruyi gone, he was now alone with Gu Changde in the shop…
While Gu Changde was counting the payment, Gu Changhuan made a quick getaway.
“No wonder he is the Yu Clan’s great hope for Foundation Establishment!
“So many Spirit Stones, all at once!
Now that is wealth!
“What do you think, Seventeenth Brother…?
Huh?
Where did he go?” Only then did Gu Changde realize Gu Changhuan had long since vanished without a trace.
“Seventeenth Brother is just like Mo Lin, appearing and disappearing mysteriously.” He scratched his head and continued with his work.
After Yu Ruyi hastily left Wanbao Pill Pavilion, he let out a long sigh.
This was his first time interacting with the Gu Clan’s Gu Changde; he had never before met someone so talkative.
He glanced back at Wanbao Pill Pavilion’s signboard; he probably wouldn’t want to set foot here again for several years.
Gu Changhuan was rather interesting, though.
Yu Ruyi had expected a spoiled young man living off his elders, but the boy was shrewder than he had thought.
He had already reached late Qi Condensation at such a young age.
Having Gu Wanhao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, to support him certainly helped, but he was still not someone to underestimate.
But ultimately, this was also a good thing.
After all, the fates of the four families in the Nine Perches Mountains were closely linked.
Being allies with smart people always saved more effort than being on the same side as fools.
Upon learning Gu Changhuan had entered Late Qi Condensation, Gu Wanhao was visibly happy.
“One month from now, Cloudheaven Market will hold an auction.
At that time, come with me so you can broaden your horizons,” Gu Wanhao said, stroking his beard.
Cloudheaven Market was the largest market in the Cloudheaven Mountain Range.
The range was as large as the Nine Perches Mountains, but a single cultivation clan ruled it: the Yun Clan.
The Yun Clan was a Golden Core clan.
Its current ancestor was said to possess a Heavenly Spirit Root and to have reached Golden Core many years ago, with power enough to churn rivers and overturn seas.
Every twenty years, the Yun Clan organized a grand auction at Cloudheaven Market.
Countless second- and third-tier spirit objects would be offered, with treasures such as Foundation Establishment Pills among the closing lots.
Foundation Establishment Pills were the most reliable and common method for Qi Condensation Realm cultivators to break through to Foundation Establishment.
Without a Foundation Establishment Pill, nine out of ten cultivators would explode and die during the breakthrough process!
Therefore, Foundation Establishment Pills were extremely sought after by Qi Condensation Realm cultivators.
For a family, having just one Foundation Establishment expert could protect the family’s prosperity for two hundred years!
For Rogue Cultivators, Foundation Establishment Pills were their only chance to rise!
Thus, situations often arose where numerous cultivators would spend their entire fortunes just to compete for one Foundation Establishment Pill.
“The Cloudheaven Auction?
I imagine I’ll be able to see many treasures then!” If only a third-tier high grade earth-attribute spirit object turned up, Gu Changhuan thought.
Then Great-Grandfather would have a chance of reaching Purple Mansion!
At that time, he might as well go to the market to hunt for bargains; perhaps he could pick up some good items.
Gu Wanhao seemed to know what Gu Changhuan was thinking.
“Plenty of rogue cultivators will come for the occasion.
You can blend into the crowd and hunt for overlooked treasures, too.
Just be careful.
Buy too much at once, and you may attract unwanted attention.” “Grandfather, rest assured.
I understand,” Gu Changhuan said solemnly.
“Yu Ruyi from the Yu Clan came by just now.
We spoke briefly.
If his clan wins a Foundation Establishment Pill, I expect it will go to him.” “That’s also normal.
That kid from the Yu Family isn’t just a pretty face.
“His cultivation is impressive, and he is a formidable fighter among his peers.
“Your generation has produced quite a few gifted youngsters, come to think of it,” Gu Wanhao said with a sigh.
The four clans had spent centuries establishing themselves in the Nine Perches Mountains.
As the mortal population grew, so did the number of people with spirit roots.
It was only natural that some would show exceptional promise.
Among the young people of this generation, the Gu Clan had Gu Changhuan and Gu Changcheng, both with potential for Purple Mansion.
The Yu Family had a descendant like Yu Ruyi.
Barring accidents, in two hundred years, the Nine Perches Mountains would have at least five Purple Mansion cultivators!
At that time, they could restore the glory from when their founding ancestors were alive, and even expand the family’s territory further!