Chapter 31: Gathering at Juxian Tower Once More
Under howling wind and snow.
These second-rank Gale-Splitting Eagle demon beasts seemed to bear a grudge against this human cultivator marketplace.
They had driven many demon beasts out of the Yunwu Mountains and, night after night, tossed them down onto the settlement.
By day, they would occasionally launch sneak attacks on the demon-hunting squads venturing out, leaving everyone inside the marketplace in a state of anxiety.
After all, there were over thirty second-rank Foundation Establishment‑stage demon beasts soaring overhead.
But after a period of silence, the two major sects—the Xuanyin Pavilion and Lihuo Palace—suddenly one night deployed a net‑style magical device.
Only then were they able to severely wound this group of second‑rank demon beasts, bringing temporary stability to the marketplace.
Yet everyone could feel that the situation was growing increasingly dire.
Juxian Tower.
“Congratulations, Daoist Yun.”
“Congratulations, Senior Yun.”
When Yun Yao returned to Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, she had planned only a small gathering at Juxian Tower.
But it was turned into a mini celebration for her Foundation Establishment breakthrough by the major families.
Yet this “mini celebration” hardly matched the label.
Ever since Yun Yao succeeded in Foundation Establishment, she was personally accepted as a disciple by a Golden Core elder of Lihuo Palace.
The major families, having learned of this, naturally hurried to curry favor.
Even the Foundation Establishment cultivators from Xuanyin Pavilion came, since Foundation Establishment disciples are ranked, and having a Golden Core master behind you made you no ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator.
That day, Juxian Tower was exceptionally lively—it could be called Yun Yao’s homecoming celebration after her Foundation Establishment.
It wasn’t until evening, when the noise had dispersed, that a private room in Juxian Tower became quiet.
“Congratulations, Sister Yun, on achieving Foundation Establishment.”
“Congratulations, Senior Yun, on your breakthrough.”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an, Li Erniu, Minor Marquis Shen Lie, Lu Qingqing, and even Wei Buyi had arrived.
Amid the five’s congratulations, Yun Yao—who usually remained serious—wore an unceasing smile.
“Fellow Daoists, all of you are Yun Yao’s old friends. Today I have made the breakthrough with all your strong support, and Yun Yao is deeply grateful. How could I ever be boastful? Let us refer to each other as fellow Daoists.”
Dressed in an immortal’s gown, Yun Yao shone brightly.
Whether due to the breakthrough or the joy of the occasion, she seemed to have grown even more beautiful.
But when everyone saw Yun Yao addressing them as fellow Daoists and not forgetting their friendship, they were all inwardly moved.
There were too many fickle human relationships in the cultivation world.
Lin Chang’an had undoubtedly experienced much of this, and upon seeing Yun Yao’s sincerity, he too was deeply impressed and praised her.
Within the private room, six people gathered at one table—the last time had been five years ago when Elder Lu passed away.
None had expected that, five years later, they would gather again after twenty‑five years of friendship.
Such bonds are rare and precious in the cultivation world—particularly since all six were still alive.
“Daoist Yun’s rise to Foundation Establishment, without forgetting old friends—such noble character is truly commendable.”
Among the five, Wei Buyi’s face turned flushed as he stood, excitedly raising his cup in a toast.
This was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet he had become close enough to share in this relationship.
Wei Buyi’s expression drew disdainful looks from Li Erniu, but Yun Yao first gave a gentle nod—seemingly noticing something—and then said lightly:
“Wei Buyi, please swap seats with Daoist Lin.”
“Ah? Very well!”
Hearing this, Wei Buyi froze for a moment before quickly recovering, awkwardly rising to exchange seats with Lin Chang’an.
“Big Brother Lin, you broke through!”
Li Erniu, straightforward as ever, exclaimed in surprise; Shen Lie, seeing Lin Chang’an smile and nod, was equally enlightened.
“I’ve been catching up these years using resources from drawing talismans and cultivation. A couple of days ago, I was fortunate enough to break through.”
Lin Chang’an smiled modestly—indeed, he had broken through to Qi Refining Stage, Sixth Level, just a couple of days earlier.
Among the six, aside from the genius Yun Yao, Lin Chang’an was the second to reach the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.
Shen Lie and Li Erniu were still at Qi Refining Fifth Level.
Wei Buyi was also Sixth Level, but being asked to change seats by Yun Yao made him feel both embarrassed and regretful.
Though he had known when Yun Yao had borrowed spirit stones, among a hundred Qi Refining cultivators, even one attaining Foundation Establishment was rare.
Back then, Yun Yao clearly intended to venture into the Yunwu Mountain Range for a desperate gamble, but he hesitated and claimed to be busy at home when it came to the Juxian Tower gathering.
The outcome was predictable—he missed the opportunity and now regretted it bitterly.
After the seat swap, Yun Yao looked at Minor Marquis Shen Lie and cupped her hands in greeting.
“These past years, because of the Merchant Guild affairs, I’ve hindered your cultivation, Daoist Shen.”
“Daoist Yun, what are you saying?” Faced with Yun Yao’s apologetic tone, Shen Lie instead laughed heartily and waved it off.
“In the end, we’ve all benefited from your good fortune. You're a Foundation Establishment cultivator now!”
Shen Lie’s jest lightened the atmosphere in the room.
However, unlike the gathering five years ago, this time Wei Buyi clearly felt out of place, and jealousy consumed him.
He had once had the same opportunity as everyone else.
“This trip to Yunwu Mountain Range was also a narrow escape from death. I was fortunate to obtain a demon core but was severely injured at the time. Many cultivators in the marketplace already knew I was preparing to break through to Foundation Establishment.
To be cautious, I returned directly to the sect and used the prepared materials to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, and that’s how I managed the breakthrough.”
After placing down her wine cup, Yun Yao spoke lightly, but everyone knew well that demon cores were not so easily obtained.
If they were, Foundation Establishment cultivators would be as common as dirt.
“A toast to Daoist Yun’s breakthrough to Foundation Establishment!”
Countless unspoken hardships—all now condensed into this single toast.
After several rounds of wine, though Yun Yao had become a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she showed no airs and sincerely thanked everyone present one by one.
“Daoist Li, thank you for your help earlier. Here’s a medicinal bath formula—it’s perfect for laying the foundation for that child Yifan.”
Yun Yao did not return the spirit stones they had lent her, but what she gave in return was something everyone truly desired, worth far more than the spirit stones she had borrowed.
Li Erniu’s face flushed as he cupped his hands, overwhelmed.
“I’m not good with words, but thank you, Daoist Yun.”
Yun Yao responded with a gentle smile and a nod.
“The Merchant Guild just happens to have the herbs for this bath formula. I’ll have someone deliver them to the Zhou Family.”
First the recipe, then the herbs—Li Erniu had only lent thirty spirit stones, but Yun Yao’s repayment now exceeded one hundred.
Afterward, under Wei Buyi’s jealous green-eyed stare, both Lu Qingqing and Shen Lie also received generous gifts worth several times more than what they had contributed.
“Big Brother Lin, I owe you the most.”
When it came to Lin Chang’an, Yun Yao even subconsciously touched her neck, still shaken—if not for those two Golden Light Talismans, she might not have made it back.
“Daoist Yun, you’re too polite. My small tricks were hardly of any help.”
Lin Chang’an waved it off with a smile, though he did not reject the gift Yun Yao offered.
After all, beyond friendship, it had been an investment.
If Yun Yao had only been at the eighth level of Qi Refining and sought spirit stones for a Foundation Establishment plan—would anyone have lent her the stones?
“Big Brother Lin, this is a jade slip containing the full inheritance of the First-rank Golden Light Talisman.”
When Yun Yao took out the item, everyone was shocked.
“A First-rank Golden Light Talisman jade slip!” Wei Buyi widened his eyes—it was the complete inheritance!
One must know, First-rank high-grade inheritances were never shared publicly.
Even if one joined a faction and obtained it, there would be a spirit contract restricting it, preventing transmission to future generations.
But this talisman inheritance in front of them could be passed down for generations—an absolute treasure.
Even Lin Chang’an was shocked upon seeing this hefty gift—but he didn’t pretend to be modest.
To them, it was a heavy gift; but to Yun Yao, the debt of gratitude for achieving Foundation Establishment was far greater.
“Then thank you very much, Daoist Yun.”
He had been troubled about how to acquire a high-grade talisman inheritance.
Though joining a major power might earn it, one would lose their freedom.
And with the current situation, he had hesitated.
What if he ended up joining a faction only to fall into a trap?
In the end, Yun Yao had simply gifted it to him—which was more than fair repayment for those two talismans he had once given her in secret.
“Big Brother Lin, no need to be so formal. With your talent in talismans, I believe it won’t take many years before you make another breakthrough.”
Yun Yao smiled and nodded. Though she didn’t say it outright, everyone was already shocked.
No one here was a fool—from her words, it was clear Lin Chang’an already had the ability of a high-grade First-rank Talisman Master.
This banquet ended with only Wei Buyi feeling utterly embarrassed, his heart twisted with bitter regret.
If only he had known... why didn’t he act back then?