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Guan Qiaozhi's failure in her Foundation Establishment didn't cause much of a stir in Wuqi Mountain.
Before long, no one spoke of it again. In the vast world of cultivation, failing to advance to a higher realm was the norm. Behind every success, there were countless epitaphs of the failed.
Due to Lan Chang'an's protection, Guan Qiaozhi didn't suffer severe damage to her vitality, nor did her appearance age rapidly.
Guan Qiaozhi had never had high expectations in the first so she gradually adjusted her mindset.
Her petite and lively figure busied itself in every corner of Little Turtle Peak, returning to her usual routine.
Over the next period, Guan Qiaozhi underwent some subtle changes. The most noticeable one was that her attitude towards Mu Bingyun changed, no longer being superficially warm while secretly wary.
Guan Qiaozhi began to genuinely accept the Mu Family girl who was much younger, prettier, and more talented than herself.
After her Foundation Establishment failure, she truly understood Mu Bingyun's advantages.
Mu Bingyun possessed a mid-grade spiritual root and had come to Little Turtle Peak to cultivate and recuperate at the age of twenty-eight. At that time, she was already at the seventh layer of Qi-Refining.
After seven or eight years of nurturing, Mu Bingyun's cultivation speed returned to what it was before her injury.
Each time Lan Chang'an treated her, it appeared as though he was using Evergreen mana to nurture her dantian, complemented by the medicinal soups. The true effect, however, came from the momentary use of the Evergreen secret spell.
Over the entire cycle, it was akin to the price paid back when he saved Mu Xiuyun. Due to the lengthy nurturing process, even if there were amazing effects, they wouldn't be conspicuous.
Currently, the nurturing process is two-thirds complete. Once it was finished, Lan Chang'an, depleted of old sentiments, would end his care for Mu Bingyun, resolving the last bit of regret. At that point, she would receive the same treatment as Lin Lu or Mu Ershun, like an ordinary junior nephew.
...
"Bingyun, if I grow old in the future, you must take good care of Brother Lan." By the lotus pond, Guan Qiaozhi held Mu Bingyun's hand, whispering softly.
Mu Bingyun lowered her head, her fair face turning red, not knowing how to respond.
Having stayed on Little Turtle Peak for so many years, she had noticed Uncle Lan's extraordinariness, knowing that following him in cultivation would offer greater opportunities.
In fact, Mu Bingyun missed Feiyue Lake and her master. She often wrote letters home, describing her current situation.
However, her master replied two years ago, advising her not to return if possible.
If she must return, she had to either be at the Foundation Establishment Realm or be a second-rank talisman master.
After whispering, Guan Qiaozhi played and frolicked with the Profound Water Turtle, her eyes filled with affection.
After her Foundation Establishment failure, Guan Qiaozhi spent more time each day with the Profound Water Turtle. Nowadays, the Profound Water Turtle was four feet wide and could carry her swiftly through the pond.
...
Six months later.
Lan Chang'an received an unexpected letter from Chen Fuhai of the Qingzhu Sect.
Chen Fuhai mentioned in the letter that he would come to Huanglong Immortal City in a few months to bring Lan Chang'an two pieces of second-rank top-quality spiritual bamboo.
This was undoubtedly good news.
With two more pieces of second-rank top-quality spiritual bamboo, Lan Chang'an's needs at this level would be basically met.
In the early Foundation Establishment stage, the maximum number of treasure talismans he could nurture simultaneously was about thirty. He still had to leave some space for third-rank spirit wood treasure talismans.
"A few months later, just in time for the large auction in Huanglong Immortal City."
Lan Chang'an noted to himself to make a trip then.
If this transaction went smoothly, he might be able to purchase third-rank spiritual bamboo from Qingzhu Sect in the future.
...
The day after Lan Chang'an received the letter.
Shi Manrong hurried back to Wuqi Mountain from outside, her expression calm, showing no sign of emotion.
That night, she visited Lan Chang'an, saying she had something important to discuss.
How could Lan Chang'an not see that the restriction in Shi Manrong's sea of consciousness would collapse within a few months at most?
In the study, Lan Chang'an set up a restriction.
"I'm going to break the restriction with all my might!" Shi Manrong said decisively.
"How confident are you?" Lan Chang'an asked.
"Thirty percent." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Hearing this, Lan Chang'an showed a look of surprise.
Shi Manrong's confidence in breaking the restriction was higher than he had expected, indicating she had found another breakthrough.
"How do you plan to break the restriction?"
"My method of breaking the restriction, I want Fellow Daoist Lan to oversee it."
Shi Manrong said seriously, handing over a jade slip.
After reading the information in the jade slip, Lan Chang'an was slightly moved, his face showing contemplation.
Shi Manrong's method of breaking the restriction combined three approaches.
First, breaking the restriction with a formation. She had improved a soul path formation, using it to unleash a soul power-based restriction-breaking technique. The restriction techniques and ideas provided by Lan Chang'an played a significant role in the completion of this improved formation.
Second, breaking the restriction with a special magical weapon. She was fortunate enough to acquire a special magic weapon that had a suppressing and imprisoning effect on spiritual sense power. This special magic weapon would also be integrated into the formation as a weapon to break the restriction.
Third, several precious pills that enhanced and strengthened the sea of consciousness, would be used to counter the Fake-Dan restriction.
"Worthy of being a genius in formations, she's very adaptable." Lan Chang'an secretly praised.
A thirty percent chance was not an exaggeration.
For an ordinary Fake-Dan cultivator, when they were at the same cultivation level as Fairy Shi, if they were not proficient in formations and restrictions, it would be hard to do better than Shi Manrong.
Subsequently, Lan Chang'an inquired about the details of breaking the restriction, and provided a few suggestions.
"Fairy Shi, my methods are limited. This 'Clear Mind Stabilizing Talisman' can help you maintain focus and clarity under extreme circumstances."
Lan Chang'an took out a talisman and handed it to Shi Manrong.
The Clear Mind Stabilizing Talisman was a rare second-rank talisman that required unique techniques and materials for its crafting
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lan."
Shi Manrong was moved, knowing this talisman might be useful at a critical moment.
She then smiled gracefully: "How many spirit stones does Fellow Daoist Lan intend to sell this talisman for?"
"This is not a transaction." Lan Chang'an was silent for a few moments before speaking.
"Then it's a personal favor."
Shi Manrong chuckled lightly, her tone relaxed.
Lan Chang'an didn't say much more and escorted Shi Manrong out of the cave mansion.
...
Seven days later.
While Lan Chang'an was in seclusion in his cave mansion, he suddenly sensed a subtle spiritual sense fluctuation coming from Xiao Pan Peak.
The subtle spiritual sense fluctuation lasted only a few breaths before abruptly stopping.
"What happened?"
Lan Chang'an's spiritual sense merged with the second life of the Nine Seal Stele, his powerful spiritual sense penetrating the formation and cave on Xiao Pan Peak, seeing the situation clearly.
In the secret chamber of Xiao Pan Peak's cave.
Shi Manrong lay quietly sprawled on the ground, her face devoid of color, legs curled tightly beneath her body, unmoving. On her forehead was a talisman with charred edges, the very Clear Mind Stabilizing Talisman that Lan Chang'an had given her.
Lan Chang'an silently left Little Turtle Peak and headed to Xiao Pan Peak, entering through the hidden entrance of the formation.
Reaching the secret chamber, he used a second-rank restriction-breaking talisman to easily break the restriction and enter.
Lan Chang'an lifted Shi Manrong, discovering that she still possessed warmth in her body and faint breathing.
He fed her two soul-nourishing pills.
Moments later, Shi Manrong slowly woke up, finding herself in the arms of a white-clothed man.
"Who are you?"
Shi Manrong broke free from Lan Chang'an, her clear eyes showing vigilance.
"Hmm? You don't recognize me?"
Lan Chang'an was stunned, realizing something.
The sea of consciousness is the source of a cultivator's awareness and memory. Although Shi Manrong broke the restriction in her sea of consciousness, the process was imperfect, leaving aftereffects.
Successfully breaking the Fake-Dan restriction and keeping her life was already a fortune. Losing some memory, Lan Chang'an could understand.
"I am Lan Chang'an, do you not remember?"
Shi Manrong frowned slightly and shook her head:
"I don't remember, but it sounds a bit familiar."
"Chen Sheng, do you know him?"
"That scoundrel!" ƒreewebɳovel.com
Shi Manrong's face turned cold, and her teeth clenched.
Lan Chang'an understood that Fairy Shi was partially amnesiac, likely losing some of the more recent memories.
He then asked about Alchemist Lin Ye, and Shi Manrong remembered. As for Guan Qiaozhi, her impression was very vague.
Fortunately, Fairy Shi did not have a drastic change in personality, remaining generally graceful and serene.
After a brief exchange, Shi Manrong was half-believing of his words.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, this is my cave. You seem to have intruded without permission."
Shi Manrong's tone was cold, issuing an eviction order.
"Alright, I'll leave now." Lan Chang'an responded, unperturbed by her words, for he was well-read and experienced enough to take them lightly.
"Fairy Shi, perhaps you can try recalling your memories yourself or speaking with Fellow Daoist Lin Ye."
Leaving a suggestion, he exited Shi Manrong's cave.
...
In the world of cultivation, nothing is impossible.
Lan Chang'an didn't dwell on Shi Manrong's partial amnesia.
Half a month later, Shi Manrong visited him, treating him like a new neighbor.
The amnesiac Fairy Shi, elegant and pure, was no longer as gentle and alluring as before.
"Fellow Daoist Lan, I have confirmed that I did lose a portion of my memory. What was our relationship like before?" Shi Manrong asked with a gentle voice and smile.
"Our relationship? It was roughly the same as Fellow Daoist Lin Ye."
Lan Chang'an thought for a moment but chose not to mention any deeper connections, lest he upset or offend the other. Theoretically speaking, they were now meeting anew, with no previous bond.
"Oh, I see."
Shi Manrong, dignified and elegant, smiled softly. After engaging in idle conversation with Lan Chang'an for a short while, she rose to take her leave.
"Brother Lan, Sister Shi seems like a different person. She didn't even greet me this time." Guan Qiaozhi muttered.
Lan Chang'an smiled, explaining Shi Manrong's partial amnesia to Guan Qiaozhi.
...
Two months later, Lan Chang'an piloted his flying boat to Huanglong Immortal City.
This time, he brought Guan Qiaozhi and Mu Bingyun along to give them some time off and let them do some shopping while he ran his own errands.
Lan Chang'an went to the Qingzhu Sect's station in the inner city.
"Senior, please wait."
A Foundation Establishment cultivator's visit was not taken lightly, and the Qingzhu Sect's cultivators immediately went to report.
"Haha! It's been many years, Fellow Daoist Lan hasn't changed a bit."
Soon, a portly middle-aged man in a cloak walked over from the station. With each step spanning five or six zhang, he was calm and steady as a mountain.
"Late Foundation Establishment?" Lan Chang'an's expression became serious, stepping forward to greet him.
The late Foundation Establishment stage was a hurdle that stopped most Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, it had been more than twenty years since he last saw Chen Fuhai, so such progress wasn't surprising.
"Back then, hearing the inspiring story of an ancient man achieving Foundation Establishment, I thought of Fellow Daoist Lan. Who could have expected that you truly achieved it?" Chen Fuhai remained amiable, chatting as they walked, welcoming Lan Chang'an to a pavilion in the station.
The Qingzhu Sect cultivators showed surprised expressions.
Chen Fuhai, at the late Foundation Establishment stage, held a certain status in the sect, yet he had personally come out to greet a loose early Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Inside the pavilion, Chen Fuhai and Lan Chang'an sat facing each other over tea, conversing idly on various topics.
Naturally, they mentioned the experiences in the Black Fog Mountain Range.
Lan Chang'an recalled Chen Fuhai's wife, Xiao Yingxue, who had died to the mysterious and sinister Heavenly Moon Wolf.
Chen Fuhai showed a look of sorrow, saying he had been seeking revenge on that Heavenly Moon Wolf in recent years but had lost its trail.
"Oh, right, here are the items I brought for Fellow Daoist Lan."
Chen Fuhai took out a green and a purple piece of top superior grade second-rank spiritual bamboo from his storage pouch.
...
(End of chapter)