Chapter 286: Goodbye Tang Tang, Dantai Kneels

A thousand strands are the standard for a breakthrough. To cultivate to the peak of Core Formation Stage Three, a full three thousand strands of magic power limit are required, which is not too difficult for him.

With the double placement slots providing "5 strands/day," combined with his own cultivation speed and the effects of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Bed, it would only take about 300 days. This means, at most, one year. He could then consider breaking through to the middle Core Formation stage. Without breakthrough elixirs, it would take a few months of effort; with them, it would be even faster. This speed gave him the exhilaration of cultivating in his early Qi Refining days, when he would advance a stage every few days—a process that was both arduous and joyful.

"This is what a Heavenly Spiritual Root means!"

Speaking of which, his spiritual sense was the first to break through to the third stage, followed by his body refinement, and only then his fundamental cultivation. After his spiritual sense broke through to the middle third stage, its progress slowed due to a lack of spirit-refining resources; he could only diligently absorb the essence of heaven and earth to grow. His body refinement cultivation was stuck at the early third stage, also due to a lack of resources. It was even slower, only able to absorb Lunar Demonic Qi for refinement, providing ample tempering but insufficient nourishment. The path of body refinement relies heavily on supplementary external spiritual materials; otherwise, it progresses as slowly as a tortoise!

Wang Yu found these problems difficult to solve in the short term. This was because third-stage resources simply couldn't be bought in large quantities; they were either snatched up by others first or out of stock. Connections and channels were essential! Currently, he had plenty of spirit stones but lacked high-end, sufficient channels. After all, to whom would such resources not be sold? They would certainly be sold to those who were closer and had better relationships. The Heavenly Treasure Pavilion and Golden Full Tower in Guiling City could only occasionally meet his needs, serving as supplementary sources but not as the primary source for advanced resources.

Therefore, this was one of Wang Yu's reasons for returning to the sect. Guiling could be managed remotely, and with Zuo Qiuming guarding the place, it was as solid as a fortress.

"In one year, breakthrough elixirs must be prepared in advance so I can directly enter the middle Core Formation stage. The Ice Transformation Secret Art needs to be both placed and self-comprehended to conceal my cultivation level. This might give my enemies a surprise. As for alchemy... after twenty years, advancing to peak third-stage alchemy, refining high-grade spiritual elixirs won't be a problem. This skill can slowly be revealed. If combined with equally perfected elixir formulas, I might even be able to sell a small quantity of supreme-grade spiritual elixirs. That would mean I could refine a few fourth-stage spiritual elixirs as well, possibly opening up connections at the Nascent Soul level. What I lack now is someone to open up the situation."

Wang Yu quickly planned in his mind. Currently, among the choices for someone to break the deadlock, Yan Ling's direct disciple seemed most suitable; she definitely had many third-stage spiritual herbs. However, before he could think further, a more suitable and adorable person than Yan Ling appeared, making Wang Yu's eyes light up. "It's you, little one~"

—Yu Tangtang!

At the foot of Cold Blood Peak.

Nearly a century had passed, yet Yu Tangtang, still appearing as a five- or six-year-old child, was sitting on Tantai Chan's neck, her fair face filled with excitement. "Little Chan'er, hurry up! This morning, Sister Long Que told me about Wang Yu. That boy came back and didn't even greet me. Tangtang's going to teach him a lesson!"

Tantai Chan's eyes darted around. After looking left and right and seeing no strangers, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the weight on her neck with a bitter expression. She wondered what this little ancestor ate to grow; her weight was terrifying, like mythical water weighing ten thousand jun capable of crushing mountains, or like refined divine iron, grinding her bones painfully. Not to mention her weight, she was also incredibly mischievous, completely restless while sitting on her neck. A few casual waves of her chubby little hands possessed the mountain-throwing power of an ancient beast. Her Foundation Establishment stage body couldn't withstand such abuse.

"Tangtang, I heard that Wang Yu... Elder Wang has already formed his core and become a candidate for the twelve elders of Cold Blood Peak. When you meet him, it's best not to be too forceful."

Yu Tangtang's face was full of pride. "So what? I'm still his Sister Tangtang!"

"Sister Tangtang~"

Speak of the devil, and he appears. Amidst the wind and snow, Wang Yu's figure suddenly appeared, showing Yu Tangtang a sincere smile. His attitude was the same as before, without the slightest difference. He remembered that when he was weak, she had given him that dark, shriveled beauty elixir. Though it had no effect, her intention was absolutely pure. Wang Yu's attitude also made Yu Tangtang's dissatisfaction vanish completely like the wind, and she joyfully pounced on him.

"—Wang Yu!"

"Whoa!" Catching the pouncing little one, Wang Yu spun around to absorb the force, his eyes filled with surprise. "Sister Tangtang, your build is truly robust."

"Of course, your Sister Tangtang is a pure-blood Flood Dragon, a Earth-grade bloodline!"

Such a scene greatly shocked Tantai Chan. She recalled that back then, Wang Yu was just a gardener in her herb garden. If not for his profound knowledge of spiritual plants, she wouldn't have even bothered with such a minor character in the early Qi Refining stage. Now, after more than seventy years, although she had broken through to Foundation Establishment Layer Nine and made considerable progress, just looking at Wang Yu made her face burn with the heat of shame! Tantai Chan had always been very proud, a fact she had unconsciously revealed to Wang Yu before.

At this moment, Wang Yu glanced at the bulging form. Placing Yu Tangtang on his shoulder, she naturally wrapped her arms around his neck. "Come with me. The residence is almost complete. You're the first guests; let's appraise it together."

Wang Yu took out a sub-token and gave one to Yu Tangtang, allowing her to move freely on Cold Blood Peak. Tantai Chan, as a maidservant, followed behind, her gaze straight ahead, secretly rubbing her neck.

A short while later, upon arriving at Wang Yu's new cave dwelling, Yu Tangtang merely offered a few compliant praises about how beautiful it was. Tantai Chan, however, was astonished; to be fair, her own herb garden, located above the spiritual脉 in Evil God Market, was already considered top-tier treatment for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Yet, compared to Wang Yu's place, it was like a star next to the moon. One glance was enough to tell the difference in quality. Even the timber used here was century-old spiritual wood. Such an environment was greatly beneficial for cultivation.

Upon entering the main hall, the Three-Tailed Snow Fox ran out. Its suspicious eyes fixed on Yu Tangtang, then turned to its master, as if questioning something.

"What a cute big fox." Yu Tangtang, however, pounced again, plopping down onto Snow Jade's back and rubbing her little face against it. "So cool and soft, so comfortable. Are you called Little White?"

Snow Jade's body stiffened and almost collapsed, whining with an exceptionally resentful look, truly pitiful.

"Cough, cough—" Wang Yu pretended not to notice, walking ahead to prepare spiritual tea and snacks, then said to Yu Tangtang, "Sister Tangtang, is there something you need on this visit?"

"No, nothing. Tangtang just came to see you. Sister Long Que told me you did something big recently, and even Dark Sky Talisman Lord couldn't do anything to you."

"So that's how it is." After a moment's thought, he glanced at Tantai Chan, who was holding a cup of tea, staring straight ahead, sitting upright and proper. A faint smile curved Wang Yu's lips, and he didn't deliberately avoid her presence. "Sister Tangtang, how effective was the Flood Dragon inner core I gave you last time?"

"Very good! Tangtang used it to form her core, and Daddy even praised you, you know."

"Uh..." Yu Tangtang's father was the Blood-Eyed Demonic Flood Dragon, the guardian beast of the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect, with strength reaching the late Nascent Soul stage, and he often resided in the Blood Demon Hall. Although Yu Tangtang had demonic flood dragon blood, her personality was incredibly innocent and carefree, and her catchphrases were quite amusing. Although Wang Yu was curious about the secret of her never growing up, unlike his attitude towards Xueying, he had no intention of prying.

"Well, I've recently learned alchemy, barely reaching the level of a high-grade third-stage alchemist. If you need any elixirs, Sister Tangtang, you can ask for my help."

"High-grade third stage?" Yu Tangtang hadn't replied yet, but Tantai Chan couldn't sit still. Her body unconsciously leaned forward, and those two prominent, fair, soft forms rested on the tea table, becoming even more conspicuous! "Wang Yu... Elder Wang, are you a high-grade third-stage alchemist?"

No wonder she was incredulous. After all, Wang Yu's cultivation speed was already incredibly astonishing. If he also mastered high-grade third-stage alchemy, wouldn't her entire life have been for naught? She was only high-grade second stage...

"Of course." Wang Yu wanted Tantai Chan to know, also intending for her to inform Yan Ling. Stating it himself would sound a bit like boasting, which wasn't quite appropriate. With a flick of his palm, the Ice Dragon Elixir Flame blazed fiercely, emitting a rich medicinal scent from the lingering residues of refined elixirs. The third-stage elixir flame's quality was undeniable.

"Sister Tangtang, I heard that the number of high-level alchemists within the Sacred Sect is quite scarce. Most of them prioritize sect missions, and those who can take on private work are fewer than ten. How about we cooperate? You provide the materials and elixir formulas, and I provide the expertise. What do you say to building a business together?"

"—A business!" Yu Tangtang clapped her hands repeatedly. "Wang Yu, I agree! I have so many spiritual herbs, all given to me by Daddy and my uncles."

The two chatted happily and played for a while before reluctantly parting ways. Before she left, "Sister Tangtang, come again in a month. You need to tell your father about this, understood?"

"I know!" Just as she was about to call Little Chan'er, she heard Wang Yu say, "Deacon Tantai, perhaps you could stay for a bit. There are some things I'd like to discuss with you."

Tantai Chan looked at Yu Tangtang. The latter nodded very generously. "Little Chan'er can play with Wang Yu. Tangtang can go back by herself."

"Alright then..." Facing the slightly ambiguous words, Tantai Chan didn't object. Instead, she was curious why Wang Yu wanted to keep her for a discussion. Was it something Tangtang shouldn't hear? Or perhaps—

A moment later, Wang Yu returned after seeing them off and waved to Tantai Chan. "Tantai Chan, tell me about Yan Ling's activities during this time, and everything you've helped her with, down to the smallest detail."

"Okay." Her attitude was very docile; she told Wang Yu whatever he asked, as if she were a different person from the cold and elegant deacon he first knew. This made Wang Yu reflect somewhat; he had already experienced the benefits brought by changes in status, position, and strength, and indeed, it was marvelous. After listening, Wang Yu gained a completely new understanding of the situation at Cold Blood Peak, which would greatly assist him in his future endeavors.