Chapter 357: Left Qiu Ming's Cry, Lively Cave Dwelling

If there was anyone Wang Yu trusted at the moment, it was Huang Jiu alone.

He was Zuoqiu Ming's uncle and Zhuo Shouqing's most powerful trump card. Wang Yu had truly not expected Wei Hao to help him find him.

"Little friend Wang," Huang Jiu said. It wasn't his first time visiting, and his expression was a little unnatural. Before Wang Yu could ask anything, he placed a mirror-like magical artifact on the table. "Whatever you want to discuss, ask that kid yourself. We can talk after you two are finished."

"Understood," Wang Yu replied, his mind stirring. The formations arrayed in the great hall activated, preventing any outside prying. This precious mirror was indeed a magical artifact capable of spanning vast distances, allowing for remote communication.

After spiritual energy was infused, the mirror quickly reacted. Zuoqiu Ming's face appeared on its bright bronze surface, with audio and video perfectly synchronized and no delay.

"Fourth brother, you're finally out!" The greeting made Wang Yu frown, but seeing Zuoqiu Ming instantly burst into tears, using him as an emotional outlet, he didn't have the heart to interrupt.

After waiting for a full half-incense stick of time and seeing no end to the tears, Wang Yu finally said, "That's enough. Let's get to the point. What exactly happened on your end?"

With Zuoqiu Ming's explanations, Wang Yu was finally able to piece together most of the events concerning Cloud City, though some points still puzzled him. "Did Zhuo Shouyun really use such a simple excuse to convince your father?" he asked, perplexed. "Why didn't he use it on Zhuo Shouqing?"

Zuoqiu Ming himself didn't understand this point. "The method he provided is a bit slow and quite challenging, but it's genuinely effective. In just these few decades, it even managed to restore someone like me, who was crippled. I've currently recovered to the level of a mid-grade Blood Spiritual Root. My father said he could help me form a Golden Core, but he wouldn't be able to support my cultivation beyond that unless I could recover to a high-grade Spiritual Root."

A mid-grade spiritual root, essentially a three-element root, makes Foundation Establishment already quite challenging. Zuoqiu Ming's rapid advancement must have consumed a significant amount of resources. As for pushing him all the way to the Nascent Soul stage... his father certainly couldn't afford it. Even if the Zuoqiu clan possessed an overflowing abundance of resources, they wouldn't squander them like that. How many other promising clan members could be nurtured with the same resources? It would be inconceivable to invest everything in a single, seemingly useless individual.

Within Scarlet Kite, individual capability was paramount. A lack of natural talent wasn't feared, as numerous secret arts could alter one's aptitude. What was truly feared was a poor mindset and a flawed disposition.

The original "Three Young Masters of Spirit Reversion" were labeled "Waste Young Masters" by outsiders because their aptitude was not only flawed, but their character was also problematic. Otherwise, they would have long ago sought to defy fate and change their destiny at the Blood Pavilion. Zhuo Shouqing's failure was predetermined from the very beginning. He simply couldn't compete with Zhuo Shouyun!

After a moment of thought, Wang Yu spoke to the mirror. "He said it's a secret method newly developed by the Blood Pavilion?"

"Yes! And he was the one who spearheaded its development," Zuoqiu Ming confirmed. "But he specifically refused to let Second Brother use it, even resorting to tricks to sow discord between us. Second Brother must be suspicious by now. Is he doing alright?"

Wang Yu's mouth twitched involuntarily. He had finally realized it: Zuoqiu Ming was an absolute fool.

"Even with such a secret method, he's unwilling to prevent conflict between brothers. It seems his ambitions are vast. Not only does he covet the inheritance rights of his lineage, but he likely also has designs on the Blood Demon Physique."

Hearing this, Zuoqiu Ming grew even more puzzled. "There aren't enough people; he can't possibly achieve that... Besides, the Blood Demon Physique belongs to the Young Sect Master. How could they ever tolerate the creation of a second Blood Demon Physique?"

"That's precisely the problem!" Wang Yu thought, recalling how Zhuo Shouyun had tricked Lu Chenzhou into becoming an embryo. He immediately understood the profound depth of Zhuo Shouyun's machinations.

When he had inquired about Lu Chenzhou, he'd heard two rumors: that the Sect Master was plotting to achieve the Deification stage and intended to do so by utilizing innate spiritual physiques. The Young Sect Master's Blood Demon Physique was one such physique, and Lu Chenzhou's innate Blood Spiritual Root was another.

Both men were terrified, hesitant to use the resources bestowed by the Sect Master to form their Nascent Souls. Zhuo Shouyun exploited this very fear, enabling him to manipulate Lu Chenzhou for his own ends. It now appeared that Zhuo Shouyun must have found a way to confirm the veracity of these rumors, which then informed his intricate strategy.

Furthermore, Wang Yu had a strong suspicion about Zhuo Yuanshen's ambitions. He was likely another individual who had been biding his time, plotting for the Blood Demon Physique, especially considering he could cruelly devour his own blood relatives as a child. How could such a person genuinely submit to someone he saw as utterly useless?

The formation of the Blood Demon Physique required a minimum of three participants: Zhuo Yuanshen, Zhuo Shouqing, and Zhuo Shouyun. All three were clearly aiming for the same thing!

Meanwhile, the simple-minded Zuoqiu Ming was still fretting over Zhuo Shouqing's safety. For a moment, Wang Yu was at a loss for words. He felt both sorrow for Zuoqiu Ming's misfortune and anger at his lack of initiative.

It was even uncertain whether Zhuo Shouyun was aware of Zhuo Yuanshen's machinations. The current situation was shrouded in uncertainty, and having been away for thirty years, Wang Yu found it truly difficult to discern the truth.

"Don't get involved in this matter. Your priority should be forming a Golden Core as soon as possible, or you'll deeply regret it when your lifespan approaches its end."

"But—"

"Brother Ming, there's something I need to ask of you."

Wang Yu abruptly cut the conversation short. His only concerns now were the Elder Council seat and Fu Xiao; he had no desire to bother with Zhuo Shouqing's affairs any longer. He knew the saying: "Fear not an opponent like a god, but a teammate like a pig." He had already done more than enough for Zhuo Shouqing.

It just so happened that Guiling City was about to be reclaimed. He had already accumulated nearly twenty million spirit stones, sufficient resources for both the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages. Once Situ Hong headed to Sky Treasure City, Wang Yu conservatively estimated he could still acquire an additional ten million low-grade spirit stones. Even after accounting for his expenditures, he would still retain roughly half of his total earnings. The fact that he possessed such a vast amount of resources was a testament to his astute management and innate ability to generate wealth. Given Guiling City's original earning potential, accruing even ten million would have been considered a miraculous feat. Thus, Wang Yu truly felt he owed Zhuo Shouqing nothing.

"Go on," Zuoqiu Ming replied, his previously brewing emotions abruptly interrupted by Wang Yu's words, almost making him choke.

"It's like this: I need a seat on the Cold Blood Peak Elder Council. The Zhuo clan holds four seats, but they won't yield one to me. The four Cold Blood clans and the Mountain Lord's lineage each have two seats. The Zuoqiu clan also has four seats; could you possibly arrange for me to have one?"

Wang Yu felt a pang of embarrassment as he spoke. After all, Zuoqiu Ming owed him nothing, and whether he could fulfill the request was uncertain. However, knowing that Zuoqiu Ming had found a way to restore his spiritual root aptitude, Wang Yu understood that his rights had surely been reinstated. With Zuoqiu Ming now confined to Xiányīn for intense cultivation, it was clear his father had renewed hope and expectations. Still, Wang Yu couldn't be certain if the request would be granted.

"An Elder Council seat?" Zuoqiu Ming pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his voice. "Uncle, are you there?"

"State your business," Huang Jiu replied, walking over and looking at Zuoqiu Ming expressionlessly, clearly a little annoyed with him. Ming-zi, however, just smiled nonchalantly.

"I recall you have my mother's token," Zuoqiu Ming said. "Whomever Fourth Brother chooses, use this token to send them back to Xiányīn. I'll manage the clan's side of things here; just make sure not to let anything slip."

Huang Jiu's mouth opened slightly, then he looked at Wang Yu with a speechless expression. *How did you manage to fool Zuoqiu Ming into becoming an embryo as well?* he wondered.

The instruction *not* to say implied they weren't even bothering with a contract, essentially giving Wang Yu a significant advantage at no cost. Little did they know, Wang Yu was filled with mixed emotions. He recalled the night Zuoqiu Ming went to the Hall of Transmitted Arts to exchange for the "Demonic Embryo Profound Origin Secret Incantation" on his behalf. The favors he owed were piling up, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to repay them.

"This matter is very important. Thank you for your righteous assistance," Wang Yu said.

"No problem," Zuoqiu Ming replied. "Five-Yin Peak, Sky Corpse Peak, Fierce-Gaze Peak, and Savage Ghost Peak all have Elder Council seats belonging to my Zuoqiu clan. Losing one won't make a difference, but if you no longer need it someday, remember to return it."

"Of course," Wang Yu agreed. Wang Yu nodded repeatedly. Of course, he couldn't occupy the position indefinitely, nor could he secretly transfer it to others, unless he one day established a Cold Blood Wang clan. That possibility was negligible, so there was no need to dwell on it. "Once I secure the seat, I'll ensure my opinions align with those of the Zuoqiu clan's elders regarding any council decisions."

"That works out well; it'll save me a lot of hassle," Zuoqiu Ming commented. With this matter settled, half the burden on Wang Yu's mind immediately lifted. As he prepared to cease channeling spiritual energy,

Zuoqiu Ming suddenly spoke up. "Oh, by the way, you still haven't told me about Second Brother's condition. What exactly happened to him?"

"Well... I'm not entirely clear myself," Wang Yu replied, shaking his head. "I've only been back for two days, so I don't know the full situation as well as you might. I only heard that Zhuo Shouqing returned to Ghostfang Ancestral Land a few months after the battle of Cloud City, so he should still be alive."

"That's good, then," Zuoqiu Ming said, letting out a sigh of relief. In his mind, as long as someone was still alive, there was always a chance to turn things around. It was just that he was currently confined to Xiányīn for compulsory cultivation and couldn't leave.

After much deliberation, Zuoqiu Ming concluded that Wang Yu was still the key. "Fourth Brother..."

"Say no more," Wang Yu interrupted. "If I can ensure my own safety, I will do my best to protect Zhuo Shouqing, but you shouldn't hold too much hope regarding this matter."

This answer was, of course, given out of consideration for the third brother. How exactly to proceed was another matter entirely. After all, Wang Yu didn't anticipate having much spare time. There were still numerous tasks awaiting his attention. By the time he actually freed up his hands, the grass on Zhuo Shouqing's grave would likely be ten feet tall.

At this, Zuoqiu Ming accepted with a visibly pleased expression. The conversation concluded.

Huang Jiu couldn't help but begin to complain. "Don't help Zhuo Shouqing anymore. When that brat attacked Cloud City, he abandoned me in the formation and retreated early the moment things looked unfavorable. If he had only held out a bit longer and helped me break that grand formation, even if Lu Chenzhou and that Fu Xiao had teamed up, they still might not have beaten me. They gravely underestimated the power of a Pseudo Nascent Soul cultivator."

Hearing this, Wang Yu scratched his head, having not anticipated such a detail. It was too late to say anything now. After a moment of thought, Wang Yu simply brought out some spiritual wine and began drinking with Huang Jiu, also instructing a servant to order a feast of exotic delicacies from the sect's market.

They decided to drink until dawn, then go find the Elder Council members. That entire night, Wang Yu listened to Huang Jiu's litany of complaints: Zhuo Shouqing's poor judgment, timidity, lack of courage to commit fully, and distrust towards him, among other things. Huang Jiu hurled every derogatory term he could think of at Zhuo Shouqing. It was evident he had been truly miserable and stifled.

Wang Yu also inquired about Fu Xiao's intelligence, including his commonly used techniques. According to the information Huang Jiu had gathered during their fight, Fu Xiao was proficient in Five-Element spell arts, particularly skilled in Wood-element and Yin-element divine abilities. He was also adept at saber techniques, and his unique natal magical artifact was a rare saber-staff. Furthermore, he carried a large number of talismans for self-defense, and his combat prowess had been meticulously forged through countless real battles from the ground up, making him exceptionally seasoned in this area.

In Huang Jiu's estimation, he could defeat Fu Xiao in a one-on-one battle. However, this assessment was based solely on the combat situation that day, and he couldn't be certain if Fu Xiao had any hidden, unused trump cards. What he shared with Wang Yu could only serve as a reference, not as a definitive basis for strategy.

After all his grievances were aired, dawn was fast approaching. Both men used their spiritual energy to clear their minds.

Huang Jiu then said, "After I accompany you to meet the Zuoqiu clan elders, I'll return to Xiányīn to live out my remaining years. I don't want to stay in this place for another moment."

"That sounds good," Wang Yu replied. "I hope we'll have a chance to meet again someday."

"We will," Huang Jiu assured him. "I still have several hundred years left to live, after all."

"Hahaha, let's go," Wang Yu chuckled.

Having resolved a significant matter, Wang Yu felt a rare sense of ease. Just as he stepped out, he saw two figures, one large and one small, descending together on the back of a dragon-sparrow. It was Yu Tangtang and Tantai Chan.

"What brings you two here?" Wang Yu asked.

Yu Tangtang, looking indignant, placed her hands on her slender waist and looked up. "Wang Yu, why didn't you tell me you were out of the Blood Abyss? If I'd known, I would've come to play with you two days ago!"

"I still have matters to attend to. Wait for me here for half a day." Hearing this, Yu Tangtang became even more annoyed.

Tantai Chan quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. "Miss Tangtang, it's only half a day's wait. After waiting thirty years, you can surely manage a little longer."

"Little Chan'er always knows what to say," Wang Yu remarked.

"Hmph!" Yu Tangtang haughtily turned her head away from Wang Yu and strutted inside. She then spotted Xue Yu peeking out from the doorway and immediately shrieked with excitement. "Oh! Little fox, come to Sister Tangtang! Let's rub-a-dub-dub~"

As the playful figures moved further away, Huang Jiu discreetly walked a short distance ahead, refraining from eavesdropping on their casual chat.

"Congratulations on forming your Golden Core," Wang Yu said, stepping forward a few paces with a teasing smile. "Should I be calling you Elder Tantai now?"

Indeed. During the thirty years Wang Yu had spent in the Blood Abyss, Tantai Chan had also successfully formed her Golden Core. Thanks to her relationship with Yu Tangtang, even after their human-slave contract was dissolved, their bond of friendship remained strong. With Tantai Chan's accumulated wealth as a high-grade Tier 2 alchemist and Yu Tangtang's connections, she had a fair chance of acquiring a high-grade spiritual item for Golden Core formation. Her breakthrough to the Golden Core stage was therefore well within Wang Yu's expectations.

Furthermore, after Tantai Chan regained her freedom, she chose not to leave Yu Tangtang's side, still considering herself a maid. Nevertheless, her newfound liberty had completely transformed her spirit and vitality.

When Wang Yu teased her, she simply smiled. "Oh, Great Alchemist, when will you teach this humble one alchemy? My alchemy progress has been dreadfully slow these past thirty years."

"No rush," Wang Yu said, understanding Tantai Chan's unspoken meaning with a raised eyebrow. His hand mischievously circled her slender waist. "Alchemy, of course, requires burning incense and bathing beforehand to increase the chances of success."

"Is that so~" Tantai Chan purred. As they whispered intimately, Wang Yu took a few deep breaths, then gave her backside a playful squeeze, savoring its elasticity before speaking. "Wait for me here. I'll be back soon."

The pent-up desires of thirty years needed a proper release. It would take more than a little "water" to quench that fire.

Tantai Chan simply nodded at his words, watching him and Huang Jiu fly off towards the summit of Cold Blood Peak. She stood there lost in thought for a long moment before finally entering the mansion's great hall to join Yu Tangtang.

On the way, Huang Jiu nudged Wang Yu with his shoulder, winking conspiratorially. "Well, well, young man, quite the talent you've got."

"Senior Huang, please don't tease me. This junior is very restless right now; let's get this done quickly."

"Oh, very well then. It'll be a good chance to see your methods in action."

At that very moment, Elder Zuoqiu suddenly sneezed, sensing an impending calamity of blood.