Chapter 359: Original Breakthrough

“You rascal?”

Jiang Fan cleared his throat. “Others may have help from masters, but don’t you have me?” He immediately took out a portion of the Dragon-Pattern Vine Elixir and handed it to her. “This elixir can directly raise a cultivation realm for those at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage.”

“What?” Chen Siling’s eyes lit up as she excitedly took the elixir. She trusted Jiang Fan's words unconditionally; if he said it could help someone at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage break through a realm, it would undoubtedly be true.

However, she dutifully handed it to Xu Youran. “Sister, please drink this.” How could she partake before Xu Youran, who held the primary position?

Xu Youran didn’t take it. She glanced at Jiang Fan and said, “You drink it first.” Then she added, “Would Xiaofan ever shortchange me?”

Jiang Fan couldn’t help but smile wryly. Why were they putting him on the spot now? He promptly took out another portion of the Dragon-Pattern Vine Elixir. “This one is for Youran.”

Xu Youran’s beautiful eyes curved in a smile as she accepted it, examining the vial. “Is this truly that magical?” she asked. She knew that at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, breakthroughs were no longer as easy as they were in the early stage. One either had to meditate and cultivate for long periods or consume rare heavenly treasures and earthly materials.

“Why don’t you try it and see?” Jiang Fan replied with a smile.

With a mixture of doubt and belief, Xu Youran and Chen Siling sat cross-legged on the spot and consumed the elixir. Soon, as the elixir took effect, their cultivation levels, at Foundation Establishment Fourth and Fifth Layers respectively, visibly increased. In the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, both advanced a realm.

Feeling her new Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer realm, Chen Siling exclaimed excitedly, “Thank you, husband!” At Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer, she was already among the strongest masters in Lone Boat City. She had only been in Qingyun Sect for a few months, yet she had undergone such an astonishing transformation. Following Jiang Fan was truly the fortune of her life.

Xu Youran’s beautiful eyes also gleamed, and she said with a touch of embarrassment, “Xiaofan, this elixir must be very valuable, right?” Always relying on Jiang Fan to break through made her feel as though she was a burden to him.

Jiang Fan took both women’s hands and said, “Since you are my women, why be so reserved? If I don’t have it, then so be it. But if I do, you are naturally entitled to a share.”

Nie Yunxi and several other female disciples felt a suffocating sense of oppression. As senior disciples, they had cultivated arduously for several years to reach their current cultivation levels. But what about Xu Youran and Chen Siling? Under Jiang Fan’s care, they easily surpassed most senior disciples. Nie Yunxi remarked sourly, “They truly have good fortune, to have found such a good man.” Then, she couldn’t help but look toward Xu Yining.

As Jiang Fan’s former legitimate fiancée, Xu Yining’s mood was undoubtedly the most complex. Watching Chen Siling and Xu Youran, now at Foundation Establishment Fifth and Sixth Layers respectively, Xu Yining would certainly be lying if she said she had no regrets.

Indeed, Xu Yining was currently gazing at Jiang Fan with a hint of resentment. She had finally made great strides in her power, and just as she was about to defeat the two women to wash away past humiliation, Jiang Fan suddenly returned and helped them instantly advance their cultivation. Their cultivation realms were now completely equal. If they were to fight again, her chances of losing far outweighed her chances of winning.

“Jiang Fan, couldn’t you have come a little later?” Xu Yining wanted to scold Jiang Fan, but when the words reached her lips, they lost their sharpness, sounding instead like a casual remark.

Jiang Fan finally looked at Xu Yining and calmly said, “Focus more on your cultivation. Why bother Chen Siling constantly?” He didn’t need to be told; he knew why the three had been fighting. Most likely, she had encountered Chen Siling and couldn’t tolerate her. And Xu Youran, seeing Chen Siling at a disadvantage, stepped in to help her. For some reason, Xu Yining really disliked Chen Siling. There hadn’t been any real conflict between them, had there? It was truly puzzling.

Xu Yining’s red lips parted, as if to speak, but she hesitated. Some things, she found difficult to voice.

However, Xu Youran understood her sister’s feelings. Having lost her primary position, she was already feeling unsettled. Later, upon realizing she was even inferior to Chen Siling, it was natural for her to feel resentful.

“Xiaofan,” Xu Youran began, “Yining has received guidance from someone out there, and I worry this person has ulterior motives. Who would be so kind as to offer such significant help for no reason? They must be plotting something, right?” Looking at Xu Yining’s delicate, beautiful face and graceful figure, Xu Youran couldn’t help but worry. “Do you have any more Dragon-Pattern Vine Elixir? You should give her a share too. From now on, if you have extra resources, please set some aside for her. If you truly have none, you can even take half from my share. This way, she won’t be controlled by that person and ultimately be deceived and harmed.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Yining awkwardly protested, “I don’t want it.” Yet, her red lips were tightly pursed, and her small hands fidgeted, as if at a loss for what to do. More than once, she had wished to receive Jiang Fan’s affection, just like her sister and Chen Siling. But given her nature, she could never bring herself to ask. Xu Youran’s suggestion made her breath catch. Her heart pounded like a wild deer. Her ears subtly perked up, listening anxiously and fearfully for Jiang Fan’s reply.

A vein pulsed on Jiang Fan’s forehead. *What would I be scheming for from Xu Yining?* *It was simply out of consideration for her being your sister, and Li Qingfeng’s request to look after her, that I simply brought her along.*

After a brief thought, he shook his head slightly and said, “I do have two more portions of the Dragon-Pattern Vine Elixir, but it’s only effective for those at the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage. Xu Yining is already at Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, so consuming it wouldn’t be very beneficial. As for future resources, we’ll see about that later.” He couldn’t guarantee that he would always be so fortunate to acquire enough cultivation resources for all three of them in the future. It was already quite difficult to adequately provide for both Xu Youran and Chen Siling simultaneously.

It was a perfectly normal statement, but in front of all the disciples of Heavenly Sword Peak, Xu Yining felt utterly rejected. She was deeply mortified. A mist quickly gathered in her expectant eyes. She glared at Jiang Fan resentfully, tears welling in her eyes as she gritted out, “I don’t care for your resources! Go protect your two wives! I’ll handle my own affairs! You don’t need to worry about me!” With that, she grabbed her sword, turned, and ran off.

Xu Youran, flustered, shot Jiang Fan an annoyed glare. “Couldn’t you have said something kinder? Did you have to embarrass her so much?”

Chen Siling offered a wry smile, glancing at the many disciples staring at them. “This isn’t the place to talk,” she said. “Let’s return to my cave dwelling. I brought back quite a few heavenly treasures and earthly materials; we can eat and chat there.”

Jiang Fan had no objections. The reunion after a short separation was particularly sweet. The three conversed happily in the cave dwelling, sharing their respective experiences.

Chen Siling had thought that her and Xu Youran’s experiences were quite exciting, but after hearing Jiang Fan’s adventures, both she and Xu Youran were dumbfounded. And to have ultimately offended the Demon Emperor’s daughter left them both aghast.

“If word got out, who would believe this was merely a logistics mission?” Chen Siling said. “It was simply more dangerous than being on the front lines.” Chen Siling couldn’t help but feel a chill of worry for Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan chuckled. “That little demoness won’t dare set foot in the Nine Sects’ territory for a while,” he said.

At this point, he discreetly took off the Heaven-Shaking Bow and handed it to Xu Youran. “This is a top-grade magical artifact, immensely powerful. I’m giving it to you as a trump card; don’t reveal it easily.”

Xu Youran was astonished. “A top-grade magical artifact? How could I possibly accept this? Xiaofan, you face more dangers; you should keep it for yourself.”

Jiang Fan tucked it into Xu Youran’s arms. “I have too many magical artifacts on me; this one would simply be a burden,” he explained. “Since your cultivation is weaker, it’s most suitable for you to use. Take the opportunity to practice your archery more.”

Xu Youran’s beautiful eyes shimmered with a peculiar light, feeling the weight in her arms, and she sighed softly, “Xiaofan’s generosity towards me is beyond words.”

Chen Siling watched, her eyes filled with envy. This was a top-grade magical artifact, among the best in the land of the Nine Sects, yet it was simply given to Xu Youran.

“Siling, you have one too.” Jiang Fan reached into his robes and rummaged around. Chen Siling immediately widened her bright eyes, her heart pounding with excitement. *She was getting a share too? Could it also be a top-grade magical artifact?* But as Jiang Fan pulled out the item, her expression froze.