Raise a sword!

Manager Xiao stayed at the Cangshan Sect for three days.

Besides Jiang Peng's matter, they also discussed several procurement transactions with the Cangshan Sect.

Three days later, he left with Mei Jinhe, saying that he would probably not be back for another year.

...

There were only four people on Biwu Peak to begin with, and with the absence of Mei Jinhe, who usually loved to cause trouble, the peak suddenly became much quieter.

The only thing that made Jiang Peng feel gratified was that Liu Linong seemed to have finally figured things out.

After Mei Jinhe's accident, the chubby boy became exceptionally diligent in his cultivation.

When Jiang Peng asked him why, he refused to answer.

Later, he learned from Su Zhi that Liu Linong took cultivation seriously because he had finally realized the usefulness of cultivation.

"Junior brother said that it's still necessary to have some cultivation to rely on. If he had Foundation Establishment cultivation, he wouldn't be afraid of being disturbed by senior brother while he's focused on cooking."

Jiang Peng felt both amused and exasperated, but since the outcome was ultimately good, she simply let it be.

A few days later, Lan Yingying came to visit.

The ten years of seclusion had given Lan Yingying a calm and composed demeanor. In the recent grand competition, she secured sixth place among the true disciples. Although she missed out on the Spirit Transformation Pool, she did receive a one-pattern Foundation Establishment Pill.

This time she came to Biwu Peak, and although she did not explicitly state the reason, everything was understood without words.

Late at night, in the bedroom.

Lan Yingying, drenched in sweat, clung to Jiang Peng.

"It's been over a decade since we've had a proper intimate moment, Jiang Lang, have you felt lonely?"

"Hmph, the demon is trying to disturb my Dao heart again."

"I've noticed that the way your junior sister looks at you has been unusual..."

"Junior Sister Mei had no such intention."

"There are a few pretty girls in the Pill Hall..."

"They have great respect for me, but they would never dare to approach me."

Jiang Peng responded with a serious expression, but Lan Yingying still found a flaw in her answer.

"No guts at all? You seem quite disappointed?"

"Ahem, I've been quite lenient with you since you're about to reach Foundation Establishment. Don't go looking for trouble."

"Looking for trouble? Does Young Master Jiang know about the rumors circulating in the sect?"

"What rumors?"

"You and your granddaughter..."

"Hiss—!" Jiang Peng gasped, looking at Lan Yingying in shock. "It's one thing for others to say that, but who gave you the right to say that?"

Lan Yingying hummed twice, snuggling closer to Jiang Peng in a coquettish manner, her hands under the covers also becoming restless, causing Jiang Peng's expression to change several times.

"I feel that Sister Sun's feelings for Brother Jiang are quite special."

"Just a normal friendship between fellow disciples."

"I think you two are a perfect match."

Jiang Peng's heart sank.

The previous words were all in jest, but at this moment Lan Yingying's tone became more serious.

"To be honest, I've often heard that you two travel together to work on the sect's affairs. Considering your talents... sometimes even I feel that you two should be the ones to become Daoist partners. But I came along halfway and stole Sister Sun's destiny."

Jiang Peng remained silent, simply turning over and pinning Lan Yingying beneath him, preparing to unleash his power and leave the person beneath him with no energy for idle thoughts.

A great battle raged until dawn.

The conflict was eventually halted when Jiang Peng offered up a three-patterned Foundation Building Pill as a plea for mercy.

Jiang Peng wanted to conserve her energy, but Lan Yingying, who had obtained the Three-Pattern Foundation Building Pill, became even more interested.

"I've heard that there's never been a case of someone failing to build their foundation after taking the Three-Pattern Foundation Building Pill."

She was quite excited.

"Why didn't you bring out such a good thing sooner? I thought I didn't have many days left to live, which is why I advised you to seduce your granddaughter. But things are different now."

After collecting the pills, Lan Yingying caught Jiang Peng and refined them thoroughly before she was satisfied.

Three days later, Lan Yingying said goodbye.

"If I fail to establish my foundation, I will not return."

It wasn't until the moment of parting was approaching that Lan Yingying finally showed some sadness.

Jiang Peng was puzzled.

"The Three-Pattern Foundation Building Pill is exceptionally effective; even if one fails to establish their foundation, there is a chance to try again."

Lan Yingying shook her head.

"If I fail to establish my foundation, I will not embarrass myself in front of Jiang Lang... Having seen Elder Qin's aged appearance back then, I know the consequences of failing to establish my foundation."

Jiang Peng was taken aback before she realized what was happening.

Even with high-quality Foundation Building Pills to protect the foundation if Foundation Building fails, the foundation will remain undamaged.

However, when a Qi Refining cultivator is subjected to the impact of a second-tier pill, what is lost is a real loss of lifespan.

"I don't care about these things."

"But I care."

After giving Jiang Peng a gentle hug, Lan Yingying left with an extremely carefree air.

Jiang Peng watched her Daoist partner's departing figure, wanting to go forward and see him off, but after thinking about it, she chose to stay where she was.

Lan Yingying is a strong-willed person.

She took his three-pattern Foundation Establishment Pill, kept the one-pattern Foundation Establishment Pill issued by the sect, and also left behind her wealth accumulated over many years.

Even at this crucial juncture, she still didn't want to owe Jiang Peng too much favor in matters of cultivation.

After Lan Yingying walked away, Liu Linong's figure gradually emerged from the shadows nearby.

"Why did Master's wife say she wouldn't come back until she had reached the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Jiang Peng had known all along that the chubby boy was spying on them, and she figured Lan Yingying had probably noticed too.

They were just too lazy to expose them.

This chubby boy was only thirteen or fourteen years old when he went up the mountain, and even now he's already... But in the eyes of Jiang Peng and Lan Yingying, who are over fifty years old, he is still a little kid.

"Because beauty fades with time," Jiang Peng casually explained.

...

Time stands still in the mountains.

Two months have passed in the blink of an eye.

Early that morning, Song Lian's visit broke Jiang Peng's rare moment of peace.

"News has come from the market that Qian Laosi is in trouble."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peng immediately descended the mountain.

Qian Laosi was a good friend he made when he was in dire straits. It was also through this man that he was able to learn the "Tianchen Sword Nourishing Technique" and obtain Tianchen Steel.

Jiang Peng valued this friend highly.

Cangshan Market.

After marrying a woman from the Song family and having children, Qian Laosi moved out of the Song family home with his wife and children and bought a house in the city on his own.

This residence is classified as a Class B residence, but it is not under the jurisdiction of Cangshan Pavilion. It is considered a small privilege of the Song family and other aristocratic families who are rooted in the market.

When Jiang Peng arrived at the Qian residence, she found the house covered with white silk ribbons.

His heart sank.

Upon arriving at the mourning hall, they found Qian Laosi sitting in front of a coffin, his expression filled with grief. He didn't even get up when Jiang Peng arrived.

Jiang Peng came to Qian Laosi.

"Is that Xiao Bao's nephew?"

Qian Laosi nodded slightly.

"I took him into the mountains to search for treasure, and we encountered a group of strange cultivators... He saved my old life."

As he spoke, Qian Laosi's eyes lit up.

"I told you he was a complete idiot, what use was he to me as his father! I told him before we went into the mountains that if there was any danger, he should go first and I would cover his retreat..."

Jiang Peng remained silent.

Jiang Peng wasn't very familiar with Qian Laosi's son, Qian Xiaobao; her impression of him was just that he was a somewhat simple-minded young man.

After offering incense, Qian Laosi grabbed Jiang Peng's arm.

"Brother Jiang, help me avenge myself."