185: fail

Two and a half years later.

In Qingyang City, in a tall mansion, Zhou Xiuyuan, who was sitting cross-legged, had a thought, and the Aura on his body flashed and then disappeared.

After calming down for a long time and stabilizing his Cultivation at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, Zhou Xiuyuan got up, opened the Formation of the quiet room, and pushed the door open.

During the two and a half years since coming to Qingyang City, Zhou Xiuyuan and the other two became Guest Elders of the Li Family, accepting missions from the Li Family and earning contribution points for the Li Family.

Of course, if the three did not wish to, they could refuse, as they were only Guest Elders.

Half a year ago, he and Shen Xuanzhao began to guard the City Lord's Mansion in Qingyang City, even though Qingyang City was perpetually guarded by a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Cultivator from the Li Family.

However, Foundation Establishment Cultivators hold a high status, so there was naturally no need to trouble a Foundation Establishment Stage Old Ancestor with ordinary matters.

Thus, the Li Clan had a mission to guard Qingyang City.

"Elder Zhou."

In the City Lord's Mansion, a young Li Clan member saw Zhou Xiuyuan emerge from seclusion and bowed in greeting.

"No need for such formality."

"Have you seen Elder Shen and Elder Yun?"

Zhou Xiuyuan helped the person up and asked again.

"Elder Yun went to the west city to inspect its defenses."

"Elder Shen is guarding the Teleportation Hall."

The young Li Clan member replied softly.

"Thank you for informing me."

Zhou Xiuyuan cupped his hands in a salute.

There was a Teleportation Formation in Qingyang City.

Through this Teleportation Formation, one could travel to several surrounding cities, as well as to Xuanhua Prefecture, the Upper Sect of Qingyang and other cities.

Xuanhua Prefecture had several Golden Core Stage True Persons, who governed Xuanhua City and more than ten subordinate cities, possessing immense power.

When carrying out missions, the three had also used the Teleportation Formation to visit Xuanhua City once, and with a Teleportation Token on them, they would not be torn apart by spatial distortion during the teleportation.

However, Teleportation Formations were not cheap, and ordinary Loose Cultivators did not have such wealth.

Therefore, most Cultivators in this world still primarily traveled by themselves.

"Elder Zhou is too polite."

The young Cultivator quickly avoided the gesture.

Subsequently, Zhou Xiuyuan walked out of the City Lord's Mansion and headed towards the Teleportation Hall.

In the city, passing Cultivators, seeing Zhou Xiuyuan dressed in Li Family Elder robes and wearing a waist token, all saluted him.

Zhou Xiuyuan nodded in acknowledgment.

At the same time.

In Qingyuan Lake.

As Zhou Xiuyuan broke through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.

Within a precious bead, Mo Xuan's Divided Soul stirred.

The Clan Fortune Points had just increased by one.

However, the source was not within his perception.

That could only mean Zhou Xiuyuan had made another Breakthrough.

"It seems he's doing well..."

Mo Xuan mused.

Another Breakthrough in two and a half years was not slow.

A moment later.

The precious bead dimmed.

Below, a two-hundred-foot-long Black Giant Serpent was coiled in deep slumber.

With the Dividing Spirit and Transforming Thought Divine Ability, the main body could enter a state of deep slumber, tapping into the potential within its Bloodline to accelerate the growth of its Cultivation.

If the Zhou Family had any issues, with the Divided Soul present within the precious bead, the main body could also be awakened in time.

Jade Moon Peak.

Under Zhou Licheng's management, all affairs of the Zhou Family were arranged in an orderly manner.

The four halls' division of labor became increasingly clear.

Since the Crescent Moon Sect reopened its mountain gate under the Zhou Family's governance.

The slight worries in Zhou Leren's and Jing Ya's hearts completely disappeared.

With no more burdens on his mind, Zhou Leren devoted almost all his energy to Cultivation.

Aside from occasionally emerging from seclusion to spend time with Jing Ya.

Most of his time was spent in seclusion.

He even handed over his duties as the head of the Dao Protection Hall to Jing Ya to assist Elder Beihai in managing.

Besides being in charge of the Zhou Family's Formation Hall and overseeing the maintenance and operation of various Formations within the Zhou Family.

Zhou Liyue was also responsible for instructing the Disciples of the Formation Hall in Formation Cultivation.

Of course, her own Cultivation was also slowly and steadily improving.

Xia Chuxue was in charge of the Zhou Family's Spiritual Plant Hall.

Over the years, with the Zhou Family's attention.

There were also two Second-Rank Spiritual Plant Inheritance secret techniques.

These could cultivate Second-Rank Golden Yuan Fruits and Second-Rank Purple Heart Grass.

Both were Materials for refining Second-Rank Medicinal Pills, and their value was considerable.

In addition, four more First-Rank Spiritual Plant Inheritance secret techniques were acquired.

Nowadays, the First-Rank Spiritual Plants cultivated by the Zhou Family were no longer limited to Star Origin Fruit and qingling rice.

Xia Chuxue even combined the Second-Rank Spiritual Plant Legacy obtained by the Zhou Family to improve the cultivation method of qingling rice, simplifying its steps.

It had now been widely promoted.

Mortals in Feiyue City could also receive missions from the Karma Hall to plant them.

Then, the Zhou Family would uniformly purchase them, allowing these planting households to have guaranteed income regardless of drought or flood.

The Zhou Family was generous, so most Mortals in Feiyue City would plant some.

With the Zhou Family's size and the current scale of the Zhou Clan Trading Firm, they could naturally sell these qingling rice.

After the Golden Core Banquet ended, Zhou Leyi had been in seclusion, digesting what he had gained.

He only emerged from seclusion a year ago.

His Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivation was stable.

After the Golden Core Banquet, he gained a deeper understanding of Spell Cultivation, thus significantly improving his strength.

After emerging from seclusion, he took up residence in the Qingyuan Town market.

As for the First-Rank Talisman-making Legacy obtained from the Yang Family.

It was all taught by Yang Linxi, Zhou Licheng's wife.

Among the Zhou Family, there were also Disciples who chose to cultivate it concurrently.

In the Ten Thousand Snakes Pool.

The Green-Eyed Azure-Striped Snake Clan and the Azure Black Spirit Snake Clan were also slowly expanding.

Huan Bi was truly in her element within the Zhou Family.

With the supply of Third-Rank beast blood, her own strength was rapidly increasing.

The Azure Black Spirit Snake Clan was naturally not left behind.

It was likely that in a few more years, Foundation Establishment Stage Azure Black Spirit Snakes would appear.

Time flowed on.

Half a year later.

In a secret chamber on Jade Moon Peak of the Zhou Family.

Zhou Leshu's face flushed, her breathing fluctuated between strong and weak, and her magic power was in disarray.

After a long while, a bit of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth, and the Aura on her body slowly receded, no longer surging.

Zhou Leshu opened her eyes, with a look of loss.

"Alas ~"

She sighed deeply in her heart.

Zhou Leshu was fifty years old, and had entered the Ninth Level of Qi Refining five years ago.

This time, she believed her magic power was at Perfection, and her preparations were sufficient.

With the assistance of the Zhou Family's many Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators' Breakthrough experiences and complete Cultivation Technique Legacy.

She thought it was foolproof, but unexpectedly, she still failed to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

After briefly sensing her body's condition.

Zhou Leshu felt a little relieved.

"Fortunately, with the foundation establishment pill to protect my Meridians, even if the Breakthrough failed, my Foundation was not damaged. After a few years of recuperation, there is still a chance..."

After circulating her Cultivation Technique to regulate her breathing for a moment, Zhou Leshu got up and left the secret chamber.

At this moment.

Zhou Licheng and Zhou Liyue sat facing each other.

Their Divine Sense perceived Zhou Leshu emerging from seclusion.

"She failed..."

Zhou Licheng shook his head, then added:

"It's good that she's alright."

"Although we have our experiences, the situations everyone encounters are different. This failure means there's still a next opportunity."

"I just hope Leshu isn't trapped by this failure."

Zhou Liyue took the teacup Zhou Licheng handed her and spoke slowly.

If a shadow was cast over her heart due to this Breakthrough failure.

Then, no matter how thoroughly she prepared for the next time, the chance of success would be very slim.

"That shouldn't be the case."

"You and I both understand Leshu's character; such a small setback cannot defeat a member of our Zhou Family."

Zhou Liyue was slightly worried, but Zhou Licheng was full of confidence.

"Big Brother is right."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Liyue's heart stirred, and she suddenly smiled, no longer worried.