55: experience

When the matter concluded, Zhou Kaiding embarked on a journey as originally planned.

After more than a month, Zhou Kaiding returned and called out Zhou Liyue, who was in secluded Cultivation, to help him set up the High Grade First-tier Great Formation they had purchased.

For those who study Formations, this was undoubtedly an excellent learning Opportunity.

This Great Formation was called the Five Elements Reversal Formation; the Five Elements were interconnected, endlessly regenerating, and its defense was extremely strong.

The two of them set up this Formation, which was considerably larger in scope than the previous Wu Family’s Medium Grade First-tier Great Formation, enveloping the entire Jade Moon Peak, with continuous streams of five-colored light.

The Aura was extraordinary.

As the Zhou Family established itself in Qingyuan Town and its reputation spread, several surrounding regions also came to understand the Zhou Family.

Among them, several Foundation Establishment Family even sent their Clan members to offer congratulations and establish contact with the Zhou Family.

The name of Old Ancestor Mo Xuan of the Zhou Family had also become widely known.

From then on, Qingyuan Town had two Foundation Establishment-level powers overseeing it, which also eliminated the impact brought by Liu Minzhao’s demise.

In the Lake Heart Island Market, the flow of Cultivators gradually returned to its previous level.

Since the Zhou Family held a thirty percent share of the profits in the Market, Zhou Kaiding could no longer devote himself solely to secluded Cultivation on Jade Moon Peak as before; he now had to periodically go to the Market to oversee operations.

Two years later.

Inside the Zhou Family’s secret chamber, Zhou Kaiding rose and reined in the overflowing Aura that had just emanated from his recent Breakthrough.

Over these two years, although having to oversee the Market had delayed his Cultivation somewhat, it wasn't too slow; today, he finally achieved a Breakthrough to the Eighth Level of Qi Refining.

At this stage, he already needed to begin preparing for Foundation Establishment.

However, he was not the only one with such thoughts; Qingyuan Town alone had four major Family, but after all these years, none had obtained a foundation establishment inheritance.

Several Family had even suffered heavy losses because of this and had yet to recover.

The Cultivation of human Cultivators differs from that of Yao Beasts; Yao Beasts only need to continuously unearth the power hidden within their Bloodline to gradually grow stronger.

However, the Cultivation of Cultivators is much more complex, so Mo Xuan could not offer much help regarding Foundation Establishment.

He could only pay more attention in the future and seek other Opportunities.

Dispelling the worries in his heart, his current Breakthrough and increase in strength was a joyous occasion.

He sought out Lin Muwan to celebrate with her.

Several months later.

Zhou Liyue achieved a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer (Cultivation Level).

Soon after, her Formation Cultivation also made a Breakthrough, enabling her to set up Medium Grade First-tier Formations.

She had also mastered the Xuan Qing Bright Wind Array and a defensive Formation, the Azure Light Formation, which she had obtained from the Five Immortals of Flowing Wind.

Currently, Zhou Liyue’s strength had surpassed Lin Muwan’s, second only to Zhou Kaiding.

Having reached Mid-stage Qi Refining and being able to set up Medium Grade First-tier Formations, Zhou Liyue’s thoughts stirred, and she found Zhou Kaiding, saying:

“Father, I have now achieved a Breakthrough to Mid-stage Qi Refining and wish to go out for some experience. I hope Father will grant my request.”

This had always been Zhou Liyue’s intention, but previously, she was only in the Qi Refining Early Stage, her strength was insufficient, and she was too young, so Zhou Kaiding and his wife would certainly not agree.

Therefore, it was only today, after achieving a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer (Cultivation Level), that Zhou Liyue felt she had a certain level of self-preservation ability and thus made her request.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kaiding had no objection in his heart; after all, she couldn’t stay on Jade Moon Peak forever.

She had to personally gain experience and perceive this world to go further down the Dao.

Moreover, Zhou Kaiding himself had started as a Loose Cultivator, venturing out alone; the conditions for Zhou Liyue and others now were undoubtedly many times better than his own.

Zhou Kaiding nodded in agreement and then asked:

“Have you decided on a route?”

“Daughter plans to go to Yixian Gorge first, then to the Tianshui Mountain Range.”

“Yixian Gorge…”

Zhou Kaiding pondered internally; Yixian Gorge was also one of the many regions under the jurisdiction of Huichuan Prefecture.

However, this place was quite special; it was a haven for Loose Cultivators, with many Loose Cultivators gathered there.

Because there was a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Grand Cultivator overseeing Yixian Gorge, no other power dared to covet this place.

This Late Foundation Establishment Stage Grand Cultivator was known as Old Man Qingshan, who lived alone in Yixian Gorge; although he was wholeheartedly pursuing the Dao, as long as he was not disturbed, he did not forbid other Cultivators from coming here.

However, even though Old Man Qingshan oversaw this place, he did not manage affairs, which led to considerable chaos.

“Why would you think of going to Yixian Gorge?”

Zhou Kaiding shook his head and asked with a wry smile.

“There are many Loose Cultivators in Yixian Gorge, which is perfectly suited for gaining experience.”

Zhou Kaiding was momentarily stunned upon hearing this; it was for such a reason, but he didn’t ask any more questions.

He retrieved the crimson gold bangle from the Clan’s treasure vault and gave it to Zhou Liyue, then took out a Storage Pouch and handed it over, which contained the Talismans and Medicinal Pills she would need daily.

This crimson gold bangle was a Medium Grade First-tier Magical Artifact obtained from an Wu Family Elder; since Zhou Liyue had already achieved a Breakthrough to Mid-stage Qi Refining, she could now use this treasure.

After some thought, he also took out the heart-bewitching bell; although with Zhou Liyue’s current Cultivation, activating this heart-bewitching bell would likely only allow for one strike and would not be able to unleash the full power of this treasure, it was still a good trump card.

After all, when venturing out for experience, no one can guarantee what might happen.

Zhou Liyue did not refuse.

She spent over a month refining these two Magical Artifacts, imprinting her mark upon them.

After familiarizing herself with the power of the two Magic Treasures, she bid farewell to Zhou Kaiding and his wife and left Jade Moon Peak.

Watching Zhou Liyue’s departing back, Lin Muwan’s worry was evident, and she cast a slightly resentful glance at Zhou Kaiding.

Zhou Kaiding naturally sensed Lin Muwan’s slight resentment and said to her:

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

Lin Muwan was helpless and could only pray silently.

Zhou Kaiding, seeing Zhou Liyue’s figure disappear, exchanged a few words with Lin Muwan, then went to the Feiyue Peak Summit, found Mo Xuan, and conversed with him for a while.

Only then did he leave Jade Moon Peak and quietly followed in the direction Zhou Liyue had departed.

Zhou Liyue left Jade Moon Peak and traveled all the way until she left Qingyuan Town, where she found an uninhabited place.

With a shift of her body, she changed out of her precious robes and donned a set of plain, dark, close-fitting martial attire.

She then applied something to her face, concealing her elegant and ethereal appearance.

At this moment, no one who saw Zhou Liyue again would be able to associate her with the elegant and gentle Zhou Liyue of the Zhou Family.

At this time, Zhou Kaiding, who was following far behind, nodded secretly; being aware of such things when traveling outside would allow one to go further.

Along this path, Zhou Liyue occasionally changed her direction; if Zhou Kaiding hadn’t paid close attention, he might have actually lost her.

However, that would have been too embarrassing.

After Zhou Liyue disguised herself, a water mirror appeared with a wave of her hand.

Her figure was reflected in the water mirror; facing the mirror, she slightly altered her posture and movements, spun a few times, observed herself, and then dispersed the water mirror.

She formed a hand seal, and her magical power surged out, erasing the traces of her presence here, and then headed in the direction of Yixian Gorge.