180: Secret technique works wonders, breaking through difficulties

Three Poisons Ancestor Zi Ling gave Xu Bin complete authority, and the Merchant Alliance's business rapidly expanded, with countless resources being transported to White Crane Lake.

One year later.

After calculating the profits, Three Poisons Peak's net profit was just over ten thousand Spirit Stones, and Xu Bin fulfilled his promise.

Zi Ling was overjoyed and publicly praised Xu Bin. She also arranged for several of the Zi Family's trusted aides to assist Xu Bin with his work, continuing to manage the Merchant Alliance's business.

"Zi Lan, I heard that Young Master Liu especially favors beautiful women and treats his Concubines exceptionally well. I plan to marry you to him as a Concubine. Are you willing?"

After an investigation, Zi Ling learned a lot about Liu Xuan. Xu Bin had not exaggerated; this person was indeed a rare Genius, and it was highly probable that he would achieve Foundation Establishment within the next thirty years.

She knew very well that the business's high profits were not due to Xu Bin's efforts, but primarily because of Liu Xuan.

Liu Xuan had given her so many benefits; in return, she also planned to give Liu Xuan a grand gift.

"This Disciple is willing!"

Zi Lan did not hesitate; she had long anticipated this matter.

Her Revered Master wanted to stabilize this business, and also needed her to gather intelligence from Liu Xuan's side. As a member of the Zi Family, she had no choice.

With the change of Nether Fire Sect's Sect Master, although the Zi Family was not targeted by the new Sect Master, it was difficult for them to retain their former industries, and their quality of life plummeted.

Some Zi Family members who were unwilling to part with their industries were executed according to Sect rules for various reasons, and some even died mysteriously.

There was no need for a Golden Core Sect Master to target them; understanding individuals would naturally take action against them.

Over the years, the surviving Zi Family members had learned their lesson and mostly followed Zi Ling, living low-key lives... White Crane Lake.

On the west side of Lake Heart Island, a giant jade phoenix tree was extremely conspicuous, its canopy covering nearly a hundred meters, with a rich aura of life lingering around it.

A second-rank spiritual plant, the jade phoenix tree! Its advancement at the time caused quite a stir, even Xiao Ran marveled at its exaggerated growth rate.

Liu Xuan also feigned shock, saying that he had only accidentally bought the tree seed and didn't know why it had advanced so quickly.

Everyone discussed it for a while without a conclusion, and in the end, they could only envy Liu Xuan's good luck, that he could stumble upon such a bargain.

"Buzz buzz buzz~"

From time to time, the buzzing sound of Black Crystal Bees flying could be heard from the canopy. Ever since the jade phoenix tree advanced, Liu Xuan had them move their hive to the tree.

Liu Xuan, dressed in a plain white Daoist robe, appeared ethereal and otherworldly, as if he had merged with the heavens and earth.

At this moment, he looked at a woman before him with a cold and beautiful face, clear facial features, and a hint of sharpness, and asked, "So you are Zi Lan, a Disciple of Three Poisons Ancestor, and you've come to be my Concubine by her command?"

Zi Lan nodded, "I dare not defy Old Ancestor's command, Young Master Liu. Please feel free to give any instructions."

Liu Xuan carefully scrutinized Zi Lan. The Three Poisons Elder was indeed sensible; this girl, Zi Lan, was quite beautiful, and also at Qi Refining Perfection cultivation. Her Spiritual Root talent was fourth-grade, and her overall quality surpassed all of Liu Xuan's current Dao Companions.

Although Zhang Kexin's Spiritual Root was higher than hers, her cultivation was two levels lower, and overall, she was still a notch inferior.

Qi Refining Perfection cultivation, this Realm had already surpassed ninety-nine percent of Cultivators. One should know that Xiao Ran was only at Qi Refining Perfection.

"Husband, Elder Sister Zi Lan is Revered Master's confidante and also of the same clan. Isn't it a bit unfair for her to be your Concubine?"

Seeing Liu Xuan's interest, Lu Ping, who was beside him, spoke up to remind him.

Lu Ping saw at a glance that Zi Lan had come with an ulterior motive, and she had to remind Liu Xuan not to be seduced by beauty.

In two years, Lu Ping was now entirely considering the interests of the Liu Family. As for the Nether Fire Sect and Three Poisons Peak, they were already outsiders.

Zi Lan glanced at Lu Ping, then looked at Liu Xuan, and said, "Zi Lan has admired Young Master Liu for many years. It is my honor to become your Concubine, and there is no question of being wronged."

The cold and beautiful woman shed her arrogance, instantly giving Liu Xuan a sense of astonishment.

Even knowing that the beauty might be poisonous, Liu Xuan, being highly skilled and bold, still decided to accept her for now.

"Young Lady, please consider carefully. Becoming my Concubine is simple; leaving later won't be so easy!"

Liu Xuan walked to her side, picked up a strand of her hair to toy with, and slowly spoke into her ear.

Zi Lan turned her head and met Liu Xuan's gaze, a flicker of inexplicable panic in her beautiful eyes.

'What's going on?'

'He is clearly only a Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, a Cultivator who has just entered Late Qi Refining Stage, so why does he give me such immense pressure?'

Before coming, Zi Lan had fantasized about using her cultivation to turn the tables, using Liu Xuan's vast resources for her own Cultivation, and making everything of Liu Xuan's her own.

Now it seemed she had thought too much. A great reputation is never unfounded; Liu Xuan, with his Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, possessed wealth and status comparable to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. He was not that simple!

"I... I have thought it through. I will never betray you, Young Master, in this life!"

"Good!"

Liu Xuan nodded and instructed Lu Ping, "Ping'er, go prepare. I will marry Young Lady Zi Lan tonight."

"Yes!"

Lu Ping glanced at Zi Lan, feeling a bit displeased, but still obediently went to do as she was told.

Night.

Liu Xuan guided Zi Lan in Cultivation. She, who had been somewhat resistant, suddenly had her eyes light up.

She actually felt a slight loosening in her cultivation, which had been stagnant for many years!!

"Liu... Husband, what kind of secret art is this? I... I feel that my cultivation Bottleneck has loosened!"

Zi Lan's cultivation had reached Qi Refining Perfection, but she had always been unable to touch the Breakthrough Bottleneck, not even having a chance to Breakthrough.

This situation was very common; at least half of Qi Refining Perfection Cultivators never encountered an Opportunity for Breakthrough in their entire lives.

And among those Qi Refining Perfection Cultivators who could touch the Bottleneck, more than half would die during the Breakthrough process because they couldn't afford a foundation establishment pill.

For the half of Qi Refining Perfection Cultivators who couldn't perceive the Bottleneck, dying during the Breakthrough process could actually be considered a kind of happiness, better than living a life of despair.

Zi Lan was one of those Cultivators who couldn't touch the Bottleneck. In such a situation, besides expensive Heaven And Earth Treasures, one could only slowly endure and wait for that elusive Opportunity of Epiphany.

And now, Liu Xuan could actually use a secret art to assist her in Cultivation, and even allow her to feel the Breakthrough Bottleneck. How could she not be surprised?

"Don't speak, feel with your heart!"

Liu Xuan increased the speed of the secret art's operation, giving her no time to think, so as to achieve the best Cultivation effect... One hour later.

After Cultivation, Liu Xuan began taking Medicinal Pills to replenish his Qi and blood, while also sensing his cultivation state.

His Body Refining cultivation was still Early Foundation Establishment Stage, and his Qi Refining cultivation was also still Early Foundation Establishment Stage. After more than a year of hard Cultivation and consuming so many Medicinal Pills, he still couldn't see any sign of a Breakthrough.

'At the current rate, it will probably take at least ten years for Body Refining to Breakthrough to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment! And factoring in the children starting to Cultivate in a few years, it might not be less than five years!'

Actually, this speed was already incredibly fast! Even a True Disciple of a Nascent Soul grand Sect like the Heavenly Sword Sect couldn't compare to half of his current speed.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators have a lifespan of three hundred years. If Breakthroughs were that easy, there wouldn't be so many Foundation Establishment Cultivators who remained at Early Foundation Establishment Stage until their deaths!