Volume One, Chapter Seven: Willing to Sacrifice for a Life Partner

“Today, to witness the presence of a senior like you is truly Yuan Ba’s greatest fortune across three lifetimes! I must apologize for any previous offenses and hope you can forgive me.”

Su Haoming felt a bit dizzy being addressed as “senior” and “master,” inwardly amused and baffled: I’m just someone who relies on a system to nurture my Dao companion—how did I suddenly become a high-level expert?

Yet, he maintained an air of dignity on the surface, cleared his throat, and seized the moment to speak loudly and clearly:

“Fellow Daoists, today we meet not as foes but as acquaintances. Now that the misunderstanding is resolved, why don’t I host this gathering? Let us share a drink, turn swords into jade and peace, and reconcile.”

With a “master” speaking, who would dare refuse? Especially with the promise of insights into alchemy at stake.

Everyone quickly responded, and the restaurant staff hurried to set up tables and chairs.

In no time, several banquet tables were arranged on the second floor. Su Haoming took the main seat without hesitation, flanked by Chu Tianhe on one side and Duan Yuanba on the other. The two formerly hostile factions now sat around the same table, exchanging cups in surprisingly harmonious spirits.

“Daoist Su, you truly are a divine being! With a mere wave of your hand, you’ve dissolved years of grudges between our two sects. Such magnanimity and grace are beyond our reach!” Duan Yuanba praised admiringly, raising his cup.

Su Haoming smiled and lifted his glass in response, secretly thinking: I just wanted an excuse to get close to that cold beauty beside you.

As the wine flowed and the atmosphere grew livelier, Su Haoming seized the moment. Holding his cup, he casually walked over to sit beside Lin Feixue.

“Daoist Lin, I notice the restrained spiritual energy around you, with a subtle chill flowing through—it must be that your cultivation method is quite extraordinary?”

Lin Feixue glanced at him calmly. “Ice Soul Heart Scripture. I have some minor achievements, but nothing worth mentioning.”

“Ice Soul Heart Scripture…”

Su Haoming’s mind stirred. Water attribute with a freezing effect? If he could get this for Ruo Xi, it would be a perfect match. He maintained a composed expression and praised, “Excellent technique. For someone so young to have reached this level, your future accomplishments are limitless.”

Lin Feixue put down her cup and looked at him with clear eyes: “Daoist Su, you seem rather interested in me?”

Su Haoming almost choked on his wine and hastily waved his hand. “Cough, cough… You misunderstand. I simply find your aura unique and admirable.”

“Is that so?”

Lin Feixue said nothing more but tilted her head slightly.

“I wonder, besides your alchemy insights, do you have any other… rare treasures?”

Here it comes! Su Haoming chuckled inwardly, the bait was taken. He feigned contemplation.

“Rare? Not exactly. I usually seek opportunities and enjoy crafting small items. Recently, I was fortunate to acquire several furnaces of pills and a few decent Qi Refining stage treasures. I just haven’t found the right way to sell them.”

He paused, then added casually, “Oh, and a few Foundation Establishment pills as well.”

“Foundation Establishment pills?!”

Even Lin Feixue, with her cool temperament, suddenly had a bright gleam flash in her beautiful eyes, her breath momentarily quickening.

“If you’re interested, perhaps we could find a quiet place another day and discuss in detail?”

Su Haoming timely extended the olive branch.

Lin Feixue soon regained her composure and nodded lightly.

“Very well, I shall trouble Daoist Su then.”

After several exchanges, Su Haoming confirmed that Lin Feixue had not only reached the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Refining, just one step from Foundation Establishment, but also possessed exceptional insight and foundation in alchemy.

Such a Dao companion was tailor-made for his system! Cultivation rewards and alchemy support in perfect harmony!

When the banquet finally ended, everyone bid Su Haoming farewell. Unexpectedly, Lin Feixue took the initiative to speak:

“Where do you reside, Daoist Su? If you don’t mind, I can accompany you part of the way.”

A golden opportunity! The two walked side by side to the city gate, where night had deepened and few pedestrians passed. Lin Feixue took out a delicate white jade slip and handed it to Su Haoming.

“This is my communication jade slip. Should you decide to trade those Foundation Establishment pills, feel free to contact me anytime.”

“Absolutely, absolutely.”

Su Haoming accepted the jade slip with a smile. It was slightly cool to the touch and carried a faint fragrance.

Watching Lin Feixue’s figure disappear into the night, Su Haoming felt elated.

Today’s trip to Qingyun Pavilion was worth every bit!

Not only did he smoothly resolve the conflict and put on an impressive show, but he also successfully connected with Lin Feixue—a harvest far beyond expectation!

Humming a discordant tune, Su Haoming swayed back to the Su family mansion.

As he entered his courtyard, moonlight revealed a familiar figure practicing swordsmanship, sweat glistening as the sword’s light was crisp and movements agile.

“Ruo Xi, training so late?”

Su Haoming quietly approached.

Liu Ruo Xi sheathed her sword, beads of sweat on her brow.

“My cultivation has just recovered. I want to get familiar with my power as quickly as possible.”

“How does it feel? What level are you at?”

Su Haoming asked with concern.

“Thanks to you, I’ve reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining.”

Liu Ruo Xi replied, her tone carrying a subtle note of gratitude. “Those spirit stones were very useful.”

Su Haoming’s heart warmed. Fourth layer of Qi Refining! On the system panel, his own cultivation indicator would surely leap again.

This pace was far faster than his own painstaking training! His smile grew wider, almost unable to hide his pride.

“By the way, I picked up a few decent Qi Refining stage treasures when I went out today. See if any are useful to you.”

He waved his hand casually, and four radiant treasures floated before Liu Ruo Xi.

Liu Ruo Xi scanned them and reached out to grasp a water-blue bead, cold to the touch and brimming with spiritual energy.

“This is... the Thousand Water Pearl? And the Purple Lightning Dagger, Qingyun Fan, and Profound Yin Mirror?”

Surprise flickered in her eyes.

“These are all top-quality Qi Refining treasures, each worth a fortune. Where did you get them?”

Ordinary cultivators would be lucky to acquire even one; Su Haoming casually produced four.

“Out on the road, one encounters many twists of fate.”

Su Haoming was vague—he couldn’t exactly say they came from the system or that he simply lifted them, though the nature was similar.

“Try whichever feels right.”

Liu Ruo Xi examined them carefully, then returned each to him.

“My cultivation is still shallow. These treasures are too ostentatious and might not reveal their full power. Besides, I already owe you too much. I can’t take more.”

Her tone was calm but resolute.

“What nonsense about owing me,” Su Haoming said, pushing the treasures back into her arms.

“We are Dao companions. What’s mine is yours. No need to be so particular. Besides, these would gather dust with me. Better you use them—let’s keep the blessings within the family.”

He spoke with conviction, though inwardly he calculated: if the Dao companion grows stronger, I become stronger faster. This deal was an absolute win.

Liu Ruo Xi held the treasures, her fingers tracing the cold surface of the Profound Yin Mirror. After a moment of silence, she looked up at him:

“Today… you seem different somehow. Did something happen?”

Su Haoming’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained flawless.