Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

From the first day of the Lunar New Year to the fifteenth,

Wang Chen spent his days at the Xu Family residence.

His "Yin and Yang Reunion Secret Technique" had reached Mastery Level, and he had taken Xu Xinlan as his apprentice.

In the half month that followed, Wang Chen's life could be best described with the saying, "Even the most enviably matched ducks and drakes could not compare to his contentment."

His cultivation practice had not fallen behind either, for Xu Xinlan had given him all the Essence of the Five Elements hidden away by the Xu Family.

Enough for Wang Chen to achieve a breakthrough to the third tier of the Purple Mansion!

During this half month, Wang Chen also fully enjoyed Xu Xinlan's tenderness, consideration, and clinginess.

Had it been someone of weaker will, they would probably have indulged themselves and lost their fighting spirit and aspiration for the Dao.

But Wang Chen maintained his original intention.

Because he was always very clear about the path of his Dao!

The day after celebrating the Lantern Festival with Xu Xinlan, Wang Chen and Uncle Zhong set off for the Xu Family's mining field together.

The Xu Family had a total of two mining fields, both located in deep mountains five hundred miles away from Wanling City; the two shared a flying boat and arrived at their destination in half a two-hour period.

The scale of this secret mining field that produced the Essence of the Five Elements was not large, employing just over a hundred miners along with a dozen or so foremen and managers.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Uncle Zhong steered the flying boat and landed directly in the mining field.

He used to inspect the place every few days and knew it like the back of his hand. He first introduced the field's manager to Wang Chen along with the related circumstances.

On the surface, this small mine primarily produced Black Iron Stone and a minor amount of associated Mysterious Iron.

After smelting, both types of ore were taken to workshops in Wanling City to manufacture household items and weaponry armor among other things.

Because the quality of the ore was average, and the Xu Family did not have any significant artifact-refining traditions, the profits were quite meager.

Just based on this mining field alone, it was difficult to attract others' covetousness.

But apart from a very few people, no one knew that such an unremarkable mining field actually contained the Essence of the Five Elements!

Uncle Zhong also informed the manager and the foremen of Wang Chen's identity and background.

After receiving a wave of respectfully frightened greetings, Wang Chen and Uncle Zhong left the mining field.

However, the two did not go far at all; they flew out several dozen miles and then circled back.

This time, Uncle Zhong landed in a desolate and uninhabited forest. Then they walked about ten miles through mountainous terrain and finally snuck into a secret cave, reaching the depths underground.

After traveling a long tunnel for the time it took half an incense stick to burn, the space suddenly opened up.

An underground cave revealed itself before the two of them.

The moment Wang Chen set foot in the cave, he felt the essence of the Five Elements filling the space around him!

This place, to him, was no less than a Cave Mansion dedicated to Purple Mansion cultivators' practice.

A gigantic Stalactite Column hung from the cave's ceiling, its tip just three feet above the ground, with a carved jade basin placed beneath it.

A thin layer of liquid was accumulated inside the jade basin.

Wang Chen could tell at a glance that this liquid was the Essence of the Five Elements!

"I come to collect it once a month."

Uncle Zhong said with a sigh, "It's like being a thief, sneaking around so that no one sees."

The discovery of this underground cave was purely accidental. Initially, a Monster Beast had infiltrated the mine, injuring workers, and the mine foremen and managers, unable to resolve the issue, requested assistance from the Xu Family.

Uncle Zhong arrived to exterminate the Monster Beast, and during the intense battle, a mining tunnel collapsed and exposed the cave.

He discovered the Essence of the Five Elements inside.

Uncle Zhong was well aware of the value of the Essence of the Five Elements. After extricating himself, he announced that the Monster Beast had been killed and then had the mining tunnel completely sealed off.

He himself quietly dug another secret tunnel leading directly to the cave.

This cave could produce at least one jin of the Essence of the Five Elements per month. Even though it was not high-tier, its value was still astonishing.

After discussing with Xu Xinlan, he would take about three liang to recruit Purple Mansion cultivators to protect the Xu Family.

The rest was stored away, not daring to leak a speck of it.

As for the source of the Essence of the Five Elements, they only claimed it was purchased from the Outer Domain.

In such secrecy, they lived with trepidation!

Wang Chen understood: "A man is not guilty for possessing a gem; the guilt lies in causing others to covet it."

Uncle Zhong looked at Wang Chen, his gaze filled with complexity: "Superior, I'll leave this place in your care from now on."

Xu Xinlan's relationship with Wang Chen may be concealed from others, but not from him, the old steward of the Xu Family.

Just as Xu Xinlan had said, Uncle Zhong had always treated her like his own daughter.

Now, having followed Wang Chen without any official declaration, and even providing treasures, how could his heart not harbor any thoughts?

But Uncle Zhong was also very clear that this was the best choice for Xu Xinlan.

His time was almost up and he wouldn't be able to protect Xu Xinlan for many more years.

"This old man only hopes that the Superior will treat the young lady kindly."

These words, Uncle Zhong said them in a rather humble manner, for he had no leverage to make Wang Chen wary.

"Don't worry."

Wang Chen nodded and said, "I will take on the responsibility."

"Thank you, Superior."

Uncle Zhong took a step back and bowed to Wang Chen with great respect.

Wang Chen looked at the loyal and devoted old steward and suddenly asked, "Uncle Zhong, how many times have you failed your Breakthrough Mansion attempt?"

Uncle Zhong was startled for a moment, then instinctively replied, "Once."

Wang Chen pondered, "Then there's still one chance left, isn't there?"

For a Cultivator at Qi Cultivation Perfection, failing to Breakthrough Mansion is nothing unusual; ninety-nine percent of people don't succeed.

Some Cultivators, after failing, will continue to strive and attempt to challenge it again.

Under normal circumstances, the difficulty of a second Breakthrough Mansion attempt surpasses that of the first, and even fewer succeed.

Unless one has extraordinary talent or the aid of Spirit Pills, after two failures there's usually no third chance.

Most Cultivators, if their core isn't damaged, will try at least one more time after first failure.

Only after failing twice do they give up completely.

Uncle Zhong said with a wry smile, "My core was injured during my first failure, and by the time I had recovered, I was too old."

The older a Cultivator is, the lower the chance of successfully Breaking through Mansion.

And the more dangerous it is!

Wang Chen's eyes flashed, and he asked, "If I give you a high-quality Aperture Opening Pill, would you be willing to try again?"

"Ah?"

Uncle Zhong was stunned and his head buzzed.

He had given up on the idea of a Breakthrough Mansion very early on, thinking that just to live the rest of his life peacefully would be good enough.

As he aged, he had even fewer thoughts about it.

But now that Wang Chen suggested it, Uncle Zhong suddenly realized there was still a desire buried deep within him.

Your journey continues on empire

If he succeeded in Breaking through Mansion, his lifespan would immediately double.

If one could avoid death, who would choose to wait for it?

He opened his mouth but found he couldn't bring himself to speak.

Wang Chen smiled and said, "Uncle Zhong, you don't have to give me an answer now. Think it over after you go back. As long as you're willing, I'll exchange a high-quality Aperture Opening Pill for you to try again!"

A high-quality Aperture Opening Pill can be exchanged for using Merit Points.

Wang Chen happened to have these Merit Points!

But this was contingent on Uncle Zhong having the courage and determination to commit fully to the attempt.

Otherwise, it would all be in vain!

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The second update is here.