Chương 165: Bonds Forged in Jade and Steel

Two Hours Later A tiger and a leopard traveled side by side, arriving at Green Bamboo Mountain. By this time, Zhang Chongwen and Su Xuiqi had already received word from Yunli. They had been waiting eagerly for some time. Huaijin, accompanied by Ning Nanzhi, stepped directly onto Green Bamboo Mountain. From a distance, they spotted Zhang Chongwen and Su Xuiqi, who were craning their necks in anticipation.

"Grandfather, Mother! This is the formation master I invited to help us upgrade the Geng Metal Profound Light Formation!" Huaijin introduced Ning Nanzhi. Ning Nanzhi wore a gentle smile and offered a polite bow to the two elders. Unbeknownst to many, several decades had already passed since Zhang Hanren's untimely fall. Su Xuiqi had gradually emerged from the grief of losing her son. Now, seeing Huaijin return with a woman, it was clear his heart was already taken.

After Yunli's embellished reports, Su Xuiqi had already decided that this was her future daughter-in-law.

"Excellent, excellent!" Zhang Chongwen's aged eyes gleamed with immense satisfaction. The couple's warmth made Ning Nanzhi feel a little shy. Following Ning Nanzhi's instructions, Zhang Chongwen began drawing materials from the clan's treasury. Ning Nanzhi didn't rest, immediately setting to work. Huaijin also went to work, refining the Tier 2 spirit artifacts within the Geng Metal Profound Light Formation. He needed to preserve their inherent traits and quality while simultaneously elevating them.

The two worked methodically, and the power of the Formation increased steadily. Three days later, Huaijin finished refining the artifacts and installed them into the formation nodes. Ning Nanzhi, meanwhile, had finished crafting all the prepared materials into formation banners. Her skill in formation crafting was remarkably polished. As she continuously deployed the formation banners, the formation's restrictions activated, and the power of the Geng Metal Profound Light Formation surged.

In a flash, it was elevated to a Tier 2 upper grade Array formation. Green Bamboo Mountain's spirit vein had already ascended to the Tier 2 mid grade previously. This was sufficient to store energy for the Geng Metal Profound Light Formation. Currently, Green Bamboo Mountain was defended by two Tier 2 cultivators! When the number of Tier 2 cultivators increased and there was surplus spirit stone in the clan treasury, they could elevate it directly to a Tier 2 upper grade spirit vein.

After all, Green Bamboo Mountain lacked a Seven-Colored Spirit Peach Tree. To upgrade a spirit vein without one, only a continuous investment of spirit stones would suffice. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. After resting a day on Green Bamboo Mountain, Huaijin seized the opportunity to take Ning Nanzhi to Green Bamboo City! Ning Nanzhi was patient. She voiced no complaints, viewing the formation construction as excellent practice for honing her own skills.

If someone else had been hired for this work, the Zhang family would have had to spend tens of thousands of spirit stones at the very least. Zhang Liliang had now reached the peak of the third level Tier 2 and was pushing toward the fourth level. The profound insights from the Calamity Talisman Demon Heart were accelerating his cultivation speed. In his spare time, Zhang Liliang frantically drew talismans. The Calamity Demon Heart also enabled his talisman-making skills to progress by leaps and bounds.

He had now become a Tier 2 mid grade talisman crafter. Most of the Zhang family's talismans were drawn by him. Zhang Liliang warmly welcomed Ning Nanzhi's arrival. Green Bamboo City's formation was a Tier 2 low grade one. Ning Nanzhi got to work, upgrading it to a Tier 2 mid-grade formation. This upgrade consumed more than half of the Zhang family's treasury, which had only just begun to recover. However, it was all worth it! The Zhang family's spirit mountain was now more secure than ever!

The market in Langya County Town had reached saturation. But in Qingtai City, a vast blue ocean of opportunity still awaited. The conflict between the Zhang and Jin families was intensifying, but it didn't affect their business in the prefecture city's shops. The Zhang family was now a substantial power. As time passed, the family's foundations would only grow deeper. —— A month slipped by quietly. Huaijin and Ning Nanzhi returned to Purple Cloud Peak after finishing the upgrades at Green Bamboo City.

Their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds. The affection between them grew deeper with each passing day. They often discussed cultivation and occasionally sparred. Ning Nanzhi also shared some of her formation knowledge with Huaijin. She was a very considerate person. The spiritual energy density on Purple Cloud Peak was far too rich, comparable to a Tier 3 low grade spirit vein. She knew Huaijin harbored secrets but never pried. When the time was right for her to know, she would naturally learn.

Huaijin found her company extremely comfortable. His own cultivation base was also steadily improving. Then, on this very day, cultivators from the Zhou and Fang families arrived together, inviting Huaijin to Qingtai City for a discussion. He reflected silently. According to his estimate, the spirit beast tide was still about ten years away. In the meantime, Qingtai Prefecture could not allow demonic cultivators to continue their rampage.

The joint invitation from the Fang and Zhou families undoubtedly concerned the upcoming demon-extermination campaign.

"I understand. I will be there as soon as possible." Huaijin saw off the representatives of the two families.

"Is it time for the demon-extermination campaign?" Yunli asked softly. A decade ago, Qingtai Prefecture had suffered a crushing defeat in the spirit beast tide, a fact known to all other prefectures and counties. The geographical position of Blood Lion Mountain was simply too critical for Qingtai Prefecture. The prefecture could not allow it to remain in the hands of the Raging Blood Lion clan, even if it was their ansestral home.

"Most likely." Huaijin nodded. Although Huaijin was not a Tier 3 cultivator, his standing in Qingtai Prefecture now equaled that of one. This status was hard-won, earned through the brilliant victories achieved by the sword in his hand. The Zhang family's position in Qingtai Prefecture was similarly carved out through blood and steel. Why had Jin Chenpeng rushed to break through to the Purple Mansion realm? Was it not because Huaijin had cornered him, forcing him to gamble on a slim chance of survival…?

"When do we leave?" Ning Nanzhi asked.

"Tomorrow. What, you want to come along…?" Huaijin raised an eyebrow.

"Just to see the sights. I've never been to Qingtai city." Ning Nanzhi was free, and her own cultivation had hit a temporary bottleneck. It would be a good experience.

"Excellent! I'd love to have you come along." Huaijin smiled. Ning Nanzhi let out a soft, playful hum, casting a sidelong glance at him. From the nearby lake, the Azure Ink Dragon, who occasionally spied on the couple's progress, blew a few splashes of water.

"Hmph. Just when is this kid going to make a move? He sure can hold his nerve." Azure Ink Dragon grumbled inwardly. Haihu, not daring to eavesdrop on its master's private affairs, acted very docile, occasionally interacting with Ning Nanzhi's Silver Snow Leopard. Life was pleasant. Because of their masters' relationship, the Silver Snow Leopard didn't mind Haihu. As for the Blazing Sun Chicken, it was diligently striving to avoid becoming a meal. It worked hard to prove its worth to its master.

It toiled in the fields, breeding its lineage! It practiced cultivation relentlessly! It didn't dare to relax for a moment. It could swear to heaven that it was the most hardworking Blazing Sun Chicken of its kind.