Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Chapter 139: Chapter 88: Not What I Wished For

After seeing off the Sword Step Master, Xuzhuang felt somewhat perturbed. He had his Daoist Child close the main gate, refusing any more visitors, and returned to his quiet chamber. There, he cleared his mind of all stray thoughts and focused on his cultivation.

After refining the Golden Mercury, Xuzhuang’s cultivation progressed rapidly. He had also refined the Ice Extreme Essence. After just half a year of cultivation, the fusion of his spirit and qi was already showing initial results, and the circulation of his pill-forged energy and Magical Power was much more nimble.

By his own estimation, if he didn’t have to worry about practicing his Dao skills, Xuzhuang truly could form his Nascent Soul in about thirty years.

His progress in Dao skills was not slow, either. His Five Elements Escape Technique and Thousand Jin Dharma Qi were just a step away from the Sixth Realm. And since the Void Shape Xuan Creation Dragon Dao Skill was his own creation, his progress with it was advancing by leaps and bounds...

If practicing the *Yin Yang Merging Dao* yielded good results, forming a Nascent Soul within thirty years truly didn’t seem like empty talk.

At this thought, an image of the Sword Step Master surfaced in Xuzhuang’s mind. After her departure that day, she had not contacted him until three days ago, when she sent a Token urging him to make a decision quickly.

Xuzhuang was not an indecisive person, nor was he truly devoid of emotion and desire. It was just that, in his heart, this was not the path he wished to take.

But without a doubt, compared to getting entangled with the great families, cultivating the Yin Yang path with the Sword Step Master was by far the better choice. Otherwise, he would have rejected her outright instead of giving it further consideration.

In fact, since Xuzhuang had entered seclusion half a year ago, he had not opened his residence to receive guests or interacted with the great families. In his heart, he was already clearly leaning toward accepting the Sword Step Master’s proposal.

’Since I don’t want any other option, I should give her my answer as soon as possible.’ Xuzhuang made his decision, but his heart felt heavy. He couldn’t muster any romantic feelings at the moment. Shaking his head, he stepped out of his quiet chamber and into the main hall, just in time to see his Daoist Child returning from outside.

A thought occurred to Xuzhuang, and he realized the boy must have gone to the Ministry of Affairs Hall to collect his true disciple provisions.

Seeing Xuzhuang had come out of seclusion, the Daoist Child hurried over to bow and reported, "Master, I went to the Ministry of Affairs Hall today, but there was still no Primordial Jade Gui or furnace sand available for exchange."

Every time he went to collect the provisions, he would also ask about the Primordial Jade Gui and furnace sand, just as Xuzhuang had instructed. For half a year now, there had been no news, and the Daoist Child was growing anxious.

Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow. ’That’s strange,’ he thought. ’Furnace sand is a common material. There’s no reason it should be out of stock for so long.’

Of course, Xuzhuang had no intention of blaming the boy. He waved his hand, dismissing him. After a moment of contemplation, he left his immortal’s abode, summoned an escape light, and flew straight to the Ministry of Affairs Hall.

Time flowed like water, and the world changed. Steward Zhu, whom Xuzhuang had once known, had already resigned from his post at the Ministry of Affairs Hall. Apparently, he had taken a less demanding position to focus on teaching his children how to cultivate. The steward now on duty at the Ministry of Affairs Hall was Steward Liu.

Upon hearing of Xuzhuang’s arrival, Steward Liu hurried out to welcome him into a side hall. After they were seated, he inquired about the purpose of Xuzhuang’s visit.

Xuzhuang didn’t stand on ceremony. He asked directly, "I wish to refine a Magical Artifact and need a measure of furnace sand. I’ve sent my Daoist Child to the Ministry of Affairs Hall several times, but he’s been unable to obtain any. That’s why I’ve come to inquire about the matter personally."

"Oh, dear." Steward Liu grimaced. "The Hall has indeed been short on furnace sand for quite some time. Please understand, Senior Brother Xu."

Xuzhuang asked, "Furnace sand is a common material. Why is it in such short supply?"

Steward Liu kept his pained expression and glanced around. He waved away a few Daoist Children and said in a low voice, "As you know, Senior Brother, here in Yunmeng Marsh, the water energy is heavy and the fire energy is light. We don’t have any Fire Veins that produce high-grade cinnabar."

"In the past, the sect’s cinnabar all came from off-world mining or trade with other sects. Later, the Chen Family formed a marriage alliance with the Celestial Fire Yang Clan and was gifted two volcanoes. Their cinnabar production was immense, and they gradually took over the entire supply."

"Later, the Chen Family and the Celestial Fire Yang Clan had a falling out. The two families have been squabbling ever since. Not long ago, they officially had a complete break. The Yang Family actually launched a surprise attack and retook the Volcanic Sand Field..."

"Hmm?" Xuzhuang’s expression flickered.

Steward Liu cleared his throat a few times and said, "In short, the sect’s cinnabar supply was cut off after that. Although the sect has now reopened the off-world sand fields and resumed trade, the material is still in very short supply for the time being."

"Right now, all the furnace sand in the sect has been completely divided up by the Celestial Craft Hall, the Danxia Institute, the Fangchen Courtyard... There’s none left to be allocated to the Ministry of Affairs Hall."

"I see," Xuzhuang said thoughtfully. "Then I can’t blame you for this, Steward Liu. However, I do need that furnace sand. If a share becomes available in the future, please keep an eye out for me, Steward."

"Of course." Steward Liu said quickly. After hesitating a moment, he added cautiously, "Actually, the Chen Family has been in the cinnabar business for a long time. They should have a large reserve within the sect. If Senior Brother is in urgent need, perhaps you could..."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang glanced at Steward Liu and suddenly asked, "Steward, are you related to the Chen Family by marriage?"

Steward Liu was taken aback for a moment, then answered sheepishly, "Yes, my wife is from the Chen Family." He quickly added, "Senior Brother, please don’t misunderstand. This is merely my own suggestion. It’s just that I’ve heard the Chen Family intends to show goodwill toward you, Senior Brother, so I mentioned it."

He wasn’t wrong. Over the past year or so, Xuzhuang had indeed received many calling cards and gifts from the Chen Family, but he had ignored them all.

Xuzhuang contemplated for a moment, then smiled. "Junior Brother, don’t be anxious. Your suggestion is excellent. I will pay the Chen Family a visit."

"Huh?" Steward Liu stared, stunned. He saw Xuzhuang rise, cup his hands in a farewell gesture, stride out of the Ministry of Affairs Hall, and transform into a rainbow of light, disappearing.

——

Chen Zonghe hurried into the great hall. He saw Chen Zongzheng sitting in the main seat, his face as dark as still water. Several of his brothers had already taken their seats.

Chen Zonghe found a place and sat down. He heard someone say, "They seized back the Volcanic Sand Field and now they’ve sent people to attack the Cloud Sand Celestial Pool. The Yang Family is getting too arrogant. Do they really think they can compete with our Chen Family?"

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