Chapter 70: The Strategies of Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru

Indeed, when he saw the grand prizes on the wheel, his mouth began to water uncontrollably. So, with a determined heart, Cao Xuan made a resolute decision.

“Forget it, there are still seven chances left. Once I reach ten, I’ll be able to draw again. Just hold on a bit longer!” Cao Xuan comforted himself. After all, he wasn’t lacking anything at the moment, and if he ever faced danger or a special situation where he had to risk it all, he wouldn’t hesitate.

Time passed unnoticed in the mountains. Cao Xuan spent his days stabilizing his late Foundation Establishment realm, studying the alchemy of that stage, and refining pills to gift Senior Sister Li Yao in exchange for rewards. He also made some pills for the Qi Refining stage, to give to Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru.

There was no deeper meaning behind it; his mindset had evolved with his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. Now, the two women felt to him somewhat like characters in a nurturing game. He was curious to see if, once they broke through to Foundation Establishment, the feedback multiplier would increase—a small amusement in his cultivation journey.

Of course, the most important factor was their fine figures. Who wouldn’t be drawn to beautiful immortals? Besides, interacting with them continued to boost his favorability, increasing his chances at the lottery.

...

The night passed quietly. Cao Xuan left his cave residence and headed toward the main hall of Talisman Peak, where Master Yu Wan, after nearly a year of seclusion, had finally summoned him.

As the door closed, one could glimpse Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru sleeping soundly on the bed inside. Over the past year, both had gradually come to accept each other, thanks to Cao Xuan’s persistent efforts.

Part of the reason was the shift in his status and cultivation—a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s stamina was unmatched. Neither woman alone could satisfy him.

After Cao Xuan departed, Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru opened their eyes simultaneously and sat up. Both sat cross-legged, unclothed, silent. Waves of powerful spiritual energy rippled across their bodies.

After some time, they opened their eyes again as the heart-shaped talisman on their navels slowly faded away.

Lin Miaoxuan’s eyes sparkled with delight. “The effect of the talisman Senior Brother placed on me is truly astonishing. After dual cultivation with Senior Brother Cao, I’ve finally broken through to the seventh layer of Qi Refining!”

Chen Qianru opened her eyes as well, much calmer than Lin Miaoxuan. She touched her abdomen, where Senior Brother Cao had inscribed a cultivation talisman for her.

This talisman not only enabled the formation of a full circulation during dual cultivation with Senior Brother Cao, but also assisted in the absorption of spiritual energy during regular practice.

She glanced at Lin Miaoxuan and said coolly, “The talismans Senior Brother carved for us have essentially upgraded us from six-tempered spiritual roots to nine-tempered ones! If we still can’t break through to the seventh layer and become inner disciples, we’d be wasting his time.”

Lin Miaoxuan didn’t mind Chen Qianru’s tone and said happily, “Who would have thought that a year ago I was at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, and now I’ve reached the seventh layer? Even the most talented disciples don’t cultivate as quickly as we do!”

As she spoke, she sprawled across the bed, kicking her legs. “Ah, who would have expected that cultivating with Senior Brother is not only pleasant but so efficient! Now, when I practice alone, I can hardly muster any enthusiasm!”

Chen Qianru raised her hand and slapped her on the rear.

“Smack!”

“What are you thinking? Senior Brother gave us so many pills and inscribed those precious talismans. If we don’t seize the time while he’s away to work hard, wouldn’t we be letting down his kindness?”

“Senior Brother is already at the late Foundation Establishment stage, while we’ve only just entered the late Qi Refining stage! Think carefully—his strength keeps growing, and this time...”

Her voice grew heavy. “This time, Senior Brother is going to Central State to attend the Azure Cloud Gathering! With someone as outstanding as him, there’ll be plenty of frivolous women vying for his attention!”

Lin Miaoxuan didn’t mind Chen Qianru’s slap, but listening to her words, she felt a sense of crisis.

“No way. Senior Brother and we are so compatible. At night, we even help him purify his true essence. He wouldn’t abandon us!”

Chen Qianru looked at her with disdain. “Wake up. If you don’t work hard at cultivation and put your mind to it, you’ll be eliminated sooner or later. If I hadn’t suggested to Senior Brother half a year ago that we try it together, what advantage would we have now?”

Lin Miaoxuan wasn’t foolish. Although Senior Brother Cao thought it was his idea to bring the two together, it was actually Chen Qianru who led him step by step. Lin Miaoxuan admired her for that.

Chen Qianru glanced at the cave entrance. “You saw Senior Sister Li Yao when Senior Brother left just now!”

Lin Miaoxuan caught her meaning and said in disbelief, “Impossible. Senior Sister Li Yao is the leading disciple of Talisman Peak, also in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and so beautiful. How could she possibly...”

Chen Qianru laughed coldly. “Beautiful, exactly. You think she’s high above, but how do you see Senior Brother Cao?”

“Senior Brother Cao is absolutely unique,” Lin Miaoxuan replied hastily.

“Exactly. I just happened to open my eyes briefly and caught a glimpse. With my seventh-layer Qi Refining eyesight, I wouldn’t be wrong. Senior Sister Li Yao’s hips are wider, and her legs don’t quite close together...”

She didn’t spell it out, but Lin Miaoxuan gasped, “Are you saying Senior Sister Li Yao and Senior Brother Cao have already...”

She raised her right index finger and made a gesture with her left hand. “How could that be!”

Chen Qianru gave her a once-over and scoffed, “Why not? Compare us two at Qi Refining with Senior Sister Li Yao at late Foundation Establishment. Who’s more efficient for purifying true essence?”

She sighed. “I suspect Senior Brother only cares so much because he’s sentimental. Otherwise, even if we let go of our modesty, what interest would he have in our ‘willowy forms’ at Qi Refining?”

“Be smart. Break through to Foundation Establishment soon. Maybe then we’ll still be of some use to him when he advances to Golden Core!”

The joy Lin Miaoxuan felt at breaking through to the seventh layer vanished instantly. The thought of possibly being barred from Senior Brother’s cave and having to cultivate all alone filled her with emptiness!

Without further ado, she hurried to pick up her scattered clothes, found her storage pouch, poured out some pills, and began cultivating.

...

As Cao Xuan left the cave, Senior Sister Li Yao wrapped her arms around his.

“Junior Brother, after you visit Master, why not come by my cave?” she whispered in his ear, “I just bought some new lingerie from the Veil Pavilion...”

“Hmm? Junior Brother, what are you staring at?”

Cao Xuan came to himself. “Ah? What did you say, Senior Sister?”

He was looking at his panel.

[Lin Miaoxuan's current favorability: 96]

[Chen Qianru's current favorability: 96]

[Li Yao's current favorability: 95]

[Number of lottery draws: 15]