Building the Foundation~

Wang Jianqiang's gaze lingered on Wang Yuyao for a moment, and a translucent screen materialized in his mind.

"Name: Wang Yuyao

Gender: Female

Cultivation: Qi Refinement, Ninth Layer

Age: 33/100

Spiritual Roots: Water, Wind, Wood Tri-Spirit Roots

Karma Value: 0"

As Wang Yuyao stepped into the room, Wang Jianqiang focused his attention on her, and the screen reappeared in his consciousness.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Wang."

The respectful voice of Wang Yuyao reached his ears.

Wang Jianqiang snapped out of his thoughts and took a closer look at the beautiful woman before him.

Her waist-length hair was loosely tied with a simple colored ribbon, and her skin was fair and flawless.

Though her dress was plain, it did nothing to conceal her striking figure.

Just as Wang Yuyao grew slightly uncomfortable under his scrutiny and lowered her head, Wang Jianqiang averted his gaze. "You're here for the Perfect Cloudmist Elixir too, aren’t you?"

Wang Yuyao exhaled quietly in relief.

Then, she froze.

"Too?"

Could it be that Su Yutong had also come to Senior Brother Wang for the Perfect Cloudmist Elixir?

She had left in such frustration—was it because she had been turned down?

At this thought, Wang Yuyao’s heart sank.

If even Su Yutong, one of the famed "Three Beauties of the Outer Sect" and a rising prodigy, had failed, her own efforts would likely be in vain.

She sighed inwardly.

Still, since she was already here, she might as well try.

With that resolve, she nodded. "I know the Perfect Cloudmist Elixir is beyond precious, but might Senior Brother be willing to part with one?"

As she finished speaking, she instinctively lowered her head again.

"Sure."

"I understand, I won’t trouble Senior Brother any further—huh? Senior Brother, you—you agreed?"

Wang Yuyao had already resigned herself to disappointment, so it took her a moment to process his words. Her eyes widened as she looked at Wang Jianqiang in excitement.

Wang Jianqiang nodded.

His impression of Wang Yuyao was quite favorable.

How could he not have noticed her clever maneuvering outside the door, deliberately provoking Su Yutong to curry favor with him?

Intelligent, humble, and polite—how could anyone not take a liking to her?

"How many do you want?"

"Just one."

Wang Jianqiang nodded and retrieved a single Perfect Cloudmist Elixir.

The moment Wang Yuyao saw the pill pinched between his thumb and forefinger, her eyes lit up.

Wang Jianqiang studied her. "Do you know the price?"

Wang Yuyao hesitated, then ventured cautiously, "F-five thousand spirit stones… would that be enough?"

She had previously purchased one for five thousand spirit stones at the External Affairs Hall.

Surely, the same amount would suffice here.

But when Wang Jianqiang shook his head, her heart leaped into her throat.

Was it… not enough?

Of course.

Scarcity drove value.

If Elder Dong’s words were true, Wang Jianqiang was the only one in the entire sect capable of refining Perfect Cloudmist Elixirs.

If word spread about their effects, five thousand spirit stones would seem paltry—even eight thousand or ten thousand per pill wouldn’t deter eager buyers.

But she simply couldn’t afford more.

Her previous purchase at the External Affairs Hall had nearly drained her resources.

These five thousand spirit stones were scraped together only after selling her last two artifacts.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. "My apologies, Senior Brother Wang."

With that, she turned despondently toward the door.

Wang Jianqiang blinked. "Wait, where are you going?"

Wang Yuyao paused and looked back, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Senior Brother, I… can’t afford it."

Wang Jianqiang was taken aback before realization dawned on him.

Wang Jianqiang shook his head with a wry smile. "The External Affairs Hall's purchase price is 3,500 spirit stones per pill. You can just give me 3,500 per pill."

Wang Yuyao was stunned, her expression one of disbelief. "Really?"

"Of course."

Wang Jianqiang nodded.

For him now, earning spirit stones was easy—ten or eight thousand meant nothing.

He had quoted Su Yutong a higher price simply because he disliked her.

But Wang Yuyao was pleasant to look at, so he didn’t mind earning a little less.

"Thank you… thank you, Senior Brother Wang!"

After receiving his confirmation, Wang Yuyao was overjoyed. A rosy blush spread across her fair cheeks, enhancing her already exquisite beauty with an added allure.

Wang Jianqiang gazed at her delicate face, a flicker of heat rising in his chest. Keeping his tone casual, he said, "Though the Perfect Cloud Mist Pill is potent, a single one won’t be enough for you to break through again."

His eyes gleamed as he looked at her, his voice laced with a suggestive undertone. "Would you like to obtain more Perfect Cloud Mist Pills?"

Wang Yuyao’s eyes brightened momentarily before dimming again. "But… I come from humble origins. The resources I’ve saved over the years are already exhausted. I don’t have any more spirit stones."

Wang Jianqiang chuckled. "What if I didn’t charge you?"

Wang Yuyao’s face lit up with joy, but then, as if realizing something, she restrained her excitement and cautiously asked, "What would Senior Brother want in return?"

"Speaking with someone as clever as you is truly refreshing."

Wang Jianqiang gave her an approving look and smiled. "Then I won’t beat around the bush."

He paused briefly before continuing, "I’ve grown older, and living alone has become tiresome. All you need to do is spend some time… keeping me company in bed. Three times for one Perfect Cloud Mist Pill."

"Senior Brother… is this ‘keeping company’ an active or passive arrangement?" Wang Yuyao asked timidly, stealing a glance at him.

Wang Jianqiang shot her a look. "What do you think?"

Wang Yuyao’s face flushed crimson.

But instead of reacting with indignation, she considered the proposition seriously before meeting his gaze again.

"Senior Brother, the path of cultivation is too arduous. My talent isn’t exceptional, and without your pills, I might still be struggling at the sixth level of Qi Refining even now."

"If Senior Brother thinks me worthy… I’m willing."

"I… I truly wish to progress."

"Good."

Hearing her answer, Wang Jianqiang smiled.

……

A short while later, the door opened.

Wang Yuyao and Wang Jianqiang stepped out together.

Wang Jianqiang was in high spirits.

Wang Yuyao was far more considerate than his dry-niece had ever been—gentle, attentive, intelligent, and graceful.

Her attitude toward him was worlds apart.

He could sense her genuine respect, evident in how her "Good and Evil" value had skyrocketed from 0 to 50 in an instant.

Meanwhile, Chen Jiaojiao’s value had only reached 85 so far.

Despite always greeting him with a smile, the disdain in her heart had never faded.

"Here’s your advance payment."

As he spoke, Wang Jianqiang took out a Perfect Cloud Mist Pill and handed it to Wang Yuyao.

She accepted it delightedly but then hesitated, glancing at him with concern. "Senior Brother… perhaps you should rest more tomorrow? Your body…"

Wang Jianqiang felt insulted.

He glared at her. "What nonsense! My physique is unmatched—strong as a young man’s!"

With that, he thumped his chest emphatically.

Yet he never expected the recoil to send him stumbling backward. Fortunately, Wang Yuyao reacted swiftly, catching him before he could hit the ground.

"Foundation Establishment!"

At that moment, Wang Jianqiang's resolve to achieve Foundation Establishment burned fiercer than ever.