The night of Jiang An’an’s birthday unfolded with joyous revelry, though a pang of regret lingered in Jiang Wang’s heart for not having had the opportunity to display his culinary prowess.

As the celebratory echoes faded, Zhao Rucheng returned to his dwelling. Settling into the quietude of his study, he presently heard the gentle creak of the door.

“Uncle Deng, you’ve toiled tirelessly today.” Though Zhao Rucheng’s posture remained relaxed, his tone conveyed genuine respect and familiarity.

The Zhao family’s steward, Uncle Deng, stood with practiced propriety, a soft smile gracing his lips. “That long-lost spear of yours is truly remarkable. Each generation produces its talents, and I feel my years weighing upon me.”

“How could that be? Were you to walk the streets, others would surely mistake you for my elder brother.”

Uncle Deng’s expression remained placid. “There is a proper order between superior and inferior.”

Zhao Rucheng opened his mouth, perhaps intending to offer a retort, but recognizing its futility, he held his tongue.

Instead, it was Uncle Deng who spoke. “I little expected that at my age, I would once more be called upon to act, all for the sake of acquiring a mere sugar figurine for a young girl’s amusement.”

Zhao Rucheng’s smile returned. “My deepest gratitude for your efforts, Uncle Deng.”

“That young maiden is quite endearing.”

Zhao Rucheng’s chest swelled with pride. “Indeed! She is my sister!”

Uncle Deng’s gaze lingered upon him. “She is very endearing,” he repeated.

The smile vanished from Zhao Rucheng’s face. Upon that handsome and almost aloof countenance, a flicker of sorrow appeared. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “I understand.”

…

The day following Jiang An’an’s birthday, Aunt Song dispatched a jade bracelet, a belated birthday gift for An’an, delayed due to the distance.

Accompanying it was a jade pendant, intended for Jiang Wang. This gesture was likely a veiled attempt at appeasement, hoping to prevent Jiang Wang from hindering her connection with her daughter.

Upon receiving the gifts, An’an remained silent, though her delight was palpable. She carefully placed them in her small chest, clearly cherishing them.

As for Jiang Wang, the encounter with Xiong Wen had instantly extinguished the faint sense of arrogance that had sprouted after his victory in the three-city discussion.

Yet, the gains from this confrontation were substantial.

Firstly, with the demise of Xiong Wen, the Dao Yuan within his Tongtian Palace surged, bringing the day of Foundation Establishment ever closer.

Secondly, upon the successful completion of the Heart-Eating Demon slaying task, Zhu Weiwo magnanimously bestowed upon him five hundred Dao Xun points. It was said that Zhu Weiwo himself had reaped over six thousand Dao Xun points from this mission, yet his rank on the Dao Xun list had inexplicably dropped, leaving him with a mere thousand points. The treasures he had exchanged them for remained a mystery.

Compared to the likes of Jiang Wang, who had to meticulously conserve every hundred Dao Xun points, it could only be said that true powerhouses faced no difficulty in accumulating such rewards.

As for the final gain, it was the enigmatic black candle that had appeared within his Tongtian Palace, its origins shrouded in uncertainty.

This object was undoubtedly a treasure, yet no matter how Jiang Wang examined it, he could not decipher its purpose. With Foundation Establishment being the immediate priority, its secrets would have to be explored later.

With the unexpected windfall of five hundred Dao Xun points, Jiang Wang naturally considered acquiring Pulse-Opening Pills for both Zhao Rucheng and Jiang An’an. As a disciple of the Dao Academy, Zhao Rucheng could directly exchange a Pulse-Opening Pill for one hundred Dao Xun points. Jiang Wang himself had yet to utilize his own exchange quota, which he intended to save for An’an.

Zhao Rucheng readily accepted Jiang Wang’s offer of Dao Xun points, even adding with a smile, “Third Brother, I’ve set my sights on a magic sword valued at five hundred Dao Xun points. I’ve managed to save a bit myself, but I’m still a little short. Could you perhaps assist in making up the difference?”

Jiang Wang, now feeling the flush of wealth, was generous. “How much are you lacking?”

“Four hundred and ninety-nine.”

Truly just a little bit!

“…” Jiang Wang delivered a playful kick. “Begone!”

But after a moment’s thought, he sighed. “I still need to reserve a hundred Dao Xun points for An’an to exchange for a Pulse-Opening Pill. The remaining three hundred are all for you.”

“Don’t!” Zhao Rucheng interjected.

“Why?”

“You can still give me the Dao Xun. But reconsider the matter of An’an’s Pulse Opening.”

Jiang Wang was puzzled. “Shouldn’t it be better to open her pulse as soon as possible? If you’re concerned about the dangers of the extraordinary realm, there’s no need. I don’t plan on having An’an enter the Dao Academy.”

In the Dao Academy, cultivation was partially subsidized by the imperial court, which meant that disciples were obligated to undertake certain mandatory tasks, such as maintaining official roads or hunting down malevolent demons. Danger was an inherent risk.

Jiang Wang possessed the Yan Dao Terrace and did not need to worry about the skill itself. Furthermore, he could serve as An’an’s mentor. Ultimately, his aspirations for An’an were not for her to become a formidable powerhouse, but simply for her to be healthy and possess some measure of self-protection.

Zhao Rucheng offered a wry smile. “It’s not that opening her pulse early is detrimental.”

He hesitated for a moment before continuing. “If you intend to open An’an’s pulse, then do not use the Pulse-Opening Pill from the Dao Academy.”

Jiang Wang’s brows furrowed further. “Is there an issue with the Dao Academy’s Pulse-Opening Pills?”

“Not precisely.” Zhao Rucheng stated plainly. “The Pulse-Opening Pills available for exchange at the City Dao Academy are of the lowest grade. You, at your age, cannot afford further delay. An’an, however, is still young and can wait. If you wish to open An’an’s pulse, you must strive to provide her with the best possible resources, so that her path of cultivation may be smoother.

I am not suggesting that attaining the Great Dao is impossible with a lowest-grade Pulse-Opening Pill. Many powerful individuals have risen from the most unfavorable circumstances, but it is undeniably a more arduous journey.

Had this conversation taken place before, I would not have divulged these matters. After all, in an environment like Maple City, how many people are desperately vying for a Pulse-Opening Pill? Obtaining even one is a rarity. But after you eliminated Xiong Wen, an elder within my family remarked that you possess potential. With this opportunity, you can flourish. In the future, you will be able to acquire superior Pulse-Opening Pills for An’an.

An’an is also my sister. I hope that in the future, her path will be less fraught with hardship.”

Jiang Wang silently absorbed this revelation. He had always known that his youngest adopted brother harbored secrets, but he had never questioned him. Just as he had acquired the key to the Taixu Illusion Realm, none of his brothers had pried.

Yet now, it seemed Zhao Rucheng’s hidden depths were likely far greater than he had ever imagined.

After all, putting aside other considerations, this profound knowledge of the cultivation world was not something readily accessible to ordinary individuals.

One must remember that Fang Pengju, hailing from one of Maple City’s prominent families, had still betrayed his benefactor for the sake of a single Pulse-Opening Pill. Yet, in Zhao Rucheng’s words, such a pill was seemingly insignificant.

He even realized that had he not expressed his intention to provide An’an with a Pulse-Opening Pill, Zhao Rucheng likely would have remained silent on these matters.

“Are Pulse-Opening Pills also graded?” Jiang Wang inquired.

“Naturally. You see, the primary component of a Pulse-Opening Pill is extracted from the Dao veins of demonic beasts. However, demonic beasts possess varying strengths, and their Dao veins are inherently of different qualities. Tell me, can Pulse-Opening Pills crafted from different grades of Dao veins be the same?”

“The Pulse-Opening Pill you received from Zuo Guanglie is assuredly no simple matter. The elder within my family observed that your Pulse Opening was perfect, flawlessly unleashing your potential.”

Jiang Wang fell silent. He quietly observed the small earthworm True Spirit within his Tongtian Palace for a while, but he truly could not discern any connection to a “perfect Pulse Opening.”

Was this not merely the lowest-grade earthworm vein?

…

…

(Chixin Xuntian Reader Group 879927532. All are welcome to join and discuss the plot.)