Chapter 421 - 226: Opening the Mansion, Sinking Star, and Forming the Qi Mansion

When Liou Yuan left, Bai Ling was still at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.

It’s common knowledge that the transition from the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer to the Ninth Layer can be achieved directly with elixirs. Cultivators can do so, and it seems demons can as well.

Bai Ling’s cultivation advanced so quickly; in Liou Yuan’s view, it must have been the benefits of following Qiu Ming’s marauding adventures.

"Don’t look at me like that. After Qiu Ming and I robbed Sheng Zeming at the second peak, we went to face punishment at the Disciplinary Hall. We realized it wasn’t sustainable and quit a long time ago."

Bai Ling understood the look in Liou Yuan’s eyes, and quickly explained, shaking its bird head:

"The elixirs I used to improve my cultivation were actually obtained by teaming up with Qiu Ming to take tasks from Shoushan Tower."

"These past months, I’ve spent the money earned from Shoushan Tower buying elixirs to boost my cultivation, and that’s how I reached the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer."

Bai Ling proudly recounted its experiences over these months, and from its tone, Liou Yuan could tell Bai Ling had already adapted to life on the Five Extremes Mountain and was even enjoying it.

"Haha, it’s about time. With Senior Sister Wei Miaomeng around, the two of you can easily secure tasks with little work and much pay. That’s a lot faster than robbery." Upon hearing the recent activities of Bai Ling and Qiu Ming, Liou Yuan nodded approvingly.

Now that Bai Ling is at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, Qiu Ming is likely at this realm as well.

With one human and one bird both at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer working together, they can take on almost any task from Shoushan Tower.

After all, earning achievement points at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer is no longer that difficult.

Then Bai Ling shared another piece of news: "After settling down for a bit longer, I plan to enter closed-door cultivation."

"Closed-door cultivation?" Liou Yuan was intrigued as he glanced at the plump bird before him.

At the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, there’s no further advancement in the Qi Cultivation Realm; the so-called closed-door cultivation must be an attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm carries risks and isn’t something everyone can achieve like Lao Xiuyuan.

After pondering for a moment, Liou Yuan tentatively asked Bai Ling, "Are you confident?"

Seeing the doubt in Liou Yuan’s eyes, Bai Ling seemed insulted, flapping its wings and shouted loudly, "What kind of look is that? I have Foundation Establishment bloodline, after all."

"Alright, as long as you’re confident." Liou Yuan waved his hand, too lazy to argue with it.

However, breaking through for demon beasts is different from human cultivators, and he had no idea of the requirements for a demon beast to reach Foundation Establishment.

He then asked Bai Ling if there was anything else it needed to prepare, essentially inquiring if it required help.

Bai Ling was brought to Five Extremes Mountain by him, and Liou Yuan had been busy with his own matters without providing any substantial help to Bai Ling.

For a major event like entering closed-door cultivation for Foundation Establishment, if Bai Ling needed assistance, Liou Yuan would definitely help.

"I just need a place with abundant Spiritual Qi," Bai Ling blinked its bright eyes. It had come to Liou Yuan for this matter.

As a Spirit Beast, it certainly couldn’t rent a cave dwelling like the disciples of Five Extremes Mountain.

If it couldn’t rent a cave dwelling, where would it go for closed-door cultivation?

Venture outside to find a Spirit Mountain? Since arriving at Five Extremes Mountain, Bai Ling had developed a discerning eye and looked down on the concentration of Spiritual Qi outside.

In truth, Liou Yuan could completely bring Bai Ling to his own cave dwelling.

However, he had the Profound Yin Cold Marrow Stone in his dwelling and was worried about exposing his treasure, so he considered renting another cave dwelling for Bai Ling and immediately asked, "How much does it cost?"

Renting a cave dwelling in the Outer Sect wasn’t expensive, just twenty to thirty achievement points a year, and Liou Yuan could afford it.

"You don’t need to pay, I’m wealthy now. Just help me rent a cave dwelling, and I’ll pay for it."

Bai Ling proudly puffed up its chest.

Being a Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer flying demon beast, tasks from Shoushan Tower were easily manageable for it, taking just a day or two.

Moreover, paired with Qiu Ming, their combined strength was formidable enough.

As long as they didn’t face Foundation Establishment tasks, they accomplished them effortlessly, thus amassing quite a fortune.

"Alright!" Glad he didn’t have to foot the bill, Liou Yuan readily agreed to Bai Ling’s request.

Promptly, Liou Yuan took Bai Ling to the department in charge of registering cave dwellings at the fifth peak, Zhe’an Tower.

Guided by the disciple from Zhe’an Tower, Bai Ling quickly selected a cave dwelling near an old tree.

According to Bai Ling, it resembled its previous dwelling.

Then Liou Yuan acted on Bai Ling’s behalf and paid the achievement points, all earned by Bai Ling.

Having chosen the cave dwelling, Bai Ling hastily shooed Liou Yuan away, clamoring to immediately start closed-door cultivation.

Liou Yuan chuckled softly and departed, yet outside Bai Ling’s cave dwelling, Liou Yuan remembered something amusing, muttering to himself: "Other Spirit Beasts need various resources and support from disciples."

"This Bai Ling may carry the title of my Spirit Beast, but it’s always been self-reliant."

"Really saves a lot of trouble."

Having completed the organized tasks for Bai Ling’s cave dwelling, night had already fallen.

With the evening glow spreading over the fifth peak, Liou Yuan returned to his own cave dwelling, bathed in the red hues.

From afar, he noticed traces of intrusion in the array formations of his cave dwelling.

The Earth Mother Prison Array and Refined Gold Breaking Mountain Array had been breached.

However, the intruder was careful not to damage Liou Yuan’s array setup, allowing him to roughly guess the intruder’s identity.

"Only my dear brother would think to avoid causing trouble for his younger sibling."

Liou Yuan looked at the breached array formations but intact pattern inside, and smiled helplessly.

Then he strode towards the cave dwelling.

Sure enough, inside the cave dwelling he found his elder brother Liou Zhen.

The latter’s imposing figure sat at the stone table within Liou Yuan’s dwelling, brewing a pot of tea and sipping by himself before Liou Yuan arrived.