I Can Fix My Talent in Hundred Lives

"It’s a pity that this person is so focused on the Dao, with no other hobbies besides cultivation."

"I’ve tried several times to find an opportunity to talk to him but couldn’t find a reason and didn’t dare to act rashly. If things went wrong and we ended up becoming enemies instead of friends, it would be all for naught."

He looked at everyone: "Do any of you have any good ideas?"

Bai Yu’s eyes turned, and suddenly a smile appeared: "I have an idea!"

Everyone looked at him, and Bai Yu raised his hand to beckon to the edge of the arena, where a cultivator in a gray robe stood, with thick eyebrows and big eyes—it was Zhou Ming.

At this moment, Zhou Ming was standing on tiptoes, looking towards the core disciples with a gaze full of longing. Seeing Bai Yu summon him, he immediately broke into a smile, quickly running over with a flattering demeanor: "Brother Bai, what are your orders?"

Bai Yu casually tossed a porcelain bottle, the surface glowing with a faint spirit light, clearly indicating good elixir pills within.

"Zhou Ming, I remember you and Zhang Ling entered together and have a good relationship, right?"

Zhou Ming hurriedly caught the porcelain bottle, feeling its warmth in his hand, his heart filled with joy, and quickly nodded:

"Yes, yes, Brother Zhang Ling and I have an excellent relationship, like brothers!"

Bai Yu nodded with satisfaction:

"That’s good. Go invite Zhang Ling to meet with us and just say..." He turned his head to look at Qin Hao.

Qin Hao gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice:

"Set the banquet at Wanhua Zhai, with the highest standards, and let him decide the time."

Bai Yu chuckled softly: "Brother Qin is really going all out this time."

After saying this, he looked at Zhou Ming, his tone carrying an indisputable command: "Well, did you hear clearly? Make sure to invite Zhang Ling. Can you do that?"

"I can do it! Absolutely can!"

Zhou Ming tightly gripped the porcelain bottle, his face beaming as he assured them, although a quick flash of jealousy and distortion crossed his eyes.

Not long after, Zhou Ming turned to leave, and Qin Hao spoke: "That’s Zhou Ming! Three years in, still at Minor Success in Xuan Zhao?"

Bai Yu spoke lightly:

"Surprised? After all, he only has a Lower Grade Spiritual Root, how can everyone be like Zhang Ling?"

"Those servant disciples take five or six years to feel the Qi successfully, and there are many who enter at Xuan Zhao. This Zhou Ming is quite decent at maneuvering, his progress isn’t slow."

Qin Hao nodded: "I suppose I was overthinking it."

Zhou Ming vaguely overheard their words and quickened his pace. When he reached a secluded place, the smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a nearly ferocious expression.

He looked down at the porcelain bottle in his hand, fingers clenched tight.

The same Lower Grade Spiritual Root, the same peasant background (his bandit roots he always concealed), and the same ordeal of surviving the bloodshed of the demon cave,

Zhang Ling, however, soared like a rocket, turning from the object of disdain to the star of the outer courtyard, clad in a white robe, favored by the stewards, with even those aristocratic disciples eager to befriend him,

And what about himself?

Struggling for three years, currying favor with core disciples, begging for cultivation resources from their fingertips, tirelessly cultivating day and night, yet still stalled at Minor Success in Xuan Zhao.

Earlier, Bai Yu and the others’ casual, slightly mocking tone when discussing him was like a pinprick to his heart.

Zhou Ming shouted inwardly with rage:

"Why?"

"Why can Zhang Ling ascend to the heavens in one step? I work a hundred times harder, yet can only beg like a dog?"

Jealousy gnawed at his insides like a venomous snake, causing his whole body to feel cold.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the twisted emotions in his heart, put on a smile again, and turned to head towards Chen Sheng’s place.

He knew this was a prime opportunity to curry favor with core disciples and gain more resources, so whatever it took, he had to get Zhang Ling to Wanhua Zhai.

...

Amidst the encircling green bamboos stood an elegant bamboo building, with a small pond dug in front, where a few gold-scaled koi swam. This was Huang Yu’s dwelling.

At this moment, in the main hall of the bamboo building, Steward Huang Yu no longer bore the majesty he had while lecturing, his face wore a gentle smile as he personally poured a cup of hot tea for Chen Sheng.

"Zhang Ling, how is your realm of Perfection in Enlightenment stabilizing? Have you encountered instances of Dao Heart agitation?"

His gaze landed on Chen Sheng, full of concern.

Chen Sheng accepted the teacup, his tone calm and undisturbed:

"Reporting to Steward, I refine my Dao Heart daily with the Purity Heart Art, mana flows smoothly, the realm is stable, with no sense of agitation."

Steward Huang Yu nodded repeatedly as he listened, his eyes full of even more appreciation.

He raised his hand, took out a delicate wooden box from his storage pouch, and gently placed it on the table, pushing it towards Chen Sheng:

"This is a ’Foundation Consolidation Pill’ I obtained by chance in my early years. Although it’s just Middle Grade, it can stabilize the Dao Foundation during Foundation Establishment and reduce the risk of Heart Demons arising, take it."

The wooden box opened, revealing a pill the size of a longan, with clear pill patterns, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance.

Chen Sheng wasn’t pretentious; he stood up, saluted, his voice still calm but sincere:

"The steward’s great kindness, Ling will not forget. If there’s an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay it."

This was already the third time Steward Huang Yu had given him resources, from the initial Gathering Qi Powder, to the subsequent Mind Cleansing Pill, and now the Foundation Consolidation Pill; he kept it all in mind.

Watching him act in this manner, Steward Huang Yu couldn’t help but laugh. He had seen too many disciples who couldn’t hide their joy after receiving benefits, and also many who pretended to be lofty.

Only Chen Sheng remained "unmoved by material gain, nor saddened by personal loss," as if the treasures before him were ordinary objects.

This kind of disposition was truly enchanting!

Huang Yu waved his hand:

"As long as you have the intention, that’s good."

"I see your Dao Heart is firm, and your talent exceptional. You will surely achieve great things someday, this bit of resource is just icing on the cake."

After cautioning a few points to remember before Foundation Establishment, Chen Sheng stood up to leave.

Once his figure disappeared at the end of the bamboo grove, from behind a screen in the bamboo building, two figures slowly emerged.

Leading the way was a middle-aged female cultivator dressed in an attire embroidered with orchid patterns, with a lovely face and gentle demeanor, though her brows were slightly furrowed at the moment.

Behind her was a bright young maiden, around sixteen or seventeen, with fair skin, her almond eyes full of resentment, looking at Steward Huang Yu with a few traces of grievance: "Father!"

The middle-aged female cultivator huffed lightly, stepped forward, held the maiden’s hand, and looked at Huang Yu with a slightly displeased tone:

"You’re just not attentive to our daughter’s affairs! How many times have I told you to match them up before Zhang Ling makes his mark? Yun’er is interested in him, he’s steady by nature, they’re a perfect match, how difficult can it be?"

Facing his daughter’s resentful gaze, Huang Yu put on a wry smile and walked up to Huang Yun, speaking gently:

"Yun’er, Father knows you like Zhang Ling, and Father also appreciates him, his talent and disposition are top-notch, a rare gem."

"But precisely because he’s so exceptional, Father cannot pair you two up."

The middle-aged female cultivator frowned and pressed on:

"Why? Our Yun’er is beautiful, gentle, and not lacking in aptitude. Is it really that she doesn’t match up to him?"

Huang Yu sighed:

"She does match up. In Father’s heart, Yun’er is the best, matching anyone."

"But Zhang Ling has already caught the eyes of a few Peak Masters, noblewomen from those families will undoubtedly be sent to wed him."

"By then, how will those people view you, as a thorn in the eye, a nail in the flesh? Father is merely a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment steward in the outer courtyard, I simply cannot protect you..."

"In the end, it’s because Father lacks capability!"

Huang Yu’s voice carried a hint of guilt, he had spent his life walking carefully, finally reaching the position of a steward, yet in front of those Peak Master figures, it was of no account.

Huang Yun’s eyes gradually lost their resentment, replaced by deep sorrow, she held back the tears in her eyes, tugged at her father’s sleeve, and gently consoled:

"Father, don’t say that. It’s me who was too ambitious. Brother Zhang wasn’t an ordinary person to begin with; I don’t match up with him, nor should I burden you."

She understood her father’s difficulties and also the harsh nature of the cultivation realm, where without strength and background, even mutual affection is ultimately an illusion.

Moreover, it was unrequited love on her part, seeking her father’s help merely to forge a closer connection through favors.

The middle-aged female cultivator, seeing her daughter so sensible, felt a pang of heartache, quickly stepping forward to embrace her, gently patting her back while softly comforting:

"My dear daughter, we don’t need him. Mother will find someone better for you, someone of equal status, who treats you well, much better than him."