I Have a Compass for Opportunity

Then Liou Yuan looked at the white hair in Bai Xin’s temples; when he left Yanhe City, Bai Xin still had a head full of black hair.

He had been cultivating at Five Extremes Mountain for nearly ten years, and Bai Xin, who had no cultivation, was no longer as young as before.

"Mother’s meridians show signs of Spiritual Power circulation, proving she was once a cultivator."

"Most likely, due to the Fog Vein’s pressure, her cultivation was ruined, and now she’s a complete mortal."

Upon seeing this, the joy of the reunion among Liou Yuan’s family was somewhat dampened.

He looked at Liou Zhen and transmitted voice with Divine Sense: "Big brother, mother’s condition is not good."

Liou Zhen nodded slightly, his expression also filled with worry: "I brought her back to Xiang Mountain a year ago and found some elixirs to nourish her lifespan, but she refuses to take them."

Liou Zhen succeeding as patriarch and bringing Bai Xin back to Five Extremes Mountain was inevitable.

But the information contained in his words made Liou Yuan somewhat puzzled by Bai Xin’s thoughts.

Now that Liou Zhen is the patriarch of the Liou Family, he can obtain any resource.

Bai Xin should not be as impoverished as she was in Yanhe City.

"Mother is..."

"I don’t know." Liou Zhen shook his head, also unable to comprehend Bai Xin’s thoughts.

"It’s okay, we have plenty of time; we might still find an elixir that allows mother to cultivate again." Liou Yuan comforted Liou Zhen this way.

The family reunion.

Liou Hongjun sensibly didn’t speak, standing aside like a loyal old servant, merely watching the family of three with a smile.

Liou Yuan is now at Foundation Establishment, and he can easily discern Liou Hongjun’s cultivation level.

This guy is at early-stage Foundation Establishment, and the aura of his Qi Mansion is dim, not reaching a tenth of Liou Yuan’s Celestial Spirit Qi Mansion.

No wonder, with so many Foundation Establishments before, his status was the lowest.

"So many years without progress in cultivation, Liou Hongjun’s Qi Mansion may not even be at seventh grade."

"If it weren’t for his artifact refining skills, Liou Hexuan would almost certainly not let him enter the upper echelons of the Liou Family."

Liou Yuan thought this way.

Subsequently, Liou Yuan looked towards his big brother.

Liou Zhen’s Qi Mansion emitted a chilling light, like an eternal and unmeltable snow mountain.

The aura from the Qi Mansion faintly compared with Liou Yuan’s Celestial Spirit Qi Mansion.

"Fourth-grade Qi Mansion." Liou Yuan’s face showed joy.

It’s noteworthy that a third-grade Qi Mansion denotes Golden Core potential.

Fifth, fourth-grade Qi Mansion is already of extremely high quality.

It proves the Foundation Establishment cultivation technique practiced by Liou Zhen must be at least Grade C Top-grade.

That’s already the highest level of Qi Mansion achievable outside of Grade B techniques.

"It’s just a pity that big brother missed out on the Grade B technique; otherwise, with his talent, he could certainly cultivate a third-grade Qi Mansion." Liou Yuan regretted silently.

Grade B cultivation techniques for Foundation Establishment are extremely rare, and there are few at Five Extremes Mountain.

Liou Zhen’s previous status at Five Extremes Mountain was just a remnant of the Ice Vein, having to guard against hidden threats from Fog Vein, so how could the high-ups at Five Extremes Mountain grant him a Grade B technique.

Family reunion naturally means there’s a lot to talk about.

Liou Yuan supported Bai Xin and walked alongside Liou Zhen atop Xiang Mountain.

Liou Hongjun followed behind.

The family of three talked about their experiences in Yanhe City, Bai Xin reminisced about Liou Zhen’s childhood, and Liou Yuan liked following behind Liou Zhen.

Speaking of Liou Zhen’s departure, Liou Yuan often mentioned his big brother.

Speaking of their father before his passing, Liou Zhen once snatched the patriarch’s son’s sword at Fragrance Tower, leading their father to give him a harsh lesson.

Talking about these things, Liou Yuan saw a tenderness on his mother’s face that he had never seen before.

Liou Yuan listened quietly, watching the silent sorrow in Bai Xin’s back.

This woman, in her youth, faced drastic changes without a single complaint and raised their brothers alone in Yanhe City, enduring unknown hardships.

Now, hearing her tone, it seems she’s no longer attached to this world, thus no wonder she refused the lifespan-increasing elixirs from big brother.

When the three arrived at Fragrance Tower.

Suddenly, outside Xiang Mountain, a long rainbow shot across.

It landed precisely in front of Liou Yuan and the other three, from Fragrance Tower, it was Fang Yu in Inner Sect disciple attire.

Liou Zhen and Fang Yu were old acquaintances, they supported each other and had faced life and death together when they were at the Qi Cultivation Realm.

Seeing each other, there was no formality, and Fang Yu politely called Bai Xin "aunt" when he saw her.

Then Fang Yu looked at Liou Yuan, a smile on his face as he expressed his intention: "You’ve reached Foundation Establishment, according to the rules, you need to visit the Inner Sect, that’s my duty as your guide."

At Five Extremes Mountain, any cultivator reaching Foundation Establishment must enter the Inner Sect, it’s a matter of protocol without question.

Liou Yuan naturally nodded in agreement.

Then turned to bid farewell to Bai Xin: "Mother, I must visit the Inner Sect first, I’ll return once things are settled."

Liou Zhen understood of many Inner Sect rules, he transmitted voice to Liou Yuan before leaving: "According to ancient customs, a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator must enter to worship at the Ancestor Hall and formally become an Inner Sect disciple."

"Then you’ll be able to select a cave abode in the Inner Sect for cultivation."

Liou Zhen then mentioned several cave abodes with the most concentrated Spiritual Qi in the Inner Sect, instructing Liou Yuan to try to secure one for his future cultivation benefit.

Liou Yuan listened carefully, noted the locations of those cave abodes mentioned by Liou Zhen, before stepping forward to stand alongside Fang Yu.

"Haha, I hope I’m not intruding on your family’s reunion, once the Inner Sect ceremony is completed, I’ll return Liou Yuan to you all." Fang Yu joked as he waved goodbye before leaving.

It was evident his mood was upbeat.

As Liou Yuan’s introducer, Fang Yu would also receive plenty of sect rewards due to Liou Yuan’s swift Foundation Establishment.

Liou Yuan finally accompanied Fang Yu towards the Inner Sect, under the gaze of Bai Xin and Liou Zhen.

Liou Zhen watched as Liou Yuan disappeared towards the Spirit Ascension Platform beneath the five peaks of the Outer Sect, and without turning his head, he called out Liou Hongjun’s name.

"Liou Hongjun!"

"At your service." Liou Hongjun responded promptly.

Recently, his performance was diligent, securing his position as the third in command at Xiang Mountain, with increasing respect for Liou Zhen, even surpassing the previous patriarch Liou Hexuan.

"My brother has also reached Foundation Establishment; it’s time to craft him a Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact."

"Since you have connections in the Inner Sect’s Artifact Refining Pavilion, once he returns, personally guide him there."

It turns out Liou Zhen was keen on Liou Yuan’s crafting of a Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact.

Liou Hongjun happened to hold a position at the Artifact Refining Pavilion, as a Foundation Establishment Artifact Refiner, though his skills were not outstanding among other Foundation Establishment Artifact Refiners.

But he knew who would be the best to craft Liou Yuan’s Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact.

"Yes!" Liou Hongjun immediately accepted Liou Zhen’s task.

And he suggested: "No need to wait for the Second Young Master to return, I’ll head to the Inner Sect now, and once everything is arranged, the Second Young Master can come directly."

Saying this, Liou Hongjun paused, glanced at Bai Xin, and transmitted voice: "However, Patriarch, Liou Hexuan’s betrayal took away a large amount of our family’s foundation from the treasury, although you’ve made progress in the last two years, it’s still insufficient to craft a proper Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact."

"Plus, our family juniors need resources and expenses, this..."

It turns out Liou Hongjun was talking about financial issues.

Liou Zhen smirked, returning a meaningful look to Liou Hongjun.

"My brother, other than anything else, has incomparable luck and fortune within the Inner Sect, just find the right person, and he’ll handle it."

Pausing again.

"If insufficient, we’ll owe it in the name of the Liou Family."

In truth, this would be more in the name of his Snow Shattering Sword, Liou Zhen.

With his reputation, owing for a Foundation Establishment Magical Artifact is definitely not a problem.

"Alright!" With Liou Zhen’s assurance, Liou Hongjun was relieved and set off on his mission.