Chapter 128 - 105: Foundation Establishment Pill
After reading the section on the "Aphrodisiac Powder," he let out a sigh of relief.
The effects of the Aphrodisiac Powder were just as he had hoped—in fact, they far exceeded his expectations...
This Aphrodisiac Powder was something Geng Wen had created specifically to deal with the "Divine Sense Mark" on Zhao Qingluo.
The aphrodisiac qualities were merely a side effect.
Its principle was to use the target’s "emotional fluctuations" to gradually corrode the Divine Sense Mark within their Sea of Consciousness, causing it to break down and dissipate.
Inside the Jade Scroll, Geng Wen had written smugly, "With this elixir alone, surpassing my master will be no difficult feat."
’This Geng Wen is incredibly cunning,’
Wei Tu mused to himself.
He had previously wondered why Geng Wen would mix a slow-acting drug like Aphrodisiac Powder with the Cyan Leaf Snake’s venom.
If he had mixed in any other lethal poisons, Zhao Qingluo wouldn’t have lasted four days; she likely would have perished within moments of the Cyan Leaf Snake’s bite.
Attributing it simply to Geng Wen’s lust made no sense—every moment they delayed their ambush on Zhao Qingluo, they courted fatal danger. Yet, in the end, the process had been dragged out for a full four days.
But now, with this explanation for the Aphrodisiac Powder’s effects, the parts of the plan that previously didn’t bear scrutiny suddenly seemed perfectly logical.
Geng Wen, just like him, had been wary of a potential Divine Sense Mark on Zhao Qingluo.
That was why he had chosen the slow-acting Aphrodisiac Powder over other, more lethal poisons.
...
He put away the Jade Scroll.
Wei Tu rose and walked deeper into the cave.
He chanted a Spiritual Spell, lifting Zhao Qingluo from where she was hidden thirty feet underground back to the surface.
As he did, the "Earth Escape Talisman" between his fingers dimmed, its Spiritual Light fading as it turned to ash and vanished without a trace.
’If it weren’t for the other spoils from this battle, my twenty years of savings would have been completely wiped out.’
Wei Tu lamented inwardly.
With a flick of his sleeve, he dispelled the Spiritual Power Shield that had enveloped Zhao Qingluo. He then bent over to check on her condition.
However, just then,
a delirious Zhao Qingluo lunged forward, throwing herself at Wei Tu and wrapping her arms around him.
Her arms locked around Wei Tu’s shoulders, and she pulled his upper body down toward her.
Stunned, Wei Tu tried to pull away, but to his surprise, Zhao Qingluo’s strength was greater than his. For a moment, he found himself unable to break her hold.
After all, Zhao Qingluo was a Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, her Cultivation three Small Realms higher than his.
With a single tug from Zhao Qingluo, Wei Tu lost his balance and fell into her embrace, the two of them tumbling into a tangled heap.
Amidst the struggle, Wei Tu felt a stir of passion. Since entering the Cultivation Realm, he had always conducted himself with propriety, never dallying with Female Cultivators like Hu Yao or Fellow Daoist Yao...
As a result, his masculine energy was potent; the slightest provocation was enough to make self-control difficult.
It was nearly impossible for him to remain unmoved.
Moreover, just as Geng Wen had anticipated, seeing a noble lady like Zhao Qingluo debasing herself stirred a strange kind of lust within Wei Tu.
The two of them became lost in the heat of the moment.
Until—
Zhao Qingluo began to tear at Wei Tu’s robes.
Wei Tu finally regained some clarity. He bit the tip of his tongue, using the sharp pain to force himself to calm down. Then, recoiling as if from a venomous snake, he scrambled far away from Zhao Qingluo.
’That was too dangerous. I almost made a terrible mistake.’ Wei Tu took a "Calm Heart Talisman" from his sleeve, slapped it onto his chest, and used its Talisman Power to force himself into a state of calm.
A woman’s Primordial Yin and a man’s Primordial Yang both have an impact on Foundation Establishment. If he were to take Zhao Qingluo’s virginity, not only would it ruin her path of Cultivation, but his aura would linger on her.
This aura would be nearly impossible to erase.
Then, even if the Aphrodisiac Powder sealed Zhao Qingluo’s consciousness and five senses, he would never escape the pursuit of the Qiyue Zhao Family.
There was a vast difference between taking small liberties and actually violating her.
Besides, Wei Tu didn’t believe for a second that after he violated her, Zhao Qingluo would somehow become utterly devoted to him.
’Aphrodisiac Powder?’
’Her body is expelling the poison?’
’No wonder I was so overwhelmed just now.’
Just then, Wei Tu glanced at Zhao Qingluo on the ground. When he saw a white mist evaporating from her body, he finally understood his own reaction.
A moment ago, it wasn’t that he had failed to control himself, but that he, just like Zhao Qingluo, had been affected by the Aphrodisiac Powder.
After confirming Zhao Qingluo’s condition, Wei Tu thought for a moment, then walked out of the cavern. He sat cross-legged at the entrance, channeled his Spiritual Power, and began to wear down the Divine Sense Mark on Zhao Qingluo’s Storage Bag.
He might value loyalty and honor, but he was no naive fool.
He had already seen Zhao Qingluo in a disgraceful state; he certainly couldn’t expect her to thank him later by gifting him a Foundation Establishment Pill or a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object.
That would be far too dangerous.
Entrusting one’s life to the whims of another was not the act of a wise man.
Besides—
He had wrested Zhao Qingluo’s Storage Bag from Geng Wen’s hands.
It wasn’t as if he had robbed Zhao Qingluo directly.
Not to mention, he had saved her life.
...
Fortunately, perhaps because the Blood Elder Demon had already worn down part of the Divine Sense Mark on the Storage Bag, Wei Tu didn’t have to expend much effort. In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he easily broke into Zhao Qingluo’s Storage Bag.
’So this is the Foundation Establishment Pill?’
Inside the Storage Bag, Wei Tu saw a red sandalwood box placed carefully in a corner.
When he opened it, he found a single, broad-bean-sized elixir inside.
The elixir was entirely purple and emitted a faint, clean fragrance, but otherwise looked unremarkable.
However, the moment Wei Tu took a light sniff of the elixir, he felt the Spiritual Power in his Dantian begin to stir as if it were about to boil.
’It must be the Foundation Establishment Pill!’
Wei Tu resealed the red sandalwood box, a thrill of excitement running through him.
No elixir other than a Foundation Establishment Pill could make his Spiritual Power react so strongly.
’Aside from the Foundation Establishment Pill, the other things in Zhao Qingluo’s Storage Bag...’
Wei Tu hesitated, wondering if he should return the rest of the items in the Storage Bag to Zhao Qingluo.
After a moment’s thought, he finally made his decision.
Wei Tu took out his Beast Taming Token, summoned the Wind-Splitting Carving, and had it carry Zhao Qingluo to another valley twenty li away.
Upon arriving at the valley, Wei Tu carved a message into the rock wall: "Junior, This One has old ties with your Zhao Family. As I was passing through, I killed two followers of the Demon Dao and saved your life. As repayment, I have taken one Foundation Establishment Pill."
—Foundation Establishment Pills were a rare commodity everywhere, not just in the Qi Refining Realm.
Therefore, writing this message in the tone of an Elder shouldn’t arouse suspicion.
As for a name...
Wei Tu left none.
No name meant no lie to uncover.
’Saving your life in exchange for one Foundation Establishment Pill... that shouldn’t be excessive, should it?’
Wei Tu glanced at Zhao Qingluo lying on the ground and sighed to himself.
Then, Wei Tu returned to the original valley. Using the Talisman Power from several "Earthquake Talismans," he completely obliterated all traces he had left behind, then scattered Geng Wen’s specially made Pill Powder to eliminate any lingering aura.