Chapter 143 - 114: Hundred-Year-Old Foundation Establishment
Next, Kou Hongying took out some unused Qi Refining Realm Elixirs she had on her and distributed them between Fu Zhizhou and Weii Fei.
However, she treated them differently based on their relationship.
The Elixirs Kou Hongying gave to Fu Zhizhou were all of the rare and valuable variety.
The ones she gave to Weii Fei were more common.
It was merely a gesture to observe proper etiquette.
Weii Fei, for his part, showed no dissatisfaction and accepted the Elixirs with a chuckle.
At a gathering more than twenty years ago, he had refused to help Kou Hongying complete a Sect mission. The fact that Kou Hongying was looking out for him now meant he had come out ahead.
As the four of them were talking, a pale-cyan Escape Light suddenly sped toward Wei Tu and the others.
"Junior Sister Kou..." The Escape Light came to a halt, revealing a lean Male Cultivator dressed in black.
The black-clad Male Cultivator greeted Kou Hongying, then shot a somewhat cold and sinister glance at Wei Tu and his two companions, his face revealing his displeasure.
But he quickly seemed to recall something and forced a smile onto his face.
"To think three Fellow Daoists have come to my Jingshui Pavilion, and I, as Junior Sister Kou’s senior brother, failed to welcome you from afar at the first moment. My apologies! My apologies!"
The black-clad Male Cultivator let out a few fake laughs.
As he spoke, he deliberately stressed the words "senior brother."
Connecting this to what Kou Hongying had said earlier, Wei Tu instantly understood that this Male Cultivator, surnamed Zhuu, must be the senior brother who had been pestering Kou Hongying.
The reason Kou Hongying hadn’t been able to welcome them personally was also to avoid this "Senior Brother Zhuu."
From this "Senior Brother Zhuu’s" tone, it wasn’t hard to see that he already considered Kou Hongying a prize to be won.
His words to the three of them now were also a warning, telling them to stay away from Kou Hongying.
’A fifty-six-year-old Foundation Establishment Female Cultivator is a rare sight, even in an Immortal Sect... She could be considered a Golden Core Seed...’
’It’s inevitable that she’d attract unwanted attention.’
Wei Tu’s thoughts churned, and he quickly deduced the reason why the Male Cultivator surnamed Zhuu was pursuing Kou Hongying.
Since a Foundation Establishment cultivator has a lifespan of 400 years, and Kou Hongying reached this stage in her fifties, her potential was among the highest of the Immortal Sect’s Foundation Establishment cultivators. She was second only to the Celestial Prides the Sect focused on grooming, making her a Golden Core Seed.
This Male Cultivator surnamed Zhuu... if he could win Kou Hongying’s heart, not only would he win a beautiful woman, but he would also secure a future Golden Core cultivator for himself and his family.
An opportunity like this, why wouldn’t he take it?
’They say a persistent suitor can wear a woman down... but this Senior Brother Zhuu is warning us without even knowing who we are... He’s already blown his chances...’ Wei Tu sneered inwardly.
Setting aside the fact that Kou Hongying already disliked this Male Cultivator surnamed Zhuu, the simple fact that he had threatened the three of them... as long as Kou Hongying had a brain and wasn’t some love-struck fool, she would never accept his advances.
—After all, the three of them were Kou Hongying’s clan elders, with whom she shared a deep bond.
"Senior Brother Zhuu, Uncle Wei and the others are my elders. I’d ask you to watch your tone."
Kou Hongying gave Wei Tu an apologetic look before her tone turned cold, and she rebuked "Senior Brother Zhuu."
"Uncle Wei? Elders?" Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Zhuu’s expression changed. He instantly knew he had made a huge mistake.
He cursed himself for not listening to his aunt, Master Qin, and correcting his arrogant nature, which he had just allowed to run wild.
"Uncle Wei, this junior was in the wrong."
"This... It seems the great flood has washed away the Dragon King’s temple..."
Senior Brother Zhuu gave a few awkward laughs and apologized to Wei Tu, his face a mask of sincerity.
"This is a humble gift from this junior as an apology." A pained look flashed across Senior Brother Zhuu’s face as he gritted his teeth, took a seven-foot jade box from his Storage Bag, and handed it to Wei Tu.
He could tell that Wei Tu was the leader among Kou Hongying’s three elders.
Furthermore, over the years, he had learned a little about Wei Tu and knew of his important place in Kou Hongying’s heart.
"Uncle Wei, please accept it. You don’t need to worry about me," Kou Hongying secretly transmitted via voice projection.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Zhuu." Wei Tu accepted the jade box, tucked it into his sleeve, and then cupped his hands in thanks to Senior Brother Zhuu.
...
An incense stick’s time later.
Wei Tu and his two companions left Jingshui Pavilion.
The moment he stepped outside the main gates of Jingshui Pavilion, a pale-faced Weii Fei’s legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
"The pressure from a Foundation Establishment cultivator... it’s too much to bear. That damn Zhuu Renjie."
Weii Fei cursed.
Just now, Zhuu Renjie had not only threatened them verbally but had also released his Foundation Establishment pressure to intimidate the three of them.
In order not to lose face at Jingshui Pavilion, he had been forcing himself to endure the discomfort.
Now that he was outside the Jingshui Pavilion gates, he couldn’t hold on any longer.
"Huh? Third Brother, Fourth Brother, how are you two okay?" After recovering a bit, Weii Fei looked up at Wei Tu and Fu Zhizhou standing beside him. Seeing their expressions were normal, he couldn’t help but ask in astonishment.
What? Was he the only one in such a pathetic state?
"It was just the pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator," Fu Zhizhou said indifferently, glancing at Weii Fei.
Weii Fei knew Fu Zhizhou was still holding a grudge from the last gathering, when Weii Fei had mocked him for not having "broken through" yet.
So he turned his gaze to Wei Tu, his eyes filled with inquiry.
"Second Brother, Immortal Dao Cultivation is a lot like Martial Arts Cultivation. If your foundation is solid, then even against the pressure of someone a Realm higher... it’s nothing more than a gentle breeze blowing over a mountain ridge..."
Wei Tu explained with a light cough.
If the pressure from a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator was enough to make a Qi Cultivation Realm Cultivator submit, there wouldn’t be so many stories in the Cultivation Realm of cultivators fighting and killing those in higher realms.
The pressure from a High Realm cultivator is only truly effective against those with unstable foundations.
When Zhuu Renjie’s pressure washed over him and Fu Zhizhou, Wei Tu had only felt a slight discomfort, nothing too unbearable.
"Foundation?"
Weii Fei was stunned for a moment, then his expression grew pensive.
’I hope Second Brother takes this to heart.’ Seeing this, Wei Tu sighed inwardly.