24: Chapter 24 Wang Zhaojun, Yang Yuhuan

Inside the solemn and dignified City Lord’s Mansion, the atmosphere was slightly heavy, and everyone’s gaze was focused on this special selection.

Wang Bin sat quietly in the main seat, a hint of disappointment quietly spreading within him regarding Qin Wenjun’s choice, though it didn’t overwhelm him.

After all, there were still three women remaining, like a chess game not yet over, still with a chance for a turnaround.

His gaze, as if pulled by invisible threads, slowly fell upon the second young woman.

The young woman was like a blooming flower in spring, fresh and natural, as pure and lovely as a girl next door, exuding a unique sense of approachability.

She wore a playful single ponytail, which swayed gently with her movements, each sway like plucking a note of youth, making her seem like an elf stepping out of a painting, radiating youthful vitality that made people fond of her.

Wang Zhaojun

The young woman took a small step forward, her steps light and firm, carrying the forthrightness of a Jianghu woman.

After stopping, she cupped her fists and bowed to Wang Bin, her movements clean and crisp, introducing herself clearly: “This humble one is Wang Zhaojun. I have roamed the Jianghu since childhood, and Senior Huang told me I have Five Spiritual Roots.

I have practiced martial arts diligently, training through the harshest winters and summers; the hardships involved are not for outsiders to know.

Now, I have already reached the First Layer Innate Realm, which I hear is roughly equivalent to the First Layer Qi Refinement Stage for you Cultivators.

I am twenty-two this year. Though years have passed, I remain pure and am a virgin.

My lifelong goal is to Cultivate to the Grandmaster Realm, like the eagles soaring high in the sky.

I have searched all over the Jianghu and heard that Immortals have a way to help me achieve this wish. I have come today specifically, hoping the Immortal will grant my wish.”

Wang Bin frowned slightly upon hearing this, feeling a little surprised.

The name “Wang Zhaojun” was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. He felt the name was familiar, as if he had seen it in ancient legends or dusty texts, yet he couldn’t recall where he had heard it.

His thoughts, like a wild horse, ran freely. He mused that Cultivating martial arts to the Grandmaster Realm, while seemingly majestic, was in fact only equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Realm in the eyes of Cultivators.

It’s just that Martial Artists, no matter how hard they try, cannot break free from the shackles of lifespan, as if bound by invisible ropes.

No matter how powerful a Grandmaster is, they only dominate in the Mortal world, but once they face a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, they are as insignificant as an ant.

Moreover, after martial arts Cultivation reaches the Grandmaster Realm, the path forward seems to be cut off by an insurmountable chasm, with no further progress possible, only stagnation.

After a brief thought, Wang Bin slowly spoke: “Your request still has a chance of being fulfilled. Since you possess a Spiritual Root, even if it’s just Five Spiritual Roots, a rather mediocre Aptitude in the Cultivation World, you still have the stepping stone to embark on the path of Cultivation.

As long as you Cultivate a suitable Cultivation Technique, you can absorb the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth from now on.

Furthermore, within my City Lord’s Mansion, the Spiritual Qi is as dense as substance, like a misty Immortal Realm.

Cultivating here can greatly help you accelerate your Cultivation, and reaching the Martial Grandmaster Realm is not impossible.

However, you must not underestimate the difficulties involved.”

He paused, looking deeply at Wang Zhaojun, and continued: “For us Cultivators, a Martial Grandmaster is equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Realm. This is a watershed, and the difficulty of Cultivation is extremely high.

Think about it, in your vast Mortal world, the number of Martial Artists who can Cultivate to the Grandmaster Realm is as rare as meteors in the night sky, very few.

And those Martial Artists who can reach the Grandmaster Realm are all exceptionally talented and possess Spiritual Roots.

I have five basic Cultivation Techniques here: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. These Cultivation Techniques are like five keys to open the door to Cultivation, all of which can be Cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

I can give you these Cultivation Techniques for free later; this is your opportunity to change your destiny.

Now, I also give you two choices, the conditions are the same as Qin Wenjun’s. Choose carefully.”

Upon hearing this, a light of surprise flashed in Wang Zhaojun’s eyes.

She had originally thought that Cultivating to the Grandmaster Realm would require some peerless, rare martial arts Secret Manual, like those highly contested Treasure Troves in the Jianghu.

She didn't expect it to be achieved by assisting martial arts practice through Cultivating a Cultivator’s Cultivation Technique. To her, this was like suddenly finding a direction forward in a mist.

However, upon closer thought, it was quite reasonable.

After all, although the current Jianghu is vast, it is also limited. She had roamed for many years and only heard of one Grandmaster Martial Artist still alive, standing like a solitary peak.

She hesitated briefly, then the pride of a Jianghu heroine burned like a flame within her.

How could she, a dignified Jianghu heroine, free and unconstrained, easily marry someone?

She firmly believed that with her Aptitude, like a bamboo shoot breaking through the soil, she would surely grow rapidly on this path of Cultivation and quickly reach the Martial Grandmaster Realm.

Thus, she unhesitatingly chose the first option—to be a maid in the City Lord’s Mansion.

Seeing this, Wang Bin couldn't help but feel a little speechless, sighing to himself: “My girl next door, it seems we are not fated.”

A hint of imperceptible disappointment showed in his eyes, like a child who had lost a beloved toy.

He shook his head in disappointment and said, “You still don’t know the cruelty of the Cultivation World. It is a world full of bloodshed and struggle, opportunities and challenges, as dangerous as a dark forest.

Alas! Since you have chosen to be a maid, I will respect your decision.

However, if you change your mind, it can only be before you turn thirty. Now, stand aside.”

Wang Zhaojun playfully stuck out her tongue at Wang Bin, looking like a child who had successfully played a small prank, then walked with light steps to stand beside Qin Wenjun.

At this moment, it was the third woman’s turn. Before Wang Bin could speak, the woman proactively stepped forward like a gust of wind. Her posture was tall and straight, like a plum blossom defying snow, possessing a resilient temperament.

Her voice was clear and forceful, like a beating war drum: “This humble one is Yang Yuhuan, twenty years old, in the prime of my youth, and also a virgin.

Before today, I never thought I would have any connection with Cultivation, until today when I learned I have Five Spiritual Roots.

I am the daughter of General Yang of Qi. My father was loyal and righteous throughout his life, guarding the borders for Qi and achieving great military feats.

However, fate has been so unfair to my Yang Family.

When my father led his army to battle with Chu, it should have been an honorable fight, but that opposing general was so despicable and shameless, without martial ethics. He was a Cultivator and actually used a Spell to launch a sneak attack on my father in the dark.

My poor father, who fought countless battles in his life, met such a cruel end.

Alas, I was only at the First Layer Innate Realm at the time, with low strength. Facing the powerful might of a Cultivator, I was powerless.

What’s more tragic is that King Qi turned a blind eye to my Yang Family’s plight and was unwilling to help my Yang Family avenge themselves.

Now, my Yang Family has declined. Our former glory is like fleeting clouds, and now only endless desolation remains.

Everyone in my Yang Family, young and old, is struggling in hardship.

I am determined to avenge my father, to make that despicable person receive his due punishment, and at the same time, I want to change my Family’s current tragic fate.”

Yang Yuhuan

When Wang Bin heard the name “Yang Yuhuan,” his heart stirred slightly, finding the name as familiar as an old friend.

After a moment of contemplation, he said with a serious expression: “Your two choices are the same as theirs.

If you choose to be a maid, I will give you a Cultivation Technique. Although this Cultivation Technique is not a rare Treasure, it is enough to set you on the path of Cultivation. Your treatment will be the same as theirs, and I will not inquire further into other matters.

If you choose to be my Dao Companion, then your Yang Family’s situation will immediately change. As for helping you get revenge…”

Wang Bin paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, and continued: “The one who killed your father is a Cultivator after all, so I will not act rashly.

I will first send people to investigate his background, including his School, connections, and strength, and then decide based on the situation.

Of course, if you can bear children for me, as long as the opponent’s backing is not beyond the Foundation Establishment Stage, I can help you get revenge and make that murderer pay with blood.

Moreover, I must remind you all not to think too highly of yourselves.

Although you possess some beauty, in the vast Universe of the Cultivation World, your Five Spiritual Roots Aptitude is as ordinary as a grain of sand on a beach.

Even if you were sold, you wouldn’t be worth fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. This is the cruel reality.

If you don’t believe me, once you become familiar with the Cultivation World, just ask any passerby, and you’ll know.

You can see your status from the fact that various Sects recruiting Outer Sect Disciples don’t even accept Five Spiritual Roots for their chores.

As for your proud Family background and status among Mortals… Hmph, in the eyes of us Cultivators, that’s just fleeting clouds.

Even your country’s emperor would have to kneel and kowtow before me, like an ant facing a Dragon.

I also have some understanding that any Cultivator who reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage will no longer remain among Mortals.

Because after becoming Foundation Establishment Stage, the first-level Spiritual Veins in Mortal countries are like dried-up streams, simply unable to meet their Cultivation needs. Staying there is tantamount to waiting for death.

Therefore, you had best make a wise choice. You must know that there are many people in your Yang Family suffering in hardship, and they cannot afford to wait.”

Yang Yuhuan’s face changed like the shifting sky, at times angry, at times sad, at times hesitant, constantly fluctuating.

Especially when she heard Wang Bin’s domineering statement, “Your country’s emperor will also have to kneel before me,” her heart was shaken like turbulent waves.

She thought that if she only became a maid, the path to Cultivating to a Realm sufficient for revenge would be long and arduous, and she didn’t know how many years it would take, perhaps never achieving it in her entire life.

Moreover, her Family’s current situation was precarious, like a broken ship swaying in a storm, liable to sink at any moment. How could she have so much time to Cultivate slowly?

Furthermore, she was already twenty years old, an age when Mortals typically consider marriage. And the man before her was an Immortal, whose identity and status were far beyond what Mortals could compare to.

Thinking this way, becoming his Dao Companion seemed like a climb up the social ladder for her.

After understanding these points, a hint of shyness appeared on her face, like the evening glow on the horizon, coloring her cheeks.

She lowered her head and softly said, “I choose the second option, to become your Dao Companion.”

“Haha, excellent, that’s a wise choice.”

Wang Bin was overjoyed, like a treasure hunter finding a rare gem.

Finally, there was a sensible woman. His mood brightened like sunlight breaking through dark clouds.

He smugly glanced at Qin Wenjun and Wang Zhaojun, secretly thinking, “Hmph, little ones, you’ll regret this sooner or later. Then you’ll obediently come begging me.”

Thinking of this, he instructed Huang Youcai: “Youcai, send someone to investigate the cause of Yang Yuhuan’s father’s death. If the opponent’s background isn’t strong or their strength isn’t high, then send someone to deal with it.

Make sure to investigate thoroughly, without any carelessness. At the same time, inform the Emperor of Qi that Yang Yuhuan has become my Dao Companion.

As the City Lord of White Cloud City in the Four Seas Commerce League, I am at the Mid Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

I believe that after hearing this news, the Emperor of Qi will improve the Yang Family’s situation to curry favor with me. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to offend a Mid Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.”

“Yes, City Lord. Leave this small matter to me.”

Huang Youcai immediately guaranteed to complete the task, also shocked that the City Lord was already at Mid Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, like discovering a hidden Treasure Trove.

However, upon second thought, the stronger the City Lord’s power, the more beneficial it would be for him, and he would also benefit from it.

Wang Bin smiled and waved to Yang Yuhuan, the gesture full of warmth and affection.

He gestured for Yang Yuhuan to stand on his left side, a position that seemed like a special symbol of honor.

Yang Yuhuan carefully ascended the steps, each step carrying a hint of nervousness and anticipation. Standing on Wang Bin’s left side, the feeling of looking down filled her with emotion.

She looked at the crowd below and sighed inwardly: Indeed, choice is greater than effort. This step might change her and her Family’s destiny.