Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Chess Piece

“The higher-ups control high-level resources.”

Lu Xuanji pondered.

“Exactly so,” the Grand Elder said, “The higher-ups deliberately control the leak of high-level resources. Many rare resources are not only high in price but also scarce, often out of stock. The Pure Yang Pill is priced at a hundred thousand spirit stones, the Purple Mansion Pill at a hundred and fifty thousand, and the Purple Sun Jade at two hundred thousand. Often, it’s not that the prices are high, but that there are simply no goods available. Even if there are, it takes ten or twenty years. The lack of high-level resources makes it difficult for a Purple Mansion great cultivator to emerge.”

“Back then, when Ancestor Lu Fuming managed to step into the Purple Mansion, it was partly because he had a Dual Spirit Root, and partly because he obtained three Purple Mansion Pills during an adventure. Originally, the Lu Family had declined, and it was very challenging to produce a Purple Mansion great cultivator, but the appearance of Golden Core Ancestor is an opportunity.”

“It’s as though taking over Purple Sun Mountain, he feels indebted to the Lu Family; also, Golden Core Ancestor, to counter the demon race of the Hundred Thousand Mountains and some ancestors of the Dan Yang Sect, needs to cultivate and support lower-tier forces; finally, to balance the Purple Mansion cultivation immortality clans of the Two Commanderies, he plans to cultivate some forces.”

“In this scenario, the Lu Family was chosen, which is the Lu Family’s luck, and also your fortune.”

The Grand Elder spoke with a hint of joy.

For someone to use you, it proves you have value.

Having value means having the chance to rise, like a salted fish turning over.

If you have no value, you may remain a salted fish for life.

Often, choice is more important than effort.

Golden Core Ancestor came to Qingshui Commandery, also taking over Beichen Commandery, and since his forces were relatively thin, to counter some Golden Core ancestors and demon races, and to balance various great powers, he inevitably chooses to suppress one faction and support another.

Suppressing one faction mainly targets local bullies and disobedient cultivation forces.

A specific example: an expedition to White Tiger Mountain wiped out eight cultivation families directly.

Supporting one faction mainly focuses on weaker Foundation Establishment clans.

Luckily, the Lu Family became a pawn of Golden Core Ancestor’s, becoming a force he supports.

Can the Lu Family refuse?

They cannot.

If they refuse, the Lu Family will completely decline.

But by becoming a pawn of Golden Core Ancestor, the Lu Family can once again become a Purple Mansion family, or even go further.

Of course, not everyone qualifies to be a pawn.

If this pawn is not excellent, unqualified, or does not meet the standard, Golden Core Ancestor would not hesitate to discard the pawn and replace it with a new one.

The principle here is not complicated.

The Grand Elder just pointed out a little, and Lu Xuanji understood.

At times of weakness, being a strong person’s pawn is not shameful.

“The Ye Family’s marriage alliance with the Lu Family is partly because of my talent, partly because of Golden Core Ancestor’s favor!” Lu Xuanji said, “But won’t this anger Golden Core Ancestor?”

“No, because Golden Core Ancestor doesn’t care!”

The Grand Elder said, “Even if I step into the Purple Mansion, how many strikes from Golden Core Ancestor could I withstand!”

Lu Xuanji was speechless.

What is a Purple Mansion when Golden Core Ancestor can destroy it with one sword?

It doesn’t even require Golden Core Ancestor to act; one of his maids can destroy the Lu Family.

“But doing this, I feel sorry for Ye Xue!”

Lu Xuanji said, “Originally, I thought of a life with one person, half drunk, half awake, half floating through life. But who would have thought that I would still have to compromise with reality?”

“The world has its laws, and everything is not free; who hasn’t bowed to reality?”

The Grand Elder said, “Cultivating immortality is about freedom, but who is truly free? One must not be too selfish; when considering oneself, one must also consider the family and the common people. I don’t ask you to be a paragon of virtue, but just not to be too selfish.”

Lu Xuanji sighed, acknowledging in his heart.

Life is ultimately not a Qiong Yao drama.

In Qiong Yao dramas, love is everything, love is above all.

As they say, I can’t live without love.

But in reality, many things are above love.

“I feel sorry for Ye Xue.”

Lu Xuanji said.

“If you find it hard to say, I’ll go persuade her!” the Grand Elder said.

“No need, I’ll face it myself!”

Lu Xuanji firmly said.

The cauldron he stirred, he would carry himself, there’s no question of the Grand Elder replacing him.

…

In the cave mansion.

Sitting on the bed, hugging her knees, Ye Feixue’s tears streamed down.

She looked very aggrieved.

Like a pitiful little soul!

Like an abandoned kitten.

“Ye Xue, I’m sorry!” Lu Xuanji stepped forward.

A thousand words came to his lips, but only five came out.

Ye Feixue continued to cry.

Lu Xuanji said, “If you feel wronged, you can dissolve the Dao companion agreement!”

“I don’t want to!”

Ye Feixue angrily said.

Lu Xuanji said, “It’s my fault!”

“It’s not brother’s fault, it’s mine!” Ye Feixue began, crying as she spoke, “I should have realized it early. Brother was born in the Ye Family, so naturally, he must think for the Ye Family. How could he be as selfish and self-centered as I am?”

“Back then, I was just a village girl. It was brother who came and took me away from the sea of hardship. Over the years, the Lu Family gave me many resources and cultivation techniques. The Ye Family owes me nothing; instead, I owe the Ye Family a lot.”

“For the Ye Family, brother must naturally take more Dao companions and concubines, have more offspring, instead of just being with me. It’s impossible to hold onto brother alone. I’ve always understood this reason; I just had some fantasies. But the Grand Elder’s words shattered my fantasies.”

“The Lu Family’s situation isn’t good. Marrying into the Ye Family benefits the Lu Family greatly and also benefits brother greatly.”

“All of this benefits brother greatly; it’s just that I wasn’t clear-headed!”

Saying this, Ye Feixue wiped the tears from her face and said, “Brother, I want you to hold me!”

“Okay!”

Lu Xuanji stepped forward and held her directly.

“Brother, I want you to kiss me!”

Ye Feixue said.

“Okay!”

Lu Xuanji kissed her forehead gently.

“Not the forehead, the lips!”

Ye Feixue said.

“Okay!”

Lu Xuanji kissed her on the lips directly.

They entangled, getting lost in tenderness.

In the tenderness, Ye Feixue closed her eyes and indulged in it.

Until out of breath, Ye Feixue said, “Brother, let’s sleep together!”

“Don’t make trouble, don’t be angry!”

Lu Xuanji said.

“I’m not causing trouble; I’m telling the truth!” Ye Feixue said. “Brother’s talent is somewhat lacking. Rising one layer every ten years, and if he hits a bottleneck, it will take even longer. Taking a hundred years to reach Ninth-Layer Foundation Establishment is lucky enough.”

Lu Xuanji interrupted, “Rising one layer every ten years is fast for me. Not everyone is like you, with a Celestial Spirit Root flying in the sky.”

“Brother, I have a method to make you progress faster!”

Ye Feixue said.

“What method?”

Lu Xuanji curiously asked.

Ye Feixue replied, “I have cultivated the Joyful Union Demon Sect’s Great Divine Techniques [Yin Yang Stealing Technique] to perfection. If you practice Yin Yang Dual Cultivation with me, I can reverse the divine technique and transfer it, allowing you to have the power of the Innate Dao Embryo Third Layer.”

Lu Xuanji said, “It would damage your essence and cause you tremendous harm.”

“It’s fine. I’ll recover with just a hundred years of rest!”

Ye Feixue said.

“How many lives do you have to live? I rejected Golden Core Ancestor’s Pseudo-Undying Demon Body offer. Do you know why?”

Ye Feixue asked, “Why is that?”

“Just not telling you!”

Lu Xuanji smiled.

Ye Feixue pouted, “Brother is always like this. I am a peerless beauty, yet you refuse me.”

Lu Xuanji said, “Ye Xue, stop overthinking.”

Lu Xuanji said, “Girls are just complicated, always overthinking things.”

…