Chapter 18: The Enchanting Luo Yuzhu

At long last, these trivial matters were settled.

Cao Chengyu departed from the Fragrant Pavilion and returned to the Skysight Tower to cultivate.

Compared to Liu Yun and Luo Yongsheng, Chi Mingzhu and Wang Daoming were somewhat more mature, aware that great powers had their own rules. Even as the offspring of core figures, if one brought neither contribution nor talent, enjoying a privileged status already amounted to considerable favor for their parents.

Seeking abundant cultivation resources beyond that would stir dissatisfaction among those below. After all, a power and a family could not be equated.

Of course, if their parents used personal resources to nurture them, there was no issue, so long as the treasure vault of the organization remained untouched and fairness was maintained in public view, people's hearts would remain united.

Unfortunately, cultivators possessed ample longevity and frequently bore children. Take Chi Mingzhu for instance: as the daughter of the Lord of the Scarlet Flame Manor, she was the most family-like among the group, and had over twenty siblings.

Half of them, lacking cultivation aptitude, had died of old age. Her father, having taken nine wives and concubines, could not possibly provide for them all.

Moreover, her father required resources for his own cultivation. Thus, powerful clans typically offered those with poor talent only a path for them to forge themselves.

Many perished along the way.

Wang Daoming, son of the Left Chancellor, had fewer siblings at home, yet received similar treatment as Chi Mingzhu.

Therefore, these high-quality Spirit-nourishing Pills held immense allure for Liu Yun and Luo Yongsheng.

Even in the world of cultivation, one could not escape social intricacies.

Cao Chengyu, unable to offend the backgrounds of these four for now and unwilling to lose his residence, could only make some concessions.

Afterward, life returned to its quiet rhythm.

A week passed, and all his spirit stones and Qi-gathering Pills were exhausted. Along the way, Cao Chengyu also took time to refine the Standard Maple Leaf Sword.

His cultivation advanced somewhat, but he was still a long way from mid-stage Spirit Refining.

Cao Chengyu calculated that at this pace, he would not reach the peak of Spirit Refining until at least age eighteen.

That was assuming no bottlenecks—four years would be needed.

Compared to other White Guards, his speed was already impressive. Yet for him, it was still too slow; he could not bear the sluggish progress.

This week of arduous practice in the Poison Eye Secret Technique should now be put to use.

Cao Chengyu pondered his plan.

He quickly headed to the Mission Hall, already prepared.

Casting his gaze toward a familiar spot, he found, as expected, that the task remained untaken.

Upon a scarlet list, the following was written:

[Poison Testing Mission]

Description: Steward Jiuling, Lady Luo Yuzhu, requires a White Guard proficient in the Poison Eye Secret Technique to test the effects of toxins.

Reward: Twenty spirit stones per session, fifty contribution points per session.

No limit on participants; three to five poison tests per week, with additional rewards for outstanding performance.

This task had been posted for a long time, yet no White Guard dared accept it.

Firstly, the Poison Eye Secret Technique was difficult to master; a mistake could mean blindness at best or lifelong idiocy at worst.

Few studied it, and even fewer would volunteer for such a hazardous task.

Cao Chengyu, however, had motives beyond the poison test. As long as he could approach his target, he believed the ranking board would aid him; by catering to her interests, he might achieve something.

He tore down the scarlet notice. The Mission Hall had a registration desk, and when Cao Chengyu approached, he was surprised to find that the clerk was none other than Brother Liu, whom he had met at the Scripture Repository last time.

Upon recognizing Cao Chengyu, Liu greeted him warmly.

“So it’s young Brother Cao. Already here to take on missions—impressive.”

“Heh, Brother Liu, you’re the diligent one with these commission tasks.”

“Guarding tasks generally expire after a month; one cannot stay longer even if willing. Come, let me see which task you’re taking.”

Receiving the scarlet list from Cao Chengyu, Liu opened it and his eyes instantly widened.

He glanced about warily and whispered,

“Brother Cao, you should withdraw. This task is not to be accepted.”

“??”

“This Steward Luo, apart from poison testing, is rumored to have a peculiar fondness for handsome young men.”

“Almost everyone on the lower nine floors of Skysight Tower knows this. With your looks, you’re like a lamb to the tiger!”

“Sigh…”

“You don’t understand, Brother Liu.”

Cao Chengyu feigned shyness and spoke solemnly,

“I’ve had a weak stomach since childhood; soft food is the only thing I find palatable.”

“??!!”

Brother Liu was utterly astonished, needing a moment to recover. He eyed Cao Chengyu with a peculiar expression.

“Well…”

“With your appearance, it’s certainly possible. Let me just advise you: do not become addicted. Others who sought this path met with nothing but tragic ends.”

“I know.”

“As you wish, then.”

Brother Liu finished the registration for Cao Chengyu and directed him to find Luo Yuzhu at the Spirit Herb Lodge in the inner city.

As a Steward of Jiuling in the Skysight Tower, she commanded three squads of six-winged Violet Guards (early Dao Body stage), and owing to her expertise in poison, managed an inner city herb shop.

As the saying goes, medicine and poison are intertwined. She specialized in poison and was equally versed in pharmacology, possessing considerable skill in pill refinement. At seventy-one, she had already reached the peak of the Dao Body stage—a notable talent.

The Dao Body stage granted a lifespan of over 240 years, leaving ample time for her to break into the Violet Mansion stage, which would extend her life to 500 years.

Her future was limitless.

She was a core seed under special attention in Skysight Tower. There were only about thirty such figures in the entire tower, all Violet Mansion prospects, with hopes for the Golden Core.

Thus, Cao Chengyu’s idea of “eating soft food” was not unreasonable.

A bona fide wealthy lady—even without counting the benefits from the ranking board, whatever crumbs fell from her hand would be enough to feed him.

Holding firm to his plan, Cao Chengyu confidently stepped into the shop named Spring Blossom Lodge.

Explaining his purpose to a disciple from the Hundred Arts Hall working as a helper, he finally, on this day, glimpsed Luo Yuzhu, ranked twenty-fourth.

Upon first encounter, she was watering poisonous plants in the backyard.

She wore a green chest-high ruqun, accentuating a particularly outrageous figure; intricate and lavish white embroidery adorned her garments, her hair shimmered like silken threads, drawing the eye.

Her exquisite features, complemented by a teardrop mole at the corner of her eye, lent her a seductive allure.

It was truly said: “Little hills overlap, golden light flickers; clouded temples pass over fragrant cheeks of snow. Lazy to paint moth brows, she dallies with her toilette.”

Unlike the gentle serenity of his aunt, Luo Yuzhu was more like a bewitching fox spirit, capable of ensnaring the soul.

For a moment, Cao Chengyu appeared utterly entranced (an act).

“Ahem…”

The helper coughed twice, reminding Cao Chengyu not to lose composure, then promptly withdrew.

Inwardly, he mused: another poor soul bewitched by beauty.

Recalling the miserable fates of previous hopefuls, he shook his head and returned to his station to continue sorting herbs.