The two high-grade spells he now possessed were touted as rivaling Foundation Establishment-level spiritual arts when perfected. Such claims were just for listening; anyone who believed them was a fool.
Speaking of which, among the three perfected spells Wang Yu had mastered, only the Night Concealment Curse was a high-grade spell; the others were mid-grade. Perfecting them had already provided significant assistance.
Adding two more high-grade spells could further raise his combat potential, but his spiritual power cultivation would again fall short.
Regarding the Placement Rack, two slots were permanently occupied by his technique.
Before breaking through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining, there was a three-and-a-half-year gap—the perfect time to place these spells. He could take it slow; his planning was quite practical.
The current problem lay with Xu Jiaojiao. He needed to investigate more details; otherwise, with the enemy hidden and him exposed, it would be hard to counter.
And Su Qingshan, famous for his combat prowess, was a major headache.
Should he go to the Enforcement Hall to see Zhuo Shouqing? He would naturally find out everything, but the cost would be fulfilling his "informant" duties. Until there was a second Xu Family Pill Shop, it wasn't a good time to approach him.
It was a kind of unspoken understanding between accomplices.
Alternatively, he could take on a task from the Ice Snow Pavilion, find an assignment under a Foundation Establishment steward, and hide for a year or so. Once his strength improved further, he wouldn't need to be so cautious.
Thinking this, Wang Yu decisively turned back.
Zhao Shang, who was doing accounts, felt a tremor in his heart and saw Wang Yu's face again. He couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"Brother, what else?"
"Find me a task with little work and good pay, preferably similar to the last herb garden maintenance for Steward Tantai."
Zhao Shang instantly understood his intention—to avoid trouble!
"Coincidentally, Senior Tantai posted another herb garden maintenance task a few days ago. This time, it's for one year, four hundred contribution points."
Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.
"You're still deducting six hundred from me? What's the meaning?"
They were grasshoppers on the same rope. Charging high channel fees before cooperation was one thing, but still taking such a cut after cooperating meant the cooperation was pointless.
"This really can't be helped."
Zhao Shang spread his hands helplessly.
"This is the Ice Snow Pavilion's rule. I'm really not skimming yours. The original price is one thousand. Half goes to the pavilion, ten percent goes to the Foundation Establishment cultivators. I can't touch a bit!"
Wang Yu stared at him for a while, confirming no deception, then nodded.
"New isn't as good as old; unfamiliar isn't as good as familiar. This one it is."
"Take it. Don't let me see you out."
Seeing Wang Yu off like he was a plague, Zhao Shang sighed and continued his accounts. It was a tedious task, requiring no less effort than cultivation.
If mistakes occurred, it could blow up prematurely, directly related to his life. He could only put in more effort.
...
...
**Evil God Market Residence.**
Wang Yu was examining the two newly acquired high-grade spells.
**[Ice Coffin Curse]** and **[Illusory Form Step]**
The Ice Coffin Curse was a binding and killing spell. It could instantly condense an ice coffin around a target, imprisoning them inside. At higher levels of mastery, it could generate numerous ice spikes inside the coffin, impaling the target into a bloody gourd.
Used flexibly, it could also serve as a 360-degree, dead-angle defense method. The ice crystals formed by this spell were extremely hard, unbreakable by anyone below Foundation Establishment.
The Illusory Form Step was a high-grade movement spell, excelling in short-distance evasion and maneuvering. It could create up to nine illusory clones identical to the real body to confuse enemies. The clones would dissipate upon being attacked.
If perfected, the clones could withstand one attack from a late Qi Refining cultivator without dissipating, greatly increasing its practicality.
Once these two spells were perfected, Wang Yu's combat ability would climb another notch, making them worth the price.
After circulating his technique through several major cycles, he peacefully fell asleep.
**The next day.**
In front of the familiar Tantai Herb Garden, Wang Yu knocked on the inverted bat bronze ring. After passing the entrance inspection, he entered.
Inside the open hall hung with light gauze curtains, Tantai Chan was reclining, playing with a jade toad. Seeing Wang Yu enter, she showed a thoughtful expression.
"Yang Yu?"
"Your disciple Wang Yu pays respects to Senior Tantai."
"Oh~"
Not embarrassed about getting the name wrong, she continued, "Since you're familiar, no need for lengthy explanations. Follow the same standards as last time."
"Your disciple understands."
"This time, I need to make a trip to [Heavenly Treasure City] a thousand miles away to attend an auction. I won't return for a year. I entrust this herb garden to your care."
"If you still need Ice Nine-Leaf Grass, you may take three plants at market price."
"Thank you, Senior Tantai."
Wang Yu felt puzzled inside. Last time, Tantai Chan hadn't been so clear, nor offered any conveniences. This time, it felt pointed, as if the words weren't meant for him.
As for the Ice Nine-Leaf Grass, it was one of the main ingredients for the "Coldblood Pill." Originally, he was gathering materials for himself, aiming for the top-grade tier.
He hadn't used the two plants he had yet. According to his current plan, it was delayed, so he didn't need more for now.
Though full of doubts, it wasn't appropriate to ask. Watching Tantai Chan fly away, Wang Yu took a small stool and sat by the door.
He waited!
After just half an hour, the gate was knocked. This time, it was an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator. Seeing only a Qi Refining outer disciple opening the door, he spoke condescendingly,
"Boy, where has Steward Tantai gone?"
"May I ask your esteemed name, Senior?"
The elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator frowned and scolded,
"Answer when asked! If I don't tell you my name, you won't speak?"
Wang Yu quickly lowered his head.
"Steward Tantai's orders. This disciple is only following instructions."
"What strict adherence to orders." The elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator snorted coldly. "I am Yang Yunzhi. Speak, where did Steward Tantai go?"
"Heavenly Treasure City!"
"Hmph."
The old man left, pressing down on Wang Yu with his aura as if venting dissatisfaction before departing.
Wang Yu had added this question on a whim to gauge the situation here.
It was just Foundation Establishment pressure. As long as he didn't leave the herb garden gate, this place was connected to the Evil God Market's formation arrays, with the main array set on Evil God Peak. No one could harm him here, so his courage was naturally greater.
He noted down Yang Yunzhi's name. Throughout the day, Foundation Establishment cultivators came one after another—thirteen in total. He wasn't sure about their specific Foundation Establishment layers.
But they all shared a common trait: they were first-generation cultivators!
So-called "first-generation cultivators" specifically referred to grassroots without backing. After advancing to Foundation Establishment through luck and opportunity, a small family would often form behind them.
Some had just over ten members, others over a hundred, expanding as the Foundation Establishment cultivator aged. When their own path seemed to have reached its end, they would pin their hopes on the next generation.
They would start running around to seek opportunities for their descendants.
The Foundation Establishment Pill was the top priority!
Some succeeded, gradually evolving into Golden Core families over time. Others failed, vanishing into the vast sea of people, starting over from scratch.
Among these thirteen, apart from Yang Yunzhi's domineering attitude and interrogative tone, the others inquired about Tantai Chan's whereabouts quite politely.
**(End of Chapter)**