They had failed where another had just succeeded.
The contrast was a bitter pill to swallow.
Li Ruohan led the way. Just as Wang Heng and Lu Yun were about to follow, they heard a voice call out to them.
"Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Lu, and Senior Sister Li! What a coincidence, running into you all again!"
They all turned at the sound of the voice, freezing at the head of the stairs.
They looked completely dumbfounded.
"J-Junior Brother Jiang!"
"The one who broke through to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer... it was you?!"
...
...
「A private courtyard atop Sewing Peak.」
Luo Tong didn't bother knocking. He simply pushed the door open and strode inside.
He moved with a familiarity that spoke of frequent visits, bypassing the front hall and making his way to the rear of the house.
There, by a fish pond, a slender young woman with a sweet face was meditating and cultivating.
It was none other than Luo Tong's older sister, Luo Qian'er.
With each breath she took, her lips parted slightly, releasing a hazy mist that drifted around her like a silken veil.
After a long moment, Luo Qian'er opened her bright eyes, a rosy flush appearing on her jade-like skin.
She didn't deign to look directly at Luo Tong, asking coolly,
"What is it now? You asked me a few days ago to go through Li Ruohan to get you into the Association with Xiao Tongquan and Wang Heng. I've already taken care of it."
Luo Tong grinned, his narrow eyes flashing with delight.
"I knew you'd have a way, sister! I've heard around the Outer Sect that Senior Brother Xiao Tongquan has already reached the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer. He's just one step away from opening his Primordial Inner Mansion. Securing a spot in the Inner Peak should be a sure thing for him!"
"If I can get on his good side, it'll be a huge help!"
Luo Qian'er sighed.
"Xiao Tongquan is from the Yunlu Xiao Clan—and he's the clan leader's son. I've heard he even has connections to the former Royal Family."
"He wouldn't necessarily give our Lianxi Luo Clan the time of day. Besides, the Demon Dao Dharma Lineage believes in using every resource to its fullest and every person to their greatest potential."
"If you're not useful, who's going to help you for nothing and share their spoils with you?"
Luo Tong was displeased. 'Isn't she just saying I'm not good enough to catch Xiao Tongquan's eye!' he thought.
"Sister, I'm at the Qi Cultivation Third Layer! All I need is to buy a Nourishing Essence Pill from Servant Zhou, and I'll definitely break through to the Fourth Layer before spring!"
Luo Qian'er's brow furrowed, her expression clouded with worry.
"Zhou Can is demanding an exorbitant price! Two hundred thousand talisman coins—where am I supposed to find that for you? Nourishing Essence Pills are rare. I've never even taken one myself... Little brother, you should just focus on your Cultivation for now."
But Luo Tong was not satisfied. He thought Luo Qian'er was just making excuses, and his words came out in a torrent, lashing out at her.
"Sister, what do you think the clan spent all that money on to get you into the sect? They made sure you were never short on talisman coins for your Cultivation. What was it all for?"
"It was so you could lead the way! So that once you were established, you could help me secure a spot and get into the Inner Peak!"
"When I succeed in my Cultivation, I won't just revitalize the Lianxi Luo Clan and bring glory to our name—I'll bring you into the Inner Peak with me to learn new Techniques! A paltry two hundred thousand talisman coins... what's that to Zhou Can, the man in charge of the Laundry Room?!"
The worry on Luo Qian'er's face deepened, but she spoke patiently.
"Little brother, what Zhou Can values is my status as a daughter of the Lianxi Luo Clan. He wants to retire, return to his hometown, and start a clan of his own."
"Unless I agree to marry him, he will never part with two hundred thousand talisman coins."
Luo Tong's brows knitted together in fury.
"Wishful thinking!"
Her brother's reaction brought a flicker of warmth to Luo Qian'er's heart.
But before that warmth could blossom, she heard Luo Tong continue.
"You're from the Direct Lineage of the Lianxi Luo Clan, sister! Who does that Zhou Can think he is? Just a worthless Mortal who got lucky and crawled his way up to a Servant position in the Outer Sect!"
"He thinks he can marry you for a mere two hundred thousand? What a pipe dream!"
"The asking price should be at least three hundred and eighty thousand!"