Chapter 492: A Night Traveler in Wind and Snow (I)

The sun had already dipped below the horizon when Tao Wan returned from a day of obligations outside the sect. She rubbed her temples; she was clearly not in peak shape, but what clouded her expression was not physical weariness. It was mental exhaustion.

Only a few days earlier, she had been sent to attend a Core Formation Ceremony on behalf of Green Pill Valley. The event had been hosted by a small vassal sect, one that had never been taken seriously in the past. Perhaps blessed by ancestral virtue, an elderly late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from that sect had made a desperate gamble and, against all odds, formed a Golden Core. With that single breakthrough, the once-insignificant sect had suddenly risen to become a first-rate faction!

Naturally, such a vassal could no longer be handled casually. Under normal circumstances, Green Pill Valley would have sent one of its own Golden Core elders to extend formal congratulations. But this time, Qing Yunzi had made a different decision. To broaden Tao Wan's connections as the newly anointed Dao Scion, he sent her instead.

She had accepted the task willingly, and the hosts had welcomed her with full honors. No one there seemed bothered by the fact that she was still only at the ninth stage of Foundation Establishment. On the contrary, they appeared quite pleased.

After all, as long as Tao Wan made no missteps, she was practically guaranteed to become the next sect leader of Green Pill Valley! If they could curry favor with her now, they'd enjoy long-lasting benefits under her protection. Even better, since she was still new to the position and her base of support had not yet been solidified, every gesture of goodwill carried extra weight. The chance to impress her early was too valuable to pass up, and so their enthusiasm had verged on excessive.

For Tao Wan herself, however, the constant travel was exhausting, and the effort of engaging with so many unfamiliar faces left her mentally strained. Yet despite the weariness, she recognized the value of these encounters. In the end, it had been a gain rather than a loss. With Tao Yisheng now leading the Tao family and her own responsibilities in the sect growing heavier, the future of the Tao family over the next hundred years seemed all but assured.

After a brief rest, Tao Wan summoned a steward. A moment later, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator entered, bowing deeply. "Greetings, Dao Scion!"

Tao Wan gazed at the steward assigned to serve the Dao Scion and calmly asked, "What has he been doing lately?"

There was no need to clarify who she meant. The steward respectfully answered, "For the first half of the year, he often visited the Grand Alchemy Institute, but recently, he has rarely gone out. Each day, he is either cultivating or practicing spells. Even during his breaks, he spends much of his time studying manuals."

A flicker of surprise crossed Tao Wan's face. "So he has become reclusive?"

As far as she knew, Luo Chen had never seemed like the reclusive type. She had started collecting intelligence on him the moment she decided to ask for his assistance. Later, when the elders instructed her to keep him in Green Pill Valley, the internal investigation deepened, digging up every detail since he arrived at Tianlan Immortal City.

From the reports, whether he was currying favor with the Ice Fortress or setting a foundation for the Luo Tian Society through political maneuvering in the city, it was clear he wasn't someone who could sit still for long. Yet, against all expectations, he had remained quiet since arriving in Green Pill Valley. Both before and after the Dao Scion competition, he had seldom stepped outside. His conduct resembled that of a reclusive Golden Core elder, wholly absorbed in cultivation and detached from worldly affairs.

There was one other factor, too. Although the lesser third-tier spirit land was excellent, it had been tailored for a powerful ninth-stage Initiate, someone like herself. For an average mid-stage Initiate, staying there for a few days would be fine, but to persist there for months without leaving was truly astonishing. Even Tao Wan herself would take breaks every few days of cultivation. After all, such dense spirit energy and frequent circulation put heavy strain on both the meridians and the divine soul.

"Could it be that he treasures this cultivation ground so deeply that he refuses to waste even a second?" she murmured. "Is he forcing his body to endure it just to seize every possible moment?"

The steward nodded with a sigh. "I have rarely seen such dedication. If his aptitude were higher, he would surely stand among the Golden Core elites of the Jade Cauldron Domain. It is a pity...."

Tao Wan knew very well what the pity was. Luo Chen's aptitude had also been included in the intelligence reports. He possessed a five-spirit-root constitution. In fact, it wasn't that bad. In the Five Elements Divine Sect, it was considered nearly equivalent to the rare heavenly spirit root; it even surpassed her own pure wind-element spirit root. Yet for most cultivators, it ranked among the weakest, nearly akin to having no root at all. Without immense resources, someone like him would never have reached Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. For that matter, the fact that Luo Chen had reached Foundation Establishment at all had stunned Tao Wan. And the path ahead would only grow more arduous.

Aptitude... resources...

Tao Wan fell into thought.

She began to understand. Luo Chen had never truly craved fleeting things like fame. Every single advantage he fought for, every bit of the exhausting effort he poured into gathering resources, was all for cultivation alone. Now that he had stumbled upon one of the finest resources available, a lesser third-tier spirit land, he naturally pushed himself to the limit to seize every possible benefit. From beginning to end, his actions had never contradicted themselves. Nothing had changed.

Understanding this, Tao Wan let out a sigh. "Has the sect distributed all the resources allocated to me?"

The steward nodded. "Most have arrived. As per your instructions, Qi Lingyun, Tan Xiao, Tao Yisheng, Jia Shaoquan, Ding Kuo... all of them have received their designated share. These will be distributed annually going forward."

"And the batch of top-grade Ascending Dragon pills I asked you to set aside?"

The steward hesitated, his eyes flickering toward Luo Chen's residence. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Dao Scion... is it for him? That might be a little—"

"Hmm?"

Tao Wan gave a soft hum.

The sound was gentle, yet it carried a weight that made the steward's heart tremble. In just a short time, her interactions with Golden Core experts had sharpened her bearing. Authority radiated from her now, shaped as much by circumstance as by will, and this was no exception.

The steward lowered his head quickly. "Everything is ready."

"Good. Set one aside every year from now on. And do not worry, it will not be a free gift. Dan Chenzi will pay in full spirit stones. I will explain things to the sect leader myself."

Tao Wan paused as she recalled that Luo Chen had once purchased a significant number of meridian protection pills at the market, the kind used for when Qi Refinement cultivators attempted to break through to Foundation Establishment. Those meridian protection pills were too low grade. For Luo Chen, and especially as he was cultivating in such a high-tier spirit land, they were of little use.

"Fetch a bottle of second-tier top-grade meridian protection pills and deliver it to the side hall tomorrow," Tao Wan instructed.

The steward trembled inwardly.

Second-tier top-grade!

Those were auxiliary pills reserved exclusively for the Dao Scion! A single pill could protect one's meridians from damage for ten full days. These pills were even more precious than the so-called meridian-repairing liquid; in the entire Green Pill Valley, only Adept Xing Yun would occasionally refine a batch.

He wished to object. Yet under Tao Wan's calm, sky-gazing expression, the words died in his throat. The Dao Scion's command was to be obeyed unconditionally!

***

"Second-tier top-grade meridian protection pills!"

Inside the side hall, Luo Chen had just completed a cultivation session when Steward Chen presented the vial. His surprise quickly turned into genuine shock.

Steward Chen stared enviously at the small vial and said, "This was specially ordered by our Dao Scion. Take it before cultivation to protect your meridians from spirit energy impact and injury. Fellow Daoist, you've been pushing yourself rather hard lately. Please be cautious. If you were to fall into deviation, it wouldn't end well. The Dao Scion is concerned for your well-being, which is why this was sent."

As if worried Luo Chen might miss the intent behind Tao Wan's gesture, the steward went on at length about the pill's rarity and value. In truth, none of these words came from Tao Wan herself, but since Steward Chen had long resolved to serve her loyally, he took it upon himself to strengthen her goodwill.

After listening, Luo Chen was deeply moved. "Steward Chen, please convey my gratitude to Dao Scion Tao. It is only proper to return such courtesy. Not long ago, with Adept Xing Yun's assistance at the Grand Alchemy Institute, I refined a batch of Beauty Preservation pills.. They may hold little value for cultivators, but they could still serve as a token of gratitude. Please deliver them on my behalf."

Steward Chen accepted the pills with some surprise. They might not have been particularly useful for cultivation, but female cultivators always appreciated them. Inwardly, he thought,

Dan Chenzi is indeed a thoughtful man.

After the steward left, Luo Chen turned the pill bottle in his hand, his expression thoughtful.

Has Tao Wan guessed my need for this pill just because I bought a few low-grade meridian protection pills in Green Pill Valley? But those were meant for the Qi Refinement cultivators of the Luo Tian Society, to aid their Foundation Establishment.

For himself, the pill was of little use. He had already fully unlocked every last one of his meridians. That was no trivial feat, and as a result, even in this lesser third-tier spirit land, the strain on his body was minimal. A few hours of rest were enough to restore him completely.

Even so, the pills' value was undeniable. Moreover, they were reserved exclusively for the Dao Scion.

She truly put thought into this.

The Grand Alchemy Institute had not invited him for nearly two months, their attitude growing colder with each passing day. Yet Tao Wan remained warm, perhaps warmer than ever. That alone made her worth befriending.

Luo Chen had always drawn clear boundaries between friends, allies, and acquaintances. He considered Tao Yisheng a friend. Not someone he'd share his deepest secrets with, but at the very least, a man he could speak to without pretense. Tao Wan, on the other hand, had always been different. From the beginning, their connection had been one of mutual benefit and nothing more. But now, their collaboration had technically ended, yet she still allowed him to use the spirit land and had even sent these protective pills. That gesture lingered in his thoughts.

The memory of their first meeting and her proud demeanor at the time had grown hazy. What lingered now was the moment, months ago, when she'd smiled gently among the clouds of Qingyun Peak and said,

"Let me extend a host's humble welcome."

The path of cultivation is filled with bitter winds, sharp blades, and countless hardships. But with people like Wang Yuan and Tao Wan by my side, the Great Dao is not so lonely.

Luo Chen smiled faintly and slipped the meridian protection pills into his pouch.

***

Six months later, a streak of light tore through the sky from Qingyun Peak. The light was flying past the ridges of Yuanhua Mountain and descended upon Small Southern Mountain. After only a moment's pause, it turned once more and sped toward Tianlan Immortal City.

On Small Southern Mountain, frost and snow blanketed the land. Though all else withered, rare spirit chrysanthemums still bloomed in defiance of winter's grip. Tao Yisheng watched the fading streak of light, a faint sense of loss flickering across his face.

"If only he'd stayed another six months... he could have had a drink at my wedding," he murmured. "Too bad he couldn't stay."

A soft female voice sounded behind him. He turned and called out, "Sister."

Tao Wan's long skirt brushed through the snow as she moved ahead of him, her tone calm yet firm. "He isn't one of our disciples. The fact that he stayed in the Dao Scion Palace for an entire year has already stirred gossip. If he stayed any longer, it would bring harm rather than fortune to him as well as to me. Besides, he still has his friends in Tianlan Immortal City, his Dao companion, and the foundation he built with his own hands."

Tao Yisheng nodded. Of course, he understood all of this. After Luo Chen had advised him in Mohe Garden, and through practical experience, he had gradually untangled the Tao family's interpersonal web. These truths were plain enough, even if not easy to accept.

Still, one detail caught him by surprise. "Dao companion? I've never heard that Luo Chen had one. Who is she? He never held a ceremony."

"The Luo Tian Society's Director, Sima Huiniang," Tao Wan replied evenly. "They may not bear a formal title, but in truth, that is what they are."

"Ah, it's her!" Tao Yisheng suddenly understood. "No wonder he went to such lengths for the Foundation Establishment Ceremony of a newly advanced female cultivator. So that's what lay behind it."

He let out a wistful sigh. "What a pity."

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"A pity?" Tao Wan asked.

"It's just..." Tao Yisheng hesitated, then spoke carefully. "With Brother Luo's alchemical talent, if he had become your Dao companion, you could have managed the sect's affairs while he oversaw its foundations. Sooner or later, the entire Green Pill Valley might have belonged to the Tao family..."

His voice trailed off as he caught her steady gaze. Her expression betrayed nothing, yet the faint pressure in the air silenced him. Tao Yisheng gave a nervous chuckle and backed away.

"

Uh

... Miss Fu is visiting tomorrow to admire the chrysanthemums. I should go make preparations.... After all, she is my future Dao companion."

His voice faded into the snowy stillness as he hurried off toward the garden, leaving behind only a scattering of hurried footprints.

Now alone, Tao Wan slowly opened her narrowed eyes and blinked once. Snowflakes clung gently to her long lashes. Her gaze drifted upward, following the quiet, endless sweep of the white sky above. The air was clean and clear.

At last, she gave a light smile.