Cultivation starts from devouring the Dao fruits

Zhao Yu glanced at the many treasures in the hands of Fairy Cai Ling and, after pondering for a short while, took out the Spirit Stones and various Superior Grade Spirit Pills from his storage bag to purchase the numerous Second-Order Fierce Ghost Relics she had.

As long as Zhao Yu used the power of the Devouring Dao Fruit to help the White Ghost Emperor devour a hundred Second-Order Fierce Ghost Relics, its quality could evolve from Low-grade to Mid-grade, not only greatly increasing its evolutionary potential but also its combat power.

With a wave of her hand, Fairy Cai Ling collected all the remaining treasures and did not inquire why Zhao Yu chose those Fierce Ghost Relics.

Fairy Cai Ling said, "I'll grant you a special privilege, as long as I'm not in closed-door cultivation, you may come to my cave mansion once every month to ask about difficulties in your cultivation. As long as you have sufficient Spirit Stones, you can purchase the Spirit Materials you need from me. Starting today, you may return to the Sect for your cultivation at any time."

Zhao Yu bowed and said, "Thank you, Supreme Elder!"

Apart from Fairy Cai Ling's Direct Disciples, other Foundation Establishment Elders in the Dan Ling Sect usually would not see her unless there were important matters. A direct guidance from a Golden Core Cultivator once a month was also very precious to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

As for the Black and White Divine Mud, a Fourth-order Level Earth-Attribute Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, it was even more incredibly precious, sought-after and rarely found even in major auctions across the Northern Wilderness.

Fairy Cai Ling said, "I will no longer interfere in the matters between you and Fairy Jiao. However, since Fairy Jiao is still young, I do hope you will focus your energies on cultivation."

Zhao Yu said, "Yes, Supreme Elder!"

"Shiyang hermit desires a marriage alliance with our Five Great Sects. He has chosen your partner from our Dan Ling Sect, and that person is you! The one to be allied with you is named Wu Zixin, Shiyang hermit's youngest disciple. She possesses a Supreme Grade Spirit Root, is a beauty of unrivaled grace, intelligent and competent enough to be your concubine."

"Originally he planned for Wu Zixin to be your Dao Companion, but I directly refused. Your Dao Companion's position can only belong to Fairy Jiao!"

Fairy Cai Ling smiled faintly, having seen Zhao Yu's Magical Combat with Jing Xiongtao, she nearly guessed that Zhao Yu was cultivating the Mountain Sutra and also surmised that his Spirit Root was extraordinary. Naturally, she would not let an outsider take the place of his Dao Companion.

Zhao Yu said: "Thank you, Supreme Elder!"

After giving further guidance on Zhao Yu's cultivation difficulties, Fairy Cai Ling allowed him to leave.

Zhao Yu left the City Lord's residence, entered Shiyang City, and turned into a dark alley where the White Ghost Emperor emerged from the shadows and handed him the storage bag from the person of White Peak.

"This is a Third-order Low-grade Demon Wolf's inner core! The person of White Peak wanted to use this inner core to form a Pseudo Core! Becoming a Pseudo-Core cultivator would elevate his White Peak Mountain to a Golden Core Level power! However, forming a Pseudo Core also carries risks of failure, which would result in his death, hence his hesitation in deciding."

As Zhao Yu browsed through the memories of the person of White Peak, a flash of joy crossed his eyes. He took out a jade box and saw a demon beast inner core emitting a bright moonlight inside.

If not for possessing a Heavenly Spirit Root, it would be extremely challenging for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to advance to Golden Core. Thus, many cultivators deduced the method of forming a Pseudo Core.

The so-called Pseudo Core is using a demon beast inner core or other foreign objects to form a core similar to a Golden Core, merging it into the cultivator's body, replacing the Golden Core, and providing the cultivator with the mana and combat power only Golden Core Early Stage cultivators could possess.

This shortcut for Pseudo-Core cultivators also has several drawbacks. Firstly, their lifespan is only four hundred years, far less than the six hundred years a Golden Core cultivator can enjoy. Secondly, once a Pseudo-Core cultivator advances, their cultivation level becomes fixed and can no longer progress.

Moreover, the method of forming a Pseudo Core is a rare Secret Technique in the Northern Wilderness, controlled only by the Five Great Sects. The person of White Peak had long sought to acquire the method of forming a Pseudo Core after obtaining the Third-Order Demon Pill but had never succeeded.

Zhao Yu's lips slightly curled up, revealing a trace of a smile, "With this Third-Order Demon Beast Inner Pill, Chi Emperor will also be able to advance to a Third-Order Demon Beast more quickly!"

Zhao Yu speculated that if he devoured this Third-Order Demon Beast Inner Pill, it should enhance his Cultivation Level or allow one of his Spirit Roots to transform and become even more powerful.

However, the efficiency of Zhao Yu's usage of the Demon Beast Inner Pill was far lower than that of Chi Emperor, who, after all, was a demon beast; whereas Zhao Yu was a human. Many essences within the Demon Beast Inner Pill that were beneficial to demon beasts but harmful to humans could not be absorbed by him.

If Chi Emperor were to advance to a Third-Order Demon Beast, it could join forces with White Ghost Emperor to better protect Zhao Yu.

Besides the Third-Order Demon Beast Inner Pill, Zhao Yu also obtained from the storage bag of the White Peak Mountain person one intact Supreme Grade Spiritual Artifact, seven Superior Grade Spiritual Artifacts, eight Intermediate Grade Spiritual Artifacts, three thousand five hundred Intermediate Grade Spirit Stones, and around thirty thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, along with various Spirit Pills and Talismans.

As for the Primordial Technique mainly cultivated by the White Peak Mountain person, it was quite ordinary, only reaching to the early stage of the Golden Core, which wasn't of much value to Zhao Yu.

Late at night, within a pavilion of the mansion of the City Lord of Shiyang City, a stunningly beautiful woman with skin as white as jade and a curvaceous figure, dressed in a goose-yellow silk dress and sporting a single ponytail, cherry lips, and a delicate nose, sat there, gazing at the lotus pond not far away, a trace of sadness flickering in her eyes.

The brightly dressed Bai Liyu entered the pavilion and approached Wu Zixin, saying, "Zixin, so you are here!"

Wu Zixin rose and said, "I greet the Seventh Senior Brother!"

Bai Liyu's eyes flickered with intense fervor, "Zixin, it is truly a pity for our master to make you Zhao Yu's concubine. But since the master loves you deeply, as long as you agree to be my concubine, we can together ask the master to betroth you to me."

Wu Zixin was the only woman in Shiyang City who could match the beauty of Shi Yingxue. Bai Liyu hoped to marry Shi Yingxue as his Dao companion and then take Wu Zixin as his concubine.

"Seventh Senior Brother, please respect yourself! Zixin has always regarded Senior Brother as an elder brother and has never harbored any romantic feelings. Since the master has betrothed Zixin to Zhao Yu, Zixin is now a wife of the Zhao family and should observe propriety. Zixin will take her leave!"

Wu Zixin bowed and, with a waft of fragrance, walked away.

Watching Wu Zixin's departing figure, a trace of regret flashed through Bai Liyu's eyes as he sighed softly, "Graceful and tactful, truly an impeccable wife; it is a pity to match her with Zhao Yu!"

The next day, within a luxurious palace in the new Shiyang City, Shiyang Wanderer and Colorful Ling Fairy sat in the main seats.

Shiyang Wanderer spoke with some regret, "Zhao Yu, this is my disciple Wu Zixin. According to the agreement between our two families, from today onwards, Zixin shall be your concubine!"

Initially, Shiyang Wanderer wanted Wu Zixin to be Zhao Yu's Dao companion, but Colorful Ling Fairy did not permit it. He had no choice but to settle for making her Zhao Yu's concubine.

Wu Zixin moved gracefully, bringing a whiff of fragrance as she approached Zhao Yu and respectfully said, "Greetings, my lord and husband!"

Zhao Yu spoke gently, "Zixin, from now on, we are one, no need for excessive formalities!"

Wu Zixin's eyes brightened slightly as she quietly stood by Zhao Yu's side.