While it was technically true that they were not from the same clan, generational rules were less strict between them. The Li family’s ‘De’ generation was considered equivalent to the Wang family’s ‘Wen’ generation. Intermarriage between families didn’t strictly adhere to these hierarchies either, given cultivators’ longevity—it was common for Foundation Establishment practitioners to bear children over a hundred years old—naturally blurring the lines! Between clans, one was generally judged by age and cultivation level, unless there was a direct elder requiring formal respect!

“Enough, stop talking,” Li Derong frowned, feeling more tangled the more he explained, fearing that insisting further might seem hypocritical and pretentious instead.

Setting off again, they conversed intermittently along the way, their relationship easing considerably.

“If Fairy Li directly consumes the Condensing Essence Fruit, what are the odds of reaching Foundation Establishment?” Wang Hao felt that consuming the fruit himself yielded poor results, plus he lacked his father’s Pulse Protection Pill, making the dangers potentially outweigh the benefits.

“Approximately a seventy percent chance,” she replied, falling silent as she contemplated this major step.

“Actually, there’s no need to rush consumption. I have a Golden-Eyed Duck spirit beast advancing soon, enabling us to cross the valley!” Wang Hao stated seriously.

Delicate brows knitting together skeptically, she said, “Spirit beast advancement is hardly easy. Our Li family’s Black-Feathered Eagle took two centuries to reach Tier 2 High-Grade!”

Thinking inwardly, That’s because you’re unwilling to invest resources like me. Spending hundreds of Spirit Stones monthly on feeding—even a stone could transform!

“Matters to consider later. Fairy Li, focus on healing first.”

It took over ten days to return to the wooden hut. Wang Hao consecutively refined batches of healing pills and fasting pills, presenting them to Li Derong. “Fairy Li, these should suffice for a year’s needs.”

Accepting the jade bottles, she stated calmly, “Thank you. I will settle the Spirit Stones after leaving.”

Smiling, he declined politely. “No need to be polite. They were made using herbs gathered within the valley, which are worthless to me. Besides, we need to cooperate in obtaining the fruits; we cannot calculate so precisely!”

Saying little further, she accepted the pills and began her closed-door recovery cultivation.

Wang Hao similarly seized the time to elevate his cultivation.

Roughly half a year later, there was a surge of spiritual fluctuation, followed by loud laughter from Wang Yanfeng. “Qi Refining ninth layer, hahaha!”

Aged merely forty-two, he still had eighteen years before sixty, potentially reaching Foundation Establishment yet.

Wang Hao didn’t emerge to offer congratulations. Nearing a breakthrough himself, he required focused cultivation. Having left a transmission talisman outside, it was unnecessary to personally greet him.

Another half a year later, Li Derong completed her recovery, emerging while Wang Hao remained secluded. Calculating the approximate ripening timeframe, she chose not to disturb him.

Three months later, finishing his cultivation session, his eyes gleamed faintly. He exclaimed inwardly, Also reached Qi Refining ninth layer!

“Fellow Daoist Wang is truly concealing his depths, surprisingly reaching the ninth layer of Qi Refining so young despite having five spiritual roots!” A compliment was heard as the door was pushed open hurriedly.

“Fairy Li flatters me. I am merely pill-assisted and cannot compare to pure, refined Qi!”

Currently thirty-one, he was faster reaching the ninth layer than anticipated. This was not solely due to his dual-attribute cultivation method, but also the Spirit Gathering Array, spirit pills, and spirit fruits, plus the bonuses from the Ice Muscle Jade Bone Art.

“Our strength has increased considerably, and the fruits are nearing maturity. It is time to prepare for action.” Wang Yanfeng was equally delighted, smiling as he asked, “How is your spirit beast progressing?”

“The Golden-Eyed Duck began hibernation a month ago, starting its advancement!” Raised for over a decade and lavishly fed daily, it was considered a relatively slow pace, suspecting it was related to bloodline limits, possibly capped at being a Tier 2 spirit beast at best.

The later acquired Frost-Eyed White Tiger had already reached Tier 1 High-Grade. The Illusion Moon Butterflies were progressing faster. As long as Wang Hao provided spirit fruits constantly, they were practically manure-making machines. In three or four years, they were already in their second hibernation, surpassing the Golden-Eyed Duck!

Wang Yanfeng pondered for a moment. “In that case, why don’t we wait for the Golden-Eyed Duck to advance?”

Li Derong objected firmly, however. “Fellow Daoist Wang, there are only three Condensing Essence Fruits, and the next fruiting is fifty years later. Are you sure you want to give up the opportunity?” Although she was the Li family’s prodigy, the next Foundation Establishment Pill designated for her still required waiting over a decade, didn’t it? Earlier Foundation Establishment increases Core Formation hope. Any cultivator with aspirations wouldn’t miss it!

“Hehe,” Wang Yanfeng chuckled awkwardly. “Yes, how could I let it pass? I, Wang, also yearn for the Great Dao.”

“Since everyone has no objections, let’s depart.” The trio packed up and set off towards the Jasper Pool.

Within the deep, tranquil valley, the trio stood atop a towering ancient tree, gazing intently a thousand meters ahead at the mist-shrouded pond—more precisely, at the central Condensing Essence Fruit tree—without blinking an eye.

Wang Yanfeng swallowed his saliva, his greed evident. “Fairy Li, Wenhao, how shall we proceed?”

After pondering, Li Derong proposed, “Although we possess a formation array, fighting hard is obviously a bad strategy. My opinion is that two people hold off the fish demon while one quietly sneaks in to steal the three fruits. As for the fruit tree, we can let our families’ Foundation Establishment cultivators come to transplant it later!”

Regarding distribution, naturally, it was one fruit each. As for the fruit tree, previously it was considered Wang family property, but now that Li Derong was the main force providing the formation, the Li family certainly wouldn’t be willing to yield. As for the wrangling, that was a matter for the current family heads and unrelated to the three of them!

Logically speaking, without sufficient strength, possessing a Condensing Essence Fruit tree was a hot potato. Once the news leaked, there was a risk of clan extermination. So the three agreed to keep it strictly secret, only informing both family heads.

Li Derong nodded. “Good, I will set up the formation.” She glanced towards Wang Yanfeng. “Might I trouble Fellow Daoist to lure out the fish demon!”

“Me?” Pointing at his own nose. “This…”

“Eighth Uncle, only you need to hide first. Or are you willing to switch? You go steal the spirit fruits?”

Wang Yanfeng shook his head vigorously. “Forget it, it’s better if you steal them.” Compared to luring the demon, sneaking into the center of the water pool was undoubtedly more dangerous. He asked himself and knew he didn’t have the strength.

The three prepared for a while, first setting up the Five Elements Reversal Array and restoring the formation eye to full spiritual energy before starting the action.

Before the action, Wang Hao took out a stick of incense and informed them that lighting it could conceal the fluctuations of Qi on their bodies. As long as the fish demon couldn’t see them, it wouldn’t be able to detect them through Divine Sense!

He also cultivated the Hidden Spirit Art. Thus, with this two-pronged approach, not only were the Qi fluctuations emitted by his body concealed, but even his body’s presence on the Divine Sense level was hidden.

Quietly making all preparations, he slowly approached the Jasper Pool.

Five li… two li… five hundred meters!

After entering the five-hundred-meter range, he deliberately paused slightly. According to the Tier 2 Mid-Grade peak fish demon’s Divine Sense range, usually, its Divine Sense would have already discovered him!

However, looking out, the water surface remained calm without any abnormalities appearing.

His heart relaxed slightly. Using the bushes by the pool’s edge, he continued to advance slowly.

Until he reached the back of the pool, less than twenty meters from the waterline, he hid motionless.