Cannon Fodder Cultivation Guide

Chapter 15 - Mother

"Well, since we've already made a deal, I'll let you have it for ten spirit stones. At least let me earn a bit for my trouble."
Despite feeling guilty, the vendor insisted on the ten spirit stones, saying, "What if it turns out to be an unknown treasure? Ten spirit stones are quite a bargain!"
"If it were that good, why don't you keep it for yourself?" Pan Xinyue laughed but, seeing that her junior sister didn't refuse, she held up two fingers and said, "Alright then. I'll add two more spirit stones for the Soul Calming Wood, and you can give this mirror to my junior sister as a bonus. Otherwise, I'll pass on the Soul Calming Wood; there are certainly other vendors selling it at this large market."
Seeing the price cut from twenty spirit stones to just two, the vendor complained about the steep bargaining. He wondered how he could make a living if everyone was like this. Nevertheless, he agreed. After all, finding a bargain wasn't as easy as picking up cabbages.
A broken copper mirror sold for two-spirit stones was considered a decent outcome. In the end, Zhang Yiyi got the mysterious copper mirror with just two spirit stones.
Back at Yunxian Sect, Zhang Yiyi didn't rush to inspect the mirror. Instead, she chatted with Senior Sister Pan for a while and then went straight to her room to begin her closed-door meditation.
She first added various herbs and materials into a large cauldron filled with Spirit Washing Water. Then, she added the most precious Cold Dragon Grass, catalyzed with her spiritual power.
Finally, Zhang Yiyi removed her clothes and immersed herself in the cauldron. She closed her eyes, concentrating as the drop of golden blood in her dantian was quickly mobilized.
A golden light began to actively absorb the materials in the cauldron from the inside out. The process of absorption, refining, and re-absorption continued, with each cycle speeding up through her body.
Gradually, the entire cauldron was enveloped in golden light. Under the seemingly peaceful scene, every second was fraught with danger and pain.
Her body felt as though it were being gnawed by countless ants, and her heart was tormented like a mountain of knives and a sea of fire. Yet, she couldn't use any spiritual power to resist and had to surrender herself completely, enduring the trial.
With the support of the auxiliary herbs and materials, today's golden blood was refined more intensely than ever before, with pain multiplied many times over.
It was no wonder that after reaching the third stage of body refinement, one could no longer advance solely by refining golden blood; the energy required for the fourth stage was far beyond that of the previous stages.
Only by massively refining and drawing golden blood energy could the barriers within the body be broken.
Without such ample herbs and materials, even if she had other methods to refine large amounts of golden blood for energy, her body couldn't absorb so much at once and would explode within moments.
Zhang Yiyi gritted her teeth and persevered.
If successful, she would break through the internal barriers and advance to the fourth stage of body refinement; if not, she risked severe injury or even death.
Time passed slowly. After three days, the golden light enveloping the cauldron gradually faded, finally dimming until it completely disappeared.
Zhang Yiyi opened her eyes, her expression full of joy.
The hardship of these three days was not in vain. She had successfully broken through the barrier and advanced to the fourth stage of body refinement, officially stepping into the path of body cultivation.
Not only that, but her cultivation level, which had been stuck at the seventh layer of Qi Condensation, had also smoothly advanced to the eighth layer.
After solidifying her new realm, Zhang Yiyi got up from the cauldron. She cast a cleaning spell, changed into fresh clothes, and dealt with the now ineffective materials in the cauldron.
She took out two steaming spirit rice buns and a piece of venison she had roasted herself and ate. Finally, Zhang Yiyi felt satisfied and at ease.
Opening the door, two transmission talismans flew into her hand. One was from Senior Sister Pan, who said she had found a good opportunity to take on a temporary job at the Inner Seven Peaks. It wouldn't interfere with her cultivation, and she would return before the grand competition, so Zhang Yiyi need not worry.
Although Zhang Yiyi had never actively investigated Senior Sister Pan's background, she could guess that Senior Sister must have some connections within the sect, so the news didn't come as a surprise and she was happy for her.
The other transmission talisman was from the Outer Affairs Hall, asking her to come over immediately after her closed-door training. The specific details were not mentioned.
Without delay, Zhang Yiyi closed the door and went straight to the Outer Affairs Hall.
Upon arrival, she learned that someone from the Zhang family was looking for her. They said there was an urgent matter at home, and her grandfather and father wanted her to return immediately.
"What's the urgent matter?"
Zhang Yiyi asked the Zhang family envoy, "Must I go back personally? The grand competition is only three months away. Can't it wait until after the competition?"
Though the Zhang family was not far from the Yunxian Sect, no one had contacted her during the four years she had been in the outer sect. She had almost forgotten that the original owner had such a family and relatives.
"Fifth Miss, I don't know the exact details, but I heard it's related to your mother," the family servant said softly. "You should return with me. The round trip will only take three to four days and won't delay your participation in the grand competition."
Hearing this, Zhang Yiyi's heart stirred, but she maintained a calm exterior.
According to the original owner's memories, Zhang Yiyi's biological mother was her father's legal wife, but her background was a mystery to the entire Zhang family, even her father knew little about it.
After giving birth to her, her mother left the Zhang family and disappeared, never returning.
Although Zhang Yiyi was not the original owner, since she occupied her body, she had to face some of the related consequences.
Thus, after requesting leave and reporting to the Outer Affairs Hall, she followed the servant back to Nan'an.
Two days later, Zhang Yiyi arrived at the Zhang family, dusty from travel, and immediately saw her biological father, Zhang Chengkang.
Zhang Chengkang appeared young and handsome, in his early hundred years of age with mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, and had hopes of advancing to Golden Core.
In a sect, such cultivation was not impressive, but for a small family, it was quite good.
Zhang Yiyi's appearance did not resemble Zhang Chengkang much; most of her looks must have come from her mother.
So, when Zhang Chengkang saw his grown-up daughter for the first time after four years, he looked a bit dazed and stunned, almost mistaking her for his wife's return.
"Father, I heard you and Grandfather urgently summoned me because there is news about Mother?"
After greeting, Zhang Yiyi asked directly.