Cultivation Begins with Skill Points-Chapter 111 Sponsorship

"Hahaha, Brother Zhong, you really made us wait eagerly! Please, come in."

The speaker was a young man, appearing to be around twenty-four or twenty-five years old, dressed in a gold-threaded black robe. He stood tall with an elegant demeanor, his handsome face adorned with a warm smile, exuding such a refined aura that it instantly engendered goodwill in those who met him.

Seeing Zhong Lin’s arrival, he quickly stood up to greet him, his face full of enthusiasm.

Zhong Lin also smiled and clasped his hands in respect, "I apologize for being late, please forgive me."

"Not late, not late at all. Please, sit."

Zhong Lin, not standing on ceremony, stepped forward and took a seat.

The next moment, servants began to serve fine dishes and drinks, quickly filling the entire table, while the maids standing on the sides promptly poured wine for the two.

"This is the most renowned Clear Spring White Cloud brew from Wuyun City. Brother Zhong, you must try it."

"Thank you. May I ask your esteemed name?" Zhong Lin inquired.

"Oh, look at me, so caught up in happiness that I forgot to introduce myself. My surname is Gu, and my name is Ning, hailing from Linyue City."

Gu Ning patted his forehead with a rueful expression.

Zhong Lin’s eyes flashed with divine light, realizing it was the Gu Family from Linyue.

"So it is Brother Gu. I must thank you for your consideration in this auction."

Zhong Lin expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

"Brother Zhong, what are you saying? It’s me who got a bargain, obtaining a Returning to Origin Pill without losing a single penny! Many envy me for such a deal!" Gu Ning laughed heartily.

"The Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng is of great use to me. It is worth exchanging a Returning to Origin Pill for the opportunity, no matter what. I still have to thank Brother Gu."

Finishing his words, Zhong Lin lifted his cup and drank it all in one gulp, finding it indeed as Gu Ning described—refreshingly clear with a unique taste on the palate.

"Brother Zhong, you are generous."

Gu Ning also picked up his cup, clinking it from afar before drinking it all in one gulp.

With a cup of wine consumed, the distance between the two instantly narrowed significantly.

"Brother Zhong, did you refine this Returning to Origin Pill?"

"A modest skill, not worth mentioning."

"Hiss!"

Gu Ning gasped, incredulously sizing up Zhong Lin.

Zhong Lin appeared stalwart, with a tiger’s back and a bee’s waist, speaking with a measured composure. Yet, his appearance was youthful, seemingly no more than sixteen or seventeen years old.

A mere sixteen or seventeen-year-old capable of refining a Third Grade elixir seemed unbelievable from any perspective.

Zhong Lin put down his wine cup and smiled slightly, "My master is Yin Daoyan of the Sword Cauldron Sect."

Gu Ning’s pupils contracted, and with a serious expression, he said, "So, you are the esteemed disciple of the Hundred Herbs Hall’s Elixir Doctor Yin Master, my apologies for my lack of respect."

This is the advantage of having a powerful master; though people might doubt your words, thinking you are boasting, when you mention your powerful master, it changes everything. Even the most modest words will be taken as humility.

Gu Ning’s attitude towards Zhong Lin became even more enthusiastic, standing up to personally pour wine for Zhong Lin, making the atmosphere extremely convivial, and the two almost considered each other as brothers.

"Brother Zhong, are you buying the Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng to refine a Breakthrough Pill?"

"It’s not for me, but for my master. I am currently only a Third Grade Alchemist, not yet qualified to refine a Fourth Grade elixir." Zhong Lin shook his head.

"As far as I know, Fourth Grade elixirs can only be refined by Qi Refining Martial Artists of the Upper Third Grades. With Brother Zhong’s talent, I think it won’t take long before you ascend. I have an unworthy request."

"Oh?"

"My Gu Family is willing to provide all the materials needed for refining the Breakthrough Pill, only seeking your help to refine one after you advance to the Fourth Grade Alchemist. We will also offer you a big gift in return."

Gu Ning finished, looking expectantly at Zhong Lin.

Zhong Lin pondered for a moment, curiously asking, "Brother Gu, why not approach my master directly?"

Gu Ning replied bitterly, "Master Yin is an elder of the Sword Cauldron Sect. My Gu Family is just a small family; how could we possibly request his presence?"

"And matters concerning the Breakthrough Pill are of utmost importance. It’s not as those mundane folk claim about the transition from Upper Third to Middle Third Grades or vice versa. Its true purpose is to help someone break through to the First Grade, achieving the Grandmaster Transcendent realm, treasures my Gu Family could never guard."

"Therefore, I plan to invest in you, Brother Zhong. As long as you’re willing, my Gu Family will provide all the resources you need for your cultivation. All I ask is that after your cultivation reaches fruition, you refine a Breakthrough Pill for my Gu Family. What does Brother Zhong think?"

After speaking, Gu Ning looked intently at Zhong Lin, waiting for his response.

"Aren’t you afraid of a wasted effort? What if I can never advance to the Fourth Grade Alchemist or never manage to refine a Breakthrough Pill?" Zhong Lin countered.

"In the realm of Martial Arts, one must strive endlessly. My Gu Family has reached the limits of a family status over the centuries. To advance further, we need to find another path. You, Brother Zhong, are my gamble. Regardless of win or loss, meeting you is a great fortune for my Gu Family." Gu Ning said sincerely.

Zhong Lin picked up his wine cup and smiled, "Brother Gu, you’re quite sincere. If I refuse such generous terms, I fear even the heavens would frown."

Gu Ning was elated, standing up abruptly, also picking up his wine cup.

"Very well, for our cooperation, a toast."

Saying this, he raised his cup, drank it all, his face flushing red. It was unclear if he drank hastily or was simply excited.

Zhong Lin also drank up, his face full of smiles.

Martial Arts cultivation consumes an enormous amount of resources. Currently, with the backing of his master, Zhong Lin need not worry, but at the realm of Upper Third Grades, the demand for elixirs rises dramatically. Moreover, the medicinal materials needed for refining become extraordinarily precious. Zhong Lin cannot always "rely on elders" for support. Cutting back isn’t an option, so he must find ways to generate more resources.

Gu Ning’s proposal aligned with Zhong Lin’s thoughts. The Gu Family aimed to advance further, and Zhong Lin hoped to leverage the Gu Family’s power to take his Martial Arts further.

Thus, their cooperation naturally came together seamlessly.

The banquet continued until sunset, and both felt a bit tipsy.

"Rest assured, brother. The first batch of resources will soon be sent to the Hundred Herbs Hall in Tianyang City. Every month afterward will be the same. Once you advance to the Perfection of Fourth Grade Divine Power Realm, the Gu Family will send you another grand gift." Gu Ning stated solemnly.

"I will eagerly await then. No need to see me off, Brother Gu."

"Take care, Brother Zhong."

Xing Kui and others were already waiting outside, helping Zhong Lin into the carriage, heading towards the Hundred Fragrance Pavilion.

"Let’s head back!"

Gu Ning turned to go upstairs, where the room had already been cleared of food and wine, and the butler had brought in sobering soup.

After placing the sobering soup, the butler expressed concerns, "Young master, isn’t our action too hasty? Should we not inform the Family Head?"

Gu Ning reclined, with a maid supporting his head against her chest, her soft fingertips gently massaging his temples, while another maid fed him the sobering soup with a spoon.

"Opportunities must be seized as they come. Who would have thought that we’d encounter the disciple of the Elixir Doctor Yin Daoyan in Wuyun City? Who knew that Yin Daoyan had taken a disciple, and moreover, Zhong Lin is a prodigious talent, already being a Third Grade Alchemist at such a young age. In time, he will surely become renowned across the world."

"If we don’t seize this opportunity now, how could my Gu Family have any standing in the future?"

"A thousand years ago, our Heavenly Ancestor of the Gu Family sold off our last ancestral heritage to become an apprentice in Martial Arts. That’s why we have the Gu Family of Linyue today. Back then, the Heavenly Ancestor was gambling, and winning that gamble resulted in a millennium of family legacy. If he lost, all would have been for naught. Now, I am also taking a gamble, and unlike the Heavenly Ancestor, I’m not starting with nothing. Even if we lose, what does it matter? It’s just some loss of benefits, but if we win..."

"Write a letter to father, stating that Zhong Lin is unlike anyone else. The gifts sent must be plentiful enough to show our sincerity."