Zhou Fan chatted with the System for a while longer and found that among the current Dao Companion candidates, there really wasn't anyone like Yaya who could directly provide a super practical boost to Qi Refining or Body Refining cultivation speed.
Ning Shuying, Xiao Muqing, Jiang Mei, and others were all Dao Companion candidates with excellent looks and figures, but only average or Low Grade Aptitude, able to provide Zhou Fan with only a two-fold or 1.5-fold boost.
The System's mechanism for scoring a host's Dao Companion not only included the above three aspects but also factors such as Heart-Nature, character, and temperament.
To Zhou Fan's surprise, Jiang Qingzhi, who had no relation to any Son of Destiny, actually possessed a three-fold Dao Companion boost.
After becoming Dao Companions with Jiang Qingzhi, Zhou Fan's Physical Body recovery speed and regeneration ability could increase to three times their original rate.
Zhou Fan was very happy to learn this news; although regardless of whether Qingzhi had a Dao Companion boost, Zhou Fan would never leave her, and the two would walk the Immortal Path together.
However, due to the limited Dao Companion slots, Zhou Fan originally did not plan to become Dao Companions with Jiang Qingzhi; Jiang Qingzhi would be his only mortal legal wife.
Now that Jiang Qingzhi's Dao Companion boost was useful to him, it was naturally a joyous occasion for all. After nine and a half years, when he brought Jiang Qingzhi and Yaya to the Cultivation World, Zhou Fan planned to hold a grand Dao Companion ceremony for them.
Afterward, Zhou Fan asked the System about what boosts other women, who had not yet become his good friends, could provide.
Among them, Xuanyuan Qingyu could increase the effectiveness of Zhou Fan's use of Dynasty Power Of Will to three times its original level.
Jiang Xun'er of the Jiang Family could further increase Zhou Fan's Qi Refining cultivation speed by three times.
Dao Companion boosts could stack with each other; three times plus three times was six times.
If Zhou Fan could become Dao Companions with Jiang Xun'er, then the Luck value consumed for his Qi Refining Cultivate would be reduced by half again, on top of Yaya's boost.
Originally, for Zhou Fan to Breakthrough from Core Formation to Nascent Soul, he would first need to spend 27,000 points to purchase an Inferior Yin Spiritual Root, and then 16,000 points to Cultivate and Breakthrough.
After becoming Dao Companions with Jiang Xun'er, Zhou Fan's Cultivate Breakthrough from Core Formation to Nascent Soul would only require 8,000 points of Luck value.
Calculating it this way, it was still best to become good friends with Jiang Xun'er as soon as possible.
However, some things couldn't be rushed; the effect would be best when Jiang Xun'er was completely disappointed in Jiang Yan.
...
Once Nangong Wan awoke from her slumber, the four left Antique Town and flew back to Shuntian City.
The Xuanyuan Empress hosted a grand banquet, solemnly thanking Zhou Fan and the other two. Zhou Fan said it was merely a convenient matter, not worth mentioning.
After enjoying the meal, Xuanyuan Qingyu led the three to the Xuanyuan Dynasty's treasury, allowing Zhou Fan to choose three treasures, Nangong Wan to choose one Low Grade Magic Treasure, and Qin Li to choose one High Grade Magical Artifact.
Qin Li quickly waved his hand, saying apologetically that his cultivation was low, he hadn't helped at all during this trip to the Void Abyss, and he had even troubled Zhou Dage to waste his magical power protecting him...
In short, he felt he didn't deserve any reward.
Seeing this, Xuanyuan Qingyu insisted on giving Qin Li a protective pendant of High Grade Magical Artifact rank, telling Qin Li that it was given to her by Daoist Qingyan back then, and now she was returning it to Qin Li, which could be considered returning it to its rightful owner.
Seeing Xuanyuan Qingyu's firm attitude, Qin Li had no choice but to accept the pendant.
Nangong Wan and Xuanyuan Qingyu had been good friends for many years and had helped each other often, so she naturally didn't stand on ceremony, choosing a waist sash of Low Grade Magic Treasure rank from the Xuanyuan Dynasty's treasury.
After choosing, she even smiled and glanced at Zhou Fan.
Seeing that this seductive Master had just woken up and was already teasing him again, Zhou Fan immediately gave the 'ball' a slap without hesitation, stirring up a ripple.
Xuanyuan Qingyu noticed this slap, and scenes she had secretly observed these past few days instantly flashed through her mind. Her originally majestic and aloof beautiful face immediately turned slightly red.
She lightly coughed and asked if Zhou Fan had decided on the treasures he wanted to choose.
Zhou Fan scanned the surroundings but truly didn't want anything, so he directly said, "Qingyu, how about you become my good friend? I think the most precious treasure in the entire Xuanyuan Dynasty is you."
Xuanyuan Qingyu's mind nearly short-circuited upon hearing Zhou Fan's bold statement. From childhood to adulthood, no one had ever dared to speak such frivolous words to her.
Xuanyuan Qingyu recalled Zhou Fan's god-like Great Sun form, his confidence and courage in catching a Demon Venerable's attack with one hand, and his strong Physical Body that could always defeat Sister Wan so thoroughly.
Xuanyuan Qingyu admitted that she was a little moved. The man she sought had to be stronger than her, no matter in what aspect.
And Zhou Fan perfectly met her criteria for a spouse, but there was one point: Zhou Fan was too young and had already become a close friend with Sister Wan.
Xuanyuan Qingyu couldn't accept such a relationship in a short time, so she sternly rebuked him.
"Zhou Fan, please do not say such impudent words again."
"Sister Wan and I are like sisters; it's impossible for me to snatch a man from her. Moreover, you are too young, of the same generation as Xiao Li. You can call me Aunt Xuan, just like Xiao Li. Don't use the address 'Qingyu' again next time."
Zhou Fan heard this and, without surprise, changed his condition, saying, "Then, Aunt Xuan, could you travel with us in the Xuanyuan Dynasty for a few months? Master and Li Di both really want to travel with you."
"This... alright." Xuanyuan Qingyu no longer refused. She actually wanted to relax a bit; being in the Imperial City every day dealing with various government affairs was indeed very tedious.
Late that night.
The Fairy Master changed into her waist sash and switched to automatic mode. She looked at her clearly distracted mischievous disciple and said with a hint of jealousy in her tone.
"What? You're so eager to find other women? Is it because you think I, your Master, am old and faded, and already have children?"
"It's not what you think, Wan'er. You are truly beautiful. Didn't you compare with Ning Shuying back on Hongming Mountain? You don't lose to her in any aspect, and you have an extra bit of fullness that I love most about you."
Nangong Wan heard Zhou Fan's words, happily nestled in his arms, and asked, "Then why do you insist on making friends with Qingyu? If you like that kind of style, I can actually put on an imperial robe and show you the demeanor of the current Empress."
"Alas, Master, do you believe me?"
Zhou Fan said with a melancholic gaze and sincere emotion, "I never wanted to make so many friends. The reason I am making so many friends now is all a side effect of my Physique."
"Master, you must have noticed, right? My Physique advances every once in a while."
"The advanced Physique will be stronger than before, but this comes at a cost."
Zhou Fan held the Fairy Master in his arms, letting her feel the power of love while revealing the 'terrifying' cost.
Nangong Wan believed him. Now, her mischievous disciple was her only one; she would believe whatever Zhou Fan said.
In order to alleviate the side effects of Zhou Fan's Physique advancement, Nangong Wan began to seriously discuss with Zhou Fan how to quickly integrate Xuanyuan Qingyu into this harmonious and beautiful big family.
