Chapter 122: Chapter 30: Playing It Safe

Li Jizhou heard this, his expression unchanged, and cupped his hands in greeting, “Indeed, if it were not for Shopkeeper Lu from Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion who took me out back then, I fear that…”

Master Qingmu’s smile deepened.

“Judging by the time, when the Thunder Spirit Crystal Ore first opened, you should have gone there as well, right?”

“Senior jokes, at that time I was in great anxiety, hardly daring to get involved in such affairs, I devoted myself to cultivating techniques, barely getting by.” Li Jizhou’s expression did not change.

“Truly?”

“I wouldn’t dare deceive senior.”

“Haha, Pill Master Li, you speak too seriously, but recently the mysterious secret realm of the Thunder Spirit Crystal Ore is in full swing, reportedly there might be great opportunities inside, haven’t you considered taking a look?”

“I would like to, but alas, my strength is too weak, willing but unable.” Li Jizhou replied frankly.

“Hahaha, the Immortal Dao values competition, if you really rely on pills to reach Foundation Establishment and exhaust your potential, without securing some Core Formation opportunity, you won’t have the chance to reach Core Formation later.” Master Qingmu implied with a smile.

“Senior is correct, I’ll try if there’s a chance later.”

The Rong family dared not interrupt the conversation between the two, waiting until they finished speaking before hastily inviting them to dine.

A Fake Pill Master from Divine Intent Sect and an Honorary Elder from Golden Sun Sect prompted the Rong family to host with the highest standard of hospitality.

During the banquet, Master Qingmu would occasionally bring up the mysterious secret realm or matters regarding Ye Jingyu when speaking to Li Jizhou, and observed Li Jizhou with his Divine Sense unabashedly.

This made Li Jizhou somewhat weary in dealing with.

Meanwhile, Bai Yi’s feeling grew increasingly clear.

The fire born within Master Qingmu’s Dantian was acquired.

This is different from Pill Fire, but a genuine fire, although distinct from Bai Yi’s Innate Fire Spirit.

This led Li Jizhou to associate it with the reported events of “Nine Nether Urgent Flames.”

Considering the time this cultivation technique started circulating on the market, Li Jizhou guessed that this technique might have been among the opportunities Ye Jingyu gained in the mysterious secret realm back then.

Thus, Li Jizhou had no choice but to reassess Master Qingmu.

Ye Jingyu, in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, had countered the Middle Stage, and during Foundation Establishment, managed to break through during a Late Stage siege, possibly aided by this cultivation technique.

Now that Master Qingmu has practiced this cultivation technique, his power cannot be judged by the standard of an ordinary Fake Pill Master.

One must not be overconfident!

Li Jizhou decided to play it safe.

As the grand banquet concluded, Master Qingmu inevitably invited, “Pill Master Li, since I’ve come to your Golden Sun Sect’s territory, I must trouble you to help find traces of that beast.”

“It is my honor! However, I might need to linger here for some time,” Li Jizhou replied frankly.

“Hahaha, very well, I’ll wait for you. How long will you need?”

“I came specifically to refine a Tier Two Blood Burning Pill primarily using the heart blood of demon beasts. Given my aptitude, it might take about three to five years!”

“…” Master Qingmu’s face instantly froze.

The Rong family also paused.

But soon, both parties laughed.

Master Qingmu sensed that Li Jizhou might indeed be whom he was looking for.

The Rong family was elated at having a Gold Sun Sect Honorary Elder resident nearby, especially since he was also a seasoned Tier Two Pill Master, perhaps able to help them in pill concoction.

“If that’s the case, accompany me for a stroll nearby first, then return for alchemy!” Master Qingmu’s eyes narrowed with a hint of coercion, suggesting the manner of a senior expert.

Upon hearing this, Li Jizhou paused, soon narrowing his eyes with a smile, “Elder Qingmu, this is Golden Sun Sect’s territory, not Divine Intent Sect’s.

As Honorary Elder of Golden Sun Sect, showing hospitality is courtesy, but refusal is a rightful duty.

If you are truly urgent, speak to our Sect Leader.”

Having decided to play it safe, there was no need to feign cordiality, lest it dragged on and became troublesome.

Moreover, the Rong family observed this, should any incident befall Li Jizhou, Master Qingmu would inevitably be implicated in the future.

Although Golden Sun Sect may not care much for Li Jizhou, an exceptional Honored Guest Elder Pill Master, they would certainly extort Divine Intent Sect on this pretext.

This would add apprehension to Master Qingmu.

Unless he prepared to flee.

The atmosphere was instantly tense.

The previously cheerful Rong family instinctively leaned back slightly.

The three sects must clash, known to everyone in the Qi Kingdom’s cultivation world.

Furthermore, regarding the underground treasury conflict of Inverted Mountain in recent years, the three sects had friction.

To the Rong family, Li Jizhou and Master Qingmu represented their respective sects’ middle-tier attitudes.

Briefly pondering, the Rong family’s patriarch stood by Li Jizhou, smiling, “Senior Qingmu, our Rong family frequently visits Golden Crow Immortal City, if you need a guide, leave it to us,

Elder Li, as a seasoned Pill Master, sacrificing sleep and rest for alchemy is natural.”

The Rong family’s patriarch promptly showed allegiance.

Located deep within Golden Sun Sect’s territory, always under their jurisdiction, the choice was clear.

The difficulty lay in decisiveness, adhering to a stance without hesitation.

Master Qingmu’s expression fluctuated, eventually he laughed freely, “Haha, alright, alright, I was too rash, let’s not disturb Pill Master Li’s alchemy, until next time!”

With a rainbow path vanishing afar, the Rong family exhaled, promptly stepping forward to please Li Jizhou.

Li Jizhou acknowledged the Rong patriarch’s reaction.

If he truly had some status in the sect, then the Rong family would undoubtedly be more tightly bound with the Golden Sun Sect this time.

Unfortunately, he has no influence within the sect.

This time they chose sides foolishly and ended up offending a Fake Pill Master out of nowhere.

Of course, if they chose wrong, or didn’t choose at all, Li Jizhou would surely spread the news to those who would be interested.

This is the way of the world; many times, if you give a gift, I might not grant you a benefit, but if you don’t give one, there will definitely be consequences.

“Many thanks to Elder Rong for speaking out boldly. The Rong family is quite remarkable!” Li Jizhou maintained his diplomatic demeanor.

In the following period, Li Jizhou didn’t bother thinking about what would happen with Master Qingmu.

Instead, he genuinely settled down in the Rong family residence.

He found several pills with demon beast heart’s blood as the main ingredient and started researching.

Though the Rong family’s Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Vein was not as good as Xiaogang Peak, it only extended his daily cultivation time by an hour, and it did not hinder Li Jizhou’s cultivation.

Anyway, this place wasn’t suitable for studying other skills.

The Rong family also arranged for a younger generation member to assist Li Jizhou, attending to all his needs, including running errands in the market for herbs.

“Elder Li, here are the herbs you requested.”

On this day, the Rong family’s young granddaughter brought the herbs Li Jizhou had asked for.

“Thank you, bring them in.”

“Elder Li, you’re too kind; this is what I should do,” Rong Jiangyan said with a slight smile, revealing two shallow dimples.

After spending a few months together, Li Jizhou didn’t put on airs, always maintained the appearance of a twenty-year-old with a handsome and elegant demeanor, and stayed calm and composed in all matters. To Rong Jiangyan, he possessed a unique aura of having weathered life’s storms and cleansed of worldly concerns.

“Oh, Elder Li, do you also have a Spirit Pet?” Rong Jiangyan asked in surprise upon getting closer to Li Jizhou.

In more than three months, this was her first time getting this close to Li Jizhou and she immediately sensed the presence of a Spirit Pet.

Li Jizhou was slightly taken aback, instinctively glancing at his waist, where the Spirit Pet Bag was not exposed.

“How did you know I have a Spirit Pet?”

The Spirit Pet Bag where Gua Gua resided was given by a woman in a mysterious secret realm and couldn’t be detected by Divine Sense below True Core.

“To answer Elder Li’s question, my mother said I was born in the Spirit Beast Garden and have always been especially close to Spirit Beasts, with an extraordinary talent for them,” Rong Jiangyan replied frankly.

Li Jizhou quietly nodded, thinking that perhaps this talent was similar to his life force sensing talent acquired through his years, unaffected by ordinary Divine Sense rules.

“Indeed, I coincidentally found a Spirit Beast, and seeing its pitiful state, I took it in,” Li Jizhou nodded.

“Everyone says Elder Li is benevolent and of noble character, and it appears so. I’ve always believed that anyone who truly loves Spirit Pets must have a kind heart!” Rong Jiangyan said joyfully.

Li Jizhou gave a faint smile and didn’t respond.

“Elder Li, what’s the grade of your Spirit Beast? Would you like to enhance its bloodline quality? Our Rong family’s Spirit Blood Pool is about to open; should I speak to my father to reserve a spot for your Spirit Beast?” Rong Jiangyan asked expectantly.

“Enhance bloodline quality?” Li Jizhou raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ever since Gua Gua advanced to Tier Two and developed its illusion ability, Li Jizhou had high hopes for it, considering it a powerful trump card.

His visit to the Rong family this time was also to assist it in advancing to a Tier Two Middle Level Demon Beast.

However, Gua Gua had never been exposed to outsiders.

Once it’s exposed, it’s no longer a hidden trump card.

“Yes, in our Rong family, all Spirit Beasts with top-grade bloodlines can undergo Spirit Blood Pool refinement every few years, with a chance to upgrade to Earth Grade. Elder Li, what grade is your Spirit Beast?” Rong Jiangyan explained frankly.

“Can’t you tell?”

“I can only sense the Spirit Beast’s presence, but can’t ascertain the specifics without directly touching it.”

Li Jizhou hesitated slightly.

On one hand, exposing Gua Gua’s existence.

On the other hand, the chance to enhance its bloodline.

“Would it be possible to establish a Divine Soul Contract?”

This… Rong Jiangyan was suddenly taken aback.

Having dealt with Spirit Beasts from a young age, her thoughts were straightforward.

The Rong family ancestor had arranged her to attend to Li Jizhou precisely to prevent any juniors from irritably offending him with cleverness.

“Don’t misunderstand, I just don’t wish for my Spirit Beast to be exposed; there’s no other intent,” Li Jizhou explained further.

“Then what kind of contract shall we establish?” Rong Jiangyan thought dealing with people was troublesome, much more so than interacting with Spirit Beasts.

“Just ensure not to tell anyone about my Spirit Beast, that’s all.”

“Alright then!” Rong Jiangyan chuckled awkwardly, losing interest in Li Jizhou’s Spirit Pet. Initially, she just mentioned it casually out of goodwill. Yet now she had to establish a Divine Soul Contract, resolving to be more cautious in future dealings with others.

Subsequently, Rong Jiangyan established the Divine Soul Contract.

Li Jizhou smiled and nodded, then gifted her a Tier One Upper Grade Youthful Appearance Pill as a confidentiality subsidy.

“Thank you, Elder Li, thank you, Elder Li!” Holding the Youthful Appearance Pill, Rong Jiangyan beamed with joy. This Tier One Upper Grade Youthful Appearance Pill held great allure for her. She carefully put it away, planning to use it when she turned twenty.

“Alright, let me show you my Spirit Pet!” Li Jizhou said, tapping the Spirit Pet Bag.

A multicolored frog, with a vividly colored eye pattern on its back, appeared instantly in front of Rong Jiangyan.

Seeing Gua Gua, Rong Jiangyan was momentarily stunned.

“Just a mottled toad?”

What’s there to keep secret?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep