Chapter 148 Cave Dwelling

Li Guanxuan was slightly stunned.

Perhaps because the materials for the Golden Origin Pill had come too easily, he felt that the pills were far less important than his own life.

Pills could be refined again if the materials were lost, but once life was gone, everything would vanish into thin air.

However, Li Guanxuan quickly came to his senses.

Those two ordinary sets of Golden Origin Pill materials were likely prepared by the Hua family over many years, and undoubtedly involved the meticulous planning of True Person Hua Bai.

If a few cultivators with exceptional talent emerged within the Hua family and reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, there was a high probability that three more True Persons would be born.

In that case, the family would boast four True Persons.

The path ahead for the Hua family would become much smoother, and they might even ascend to the status of a Nascent Soul clan.

Li Guanxuan's doubts vanished. It was precisely for this reason that Hua Yongyang attached such great importance to these three Golden Origin Pills.

Leaving Hua Yongyang aside, once this news leaked, anyone harboring a grudge against the Hua family would surely be unwilling to see three more True Persons rise from their ranks.

Five days later.

True Person Hua Bai arrived at Silver Maple City.

Many cultivators were filled with astonishment. Could the Hua family and the Cao family have formed an alliance?

Some people inquired about the news openly and covertly.

Hearing that True Person Hua Bai had come to collect a middle-grade Golden Origin Pill refined by Li Guanxuan, many people came to a sudden realization, while also feeling a tinge of envy.

"To think Li Guanxuan actually managed to refine a middle-grade Golden Origin Pill..."

"Didn't he refine two top-grade Golden Origin Pills from a single cauldron previously? What's so surprising about that?"

"Fellow Daoist, you must be unaware of the details. The materials Li Guanxuan used previously were meant for Li Guanyuan to refine a supreme-grade Golden Origin Pill."

"Yet, in the end, Li Guanxuan used them to refine only two top-grade Golden Origin Pills. That was truly a terrible waste of heavenly treasures..."

"It's like a dish; as long as the ingredients are of top quality, no matter how you cook it, the dish will be a delicacy."

"..."

Numerous cultivators discussed the matter, feeling that Li Guanxuan had utterly wasted the materials back then.

Materials capable of producing a supreme-grade Golden Origin Pill had ultimately yielded only two top-grade ones.

Not even a single flawless-grade pill was produced.

However, some people smiled and said, "These were a gift from an older brother to his younger brother for pill-formation. He could use them however he pleased."

Hearing this, the crowd fell silent.

That was indeed true.

Since Li Guanyuan had given those items to Li Guanxuan for his pill-formation, it was none of their business how the recipient chose to use them or what quality of pills he decided to refine.

...

City Lord's Mansion.

Hua Yongyang had only mentioned in his letter that the Golden Origin Pills had been successfully brewed and asked the clan head to visit Silver Maple City in person.

From this information alone, True Person Hua Bai knew that the quality of the pills refined by Li Guanxuan was definitely not low, and their quantity might have even increased.

He had originally expected one elementary-grade and one middle-grade. When True Person Hua Bai arrived at the City Lord's Mansion and heard that there were two middle-grade Golden Origin Pills and one elementary-grade Golden Origin Pill, he instantly fell silent.

Three Golden Origin Pills meant that the Hua family would at least have a chance to become a Nascent Soul clan in the future.

They might even be able to expand their influence toward the southwestern borders.

"Master Li, you have done a great favor to the Hua family," True Person Hua Bai said with deep emotion.

An ordinary set of Golden Origin Pill materials even carried the risk of producing inferior pills. He had never expected Li Guanxuan to deliver such high quality and quantity, which truly caught True Person Hua Bai by surprise.

Li Guanxuan spoke modestly, "As an alchemist, Li merely did his utmost in this field. Senior flatters me."

"This is by no means flattery."

True Person Hua Bai wore a solemn expression as he said, "With these Golden Origin Pills, my Hua family can at least give birth to a 'Nascent Soul seed.' Therefore, you are undeniably a benefactor of the Hua family."

Li Guanxuan was slightly startled.

That meant the Hua family had a cultivator with rather good talent.

Likely possessing top-tier Earth Spiritual Roots.

"I will definitely keep this matter strictly confidential," Li Guanxuan said with a solemn expression.

True Person Hua Bai nodded slightly. He knew Li Guanxuan's character; the man's reputation and integrity were entirely trustworthy.

"City Lord Cao, please notify this old man when the time comes for your pill-formation," True Person Hua Bai said with a smile toward Cao Feng.

Cao Feng had shown kindness to Li Guanxuan, and by doing this, he also intended to help repay a part of that favor on Li Guanxuan's behalf.

Cao Feng cupped his fists and said, "Thank you for your assistance, Senior."

He did not refuse.

On the contrary, establishing a cooperative relationship with True Person Hua Bai would only bring greater benefits in the future, with absolutely no drawbacks.

True Person Hua Bai continued, "There is a quasi-third-tier spiritual vein within the Scarlet Refining Mountain Range. If you don't mind, this old man is willing to invite True Person Cao Shu to go together."

Cao Feng's eyes lit place, and he immediately said, "I will relay this matter to our Ancestor and will surely give Senior a reply within ten days."

True Person Hua Bai was extending an olive branch to him!

At the same time, this would help him resolve some of the troubles coming from the Cao family's side.

After all, his previous serious injuries had already caused widespread dissatisfaction up and down the Cao family.

Especially the Cao family's Ancestor, True Person Cao Shu.

So many resources had been poured into Cao Feng. If he failed to form a golden core in the future, the entire development of the Cao family would stagnate for decades.

Now, True Person Hua Bai was inviting the Cao family's Ancestor to excavate a quasi-third-tier spiritual vein in the Scarlet Refining Mountain Range. This signified that he, Cao Feng, had helped the Cao family secure a powerful and formidable ally.

This was enough to shut the mouths of certain people within the Cao family.

"Master Li, I hope you will maintain frequent interactions with the Hua family in the future. Neither the Hua family nor the Green Bamboo Sect will ever let Master Li down."

True Person Hua Bai cupped his fists toward Li Guanxuan.

At this moment, he treated Li Guanxuan as a true third-tier alchemist.

His status was equivalent to that of a True Person.

Li Guanxuan hurriedly returned the salute and said, "That would be wonderful."

Hua Yongyang stood obediently to the side, not daring to utter a sound, considering he held the lowest status among everyone present.

He even thought to himself that the next time he saw Li Guanxuan, he would probably have to address him as "Senior Li."

If he continued to address him as Fellow Daoist Li or Master Li, the clan head would be the first to not let him off.

...

" Younger Brother, I really have to thank you this time. Instead, it turns out I owe you a massive favor."

After True Person Hua Bai left, Cao Feng immediately wrote a letter to the Cao family, exhaling a long sigh of relief.

The heavy stone pressing down on his chest had finally fallen.

"Spare me the polite words. Only by making it impossible for the Cao family to pressure you can you wholeheartedly attempt to form your golden core."

Li Guanxuan said this, then sighed, "Besides, even I didn't realize that a middle-grade Golden Origin Pill was so important. Probably because I obtained the materials for the Golden Origin Pill too easily and casually, I didn't take the pills themselves very seriously."

"..."

Cao Feng had no response to that statement.

He had spent several decades just to gather the materials for the Golden Origin Pill, with the assistance of his entire clan.

Moreover, his materials were only enough to refine a single top-grade Golden Origin Pill.

Upon learning that Li Guanxuan possessed profound attainments in realm-breaking pills such as Foundation Establishment Pills, Cao Feng had simply tried his luck to see if the other party could use those materials to refine a flawless-grade Golden Origin Pill.

Some highly skilled alchemists were capable of producing flawless-grade pills from top-grade materials.

Cao Feng also hoped that Li Guanxuan was such an alchemist.

After all, such alchemists were too hard to find.

Even if one managed to find them, the cost of hiring them to refine pills was far from ordinary.

Changing the subject, Cao Feng said, "By the way, your new residence has been arranged. It's Peach Blossom Peak in the inner city. This immortal cave will soon be connected to a quasi-third-tier spiritual vein, and you can move in at any time."

"Alright."

Li Guanxuan nodded and paid the rent on the spot.

Cao Feng originally refused to accept it, but no matter what he said, Li Guanxuan insisted on keeping public and private matters separate. In the end, Cao Feng only accepted half the rent.

For Cao Feng, Li Guanxuan's willingness to stay in Silver Maple City invisibly created numerous benefits for him.

None of these benefits could be compared to mere spiritual stones.

Upon returning home, Li Guanxuan shared the news with his wives. Coincidentally, his master, Liu Xiaoxian, was also at home, so he mentioned the matters regarding the Hua family as well.

"True Person Hua Bai is trying to help Cao Feng build Silver Maple City into Silver Maple Immortal City..."

Liu Xiaoxian articulated the underlying interests with a single remark, saying, "The Cao family's plotting for Cao Feng's golden core has long been spread everywhere. Now that your alchemy skills are superb, as long as you can refine a flawless-grade Golden Origin Pill, given Cao Feng's talent and aptitude, forming a golden core will be a certainty. Furthermore..."

Liu Xiaoxian paused briefly before adding, "In the eyes of outsiders, Cao Feng is still nursing injuries. Even after years of recuperation, the hidden wounds in his body are difficult to eradicate, posing a hindrance to his future pill-formation. Therefore, people outside are spreading rumors that Cao Feng can only form a genuine core and has no hope for a true golden core.

However, now, True Person Hua Bai has deduced through your alchemy skills that once Cao Feng possesses a flawless-grade Golden Origin Pill, he might be able to冲击 (assault) an elementary-grade golden core.

Even if he fails to breach the elementary-grade golden core, the fact that you can refine flawless-grade Golden Origin Pills brings him more advantages than disadvantages. Therefore, helping Cao Feng build an immortal system is also a disguised form of showing goodwill toward you."

Qin Jiyue said in astonishment, "The hidden wounds in Cao Feng's body were completely eradicated long ago. With a flawless-grade Golden Origin Pill, coupled with years of preparation, forming a middle-grade golden core should pose no problem... Perhaps even True Person Hua Bai doesn't know that this move of his will earn him the favor of a middle-grade golden core True Person."

"Indeed."

Liu Xiaoxian nodded slightly and smiled, "All in all, as long as Cao Feng forms a golden core, whether it's elementary or middle grade, True Person Hua Bai only stands to gain and never lose.

Furthermore, once Silver Maple City transforms into Silver Maple Immortal City, I will have a reason to continue staying here in the future."

Hearing this last sentence, Li Guanxuan slightly raised his eyelids.

To become an immortal city, one had to possess a third-tier spiritual vein.

A genuine third-tier spiritual vein, not a quasi-third-tier one.

"Recently, I need to study more advanced spiritual-gathering arrays so that Silver Maple City can transform into an immortal city all the faster," Song Zhiqiao said with a serious expression.

Liu Xiaoxian remarked, "Don't worry, the places I'd go to would only be Flower Moon Immortal City or Glazed Immortal City, which aren't very far."

"That may be true, but it's far less convenient than being in Silver Maple City," Qin Jiyue blinked.

Liu Xiaoxian playfully patted Qin Jiyue's plump buttocks out of annoyance and delivered a harsh threat, "Tonight, I'll make sure you sleep even more soundly."

At this moment, Li Guanxuan spoke up, "Once Cao Feng forms his golden core, the ownership of Shanggu City will also change hands."

"Shanggu City is currently plagued by severe internal strife. Luan Pei doesn't even have time to stabilize his state of mind, let alone form a core."

Qin Jiyue stated, "For the family foundation of Shanggu City to reach his generation, it has pretty much come to an end."

In the past, Shanggu City could still match wits with Cao Feng.

But once Cao Feng formed his golden core, Shanggu City would be nothing more than something in his pocket.

Once Shanggu City fell into Cao Feng's hands, scheming for a third-tier spiritual vein in the future would become much easier.

Li Guanxuan was not in a hurry regarding the third-tier spiritual vein. As long as Cao Feng formed his golden core, everything else would become much simpler.

After dinner, Li Guanxuan led his wives to move into Peach Blossom Peak. The concentration of spiritual energy here was much higher than that of Peaceful Courtyard, and it was also equipped with dedicated stewards and maidservants.

Moreover, to prevent disputes arising from household discord, Cao Feng had specially filtered them so that all of them were female cultivators.

Li Guanxuan had no objections to this; he had seen plenty of such scenes back in the Li family.

Besides, their mansion in the inner city could also be equipped with stewards and maidservants, but they initially felt it was unnecessary.

Now, however, the entire family had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and at times, they truly needed to concentrate on cultivation.

Of course, this wasn't just about dual cultivation; their respective cultivation techniques also needed to be advanced, which was a necessary aid to enhancing combat prowess.

Night fell.

Li Guanxuan moved into the new immortal cave, but during the night, he also explored all four of the caves.

As for the so-called stewards and maidservants, they had long since been dismissed to the mountainside.

...

After moving into their new home, once Song Zhiqiao had accumulated enough immortal Qi, she began arranging arrays.

Wen Rongxin continued practicing her fist techniques.

Qin Jiyue, on the other hand, began learning how to forge weapons.

In her own words: if she didn't learn a craft, she always felt like an idle person and a burden in the household.

Since both she and Li Guanxuan needed precious swords, she decided to forge only swords and nothing else.

Li Guanxuan continued to delve into the refinement of Golden Origin Pills.

About half a month passed...

The steward of Peach Blossom Peak, Wu Yu, was in her early thirties with a cultivation base at the sixth layer of Qi Refining. She wore an orchid-patterned long dress, her hair pinned up in a neat and dignified manner.

One day, seeing someone visiting Peach Blossom Peak, Wu Yu made inquiries before running over to report.

She found that First Madam Wen Rongxin was practicing fist techniques, Second Madam Qin Jiyue was forging a sword, and Third Madam Song Zhiqiao had just finished arranging a spiritual-gathering array and was resting in the pavilion.

Wu Yu understood the rules and did not step forward to disturb them, instead waiting quietly outside the pavilion.

Although Song Zhiqiao came from a Confucian scholarly family, after being influenced and guided by Li Guanxuan and her two elder sisters, she had never displayed the slightest bit of an overbearing attitude. She smiled and said,

"Xiao Yu, what is it?"

"A Foundation Establishment Great Perfection senior named Yu Qin has come to visit down the mountain. Xiao Yu has never seen this person before, so I came up to report immediately," Wu Yu said.

Yu Qin?

True Person Plum Frost's disciple?

Song Zhiqiao recalled such a figure; it was the woman who had vehemently urged Liu Xiaoxian not to interfere with her husband back then.

Song Zhiqiao glanced toward the direction of the alchemy room, pondered for a moment, and said,

"Just tell them the master is in seclusion and difficult to receive guests at this time."

"Understood."

Wu Yu nodded.

Song Zhiqiao gave a gentle push, and a cup of spring tea brimming with rich spiritual energy instantly glided before Wu Yu. She smiled and said,

"No rush, come and taste some tea first."

Hearing this, Wu Yu was startled, but she quickly understood.

The visitor had a history of bad blood with Peach Blossom Peak.

"Yes."

Wu Yu received the teacup with both hands, but she didn't dare to walk into the pavilion, instead taking a light sip outside.

The spiritual energy coursed through all her limbs and bones.

Wu Yu couldn't help feeling deeply emotional inwardly: everyone in Master Li's family was blessed with extraordinary talents.