Chapter 284: 285: Falling Out
Li Xiaobai chuckled.
“Better now than later, Young Master Li is so talented, I believe you must have developed many more Alchemy Techniques. Why not show a few more to enlighten me, the reward is negotiable.”
The Elder Jiang smiled lightly, agreeing with the thoughts of the Three Sects’ Sect Masters. After all, he was in for a free ride; the more abilities Li Xiaobai revealed, the more his Fire Qilin Cave would benefit. It was a business with no capital investment, extremely profitable.
“Woof! Kid, do you know anything other than Huazi?”
“Hurry up and share a thing or two with your master, Lord Ergouzi!”
Ergouzi barked and jumped.
Li Xiaobai gave it a glance. This creature was simply ludicrous, actually siding with outsiders against him. It seemed that in the short span of a month or two, this creature’s intelligence had regressed a good deal.
“I have already imparted all of the ancient alchemy I know, yet you hesitate to let me leave. Is this the hospitality of the Three Sects, or do you intend to coerce and plunder?”
Li Xiaobai’s expression suddenly darkened as he looked around.
Zhen Qiankun and the Artifact God turned away, pretending to admire the scenery. These matters were decided by the high levels of their families, and here everything the Family Heads said was final; they had no right to speak.
Although it felt like a pity, this was reality.
An innocent man is free of guilt, but possessing a valuable is a crime. Li Xiaobai, carrying great secrets, had acted so ostentatiously that it was no surprise he had drawn attention.
“Young man, you can eat messily, but you shouldn’t speak recklessly. No one can defame the Three Great Sects. Just for that remark, I have the power to execute you on the spot. Considering this is your first offense, I’ll spare your life this time. Behave well, and you won’t miss out on any benefits!”
Zhen Tiannan’s expression was equally somber as he spoke coldly, his attitude executing a complete turnaround.
“That’s right, Young Master Li, my Elixir Sect can offer you the position of Steward Elder of the Alchemy Hall. In the future, mutual benefits and joint development could be a pleasant arrangement.”
Zhong Daoquan stood with his hands behind his back, smiling.
Li Xiaobai was speechless. These people were really easy to read; they would be cordial when they needed you, and ruthless when they didn’t, trying to wring him dry.
“Elders, greed is not a good thing. I am a child of heaven, cultivating for the rise of the Immortal Spirit Continent, bearing a great destiny. Our battlefield should be in the Universe, not confined to this small piece of land fighting petty battles. I take my leave.”
Having said that, Li Xiaobai grabbed Ji Wuqing and prepared to leave the hall.
“Young man, I’m afraid that won’t do. Better obey and stay quietly within Central City. We will take care of your food, clothing, housing, and travel.”
The Sect Master of Qi Sect, who rarely spoke, slowly opened his mouth. His voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying a chilling eeriness that made one’s scalp tingle.
“The mere Three Sects cannot stop me,” Li Xiaobai said lightly.
“Arrogant and naive child.”
The Sect Master of the Qi Sect sneered, and with a slight flick of his finger, a set of ripples burst forth, heading straight for Li Xiaobai.
In an instant, that familiar sensation of being targeted arrived again, and the force from the void struck his chest. In a flash, his entire chest caved slightly.
“Pfft!”
A large mouthful of blood coughed up, and Li Xiaobai’s face turned pale as his breath weakened dramatically, a look of fear flashing in his eyes.
In the Western Desert, he had never personally fought with a Transcendence Tribulation Stage expert. Now, experiencing it, he was utterly powerless to fight back, and he was hundred percent certain that the attack was merely a light effort on the opponent’s part. If the Sect Master had been a bit more serious, he would have undoubtedly lost his life.
Great Crossing Realm Experts, fearsome indeed!
Yet there’s pain mixed with pleasure, although I’m seriously injured, the Attribute Points I gained are somewhat terrifying.
[Attribute Points +50000…]
Put them all into defense!
[Defensive Power: Physical Sanctity (900,000/1,000,000) Advancement possible.]
Just a light tap adds fifty thousand Attribute Points, truly terrifying, but thanks to the other party, the System only needs another hundred fifty thousand Attribute Points to advance.
“Hm?”
“To withstand a strike from me, it seems the little brother has no small secrets.”
The rigid face of the Qi Sect Sect Master revealed a trace of surprise; he was of the Mahayana Realm’s cultivation level, and yet a junior managed to endure his strike. Although it was a casual motion, the contained energy was not something a junior should be able to withstand.
The rest of the crowd was also amazed; Mahayana Realm cultivators were not to be compared with those at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage—the Primodial Spirit Power contained within their bodies was many times purer, a difference as vast as heaven and earth.
“Woof, old rabbit, Lord Ergouzi has not given the word, who allowed you to make a move!”
“Xiaojing, kill him!”
Ergouzi was furiously enraged. Li Xiaobai was his brother, and even though they often argued and chatted idly, their bond was genuine. He couldn’t stand that the old man had attacked directly.
The elder surnamed Jiang subtly restrained Ergouzi, blocking his violent actions.
“Saint Heir, after all, when it comes to one’s family affairs, we are outsiders. We should just watch.”
“Woof, Elder Jiang, you dare to ignore the orders of your Lord Ergouzi. When we get back home, I will take off your pants!”
Ergouzi bared his teeth in a grimace.
Elder Jiang’s complexion darkened: “Saint Heir, I’m only here to fend off any trouble. It is only when the Fire Qilin competition officially starts that I truly become your Protector.”
“Esteemed predecessors, why must you treat Young Master Li so harshly? This young lady earnestly begs you to spare Young Master Li!”
Liu Fei said timidly, one moment these Sect Masters were all smiles, and in the next, their faces turned ferocious, which was a bit too much for her, a newcomer to the jianghu.
“Princess Fei’er, don’t worry. We only wish for Young Master Li to stay in Tianfeng City and continue to exchange Alchemy Techniques. We mean him no harm; we are a sect that yearns for peace,” said Zhong Daoquan with a grin. He was somewhat intimidated by the granddaughter of the Treasure Pavilion, fearful that the legendary figure would suddenly leap out from some deep forest and slay him in a fit of anger.
Liu Fei was skeptical. She couldn’t understand the intricacies of the situation and didn’t know what to say at the moment.
However, Li Xiaobai wasn’t truly naive. After swallowing a few Elixirs and regaining some vitality, he burst into laughter.
“That’s all there is to the Qi Sect Sect Master? Are you mad? Come and hit me!”
“Impudent brat, how dare you insult me!”
The Qi Sect Sect Master’s face turned fierce, and his eyes shot out two cold beams, staring fixedly at Li Xiaobai.
Raising his hand once more, he pointed out a finger again, but this time it was no longer a casual gesture. The intense Spiritual Power fluctuations swept through the entire hall, with howling winds and a terrifying oppression descending. Ripples fluttered about, causing cracks and shattered stones to fly in their wake.
In an instant, Li Xiaobai felt himself being restrained once again, but this time he was prepared, holding two Instant Transmission Talismans in his hand, ready to make his escape at any moment.