Chapter 67: Confession (Please Keep Reading)

In Li Guanxuan’s mind, although Fang Xingzhi was a chess piece he had placed without much thought, it would be too much of a loss if it ended here. At the very least, he ought to take down a cultivator or two from the Yu family of Beast Tamers at the Foundation Establishment stage before things cooled off. Otherwise, those two Foundation Establishment Pills would have been given away for nothing.

“I acted a bit too recklessly when it came to Old Chen...” Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly, reflecting on himself. Yet, in this harsh and unforgiving world of cultivation, Chen Yinshan was his one true friend. If he couldn’t even avenge this grievance for Old Chen, what kind of brother would he be?

“When dealing with the Yu family of Beast Tamers, I must ensure my own safety. Mishaps like today must never happen again. My cheap master may be willing to help once or twice, but perhaps not a third time,” Li Guanxuan kept reminding himself not to get arrogant. Even if he now possessed some wealth and strength, facing an entire Foundation Establishment family, he was still too weak.

Besides, he didn’t believe that the Yu family’s sixth-layer Foundation Establishment patriarch could live forever. Sooner or later, the old man would reach his end, unable even to catch his breath. That would be the time for him to strike and reap the rewards.

So for now, he would keep a low profile, quietly gathering strength and biding his time.

“Even if my cheap master can’t save Fang Xingzhi, he won’t let the five peak Qi Refining cultivators from the Yu family walk away alive... If he does save him, given this grudge, Fang Xingzhi will become like a mad dog after he establishes his foundation, biting at the Yu family until one side is mortally wounded.”

A glint of sharpness flashed through Li Guanxuan’s eyes, but it quickly faded, and he once again appeared calm and serene.

...

Song Zhiqiao led Li Guanxuan to find Steward Dong. With Liu Xiaoxian’s instructions, Steward Dong handed over forty thousand lower-grade spirit stones to Li Guanxuan.

“The proprietor said that in the future, should any Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients like Golden Vine or Purple Ginseng arrive, they’ll be offered to Master Li first, and at base price,” Steward Dong said with a smile.

“Are there any that are three hundred years old?” Li Guanxuan asked.

“There are two batches for now.”

“I’ll take them. What about two hundred years old? Never mind, prepare all the two-hundred-year and one-hundred-year Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients for me. Also, I have a second-tier flying boat to exchange, as well as some artifacts to sell...”

Li Guanxuan sold off all his first-tier artifacts, including the exposed second-tier flying boat.

Next, he purchased ten lower-grade second-tier longswords, each for a thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

A magic artifact capable of storing spiritual power and holding offensive talismans, for one thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

A second-tier flying boat equipped with two spiritual cannons, priced at fifteen thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

Two sets of three-hundred-year-old Golden Vine and Purple Ginseng, each for four thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

Ten sets of two-hundred-year-old Golden Vine and Purple Ginseng, and ten sets of one-hundred-year-old, totaling twenty thousand lower-grade spirit stones.

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One hundred sets of second-tier beast hides and spiritual blood, ten thousand lower-grade spirit stones...

In total, sixty-four thousand lower-grade spirit stones, equivalent to six hundred and forty medium-grade spirit stones.

After selling the second-tier flying boat and some artifacts, Li Guanxuan made up the difference with twenty thousand lower-grade spirit stones and bought materials for puppet-making as well.

Looking at the fifty medium-grade and over a thousand lower-grade spirit stones left in his storage pouch, Li Guanxuan couldn’t help but shake his head. Spirit stones came fast, but they were spent just as quickly.

Alchemy, talisman drawing, puppet crafting... all these skills consumed spirit stones. Sometimes, if his spiritual energy ran low, he would simply stuff a spirit stone into his body to replenish it, though that was relatively less costly.

He still had four Foundation Establishment Pills unsold, along with some defensive talismans...

In sum, spirit stones were both currency and consumable; as long as his cultivation improved, any expenditure was worthwhile.

“Second-tier alchemist, talisman master, and puppet master—their expenses are nearly on par with early Foundation Establishment...” Li Guanxuan sighed inwardly.

Twelve years ago, he was still using spiritual sand. In the blink of an eye, he was now spending medium-grade spirit stones.

Song Zhiqiao had been helping beside him all along, like a little maidservant. Though she felt envious, she knew all this was the fruit of Li Guanxuan’s hard work.

Moreover, in the short time she’d spent with Li Guanxuan, Song Zhiqiao had come to a realization:

Cultivation didn’t necessarily mean killing and fighting.

By diligently refining pills and crafting talismans like Brother Li, one could earn enough spirit stones to support their practice.

Especially since she was a formation master and had some knowledge of talismans, artifact crafting, and mechanisms—it wouldn’t be hard for her to earn spirit stones.

At this moment, Song Zhiqiao felt as if she’d discovered a new path in cultivation.

...

“Brother Li, may I speak with you?”

As Li Guanxuan was preparing to leave Myriad Wonders Pavilion, Song Zhiqiao finally summoned her courage, looking at him expectantly as she spoke.

Li Guanxuan nodded slightly and sat down to the side.

Song Zhiqiao happily skipped over, smoothed the emerald-green skirt behind her, and sat down with her back straight, hands resting delicately on her thighs, her posture elegant and graceful.

“May I... may I speak directly?” Song Zhiqiao asked timidly.

“Of course. Speak your mind,” Li Guanxuan replied with a smile.

“I, I, I...”

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At this critical moment, Song Zhiqiao stammered from nerves, her lively and lovely face uncharacteristically flustered.

But when she saw the gentle, jade-like gaze in Li Guanxuan’s eyes, she took a deep breath and said earnestly, “I... I want to become your disciple, Brother, and learn the art of talismans!”

Li Guanxuan was taken aback. He had thought this young lady was about to confess her feelings; he hadn’t expected her to ask to become his disciple instead.

Before he could ask why, Song Zhiqiao blushed and added, “I... I also hope that once I’ve mastered the art, I can marry you, even if only as a concubine.”

Li Guanxuan: ...

She hadn’t even become his disciple yet, and already her filial piety was getting complicated.

Oblivious, Song Zhiqiao continued, “I know that, right now, my cultivation is weak and my skills are lacking—I’m not worthy of Brother Li, not even as a concubine by your side...

That’s why I want to learn the art of talismans, then engrave formation eyes into the talismans to strengthen their power, so I can earn spirit stones, improve my cultivation and skills... In this way, once I reach mid- or late-stage Qi Refining, perhaps I’ll be worthy to marry you.”

When she finished, Song Zhiqiao’s face flushed as though steeped in blood, her lips pressed tightly together as she bowed her head.

These were her true feelings, not just empty words.

She had read many books and understood that the pursuits of cultivators were different from those of ordinary folk.

Mortals sought nothing more than power, wealth, and material comforts—but these things were easily obtained by cultivators and so were not valued.

Cultivators sought strength, longevity, freedom, and legacy... and so they gradually became detached, solitary, quick to anger, and cold.

Yet in Li Guanxuan, Song Zhiqiao saw something different from other cultivators...

He was content with the ordinary, steady and diligent, avoiding conflict, living in peace.

Only such an “unusual” cultivator would treat his Dao companion as a true wife, willing to share household chores and build a warm home together.

What female cultivator wouldn’t want to marry such a man?

Even if only as a concubine.

Seeing that Li Guanxuan hadn’t spoken for a long time, Song Zhiqiao couldn’t help but look up at him.

Li Guanxuan wore a gentle smile, his eyes warm, without a hint of mockery or disdain. In a soft voice, he said, “I can teach you the art of talismans, but I won’t take you as my disciple.”

“Huh? Why not?” Song Zhiqiao blinked in surprise.

But when she saw the meaningful smile on Li Guanxuan’s face, she understood.

Her heart leapt with joy, and she replied sweetly, “Th-thank you, Brother~ I’ll work hard and be obedient, I promise~”

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