Cultivation is just so scientific!
Chapter 868 - 480: Gift (Part 2)

Chapter 868: Chapter 480: Gift (Part 2)

Actually, offering the Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod was already a great sacrifice, as could be seen from the pained expression on Yu An’s face.

But Yu Ancestor had a broader vision; the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod was just a lifeless object, a mere display in Baodan Pavilion, but in the hands of Master Li, it could greatly foster friendship with Wuqing Mountain.

Even if it was impossible to bring Master Li fully into Wuqing Mountain, as long as he stayed there, he could bring immense benefits to Wuqing Mountain.

If they waited until Master Li’s reputation spread and then thought of forming an alliance, it might be too late.

There were not a few factions like Wuqing Mountain, and even some medium-sized sects would extend an olive branch to Master Li. If they didn’t establish a friendship now, would they regret it later?

That Fourth-grade Demon Core was to test Master Li’s ability to refine Fourth-grade Spirit Pills. If Master Li’s level was satisfactory, then the cost of just one Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod was not enough; Wuqing Mountain would need to continue investing more in Master Li.

Another point was that Yu Ancestor also had a need for Fourth-grade Spirit Pills. To refine the Fourth-grade resources he obtained into Fourth-grade Spirit Pills was extremely costly, and each exchange was akin to cutting off a piece of flesh.

Inviting an Alchemy Master to refine Fourth-grade Spirit Pills for an Independent Cultivator Nascent Soul wasn’t just for a small reward. Normally, exchanging two Fourth-grade Demon Cores for one Fourth Grade Junior Spirit Pill was typical.

Even so, Yu Ancestor had to reluctantly acknowledge that, otherwise, should he directly consume the Fourth-grade Demon Core?

"This Clear Spirit Fruit will serve as the reward for the alchemy!" Yu Ancestor took out a jade box and said.

"Isn’t it too much to offer the Clear Spirit Fruit without even knowing Master Li’s ability to refine Fourth-grade Spirit Pills?" Yu An asked reluctantly.

"How did I raise such a short-sighted son like you! Master Li’s interest in buying the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod already shows his confidence in refining Fourth-grade Spirit Pills. Regardless of his skill level in refining them, he is worth our investment!" Yu Ancestor almost couldn’t resist hitting his son, he retorted angrily.

Yu An’s reluctance was not without reason. The "Clear" in Wuqing Mountain’s name referred to a Fourth-grade Clear Spirit Tree, which could only produce ten Fourth-grade Clear Spirit Fruits every fifty years.

And out of those ten Clear Spirit Fruits, Wuqing Mountain couldn’t use them all internally; half had to be handed over to the Ten Thousand Beast Sect.

They were able to occupy Wuqing Mountain long-term because of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect’s protection. Although the Ten Thousand Beast Sect hardly had to do anything and just lent them a name, they still had to take half of the Fourth-grade Clear Spirit Fruits.

Wuqing Mountain had no choice but to hand them over; if not for the complex difficulties in growing Clear Spirit Trees, the Ten Thousand Beast Sect might have directly handled it themselves.

"I understand!" Yu An dared not say more, and responded while bowing.

Leaving Yu Ancestor’s cave, he let out a long sigh. He knew his vision was not as broad as his father’s, but giving away two such treasures all at once was something he still found hard to accept.

Despite his thoughts, he still went first to Baodan Pavilion to collect the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod.

He used a Token to send a message to Li Shiming, and only when Li Shiming replied did he make his way to Li Shiming’s cave.

Li Shiming was also a bit curious. After indicating that he needed to rest, why was Yu An still coming over, mentioning that he had something important that needed to be discussed in person?

Considering Yu An’s connection to Yu Ancestor of Wuqing Mountain, he agreed to the meeting.

Yu An entered Li Shiming’s cave and met him in the main hall.

Li Shiming offered Third Grade Spirit Tea to entertain him, but this was not the Third Grade Spirit Tea he had processed himself.

The tea he processed was too special. If he were to take it out, his identity would be exposed.

Unless he had a stronger backer than the Heavenly Inquiry Sect and Skywalk Trading Company, it was impossible for him to reveal his identity at this time.

Fortunately, the cultivators he had slain were quite wealthy, so it wasn’t difficult to bring out other Third Grade Spirit Teas.

"Master Li, I’m here to deliver this to you!" Yu An’s face bore a smile. He certainly wouldn’t show the slightest reluctance when giving gifts. As a businessman, although he was a bit petty, he always did his best when circumstances were irreparable.

When he placed the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod in front of Li Shiming, Li Shiming’s gaze intensified. He hadn’t expected Yu An to bring the Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod over.

One had to know he was saving top-grade spirit stones precisely to purchase this Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod.

It was rare for him to have such an intense desire for any spiritual object, but the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod was one of the few that truly captivated him.

"What is this, Mr. Yu?" Li Shiming was puzzled about why Yu An had suddenly brought over the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod, as he really didn’t want to join Wuqing Mountain.

"I’ve explained your situation to Yu Songquan Ancestor. The ancestor reprimanded me for being inept and instructed me to send the Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod over, with the only request being that Master Li reside in Wuqing Mountain long-term!" Yu An said with a wry smile.

"Mr. Yu, I must say this upfront: if there’s an opportunity to join a top-tier sect, I will leave Wuqing Mountain!" Li Shiming stated his intentions beforehand.

"If that’s the case, then let this Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod be a token of goodwill to Master Li!" Yu An replied with a smile.

At this moment, he appeared exceedingly generous, but this was not an act. It mainly stemmed from his belief that Li Shiming joining a top-tier sect was nearly impossible.

Although Li Shiming was an Alchemy Master, top-tier sects were not so easy to join, and they rarely allowed a cultivator to join mid-way, as most were nurtured from a young age.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely impossible, but the chances were very slim.

The larger the sect, the stricter the rules, and it simply wasn’t feasible to break them just for an Alchemy Master.

"Then I’ll accept it!" Li Shiming said with a smile as he reached out to take the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod, hearing Yu An’s words.

To him, obtaining the Fourth-grade Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod now or later made little difference.

Five thousand top-grade spirit stones sounded like a lot, but once he established his reputation, he could accumulate five thousand top-grade spirit stones in no more than a few years, perhaps even in just a few months if everything went well.

"Master Li, here’s a Fourth-grade Demon Core, and I’d like to ask the master to open the furnace for refining. This Clear Spirit Fruit is the reward for the alchemy!" Yu An then placed two jade boxes in front of Li Shiming.

A gleam of delight flashed in Li Shiming’s eyes. Since arriving at Wuqing Mountain, he had been trying to connect with the cultivators of Wuqing Mountain, not just to interact with the Cultivation World of Dongqi Continent, but for another reason.

Truth be told, alchemy for Late-stage Golden Core cultivators had very little benefit for him beyond gathering some top-grade spirit stones.

Regarding Third Grade Advanced Spirit Pills, he no longer needed them, except for his alter-ego Li Yuanba, who needed some since the Third Grade Advanced Spirit Pills of Dongqi Continent were a new variant compared to those of Beishu Continent, which slightly boosted Li Yuanba’s cultivation.

With the Third-grade Spirit Pills he already possessed, Li Yuanba could cultivate to a Great Elder Level without any problem, not to mention the continuous output of third-grade spiritual medicine from the Mountain and River Qiankun Fan.

His proactive approach in interacting with Late-stage Golden Core Cultivators was to gain access to Nascent Soul Ancestors, as only by taking on alchemy tasks from Nascent Soul Ancestors could he achieve greater benefits.

"Opening the furnace to create Fourth-grade Spirit Pills will take some time. I also need to familiarize myself with the Fire Phoenix Treasure Tripod, so Mr. Yu, please return in twenty days!" Li Shiming said as he put away the two jade boxes.

"Then I’ll come back in twenty days!" Yu An was glad to see that Li Shiming accepted the job of refining Fourth-grade Spirit Pills, as it meant he had finally completed the task assigned by his father.

Li Shiming was very satisfied when Yu An took the initiative to contact him about the Fourth-grade Spirit Pill refining, and he courteously escorted Yu An out of the cave.