Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 386 - 386 0284 City-wide Search

Chapter 386: Chapter 0284: City-wide Search Chapter 386: Chapter 0284: City-wide Search Chapter 0284 A city-wide search

Zhao Qian didn’t expect that in a foreign land, reuniting with Qi Tian, the first issue she would have to address would be explaining the whereabouts of the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment pill. She knew that Qi Tian was concerned for her, but only she understood deeply the consequences that could follow if Qi Tian knew the truth. Therefore, when answering this question, she could not help but think about how to conceal part of the truth.

“Qi Tian, it’s like this. You gave me all the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment pill, right? However, in King Zhangbei Manor, we didn’t have any pill refinement masters who could make the Foundation Establishment pill. Initially, I planned to ask for help from the Imperial Master Mansion. Unfortunately, the seniors capable of making the pill just happened to be unavailable. In my haste to make the Foundation Establishment pill, I unintentionally leaked the news. Then someone came by offering to find a trustworthy alchemist for me to turn the ingredients into pills. So, I gave them the ingredients, and I’ve been waiting for them to make the pills till today. When I think about it, it hasn’t been a long time, just two or three months. I plan to press them for progress once I return from Chi Di.”

Qi Tian stared intently at Zhao Qian until she finished speaking, then he said, “Princess, you should know in the path of cultivation, lagging behind for one step results in lagging behind in each step. It was right for you to urgently find someone to help you with the alchemy so you could breakthrough with the Foundation Establishment pill. But why did you change your mind later and procrastinate for months? Do you realize how much can be accomplished in these few months?”

“I know… One thing after another kept happening. Once I return to Great Zhao, I definitely will demand the Foundation Establishment pill. If I can’t get it, I will demand all the ingredients back.” Zhao Qian, avoiding Qi Tian’s gaze, responded.

Qi Tian shook his head, “Who did you give the ingredients to? Tell me, I will help you recover them.”

“No.”, Zhao Qian quickly retorted.

“Why not? Princess, I gave you those ingredients to help you with your cultivation, to let you breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Stage sooner. They weren’t intended for others to benefit from. I believe I, as the original owner of those ingredients, have the right to know. Princess, tell me, who took the ingredients from you?” Towards the end of his words, Qi Tian was already showing signs of impatience.

Zhao Qian sighed, realizing she could not avoid the truth anymore, “It was my second brother.”

“Your second brother, Zhao Puxue?” Qi Tian humphed, “You must be well aware of what sort of person your second brother is. There’s no way you would trust him easily with your wisdom. At most, he could be an accomplice, but who is the true culprit?”

Zhao Qian pleaded, “Qi Tian, this is an internal matter of our family. I know you mean well, but could I request that you not meddle in this anymore, and let me deal with it on my own?”

Qi Tian stared at Zhao Qian for a moment, then he finally nodded, “Alright, since you’ve asked me, I will oblige. However, I would like to confirm one more time, are you sure you don’t need my intervention?”

Zhao Qian nodded her head firmly, “Thank you for your kindness, but I believe I can handle this situation myself.”

What could Qi Tian say to that? Zhao Qian insisted on not letting him intervene and if he insisted on pursuing the matter, he would seem overbearing. He sighed, “In that case, I won’t force anything. Princess, take care.”

Qi Tian stood up. He originally planned to have a serious talk with Zhao Qian. Even if Zhao Qian gave away all the ingredients for the Foundation Establishment pill to someone else, it was not a big deal to him. Maybe in the past, it was a huge effort for Qi Tian to gather all the ingredients required for this pill. However, now, it’s not just the ingredients, he also possessed several completed Foundation Establishment pills his spoils of war, which he has tucked away. He didn’t need them for himself, so he could easily give one or two to Zhao Qian, to help her breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage sooner.

Yet, Zhao Qian was not willing to tell him the truth. Even when she talked, she was evasive and unwilling to reveal the true culprit. Regardless of Zhao Qian’s motivations, such actions showed that she did not see Qi Tian as a trusted confidant. Qi Tian is a person who understands gratitude. That’s why he did not hesitate to give the Wind-chasing Soul Piercing Spear, a middle-grade heavenly spirit artifact, to Zhao Qian, as well as bestowing upon her all of the precious ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill. To be frank, he has already repaid Zhao Qian for her kindness several times over. Therefore, now that Zhao Qian was not appreciative, Qi Tian certainly wasn’t going to make a fool of himself by further reaching out to her.

Seeing Qi Tian suddenly standing up, Zhao Qian felt an inexplicable panic, she hastily said, “Qi Tian, we’ve only just reunited, are you leaving so soon?”

Qi Tian smiled, “If we are fated, we’ll meet again. Besides, it’s not like I won’t be returning to the Imperial Master Mansion. After I finish my business, I will return there. I believe we will meet again then. Besides, as a bodyguard, you shouldn’t stray too far from the person you’re protecting for too long. I won’t take up your time. Oh, for these negotiations with the Chi Di people, you should take a harder stance. Do not easily surrender the benefits that you should claim. The Chi Di people have suffered major losses. They are no longer as powerful as before. It’s the perfect time to pressure them. Now, I must go, goodbye.”