Heavenly Dao Engine
Chapter 525 - 525 0357 Think Clearly (New Book Cultivation

Chapter 525: Chapter 0357 Think Clearly (New Book Cultivation and Wealth Seeks Collection)_2 Chapter 525: Chapter 0357 Think Clearly (New Book Cultivation and Wealth Seeks Collection)_2 “County Official, from now on, I, as the County Master, instruct you to temporarily replace the County Magistrate and take full responsibility for dealing with all matters in Lubei County,” Qi Tian said this as the first thing after meeting Huang Shuxian and the others. According to the laws of Great Zhao, his appointment was not considered a violation, as the County Master indeed has this power, especially since Qi Tian was a regular fifth-grade County Master.

The County Official promptly agreed, knowing that he had taken on a hot potato. But no matter how difficult, he couldn’t refuse, otherwise, Liu Qing’s family would be his precedent.

“Starting now, the four gates of the county town must be sealed. For everyone entering and leaving the city gates, strict inspection must be enforced. If any suspicious person is discovered, they are not allowed into or out of the city. Meanwhile, the situation must be promptly reported to the County Master Mansion, understood?” Qi Tian ordered.

The County Official dared not disagree and quickly agreed.

Qi Tian continued, “Do not disturb the people, and do not imitate Liu Qing’s behaviour of exploiting the public by letting the people pay the taxes mandated by the court. If I find any of you taking advantage of your position for private gain, don’t blame me for sentencing their entire family.”

The County Official and County Master quickly agreed. Qi Tian waved his hand and dismissed them all. He didn’t expect them to be of great help, as long as they didn’t cause trouble for him, he would be satisfied.

Just as the County Official and the others left, Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi came to see him.

“Hall Master, how is your injury?” Qi Tian asked.

Luo Xia said, “Thanks to the healing medicine you gave me, my injuries have almost completely healed. Qi Tian, what should we do now? Are we going to stay here forever? Moreover, since the Great Elder has entrusted you with all affairs of the Imperial Master Mansion, you can’t stay in the County Master Mansion forever, right?”

Hao Wenxi said, “Yes, Qi Tian, Lubei County is too far from Zhangshui City. Communication is inconvenient. Once something happens in the Imperial Master Mansion, you won’t be able to respond in time from Lubei County.”

Qi Tian said, “I understand all of your concerns, but we cannot return to the Imperial Master Mansion. On one hand, we can’t be sure whether the Guardian National Master Manor will intercept us on the road. On the other hand, the defensive array of the Imperial Master Mansion is not as robust as the County Master Mansion. If we return to the Imperial Master Mansion, safety would neither be increased but would even possibly decrease.”

“Qi Tian, you make a good point, but are we safe if we keep staying at the County Master Mansion? The Four Symbols Array is good, but if the Mansion Master of the Guardian National Master Manor, Wu Tie, personally takes action, can the Array withstand him? By then, let alone us, even you might be implicated. And what about our fellow disciples in the Imperial Master Mansion? Without you at the Imperial Master Mansion, who can assure its safety? If it gets obliterated by the Guardian National Master Manor, how can we explain it to the Mansion Master upon his return?” Luo Xia expressed his worries.

Qi Tian asked, “Have you tried contacting the Mansion Master?”

“We’ve tried, but there is still no response from the Mansion Master. We have also tried to contact the Mansion Master of National Master Manor, Yu Ting, and even Emperor Tian Rui, but none of them have replied.” Luo Xia responded.

Qi Tian rubbed his face. He understood the worries of Luo Xia and the others, but as for threats to him—it was impossible. If need be, he could just leave without hesitation, either to Wanjie City or to a far-off country. There was no one in Great Zhao who could keep him against his will. But those were all last resort choices, the choices of losers. Qi Tian did not want to be a loser, especially not before he had exhausted all his efforts—that was not his style.

Looking at Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi, Qi Tian said, “At this point, everyone needs to make efforts, and perhaps sacrifices. There’s a question I’m not sure whether to ask or not, but I’ve decided to ask it. Hall Masters, can I trust you both absolutely right now?”

Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi looked at each other, then nodded together. “Yes.”

“Can you swear to keep absolutely confidential what I’m about to say? That you won’t reveal a single detail to anyone, at any time?” Qi Tian continued to interrogate.

The expressions of Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi grew even more solemn. “We can swear. If you think it necessary, we can open our spirits to you, and you can leave a mark on them to assure you that we’ll keep the secret.”

“Alright, open your spirits.” Qi Tian did not hesitate, the words he was about to say were significant and related to his life and property. He had to go all in, even if it meant dealing with Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi.

Hao Wenxi, feeling a little more at ease. Her relationship with Qi Tian wasn’t particularly intimate, but Luo Xia felt somewhat uncomfortable. However, in order to display his sincerity, he still opened his spirit to Qi Tian.

Qi Tian immediately imprinted on their spirits. If they betrayed their oath in the future, he could make the transgressor wish for death with this imprint. “Hall masters, I have to make use of this tactic today. I’ve offended you in many ways. Once I reach the Gold Core stage in the future, I will definitely remove the imprint from your spirits.”

“No worries, Qi Tian. We’re all thinking about the future of the Imperial Master Mansion.” Hao Wenxi comforted Qi Tian, “You can tell us your plan now, can’t you?”

Qi Tian didn’t immediately answer, but used his Heavenly Dao Engine to sense the surroundings of the room to ensure that no one was eavesdropping, then he said, “I won’t keep this from the two hall masters. I experienced a lot of hardship during my travels, but I also gained a lot. I obtained four Pseudo-True Pills. You should know what the Pseudo-True Pill is, right?”

Qi Tian had eight Pseudo-True Pills on hand. There was no way he could use all of them, he needed to keep some for his followers. Giving half would already be a huge return for the cultivation he received from the Imperial Master Mansion. As for his only Three-Turns Heaven Earth Pill, there was no chance he would give it away. Not only could he possibly need it in the future, but if he did not, he would have to give it to someone truly worthy. If the pill ended up with the wrong person, it would be wasted and they wouldn’t be able to breakthrough to the Gold Core Realm.

“What… You mean the Pseudo-True Pill, capable of enabling one to break through to the Pseudo Core Realm and possess the power similar to that of the Gold Core Stage?” Luo Xia exclaimed.

Qi Tian nodded. “Indeed, that’s the Pseudo-True Pill. However, achieving a breakthrough with the Pseudo-True Pill isn’t a true breakthrough to the Gold Core Realm. Instead, it’s a detour without a future. You’ll only have power equivalent to the first level of Gold Core Realm and you won’t be able to break through further in the future. Obviously, in terms of lifespan, you can’t compare to a real Gold Core cultivator. But it’s definitely more powerful than the peak of Foundation Establishment and Half-step Golden Core.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi’s eyes lit up, both expelling in unison, “Qi Tian, please bestow upon me a Pseudo-True Pill.”

Qi Tian said, “Hall masters, you must think this through. Once you take the Pseudo-True Pill, your future will be gone. Your cultivation will come to an end.”

Hao Wenxi said, “At this moment, the survival of the Imperial Master Mansion is at stake. What does my personal future matter? As long as we can protect the inheritance of the Imperial Master Mansion, what does my little sacrifice count for?”

Luo Xia said, “I’m not getting any younger, either. I’ve been stuck at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment for many years without progressing. The limit for me is the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, and it’s not likely that I’ll make it to the peak of Foundation Establishment. Let alone take a step further after that. For me, this is truly a dead end. If I can take a Pseudo-True Pill and break through to the Pseudo Core Realm, possessing power and lifespan comparable to the first level of Gold Core, I would be significantly advancing from my original dead end. What would I have to complain about then? Moreover, as the head of Sky Eagle Hall, I have an inescapable responsibility for the rise and fall of the Imperial Master Mansion. For this responsibility, I must take the Pseudo-True Pill.”

Qi Tian nodded, impressed by the attitudes of Luo Xia and Hao Wenxi. He directly took out two Pseudo-True Pills and said, “Hall masters, let me remind you one last time. Once you take this pill, there will be no way back. You must think it through.”