Volume 1 Volume 5 Chapter 155

Volume 5 Chapter 155: Preparation (Part 2)

Looking at the three thumb-sized pills in Xu Qingfan’s hand that shimmered with strong Spirit Qi, the three disciples were slightly taken aback. Xu Qingfan had given them many pills before, all of which were of the highest quality, but none of those pills contained as much Spirit Qi as these three.

Then, Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei seemed to think of something, their eyes shining with excitement. Zhang Ningmei remained relatively calm, while Bai Yu felt an urge to snatch the pills from Xu Qingfan’s hands. Although Bai Yu had matured a lot after experiencing life and death, he still seemed unable to shake off his impatient nature.

Only Ting’er ignored the pills in Xu Qingfan’s hand and quietly stared at him, her gaze calm and deep, leaving one to wonder what she was thinking. This was normal for Ting’er, but after Mr. Liu’s words, Xu Qingfan felt a bit awkward under her watchful eyes.

Suppressing various emotions deep inside, Xu Qingfan’s hand holding the pills trembled slightly, causing the three pills to float slowly in front of the disciples, gently hovering. As the light shimmered, their faces became radiant, their eyes sparkling with either excitement or the reflection of the spirit light.

Ting’er and Zhang Ningmei first bowed respectfully to Xu Qingfan before putting the pills into their sleeves, while Bai Yu, unable to wait, quickly tucked his pill away, as if it might disappear at any moment. But upon seeing Ting’er and Zhang Ningmei’s actions, he remembered that Xu Qingfan was still there and hurriedly bowed as well, his face a mix of surprise and joy, as if he feared Xu Qingfan would lecture him about being reckless again. This reaction made Xu Qingfan smile.

"As you may have guessed, these three pills are the legendary ‘Immortal Ascending Pills.’ Ningmei and Bai Yu, you both have reached the late stage of the Lingji Stage. You are not far from the Condensed Core Stage, but the breakthrough from the Lingji Stage to the Condensed Core Stage is extremely difficult. Even a small difference can take decades, or even a hundred years. With the current uncertain situation in the cultivation world, you need to improve your strength as soon as possible. So, I will give each of you one pill. After you leave, do not go out again. Take the ‘Immortal Ascending Pill’ and meditate for two years. That will be enough for you to break through to the Condensed Core Stage. This way, you will have a better chance of protecting yourselves in the chaotic cultivation world."

"Yes."

"Yes."

Zhang Ningmei had already put away her surprise at receiving the "Immortal Ascending Pill" and bowed calmly to express her thanks, while Bai Yu’s voice was still full of excitement, perhaps thinking about how impressive he would look as a Condensed Core Stage cultivator.

After speaking with Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei, Xu Qingfan turned his gaze to Ting’er, suddenly feeling that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, realizing how deeply Mr. Liu’s words had affected him.

"Ting’er, the ‘Immortal Ascending Pill’ is one of the few treasures in the cultivation world that can help a Condensed Core Stage cultivator increase their power. I usually don’t agree with Condensed Core Stage cultivators using pills to boost their cultivation, but your situation is different. Over the years, I have been on missions and couldn’t care for Ningmei and Bai Yu, which has greatly reduced your training time. You are still at the late stage of the Fake Golden Core Stage, but your understanding of the Heavenly Way is enough. So, I will give you this ‘Immortal Ascending Pill’ as compensation; it should be enough for you to break through to the Real Golden Core Stage. After we leave, you should also go into seclusion with Ningmei and Bai Yu."

"Yes."

Ting’er bowed in response but didn’t care much about the ‘Immortal Ascending Pill’ given to her. She was more focused on Xu Qingfan’s strange attitude towards her today. When she looked directly at Xu Qingfan, he avoided her gaze and his eyes flickered, which made her feel a bit flustered.

Next, Xu Qingfan also gifted some suitable magical tools for Fake Golden Core Stage cultivators to Zhang Ningmei and Bai Yu. These were treasures he had obtained during his missions over the years. He gifted Zhang Ningmei a butterfly-shaped hairpin, a beautiful white feathered robe, and a jade sword that radiated Spirit Qi. Bai Yu received a giant spear engraved with various fierce beasts, a shiny golden armor, and a set of tiger-skin clothes and boots. Though their functions were different, they were all high-level Earth artifacts, which made Bai Yu and Zhang Ningmei love them.

Then, he gave Ting’er a jade ring, which was one of the finest magical tools he had collected over the years. It had many uses and a Real Golden Core Stage cultivator could barely use it. It was called the "spiritual jade ring." Though it was labeled as a high-level Earth artifact, its power was not inferior to some heavenly-level artifacts. Originally, Xu Qingfan intended to keep it for himself, but after his trip to North Iceland, it was of no use to him, so he simply gave it to Ting’er.

After telling them to refine these magical tools for their own use immediately after their breakthrough, Xu Qingfan let the three leave to enter seclusion. Before they left, Ting’er’s eyes flickered, as if she wanted to say something, but Xu Qingfan pretended not to see. In the end, Ting’er quietly lowered her head and left, her back looking weak, as if Xu Qingfan had abandoned her.

After the three left, Zhang Ningmei casually shut the door, and the room became dim. In the darkness, Xu Qingfan stared blankly at a corner of the room for a long time before suddenly letting out a bitter laugh.

Xu Qingfan realized that he truly feared Ting’er having any other feelings for him because he had always seen her as an elder sees a younger person. His hurry to have the three enter seclusion was not just a fear that they would struggle to care for each other in the future, but also because he was somewhat afraid to face Ting’er during this time. So, he could only let her enter seclusion and take some time to think about what to do.

When he encountered the Jiuhua fox spirit and that mysterious man with the sword on his back, Xu Qingfan did not find it so troublesome.

While Xu Qingfan was lost in thought, he did not know how much time had passed; the light in the room grew increasingly dim, suggesting that it was already evening.

Suddenly, a clear, respectful voice echoed into Xu Qingfan’s room, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Martial Uncle Xu, I, your disciple Li Yuhan, have come to pay my respects."

"Please come in."

As Xu Qingfan spoke, he got out of bed and personally walked to the door to greet Li Yuhan. Although Li Yuhan was just a third-generation disciple and not famous in the Righteous Alliance, everyone from Jiuhua Gate knew how important he was. If we talk about influence in Jiuhua, Li Yuhan was the only one who could compare to Xu Qingfan, even though Xu Qingfan had already been celebrated as a hero of Jiuhua and the righteous path.

Everyone believed that over the years, Jiuhua’s energy had gradually recovered and was well-managed thanks to Xu Qingfan’s orderly leadership. They did not know that Xu Qingfan was only responsible for guiding the overall direction, while the one actually implementing it was Li Yuhan. For years, Zhang Hualing did not take charge, and Xu Qingfan seemed more like the Master of Jiuhua, and a rather irresponsible one at that, while Li Yuhan resembled a Deacon Elder, and one who was very responsible.

It can be said that over the years, Li Yuhan helped Xu Qingfan a lot, and Xu Qingfan owed Li Yuhan much as well. It is not too much for him to go out and greet him.

When Xu Qingfan personally went out to greet him, Li Yuhan looked calm but bowed respectfully and said, "With your status as Martial Uncle Xu, how can you personally greet someone younger? If others find out, they will say that Jiuhua has no rules."

Xu Qingfan smiled and said, "With the friendship between you and me, if I do not greet you and others find out, they will also say that I am ungrateful. Besides, what is your status, what abilities do you have, and what contributions have you made? Do the others know? Don’t you and I both know?"

Li Yuhan smiled slightly, seeming to agree but still opposing, saying, "Friendship is friendship, but other matters are different; rules are rules, and that is not an excuse."

Xu Qingfan shook his head, looking a bit helpless. He could only change the subject and led Li Yuhan toward his room, saying, "Let’s talk more inside."

Li Yuhan is good at everything, but he is too rigid in his work, especially with details, which, in some ways, makes him quite similar to Xu Qingfan.

After entering the room, Xu Qingfan sat cross-legged on the bed, while Li Yuhan bowed and then sat down in front of Xu Qingfan.

Although cultivators can see at night, they still follow human instincts and light lamps when night falls. Only Xu Qingfan preferred the tranquil feeling of darkness; there were no lights in his room. When night came, the room was completely dark.

In the thick darkness, Xu Qingfan quietly looked at Li Yuhan before him, silent and seemingly deep in thought. Li Yuhan, on the other hand, was not in a hurry; he just sat there quietly, waiting.

When it comes to managing the sect, Li Yuhan’s abilities far surpass Xu Qingfan’s. He pays attention to details while remaining flexible, works steadily, and has a long-term vision. If it weren’t for his status as a third-generation disciple, he would undoubtedly be the next sect leader of Jiuhua.

Moreover, Li Yuhan is very dedicated to his duties. Ever since Xu Qingfan became the Deacon Elder of Jiuhua, Li Yuhan has put in great effort to help Xu Qingfan. For this reason, he has delayed his own cultivation without complaining. Among the five elites of Jiuhua, his talent is not lacking, yet his progress in cultivation is the slowest, precisely because of this.

Over the years, Xu Qingfan has carried out missions for the Righteous Alliance and occasionally dealt with Jiuhua’s matters and overall direction, feeling mentally exhausted. However, he suddenly remembers that Li Yuhan not only follows Xu Qingfan on various missions but also manages the relationships between Xu Qingfan and the team members during these tasks. Just when Xu Qingfan finally gets some rest, Li Yuhan has begun to busy himself with Jiuhua’s affairs, yet he has never complained. In this regard, Xu Qingfan pales in comparison to him.

Xu Qingfan has lost count of how many times, upon discovering a problem that needs fixing, he has called for Li Yuhan to handle it. Sometimes Li Yuhan even has to take care of seven or eight matters at once for Xu Qingfan, yet each time he manages to satisfy Xu Qingfan without making mistakes.

However, although Li Yuhan works so hard for him, Xu Qingfan knows he doesn’t possess the strong charm needed to win such a person over. Li Yuhan’s actions are not because of Xu Qingfan.

The only reason Li Yuhan does this is because of Zhang Hualing. Since Xu Qingfan is designated as Zhang Hualing’s successor, Li Yuhan willingly assists Xu Qingfan to earn him a great reputation, even if it leaves him with none. The only person Li Yuhan has ever been loyal to is Zhang Hualing.

Because of this, Xu Qingfan worries greatly about Li Yuhan discovering what is inside the green slip. After all, the green slip contains several extreme methods to kill Zhang Hualing.

Meanwhile, Xu Qingfan has unknowingly become reliant on Li Yuhan.

After looking at each other for a long time, Xu Qingfan suddenly smiled a little and softly asked, "You have seen the contents of that green slip, haven’t you?"