togophonebook Chapter 142: The Contract? I Won't Sign It
Chapter 142: The Contract? I Won't Sign It
The two little minks curled up between Yang Jiuli's legs, rubbing their furry heads against him, and occasionally rolling around on the ground.
Seeing the little ones vying for attention and acting cute, Yang Jiuli smiled slightly.
With a flick of his hand, a jade bottle appeared in his palm.
The bottle cap was opened, and three Beast Spirit Pills flew out and landed in the spirit pool in front of them.
In an instant, the two little ferrets moved like lightning, each grabbing a pill and swallowing it.
The two little ones immediately landed in the spirit pool and frolicked happily.
Only Xiao Bing remained nestled in Yang Jiuli's arms, unmoved, letting the pill fall into the pool.
"Go ahead!" Yang Jiuli patted Xiao Bing's head and smiled.
Xiao Bing made a light, cheerful sound before flashing into the spirit pool, where she picked up a pill and swallowed it.
Yang Jiuli sat cross-legged and circulated the "Azure Emperor's Longevity Technique," drawing the abundant azure wood energy into the spiritual root above his dantian.
As night fell.
Yang Jiuli summoned Xiao Bing and gave her a Beast Spirit Pill.
Xiao Bing happily swallowed the Beast Spirit Pill, rolled around in Yang Jiuli's arms, and looked up, appearing quite adorable.
"Go..." Yang Jiuli lightly tapped Xiao Bing's forehead with his finger, and a contract mark appeared on the little guy's forehead.
A wisp of divine consciousness seeped into it.
Yang Jiuli's consciousness seemed to reside within Xiao Bing's body.
With a thought, he communicated with Xiao Bing using his divine sense, instructing her to go to the Black Wind Mountains.
The Black Wind Mountains stretch for thousands of miles.
There are countless caves.
The area where Blackwind City is located is famous for the Thirty-Six Caves of Blackwind!
The Li family swept through Black Wind City, and the Thirty-Six Caves changed hands.
Those monks who surrendered were also unable to remain in the city.
These people have committed numerous evil deeds, and if they remain here, they will only ruin the Li family's important plan to open a market.
These thirty-six caves cover a vast area, and the Li family did not have many people to guide them at the time.
It merely activated the array restrictions within the cave, preventing outsiders from entering.
Once the Li family patriarch has reached the Core Formation stage and has sufficient manpower and prestige, then they will consider renting these caves to Foundation Establishment cultivators.
However, there was no indication that it would be opened at this time.
Li Wenchang is a cultivator of the Azure Flame Immortal Sect and should not be stationed here.
Therefore, even Elder Li Jun alone could not suppress too many Foundation Establishment cultivators.
At this critical juncture for the family, the Li family clearly did not want to cause any unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, Xiao Bing disappeared underground.
Upon arriving at the Black Wind Cave, it emerged from a river and appeared inside the cave.
No one noticed when it leaped out of the river.
Inside the Black Wind Cave, black, malevolent energy raged, emitting a series of howling sounds.
The cave is very large, with the highest point reaching three zhang (approximately 10 meters).
The cave contains many passageways that connect to the mountainside, winding and twisting.
Gems are inlaid on the cave walls, emitting bursts of light that illuminate the cave.
According to Yan Jiuming's memory, Yang Jiuli guided Xiao Bing to quickly pass through a tunnel.
A short while later, it arrived at a small cavern about three zhang wide.
There is a jade reclining bed inside.
There is a small well about five feet wide ahead.
Mist swirled around the well, rising from the rocks.
"This is it!" With a thought, Yang Jiuli sent Xiao Bing into the well.
There is an underground river nine zhang (approximately 33 meters) below the surface of the well.
After swimming for ten miles through an underground river, they finally spotted a glimmer of light.
Xiao Bing leaped up and appeared in an underground cave.
The cave in front of us was extremely spacious, about thirty feet long, eighteen feet wide, and six feet high.
If you are located in the earth's veins, the wind will carry a chill.
Among them were some crystals that shimmered with a faint light.
In addition, there is a large river flowing, its destination unknown.
The river water crashed against the rocks, making a splashing sound.
Through Xiao Bing's gaze, Yang Jiuli scanned the cave.
"Ah..." Xiao Bing's eyes flickered, and her gaze immediately fell on the northeast direction of the cave.
There was a dazzling light there, like a beacon in the night, attracting everyone's attention.
But there stood a nine-foot-tall sacred tree.
The tree is lush with leaves, each about the size of a palm, and has a slightly black metallic sheen.
In addition, three fruits grow in the canopy.
These fruits are about the size of a fist, with black skin and golden stripes.
There was still a malevolent aura gathering above.
That is the 'Yin Sha Qi' formed from the essence of the earth's veins.
"This is the Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit... a second-tier spiritual fruit..." Through Xiao Bing's perspective, Yang Jiuli's divine sense was moved.
"Only when the Yin energy within forms a 'flower' will the 'Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit' ripen!" Yang Jiuli murmured to himself.
Gathering energy to form flowers.
An unusual phenomenon manifested.
This is the sign that the 'Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit' has matured.
The 'Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit' is clearly not fully ripe yet.
However, after finding the 'Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit' and confirming that Yan Jiuming's words were true, Yang Jiuli's anxious heart was finally at ease.
Through Xiaoice's perspective, another scan was taken.
They then noticed a small pond, about a foot wide, under the Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit spirit tree.
In the pool, there was a spirit stone that gleamed with a black metallic light.
This is the 'Black Fiend Mystic Stone'.
Within special ley lines, the energy of the ley lines can accumulate and give birth to "Heavenly Black Water".
The 'Yin Sha Xuan Ling Tree' will also grow nearby.
Strangely, if it is taken elsewhere, it will turn into ordinary stone and lose all its spiritual energy.
The ancients said that this stone has a spirit and has long been connected with the earth's veins, thus it can gather the earth's energy.
If it were moved to another place, where the earth's veins did not match, it would turn into an ordinary stone.
But then, next to the spirit stone, there was a small pool of spirit water.
"It's 'Heavenly Black Water'." Upon seeing this, Yang Jiuli's heart stirred slightly, and he immediately had Xiao Bing cast a 'Water Drawing Technique'.
Xiao Bing opened its mouth, and a cold light burst forth, evolving into a ball of light. Like a dragon sucking water, it drew the "Heavenly Black Water" from the small pool into this ball of light. In just a few breaths, the ball of light was filled, and Xiao Bing, holding the ball of light, returned along the same path.
Fifteen minutes later.
Xiao Bing is back.
A ripple spread through Yang Jiuli's cave.
Xiao Bing manifested, with a ball of light suspended in front of it, with ripples of water and black mist swirling around it.
"Not bad... This 'Heavenly Black Water' is enough for alchemy!" Yang Jiuli said with satisfaction as he brought the ball of light to his front.
He immediately formed hand seals and cast a "Spirit Sealing Technique," which transformed into a ball of light that sealed the "Heavenly Black Water."
In this way, the essence of heaven and earth water veins in the "Heavenly Black Water" can remain intact for a long time.
After doing all this, he flicked his hand, and a jade box about a foot tall flew out of his storage bag and sealed it away.
After quite satisfied with putting the jade box into his storage bag, Yang Jiuli's eyes flickered as he pondered.
"Look at that 'Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit,' it should take another three to five years for it to 'gather Qi and blossom' and fully mature," he murmured.
It's only been three to five years.
For cultivators, it's as easy as snapping their fingers.
He was naturally in no hurry.
Once the 'Yin Sha Xuan Ling Fruit' is harvested, along with the many spiritual herbs he possesses, it will be enough to refine the 'Tian Sha Zhuang Hun Dan'.
……
The next day, early in the morning.
Outside Yang Jiuli's cave, a ripple spread across the courtyard.
However, the protective formation was triggered, and a light shield was created.
Yang Jiuli's mind stirred, and he took out the array plate, penetrating it with his divine sense to sense the presence of Li Wannian.
Yang Jiuli walked out of the cave and came to the outside of the courtyard, where he welcomed them into the living room.
The living room is simple yet sophisticated.
The courtyard is filled with spiritual plants.
Occasionally, a mountain breeze would blow by, carrying a hint of menace, causing the copper bells in the courtyard to ring out with a series of crisp sounds.
In the living room, Li Wannian took a sip of tea, looked at Yang Jiuli, and said, "How are you? Are you getting used to living here?"
"Although it has a bit more murderous aura, it doesn't matter. The spiritual energy is a bit denser than on Snowfall Island, so cultivation is faster."
Yang Jiuli said.
Inside the cave, there was very little malevolent energy, so it was indeed no problem for cultivators.
However, outside the cave, there is often a fierce aura like a gale, and even a few breaths of it will damage one's internal organs, so one cannot linger here.
"Black Wind City's environment is indeed a bit harsh!" Li Wannian raised an eyebrow and looked at Yang Jiuli, saying, "However, it is also a rare opportunity!" As he spoke, a smile appeared on his lips, and a strange light shone in his eyes, which moved Yang Jiuli.
Yang Jiuli looked at Li Wannian.
"Hehe, I've come today to discuss a good matter with Master Yang," Li Wannian said with a slight smile.
"Please invite Master Li to come!" Yang Jiuli said.
"I have observed that your alchemy skills are becoming increasingly refined, so I have specially applied to the family to open a separate alchemy shop for you in Black Wind City... The profits will be split 30/70, with you getting 30% and the Li family getting 70%..." Li Wannian stroked his beard and smiled slightly with his eyes narrowed.
"Oh, a 30% profit share!" Yang Jiuli's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
30%...
That's thirty percent!
With Yang Jiuli's alchemy skills, five pills could be made at a time, and 60 pills could be made by opening the furnace 12 times.
He would receive 12 of the 40 low-grade spirit stones from each Azure Mystic Pill that yielded a profit.
That's 720 yuan a month.
Over the course of a year, he accumulated 8640 low-grade spirit stones.
For a first-level alchemist, this is undoubtedly a huge fortune, enough to make them rich overnight.
But Yang Jiuli remained calm and composed.
After killing Kuang Liming and Yan Jiuming, he had nearly 60,000 low-grade spirit stones in his hands.
As for those magical artifacts, when added together, they would be a fortune that would make even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators envious.
Nevertheless, Yang Jiuli had to put on a joyful expression, as that was in line with his current status.
"Not bad, a 30% profit share... and you can also study the 'Minor Blood Qi Pill'." Li Wannian stroked his beard and smiled.
Yang Jiuli's surprised and delighted expression pleased Li Wannian greatly.
With such a strong foundation, how could the Li family be afraid of not being able to control a Qi Refining Alchemist from another family?
"I am deeply grateful for Elder Li's kindness!" Yang Jiuli stood up and bowed to Li Wannian.
Since you're pretending to be an ordinary person, your emotions naturally have to be genuine.
Having lived through several lifetimes, Yang Jiuli was already used to it.
"Haha, no problem, no problem!" Li Wannian gestured for Yang Jiuli to sit down.
Then, with a flick of his hand, a scroll flew out of the storage bag.
"I see that your contract with my Li family still has eight years left..." Li Wannian said. "Recently, the clan has been planning to vigorously cultivate alchemists. As long as you sign this contract... when you become a first-grade top-level alchemist, we will give you the formula for the Great Blood Qi Pill to learn."
"A contract..." Yang Jiuli sneered inwardly as he looked at the scroll. "As expected... none of the immortal sects and aristocratic families are pushovers."
He sneered inwardly, but still wore a smile as he opened the scroll and scanned its contents with his divine sense.
Immediately, he closed the reel.
"How is it?" Li Wannian asked Yang Jiuli with a smile.
Yang Jiuli remained calm.
The scroll contained a request for him to renew his contract for another forty years and marry two of Li's direct descendants.
In this way, a shop can be opened for him immediately.
He also passed down the formula for the second-tier elixir.
If it were an ordinary first-level alchemist, they would naturally be flattered and gladly accept the honor.
But Yang Jiuli already had a lot of third-tier pill formulas, so why would he be tempted?
Seeing that Yang Jiuli had remained silent for several breaths, Li Wannian frowned and asked, "Does Master Yang still have any complaints?"
"If you have any, you may ask for them, and the Li family will certainly grant your request... This is only the first version... In fact, if you become a second-tier alchemist, the Li family may also provide you with third-tier alchemy formulas, such as the 'Replenishing Vitality and Correcting Self Pill,' for your study."
Li Wannian said.
He remained calm, his eyes smiling.
Third-order elixir formula.
Let alone Yang Jiuli.
Even Li Wannian wanted to observe.
This is something that countless cultivators dream of!
"The Li family's offer is incredibly generous... I am flattered..." Yang Jiuli said, cupping his hands. "However, I was born unrestrained and disliked constraints... I still want to take advantage of my youth to see the beautiful landscape and explore the vast immortal path."
"Therefore, this contract... I'm afraid it can't be signed!"
He looked regretful.
His expression was also somewhat solemn, making him appear serious and focused.
Upon hearing this, Li Wannian's expression changed drastically, and he murmured, "Dislikes constraints...exploring the path of immortality..."
He looked at Yang Jiuli, as if trying to discern the latter's thoughts.
Let's see if he really doesn't want to sign the contract.
They still want to raise the price.
Yang Jiuli remained calm.
"Freedom is good, but it also means being adrift and without a home. My ancestor is about to form his core. You are a talented person. If you stay in the Li family, your future will be limitless. If you miss this opportunity, you will never find another one. You should think it through!" Li Wannian said.
"Jiuli had already made up his mind!" Yang Jiuli said.
"I had planned this all along!" Upon hearing this, Li Wannian's pupils contracted, and he glanced at Yang Jiuli.
He thought back to 17 years ago.
The young man in front of him bargained with him, negotiating the contract term to 25 years.
At that time, he didn't care.
After all, if one doesn't become a pill refiner within five years, one will still have to marry into another family.
Even if he becomes an alchemist, he will likely remain with the Li family for future development.
Who would have thought that this condition would be offered?
The patriarch of the Li family also demonstrated extraordinary talent.
The kid still refused!
"Could it be that he never intended to stay in my Li family for long from the very beginning?" Li Wannian wondered to himself.
He began to seriously examine Yang Jiuli.
Recalling the past, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt even more strongly that the young man before him was no ordinary person.
It's not simple, yet it's hard to put into words.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it!" Li Wannian said. "He's over twenty-four and only at the first level of Qi Refining. He comes from an ordinary background, so why would he be so calculating? I suppose it's because when You Rong mentioned profit sharing last time, he was suppressed and harbors some resentment, which is why he doesn't dare to renew the contract easily."
"What happened last time was indeed a bit too much for the family!" Li Wannian murmured. Li Yourong was his grandniece.
Last time, because of the profit sharing, their lineage was disqualified from competing for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and he was somewhat resentful. Fortunately, his grandson Li Feiyu lived up to expectations and used the Foundation Establishment spiritual items "Dongquan Xuanyin Water" and "Great Blood Qi Pill" to forge his immortal foundation.
Li Wannian then gradually put the matter aside.
Otherwise, how could he have developed a rift with the other branches of the Li family?
Even so, a thorn remained in his heart.
After all, they are all members of the Li family, and they work diligently and contribute to the family.
On what grounds are they being suppressed?
As he pondered, Li Wannian looked at Yang Jiuli and sighed inwardly, thinking that the younger generation was also facing many difficulties.
I felt a sense of shared misfortune.
"If you have any concerns and are unwilling to renew your contract, that's fine. I'll go and discuss it with the Grand Elder and come up with a compromise."
Li Wannian stroked his beard and said this.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble Elder Li!" Yang Jiuli bowed, his face full of gratitude.
"Of course!" Li Wannian said, "I brought you into the Li family. If you can rise to prominence and live a carefree life, I will be happy for you!" As he spoke, he put away the scroll, said goodbye, and left Yang Jiuli's mountainside villa.
"Renewal..." Yang Jiuli watched Li Wannian's departing figure, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
He naturally knew that the Li family wanted to completely bind them to the warship of Yunmeng Lake.
However, the world of cultivation is ever-changing, and even if Li Ruoyu had a chance of forming his core, Yang Jiuli would not be tempted.
Ultimately, you can't rely on others.
The key to success lies in becoming strong yourself.
Xu Huaiyi is a second-level alchemist.
In the face of the clan's strategic interests, can't they be ignored?
Hold fast to your own heart and do not be swayed by external things.
This is Yang Jiuli's current code of conduct.
If you do these things well, the path to the Golden Elixir is not an illusion.
Once one's resolve wavers, all efforts over several lifetimes will come to naught.
……
Blackwind City.
The Grand Elder Li Jun sat in a grand hall suspended between two mountains deep within the city.
This grand hall is like a pass, connecting to the deep Black Wind Mountains.
Sitting upright in the main hall, one can see the boundless deep mountains and forests outside.
Li Jun looked down, his gaze disdainful and authoritative.
In Blackwind City, he is now the only Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the city.
The two foundation-building generals who had previously surrendered to the Li family, Dong Yutian and Ding Liyuan, were not allowed to remain here because they had committed many evil deeds.
The Li family arranged for them to escort medicinal herbs traveling to and from the Yue Kingdom, and to allow them to return after their ancestor, Li Hongtai, had achieved the Golden Core stage.
As a result, no one dared to question their backgrounds.
At this moment, Li Wannian stood in the hall, bowed, and reported Yang Jiuli's matter to Li Jun.
"Refuse to sign?" Li Jun's old face darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he roared, "What is he trying to do? Without the nurturing of the Li family of Yunmeng Lake, would he be where he is today? Hmph, now that he has achieved something, he wants to leave the Li family?"
"Does he really think he's all grown up now?"
His voice carried a hint of murderous intent; he was clearly furious!
How could the prestigious Li family, a near-third-tier immortal cultivation clan, be provoked by a mere child?
Inside the hall, Li Wannian frowned slightly.
After a full three breaths, seeing that Li Jun's anger had subsided somewhat, he finally bowed and spoke.
"Everyone has their own ambitions. Master Yang only came to my Li family to learn skills, he did not sell himself!" Li Wannian said calmly.
"It's simply a matter of each getting what they need!"