Chapter 539: Good Shade

It is well known that with three parties involved, if two join forces and neither is particularly weak, the outcome is already sealed.

Master Xuanwei and Daoist Zi Yang of Qingwei Sect have already come to see Li Rui.

Their attitude was very good.

Within just one incense stick's time, the matter was settled.

Yu State is willing to cede the spirit mines of Ten Thousand Mountains in exchange for the dragon vein.

Qingwei Sect, being an immortal sect that withdraws from the world, does not value fortune and destiny—it is a mutual exchange of needs.

Of course.

Had Wu State not spoken first, they would have demanded even more.

The Earth Sacrifice ritual is elaborate.

Though the Wu State ruler has not yet issued an edict, the position is already settled.

Why are you so certain?

Because Li Rui sits beside the Grand Witch and Xia Xia Xiaotang.

"Last time we soaked our feet, I already sensed you had promise—just like your master. Back when I traveled through Yu State, I fought him. I won then, but by the First Rank, I couldn't even block his three strikes."

"Arriving first doesn't count."

"Going far is true ability."

"Your lineage always accumulates quietly and bursts forth late—this is something this old man can never match."

As the Grand Witch spoke, steam rose from his body.

Beneath his feet sat a bucket of warm water.

Li Rui was the same.

Li Rui looked at the Grand Witch and thought to himself: the last time he met the Grand Witch, they had been soaking their feet too.

He listened as the Grand Witch recounted stories of his master.

Deep in thought.

These tales were also rumored in the martial world.

Elder martial artists had long said that his master, before reaching the First Rank, showed no outstanding talent—it was only after attaining the First Rank that he exploded into dominance.

He alone suppressed the entire martial world for centuries.

The gap between First Rank and First Rank was perfectly illustrated in his master.

No wonder the martial world has always held this saying.

The Lord of Donghai City is first because he is the only one.

The combined strength of second through ninth place still cannot match Gao Tianxia.

As for this:

Neither the Western Shu Sword Emperor, nor the State Tutor, nor the Grand Witch, ever refuted it.

The Grand Witch, the State Tutor, and his master were all of the same generation.

Now, coming from the Grand Witch's own mouth,

It was confirmed.

Li Rui: "Elder, everyone's Dao is different. You have your own unique strengths—my master cannot match you."

Following the principle that proximity implies strength,

He subtly flattered the Grand Witch a few times.

Today, the Grand Witch's smile was far more frequent than usual, especially when speaking of how Gao Tianxia fell short of him.

"Your master's martial arts are unquestionably the best under heaven. Had he not been limited by this world's boundaries, he would have gone much further—certainly beyond just the Heavenly Immortal Realm."

"Of course, in the art of witchcraft, I still hold a slight edge."

The Grand Witch chuckled.

Li Rui: "Wu State's witchcraft is indeed marvelously profound."

Another compliment.

The Grand Witch smiled even more.

He regarded Li Rui with approval: "If you wish to learn witchcraft, I can teach you—no need to become my disciple. Whatever Xia Xiaotang learns, you learn too."

Li Rui was startled.

The Grand Witch's words did not sound false.

The Grand Witch's witchcraft was coveted by countless cultivators in Wu State—even those of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm begged for it.

And now, the Grand Witch was willing to offer it freely?

Li Rui did not answer immediately. After a long silence, he spoke: "Elder, I understand the saying that greed leads to indigestion. I will not learn witchcraft."

This was spoken from the heart.

He certainly wanted to learn the Grand Witch's witchcraft.

But remembering his daily cultivation of the Ten Thousand Years Evergreen Art and the True Martial Cultivation of Soldiers, plus two visualization techniques, refining the small tower, and studying arrays and talismans—he was already at his limit.

Adding witchcraft would surely overfill him, leading only to counterproductive results.

The Grand Witch laughed: "You're quite a peculiar lad. If you won't learn, then don't."

Finished speaking.

He stood up and put on his shoes.

He said to Li Rui: "By the way, if you go to Donghai City, remember to deliver my greetings to your master."

"Elder, I'll see to it personally."

"This matter is troublesome indeed."

Outside Qinghe Hunting Ground.

Several figures lurked among low shrubs, like tigers and leopards watching.

These men were, of course, the Seven Evils.

Originally, they planned to observe Li Rui's actions amid the conflict between Yu State, Wu State, and Qingwei Sect, and strike only after confirming his strength.

But what they never expected was:

They didn't fight at all.

Not a single soul in Yu State died or was injured—the matter was already resolved.

This caught them completely off guard.

Worse still,

Li Rui became an official of Wu State, elevating his reputation further.

Though they scorned such empty things as reputation, there was no doubt: once they moved, their only option would be to flee to the deepest reaches of Donghai and wait until the celestial gate of this small paradise opened again.

It wasn't impossible.

Just the cost had risen.

Because it was expensive, they hesitated.

They had never acted—this was why.

Xie Qi: "What should we do now?"

No sooner had he spoken

Than Xie Yi declared firmly: "We need more money."

"This dragon vein is tainted with malevolence—truly dangerous. I heard several Dragon Seekers have perished in the valley."

Nie Nie Siming said.

Yet his tone carried unmistakable glee.

Yuan Xiong's expression grew grave: "The State Tutor himself intervened, yet the Ten Thousand Mountains' dragon vein turned out to be a once-in-ten-thousand-years great dragon. The stronger the dragon vein, the fiercer the demons it spawns—even the State Tutor must tread carefully. This dragon vein sealing won't be simple."

Li Rui listened.

He had already heard these rumors.

The Ten Thousand Mountains' dragon vein was far more terrifying than Yu State's court had anticipated.

Once sealed, it would surpass the dragon vein of Taiheng Mountain.

It would greatly enhance the nation's fortune.

The court grew increasingly concerned.

They even restored Yuan Yuan Dingting to military command—should anything go wrong in Ten Thousand Mountains, the army would arrive before the hour was up.

"Could the demon birth from this dragon vein be linked to the immortal tomb mentioned by Wu De?"

Li Rui thought.

But none of this concerned him.

Since that day, the State Tutor had not let him interfere in the dragon vein sealing at all.

Li Rui was happy for the peace.

He spent his days cultivating within Qinghe Hunting Ground, and even his array techniques were showing signs of breakthrough.

Even if he reached Celestial Phenomenon,

It would still be a matter of effort rewarded.

A true reflection of heaven rewarding diligence.

Being constantly entangled in worldly affairs hinders cultivation.

Of course.

Li Rui could remain so calm for another reason.

That was because he had a "spy" in the Ten Thousand Mountains.

He turned his head to look toward the Ten Thousand Mountains.

As if he could see a slightly plump figure climbing over peaks and searching for dragon veins.

At the other end.

Within the Imperial City.

"A bunch of bastards!"

Prince Zhu Gan smashed his teacup down in fury; the impact shattered the blue bricks beneath, leaving a deep crater, and the cup turned to powder.

Zhou Tong and Ben Shi stood silently.

Just yesterday.

News came from Qinghe County: the Seven Evils had not moved, and demanded more payment.

By "more payment,"

they meant they wanted more destiny energy.

Otherwise, they would withdraw, and cancel the previous deal entirely.

Zhu Gan flew into a rage.

The key was, the Seven Evils were not his men—they were demonic cultivators he had hired, uncontrollable. He could ask his uncle, the State Tutor, for help, but Zhu Gan knew that every time the State Tutor acted, he demanded repayment after Zhu Gan ascended the throne.

If he had to beg the State Tutor for something this minor, he'd be looked down upon.

A flash of resolve crossed Zhu Gan's eyes; he gritted his teeth:

"Then pay more!"

"Tell them to kill Li Rui within three days."

(End of Chapter)