90: Return to the Market

"Young Master?"

"Hmm?"

"What's a 'metal box'?"

"It's the kind of metal box that the Qi Sect casts..."

"Then why would it run?"

"Perhaps some array is engraved inside it."

"Then what's a 'teacher'?"

"One who imparts knowledge... what else would you call a teacher?"

"But what did that demonic Cultivator say? It was so filthy, saying that you are entangled by desires and will surely face immense difficulties before entering the Dao Foundation."

Immediately, Qiu Ya's arm was bleeding, but she disregarded her own safety and looked at Shen Li beside her, speaking worriedly.

"Is there truly no problem with Young Master's state of mind?"

"He doesn't even have a bit of youthful spirit... What if what that demonic Cultivator said was true... wouldn't that be..."

Shen Li waved his hand and said with a smile.

"No matter, you know Young Master's capabilities, why worry so much."

"But it concerns Young Master's future cultivation after all... If it's nothing, when you have free time, you should still find a Great Master for 'meditation' or 'contemplation' to dispel your Heart Demon as much as possible, that's the important thing."

"After all, a Cultivator is completely different from a martial artist. A martial artist relies on the evil thoughts in their heart, but a Cultivator needs their thoughts to be clear and pure to have a great future."

Shen Li smiled and did not refute, merely listening to the red-robed, ponytailed woman speaking righteously beside him.

"Young Master..."

"Hmm?"

"You were a bit scary earlier. Was it the demonic Cultivator's influence?"

"I just felt very displeased when someone attacked me without reason, so I was very angry."

"Does that person have an extraordinary background?"

"A Sword Core is such a rare treasure; even in the Cloud Sea Sword Sect, they are not everywhere. Possessing this treasure almost guarantees one as a Dao Foundation seed... So you are right, this person's background is indeed extraordinary."

"If the Cloud Sea Sword Sect truly pressures us, in the mountain..."

Shen Li laughed, realizing that the female martial artist in front of him was clearly worried about him, which was why she spoke so much.

He couldn't help but explain.

"There are many factors that determine my life and death."

"First, although the Cloud Sea Sword Sect is powerful, my Qingchi Mountain is not weak either. Although these sword fanatics are overbearing, my Qingchi Mountain is not easy to deal with, and it was the Cloud Sea Sword Sect's people who made the first move.

It is only right for us to retaliate."

"Second, value. If a year ago, we, master and servant, had encountered people from the Cloud Sea Sword Sect, we would have been doomed, regardless of whether we could fight back."

"But today, you and I, master and servant, are different from before."

"We have value now?"

"Of course."

Along the way, the master and servant no longer spoke. The speed of the ninth-grade Spirit Beast was very fast, and with the little Sand Fox's keen senses, they could avoid Yao Beasts, so they returned to Black Ridge City in just two days.

However, at the city gate, they saw Ou Yening on a Dharma Boat.

Although Ou Yening held some resentment towards Shen Li, seeing such a tragic sight, she couldn't help but descend from her Dharma Boat.

She took out a bottle of Medicinal Pills from her embrace, took out one, and handed it to Qiu Ya.

"This is a Tendon and Bone Activating Pill. After taking it, it will ensure your tendons and bones do not break... In about a month, your Physical Body will recover."

Afterward, Ou Yening wanted to take out another one to give to Shen Li, but Shen Li waved his hand and said.

"No matter, I merely suffered damage from over-draining my Physical Body's Spiritual Qi. A few days of cultivation will resolve it."

After speaking, Shen Li's eyes flickered, and he took out the strange bronze statue from his Storage Pouch.

He asked.

"Miss Ou Ye... Can the Qi Sect repair this item?"

Ou Ye glanced at it and frowned, saying.

"Yes, this item does not have overly complex artifact patterns. It relies only on the toughness of this Golden Inscription Iron... So it's simple to repair."

"However, this item is full of evil Qi, clearly an Evil Path item... It might not be appropriate to use it in the future."

"It needs to be improved..."

Shen Li nodded and said, "All expenses, I will naturally prepare them fully."

"No matter... Since the branch store is located in Black Ridge City, you will be the local lord from now on. This can be considered my Qi Sect's early tribute to you, the local lord."

"You jest."

After they parted ways, Shen Li arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.

Upon arriving at the City Lord's Mansion, Wang Teng, who had received news from somewhere, rushed out of his seclusion.

Then he hurried into the hall, looked at Qiu Ya's injuries, and said in a deep voice.

"Where did you go? Did you encounter a Yao Beast?"

Shen Li shook his head and explained the whole story, only to see Wang Teng's gaze deepen even more.

"You killed a True Disciple of the Cloud Sea Sword Sect? And a True Disciple who had already consumed a Sword Core?"

"Yes."

Wang Teng immediately gasped.

"By the Immortals... How did you do it? And a Refining Qi Sword Cultivator... whose origin is the Cloud Sea Sword Sect?"

"You bastard, did you take medicine behind my back?"

"Or did you Breakthrough to Refining Qi behind my back?"

"No, that's not right. I see your aura is at Perfection, you haven't Breakthrough."

Shen Li, however, said calmly.

"Nothing else... just practice makes perfect."

"Stop pretending, you old fool! I know you... You must have used extraordinary means!"

"Quickly tell me! Shen!"

Shen Li did not explain, but merely asked softly.

"Does my killing of a True Disciple of the Cloud Sea Sword Sect have any impact?"

Wang Teng slowly put away his playful smile, thought for a moment, and then said.

"If you say there's no impact, that's impossible. After all, True Disciples are not like outer or inner disciples; their Aptitude and origins are top-notch, and they are all future mainstays of the Immortal Sect.

If one is killed, all those early investments go to waste.

I haven't heard of the Murong Yunhai you killed, but his Sword Core is a superior product, so he must not be simple.

These sword fanatics all have bad tempers. If a True Disciple dies, they will definitely cause a ruckus for a while."

"How will they cause a ruckus?"

Wang Teng yawned and said.

"How else can they cause a ruckus? The big ones won't be allowed into the Huangfeng Plains, but the small ones definitely will come. I heard my Uncle say that the ruins of the Loulan Ancient Kingdom might yield a seventh-grade heaven and earth treasure, how could they possibly give up."

"They will definitely send new True Disciples here, then seize the Opportunity, and by the way, find trouble with you."

"However... for safety's sake, I think you need to come with me to Crescent Lake Market."

"To pay a visit to my Immortal Master. To see if there will be any bad consequences."

Shen Li was puzzled.

"Why is that?"

Wang Teng said as if it were perfectly natural.

"Of course, it's because my Wang family has experience."

"Back then, my second ancestor, Heavenly Innocence Perfected Person, cut down seven True Disciples of the Cloud Sea Sword Sect all the way from Yunhe County to Imperial Sword Villa, where he snatched the 'Heavenly Light' Sword Core, thus forming a grudge.

"Since then, my Wang family and that lineage of the Cloud Sea Sword Sect have never had peace, always countering each other's moves."

"Both sides fought fiercely..."

"Good... I have many things to discuss with my Wang family Uncle on this trip, so it's a good time to go."