Translator: AnubisTL
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Limitless. My father's health remains stable," Zhao Nan said as he entered Li Qing's cave abode. Throughout the journey, he kept his gaze strictly focused ahead, avoiding any wandering glances.
Upon entering, Zhao Nan immediately bowed deeply to Li Qing, who sat cross-legged on a cushion.
Observing Zhao Nan's impeccable manners, Li Qing nodded almost imperceptibly. "No need for such formalities," he said. "Rise."
"Little Friend Zhao, did your father instruct you to come to Hundred Refinements Peak with a specific task?"
Li Qing had once promised to assist the Zhao Family if they ever faced a crisis. Could it be that they needed his help so soon?
The situation in the Great Wilderness Domain's cultivation world was shifting rapidly. If the Zhao Family truly required his aid, Li Qing wouldn't hesitate to intervene. Settling this debt of gratitude sooner rather than later would be a good thing.
However, Zhao Nan's purpose for visiting was not what Li Qing expected. Maintaining his respectful demeanor, Zhao Nan replied:
"That is not the case, Senior Limitless. I came to Hundred Refinements Peak specifically to express my deepest gratitude for saving my life!"
As he spoke, Zhao Nan retrieved a storage pouch from his waist.
Without hesitation, he offered the entire pouch to Li Qing, leaving the elder stunned.
"Little Friend Zhao, what is the meaning of this?" Li Qing asked, his expression calm and his hand remaining still. "One should not accept rewards without merit. Why are you suddenly offering me a storage pouch?"
Zhao Nan explained, "Senior Limitless, some time ago, I accompanied my sect to Taiyi Sect's territory to compete for control of a spirit gold vein."
"Everything was proceeding smoothly until a supreme elder guarding the mine tunnel detonated his Golden Core, obliterating the entire vein in the process!"
"Ninety-eight percent of our forces perished in the blast. Had I not been stationed on the periphery of the mining area and protected by this Golden Jade Garment, I too would have met my end."
As he spoke, Zhao Nan's eyes betrayed lingering fear.
In truth, even with the jade garment's protection, he had sustained severe injuries that took months to heal.
"Senior Limitless, you saved my life. It would be ungrateful of me to accept rewards without offering anything in return."
"I learned from my father that you enjoy spirit wine from across the realm. I've prepared over a dozen jars of spirit wine in this storage pouch, along with some relatively rare spirit gold materials."
"This humble gift is a token of my deepest respect. Please accept it, Senior Limitless!"
Zhao Nan's sincerity was palpable, leaving Li Qing at a loss for how to refuse.
In the end, he accepted the storage pouch filled with spirit wine.
"Heh, you're quite thoughtful, nephew. I'll shamelessly accept this token of gratitude."
As he spoke, Li Qing subtly probed the pouch with his spiritual sense, quickly scanning its contents.
As expected, it contained over a dozen jars of fragrant spirit wine, along with various colorful spirit gold materials lying quietly inside.
These spirit gold materials were likely sent by Zhao Tianxiong through his son.
Judging by the timing, Li Qing guessed that the Golden Silkworm in his possession had likely completed its incubation and was now in need of rare spirit gold to feed on.
The quantity wasn't large, but it was more than enough to feed the little golden silkworm.
It had to be said, this gift was truly thoughtful. Even Li Qing felt quite satisfied.
Perhaps it wasn't something of immense value, but it perfectly suited his tastes.
Especially the few rare pieces of spirit gold. Though they had limited practical use, collecting them would undoubtedly require considerable effort.
Seeing Li Qing's reaction, Zhao Nan couldn't help but breathe a small sigh of relief, knowing he had chosen the right gift.
Only then did he dare to continue:
"Furthermore, this junior has another matter to discuss with Senior!"
In a relatively good mood, Li Qing nodded and casually asked, "What is it? Speak freely."
With permission granted, Zhao Nan began:
"This matter doesn't concern my Zhao Family directly, but rather a message my sect instructed me to deliver."
Sect? The Ghost Sword Sect?
The mention of the sect behind Zhao Nan immediately triggered Li Qing's wariness. His relaxed demeanor vanished, replaced by a sharp alertness.
"The Ghost Sword Sect sent you to deliver a message? Tell me what it is."
Zhao Nan lowered his voice. "Senior Limitless, our sect leader plans to refine a rare treasure. To ensure success, he has invited three senior artifact refinement experts and hopes you will join them in the refining process."
Three artifact refinement experts invited, and they want me to join too?
That means at least four core formation realm artifact refinement masters will be working together to refine a single rare treasure?
Li Qing's eyes narrowed involuntarily. What kind of rare treasure does the Ghost Sword Sect Leader intend to refine that requires such an elaborate undertaking?
"Such a grand endeavor... what kind of rare treasure is the Ghost Sword Sect planning to refine?" Li Qing couldn't help but ask.
Zhao Nan shook his head with a wry smile. "This matter is beyond my knowledge. The sect leader intends to keep it strictly confidential."
This was understandable. After all, Zhao Nan was merely an ordinary foundation establishment realm elder.
Given the Ghost Sword Sect's elaborate preparations for refining this mysterious rare treasure, it was only natural that they would guard the information closely.
Li Qing fell into a brief silence, inwardly weighing his options.
Seeing this, Zhao Nan continued, "The sect leader said that regardless of success or failure, Senior Limitless, you will receive an exceptionally generous reward if you agree to participate!"
An exceptionally generous reward!
The words stirred Li Qing's heart.
Yet he hesitated to accept immediately. Gui Li, the Ghost Sword Sect Leader, was a formidable cultivator in the nascent soul realm. Collaborating with such a figure would inevitably bring immense pressure.
While it wouldn't be quite like scheming with a tiger for its skin, refining artifacts under the watchful eye of a nascent soul realm expert would undoubtedly weigh heavily on Li Qing's mind.
After another moment of silence, he asked, "When does the Ghost Sword Sect plan to begin the artifact refinement?"
"The sect leader has set the date for three months from now, Senior Limitless. What is your decision?"
To be honest, Li Qing was genuinely tempted, especially by the promise of an exceptionally generous reward.
Though the specifics remained unclear, if the Ghost Sword Sect Leader Gui Li himself was making such an offer, it couldn't be anything less than extraordinary.
Moreover, collaborating to refine a powerful rare treasure would significantly extend his lifespan.
Additionally, if he could acquire any leftover materials from the refining process, that would be a considerable bonus.
Having just mastered the transformation chapter of the Myriad Lives Demonic Art, he was currently in dire need of lifespan.
"If it's merely artifact refinement, I can agree to it."
"Alright. Take this message back. I will travel to the Ghost Sword Sect in three months. I'm curious what kind of rare treasure your sect leader intends to refine, requiring such a massive undertaking."
Inviting four great masters of artifact refinement, all at least core formation realm cultivators, was no small feat.
Li Qing's claim of disinterest was clearly false. Considering his relationship with the Ghost Sword Sect, agreeing to help posed no harm.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Nan immediately retrieved a small, pitch-black wooden sword from his robes.
"Senior Limitless, this is the token the sect leader instructed me to deliver. Present it at the Ghost Sword Sect's mountain gate in three months!"
(End of the Chapter)
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