A Mortal's Journey to Immortality: Starting as a Rogue Cultivator

Li Huayuan was only half happy about this when his old face fell again. He then glared at his disciple with a sour expression and said, "You unfilial disciple, did you do this on purpose? You knew your master was short of money, yet you came here specifically to embarrass me, didn't you?"

After all, each of these costs tens or even hundreds of spirit stones.

Of the two or three hundred toys that Lei Wanhe took away with his lightning strike, apart from the ordinary ones worth hundreds of low-grade spirit stones, the most valuable was the giant tiger whose full-force attack was comparable to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator's strike, worth at least two or three thousand spirit stones.

If Fatty Lei knew that his recent pleasure was based on 20,000 to 30,000 spirit stones, who knows if he would act any more gently in the future.

The same principle applies to Li Huayuan.

They gave you a cultivation technique and research tools worth nearly a thousand, and you only gave them a bunch of broken treasures worth a thousand or so spirit stones as a reward. Isn't that too stingy and beneath your dignity?

"Kid, tell me, what should your teacher offer in return?"

Old Li said that although he was poor, he was not poor in spirit.

Having obtained the manual, his mind was already racing.

"Master, you are the elder, just give me what you think is appropriate, please don't worry about Senior Brother Lin's feelings!"

Li Huayuan: "Hmph, no respect for elders."

Upon being reprimanded, Wang Li's expression turned serious and he quickly shut his mouth.

"Alright, speak like a human being."

Old Li was clearly not the type to be overly critical over minor flaws, especially since Wang Li had just brought over some good stuff to boast about. If he were to turn around and reprimand this disciple, wouldn't that be like discouraging people from joining him?

"Ahem, Master, no matter what, I think we still need two intermediate-to-high-level talismans."

"Master, you know that Senior Brother Lin was once the young master of the Thousand Bamboo Sect. What good things hasn't he seen? How can low- to mid-grade talismans demonstrate our lineage's goodwill towards him? If we were to try and fool him with these things, I think we might offend him and chill his sincere heart. Then, if anything good happens in the future, I'm afraid you, Master, won't be involved."

"Hiss... a high-level talisman?"

These are all his trump cards!

“Master, you can’t catch a wolf without risking your cub! With the Great Evolution Technique and the Puppet True Explanation, along with the other party’s meticulous teaching, and our four years of preparation, we can win everything back in one bet. Moreover, I think I don’t need to elaborate on the significance of the Great Evolution Technique’s ability to enhance spiritual sense to you, Master, who has such a long lifespan.”

"No rush, no rush... Let me think about it!"

Li Huayuan felt like he was about to have his flesh ripped off.

"Master's wife, look at Master's condition..."

Having taken the youth-preserving pill he gave me, I should still show my appreciation.

“Huayuan, how come you don’t see as far ahead as your disciple? It’s just two talismans, external things. You can get more if you lose them. But once you lose people’s hearts, you can never buy them back.”

Her voice was delicate and her words were earnest.

"Take this Thunderbolt, go ahead."

……

After Wang Li left.

"Huayuan, aren't two high-level talismans too many? Your disciple is pointing and asking for talismans, and two at that. You're not planning to embezzle one of them, are you?"

The young woman seemed exceptionally intelligent.

That's true, otherwise how could he have captured Li Huayuan's heart?

"He brought so many good things to pay his respects to me. What would it mean if I didn't reward him? Besides, he really did make a great contribution this time. It's not unreasonable for him to ask me for some benefits in this way."

This is all about social etiquette...

Suddenly, he thought of his senior brother Qin, who had protected him before he grew up.

"Indeed, your disciple is quite clever."

"Madam, that's called being tactful, okay?"

……

When Wang Li emerged from the Azure Wave Cave, his face was expressionless.

After he had walked a little further away, he first grinned heartily, then gave a sarcastic laugh.

The previous laugh was because he had exchanged only one or two bottles of insignificant pills for the Great Evolution Technique, the Puppet True Explanation, two high-level talismans, and a Heavenly Thunder Seed.

It can be said that the second step of getting something for nothing was perfectly executed.

The second laugh was a laugh at Lin for adding unnecessary details.

Originally, everyone could have gotten along amicably and benefited each other. But this person had tampered with his puppets, leaving divine imprints on them, clearly with malicious intent. Unexpectedly, Wang Li had no intention of using these puppets at all, and instead offered them all to Li Huayuan. Naturally, this did not escape the discerning eye of this person.

"Hmph, how dare you doubt Wang's upright, kind, and magnanimous character?!"

What about the most basic trust between people?

The residence of Young Master Lin.

"Senior Brother Lin, your junior brother is here again."

This trip was, of course, on behalf of my cheap master; it was a necessary one.

Wang Li indeed delivered everything except the talisman, and even gifted the recipient another bottle of Qi-Harmony Pills. This caused the recipient, who already knew what was going on, to lower most of her guard.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Uncle Li!"

This is a heartfelt gift.

Li Huayuan's intentions were definitely good, as evidenced by the two bottles of pills suitable for Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

"Then you'll have to put in some effort to train the trial disciples, Senior Brother."

"No problem, no problem."

Both sides are satisfied, which is good, meaning there's not much of a problem: because to be honest, Wang Li's contribution is even greater; you, Young Master Lin, are an outsider, do you even have a place to speak here?

He asked Senior Brother Lin for the cultivation technique in Old Li's name, then gave the technique to Old Li, and then sent Old Li as compensation...

Three steps, three rings.

The third loop is complete.

He profits from both sides, and the only price he pays is a few words and two bottles of Qi-integrating pills.

Chapter 57 Revisiting the Seven Mysteries Gate

The Three Revolutions Rejuvenation Technique is undoubtedly of paramount importance. So, how can we obtain it from the barefoot giant?

Given Wang Li's Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, it would be unsuitable for him to join the Giant Sword Sect; therefore, the only option is to arrange for someone else to infiltrate the Giant Sword Sect, lure out the barefoot giant, and then hunt him down.

Currently, there are only a handful of people who are suitable for this position.

First, Zhang Tie.

Moreover, this simpleton also plays a significant role in some future plans. For example, if he were to go to the Chaotic Star Sea, then one or two people would definitely need to stay here to serve Xin Ruyin, and Zhang Tie, this honest man, would be just right.

Why not choose Qi Yunxiao?

Sorry, I can't trust you.

……

After leaving Huangfeng Valley, head southwest.

Caixia Mountain and Qixuan Gate will be reached in three days.

Why come to the Seven Mysteries Sect first?

First, they established a cave dwelling in the northwest corner of Huangfeng Valley, then further armed themselves in the Tianxing Sect market, followed by planning the Great Evolution Technique, and then the Seven Mysteries Sect.

This was the shortest harvesting route that Wang Li had planned well in advance, based on the geographical locations of various parts of Yue, after he had established his foundation.

It's like retracing the route taken several months ago when they harvested the seven markets, a "return to familiar territory" kind of thing.

In the Divine Hand Valley, on a mountain wall, in a stone chamber specially created by Doctor Mo Juren so that his beloved disciple could practice without being disturbed, a boy of about eleven years old stopped practicing his skills for the day.

The boy slowly uncrossed his legs and gently rubbed them with his hands. Prolonged meditation practice had caused poor blood circulation and numbness in his legs.

In fact, to build this stone chamber for the young man who had cultivated special true qi, Elder Mo even used his connection with Sect Master Wang, sparing no effort and disregarding the sect's rules.

It can be said that they put a lot of thought into it.

Moreover, whenever the young man suffered internal injuries and damaged his meridians due to his hasty exertion of energy, Master Mo was even more anxious than the young man himself. Throughout the entire process of personally healing his disciple, he was restless and uneasy, much like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

This meticulous and extraordinary love naturally aroused the boy's curiosity and doubt, in addition to his feelings of being moved.

But whenever doubts arose in his mind, the young man would quickly dismiss them. After all, his mentor, Doctor Mo, was such a kind person, and held such a special position in the Seven Mysteries Sect; what ill intentions could he possibly have towards a poor boy from a mountain village like him? Besides, he could send a few extra taels of silver home every month—there wasn't a better master in the world!

Therefore, whether it was for a few more taels of silver each month or to repay Elder Mo's expectations, the young man cultivated with exceptional diligence. After spending about half a year mastering the first level of the Nameless Mantra, he immediately began working on the second level.

"Only Qi Refining Level 1? There's still a long way to go before reaching Qi Refining Level 2! Very good."

This means he has about four years left.

In other words, even if we come back after the next Crimson Trial, we will still have enough time.

"Speaking of which, should I kill Doctor Mo right now and give Old Devil Han a wonderful childhood?"

This move, seemingly helping, is actually digging a path, cutting off Han Li's path to enlightenment.

It's not much different from simply taking the little green bottle.

The lessons Dr. Mo taught before and after the possession, as well as the subtle greed he revealed over the past three to five years, were the foundation for cultivating Han Paopao's keen insight and his unwillingness to be preyed upon.

Without this link, Han Paopao is essentially half useless.

"Squeak."

The stone gate opened from the inside.

Doctor Mo, who had been standing outside the door, slipped to a corner before the young man could push the door open and step out. His gaze, as he looked at the young man's back, was filled with intense anticipation and undisguised longing.

As for Wang Li, who was beside Elder Mo, the two of them remained completely unaware of him.

It's like a wisp of air.

……

The scene shifts to Chishui Peak, several miles away.

Zhang Tie, who was practicing his Elephant Armor Kung Fu under the waterfall, suddenly felt his body lighten and his breathing become labored.

"Who?"