Chapter 12: It's Not Theft! It's Revenge!
At this moment, Li Xingtian had successfully refined the Millennial Bone Jade.
Feeling the smooth flow of spiritual energy through his meridians once again, he exhaled deeply.
It really hadn't been easy. Somehow, his reborn life felt even less smooth than his previous one.
As for what his senior sister had said, Li Xingtian didn't care much. He knew his own limits better than anyone.
It wasn't that his new master was unworthy—Li Xingtian had experienced many storms and met all kinds of people, and he could tell that his master genuinely cared for him.
Especially that cultivation technique—its level was high enough to cause an uproar even in Central State.
He slowly stood up, stretched his limbs, and then noticed the eager look in his master's eyes.
Feeling a little uneasy, he asked, "Master, wh-what's wrong?"
Chu Xingchen first released his divine sense to make sure Li Yingling wasn't nearby. It wasn't that she couldn't be trusted, but if she learned that Li Xingtian was a reborn cultivator, who knew what kind of trouble she'd stir up. For now, stability was best.
A faint smile appeared on Chu Xingchen's face as he spoke warmly.
"My disciple, you must have had quite a few fortuitous encounters in your past life, yes?"
"There… were some," Li Xingtian replied cautiously.
"Then, are there any secret realms nearby, or perhaps some rare treasures?"
Hearing that, Li Xingtian sighed in relief. That kind of question was easy enough to answer.
"The nearby secret realms have long been cleared out by the surrounding sects, big and small. As for fortuitous encounters…"
He thought for a moment, then shook his head. "True opportunities are mostly found in Central State, since that's where the world's spiritual veins converge."
"So there's no place nearby where we could earn some spirit stones?"
"Master, are you short on spirit stones?"
Not bothering to hide it, Chu Xingchen answered bluntly, "I plan to build a Spirit Gathering Formation and need some stones to buy materials."
Li Xingtian pondered for a moment before replying, "If master trusts me, the Qingfeng Sect's mining site has plenty of spirit stones."
"I worked there for three years and understand how the mine operates. There's only one Golden Core cultivator stationed there."
"If master is confident, it might be a good opportunity."
Chu Xingchen didn't rush to agree but instead gave Li Xingtian a measured look.
Sensing his master's gaze, Li Xingtian clasped his fists. "I truly have no intention of taking revenge for myself."
"No…" Chu Xingchen shook his head. "Remember—this time, we're not going there for spirit stones. We're going there to avenge you."
"And at the same time, to uphold justice for all those oppressed by the Qingfeng Sect."
Chu Xingchen's expression was solemn, his tone serious. "As a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, your vision must not be so narrow."
"Ah?" Li Xingtian stared blankly at his master.
He couldn't tell whether his master wanted both righteousness and profit—or simply needed an excuse to act openly.
Either way, it didn't seem like his master suspected him of anything.
Li Xingtian couldn't help but smile faintly. "Yes, master."
"Now tell me where the mine is. I'll scout it out first!"
Picking up a half-charred stick from the ground, Li Xingtian began drawing a map on the floor.
"From the Beixi Mountains, head north, circle around this small stream, and go west—it should be around here."
His drawing was fairly accurate, and he marked several notable landmarks.
"Good. There's no time to waste. I'll go investigate the situation first. You and your senior sister stay home and focus on cultivation."
Chu Xingchen nodded, then took out two teleportation talismans and handed them to Li Xingtian. "These are Thousand-Mile Teleportation Talismans. If anything happens, don't listen to your senior sister—just grab her and run. Use both if you have to. Don't be greedy; I've marked them myself."
"The teleportation sites are linked to me. I'll sense your position and come find you."
Ten Li Slope was desolate and uninhabited; almost no one ever came here.
After all, the spiritual energy in this place was thin, and there were no spiritual herbs or plants to gather. Ordinary mortals certainly wouldn't wander here for leisure.
If anyone did come, it would likely be to cause trouble.
According to the direction Li Xingtian had indicated, even at his pace, it would take a full day's journey.
A round trip would be two days. The former Minister Wang was merely a mortal and probably couldn't afford to hire a powerful cultivator to locate Li Yingling.
However, since they had already fallen out with the Qingfeng Sect, keeping a contingency plan was only sensible—lest he return to find two corpses hanging at the temple gate.
Especially that elder—already plagued by inner demons—who knew how twisted he might become now.
Li Xingtian did not hesitate; he took the teleportation talismans and said solemnly, "I will remember your instructions, master."
Whatever else could be said, the man before him was also a reborn cultivator, one who had clearly weathered many storms.
He should be capable of handling things carefully.
Still a little uneasy, Chu Xingchen unfastened the talisman hanging from his waist and handed it to Li Xingtian.
"This talisman can block an attack from a Golden Core cultivator. If things go wrong, use it immediately and teleport away."
Back when Chu Xingchen was still in the Foundation Establishment Stage, he had escaped danger many times thanks to this very talisman.
But now that he was in the Golden Core Stage, its usefulness to him was limited.
It was better to give it to Li Xingtian.
Li Xingtian accepted it without refusal.
Chu Xingchen added, "There's not much else to say. Your senior sister is still young—make sure you look after her properly. No matter what happens, don't ever abandon her."
"I understand, master," Li Xingtian replied earnestly.
Chu Xingchen nodded, then turned and walked outside.
Li Xingtian possessed a loyal and righteous nature; it was unlikely he would make any grave mistake.
At the very least, Chu Xingchen had once saved his life.
Feeling reassured, Chu Xingchen used an Earth Escape technique to leave, expending no effort to conserve spiritual power. The sooner he went and returned, the better.
Watching his master depart, Li Xingtian took a deep breath.
He lowered his gaze to the talisman in his hand.
He had only known his master for a few days, yet the man trusted him so deeply, not fearing that he might run away with these items.
A talisman capable of resisting a Golden Core cultivator's strike might not be priceless in Central State, but here, it was exceedingly rare.
As for whether his master belonged to a Central State sect, or how strong he truly was—Li Xingtian didn't care.
He was a man who clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment.
For him, cultivation was about maintaining a clear and honest heart.
Since his master had shown such trust, that was enough for him.
Taking a deep breath, he tucked the talisman into his robes.
Then, Li Xingtian drew out the Mixed Yuan Demonic Bone Body Refinement Art his master had given him.
He had hesitated before, but now decided to practice it without worry.
As soon as he began, he could feel the difference. His entire Dao Body was being awakened—something he had never achieved in his previous life.
This cultivation method seemed perfectly suited to him.
Master truly had given him something extraordinary.
Immersed in his training, he lost track of time.
When he opened his eyes again, night had fallen. His senior sister had already returned and was sitting by the fire.
Sensing that he had finished cultivating, Li Yingling looked toward him and asked, "Where's master? Where did he go?"
Li Xingtian didn't hide anything. "Master went to the Qingfeng Sect's mining site to investigate. He should be back in two days."
Hearing this, Li Yingling looked slightly downcast but said nothing more. Instead, she lifted the wild pheasant she had caught earlier that day.
"Junior brother, you haven't reached the Foundation Establishment Stage yet, so you can't go without food. You must be hungry, right?"
"A… a little," he admitted.
"Then you can cook this pheasant," she said.
Li Xingtian had no idea how to cook, and was about to refuse, but then he remembered his master's words.
"Yingling is still young. Take good care of her."
With a resigned sigh, he took the pheasant and began preparing it.
Half an hour later—
"Junior brother?! What on earth did you cook? Are you trying to poison your senior sister?!"