A Huge Windfall, Then Double It Again!

A few days later, all the fallen family cultivators had been laid to rest. The severely wounded and disabled were still recovering, while those with minor injuries had basically recovered.

Immediately afterward, Clan Leader Li Guangao convened a Family Meeting, attended by all cultivators at Qi Condensation Fourth Layer and above.

For this meeting, Li Dingxue was absent among the Qi Condensation Fourth Layer cultivators. One of his arms had been severed, and he had lost consciousness from blood loss. He was still recuperating.

Li Qingyuan had no idea what the meeting was about.

Compared with the contents of the Family Meeting, Li Qingyuan was more interested in the resources in his own hands.

He returned to the Small Courtyard where he cultivated in seclusion and announced to the outside world that he was entering closed-door cultivation.

"Tier 1 Low-grade Storage Bag, collect!"

With a thought from Li Qingyuan, the Storage Bag was taken into the Mysterious Feminine Space. Once it had been perfectly replicated, two identical Storage Bags fell into his hands.

The two Storage Bags in his palm were identical in every way. Even their faintly damaged marks and worn, aged appearance were not the slightest bit different.

"Father said that a brand-new Tier 1 Low-grade Storage Bag is worth around a hundred Spirit Stones." Li Qingyuan pondered. "The Storage Bag in my hand has been used for years, so it counts as secondhand."

"It's probably worth only seventy or eighty Spirit Stones."

Then, Li Qingyuan held the Flying Sword and flicked it with his finger.

Clang! The three-foot Flying Sword let out a crisp hum.

Its blade was slender and sharp, its entire body a deep green, with spiritual patterns flashing across it.

Li Qingyuan said delightedly, "This is a Tier 1 Mid-grade Magic Tool Flying Sword."

"According to Father, in the Market, this sword would sell for at least over a hundred Spirit Stones. It's enough for me to use until Qi Condensation Sixth Layer."

"Hehe, having a family at my back really does make cultivating easier!"

Even if it was only a Third-rate Qi Condensation Family, the Cultivation Resources one could access in the early stages of cultivation still far surpassed those available to Rogue Cultivators with no backing at all.

"Collect!"

"Replicate!"

Soon, two Flying Swords flew out of the Mysterious Feminine Space.

The Tier 1 Mid-grade Magic Tool Flying Swords were entirely deep green. They were forged primarily from Green Sword Bamboo, supplemented by other Tier 1 materials and ores.

Thus, they were called Green Bamboo Flying Swords.

Li Qingyuan grinned from ear to ear. "Two Green Bamboo Flying Swords should sell for around 300 Spirit Stones."

Last came fifty Spirit Stones.

After replication doubled them, they became one hundred Spirit Stones.

Li Qingyuan said with satisfaction, "A hundred Spirit Stones are enough to support my cultivation for quite a while."

"In a few days, Father and the others should be going to the Market to sell spiritual plants and demon beast medicinal ingredients. I can have him secretly buy some materials for making Tier 1 High-grade Talisman Paper."

"On this perilous Willow Crane Island, only by wielding Late Qi Condensation combat strength can I gain even a little sense of security."

Ever since coming to the Cultivation World, Li Qingyuan had always felt insecure.

That insecurity stemmed from his own weakness.

He knew that all fear came from insufficient firepower.

Now, if he wanted sufficient firepower, he could only draw more Flame Ice Soul Severing Talismans.

"Before entering closed-door cultivation, there's still one matter to handle..." Li Qingyuan said with a troubled look, lowering his voice. "Sigh, how am I supposed to explain this to Grandpa Clan Leader?"

"Looks like I can only resort to a routine."

Early the next morning, Li Qingyuan took off his shirt, carried thorn branches on his back to plead guilty, and arrived outside the Small Courtyard where the Clan Leader lived alone. Dropping to both knees, he said, "Clan descendant Li Qingyuan has come to beg forgiveness."

"I implore Grandpa Clan Leader to punish me."

With a creak, the door opened.

As it happened, the Great Elder was there as well, aside from the Clan Leader.

Li Qingyuan respectfully said, "Greetings, Grandpa Clan Leader. Greetings, Great Elder Grandfather."

The Great Elder asked curiously, "Xiao Qingyuan, what are you doing? What mistake did you make?"

Li Qingyuan lowered his head without speaking.

The Clan Leader asked, "Tell me. What is your success rate with First-grade Low-rank Talisman Paper?"

"And what is your success rate with Tier 1 Mid-grade Talisman Paper?"

Li Qingyuan looked at Grandpa Clan Leader. Seeing the old man's stern expression, he answered weakly, "Se-seven tenths."

"Seven tenths?" Clan Leader Li Guangao looked astonished and pressed, "Seven tenths for First-grade Low-rank Talisman Paper, or for Tier 1 Mid-grade Talisman Paper?"

Li Qingyuan said, "For your grandson, they're all the same."

The corner of Li Guangao's mouth twitched. "..."

That was true. This brat's talent for drawing talismans was monstrous. Perhaps First-grade Low-rank Talisman Paper and Tier 1 Mid-grade Talisman Paper were equally difficult to him.

Li Guangao asked again, "What about the Masterwork Quality rate?"

Seeing that Grandpa Clan Leader was not angry, Li Qingyuan continued, "For First-grade Low-rank Talisman Paper, the Masterwork Quality rate is close to two tenths."

"For Tier 1 Mid-grade Talisman Paper, the Masterwork Quality rate is close to one tenth."

"You brat—" Li Guangao blurted out, his voice rising several degrees as he reached out toward Li Qingyuan.

Li Qingyuan hurriedly said, "Grandpa Clan Leader, please listen to me. I didn't deliberately conceal my talisman-drawing success rate. I only wanted to save up some talismans for Father to carry with him."

"Every time Father goes out hunting, it's incomparably dangerous. Mother is always worried sick. She can't sleep through the night, and she gets up in the middle of the night to pray for Father."

"As his son, I'm also very worried about Father's safety. That's why I deliberately hid it from you—I wanted to save up more talismans for Father to keep himself safe."

Li Guangao's outstretched hand landed on Li Qingyuan's shoulder as he laughed heartily. "Hahaha, you brat, well done."

"Ah!?" Li Qingyuan froze, utterly baffled.

Li Guangao smiled. "First, you have proven once again that your talent for drawing talismans is exceedingly monstrous, already beyond this old man's understanding."

"Second, you are a good child who is filial to his parents. Though young, you already understand how to use your own abilities to protect your parents and loved ones."

"Third, you know when you are wrong, and once you realize it, you dare to admit it."

Li Qingyuan was stunned. Ah, do I really have that many virtues?

Li Guangao said at last, "The final point is the most important."

"Do you know what it is?"

Li Qingyuan respectfully replied, "This clan descendant does not know. I ask Grandpa Clan Leader for guidance."

Li Guangao stroked his beard and said, "In the Cultivation World, there are countless people who scheme and deceive one another. Killing and Seizing Treasures happens from time to time. Moreover, the closer someone is to you, the more they understand you."

"Betrayal among relatives and friends is often the most fatal."

Li Guangao let out a long sigh, his tone desolate. "If this old man had understood this principle in his early years, your clan grandmother would not have died saving me."

He looked at Li Qingyuan solemnly. "Qingyuan, remember this: once you leave the family and enter the outside world, no matter whom you befriend, always remember to hide a trump card for yourself."

"Even with those closest to you, even your own clansmen, this old man hopes you will do the same."

Li Qingyuan looked at him in surprise. "Grandpa Clan Leader, I—"

Li Guangao said, "Remember this. For cultivators like us, if we wish to climb higher and travel farther, we must never be without vigilance against others."

"Yes." Li Qingyuan said earnestly, "Grandpa Clan Leader, I will remember."

He secretly thought, I'm already doing that, Grandpa Clan Leader.

In truth, my current success rate for First-grade Low-rank Talisman Paper is nine tenths, with three tenths at Masterwork Quality, while the rest are standard quality.

For Tier 1 Mid-grade Talisman Paper, my success rate is eight tenths, with two tenths at Masterwork Quality. Standard quality makes up the greatest share, while low quality is the least common.

For me, as long as the talisman paper materials are not too poor, there is practically no such thing as low-quality talisman paper.

Li Guangao patted Li Qingyuan and smiled. "All right, go back and cultivate."

"Strive to Step Into Qi Condensation Fourth Layer soon and advance into Mid Qi Condensation."

"Once you reach Mid Qi Condensation and cultivate Spiritual Sense, it will help improve your talisman arts."

Li Qingyuan nodded with a smile. "Yes, Grandpa Clan Leader. Great Elder Grandfather, Qingyuan will take his leave."

He cupped his fists in salute, then turned and departed.

The Great Elder teased, "This brat has more tricks up his sleeve than his father."

Li Guangao stroked his beard. "It's good to have more tricks up one's sleeve."

"The Li Immortal Clan needs not only cultivation geniuses, but also a leader with cunning and depth."