Coming to the Door

Gu Jinlai calculated the timing.

Today happened to be the day the Demon Refining Hall's Heaven and Earth Qiankun Diagram would open.

As the capital's Demon Refining Hall, it received an endless stream of exchange applicants every month.

Due to a past incident where someone who exchanged for a treasure was immediately ambushed and killed after leaving, there was a privacy system in place.

Exchange applicants would write down what they wished to exchange, submit it along with a Qiankun Talisman into a hidden compartment, and receive a room number for a private booth.

At the appointed time, someone would deliver the items, already packed, to the booth.

After writing down his needs, Gu Jinlai went to the waiting area's private booths to wait.

The entire process went smoothly, and soon Gu Jinlai obtained a movement technique.

Unrestricted Movement.

He flipped through it for a moment, quite satisfied.

"As expected of a technique exchanged with the merits of thirteen Demonic Beasts."

This was a movement technique that could be used with over ninety percent of sword, fist, and saber techniques.

It was direct and unyielding, characterized by explosive power and charge.

Not only was its speed extremely fast, but it also added a layer of might when used with sword, fist, and saber techniques.

Upon entry and minor completion, it increased speed. At major completion, it could derive an explosive technique—Four Seas. Once cultivated to perfection, it could even use the technique—Eight Desolations—to change direction in all eight directions during a charge.

After exchanging for the cultivation technique, he returned to his courtyard and began to cultivate patiently.

Less than an hour after he returned to his courtyard, Gu Chaoyang walked in, "Old Ancestor, someone from the Jiang Family is here."

"The Jiang Family?"

Gu Jinlai was somewhat surprised.

Hadn't the Jiang Family people said they would sever all ties with him?

After pondering for a moment, he said, "Please invite them in."

Then, he called Su Nanxing and went to the reception hall.

Not long after the two arrived at the reception hall, Gu Chaoyang entered with three people.

Jiang Xiyu and Shao Hong, two familiar faces, and a middle-aged man with a robust aura.

Upon seeing Gu Jinlai, the middle-aged man cupped his hands with a smile, "Jiang Lichou greets Celestial Master Gu."

Gu Jinlai's mind flashed with the intelligence from Yun Guantian.

Jiang Lichou.

One of the Jiang Family's Four Spirit Refiners.

With Old Master Jiang no longer managing affairs, his standing was second only to the Family Head, Jiang Tianming.

"Please sit."

Gu Jinlai gestured with his hand.

Jiang Lichou exchanged pleasantries with Gu Jinlai.

Before long, they got to the point: "Celestial Master Gu is truly a dragon among men, astonishing the world with a single feat after remaining silent. Not only did you skillfully transition to becoming a Celestial Master, but you also refined such an outstanding treasure armor. Congratulations."

Hearing this, Gu Jinlai guessed what was happening, "True Man Jiang flatters me. It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning."

"Being able to refine high-grade treasure armor, and with such high efficiency, is far from a simple matter," Jiang Lichou said, cupping his hands again. "To be frank, I have come to invite Celestial Master Gu to join our Jiang Family. As long as Celestial Master Gu agrees, not only will our Jiang Family mediate with Hall Master Yun, but you also need not worry about the Purgatory Sect. Furthermore, our Jiang Family is willing to offer a million-year salary to invite Celestial Master Gu to lead the Jiang Family's Artifact Refining Hall."

"Invite me to the Jiang Family."

Gu Jinlai was not surprised.

While Celestial Masters might not carry the same weight as Spirit Refining True Men, each Celestial Master could bring immense wealth to a family.

Crucially, the exquisite treasure artifacts and spirit artifacts refined by Celestial Masters were often priceless and impossible to acquire even with money.

These strategic resources meant that any Celestial Master's emergence would lead to overtures from various powers.

The reason Gu Jinlai had been able to live peacefully until now without being invited was twofold. First, he had been relatively low-key, only cooperating once with the Heavenly Grass Pavilion, and the goods had not yet been delivered. Second, the identity he used bore the surname Jiang, leading many to believe he was a Jiang Family Celestial Master. Before it was clear that he had no actual connection to the Jiang Family, other powers naturally wouldn't act rashly.

"How does the Jiang Family plan to handle the Demon Refining Hall and the Purgatory Sect?" Gu Jinlai asked.

"It's better to resolve enmity than to foster it. Celestial Master Gu has already transitioned to becoming a Celestial Master, fully demonstrating his sincerity in withdrawing from the conflict. In the future, at a suitable opportunity, we will invite Sect Master Lin, and everyone can sit down for a meal. Celestial Master Gu can offer an apology, and the conflict can be resolved. It's the same with Hall Master Yun," Jiang Lichou said with a smile.

If Gu Jinlai had not obtained the inheritance in the jade slip, he would have agreed with Jiang Lichou's statement.

The Tianyuan Dao, a behemoth that once sought to dominate Great Qian, possessed a sect heritage of immeasurable value. It was unlikely they would abandon it based on a few words from the Jiang family.

"Things are likely not as simple as True Man Jiang imagines. Setting aside Lin Xiao, Yun Guantian is not so easily dealt with. True Man Jiang should go and see if there's a way to resolve the issue. Once you have a solution, then it won't be too late to invite me to the Jiang family," Gu Jinlai said.

"Some matters are difficult to discuss openly, but as long as Celestial Master Gu joins our Jiang family, we will have plenty of ways to mediate,"

"I'm not doubting the Jiang family's capabilities, but I don't believe Lin Xiao and Yun Guantian will give up easily. If True Man Jiang truly wants to invite me to the Jiang family, you must at least show me hope that the Jiang family can resolve these two matters," Gu Jinlai stated.

He understood the Jiang family's intentions very clearly.

First, lure him into the Jiang family, then find a way to extract the structure of his carbon steel armor.

After that...

Whether to hand Gu Jinlai over or continue to exploit his value would depend on Lin Xiao and Yun Guantian's determination to deal with him.

"Xingzhou is not Chizhou. Lin Xiao's influence cannot extend to Xingzhou. Moreover, the Starlight City's City Lord's Mansion exerts authority over the region, and the Purgatory Demonic Sect cannot even extend its reach here. As for the Demon Refining Hall... although it has become a force, it is nominally under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Lord's Mansion. My Ninth Sister is married into the Provincial Lord's Mansion and is deeply favored. The Jiang family's influence in Xingzhou is unquestionable."

Jiang Lichou spoke. Seeing that Gu Jinlai didn't react much, he wasn't in a hurry, merely smiling, "Celestial Master Gu, please consider it carefully. My Jiang family has sufficient ability to ensure your safety."

"I will consider it."

Gu Jinlai responded perfunctorily.

Soon, Jiang Lichou, Jiang Xiyu, and Shao Hong took their leave.

After exiting the courtyard, Jiang Xiyu mused, "This Gu Jinlai is likely playing hard to get."

"He's overthinking it. Since he has taken on the identity of Jiang Dongqu, he can only choose to join our Jiang family."

Jiang Lichou said with a slight smile, "Xiyu, I never expected that through your unintentional actions, you would be able to secure such an opportunity for our Jiang family."

"Second Uncle flatters me," Jiang Xiyu replied humbly. "It was all by chance. I only fear that Gu Jinlai won't know what's good for him..."

"Heh, if he were still an elder of the Purgatory Sect, or a Spirit Refining True Man, I might have been a little wary. But since he has already re-cultivated as a Celestial Master, losing his drive... coupled with his precarious situation..." Jiang Lichou chuckled, "Don't worry, he's already within our Jiang family's grasp."

Jiang Xiyu nodded upon hearing this.

He naturally trusted his second uncle's abilities.

"However, I fear delays might cause complications. I recently received news that the Purgatory Sect's person in charge, who was lurking in our Starlight City, has apparently been replaced on the grounds of lacking achievements. Changing personnel at this time makes it hard not to suspect that the new person in charge is someone arranged by Lin Xiao. To prevent Gu Jinlai from being eliminated by the Purgatory Sect before he even joins our Jiang family, we need to put some pressure on him."

"Second Uncle means..."

"I have my own plans."

A hint of indifference appeared on Jiang Lichou's face. "Do you really think I'm calling you Celestial Master Gu and treating you as someone important? A Celestial Master without strength or background, who also has a bounty on his head... Refusing me? Who gave you the courage?"