News of the Qi and Blood Pill

Green Maple Valley, Patriarch's Main Courtyard. The four elders who led the expedition for the extermination mission have successively returned to Green Maple Valley. Upon their return, every elder's face was beaming with smiles. It was evident that this trip had yielded abundant rewards.

After the post-mission statistics, the spoils from annihilating the Four Great Powers included five thousand five hundred taels of gold, along with various land deeds, shops, weapons, pills, and cultivation resources, totaling nearly eleven thousand taels in value. Even Li Xinge showed a hint of a smile upon learning of the expedition's harvest. The usually composed First Elder, however, was grinning so wide his mouth nearly reached his ears.

It must be known that the Li family had operated in Baihe County for over two hundred years, with total assets only slightly exceeding twenty thousand taels of gold. This time's harvest was almost half of the Li family's assets, a truly lucrative endeavor.

"Esteemed Elders, based on the current situation, the crisis for my Li family has temporarily been resolved." Li Xinge looked at the assembled elders, smiling from his seat of honor.

"It is all thanks to the Patriarch's divine might. Without the Patriarch's intervention, our Li family would have been in grave danger." The elders cupped their hands in salute repeatedly, their tone filled with reverence.

"However, we cannot afford to relax."

Li Xinge's tone shifted, becoming serious. "Although the crisis for my Li family is temporarily resolved, we have killed the Su Family's First Elder, Su Yun, and have completely fallen out with the Mangshan Su Clan. Based on my understanding of the Mangshan Su Clan, it is likely that a bloody battle will soon erupt between our Green Maple Li Clan and the Mangshan Su Clan!"

Upon hearing this, everyone also withdrew their smiles, their faces showing solemnity.

The Mangshan Su Clan is not comparable to the Four Great Powers we annihilated today; they are a powerful family with a cultivator in the Qi and Blood Realm holding the fort. Their clan is filled with experts. If we were to engage in a fight to the death, even if we could win, the Li family would likely suffer heavy losses.

Let alone the Mangshan Su Clan's Old Ancestor, who has been cultivating in the Qi and Blood Realm for many years. Rumor has it, he is only a step away from Minor Accomplishment of the Qi and Blood Realm. While our Patriarch's talent is monstrous, he has only just entered the Qi and Blood Realm.

"Patriarch, we should make preparations early to defend against the Mangshan Su Clan." The First Elder spoke.

Li Xinge nodded.

"From today onwards, the clan's cultivation resources will be supplied at double the rate."

Upon hearing this, everyone revealed looks of joy.

"We thank the Patriarch."

"First Elder, if you were to attempt to break through to the Qi and Blood Realm now, what's your confidence level?"

Li Xinge looked at the aged First Elder and asked.

The First Elder's body trembled, and he sighed.

"Less than ten percent. If I were ten years younger, I'd have a fifty percent chance."

Li Xinge pinched his chin, lost in thought.

After a long while, he finally said, "What if there was a Qi and Blood Pill?"

The First Elder's eyes lit up, a flicker of hope appearing in them, but it quickly dimmed again: "If there was a Qi and Blood Pill, I'd have a forty percent chance."

"A forty percent chance is enough."

Li Xinge stated.

He looked at everyone, stood up, and slowly said, "Elders, I've received news from the prefectural city. In three days, the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in the prefectural city will be holding an auction. Rumor has it that a Qi and Blood Pill will appear then. Our recent campaign against the rebels was quite fruitful. I intend to go to the prefectural city and bid for a Qi and Blood Pill to help the First Elder break through to the Qi and Blood Realm."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Before anyone else could react, the First Elder shot up with a "whoosh."

He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Patriarch, absolutely not. A Qi and Blood Pill is incredibly valuable, easily costing tens of thousands of taels of gold. This old man is already old. Even if I manage to break through to the Qi and Blood Realm by taking a Qi and Blood Pill, I can only protect the clan for twenty years at most. It would truly be a waste of resources. I implore the Patriarch to reconsider."

To say he wasn't tempted would be a lie.

After all, no cultivator could refuse the allure of advancing further.

If the Li family were wealthy and powerful, the First Elder would have readily accepted without hesitation.

But considering the Li family's current scale, a single Qi and Blood Pill would be enough to drain all of the Li family's liquid assets.

This was something the First Elder was unwilling to see.

The other Elders looked at the First Elder, their eyes involuntarily showing a trace of respect.

Li Xinge was first stunned by his words.

Then he smiled and said, "First Elder, don't be so quick to refuse. Listen to me first. Although my Li family has temporarily overcome its difficulties, we have also completely fallen out with the Mangshan Su Clan. A battle is inevitable soon."

"If we don't improve our strength in time, I fear my Li family will suffer heavy casualties."

"If the First Elder can advance to the Qi and Blood Realm as soon as possible, then the threat from the Mangshan Su Clan will be nothing to fear. Currently, our Li family only has the First Elder qualified to attempt to break through to the Qi and Blood Realm. I hope the First Elder will not refuse!" [First Elder (he) | Qi and Blood Realm | Mangshan Su Clan]

The other Elders were also covetous of the Qi and Blood Pill. [Elder (he) | Qi and Blood Pill]

However, they were all only at the Great Accomplishment of the Body Realm, and still had a long way to go before advancing to the Qi and Blood Realm. [Body Realm Great Accomplishment | Qi and Blood Realm]

Therefore, after a brief moment of envy, they all began to persuade the First Elder. [First Elder (he)]

"The Patriarch is correct. Currently, within the family, only the First Elder is qualified to attempt to break through to the Qi and Blood Realm. I implore the First Elder, for the sake of the family, to no longer refuse." [Patriarch (he) | First Elder (he) | Qi and Blood Realm]

"First Elder, please reconsider." [First Elder (he)]

"I hope the First Elder will not miss this great opportunity. If the First Elder can break through to the Qi and Blood Realm, our Li family will then have two Qi and Blood Realm Cultivators guarding it, and our Li family's strength will undoubtedly reach a new level." [First Elder (he) | Qi and Blood Realm | Qi and Blood Realm Cultivator]

"That's right, First Elder, please accept quickly." [First Elder (he)]

"..."

Facing everyone's persuasion, one after another.

The First Elder finally nodded. [First Elder (he)]

At some point, a hint of moisture appeared in his eyes.

All the unspoken words finally condensed into one sentence:

"This old man will definitely not let down the family's expectations."

Seeing the First Elder agree, Li Xinge finally breathed a sigh of relief. [First Elder (he) | Li Xinge (he)]

He knew very well how stubborn and pedantic the First Elder was. [First Elder (he)]

"Since the First Elder has agreed, then the clan should prepare twelve thousand taels of gold. I will depart for the prefectural city tomorrow." [First Elder (he)]

Li Xinge commanded. [Li Xinge (he)]

Generally speaking, the value of a Qi and Blood Pill is around ten thousand taels of gold. [Qi and Blood Pill]

However, due to the special nature of the Qi and Blood Pill, it has always been available in name but not in supply. [Qi and Blood Pill]

Therefore, Li Xinge prepared an additional two thousand taels of gold to deal with any unforeseen circumstances. [Li Xinge (he)]

"Sixth Elder, you manage the business in the prefectural city, and you are more familiar with it. You will accompany me." [Sixth Elder (he)]

Li Xinge said to the Sixth Elder, Li Yanzhao, who had a short beard and a refined appearance. [Li Xinge (he) | Sixth Elder (he) | Li Yanzhao (he)]

Li Yanzhao was the only elder of the Yan generation among the Li family's elder council. He was very young, only thirty-seven years old this year. [Li Yanzhao (he) | Li Family Elders | Elder (he)]

Upon hearing the Patriarch's summons, Li Yanzhao did not hesitate and gladly accepted the order. [Patriarch (he) | Li Yanzhao (he)]

"After I and the Sixth Elder go to the prefectural city, all family affairs will be decided by the First Elder. Then, we will spread the news that I am in seclusion to consolidate my realm, so as to prevent any villains from taking advantage of the situation." [Sixth Elder (he) | First Elder (he)]

Everyone nodded, indicating they understood.

After arranging everything.

Li Xinge dismissed the Elders and made preparations for his journey. [Li Xinge (he) | Elder (he)]