Not theft! Revenge!

By now, Li Xingtian had successfully refined the Millennium Bone Jade.

Feeling the energy flowing freely through his meridians again, he let out a heavy sigh.

Nothing comes easy, does it? Why does this reborn life feel less smooth than my last one?

As for his senior sister's remarks, Li Xingtian paid them no mind. Surely he knew better than anyone whether he was capable?

That was not to say his new master was bad. Li Xingtian had weathered great storms and seen all sorts of people. He could tell that his master genuinely cared about him.

Especially from that cultivation art. An art of that caliber could stir up towering waves even in Central Province.

He slowly stood and stretched, then noticed his master's eager gaze.

Feeling a little uneasy, Li Xingtian asked, "Master, wh-what is it?"

Chu Xingchen first extended his spiritual sense to confirm that Li Yingling was no longer nearby. It was not that she could not hear this, but if that girl learned Li Xingtian had been reborn...

Who knew what mischief she might cook up? For now, keeping things steady took priority.

A smile appeared on Chu Xingchen's face, and he spoke eagerly.

"My disciple, you must have had quite a few fortuitous encounters in your previous life, right?"

"Y-yes, a few."

"Then are there any hidden realms nearby? Or perhaps some heavenly treasures?"

Hearing this, Li Xingtian let out a long sigh of relief. These were all minor matters.

"The hidden realms nearby have long since been picked clean by the local sects, large and small. As for fortuitous encounters..."

After carefully searching his memories, Li Xingtian shook his head. "You would have to reach Central Province to find any truly great opportunities. After all, that is where the world's spiritual veins converge."

"Then isn't there anywhere we can earn some spirit stones?!"

"Master, are you short on spirit stones?"

Without hiding anything, Chu Xingchen answered readily.

"I'm planning to build a Spirit-Gathering Array, but I need some spirit stones to buy materials."

Li Xingtian considered this for a moment. "If you trust me, Master, there are plenty of spirit stones to be had at the Clearwind Sect's mine."

"I mined spirit stones there for three years, so I know how the mine operates. There is only one Golden Core cultivator stationed there."

"If you are confident you can handle him, Master, there may be something to gain."

Chu Xingchen did not rush to agree. He merely looked at Li Xingtian.

Noticing his master's gaze, Li Xingtian cupped his hands. "I have absolutely no intention of using this to avenge myself."

"No..." Chu Xingchen shook his head. "Remember, we are not doing this for spirit stones. We are doing it to avenge you."

"And, while we're at it, to uphold justice for all those persecuted by the Clearwind Sect."

With a solemn expression and an earnest tone, Chu Xingchen said, "As a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, you must not have such a narrow outlook."

"Huh?" Li Xingtian stared blankly at his master.

For a moment, he was at a loss, unsure whether his master wanted both the money and the moral high ground, or simply wanted a righteous justification.

Either way, judging by his master's words, he did not seem to suspect him.

Li Xingtian could not help smiling as he replied.

"Yes, Master."

"First, tell me where the mine is. I'll go scout it out!"

Picking up a half-burned stick from the ground, Li Xingtian began drawing a map on the floor.

"Head north from the North Creek Mountains, go around this stream, then head west. It should be somewhere around here."

Li Xingtian's map was fairly decent, and he marked a few prominent landmarks as well.

"Good. No time to lose. I'll go scout the place and see what we're dealing with. You and your senior sister should stay home and focus on cultivating."

Chu Xingchen nodded, then took out two teleportation talismans and handed them to Li Xingtian. "These are Thousand-Mile Teleportation Talismans. If trouble comes, don't listen to your senior sister. Just take her and run. Remember to use both. Don't try to save one. I've left my marks on them."

"I will be able to sense where you teleport, and I'll come find you."

Ten-Mile Slope was deserted. Hardly anyone ever came here.

After all, its spiritual energy was thin, and there were no spiritual herbs or plants worth searching for. Ordinary mortals would hardly come here for amusement, either.

If someone did come, they would most likely be looking for trouble.

Judging by the directions Li Xingtian had given him, even he would need a day to get there.

The round trip would take two days. Minister Wang was only a mortal, and might not be able to persuade a powerful cultivator to track down Li Yingling.

But they had already made enemies of the Clearwind Sect. Leaving a fallback was only sensible, lest he return to find two corpses hanging at the ruined temple's entrance.

Especially with that elder already tormented by inner demons. Who knew how twisted he might have become?

Li Xingtian did not decline. He readily accepted the teleportation talismans and said earnestly,

"I will certainly keep your instructions in mind, Master."

After all, the disciple before him had been reborn and had naturally weathered his share of great storms.

He should be capable of handling things carefully.

Still feeling somewhat uneasy, Chu Xingchen took a protective talisman from his waist and handed it to Li Xingtian as well.

"This protective talisman can withstand attacks from Golden Core Stage cultivators. If things go wrong, activate it immediately, then teleport away."

Back when Chu Xingchen had still been in the Foundation Establishment Realm, this protective talisman had helped him turn danger into safety time and again.

Now that he had reached Golden Core cultivation, however, it was no longer as useful to him.

He might as well give it to Li Xingtian.

Li Xingtian accepted it without refusing, too.

Chu Xingchen added, "I won't say much else. Your senior sister is still young, so do your best to look after her. Above all, remember never to abandon her, no matter what."

"I will remember, Master!" Li Xingtian replied solemnly.

Chu Xingchen nodded, then headed outside.

Li Xingtian had the trait of valuing bonds and loyalty, so there should be no mishaps.

At the very least, he owed Chu Xingchen his life.

Feeling somewhat reassured, Chu Xingchen departed using earth evasion, making no effort to conserve spiritual energy. Getting there and back quickly was what mattered.

Watching his master leave, Li Xingtian slowly drew a deep breath.

He lowered his gaze to the protective talisman in his hand.

He had only known his master for a few days, yet his master trusted him this much, without even fearing that he might run off alone with everything he had been given.

A protective talisman capable of withstanding attacks from Golden Core Stage cultivators might not count as particularly precious in Central Province, but it was rare here.

As for whether his master belonged to a sect in Central Province, or exactly how high his cultivation was, Li Xingtian did not really care.

He had always drawn a clear line between love and hate.

To Li Xingtian, cultivation was ultimately about living with an unburdened mind.

Feeling that his master trusted him fully was enough.

Taking a deep breath, he tucked the protective talisman into his robes.

Li Xingtian took out the Primordial Chaos Demon Bone Body-Refining Divine Art his master had given him.

He had harbored some reservations before, but now he would cultivate it first and worry about the rest later.

He quickly sat down in meditation and decisively switched to this cultivation art.

Sure enough, it felt different the moment he began. Li Xingtian could sense the Path Body within him being fully awakened.

That was something he had never managed in his previous life.

This cultivation art seemed to fit him perfectly.

Master... really did give me something good.

Once he began cultivating, he lost track of time.

When he opened his eyes again, night had fallen. His senior sister had long since returned and was sitting beside the fire.

Noticing that Li Xingtian had finished cultivating, Li Yingling looked over and asked, "Where's Master? Where did he go?"

Li Xingtian hid nothing and answered earnestly, "Master went to scout the Clearwind Sect's mine. He probably won't be back for two days."

Li Yingling seemed a little downcast at his answer, but said nothing more. She simply picked up the pheasant she had caught earlier that day.

"Junior brother, you haven't reached Foundation Establishment yet, so you can't go without food. You must be hungry, right?"

"A-a little."

"Then cook this pheasant."

Li Xingtian knew nothing about cooking. He was just about to refuse when he remembered his master's instructions.

Yingling is still young. You must take good care of her.

With a sigh, Li Xingtian accepted the pheasant and began cooking it.

Half an hour later.

"Junior brother?! What on earth did you cook? Are you trying to murder your senior sister?"