A gift

Li Qiong, Xiao Ruqing, and Long Yu looked at the man who had come on the orders of Zhong Lingxiu, the head of the Rising Dragon Pavilion, their brows all slightly furrowed.

"Are you Pavilion Master Zhong's assistant, Yang Xu?"

"Yes."

The man, Yang Xu, nodded, but his gaze fell directly on Li Xian.

Then he took out a box and handed it to Li Xian. "Li Hidden Dragon, here are three Blood-Nourishing Pills. Please inspect them."

At these words, Li Qiong abruptly rose to his feet. "Blood-Nourishing Pills!?"

Long Yu immediately said as well, "Yang Xu? What is the meaning of this? Since when has the head of the Rising Dragon Pavilion interfered in recruiting talent? And without even avoiding the appearance of favoritism?"

"Is this your idea or Pavilion Master Zhong's? If word gets out, I fear it will be very damaging to her reputation."

Xiao Ruqing also chimed in.

Blood-Nourishing Pills.

Only the Three Great Forces, the Rising Dragon Pavilion, and the Yan Family of Great Zhou could produce such treasures.

Deep down, Li Xian's demand for Blood-Nourishing Pills had actually put them somewhat at ease.

It effectively eliminated all the major sects and local factions from consideration.

As for the Yan Family...

Their relationship with Li Xian was far from harmonious.

They had already planned to first make Li Xian recognize the gap between himself and this year's contestants, then appeal to his feelings and explain the benefits, working patiently to draw him into their respective factions.

They could not easily let go of a genius certain to succeed at Leaping Over the Dragon Gate next time, with prospects of entering the Dao.

Yet they had never expected...

The ever-neutral Rising Dragon Pavilion would suddenly thrust a foot into the affair.

"You misunderstand. Our Pavilion Master Zhong has no intention of interfering."

Yang Xu said, "But you should all know that the Rising Dragon Pavilion has always acted fairly and impartially. Since the Hidden Dragon Ranking exposes information about those listed, the pavilion offers informational support as compensation. The top ten in particular can even receive material items. Su Jianxing, for example, was once granted the final portion of Daoist Mo’s Ascension Painting."

He continued calmly, "Thus, the Rising Dragon Pavilion has helped those on the Hidden Dragon Ranking since ancient times. Pavilion Master Zhong is merely following the rules."

"As you said yourself, the Hidden Dragon Ranking leaks their information, so the compensation comes in the form of information. Even in Su Jianxing's case, he had already collected the first three portions of the Ascension Painting. The Rising Dragon Pavilion merely offered borrowed flowers to the Buddha by supplying the final piece. But these Blood-Nourishing Pills... this is outright material aid."

Li Qiong's tone was displeased.

"Why quibble over every detail, Elder Li? If you insist on an explanation..."

Yang Xu smiled. "Our Pavilion Master Zhong has recently found herself short of silver and intends to sell three Blood-Nourishing Pills for ten thousand taels each. I am simply leaking this news to Li Hidden Dragon, who happens to need them..."

He turned his gaze toward Li Xian. "Would you like to buy them, Li Hidden Dragon?"

"Yes."

Li Xian answered without hesitation.

He took the banknotes from Zhou Juechen and handed them to Yang Xu.

Under the somewhat sour gazes of Li Qiong, Long Yu, and the others, Yang Xu accepted the banknotes. "The Blood-Nourishing Pills are yours, Li Hidden Dragon."

"Thank you."

Li Xian accepted the Blood-Nourishing Pills.

With these three Blood-Nourishing Pills...

He truly felt confident that within the next ten days, he could use the Blood Refining Technique to forcibly achieve Blood and Qi Mastery and reach Leakless Realm Great Accomplishment.

"I heard that you intend to register for this year's Dragon Gate Grand Competition, Li Hidden Dragon? The Rising Dragon Pavilion was established for this competition. Anyone on the Hidden Dragon Ranking who registers is provided with a courtyard where they can cultivate in peace and replenish their strength. Would you like to move in?"

Yang Xu extended another invitation.

"Oh? There is such a quiet place? That could not be better."

Li Xian rose to his feet.

Seeing this, Zhou Juechen followed close behind.

When Li Qiong, Long Yu, and Xiao Ruqing saw that Li Xian intended to follow Yang Xu into the Rising Dragon Pavilion, they all felt somewhat helpless. Once he went in, he probably would not come out before the competition began.

"Li Hidden Dragon, I still hope you will give this serious thought and pin your hopes on the next competition. This year's Dragon Gate Grand Competition has experts as numerous as clouds, and your strength offers little advantage. If anything goes wrong, won't it be too late for regrets?"

"Indeed. I suggest you conserve your strength, Li Hidden Dragon. Cultivate True Qi in five years and secure a Dragon Gate Token outright. Why insist on rushing into this year's competition and risking your life?"

Xiao Ruqing also spoke up.

"I recall that you had quite a serious conflict with the Yan Family, Li Hidden Dragon, and even killed members of their family. If you rashly participate in this year's Leaping Over the Dragon Gate... you risk being targeted."

Long Yu's reminder seemed to carry a warning.

"Targeted."

Li Xian smiled faintly.

That would be wonderful.

Ideally, that Nineteenth Princess would act in person and let me experience the methods of a martial artist who has cultivated True Qi.

Though he felt some anticipation, he did not neglect the proper courtesies. "If you are willing to give me Spirit-Concentrating Incense, I will remember it and repay you in the future. We can each get what we need and cooperate for mutual benefit."

Cooperate for mutual benefit?

If Li Xian would not join the Three Great Forces...

Did the Three Great Forces lack a Martial Master in the Body Without Leaks Realm to cooperate with for mutual benefit?

Seeing their response, Li Xian said no more and lightly cupped his hands. "Farewell."

With that, he turned and left with Yang Xu.

"This Li Xian..."

"He knows his own worth, yet insists on wading into this year's Dragon Gate Convention. Recruiting him offers high returns, but also high costs and great risks."

Li Qiong and Long Yu shook their heads.

They already intended to wait until the Dragon Gate Convention ended before making a decision.

Xiao Ruqing, however, intended to try again through the Sword Saint Guangyuan when the time came.

But no matter what...

This recruitment attempt...

Had gone off the rails.

"Let's go. Only after Li Xian fails at Leaping Over the Dragon Gate and crashes into a brick wall will he recognize his own limits and obediently turn back."

Li Qiong spoke.

"Let us only hope... the Yan Family shows some mercy and he does not lose his life during Leaping Over the Dragon Gate."

Long Yu made the remark blandly.

Meanwhile, Yang Xu led Li Xian and Zhou Juechen straight up Asking the Dao Mountain.

Of course, Zhou Juechen was not entitled to a courtyard of his own. He could only borrow a room in Li Xian's residence.

Fortunately, the courtyard arranged on Asking the Dao Mountain was large enough to accommodate both Zhou Juechen and Hongyu with room to spare.

After helping Li Xian register and arranging his accommodation, Yang Xu left him a booklet. "So far, one hundred and three people have registered for this year's Dragon Gate Convention. The final number is expected to reach one hundred and twenty. This contains information on the top forty, though naturally, the top ten are covered in greater detail."

After speaking, he added with a smile, "The Rising Dragon Pavilion already provides informational assistance to the top ten on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, to prevent them from taking the wrong path because of their backgrounds and needlessly ruining their prospects. So please feel free to accept this information, Li Hidden Dragon."

"Thank you."

Li Xian accepted the booklet.

"You're welcome. The Rising Dragon Pavilion exists for Leaping Over the Dragon Gate in the first place. In a sense, people like you, Li Hidden Dragon, who have the potential to shed their serpent forms and become dragons, are precisely those we serve."

Yang Xu smiled.

Of course, such polite words were like talk of being public servants-something to hear, nothing more.

"Leaping Over the Dragon Gate will begin in twelve days. The format for competing over the five Dragon Gate Tokens will be announced that day. You can rest well during these twelve days, Li Hidden Dragon. As long as you do not leave Asking the Dao Mountain, no one will dare come up here to cause trouble."

A trace of arrogance entered Yang Xu's expression as he spoke. "Not even Yan Shengming can order the Rising Dragon Pavilion around."

Yan Shengming.

The reigning emperor.

That the Rising Dragon Pavilion dared say such a thing showed its transcendent standing.

After Yang Xu left, Li Xian turned his gaze toward the three Blood-Nourishing Pills.

"Why not take a look at your competitors? Know yourself and your enemy, and you will face no peril in a hundred battles."

Zhou Juechen spoke.

"There's no rush. Right now, I'd rather see what effect the Blood-Nourishing Pills have when combined with the Blood Refining Technique."

Li Xian spoke.

He placed more importance on strengthening himself than on understanding his opponents.

Seeing this, Zhou Juechen nodded and did not insist.

Li Xian took the Blood-Nourishing Pills to the courtyard's dedicated cultivation chamber.

During their half-month journey, he had already tried using the Blood Refining Technique to condense blood essence.

Since every cultivation session yielded gains, he had gradually found his way through accumulated effort. If the Blood-Nourishing Pills truly proved useful...

Achieving Blood and Qi Mastery in the final twelve days before the Dragon Gate Convention began might not be beyond hope.

(End of chapter)